SCENE II.--_The Hall in the same.

_Enter three_ Servants, _drunk, drawing in_ FRESCO.

_1st Ser._ Boy! fill some drink, boy.

_Fres._ Enough, good sir; not a drop more by this light.

_2nd Ser._ Not by this light? Why then put out the candles and we'll drink i' the dark, and t'-to't, old boy.

_Fres._ No, no, no, no, no.

_3rd Ser._ Why then take thy liquor. A health, Fresco! [_Kneels._

_Fres._ Your health will make me sick, sir.

_1st Ser._ Then 'twill bring you o' your knees, I hope, sir.

_Fres._ May I not stand and pledge it, sir?

_2nd Ser._ I hope you will do as we do.

_Fres._ Nay then, indeed I must not stand, for you cannot.

_3rd Ser._ Well said, old boy.

_Fres._ Old boy! you'll make me a young child anon; for if I continue this I shall scarce be able to go alone.

_1st Ser._ My body is as weak as water, Fresco.

_Fres._ Good reason, sir. The beer has sent all the malt up into your brain and left nothing but the water in your body.

_Enter_ D'AMVILLE _and_ BORACHIO, _closely observing their drunkenness._

_D'Am._ Borachio, seest those fellows?

_Bor._ Yes, my lord.

_D'Am._ Their drunkenness, that seems ridiculous, Shall be a serious instrument to bring Our sober purposes to their success.

_Bor._ I am prepared for the execution, sir.

_D'Am._ Cast off this habit and about it straight.

_Bor._ Let them drink healths and drown their brains i' the flood; I promise them they shall be pledged in blood. [_Exit._

_1st Ser._ You ha' left a damnable snuff here.

_2nd Ser._ Do you take that in snuff, sir?

_1st Ser._ You are a damnable rogue then-- [_Together by the ears._

_D'Am._ Fortune, I honour thee. My plot still rises According to the model of mine own desires. Lights for my brother--What ha' you drunk yourselves mad, you knaves?

_1st Ser._ My lord, the jacks abused me.

_D'Am._ I think they are the jacks[148] indeed that have abused thee. Dost hear? That fellow is a proud knave. He has abused thee. As thou goest over the fields by-and-by in lighting my brother home, I'll tell thee what shalt do. Knock him over the pate with thy torch. I'll bear thee out in't.

_1st Ser._ I will singe the goose by this torch. [_Exit._

_D'Am._ [_To 2nd Servant._] Dost hear, fellow? Seest thou that proud knave. I have given him a lesson for his sauciness. He's wronged thee. I will tell thee what shalt do: As we go over the fields by-and-by Clap him suddenly o'er the coxcomb with Thy torch. I'll bear thee out in't.

_2nd Ser._ I will make him understand as much. [_Exit._

_Enter_ LANGUEBEAU SNUFFE.

_D'Am._ Now, Monsieur Snuffe, what has my brother done?

_Lang._ Made his will, and by that will made you his heir with this proviso, that as occasion shall hereafter move him, he may revoke, or alter it when he pleases.

_D'Am._ Yes. Let him if he can.--I'll make it sure From his revoking. [_Aside._

_Enter_ MONTFERRERS _and_ BELFOREST _attended with lights._

_Mont._ Brother, now good night.

_D'Am._ The sky is dark; we'll bring you o'er the fields. Who can but strike, wants wisdom to maintain; He that strikes safe and sure, has heart and brain. [_Exeunt._