BANISTER.
This is my comfort: though thou doost no good,
A mighty ebb follows a mighty flood.
MISTRESS BANISTER.
O thou base wretch, whom we have fostered
Even as a Serpent for to poison us,
If God did ever right a woman’s wrong,
To that same God I bend and bow my heart,
To let his heavy wrath fall on thy head,
By whom my hopes and joys are butchered.
BAGOT.
Alas, fond woman, I pray thee, pray thy worst;
The Fox fares better still when he is curst.
[Enter Master Bowser, a Merchant.]
GOVERNOUR.
Master Bowser! you’re welcome, sir, from England.
What’s the best news? how doth all our friends?
BOWSER.
They are all well and do commend them to you:
There’s letters from your brother and your son:
So fair you well, sir; I must take my leave.
My haste and business doth require such.
GOVERNOUR.
Before you dine, sir? What, go you out of town?
BOWSER.
Aye, faith, unless I hear some news in town,
I must away; there is no remedy.
GOVERNOUR.
Master Bowser, what is your business? may I know it?
BOWSER.
You may, sir, and so shall all the City.
The King of late hath had his treasury robbed,
And of the choicest jewels that he had:
The value of them was some seven thousand pound.
The fellow that did steal these jewels, he is hanged,
And did confess that for three hundred pound
He sold them to one Bagot dwelling in London:
Now Bagot’s fled, and, as we hear, to Antwerp,
And hither am I come to seek him out;
And they that first can tell me of his news
Shall have a hundred pound for their reward.