((The Persons.)) Worldly an old doting vser Knowlittle his prodigall sone Chaualero Whiffe master of the drinking Academy Simple Knowlittle's man Timothy Sheirke a cheater Tom Nimmer a cutpurse Jack Bidstand a heigh-way man Pluto the God of riches, madam Pecunias ghost, Alecto, a ballat singer, persons assum'd by the 3 cheaters to cosen Worldly, Knowlittle and Caualero Whiffe. Maddam Pecunia, my Lady Inconstantia Fortunes eldest daughter a person only mentioned. Ile warrant you expect a Prologue? but by my troath ther is no such matter ye are nether like to haue Prologue or Epelogue, head or foot in this play. our Poet to excuse it says Melpomine hath taken cold of late. but the trouth is articles of treason haue bin brought to Apollo against him the least of wch his accusers count capital. the cheifest crime and for wch Apollo hath foreuer banish'd him the company of the thrice three learned sisters (so that he can neuer hope againe to mount Pegasus and make him curuet Caprials of nonsence) is that since the honoure done him to be listed in the sacred tribe of Apollo he hath bin more a coniurer then a poet and conuersed more with the furies then the muses for wch dishonour done to the bow of Daphne - But he harkens. as I liue Ile in, least in a rage he teares his booke and lets us haue no play. fare well. but I had forgot. ((The prologue returnes and makes A conge.)) ((Actus Primus.)) ((Scaena 1)) ((Enter Simple out of the drinking Academy)) ((With a pipe in one hand and a candle)) ((In the other Spewing.)) Aowe, aow, aow. neuer (aow) did poore man cast vp so much that had so little skill in arethmaticke before. O this tobaccho I shall neuer learne the gentile quality while I liue. let me trie againe. Aow, Aowe. my and is now in his quarreling grammer whilst I like a blockehead stay yet in the A B C of tobaco. wel Ile to it againe a man can do more then he can do. Awe, aow, awe. ((Scaena 2)) ((Enter Worldly the vserer.)) Why how now Simple what is the matter with thee? Hard at my booke an it please your Worship I feare I shal neer be able to learne my tobaco lesson. Be of good courage man. wher is my sone Knowlittle? My young master is at his quarling dementions, you'l se him here by and by with Caualero Whif his tutor. Well old Worldly tho Harmus and Pactolus rowle ther golden waires into thy cofers, tho plenty hath placd her seate vnder thy roofe and vnto thee vnfoulds her welthy bosome stor'd with riches may outvie both the Indies, yet art thou happy only in a sone, a boy whos rare indownents will make ample satisfaction for all thy sacred hunger hath deuoured for all the teares of orphants and poore widowes wch by thy cheating Chimistrie turned to gold now stuffe thy cofers. but here he comes Ile step aside and take a prospect of my happines. rare! what state the perolous wag takes vpon him! ((Scaena 3)) ((Enter Knolittle and Caualero)) ((Whiffe with a brace of fidlers.)) Come tutor let vs haue repetitions in our drinking lesson. for feare I forget any gentle-man like quality. Amach. Simple! Aowe, awe, aowe. What spewing? Hard at my studies. Bring vs a pottle of wine presently. A potle? its but a snuffe, bring two gallans Tis a question whether I can bring myselfe in againe when I am once out, this tobacho hath made such a vertigo in my head. In the meane time tutor Ile repeate ouer againe my quarling lectuer. Do so. nothing. this sword shall send thee of an imbasage to Pluto neuer to returne. I lie? the very sound hath shot reuenge through all my vaines and in my forehead sits grim death shouting deaths at thee. lie? my eyes (I feele them) darts flames more killing then Joues thunder. take the wall too? tis an affront not to be suffer'd. thou hadst better haue taken food from out the jaws of hungery lions or toren snaks from off the heads of furies. not all the blood wch flowes within thy veines tho it were an ocean able to make the world deluge can quench the flame of reuenge just angre hath kindl'd in this breast. my rage shall persue thee to the depest hell and ther foreuer be thy tormentor. O Worldly, Worldly what a sone hast thou! a treasure able to make thee rich tho the full tide of gold wch flows within thy chests shold ebbe and fiend cranies to get out. tho plenty shold forsake thee, and euery tallent thou possesses had wings to follow her. The wall? death lend me thy bow Ile shout distruction at him. Enouffe deare pupil your allready a master of art in quarreling. your very words are thunder and looks so like Medusa's they are able to fright your enemies to stone. Nay I know I shall come to it in time. I take after my mother and she had a natural guift that way. Marry had she. Ile besworne her tung wold drown'd the noys of an iron mill and neuer so little angre she wold giue an alarum to the whole towne. ((Enter Simple with wine.)) Come Simple fill thy master a cup of read nectar. What a thimble full? tis a drought for a flie. giue me the whole pot. a bucket is not enuffe to quench my thirst. Rare he is a most refin'd gallant alredy. O the power of art. Simple giue another pot to my tutor strike vp squeakers here is a health to the lady of the moone to be drunke on our knees. Sure this Lady moone is my sones mistres. Ile off with my hat if she be richer then maddam Pecunia. the wagge shall haue her. Tutor do me right. Tis all off. S'lid ther is enuffe to drown'd an elphant the bottome of with or thou visits Pluto. Then call drinke vp all. The drawer stans ready to fill A pox of care why shold we dispare My father hath made his will. More wine boy. I can hold no longer my joys are to oreflowing thy father hath made his will indeade and his will is to raine downe showers of gold on thee my boy.take this and this. my whole estate is thine. Ile be thy ward. O my deare knowlittle! come kisse me boy. What? nothing else but plane kisse? as I am gentleman father thou wants manners. hads thou my breding thou woldst haue first taken me by the snowy hand then gazing on my rubie nose (eyes I wold say) in flowery language haue desier to tast the nectar of my azure lippe. O the want of a tutor! Be not angry boy. Ile get me one and follow the gallants Academy with thee. How! that is a good one efaith. do you thinke Ile alow two spenders in the same house? go, get you home. you haue got enuffe in getting me. go brode ouer your mouldy bags and hach more mony. tis not your alouance of 800 pounds a yeare will fiend me with salats. Thou shalt haue more my deare Knowlittle. the only care wch hath fild thy father's head with so many siluer hairs hath bin least thou shold not fiend ways to spend what I haue allready got. And beshrow me if I rid you not of that care. My coffers are so cramb'd with gold the very ground bends to hould them. my mines are like the Indies vnexhoustable. By this light and I'le trie the deepth of them and that very soone. condem 2 bags of a 1000 pounds a peace to meet vs at the temple we are forgameing tonight. Tis done my boy. but I had allmost forgot. my jois are so swelling they had robd me of my memory: maddam Pecunia my Lady Inconstantia ffortune's eldest dauther is in loue with thee. Harke tutor here is news indeade. She is thine my wagge if thou wilt haue her. Haue her? Tis discreed allreaddy Ile haue her. Sir yo se the effects of my skil that in a moments space was able by my chimistrie to extract so compleat a gentle man out (as I may say almost) of a dung hill. he is now the Phoenix of the age who was latly a lumpe of Pesantry the gallants adore him and happy is he who can pay homage to his potent toe. wherere he goes honer waits vpon him and fortune follows him with propetious wings. Chaualero-Whife I must acknowledg my sone is happy only in a tutor and am sory I can thanke you only with thes. ((he giues him mony)) And thes Ile assure yo speaks good Rhetoricke. Tutor come away let vs in and haue a courting lesson I am afire to be a-woing. I follow you. May all the gods conspire to make my boy hapy. Ile home and spring a mine of gold to furnish thee with fresh supplies. ((Actus secundus)) ((Scaena 1)) ((Enter Simple with a letter)) ((To Maddam Pecunia.)) A pox of this woing for me. it will make me a dunce foreuer I shall neuer be a gentleman if it hold. no soner was the tobacho qualme off my stomacke and I sat scholer like with all the pots about me at my drinking lesson in wch I doubt'd not but in short time to make as good a progres as my master, but I am cald forsooth (the world is come to a fine passe effaithe) draw my legges thus, then whele about thus and walke thus as if my feete were in a frame, and all this stinking stir to be Cupids messenger. to tel maddam Pecunia (for so my master cals her) her eyes (I wold they were out) haue wounded his hart sauing your presence and stucke it ful of flaming arrows wch a 100 little Cupids (a murren take them kindld in the radiant mooneshine of her beauty (sirreuerence). sure loue is a dangerous thing. it hath made my master stark mad allready. he walks with his armes acrosse his eyes staring vpwards and cals vpon Jupiter. the muses haue but an ill time of it and if the fit hold he'le quite and cleane tire Pegasus with making madregals and sonits on my lady Pecunia's munkey. for he intends thus to begin his acquaintance with her. now Chaualero Whiffe our worshipfull hath put all his braines in a presse to squees out new frases and Poeticall annagramms wch my master cons without booke and most pathetically speaks them ouer againe to the bed post whom he cals maddam at euery word and disiers to kis the shadow of her rosy shoe strings. both he and his tutor haue had scarse anything but Venus and Cupit in ther mouths this 3 howers. he intends first to acost his mistres in coplets then to persue his suit in Poetical prose. Ile warrant here lies a great deale of good stuffe in this paper if the truth were knowen. for he hath bought vp all the loue ballats about the towne and cul'd out of them the choisest conceits all to make this letter. I cold fiend in my hart for your erudition and my own satisfaction to read it. for who knows but I may chance to be in loue too and then - well Ile begin in order. into the lily hands of Cupids faire daughter (nay I told you before it was poetical) the paragon of perfection a bleeding louer sacrifis'd to her buty presents his wounded hart (heiho!) fa la la la fa la fa lanihi it if you pleas. Maddam and why Shold thy beauty (harke how it chimes) Thus wound my brest? (now marke the rime) From thy each part Into my hart By Cupid is an arrow prest (O rare) Then be not cruel Faire nature's juwel But make me blest. Me, me I say Who sweet for aie Will loue thee best To my thougs thou art priue Wherfore I pree thee Be not vnkind Now judge ye whether my master be not an asse or not, whether he or I haue more wit. is priue a fit title to giue a gentlewoman? to my thoughts thou art priue priue! a stinking word a cosen Jones is cleanliar by halfe. O wit wit where art thou? but had I bin to write I shold haue stile her close-stoole. it is a more cortly terme and more familiar with ladies. besides the verse wold haue borne it. as for example To my thoughts thou art a close stole Wherfore I wold Thou be not vnkind. Least that I than Myselfe for to hang Do take it in minde With what an ominous close he shuts vp his letter. well Ile away with it least my delay make him do execution on himselfe. Fare-well. ((exit)) ((scaena secunda)) ((Enter Timothe Shirke.)) It is time for me to be fowling when so many woodcocks are abroad. wel simple I shall wait your returne. in the meanetime I will contriue a noose for your master. Pecunia is not a Lady to be thus lost. I haue courted her any time this 7 yeares and was neer so like to thriue in my suet as now hauing Knowlittle my riual. you may gues my profession. I am one that liues by my wits and yet no poet. my place of trading is euerywher wher ther is mony stirring, wch vnsensibly like hocus Pocus I can conuay out of one pocket into another. by a mettaphor I am a fouler and my game is gold finches or fine white siluer birds wch for the most part I catch among readines I wold show yo some sport, but haue a litle patience and you shall se what I can do by my wit. ((he whistles)) Tom Nimmer Jacke Bidstand heare presently. ((scaena tertia)) ((Enter Nimmer, Bidstand.)) S'lid what made you whistle? I thought the cunstable had bin at my heeles. ther was a pray I had in persuet and had got my gamster vp in a croud and my hand very neer plumb'd the deepth of his pocket wher the treasure lay when (a murren take you) your whisling made me draw backe without the booty. Tis no matter Tom we haue greater game in purshute. Jacke Bidstand wellcome my rogue I haue a desine wants thee an actor in it wch if it thriue will make thee caper. Not in a halter I hope. No my pretious villin ther is no feare of that. Feith I am for none of your day worke my hand is not subtile enuffe to penetrate a pocket. nether did I euer venter to cut a purce but once and then the fellow discouerd me, whom had I not presently threatn'd with my whinyard to cut his throat if he cried out I had bin taken. if it be any night exploit or heighwzy busines you haue in hand let me and this alone to performe it. We may chance to vse thee that way hereafter. all that you haue to do at the present is to inuent some tricke to draw a crowd about yo as Simple Knowlittle's man returnes from Maddam Pecunias who I am sure will be one in the throng and then Tom Nimmer thou shalt examine his pockets for intelligences letters my rogue of his masters by wch we will informe our selues how to spread our nettes. Ile warrant you for drawing a crowd as Simple passes Let me alone for picking his pockets if he be in it. Be confident of that if ther be 3 together he'l make the forth. about it then my rasckals. in the meanewhile Ile to the drinking Whiffe and his learned Pupil Knowlittle that may aduance our plot. fare wel my deare brace of marcuries. ((exeunt)) ((actus tertius)) ((scaena prima)) ((Enter Worldly, Knowlittle, Chaualero Wiffe.)) Maddam your eyes shout Cupits at me, I feale them flaming in my hart. Now Caualero Whife what must I say? Nothing nothing you'l put him out if you talke. Ten thousand fiery arrows kindled in the radiant mooneshine of your beauty haue pierc'd my breast. Heauen forbid deare child is it so indeed? Noe, no. what a blockhead is my father, he dus not vnderstand Poetry! Good sir be silent you hender him in his lesson. Oh! is it so. I haue done I haue done. go forward deare hart and hold vp thy head when thou speakes chucke. Ten thousan flameing arrows kindled in the radiant mooneshine of your beuty haue perc'd my brest. Hei ho! And wholy broake downe the weake fence nature had made to keepe in my poore hart wch wounded in a 1000 places and scorch'd with the hotest flames of loue burnes a liuing sacrifise to your beauty. O let me coole it on that bed of violets wch couers your azure lip. let it fiend shelter amoung thos blushing roses your ruby noses discouers or in the Elizian valies of your goosbery cheakes foreuer fix its habitation. Now I know not what to say. but I am a rogue if I can hold from crieing. shee were hard hart'd that after thes fine words cold say thee nay. And beshrow me if that I can hold from laughfing at the ridiculous doings betwene a doting father and his humerous sone. sir you are perfect enuffe in courting let vs in and practise ouer the song with the fidlers you are to sing vnder maddam Pecunia's window. let me approch so neer happines as to joyne aside with you. permit me to trace the path your feete makes flowery with ther sacred tuch. Chaualero Whiffe what must I do? Giue him your lilly hand do not heare him call for it Here take it bird I did not know it was a lilly one before. No? can thos two radiant stars your eyes wch giues a better day then Phoebus to the world be so blind as not to se the beuty of the orbe they shine in. And are my eyes stars too? then Ile weare no longer specticles by this light. what a miser was I that knew not this before. Stars lady? they are 2 gloroius sunnes that makes thos purple roses and siluer lillies spring in your beutious cheakes a bed for Cupit, they are sunnes I say that giues birth to that bright groue of gould your hare far surpassing in lustre and riches the Hesperian orchards. How! a groue of gould in my heire? o wrech wrech that I was that for sauing the expences of lookng glace shold be thus ignorant of such a treasure. Maddam I tell you your eyes are sunnes that put your beautious body in a richer dresse then euer yet Flora Mantl'd the spring in. sunnes that makes thes rosy fingers such as Aurora wold be proud of, swet suddes of ambre grece I meane. How the rogue abuses him with his grecy fists. And pretious gummes worth prouinces . O what oders exhale your fragrant breath! tis hence that Zephirus sucks the perfumes he breath about the world. beleue me I thinke you feede on Phoenixes or the ambrosian diet of the Gods that maks you breath so sweet an odor He rather feeds on carring that makes his breath stinke so profoundly. Ile be sworne I can smel it furthar then my grannams. O that I shold haue sunnes in my eyes and roses and lilies bird lets in. I am afier till I se a looking glase and vew all thes wounders thou speakest of. Lead the way. my empres and I will trace the flowry stage after thee. Follow Ile marshall you in with a brome staffe. ((Enter Tim Shirke.)) Ha ha he. was euer such a brace of fooles sene? wel Ile follow to gaine further intelligence lest Simple proues wiser then his master and deceaues my engines I haue set to intrap him. ((scaena secunda)) ((Enter Simple Nimmer Bidstand &c.)) Jack stand to thy tacklings Simple aproches. he is not aboue 20 strids off. I am for him whensoeuer he comes. here is a remora wold stay him tho he saild neuer so fast. Begin presently or hele be vpon thee man. Come sirs pence a peece here is a new ballat a dainty new ballat newly printed and newly come forth concerning his maiestyes subiects the bears in the palace garden and Vrcen ther reuerend instructor the secund part to the same tune of the life and death quene Dic. Runne boyes runne a new ballat a new ballat((a ballat.)) Tho it may seme rude for me to intrued With thes my beares by chance-a Twere sport for a king if they cold sing As well as they can danc-a ((Enter Simple)) Come sirs bey a pace bey my fine new ballats tis but your pence apeece and if you bey them not now you are neer like to se or heare the like againe. Haue they any fine pictures I tro at them? Yes of 3 dancing beares and Vrsen. Is Vrcen a beare too? No he is their graue instructor that teaches them to dance. Dus he teach to dance? O rarely he is arch dancing maester to all his maiesties catle in the beare garden. learne to dance as well as to drinke and querel. I prethee sing. Ile heare some of it before I bey. Then to put you out Of feare or of doubt Wee came from St Katharins-a Thes danceing three By the helpe of me That am the post of the singne-a. By my troth a prety ballat. Ile learne the tune of it. We sel good ware And we need not care The cort and countrie know it. Our ale is the best And each good guest Prays for their soules that brue it. Rare efaith. For any ale house We care not a lowse Nor tauerne in the towne-a Nor vintery cranes Nor St. Clements Daines Nor the diuil can put vs downe-a. Excellent! by my troth a prety ballat Ile bey 3 of them. for my master our tutor and myselfe. we'le sing it in parts vnder Maddam Pecunia's window. it will be ten times better then a song of Cupit. I prethe go on. Who has there once bin Comes thether againe The liquor is so mighty. Beare strong and stale And so is our ale And it burnes like *aqua-vitae. Now I thinke of it I am resolu'd to tast of your ale if it be so good. Ile come myselfe and bring my master, tutor, and my lady Pecunia with me. From morning til night And about day light They'l sit and neuer grudg it. Til the fishwiues joyne Ther single coine And the tinker pownes his bug it. What nobody bey yet? Yes here is a penny giue me one. Sirrah stand by and let your betters be serued before you. Mopus prethee giue me 3 pence in ballats picke me out thos with the best pictures. I shall sir. S'lid ! my purse! villanes rogues theues my purse. Who call you sir? The cunstable Ile call the counstable. Not rogue or thefe vnlesse you intend to be booted in the stoxs. My purse my purse rayes the streat presently I haue lost my purse. Alas sir! what markes has it? Ile goe looke for it. S'lid my masters letters too. cut purce villins Ile fech my master to you. he shall quarel you to nothing vnlesse you restore. Make hast and wee'l stay till he comes. Take a ballat with you to repaire your losses. Thanke thee good Mopsus. I hope you thinke me honest? i Mopsus thou art honest. wold all were like thee. Let's follow him boys lets follow him. his pocket is pick'd ha ha he! Now my rasckall I perceaue thou hast sped. Sped? why I cold haue stolen his briches off man if I wold. he has no more feling then a post. What booty hast thou besids the letters? Faith here it is. most of it is brasse. let vs away with the letters to Tim Shirke wee'l part this as we go. Content. ((actus quartus)) ((scaena 1)) ((Enter at one dore Shirke at the other)) ((Nimmer Bidstand.)) Well met my pretious villans, what news? Health to our noble captane the great Marcury and sole patron of our profession by whos influence we trace the streats in silke and satten and haue red mettle to fill the vnnatural vacuum of our pockets. You shall haue more my rogues if yo haue prosperd in the desine I sent you about. Tis done my Roseclero *Ecce *signum. Why then my brace of babones the world is ours. wee'l spring a mine of gold in Worldlies house shall bind pleasure to vs and foreuer banish pouerty our company. ye shall feed no longer on radishes nor venter a whipping or your valiant Hector Jacke Bidstand thou shalt no longer hazard thy worlicke carcasse to wounds nor put thy necke in Jeperdy for cutting at midnight. we'l feare no longer cunstables nor the takeing vp of our quarters in newgate bride-well or the counter. nether shall that visable beast the hangman or his 3 leg'd mare the gallow be any longer a terror to vs. thes letters shall make vs merry with muscadine clarot and rich sherry. But you forget this while to read the letters. Tis no matter for reading that letter. this is it - own of my one coinong boys - wch must do the deed, that being supprest. thou shalt carry it as from Maddam Pecunia to Knowlittle and inuite him to mete her with Caualero Whiffe and the vserer his father at ten acloake at night amoung the ruinous buildings in the suburbs, wher we will fleece them rogues and open our selues a way to all the vserers tresure. I am sure they'l haue the wit to come at the time appointed and our ambushe shall be ready to receaue them? I apprehend you. I am gone. let your returne be suddane for we shall want you an actor in the busines. Ile be with you immediatly. Now Captaine what imployment haue you for me? Jacke thou and I must go and prouide vs diuils habits. Ile tell thee within what vse they are to be put to. Lets in then. ((exeunt)) ((scaena 2)) ((Enter Whiffe Knowlittle)) ((Worldly Simple with fidlers.)) March forward my raskals if I thriue in my suet to my lady Pecunia (as I hope I shall) by this light Ile sheath ye all in satten. but I fele a terrible ague crawling vp my great toe wch I feare will shake all my courting lesson out of my memory. as I liue I begin to be horrible affraid already. I dare not speake first. my Lady Pecunia must begin first or as I am a gentle-man all is spoil'd. Be of good courage man. Ile stand at thy backe and tel thee what to say. Effeight effeight master thou wants thy good mother to speake for thee. I Ile be sworne dus he. she wold haue spoken and spoaken to the purpose. she wanted no tung nor bouldnesse to speake to my Lord maior. But tutor I haue scrach'd out a vice - a diuice I wold say. what thinke you if I shold send her a catalogue of all my good parts and giue her to vnderstand in writing that my eyes are suns that makes my cheakes bud roses and my other parts shoot forth lillies, wch makes my vaines spring violets and my haire rise vp into a groue of gould? or what if I send her my picture? she cannot chose but fall in loue presently. Tut vnlesse you goe yourselfe tis all to no purpose. besides all the paines and swet I haue spent in reading loues Tacticks to you in teaching you how to muster vp your troopes of complements and all the rest that belongs to the millitary art of courting will be in vaine. the song to that cost me 4 howers the penning and you 8 howers the coning without booke is lost. besides I am confident she will begin first when she sees you. vnles shee be affraide. as he has a face Ile besworne wold frighten anybody. Nay if she begin let me alone to go on. but who comes here? ((scaena 3)) ((Enter Nimmer.)) Health to the illustrious Knowlittle from my lady Pecunia who kissing your hands presents this letter hoping to bee so much honour'd by you as to se yo tonight at ten acloake in suburbs wherfor more priuicy she will expect you amoung the ruinous buildings. As I liue she is inamor'd of me allready. Why how can she chose since I haue giuen her a discription of all your good parts and that in such excellent painted you out better then you florishd in my discourse. God 'a marcy Simple for this Ile sheath thee on our marige day in scarlet. I thanke your Worship. Sir will it please you to read the letters. they'l informe you further concerning my ladies intention. I can scarse se to read for joy. Canst thou not se, chucke, Ile lend thee my specticles - here take them. O heauens all the Gods conspire to shower downe blessings on me. Ile defer my joys no longer. come let vs to the place presently that I may seaze vpon my happines. S'lid how shall we do to staue him off. we are not yet ready for him - sir you know the time is not til ten acloake. she will not be ther before. Ten acloake is too long for me to expect, besids tis fiting we shold wait for her. come let vs away. S'lid we are vndone if he goes. the plot is quitt spoil'd. Sir I had allmost forgot my Lady heaares yo haue a father. A man of gold boy. She desiers you by Cupit and Hymen to bring him with you: Tis done. Dad thou must along too. With all my hart (deare mouce) Ile goe without my stafe and lead the way too. this good news has made me 40 years younger. I feele liuely bloud dancing a sprightly measure throw all my vaines as if it were to celebrat thy marrage today. Tis well yo are so lusty. Sir who speake you to? To my father. Wher is he? Why there. did'st not say he must along with vs? What that begger? giue me my letters againe I haue mistaken the house. you are not mr Knowlittle the gentle man I was sent to. I was derected to Mr Knolittle whos father is a man worth 1000s. yours ther is not worth 2 pence being a cantor or a dunghill raker at most. S'lid father thou hast vndone me with thy welthy beggary. Giue me backe my letters I must be gon presently my mistake hath abused my lady. Good sir haue a little patience. within a quarter of an howre Ile bring you 12 sufficient vserers all Jewes of his own tribe, that shall sweare this is my legitimat father a man richer then any three on the exchange. besides looke on his eares they haue bin 3 cropt for forging bons and assurances by which he hath cheated himselfe into an estate. I feare I shall neuer liue to spend it halfe. Sir what you say is powerful enouffe to persuade me that you are the gentleman I am sent to but beleeue if my lady Pecunia shold se your father in this habit tho the rosmary were dip'd the wedding dinner prepared nay tho your hands were joyn'd and you had say'd I Jhon take Francis she is such an enemy to beggers she wold flye backe presently. S'lid we'l leaue him behind vs then. That must not be done nether. for my lady hath giuen expresse order that he shall come along with you. Why I am vndone then. he has no other clothes then thes and thes he hath woren any time this 40 yeare. Supposing he has not. yo may quicly furnish him with a sute at the broakers. By this light and thou sayest right, wee'l do it presently. Dad march off with thy welthy beggary. we'l skin thee anewe. In what deare mouce? In satten my Rosaclero. I will make thee a gentleman and the first except myselfe of all our family. Why that will be rare, shall I weare a sword too? I and hat and feather. I will teach thee to drinke and quarrel. O my deare hart! thou wilt make thy father too happy Come let vs to the broakers presently. a hat and feather. Ile fling away my sticke I feale myselfe young againe. Tis well I haue got them off thus. Ile post to Bidstand and Shirke for feare they want me. ((actus quintus)) ((scaena 1)) ((Enter Bidstand and Shirke with masking)) ((clothes in their hands.)) Jack lets hast and dresse for feare we be too late. I prethe helpe me on with my diuils habit. I pray yo stay. I haue more need of dressing then you. you looke like a diuil without that coat. your face wold scare anybody. it is a pretty natural visard you haue on. And yo for sooth without your winding sheat may passe for a ghost. you are caring allready, one wold thinke by your looks yo had fed the wormes this 7 yeares. ((scaena 2)) ((enter Nimmer.)) S'lid ye Raskals no further yet. Knowlittle will be vpon vs immediatly. I had much ado to staue him off from comeing along with me. It is not yet neer the hower we appointed him to come at. That's no metter. he is so affire to court maddam Pecunia that he will preuent the time. I had much ado to fiend a tricke to delay him til I got hether to bring you news of his comeing. Slid lets make ready presently. What must I do? You must put on Plutus his habit, yo act Plutus Plutus the God of riches and I my Lady Pecunia's ghost that comes to you for justice against Worldly the vserer whom I complaine to haue murther'd me in his trunks, to haue stifl'd me for want of air and desier my body may be remou'd out of such an vnsanctified place as his house and honorably interd in your kingdome. you then after a 1000 threats and vows to be reueng'd on the vserer for murthering your child. for so you must call me, commande Jacke Bidstand here your cacadaemon presently to take thether and fech thence my body wch we will honourablie burie in euery tauerne about the towne and most religeously morne at the funerals in sacke and clarot. I apprehend thee. lets about the work presently. S'lid must I haue nothing but this skervy coat? nobody will thinke me a diuil with only this on. Why they wold thinke thee a diuil without it, if they knew thee as well as I do. thou keeps such a stir. What must I haue now? A crowne and scepter Bidstand go helpe to dresse him. You are so imperious, pray come you and helpe too. I am sure you'l be reddy enuffe to put for the biggest sheare in the booty. Reason good yo mungril am not I the inuentor of the plot and are yo anything but my instruments? What? querling ye babouns. S'lid I heare musicke by this light here is Knowlittle and his tribe allready. lets in or we are betray'd. Stay I haue left my visard behind. ((exeunt)) ((scaena 3)) ((Enter Knolittle Caualero Whiffe)) ((Worldly Simple Fidlers.)) Why now thou art my noble stinkerd, now I will adopt thee my legittimat father. didst thinke I wold be any longer disgrac'd with thy wealthy beggary? come let go roare. I feare I feare I shall neuer learne. Learne Sir? Ile teach you in a fortnight with a matmatical instrument I haue, to drinke, quarrel roare and dice it as neatly as any gallant about the towne, you know how long your sone was a proficient vnder me and how raw he came to me and now I am sure of it for a compleat gentleman the kingdome affords not his aequall. No Ile be sworne dus it not. Master master if you will take tobacho let me teach you. I Simple I must learne tobaccho but I wold faine learne for the wall. by this light I cold fiend in my hart to chalings some tall fellow for my credit and then get some friend to take vp the busines in priuat betwixt vs. ha! it wold be rare. The time draws nie. let vs approch nearer the place appointed. Sir here is the house as I liue I heare a noyse she is allready come. Why then let vs place ourselues about the dore. Ile begin the song immedatly ((A song.)) Breake from thy east my brighter day And chase thes sable clouds away That keepe from vs thy light. Let beauties sunne thy face apeare Or elce we shall sit always here Inueloped in night. Dus she not apeare yet Simple. No no sing againe. Into your eyes the sunne is gon Wherfore the world hath now put on Thes sables to deplore. The losse of day wch you do keepe Within your beautious eyes asleepe For pitty it restore. What dust discouer yet? Nothing nothing for ought I can se you may sing long enough. By this light I haue but one verse to sing more and if she come not then I know not what to do vnlesse I shold begin the song ouer againe. Why take my ballot that Mopsus gaue me when my pocket was pick'd of 3 dancing beares and vrsen. it is an excellent one. Ile sing it along with you. Peace peace. Come bright Aurora bring againe The day that you haue from vs taine And let the sunnes your eyes Display ther goulden beames vpon This our obscured Horison Sweet at your bright vp rise. S'lid (whist) I discouer. What Simple what? The day I thinke you call for. here is a light comeing neare vs. As I liue tis shee. prethe come se whether my band sits in courting you must help me in. I'le warrant you be of good courage. ((scaena 4)) ((Enter Shirke like a ghost with a)) ((Torch in his hand.)) Ha! a spirit lets runne! Not stir or by the Stygian lacke Ile teare Your soule from out your bodies and them beare To flameing Phlegiton wher they shall be Foreuer tortur'd by Tesiphone. Oh O O O! From out thy cauernes wealthy Plutus come, And leaue a while great Sire your goulden throne, To do thy daughter justice. here is he, Who first from out thy kingdome rauish'd me Then into mouldy coffers me confin'd, Wher I expir'd alasse! for want of wind. ((scaena 5)) ((Enter Bidstand attired)) ((Like Plutus.)) What dismal voice cals Plutus from his throne Arm'd with hels plagues and quicke distruction? S'lid master the diuil is come O o o! Ha! tis my dauther. Father here I stand To beg your justice. let your vengeful hand Shower torments on his head, who me hath taine From out your kingdome and in prisone slaine Come come ye furies with your whips of steele And all hels torments let the monster feele Guilty of this blacke crime our angry Power Lets on his guilty head just vengance shower Vntie Ixion from the torturing whele No longer let tir'd Tythius bosome fele The gready vulturs beake, set fre from paine All guilty soules that we may turne the same Vpon this dire offender, who hath kild My dauther and with griefe my bosome fild. O father let my body not remaine Imprisn'd by the murtherer but taine From out his cofers let it thence be car'd Into your kingdome and be ther inter'd. Its done my child. From out the sulphury lacke Of fiery Phlegiton Aclecto take Hether thy flight. At thy command I come, Speake mighty Plutus what is to be done. As I liue another diuil O o o! Go to yon cursed murther and bring From him his keys by which wee'l enter in To the dire prison wher my daughter lies To whos dead corps wee'l pay just obsequies. O o o! Chaualero Whife, Simple O o o! I beseech your diuilship deale fauorably with me I neer kild anybody in my life. No? that you shall be made confese vpon The Flameing racke of fiery Phlegiton. Chaualero Whiffe what will the diuil do with my father. Cary him to hell I thinke. Tis no matter so he wold let vs alone. Now my turne comes. O o o! good diuil I beseech your worship spare me and take my master. he hath better clothes then I. S'lid you rogue send him not to me. let him take thee rather. Take prince the keyes of that vnholowed place Which doth detaine your daugthers sacred hearse Tis well come thether forthwith. let vs hie Thence back againe swifter then the winde wee'l flie To our reuenge, and to the infernal lacke For e'er to burne the murther wee'l take. O o o! Goe daughter lead the way. I am glad they are going, pray God they leaue vs behind. From off ther backe First take ther cloaks my body in to lape. Then search them least about them they retaine My sacred relicks and do them profane. Tis done. Alecto this command performe Then to attend vs with all speede returne. I come to fetch. O o o! good diuil not me I beseech you. take my father he hath liu'd long enuffe. From off thy backe this cloake. O ho is it no more? you shall haue my dublet too and hat if you please. To wrape Pecunia you in prison cloake. Wold you haue my briches too? From out them I wold haue. What they retaine Of my dead lady by your father slaine O my mony take it take it my father hath more Yes yes here is my dublet cloake hat and mony, only I beseech I beseech your diuilsship for your dams sake To be petiful to me. Tutor yo must vncase too. I I. And I too. here are my clothes I haue no mony my pockets were pick'd. I am moued to pity. father pray inflict A slighter punishment on ther delict. Daughter in your own cause you judge shall be Ether to condeme or set the offenders fre. Why then this punishment I do impose: They shall thus walke the woods without ther clothes Marciful spirit I thank thee. Thre dayes thre nights during wich time if they To any house or village take they way, Ther bodies into peces we will teare And vnto hel with vs their soules wee'l beare. As we liue worshipful diuils and you maddam ghost of my lady Pecunia: if any of vs sees a house this three days wee'l giue you leaue to hang vs vp for vermin on the singne post. Away then sone when this time is forth runne Ye backe vnto your houses may returne. Come father. Tutor let vs streight begon Into the woods our pennance to performe. ((exeunt)) And now my (Rogues) lets off with this disguise That to the coffers wher Pecunia lies We may with nimble feet our jurnie take And thence vnto the tauerne where wee'l make Her graue and all here present ther inuite To morne with vs in wine both red and white. ****