Enter LOVEBY solus, in the dark, his sword drawn, groping out his way.

Lov.  This is the time and place he pointed me, and ’tis certainly the devil I am to meet; for no mortal creature could have that kindness for me, to supply my necessities as he has done, nor could have done it in so strange a manner.  He told me he was a scholar, and had been a parson in the fanatic’s times:  a shrewd suspicion it was the devil; or at least a limb of him.  If the devil can send churchmen on his errands, lord have mercy on the laity!  Well, let every man speak as he finds, and give the devil his due; I think him a very honest and well-natured fellow; and if I hear any man speak ill of him, except it be a parson, that gets his living by it, I wear a sword at his service.  Yet, for all this, I do not much care to see him.  He does not mean to hook me in for my soul, does he?  If he does, I shall desire to be excused.  But what a rogue am I, to suspect a person, that has dealt so much like a gentleman by me!  He comes to bring me money, and would do it handsomely, that it might not be perceived.  Let it be as ’twill, I’ll seem to trust him; and, then, if he have any thing of a gentleman in him, he wills corn to deceive me, as much as I would to cozen him, if I were the devil, and he Jack Loveby.

Enter FAILER at the other end of the stage.

Fail.  What will become of me to-night!  I am just in the condition of an out-lying deer, that’s beaten from his walk for offering to rut.  Enter I dare not, for Burr.

Lov.  I hear a voice, but nothing do I see.  Speak, what thou art?

Fail.  There he is, watching for me.  I must venture to run by him; and, when I am in, I hope my cousin Trice will defend me.  The devil would not lie abroad in such a night.

Lov.  I thought it was the devil, before he named himself.

[FAILER goes to run off, and falls into LOVEBY’S arms.

Lov.  Honest Satan, well encountered!  I am sorry, with all my heart, it is so dark.  ’Faith, I should be very glad to see thee at my lodging; pr’ythee, let’s not be such strangers to one another for the time to come.  And what hast thou got under thy cloak there, little Satan?  I warrant thou hast brought me some more money.

Fail.  Help, help; thieves! thieves!

[LOVEBY lets him go.

Lov.  This is Failer’s voice:  How the devil was I mistaken!  I must get off, ere company comes in.

[Exit Loveby.

Fail.  Thieves! thieves!

Enter Trice, Burr, and Timorous, undressed.

All.  Where! where!

Fail.  One was here just now; and it should be Loveby by his voice, but I have no witness.

Trice.  It cannot be; he wants no money.

Burr.  Come, sirrah; I’ll take pity on you to-night:  You shall lie in the truckle-bed.