Bartholmew fayre : a comedie, acted in the yeare, 1614 by the Lady Elizabeths seruants, and then dedicated to King Iames, of most blessed memorie ; The diuell is an asse : a comedie acted in the yeare, 1616, by His Maiesties seruants ; The staple of newes : a comedie acted in the yeare, 1625, by His Maiesties seruants by the author, Beniamin Iohnson.

ACT. IIJ. SCENE. IV.

MERE-CRAFT. INGINE. VVITTIPOL.

HOw goes the cry?

ING.

Excellent well!

MER.

Wil't do? VVhere's Robinson?

ING.

Here is the Gentleman, Sir. VVill vndertake t'himselfe. I haue acquainted him,

MER.

VVhy did you so?

ING.

VVhy, Robinson would ha'told him, You know. And hee's a pleasant wit! will hurt Nothing you purpose. Then, he'is of opinion,

That Robinson might want audacity, She being such a gallant. Now, hee has beene, In Spaine, and knowes the fashions there; and can Discourse; and being but mirth (hee saies) leaue much, To his care:

MER.

But he is too tall!

ING.

For that, He has the brauest deuice! * 1.1 (you'll loue him for't) To say, he weares Cioppinos: and they doe so In Spaine. And Robinson's as tall, as hee.

MER.

Is he so?

ING.

Euery iot.

MER.

Nay, I had rather To trust a Gentleman with it, o'the two.

ING.

Pray you goe to him, then, Sir, and salute him.

MER.

Sir, my friend Ingine has acquainted you With a strange businesse, here.

WIT.

A merry one, Sir. The Duke of Drown'd-land, and his Dutchesse?

MER.

Yes, Sir. Now, that the Coniurers ha' laid him by, I ha' made bold, to borrow him a while;

WIT.

With purpose, yet, to put him out I hope To his best vse?

MER.

Yes, Sir.

WIT.

For that small part, That I am trusted with, put off your care: I would not lose to doe it, for the mirth, Will follow of it; and well, I haue a fancy.

MER.

Sir, that will make it well.

WIT.

You will report it so. Where must I haue my dressing?

ING.

At my house, Sir.

MER.

You shall haue caution, Sir, for what he yeelds, To six pence.

WIT.

You shall pardon me. I will share, Sir, I' your sports, onely: nothing i'your purchase. But you must furnish mee with complements, To th' manner of Spaine; my coach, my guarda duenn'as;

MER.

Ingine's your Pro'uedor. But, Sir, I must (Now I'haue entred trust wi'you, thus farre) Secure still i' your quality, acquaint you With somewhat, beyond this. The place, design'd To be the Scene, for this our mery matter, Because it must haue countenance of women, To draw discourse, and offer it, is here by, At the Lady Taile-bushes.

WIT.

I know her, Sir, And her Gentleman huisher.

MER.

M^r Ambler?

WIT.

Yes, Sir.

MER.

Sir, It shall be no shame to mee, to confesse To you, that wee poore Gentlemen, that want acres, Must for our needs, turne fooles vp, and plough Ladies Sometimes, to try what glebe they a••e: and this Is no vnfruitefull piece. She, and I now, Are on a proiect, for the fact, and venting Of a new kinde of fucus (paint, for Ladies) To serue the kingdome: wherein shee her selfe Hath trauell'd, specially, by way of seruice Vnto her sexe, and hopes to get the Monopoly,

As the reward, of her inuention.

WIT.

What is her end, in this?

EV.

Merely ambition, Sir, to grow great, and court it with the secret: Though shee pretend some other. For, she's dealing, Already, vpon caution for the shares, And M^r. Ambler, is hee nam'd Examiner For the ingredients; and the Register Of what is vented; and shall keepe the Office. Now, if shee breake with you, of this (as I Must make the leading thred to your acquaintance, That, how experience gotten i'your being Abroad, will helpe our businesse) thinke of some Pretty additions, but to keepe her floting: It may be, shee will offer you a part, Any strange names of—

WIT.

S^r, I haue my'instructions. Is it not high time to be making ready?

MER.

Yes, Sir,

ING.

The foole's in sight, Dottrel.

MER.

Away, then.

Notes

• * 1.1

  He excepts at his sta∣ture.