SCENE II.

_A Hall in_ TAILBY’S _Lodging_.

_Enter_ TAILBY, _and_ JACK _trussing him_.[624]

TAI. Came this suit from mistress Cleveland? JACK. She sent it secretly, sir. TAI. A pretty requiteful squall! I like that woman that can remember a good turn three months after the date; it shews both a good memory and a very feeling spirit. JACK. This came fortunately, sir, after all your ill luck last night. TAI. I’d beastly casting, Jack. JACK. O abominable, sir! you had the scurviest hand: the old serving-man swooped up all. TAI. I am glad the fortune lighted upon the poor fellow, by my troth; it made his master mad. JACK. Did you mark that, sir? I warrant he has the doggedest master of any poor fellow under the dog-sign: I’d rather serve your worship, I’ll say that behind your back, sir, for nothing, as indeed I have no standing wages at all, your worship knows. TAI. O, but your vails, Jack, your vails considered, when you run to and fro between me and mistresses—— JACK. I must confess my vails are able to keep an honest man, go I where I list. TAI. Go to then, Jack. JACK. But those vails stand with the state of your body, sir, as long as you hold up your head: if that droop once, farewell you, farewell I, farewell all; and droop it will, though all the caudles in Europe should put to their helping hands to’t: ’tis e’en as uncertain as playing, now up and now down;[625] for if the bill down rise to above thirty, here’s no place for players; so if your years rise to above forty, there’s no room for old lechers. TAI. And that’s[626] the reason all rooms are taken up for young templars. JACK. You’re in the right, sir. TAI. Pize on’t, I pawned a good beaver hat to master Frip last night, Jack: I feel the want of it now. Hark, who’s that knocks? [_Knocking within._

_Enter a Servant, bringing in a letter and a beaver hat._

SER. Is master Tailby stirring? JACK. What’s your pleasure with him? he walks here i’ th’ hall. SER. Give your worship good morrow. TAI. Welcome, honest lad. SER. A letter from my mistress. TAI. Who’s thy mistress? SER. Mistress Newblock. TAI. Mistress Newblock, my sincere love! how does she? SER. Faith, only ill in the want of your sight. TAI. Alas, dear sweet! I’ve had such business, I protest I ne’er stood still since I saw her. SER. She has sent your worship a beaver hat here, with a band best in fashion. TAI. How shall I requite this dear soul? SER. ’Tis not a thing fit for me to tell you, sir, for I have three years to serve yet: your worship knows how, I warrant you. TAI. I know the drift of her letter; and for the beaver, say I accept it highly. SER. O, she will be a proud woman of that, sir! TAI. And hark thee; tell thy mistress, as I’m a gentleman, I’ll despatch her out of hand the first thing I do, a’ my credit: canst thou remember these words now? SER. Yes, sir; as you are a gentleman, you’ll despatch her out of hand the first thing you do. TAI. Ay, a’ my credit. SER. O, of your credit; I thought not of that, sir. TAI. Remember that, good boy. SER. Fear it not now, sir. [_Exit._ TAI. I dreamt to-night, Jack, I should have a secret supply out a’ th’ city. JACK. Your dream crawls out partly well, sir.—

_Enter a Servant, bringing in a purse._

What news there now? SER. I have an errand to master Tailby. JACK. Yonder walks my master. SER. Mistress Tiffany commends her to your worship, and has sent you your ten pound in gold back again, and says she cannot furnish you of the same lawn you desire till after All-holland-tide.[627] TAI. Thank her she would let me understand so much. [_Exit Servant._]—Ha, ha! This wench will live: why, this was sent like a Workwoman now; the rest are botchers to her. Faith, I commend her cunning: she’s a fool That makes her servant fellow to her heart; It robs her of respect, dams up all duty, Keeps her in awe e’en of the slave she keeps: This takes a wise course—I commend her more— Sends back the gold I never saw before. Well, women are my best friends [still], i’faith. Take[628] lands: give me Good legs, firm back, white hand, black eye, brown hair, And add but to these five a comely stature; Let others live by art, and I by nature. [_Exeunt._