Chapter XVIII: Act V: SCENE V. The same. A street

[Enter Constable, Mayor, and Watch.]

MAYOR. What? have you searched the town?

CONSTABLE. All the town, sir; we have not left a house unsearched that uses to lodge.

MAYOR. Surely, my lord of Rochester was then deceived, Or ill informed of sir John Old-castle, Or if he came this way he’s past the town. He could not else have scaped you in the search.

CONSTABLE. The privy watch hath been abroad all night, And not a stranger lodgeth in the town But he is known; only a lusty priest We found in bed with a pretty wench, That says she is his wife—yonder at the sheeres; But we have charged the host with his forth coming Tomorrow morning.

MAYOR. What think you best to do?

CONSTABLE. Faith, master mayor, here’s a few straggling houses beyond the bridge, and a little Inn where carriers use to lodge, though I think sure he would ne’er lodge there: but we’ll go search, & the rather, because there came notice to the town the last night of an Irish man, that had done a murder, whom we are to make search for.

MAYOR. Come, I pray you, and be circumspect.

[Exeunt.]

ACT V. SCENE VI. The same. Before the Carrier’s Inn. Enter Watch.

FIRST WATCH. First beset the house, before you begin the search.

SECOND WATCH. Content; every man take a several place.

[Here is heard a great noise within. Keep, keep, strike him down there, down with him]]

[Enter Constable with the Irish man in Harpoole’s apparel.]

CONSTABLE. Come, you villainous heretic, confess where your master is.

IRISHMAN. Vat mester?

MAYOR. Vat mester, you counterfeit rebel? this shall not serve your turn.

IRISHMAN. Be sent Patrick I ha no mester.

CONSTABLE. Where’s the lord Cobham, sir John Old-castle, that lately is escaped out of the Tower?

IRISHMAN. Vat lort Cobham?

MAYOR. You counterfeit, this shall not serve you; we’ll torture you, we’ll make you to confess where that arch-heretic, Lord Cobham, is: come, bind him fast.

IRISHMAN. Ahone, ahone, ahone, a Cree!

CONSTABLE. Ahone, you crafty rascal!

[Exeunt.]