University of Virginia Library

Scene VII.

Tub. Medlay. Clench. Pan. Scriben. Hilts.
Tub.
O Mr. In-and-In; what ha' you done?

Med.
Survey'd the place Sir, and design'd the ground,
Or stand still of the worke: And this it is.
First, I have fixed in the earth, a Tub;
And an old Tub, like a Salt-Peeter Tub,
Preluding by your Fathers name Sir Peeter,
And the antiquity of your house, and family,
Originall from Salt-Peeter.

Tub.
Good yfaith,
You ha' shewne reading, and antiquity here, Sir.

Med.
I have a little knowledge in designe,
Which I can varie Sir to Infinito.

Tub.
Ad Infinitum Sir you meane.

Med.
I doe.
I stand not on my Latine, Ile invent,
But I must be alone then, joyn'd with no man.
This we doe call the Stand-still of our worke.

Tub.
Who are those wee? you now joyn'd to your selfe,

Med.
I meane my selfe still, in the plurall number,
And out of this wee raise our Tale of a Tub.

Tub.
No, Mr. In-and-In, my Tale of a Tub.
By your leave, I am Tub, the Tale's of me,
And my adventures! I am Squire Tub,
Subjectum Fabulæ.

Med.
But I the Author.

Tub.
The Worke-man Sir! the Artificer! I grant you.
So Skelton-Lawreat; was of Elinour Bumming:
But she the subject of the Rout, and Tunning.

Cle.
He has put you to it, Neighbour In-and-In.

Pan.
Doe not dispute with him, he still will win.
That paies for all.

Scr.
Are you revis'd o' that?
A man may have wit, and yet put off his hat.

Med.
Now, Sir this Tub, I will have capt with paper:
A fine oild Lanterne-paper, that we use.

Pan.
Yes every Barber, every Cutler has it.

Med.
Which in it doth containe the light to the busines.
And shall with the very vapour of the Candle,
Drive all the motions of our matter about:
As we present 'hem. For example, first
The worshipfull Lady Tub.

Tub.
Right worshipfull,
I pray you, I am worshipfull my selfe.

Med.
Your Squire-ships Mother, passeth by (her Huisher,
Mr. Pol-marten bareheaded before her)
In her velvet Gowne.

Tub.
But how shall the Spectators?
As it might be, I, or Hilts, know 'tis my Mother?
Or that Pol-marten there that walkes before her.

Med.
O wee doe nothing, if we cleare not that.

Cle.
You ha' seene none of his workes Sir?

Pan.
All the postures
Of the train'd bands o' the Countrey.

Scr.
All their colours.

Pan.
And all their Captaines.

Cle.
All the Cries o' the Citie:
And all the trades i' their habits.

Scr.
He has his whistle
Of command: Seat of authority!
And virge to interpret, tip'd with silver, Sir
You know not him.

Tub.
Well, I will leave all to him:

Med.
Give me the briefe o' your subject. Leave the whole
State of the thing to me.

Hil.
Supper is ready, Sir.
My Lady cals for you.

Tub.
Ile send it you in writing.

Med.
Sir, I will render feazible, and facile,
What you expect.

Tub.
Hilts, be't your care,
To see the Wise of Finsbury made welcome:
The Squire goes out.
Let 'hem want nothing. Iz old Rosin sent for?

Hil.
Hee's come within.

Scri.
Lord! what a world of busines
The Squire dispatches!

Med.
Hee is a learned man:
I thinke there are but vew o' the Innes o' Court,
Or the Innes o' Chancery like him.

Cle.
Care to fit 'un then.

The rest follow.