Lingva : Or The Combat of the Tongue, And the fiue Senses For Superiority A pleasant Comoedie |
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 | Lingva : Or The Combat of the Tongue, And the fiue Senses For Superiority |  |
ACT. 3.
Scena. 1.
Anamnestes. With a purse in his hand.Ana.
Forsooth Obliuio shut the dore vpon me I could come
no sooner, ha? is he not here? O excellent. Would I were hangd
but I lookt for a sound rappe on the pate and that made me before
hand to lift vp this excuse for a Buckler, I know hee's not at
court, for here is his purse without which warrant theres no coming
thither, wherefore now Anamnestes sport thy selfe a little,
while thou art out of the prison of his company. What shall I
do? by my troth anatomize his purse in his absence. Plutus send
there be Iewells in it, that I may finely geld it of the stones—
The best sure lies in the bottome—poxt ont heres nothing but
a company of worme eaten papers; whats this? Memorandum
that Maister Prodigo owes mee foure thousand pounds and that
his lands are in pawne for it: Memorandum that I owe; that hee
owes? tis well the olde slaue hath some care of his credit, to
whom owes he trow I? that I owe Anamnestes? What me? I neuer
lent him any thinke; ha this is good, thers som-thing comming
to me, more then I look'd for. Come on, what ist, Memorandum
that I owe Anamnestes—a breeching; I faith Sir I
will ease you of that paiment
(He rendes the bill)
Memorandum
that when I was a childe Robusto tript vp my heeles at
foot-bale: what a Reuengfull dizard's this?
SCEN. 2.
Mendacio. With Cushions vnder his armes, tripps vp Anamnestes heeles.Mendacio. Anamnestes.
Ana.
How now?
No-thing but lay you vpon the Cushion Sir, how so?
Ana.
Nothing but lay the Cushion vpon you Sir?
Mend.
What my little Nam? by this foote I am sory I mistooke
thee.
An.
What my little Men? by this hand it grieues me I tooke
thee so right. But Sirra whither with these Cushions?
Men.
To lay them here that the Iudges may sit softly least
my Ladie Lingua's cause go hard with her.
An.
They should haue beene wrought with gold; these will
do nothing; But what makes thy Ladie with the Iudges?
Men.
Pish, know'st not? shee sueth for the title of a Sense, as
well as the rest that beare the name of the Pentarchy.
An.
Will Common sense and my Maister, leaue their affaires
to determine that Controuersie?
Men.
Then thou hearst nothing,
An.
What should I heare!
Men.
All the senses fell out about a Crowne falne frō heauen
and pitcht a feild for it, but Vicegerent Common sense hearing
of it tooke vpon him, to vmpire the contention, in which regard
he hath appointed them (their armes dismissed) to appeare
before him, charging euery on to bring as it were in a shew, their
proper obiects, that by them he may determine of their seuerall excellencies.
An.
When is all this?
Men.
As soone as they can possibly prouide.
An.
But can he tell which diserues best by their obiects?
Men.
No not only; for euery sense must discribe his Instrumēt,
that is his house, where he performes his daylie duty, so that by
the Obiect and the Instrument, my Lord can with great ease discerne
their place and dignities.
An.
His Lord-ships very wise.
Men.
Thou shalt heare all anon, fine maister Phantastes, and
thy master wil be here shortly. But how ist my little Rogue? me
thinkes thou look'st leane vpon't?
An.
Alas how should I do otherwise that lie all night with
such a Rawbond Skelton as Memory and runne all day on his
Errands. The Churle's growne so old and forgetfull, that euery
houre he's calling Anamnestes, remembrance, where art Anamnestes?
Then presently some thing's lost, poore I must run for it,
as familiar with him as the Cough, neuer out ons mouth.
Men.
Alack, alack poore Rogue, I see my fortunes are better.
My Ladie loues me exceedingly; she's alwaies kissing mee, so
that (I tell thee Nam) Mendacios neuer from betwixt her lippes.
An.
Nor out of Memories mouth; but in a worse sort, alwaies
excercising my stumps and which is more, when hee fauoures
best then I am in the worst taking.
Men.
How so.
An.
Thus when wee are friends, then must I come and bee
dandled vpon his palsie-quaking knees, and he'le tell me a long
story of his acquaintance with King Priamus and his familiarity
with Nestor and how he plaid at blowe-point with Iupiter when
he was in his side-coates and how he went to looke Birds-nests
with Athous, and where hee was at Deucalions floud & 20. such
old wiues tales.
Men.
I wonder he being so old can talke so much.
An.
Nature thou know'st, (knowing what an vnruly Engine the
tongue is) hath set teeth round about for watchmen, Now Sir,
my Maister's old age hath cought out all his teeth & that's the
cause it runs so much at liberty
Men.
Philosopicall;
An.
O but ther's one-thing stings me to the very heart, to see
an vglie foule idle, fat, dusty clog-head, called Obliuio preferred
before, me dost know him?
Men.
Who I, I; But care not for his acquaintāce, hang him block-head
I could neuer abide him? Thou Remembrance art the only
friend that the armes of my friendship shall embrace. Thou hast
heard Oportet mendacem esse memorem. But what of Obliuio.
An.
The very naming of him hath made me forget my selfe.
O, O, O, O, that Rascall is so made-of euery where.
Men.
Who Obliuio?
An.
I, for our Courtiers hug him cōtinually in their vngrate-ful
bosomes, & your smoth-belly fat backt, barrel-pauncht, tū-gutted
drones are euer without him, as for Memory he's a false hearted
fellow, he alwaies deceiues thē, they respect not him, except
it be to play a game at Chests, Primero, Saunt, Maw, or such like.
Men.
I cannot thinke such fellowes haue to do with Obliuio
since they neuer got any thing to forget.
An.
Againe, these prodigall swagerers that are so much boūd to
spend it in Wine vpon Obliuio.
Men.
To what purpose I prethee?
An.
Onely in hope heele wash them in the Lethe of their cares.
Men.
Why then no man cares for thee.
Ana.
Yes a company of studious Paper-wormes and leane
Schollers, and niggardly scraping Vsurers, & a troupe of heart-eating
enuious persons, and those cancker-stomackt spitefull
creatures, that furnish vp common place-bookes with other
mens faults. The time hath beene in those golden dayes, when
Saturne reigned, that if a man receiu'd a benefit of another, I
was presently sent for to put him in minde of it, but now in
these Iron after-noones, saue your friends life, and Obliuio will
be more familiar with him then you.
SCENA. 3.
Hevresis. Mend: Anamnestes.Hevr.
Phantastes not at Court? ist possible 'tis the strangest
accident that euer was heard off, I had thought the Ladies and
Gallants would neuer lye without him.
An.
Hist, hist, Mendacio I prethee obserue Heuresis, it seemes
he cannot finde his Maister, that's able to finde out all things:
and art thou now at a fault, canst not finde out thine owne maister?
nor? Ile trie one more way. O yes.
Men.
What a Proclamation for him?
Ana.
I, I, his nimble head is alwayes full of proclamations.
Hev.
O yes.
Men.
But doth he crie him in the wood?
Anam.
O good sir, and good reason, for euery beast hath
Phantasie at his pleasure.
Hev.
O yes if any man can tell any tidings, of a spruce,
neate, apish, nimble, fine, foolish, absurd, humerous, conceited,
Phantastique Gallant, with hollow eyes, sharpe looke, swart
complexion, meager face, wearing as many toyes in his apparrell,
as fooleries in his lookes and gesture, let him come forth &
certifie me thereof, and he shall haue for his reward—
I can tell you where he is, what shall he haue?
Hevr.
A box o'the eare sirra,
(snappe)
Anam.
How now Inuention, are you so quick fingred? ifaith,
ther's your principall sirra,
(snappe)
and here's the interest
ready in my hand
(snappe)
[They fall together by the cares.]
Yea? haue you found out scratching? now I remember me.
Hevr.
Do you bite you Rascall?
Merd.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, here's the liuely picture of this axiome,
A quick Inuention and a good Memory can neuer agree. Fie
fie, fie Heuresis, beate him when hee's downe?
Anam.
Prethee lets alone proud Iack-an-Apes, Ile—
Hevr.
What will you do?
Anam.
Vntrusse thy points, and whip thee, thou paltry—
Let me go Mendacio if thou lou'st me, shall I put vp the—
Men.
Come, come, come you shall fight no more in good
faith: Heuresis, your Maister will catch you anon.
Hevr.
My Maister, where is he?
Men.
Ile bring you to him, come away.
Hevr.
Anamnestes, I scorne that thou shouldst thinke I go
away for feare of any thing thou canst do vnto me; here's my
hand assoone as thou canst pick the least occasion, put vp thy finger
I am for thee.
Exit Mendacio and Heuresis.
An.
When thou dar'st Heuresis, when thou dar'st, Ile be as
ready as thy selfe at any time.
This Heuresis, this Inuention, is the proudest Iack-a-napes, the
peartest selfe conceited Boy that euer breath'd, because forsooth
some odde Poet, or some, such Phantastique fellowes, make
much on him, there's no ho with him, the vile dandi-pratte will
ore-looke the proudest of his acquaintance: but well I remember
me, I learnt a trick t'other day, to bring a Boy ore the thigh
finely, if he come, ifaith Ile tickle him with it.
Mendacio comes running back in great hast.
Men.
As I am a Rascall Nam, they are all comming, I see
Maister Register trudging hether, as fast as his three feete will
carry vp his foure Ages.
SCENA. 4.
Memoria. Anamnestes.Mem.
Ah you leaden heeld Rascall.
Ana.
Here 'tis Sir, I haue it, I haue it,
Mem.
Is this all the hast you make.
An.
An't like your worship your Clog-head Obliuio went
before me, and foil'd the traile of your foote-steps, that I could
hardly vndertake the quest of your purse forsooth.
Mem.
You might haue beene here long ere this: Come
hither sirra, come hither, what must you go round about, goodly,
goodly, you are so full of circumstances.
An.
In truth Sir, I was here before, and missing you, went
back into the Citty, sought you in euery Ale-house, Inne, Tauerne,
Dicing-house, Tennis-court, Stewes, and such like places,
likely to find your worship in.
Mem.
Ha villaine, am I a man likely to be found in such places,
ha?
Ana.
No, no sir, sir but I was told by my Lady Lingua's page
that your Worship was seeking me, therefore I inquired for
you in those places where I knew you would aske forme, and
it please your worship.
Mem.
I remember an other quarrell sirra, but well, well, I
haue no leisure.
SCENA. 5.
Com. Sens. Lingva. Phantastes. Memory. Anamnestes.Com. S.
Lingua, the Senses by our appointment anon are to
present their obiects before vs; seeing therefore they be not
in readinesse, we license you in the meane while, either in your
owne person, or by your Aduocate, to speake what you can for
your selfe.
Lin.
My Lord if I should bring before your honour all my
so many Retoricians, Logitians, Lawyers and which is more,
so many Women to attend mee, that this Groaue would hardly
conteme the Company, wherefore to auoide the tediousnesse
I will lay the whole cause vppon the tippe of mine owne
tongue.
Com. Sen.
Be as briefe as the necessity of our short time
requires.
Ling.
My Lord, though the Imbecillitas of my feeble
sexe, might drawe mee backe, from this Tribunall, with the
habenis to wit Timoris and the Catenis Pudoris, notwithstanding
beeing so fairely led on with the gratious επιεικεια of your
iustissimæ
δικαιοσυνης
Especially so aspremente spurd' con gli sproni
di necessita mia pungente, I will without the helpe of Orators,
commit the totam salutem of my action to the Volutabilitati
των γυναικειων λογων, which (auec vostre bonne playseur) I will finish
with more then Laconicâ breuitate.
Co. Se.
Whats this? here's a Gallemaufry of speech indeed.
Mem.
I remember about the yeare 1602. many vsed this
skew kind of language. Which in my opinion is not much vnlike
the man Platony the Sonne of Lagus, King of Ægypt,
brought for a spectacle halfe white halfe blacke.
Com. Sen.
I am perswaded these same language makers
haue the very quality of colde in their wit, that freezeth all Heterogeneall languages together, congealing English Tynne,
Græcian Gold, Romaine Latine all in a lumpe.
Pha.
Or rather in my imagination like your Fantasticall
Gulls Apparell, wearing a Spanish Felt, a French Doblet, a
Granado Stocking, a Dutch Slop, an Italian Cloake, with a
Welch frise Ierkin.
Com. Sen.
Well, leaue your toying, we cannot pluck the
least fether from the soft wing of time. Therfore Lingua go on
but in a more formall manner, you know an ingenious Oratiō
must neyther swell aboue the Bankes with insolent words, nor
creepe too shallow in the ford, with vulger termes, but run equally,
smooth, & cheerefull, through the cleane current of a
pure stile.
Lin.
My Lord, this one thing is sufficient to confirme my
are nothing till I polish them with perfection; for their
knowledge is only of things present, quickly sublimed with the
deft file of time, whereas the tongue is able to recount thinges
past, and often pronounce things to come, by this meanes re-edifying
such Excellencies, as Time and Age doe easily depopulate.
Com. Sen.
But what profitable seruice, do you vndertake for our
dread Queene Psyche?
Ling.
O how I am rauisht to thinke how infinitely she hath
graced mee with her most acceptable seruice. But aboue all
(which you Maister Register may well remember) when her
highnesse taking my mouth for her instrument, with the Bowe
of my tongue strooke so heauenly a touch vpon my teeth, that
shee charmed the very Tigers a sleepe, the lystning Beares
and Lions, to couch at her feete, while the Hills leaped, and
the woodes daunced, to the sweete harmony of her most Angelicall
accents.
Mem.
I remember it very well. Orpheus plaied vpon the
Harpe, while she sange about some foure yeares after the Contention
betwixt Apollo and Pan, and a little before the excoriation
of Marsyas.
An.
By the same token the Riuer Alpheus, at that time pursuing
his beloued Arethusa, dischanel'd himselfe of his former
course to bee partaker of their admirable consort, and the
musicke beeing ended, thrust himselfe head-long into
earth, the next way to followe his amarous Chase; if you
goe to Arcadia you shall see his comming vp againe.
Com. Sen.
Forward Lingua with your reason.
Ling.
How oft hath her Excellencie imployed mee as Imbassador
in her most vrgent affaires to forreigne Kings and
Emperours I may say to the Godds themselues. Howe many
bloudlesse Battailes haue my perswasions attained, when the
senses forces haue beene vanquished. Howe many Rebells
haue I reclaymed when her sacred authority, was little regarded
(her Lawes without exprobation be it spoken) had beene altogither
vnpublished, her will vnperformed, her illustrious
deedes vnrenoumed had not the siluer sound of my trumpet
fame. Her Citties would dissolue, traffique would decay friendshippes
be broken, were not my speech the knot. Mercury, and
Mastique, to binde, defende, and glewe them togither. What
should I say more; I can neuer speake inough of the vnspeakeable
praise of speech, wherein I can find no other imperfection
at all, but that the most exquisite power & excellency of speech
cannot sufficiently expresse the exquisite power, and excellency
of speaking.
Com. Sen.
Lingua your seruice and dignitie we confesse to be
great, nertheles these reasons prooue you not to haue the nature
of a sense.
Ling.
By your L. ships fauor I can soone prooue that a sense
is a facultie, by which our Queene sitting in her priuy Chamber
hath intelligence of exterior occurrents. That I am of this
nature, I proue thus. The obiect which I challenge is ---
Enter Appetitus in hast.
App.
Stay, stay my Lo. defer I beseech, defer the Iudgement.
Com. Sen.
Who's this that boldly interrupts vs this, hum.
App.
My name is Appetitus, Common seruant to the Pentarchy
of the senses, who vnderstanding that your Honour was
handling this Action of Linguaes sent mee hether thus hastely,
most humbly requesting the Bench to consider these Articles
they alleage against her before you proccede to iudgement.
Com. Sen.
Hum, here's good stuffe, Maister Register reade thē
Appetitus you may depart and bid your Mistrisse make conuenient
speede.
App.
At your Lordships pleasure.
Mem.
I Remember that I forgot my spectacles, I left them
in the 349. page of Halls Chronicles, where hee tells a great
wonder of a multitude of Mise which had almost destroyed
the Country, but that there resorted a great mightie flight of
Owles, that distroyed them, Anamnestes reade these Articles distinctly.
An.
1. Ar. Inprimis wee accuse Lingua of high treason, and
sacriledge, against the most honorable Common-wealth of letters,
for vnder pretence of profiting the people with translations,
shee hath most vilye prostituted the hard misteries
Phan.
This is as much as to make a new hell in the vpper
world, for in Hell they say Alexander is no better then a Cobler,
and nowe by these translations euery Cobler is as familiar
with Alexander as he that wrote his life.
Anam.
2. art. Item that, she hath wrongfully imprisoned a
Ladie called Veritas.
3. art. Item that she's a witch and excerciseth her tongue in
exorcismes.
4. art. Item that she's a common whore and lets euery one
lie with her.
5. art. Item that shee railes on men in Authority deprauing
their Honours, with bitter Iests and tauntes and that
she's a Backbyter setting strife betwixt Bosome friends.
6. art. Item that shee lends wiues weapons to fight against
their husbands.
7. art. Item that shee maintaines a traine of prating petty
foggers, prouling Sumners, smooth tongu'd bawdes, artlesse
Empericks, hungry Parasites, Newes-carriers, Ianglers, and
such like idle Companions, that delude the Commanalty.
8. art. Item that she made Rhetorique wanton, Logicke to
bable, Astronomy to lie.
9. art. Item that she is an incontinent Tel-tale.
10. art. Item (which is the last and worst) that shee's
a Woman in euery respect and for these causes not to bee
admitted to the dignitie of a Sense. That these Articles
bee true wee pawne our honors, and subcribe our names.
1. Visus. 4. Olfactus.
3. Gustus.
2. Auditus. 5. Tactus.
Com. Sen.
Lingua these bee shrewde allegations, and as I
thinke vn-answerable, I will deferre the iudgement of your
cause till I haue finished the contention of the Senses.
Ling.
Your Lordships must be obeyed, but as for them most
vngratefull, and perfidious wretches.
Good words become you better, you may depart if
you will, till we send for you. Anamnestes runne, remember Uisus,
tis time he were ready.
Anam.
I go.
(Exit Anam: et redit)
he stayes here expecting
your Lordships pleasure.
SCENA. 6.
A Page carying a Scutchion argent charged with an Eagle displayed proper, then Visus with a Fanne of Peacocks fethers, next Lumen with a Crowne of Bayes, and a Shield with a bright Sunne in it, apparrelled in Tissue, then a Page bearing a Shield before Cœlum, clad in Azure Taffata, dimpled with Starres, a Crowne of Starres on his head, and a Scarfe resembling the Zodiack ouerthwart the Shoulders, next a page clad in greene with a terrestriall Globe before Terra, in a greene Veluet gowne stucke with branches, and flowers, a Crowne of Turrets vpon her head, in her hand a Key, then a Herauld leading in his hand Colour clad in changeable silke, with a Rainbowe out of a Cloud on her head, last a Boy, Visus Marshalleth his shew about the Stage, and presents it before the Bench.Visvs. Lvmen. Coelvm. Phantas. Com. Sens. Memorie.
Vis.
Loe here the obiect that delights the sight,
The goodliest obiects that mans heart can wish,
For all things that the Orbe first moueable,
Wrappes in the circuite of his large-stretcht armes,
Are subiect to the power of Uisus eyes,
That you may know what profit light doth bring,
Note Lumens words that speakes next following.
Lvmen.
Light the faire Grand-child to the glorious Sunne,
Opening the casements of the Rosie morne,
Makes the abashed heauens soone to shun,
The vgly darknesse it embrac'd beforne,
And at his first appearance puts to flight,
The vtmost reliques of the Hell-borne night.
Dismayes the vices that abhorre the light,
To wanderers by Sea and Land giues aide,
Conquers display, recomforteth affright,
Rowseth dull Idlenesse, and starts soft sleepe.
And all the world to daily labour keepes,
This a true looking glasse impartiall,
Where Beauties selfe, her selfe doth beautifie,
With natiue hue, not artificiall,
Discouering falsehood, opening veritie,
The dayes bright eye colours distinction,
Iust iudge of measure and proportion.
The onely meanes by which each mortall eye,
Sends messengers to the wide firmament,
That to the longing soule brings presently
High contemplation and deepe wonderment.
By which aspirement she her wings displaies,
And her selfe thither whence she came vpraisd.
Ph.
What blew thing's that, that's dappled so with Starres.
Vis.
He represents the heau'n.
Ph.
In my conceit it were pritty, if hee thundred when hee speakes.
Vis.
Then none could vnderstand him.
Coel.
Tropick coloures the Equinoctiall,
The Zodiack poles, and line Eclipticall,
The Nadaz, Zenith, and Anomalies,
The Azimeth and Ephimerides,
Starres, Orbes, and Plannets, with their motions,
The Orientall Regradations,
Excentricks, Epicyctes, and—and—and—
Ph.
How now Uisus is your heauen at a stay?
Or is it his Motus trepidationis that makes him stammer:
I pray you Memory set him agate againe.
Mem.
I remember when Iupiter made Amphitrio Cuckold,
and lay with his wife Alcmena, Cœlum was in this taking for
three dayes; space, and stood still iust like him at a non plus.
Com. Sen.
Leaue iesting, youle put the fresh Actor out of
countenance.
Coel.
Excentricks, Epicyctes, and Aspects,
Wonders on earth: also the Oblique part
Of signes, that make the day both long and short,
The Constellations, rising Cosmicall,
Setting of Starres, Chronicke, and Heliacall,
In the Orison or Meridionall,
And all the skill in deepe Astronomie,
Is to the soule deriued by the eye.
Pha.
Uisus you haue made Cœlum a heauenly speech, past
earthly capacitie, it had beene as good for him hee had thundred.
But I pray you who taught him speake and vse no action,
me thinke it had beene excellent to haue turn'd round about
in his speech.
Uis.
Hee hath so many motions hee knowes not which to
begin withall.
Ph.
Nay rather it seemes hee's of Copernicus opinion, and
that makes him stand still.
Terra comes to the midsts of the Stage, stands stil awhile, saith nothing, and steps back.
Com. Se.
Lets heare what Terra can say—iust nothing.
Vis.
And't like your Lordship, t'were an indecorum Terra
should speake.
Mem.
You are deceiued, for I remember when Phaeton rul'd
the Sunne, I shall neuer forget him, he was a very pretty youth,
the earth opened her mouth wide, and spoake a very good
speech to Iupiter.
Anam.
By the same token Nylus hid his head then, he could
neuer finde it since.
Ph.
You know Memory that was an extreame hotte day, &
'tis likely Terra sweat much, and so tooke cold presently after,
that euer since she hath lost her voyce.
Heravld.
A Cauton Ermines added to the field, is a sure
signe the man that bore these Armes, was to his Prince as a defensiue
shield, sauing him from the force of present Armes.
Ph.
I know this fellow of old, 'tis a Herauld, many a Centaure,
Chimera, Barnacle, Crocadile, Hippotame, and such like
toyes, hath he stolne out of the shop of my Inuention, to shape
new coates for his vpstart Gentlemen. Either Affrica must
for you haue spent all my deuises already, but since you
are here, let me aske you a question, in your owne profession,
how comes it to passe that the victorious Armes of England,
quartred with the conquered Coate of France are not placed
on the dexter side, but giue the flowre deluce the better hand?
Her.
Because that the three Lyons are one coate made of
two French Duke-domes, Normandy and Aquitaine: but I
pray you Visus, what Iaye is that, that followes him?
Vis.
'Tis Color an obiect of mine, subiect to his cōmandment.
Pha.
Why speakes he not?
Vis.
He is so bashfull, he dares not speake for blushing:
What thing is that, tell mee without delay.
A Boy.
That's nothing of it selfe, yet euery way,
As like a Man, as a thing, like may bee,
And yet so vnlike, as cleane contrary,
For in one point it euery way doth misse,
The right side of it a mans left side is
Tis lighter then a Feather, and withall
It filles no place, nor roome it is so small.
Com. Sen.
How now Uisus, haue you brought a boy with
a riddle to pose vs all.
Phan.
Pose vs all? and I here; that were a iest indeed: My
Lord, if he haue a Sphinx, I haue an Oedipus assure your selfe,
lets heare it once againe.
Boy.
What thing is that Sir.
Phan.
This such a knotty Enigma? why my Lord, I think
it's a Woman, for first a Woman is nothing of her selfe, and againe
shee is likest a man of any thing.
Com. Sen.
But wherein is she vnlike?
Pha.
In euery thing, in peeuishnes, in folly. ---'st Boy.
Hev.
In Pride, Deceit, Prating, Lying, Cogging, Coynes,
Spite, Hate Sir.
Pha.
And in many mo such vices: Now he may well say,
the left side a mans right side is, for a crosse wife, is alwayes
contrary to her husband, euer contradicting what hee wisheth
for, like to the verse in Martiall, Uelle tuum.
Mem.
Velle tuvm nolo. Dindine nolle volo.
Lighter then a feather, doth any man, make question
of that?
Mem.
They neede not, for I remember I saw a Cardinall
weigh thē once, & the Woman was found 3. graynes lighter.
Com. Sen.
Tis strange, for I haue seene Gentlewomen
weare Feathers oftentimes, can they carrie heauier things then
themselues?
Mem.
O sir, I remember, tis their onely delight to do so.
Com. Sen.
But how apply you the last verse, it fills no
place Sir?
Pha.
By my faith, that spoyles all the former, for these fardingalles
take vp all the roome now a dayes, tis not a woman
questionlesse, shall I be put downe with a Riddle sirrah, Heuresis
search the corners of your conceit, and find it me quickly.
Hev.
Hay ευρηκα, ευρηκα. I haue it, tis a mans face in a looking
Glasse.
Phan.
My Lord, tis so indeede, Sirrha lets see it, for do
you see my right eye here?
Com. Sen.
What of your eye?
Ph.
O Lord, sir, this kind of frowne is excellent, especially
when tis sweetned with such a pleasing smile.
Com Se.
Phantastes.
Pha.
O Sir my left eie is my right in the glasse, do you see?
by these lips my garters hang so neately, my Gloues & shooes
become my hands and feete so well: Heuresis tie my shooes
strings with a new knot;—this point was scarse well trust,—
so, tis excellent.—Looking-glasses were a passing inuentiō,
I protest the fittest bookes for Ladies to study on—
Mem.
Take heede you fall not in loue with your selfe Phantastes,
as I remember: Anamnestes who wast that died of the
looking disease?
An.
Forsooth Narcissus, by the same token he was turn'd to a
Daffadill, & as he died for loue of himselfe, so if you remēber
there was an old ill-fauoured, precious nosed, babber-lipt, beetle-browed,
Bleere-eyd, slouch-eard slaue that looking himselfe
by chance in a Glasse, died for pure hate.
Ph.
By the lip of my --- I could liue and die with this face.
Co. Se.
Fie fie Phantastes, so effeminate for shame leaue off.
instrument bee answerable, letts here therefore in breife your
description—
Vis.
Vnder the fore-head of mount Cephalon,
That ouer-peeres the coast of Microcosme,
All in the shaddowe of two pleasant groues,
Stand my two mansion houses, both as round
As the cleare heauens, both twins as like each other:
As starre to starre, which by the vulger sort,
For their resplendent composition,
Are named the bright eyes of mount Cephalon:
With foure faire roomes those lodgings are contriued.
Foure goodly roomes in forme most sphericall,
Closing each other like the heauenly orbes:
The first whereof, of Natures substance wrought,
As a strange moate the other to defende,
Is trained moueable by Art diuine:
Stirring the whole compacture of the rest,
The second chamber is most curiously
Composed of burnisht, and transparent horne.
Phan.
That's a matter of nothing, I haue knowne many
haue such bed-chambers.
Mem.
It may be so, for I remember being once in the townes
Library, I read such a thing, in their greate booke of monuments
called, Cornucopia, or rather their copia-Cornu.
Vis.
The third's a lesser roome of purest glasse,
The fourth's smallest, but passeth all the former,
In worth of matter built most sumptuously:
With walls transparent of pure Christaline.
This the soules mirrour and the bodies guide,
Loues Cabinet bright beacons of the Realme,
Casements of light quiuer of Cupids shafts:
Wherein I sit and immediatly receiue,
The species of things corporeall,
Keeping continuall watch and centinell:
Least forraine hurt inuade our Microcosme,
And warning giue, (if pleasant things approch)
To entertaine them, from this coastly roome:
Through which I hourely to your selfe conuay
Matters of wisdome by experience bred:
Arts first inuention, pleasant vision,
Deepe contemplation, that attires the soule,
In gorgeous roabes of flowering literature:
Then if that Visus haue deserued best,
Let his victorious browe, with Crowne be blest.
Com. Sen.
Anamnestes, see who's to come next.
Ana.
Presently my Lord.
Phan.
Visus, I wonder that amongst all your obiects, you
presented vs not with Platoes Idea, or the sight of Niniuie, Babilon,
London, or some Sturbridge faire-monsters, they would haue
done passing well, those motions in my immagination are very
delightfull.
Vis.
I was loath to trouble your honours with such toies,
neither could I prouide them in so short a time.
Com. Sen.
We will consider your worth, meane while wee
dismisse you.
Uisus leades his showe about the stage, and so goeth out with it.
SCEN. vltima.
Avditvs, &c.Avd.
Hearke, hearke, hearke, hearke, peace, peace, O peace:
O sweete, admirable, Swanlike heauenly, hearke, O most mellifluous
straine, O what a pleasant cloase was there, O full, most
delicate.
Com. Sen.
How now Phantastes, is Auditus mad?
Phan.
Let him alone, his musicall head is alwaies full of od
crotchets.
Avd.
Did you marke the dainty dryuing of the last
pointe, an excellent maintayning of the songe, by the choise
timpan of mine eare, I neuer heard a better, hist, st, st, hearke,
why theres a cadence able to rauish the dullest Stoicke.
I know not, what to thinke on him.
Avd.
There how sweetly the plane-song was dissolued into
descant, and how easily they came of with the last rest, hearke,
hearke, the bitter sweetest Achromaticke.
Com. Sen.
Auditus.
Avd.
Thankes good Apollo for this timely grace, neuer
could'st thou in fitter: O more then most musicall harmony, O
most admirable consort, haue you no eares? doe you not heare
this musicke?
Phan.
It may bee good, but in my opinion, they rest too
long in the beginning.
Avd.
Are you then deafe? do you not yet perceiue the wondrous
sound the heauenly orbes do make with their continuall
motion, hearke, hearke, O hony sweete.
Com. Sen.
What tune do they play?
Avd.
Why such a tune as neuer was, nor euer shalbe heard,
marke now, now marke, now, now.
Phan.
List, list list,
Avd.
Hearke O, sweete, sweete sweete.
Phan.
List how my heart enuies my happy eares, hisht, by
the gold strung harpe of Apollo, I heare the celestiall musicke of
the spheares, as plainely as euer Pithagoras did, O most excellent
diapason good, good, good. It plaies fortune my foe, as distinctly
as may be.
Com. Sen.
As the foole thinketh, so the bell clinketh, I protest
I heare no more then a post.
Phan.
What, the Laualta hay? nay if the heauens fiddle,
Phansy must needes dance.
Com. S.
Prethe sit stil, thou must dance nothing but the passing
measures. Memory do you heare this harmony of the spheares?
Mem.
Not now my Lord, but I remember about some 4000.
yeares ago, whē the Skie was first made, we heard very perfectly.
Ana.
By the same token the first tune the planets plaied, I remēber
Venus the treble ran sweet diuision vpō Saturne the base.
The first tune they plaied was Sellengers roūd, in memory wherof
euer since, it hath beene called the beginning of the world.
Com. Sen.
How comes it we cannot heare it now.
Mem.
Our eares are so well acquainted with the sounde,
that we neuer marke it. As I remember the Egiptian Catadupes
is so familiar vnto them.
Com. Sen.
Haue you no other obiects to iudge by, then these Auditus?
Avd.
This is the rarest and most exquisite,
Most sphericall, diuine, angelicall,
But since your duller eares cannot perceiue it:
May it please your Lordship to with draw your selfe,
Vnto this neigh-boring groue, there shall you see:
How the sweete treble, of the chirping birds,
And the soft stirring of the mooued leaues.
Running delightfull descant to the sound,
Of the base murmuring of the bubling brooke,
Becomes a consort of good instruments.
While twenty babling ecchoes round aboute,
Out of the stony concaue of their mouth:
Restore the vanish't musicke of each cloase,
And fill your eares full with redoubled pleasure.
Com. Sen.
I will walke with you very willingly, for I growe
weary of sitting. Come Maister Register, and Maister Phantastes,
Exeunt omnes.
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