hardly come out. Ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turn'd to a rusty armour. Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it. Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses, And, though it was mine own, part of mine heritage, With this strict charge (even as he left his life), 1 Fish. What mean you, sir? Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth, For it was sometime target to a king; I know it by this mark. He lov'd me dearly, And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's court And if that ever my low fortunes better, I'll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor. 1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? Per. I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms. 1 Fish. Why, do ye take it, and the gods give thee good on't! 2 Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolements, certain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had it. Per. Believe't, I will. • Armour for the arm. Now, by your furtherance, I am clothi'd in steel; Of a pair of basest. 2 Fish. We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself. Per. Then honour be but a goal to my will; This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill. SCENE II. [Exeunt. The same. A public way, or platform, leading to the lists. A pavilion by the side of it, for the reception of the King, Princess, Lords, &c. Enter Simonides, Thaisa, Lords, and Attendants. Sim. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? 1 Lord. They are, my liege; And stay your coming to present themselves. Sim. Return them, we are ready; and our In honour of whose birth these triumphs are, [Exit a Lord. • Keeping. + A kind of loose breeches. ti. e. Return them notice. 'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain The labour of each kuight, in his device*. Thai. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform. Enter a Knight; he passes over the stage, and his Squire presents his shield to the Princess. Sim. Who is the first that doth prefer + himself? Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father; And the device he bears upon his shield Is a black Ethiop, reaching at the sun; Sim. He loves you well, that holds his life of you. [The second Knight passes. Who is the second, that presents himself? Sim. And what's the third? The third, of Antioch; Thai. [The fourth Knight passes. Sim. What is the fourth? Thai. A burning torch, that's turned upside down: The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit. Sim. Which shows that beauty hath his power and will, Which can as well inflame, as it can kill. [The fifth Knight passes. Thai. The fifth, an hand environed with clouds; Holding out gold, that's by the touchstone tried; The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides. [The sixth Knight passes. * Emblem on a shield. The motto. + Offer. i. c. More by sweetness than by force. Sim. And what's the sixth and last, which the knight himself With such a graceful courtesy deliver❜d? Thai. He seems a stranger; but his present is A wither'd branch, that's only green at top; The motto, In hac spe vivo. Sim. A pretty moral; From the dejected state wherein he is, He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish. 1 Lord. He had need mean better than his outward show Can any way speak in his just commend : To have practis'd more the whipstock*, than the lance. 2 Lord. He well may be a stranger, for he comes To an honour'd triumph, strangely furnished. 3 Lord. And on set purpose let his armour rust, Until this day, to scour it in the dust. Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward man. But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw Into the gallery. [Exeunt. [Great shouts, and all cry, The mean knight ! SCENE III. The same. A hall of state.—Abanquet prepared. Enter Simonides, Thaisa, Lords, Knights, and Attendants. Sim. Knights, To say your welcome, were superfluous. Handle of a whip. ་ As in a title page, your worth in arms, You are my guests. Thai. But you, my knight and guest; To whom this wreath of victory I give, And crown you king of this day's happiness. Per. 'Tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit. o'the feast (For, daughter, so you are), here take your place : Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. Knights. We are honour'd much by good Simonides. Sim. Your presence glads our days; honour we love, For who hates honour, hates the gods above. Marsh. Sir, yond's your place. Per. Some other is more fit. 1 Knight. Contend not, sir; for we are gentlemen, That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes, Envy the great, nor do the low despise. Per. You are right courteous knights. Sit, sit, sir; sit. Sim. Thai. By Juno, that is queen Of marriage, all the viands that I eat Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat; Sim. A country gentleman; He's but i. e. These delicacies go against my stomach. |