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Enter Beggar, CHRISTOPHERO SLY,
and HOSTESS.
SLY
1 I'll pheeze you, in faith.
Hostess
2 A pair of stocks, you rogue!
SLY
3 Ye are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues;
4 look in the chronicles; we came in with
5 Richard Conqueror. Therefore paucas
6 pallabris; let the world slide. Sessa!
Hostess
7 You will not pay for the glasses you have
8 burst?
SLY
9 No, not a denier. Go by, Jeronimy: go to
10 thy cold bed, and warm thee.
Hostess
11 I know my remedy; I must go fetch the
12 third-borough.
SLY
13 Third, or fourth, or fift borough, I'll answer him
14 by law: I'll not budge an inch, boy: let him come,
15 and kindly.
** Wind horns. Enter a LORD from hunting,
with his TRAIN.
Lord
16 Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds:
17 Brach Merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd;
18 And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach.
19 Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good
20 At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault?
21 I would not lose the dog for twenty pound.
First Huntsman
22 Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord;
23 He cried upon it at the merest loss
24 And twice today pick'd out the dullest scent:
25 Trust me, I take him for the better dog.
Lord
26 Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet,
27 I would esteem him worth a dozen such.
28 But sup them well and look unto them all:
29 tomorrow I intend to hunt again.
First Huntsman
30 I will, my lord.
Lord
31 What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe?
Second Huntsman
32 He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd with ale,
33 This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly.
Lord
34 O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies!
35 Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!
36 Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man.
37 What think you, if he were convey'd to bed,
38 Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers,
39 A most delicious banquet by his bed,
40 And brave attendants near him when he wakes,
41 Would not the beggar then forget himself?
First Huntsman
42 Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.
Second Huntsman
43 It would seem strange unto him when he waked.
Lord
44 Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy.
45 Then take him up and manage well the jest:
46 Carry him gently to my fairest chamber
47 And hang it round with all my wanton pictures:
48 Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters
49 And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet:
50 Procure me music ready when he wakes,
51 To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound;
52 And if he chance to speak, be ready straight
53 And with a low submissive reverence
54 Say "What is it your honor will command?"
55 Let one attend him with a silver basin
56 Full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers,
57 Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper,
58 And say "Will't please your lordship cool your hands?"
59 Some one be ready with a costly suit
60 And ask him what apparel he will wear;
61 Another tell him of his hounds and horse,
62 And that his lady mourns at his disease:
63 Persuade him that he hath been lunatic;
64 And when he says he is, say that he dreams,
65 For he is nothing but a mighty lord.
66 This do and do it kindly, gentle sirs:
67 It will be pastime passing excellent,
68 If it be husbanded with modesty.
First Huntsman
69 My lord, I warrant you we will play our part,
70 As he shall think by our true diligence
71 He is no less than what we say he is.
Lord
72 Take him up gently and to bed with him;
73 And each one to his office when he wakes.
[Some bear out Sly.] Sound trumpets.
74 Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds: 75 Belike, some noble gentleman that means, 76 Travelling some journey, to repose him here. 77 How now! who is it?
Servant
77 An't please your honor, players
78 That offer service to your lordship.
79 Now, fellows, you are welcome.
Players
80 We thank your honor.
Lord
81 Do you intend to stay with me tonight?
A Player
82 So please your lordship to accept our duty.
Lord
83 With all my heart. This fellow I remember,
84 Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son:
85 'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well:
86 I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part
87 Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd.
A Player
88 I think 'twas Soto that your honor means.
Lord
89 'Tis very true: thou didst it excellent.
90 Well, you are come to me in a happy time;
91 The rather for I have some sport in hand
92 Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
93 There is a lord will hear you play tonight:
94 But I am doubtful of your modesties;
95 Lest over-eyeing of his odd behavior,
96 For yet his honor never heard a play
97 You break into some merry passion
98 And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs,
99 If you should smile he grows impatient.
A Player
100 Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves,
101 Were he the veriest antic in the world.
Lord
102 Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery,
103 And give them friendly welcome every one:
104 Let them want nothing that my house affords.
105 Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page,106 And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady:107 That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber;108 And call him "madam," do him obeisance.109 Tell him from me, as he will win my love,110 He bear himself with honorable action,111 Such as he hath observed in noble ladies112 Unto their lords, by them accomplished:113 Such duty to the drunkard let him do114 With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy,115 And say "What is't your honor will command,116 Wherein your lady and your humble wife117 May show her duty and make known her love?"118 And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses,119 And with declining head into his bosom,120 Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd121 To see her noble lord restored to health,122 Who for this seven years hath esteem'd him123 No better than a poor and loathsome beggar:124 And if the boy have not a woman's gift125 To rain a shower of commanded tears,126 An onion will do well for such a shift,127 Which in a napkin being close convey'd128 Shall in despite enforce a watery eye.129 See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst:130 Anon I'll give thee more instructions.131 I know the boy will well usurp the grace,132 Voice, gait and action of a gentlewoman:133 I long to hear him call the drunkard husband,134 And how my men will stay themselves from laughter135 When they do homage to this simple peasant.136 I'll in to counsel them; haply my presence137 May well abate the over-merry spleen138 Which otherwise would grow into extremes.
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