Act 3. Scene 2 -

Credulous , and Shape dogging him.

Cred. So now the Morgage is mine own outright;
I swear by the faith of my Body now
It is a pretty thing, o my corporal Oath
A very pretty thing. Besides the house,
Orchards, and Gardens: some two hundred Acres
Of Land that beareth as good Country corn,
For Country corn, as may be.
Shap. As I'd have it.
Cr. How now good friend! where dost thou live? dost thou
Know Caster's Farme?
Shap. Yes Sir; I fear 'tis gon:
Sure Caster's Farme is cast away.
Cred. A jest!
Good troth a good one of a Country one;
I see there's wit there too. Then thou dost know it.
Shap. I am affraid I shall not know it long;
I shall lose my acquaintance.
Cred. 'Snigs another!
A very perillous head, a dangerous brain.
Sha. God blesse my Master, and the Devil take
Some body else.
Cred. Um! that's not quite so good
As th' other two; that some body else is me:
(Now you shall see how hee'l abuse me here
To mine own face) why some Body else good Brother?
Sha. The rich gout rot his bones; an hungry, old,
Hard griping Citizen, that only feeds
On Heyrs and Orphans goods, they say must have it:
One that ne'r had the wisdom to be honest;
And's therefore Knave, 'cause 'tis the easier Art.
I know he hath not given half the worth on't.
'Tis a meer cheat.
Cred. 'Slid Brother thou hast paid him
To th' utmost, though he hath not paid thy Master.
Now is my wit up too: this Land I see
Will make men thrive i'th' brain.
Sha. Would he were here,
Who e'r he be, I'd give him somewhat more
Into the bargain: a base thin-jaw'd sneaksbill
Thus to work Gallants out of all. It grieves me
That my poor Tenement too goes into th' sale.
Cred. What have I done? now wit deliver me.
If he know I am he, hee'l cut my throat;
I never shall enjoy it: sure it was
Your Masters seeking friend; he would ne'r else
Have had to doe with it; he that bought it is
A very honest man; and if you please him
Will deale with you. I may speak a word
In your behalf: 'twont be the worse for you.
Sha. I'm going Sir unto him; do you know
Where I may find him?
Cred. What if I am he?
Sha. I am afraid he is not half so honest
As you do seem.
Cred. Faith I'm the same; I try'd
What metal thou wast made of: I perceive
Thou wilt not flinch for th' wetting; thou mayst be
My Bayliff there perhaps.
Sha. And't please your Worship.
Cred. So now the case is alter'd.
Sha. I do know
It was my Masters seeking, you would ne'r
Have had to do with't else. He sent me to you
For the last hundred pound, by the same token,
That you invited him to th' eating house.
Cred. (O this simplicity! he does not know
Yet what an Ordnary means.) I was now coming
To have paid it in.
Shap. I'l save your Worship that
Labour an't please you: let me now begin
My Bayliffeship.
Cred. 'Snigs wiser yet than soe.
Where is thy Master?
Shap. Sir, my Master's here
I thank my stars; but Mr Caster is
At an Horse-race some ten miles off.
Cred. Why then
I'l stay till he returns; 'twill be by dinner.
Sha. Your best way's now to send it; if by chance
The race go on his side, your Worship may
Faile of your purchase.
Cred. 'Snigs and that's considerable.
Here, here, make haste with it; but e'r thou goest
Tell me, is't a pretty thing?
Sha. O' my corporall Oath,
A very pretty thing: besides the house
Orchards, and Gardens, Some two hundred Acres
Of Land that beareth as good Country Corne,
God give you luck on't.
Cred. Right as I did say,
Ev'n word by word. But prethee stay a little;
What Meadow ground's there? Pasture in proportion?
Sha. As you would wish Sir; I'm in haste.
Cred. Nay Bayliffe
But one word more, and I have done; what place
Is there to dry wet linnen in?
Sha. O twenty
To hang up cloaths, or any thing you please.
Your Worship cannot want line-room. God be wi' you.
Cred. But this once and — —
Sha. I must be gone — — The Race.
Cred. Little thinkst thee how diligent thou art
To little purpose. 'Snigs I pitty him;
What haste he makes to cheat himself! poor foole!
Now I am safe the wretch must pardon me
For his poor Tenement; all's mine. I'l sow
One ground or other every month with Pease:
And so I will have green ones all the year.
These Yeomen have no Policie i'th' world.
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