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CLOWN.

Maker much of a Moncky? This is worse than Tom Thumb, that let

a fart in his Mothers belly; a Childe to speake, eat, and go the

first hour of his birth; nay, such a Baby as had need of a Barber

before he was born too; why, sister, this is monstrous, and shames

all our kindred.

JOAN.

That thus 'gainst nature and our common births

The comes thus furnisht to salute the world,

Is power of Fates, and gift of his great father.

CLOWN.

Why, of what profession is your father, sir?

MERLIN.

He keeps a Hot-house i'th'Low Countries; will you see him, sir?

CLOWN.

See him? why, sister, has the childe found his father?

MER.

Yes, and Ile fetch him, Uncle. (Exit.

CLOWN.

Do not Uncle, me, till I know your kindred: for my conscience,

some Baboon begot thee. - Surely, thou art horribly deceived,

sister, this Urchin cannot be of thy breeding; I shall be asham'd

to call him cousin, though his father be a Gentleman.

Enter MERLIN and DEVIL.

MERLIN.

Now, my kinde Uncle, see:

The Childe has found his Father, this is he.

CLOWN.

The devil it is; ha, ha, is this your sweet-heart, sister?

have we run through the Countrey, haunted the City, and examin'd

the Court to finde out a Gallant with a Hat and Feather,

and a silken Sword, and golden Hangers, and do you now bring me

to a Ragamuffin with a face like a Frying-pan?

JOAN.

Fie, brother, you mistake, behold him better.

CLOWN.

How's this? do you juggle with me, or mine eyes matches?

Hat and Feather, Sword and Hangers, and all! this is a Gallant indeed,

sister; this has all the marks of him we look for.

DEVIL.

And you have found him now, sir:

Give me your hand, I now must call you brother.

CLOWN.

Not till you have married my sister, for all this while she's

but your whore, sir.

DEVIL.

Thou art too plain, Ile satisfy that wrong

To her, and thee, and all, with liberal hand:

Come, why art thou fearful?

CLOWN.

Nay, I am not afraid, and you were the devil, sir.

DEVIL.

Thou needst not; keep with thy sister still,

And Ile supply your wants, you shall lack nothing

That gold and wealth shall purchase.

CLOWN.

Thank you, brother: we have gone many a weary step to finde you:

you may be a husband for a Lady, for you are far fetcht and dear bought,

I assure you. Pray, how should I call you son, my cousin here?

DEVIL.

His name is Merlin.

CLOWN.

Merlin? Your hand, cousin Merlin; for your fathers sake I accept

you to my kindred: if you grow in all things as your Beard does,

you will be talkt on. By your Mothers side, cousin, you come of

the Go-too'ts, Suffolk bred, but our standing house is at

Hocklye i'th'Hole, and Layton-buzzard. For your father, no doubt

you may from him claim Titles of Worship, but I cannot describe it;

I think his Ancestors came first from Hell-bree in Wales, cousin.

DEVIL.

No matter whence we do derive our Name:

All Brittany shall ring of Merlin's fame,

And wonder at his acts. Go hence to Wales,

There live a while; there Vortiger the King

Builds Castles and strong Holds, which cannot stand,

Unless supported by yong Merlins hand.

There shall thy fame begin: Wars are a breeding;

The Saxons practise Treason, yet unseen,

Which shortly shall break out. - Fair Love, farewel;

Dear son and brother, here must I leave you all,

Yet still I will be near at Merlins call.

(Exit.

MERL.

Will you go, Uncle?

CLOWN.

Ues, Ile follow you cousin. - Well, I do most horribly begin to suspect

my kindred; this brother in law of mine is the Devil, sure, and though

he hide his horns with his Hat and Feather, I spi'd his cloven foot for

all his cunning.

(Exit.

Scene V.

The British Court.)

Enter OSTORIUS, OCTA and PROXIMUS.

OSTOR.

Come, come, tie calls our close Complots to action.

Go, Proximus with winged speed flie hence,

Hye thee to Wales: salute great Vortiger

With these our Letters; bid the King to arms,

Tell him we have new friends, more Forces landed

In Norfolk and Northumberlan; bid him

Make haste to meet us; if he keep his word,

Wee'l part the Realm between