I have refrained from supplying references to the numerous classical quotations with which the speeches are embellished, for the simple reason that a contemporary edition of Lilly's Grammar will be found to include them all. Doubtless the youthful composers derived a special delight from the process of making "Lilly leape out of his skinne," with a "muster of sentences" of which the porter's supposed use and interpretation is, if not always scholarly, at least decidedly ingenious. A TWELFE NIGHT MERRIMENT. ANNO 1602. _Enter the_ Porter _at the end of supper._ _Porter._ MASTER and Mistris with all your guests, [F. 81v rev.] God save you, heerin the matter rests; Christmas is now at the point to bee past, 'Tis giving vp the ghost & this is the last; And shall it passe thus without life or cheere? This hath not beene seene this many a yeere. If youl have any sporte, then say the woord, Heere come youths of the parish that will it affoord, They are heere hard by comminge alonge, Crowning their wassaile bowle with a songe: [10] They have some other sport too out of dowbt, Let mee alone, & I will finde it out. I am your porter & your vassaile, Shall I lett in the boyes with their wassaile? Say: they are at doore, to sing they beginne, Goe to then, Ile goe & lett them in! _Enter the wassaile, two of them bearinge the bowle, & singinge the songe, & all of them bearing the burden._ _The Songe._ Gentills all Both great & small, Sitt close in the hall And make some roome, [20] For amongst you heere At the end of your cheere With our countrey beare Wee ar bold to come. Heers then a full carowse, Let it goe about the house, While wee doe carrye it thus 'Tis noe great labour. Heave it vpp merilye, [F. 81r rev.] Let care & anger flye, [30] A pinne for povertye; Drinke to your neighbour. Those that are wise, Doe knowe that with spice God Bacchus his iuyce Is wholsome & good. It comforts age, It refresheth the sage, It rebateth rage, And cheereth the bloud. [40] Heeres then a full, &c. Take it with quicknes, Tis phisicke for sicknes, It driveth the thicknes Of care from the harte; The vaynes that are empty It filleth with plenty, Not one amongst twenty But it easeth of smarte. Heers then a full, &c. [50] Are you sadd, For fortune badd, And would bee gladd As ever you were, If that a quaffe Doe not make you laffe, Then with a staffe Drive mee out of dore. Heers then a full, &c.