Your consort is gone; had he staid, he had shared with you, sir. [Exit DOWNRIGHT. Y. Kno. Twenty, and kill 'em; twenty more, kill them too. Ha! ha!

Bob. Well, gentlemen, bear witness, I was bound to the peace, by this good day.

Y. Kno. No, faith, it's an ill day, Captain, never reckon it other: but say you were bound to the peace, the law allows you to defend yourself; that will prove but a poor excuse.

Bob. I cannot tell, sir. I desire good construction, in fair sort. I never sustained the like disgrace, by Heaven. Sure I was struck with a planet thence

Step. No, you were struck with a stick.

Bob. For I had no power to touch my weapon. Y. Kno. Ay, like enough, I have heard of many that have been beaten under a planet. Go, get you to a surgeon. 'Slid, and these be your tricks, your passados, and your montontos, I'll none of them.

〃

Bob. Planet-struck.

[Exit.

Y. Kno. Oh, manners! That this age should bring forth such creatures! That nature should be at leisure to make 'em! Come, coz.

Step. Mess, I'll have this cloak.

Y. Kno. God's will, 'tis Downright's.

Step. Nay, it's mine now; another might have ta'en it up as well as I. I'll swear it, so I will.

Y. Kno. How, an' he see it? He'll challenge it, assure yourself.

Step. Ay, but he shall not ha't; I'll say, I bought it.

Y. Kno. Take heed you buy it not too dear, coz.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Chamber in KITELY'S House.

Enter KITELY and CASH.

Kite. Art thou sure, Thomas, we have pryed into all and every part throughout the house? Is there no bye-place, or dark corner, has escaped our searches ?

Cash. Indeed, sir, none; there's not a hole or nook unsearched by us, from the upper loft unto the cellar.

Kite. They have conveyed him then away, or hid him in some privacy of their own-Whilst we were searching of the dark closet, by my sister's chamber, didst thou not think that thou heard'st a rustling on the other side, and a soft tread of feet?

Cash. Upon my truth, I did not, sir; or if you did, it might be only the vermine in the wainscot; the house is old, and over-run with them.

Kite. It is, indeed, Thomas-we should bane these rats-Dost thou understand me?-we will-they shall not harbour here; I'll cleanse my house from them, if fire or poison can effect it-I will not be tormented thus-they gnaw my brain, and burrow in my heart--I cannot bear it.

Cash. I do not understand you, sir! Pray be composed; these starts of passion have some cause, I fear, that touches you more nearly.

Kite. Sorely, sorely, Thomas-it cleaves too close to me-Oh, me--[Sighs.]-Lend me thy arm—so, good Cash.

Cash. You tremble and look pale! Let me call assistance.

Kite. Not for ten thousand worlds-Alas! alas!

"Tis not in medicine to give me easelies.

Cash. What, sir ?

-here, here it

Kite. Why nothing, nothing-I am not sick, yet more than dead; I have a burning fever in my mind, and long for that, which having, would de-. stroy me.

Cash. Believe me, 'tis your fancy's imposition.. Shut up your generous mind from such intrudersI'll hazard all my growing favour with you; I'll stake my present, my future welfare, that some base whispering knave-nay, pardon me, sir-hath in the best and richest soil sown seeds of rank and evil nature! Oh, my master, should they take root

[Laughing within.

Kite. Hark! hark! Dost thou not hear! What, think'st thou now? Are they not laughing at me? They are, they are. They have deceived the wittol, and thus they triumph in their infamy-This aggravation is not to be born. [Laughing again.] Hark, again!- Cash, do thou unseen steal in upon them, and listen to their wanton conference.

Cash. I shall obey you, though against my will.

[Exit. Kite. Against his will! Ha! It must be so-He's young, and may be bribed for them-they've various, means to draw the unwary in; if it be so, I'm lost, deceived, betrayed, and my bosom, my full-fraught bosom, is unlocked and opened to mockery and laughter! Heaven forbid! he cannot be that viper; sting the hand that raised and cherished him! Was this stroke added, I should be cursed-But it cannot be-no, it cannot be.

Enter CASH.

Cash. You are musing, sir.

Kite. I ask your pardon, Cash-ask me not why-. I have wronged you, and am sorry-'tis gone.

Cash. If you suspect my faith—

Kite. I do not-say no more—and for my sake let it die and be forgotten--Have you seen your mistress, and heard--whence was that noise?

Cash. Your brother, Master Wellbred is with them, and I found them throwing out their mirth on a very truly ridiculous subject: it is one Formal, as he styles himself, and he appertains, so he phrases it, to Justice Clement, and would speak with you.

Kite. With me? Art thou sure it is the Justice's clerk? Where is he?

Enter BRAINWORM, as FORMAL.

Who are you, friend?

Brain. An appendix to Justice Clement, vulgarly called his clerk.

Kite. What are your wants with me?

Brain. None.

Kite. Do you not want to speak with me?

Brain. No, but my master does.

Kite. What are the Justice's commands?

Brain. He doth not command, but intreats Master Kitely to be with him directly, having matters of some moment to communicate unto him.

Kite. What can it be! Say, I'll be with him instantly, and if your legs, friend, go not faster than your tongue, I shall be there before you.

Brain. I will.

Vale.

[Exit.

Kite. "Tis a precious fool, indeed!—I must go forth-But first, come hither, Thomas-I have admitted thee into the close recesses of my heart, and showed thee all my frailties, passions, every thing.Be careful of thy promise, keep good watch. Wilt thou be true, my Thomas?

Cash. As truth's self, sir

But, be assur'd, you're heaping care and trouble
Upon a sandy base; ill plac'd suspicion

Recoils upon yourself-She's chaste as comely!

Believe't she is-Let her not note your humour;
Disperse the gloom upon your brow, and be
As clear as her unsullied honour.

Kite. I will then, Cash-thou comfort'st me-I'll drive these

Fiend-like fancies from me, and be myself again.
Think'st thou she has perceiv'd my folly? "Twere
Happy, if she had not-She has not-

They, who know no evil, will suspect none.

Cash. True, sir! Nor has your mind a blemish

now.

This change has gladden'd me-Here's my mistress, And the rest; settle your reason to accost them. Kite. I will, Cash, I will

Enter WELLBRED, DAME KITELY, and BRIDGET. Well. What are you plotting, brother Kitely, That thus of late you muse alone, and bear Such weighty care upon your pensive brow?

[Laughs.

Kite. My care is all for you, good sneering bro

ther;

And well I wish you'd take some wholesome counsel, And curb your headstrong humours; trust me, bro

ther,

You were to blame to raise commotions here,
And hurt the peace and order of my house.
Well. No harm done, brother, I warrant you.
Since there is no harm done, anger costs
A man nothing, and a brave man is never
His own man till he be angry—To keep
His valour in obscurity, is to keep himself,
As it were, in a cloakbag. What's a brave
Musician unless he play?

What's a brave man, unless he fight?

Dame. Ay, but what harm might have come of it, brother!