 | The Magnetick Lady :or, Hvmors Reconcil'd |  |
Chorus.
Boy.Now, Gentlemen, what censure you of our Protasis, or first Act?
Pro.
Well, Boy, it is a faire Presentment of your Actors. And a
handsome promise of somewhat to come hereafter.
But, there is nothing done in it, or concluded: Therefore I say,
no Act.
Boy.
A fine peice of Logick! Doe you looke, Mr. Damplay, for conclusions
in a Protesis? I thought the Law of Comedy had reserv'd to the
Catastrophe: and that the Epitasis, (as wee are taught) and the Catastasis,
had beene interveening parts, to have beene expected. But you would
have all come together it seemes: The Clock should strike five, at once,
with the Acts.
Dam.
Why, if it could doe so, it were well, Boy.
Boy.
Yes, if the nature of a Clock were to speake, not strike, So, if
a Child could be borne, in a Play, and grow up to a man, i'the first Scene,
before hee went off the Stage: and then after to come forth a Squire,
and bee made a Knight: and that Knight to travell betweene the Acts,
and doe wonders i'the holy land or else where; kill Paynims wild
Boores, dun Cowes, and other Monsters; beget him a reputation, and
marry an Emperours Daughter: for his Mrs. Convert her Fathers Countrey;
and at last come home, lame and all to be laden with miracles.
Dam.
These miracles would please, I assure you: and take the People!
For there be of the People, that will expect miracles, and more
then miracles from this Pen.
Boy.
Doe they thinke this Pen can juggle? I would we had Hokos-pokos
for 'hem then; your People, or Travitanto Tudesko.
Dam.
Who's that Boy?
Boy.
Another Juggler, with a long name. Or that your expectors
would be gone hence, now, at the first Act; or expect no more hereafter,
then they understand.
Dam.
Why so my peremptory Jack?
Boy.
My name is Iohn, indeed—Because, who expect what is impossible,
or beyond nature, defraud themselves.
Pro.
Nay, there the Boy said well: They doe defraud themselves indeed.
Boy.
And therefore, Mr. Damplay, unlesse like a solemne Justice of wit,
you will damne our Play, unheard, or unexamin'd; I shall intreat your
Mrs. Madam Expectation, if shee be among these Ladies, to have patience,
but a pissing while: give our Springs leave to open a little, by degrees:
A Source of ridiculous matter may breake forth anon, that shall
steepe their temples, and bathe their braines in laughter, to the fomenting
of Stupiditie it selfe, and the awaking any velvet Lethargy in the House.
Pro.
Why doe you maintaine your Poets quarrell so with velvet,
and good clothes, Boy? wee have seene him in indifferent good clothes,
ere now.
Boy.
And may doe in better, if it please the King (his Master) to say
Amen to it, and allow it, to whom hee acknowledgeth all. But his
clothes shall never be the best thing about him, though; hee will have
somewhat beside, either of humane letters, or severe honesty, shall speak
him a man though he went naked.
Pro.
Hee is beholden to you, if you can make this good, Boy.
Boy.
Himselfe hath done that, already, against Envy.
Dam.
What's your name Sir? or your Countrey?
Boy.
Iohn Try-gust my name: A Cornish youth, and the Poëts Servant.
West-countrey breed, I thought, you were so bold.
Boy.
Or rather sawcy: to find out your palate, Mr. Damplay, Faith
we doe call a Spade, a Spade, in Cornewall. If you dare damne our Play,
i'the wrong place, we shall take heart to tell you so.
Pro.
Good Boy.
| The Magnetick Lady :or, Hvmors Reconcil'd | |