PEREGRINE

Yes. Seven weeks. Not yet, sir. What was't, sir? This fellow Do's he gull me, trow? or is gulled? your name, sir? Oh, that speaks him. A Knight, sir? Your lady Lies here, in Venice , for intelligence Of tires and fashions, and behaviour, Among the courtesans? the fine lady WOULD-BEE? Good sir POLITIQVE! I cry you mercy; I have herd much of you: It's true, sir of your raven. Yes, and your lyons whelping, in the Tower. Another, sir. I did, sir. Six, and and a sturgeon, sir. Nay, sir, be not so; I'll tell you a greater prodigy, then these— The very day (Let me be sure) that I put forth from London , There was a whale discovered, in the river, As high as Woolwich , that had waited there (Few know how many months) for the subversion Of the Stood -Fleet. Faith, STONE, the fool, is dead; And they do lack a tavern-fool, extremely. H'is dead, sir, why? I hope You thought him not immortal? Oh, this Knight (Where he well known) would be a precious thing To fit our English stage: He that should write But such a fellow, should be thought to feign Extremely, if not maliciously. Dead. Lord! how deeply, sir, you apprehend it? He was no kinsman to you? And yet you knew him, it seems? Indeed, sir? Strange! How could this be, sir? I have herd, He could not read, sir. I have herd, sir, That your Bab'ouns were spies; and that they were A kind of subtle nation, near to China. 'Hart! This, sir POLL. will be ignorant of nothing. It seems, sir, you know all? Believe it, sir, I hold My self, in no small tie, unto my Fortune's, For casting me thus luckily, upon you; Whose knowledge (if your bounty equal it) May do me great assistance, in instruction For my behaviour, and my bearing, which Is yet so rude, and raw— Faith, I had Some common ones, from out that vulgar grammar , Which he, that cried Italian to me, taught me. Who be these, sir? Under that windore, there't must be. The same. Yes, sir. They are quack-salvers, Fellows, that live by venting oils, and drugs? As I remember. And, I have herd, they are most lewd impostors; Made all of terms, and shreds; no less belyers Of great-men's favours, then their own vile medicines; Which they will utter, upon monstrous oaths: Selling that drug, for two pence, ere they partly, Which they have valued at twelve crowns, before. It's worth it, sir. Peace, sir. You did so, sir. You see his end? I would he had put in dry to. Most strangely, I! But Alchemy I never herd the Like: or BROUGHTONS books. HAd old HIPPOCRATES , or GALEN , (That to their books put medicines all in) But known this secret, they had never (Of which they will be guilty ever) Been murderers of so much paper, Or wasted many a hurtless taper: No Indian drug had ere been famed, Tobacco, sassafras not nam; Ne yet, of guacum one small stick, sir, Nor RAYMUND LULLIES great elixir. Ne, had been known the Danish GONSWART. Or PARACELSUS , with his longsword. All this, yet, will not do, eight crowns is high. And that withal, sir POL. What monstrous, and most painful circumstance Is here, to get some three, or four gazets ! Some threepence, i'th whole, for that it'll come to. Will you be that heroic spark, sir POL? Oh, see! the windore has prevented you. What should this mean, sir POL? It may be some design, on you. It is your best, sir. Indeed, sir? Best have a care. This knight, I may not loose him, for my mirth, till night. Oh, I am wounded. Sir, I have better. Oh, sir, proceed: I'll slander you no more of wit, good sir. How! Is that a point of state, too? And nothing else. What? what, sir? As how? If I had But one to wager with, I would lay odds, now, He tells me, instantly. He is a chandler? Then, you have others? By whom? What, a common sergeant? Good, sir, I, sir? Oh, but, you can remember, sir. Except your self, sir. Admirable! Indeed, sir? My faith, that's much. Which is one pound sterling. You are right, sir. In-faith, so would I: But, you have done well, for once, sir. Pray you, sir POLL. That I feared. They' are there, sir? pray you, let's see, sir. What is here? notandum , A rat had gnawn my spurre-lethers; notwithstanding, I put on new, and did go forth: but, first, I threw three beans over the threshold. Item , I went, and bought two tooth-picks, whereof one I burst, immediately, in a discourse With a dutch merchant, about ragion deal stato. From him I went, and paid a moccinigo , For peecing my silk stockings; by the way, I cheapened sprats: and at S to . MARKS, I urined. In-faith these are politic notes! Believe me it is wise! Where? It seems, you are not jealous, That dare commend her. Being your wife, she cannot miss that. How is this! What's here? Poetic fury, and historic storms! This is fine, faith! And do you use this, often? is this partly Of your wits exercise, against you have occasion? Madam— Do you hear me, lady? Why, if your knight have set you to beg shirts, Or to invite me home, you might have done it A nearer way, by far. Why? am I in it, then? Indeed, your husband told me, you were fair, And so you are; only your nose inclines (That side, that's next the sun) to the queen-apple. What! more changes, yet? This is rare! Sir POLITIQV WOULD-BEE? no, sir POLITIQVE bawd! To bring me, that acquainted with his wife! Well, wise sir POL: since you have practised, thus, Upon my freshmanship, I'll try your salt-head, What proof it is against a counterplot. WEll, now you know the carriage of the business, Your constancy is all, that is required Unto the safety of it. All my ambition is to fright him, only. Yes, and have his Adventures put in the book of voyages , And his gulled story registered, for truth? Well, gentlemen, when I am in, a while, And that you think us warm in our discourse, Know your approaches. Save you, fair lady. Is sir POLL. within? pray you, say unto him, Here is a merchant, upon earnest business, Desires to speak with him. pray you. I see, the family is all female, here. pray you say again, If those require him whole, these will exact him Whereof I bring him tidings. What might be His graven affair of state, now? how, to make Bolognian sauseges, here, in Venice , sparing One o'th'ingredients. Sweet, pray you return him, I have not read so many proclamations, And studied them, for words, as he has done, But— Here he deigns to come. Sir, I am grieved, I bring you worse disaster; The gentleman, you met at the port, to day, That told you, he was newly arrived— No, sir, a spy, set on you: And, he has made relation to the Senate, That you professed to him, to have a plot, To fell the state of Venice , to the Turk. For which, warrants are signed by this time To apprehend you, and to search your study, For papers— All the better, sir. Sir, best Convey your self into a sugar-chest, Or, if you could lie round, a frail were rare: And I could send you, aboard. Hark, they are there. What, will you do, sir? Would you never a curren-but to leap into? They'll put you to the rack, you must be sudden. What is it? And, call you this and engine? I'am a merchant, that came here To look upon this tortoise. It is a fish. Nay, you may strike him, sir, and tread upon him: Hee'll bear a cart. Yes. He creeps, sir. No, good sir, you will hurt him. pray you sir, (creep a little) Good sir, (creep) Now, sir POLL. we are even; For your next project, I shall be prepared: I am sorry, for the funeral of your notes, sir. Farewell, most politic tortoise. Lord! how his brain is humbled, for and oath)