 | The Elder Brother |  |
SCENA II.
Enter Eustace, Egremont, Cowsy.Eust.
How do I look now, my Elder Brother? Nay, 'tis
a handsome Suit.
Cow.
All Courtly, Courtly.
Eust.
I'll assure ye, Gentlemen, my Tailor has travel'd,
and speaks as lofty Language in his Bills too; the cover of an
old Book would not shew thus. Fie, fie; what things these
Academicks are! these Book-worms, how they look!
Egre.
They're meer Images, no gentle motion or behaviour
in 'em; they'll prattle ye of Primum Mobile, and tell a
story of the state of Heaven, what Lords and Ladies go
vern in such Houses, and what wonders they do when they
meet together, and how they spit Snow, Fire, and Hail, like a
Jugler, and make a noise when they are drunk, which we
call Thunder.
Cow.
They are the sneaking'st things, and the contemptiblest;
such Small-beer brains, but ask 'em any thing out
of the Element of their understanding, and they stand gaping
like a roasted Pig: do they know what a Court is, or a
Council, or how the affairs of Christendom are manag'd?
Do they know any thing but a tired Hackney? and they
cry absurd as the Horse understood 'em. They have made
a fair Youth of your Elder Brother, a pretty piece of flesh!
Eust.
I thank 'em for't, long may he study to give me
his Estate. Saw you my Mistris?
Egre.
Yes, she's a sweet young Woman; but be sure you
keep her from Learning.
Eust.
Songs she may have, and read a little unbak'd
Poetry, such as the Dablers of our time contrive, that has
no weight nor wheel to move the mind, nor indeed nothing
but an empty sound; she shall have cloaths, but not made
by Geometry; Horses and Coach, but of no immortal Race:
I will not have a Scholar in my house above a gentle Reader;
they corrupt the foolish Women with their subtle
prating Philosophers from Entertainment.
Cow.
It will do well, love those that love good fashions,
good cloaths, and rich; they invite men to admire 'em,
that speak the lisp of Court. Oh 'tis great Learning! to
Ride well, Dance well, Sing well, or Whistle Courtly,
they're rare endowments; that they have seen far Countreys,
and can speak strange things, though they speak no
truths, for then they make things common. When are
you marri'd?
Eust.
To morrow, I think; we must have a Masque,
Boys, and of our own making.
Egre.
'Tis not half an hours work, a Cupid, and a Fiddle,
and the thing's done: but let's be handsome, shall's be
Gods or Nymphs?
Eust.
What, Nymphs with Beards?
Cow.
That's true, we'll be Knights then; some wandring
Knights, that light here on a sudden.
Eust.
Let's go, let's go, I must go visit, Gentlemen,
and mark what sweet lips I must kiss to morrow.
[Exeunt.
| The Elder Brother | |