Part of Poore (transcription)

The following transcription of the "Part of Poore" was originally prepared by David Carnegie for the Malone Society (Collections XV [Oxford: OUP, 1993], 111-69). It is reproduced here by kind permission of Professor Carnegie and the Malone Society. Copies of Collections XV can be purchased through the Malone Society's site.

Square brackets are used to mark deletions, and angular brackets are used to indicate "questionably legible portions of the text" (Carnegie 115). The Act and Scene headings have been enlarged for visibility but are not distinguished as such in the original manuscript.

This text has been made available primarily to facilitate searching; the limitations of wiki-coding mean that the digitised images of the manuscript and/or Professor Carnegie's original transcription should be consulted to ensure complete accuracy.

THE PART OF 'POORE'
Actus Imus Scӕna Ia. [FOL.21a]
   Poore.
Welcome thou instrument of liberty      offreth to stab himselfe
Sly       Hold hold
Poore: It is a most vnthankfull office;
To save a man vnwilling is to murder.
What hath this world of myne that I should covet
Longer to stay wth it? nor have you reason
Thus to detaine mee, I must greiving say it
Through mee you want what might have well sustaind you 10
And your last store scarce panteth nourishment
Vnto your selfe and sister.
Sly                                             How truely rich
Though having nothing, for contemning all?
Poore. True very wise, nay rich, if hee could gett
Even wth his best indeauour nourishment:
But that now wants whose rich hees only wise
T'is the receaved opinion, and what arts
Are meanly shrouded in a thred bare coate
Want theire due forme, thats a privation of it. 20
The worst of ills that is in misery
Is that it gives a man contemptible
Makes him a scoffe to every painted asse
Wch beares a golden image, every slave
Wch came into this Cytty wth bare feete
And since hath heap'd vp by mechanicke basenes
Abundant riches will contem the state
That nature brought him to and no more pitty it,
Then wisedome will a snake pin'd wth much cold
Sly:                                             you much erre 30
Poore. No it is sacred truth, there is not one
Who hath not circled wth a triple brasse
His more obdurate heart, each man doth live [FOL.21b]
As hee were enemy to the whole world.
There is a spatious distance twixt the heart,
And tounge of every man, they speake and doe
Nought that hath smallest coherence wth theire minds;
They doe even strive vnto it wth theire full nerves.
Sly                                             Imitate theire manners.
Poore: You advise well, I shall, and digg a prey 40
From out theire frosen intrailes, wch shall nourish vs,
Feede vs wth laughter, cramm vs full wth gold.
I'le hold as firme antipathy wth men,
As doe the elements amongst themselves.
Sly                                          they doe generate
Poore: Soe will not I vnlesse a misery.
And wanton spleene to laugh at it.
Sly                 will force frequent troops
Of clyents, to your lure           
Poore:           And being well lured, 50
Ile cramm them soe they shall not breath to flight.
Let's see they may doe well if more harsh fate
Bite not our blooming fortunes.
Strange                           beene ith fashion to
Poore. Whilst wee, Apollo's children, wch are given
To the true study of whats purely good.
Share not the least part of it in effect.
Our merits are defects, and only staines.
Disgraces to mans glosse, in mans false eyes.
The heaven of our glory shines no more, 60
Then a faint candles light, in a proud sunn.
Oh Iove! oh Iove! why hast thou warn'd thy thunder [?]
It should not dare to touch Apollo's tree?
Yet sufferest vilder more inferiour stro<a>kes
To rend, and hammer his more loved children, [FOL.22a]
To dust, to aire, to nothing, lesse then nothing.
Strang: [f]                                                         for what they suffer
Poore: Sr I have fellowe feeling of theire ills.
Strang                                                       tis sacred truth.          
Poore: [O]                                    O Sr beleeve him not 70
He doth intice you to a dangerous ill
Sly: Slight what doe you meane?          
Poore                                        Hee is a strange hyaena
Sly: You wont vndoe your selfe                                   
Poore [A]                                                 And drawes you on
Stra:                                    wants much connexion
Poore To losse                                                               
Strange:           of what?                                                         
Poore:       Your wealth and reputation.
Riches are not more enimyes to heaven, 80
then To our art.
Sly               honest men in as bare naps.
Poore Our heaven of poetry cannot brooke such rivals.
It is wellnigh[] prodigious they should meete.
And or proceedes from a defect of wo<r>th,
Or by excesse of some vild humour ioyned,
Wch naturalists observe wthin theire subjects
To cause a vitious forme; for more then perfect
Is but a plurisy wch in wholsomest blood
Breeds naught save malladyes, but being ill, 90
It meerely is necessited to kill.
You knowe the daunger Sr If you proceede
Strange:                              You cannot fright mee.
Poore Now comes your cue to speake goe on and roundly
Sly                                 not shewe his matchlesse skill
Poore: You may proceed and hee may <w>inn by intising.
But by your pardon, you are much [deceaved] vnwise, [FOL.22b]
If all his traines cann lead you to consent.
Strange:                                  vnto your art
I cannot be disswaded                           . 100
Poore                                    then resolve
To contemplation, for you must neglect
All worldly matters, and be given to this,
As to the sollidst earthly happinesse.
Strang                                 you knowe my minde
Poore: And I will vndertake to give instructions
In this quainte rhetoricke, and subtile logicke,
And what I cann participat in naturals
Shall not be wanting, since I knowe you firme
Of good capacity and ingenuous. 110
Strange:                               What I possesse
Shall not be wanting to you
Poore: [Pish]              pish no no you shall not.
Those were but by words wch I did object
Sly:              ­into your minde, I told you soe.
Poore Sr It was ill donn, and no way worth your thanks.
Strange: [I would] lodge heare about                 
Poore               Twilbe best
Strange               only take this as earnest
Poore: It should not neede but since you'l have it soe 120
I will accept it and deserve it to
Strange: 'Till when I leave you.
Poore               pray good sr your name
Strange: Tis Strange anon Ile come.             
Poore              you shalbe welcome.
Sly           to quircks and quillets soe they'de help to thrive
Poore: S'light what doe you meane?
Sly              my tender Iuvenall
Poore: You wo'n't vndoe your selfe?
Sly — wth your precisenes. 130
Poore may you have game and will not sterve and perish?
Sly                                          Leave it scholler leave it [FOL.23a]
Or it spoile thee
Poore: []          You'r spoild you may turne ballad munger.
Sly: Prethee vrge these no more             
Poore:           you may thrive, tis possible,
But Ive seene honest men in as bare naps.
Sly                    Ile pay thee for it
Poore: Doe spare mee not, I will indure thy worst,
And answer thee wth full as great a noyse. 140
My flash shalbe as violent and as horrid.
Sly: Our lightning shall insue             
Poore:                          content content.
Now my wise wench of brantford, how now Gill,
What newes bringst thou now?
Sly: Wee are quite vndon
Poore: On wth your night gowne Gill, and dresse yorselfe
Ith lady fashion speedily, and returne.
Theire coming in ?
Gill              I I              150
Poore        Begonn, be gonn.
Sly:              as poore indeed as thou in name
Poore: Your witt is rich enough to play on mee
Sly                          I will stab myselfe
Poore That shall not be indited for your death
<Ieamy> hath putt it vp [<yyo>] you shall not have it
Sly: Then Ile goe hang my self:                         
Poore — Away away man
What what in desperation, fy vpon't
Heare mee sr I have heard a cunning hand 160
May soe dispose two glasses as by them
Each externe inconvenience maybe kend.
Sly:      laugh[]t at my afflictions ? [FOL.23b]
Poore. At thy promotion, at thy exaltation.
Giv'd thou mayest cheat securely free of feare.
Thou feelst the worst of it, false dice, halfe cards
Will doe exceeding well; [f<a>lse] if thoult be honest,
Ile teach thee a more exquisite art of begging,
Then ere was heard yet from the newgate dungeon.
Each man ith house shall give a groat a day 170
To have thee vndergoe theire worke, and gaine by it.
For I will vndertake, in halfe a yeare.
Thou shalt as palpably snatch from the grates,
Of all the prisons wthin London walls,
Ney and the libertyes, the penny pension
As the Kings men doe from theire neighbour companyes
Societyes of gallants
Sly                             death and damnation
Poore Hell and misery                                
Sly:            light on the head, 180
Poore                  of thy destroying Hard.
Is't Is't I heare them, fly and putt you on
Some other shape, come Lady Gillian come
Have you not donn yett? oh your well enough
Good morrowe to your worships Ladyship­
Good Madam Change.
Act: II Scӕna 2da
3d offi: some kind purgation, is not that your meaning ?
Poore: Madam doe you still hold those points of complement
In wch I did instruct you yesterday? 190
When to advance, when to retire, and when
To keepe your stand? at the first salutacion
How to congratulate the welcome of—
—A freind equall in fortune, of a superiour,
How to be court<e>ous to inferiours?
Gill:      wth a greater matter [FOL.24a]
Poore: Thus farr weeve gonn i'th science, theory,
Now weele proceed vnto the art, or practise.
Hard                wee shall see fine sport.
Poore: Thinke you, you cann performe what I instructed? 200
Gill                                     make experience Sr
Poore Suppose mee, lordly, after what manner meete you
Gill                   vnworthy roofe of ours.
Poore: How to a knight your equall?                 
Hard: — I would my kinsman had hir
Poore: Soe would I to: but for the inferiour now?
Hard                    should be hir ioynter
Poore: Sr you bid fairely for hir, you shall have hir.
Your cousen goose shall have hir
Gill     — If I cann helpe it 210
Poore:                      come come mind them not.
Soe now you are instructed, let us spend
Some tyme, in matters of a more import.
Madam I knowe your birth, and your deservings.
But what your fortunes are Ive beene content
Yet not to seeke, but now you've given your selfe
Wholly to mee and doe repose alone
Vpon my choyce, I will be bold to inquire
That I may neither loose you on a man
Belowe yourselfe in merits or in fortune 220
Gill. Heaven blesse vs what are you?                 
Poore:                      Murder, murder
Roalfe Gaspar Thomas where are these varlets trowe?
Sly                          you shalbe held doe you heare.
Poore: What are you ? speake, to what end doe you come? [FOL.24b]
Hard                      arrest that Sly
Poore: How Sly saucy groome? first enter my house
Wth more then two, tis a sufficient riot
And god knowes what you would, but that our eye,
Our happily seeing eye prevented you; 230
Thanks to the supreame power wch made it happy
To that fore sight, what not a varlett stirr ?
You are consenting to, wee might be murdred[,]
And you not heare of it; where are your fellows?.
You'are sometymes dubly diligent, and a word
Wthin our kenn will make you fly like winde
Where are your fellowes?                     
Sly                                troth Sr, I doe not knowe
Poore: What men are these?                 
Gill:                               nor heare of any thing. 240
Poore: Ney you shall stay, the Iustice shall decide
Whither your act be lawfull, tmay perchance
Conclude at Tyburne or the newgate dungeon
Besides a publique lash from hence to ye tower
From thence to westmonest<e>r, spight of your freinds
Hard. Sr I intreat your favour.                         
Poore      That were pretty.
To be god knowes frighted well nigh to death,
Then only intreat favour, that's fine recompence.
If thou beest worth a penny Ile have that 250
And all thy freinds cann make if they will save thee.
Hard. Sr in good fayth I meant no harme ­          
Poore.                                        thats better.
That shalbe t[y]ryed, goe Gaspar fetch the Conestable
Sly Tak't least hee doe repent;
Poore.                                                how! forty pound?
That is a sweet amends, but whats your name ?
Hard. Tis Hard and please you Sr                         [FOL.25a]
Poore                                Hard? mr Sly
Hath often named you wthin my hearing 260
An honest creditor, and for his sake.
If wth [th] your haust this lady be appeased
Your peace is made; what recompence shee will
You must attone hir wth, or this cannot bee.
Some toy will please hir best, shee is a woman
A diamond ring of twenty marke that's all
Oh shee was frighted much, had shee beene married
Tenn Suttons wealths could not have saved yor life
Hard. I would bestowe
Poore:      Vm lett mee see the gold, 270
[Ile] offer it; oh these are [the f] Sly's attachments and his bonds.
Hard. Good Sr they are ­                                  
Poore:                               Madam this gentleman
Presents to you by mee his mediate
Twenty faire angells, and doth hope to appease
Wth this bright sacrifice, your incensed minde:
To add by glorious coulour of this gold,
A pleasing tinture, to your late pale cheeke.
Hard: Is shee a lady Sr                     
Poore                      not yet, a knight 280
Is ready now to bed hir, and but stay's
The coming of some freinds vnto the ceremony.
Sly                                   oh! it takes rarely
Poore Some five dayes hince.                     
Hard                     And is shee well affected ?
Poore No yet the importunitye hir freinds have vsed,
Have made hir yeeld.                                 
Hard                     so much into hir <e>state [FOL.25b]
Poore. I have no reason sr       
Hard What may hir portion be?                      290
Poore                     Hir father Sr
Iustice of peace in Yorkeshire, hath alotted
Three thousand pound wch wthin twice three months
After the day of marriage shall bee payed;
Vpon condition,yt shee shall have ioynter.
After his death, three hundreed pound a yeare.
Hir fathers age and weakenes will not suffer hĩ
Present vnto these nuptials but hee sends
His brother to consumate what he please.
Hard. Then he concludes all. 300
Poore     All    
Hard                      in my behalfe
Poore Shee hath refer'd hir selfe to my dispose
And if I like the gentleman and the tearmes
It shall goe hard but Ile prevaile so much
Hard                      shalbee assured hir
Poore: Tis faire the gentle man concludes it
Hard                                                   yes
Hee shall                                      
Poor []     as I like him it takes effect 310
If I cann ought.
Hard      your care shalbe requited
Poore: It is requited i<n>th the very act
If it doe prove succesfully and well
Hard        in the meane while plant for battery
Poore: Sr If hee be as you have spoken him
Hee shall not come vnwelcome
Gill You'r welcome [to]     
Poore: []      to your cost Sr       
Sly Footra for Hard 320
Poore now my Sly blewcoat thou how likst thou this [FOL.26a]
Is it not better then ye dolefull ditty
Of Ile goe hang or stab my selfe
Sly: Of more rich witt                                      
Poore: [Tis in]       ­tis inforced soe now
But better arts were better ways to thrift
Gett you a country gentile habit, hir vncle
You must be nowe.
Gill [Wh]     what shall become of mee
Poor Be neat and spruise as what you have cann make 330
You <h>have a woer coming that shall pay fort
You want not my instructions how to answer
Though hee how to oppose, and sett on you
When fate affords no other way to live
                                     to get a living needs must
Our wits [must list indeavour wee may thrive] strive
                                                                          Exeunt
                    Actus 2di scӕ 2da
Poore. Whose at the dore who is it?
Sly: He yt desires to bee a scholler       340
Poor                                       Goe Sly,
Admitt, admitt them: I must scoure my witt
I feare tis spoil'd wth rust tis not acute
Sly: What are you [bett] ready for them?          
Poore Ready ready.
Surely twas in Domitian's tyme he lived.
That Iuvenal, the wonder of all ages
Wch have beene since, should live soe much vnknow̃
Soe much neglected in his owne tyme, as none
Would grace theire storyes wth his sacred name, 350
Nor praise them selves, wth giving him due fame.
Yet tis enough wee knowe and wonder at thee
That once thou wert and that thy works shal bee
Worthy long admiration.
Sly: Noe noe hee shall not Mr Poore          . [FOL.26b]
Poore []          whose there?
Oh Sr I cry you mercy, and your freind,
Your welcom please you sitt, I was translating
A poet wch is prince of all his sect
Of Satyrists, theire manners should give them 360
Princes of men, though fewe there bee are soe;
Twas Iuvenall wch if it please you heare
I will recite.
Strang:                                    Yes very willingly
[Though fewe there bee are soe]
Poore Tis thus Ile not repeat the Latine text.
Shall I continue silent &, indure.
The loude vexations Codrus doth procure
Wth his rude Theseus? shall this man reherse
His gouned scӕne and this his mournfull v<er>se? 370
Shall giant Telephus consume his day
And long Orestes ӕviternall play
Whose margent is repleat, whose very backe
Scapes not the rage but beares asselike packe.
Shall these I say much endlesse still be read
And only I continue as if dead
Vnto these labours? shall I only feare
To vex mens organs and to force a teare ? &c
I only made experience what I could.
Quicke                 you've made vs knowe you soe. 380
Poore The'ire sudden and they beare no more of weight
Then a small tyme would give.
Strang: It is well vrged                
Poore:                and no way worth deniall.
Quicke And make a Ioviall meale.
Poore                 in the meane while
Weele vse a prety schollers exercise
One shall propose a theame, & each compose
A couple of verses on it as they sitt [FOL.27a]
And if the first speake last, the rest shall take 390
Theire cups of wine a peece to acuat them
Sly                     who doth propose?
Poore: Each in his order shall, doe you propose.
Sly        wine doth cheare the heart.
Poore You observe method in your very sport
Sr for the good report you give of wine
Ile wish you quicker poets, and th<at> myne.
Sly What what more yet                     
Poore:         who ere it bee admitt him
Quicke goe call them in                 400
Poore: you shall not neede we[a]'re those
they doe intend. Srs wee must intreat you
Into another roome, there you shall see
What passeth; if't please you disclose yor minde
I will performe what my weake skill can[n] doe
Sly        Ile lead the way
Poore Ney pray Sr goe, wee schollers love no complement
Though wee cann vse it: he hath beene yor guide
And you must followe
       Scaena 3ia    Enter Poore above 410
Poor: A swagerour doe you say one yt hates schollers?
Hee's none of your stage railours on thẽ is hee?
Quicke          Inns of court man that cann raile
Poore: I would he were a poet, one that daubd
Papers wth greasy lines, wch fall away
From his hoggs head, as sweat doth frõ his body.
Both being excrements, of art, and nature.
Such I doe knowe there are, & would faine meet wth
Ide make thẽ knowe theire mungrill nature could not
Produce a word, lesse vicious then themselves, 420
And if not borrowed from ye sacred springs. [FOL.27b]
But tis to matter; Ile give them leave to envy
What is beyond theire reach. but for yor creature,
If I not bafle him in his proper humour
Ile burne my bookes, and turne a lawyers clearke.
But they are neere the doare you shall have sport.
I must begonn     Exit
[Sly] Quicke     worth cherishing          
        Scaena 4ta Enter Poore
Trugull                 what, is't a hall?
Poore The best our poore house hath.      430
Tru      Pray whats your name?     
Hard      the gentlewoman minded
Poore: Doubt not but you shall well, I like the man
[That] He is a proper man[] yt will tempt much
Besides grave, generous as it seems to mee
Repleat wth worthy qualityes, & though rawe
In Cupids ceremonyes, I must thinke
A few instructions,will give him singular.
Hard. Doe you thinke soe Sr? 440
Poor. Yes vndoubtedly
I know hee's very apt: to bee a gull.
Snaile     Pray Sr lets see the gentlewoman
Poore: You shall Gaspar lead vp these gentlemen
Vnto your mrs
Sly                I will             
Poore: Stay you wth mee Sr
Doe you inquire hir minde and bring hir downe
The whilst wee wilbe busy Gaspar lead them.
Trugull. Must not I goe to must I not? 450
Poore: Not yet
Trugull.                and kisse and talke wth hir.
Poore: Sr it is best first to have mediates [FOL.28a]
Shee shallbee brought downe to you
Strange                      speake lower
Poor: Pray Sr may I inquire your name and country?
[Tru:                   of the name Ime sure]
Quicke How say you goodman dawe?
Poore Tis a faire living Sr
Tru:     But a faire living? 460
Poore A very rich one Sr.
Trug:               I cry you mercy
Poore But Sr after what fashion would you woe?
Tru: Why are there divers fashions
Poore [Very many.] Yes as in other things
Soe wee're fantasticall in that, ney more.
Your woer is or rampant or couchant:
Your rampant woer, is an angry fellowe
That beares downe all before him should yu heare him,
You'de thinke hee were a souldier by his wounds. 470
Heele sweare a woman in to love wth him.
Or spend whole vollyes of his oaths in vaine.
Though that doe seldome happen; for his thunder
Battars theire fortresses vntill they fall
Flatt downe before him.
Trug:                       Is it possible?
Poore Sr very true, your couchant, is a creature
Wch sighs and sobs out Hero & Leander,
Or some more mournfull elegyes; and hee goes
Alwayes crosse armed, to shewe his passions. 480
Tru:                        I wilbe that woer [FOL.28b]
Poore: Soe Sr but Ile instruct you soe effectually
You shan't neede halfe yt passion. Let mee see
You have a very perfect spericke eye
True Yes Ide be sory elce            
Poore:                       And of congruous health
Tru: Yes I am very health full.
Poore                                  Sr the better
Your organs are more fitt; for I must teach you
To fix your eye wth iudgement, on an obiect; 490
And Ile give such a power vnto ye radiature
Emitted from it yt shall strike hir
More conqueringly then Cupids golden shafte.
At the first sight you shall not speake to hir
But heare are lines wch when shee ginns approach
Ile desire you to reade, & you shall read thẽ.
Say often say you writt them in hir prayse.
Trug: And they are none of myne                    
Poore                          oh Sr the better
You Imitate the gentile fashion 500
They for the most part only live on others
By borrowing of others, and shall you
As well proportioned for a genltreman.
As amongst them the best, not keep ye fashion?
Quicke                          will raile on the whole world
Poore: How! feare to ly? then feare to live, all creatures
Doe live by lying
Tru: som live by standing                         
Poore:                 Indeede I am deceaved.
For some doe live by standing, yet they ly to. 510
Tru: It may bee soe             
Poore: And to beginn wth gallants, for nobility, [FOL.29a]
I durst not touch though they should spend themselves
On waxen Images;
Nor cleargy men though they should ly wth scripture.
And vitiate [th] it to adulte[rate]ry.
Have at your gallants, should they pay theire debts
As they doe promise, I knowe some now flants
In cloath of tyshue, yt would be as bare,
As when they first sett foote vpon this land. 520
These live by falsifying of theire dayes;
Others by mating wth ye Cyty wives
Schollers and lawyers doe' live by theire toungs
And the best ground of schollers sophistry
Wch you may call lyes; but your lawyers toungs
Are strumpets ly wth all men yet they live by them.
Your citty lying is so truly knowne.
As I will not repeate it.
Stran:                  wthout cessation
Poore: But to goe forward, shee hearing hir praise read 530
Cann't choose but speake to you, out of hir words
Then must you take occasion, and proce<a>de.
If I had tyme Ide give you actions
Wch should prove charmes, and drawe hir by ye eares,
Despight all propased antydotes of deafnes.
Tru                  and speake soe?
Poore You shall most potently,yor eyes shall [sparkle] spread
Such flames of love, as shee shall feare to stirr
Least shee be scorched wth them, yor lips shall move.
Such sphӕrelike harmony as you shall ravish hir. 540
Tru:                      for ravishing [FOL.29b]
Poore: No, thinke not Ile vrge ought shalbe distastfull
Tru Nay nay you shant deny it.                 
Poore:                      <Come>good Sr
Youle wrong mee much, for I have not deservd it.
Quicke                 and it shalbe kept.
Poore: But Sr I must confesse Ive laboured
And donn you more good wth ye gentlewoman.
Then cann this tenn tymes doubled procure mee.
Yet since you offer it soe vnrequested 550
I doe accept it as sufficient recompence.
For all my labour, not because tis worth them,
I like your will, farr better then the gift.
Be mindfull that you wrap a ring ith verses.
Tru: Oh I meant that, will not this serve ?
Poor                  it will
Strange: Not very well                     
Poore:                  be ready they are coming,
Sr shall I heare them.
Tru: Attend for these are they.   Poore: Sr I doe heare. 560
Tru: That's for the ring                 
Poore:                  Sr these are very good
Tru: I would shee heard mee
Poore: Doe you vse this often ?
Trug: I would shee'de heard them read.      
Poore:                  Sr ift please you,
I will present them to hir.
Gill Greater perfection to them.
Poore:        tickle hir wth prayse.
Tell hir theire good because theire end is good 570
Wch is to prayse hir.
Hard When comes hir vncle Sr?
Poore:            I did receave
A letter wch assured to morrowe night. [FOL.30a]
This night heele visit ye great bed of ware
Had hee a lasse of like dimensions
Twould scarce conteine them.
Hand.        is hee soe burlye?
Poore: The northerne ale hath made him a Lucullus
Hee's a meere man of fatnes, you must feede him 580
And fee him well, if you expect ought from him
He is desirous of a well greased fist
As well as mouth or belly.
Hard             I was so rash
Poore: The end will croune it ioyfully besure
You'enquire not to much after hir portion:
Twill vex him strangely, bee not you to strickt,
In asking forraine bills for ye performance,
Twill hinder all your hopes, hee's very collericke
And must be humour'd to the full, or elce 590
Hard: Hee's fire and toe, I doe instruct you savingly.
Not aske her portion!
Hard: Of what hee promiseth.<P.> Yes you may enquire but
                                             not &cӕ
Poore: Hir fathers bond and his wilbe sufficient
I give you Sr the worst and yet I thinke
Hee'l[e] hardly trouble any to be bound
Nor love that man wch shall distrust his honesty
Stran [I]          hee's [ ] now about it
Poore: Sr some small conference I'de desire wth you 600
Snaile Wth mee Sr? very willingly.
Poore                     I must greive
Soe good a man as you should be soe wrong'd
As my art sayth you are.Would that wrong'd mee.
And that my house should be soe much vnhappy
As to detaine you from yor home th<i>s tyme
Snaile. I have lost nothing have I Sr? [FOL.30b]
Poore: []      A rare iewell
S<na>ile I ever had       
Poore: Sr tis your wife I meane. 610
Snaile:               Not gonn Sr is shee?
Poore: Hir honour hath left hir, for shee hath left
To bee an honest wife, you knowe on Medle?
Snaile:                                           my good cu[ ]stomer.
Poore: [Hir honour hath left hir for shee]
T should seeme soe he hath go[od]tt yor best ware Sr
Snaile: I nere wrongd you                 
Poore                  nor ere mistrusted him ?
Snaile: No on my life.     
Poore:                  nor wife, I knowe it well 620
Sir hye you home; if you now meet not wth him.
Ile give you such instructions as you shall
In ye named place at further tyme, meanwhile
I knowe a gentleman whom he hath wrongd
Will give his best indeavour, to finde out
The tyme, & to prevent him if you please.
Sr I will send the gentleman to morrowe.
Strange:                       to what you please
Poore Sr I will send the gentleman to morrowe
That shall intrap him. 630
Snaile                       indeede shee told mee soe
Poore: Pray Sr be patient heare.    
Snaile: I pray you Sr remember mee         
Poore Be sure I will; and send the gentleman to morrow morne
By [that ]eight o'th [ ] clocke.
Snaile:                      heele deale honestly?
Poore If you mistrust him, one you shall thinke faythfull
Choose to this office, I but offer Sr,
Tis in your will to'accept
Snaile Be not to credulous I did thinke       640
Poore.                                  fy fy [FOL.31a]
blaze not your owne discredite, tis to much
You know't your selfe.
Snaile:                  but are you sure tis true
Poore I would I were not                       
Hard Tomorrowe night he comes.
Poore                        yes yes tomorrowe
Tru:                        wee shalbe married.
Poore I doubt not but you shall
Hard          you sha'nt soe suddenly 650
Poore Are you not yet adultus?
Tru:          what doe you meane
Poore: not yet of age?
Trug:                  yes that I hope I am
Poore Will you then suffer Sr such contradiction?
Lett them determine of you appoint tymes?
Trug: Nay and I will to                     
Poore: — Oh Sr been't to feirce
He is your vncle, you doe owe some duty
Or at the least respect                         660
Hard        A second father to him.
Poore: You must be rul<e>d, but not to much oreruld
Tru:                          Ile warrant you
Poore Sr Heele bee gonn ere this be not to violent
Vpon your wife inquire out secretly.
Hard bee his continual rendez vouz         
Poore [A]        and reason.
Gill I must continue Mrs Change                 
Poore.                             They heare
You must, a iustice of peaces daughter, 670
Ith north at least
Quicke                                    did you feare us
Poore Not as Snaile feares meddle, to morrowe morne
You must to him, hee will initiate you
Him selfe in to acquaintance wth his wife
If you shall neede my counsell, Ile instruct you [FOL.31b]
How to behave yourselfe in information
Quicke to much I feare                            
Poore                      no hee must bee inraged
You must add to his fury and augment it 680
Quicke Vpon ye least distastfull word         
Poore                          and lett him
Nay if hee be an angry boy weele deale wth' him
And fright him from his roaring humours, wee
Cann talke, bristle, and vaunt, as well as hee.
                Exeunt
       Actus 3ij scӕna 2da
Poore What cheaters did heesay ?
Sly       that was the word
Poore And couldst thou suffer it goe thou'rt a gull 690
& that huge bulke of thyne those giant limbs
Conteine not any sparke of man wthin them.
Sdeath had I heard him he should have found I had
A thunder in my hand Iove in my voyce
Sly                  and sayth vs cheaters
Poore: Pish tis a puny one easy to performe.
Ile have a duble or a <no> revenge
Vppon my life I think<e> [t] thou wouldst confess
Vs cheaters should a man inquire of thee.
Sly Wee are noe better                          700
Poore                    I thought this, thou lyest
What ere of cheating's in mee it is thyne:
Thou didst intice, coniure mee by our wants
Didst force me too't when I god knowes was minded
Never to suffer more in this vild world.
Sly But how much in ye insuing.                    
Poore Doe not vex mee
By all good things I vowe, and will performe it
If ere I learne, yt a like worde be spoken
Thou hearing, suffering it, I will abiure thee; [FOL.32a]
Leave thee vnto thy selfe & spoile thy hopes 711
Sly You may doe as you please                              
Poore [G]          goe to Virginia
To the Bromoodoes, or elce hire my selfe
Vnto the Northwest passage; if these faile:
Turne Poet stageplayer or anything,
rather then live wth thee, Ile sell my selfe
Vnto a Iewe or worse, an english vserour
Whom have I cheated? only Ive sold Hard
Fishd my young gallant Trugull vexed Snaile 720
Intic'd my Strange to poetrie, thats poverty:
Wch hee shall surely feele prevented Medle
Drawne blood from Quicke, or at the least will draw it
What act mongst these deserves ye name of cheating
Ist not to gett from vserours charitable?
And to lett him bee wise, yt is not cousned
Whome nature made a foole is against nature
To lett men knowe when others doe them wrong
Is a great Iustice, and worth recompence.
And to make him a poet that would bee one, 730
Is att the most but to fullfill his vowes.
What to prevent a lawyer since theire knowne
To circumvent all others, but meere equity?
And to take vengeance on who doe defame vs,
Soe it bee noble, is allowed to vs
by Martiall lawe, whome have I cheated now
Whom have I cheated now, or against whom
Have I intended more, then may bee donn?
Sly                        their end maks actions good [FOL.32b]
Poore. Tis true my Sly. <I'm> in apparrell well, 740
Sufficient for a petty gentleman
Where is thy rapier ?
Sly. What do'est thou intend?       
Poore      What cannst thou guesse?
Sly Not well                                      
Poore       then aske not, for thou shalt not knowe.
Wher ist                                          
Sly          above         
Poore If Quicke doe chance come hither,
Stay him till my returne wch shalbe suddaine. 750
If heele not stay will him, not goe to Snailes
Till I may speake wth him, Gill bring down ye rapier
If Trugull come lett Gill and hee be private,
If hee be earnest, lett him presse hir his.
Gill          spirit on his bankes.
Poore Take heede my Dousabell vnto your docke
Looke not to my affaires; take heede yor Trugull
Bee not to hard for you hees a lusty knave
Cann pitch his barr well, shoote his shaft arright
And pay you home my Gill; hee cann ifayth. 760
Gill That shalbe tryed          
Poore                        bee wary and doe well
Prepare yor selfe vnto yor part anon     Exit.
                    Actus 3ij scӕna 3ia
Med     wish hee had not inquired.            Enter Poore disguisd
Poore: Oh Mr Medle I have sought you Sr
In all your places of retreat.
Me[l]d     [   ] Vnto what end Sr
Poore Wee are private heare
Now I will give it you, you knowe one Quicke 770
An envious raskall one that laboureth
That seeketh causes to defame all men
And if they want his wil's sufficient [FOL.33a]
For hee defames them; and vniustly iust
Beginns wth his owne intimates; this vild wretch
Hath quite supplanted all yor hopes at Snailes
Med:      may bee supplanted
Poore: Nay lett it not seeme strange, I know yor hopes
Your more then hopes your much assurance there
Of his wives love, know all occurrances. 780
And come to tell you yt you are abused
By this same Quicke, who hath, I knowe not how,
But sure it was by some sinister meanes
Found first you lov'd & after whom you loved.
Who hath (to what intent I doe not knowe)
Yet sure hee did intend to wrong you by it
Reveal'd the privacy of your love vnto
Hir husband who now truly iealous
Hath giv'n in charge to one of's trusty freinds.
That if you chance to come thither hee should 790
Much circumspectly watch your haviour
The manner of your language to his wife
And farther yt hee should bee certified
Of your approach wch how suspiciously
Heed take, the very premisies demonstrate.
Your perill may bee much too, hee is desperate,
And I doe thinke will hardly brooke to see you
Wthout much fury,wch though you esteeme not;
Yet poore gentlewoman.                       
Med Advise mee for ye best sr 800
Poore          trust mee I will
First be reveng'd on Quicke, & if you cann
Make him confess that only enviously
He scandald you for some small wrong you did him. [FOL.33b]
Then you devise some other means besides
How to confirme hir honesty
Med: your name I pray sr
Poore        change a Yorkeshireman
Med. Sr I am much indebted to you[r lov]e
Poore                        and I will study                 [asside 810
How you shall pay ­oh Sr humanity
Commaunds this office
Med: Stronglier knitt betweene vs
Poore Sr I desire it may, wch to continue
Ile give you intelligence, for I am ye man
Snaile hath appointed as hir overseer
Med I thanke you.
Poore: When you would speake wth mee send to Poor's house
The scholler, I shall heare of it, the tyme
Will not afford mee farther leisure now 820
Sr fare yow well.      Exit
                      Actus 3ij scӕna 4ta
Wife      occasion to vnsluce them          Enter Poore.
Snaile:                        to whom should I give credite?
Poore To them yt you thinke best deserve it Sr,
What place commaundss hee in your credulous heart,
That hee should force beleefe against your wife
Shee may be chaster then the mourning aire
Purg'd by the sunn of vitiating mists.
But yet there is a shrewd suspition 830
Much frequent in your freinds, they think not soe
Ile vowe, Ive heard him say yt he hath knowne hir,
But yet how [vn]truly 'tis vnknowne.
Wife My duty to you.
Poore:        your knowledge I desire
Sr I doe greive, I chose soe sad a tyme
For the beginning of acquaintance, but [FOL.34a]
I hope it shall continue wth more ioy.
This is your fault Sr, you are to vnkind,
Vnto soe sweete a wife.                        840
Snail Be very long                               
Poore:        Sr Ile performe it zealously.
I would be private wth you Mrs     
Wife Bee privat wth mee
Poore        I have strong occasions.
Dry:        wth hir privatest counsell
Poore: Then I dare like wise, you knowe Medle?
Wife True
Poore And he hath blabd it
Wife            as you meane 850
Poore; Oh to to truly
Wife What<,> durst ye villaine say soe?     
Po [P]        Positively.
Wife And soe Ime knowne.
Poore By him, for hee perceaving
You now begann neglect him, likewise knowing
Your love wa[ll]s fully fixed on Quicke, did thinke
No better way to secure you his owne
Then by revealing your intended love
Wch hee hathfully donn; the other to 860
Not knowing freelyer to settle you
In your newe love, then by displacing Medle;
Hath striven wth great effect to yt performance
Thus have they laboured to supplant each other
Wife But only I have be<e>ne tript vp        
Poore          most true
Whilst they reioyce in theire high enterprise
And thinke theire wits much good           
Wife Ile be revenged [FOL.34b]
Poore      You must that Ile performe 870
I thinke I have allready     
Dry Vpon my life           
Poore        You shall not finde mee otherwise.
Wife Your love shal bee rewarded     
Poore        wth your I hope
That is my only ayme
Dry                  deserve to have it
Poore And I will keepe it warely, by this
Your envious lovers may bleed each by other
Wife          I shall reioyce 880
Poore Tis like they will         
Dry        no matter lett them sinke
Poore If not Ile soe provide your honour shall
No whitt be impeached
Wife Then I shalbee vnspotted       
Poore        not knowne otherwise
Wife      be holding to you Sr
Poore Now shall my ignoramus and young witt
Knowe they have found a scholler yt can iearke yẽ
Who have wee heare my gull & Gillian 890
What intend they trowe?
Tru: And you Sr       
Poore        I returne your complement
Wth ye like wish to you, & yt faire gentlewomã
Wife        Ile give my indeavour
Poore And doe not you vse to carreine your selfe?
What fucus have you daubd your face wth, ha ?
Thinke you Ile have you vse theise plasterings
And outgoe snakes in monthly casting skinns
Tru: Theide looke like eels for all ye world.      900
Poore     Spraule soe
And be more slipery as they are. but sr, [FOL.35a]
I hope you not intend hir for your wife
Tru: Beleiv't Sr but I doe         
Poore      beleive't you must not
Tru:        Ile aske hir
Poore: You shall not need, for I cann certify you,
I have reserved hir for my selfe.
Tru:                          be cousned of my wife?
Poore How Srrah cousned, such []an other word 910
And Ile lopp of a limbe send you to' the' spittle
There to condole your losse. Srrah if your eares
The want of them I mean cann move you ought
Let mee not heare another word but give hir mee.
Tru: [Sr I doe love my eares and feare my eares]
[It were a prety toy to gett hir from mee
Poor Are my words toye
Tru: Ile try what you cann doe
Marry and shall                                trips him vp.
Soe sr you see now in what plight you are 920
Tru                  doe not hurt mee
Poore On the conditions yt I shall propose
You are your owne man shee likewise your wife
You shall give mee to hundred pounds to right
My wrongs.
Tru      but trust mee sr yts somewhat hard                          {by
Poore: Doe not deny'it for if you doe by this.                            {his hand
Not forty kicks, not 20 luggs by th'are                            {he swears 930
As many tweaks by the nose, your fower foreteeth
A little finger shall not save your life
At least a maine limbe.
Wife For my sake a lesse ransom.
Poore Your commaund.
I must obay, it shalbe but a hundred. [FOL.35b]
And heare you [brin] leave it wth yor tutor Poore
Be sure you faile not, if you doe you knowe.
Tru: [W]      when shall I carry it?
Poore This night I knowe yu cann whẽ it please you. 940
Tru: I will Sr     
Poore        Gill how goe things at home?                               {privately
Gill      will vnto him                                                          {to hir
Poore Why, this is admirable, past my wish,
I will home instantly. nay since you will not,
Goe take hir to you, shee is your's but knowe
Your vncle and your sire shall heare of it
Gill           into a di'vell
Poore You have yor tounge at liberty, tis your owne 950
B<u>t you ere long shall wish you'de tyed it vp
Mrs I take my leave you are revenged
The rivals doe bleed each by others sword.
Wife        heare againe ere long
Poore I am bound to it, youngster fare you well
Keepe your word duly, or: no more but [doe] keep it.
And you my quondam betroathd, I will leave you
But knowe, the divill, will fly love as ye sea
As ships doe saile two wayes wth the same [m] winde
Soe woemen leave and take wth ye same minde 960
               Actus 4ti scӕna ia
Badg:      and forsake his blewe trash                (Enter Poore
Poore: This is Quickes lodging and he []hath been heere.
Badg: [            ] The cheating scholler                    
Poore:— This concearnes mee much
Ime glad I heard of this, God save you Sr
Badg: And you if you be worth it         
Poore          you have beene [wth Mr Quicke]
Wth Mr Quicke I pray you sr how fares hee
Badg: I wont tell you            [FOL.36a]
Poore       Sr I came from your Mr 971
Badg: My Mr?     
Poore      [Yes,] Your name is Badger [is it not] e<n>t it
Bad      wth mee from my Mr?
Poore. Sr I was coming to you to this lodging
To knowe how the owner doth that if hee have
Required ought [b]of you from yor Mr, you should
Give mee the the message, you ye whilst should goe
To Medle, whom if you found dangerous
Then certifye him, Quicke is dead wherby 980
Hee may fly more securely
Badg: Faithfully and earnestly?
Poore      As you would your selfe
Badg:          he doth demaund ?      [Badg: gives him ye łre
Poore: Iff I cann gett it as I hope I shall
You neede not doubt
Badg:      then fare you well                    
Poore                     Ile gull you              he opens ye łre.
This day is like to prove a very rare one
I never look'd for this, it came vnhoped 990
Fifty good pound tis well, it soundeth great
Flush in these slops; but I must not deferr.
Things falling out soe fittly I must take
All the occasions yt the tymes cann make.
                                                              Exit
                Actus 4ti Scӕna 2da
                Sly.                would it had beene a hundred.     Enter
Hard        I am not quite cheated
Poore But you may chance to feele a new relapse
Sr I would speake wth you                        1000
Stran<g>                 you may                    
Poore                                                    In privat [FOL.36b]
Th'affaires are vrgent, Mr Quicke your freind
Commends his best love to you, wth this letter
Twill give you his full minde and his desire
St      how fares hee Sr
Poore In good plight but that feare of Medle's death
Doth make him feare his life, but hee well hopes
By yor assistant love, to avoyd all
Those daungers wch as yet doe seeme to presse him 1010
Strang                       why came not my knave!
Poore Sr He intreated him to visit Medle
And learne ye hopes or feares conceivd of him.
Sly                 fare you well good brother
Poore: Pray Sr commend mee to your kinsman trugull
Tell him one Change expecteth him
Sly Is your name Change?
Poore — Yes my great man of worship
My Sly changd to a <hee> bosse to a swod
What, hast thou quilted thy faind gutts wth gold, 1020
Cramb'd them wth baggs?                
Sly             of my neice Gillian
Poore That was a maine one, how my Gogmagog
Sly When it is donn Ile tell you howe
Poore                             . what doubtfull ?
Nay then I have out strip't thee, I did cause
Those two to fight, and for my better vengeance
Have gott this fifty pound, wch Quicke doth borrow
Of my True strange. an other hundered
[My] Gills Trugull will bring into I expect him, 1030
And I have future hopes of ampler bootyes
Wch my lawe lover, scholler hating Medle
Shall yeeld vs, I will soke him and exhaust him
Exantlate, pumpe out, and drawe dry his baggs [FOL.37a]
Wee play for whole baggs wee'r no puny sharks
That venter to bee trust vp for the nipping
A bung fraught wth no more then a scotch marke
None of your Gipsyes, that prole napery
Wth shirts and smocks, no pidlers, wee doe deale
In wholesale wee, yett doe not feare a noose 1040
A ginn to lift vs vp: lawe cann't condemne vs
To further pennance then our eares cann satisfy
Sly Tookest thou this shape?
Poore.          to that is perfected
Revenge, but stay hee comes lett vs fall of
Stran:          you may tell't please it you
Poore It shall not need, Sr I dare trust yor word
If you'le confirme it right
Stran: Let mee inquire yor name.
Poor              my name is change 1050
Sly          as I knowe.
Poore I should have gloried to have beene admitted
Into soe grave a consanguinity
Sly And lett vs see you often                  
Poore          I shall trouble you
Sly         quaffe drunke wth all
Poore I take my leave
Sly To my freind
Poore                 I shall         Exit.
Actus 4ti scӕna 3ia 1060
Sna[]ile        sr shee is mine.              Enter Poore
Med        acquitt wth my deniall
Poore What wth a mischeif make they heere or I
This was no fitt tyme for my action
I must turne honest fate will have it soe. [FOL.37b]
Yet Ile not loose my booty, ile attempt it
And venter gainst Ioves thunder.
Med. — may give some ayde, oh freind!              
Poore               Why Sr your freind?
I am but will not seeme soe. your'r a villaine. 1070
Have wrong'd a matron yt deserves the stole
For hir strong chastity wth the name of bad.
Wife                    Peace.
Poore Doe not I knowe yt you did bribe ye scholler
(I have learn't all theire trickes, & will perforce,
Despight theire pollicy turne thẽ on themselves,)
To suggest hir false to hir to credulous husband
Wth Quicke, and yt [h<e>e] Quicke did outbribe him, soe
To make more easy way to worke hir false
Is not this true? deny it? 1080
Med You dare not proove t[this].
Poore        oh frontlesse impudence!
What cann afford more truth to my inditement
Then his even staggering toung in his owne cause
Hee falters, faints, growes weake []to excusation.
Snaile        receave this guilt soe pronely?
Poore Oh Sr sufficient reason since h'hath tried
Hir much inpregnable to all his slights
Hee would accuse hir. and no way soe strongly
As when hee would give crime vnto himselfe 1090
Snaile             Then your crime was great
Poore A new vnheard of one.
Snaile. And greater love.            
Poore It must bee soe you've wrongd them. [To Med:
You must if tyme doe graunt deserve hir pardon]
Med. That I may merit it
Poore No, no, you cannot
There is a death attends you will prevent it. [FOL.38a]
Med                  but cann't I fly it?
Poore You shall lett that suffice no signe of ioy 1100
Snaile In that [nam]e [st<i>le] towards mee.
Poore You looke to fix'dly
Vpon this coulour, wch will dull yor sence
Of apprehension; and make mee see<m>e other
Then what I am. I yeeld I closd wth him
Why this sole end wch I did still propose
Cann give sufficient reason: my intent
Of coming hither was to free your iealousy.
To give you this chast comfort you now finde
Or elce to fix hir in perpetuall shame 1110
Snaile I still doe thinke soe.
Poore Shall still thinke true
Whilst you continue in that fayth, inquire
Of that ill tempting scholler, if you finde him
A little differing in my maine of truth
Sepose mee from the number of your freinds
Snaile:                  why doth hee feare death
Poore That Quicke wch caused your passion by him is not
Wife             much daunger may succeed
Poore: Much losse must followe I even feare to death 1120
Med      I thanke you fare yow well
Poore How pretily shee doth desire his death.
But I will hope more prosperous event
Then your ill boading minde suggests to you.
For lett mee tell you, I doe knowe ye man
Cann force the rugged lawe vnbend hir browe
And fetch a smile from a more easy power;
Wch shall give hir more cheerfull countenance.
Then is hir genuine, vpon faire tearmes. [FOL.38b]
For honied speach, is an availing sacrifice; 1130
But when a golden offring is prepar'd
You may expect not meane successe, what though
Philosophers have vrged that theire gods
Were more delighted wth ye givers minde
Then wth the glory of the haust was offred?
Yet had not men suppos'd them more accepted
They would have fitted humbler to theire altars.
Spare not a free hand & strike highest powers—
Theire sure ones yt I trust to, yes soe sure
As should they wth strong hand, force man and wife 1140
To seperation, soe to gaine a freind
A female one I meane; murder the opposers
Venter the ruine of a state, and plott
To take away competitours, they might doe it
Securely, and detected, be vnblam'd
Att least vnpunished
Med much easily obtained                        
Poore Wthout much difficulty
But you must thinke yt in externe affaires
Theile not soe strongly labour wthout hope 1150
Of future benefitt.
Med        blood and spirit away ?
Poore Your life I will secure mee on myne owne
If wee conclude agreement for what summ
Med Being your creature
Poore Sr prepare the summ
Against I bring you life       
Med        I shall, what is it?
Poore An easy one I dare venter it for 200
Med            vnlesse my tombe [FOL.39a]
Poore: These sacred meditations strongly fitt 1160
Men given to observance of true virtue;
But thinke not only, of your last good Sr.
For there are many mediates wch require
Some like respect wth that.
Med Who have longhope to escape that.        
Poore []                 then wth you
For heere is that will give you lives assurance
For this crime
Med Have you a pardon Sr ? 1170
Poore                  probatum est
And Sr wthout compelling articles
Your will is theire desire, what you shall please
Wilbe sufficient vnto the acceptedly.
Med               a deniere from it
Poore Your hand wilbe to liberall, they procurd it
Wth a small easy breath.
Med And then at last hardly obtainde.             
Poore                         tis true
I will accept for them, what you shall please 1180
Med            and Ile deliver it
Poore I will, the waight of my deserts, how strong
It is how forcible this benefitt?
When should his coyne bee wth my pardon layed
In a true ballance myne would bee outwaigh'd,
Tost in to aire; What I receave I gett
Giving him for his sterling counterfett
Wth wch [hee]sIme well appayde, hee is well pleasd
Hee that hath to much may of some be eas<ed>.
          Exit 1190
         Actus 5ti scӕna ia[FOL.39b]
Badg:       Slid heare comes somebody       Ente Poore.
Badg. you shal bee mett wth sr
Poore I must now doffe this covert of my villainye
Quicke I must thanke thee for thy words have been
An ample gaine to mee, and Badger to
Badg: A sees mee not trowe, doth hee?
Poore                         thou hast binn
A great ayde to mee, I must give thee thanks.
Badg:         when you knowe all. 1200
Poore How evesdropt
Badg —­      Hee []hath not the same beard.
Poore Ile wash and shave you, and yor greasy blewcoat
My serving <d>onn I will; but I must forgoe
This fifty pound now I am caught wth it.
Twill make a deepe hole in my summs, a la<n>ke
Wch all my letting out cann nere make full.
I would some taylour would instruct me fairly
To patch vp this misshapen sute againe
And give it wthout bracke. Well I [will keep] Ie not loose it. 1210
But yett to loose my vncle were worse ill
Let it prove how it will Ile venter it
Abide the hazard of it. Ile tosse fairly
To scape, fortune must be my opposite
If I doe loose it.
Badg: A mischeife on your muttering chops
Poore                        Have at you
I left it heare, and I must search it out.
Badg                  but not soe well
Poore True for the savour's worse. 1220
Badg As thinn a roome as may bee
Poore: ­    I remember
Twas on this side I layd it; what have I heare
What is it turn'd into a baskett hilt
And threadbare blewe coate, twas a good exchange [FOL.40a]
For him that made it; vm, may not the snake
That cast the skinn be found heare, nor ought elce ?
Nay Ile search furder; oh you miching raskall
What have I found you? You shall pay for it.
The raskall was crept vp into a mouse hole 1230
And lay as close as a hedge hogg: what freind Badger?
Badg; I even the same Sr                           
Poore What makst thou heare now?
Badg —And.        and         .
Poore What, what then?
Badg        [you doe knowe his humour] And I dare not venter.
Poore What.
Badg till his anger's past.
Poore Tis well, were not thy parents puritanes?
Badg: [W]        why doe you aske 1240
Poore Did they not teach thee for to pray extempore
Badg But when they went to them
Poore                  did they not hum and ha
When they were gravelld
Badg        yes perchance they did
Poore And when thou wert gott         
Badg: I don't remember that
Poore Mee thinks they should it seem's innate to thee.
But thou'st reduced it better to thy art
Of lying; I doe knowe your busines mungrill 1250
Your sett to spy my noble trencher man
You've waited all this while but for small cheare
An howers attendance had beene better giv'n
For but a head of garlicke, see you this steele?
Ile make you munch a peice of't if yu swear not [FOL.40b]
As I shall vrge, but if you sweare looke heare
Crounes you mad raskall.
Badg Then I will sweare
Poore        tis well sayed but this place
Is no fitt one for quarrels, will you sweare? 1260
Bad: Since I am forced I will
Poore                     thou shalt no furder
Then I allready have: you shall conceale mee.
Not give him notice, that I was ye factour
Who tooke vp fifty pound on Quicks behalfe
Badg: Why by this hand I wont.
Poore What doe you equivocate
And sweare by your leffe hand whẽ you mean to write it?
Sweare you by both your hands
Badg:        by my both hands 1270
Poore      nor either of them.
Badg [ne]      neither
Poore Nor your tounge
In word or signe you shall make any way:
Badger No way by signes or tokens
Poore        this thou swearst
By thy sword hilts, for thats the hardest oath
I cann now force thee to.
Badg          I doe sweare this.
Poore Wthout reservances 1280
Badg I from my heart
Poore Then heare my noble skincker heare is gold
Twill give thee freise in stead of thy blew coate.
Twill give thee gaudyes, thou mayst cram̃ thyselfe
Wth kicksh<a>wes now, as long as this shall last
Whilest this resplendant substance shall remaine
Wthin ye repleat body of thy purse.
This hath sufficient spirit, centinell. [FOL.41a]
Twill give thee douszens, more then perfect summs
They shall exceed the prӕdicament's best number 1290
And the 3 principals: three shall not bee all.
Twill make thee looke, like a Claridiano
Till it hath made thee a hebitated Zoophyton.
Badg                       wth your conjuring tearmes
Poore Fare well good badger, I have other busines
I should bee more intent to.
                                                                Exit.
          Actus 5ti scӕ 2da                      (Poore sitts at his
                                                            (study
Sly        and ready in that art, I would faine h<ear>e him      1300
Stran Heare a lector from you
Poore Most willingly though Ime not <we>ll provided.
Sly. Wee will expect the lesse
Poore                  Ile give you breifly
The texture of a speechfull composition.
When the infernall h<e>lbread shades of night
The hate of Phœbus, and the scorne of light
A're forc'd to theire darke cells, choyce spirits arise
From theire dull easyes frightlesse lethargyes.
My spirits are not fresh, the subiect's mourning 1310
Aurora wane, first the etymology
The golden hower, when Phœbus first displayes
Vnto the ioyed world his more ioyfull rayes
Now amplyfy it frõ the propertyes
Extract's the vapours, from the thickned aire
Expels' the sadnes, gives it subtile, rare.
The effects doe followe wch our bodyes have
And wch our minds, externe and interne these [FOL.41b]
Our blood our nerves receive like purity
That from the aire, wee from the purged sky 1320
Should we dampd [aires] nights polluted aire still breath
As wee receivd life wee should drawe in death.
But being cleansed by that sacred fyre
That aire feeds life blest life, our best desire
Now for the operation in our minds.
What ofspring of high witt, birth of rare art
Wch from this tyme doth not acquire cheife part.
I should proceede to prove this by connexion
The mourning salutations were calld holy
Amongst the Romans, then wee may surmise 1330
Those studyes holy that wth Sol doe rise.
For then there is a greater sympathy
Betwixt the stars and vs, they stand more nye
To eloquence, and helpe more or theorie.
Now should be some proportioned inductions
To prove that tyme most apt to meditation.
Then follow individuall examples
Of such as have vsed it these must be sett downe
In grave words, full and sounding; well connected
Agreeing in theire sence, and these not vulgar. 1340
Hyperb<o>lyes sometymes, then Metaphors
These now wthout coniunction, though not often.
Yet bearing still relation on, to other.
Now vse an iteration, speake w<o>rds twice.
But lett them still bee increasing, and ascend
Not falle to flatly, soe heare are instructions
Such as the tyme, and my weake braine cann give [FOL.42a]
Quicke    ­ how to compose a speech
Poore Not any <­-> one
As I remember doth sett these downe fully. 1350
Some heare some theare, I have collected, not
sucking my hony from one only flower.
But From [the] best fountaines Aristotles rheth'ricke
Tully in 'his oratory, from Quintilian.
Badg                             doe you meane
Poore [E]                  No badger no .
Ex M Fabij Quintiliani institutionibus.
Badg                             by fifty pound.
Poore: Yes Sr some fewe affaires calld mee abroad
And force'd mee bee lesse diligent, then I would 1360
But now theire ended, I shall give attendance
More amply to you.
Quicke                             tis best.
Poore that's the best way to thrift [indeed] where is your neice
Sly           a dodkinn wth my will.
Poore You were to much obdurat then, to hard
You may spoile all hir possibilityes
Such great extreames force naught but desperatiõ
Quicke                  for your great labours
Poore Sr if my best indeavours could deserve them 1370
I should account them, very strong reward.
Sr my desire of gaine is not soe stupid
As is your common pedants, yet no ambition
Hath grow'n soe much [vp] on mee as I should covett
A meerely nominall opinion
Oh affectation is a cloudy vayle
Wch hidst the solidst, of our soules perfections. [FOL.42b]
Or at the least doth hinder hir free workings
Quic: [                  ] of your free soule        
Poore Sr I proffesse, an essence 1380
Wch should as perfectly bee knowne as bee.
But since the wretched, vild esteeme of men.
Doth give the best of men but meere selfe lovers
If they esteeme themselves, I gratulate
Your good coniecture, that you thinke mee free
Whilst I doe knowe myselfe soe, fare you well Sr
Stran          anon Ile make a second visitation
You may expect mee ready to yor vowes
Badg ­            since today.
Poore Yes Badger if thoult give me ample thanks 1390
That I've remembred thee soe well.
Badg                      oh Lord Sr!
Poore Soe now they'are gonn what wouldst thou my brave pufpast.
What wouldst thou wullsacke, whose inside is no better.
Then 'a sheeps coate, ift bee of equall goodnesse
Sly my wandring prince of troy.         
Poore:          why thou shallt knowe
I will rehearse my ephemerydes
Myy dayly slights, since moondayes last meridies
But thou must bee my subiect and my scӕnicke 1400
To act my gulls in glorious wise.
Sly                         content
Poore Weele first beginn wth strange
Sly                       Heare I come
Poore sound tr<u>mpetts heere our play begi<nne>s
Sly and vitiated your muse.
Poore                  fy thou art out
I am his true begott, legitimate.
Sly       <b>y making pallinodes [FOL.43a]
Poore And thou wouldst live soe to, well Ile instruct thee. 1410
Sly I would.                 
Poore:          but first you must putt of your fatnesse.
Pooets are leane and marc<e>lent
Sly                       hir burden dead
Poore. Well thought of, oh I have the finest lasse
Have made the bravest conquest, purchase of hir.
I hope none heare<s> Ile tell thee shee excels
Man in's best property of looking vpwards
Hir falling eyes give heaven full viewe.
Sly      no more deserving qualityes 1420
Poore: Such as your common women have shee's coy
Yet wanton, shee cann laugh, and weepe, and laugh,
And hould againe. shee hath an exquisite face
And yet not painted wch is very rare.
Sly       transccends shee Gill ?
Poore                       yes fayth in feature
But Gill hir more in witt and haviour.
And heere shee comes; what may <wee> wish yu ioy
Of your good match?
Gill That did indeavour cousenage 1430
Poore          How, certainly?
Sly      a rocke quite shipwrackt
Poor It cannot bee, none knowes vs but ourselves
And wee or selves soe finally, as no humour
Could give mee knowne vnlesse yor womans tounge.
Yet Ive one refuge and, it is my last
The very sanctuary of our safety
As I supposse it yet, but prove that wanting [FOL.43b]
I cannot guesse the consequent save ill
Sly Lets know't 1440
Poore []      ney much of ill must force yt from mee.
Gill And suffer a small bafling
Poore               oh I cannot
But why what proiect, what event will followe?
Gill I have revealed your disguise.
Poore                                                      how, how ?
Ime tangled in a cobweb that have scapd
Snaires and strong engines able to prevaile
Against a lion, if the fox were absent
But now the ridle is confirm'd, a secret, 1450
Is much to little for one only man.
For two sufficient, but for three to much.
Well goe thy wayes, old Gill, Ive knowne thy equals
But bedlam kept them for they could not themselvs
Wthin due compasse is your Trugull heare
Sly [     ] what new shape may I take               
Poore Why turne a horse leech.
Thou mayst sucke blood securely in yt habit
Somewhat Ile doe and labour for event
Wch shall alone give knowledge what I meant. 1460
                      Exit    Actus 5ti scӕna 5ta
Sly                      houle like sterved currs.
Poore For mee I am the obiect, may they burst.
Conceale mee lett mee not bee knowne.
Sly                   knowe you not Quick's death?
Poore Oh yt nothing moves mee, I divulg'd him dead
For my owne private ends
Sly And h<e>e is dead
Poore. Poets are prophets then I see! how dead?
Amasement ceaseth mee, dead ? it cannot bee. 1470
Why then a necke verse followes, oh my fate [FOL.44a]
Woemenes best witt I see is extreame folly
How free[] had I beene from this certaine ruine
How practis'd in more ills, had not this hapned
And flourishing in them? ist not possible
That I may live vnknowne to Medle? tis
And I will venter it, shake of these burrs
Wth easy recompence of a little nap.
You shalbee a phisition, I am sicke
You make me daungerously sicke, but heare you 1480
Ile not bee purged, you shall give me out [p<ur>g'd] sicke
But not give inward sicknes. Ile no figgs.
Sly. As you shall please.
Poore         I doe not like [, I doe no] the humour
Of your great guilty person[ages]s, who to scape
A lawfull death; that is death giv'n by'th lawe
Will rather choose to dy, vnnaturally
By theire owne guilty hands.
Sly          wth mature iudgement.
Poore Intreat Strange hither 1490
Sly          to prevent my labour ?
Poore                         fittly.
Strange       termes wth one consent
Poore Sr lett mee crave your pardon, I esteeme you
A second parent to mee, removed by nature
But one degree from it, you are my vncle
I therfore will lay ope my worst acts to you,
That you may veiwe them fully, as they are
In theire owne essence: I have wrongd them all
And giv'ne iust cause for this complaint, nay more 1500
Wch most afflicteth mee, I have wrongd you
                                                 [BLANK] [FOL.44b]
                                                 [BLANK] [FOL.45a]
Strange by wch you did conceive mee soe. [FOL.45b]
Poore       I shalbee knowne
sufficiently heare after.
Sly And putt it in to practise:      
Poore                         I doe promise
A like restraint from the vnciv<i>ll liberty
Tyme and our ryoutous age doth prompt vs to
Str:                   choakd wth recompence
Poore Wee are deficient in ability. 1510
Sly                       stop'd till cramm'd
Poore Since the whole summ of my continued actions
Have been me<'>re tricks. Ile end them wth a tricke
Ime sicke to death.
Strang [                  ] the reast Ile vndertake                        
Poore                        Let them fly in
Give mee a gowne and nightcapp
Sly          heare they are.
Poore Wheres your phisitions habits, have yu termes.
Fustian will serve sufficiently curiosity 1520
Will stand you in no steed, heere are no Criticks
Stran:                  Ile admitt them
Poore Sr I am ready for them, for some meale now
To make a wh[ighte]ite man of mee & a sickly.
Oh, oh, oh.
Sly              whats the disease ?
Poore:              The epylepsye
Sly The falling sicknes?
Poore          I             
Sly And much good doe it you. 1530
Poore      I hope it will
Sly How didst thou knowe him for thy vncle?
Poore                                  Strangly
Some other tyme ile tell you; they are entring.
Tru: Made mee a gull. [FOL.46a]
Poore Oh, oh, oh, I confesse
That, [yo]u I have beene the cause, youve suffred wrong
Dry        agree to it.             (     shee gives him gold.
Poore: Ime heartily sory for it, I thanke my god.
He []hatth brought you hither, that I may crave                               |hee 1540
                                                                                                             (falls downe
Your pardons, I would my estate were able                                       (in his fitt
Sly      present at, how cheare you?
Poore Why well I thancke my maker, fitt for heaven
If these could be intreated to forgivenes.
The remnants of what I have gott from you
I will restore wth thanks to satisfy you
Stran          that Ile not vndertake
Poore I thank[] you your carefull in my behalfe
Stran In presence of these gentlemen. 1550
Poore          there is one absent
One Mr Medle, him I would faine speake wth
Str<an>g      whom you desirde to speake wth
Poore        I must intreat
Your pardon for Ive wrongd you.
Med Hard Tru:        wee doe to wch beare witnesse
Poore Then thus I shake my sickenes of
[Trugull I for my loving spouse].
[Poore        happily may you live.]
Med: why did you crave my pardon? 1560
Poore [But <wha>]      'Sr I craved
But what I gave you, doe you knowe mee now?
I am to all of you what you will but good.
Med Is then my pardon counterfett?
Poore          twas the best
That I could give you; Ive no more from you
Only the difference is I payd not for it [FOL.46b]
An equall price.
Med. weele both have equall parts;              
Poore                     tis fairely offred 1570
Sly All thrive but my selfe.
Poore My gaine is thine; for what remaines in bank
Of our last getting shall restore thy state.
And give thee means of trading, one ill fate
Wee equally indured, fortunes sad frowne
Wee shared betwixt vs, but it is my croune
That as in worst of ill thou hadst a ᵱt
Soe of our [better] best state thou a sharer art
This is the maine true freindship cann com[m<aun>]maund
Yt hopes and fears of freinds goe hand in hand 1580