University of Virginia Library

Scena. 5.

Phallax alone.
Phal.
Tis more then straunge, to see Lord Promos plight,
He fryskes abought, as byrdes ware in his breech.
Euen now he seemes (through hope) to taste delight,
And straight (through feare) where he clawes it doth not ytch.
He museth now, strayght wayes the man doth sing.
(A sight in sooth, vnseemely for his age:)
He longing lookes, when any newes shal bring,
To speake with him, without there waytes a page,
O worthy wit (fyt for a Iudges head)
Unto a man to chaunge a shiftles mayde,
Wyncke not on me, twas his, and not my deede:
His, nay, his rule, this Metamorphos made,
But Holla tongue, no more of this I pray,
Non bonus est, ludere cum sanctis.
The quietest, and the thryftiest course they say,
Is, not to checke, but prayse great mens amys,
I finde it true, for soothing Promos vaine:
None lyke my selfe, is lykte in his conceyte,
While fauour last, then good, I fish for gaine:
(For Grace wyll not byte alwayes at my bayte)
And as I wish, at hande, good Fortune, see:
Here coms Phallax, and Gripax, but what's this,
As good, as fayre handsell, God graunt it bee:
The knaues bring a Woman, Coram nobis.