Tim . I go, brave knight.
[Exit .
Ralph . My trusty dwarf and friend, reach me my shield;
And hold it while I swear. First, by my knighthood;
Then
by the soul of Amadis de Gaul,
My famous ancestor; then by my sword
The beauteous Brionella girt about
me;
By this bright burning Pestle, of mine honour
The living trophy; and by all respect
Due to distressèd
damsels; here I vow
Never to end the quest of this fair lady
And that forsaken squire till by my valour
I gain
their liberty!
George . Heaven bless the knight
That thus relieves poor errant gentlewomen!
[Exeunt .
[Wife . Ay, marry, Ralph, this has some savour in’t; I would see the proudest of them all offer to carry his books after him. But, George, I will not have him go away so soon; I shall be sick if he go away, that I shall: call Ralph again, George, call Ralph again; I prithee, sweetheart, let him come fight before me, and let’s ha’ some drums and some trumpets, and let him kill all that comes near him, an thou lovest me, George!
Cit . Peace a little, bird: he shall kill them all, an they were twenty more on ’em than there are.]
Enter Jasper.
Jasp . Now, Fortune, if thou be’st not only ill,
Show me thy better face, and bring about
Thy desperate
wheel, that I may climb at length,
And stand. This is our place of meeting,
If love have any constancy.
Oh, age,
Where only wealthy men are counted happy!
How shall I please thee, how deserve thy smiles,
When
I am only rich in misery?
My father’s blessing and this little coin
Is my inheritance; a strong revénue!
From
earth thou art, and to the earth I give thee:
[Throws away the money .
Breeds me a fresher fortune.—How! illusion?
[Sees the casket
’Tis metal good, it rings well; I am waking,
And taking too, I hope. Now, God’s dear blessing
Upon his heart that left it here! ’tis mine;
These pearls, I take it, were not left for swine.
[Exit with the casket .
[Wife . I do not like that this unthrifty youth should embezzle away the money; the poor gentlewoman his mother will have a heavy heart for it, God knows.
Cit . And reason good, sweetheart.
Wife . But let him go; I’ll tell Ralph a tale in’s ear shall fetch him again with a wanion, I warrant him, if he be above ground; and besides, George, here are a number of sufficient gentlemen can witness, and myself, and yourself, and the musicians, if we be called in question.
SCENE III.— Another part of the Forest .
Enter Ralph and George.