SOPHOS.
Ay, here I'll wait for Lelia's wish'd approach;
More wish'd to me than is a calm at sea[161]
To shipwreck'd souls, when great god Neptune frowns.
Though sad despair hath almost drown'd my hopes,
Yet would I pass the burning vaults of Ork[162],
As erst did Hercules to fetch his love,
If I might meet my love upon the strond,
And but enjoy her love one minute of an hour.
Enter ROBIN GOODFELLOW.
But stay; what man or devil, or hellish fiend comes here,
Transformed in this ugly, uncouth shape?
FORTUNATUS.
O, peace a while; you shall see good sport anon.
ROBIN GOODFELLOW.
Now I am clothed in this hellish shape,
If I could meet with Sophos in these woods,
O, he would take me for the devil himself:
I should ha' good laughing, beside the forty
Shillings Peter Plod-all has given me; and if
I get no more, I'm sure of that. But soft;
Now I must try my cunning, for here he sits.—
The high commander of the damned souls,
Great Dis, the duke of devils, and prince of Limbo lake,
High regent of Acheron, Styx, and Phlegeton,
By strict command from Pluto, hell's great monarch,
And fair Proserpina, the queen of hell,
By full consent of all the damned hags,
And all the fiends that keep the Stygian plains,
Hath sent me here from depth of underground
To summon thee to appear at Pluto's court.
FORTUNATUS.
A man or devil, or whatsoe'er thou art,
I'll try if blows will drive thee down to hell:
Belike, thou art the devil's parator,
The basest officer that lives in hell;
For such thy words import thee for to be.
'Tis pity you should come so far without a fee;
And because I know money goes low with Sophos,
I'll pay you your fees: [He beats him.
Take that and that, and that, upon thee.
ROBIN GOODFELLOW.
O good sir, I beseech you; I'll do anything.
FORTUNATUS.
Then down to hell; for sure thou art a devil.
ROBIN GOODFELLOW.
O, hold your hands; I am not a devil, by my troth.
FORTUNATUS. Zounds, dost thou cross me? I say thou art a devil. [Beats him again.