No More Learning

BEGGAR I'll tell you:
He has the very hardest heart on earth;
I had as lief turn to the Friar's school
And knock for entrance, in mid holiday.


MARMADUKE But to your story.


BEGGAR I was saying, Sir--
Well! --he has often spurned me like a toad,
But yesterday was worse than all;--at last
I overtook him, Sirs, my Babe and I,
And begged a little aid for charity:
But he was snappish as a cottage cur.
Well then, says I--I'll out with it; at which
I cast a look upon the Girl, and felt
As if my heart would burst; and so I left him.


OSWALD I think, good Woman, you are the very person
Whom, but some few days past, I saw in Eskdale,
At Herbert's door.


BEGGAR Ay; and if truth were known
I have good business there.


OSWALD I met you at the threshold,
And he seemed angry.


BEGGAR Angry! well he might;
And long as I can stir I'll dog him. --Yesterday,
To serve me so, and knowing that he owes
The best of all he has to me and mine.
But 'tis all over now. --That good old Lady
Has left a power of riches; and I say it,
If there's a lawyer in the land, the knave
Shall give me half.


OSWALD What's this? --I fear, good Woman,
You have been insolent.
BEGGAR And there's the Baron,
I spied him skulking in his peasant's dress.


OSWALD How say you? in disguise? --


MARMADUKE But what's your business
With Herbert or his Daughter?


BEGGAR Daughter! truly--
But how's the day? --I fear, my little Boy,
We've overslept ourselves. --Sirs, have you seen him?
[Offers to go. ]


MARMADUKE I must have more of this;--you shall not stir
An inch, till I am answered. Know you aught
That doth concern this Herbert?


BEGGAR You are provoked,
And will misuse me, Sir!


MARMADUKE No trifling, Woman! --


OSWALD You are as safe as in a sanctuary;
Speak.


MARMADUKE Speak!


BEGGAR He is a most hard-hearted Man.