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Zounds, here's a coil !

You were best swear me on the interrogatories

How many pistols I have took In hand,

Or whether I love the smell of gunpowder,

Or dare abide the noise the dag will make,

Or will not wink at flashing of the fire. lO

I pray thee, Shakebag, let this answer thee,

That I have took more purses in this down

Than e'er thou handledst pistols in thy life.

Shakebag. Ay, haply thou has picked more in a throng:

But, should I brag what booties I have took,

I think the overplus that 's more than thine

Would mount to a greater sum of money

Then either thou or all thy kin are worth.

Zounds, I hate them as I hate a toad

That carry a muscado in their tongue,

And scarce a hurting weapon in their hand.

Will. O Greene, intolerable !

It is not for mine honour to bear this.

Why, Shakebag, I did serve the king at Boulogne,

And thou canst brag of nothing that thou hast done.

Shakebag. Why, so can Jack of Feversham,

That sounded for a fillip on the nose,

When he that gave it him holloed in his ear.

And he supposed a cannon-bullet hit him.

Then they fight.

Greene. I pray you, sirs, list to Asop's talk :

Whilst two stout dogs were striving for a bone,

There comes a cur and stole it from them both ;

So, while you stand striving on these terms of manhood,

Arden escapes us, and deceives us all.

Shakebag. Why, he begun.

Will. And thou shalt find I'll end ;

I do but slip it until better time :

But, if I do forget

Then he kneels down and holds up his hands to heaven.

Greene. Well, take your fittest standings, and once more

Lime well your twigs to catch this wary bird.

I'll leave you, and at your dag's discharge

Make towards, like the longing water-dog

That coucheth till the fowling-piece be off.

Then seizeth on the prey with eager mood.

Ah, might I see him stretching forth his limbs.

As I have seen them beat their wings ere now !

Shakebag. Why, that thou shalt see, if he come this way.

Greene. Yes, that he doth, Shakebag, I warrant thee :

But brawl not when I am gone in any case.

But, sirs, be sure to speed him when he comes,

And in that hope I'll leave you for an hour.

Exit Greene.

Here enters Arden, Franklin, and Michael.

Michael. 'Twere best that I went back to Rochester :

The horse halts downright ; it were not good

He travelled in such pain to Feversham ;

Removing of a shoe may haply help it.

Arden. Well, get you back to Rochester ; but, sirrah, see

Ye o'ertake us ere we come to Rainham Down,

For 't will be very late ere we get home.

Michael. Ay, God he knows, and so doth Will and Shakebag,

That thou shalt never go further than that down ;

And therefore have I pricked the horse on purpose,

Because I would not view the massacre. 6i

Exit Michael.

Arden. Come, Master Franklin, onwards with your tale.

Franklin. I do assure you, sir, you task me much :

A heavy blood is gathered at my heart,

And on the sudden is my wind so short

As hindereth the passage of my speech ;

So fierce a qualm yet ne'er assailed me.

Arden. Come, Master Franklin, let us go on softly :

The annoyance of the dust or else some meat

You ate at dinner cannot brook with you.

I have been often so, and soon amended.

Franklin. Do you remember where my tale did leave?

Arden. Ay, where the gentleman did check his wife.

Franklin. She being reprehended for the fact.

Witness produced that took her with the deed,

Her glove brought in which there she left behind.

And many other assured arguments.

Her husband asked her whether it were not so.

Arden. Her answer then? I wonder how she looked,

Having- forsworn it with such vehement oaths,

And at the instant so approved upon her.

Franklin. First did she cast her eyes down to the earth,

Watching the drops that fell amain from thence ;

Then softly draws she forth her handkercher,

And modestly she wipes her tear-stained face ;

Them hemmed she out, to clear her voice should seem,

And with a majesty addressed herself

To encounter all their accusations. —

Pardon me, Master Arden, I can no more ;

This fighting