University of Virginia Library

SCEN. Vltima.

Tactvs. Avditvs. Visvs. Gvstvs. Mendatio.
Tact.

Peace, peace, faith peace, come hether, harke thee
good nowe.

Avd.

I cannot hold I must needes tell,

Tact.

O do not, do not, do not, come hether, will you bee
a foole?

Vis.
Had he not wings vpon his feete and shoulders?

Men.
Yes, yes and a fine wand in his hand,
Curiously wrapped with a paire of snakes.

Tact.
Will halfe content you, pish twil nere be knowne.

Gvst.
My life, twas Mercury.

Mend.

I do not knowe his name but this I am sure his hat
had wings vp'ont.

Vis.
Doubtles twas he, but say my Boy what did he?

Mend.
First I beheld him houering in the aire,
And then downe stouping, with a hundred gires:
His feete he fixed on Mount Chephalon,
From whence he flew and lighted on that plaine,
And with disdainefull steps soone glided thether:
Whether ariued, he suddenly vnfoulds
A gorgeous Robe, and glittering ornament,
And laye them all, vpon that hillocke:
This done he wafts his wand, tooke wing againe,
And in a moment vanisht out of sight,
With that mine eies gan stare, and heart grew cold,
And all my quiuering ioynts with sweat bedewd:
My heeles my thought had wings as well as his,
And so away I runne, but by the way:
I met a man as I thought comming thether,

Gvst.
What markes had he?

Mend.
He had a great—what this is he, this is he,

Vis.
What Tactus?

Gvst.
This was the plauge vext him so,
Tactus your Graue gapes, for you are you ready:

Vis.
Since you must needes die, do as others do,
Leaue all your goods behind you; bequeath the
Crowne and Robe, to your executors.

Tact.
No such matter I like the Egiptian Knights,
For the more state, wilbe buried in them.

Vis.
Come, come deliuer:

Visus snatcheth the crowne and sees letters grauen in it.
Tact.
What will you take my purse from me?

Vis.
No but a Crowne, thats iust more then your owne.
Ha, whats this? tis a very small hand,
VVhat Inscription is this?
Hee of the fiue that proues himselfe the best,
Shall haue his Temples with this Coronet blest.
This Crowne is mine, and mine this garment is,
For I haue alwaies beene accounted best.

Tact.

Next after mee, I as your selfe at any time: besides I
found it first, therefore tis mine.

Gvst.
Neither of youres, but mine as much as both,

Avd.
And mine the most of any of you all,

Vis.
Giue me it or els—

Tact.
Ile make you late repent it—

Gvst.
Presumptious as you are—

Avd.
Spite of your teeth—

Mend.
Neuer till now a ha it workes a pace,
Uisus I know tis yours and yet me thinkes:
Auditus you should haue some challenge to it,
But that your title Tactus is so good:
Gustus I would sweare the Coronet were yours,
VVhat will you all go braule about a trifle:
Viewe but the pleasant coast of Mycrocosme,
Ist not great pitty to be rent with warres,
Ist not a shame, to staine with brinish teares,
The smiling cheekes of euer-cheerefull peace,
Ist not farre better to liue quietly:
Then broyle in fury of dissention,
Giue me the Crowne ye shall not disagree,
If I can please you; Ile play Paris part,
And most vnpartiall iudge the controuersie:

Vis.

Sauce-box goe meddle with your Ladies fanne,
and prate not here.

Mend.
I speake not for my selfe, but for my Countries safe commoditie.

Vis.
Sirra be still.

Mend.
Nay and you be so hot the deuill part you,
Ile to Olfactus and send him amongst you.
O that I were Alecto for your sakes:
How liberally would I bestow my snakes.
Exit Mendico.

Vis.
Tactus vpon thine honour,
I challenge thee to meete me here,
Stronge as thou canst prouide in tha'fternoone.

Tact.
I vnder-take the Challenge, and heres my hand,
In signe thou shalt be answered.

Gvst.
Tactus Ile ioyne with thee, on this condition,
That if we win, he that fought best of vs,
Shall haue the Crowne, the other weare the Robe.

Tact.
Giue me your hand I like the motion.

Vis.
Auditus shall we make our forces double,
Vpon the same termes.

Avd.
Very willingly,

Vis.
Come lets away feare not the victory.
Rights more aduantage, then an host of soldiars.

Exeunt omnes.