[Enter Anne Hughes. She has been running in evident terror, and stands against the door looking about her.]
Anne.
Are you the inn-keeper?
[The Player turns and bows courteously.]
Nay, sir, your pardon.
I saw you not... And yet your face, methinks,
But—yes, I'm sure....
But where's the inn-keeper?
I know not where I am, nor where to go.
The Player.
Madam, it is my fortune that I may
Procure you service. [Going towards the door. The uproar sounds nearer.]
Anne. Nay! what if the bear—
The Player.
The bear?
Anne.
The door! The bear is broken loose.
Did you not hear? I scarce could make my way
Through that rank crowd, in search of some safe place.
You smile, sir! But you had not seen the bear,—
Nor I, this morning. Pray you, hear me out,—
For surely you are gentler than the place.
I came ... I came by water ... to the Garden,
Alone, ... from bravery, to see the show
And tell of it hereafter at the Court!
There's one of us makes count of all such 'scapes
('Tis Mistress Fytton). She will ever tell
The sport it is to see the people's games
Among themselves,—to go incognita
And take all as it is not for the Queen,
Gallants and rabble! But by Banbury Cross,
I am of tamer mettle!—All alone,
Among ten thousand noisy watermen;
And then the foul ways leading from the Stair;
And then ... no friends I knew, nay, not a face.
And my dear nose beset, and my pomander
Lost in the rout,—or else a cut-purse had it:
And then the bear breaks loose! Oh, 'tis a day
Full of vexations, nay, and dangers too.
I would I had been slower to outdo
The pranks of Mary Fytton.... You know her, sir?
The Player.
If one of my plain calling may be said
To know a maid-of-honor. [More lightly.] And yet more:
My heart has cause to know the lady's face.
Anne [blankly].
Why, so it is.... Is't not a marvel, sir,
The way she hath? Truly, her voice is good....
And yet,—but oh, she charms; I hear it said.
A winsome gentlewoman, of a wit, too.
We are great fellows; she tells me all she does;
And, sooth, I listen till my ears be like
To grow for wonder. Whence my 'scape, to-day!
Oh, she hath daring for the pastimes here;
I would—change looks with her, to have her spirit!
Indeed, they say she charms Someone, by this.