Page:Devonshire Characters and Strange Events.djvu/859

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GEORGE PEELE
733

use of his daughter. But, sir, if you will go along with me to the gentleman's house you shall have your lute. Had you not come to reclaim it I assure you I would have sent it to you; for you must understand that all that was done at Brentford among us mad gentlemen was but a jest."

Then Peele said to Barber Anthony, "I really am not in a fit costume to appear in a gentleman's house. I pray you let me have your cloak and hat, and you put on my green jerkin and the Spanish hat. I doubt, accoutred as I am, that I would be allowed admittance." The barber agreed, and changed garments with Peele, who led him to an alderman's house, and knocked at the door, and asked to see the master. Peele was well known there as master of the revels and overseer of the pageants, and was readily admitted.

"Porter," said he, "let my friend remain with you till I have done my business with the master."

"Certainly," said the porter, "and he shall take a small dinner with me."

Peele was shown into the alderman's room, and he said to him, "I want you to do me a favour. There is a bum-bailiff in your hall, who has me under arrest for a little sum. Allow me to slip out at your garden door unperceived." The alderman laughed and consented. So Peele evaded in the cloak and hat of the barber, who failed to get them as well as his lute.

Here is a specimen of manners in the reign of Elizabeth. Peele was invited to supper at the White House in Friday Street, London, by some of his friends. On his way he met an old comrade who was "down on his luck" and had not a shilling wherewith to get his supper.

"I wish that I could take you with me, but I cannot,"