_Don._ Why, therefore do I laugh, because there's nobody with me. Would I were a fool alone! I'faith, I am come to attend--let me go,--I am sent to the princess, to come and attend her father to the end of Cupid's Parliament. 32 _Herc._ Why, ha' they sat already upon any statutes? _Don._ Sat? ay, all's agreed in the nether house! _Herc._ Why, are they divided? _Don._ O ay, in Cupid's Parliament all the young gallants are o' the nether house, and all the old signiors that can but only kiss are of the upper house. Is the princess above? _Herc._ No, sure; I think the princess is beneath, man. Ha' they supp'd, fool? 41 _Don._ O yes, the confusion of tongues at the large table is broke up, for see the presence fills. A fool, a fool, a fool, my coxcomb for a fool! _Enter_ SIR AMOROUS, HEROD, NYMPHADORO, GARBETZA, DONNETTA, _and_ POVEIA. _Herod._ Stop, ass; what's matter, idiot? _Don._ O gallants, my fools that were appointed to wait on Don Cupid have launch'd out their ship to purge their stomachs on the water, and before Jupiter, I fear they will prove defective in their attendance. 49 _Herod._ Pish, fool, they'll float in with the next tide. _Don._ Ay, but when's that? Let's see mine almanack or prognostication. _Sir Amor._ What, is this for this year? _Don._ In true wisdom, sir, it is. Let me see the moon, 'fore pity 'tis in the wayne. What grief is this, that so great a planet should ever decline or lose splendour! Full sea at---- _Sir Amor._ Where's the sign now, fool? _Don._ In Capricorn, Sir Amoroso. _Gar._ What strange thing does this almanack speak of, fool? 61 _Don._ Is this your lady, Sir Amorous? _Sir Amor._ It is; kiss her, fool. _Herod._ You may kiss her now, she is married. _Sir Amor._ So he might ha' done before. _Don._ In sober modesty, sir, I do not use to do it behind. _Herod._ Good fool, be acquainted with this lady too; she's of a very honest nature, I assure thee. _Don._ I easily believe you, sir, for she hath a very vile[276] face, I assure you. 70 _Gar._ But what strange things does thy almanack speak of, good fool? _Don._ That this year no child shall be begotten but shall have a true father. _Sir Amor._ That's good news, i'faith. I am glad I got my wife with child this year. _Herc._ Why, Sir Amorous, this may be, and yet you not the true father--may it not, Herod? _Gar._ But what more says it, good Fawn? 79 _Herod._ Faith, lady, very strange things! It says that some ladies of your hair shall have feeble hams, short memories, and very weak eyesight, so that they shall mistake their own page, or even brother-in-law, sometimes for their husbands.