ACTUS 5

SCEN. I. The street before the Widow's house.

[Enter in haste Master Edmond and Frailty.]

EDMOND.

This is the marriage morning for my mother and my sister.

FRAILTY.

O me, Master Edmund; we shall ha rare doings.

EDMOND.

Nay, go, Frailty, run to the s.e.xton; you know my mother will be married at Saint Antlings. Hie thee, tis past five; bid them open the Church door; my sister is almost ready.

FRAILTY.

What, all ready, Master Edmond?

EDMOND.

Nay, go, hie thee: first run to the s.e.xton, and run to the Clarke, and then run to Master Pigman the Parson, and then run to the Milliner, and then run home again.

FRAILTY.

Here's run, run, run--

EDMOND.

But hark, Frailty.

FRAILTY.

What, more yet?

EDMOND.

Has the maids remembered to strew the way to the Church.

FRAILTY.

f.a.gh, an hour ago; I helpt 'em my self.

EDMOND.

Away, away, away, away then.

FRAILTY.

Away, away, away then.

[Exit Frailty.]

EDMOND.

I shall have a simple Father inlaw, a brave Captain able to beat all our street: Captain Idle. Now my Lady Mother will be fitted for a delicate name: my Lady Idle, my Lady Idle, the finest name that can be for a woman; and then the Scholar, Master Pye-board, for my sister Frances, that will be Mistress Frances Pye-board.--Mistress Frances Pye-board! they'll keep a good table I warrant you. Now all the knights' noses are put out of joint; they may go to a bone setters now.

[Enter Captain and Pye-board.]

Hark, hark! oh who comes here with two Torches before 'em?

my sweet Captain, and my fine Scholar! oh, how bravely they are shot up in one night; they look like fine Brittains now, me thinks. Here's a gallant change, ifaith: slid, they have hir'd men and all by the clock.

CAPTAIN.

Master Edmond, kind, honest, dainty Master Edmond.

EDMOND.

Fogh, sweet Captain Father inlaw, a rare perfume, ifaith.

PYE.

What, are the Brides stirring? may we steal upon 'em, thinkst thou, Master Edmond?

EDMOND.

Faw, there e'en upon readiness, I can a.s.sure you, for they were at their Torch e'en now: by the same token I tumbled down the stairs.

PYE.

Alas, poor Master Edmond.

[Enter musicians.]

CAPTAIN.

O, the musicians! I pray thee, Master Edmond, call 'em in and liquor 'em a little.

EDMOND.

That I will, sweet Captain father in law, and make each of them as drunk as a common fiddler.

[Exeunt omnes.]

SCENE II. The same.

[Enter Sir John Pennydub, and Moll above lacing of her clothes.]

PENNYDUB.

Whewh, Mistress Moll, Mistress Moll.

MOLL.

Who's there?

PENNYDUB.

Tis I.

MOLL.

Who? Sir John Pennydub? O you're an early c.o.c.k, ifaith: who would have thought you to be so rare a stirrer?

PENNYDUB.

Preethe, Moll, let me come up.