University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter Dandaline the Hostesse.
Dan.
Now I faith ye little peeuish harlotrie,
Ile one day make you spit your meate more handsomly.
By my truth truly, had I not come in the rather,
She had laid me to the fire, the loyne of veale and Capon both together,
Not waying, (like an vnwitty gyrlish mother)
That the one would aske more rosting then the other;
So that either the Veale had beene left starke raw,
Or else the Capon burnt, and so not worth a straw;
And that had beene pittie: for I assure you at a word,
A better bird, a fairer bird, a finer bird,
A sweeter bird, a yonger bird, a tenderer bird,
A daintier bird, a crisper bird, a more delicate bird,
Was there neuer set vpon any Gentlemans board.
But I lack my ghests, that should pay for this geere:
And sure my mind giues me, I should finde them here,
Two of mine acquaintance, familiar growne,
The third to me yet a Gentleman vnknowne,
More then by hearesay, that he is fresh and lustie,
Full of money, and by name Prodigalitie.
Now, sir, to linke him sure to his Hostis Dandaline,
Dandaline must prouide to haue all things verie fine.
And therefore alreadie it is definitum,
The Gentleman shall want nothing may please his appetitum.
And because most meates vnsawced, are motiues to drouth,
He shall haue a Lemman to moysten his mouth,
A Lymon I meane, no Lemman I trow:
Take heed, my faire maides, you take me not so:
For though I goe not as graue as my Grandmother,
Yet I haue honestie as well as another.
But hush, now shall I heare some newes.