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The History of Sir John Oldcastle (Folio 3, 1664)

Author: Anonymous
Not Peer Reviewed
2190
Enter Constable, Mayor, and Watch.
May. What? have you searcht the Town?
Con. All the town, sir, we have not left a house un-
searcht that uses to lodge.
May. Surely, my Lord of Rochester was then deceiv'd,
2195Or ill inform'd of sir John Oldcastle,
Or if he came this way, he's past the Town,
He could not else have scap'd you in the search.
Con. The privy watch hath been abroad all night,
And not a stranger lodgeth in the Town
2200But he is known; onely a lusty Priest
We found in bed with a pretty wench,
That sayes she is his wife, yonder at the Shears:
But we have charg'd the host with his forth coming
To morrow morning.
2205May. What think you best to do?
Con. Faith, Mr. Maior, here's a few stragling houses
beyond the hrigde, and a little Inne where Carriers use
to lodge, although I think surely he would nere lodge
there: but we'll go search, and the rather, because
2210there came notice to the town the last night of an Irish
man, that had done a murther, whom we are to make
search for.
Mayor. Come I pray you, and be circumspect.
Exeunt.
Con. First beset the house, before you begin to search.
2215Offi. Content, every man take a several place.
A noise within.
Keep, keep, strike him down there, down with him.
Enter Constable with the Irishman in Harpool's apparel.
Con. Come you villanous heretick, tell us where your
2220Master is.
Irish. Vat mester?
May. Vat mester, you counterfeit Rebel? This shall
not serve your turn.
Irish. Be sent Patrick I ha no mester.
2225Con. Where's the Lord Cobham, sir John Oldcastle,
that lately escaped out of the Tower?
Irish. Vat Lort Cobham?
May. You counterfeit this shall not serve you, we'll
torture you, we'll make you confesse where that arch-he-
2230retick is. Come bind him fast.
Irish. Ahone, ahone, ahone, a Cree.
Con. Ahone you crafty rascal?