But shaking their heads, they go their ways speaking; I mark how with tears their wet eyes are leaking: Some strangeness there is, that breedeth this musing. Well, I will to my masters, and tell of their using, That they may learn, and walk wisely together: I fear we shall curse the time we came hither. [_Exit._ _Here entereth_ ARISTIPPUS _and_ WILL. ARISTIPPUS. Will, didst thou hear the ladies so talk of me? What aileth them? from their nips[39] shall I never be free? WILL. Good faith, sir, all the ladies in the court do plainly report, That without mention of them you can make no sport: They are your plain-song to sing descant upon;[40] If they were not, your mirth were gone. Therefore, master, jest no more with women in any wise, If you do, by Cock, you are like to know the price. ARISTIPPUS. By’r Lady, Will, this is good counsel: plainly to jest Of women, proof hath taught me is not the best: I will change my copy, howbeit I care not a quinch,[41] I know the gall’d horse will soonest winch: But learn thou secretly how privily they talk Of me in the court: among them slyly walk, And bring me true news thereof. WILL. I will, sir master, thereof have no doubt, for I Where they talk of you will inform you perfectly. ARISTIPPUS. Do so, my boy: if thou bring it finely to pass, For thy good service thou shalt go in thine old coat at Christmas. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ DAMON, PITHIAS, STEPHANO. DAMON. Stephano, is all this true that thou hast told me? STEPHANO. Sir, for lies hitherto ye never controll’d me. O, that we had never set foot on this land, Where Dionysius reigns with so bloody a hand! Every day he showeth some token of cruelty, With blood he hath filled all the streets in the city: I tremble to hear the people’s murmuring, I lament to see his most cruel dealing: I think there is no such tyrant under the sun. O, my dear masters, this morning what hath he done! DAMON. What is that? tell us quickly. STEPHANO. As I this morning pass’d in the street, With a woful man (going to his death) did I meet, Many people followed, and I of one secretly Asked the cause, why he was condemned to die? [Who] whispered in mine ear, nought hath he done but thus, In his sleep he dreamed he had killed Dionysius:[42] Which dream told abroad, was brought to the king in post, By whom, condemned for suspicion, his life he hath lost. Marcia was his name, as the people said. PITHIAS. My dear friend Damon, I blame not Stephano For wishing we had not come hither, seeing it is so, That for so small cause such cruel death doth ensue.