University of Virginia Library

Scene 2.

Enter Quaile-pipe, 3 Actors, and Byplay.
Qua.
My Lord.

Let.
Why are not you ready yet?

Qua.
I am not to put on my shape, before
I have spoke the Prologue. And for that my Lord
I yet want something.

Let.
What I pray with your grave formality?

Qua.
I want my Beaver-shooes, and Leather-Cap,
To speake the Prologue in; which were appoynted
By your Lordships owne direction.

Let.
Well sir, well:
There they be for you; I must looke to all.

Qua.
Certes my Lord, it is a most apt conceit:
The Comedy being the world turn'd upside-downe,
That the presenter weare the Capitall Beaver
Upon his feet, and on his head shooe-leather.

Let.
Trouble not you your head with my conceite,
But minde your part Let me not see you act now,
In your Scholasticke way, you brought to towne wi' yee,
With see saw sacke a downe, like a Sawyer;
Nor in a Comicke Scene, play Hercules furens,
Tearing your throat to split the Audients eares.
And you Sir, you had got a tricke of late,
Of holding out your bum in a set speech;
Your fingers fibulating on your breast,
As if your Buttons, or your Band-strings were
Helpes to your memory. Let me see you in't
No more I charge you. No, nor you sir, in
That over-action of the legges I told you of,
Your singles, and your doubles, Looke you—thus—
Like one o'th' dancing Masters o' the Beare-garden;
And when you have spoke, at end of every speech,
Not minding the reply, you turne you round
As Tumblers doe; when betwixt every feat.
They gather wind, by firking up their breeches.
Ile none of these, absurdities in my house.
But words and action married so together,
That shall strike harmony in the eares and eyes
Of the severest, if judicious Criticks.

Qua.
My Lord we are corrected.

Let.
Goe, be ready:
But you Sir are incorrigible, and
Take licence to your selfe, to adde unto
Your parts, your owne free fancy; and sometimes
To alter, or diminish what the writer
With care and skill compos'd: and when you are
To speake to your coactors in the Scene,
You hold interloquutions with the Audients,

Bip.
That is a way my Lord has bin allow'd
On elder stages to move mirth and laughter.

Let.
Yes in the dayes of Tarlton and Kempe,
Before the stage was purg'd from barbarisme,
And brought to the perfection it now shines with.
Then fooles and jesters spent their wits, because
The Poets were wise enough to save their owne
For profitable uses. Let that passe.
To night, ile give thee leave to try thy wit,
In answering my Doctor, and his Patient
He brings along with him to our Antipodes.

By.
I heard of him my Lord: Blaze gave me light
Of the mad Patient; and that he never saw
A Play in's life: it will be possible
For him to thinke he is in the Antipodes
Indeed, when he is on the Stage among us.
When't has beene thought by some that have their wits,
That all the Players i'th' Towne were sunke past rising.

Let.
Leave that sir to th'event. See all be ready:
Your Musicke properties, and—

By.
All my Lord,
Onely we want a person for a Mute.

Let.
Blaze when he comes shall serve. Goe in.
Ex. Byp.
My Guests J heare are comming.