+Pet.+ I have been forcing my brain to the composition of a few verses, in the behalf of your entertainment, and I never knew them flow so dully from me before: an exorcist would have conjured you up half-a-dozen spirits in the space. +Leo.+ Indeed, I heard you make a fearful noise, as if you had been in travail with some strange monster. +Pet.+ But I have brought them out at last, I thank Minerva, and without the help of a midwife. +Ant.+ Reach me a chair: I'll sit down, and read them for you. +Leo.+ You read them! +Ant.+ Yes, but I'll put on my optics first. Look you, these were Hannibal's spectacles. +Duke.+ Why, did Hannibal wear spectacles? +Ant.+ Yes; after he grew dim with dust in following the camp, he wore spectacles. Reach me the paper. +Leo.+ No; an author must recite his own works. +Ant.+ Then I'll sit and sleep. +Leo.+ Read on, signior. +Pet.+ They were made to show how welcome you are to me. +Duke.+ Read them out. +Pet.+ _As welcome as the gentry's to the town, After a long and hard vacation: As welcome as a toss'd ship's to a harbour, Health to the sick, or a cast suit to a barber: Or as a good new play is to the times, When they have long surfeited with base rhymes: As welcome as the spring is to the year, So are my friends to me, when I have good cheer._ [_While he reads the +Antiquary+ falls asleep._ +Duke.+ Ay, marry, sir, we are doubly beholden to you. What, is Signior Veterano fallen asleep, and at the recitation of such verses? A most inhuman disgrace, and not to be digested! +Pet.+ Has he wronged me so discourteously? I'll be revenged, by Phœbus. +Leo.+ But which way can you parallel so foul an injury? +Pet.+ I'll go in, and make some verses against him. +Duke.+ That you shall not; 'tis not requital sufficient: I have a better trick than so. Come, bear him in, and you shall see what I will invent for you. This was a wrong and a half. [_Exeunt._ _Enter +Æmilia+ and +Lionel+._ +Æmi.+ Now, Master Lionel, as you have been fortunate in the forecasting of this business, so pray be studious in the executing, that we may both come off with honour. +Lio.+ Observe but my directions, and say nothing. +Æmi.+ The whole adventure of my credit depends upon your care and evidence. +Lio.+ Let no former passage discourage you; be but as peremptory, as [your][353] cause is good. +Æmi.+ Nay, if I but once apprehend a just occasion to usurp over him, let me alone to talk and look scurvily. Step aside, I hear him coming. _Enter +Lorenzo+._