Duke S. If there be truth in sight, you are my daughter Why then, my love adieu ! Ros. I'll have no father, if you be not he: I'll have no husband, if you be not he Nor ne'er wed woman, if you be not she. Hym. Peace, ho! I bar confusion : 'Tis I must make conclusion Of these most strange events: If truth holds true contents. How thus we met, and these things finish. SONG. Wedding is great Juno's crown : Duke S. O my dear niece, welcome thou art to me! Phe. I will not eat my word, now thou art mine; Thy faith my fancy to thee doth combine. Enter JAQUES DE BOYS. Jaq de B. Let me have audience for a word or two: That bring these tidings to this fair assembly. 130 140 150 100 Where meeting with an old religious man, 170 That have endured shrewd days and nights with us 180 Shall share the good of our returned fortune, Play, music! And you, brides and bridegrooms all, And thrown into neglect the pompous court? Jaq. de B. He hath. Jaq. To him will I out of these convertites There is much matter to be heard and learn'd. [10 duke] You to your former honour I bequeath; [To Orl.] You to a love that your true faith doth merit: 190 To Touch.] And you to wrangling; for thy loving voyage Jaq. To see no pastime I: what you would have 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. [Exrt. 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; And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent: Lord. Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet, I would esteem him worth a dozen such. First Hun. I will, my lord. 29 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? Some one be ready with a costly suit And ask him what apparel he will wear; 50 60 |