Where meeting with an old religious man, Duke S. That have endured shrewd days and nights with us Play, music! And you, brides and bridegrooms all, Jaq. Sir, by your patience. If I heard you rightly, And thrown into neglect the pompous court? Jaq. To him will I out of these convertites [10 duke] You to your former honour I bequeath; 170 180 190 To Touch.] And you to wrangling; for thy loving voyage Is but for two months victuall'd. So, to your pleasures: I am for other than for dancing measures. Duke S. Stay, Jaques, stay. Jaq. To see no pastime I: what you would have I'll stay to know at your abandon'd cave. 200 [Exit. Duke S. Proceed, proceed we will begin these rites, As we do trust they'll end, in true delights. EPILOGUE. [A dance. Ros. It is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue; but it is no more unhandsome than to see the lord the prologue. If it be true that good wine needs no bush, 'tis true that a good play needs no epilogue; yet to good wine they do use good bushes, and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues. What a case am I in then, that am neither a good epilogue nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play! I am not furnished like a beggar, therefore to beg will not become me my way is to conjure you; and I'll begin with the women. I charge you, O women, for the love you bear to men, to like as much of this play as please you and I charge you, O men, for the love you bear to women-as I perceive by your simpering, none of you hates them-that between you and the women the play may please. If I were a woman I would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me, complexions that liked me and breaths that I defied not: and, I am sure, as many as have good beards or good faces or sweet breaths will, for my kind offer, when I make curtsy, bid me farewell. [Exeunt. SCENE I. Before an ale house on a heath. Enter HOSTESS and SLY. Sly. I'll pheeze you, in faith. Host. A pair of stocks, you rogue! Sly. Ye are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues; look in the chronicles; we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore paucus pallabris; let the world slide: sessa! Host. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst? Sly. No, not a denier. Go by, Jeronimy: go to thy cold bed, and warm thee. 10 Host. I know my remedy; I must go fetch the thirdborough. [Exit. Sly. Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him by law: I'll not budge an inch, boy: let him come, and kindly. [Falls asleep. Horns winded. Enter a Lord from hunting, with his train. Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: Trash Merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd; And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach. At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? I would not lose the dog for twenty pound. First Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord; He cried upon it at the merest loss And twice to day pick'd out the dullest scent: Trust me, I take him for the better dog. Lord. Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet, I would esteem him worth a dozen such. But sup them well and look unto them all : First Hun. I will, my lord. 20 30 Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe? Sec. Hun. He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd with ale, This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. Lord. O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies! Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, 40 First Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose. Sec. Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he waked. Lord. Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy. Then take him up and manage well the jest: Carry him gently to my fairest chamber And hang it round with all my wanton pictures: And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet : Say "What is it your honour will command?” Full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers; And say "Will't please your lordship cool your hands? And ask him what apparel he will wear; 50 60 Another tell him of his hounds and horse, It will be pastime passing excellent, If he be husbanded with modesty. First Hun. My lord, I warrant you we will play our part, As he shall think by our true diligence He is no less than what we say he is. Lord. Take him up gently and to bed with him; And each one to his office when he wakes. 70 [Some bear out Sly. A trumpet sounds. Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds: [Exit Servingman. Belike, some noble gentleman that means, How now! who is it? An't please your honour, players That offer service to your lordship. Enter Players. Now, fellows, you are welcome. Players. We thank your honour. Lord. Do you intend to stay with me to-night? A Player. So please your lordship to accept our duty. Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son: "Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well: I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd. A Player. I think 'twas Soto that your honour means. Well, you are come to me in happy time; 80 90 |