SCENE I.
An Inn at Rochester.
Enter a Carrier with a Lanthorn in his Hand.
1 Carrier.
Heigh ho! an't be not four by the day, I'll be
hang'd. Charles' wain is over the new chimney,
and yet our horse not packt. What, ostler?
Ost. [within.]
Anon, anon.
1 Car.
I pr'ythee, Tom, beat Cutt's saddle, put a
few flocks in the point: the poor jade is wrung in the
withers, 1 noteout of all cess.
-- 121 --
Enter another Carrier.
2 Car.
Pease and beans are 2 noteas dank here as a dog,
and that is the next way to give poor jades the bots:
this house is turn'd upside down, since Robin Ostler
dy'd.
1 Car.
Poor fellow never joy'd since the price of
oats rose, it was the death of him.
2 Car.
I think, this be the most villainous house in
all London road for fleas: I am stung like a Tench.
1 Car.
Like a Tench? by th' Mass, 3 notethere's ne'er
a King in Christendom could be better bit than I have
been since the first cock.
2 Car.
Why, they will allow us ne'er a jourden,
and then we leak in your chimney: and your chamber-lie
breeds fleas 4 notelike a Loach.
1 Car.
What, ostler, come away, and be hang'd,
come away.
2 Car.
I have a gammon of bacon, and two (a) note razes
of ginger to be deliver'd as far as Charing-cross.
1 Car.
'Odsbody, the Turkies in my panniers are
quite starv'd. What, ostler? a plague on thee! hast
thou never an eye in thy head? canst not hear? an
'twere not as good a deed as drink, to break the pate
of thee, I am a very villain. Come and be hang'd,
hast no faith in thee?
Enter Gads-hill.
Gads.
Good-morrow, carriers. What's o' clock?
Car.
I think, it be two o' clock.
Gads.
I pr'ythee, lend me thy lanthorn, to see my
gelding in the stable.
-- 122 --
1 Car.
Nay, soft, I pray ye; I know a trick worth
two of that, i'faith.
Gads.
I pr'ythee, lend me thine.
2 Car.
Ay, when? canst tell? lend me thy lanthorn,
quoth a! marry, I'll see thee hang'd first.
Gads.
Sirrah, carrier, what time do you mean to
come to London?
2 Car.
Time enough to go to bed with a Candle, I
warrant thee. Come, neighbour Mugges, we'll call up
the gentlemen; they will along with Company, for
they have great Charge.
[Exeunt Carriers.
Alexander Pope [1747], The works of Shakespear in eight volumes. The Genuine Text (collated with all the former Editions, and then corrected and emended) is here settled: Being restored from the Blunders of the first Editors, and the Interpolations of the two Last: with A Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton (Printed for J. and P. Knapton, [and] S. Birt [etc.], London) [word count] [S11301].
