BANISTER. never make doubt of that; I'll warrant you, He is as kind a noble gentleman As ever did possess the place he hath.
MISTRESS BANISTER. Sir, my brother is his steward; if you please, We'll go along and bear you company: I know we shall not want for welcome there.
FRISKIBALL. With all my heart: but what's become of Bagot?
BANISTER. He is hanged, for buying jewels of the King's.
FRISKIBALL. A just reward for one so impious. The time draws on, sir; will you go along?
BANISTER. I'll follow you, kind master Friskiball.
[Exit Omnes.]
ACT IV. SCENE III. The same. Another street.
[Enter two Merchants.]
FIRST MERCHANT. Now, master Crosby, I see you have a care, To keep your word, in payment of your money.
SECOND MERCHANT. By my faith, I have reason upon a bond; Three thousand pound is too much to forfeit. Yet I doubt not Master Banister.
FIRST MERCHANT. By my faith, your sum is more than mine, And yet i am not much behind you too, Considering that to day I paid at court.
SECOND MERCHANT. Mass, and well remembered, What's the reason the Lord Cromwell's men Wear such long skirts upon their coats. They reach almost down to their very ham.
FIRST MERCHANT. I will resolve you, sir; and thus it is: The Bishop of Winchester, that loves not Cromwell, As great men are envied, as well as less-- A while ago there was a jar between them, And it was brought to my Lord Cromwell's ear, That Bishop Gardiner would sit on his skirt; Upon which word, he made his men long Blue coats, And in the Court wore one of them himself: And meeting with the Bishop, quoth he, 'My Lord, Here's skirt enough now for your Grace to sit on;' Which vexed the Bishop to the very heart. This is the reason why they wear long coats.
SECOND MERCHANT. Tis always seen, and mark it for a rule, That one great man will envy still another: But tis a thing that nothing concerns me. What, shall we now to Master Banister's?
FIRST MERCHANT. Aye, come, we'll pay him royally for our dinner.
[Exit.]
ACT IV. SCENE IV. The same. A room in Cromwell's house.
[Enter the Usher and the Shewer, the meat goes over the stage.]
USHER. Uncover there, Gentlemen.
[Enter Cromwell, Bedford, Suffolk, Old Cromwell, Friskiball, goodman Seely, and attendants.]
CROMWELL. My noble Lords of Suffolk and of Bedford, Your honors' welcome to poor Cromwell's house. Where is my father? nay, be covered, Father. Although that duty to these noble men Doth challenge it, yet I'll make bold with them. Your head doth bear the calendar of care. What, Cromwell covered and his Father bare! It must not be. Now, sir, to you. Is not Your name Friskiball and a Florentine?
FRISKIBALL. My name was Friskiball, till cruel fate Did rob me of my name and of my state.
CROMWELL. What fortune brought you to this country now?
FRISKIBALL. All other parts hath left me succourless, Save only this. Because of debts I have, I hope to gain for to relieve my want.
CROMWELL. Did you not once, upon your Florence bridge, Help two distressed men, robbed by the Bandetti?-- His name was Cromwell.
FRISKIBALL. I never made my brain a calendar Of any good I did; I always loved this nation with my heart.
CROMWELL. I am that Cromwell that you there relieved. Sixteen Ducats you gave me for to clothe me, Sixteen to bear my charges by the way, And sixteen more I had for my horse hire: There be those several sums justly returned, Yet with injustice, serving at my need, And to repay them without interest. Therefore receive of me these four several bags; In each of them there is four hundred mark; And bring me the names of all your debitors, And if they will not see you paid, I will: O God forbid, that I should see him fall, That helped me in my greatest need of all. Here stands my Father that first gave me life, Alas, what duty is too much for him? This man in time of need did save my life, And therefore I cannot do too much for him. By this old man I often times was fed, Else might I have gone supperless to bed. Such kindness have I had of these three men, That Cromwell no way can repay again. Now in to dinner, for we stay too long, And to good stomachs is no greater wrong.