BAL. It pleasde you at the entertainment of the embassadour, To grace the King so much as with a shew; Now were your stuide so well furnished As, for the passing of the first nights sport, To entertaine my father with the like, Or any such like pleasing motion, Assure yourselfe it would content them well. HIERO. Is this all? BAL. I, this is all. HIERO. While then ile fit you; say no more. When I was yong I gaue my minde And plide my-selfe to fruitles poetrie, Which, though it profite the professor naught, Yet is it passing pleasing to the world. LOR. And how for that? HIERO. Marrie, my good lord, thus.-- And yet, me thinks, you are too quick with vs!-- When in Tolledo there I studied, It was my chaunce to write a tragedie,-- See heere, my lords,-- He showes them a book. Which, long forgot, I found this other day. Nor would your lordships fauour me so much As but to grace me with your acting it, I meane each one of you to play a part. Assure you it will proue most passing strange And wondrous plausible to that assembly. BAL. What, would you haue vs play a tragedie? HIERO. Why, Nero thought it no disparagement, And kings and emperours haue tane delight To make experience of their wit in plaies! LOR. Nay, be not angry, good Hieronimo; The prince but asked a question. BAL. In faith, Hieronimo, and you be in earnest, Ile make one. LOR. And I another. HIERO. Now, my good lord, could you intreat, Your sister, Bel-imperia, to make one,-- For whats a play without a woman in it? BEL. Little intreaty shall serue me, Hieronimo, For I must needs be imployed in your play. HIERO. Why, this is well! I tell you, lordings, It was determined to haue beene acted, By gentlemen and schollers too, Such as could tell what to speak. BAL. And now it shall be plaide by princes and courtiers, Such as can tell how to speak, If, as it is our country manner, You will but let vs know the argument.