Dame Dobson, or, The cunning woman a comedy as it is acted at the Duke's Theatre / by Edward Ravenscroft ...

SCENE IX.

Dame Dobson, Gillet, and Mr. Gerrald.

Ger.

HOw Sir! you turn me down Stairs!—

Gill.

Heah—

Ger.

And heah too, what sort of Fellow's this? what a Figure he is.

Gill.

A Figure Sir?—If once my Sword begins to lay about, it runs Dia∣metrically through your Heart.

Dame.

Go, go, wou'd you offer to kill a man that can't defend himself? you know 'tis impossible for him to resist you: Go and fight for your Mistress, and take her from your Rivals.

Gill.

Well remembred, I'le go and kill half a dozen Rivals presently, Marry my Mistress, beat her into better manners, and live like a Hero all the rest of my life, Adieu.

Gillet Exit.

Ger.

What foolish whimsical fellow was this?

Dame.

One that has been troubling me here a good while. But what pray brings you here, I cannot but wonder at that.—

Ger.

I have a suit to you.

Dame.

What's that?

Ger.

Only to be beholden to your Art to resolve me one Question.

Dame.

Alas Sir, I am an ignorant Woman, and know nothing, my Art is meer Gullery, you know it, and have said so a Thousand times.

Ger.

If you tell me right as to a Theft that has been committed two dayes since, I promise to change my Opinion, and never to speak against you as long as I live.

Dame.

Have you lost any thing then?

Ger.

Yes, a pair of Pistols, and the best that ever were made, and for which I wou'd be willing to give double the price they cost.

Dame.

You'd willingly have'em agen, but my Art does not extend so far, I have no Skill.

Ger.

My Pistols, I beseech you my Pistols.

Dame.

How shou'd I tell you where they are? I concern my self in Matter of another Nature, in relation to good or evil fortune.

Ger.

Come lay aside your Passion, and be not angry, do what I request.

Dame.

You deserve it well at my hands. But within there, Bring me a Ba∣son of Water. Well Sir, you your self shall see the thing distinctly, and be∣cause you shan't think that I have any interest to deceive you, I declare before∣hand I'le have none of your Money.

Ger.

I understand what is fit.—

Dame.

Come Sir, here's what is requisite—Are things in readiness.

Enter Beatrice with Wat•…•…

Aside, to Beatrice.

Bea.

Proceed with Courage, nothing is wanting.

Dame.

Stand in this fashion as I do, and fix your Eyes upon the Water with∣out moving them off. See you nothing now?

Ger.

Nothing.

Dame.

Nothing at all! you don't look right then; for I see as plainly as can be.

Ger.

You may see what you please, but 'tis I am to see; O I begin to see now, I see my Pistols lying upon a Table in a Closet, where to my thinking I have been some time or other, I—I see nothing now agen, where shall I go to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 'em, I can't call the place to mind?

Dame.

I think I have done enough to let you see the place where the Pistols are.

Ger.

But I had rather you wou'd have shown me the Thief that stole 'em, then 'twou'd have been no great trouble to get 'em again.

Dame.

Now my hand's in, I will not do things by halfs for you: Look you in the Glass, but without turning away your eyes, for the Figure of him that took your Pistols will appear but a moment; what do you see?

Ger.

Ha! 'Tis Valentine, an intimate Friend of mine. The other day I hid a Sword of his in jest, and he to requite me, has watcht his opportunity and taken my Pistols to make me look for 'em, I'le run to his Lodgings presently.

Dame.

You may go with Confidence, I never fail to tell right.

Ger.

You will be no loser by this piece of Service, I am counted a man not ea∣sily to be cozened, and 'twill be no small reputation to have Converted a man of my Principles: At present I take my leave without farther Ceremony.

Ex.

Decoy.

So he's gone, this pass'd cleverly.

Dame.

He's more than half won already: And if once I bring him over to my side, away goes he to the Countess, and I doubt not but what he tells her of the business of the Bason will induce her belief to all I shall tell her hereafter. But now whil'st we have time, let us take order that every thing may be in rea∣diness to deceive the rest, that I am promis'd to be brought here to day.

Decoy.

Ay, Aye, we shall have more Woodcocks in the Spring anon, I war∣rant you.

Exeunt.