Dennis.  But howe the Devill Gott hee into our porch? that woonders mee.

Fr. R.  I fownd a ladder theire.

Den.  The same I left.

Fr. R.  Gott him upon my shoolders and by that Conveighd him back and left him in that porch, Wheare, as it seemes, you fownd him.

Av.  This troblinge us, it drove us to newe plotts. 
We arm’d the Fryar, accoutred as you sawe,
Mounted him on a stallion, lock’t him fast
Into the saddle, turn’d him forthe the gates
To trye a second fortune.

Fr. R.  Just at the tyme When, I beeinge mounted on the baker’s mare, The gates weare sett wyde ope for mee to fly.

Abb.  So that it seemes one beast pursuide the tother, And not the dead Fryar Richard.

Av.  Howsoever,
As one repentant for my rashnes past,
And loathe to Imbrewe mee in more Innocent blood,
I fyrst confesse my servant’s guilt and myne,
Acquitt the Fryar, and yeeld our persons upp
To the full satisfaction of the lawe.

    Enter the Lady Averne and her maid Mellesent.

Lady.  Which, noble Sir, the Kinge thus mittigates: 
See, I have heare your pardon.  In the tyme
That you weare ceas’d with this deepe melancholly
And inward sorrowe for a sinne so fowle,
My self in person posted to the Kinge
(In progresse not farr off), to him related
The passadge of your busines, neather rose I
From off my knees till hee had signd to this.

Av.  Th’hast doon the offyce of a noble wyfe. 
His grace I’l not despyse, nor thy great love
Ever forgett, and iff way may bee fownd
To make least satisfaction to the dead,
I’l doo’t in vowed repentance.

Abb.  Which our prayers In all our best devotions shall assist.

Ashb.  All ours, great Syr, to boote.

Av.  Wee knowe you well and thanke you.

Ashb.  But must nowe
Forsake this place, which wee shall ever blesse
For the greate good that wee have fownd therein,
And hence remoove for England.

Av.  Not beefore
All your successfull Joyes wee heare related
To comfort our late sorrowes; to which purpose
Wee invite you and your frends to feast with us. 
That granted, we will see you safe aboord: 
And as wee heare rejoyce in your affayers,
Forget not us in England in your prayers.

[Exeunt.

FINIS.

INTRODUCTION TO THE COSTLIE WHORE.

The Costlie Whore, though not of the highest rarity, is a scarce play.  It has never been reprinted, and thoroughly deserves on its own merits a place in the present collection.  The conduct of the story is simple and straight-forward; the interest is well sustained; and the poetry has all the freshness and glow of youth.