The walks of Islington and Hogsdon,: with the humours of Woodstreet-compter. A comedy, as it was publikely acted 19. days together, with extraordinary applause. Never printed before. Written by Tho. Jordan, Gent.

Act. 4. Scaen. 2.

Enter as in the Hole Wildfire, Lord Lows-proof, Steward Rentfree Constable-Lazy, and Chamberlain-Jaylbird.

Rent.

What is your name my friend?

Lows.

You must tell the Steward your name, you will be the sooner entred a member of the Sheriffs-Basket, there is (my friend) a strange miracle in our living, we never want meat yet keep continual fast; and yet all that fast, you may see by our Clothes we are loose enough; we live in imita∣tion of the Owls, we sleep ith' day time, and revel all the night: Some beds we have for Gentlemen of quality, as my self being the Lord, Steward Rentfree, Constable Lazy, and Chamberlain Jaylbird.

Wildf.

Gentlemen, I was a Page to a Knight that was a prisoner in this house Sir Rev. Lamard, my name is Wildfire.

Lows.

Prethee stand farther off, thou wilt melt me else.

Jayl.

My Lord begins to hiss.

Lows.

Gentlemen of the Kings Ward let us consult upon the business, 'tis for the good of the Hole, and of the whole House; let us for once be wiser and honester then e'r we have been, there may come much mischief by this Wildfire, if he stay long he will consume us, and every creeping thing a∣bout us, our beds being all straw is very combustible; the very blowing on's nose blows a bed up.

Rent.

There's a Bug upon your Honours doublet.

Lows.

Is there but one, give it Wildfire, he is fit for no∣thing but to receive my Moabites in reversion, they may live upon him like so many Salamanders; I will petition to morrow for the discharge of Wildfire, he shall not stay with us, we must have Wildfire put out, 'tis pity such a spark should be in the Compter.

Enter Keeper, Flylove, Rivers, Wildblood, Mrs. Trimw.

Stand aside, here comes the Gentlemen Rats, it is most fit I give them the first salutation; Gentlemen you are most un∣happily incountred.

Fly.

I do most unfortunately thank you Sir, we come to see your Revels, are they ended? are you my Lord?

Lazy.

Yes Sir, he's my Lord.

Fly.

Well Gentlemen we make bold to visit you, and (to be the better welcome) we have brought with us each man a bottle of Canary; who's that knocks?

Keep.

'Tis somebody at the Compter-gate, some more Rats I believe.

knocking at the Compter-gate.

Wild.

Bring them hither of what degree soever.

Exit Keeper and Lowzy.

Lazy.

I, I, Hole 'um, Hole 'um; Rat, tat, tat, this is the City-Mous-trap; here do we lye at a sure ward, revel all night, and breath defiance to the Watch and the Constable; we have suffered under the terrour of Authority, and now we have got the Law in our own hands.

Lowzy.

A Rat, a Rat, a Rat.

Enter Lowzy.

Riv.

What are they, Citizens or Gentlemen?

Low.

No, no, they are neither Citizens nor Gentlemen, and yet they are a company for Lords, they are musicall Rats, singing Rats, men that are come to keep time in the Compter; they are crowding in, therefore you that mean to express your activity, prepare and be in readiness, a man in prison may easily do his sink-a-pace.

Enter Keeper and the Musicians.

Fly.

These are the Blades that were with us at Hogsdon; this was some precise Constable, some brother oth' Family, that sent the Musicians to prison, or else some joviall Hu∣mourist that had a mind the prisoners should be merry to night; well my Masters, since you are here, strike up cou∣ragiously, here be Gentlemen have a mind to discover their footing, you shall not lose your labour, I'le pay your Fees in the morning.

Fidlers.

We thank you noble Mr. Flylove.

Low.

Gentlemen, throw of your bottomless pantoffles, and let's to't, here's Sack to cherrish us when we have fini∣shed.

They Dance an Antick.

Wildb.

Gentlemen, we thank you, when we'r at liberty, we'l send you something worth your estimation, in the mean time drink that.

Gives them money.

Fly.

I come, let's go, I do not like the fume of this close room; how fare you Mrs. Trimwel?

Mrs. Trim.

Well Sir, but that the scent is somewhat noy∣some, the room above, from whence we came, is sweeter.

Riv.

Come, we'l go up agen then.

Fly.

I, I, let's go, god-night good friends.

Omnes.

We thank you Gentlemen, we'l drink your healths to morrow morning.

Riv.

In the morning Musick we'l keep our words with you, but I shall talk with you for the trick you put upon me at Hogsdon.

Fidlers.

It was no fault of ours indeed Mr. Rivers, we'l mak't appear to morrow.

Exeunt Rivers, Mrs. Trim. Wildblood and Flylove.

Riv.

Well, well, good night.

Omnes.

Good night to you all Gentlemen.

Lows.

Come my Masters we that were Dancers will make an equal division of the Gentlemans bounty, here is ten shillings, and we are six on's.

Ren.

12. d. a piece, & the rest in drink among the prisners

Lows.

I like the motion well my equal Steward, here is some Sack left, that we'l drink with the Musitians, and ex∣cuse their Garnish in the morning.

Omnes.

Agreed, agreed.

Lows.

Let us consult farther in our with-drawing room: How now Chamberlain cannot you leave your old trade? must you be filching? wouldst thou undo a poor Common∣wealth at one pull thou unconscionable thief, but I am too subtil for you sirrah, you can't deceive me; The devil take me if my Angel leave me.

Rent.

Nobly spoke my Lord; room for my Lord there.

Enter above with a long rope Sir Rev. Lamard.

Sir Rev.

'Tis very light, begar me sall be discover; now if my string do slip, down goes Sir Reverence upon some Wash-mans head, and begar dat vill bewray all; I can see no∣ting but de Fiddles in de Prison; if I sall break my neck in sundra for my liberty, begar my adversary make dice of my bones, but I sall couzen him, for my bone crumble to ashes: So, so, vas very fast, and so fast, as me can, me vill down; Begar me tink it be somewhat strange dat me mus come to be save by de Rope, but if I be taken, for ought I know I sall be hang in de Rope. I care not me sall

He slides down and resteth on the Fea∣thers Tavern.

ventre for all dat, as good be hang as live in prison: Begar here comes som∣body vith light, me sall be taken, dere

Ent. Pimpw. drunk with a Torch in his hand.

be no vay to scape, and me canot clime up agen: Oh Diabolo vat sall become of me, de vindow be shut, me can no creep into de Tavern, and I sall not be taken for Zhorge a hors-back, as me saw once in de Play; begar dis man be drunk, I see by his stagger.

Pimpw.

A sawcy Constable to question my lodging, can∣not a man go home to his house in peace? Is it not suffici∣ent that I can carry my self to the Compter, but I must be beholding to an enigmatical Constable, and his mischievous

Watch; a man can no sooner come neer them, but who goes there? come before the Constable; Come afore a Cuckold, Oh such a rogue would be hang'd; Let me see, where am I? this is Woodstreet, whereabouts is the Feathers-Tavern.

Sir Rev.

A pox for you, you be too neer de Feder-Tavern already, and begar now I see him, dis fellow be prisoner in de Compter, but I have an invention he sall no spy me, be∣gar me vill creep into dis Bush, and ven he be gone me sall go down courageo.

Pimpw.

This is the Compter where many a man lies with a heavy heart, I have been a prisoner this two or three years, yet I walk abroad at my leasure, and am as drunk as a devil for my pleasure.

Sir Rev.

Begar me have extream need to make vater, I sall pish my breesh, Oh Diabolo I sall be found, begar me can stay no longra, me sall burse.

Pimpw.

I will knock up this rogue Hugh at the Feathers; Hugh, Hugh, you rogue rise, my name's Pimpwel, you sleepy rogue rise and let me in, must I wait upon you with a pox to you. Nouns what's that?

Sir Rev. pisseth upon him.

Sir Rev.

Begar now I be undon in a pissing vhile.

Pimpw.

You son of a Batchelor, do you throw your Pis∣pots upon my head, if I could finde stones I'de break your windows, but since I cannot, I will even make bold to set fire of your Bush, then throw your water and spare not.

Sir Rev.

Oh Mordieu, me sall be burn in de Bush, or be hang in de Rope, I vould I were in me shamber agen.

Pimpw.

What's here, a Rope? some pri∣soner

Pimpw. spieth the rope.

has made an escape out of the Masters-side; there's money for somebody to pay, I'le in and call the Turn-key, a prisoner escap't, a prisoner, a prisoner.

Within.

From whence?

Pimpw.

A private chamber in the Masters-side.

Within.

A prisoner, a prisoner.

Pimpw.

Look, look, here's the Rope.

Ent. 2. or 3. Keepers.

Keep.

Run up to the Masters-side, see if the French Knight be in's Chamber, his Action is 6000. l. we are all undone if he escape away.

Exit 2. Keepers.

Pimpw.

I, I, we are all undone, if he be gone here's Rope enough for us all.

3. Keep.

Pox on you for a drunken rogue, wher hast bin?

Pimpw.

Drinking wine in bowls boys, I am almost drunk, but what shal we do for the prisoner, shall I run after him?

3. Keep.

Which way is he gone?

Pim.

The Lord knows.

2. Keep.

Hallowgh?

1. Keep.

What say you?

2. Keep.

The French Knight is escaped, you must make swift pursuit, he cannot be gone far.

1. Keep.

Pluck up the Rope; look well toth' Gate, Pimp∣wel run you to Cripplegate, you to some other Watches, and all the way you run, cry out a prisoner.

Exit.

3. Keep.

A prisoner, a prisoner.

Ex. keep. several ways.

Sir Reverence comes out of the Bush.

Sir Rev.

Oh the great pox run with you all, vat a fear have dey put me in, begar me vill not stay, 'tis very light, I see no passenger, dis vas de bravest time: So, now me are down, futra for Keeper; begar me can no shuse but laugh, how dey run-away from me to find me; Oh me brave bush! Fish vay sall me take to be safe, me mus come no neer Crip∣plegate, nor Sheapside, I sall take some udder vay, the devil is in me if I come agen; Farewell good Compter, I am not loath to part from you: I remember two line of an English∣man dat vent from de Prison, dey var des:

Dis House mus be let at a miserable rate, For I ha' left my Shambra, any man may ha't.

Farewel Comptera.

Exit.

Enter Splendora and a Keeper.

Mercurio?

Splend.

Can you direct me to the hapless lodging of yong

Keep.

He lies ith' Masters-side, he is a Gentleman whose misery works much compassion in each Officer, I would my power could save him.

Splend.

Thank you Sir? Such worthy wishes in such men as you, Who bear a function of that cruel nature, Being so rare, appears most excellent; Pray tell me Sir, how doth he take his sufferings?

Keep.

I think he is in love; he's often heard To sigh a Ladies name, and sing sad Sonnets In dissolving passion, Such as might melt the Tyger-cruelty Of men turn'd Tyrants; thus much I observe, The prison doth not fright him from his rest, Like his divorce from her whose name he sighs so; I'le call him if you please, yet 'tis somewhat early.

Splend.

Sir, I give thanks Unto your loving diligence, and with your leave, I shall conceive it but a friendly Office, To spare his labour, and walk up to him.

Exit Splend.

Keep.

Those stayrs direct you, turn on your left hand.

Enter to the Keeper Bellaflora.

Bella.

Are you the Keeper Sir?

Keep.

I turn the key, my Office is as much To let men out as in; I take no pride, To stand 'twixt men and freedome, suck a Keeper I am, and would be thought.

Bella.

Heaven be thy Keeper, and grant thy place cor∣rupt thee not; pray Sir, was there not brought in amongst other Gentlemen, a prisoner late last night, call'd Mr. Flylove?

Keep.

Yes Lady.

Bella.

How could I speak a word in private with him? the business which I have concerns his freedome.

Keep.

I shall be glad to call him, — Mr. Flylove.

Prisoners within.

Mr. Flylove, Mr. Flylove.

Ent. Flylove.

Fly.

What a noise you make, I'm become a man of cal∣ling now; who is't would speak with me Sir.

Keep.

Here's a fair Lady, I'le leave you to your oppor∣tunity.

Exit Keeper.

Fly.

Gramercy honest Keeper: How now, who's this? How my blood startles in me on the sudden?

Bella.

What, do I fright you Sir? I come to see and com∣fort you with my best love to file your Fetters off.

Fly.

Such charitable language, and such face Had beauteous Bellaflora, to whose soul

Mine was contracted, but my breach of vow, Joyn'd with the infamy of this Ioath'd action, So lately done, hath sent her far from me; This is the pleasant widdow we met at Hogsdon, I remember now; But see how guilt will fool a man, I was Admiring how you thought to finde me here.

Bella.

Some other time I'le tell you, if I may (Without the breach of modest manners) ask you What is the cause of your imprisonment?

Fly.

What a question's that? I'le lye ith' Compter all my life time, e're I make known the cause that laid me here, a toy, a trifle, for nothing but disputing with the Constable, here's Jack, Wildblood and Frank Rivers in the house (three merry boys be we) here's the woman too, will you go see them.

Bella.

No Sir, but if the cause of your restraint from freedom be of that easie value, you'l be gone within an hour.

Fly.

I, I, within this hour at the farthest.

Bell.

Poor man, how thou deceiv'st me and thy self,

aside

I as much blush to let him understand I know the cause of his affliction, As he doth to reveal it; if you please I'le stay till you go off.

Fly.

You may stay this twelve-month for ought

aside

I know; I must put her off, to say the plain truth Lady I have an Action entred against me since I came in.

Bella.

You need not let that fright you, I have so much skill, although a very unexperienc'd woman to tell you, whilst you are under the command of any Justice for the breach oth' peace, you are not lyable to any Action.

Fly.

She says true, where the Devil got you so much law?

Bella.

Come, come, I know the cause that keeps you here.

Fly.

How! I am sorry for that.

aside.

Bell.

Is't not a womans Action?

Fly.

A womans Action.

Bell.

I have hit the mark, and I could name the party.

Fly.

Lady I'le take my leave, I'm call'd above.

Bella.

Indeed you are not Sir, pray stay a little, I know you think the fact you have committed,

To be of that vile nature, that you blush To tell or think I know it; you the less Stand in my condemnation for the ill, Because 'twas acted on so much deformity, It makes me think some Witchcraft, drink, or madness Possest you at that time; they being remov'd, Your penitence brings back your ravisht worth, And you are man agen, but the nice winner Of every fair one's a judicious sinner, And in that judgement multiplies each fact, And findes his Tragedy in the last Act.

Fly.

This circumstance confirms your knowledge of it, And I am sorry.

Bell.

That I know't.

Fly.

Tis true.

Bella.

But if you please't shan't be the worse for you, Would I were beautiful enough to please you, Or had a mind that you might think so fair, To merit your best wishes in the bliss Of sacred Wedlock, you should then be sure To shake this bondage off.

Fly.

Pray let me pause. My former rashness may take license for't; I am in prison, and the Law exacts My body for a year; I could produce Such bayl as is sufficient for my freedom, But I will perish e'r I reveal my scandall; This woman's fair, and hath a face so like To one, whose memory I owe my being, I know not what to answer; Then agen 'Tis for my freedom, from a bondage which May ruine soul and body; I'm resolv'd, If Bellaflora knew it, so would she, And pardon all, which works my Liberty. You do not ask me this to try me, do you?

Bella.

No by those joys I wish for.

Fly.

Nor tell me of my fact, or of your friendship, At every angry occasion, Which the best married pair seldome avoid.

Bella.

May all my life be made of discontents, And they in old age kill me, if I do:

Fly.

How neer she comes to Bellaflora still, In all her noble actions; If I could Believe the Pythagorean axioms true, Of transmigrated spirits, did the Grave Contain my Bellaflora, I should think This frame contain'd her soul, the Gods would sure Consume me, if this Contract I now make And seal, this vertuous woman were not lawful:

By all the joys eternal, by the hopes I have to live a life that's long and blest, To see a numerous issue fairly bred In all their actions, shewing still the minds Of their long sleeping Ancestors, I'le bee Thy husband, love, and life, I'le marry thee.

Bella.

This day.

Fly.

This very day.

Within.

Stephen Flylove, the Constable's come.

Keep.

Sir, the Constable waits for you.

Ent. keeper.

Bella.

Delay not, ith' mean time I'le bayle you here, Remember Sir.

Fly.

I doe.

Bella.

Adieu my dear.