Page 1744 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

truncheoners draw to her succour, which were the hope o’th’Strand, where
she was quartered. [50] They fell on; I made good my place. At length they
came to th’broomstaff to me; I defied ’em still; when suddenly a file of boys
behind ’em, loose shot, delivered such a shower of pebbles that I was fain to

draw mine honour in, and let ’em win the work. The [55] devil was amongst
’em, I think, surely.

PORTER
These are the youths that thunder at a playhouse, and fight for bitten apples,
that no audience but the tribulation of Tower Hill or the limbs of Limehouse,

their dear brothers, are able to endure. I have some of [60] ’em in Limbo
Patrum, and there they are like to dance these three days, besides the
running banquet of two beadles that is to come.

Enter the Lord Chamberlain

CHAMBERLAIN
Mercy o’me, what a multitude are here!

They grow still, too; from all parts they are coming, [65]
As if we kept a fair here: where are these porters,
These lazy knaves? You’ve made a fine hand, fellows!
There’s a trim rabble let in: are all these
Your faithful friends o’th’suburbs? We shall have

Great store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies, [70]
When they pass back from the christening.

PORTER
And’t please your honour,
We are but men, and what so many may do,

Not being torn a-pieces, we have done.
An army cannot rule ’em.

CHAMBERLAIN
As I live,
If the King blame me for’t, I’ll lay ye all [75]
By th’heels, and suddenly; and on your heads

Clap round fines for neglect: y’are lazy knaves,
And here ye lie baiting of bombards, when