SCENE II.—The Hall in the same.

Enter three Servants, drunk, drawing in Fresco.

1st Ser. Boy! fill some drink, boy.

Fres. Enough, good sir; not a drop more by this light.

2nd Ser. Not by this light? Why then put out the candles and we'll drink i' the dark, and t'-to't, old boy.

Fres. No, no, no, no, no.

3rd Ser. Why then take thy liquor. A health, Fresco! [Kneels.

Fres. Your health will make me sick, sir.

1st Ser. Then 'twill bring you o' your knees, I hope, sir.

Fres. May I not stand and pledge it, sir?

2nd Ser. I hope you will do as we do.

Fres. Nay then, indeed I must not stand, for you cannot.

3rd Ser. Well said, old boy.

Fres. Old boy! you'll make me a young child anon; for if I continue this I shall scarce be able to go alone.

1st Ser. My body is as weak as water, Fresco.

Fres. Good reason, sir. The beer has sent all the malt up into your brain and left nothing but the water in your body.

Enter D'Amville and Borachio, closely observing their drunkenness.

D'Am. Borachio, seest those fellows?

Bor. Yes, my lord.

D'Am. Their drunkenness, that seems ridiculous, Shall be a serious instrument to bring Our sober purposes to their success. Bor. I am prepared for the execution, sir. D'Am. Cast off this habit and about it straight. Bor. Let them drink healths and drown their brains i' the flood; I promise them they shall be pledged in blood. [Exit. 1st Ser. You ha' left a damnable snuff here. 2nd Ser. Do you take that in snuff, sir? 1st Ser. You are a damnable rogue then— [Together by the ears. D'Am. Fortune, I honour thee. My plot still rises According to the model of mine own desires. Lights for my brother—What ha' you drunk yourselves mad, you knaves?

1st Ser. My lord, the jacks abused me.

D'Am. I think they are the jacks[148] indeed that have abused thee. Dost hear? That fellow is a proud knave. He has abused thee. As thou goest over the fields by-and-by in lighting my brother home, I'll tell thee what shalt do. Knock him over the pate with thy torch. I'll bear thee out in't.

1st Ser. I will singe the goose by this torch. [Exit.

D'Am. [To 2nd Servant.] Dost hear, fellow? Seest thou that proud knave. I have given him a lesson for his sauciness. He's wronged thee. I will tell thee what shalt do: As we go over the fields by-and-by Clap him suddenly o'er the coxcomb with Thy torch. I'll bear thee out in't.

2nd Ser. I will make him understand as much. [Exit.

Enter Languebeau Snuffe.

D'Am. Now, Monsieur Snuffe, what has my brother done?

Lang. Made his will, and by that will made you his heir with this proviso, that as occasion shall hereafter move him, he may revoke, or alter it when he pleases.

D'Am. Yes. Let him if he can.—I'll make it sure From his revoking. [Aside.

Enter Montferrers and Belforest attended with lights.

Mont. Brother, now good night. D'Am. The sky is dark; we'll bring you o'er the fields. Who can but strike, wants wisdom to maintain; He that strikes safe and sure, has heart and brain. [Exeunt.