SCENE I.[1339

[_Enter_] CLEMENT, KNOWELL, KITELY, DAME KITELY, TIB, CASH, COB, Servants.

_Clem._ Nay, but stay, stay, give me leave: my chair, sirrah.—You, master Knowell, say you went thither to meet your son?

_Know._ Ay, sir.

_Clem._ But who directed you thither? 5

_Know._ That did mine own man, sir.

_Clem._ Where is he?

_Know._ Nay, I know not now; I left him with your clerk, and appointed him to stay here for me. 10

_Clem._ My clerk! about what time was this?

_Know._ Marry, between one and two, as I take it.

_Clem._ And what time came my man with the false message to you, master Kitely? 15

_Kit._ After two, sir.

_Clem._ Very good: but, mistress Kitely, how chance that you were at Cob’s, ha?

_Dame K._ An ’t please you, sir, I’ll tell you: my brother Wellbred told me that Cob’s house was a suspected place—— 21

_Clem._ So it appears, methinks: but on.

_Dame K._ And that my husband us’d thither daily.

_Clem._ No matter, so he us’d himself well, mistress. 25

_Dame K._ True, sir: but you know what grows by such haunts oftentimes.

_Clem._ I see rank fruits of a jealous brain, mistress Kitely: but did you find your husband (30) there, in that case as you suspected?

_Kit._ I found her there, sir.

_Clem._ Did you so? That alters the case. Who gave you knowledge of your wife’s being there?

_Kit._ Marry, that did my brother Wellbred. 35

_Clem._ How, Wellbred first tell her; then tell you after! Where is Wellbred?

_Kit._ Gone with my sister, sir, I know not whither. 39

_Clem._ Why this is a mere trick, a device; you are gull’d in this most grossly all. Alas, poor wench! wert thou beaten for this?

_Tib._ Yes, most pitifully, an ’t please you.

_Cob._ And worthily, I hope, if it shall prove so. 45

_Clem._ Ay, that’s like, and a piece of a sentence.— [_Enter a_ Servant.] How now, sir! what’s the matter?

_Serv._ Sir, there’s a gentleman i’ the court without, desires to speak with your worship. 50

_Clem._ A gentleman! what is he?

_Serv._ A soldier, sir, he says.

_Clem._ A soldier! Take down my armour, my sword quickly. A soldier speak with me! Why, when, knaves! Come on, come on. (_Arms himself_); (55) hold my cap there, so; give me my gorget,[1340] my sword: stand by, I will end your matters anon.——Let the soldier enter. [_Exit Servant._]