University of Virginia Library

SCENA. 5.

The Bench as before: a Page with a shield argent, an Ape proper with an apple, then Gustus with a cornu-copia in his hand, Bacchus in a Garland of leaues and Grapes, a white sute, and ouer it a thin sarsenet to his foote, in his hand a speare wreathed with vine leaues, on his arme a Target with a Tiger, Ceres with a Crowne of eares of corne, in a yellow silke robe, a bunch of poppy in her hand, a schutcheon charged with a Dragon.
Com. Sen.

In good time Gustus, haue you brought your
obiects?

Gvst.

My seruant Appetitus followeth with them.

Ap.

Come come Bacchus, you are so fat; enter enter.

Ph.

Fie, fie Gustus this is a great indecorum to bring Bacchus
alone, you should haue made Thirst led him by the hand.

Gvs.

Right Sir, but Men now a dayes drinke often when
they be not drye, besides I could not get red hearings and dried
neates tongues enough to apparell him in.

Com. Sen.

What neuer a speech of him.

Gvs.

I put an Octaue of Iambicks in his mouth, and hee
hath drunke it downe.

Ap.

Well done, Muscadine and Eggs stand hot; what butter'd
Claret? go thy way thou had'st best, for blind men that
cannot see how wickedly thou look'st—how now, what small
thin fellow, are you here? ha?

Boy.

Beere forsooth, beere forsooth.

Ap.

Beere forsooth? get you gone to the buttery, till I call
for you, you are none of Bacchus attendants, I am sure, he cannot
indure the smell of Mault. Whereas Ceres? ô well, well, is
the March-pane broken? ill luck, ill luck, come hang't, neuer
stand to set it together againe; serue out fruite there; (Enter

Boyes with a Banket, Marmolet, sweet &c. deliuer it round among

the Gentlewomen, aud goe out)
what doe you come with rostemeat
after Aples, away with it. Disgestion serue out cheese;
what, but a penny-worth, it is iust the measure of his nose that
sold it? lambs wooll; the meekest meate in the world, t'will
let any man fleece it. Snap-dragon there.

Mem.

O I remember this dish well, it was first inuented by
Pluto to intertaine Proserpina withall.

Pha.

I thinke not so Memory, for when Hercules had kild
the flaming Dragon of Hesperdia, with the Apples of that
Orchard, he made this fiery meate, in memory whereof hee
named it Snap-dragon.

Com. Sen.
Gustus, lets here your description?

Gvs.
Neare to the lowly base of Cephalon,
My house is plac'd, not much vnlike a Caue.
Yet archt aboue by wondrous workemanship
With hewen stones wrought smoother and more fine
Then Ieat or Marble fayre from Island brought.
Ouer the dore directly doth incline
A fayre Percullis of compacture strong,
To shut out all that may anoy the state,
Or health of Microcosme; and within
Is spred along board like a plyant tongue,
At which I howerly sit, and tryall take,
Of meats and drinkes needefull and delectable:
Twise euery day do I prouision make
For the sumptious kitchin of the common wealth,
which once well boyl'd, is soone distributed,
To all the members, well refreshing them
With good supplie of strength-renewing foode,
Should I neglect this musing dilligence
The body of the Realme would ruinate:
Your selfe my Lord with all your policies
And wondrous wit, could not preserue your selfe,
Nor you Phantastes, nor you Memorie;
Psyche her selfe, were't not that I repayre
Her crazie house with props of nourishment,
Would soone forsake vs: for whose dearest sake
Many a grieuous paine haue I sustain'd,
By bitter pills, and sowre purgations,
Which if I had not valiantly abidden,
She had beene long ere this departed,
Since the whole Microcosme I maintaine,
Let mee as Prince, aboue the Senses raigne.

Com. Sen.

The reasons you vrge Gustus breed a new doubt
whether it be better to be commodious or necessary, the resolution
whereof I refer to your iudgement, licensing you meane
while to depart.

(Gustus leads his shew about the stage, & goes out)