SCENE I.--_Outside_ Ricott’s _House_.

_Enter_ Reignald.

Reignald. Now, impudence, but steel my face this once, Although I ne’er blush after! Here’s the house. Ho! who’s within? What, no man to defend These innocent gates from knocking?

_Enter_ Master Ricott.

Ricott. Who’s without there?

Reignald. One, sir, that ever wished your worship’s health; And those few hours I can find time to pray in, I still remember it.

Ricott. Gramercy, Reignald, I love all those that wish it: you are the men Lead merry lives, feast, revel, and carouse; You feel no tedious hours; Time plays with you-- This is your golden age.

Reignald. It was; but now, sir, That gold is turned to worse than alchemy; It will not stand the test. Those days are past, And now our nights come on.

Ricott. Tell me, Reignald, is he returned from sea?

Reignald. Yes, to our grief already, but we fear Hereafter it may prove to all our costs.

Ricott. Suspects thy master anything?

Reignald. Not yet, sir. Now my request is, that your worship being So near a neighbour, therefore most disturbed, Would not be first to peach us.

Ricott. Take my word; With other neighbours make what peace you can, I’ll not be your accuser.

Reignald. Worshipful sir; I shall be still your beadsman. Now the business That I was sent about: the old man my master Claiming some interest in acquaintance past, Desires (might it be no way troublesome) To take free view of all your house within.

Ricott. View of my house! Why, ’tis not set to sale, Nor bill upon the door. Look well upon’t; View of my house!

Reignald. Nay, be not angry, sir; He no way doth disable[3.37] your estate; As far to buy, as you are loath to sell. Some alterations in his own he’d make, And hearing yours by workmen much commended, He would make that his precedent.

Ricott. What fancies Should at this age possess him, knowing the cost, That he should dream of building!

Reignald. ’Tis supposed, He hath late found a wife out for his son; Now, sir, to have him near him, and that nearness Too without trouble, though beneath one roof, Yet parted in two families, he would build, And make what’s picked[3.38] a perfect quadrangle, Proportioned just with yours, were you so pleased To make it his example.

Ricott. Willingly. I will but order some few things within, And then attend his coming. [_Exit_.

Reignald. Most kind coxcomb! Great Alexander and Agathocles, Cæsar, and others, have been famed, they say, And magnified for high facinorous deeds; Why claim not I an equal place with them-- Or rather a precedent? These commanded Their subjects, and their servants; I my master, And every way his equals, where I please, Lead by the nose along: they placed their burdens On horses, mules, and camels; I, old men Of strength and wit, load with my knavery, Till both their backs and brains ache; yet, poor animals, [_Enter_ Old Lionel.] They ne’er complain of weight.--Oh, are you come, sir?

Old Lionel. I made what haste I could.

Reignald. And brought the warrant?

Old Lionel. See here, I have’t.

Reignald. ’Tis well done; but speak, runs it Both without bail and mainprize[3.39]?

Old Lionel. Nay, it carries Both form and power.

Reignald. Then I shall warrant him. I have been yonder, sir.

Old Lionel. And what says he?

Reignald. Like one that offers you Free ingress, view, and regress, at your pleasure, As to his worthy landlord.

Old Lionel. Was that all?

Reignald. He spake to me, that I would speak to you, To speak unto your son; and then again, To speak to him, that he would speak to you, You would release his bargain.

Old Lionel. By no means: Men must advise before they part with land, Not after to repent it: ’tis most just That such as hazard and disburse their stocks, Should take all gains and profits that accrue, As well in sale of houses as in barter, And traffic of all other merchandise.

_Re-enter_ Ricott; _he walks before the gate_.

Reignald. See, in acknowledgment of a tenant’s duty, He attends you at the gate; salute him, sir.

Old Lionel. My worthy friend!

Ricott. Now, as I live, all my best thoughts and wishes Impart with yours, in your so safe return; Your servant tells me you have great desire To take surview of this my house within.

Old Lionel. Be’t, sir, no trouble to you.

Ricott. None; enter boldly, With as much freedom as it were your own.

Old Lionel. As it were mine! Why, Reignald, is it not?

Reignald. Lord, sir, that in extremity of grief You’ll add unto vexation! See you not How sad he’s on the sudden?

Old Lionel. I observe it.

Reignald. To part with that which he hath kept so long, Especially his inheritance: now, as you love Goodness and honesty, torment him not With the least word of purchase.

Old Lionel. Counselled well; Thou teachest me humanity.

Ricott. Will you enter? Or shall I call a servant, to conduct you Through every room and chamber?

Old Lionel. By no means; I fear we are too much troublesome of ourselves.

Reignald. See what a goodly gate!

Old Lionel. It likes me well.

Reignald. What brave carved posts! who knows but here, In time, sir, you may keep your shrievalty;[3.40] And I be one o’ the serjeants!

Old Lionel. They are well carved.

Ricott. And cost me a good price, sir: take your pleasure; I have business in the town. [_Exit_.

Reignald. Poor man, I pity him; H’ath not the heart to stay and see you come, As ’twere, to take possession. Look that way, sir, What goodly fair bay windows.

Old Lionel. Wondrous stately.

Reignald. And what a gallery, how costly ceiled; What painting round about.

Old Lionel. Every fresh object To good adds betterness.

Reignald. Terraced above, And how below supported. Do they please you?

Old Lionel. All things beyond opinion. Trust me, Reignald, I’ll not forego the bargain, for more gain Than half the price it cost me.

Reignald. If you would, I should not suffer you; was not the money Due to the usurer, took upon good ground, That proved well built upon? We were no fools That knew not what we did.

Old Lionel. It shall be satisfied.

Reignald. Please you to trust me with’t, I’ll see’t discharged.

Old Lionel. He hath my promise, and I’ll do’t myself. Never could son have better pleased a father Than in this purchase! Hie thee instantly Unto my house i’ the country, give him notice Of my arrive, and bid him with all speed Post hither.

Reignald. Ere I see the warrant served?

Old Lionel. It shall be thy first business; for my soul Is not at peace, till face to face I approve His husbandry, and much commend his thrift; Nay, without pause, begone.

Reignald. But a short journey; For he’s not far that I am sent to seek: I have got the start; the best part of the race Is run already; what remains is small, And, tire now, I should but forfeit all.

Old Lionel. Make haste, I do entreat thee.

[_Exeunt_.