BAL. It pleased you At the entertainment of the ambassador, To grace the King so much as with a show; Now were your study so well furnished As, for the passing of the first night's sport, To entertain my father with the like, Or any such like pleasing motion, Assure yourself it would content them well. HIERO. Is this all? BAL. Aye, this is all. HIERO. Why then I'll fit you; say no more. When I was young I gave my mind And plied myself to fruitless poetry, Which, though it profit the professor naught, Yet is it passing pleasing to the world. LOR. And how for that? HIERO. Marry, my good lord, thus.-- And yet, me thinks, you are too quick with us!-- When in Toledo there I studied, It was my chance to write a tragedy,-- See here, my lords,-- He shows them a book. Which, long forgot, I found this other day. Nor would your lordships favour me so much As but to grace me with your acting it, I mean each one of you to play a part. Assure you it will prove most passing strange And wondrous plausible to that assembly. BAL. What, would you have us play a tragedy? HIERO. Why, Nero thought it no disparagement, And kings and emperors have ta'en delight To make experience of their wit in plays! LOR. Nay, be not angry, good Hieronimo; The prince but ask'd a question. BAL. In faith, Hieronimo, and you be in earnest, I'll make one. LOR. And I another. HIERO. Now, my good lord, could you entreat, Your sister, Bel-imperia, to make one,-- For what's a play without a woman in it? BEL. Little entreaty shall serve me, Hieronimo, For I must needs be employed in your play. HIERO. Why, this is well! I tell you, lordings, It was determined to have been acted, By gentlemen and scholars too, Such as could tell what to speak. BAL. And now It shall be play'd by princes and courtiers, Such as can tell how to speak, If, as it is our country manner, You will but let us know the argument.