University of Virginia Library

SCÆNA III.

Callias, Neander, Artops.
Call.
Neander?

Neand.
Hum.

Call.
Was this a Dream, & did
All these appeare to us in our sleepe? or wast
A reall vision?

Neand.
Why doe you aske?

Call.
Because, if it were reall, I expect
That passages so fit for History,
Shall not scape Mercuries or Scout Gazetes;
But shortly be recorded with the Deedes
Of Democraticke John, or the Red nos'd Burgesse,
Who enacts Ordinances in Sacke; Or with
The Life and Death of preaching Nol, and Rowland.

Neand.
If we scape rascall poetry I care not.
All my feare is, lest He who carved the Embleme
Of the Oxe with foure Hornes, spitting fire, like one
Oth' Bulls which Jason conquer'd, should cut us
With Wings, in most vile libell figure, flying,
Like Owles by Twilight, and moultring these our feathers,
Before two she Kites, following us with Quivers.

Call:
True; And then Pistoclerus, who lives by
His yearely Gifts in scraping verse, and pictures,
T'expound this to the Multitude in Ballad,
Sung to the direfull Tune of Orpheus torne
By Oyster Wives.

Neand.
Artops, Suppose this should
Arrive to th'Knowledge of your browne Lycoris.
Ith' Suburbs?

Art:
Pray don't trouble me, I'me in
A serious Contemplation.

Neand.
What is't?

Art.
Why.
If you'l needs know, 'Tis whither it be not fit
(To prove our selves no Cowards, and to show
How much we can slight Death in any shape)
That we should call our Regiments together;
Erect a handsome Traverse; Then desire
The Company They'd joine with us in one
Of Homers Odes, and after a short Confession,
Turne our selves off in Packthread.

Call:
Come, we must
Doe something to redeeme our Credits: The Boyes
Will else tye Squibbes behinde us, as we passe,
And make us walke the Streetes in Fireworkes.

Exeunt.