Const.  Our parson ran away too, when they cried out the devil!

Lov.  He was the wiser; for if the devil had come indeed, he has preached so long against him, it would have gone hard with him.

Set.  Indeed, I have always observed parsons to be more fearful of the devil than other people.

Lov.  Oh, the devil’s the spirit, and the parson’s the flesh; and betwixt those two there must be a war; yet, to do them both right, I think in my conscience they quarrel only like lawyers for their fees, and meet good friends in private, to laugh at their clients.

Const.  I saw him run in at my cousin Isabella’s chamber door, which was wide open; I believe she’s returned:  We’ll fetch a light from the gallery, and give her joy.

Lov.  Why, is she married, madam?

Const.  I’ll tell you as we go. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

BURR and the Parson enter, meeting in the dark.

Burr.  My lady Constance, are you come again?  That’s well; I have waited sufficiently for you in the dark.

Par.  Help, help, help, good Christian people! the devil, the devil’s here.

Burr.  ’Tis I, madam; what do you mean?

Par.  Avoid, Satan! avoid, avoid.

Burr.  What have I here, the hairy woman?

Enter LOVEBY, and CONSTANCE with the light.

Ha! yonder’s my lady Constance! who have I got? a stone priest, by this good light.  How’s this, Loveby too!

Lov.  Burr a-beating my reverend clergy?  What makes you here at this unseasonable hour?  I’ll know your business. [Draws.

Burr.  Will you, sir? [They fight.

Const.  Set.  Par.  Help, murder, murder!

Enter, at one door, TRICE drunk, with the Watch; BIBBER and FRANCES following; at the other, NONSUCH and Servants, and FAILER.

Non.  Murder, murder! beat down their weapons.  Will you murder Sir Timorous, Mr Loveby?—­[They disarm both.] Sir Timorous?—­ha, Burr!  Thieves, thieves!—­sit down, good Mr Justice, and take their examinations.  Now I shall know how my money went.

Trice.  They shall have justice, I warrant them. [Goes to sit, and misses the chair.

Bib.  The justice is almost dead drunk, my lord.

Fran.  But an’t please your worship, my lord, this is not the worst sight that we have seen here to-night in your worship’s house; we met three or four hugeous ugly devils, with eyes like saucers, that threw down my husband, that threw down me, that made my heart so panck ever since, as they say!—­

Non.  The devil again in my house?

Lov.  Nay, here he was, that’s certain; he brought me hither, I know not how myself, and married me; Mr Setstone there can justify it:  But the best is, I have a charm about me, that will lay him yet ere midnight.