Act the Second
Scene I Frankford’s Study
Enter Frankford.
Frankford.
How happy am I amongst other men,
That in my mean estate embrace content!
I am a gentleman, and by my birth,
Companion with a king; a king’s no more.
I am possessed of many fair revenues,
Sufficient to maintain a gentleman.
Touching my mind, I am studied in all arts;
The riches of my thoughts, and of my time,
Have been a good proficient; but the chief
Of all the sweet felicities on earth,
I have a fair, a chaste, and loving wife;
Perfection all, all truth, all ornament:
If man on earth may truly happy be,
Of these at once possessed, sure I am he.
Enter Nicholas.
Nicholas.
Sir, there’s a gentleman attends without
To speak with you.
Frankford.
On horseback?
Nicholas.
Yes, on horseback.
Frankford.
Entreat him to alight, I will attend him.
Know’st thou him, Nick?
Nicholas.
Know him! yes, his name’s Wendoll:
It seems he comes in haste: his horse is booted
Up to the flank in mire, himself all spotted
And stained with plashing. Sure he rid in fear,
Or for a wager: horse and man both sweat;
I ne’er saw two in such a smoking heat.
Frankford.
Entreat him in: about it instantly. [Exit Nicholas.
This Wendoll I have noted, and his carriage
Hath pleased me much: by observation
I have noted many good deserts in him:
He’s affable, and seen15 in many things,
Discourses well, a good companion;
And though of small means, yet a gentleman
Of a good house, though somewhat pressed by want:
I have preferred him to a second place
In my opinion, and my best regard.
Enter Wendoll, Mistress Frankford, and Nicholas.
Mistress Frankford.
O Master Frankford, Master Wendoll here
Brings you the strangest news that e’er you heard.
Frankford.
What news, sweet wife? What news, good Master Wendoll?
Wendoll.
You knew the match made ’twixt Sir Francis Acton
And Sir Charles Mountford.
Frankford.
True, with their hounds and hawks.
Wendoll.
The matches were both played.
Frankford.
Ha! and which won?
Wendoll.
Sir Francis, your wife’s brother, had the worst,
And lost the wager.
Frankford.
Why, the worse his chance:
Perhaps the fortune of some other day
Will change his luck.
Mistress Frankford.
Oh, but you hear not all.
Sir Francis lost, and yet was loth to yield:
At length the two knights grew to difference,
From words to blows, and so to banding sides;
Where valorous Sir Charles slew in his spleen
Two of your brother’s men; his falconer,
And his good huntsman, whom he loved so well:
More men were wounded, no more slain outright.
Frankford.
Now, trust me, I am sorry for the knight;
But is my brother safe?
Wendoll.
All whole and sound,
His body not being blemished with one wound:
But poor Sir Charles is to the prison led,
To answer at the assize for them that’s dead.
Frankford.
I thank your pains, sir; had the news been better
Your will was to have brought it, Master Wendoll.
Sir Charles will find hard friends; his case is heinous,
And will be most severely censured on16:
I’m sorry for him. Sir, a word with you;
I know you, sir, to be a gentleman
In all things; your possibilities but mean:
Please you to use my table and my purse,
They are yours.
Wendoll.
O Lord, sir, I shall never deserve it.
Frankford.
O sir, disparage not your worth too much:
You are full of quality and fair desert:
Choose of my men which shall attend on you,
And he is yours. I will allow you, sir,
Your man, your gelding, and your table, all
At my own charge; be my companion.
Wendoll.
Master Frankford, I have oft been bound to you
By many favours; this exceeds them all,
That I shall never merit your least favour:
But, when your last remembrance I forget,
Heaven at my soul exact that weighty debt!
Frankford.
There needs no protestation; for I know you
Virtuous, and therefore grateful. Prythee, Nan,
Use him with all thy loving’st courtesy.
Mistress Frankford.
As far as modesty may well extend,
It is my duty to receive your friend.
Frankford.
To dinner, come, sir; from this present day,
Welcome to me for ever: come, away.
[Exeunt Frankford, Mistress Frankford, and Wendoll.
Nicholas.
I do not like this fellow by no means:
I never see him but my heart still yearns:
Zounds! I could fight with him, yet know not why:
The devil and he are all one in my eye.
Enter Jenkin.
Jenkin.
O Nick, what gentleman is that comes to lie at our house? my master allows him one to wait on him, and I believe it will fall to thy lot.
Nicholas.
I love my master; by these hilts I do!
But rather than I’ll ever come to serve him,
I’ll turn away my master.
Enter Cicely.
Cicely.
Nich’las, where are you, Nich’las? you must come in, Nich’las, and help the young gentleman off with his boots.
Nicholas.
If I pluck off his boots, I’ll eat the spurs,
And they shall stick fast in my throat like burs.
Cicely.
Then, Jenkin, come you.
Jenkin.
Nay, ’tis no boot for me to deny it. My master hath given me a coat here, but he takes pains himself to brush it once or twice a day with a holly-wand.
Cicely.
Come, come, make haste, that you may wash your hands again, and help to serve in dinner.
Jenkin.
You may see, my masters, though it be afternoon with you, ’tis but early days with us, for we have not dined yet: stay a little, I’ll but go in and help to bear up the first course, and come to you again presently.
[Exeunt.