Gom. Why does he not speak? What! is the friar possessed with a dumb devil? if he be, I shall make bold to conjure him.
Elv. He is but a novice in his order, and is enjoined silence for a penance.
Gom. A novice, quotha! you would make a novice of me, too, if you could. But what was his business here? answer me that, gentlewoman, answer me that.
Elv. What should it be, but to give me some spiritual instructions.
Gom. Very good; and you are like to edify much from a dumb preacher. This will not pass, I must examine the contents of him a little closer.—O thou 425 confessor, confess who thou art, or thou art no friar of this world!—[He comes to Lorenzo, who struggles with him; his Habit flies open, and discovers a Sword; Gomez starts back.]—As I live, this is a manifest member of the church militant.
Lor. [Aside.] I am discovered; now, impudence be my refuge.—Yes, faith, 'tis I, honest Gomez; thou seest I use thee like a friend; this is a familiar visit.
Gom. What! colonel Hernando turned a friar! who could have suspected you of so much godliness?
Lor. Even as thou seest, I make bold here.
Gom. A very frank manner of proceeding; but I do not wonder at your visit, after so friendly an invitation as I made you. Marry, I hope you will excuse the blunderbusses for not being in readiness to salute you; but let me know your hour, and all shall be mended another time.
Lor. Hang it, I hate such ripping up of old unkindness: I was upon the frolic this evening, and came to visit thee in masquerade.