_Gon._ 'Tis enough. This night we will exult! O let this night Be ever memorised with prouder triumphs-- Let it be writ in lasting character That this night our great wisdom did discover So close a practice--that this night, I say, 140 Our policy found out, nay, dash'd the drifts Of the young prince, and put him to his shifts, Nay, past his shifts ('fore Jove! we could make a good poet).-- Delight us. On! we deign our princely ear-- We are well pleased to grace you;[279] then scorn fear. [_Cornets playing._ DRUNKENNESS, SLOTH, PRIDE, _and_ PLENTY _lead_ CUPID _to his state, who is followed by_ FOLLY, WAR, BEGGARY, _and_ SLAUGHTER.[280] Stand, 'tis wisdom to acknowledge ignorance Of what we know not; we would not now prove foolish. Expound the meaning of your show. _Herc._ Triumphant Cupid, that sleeps on the soft cheek Of rarest beauty, whose throne's in ladies' eyes;-- 150 Who[281] forced writhed lightning from Jove's shaking hand, Forced strong Alcides to resign his club, Pluck'd Neptune's trident from his mighty arm, Unhelmèd Mars;--he (with those trophies borne, Led in by Sloth, Pride, Plenty, Drunkenness, Follow'd by Folly, War, Slaughter,[282] Beggary) Takes his fair throne. Sit pleased; for now we move, And speak not for our glory but for love. [HERCULES _takes a bowl of wine_. _Gon._ A pretty figure. What, begins this session with ceremony? 160 _Herc._ With a full health to our great mistress, Venus, Let every state of Cupid's parliament Begin the session, _et quod bonum faustumque sit precor_. [HERCULES _drinks a health_. _Gon._ Give't us; we'll pledge: nor shall a man that lives, In charity refuse it. I will not be so old As not be graced to honour Cupid. Give't us full. When we were young we could ha' troll'd it off, Drunk down a Dutchman. _Herc._ 'Tis lamentable; pity your grace has forgot it. Drunkenness! O 'tis a most fluent and swelling virtue; sure the most just of all virtues: 'tis justice itself; for, if it chance to oppress and take too much, it presently restores it again. It makes the king and the peasant equal; for, if they are both drunk alike, they are both beasts alike. As for that most precious light of heaven--Truth--if Time be the father of her, I am sure Drunkenness is oftentimes the mother of her, and brings her forth. Drunkenness brings all out, for it brings all the drink out of the pot, all the wit out of the pate, and all the money out of the purse. 180 _Gon._ My Lord Granuffo, this Fawn is an excellent fellow. _Don._ Silence. _Gon._ I warrant you for my lord here.