FATHER. What trade then, I pray thee, shall I devise, Whereof thy living at length may arise? Wilt thou follow warfare, and a soldier be 'ppointed, And so among Troyans and Romans be numbered? SON. See ye not, masters, my father's advice? Have ye the like at any time heard? To will me thereto he is not wise, If my years and strength he did regard; Ye speak worse and worse, whatsoever ye say; This manner of life is not a good way, For no kind of office can me please, Which is subject to wounds and strokes always. FATHER. Somewhat to do it is meet and convenient; Wilt thou then give thy diligent endeavour To let thy youth unhonestly be spent, And do as poor knaves, which jaxes[311] do scour? For I do not see that any good art, Or else any honest science or occupation, Thou wilt be content to have a part, After thy father's mind and exhortation. SON. Ha, ha, ha, ha, labour in very deed! God send him that life which stands in need: There be many fathers that children have, And yet not make the worst of them a slave, Might not you of yourself be well ashamed. Which would have your son thither constrained? FATHER. I would not have thee driven to that succour, Yet for because the scriptures declare, That he should not eat, which will not labour, Some work to do it must be thy care. SON. Father, it is but a folly with you to strive, But yet notwithstanding I hope to thrive. FATHER. That this thine intent may take good success, I pray God heartily of his goodness. SON. Well, well, shall I in few words rehearse What thing doth most my conscience pierce. FATHER. Therewith I am, son, very well contented. SON. Yea, but I think that ye will not be pleased. FATHER. Indeed, peradventure it may so chance. SON. Nay, but I pray ye, without any perchance, Shall not my request turn to your grievance? FATHER. If it be just and lawful, which thou dost require. SON. Both just and lawful, have ye no fear. FATHER. Now therefore ask; what is thy petition? SON. Lo, this it is, without further dilation;[312] For so much as all young men for this my beauty, As the moon the stars, I do far excel, Therefore out of hand[313] with all speed possibly To have a wife, methink, would do well, For now I am young, lively, and lusty, And welcome besides to all men's company. FATHER. Good Lord, good Lord, what do I hear? SON. Is this your beginning to perform my desire? FATHER. Alas! my child, what meaneth thy doting? Why dost thou covet thy own undoing? SON (_Aside_). I know not in the world how to do the thing, That to his stomach may be delighting. FATHER. Why, foolish idiot, thou goest about a wife, Which is a burthen and yoke all thy life. SON. Admit she shall as a burthen with me remain, Yet will I take one, if your good-will I attain. FATHER. Son, it shall not be thus, by my counsel. SON. I trust ye will not me otherwise compel. FATHER. If thou were as wise as I have judged thee, Thou wouldest in this case be ruled by me.