Scene III A Wood Near Wakefield
George-a-Greene discovered.309
Geo. Here sit thou, George, wearing a willow wreath,
As one despairing of thy beauteous love:
Fie, George! no more;
Pine not away for that which cannot be.
I cannot joy in any earthly bliss,
So long as I do want my Bettris.
Enter Jenkin.
Jen. Who see a master of mine?
Geo. How now, sirrah! whither away?
Jen, Whither away! why, who do you take me to be?
Geo. Why, Jenkin, my man.
Jen. I was so once indeed, but now the case is altered.
Geo. I pray thee, as how?
Jen. Were not you a fortune-teller to-day?
Geo. Well, what of that?
Jen. So sure am I become a juggler. What will you say if I juggle your sweetheart?
Geo. Peace, prating losel! her jealous father
Doth wait o’er her with such suspicious eyes,
That, if a man but dally by her feet,
He thinks it straight a witch to charm his daughter.
Jen. Well, what will you give me, if I bring her hither?
Geo. A suit of green, and twenty crowns besides.
Jen. Well, by your leave, give me room. You must give me something that you have lately worn.
Geo. Here is a gown, will that serve you?
[Gives gown.
Jen. Ay, this will serve me. Keep out of my circle, lest you be torn in pieces by she-devils.—Mistress Bettris, once, twice, thrice!
[Jenkin throws the gown in, and Bettris comes out.310
O, is this no cunning?
Geo. Is this my love, or is it but her shadow?
Jen. Ay, this is the shadow, but here is the substance.
Geo. Tell me, sweet love, what good fortune brought thee hither?
For one it was that favour’d George-a-Greene.
Bet. Both love and fortune brought me to my George,
In whose sweet sight is all my heart’s content.
Geo. Tell me, sweet love, how cam’st thou from thy father’s?
Bet. A willing mind hath many slips in love:
It was not I, but Wily, thy sweet boy.
Geo. And where is Wily now?
Bet. In my apparel, in my chamber still.
Geo. Jenkin, come hither: go to Bradford,
And listen out your fellow Wily.—
Come, Bettris, let us in,
And in my cottage we will sit and talk.
[Exeunt.