SCENE IV.
Enter Bertram.
1 Lord.
They cannot be too sweet for the King's
tartness; here's his Lordship now. How now, my
Lord, is't not after midnight?
Ber.
I have to night dispatch'd sixteen businesses; a
-- 366 --
month's length a-piece, by an abstract of success; I
have congied with the Duke, done my adieu with his
nearest; buried a wife, mourn'd for her; writ to my
lady mother, I am returning; entertain'd my convoy;
and, between these main parcels of dispatch, effected
many nicer needs: the last was the greatest, but that I
have not ended yet.
2 Lord.
If the business be of any difficulty, and this
morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your
Lordship.
Ber.
I mean, the business is not ended, as fearing
to hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue
between the fool and the soldier? come, 6 note
bring forth
this counterfeit module; h'as deceiv'd me, like a double-meaning
prophesier.
2 Lord.
Bring him forth; h'as sate in the Stocks all
night, poor gallant knave.
Ber.
No matter; his heels have deserv'd it, in
usurping his spurs so long. How does he carry himself?
1 Lord.
I have told your Lordship already: the
Stocks carry him. But to answer you as you would
be understood, he weeps like a wench that had shed her
milk; he hath confess'd himself to Morgan, whom he
supposes to be a Friar, from the time of his remembrance
to this very instant disaster of his setting i'th'
Stocks; and what, think you, he hath confest?
Ber.
Nothing of me, has he?
2 Lord.
His confession is taken, and it shall be read
to his face; if your Lordship be in't, as, I believe,
you are, you must have the patience to hear it.
-- 367 --
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
