University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Penelope enters, spilling the Drink down her Apron as she comes in.
Pen.
Lud, I'm so frighted, there is such a Clatter.
Pray cou'd your Highness tell Me what's the Matter?
They all are fighting, and have lock'd the Door:
And certainly I hear Will Cleaver roar.

[A Noise from within.
Min.
You're right; they all are at it now Pelmel.
Well play'd Ulysses faith; have at them Tel.

Pen.
Falling on her Knees.
What can your Highness mean? Pray tell Me true;
I do intreat you by those Eyes so blue.

Min.
I'll tell Thee all; but Nothing rashly.—Drink.
Ulysses soon shall make these Scoundrels stink.

Penelope rises, and drinks to Minerva, who takes the Pot from her after she has drank.
Min.
Pen, you and I have long Acquaintance been.—
Come, here's Success to the good Man within.

[She drinks.
Pen.
Pray—

Min.
Hear me out.—I am your House's Friend;
I guard your Honour, and your Beer commend.
You well remember, when the War begun,
Your Husband left you with an only Son.
Him to the School of Charity I sent,
Where soon he learn'd to read, and fast in Lent.
Bless'd Institution! happy Project! whence
The Poor are Scholars made without Expence;
Whence many an honest Peasant's Son may grow
A rev'rend Lump, and scorn his Father's Plow.
'Twas I myself inspir'd the Notion first;
Let any speak against it if they durst:
Pleas'd the Success great Jove, my Father, sees;
A Fiddle for the Fable of the Bees!

Pen.
All that your Highness says, indeed, is true;
But pray now, Madam, what is that to Ulysses?

Min.
Be still, I say, and hear Me out.—
Fool, 'tis Ulysses that makes all this Rout.—
What, you're uneasy to be gone.—Stand still.—
Zoons, ben't so eager; you shall have your Fill.—
'Twas he that made the Dog, Will Cleaver, roar;
He bang'd him well, and made him pay his Score.
To do him Justice, Tele top'd his Part;
He pinch'd the Taylor till he made him smart:
And as for Cleaver's Trull, your saucy Maid,
She shall mill Neckweed for the Pranks she play'd.
My Husband.—I'm impatient.—Let Me fly.

Min.
Stay.—

[Holding her.
Pen.
Not for all the Ladys of the Sky.