Enter Rowland and Pedro at several doors.
Row. Now Pedro?
Ped. Very busie Master Rowland.
Row. What haste man?
Ped. I beseech you pardon me,
I am not mine own man.
Row. Thou art not mad?
Ped. No; but believe me, as hasty—
Row. The cause good Pedro?
Ped. There be a thousand Sir; you are not married?
Row. Not yet.
Ped. Keep your self quiet then.
Row. Why?
Ped. You'll find a Fiddle
That never will be tun'd else: from all women— [Exit.
Row. What ails the fellow tro? Jaques?
Enter Jaques.
Jaq. Your friend Sir.
But very full of business.
Row. Nothing but business?
Prethee the reason, is there any dying?
Jaq. I would there were Sir.
Row. But thy business?
Jaq. I'll tell you in a word, I am sent to lay
An Imposition upon Souse and Puddings,
Pasties, and penny Custards, that the women
May not relieve [yo[n] Rebels: Fare ye well, Sir.
Row. How does my Mistriss?
Jaq. Like a resty jade.
She's spoil'd for riding. [Exit Jaques.
Row. What a devil ail they?
Enter Sophocles.
Custards, and penny Pasties, Fools and Fiddles,
What's this to th' purpose? Oh well met.
Soph. Now Rowland.
I cannot stay to talk long.
Row. What's the matter?
Here's stirring, but to what end? whither goe you?
Soph. To view the Works.
Row. What Works?
Soph. The womens Trenches.
Row. Trenches? are such to see?
Soph. I do not jest, Sir.
Row. I cannot understand you.
Soph. Do not you hear
In what a state of quarrel the new Bride
Stands with her Husband?
Row. Let him stand with her, and there's an end.
Soph. It should be, but by'r Lady
She holds him out at Pikes end, and defies him,
And now is fortifi'd, such a Regiment of Rutters
Never defied men braver: I am sent
To view their preparation.
Row. This is news
[Stranger than] Arms in the air: you saw not
My gentle Mistriss?
Soph. Yes, and meditating
Upon some secret business, when she had found it
She leap'd for joy, and laugh'd, and straight retir'd
To shun Moroso.
Row. This may be for me.
Soph. Will you along?
Row. No.
Soph. Farewel. [Exit Sophocles.
Row. Farewel, Sir.
What should her musing mean, and what her joy in't,
If not for my advantage? stay ye; may not
Enter Livia at one door, and Moroso at another, hearkning.
That bob-tail jade Moroso, with his Gold,
His gew-gaudes, and the hope she has to send him
Quickly to dust, excite this? here she comes,
And yonder walks the Stallion to discover:
Yet I'll salute her: save you beauteous Mistriss.
Liv. The Fox is kennell'd for me: save you Sir.
Row. Why do you look so strange?
Liv. I use to look Sir
Without examination.
Mar. Twenty Spur-Royals for that word.
Row. Belike then
The object discontents you?
Liv. Yes it does.
Row. Is't come to this? you know me, do you not?
Liv. Yes, as I may know many by repentance.
Row. Why do you break your faith?
Liv. I'll tell you that too,
You are under age, and no band holds upon you.
Mor. Excellent wench.
Liv. Sue out your understanding,
And get more hair to cover your bare knuckle;
(For boys were made for nothing, but dry kisses)
And if you can, more manners.
Mor. Better still.
Liv. And then if I want Spanish Gloves, or Stockings,
A ten pound Wastecoat, or a Nag to hunt on,
It may be I shall grace you to accept 'em.
Row. Farewel, and when I credit women more,
May I to Smithfield, and there buy a Jade,
(And know him to be so) that breaks my neck.
Liv. Because I have known you, I'll be thus kind to you;
Farewel, and be a man, and I'll provide you,
Because I see y'are desperate, some staid Chamber-maid
That may relieve your youth with wholsome doctrine.
Mor. She's mine from all the world: ha wench?
Liv. Ha Chicken?— [gives him a box o' th' ear, and Ex.
Mor. How's this? I do not love these favors: save you.
Row. The devil take thee— [wrings him by th' nose.
Mor. Oh!
Row. There's a Love-token for you: thank me now.
Mor. I'll think on some of ye, and if I live,
My nose alone shall not be plaid withal. [Exit.
Actus Secundus. Scæna Prima.
Enter Petronius, and Moroso.