GLO. This accident hath hit thy humour, Gloster;
From pursuivant I'll turn a hermit now.
Sure, he that keeps this cell's a counterfeit,
Else what does he here with false hair and beard?
Well, howsoe'er it be, I'll seem to be
The holy hermit; for such fame there is,
Of one accounted reverend on this heath.
Enter SKINK.
[SKINK.] I'll fain unto my cell, to my fair lady;
But John and Fauconbridge are at my heels; [Sees John.
And some odd mate is got into my gown,
And walks devoutly like my counterfeit.
I cannot stay to question with you now,
I have another gown and all things fit,
These guests once rid, new mate, I'll bum,[513] I'll mark you.
[Exit.
GLOS. What's he, a God's name? he is quickly gone.
I am for him, were he Robin Goodfellow.
Who's yonder, the Prince John and Fauconbridge?
I think they haunt me like my genii,
One good, the other ill; by the mass, they pry,
And look upon me but suspiciously.
JOHN. This is not Skink; the hermit is not Skink.
He is a learned, reverend, holy man;
FAU. He is, he is a very godly man;
I warrant ye, he's at his book at's prayers.
We should have took you, by my halidom,
Even for a very thief.
GLO. Now God forfend
Such noblemen as you should guess me so!
I never gave such cause, for ought I know.
JOHN. Yet thou did'st tell us Skink should do a robbery,
Appointed us the place, and there we found him.
FAU. And he felt us, for he hath robb'd us both.
GLO. He's a lewd fellow; but he shall be taken.