SCENE IV.--_Entrance Hall in_ Sir DAVY DUNCE'S _House_.

_Enter_ Sir JOLLY JUMBLE.

_Sir Jol._ Bloody-Bones!

_Enter_ BLOODY-BONES.

_Bloody-B._ I am here, sir.

_Sir Jol._ Go you and Fourbin to my house presently; bid Monsieur Fourbin remember that all things be ordered according to my directions. Tell my maids, too, I am coming home in a trice; bid 'em get the great chamber, and the banquet I spoke for, ready presently. And, d'ye hear, carry the minstrels with ye too, for I am resolved to rejoice this morning. Let me see--Sir Davy!

_Enter_ Sir DAVY DUNCE.

_Sir Dav._ Ay, neighbour, 'tis I; is the business done? I cannot be satisfied till I am sure: have you removed the body? is it gone?

_Sir Jol._ Yes, yes, my servants conveyed it out of the house just now. Well, Sir Davy, a good morning to you: I wish you your health, with all my heart, Sir Davy; the first thing you do, though, I'd have you say your prayers by all means, if you can.

_Sir Dav._ If I can possibly, I will.

_Sir Jol._ Well, good-bye. [_Exit._

_Sir Dav._ Well, good-bye heartily, good neighbour.--Vermin, Vermin!

_Enter_ VERMIN.

_Ver._ Did your honour call?

_Sir Dav._ Go run, run presently over the square, and call the constable presently; tell him here's murder committed, and that I must speak with him instantly. I'll e'en carry him to my neighbour's, that he may find the dead body there, and so let my neighbour be very fairly hanged in my stead; ha! a very good jest, as I hope to live, ha, ha, ha!--hey, what's that?

_Watchmen._ [_Within._] Almost four o'clock, and a dark cloudy morning; good-morrow, my masters all, good-morrow!

_Enter_ Constable _and_ Watch.

_Const._ How's this, a door open! Come in, gentlemen.--Ah, Sir Davy, your honour's humble servant; I and my watch, going my morning-rounds, and finding your door open, made bold to enter, to see there were no danger. Your worship will excuse our care; a good morning to you, sir.

_Sir Dav._ Oh, Master Constable, I'm glad you're here; I sent my man just now to call you. I have sad news to tell you, Master Constable.

_Const._ I am sorry for that, sir; sad news!

_Sir Dav._ Oh, ay, sad news, very sad news truly: here has been murder committed.

_Const._ Murder! if that's all, we are your humble servants, sir, we'll bid you good-morrow: murder's nothing at this time o' night in Covent-garden.

_Sir Dav._ Oh, but this is a horrid, bloody murder, done under my nose; I cannot but take notice of it; though I am sorry to tell you the authors of it, very sorry truly.

_Const._ Was it committed here near hand?

_Sir Dav._ Oh, at the very next door; a sad murder indeed. After they had done, they carried the body privately into my neighbour Sir Jolly's house here; I am sorry to tell it you, Master Constable, for I am afraid it will look but scurvily on his side; though I am a justice o' peace, gentlemen, and am bound by my oath to take notice of it; I can't help it.

_1st Watch._ I never liked that Sir Jolly.

_Const._ He threatened me t'other day for carrying a little, dirty, draggle-tailed whore to Bridewell, and said she was his cousin. Sir, if your worship thinks fit, we'll go search his house.

_Sir Dav._ Oh, by all means, gentlemen, it must be so; justice must have its course; the king's liege subjects must not be destroyed.--Vermin, carry Master Constable and his dragons into the cellar, and make 'em drink; I'll but step into my study, put on my face of authority, and call upon ye instantly.

_Watchmen._ We thank your honour. [_Exeunt._