falling into this gaoler's hands strangely. He'd use us
worse than we did him.15
Nassurat. And that was ill enough, of conscience. What
think you of turning beggars? Many good gentlemen
have done't. Or thieves?
Pellegrin. That's the same thing at court: begging is but
a kind of robbing the exchequer.20
Nassurat. Look! four fathom and a half O O S in con-
templation of his mistress. There's a feast! You and I
are out now, Pellegrin. 'Tis a pretty trick, this enjoying
in absence! What a rare invention 'twould be, if a man
could find out a way to make it real!25
Pellegrin. Dost think there's nothing in't, as 'tis?
Nassurat. Nothing, nothing. Didst never hear of a
dead Alexander rais'd to talk with a man? Love's a
learned conjurer, and with the glass of fancy will do as
strange things! You thrust out a hand: your mistress30
thrusts out another. You shake that hand: that shakes
you again. You put out a lip: she puts out hers. Talk
to her: she shall answer you. Marry, when you come to
grasp all this, it is but air.
Samorat [as out of his study]. It was unlucky.35
Gentlemen,
The day appears: this is no place to stay in:
Let's to some neighbouring cottage. Maybe,
The searchers will neglect the nearer places;
And this will best advance unto our safety.40
Enter Fiddlers
Nassurat. Who are there?
1st Fiddler. Now, if the spirit of melancholy should possess 'em?
2nd Fiddler. Why, if it should, an honourable retreat.
Nassurat. I have the rarest fancy in my head. Whither are you bound, my friends, so early?
1st Fiddler. To a wedding, sir.45
Nassurat. A wedding? I told you so. Whose?
1st Fiddler. A country wench's here hard by, one Erblin's daughter.
Nassurat. Good. Erblin! the very place! to see how
things fall out! Hold, here's money for you. Hark you,
you must assist me in a small design.50
1st Fiddler. Anything.
Samorat. What dost mean?
