Wind Horns. Enter a Lord from Hunting, with Huntsmen and Servants. Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: Brach Merriman, the poor cur is embossed,1 1 Hunt. Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord; He cried upon it at the merest loss, And twice to-day picked out the dullest scent. 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; 1 Hunt. I will, my lord. Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe? 2 Hunt. He breathes, my lord. warmed with ale, Were he not 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! And brave attendants near him when he wakes; 1 Hunt. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose. 1 "Embossed," says Philips, in his World of Words, "is a term in hunting, when a deer is so hard chased that she foams at the mouth; it comes from the Spanish desembocar, and is metaphorically used for any kind of weariness." 2 Brach originally signified a particular species of dog used for the chase. It was a long-eared dog, hunting by the scent. 2 Hunt. 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:- And hang it round with all my wanton pictures: Say, What is it your honor will command? Let one attend him with a silver basin, Full of rose-water, and bestrewed with flowers; And say,-Will't please your lordship cool your hands? Some one be ready with a costly suit, It will be pastime passing excellent, If it be husbanded with modesty.2 1 Hunt. My lord, I warrant you, we'll 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. [Some bear out SLY. A trumpet sounds. Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds: [Exit Servant. Belike, some noble gentleman, that means, Re-enter a Servant. How now? who is it? Serv. An it please your honor, Players that offer service to your lordship. Enter Players. Now, fellows, you are welcome. 1 Play. We thank your honor. Lord. Do you intend to stay with me to-night? Since once he played a farmer's eldest son ;- 1 Play. I think 'twas Soto that your honor means. 2 1 It was in old times customary for players to travel in companies, and offer their service at great houses. 2 The old copy prefixes the name of Sincklo to this line, who was an actor in the same company with Shakspeare. Soto is a character in Beaumont and Fletcher's Woman Pleased; he is a farmer's eldest son, but he does not woo any gentlewoman. 1 Play. Fear not, my lord; we can contain our selves, Were he the veriest antic in the world.1 Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery,2 [Exeunt Servants and Players. Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew my page, [To a Servant. And see him dressed in all suits like a lady: That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber, And call him-Madam, do him obeisance. Tell him from me (as he will win my love) He bear himself with honorable action, Such as he hath observed in noble ladies Unto their lords, by them accomplished. Such duty to the drunkard let him do, With soft, low tongue, and lowly courtesy; And say,-What is't your honor will command, Wherein your lady and your humble wife May show her duty, and make known her love? And then-with kind embracements, tempting kisses, And with declining head into his bosom,— Bid him shed tears, as being overjoyed To see her noble lord restored to health, 3 Who, for twice seven years, hath esteemed him1 No better than a poor and loathsome beggar. And if the boy have not a woman's gift, 1 In the old play the dialogue is thus continued:- "San. [To the other.] Go get a dishclout to make cleyne your shooes, and Ile speak for the properties. [Exit Player.] My lord, we must have a shoulder of mutton for a property, and a little vinegre to make our divell roar." 2 Pope remarks, in his preface to Shakspeare, that "the top of the profession were then mere players, not gentlemen of the stage; they were led into the buttery, not placed at the lord's table, or the lady's toilet." 3 The old copy reads this. The emendation is Theobald's. 4 Him is used for himself, as in Chapman's Banquet of Sense, 1595:"The sense wherewith he feels him deified." Shall in despite enforce a watery eye. [Exit Servant. I know the boy will well usurp the grace, I long to hear him call the drunkard husband; Which otherwise would grow into extremes. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Bedchamber in the Lord's House. SLY is discovered in a rich night-gown, with Attendants; some with apparel, others with basin, ewer, and other appurtenances. Enter Lord, dressed like a Servant.' Sly. For God's sake, a pot of small ale. 1 Serv. Will't please your lordship drink a cup of sack? 2 Serv. Will't please your honor taste of these conserves? 3 Serv. What raiment will your honor wear to-day? Sly. I am Christophero Sly; call not me-honor, nor lordship; I never 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 backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet; nay, sometimes, more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the over-leather. Lord. Heaven cease this idle humor in your honor! From the original stage direction in the first folio, it appears that Sly and the other persons mentioned in the Induction were intended to be exhibited here, and during the representation of the comedy, in a balcony above the stage. |