Saw. If thou to death or shame pursue 'em, Dog. Perfect: farewell! Our first-made prom ises We'll put in execution against Banks. [Exit. Saw. Contaminetur nomen tuum. I'm an expert scholar;1 Speak Latin, or I know not well what language, As well as the best of 'em-but who comes here? Re-enter CUDDY BANKS. The son of my worst foe. To death pursue 'em, And sanctabacetur nomen tuum. Cud. What's that she mumbles? the Devil's paternoster? would it were else!-Mother Sawyer, good morrow. Saw. Ill-morrow to thee, and all the world that flout A poor old woman. To death pursue 'em, Et sanctabacetur nomen tuum. Cud. Nay, good gammer Sawyer, whate'er it pleases my father to call you, I know you are— Saw. A witch. Cud. A witch? would you were else, i'faith! Cud. I would he did! Saw. And so in time may you. Cud. I would I might else! But, witch or no witch, you are a motherly woman; and though my father be a kind of God-bless-us, as they say, I have an earnest suit to you; and if you'll be so kind to ka me one good turn, I'll be so courteous to kob you another.2 1 Contaminetur, &c. I'm an expert scholar.] Pretty well for a beginner. This jargon is put into the mouths of the speakers for the laudable purpose of avoiding all profanation of the sacred text.GIFFORD. 2 If you'll be so kind to ka me one good turn, I'll be so courteous to kob you another 1 "Ka me, ka thee" (i. e. claw me and I'll claw you) Saw. What's that? to spurn, beat me, and call me witch, As your kind father doth? Cud. My father! I am ashamed to own him. If he has hurt the head of thy credit, there's money to buy thee a plaster;-[gives her money.]—and a small courtesy I would require at thy hands. Saw. You seem a good young man, and-I must dissemble, The better to accomplish my revenge. [Aside. But for this silver, what wouldst have me do? Bewitch thee? Cud. No, by no means; I am bewitch'd already: I would have thee so good as to unwitch me, or witch another with me for company. Saw. I understand thee not; be plain, my son. Cud. As a pike-staff, mother. You know Kate Carter? Saw. The wealthy yeoman's daughter? what of her? Cud. That same party has bewitch'd me. Saw. Bewitch'd thee? I saw a little Cud. Bewitch'd me, hisce auribus. devil fly out of her eye like a butt-bolt,' which sticks at this hour up to the feathers in my heart. Now, my request is, to send one of thy what-d'-ye-call'ems, either to pluck that out, or stick another as fast in hers: do, and here's my hand, am thine for three lives. Saw. We shall have sport.-[Aside.]-Thou art in love with her? Cud. Up to the very hilts, mother. Saw. And thou wouldst have me make her love thee too? was the old proverb, before it fell into the hands of Cuddy, who is so desperately witty that he can let no plain expression alone.GIFFORD. 1 -like a butt-bolt.] The strong unbarbed arrow used by the citizens in "shooting at the butt."-GIFFORD. Cud. I think she'll prove a witch in earnest.-[Aside.]--Yes, I could find in my heart to strike her three-quarters deep in love with me too. Saw. But dost thou think that I can do 't, and I alone? Cud. Truly, mother witch, I do verily believe so; and, when I see it done, I shall be half-persuaded so too. Saw. It is enough; what art can do, be sure of. Turn to the west, and whatsoe'er thou hear'st Or seest, stand silent, and be not afraid. [She stamps on the ground: the DoG appears, and farms, and leaps upon her. Cud. Afraid, mother witch!" turn my face to the west!" I said I should always have a backfriend of her; and now it's out. An her little devil should be hungry,-'T is woundy cold sure— I dudder and shake like an aspen leaf every joint of me. Saw. To scandal and disgrace pursue 'em, How now, my son, how is 't? [Exit DOG. Cud. Scarce in a clean life, mother witch.-But did your goblin and you spout Latin together? Saw. A kind of charm I work by; didst thou Cud. I heard I know not the devil what mumble in a scurvy base tone, like a drum that had taken cold in the head the last muster. Very comfortable words; what were they? and who taught them you? Saw. A great learned man. Thou Cud. Learned man! learned devil it was as soon! But what? what comfortable news about the party? Saw. Who? Kate Carter? I'll tell thee. know'st the stile at the west end of thy father's pease-field; be there to-morrow night after sunset; and the first live thing thou seest be sure to follow, and that shall bring thee to thy love. Cud. In the pease-field? has she a mind to codlings already? The first living thing I meet, you say, shall bring me to her? Saw. To a sight of her, I mean. She will seem wantonly coy, and flee thee; but follow her close and boldly: do but embrace her in thy arms once, and she is thine own. Cud. "At the stile, at the west end of my father's pease-land, the first live thing I see, follow and embrace her, and she shall be thine." Nay, an I come to embracing once, she shall be mine; I'll go near to make a taglet else. [Exit. Saw. A ball well bandied! now the set 's half won; The father's wrong I'll wreak upon the son. [Exit. SCENE II. CARTER'S House. Enter CARTER, Warbeck, and Somerton. Car. How now, gentlemen! cloudy? I know, master Warbeck, you are in a fog about my daughter's marriage. War. And can you blame me, sir? Car. Nor you me justly. Wedding and hanging are tied up both in a proverb; and destiny is the juggler that unties the knot: my hope is, you are reserved to a richer fortune than my poor daughter. War. However, your promise Car. Is a kind of debt, I confess it. Car. Yet some gentlemen break in that point, now and then, by your leave, sir. 1 Codlings.] By codlings are meant young pease; so common was the word in this sense, that the women who gathered pease for the London markets were called codders; a name which they still retain.GIFFORD. Som. I confess thou hast had a little wrong in the wench; but patience is the only salve to cure it. Since Thorney has won the wench, he has most reason to wear her. War. Love in this kind admits no reason to wear her. Car. Then Love 's a fool, and what wise man will take exception? Som. Come, frolic, Ned! were every man master of his own fortune, Fate might pick straws, and Destiny go a wool-gathering. War. You hold yours in a string though: 't is well; but if there be any equity, look thou to meet the like usage ere long. Som. In my love to her sister Katherine? Indeed, they are a pair of arrows drawn out of one quiver, and should fly at an even length; if she do run after her sister, War. Look for the same mercy at my hands, as I have received at thine. Som. She'll keep a surer compass;' I have too strong a confidence to mistrust her. But see, Enter FRANK THORNEY and SUSAN. the bridegroom and bride come; Good-morrow, master bridegroom. War. Come, give thee joy: mayst thou live long and happy In thy fair choice! Frank. I thank ye, gentlemen; kind master Warbeck, I find you loving. War. Thorney, that creature,-(much good do thee with her!) Virtue and beauty hold fair mixture in her; She's rich, no doubt, in both; yet were she fairer, Thou art right worthy of her: love her, Thorney, 1 She'll keep a surer compass.] The metaphor is still from archery. Arrows shot compass-wise, that is, with a certain elevation, were generally considered as going more steadily to the mark.-GIFFORD. |