 | The Humorous Lieutenant |  |
Scæne 2.
Enter Antigonus, Menippus, two Gent. Lieutenant, and Lords.Antig.
But is it possible this fellow tooke it?
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It seemes so by the violence it wrought with,
Yet now the sits ev'n off.
Men.
I beseech your Grace.
Ant.
Nay, I forgive thy wife with all my heart,
And am right glad she dranke it not her selfe,
And more glad that the vertuous maid escapt it,
I would not for the world 'thad hit: but that this Souldier,
Lord how he lookes, that he should take this vomit;
Can he make rimes too?
2 Gent.
'Has made a thousand sir,
And plaies the burthen to 'em on a Jewes-trump.
Ant.
He lookes as though he were bepist: do you love me sir?
Lie.
Yes surely even with all my heart.
Ant.
I thanke ye;
I am glad I have so good a subject: but pray ye tell me,
How much did ye love me, before ye dranke this matter?
Lie.
Even as much as a sober man might; & a Souldier
That your Grace owes just halfe a yeares pay to.
Ant.
Well remembred;
And did I seeme so young and amiable to ye?
Lieu.
Methought you were the sweetest youth—
Ant.
That's excellent.
Lieu.
I truly sir; and ever as I thought on ye,
I wish'd, and wish'd—
Ant.
What didst thou wish I prethee?
Lieu.
Ev'n, that I had been a wench of fifteene for ye,
A hansome wench sir.
Ant.
Why? God a mercy Souldier:
I seeme not so now to thee.
Lieu.
Not all out:
And yet I have a grudging to your Grace still.
Ant.
Thou wast never in love before?
Lieu.
Not with a King,
And hope I shall never be again: Truly sir,
I have had such plundges, and such bickrings,
And as it were such runnings atilt within me,
For whatsoever it was provok't me toward ye.
Ant.
God-a-mercy still.
Lieu.
I had it with a vengeance,
It plaid his prize.
Ant.
I would not have been a wench then,
Though of this age.
Lieu.
No sure, I should have spoiled ye.
Ant.
Well, goe thy waies, of all the lusty lovers
That ere I saw—wilt have an other potion?
Lieu.
If you will be another thing, have at ye.
Ant.
Ha, ha, ha: give me thy hand, from henceforth thou art my souldier,
Do bravely, Ile love thee as much.
Lieu.
I thanke ye;
But if you were mine enemie, I would not wish it ye:
I beseech your Grace, pay me my charge.
2 Gen.
Thats certaine sir;
Has bought up all that ere he found was like ye,
Or any thing you have lov'd, that he could purchase;
Old horses, that your Grace has ridden blind, & founder'd;
Dogs, rosten hawkes, and which is more then all this,
Has worne your Graces Gauntlet in his Bonnet.
An.
Bring in your Bils: mine own love shall be satisfi'd;
And sirrah, for this potion you have taken,
Ile point ye out a portion ye shall live on.
Men,
Twas the best draught that ere ye drunk.
Lieu.
I hope so.
Ant.
Are the Princes come to'th' Court?
Men.
They are all, and lodg'd sir.
Ant.
Come then, make ready for their entertainment,
Which presently wee'l give: wait you on me sir.
Lie.
I shal love drinke the better whilst I live boyes.
Ex.
| The Humorous Lieutenant | |