University of Virginia Library

Scen. 6.

Iocastus with a Morrice, himselfe maid Marrian, Bromius the Clowne.
Dor.
See, Mopsus, see, here comes your Fairy brother,
Hark you, for one good turne deserves another.

Exeunt Dor. Mop.
Iocast.
I did not think there had been such delight
In any mortall Morrice, they doe caper
Like quarter Fairies at the least: by my Knight-hood,
And by this sweet Mellisonant Tingle tangle,
The ensigne of my glory, you shall bee
Of Oberons Revels.

Bro.
What to doe I pray?
To dance away your Apples.

Iocas.
Surely mortall,
Thou art not fit for any office there.

Enter Dorylas like the King of Fairies. Mopsus.
Io.
See, blind mortall, see,
With what a port, what grace, what majesty
This princely Oberon comes, your Grace is welcome.

Do.
A beauteous Lady, bright, and rare,
Queen Mab her selfe is not so faire.

Io.
Does your grace take me for a woman then?

Do.
Yes beauteous virgin; Thy each part
Has shot an arrow through my heart;
Thy blazing eye, thy lip so thinne,
Thy azure cheek, & christall chinne,
Thy rainbow brow, with many a rose;
Thy saphyre eares, and ruby nose,
All wound my soule, O gentle be
Or Lady you will ruin mee.

Io.
Bromius, what shall I doe? I am no woman!
If geelding of me will preserve your grace,
With all my heart.

Bro.
No master, let him rather
Steale away all your orchard Apples.

Io.
I and shall,
Beauteous Queen Mab may loose her longing else.

Do.
How's this? are you no woman then?
Can such bright beauty live with men?

Io.
An't please your grace I am your Knight Iocastus.

Do.
Indeed I thought no man but hee
Could of such perfect beauty bee.

Io.
Cannot your Grace distill me to a woman.

Do.
I have an hearb, they Moly call,
Can change thy shape (my sweet) and shall.
To tast this Moly but agree,
And thou shalt perfect woman bee.

Io.
With all my heart; nere let me move
But I am up to th'eares in love.
But what if I doe marry thee?

Do.
My Queene Iocasta thou shalt bee.

Io.
Sweet Moly! pray let Bromius have some Moly too,
Hee'l make a very pretty waiting maid.

Bro.
No indeed forsooth, you have Ladies enough already.

Do.
Halfe your estate then give to mee,
Else, you being gone, there none will be,
Whose Orchard I dare here frequent.

Io.
Sweet Oberon, I am content.

Do.
The other halfe let Mopsus take.

Io.
And Thestylis a joynture make.

Bro.
Why master, are you mad?

Io.
Your mistrisse sirrah.
Our grace has said it, and it shall be so.

Bro.
What, will you give away all your estate?

Io.
We have enough beside in Fairy land.
You Thestylis shall be our maid of honour.

Thes.
I humbly thank your Grace.

Io.
Come Princely Oberon,
I long to tast this Moly: pray bestow
The Knight-hood of the Mellisonant Tingle tangle,
Vpon our brother Mopsus, we will raise
All of our house to honours.

Mop.
Gracious sister!

Io.
I alwaies thought I was borne to be a Queene.

Do.
Come let us walke, majestique Queene,
Of Fairy mortalls to be seene.
In chaires of Pearle thou plac't shalt bee,
And Empresses shall envy thee,
When they behold upon our throne
Iocasta with her—Dorilas.

All.
Ha, ha, ha!

Io.
Am I deceiv'd and cheated, guld and foold?

Mop.
Alas sir you were borne to be a Queene.

Io.
My lands, my livings, and my orchard gone?

Dor.
Your grace hath said it, and it must be so.

Bro.
You have enough beside in Fairy land.

Thes.
What would your Grace command your maid of honour?

Dor.
Well I restore your lands: only the orchar'd
I will reserve for fear Queen Mab should long.

Mop.
Part I'le restore unto my liberall sister
In leiw of my great Knighthood.

Thes.
Part give I.

Io.
I am beholding to your liberality.

Bro.
I'le some thing give as well as doe the rest,
Take my fooles coat, for you deserve it best.

Io.
I shall grow wiser.

Dor.
Oberon will be glad on't

Thes.
I must goe call Vrania that she may
Come vow Virginity.

Exit.