University of Virginia Library

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Neanthes, Sosines, and Eraton, severally.
Nea.
You are met unto my wishes, if you ever
Desir'd true mirth so far as to adventure
To dye with the extreamity of laughter,
I come before the object that will doe it;
Or let me live your foole.

Sos.
Who is't Neanthes?

Nea.
Lamprias the Usurers sonne.

Era.
Lamprias? the youth
Of six and fifty?

Sos.
That was sent to travell
By rich Beliza, till he came to age,
And was fit for a Wife?

Nea.
The very same,
This gallant with his Guardian, and his Tutor,
(And of the three who is most foole I know not)
Are newly come to Corinth, ile not stale them
By giving up their characters, but leave you
To make your owne discoveries: here they are Sir.

Enter Onos Unckle and Tutor.
Tutor.
That legge a little higher; very well.
Now put your face into the Travellors posture;
Exceeding good.

Vnckle.
Doe you mark how they admire him?

Tut.
They will be all my Schollars, when they know
And understand him truly.

Era.
Phœbus guard me
From this new Python.

Sos.
How they have trimm'd him up
Like an old Reveller?

Nea.
Curl'd him and perfum'd him,
But that was done with judgement, for he lookes
Like one that purg'd perpetually; trust me,
That Witches face of his is painted too,
And every ditch upon it buries more
Then would set off ten Bawds, and all their tenants.

Sos.
See how it moves towards us.

Nea.
There's a salutation:
'Troth Gentlemen, you have bestowed much travell
In trayning up your Pupill.

Tut.
Sir, great buildings
Require great labours, which yet we repent not,
Since for the Countries good we have brought home
An absolute man.

Unc.
As any of his yeares,
Corinth can shew you.

Era.
He's exceeding meagre.

Tut.
His contemplation—

Unc.
Besides, 'tis fit
Learners should be kept hungry.

Nea.
You all contemplate;
For three such wretched pictures of leane famine
I never saw together.

Unc.
We have fat minds Sir,
And travell'd to save charges. Doe you thinke
'Twas fit a young and hopefull Gentleman
Should be brought up a glutton? he's my Ward,
Nor was there ever where I bore the bagg
Any superfluous waste.

Era.
Pray you can it speake?

Tut.
He knowes all Languages, but will use none,
They are all too big for his mouth, or else too little
T'expresse his great conceits: and yet of late
With some ippulsion he hath set downe
In a strange method by the way of question,
And briefly, to all businesse whatsoever
That may concerne a Gentleman.

Nea.
Good Sir, let's heare him.

Tut.
Come on Sir.

Nea.
They have taught him like an Ape,
To doe his tricks by signes: now he begins.

Onos.
When shall we be drunke together?

Tut.
That's the first.

Onos.
Where shall we whore to night?

Uncle.
That ever followes.

Era.
'Odds me, he now lookes angry.

Onos.
Shall we quarrell?

Nea.
With me at no hand Sir.

Onos.
Then let's protest.

Era.
Is this all?

Tut.
These are Sir, the foure new Vertues
That are in fashion: many a mile we measur'd
Before we could arrive unto this knowledge.

Nea.
You might have spar'd that labour, for at home here
Ther's little else in practice: Ha? the Queene?
Good friends, for halfe an houre remove your motion,
To morrow willingly when we have more leasure
We'l looke on him againe.

Onos.
Did I not rarely?

Uncle.
Excellent well.

Tut.
He shall have sixe Plumbs for it.

Exeunt.
Anter Agenor, Leonidas, Theanor, Queene, Merione, Beliza, Euphanes, Crates, Ladies, attendants with Lights.
Queene.
How much my Court is honour'd princely Brother
In your vouchafing it your long'd for presence
Were tedious to repeat, since 'tis already
(And heartily) acknowledg'd; may the gods
That looke into Kings actions smile upon
The league we have concluded; and their justice
Finde me out to revenge it if I breake
One article.

Age.
Great miracle of Queenes,
How happy I esteeme my selfe in being
Thought worthy to be numbred in the rank
Of your confederates, my love and best service
Shall teach the world hereafter: but this gift
With which you have confirm'd it, is so farre
Beyond my hopes and meanes ere to returne,
That of necessity I must dye oblig'd
To your unanswer'd bounty.

The.
The sweet Lady
In blushes gives your Highnesse thankes.

Quee.
Beleeve it
On the Queenes word, she is a worthy one,
And I am so acquainted with her goodnesse,
That but for this peace that hath chang'd my purpose,
And to her more advancement, I should gladly
Have call'd her Daughter.

The.
Though I am depriv'd of
A blessing 'tis not in the Fates to equall,
To shew my selfe a subject as a sonne,
Here I give up my claime, and willingly
With mine owne hand deliver you what once
I lov'd above my selfe; and from this houre
(For my affection yeelds now to my duty)
Vow never to sollicite her.

Cra.
'Tis well cover'd
Neanthes, and the rest.

Exit Cra. Nea. Sos. Era.
Quee.
Nay, for this night
You must (for 'tis our Country fashion Sir)
Leave her to her devotions, in the morning
We'l bring you to the Temple.

Leo.
How in this
Your Highnesse honours me?

Mer.
Sweet rest to all.

Age.
This kisse, and I obey you.

Bel.
Please it your Highnesse,
This is the Gentleman.

Quee.
You are welcome home Sir,
(Now as I live, one of a promising presence)
I have heard of you before, and you shall finde
Ile know you better: finde out something that
May doe you good, and rest assur'd to have it.
Were you at Sparta lately?

Euph.
Three daies since
Madam I came from thence.

Quee.
'Tis very late,
Good night my Lord; doe you Sir follow me,
I must talke further with you.

Ag.
All rest with you.

Exeunt.
Enter Crates, Neanthes, Eraton, Sosicles disguiz'd.
Cra.
She must passe through this Cloyster, suddainly
And boldly seaze upon her.

Nea.
Where's the Prince?

Cra.
He does expect us at the place I shew'd you.
Enter Merione and Servant.
I heare ones footing, peace, 'tis she;

Mer.
Now leave me,
I know the way, though Vesta witnesse with me
I never trod it with such feare: helpe, helpe.

Cra.
Stop her mouth close, out with the Light, ile guide you.

Exeunt.