Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/211

] falling into this gaoler's hands strangely. He'd use us

worse than we did him.

Nassurat. And that was ill enough, of conscience. What

think you of turning beggars? Many good gentlemen

have done't. Or thieves?

Pellegrin. That's the same thing at court: begging is but

a kind of robbing the exchequer.

Nassurat. Look! four fathom and a half O O S in con-

templation of his mistress. There's a feast! You and I

are out now, Pellegrin. 'Tis a pretty trick, this enjoying

in absence! What a rare invention 'twould be, if a man

could find out a way to make it real!

Pellegrin. Dost think there's nothing in't, as 'tis?

Nassurat. Nothing, nothing. Didst never hear of a

dead Alexander rais'd to talk with a man? Love's a

learned conjurer, and with the glass of fancy will do as

strange things! You thrust out a hand: your mistress

thrusts out another. You shake that hand: that shakes

you again. You put out a lip: she puts out hers. Talk

to her: she shall answer you. Marry, when you come to

grasp all this, it is but air.

Samorat [as out of his study]. It was unlucky.

Gentlemen,

The day appears: this is no place to stay in:

Let's to some neighbouring cottage. Maybe,

The searchers will neglect the nearer places;

And this will best advance unto our safety.

Nassurat. Who are there?

1st Fiddler. Now, if the spirit of melancholy should possess 'em?

2nd Fiddler. Why, if it should, an honourable retreat.

Nassurat. I have the rarest fancy in my head. Whither are you bound, my friends, so early?

1st Fiddler. To a wedding, sir.

Nassurat. A wedding? I told you so. Whose?

1st Fiddler. A country wench's here hard by, one Erblin's daughter.

Nassurat. Good. Erblin! the very place! to see how

things fall out! Hold, here's money for you. Hark you,

you must assist me in a small design.

1st Fiddler. Anything.

Samorat. What dost mean?