Scene III Barnet. A Street
Enter Delavil and a Gentleman.
Gentleman.
Where shall we dine to-day?
Delavil.
At the ordinary.
I see, sir, you are but a stranger here.
This Barnet is a place of great resort,
And commonly, upon the market days,
Here all the country gentlemen appoint
A friendly meeting; some about affairs
Of consequence and profit—bargain, sale,
And to confer with chapmen; some for pleasure,
To match their horses, wager on their dogs,
Or try their hawks; some to no other end
But only meet good company, discourse,
Dine, drink, and spend their money.
Gentleman.
That’s the market
We have to make this day.
Delavil.
’Tis a commodity
That will be easily vented.—What, my worthy friend!
[Enter Old Geraldine and Young Geraldine.]
You are happily encountered. Oh, you’re grown strange
To one that much respects you. Troth, the house
Hath all this time seemed naked without you;
The good old man doth never sit to meat,
But next his giving thanks he speaks of you;
There’s scarce a bit that he at table tastes,
That can digest without a Geraldine,
You are in his mouth so frequent. He and she
Both wondering what distaste from one, or either,
So suddenly should alienate a guest
To them so dearly welcome.
Old Geraldine.
Master Delavil,
Thus much let me for him apologise:
Divers designs have thronged upon us late
My weakness was not able to support
Without his help; he hath been much abroad,
At London, or elsewhere; besides, ’tis term,
And lawyers must be followed; seldom at home,
And scarcely then at leisure.
Delavil.
I am satisfied,
And I would they were so too; but I hope, sir,
In this restraint you have not used my name.
Old Geraldine.
Not as I live.
Delavil.
You’re noble.—Who had thought
To have met with such good company? You are, it seems,
But new alighted. Father and son, ere part,
I vow we’ll drink a cup of sack together;
Physicians say it doth prepare the appetite
And stomach against dinner.
Old Geraldine.
We old men
Are apt to take these courtesies.
Delavil.
What say you, friend?
Young Geraldine.
I’ll but inquire for one at the next inn,
And instantly return.
Delavil.
It is enough.
[Exeunt.