182
SIR JOHN SUCKLING
[Act III., Sc. 2
⟨He⟩ struck me but for persuading him to make
Even with heaven.
He is as surly as an old lion, and
As sullen as a bullfinch.10
He never ate since he was taken, gentlemen!
Samorat. I must needs speak with him.
Hark in thy ear.
Gaoler. Not for all the world.
Samorat. Nay, I do but motion such a thing.
Gaoler. Is this the business, gentlemen? Fare you well.15
Samorat. There is no choice of ways then.
[They run after the Gaoler, draw their daggers, and set on to his breast
Stir not! If thou but think'st a noise, or breath'st
Aloud, thou breath'st thy last. So, bind him now.
[They bind the Gaoler
Undo quickly, quickly—his jerkin, his hat!
Nassurat. What will you do? None of these beards will serve;20
There's not an eye of white in them.
Pellegrin. Pull out the silver'd ones in his, and stick
Them in the other.
Nassurat. Cut them, cut them out. The bush will suit
Well enough with a grace still.25
[They put a false beard on the Gaoler, and gag him
Samorat. Desperate wounds must have desperate cures:
Extremes must thus be serv'd. You know your parts.[Exit in the Gaoler's habit
Nassurat. Fear not: let us alone.[They sing a catch
Some drink! what, boy, some drink!
Fill it up, fill it up to the brink.30
When the pots cry clink,
And the pockets chink,
Then 'tis a merry world.
To the best, to the best, have at her;
And a pox take the woman-hater!—35
The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman:
Mahu, Mahu is his name.—
How d'you, sir?[To the Gaoler gagg'd
You gape, as if you were sleepy.
Good faith, he looks like an O yes!40