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_ ACT II - SCENE III
(Enter ROBIN, [88] with a book.)
[Footnote 88: Robin: Old eds. "the Clowne" (and so frequently afterwards):
but he is evidently a distinct person from the "Clown," Wagner's attendant, who has previously appeared (see p. 111). Most probably the parts of the Clown and Robin were played by the same actor; and hence the confusion in the old eds.
P. 111. (this play):
"Enter WAGNER and CLOWN.
WAGNER.
Come hither, sirrah boy." etc.]
ROBIN.
What, Dick! look to the horses there, till I come again.
I have gotten one of Doctor Faustus' conjuring-books;
and now we'll have such knavery as't passes.
[Enter ICK.]
DICK.
What, Robin! you must come away and walk the horses.
ROBIN.
I walk the horses! I scorn't, faith: [89] I have
other matters in hand: let the horses walk themselves,
an they will.--
[Footnote 89: faith: So 4to 1616.--2tos 1624, 1631 "i'faith." (And so afterwards in this scene.)]
[Reads.]
A per se, a; t, h, e, the; o per se, o; Demy orgon gorgon.--
Keep further from me, O thou illiterate and unlearned hostler!
DICK.
'Snails, what hast thou got there? a book! why,
thou canst not tell [90] ne'er a word on't.
[Footnote 90: not tell: So 4to 1616.--Not in 4tos 1624, 1631.]
ROBIN.
That thou shalt see presently: keep out of the circle,
I say, lest I send you into the ostry with a vengeance.
DICK.
That's like, faith! you had best leave your foolery; for,
an my master come, he'll conjure you, faith.
ROBIN.
My master conjure me! I'll tell thee what; an my
master come here, I'll clap as fair a [91] pair of
horns on's head as e'er thou sawest in thy life.
DICK.
Thou need'st [92] not do that, for my mistress hath done it.
[Footnote 91: as fair a: So 4to 1616.--2tos 1624, 1631, "a faire."]
[Footnote 92: need'st: So 4tos 1616, 1624.--2to 1631 "needs."]
ROBIN.
Ay, there be of us here that have waded as deep into
matters as other men, if they were disposed to talk.
DICK.
A plague take you! I thought you did not sneak up and
down after her for nothing. But, I prithee, tell me
in good sadness, Robin, is that a conjuring-book?
ROBIN.
Do but speak what thou'lt have me to do, and I'll do't:
if thou'lt dance naked, put off thy clothes, and I'll
conjure thee about presently; or, if thou'lt go but to
the tavern with me, I'll give thee white wine, red
wine, claret-wine, sack, muscadine, malmsey, and
whippincrust, hold, belly, hold; [93] and we'll
not pay one penny for it.
DICK.
O, brave! Prithee, [94] let's to it presently,
for I am as dry as a dog.
ROBIN.
Come, then, let's away.
[Exeunt.]
[Footnote 93: hold, belly, hold: Compare Florio's DICT., 1611; "IOSA, GOOD STORE, hold-bellie-hold."]
[Footnote 94: Prithee: So 4to 1616.--2tos 1624, 1631, "I prithee."] _
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