Scene III A Room in Frankford’s House
Enter Frankford, and Nicholas with keys.
Frankford.
This is the night that I must play my part
To try two seeming angels. Where’s my keys?
Nicholas.
They are made according to your mould in wax:
I bade the smith be secret, gave him money,
And here they are. The letter, sir.
Frankford.
True, take it, there it is; [Gives him letter.
And when thou seest me in my pleasant’st vein,
Ready to sit to supper, bring it me.
Nicholas.
I’ll do’t, make no more question but I’ll do’t. [Exit.
Enter Mistress Frankford, Cranwell, Wendoll, and Jenkin.
Mistress Frankford.
Sirrah, ’tis six o’clock already struck!
Go bid them spread the cloth and serve in supper.
Jenkin.
It shall be done, forsooth, mistress. Where’s Spigot, the butler, to give us out salt and trenchers? [Exit.
Wendoll.
We that have been a-hunting all the day
Come with preparèd stomachs. Master Frankford,
We wished you at our sport.
Frankford.
My heart was with you, and my mind was on you.
Fie, Master Cranwell! you are still thus sad?
A stool, a stool. Where’s Jenkin, and where’s Nick?
’Tis supper-time at least an hour ago.
What’s the best news abroad?
Wendoll.
I know none good.
Frankford.
But I know too much bad. [Aside.
Enter Jenkin and Butler with a table-cloth, bread, trenchers, and salt.
Cranwell.
Methinks, sir, you might have that interest
In your wife’s brother, to be more remiss
In his hard dealing against poor Sir Charles,
Who, as I hear, lies in York Castle, needy,
And in great want.
[Exeunt Jenkin and Butler.
Frankford.
Did not more weighty business of my own
Hold me away, I would have laboured peace
Betwixt them, with all care; indeed I would, sir.
Mistress Frankford.
I’ll write unto my brother earnestly
In that behalf.
Wendoll.
A charitable deed,
And will beget the good opinion
Of all your friends that love you, Mistress Frankford.
Frankford.
That’s you for one; I know you love Sir Charles,
And my wife too, well.
Wendoll.
He deserves the love
Of all true gentlemen; be yourselves judge.
Frankford.
But supper, ho! Now as thou lov’st me, Wendoll,
Which I am sure thou dost, be merry, pleasant,
And frolic it to-night. Sweet Master Cranwell,
Do you the like. Wife, I protest my heart
Was ne’er more bent on sweet alacrity.
Where be those lazy knaves to serve in supper?
Re-enter Nicholas.
Nicholas.
Here’s a letter, sir.
Frankford.
Whence comes it? and who brought it?
Nicholas.
A stripling that below attends your answer,
And, as he tells me, it is sent from York.
Frankford.
Have him into the cellar; let him taste
A cup of our March beer: go, make him drink. [Reads the letter.
Nicholas.
I’ll make him drunk, if he be a Trojan.
Frankford.
My boots and spurs! where’s Jenkin? God forgive me,
How I neglect my business! Wife, look here;
I have a matter to be tried to-morrow
By eight o’clock, and my attorney writes me,
I must be there betimes with evidence,
Or it will go against me. Where’s my boots?
Re-enter Jenkin with boots and spurs.
Mistress Frankford.
I hope your business craves no such despatch
That you must ride to-night.
Wendoll.
[Aside.] I hope it doth.
Frankford.
God’s me! no such despatch!
Jenkin, my boots. Where’s Nick? Saddle my roan,
And the grey dapple for himself. Content ye,
It much concerns me. Gentle Master Cranwell,
And Master Wendoll, in my absence use
The very ripest pleasures of my house.
Wendoll.
Lord! Master Frankford, will you ride to-night?
The ways are dangerous.
Frankford.
Therefore will I ride
Appointed well; and so shall Nick my man.
Mistress Frankford.
I’ll call you up by five o’clock to-morrow.
Frankford.
No, by my faith, wife, I’ll not trust to that;
’Tis not such easy rising in a morning
From one I love so dearly: no, by my faith,
I shall not leave so sweet a bedfellow,
But with much pain. You have made me a sluggard
Since I first knew you.
Mistress Frankford.
Then, if you needs will go
This dangerous evening, Master Wendoll,
Let me entreat you bear him company.
Wendoll.
With all my heart, sweet mistress. My boots there!
Frankford.
Fie, fie, that for my private business
I should disease36 my friend, and be a trouble
To the whole house! Nick!
Nicholas.
Anon, sir.
Frankford.
Bring forth my gelding.—[Exit Nicholas.]—As you love me, sir,
Use no more words: a hand, good Master Cranwell.
Cranwell.
Sir, God be your good speed!
Frankford.
Good night, sweet Nan; nay, nay, a kiss and part.
[Aside.] Dissembling lips, you suit not with my heart. [Exit.
Wendoll.
How business, time, and hours, all gracious prove,
And are the furtherers to my new-born love!
I am husband now in Master Frankford’s place,
And must command the house. My pleasure is We will not sup abroad so publicly,
But in your private chamber, Mistress Frankford.
Mistress Frankford.
O, sir, you are too public in your love,
And Master Frankford’s wife——
Cranwell.
Might I crave favour,
I would entreat you I might see my chamber;
I am on the sudden grown exceeding ill,
And would be spared from supper.
Wendoll.
Light there, ho!
See you want nothing, sir; for, if you do,
You injure that good man, and wrong me too.
Cranwell.
I will make bold: good night. [Exit.
Wendoll.
How all conspire
To make our bosom sweet, and full entire!
Come, Nan, I prythee let us sup within.
Mistress Frankford.
Oh, what a clog unto the soul is sin!
We pale offenders are still full of fear;
Every suspicious eye brings danger near,
When they whose clear hearts from offence are free
Despise report, base scandals do outface,
And stand at mere defiance with disgrace.
Wendoll.
Fie, fie! you talk too like a puritan.
Mistress Frankford.
You have tempted me to mischief, Master Wendoll:
I have done I know not what. Well, you plead custom;
That which for want of wit I granted erst,
I now must yield through fear. Come, come, let’s in;
Once o’er shoes, we are straight o’er head in sin.
Wendoll.
My jocund soul is joyful above measure;
I’ll be profuse in Frankford’s richest treasure.
[Exeunt.