In good time, sir.

STE. In good time, sir? Why! And in very good time, sir. You do not flout, friend, do you?

SER. Not I, sir.

STE. Not you, sir? You were not best, sir; an' you should, here be them can perceive it, and that quickly too: go to. And they can give it again soundly too, and need be.

SER. Why, sir, let this satisfy you: good faith, I had no such intent.

STE. Sir, an' I thought you had, I would talk with you, and that presently.

SER. Good Master Stephen, so you may, sir, at your pleasure.

STE. And so I would, sir, good my saucy companion! An' you were out o' mine uncle's ground, I can tell you; though I do not stand upon my gentility neither in't.

KNO. Cousin! Cousin! Will this ne'er be left?

STE. Whoreson base fellow! A mechanical serving- man! By this cudgel, and 'twere not for shame, I would –

KNO.

What would you do, you peremptory gull?

If you cannot be quiet, get you hence.

You see, the honest man demeans himself

Modestly towards you, giving no reply

To your unseasoned, quarrelling, rude fashion:

And still you huff it, with a kind of carriage

As void of wit as of humanity.

Go, get you in; 'fore heaven, I am ashamed

Thou hast a kinsman's interest in me.

 

Exit Stephen

 

SER. I pray you, sir. Is this Master Knowell's house?

KNO. Yes, marry, is it, sir.

SER. I should enquire for a gentleman here, one Master Edward Knowell: do you know any such, sir, I pray you?

KNO. I should forget myself else, sir.

SER. Are you the gentleman? Cry you mercy, sir: I was required by a gentleman i' the city, as I rode out at this end o' the town, to deliver you this letter, sir.

KNO. To me, sir! What do you mean? Pray you remember your courtesy. »To his most selected friend, Master Edward Knowell.« What might the gentleman's name be, sir, that sent it? Nay, pray you be covered.

SER. One Master Wellbred, sir.

KNO. Master Wellbred! A young gentleman, is he not?

SER. The same, sir, Master Kitely married his sister: the rich merchant i' the Old Jewry.

KNO. You say very true. Brainworm.

 

Enter Brainworm

 

BRA.

Sir.

KNO.

Make this honest friend drink here: pray you go in.

 

Exeunt Brainworm, servant

 

This letter is directed to my son:

Yet I am Edward Knowell too, and may

With the safe conscience of good manners use

The fellow's error to my satisfaction.

Well, I will break it ope (old men are curious)

Be it but for the style's sake, and the phrase,

To see if both do answer my son's praises,

Who is almost grown the idolator

Of this young Wellbred: what have we here? What's this?

 

The letter

 

»Why, Ned, I beseech thee; has thou forsworn all thy friends i' the Old Jewry? Or dost thou think us all Jews that inhabit there yet? If thou dost, come over, and but see our frippery: change an old shirt for a whole smock with us. Do not conceive that antipathy between us and Hoxton, as was between Jews and hogs-flesh. Leave thy vigilant father alone, to number over his green apricots, evening and morning, o' the north-west wall. An' I had been his son, I had saved him the labour, long since; if, taking in all the young wenches that pass by at the back door, and coddling every kernel of the fruit for 'em, would ha' served. But, prithee, come over to me quickly, this morning: I have such a present for thee (our Turkey company never sent the like to the Grand-Signior). One is a rhymer, sir, o' your own batch, your own leaven; but doth think himself Poet-major, o' the town: willing to be shown, and worthy to be seen.