Scene II Before Old Lionel’s House
Enter at one side Usurer and his Man; at the other, Old Lionel and his Servant; behind, Reignald.
Reignald.
[Aside.] To which hand shall I turn me? Here’s my master
Hath been to inquire of him that sold the house,
Touching the murder; here’s an usuring rascal,
Of whom we have borrowed money to supply
Our prodigal expenses, broke our day,
And owe him still the principal and use.
Were I to meet them single, I have brain
To oppose both, and to come off unscarred;
But if they do assault me, and at once,
Not Hercules himself could stand that odds:
Therefore I must encounter them by turns,
And to my master first.—Oh, sir, well met.
Old Lionel.
What, Reignald! I but now met with the man
Of whom I bought yon house.
Reignald.
What, did you, sir?
But did you speak of aught concerning that Which I last told you?
Old Lionel.
Yes, I told him all.
Reignald.
Then am I cast! [Aside.]—But I pray tell me, sir,
Did he confess the murder?
Old Lionel.
No such thing;
Most stiffly he denies it.
Reignald.
Impudent wretch!
Then serve him with a warrant; let the officer
Bring him before a justice, you shall hear
What I can say against him! ’Sfoot! deny’t!
But I pray, sir, excuse me; yonder’s one
With whom I have some business; stay you here,
And but determine what’s best course to take,
And note how I will follow’t.
Old Lionel.
Be brief, then.
Reignald.
Now, if I can as well put off my use-man,
This day I shall be master of the field. [Aside.
Usurer.
That should be Lionel’s man.
Man.
The same, I know him.
Usurer.
After so many frivolous delays,
There’s now some hope. He that was wont to shun us,
And to absent himself, accosts us freely,
And with a pleasant countenance.—Well met, Reignald,
What, is this money ready?
Reignald.
Never could you
Have come in better time.
Usurer.
Where is your master,
Young Lionel? it something troubles me
That he should break his day.
Reignald.
A word in private.
Usurer.
Tush, private me no privates;33 in a word,
Speak, are my moneys ready?
Reignald.
Not so loud.
Usurer.
I will be louder yet. Give me my moneys;
Come, tender me my moneys.
Reignald.
We know you have a throat wide as your conscience;
You need not use it now. Come, get you home.
Usurer.
Home!
Reignald.
Yes, home, I say; return by three o’clock,
And I will see all cancelled.
Usurer.
’Tis now past two, and I can stay till three;
I’ll make that now my business; otherways,
With these loud clamours I will haunt thee still:
Give me my use, give me my principal.
Reignald.
This burr will still cleave to me; what, no means
To shake him off! I ne’er was caught till now.—[Aside.
Come, come, you’re troublesome.
Usurer.
Prevent that trouble,
And, without trifling, pay me down my cash;
I will be fooled no longer.
Reignald.
So, so, so.
Usurer.
I have been still put off, from time to time,
And day to day; these are but cheating tricks,
And this is the last minute I’ll forbear
Thee, or thy master: once again, I say,
Give me my use, give me my principal.
Reignald.
Pox o’ this use, that hath undone so many,
And now will confound me! [Aside.
Old Lionel.
Hast thou heard this?
Servant.
Yes, sir, and to my grief.
Old Lionel.
Come hither, Reignald.
Reignald.
Here, sir. [Aside.] Nay, now I am gone.
Old Lionel.
What use is this,
What principal he talks of, in which language
He names my son, and thus upbraideth thee?
What is’t you owe this man?
Reignald.
A trifle, sir:
Pray stop his mouth, and pay’t him.
Old Lionel.
I pay!—what?
Reignald.
If I say pay’t him, pay’t him.
Old Lionel.
What’s the sum?
Reignald.
A toy, the main about five hundred pounds;
And the use fifty.
Old Lionel.
Call you that a toy?
To what use was it borrowed? At my departure
I left my son sufficient in his charge,
With surplus, to defray a large expense,
Without this need of borrowing.
Reignald.
’Tis confessed;
Yet stop his clamorous mouth, and only say
That you will pay’t to-morrow.
Old Lionel.
I pass my word!
Reignald.
Sir, if I bid you, do’t; nay, no more words,
But say you’ll pay’t to-morrow.
Old Lionel.
Jest indeed!
But tell me how these moneys were bestowed?
Reignald.
Safe, sir, I warrant you.
Old Lionel.
The sum still safe?
Why do you not then tender it yourselves?
Reignald.
Your ear, sir. With this sum, joined to the rest,
Your son hath purchased land and houses.
Old Lionel.
Land, dost thou say?
Reignald.
A goodly house, and gardens.
Old Lionel.
Now joy on him,
That whilst his father merchandised abroad,
Had care to add to his estate at home!
But, Reignald, wherefore houses?
Reignald.
Now, Lord, sir,
How dull you are! This house possessed with spirits,
And there no longer stay, would you have had
Him, us, and all your other family,
To live and lie i’ the streets? It had not, sir,
Been for your reputation.
Old Lionel.
Blessing on him,
That he is grown so thrifty!
Usurer.
’Tis struck three;
My money’s not yet tendered.
Reignald.
Pox upon him!
See him discharged, I pray, sir.
Old Lionel.
Call upon me
To-morrow, friend, as early as thou wilt;
I’ll see thy debt defrayed.
Usurer.
It is enough, I have a true man’s word.
[Exeunt Usurer and Man.
Old Lionel.
Now tell me, Reignald,
For thou hast made me proud of my son’s thrift,
Where, in what country, doth this fair house stand?
Reignald.
[Aside.] Never in all my time so much to seek;
I know not what to answer.
Old Lionel.
Wherefore studiest thou?
Use men to purchase lands at a dear rate,
And know not where they lie?
Reignald.
’Tis not for that;
I only had forgot his name that sold them.
’Twas, let me see—see—
Old Lionel.
Call thyself to mind.
Reignald.
Non-plussed or never now; where are thou, brain?—
O sir, where was my memory? ’Tis this house
That next adjoins to yours.
Old Lionel.
My neighbour Ricott’s?
Reignald.
The same, the same, sir; we had pennyworths in’t;
And I can tell you, have been offered well
Since, to forsake our bargain.
Old Lionel.
As I live,
I much commend your choice.
Reignald.
Nay, ’tis well seated,
Rough-cast without, but bravely lined within;
You have met with few such bargains.
Old Lionel.
Prithee knock,
And call the master or the servant on’t,
To let me take free view on’t.
Reignald.
[Aside.] Puzzle again on puzzle!—One word, sir:
The house is full of women; no man knows
How on the instant they may be employed;
The rooms may lie unhandsome, and maids stand
Much on their cleanliness and huswifery;
To take them unprovided were disgrace;
’Twere fit they had some warning. Now, do you
Fetch but a warrant from the justice, sir;—
You understand me?
Old Lionel.
Yes, I do.
Reignald.
To attach34
Him of suspected murder; I’ll see’t served,
Did he deny’t; and in the interim, I
Will give them notice you are now arrived,
And long to see your purchase.
Old Lionel.
Counselled well;
And meet some half-hour hence.
Reignald.
This plunge well passed,
All things fall even, to crown my brain at last.
[Exeunt.