The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [1834]
NICHOLAS.
O 'twas as delicious a Chain a Gold! Kinsman, you know,--
SIR GODFREY.
You know? did you know't, Captain?
CAPTAIN.
Trust a fool with secrets!--Sir, he may say I know: his meaning is, because my Art is such, that by it I may gather a knowledge of all things.
SIR GODFREY.
Aye, very true.
CAPTAIN.
A pax of all fools--the excuse struck upon my tongue like Ship-pitch upon a Mariner's gown, not to come off in haste-- Ber-lady, Knight, to loose such a fair Chain a gold were a foul loss. Well, I can put you in this good comfort on't: if it be between Heaven and Earth, Knight, I'll ha't for you.
SIR GODFREY.
A wonderful Conjurer!--O, aye, tis between heaven and earth, I warrant you; it cannot go out of the realm.--I know tis some-where above the earth.
CAPTAIN.
Aye, nigher the earth then thou wotst on.
SIR GODFREY.
For, first, my Chain was rich, and no rich thing shall enter into heaven, you know.
NICHOLAS.
And as for the Devil, Master, he has no need on't, for you know he ha's a great chain of his own.
SIR GODFREY.
Thou sayest true, Nicholas, but he has put off that now; that lies by him.
CAPTAIN.
Faith, Knight, in few words, I presume so much upon the power of my Art; that I could warrant your Chain again.
SIR GODFREY.
O dainty Captain!
CAPTAIN.
Marry, it will cost me much sweat; I were better go to sixteen whot-houses.
SIR GODFREY.
Aye, good man, I warrant thee.
CAPTAIN.
Beside great vexation of Kidney and Liver.
NICHOLAS.
O, twill tickle you here-abouts, Coozen, because you have not been used toot.
SIR GODFREY.
No? have you not been used too't, Captain?
CAPTAIN.
Plague of all fools still!--Indeed, Knight, I have not used it a good while, and therefore twill strain me so much the more, you know.
SIR GODFREY.
Oh, it will, it will.
CAPTAIN.
What plunges he puts me to! were not this Knight a fool, I had been twice spoiled now; that Captain's worse than accurst that has an ass to his Kinsman. Sfoot, I fear he will drivell't out before I come toot.--Now, sir--to come to the point in deed--you see I stick here in the jaw of the Marshalsea, and cannot doo't.
SIR GODFREY.
Tut, tut, I know thy meaning; thou wouldst say thou'rt a prisoner. I tell thee thou'rt none.
CAPTAIN.
How none? why, is not this the Marshallsea?
SIR GODFREY.
Woult hear me speak? I hard of thy rare conjuring; My chain was lost; I sweat for thy release, As thou shalt do the like at home for me. Keeper.
[Enter Keeper.]
KEEPER.
Sir.
SIR GODFREY.
Speak, is not this man free?
KEEPER.
Yes, at his pleasure, sir, the fee's discharged.
SIR GODFREY.
Go, go, I'll discharge them I.
KEEPER.
I thank your worship.
[Exit Keeper.]
CAPTAIN.
Now, trust me, yar a dear Knight. Kindness unexpected! oh, there's nothing to a free Gentle man.--I will conjure for you, sir, till Froth come through my Buff-jerkin!
SIR GODFREY, Nay, then thou shalt not pass with so little a bounty, for at the first sight of my chain again, Forty fine Angells shall appear unto thee.
CAPTAIN.
Twil be a glorious show, ifaith, Knight, a very fine show; but are all these of your own house? are you sure of that, sir?
SIR GODFREY.
Aye, aye--no, no, what's he yonder, talking with my wild Nephew? pray heaven, he give him good counsel.
CAPTAIN.
Who, he? he's a rare friend of mine, an admirable fellow, Knight, the finest fortune-teller.
SIR GODFREY.
Oh, tis he indeed that came to my Lady sister, and foretold the loss of my chain. I am not angry with him now, for I see twas my fortune to loose it.--By your leave, Master Fortune-teller, I had a glimpse on you at home at my Sisters the Widdows, there you prophesied of the loss of a chain:--simply tho I stand here, I was he that lost it.
PYE.
Was it you, sir?
EDMOND.
A my troth, Nuckle, he's the rarest fellow: has told me my fortune so right; I find it so right to my nature.
SIR GODFREY.
What ist? God send it a good one!
EDMOND.
O, tis a passing good one, Nuncle: for he says I shall prove such an excellent