Scene III Outside the Wise-woman’s House
Enter Sencer like a Serving-man.
Sencer.
Now or never, look about thee, Sencer: to-morrow is the marriage day, which to prevent lies not within the compass of my apprehension; therefore I have thus disguised myself, to go to the looming woman’s, the fortune-teller’s, the anything, the nothing. This over-against Mother Redcap’s is her house; I’ll knock.
Enter 2nd Luce in Boy’s clothes.
2nd Luce.
Who’s there? What would you have?
Sencer.
I would speak with the wise gentlewoman of the house.
2nd Luce.
Oh, belike you have lost somewhat.
Sencer.
You are in the wrong, sweet youth.
2nd Luce.
I am somewhat thick of hearing; pray speak out.
Sencer.
I say I have not lost anything, but wit and time, and neither of those she can help me to.
2nd Luce.
Then you belike are crossed in love, and come to know what success you shall have.
Sencer.
Thou hast hit it, sweet lad; thou hast hit it.
2nd Luce.
What is it you say, sir?
Sencer.
Thou hast hit it.
2nd Luce.
I pray come in; I’ll bring you to my mistress.
[Exeunt.
Enter Luce and Joseph.
Luce.
This is the house; knock, Joseph; my business craves dispatch.
Joseph.
Now am I as angry as thou art timorous; and now to vent on the next thing I meet—Oh, ’tis the door. [Knocks.
Re-enter 2nd Luce.
2nd Luce.
Who’s there? What are you?
Luce.
A maid and a wife.
2nd Luce.
And that would grieve any wench to be so; I know that by myself, not Luce.
Luce.
Boy, where’s your mistress?
2nd Luce.
In some private talk with a gentleman. I’ll fetch her to you presently. [Exit.
Luce.
If she and you see me not, I am but dead;
I shall be made a by-word to the world,
The scorn of women, and my father’s shame.
Enter the Wise-woman and Sencer, followed by 2nd Luce.
Wise-woman.
You tell me your name is Sence; I knew it before: and that Chartley is to be married, I could have told it you.
2nd Luce.
Married to-morrow,—O me!
Sencer.
Ay, but you tell me that Chartley before to-morrow shall be disappointed of his wife; make that good, thou shalt have twenty angels.
Wise-woman.
I’ll do’t: stand aside; I’ll have but a word or two with this gentlewoman, and I am for you presently.
Luce.
O mother, mother!
[They whisper.
2nd Luce.
My husband marry another wife to-morrow! O changeable destiny! no sooner married to him, but instantly to lose him! Nor doth it grieve me so much that I am a wife, but that I am a maid too; to carry one of them well is as much as any is bound to do, but to be tied to both is more than flesh and blood can endure.
Wise-woman.
Well, trust to me, and I will set all things straight.
Enter Boyster.
Boyster.
Where’s this witch, this hag, this beldam, this wizard? And have I found thee!—thus then will I tear, mumble, and maul thee!
Wise-woman.
Help, help!—an if you be a gentleman!
Sencer.
Forbear this rudeness; he that touches her,
Draws against me.
Boyster.
Against you, sir! apply thou;50 that shall be tried.
All.
Help, help! part them, help!
Sencer.
With patience hear her speak.
Boyster.
Now, trot, now, grannam, what canst thou say for thyself?—What, Luce here! Be patient, and put up thou; she must not see the end.
Sencer.
Then truce of all sides; if we come for counsel,
Let us with patience hear it.
Luce.
Then first to me.
Wise-woman.
You would prevent young Chartley’s marriage? you shall: hark in your ear. [Whispers.
Luce.
It pleaseth me.
Wise-woman.
You forestall Gratiana’s wedding? ’tis but thus. [Whispers.
Sencer.
I’ll do’t.
Wise-woman.
You would enjoy Luce as your wife, and lie with her to-morrow night? Hark in your ear. [Whispers.
Boyster.
Fiat!
Wise-woman.
Away! you shall enjoy him, you are married, Luce, away! you shall see Chartley discarded from Gratiana. Sencer, begone! And if I fail in any of these or the rest, I lay myself open to all your displeasures.
Boyster.
Farewell till soon!
Wise-woman.
You know your meeting-place.
All.
We do.
Wise-woman.
You shall report me wise and cunning too.
[Exeunt all except 2nd Luce.
2nd Luce.
I’ll add one night more to the time I have said;
I have not many, I hope, to live a maid. [Exit.