# The Knight of the Burning Pestle/Act 4

Layout 2
Act IV
[[[Scene I.]|]]
[[[A Street.]|]]
[[[Enter Jasper and the Boy.]|]]
Jasper: There, boy, deliver this; but do it well.
[Gives a letter.
Boy: Sir, you need not fear;
Jasper: There, my boy;
[He gives the Boy some money.]
Boy: Faith, sir, 'twere rare
Jasp. Go, and be happy! [Exit Boy.] Now, my latest hope,
[Exit.
[Wife. Go thy ways; thou art as crooked a sprig
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Cit. Let me alone, sweetheart: I have a trick in
Wife. Do, my good George, do!
Cit. What shall we have Ralph do now, boy? 30
Boy. You shall have what you will, sir.
Cit. Why, so, sir; go and fetch me him then, and
Boy. Believe me, sir, that will not do so well; 'tis
Wife. George, let Ralph travel over great hills, and
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Cit. Well said, Nell; it shall be so.—Boy, let's
Boy. Sir, if you will imagine all this to be done
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Cit. Sir boy, let's ha't as you can, then.
Boy. Besides, it will show ill-favouredly to have a
Cit. Will it so, sir? you are well read in histories!
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Boy. It shall be done.—It is not our fault, gentlemen. [Exit.
Wife. Now we shall see fine doings, I warrant ye,
Scene II.
[[[A Hall in the King of Moldavia's Court.]|]]
[[[Enter the Princess Pompiona of Moldavia, Ralph, Tim, and George with his wife.]|]]
Wife: Oh, here they come! How prettily the King of Cracovia's daughter is dressed!
Citizen: Ay, Nell, it is the fashion of that country, I warrant ye.
Pompiona: Welcome, Sir Knight, unto my father's court,
Ralph: Damsel right fair,
Pompiona: But say, brave knight, what is your name and birth?
Ralph: My name is Ralph; I am an Englishman,
Pompiona: Oft have I heard of your brave countrymen,
Ralph: Lady, 'tis true; you need not lay your lips
Pompiona: And of a wild fowl he will often speak,
Ralph: I am a knight of a religious order,
Citizen: Well said, Ralph! Convert her, if thou canst.
Ralph: Besides, I have a lady of my own
Pompiona: Happy that cobbling dame, whoe'er she be,
Ralph: Lady, farewell; I needs must take my leave.
Pompiona: Hard-hearted Ralph, that ladies dost deceive!
Citizen: Hark thee, Ralph: there's money for thee
Ralph: Lady, before I go, I must remember
Pompiona: Full many thanks; and I will keep them safe
Ralph: Advance, my squire and dwarf! I cannot stay.
Pompiona: [Laughing delicately.] Thou kill'st my heart in passing thus away.
[Exeunt all.]
Wife. I commend Ralph yet, that he will not stoop
Scene III.
A Room in the House of Venturewell.
Enter Venturewell, Humphrey, Luce, and Boy.
[Wife. But here comes Master Humphrey and his
Cit. Ay, cony; peace.]
Vent. Go, get you up; I will not be entreated;
[Exeunt Luce and Boy.
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Hum. I see this love you speak of, through your daughter,
Vent. I do believe you, my good son, and thank you;
Hum. It were, indeed; but shall I tell you why?
Vent. Well, son, no more of compliment. My daughter
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Hum. I would you would, i'faith! for, be it known,
Vent. Some three days hence, then.
Hum. Three days! let me see:
Enter Servant.
Serv. Sir, there's a gentlewoman without would speak 30
Vent. What is she?
Serv. Sir, I asked her not.
Vent. Bid her come in.[Exit Servant.
Enter Mistress Merrythought and Michael.
Mist. Mer. Peace be to your worship! I come as a
Vent. Are you not wife to Merrythought?
Mist. Mer. Yes, truly. Would I had ne'er seen
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Vent. I'm glad the heavens have heard my prayers. Thy husband,
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Mist. Mer. Will you so, sir? how say you by 60
[Exit with Michael.
Enter Boy.
Boy. Sir, I take it you are the master of this house.
Vent. How then, boy!
Boy. Then to yourself, sir, comes this letter. [Gives letter.
Vent. From whom, my pretty boy?
Boy. From him that was your servant; but no more 70
Vent. [Reads.] Sir, that I have wronged your love
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Boy. 'Tis here without, sir.
Vent. So, sir; if you please,
Hum. I'll be your usher, boy; for, though I say it,
[Exeunt.
Scene IV.
Another Room in the House of Venturewell.
Enter Luce.
Luce. If there be any punishment inflicted
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Enter Servant.
Serv. By your leave,
[Exit.
Enter Boy, and two Men bearing a Coffin.
Luce. For me I hope 'tis come, and 'tis most welcome.
Boy. Fair mistress, let me not add greater grief
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Luce. He shall have many.—
[Exeunt Boy and Men.
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[Sings.
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60
[Removes the Cloth, and Jasper rises out of the Coffin.
Jasp. And thus you meet the living.
Luce. Save me, Heaven!
Jasp. Nay, do not fly me, fair: I am no spirit:
Luce. Oh, thou dear shadow of my friend!
Jasp. Dear substance;
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Luce. This death I'll give you for it; [Kisses him.
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Jasp. First, to see you;
Luce. It cannot be;
Jasp. Nothing more possible. Within this coffin
90 [Luce lies down in the Coffin, and Jasper covers her with the cloth.
Re-enter Boy and Men.
Boy. At hand, sir.
Jasp. Convey away the coffin, and be wary.
Boy. 'Tis done already. [Exeunt Men with the Coffin.
Jasp. Now must I go conjure. [Exit into a Closet.
Enter Venturewell.
Vent. Boy, boy!
Boy. Your servant, sir.
Vent. Do me this kindness, boy; (hold, here's a crown;)
Boy. I will, sir.
Vent. And then bring me word what tune he is in, 100
Boy. God bless your worship's health, sir!
Vent. Farewell, boy! [Exeunt severally.
Scene V.
A Street before Merrythought's House.
Enter Merrythought.
[Wife. Ah, old Merrythought, art thou there again?
10
[Sings.
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Enter Boy.
Boy. Sir, they say they know all your money is
Mer. Will they not? let 'em choose! The best is,
30 [Sings.
40
Enter another Boy.
2nd Boy. Sir, I can get no bread for supper.
Mer. Hang bread and supper! let's preserve our
50
Mer. So, boys; enough. Follow me: Let's change
[Exeunt.
[Wife. Let him go, George; 'a shall not have any
Cit. No more 'a sha'not, love. But, Nell, I will
60
Enter Boy.
Boy. Sir, your pleasure?
Cit. Let Ralph come out on May-day in the morning,
Boy. Why, sir, you do not think of our plot; what
Cit. Why, sir, I care not what become on't: I'll
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Boy. Well, sir, he shall come out, but if our play
Cit. Bring him away then! [Exit Boy.
Wife. This will be brave, i'faith! George, shall
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Cit. No, sweetheart, it will be too much for the boy.
Ralph. London, to thee I do present the merry month
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[Exit.