A Tale of a Tub ACT 2. SCENE 5.

Preamble, Metaphore, Tub, Awdrey.

Pre.
Nay, do it quickly, Miles; Why shak'st thou,
Man?
Speak but his Name: I'll second thee my self.

Met.
What is his Name?

Pre.
Squire Tripoly, or Tub.
Any thing ———

Met.
Squire Tub, I do arrest you
I' the Queens Majesties Name, and all the Councils.

Tub.
Arrest me, Varlet?

Pre.
Keep the Peace, I charge you.

Tub.
Are you there, Justice Bramble? Where's your
Warrant?

Pre.
The Warrant is directed here to me,
From the whole Table; wherefore I would pray you
Be patient, Squire, and make good the Peace.

Tub.
Well, at your pleasure, Justice. I am wrong'd:
Sirrah, what are you, have arrested me?

Pre.
He is a Purs'yvant at Arms, Squire Tub.

Met.
I am a Purs'yvant; see, by my Coat else.

Tub.
Well, Purs'yvant, go with me: I'll give you Bail.

Pre.
Sir, he may take no Bail. It is a Warrant,
In special from the Council, and commands
Your personal appearance. Sir, your Weapon
I must require: And then deliver you
A Prisoner to this Officer, Squire Tub.
I pray you to conceive of me no other,
Than as your Friend and Neighbour. Let my Person
Be sever'd from my Office in the Fact,
And I am clear. Here, Purs'yvant, receive him
Into your Hands; and use him like a Gentleman.

Tub.
I thank you, Sir: But whither must I go now?

Pre.
Nay, that must not be told you, till you come
Unto the place assign'd by his Instructions.
I'll be the Maidens Convoy to her Father,
For this time, Squire.

Tub.
I thank you, Mr. Bramble.
I doubt, or fear, you will make her the Ballance
To weigh your Justice in. Pray ye do me right,
And lead not her, at least, out of the way.
Justice is blind, and having a blind Guide,
She may be apt to slip aside.

Pre.
I'll see to her.

Tub.
I see my wooing will not thrive. Arrested!
As I had set my rest up, for a Wife?
And being so fair for it, as I was —— Well, Fortune,
Thou art a blind Bawd, and a Beggar too,
To cross me thus; and let my only Rival
To get her from me? That's the Spight of Spights.
But most I muse at, is, that I, being none
O' th' Court, am sent for thither by the Council.
My Heart is not so light as't was i' the morning.