Horns winded. Enter a Lord trom hunting, with his train. Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: Brach Merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd; 15 And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach. Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? I would not lose the dog for twenty pound. He cried upon it at the merest loss And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent: First Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord; 20 Trust me, I take him for the better dog. Lord. Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet, 25 I would esteem him worth a dozen such. But sup them well and look unto them all: First Hun. I will, my lord. 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, 30 This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. Lord. O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man. 35 Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself? First Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose. 40 14. Ff Q. SCENE II. Pope. 15. Brach] Leech Hanmer. Bathe Johnson conj. Breathe Mitford conj. Brace Becket conj. Trash Singer. Brach......emboss'd;] (Brach Merriman, the poor cur, is emboss'd,) Grant White. Brach, Merriman, the 30, 31. Printed as prose in Ff Q, 37. bed side Anon. conj. Sec. Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he Lord. Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy. Carry him gently to my fairest chamber And hang it round with all my wanton pictures: Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet: 45 50 Say 'What is it your honour will command?' Let one attend him with a silver basin Full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers; Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, 55 And say 'Will't please your lordship cool your hands?' Some one be ready with a costly suit And ask him what apparel he will wear; Another tell him of his hounds and horse, And that his lady mourns at his disease: 60 And when he says he is, say that he dreams, For he is nothing but a mighty lord. This do and do it kindly, gentle sirs: It will be pastime passing excellent, If it be husbanded with modesty. First Hun. My lord, I warrant you we will play our 65 70 Lord. Take him up gently and to bed with him; And each one to his office when he wakes. [Some bear out Sly. A trumpet sounds. Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds: [Exit Servingman. Belike, some noble gentleman that means, 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. 80 Lord. With all my heart. This fellow I remember, 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. Lord. 'Tis very true: thou didst it excellent. Well, you are come to me in happy time; 71. [Some bear out Sly.] Theobald. om. Ff Q. A trumpet sounds.] Sound trumpets. Ff Q. An it...Players that Malone. 76. That offer] That come to offer 85. fitted] fit S. Walker conj. 85 90 Lest over-eyeing of his odd behaviour,— For yet his honour never heard a play, You break into some merry passion And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs, If you should smile he grows impatient. A Player. Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antic in the world. Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, And give them friendly welcome every one: Let them want nothing that my house affords. [Exit one with the Players. Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page, 95 100 105 IIO And say, 'What is't your honour will command, May show her duty and make known her love?' 115 To see her noble lord restored to health, 120 An onion will do well for such a shift, Which in a napkin being close convey'd Shall in despite enforce a watery eye. See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst: 125 Anon I'll give thee more instructions. [Exit a Servingman. I know the boy will well usurp the grace, Voice, gait and action of a gentlewoman: 130 I long to hear him call the drunkard husband, And how my men will stay themselves from laughter May well abate the over-merry spleen Which otherwise would grow into extremes. 135 [Exeunt. SCENE II. A bedchamber in the Lord's house. Enter aloft SLY, with Attendants; some with apparel, others with basin and ewer and other appurtenances, and Lord. Sly. For God's sake, a pot of small ale. First Serv. Will't please your lordship drink a cup of Sec. Serv. Will't please your honour taste of these Third Serv. What raiment will your honour wear to-day? Sly. I am Christophero Sly; call not me 'honour' nor 'lordship:' I ne'er drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef: ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear; for I have no more doublets than 125. being...convey'd] (being...con- Play: and, in another Part, a Bed; vei'd) Ff Q. 133. peasant.] Johnson. peasant, Ff Q. peasant; Rowe. 135. the] their Collier (Collier MS.). SCENE II.] Capell. SCENE IV. Pope. Enter aloft SLY...] Enter aloft the drunkard... Ff Q. A stately Room in the Lord's House: In it a Stage and other Appurtenances, for the SLY, in a rich Night-dress, sitting on 1. Sly.] Beg. Ff Q, and elsewhere 5. Christophero] Christopher Warburton. 5 |