Cynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-LoveJonson, Ben
General
Cynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-Love
Jonson, Ben
English drama (Comedy); English drama -- 17th century
PHI. Troth, and so we may, if we handle them well.
WIFE. Ay, indeed, forsooth, madam, if 'twere in the city, we would
think foul scorn but we would, forsooth.
PHA. Pray you, what should we call your name?
WIFE. My name is Downfall.
HED. Good mistress Downfall! I am sorry your husband could not
get in.
WIFE. 'Tis no matter for him, sir.
ANA. No, no, she has the more liberty for herself.
[A FLOURISH.]
PHA. Peace, peace! they come.
RE-ENTER AMORPHUS, INTRODUCING ASOTUS IN A FULL-DRESS SUIT.
AMO. So, keep up your ruff; the tincture of your neck is not all
so pure, but it will ask it. Maintain your sprig upright; your
cloke on your half-shoulder falling; so: I will read your bill,
advance it, and present you.--Silence!
"Be it known to all that profess courtship, by these presents (from
the white satin reveller, to the cloth of tissue and bodkin) that
we, Ulysses-Polytropus-Amorphus, master of the noble and subtile
science of courtship, do give leave and licence to our provost,
Acolastus-Polypragmon-Asotus, to play his master's prize, against
all masters whatsoever, in this subtile mystery, at these four, the
choice and most cunning weapons of court-compliment, viz. the BARE
ACCOST; the BETTER REGARD; the SOLEMN ADDRESS; and the
PERFECT CLOSE. These are therefore to give notice to all comers,
that he, the said Acolastus-Polypragmon-Asotus, is here present (by
the help of his mercer, tailor, milliner, sempster, and so forth)
at his designed hour, in this fair gallery, the present day of this
present month, to perform and do his uttermost for the achievement
and bearing away of the prizes, which are these: viz. For the
Bare Accost, two wall-eyes in a face forced: for the Better
Regard, a face favourably simpering, with a fan waving: for the
Solemn Address, two lips wagging, and never a wise word: for the
Perfect Close, a wring by the hand, with a banquet in a corner.
And Phoebus save Cynthia!"
Appeareth no man yet, to answer the prizer? no voice?--Music,
give them their summons.
[MUSIC.]
PHA. The solemnity of this is excellent.
AMO. Silence! Well, I perceive your name is their terror, and
keepeth them back.
ASO. I'faith, master, let's go; no body comes. 'Victus, victa,
victum; victi, victae, victi--let's be retrograde.
AMO. Stay. That were dispunct to the ladies. Rather ourself
shall be your encounter. Take your state up to the wall; and,
lady, [LEADING MORIA TO THE STATE.] may we implore you to stand
forth, as first term or bound to our courtship.
HED. 'Fore heaven, 'twill shew rarely.
AMO. Sound a charge. [A CHARGE.]
ANA. A pox on't! Your vulgar will count this fabulous and
impudent now: by that candle, they'll never conceit it.
[THEY ACT THEIR ACCOST SEVERALLY TO MORIA.]
PHA. Excellent well! admirable!
PHI. Peace!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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