Scene IV Aldersgate
Here enters Michael at one door.
Here enters Greene, Will, and Shakebag at another door.
Will. Draw, Shakebag, for here’s that villain Michael.
Greene. First, Will, let’s hear what he can say.
Will. Speak, milksop slave, and never after speak.
Michael. For God’s sake, sirs, let me excuse myself:
For here I swear, by heaven and earth and all,
I did perform the utmost of my task,
And left the doors unbolted and unlocked.
But see the chance: Franklin and my master
Were very late conferring in the porch,
And Franklin left his napkin where he sat 10
With certain gold knit in it, as he said.
Being in bed, he did bethink himself,
And coming down he found the doors unshut:
He locked the gates, and brought away the keys,
For which offence my master rated me.
But now I am going to see what flood it is,
For with the tide my master will away;
Where you may front him well on Rainham Down,
A place well-fitting such a stratagem.
Will. Your excuse hath somewhat mollified my choler.
Why now, Greene, ’tis better now nor e’er it was. 21
Greene. But, Michael, is this true?
Michael. As true as I report it to be true.
Shakebag. Then, Michael, this shall be your penance,
To feast us all at the Salutation,
Where we will plat our purpose thoroughly.
Greene. And, Michael, you shall bear no news of this tide,
Because they two may be in Rainham Down
Before your master.
Michael. Why, I’ll agree to anything you’ll have me,
So you will except of my company. [Exeunt.
III. iv. 18. ‘The country near Rainham seems in the sixteenth century to have been so open as to have entitled it to the appellation of a Down.’—Donne. The spot had a bad reputation.
III. iv. 25. The Salutation is an inn mentioned in Bartholomew Fair.
III. iv. 31. Except is probably the printer’s spelling of accept.