A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 09
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 09
English drama
FUL. Here's right the dunghill cock that finds a pearl.
To talk of wit to these, is as a man
Should cast out jewels to a herd of swine--[_aside_.]
Why, in the last words did consist the jest.
O. LUS. Ay, in the last words? ha, ha, ha!
It was an excellent admired jest--
To them that understood it.
_Enter_ YOUNG MASTER ARTHUR, _with two cups of wine_.
JUS. It was, indeed; I must, for fashion's sake,
Say as they say; but otherwise, O, God! [_Aside_.
Good Master Arthur, thanks for our good cheer.
Y. ART. Gentlemen, welcome all; now hear me speak--
One special cause that mov'd me lead you hither,
Is for an ancient grudge that hath long since
Continued 'twixt my modest wife and me:
The wrongs that I have done her I recant.
In either hand I hold a sev'ral cup,
This in the right hand, wife, I drink to thee,
This in the left hand, pledge me in this draught,
Burying all former hatred; so, have to thee. [_He drinks_.
MRS ART. The welcom'st pledge that yet I ever took:
Were this wine poison, or did taste like gall,
The honey-sweet condition of your draught
Would make it drink like nectar: I will pledge you,
Were it the last that I should ever drink.
Y. ART. Make that account: thus, gentlemen, you see
Our late discord brought to a unity.
AMIN. _Ecce, quam bonum et quam jucundum
Est habitare fratres in unum_.
O. ART. My heart doth taste the sweetness of your pledge,
And I am glad to see this sweet accord.
O. LUS. Glad, quotha? there's not one among'st us,
But may be exceeding glad.
JUS. I am, ay, marry, am I, that I am.
Y. LUS. The best accord that could betide their loves.
ANS. The worst accord that could betide my love.
[_All about to rise_.
AMIN: What, rising, gentles? keep your place,
I will close up your stomachs with a grace;
_O Domine et care Pater_,
That giv'st us wine instead of water;
And from the pond and river clear
Mak'st nappy ale and good March beer;
That send'st us sundry sorts of meat,
And everything we drink or eat;
To maids, to wives, to boys, to men,
_Laus Deo Sancto_, Amen.
Y. ART. So, much good do ye all, and, gentlemen,
Accept your welcomes better than your cheer.
O. LUS. Nay, so we do, I'll give you thanks for all.
Come, Master Justice, you do walk our way,
And Master Arthur, and old Hugh your man;
We'll be the first [that] will strain courtesy.
JUS. God be with you all!
[_Exeunt_ O. ART., O. LUS., _and_ JUS. REASON.
AMIN. _Proximus ego sum_, I'll be the next,
And man you home; how say you, lady?
Y. ART. I pray you do, good Sir Aminadab.
MRS MA. Sir, if it be not too much trouble to you,
Let me entreat that kindness at your hands.
AMIN. Entreat! fie! no, sweet lass, command;
_Sic_, so, _nunc_, now, take the upper hand.
[_Exit_ MRS MARY _escorted by_ AMINADAB.
Y. ART. Come, wife, this meeting was all for our sakes:
I long to see the force my poison takes. [_Aside_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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