FRAN. What's this? so late a-wenching, doth he say? [Aside]
—Indeed, 'tis true I am thus late a-wenching,
But I am forc'd to wench without a wench.
WILL. Why, then, you might have ta'n your bow at first,
And gone and kill'd a buck, and not have been
So long a-drabbing, and be ne'er the near.[376]
FRAN. Swounds, what a puzzle am I in this night!
But yet I'll put this fellow farther [question. Aside]
—Dost thou hear, man? I am not Sir Ralph Smith,
As thou dost think I am; but I did meet him,
Even as thou sayest, in pursuit of a wench.
I met the wench too, and she ask'd for thee,
Saying 'twas thou that wert her love, her dear,
And that Sir Ralph was not an honest knight
To train her thither, and to use her so.
WILL. 'Sblood, my wench! swounds, were he ten Sir Ralphs—
FRAN. Nay, 'tis true, look to it; and so, farewell.
[Exit.
WILL. Indeed, I do love Nan our dairymaid:
And hath he traine[d] her forth to that intent,
Or for another? I carry his crossbow,
And he doth cross me, shooting in my bow.
What shall I do?
[Exit.][377]
Enter PHILIP.
PHIL. So ho!
SIR RALPH. So ho!
PHIL. Francis, art thou there?