Qui[152]cupis æthereas et summas scandere sedes,Vim simul ac fraudem discute, care, tibi.Fraus hic nulla juvat, non fortia facta juvabunt:Sola Dei tua te trahet tersa fides.Qui placet in terris, intactæ paludis instar,Vivere Virginiam nitore, virgo, sequi:Quos tulit et luctus, discas [et] gaudia magna,Vitæ dum Parcæ scindere fila parent.Huc ades, O virgo pariter moritura, sepulchro;Sic ait, et facies pallida morte mutat.Who doth desire the trump of fame to sound unto the skies,Or else who seeks the holy place where mighty Jove he lies,He must not by deceitful mind, nor yet by puissant strength,But by the faith and sacred life he must it win at length,And what she be that virgin’s life on earth would gladly leadThe floods that Virginia did fall I wish her to read:Her dolor and her doleful loss, and yet her joys at death:Come, Virgins pure, to grave with me, quoth she with latest breath.You Lordlings, all that present be this Tragedy to hear,Note well what zeal and love herein doth well appear:And, ladies, you that linked are in wedlock bands for ever,Do imitate the life you see, whose fame will perish never.But Virgins you, O Ladies fair, for honour of your name.Do lead the life apparent here to win immortal fame.Let not the blinded God of Love, as poets term him so,Nor Venus with her venery, nor lechers, cause of woe,Your Virgins’ name to spot or file: dear dames, observe the life[153]That fair Virginia did observe, who rather wish[ed] the knifeOf father’s hand her life to end, than spot her chastity:As she did wail, wail you her want, you maids of courtesy.If any by example here would shun that great annoy.Our Author would rejoice in heart, and we would leap for joy.Would gods that our endeavours may as well to please your ears,As is our author’s meaning here, then were we void of fears.But patiently we wish you bear with this our first attempt,Which surely will to do our best, then yield us no contempt:And as you please in patient wise our first for to receive,Ere long a better shall you win, if God do grant us leave.
Qui[152]cupis æthereas et summas scandere sedes,Vim simul ac fraudem discute, care, tibi.Fraus hic nulla juvat, non fortia facta juvabunt:Sola Dei tua te trahet tersa fides.Qui placet in terris, intactæ paludis instar,Vivere Virginiam nitore, virgo, sequi:Quos tulit et luctus, discas [et] gaudia magna,Vitæ dum Parcæ scindere fila parent.Huc ades, O virgo pariter moritura, sepulchro;Sic ait, et facies pallida morte mutat.
Qui[152]cupis æthereas et summas scandere sedes,
Vim simul ac fraudem discute, care, tibi.
Fraus hic nulla juvat, non fortia facta juvabunt:
Sola Dei tua te trahet tersa fides.
Qui placet in terris, intactæ paludis instar,
Vivere Virginiam nitore, virgo, sequi:
Quos tulit et luctus, discas [et] gaudia magna,
Vitæ dum Parcæ scindere fila parent.
Huc ades, O virgo pariter moritura, sepulchro;
Sic ait, et facies pallida morte mutat.
Who doth desire the trump of fame to sound unto the skies,Or else who seeks the holy place where mighty Jove he lies,He must not by deceitful mind, nor yet by puissant strength,But by the faith and sacred life he must it win at length,And what she be that virgin’s life on earth would gladly leadThe floods that Virginia did fall I wish her to read:Her dolor and her doleful loss, and yet her joys at death:Come, Virgins pure, to grave with me, quoth she with latest breath.You Lordlings, all that present be this Tragedy to hear,Note well what zeal and love herein doth well appear:And, ladies, you that linked are in wedlock bands for ever,Do imitate the life you see, whose fame will perish never.But Virgins you, O Ladies fair, for honour of your name.Do lead the life apparent here to win immortal fame.Let not the blinded God of Love, as poets term him so,Nor Venus with her venery, nor lechers, cause of woe,Your Virgins’ name to spot or file: dear dames, observe the life[153]That fair Virginia did observe, who rather wish[ed] the knifeOf father’s hand her life to end, than spot her chastity:As she did wail, wail you her want, you maids of courtesy.If any by example here would shun that great annoy.Our Author would rejoice in heart, and we would leap for joy.Would gods that our endeavours may as well to please your ears,As is our author’s meaning here, then were we void of fears.But patiently we wish you bear with this our first attempt,Which surely will to do our best, then yield us no contempt:And as you please in patient wise our first for to receive,Ere long a better shall you win, if God do grant us leave.
Who doth desire the trump of fame to sound unto the skies,
Or else who seeks the holy place where mighty Jove he lies,
He must not by deceitful mind, nor yet by puissant strength,
But by the faith and sacred life he must it win at length,
And what she be that virgin’s life on earth would gladly lead
The floods that Virginia did fall I wish her to read:
Her dolor and her doleful loss, and yet her joys at death:
Come, Virgins pure, to grave with me, quoth she with latest breath.
You Lordlings, all that present be this Tragedy to hear,
Note well what zeal and love herein doth well appear:
And, ladies, you that linked are in wedlock bands for ever,
Do imitate the life you see, whose fame will perish never.
But Virgins you, O Ladies fair, for honour of your name.
Do lead the life apparent here to win immortal fame.
Let not the blinded God of Love, as poets term him so,
Nor Venus with her venery, nor lechers, cause of woe,
Your Virgins’ name to spot or file: dear dames, observe the life[153]
That fair Virginia did observe, who rather wish[ed] the knife
Of father’s hand her life to end, than spot her chastity:
As she did wail, wail you her want, you maids of courtesy.
If any by example here would shun that great annoy.
Our Author would rejoice in heart, and we would leap for joy.
Would gods that our endeavours may as well to please your ears,
As is our author’s meaning here, then were we void of fears.
But patiently we wish you bear with this our first attempt,
Which surely will to do our best, then yield us no contempt:
And as you please in patient wise our first for to receive,
Ere long a better shall you win, if God do grant us leave.
APPIUS AND VIRGINIA.
EnterVirginius.
Before the time that fortune’s lot did show each fate his doom,Or bird or beast, or fish or fowl, on earth had taken room,The gods they did decree to frame, the thing is ended now,The heavens and the planets eke, and moist from air to bow.Then framed they the man from mould and clay, and gave him time to reign,As seemed best their sacred minds to run and turn again,They framed also, after this, out of his tender sideA piece of much formosity with him for to abide.From infancy to lusty youth, and so to reign awhile,And well to live, till Œtas he unwares do him beguile.Therewith to see these gifts of them on grounded cave to view,And daintily to deck them up, which after they may rue.Therefore I thank the gods above that yield to me such fateTo link to me so just a spouse, and eke so loving mate.By her I have a virgin pure, an imp of heavenly raceBoth sober, meek and modest too, and virtuous in like case:To temple will I wend therefore to yield the gods their praise,For that they have thus luckily annexed to my days.But stay: behold the peerless sparks, whereof my tongue did talk,Approach in presence of my sight: to church I deem they walk.But stay I will, and shroud me secretly awhileTo see what wit or counsel grave proceedeth from their style.
Before the time that fortune’s lot did show each fate his doom,Or bird or beast, or fish or fowl, on earth had taken room,The gods they did decree to frame, the thing is ended now,The heavens and the planets eke, and moist from air to bow.Then framed they the man from mould and clay, and gave him time to reign,As seemed best their sacred minds to run and turn again,They framed also, after this, out of his tender sideA piece of much formosity with him for to abide.From infancy to lusty youth, and so to reign awhile,And well to live, till Œtas he unwares do him beguile.Therewith to see these gifts of them on grounded cave to view,And daintily to deck them up, which after they may rue.Therefore I thank the gods above that yield to me such fateTo link to me so just a spouse, and eke so loving mate.By her I have a virgin pure, an imp of heavenly raceBoth sober, meek and modest too, and virtuous in like case:To temple will I wend therefore to yield the gods their praise,For that they have thus luckily annexed to my days.But stay: behold the peerless sparks, whereof my tongue did talk,Approach in presence of my sight: to church I deem they walk.But stay I will, and shroud me secretly awhileTo see what wit or counsel grave proceedeth from their style.
Before the time that fortune’s lot did show each fate his doom,
Or bird or beast, or fish or fowl, on earth had taken room,
The gods they did decree to frame, the thing is ended now,
The heavens and the planets eke, and moist from air to bow.
Then framed they the man from mould and clay, and gave him time to reign,
As seemed best their sacred minds to run and turn again,
They framed also, after this, out of his tender side
A piece of much formosity with him for to abide.
From infancy to lusty youth, and so to reign awhile,
And well to live, till Œtas he unwares do him beguile.
Therewith to see these gifts of them on grounded cave to view,
And daintily to deck them up, which after they may rue.
Therefore I thank the gods above that yield to me such fate
To link to me so just a spouse, and eke so loving mate.
By her I have a virgin pure, an imp of heavenly race
Both sober, meek and modest too, and virtuous in like case:
To temple will I wend therefore to yield the gods their praise,
For that they have thus luckily annexed to my days.
But stay: behold the peerless sparks, whereof my tongue did talk,
Approach in presence of my sight: to church I deem they walk.
But stay I will, and shroud me secretly awhile
To see what wit or counsel grave proceedeth from their style.
Here enterethMaterandVirginia.
The pert and pricking prime of youth ought chastisement to have,But thou, dear daughter, needest not, thyself doth show thee grave:To see how Phœbus with his beams hath youth so much infested,[154]It doth me woe to see them crave the thing should be detested.[155]I draw to grave and nought can leave of thee to be desired,As much as duty to thy dear, as reason hath required:My sovereign[156]lord and friendly pheer[157]Virginius, father thine,To nurse as doth become a child, when bones are buried mine.Virginia.[158]Refell your mind of mourning plaints, dear mother, rest your mind,For though that duty dainty were, dame nature will me bindSo much to do; and further force of Gods that rule the skies,The Globe,[159]and eke the Element, they would me else despise.Mater.Then if the gods have granted thee such grace to love thy sire,When time shall choose thee out a make, be constant, I require:Love, live, and like him well, before you grant him grace or faith,So shall your love continue long, experience thus he saith.Virginia.I grant, dear Dame, I do agree,When time shall so provide;But tender youth and infancyDoth rather wish me bide.What, should I lose Diana’s giftAnd eke the spring to shun,By which Acteon fatallyHis final race did run?Should I as abject be esteemedThroughout Parnassus hill,Or should my virgin’s name be filed,It were too great a skill.But yet it is unspotted, lo,Right well I do conceive,When wedlock doth require the same,With parents’ love and leave:Yet obstinate I will not be,But willing will me yield,When you command, and not before,Then duty shall me shield.Virginius.Ah gods, that rule and reign in heavens, in seas, in floods, in lands,Two couples such, I surely deem, you never made with hands.Ah gods, why do ye not compel each dame the like to show,And every imp of her again her duty thus to know?I cannot stay my tongue from talk, I needs must call my dear.O spouse, well-met, and daughter too, what news? how do you cheer?Mater.O dear Virginius, joy to me, O peerless spouse and mate,In health, I praise the gods, I am, and joyful for thy state.Virginius.Virginia, my daughter dear,How standeth all with thee?Virginia.Like happy state, as mother told.Virginius.Like joyful sight to me.[160]By the gods, wife, I joy me that have such a treasure,Such [a] gem and such [a] jewel, surmounting all measure:Such a happy spouse, such a fortunate dame,That no blot or stain can impair her fame,Against such an imp and graff of my tree,As clear doth surmount all others that be.Mater.Nay, rather, dear spouse, how much is my case,To be now advanced by such happy grace,Doth daily distil: my husband so loving,Granting and giving to all thing behoving,Joying in me and in the fruit of my womb:Who would not requite it, the gods yield their doom,And if it be I, the gods do destroy me,Rather than sin so sore should annoy me.Virginius.O wife, refell thy wishing for woe,Myself thy fau’t right well do know:And rather I wish myself to be slainThan thou or thy daughter ought woe should sustain.Virginia.O father, my comfort, O mother, my joy,O dear and O sovereign, do cease to employSuch dolorous talking, where dangers are none:Where joys are attendant, what needeth this moan?You matron, you spouse, you nurse and you wife,You comfort, you only the sum of his life:You husband, you [sweet]heart, you joy, and you pleasure,You king and you kaiser too, her[161]only treasure:You father, you mother, my life doth sustain,I your babe, I your bliss, I your health am again.[162]Forbear then your dolor, let mirth be frequented,Let sorrow depart, and not be attempted.Virginius.O wife, O spouse, I am content.Mater.O husband.Virginia.O father, we do consent.[Sing here.
The pert and pricking prime of youth ought chastisement to have,But thou, dear daughter, needest not, thyself doth show thee grave:To see how Phœbus with his beams hath youth so much infested,[154]It doth me woe to see them crave the thing should be detested.[155]I draw to grave and nought can leave of thee to be desired,As much as duty to thy dear, as reason hath required:My sovereign[156]lord and friendly pheer[157]Virginius, father thine,To nurse as doth become a child, when bones are buried mine.
The pert and pricking prime of youth ought chastisement to have,
But thou, dear daughter, needest not, thyself doth show thee grave:
To see how Phœbus with his beams hath youth so much infested,[154]
It doth me woe to see them crave the thing should be detested.[155]
I draw to grave and nought can leave of thee to be desired,
As much as duty to thy dear, as reason hath required:
My sovereign[156]lord and friendly pheer[157]Virginius, father thine,
To nurse as doth become a child, when bones are buried mine.
Virginia.[158]Refell your mind of mourning plaints, dear mother, rest your mind,For though that duty dainty were, dame nature will me bindSo much to do; and further force of Gods that rule the skies,The Globe,[159]and eke the Element, they would me else despise.
Virginia.[158]Refell your mind of mourning plaints, dear mother, rest your mind,
For though that duty dainty were, dame nature will me bind
So much to do; and further force of Gods that rule the skies,
The Globe,[159]and eke the Element, they would me else despise.
Mater.Then if the gods have granted thee such grace to love thy sire,When time shall choose thee out a make, be constant, I require:Love, live, and like him well, before you grant him grace or faith,So shall your love continue long, experience thus he saith.
Mater.Then if the gods have granted thee such grace to love thy sire,
When time shall choose thee out a make, be constant, I require:
Love, live, and like him well, before you grant him grace or faith,
So shall your love continue long, experience thus he saith.
Virginia.I grant, dear Dame, I do agree,When time shall so provide;But tender youth and infancyDoth rather wish me bide.What, should I lose Diana’s giftAnd eke the spring to shun,By which Acteon fatallyHis final race did run?Should I as abject be esteemedThroughout Parnassus hill,Or should my virgin’s name be filed,It were too great a skill.But yet it is unspotted, lo,Right well I do conceive,When wedlock doth require the same,With parents’ love and leave:Yet obstinate I will not be,But willing will me yield,When you command, and not before,Then duty shall me shield.
Virginia.I grant, dear Dame, I do agree,
When time shall so provide;
But tender youth and infancy
Doth rather wish me bide.
What, should I lose Diana’s gift
And eke the spring to shun,
By which Acteon fatally
His final race did run?
Should I as abject be esteemed
Throughout Parnassus hill,
Or should my virgin’s name be filed,
It were too great a skill.
But yet it is unspotted, lo,
Right well I do conceive,
When wedlock doth require the same,
With parents’ love and leave:
Yet obstinate I will not be,
But willing will me yield,
When you command, and not before,
Then duty shall me shield.
Virginius.Ah gods, that rule and reign in heavens, in seas, in floods, in lands,Two couples such, I surely deem, you never made with hands.Ah gods, why do ye not compel each dame the like to show,And every imp of her again her duty thus to know?I cannot stay my tongue from talk, I needs must call my dear.O spouse, well-met, and daughter too, what news? how do you cheer?
Virginius.Ah gods, that rule and reign in heavens, in seas, in floods, in lands,
Two couples such, I surely deem, you never made with hands.
Ah gods, why do ye not compel each dame the like to show,
And every imp of her again her duty thus to know?
I cannot stay my tongue from talk, I needs must call my dear.
O spouse, well-met, and daughter too, what news? how do you cheer?
Mater.O dear Virginius, joy to me, O peerless spouse and mate,In health, I praise the gods, I am, and joyful for thy state.
Mater.O dear Virginius, joy to me, O peerless spouse and mate,
In health, I praise the gods, I am, and joyful for thy state.
Virginius.Virginia, my daughter dear,How standeth all with thee?
Virginius.Virginia, my daughter dear,
How standeth all with thee?
Virginia.Like happy state, as mother told.
Virginia.Like happy state, as mother told.
Virginius.Like joyful sight to me.[160]By the gods, wife, I joy me that have such a treasure,Such [a] gem and such [a] jewel, surmounting all measure:Such a happy spouse, such a fortunate dame,That no blot or stain can impair her fame,Against such an imp and graff of my tree,As clear doth surmount all others that be.
Virginius.Like joyful sight to me.[160]
By the gods, wife, I joy me that have such a treasure,
Such [a] gem and such [a] jewel, surmounting all measure:
Such a happy spouse, such a fortunate dame,
That no blot or stain can impair her fame,
Against such an imp and graff of my tree,
As clear doth surmount all others that be.
Mater.Nay, rather, dear spouse, how much is my case,To be now advanced by such happy grace,Doth daily distil: my husband so loving,Granting and giving to all thing behoving,Joying in me and in the fruit of my womb:Who would not requite it, the gods yield their doom,And if it be I, the gods do destroy me,Rather than sin so sore should annoy me.
Mater.Nay, rather, dear spouse, how much is my case,
To be now advanced by such happy grace,
Doth daily distil: my husband so loving,
Granting and giving to all thing behoving,
Joying in me and in the fruit of my womb:
Who would not requite it, the gods yield their doom,
And if it be I, the gods do destroy me,
Rather than sin so sore should annoy me.
Virginius.O wife, refell thy wishing for woe,Myself thy fau’t right well do know:And rather I wish myself to be slainThan thou or thy daughter ought woe should sustain.
Virginius.O wife, refell thy wishing for woe,
Myself thy fau’t right well do know:
And rather I wish myself to be slain
Than thou or thy daughter ought woe should sustain.
Virginia.O father, my comfort, O mother, my joy,O dear and O sovereign, do cease to employSuch dolorous talking, where dangers are none:Where joys are attendant, what needeth this moan?You matron, you spouse, you nurse and you wife,You comfort, you only the sum of his life:You husband, you [sweet]heart, you joy, and you pleasure,You king and you kaiser too, her[161]only treasure:You father, you mother, my life doth sustain,I your babe, I your bliss, I your health am again.[162]Forbear then your dolor, let mirth be frequented,Let sorrow depart, and not be attempted.
Virginia.O father, my comfort, O mother, my joy,
O dear and O sovereign, do cease to employ
Such dolorous talking, where dangers are none:
Where joys are attendant, what needeth this moan?
You matron, you spouse, you nurse and you wife,
You comfort, you only the sum of his life:
You husband, you [sweet]heart, you joy, and you pleasure,
You king and you kaiser too, her[161]only treasure:
You father, you mother, my life doth sustain,
I your babe, I your bliss, I your health am again.[162]
Forbear then your dolor, let mirth be frequented,
Let sorrow depart, and not be attempted.
Virginius.O wife, O spouse, I am content.
Virginius.O wife, O spouse, I am content.
Mater.O husband.
Mater.O husband.
Virginia.O father, we do consent.[Sing here.
Virginia.O father, we do consent.
[Sing here.
All sing this.
The trustiest treasure in earth,[163]as we see,Is man, wife, and children in one to agree;Then friendly and kindly let measure be mixedWith reason in season, where friendship is fixed.
The trustiest treasure in earth,[163]as we see,
Is man, wife, and children in one to agree;
Then friendly and kindly let measure be mixed
With reason in season, where friendship is fixed.
Virginius[sings].
When nature nursed first of all, young Alexander learned,Of whom the poets mention make, in judgment so discerned,O, what did want, that love procured, his vital end well near?This is the hope, where parents love their children, do not fear,
When nature nursed first of all, young Alexander learned,
Of whom the poets mention make, in judgment so discerned,
O, what did want, that love procured, his vital end well near?
This is the hope, where parents love their children, do not fear,
All sing this.
The trustiest treasure in earth, as we seeIs man, wife, and children, &c.
The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see
Is man, wife, and children, &c.
Mater[sings].
What[164]time King Nisus would not let his daughter to be taught,Of any one correcting hand to virtue[165]to be brought,She, void of duty, cut his locks and golden tresses clear,Whereby his realm was overrun, and she was paid her hire.
What[164]time King Nisus would not let his daughter to be taught,
Of any one correcting hand to virtue[165]to be brought,
She, void of duty, cut his locks and golden tresses clear,
Whereby his realm was overrun, and she was paid her hire.
All sing this.
The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,Is man, wife, and children, &c.
The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,
Is man, wife, and children, &c.
Virginia[sings].
When Dædalus from Crete did flyWith Icarus his joy.He nought regarding father’s words,Did seek his own annoy:He mounted up into the skies,Whereat the gods did frown.And Phœbus sore his wings did fry,And headlong flings him down.
When Dædalus from Crete did fly
With Icarus his joy.
He nought regarding father’s words,
Did seek his own annoy:
He mounted up into the skies,
Whereat the gods did frown.
And Phœbus sore his wings did fry,
And headlong flings him down.
All sing this.
The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,Is man, wife, and children, &c.
The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,
Is man, wife, and children, &c.
Virginius[sings again].
Then sith that partiality doth partly discord move,And hatred oftentimes doth creep, where overmuch we love;And if we love no whit at all, the faming trump will sound,Come, wife, come, spouse, come, daughter dear, let measure bear the ground.
Then sith that partiality doth partly discord move,
And hatred oftentimes doth creep, where overmuch we love;
And if we love no whit at all, the faming trump will sound,
Come, wife, come, spouse, come, daughter dear, let measure bear the ground.
All sing this.
The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,Is man, wife, and children in one to agree;Then friendly and kindly let measure be mixedWith reason in season, where friendship is fixed.Exeunt.[166]
The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,
Is man, wife, and children in one to agree;
Then friendly and kindly let measure be mixed
With reason in season, where friendship is fixed.
Exeunt.[166]
Here enterethHaphazardthe Vice.
Very well, Sir, very well, Sir; it shall be done,As fast as ever I can prepare:Who dips[167]with the devil, he had need have a long spoon,Or else full small will be his fare.Yet a proper gentleman I am, of truth:Yea, that may ye see by my long side-gown:Yea, but what am I? a scholar, or a schoolmaster, or else some youth.A lawyer, a student, or else a country clown:A broom-man, a basket-maker, or a baker of pies,A flesh or a fishmonger, or a sower of lies?A louse or a louser, a leek or a lark,A dreamer, a drumble,[168]a fire or a spark?A caitiff, a cutthroat, a creeper in corners,A hairbrain, a hangman, or a grafter of horners?By the gods, I know not how best to devise,My name or my property well to disguise.A merchant, a May-pole, a man or a mackerel,A crab or a crevis, a crane or a cockerel?Most of all these my nature doth enjoy;Sometime I advance them, sometime I destroy.A maid or a mussel-boat, a wife or a wild duck?As bold as blind bayard, as wise as a wood-cock.As fine as fi’pence, as proud as a peacock,As stout as a stockfish, as meek as a meacock.As big as a beggar, as fat as a fool,As true as a tinker, as rich as an owl:With hey-trick, how troll, trey-trip and trey-trace,Troll-hazard with a vengeance, I beshrew his knave’s face;For tro and troll-hazard keep such a range,That poor Haphazard was never so strange:But yet, Haphazard, be of good cheer,Go play and repast thee, man, be merry to-yere.[169]Though victual be dainty and hard for to get,Yet perhaps a number will die of the sweat:[170]Though it be in hazard, yet happily I may,Though money be lacking, yet one day go gay.
Very well, Sir, very well, Sir; it shall be done,
As fast as ever I can prepare:
Who dips[167]with the devil, he had need have a long spoon,
Or else full small will be his fare.
Yet a proper gentleman I am, of truth:
Yea, that may ye see by my long side-gown:
Yea, but what am I? a scholar, or a schoolmaster, or else some youth.
A lawyer, a student, or else a country clown:
A broom-man, a basket-maker, or a baker of pies,
A flesh or a fishmonger, or a sower of lies?
A louse or a louser, a leek or a lark,
A dreamer, a drumble,[168]a fire or a spark?
A caitiff, a cutthroat, a creeper in corners,
A hairbrain, a hangman, or a grafter of horners?
By the gods, I know not how best to devise,
My name or my property well to disguise.
A merchant, a May-pole, a man or a mackerel,
A crab or a crevis, a crane or a cockerel?
Most of all these my nature doth enjoy;
Sometime I advance them, sometime I destroy.
A maid or a mussel-boat, a wife or a wild duck?
As bold as blind bayard, as wise as a wood-cock.
As fine as fi’pence, as proud as a peacock,
As stout as a stockfish, as meek as a meacock.
As big as a beggar, as fat as a fool,
As true as a tinker, as rich as an owl:
With hey-trick, how troll, trey-trip and trey-trace,
Troll-hazard with a vengeance, I beshrew his knave’s face;
For tro and troll-hazard keep such a range,
That poor Haphazard was never so strange:
But yet, Haphazard, be of good cheer,
Go play and repast thee, man, be merry to-yere.[169]
Though victual be dainty and hard for to get,
Yet perhaps a number will die of the sweat:[170]
Though it be in hazard, yet happily I may,
Though money be lacking, yet one day go gay.
EnterMansipulus.
When, Maud, with a pestilence! what, mak’st thou no haste?Of barberry[171]incense belike thou wouldest taste!By the gods, I have stayed a full great while:My lord he is near at hand by this at the church-stile,And all for Maud mumble-turd, that mangpodding madge,By the gods, if she hie not, I’ll give her my badge.
When, Maud, with a pestilence! what, mak’st thou no haste?
Of barberry[171]incense belike thou wouldest taste!
By the gods, I have stayed a full great while:
My lord he is near at hand by this at the church-stile,
And all for Maud mumble-turd, that mangpodding madge,
By the gods, if she hie not, I’ll give her my badge.
[EnterMansipula.]
Mansipula.What, drake-nosed drivel, begin you to flont?I’ll fry you in a faggot-stick, by Cock, goodman lout.You boaster, you bragger, you brawling knave,I’ll pay thee thy forty-pence, thou brawling slaveMy lady’s great business belike is at end,When you, goodman dawcock, lust for to wend.You cod’s-head, you crack-rope, you chattering pie,Have with ye, have at ye, your manhood to try.[Beat and hustle him.]Haphazard.What! hold your hands, masters. What! fie for shame, fie!What culling, what lulling, what stir have we here?What tugging, what lugging, what pugging by the ear.What, part and be friends, and end all this strife.Mansipulus.Nay, rather I wish her the end of my knife.Mansipula.Draw it, give me it, I will it receive,So that for to place it I might have good leave:By the gods, but for losing my land, life and living,It should be so placed he should have ill-thriving.Mansipulus.By the gods, how ungraciously the vixen she chatteth.Mansipula.And he even as knavishly my answer he patteth.Haphazard.Here is nought else but railing of words out of reason,Now tugging, now tattling, now muzzling in season.For shame! be contented, and leave off this brawling.Mansipulus.Content, for I shall repent it for this my tongue-wralling.Mansipula.Thou knave, but for thee, ere this time of dayMy lady’s fair pew had been strawed[172]full gay,With primroses, cowslips, and violets sweet,With mints and with marigolds, and margoram meet,Which now lieth uncleanly, and all ’long of thee:That a shame recompense thee for hindring of me!Mansipulus.Ah pretty prank-parnel, the cushion and book,Whereon he should read and kneel are present, here look.My lord, when he seeth me, he will cast such an eye,As pinch will my heart near ready to die.And thus wise and thus wise his hand will be walking,With thou, precious knave: away; get thee packing.[Here let him[pretend to]fight.Haphazard.Nay then, by the mass, it’s time to be knacking:No words at all, but to me he is pointing.Nay, have at you again: you shall have your anointing.Mansipula.Body of me, hold, if ye can!What, will you kill such a proper man?Haphazard.Nay, sure I have done, when women do speak.Why would the knave my patience so break?Mansipulus.Well, I must be gone, there is no remedy,For fear my tail makes buttons, by mine honesty.Haphazard.For reverence on your face, your nose and your chin.By the gods, have ye heard such an unmannerly villain?Mansipula.I never heard one so rank of rudeness.Mansipulus.In faith, it is but for lack of lewdness.[173]But here I burn day-light, while thus I am talking.Away, come, Mansipula, let us be walking.Mansipula.Contented, Mansipulus; have with thee with speed.Haphazard.Nay, stay yet, my friends, I am not agreed.Mansipula.We dare not tarry, by God, we swear.Haphazard.Nay, tarry, take comfort with you for to bear:It is but in hazard, and if you be miss’d,And so it may happen you feel not his fist.Perhaps he is stay’d by talk with some friend:It is but in hazard: then sing, ere you wend.Let hope be your helper, your care to defend.Mansipulus.By hap or by hazard we sing, ere we cry;Then sing, let us say so, let sorrow go by.Mansipula.We can be but beaten, that is the worst.
Mansipula.What, drake-nosed drivel, begin you to flont?I’ll fry you in a faggot-stick, by Cock, goodman lout.You boaster, you bragger, you brawling knave,I’ll pay thee thy forty-pence, thou brawling slaveMy lady’s great business belike is at end,When you, goodman dawcock, lust for to wend.You cod’s-head, you crack-rope, you chattering pie,Have with ye, have at ye, your manhood to try.[Beat and hustle him.]
Mansipula.What, drake-nosed drivel, begin you to flont?
I’ll fry you in a faggot-stick, by Cock, goodman lout.
You boaster, you bragger, you brawling knave,
I’ll pay thee thy forty-pence, thou brawling slave
My lady’s great business belike is at end,
When you, goodman dawcock, lust for to wend.
You cod’s-head, you crack-rope, you chattering pie,
Have with ye, have at ye, your manhood to try.
[Beat and hustle him.]
Haphazard.What! hold your hands, masters. What! fie for shame, fie!What culling, what lulling, what stir have we here?What tugging, what lugging, what pugging by the ear.What, part and be friends, and end all this strife.
Haphazard.What! hold your hands, masters. What! fie for shame, fie!
What culling, what lulling, what stir have we here?
What tugging, what lugging, what pugging by the ear.
What, part and be friends, and end all this strife.
Mansipulus.Nay, rather I wish her the end of my knife.
Mansipulus.Nay, rather I wish her the end of my knife.
Mansipula.Draw it, give me it, I will it receive,So that for to place it I might have good leave:By the gods, but for losing my land, life and living,It should be so placed he should have ill-thriving.
Mansipula.Draw it, give me it, I will it receive,
So that for to place it I might have good leave:
By the gods, but for losing my land, life and living,
It should be so placed he should have ill-thriving.
Mansipulus.By the gods, how ungraciously the vixen she chatteth.
Mansipulus.By the gods, how ungraciously the vixen she chatteth.
Mansipula.And he even as knavishly my answer he patteth.
Mansipula.And he even as knavishly my answer he patteth.
Haphazard.Here is nought else but railing of words out of reason,Now tugging, now tattling, now muzzling in season.For shame! be contented, and leave off this brawling.
Haphazard.Here is nought else but railing of words out of reason,
Now tugging, now tattling, now muzzling in season.
For shame! be contented, and leave off this brawling.
Mansipulus.Content, for I shall repent it for this my tongue-wralling.
Mansipulus.Content, for I shall repent it for this my tongue-wralling.
Mansipula.Thou knave, but for thee, ere this time of dayMy lady’s fair pew had been strawed[172]full gay,With primroses, cowslips, and violets sweet,With mints and with marigolds, and margoram meet,Which now lieth uncleanly, and all ’long of thee:That a shame recompense thee for hindring of me!
Mansipula.Thou knave, but for thee, ere this time of day
My lady’s fair pew had been strawed[172]full gay,
With primroses, cowslips, and violets sweet,
With mints and with marigolds, and margoram meet,
Which now lieth uncleanly, and all ’long of thee:
That a shame recompense thee for hindring of me!
Mansipulus.Ah pretty prank-parnel, the cushion and book,Whereon he should read and kneel are present, here look.My lord, when he seeth me, he will cast such an eye,As pinch will my heart near ready to die.And thus wise and thus wise his hand will be walking,With thou, precious knave: away; get thee packing.[Here let him[pretend to]fight.
Mansipulus.Ah pretty prank-parnel, the cushion and book,
Whereon he should read and kneel are present, here look.
My lord, when he seeth me, he will cast such an eye,
As pinch will my heart near ready to die.
And thus wise and thus wise his hand will be walking,
With thou, precious knave: away; get thee packing.
[Here let him[pretend to]fight.
Haphazard.Nay then, by the mass, it’s time to be knacking:No words at all, but to me he is pointing.Nay, have at you again: you shall have your anointing.
Haphazard.Nay then, by the mass, it’s time to be knacking:
No words at all, but to me he is pointing.
Nay, have at you again: you shall have your anointing.
Mansipula.Body of me, hold, if ye can!What, will you kill such a proper man?
Mansipula.Body of me, hold, if ye can!
What, will you kill such a proper man?
Haphazard.Nay, sure I have done, when women do speak.Why would the knave my patience so break?
Haphazard.Nay, sure I have done, when women do speak.
Why would the knave my patience so break?
Mansipulus.Well, I must be gone, there is no remedy,For fear my tail makes buttons, by mine honesty.
Mansipulus.Well, I must be gone, there is no remedy,
For fear my tail makes buttons, by mine honesty.
Haphazard.For reverence on your face, your nose and your chin.By the gods, have ye heard such an unmannerly villain?
Haphazard.For reverence on your face, your nose and your chin.
By the gods, have ye heard such an unmannerly villain?
Mansipula.I never heard one so rank of rudeness.
Mansipula.I never heard one so rank of rudeness.
Mansipulus.In faith, it is but for lack of lewdness.[173]But here I burn day-light, while thus I am talking.Away, come, Mansipula, let us be walking.
Mansipulus.In faith, it is but for lack of lewdness.[173]
But here I burn day-light, while thus I am talking.
Away, come, Mansipula, let us be walking.
Mansipula.Contented, Mansipulus; have with thee with speed.
Mansipula.Contented, Mansipulus; have with thee with speed.
Haphazard.Nay, stay yet, my friends, I am not agreed.
Haphazard.Nay, stay yet, my friends, I am not agreed.
Mansipula.We dare not tarry, by God, we swear.
Mansipula.We dare not tarry, by God, we swear.
Haphazard.Nay, tarry, take comfort with you for to bear:It is but in hazard, and if you be miss’d,And so it may happen you feel not his fist.Perhaps he is stay’d by talk with some friend:It is but in hazard: then sing, ere you wend.Let hope be your helper, your care to defend.
Haphazard.Nay, tarry, take comfort with you for to bear:
It is but in hazard, and if you be miss’d,
And so it may happen you feel not his fist.
Perhaps he is stay’d by talk with some friend:
It is but in hazard: then sing, ere you wend.
Let hope be your helper, your care to defend.
Mansipulus.By hap or by hazard we sing, ere we cry;Then sing, let us say so, let sorrow go by.
Mansipulus.By hap or by hazard we sing, ere we cry;
Then sing, let us say so, let sorrow go by.
Mansipula.We can be but beaten, that is the worst.
Mansipula.We can be but beaten, that is the worst.
EnterSubservus.
What how, Mansipulus! thou knave, art thou curs’d?My lord standeth talking, and I gape for thee.Come away, with a wannion! run, haste and hie.Mansipulus.Nay, hearken, Subservus, stay, I pray thee:Let us have a song, and then have with thee.Subservus.Content, if thou hie thee.
What how, Mansipulus! thou knave, art thou curs’d?My lord standeth talking, and I gape for thee.Come away, with a wannion! run, haste and hie.
What how, Mansipulus! thou knave, art thou curs’d?
My lord standeth talking, and I gape for thee.
Come away, with a wannion! run, haste and hie.
Mansipulus.Nay, hearken, Subservus, stay, I pray thee:Let us have a song, and then have with thee.
Mansipulus.Nay, hearken, Subservus, stay, I pray thee:
Let us have a song, and then have with thee.
Subservus.Content, if thou hie thee.
Subservus.Content, if thou hie thee.
Sing here all.
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard of threat’ning,The worst that can hap, lo, in end is but beating.
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard of threat’ning,
The worst that can hap, lo, in end is but beating.
Mansipulus[sings].
What, if my lording do chance for to miss me,The worst that can happen is, cudgel will kiss me:In such kind of sweetness, I swear by God’s mother,It will please me better, it were on some other.[All.]With thwick thwack, with thump thump,With bobbing and bum,Our side-saddle shoulders shall shield that doth come.Hope so, and hap so, in hazard, &c.
What, if my lording do chance for to miss me,
The worst that can happen is, cudgel will kiss me:
In such kind of sweetness, I swear by God’s mother,
It will please me better, it were on some other.
[All.]With thwick thwack, with thump thump,
With bobbing and bum,
Our side-saddle shoulders shall shield that doth come.
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard, &c.
Mansipula[sings].
If[174]case that my lady do threaten my case,No cause to contrary, but bear her a space,Until she draw home, lo, where so she will use me,As Doctors doth doubt it, how I should excuse me.[All.]With thwick thwack, with thump thump,With bobbing and bum,Our side-saddle shoulders shall shield that doth come.Hope so, and hap so, in hazard, &c.
If[174]case that my lady do threaten my case,
No cause to contrary, but bear her a space,
Until she draw home, lo, where so she will use me,
As Doctors doth doubt it, how I should excuse me.
[All.]With thwick thwack, with thump thump,
With bobbing and bum,
Our side-saddle shoulders shall shield that doth come.
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard, &c.
Subservus[sings].
What, if your company cause me have woe,I mind not companions so soon to forego.Let hope hold the helmet, till brunt it be past,For blows are but buffets and words but a blast.[All.]With thwick thwack, with thump thump,With bobbing and bum,Our side-saddle shoulders shall shield that doth come.Hope so, and hap so, in hazard, &c.
What, if your company cause me have woe,
I mind not companions so soon to forego.
Let hope hold the helmet, till brunt it be past,
For blows are but buffets and words but a blast.
[All.]With thwick thwack, with thump thump,
With bobbing and bum,
Our side-saddle shoulders shall shield that doth come.
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard, &c.
Haphazard[sings].
Then let us be merry, it is but by hap,A hazardly chance may harbour a clap:Bestir ye, be merry, be glad and be joying,For blows are but buffets and small time annoying.[All.]With thwick thwack, with thump thump,With bobbing and bum,Our side-saddle shoulders shall shield that doth come.Hope so, and hap so, in hazard, &c.[The end of the song.
Then let us be merry, it is but by hap,
A hazardly chance may harbour a clap:
Bestir ye, be merry, be glad and be joying,
For blows are but buffets and small time annoying.
[All.]With thwick thwack, with thump thump,
With bobbing and bum,
Our side-saddle shoulders shall shield that doth come.
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard, &c.
[The end of the song.
All speaketh this.
Haphazard, farewell: the gods do thank thee.[Exeunt.
Haphazard, farewell: the gods do thank thee.
[Exeunt.
Haphazard.Farewell, my friends, farewell, go prank ye.By the gods, Haphazard, these men have tried thee:Who said thou wast no man, sure they belied thee.By Jove, master merchant, by sea or by land,Would get but small argent, if I did not standHis very good master, I may say to you,When he hazards in hope what hap will ensue.In court I am no man:—by Cock, sir, ye lie—A ploughman, perhaps, or ere that he die,May hap be a gentleman, a courtier or captain;And hap may so hazard he may go begging:Perhaps that a gentleman, heir to great land,Which selleth his living for money in hand,In hazard it is the buying of more:Perhaps he may ride, when spent is his store.Hap may so hazard, the moon may so change,That men may be masters, and wives will not range:But in hazard it is in many a grange,Lest wives wear the cod-piece, and maidens go strange.[175]As peacocks sit perking by chance in the plumtree;So maids would be masters by the guise of this country.Haphazard each state full well that he marks,If hap the sky fall, we may hap to have larks.Well, fare ye well now for better or worse:Put hands to your pockets, have mind to your purse.[Exit.
Haphazard.Farewell, my friends, farewell, go prank ye.
By the gods, Haphazard, these men have tried thee:
Who said thou wast no man, sure they belied thee.
By Jove, master merchant, by sea or by land,
Would get but small argent, if I did not stand
His very good master, I may say to you,
When he hazards in hope what hap will ensue.
In court I am no man:—by Cock, sir, ye lie—
A ploughman, perhaps, or ere that he die,
May hap be a gentleman, a courtier or captain;
And hap may so hazard he may go begging:
Perhaps that a gentleman, heir to great land,
Which selleth his living for money in hand,
In hazard it is the buying of more:
Perhaps he may ride, when spent is his store.
Hap may so hazard, the moon may so change,
That men may be masters, and wives will not range:
But in hazard it is in many a grange,
Lest wives wear the cod-piece, and maidens go strange.[175]
As peacocks sit perking by chance in the plumtree;
So maids would be masters by the guise of this country.
Haphazard each state full well that he marks,
If hap the sky fall, we may hap to have larks.
Well, fare ye well now for better or worse:
Put hands to your pockets, have mind to your purse.
[Exit.
EnterJudge Appius.
The furrowed face of fortune’s force my pinching pain doth move:I, settled ruler of my realm, enforced am to love.Judge Appius I, the princeliest judge that reigneth under sun,And have been so esteemed long, but now my force is none:I rule no more, but ruled am; I do not judge but am judged;By beauty of Virginia my wisdom all is trudged.O peerless dame, O passing piece, O face of such a feature,That never erst with beauty such matched was by nature.O fond Apelles, prattling fool, why boasteth thou so much,The famous’t piece thou mad’st in Greece, whose lineaments were such?Or why didst thou, deceived man, for beauty of thy work,In such a sort with fond desire, where no kind life did lurk,With raging fits, thou fool, run mad, O fond Pigmalion?Yet sure, if that thou sawest my dear, the like thou could’st make none:Then what may I? O gods above, bend down to hear my cry,As once ye[176]did to Salmacis, in pond hard Lycia by.O, that Virginia were in case as sometime Salmacis,And in Hermophroditus stead myself might seek my bliss!Ah gods, would I unfold her arms complecting of my neck?Or would I hurt her nimble hand, or yield her such a check?Would I gainsay her tender skin to bathe, where I do wash,Or else refuse her soft, sweet lips to touch my naked flesh?Nay! O, the gods do know my mind, I rather would requireTo sue, to serve, to crouch, to kneel, to crave for my desire.But out, ye gods! ye bend your brows, and frown to see me fare;Ye do not force my fickle fate, ye do not weigh my care.Unrighteous and unequal gods, unjust and eke unsure,Woe worth the time ye made me live to see this hapless hour!Did Iphis hang himself for love of lady not so fair?Or else did Jove the cloudy mists bend down from lightsome air?Or as the poets mention make of Inach’s daughter meek,For love did he, too, make a cow, whom Inach long did seek?Is love so great to cause the quick to enter into hell,As stout Orpheus did attempt, as histories do tell?Then what is it that love cannot? why, love did pierce the skies:Why, Pheb and famous Mercury with love had blinded eyes.But I, a judge, of grounded years, shall reap to me such name,As shall resound dishonour great with trump of careless fame.O, that my years were youthful yet, or that I were unwedded!
The furrowed face of fortune’s force my pinching pain doth move:
I, settled ruler of my realm, enforced am to love.
Judge Appius I, the princeliest judge that reigneth under sun,
And have been so esteemed long, but now my force is none:
I rule no more, but ruled am; I do not judge but am judged;
By beauty of Virginia my wisdom all is trudged.
O peerless dame, O passing piece, O face of such a feature,
That never erst with beauty such matched was by nature.
O fond Apelles, prattling fool, why boasteth thou so much,
The famous’t piece thou mad’st in Greece, whose lineaments were such?
Or why didst thou, deceived man, for beauty of thy work,
In such a sort with fond desire, where no kind life did lurk,
With raging fits, thou fool, run mad, O fond Pigmalion?
Yet sure, if that thou sawest my dear, the like thou could’st make none:
Then what may I? O gods above, bend down to hear my cry,
As once ye[176]did to Salmacis, in pond hard Lycia by.
O, that Virginia were in case as sometime Salmacis,
And in Hermophroditus stead myself might seek my bliss!
Ah gods, would I unfold her arms complecting of my neck?
Or would I hurt her nimble hand, or yield her such a check?
Would I gainsay her tender skin to bathe, where I do wash,
Or else refuse her soft, sweet lips to touch my naked flesh?
Nay! O, the gods do know my mind, I rather would require
To sue, to serve, to crouch, to kneel, to crave for my desire.
But out, ye gods! ye bend your brows, and frown to see me fare;
Ye do not force my fickle fate, ye do not weigh my care.
Unrighteous and unequal gods, unjust and eke unsure,
Woe worth the time ye made me live to see this hapless hour!
Did Iphis hang himself for love of lady not so fair?
Or else did Jove the cloudy mists bend down from lightsome air?
Or as the poets mention make of Inach’s daughter meek,
For love did he, too, make a cow, whom Inach long did seek?
Is love so great to cause the quick to enter into hell,
As stout Orpheus did attempt, as histories do tell?
Then what is it that love cannot? why, love did pierce the skies:
Why, Pheb and famous Mercury with love had blinded eyes.
But I, a judge, of grounded years, shall reap to me such name,
As shall resound dishonour great with trump of careless fame.
O, that my years were youthful yet, or that I were unwedded!
Here enterethHaphazard.
Why, cease, Sir Knight, for why perhaps of you she shall be bedded:For follow my counsel, so may you me please,That of careful resurging your heart shall have ease.Appius.O thundering gods, that threaten ireAnd plague for each offence,Yourselves, I deem, would counsel craveIn this so fit pretence:And eke your nimble stretched armsWith great rewards would fly,To purchase fair Virginia,So dear a wight, to me.And, friend, I swear by Jupiter,And eke by Juno’s seat,And eke by all the mysteries,Whereon thou canst entreat,Thou shalt possess and have,I will thee grant and give,The greatest part of all my realm,For aye thee to relieve.Haphazard.Well then, this is my counsel, thus standeth the case;Perhaps such a fetch as may please your grace:There is no more ways,[177]but hap or hap not,Either hap or else hapless, to knit up the knot:And if you will hazard to venter what falls,Perhaps that Haphazard will end all your thralls.Appius.I mean so, I will so, if thou do persuade me,To hap or to hazard what thing shall invade me?I King and I Kaiser, I rule and overwhelm;I do what it please me within this my realm.Wherefore in thy judgment see that thou do enter:Hap life or hap death, I surely will venter.Haphazard.Then this and in this sort standeth the matter:What need many words, unless I should flatter?Full many there be will hazard their life,Happ’ly to ease your grace of all your strife.Of this kind of conspiracy now let us common.[178]Some man Virginius before you must summon,And say that Virginia is none of his daughter,But that Virginius by night away caught her:Then charge you the father his daughter to bring;Then do you detain her, till proved be the thing:Which well you may win her, she present in house.It is but haphazard, a man or a mouse.
Why, cease, Sir Knight, for why perhaps of you she shall be bedded:For follow my counsel, so may you me please,That of careful resurging your heart shall have ease.
Why, cease, Sir Knight, for why perhaps of you she shall be bedded:
For follow my counsel, so may you me please,
That of careful resurging your heart shall have ease.
Appius.O thundering gods, that threaten ireAnd plague for each offence,Yourselves, I deem, would counsel craveIn this so fit pretence:And eke your nimble stretched armsWith great rewards would fly,To purchase fair Virginia,So dear a wight, to me.And, friend, I swear by Jupiter,And eke by Juno’s seat,And eke by all the mysteries,Whereon thou canst entreat,Thou shalt possess and have,I will thee grant and give,The greatest part of all my realm,For aye thee to relieve.
Appius.O thundering gods, that threaten ire
And plague for each offence,
Yourselves, I deem, would counsel crave
In this so fit pretence:
And eke your nimble stretched arms
With great rewards would fly,
To purchase fair Virginia,
So dear a wight, to me.
And, friend, I swear by Jupiter,
And eke by Juno’s seat,
And eke by all the mysteries,
Whereon thou canst entreat,
Thou shalt possess and have,
I will thee grant and give,
The greatest part of all my realm,
For aye thee to relieve.
Haphazard.Well then, this is my counsel, thus standeth the case;Perhaps such a fetch as may please your grace:There is no more ways,[177]but hap or hap not,Either hap or else hapless, to knit up the knot:And if you will hazard to venter what falls,Perhaps that Haphazard will end all your thralls.
Haphazard.Well then, this is my counsel, thus standeth the case;
Perhaps such a fetch as may please your grace:
There is no more ways,[177]but hap or hap not,
Either hap or else hapless, to knit up the knot:
And if you will hazard to venter what falls,
Perhaps that Haphazard will end all your thralls.
Appius.I mean so, I will so, if thou do persuade me,To hap or to hazard what thing shall invade me?I King and I Kaiser, I rule and overwhelm;I do what it please me within this my realm.Wherefore in thy judgment see that thou do enter:Hap life or hap death, I surely will venter.
Appius.I mean so, I will so, if thou do persuade me,
To hap or to hazard what thing shall invade me?
I King and I Kaiser, I rule and overwhelm;
I do what it please me within this my realm.
Wherefore in thy judgment see that thou do enter:
Hap life or hap death, I surely will venter.
Haphazard.Then this and in this sort standeth the matter:What need many words, unless I should flatter?Full many there be will hazard their life,Happ’ly to ease your grace of all your strife.Of this kind of conspiracy now let us common.[178]Some man Virginius before you must summon,And say that Virginia is none of his daughter,But that Virginius by night away caught her:Then charge you the father his daughter to bring;Then do you detain her, till proved be the thing:Which well you may win her, she present in house.It is but haphazard, a man or a mouse.
Haphazard.Then this and in this sort standeth the matter:
What need many words, unless I should flatter?
Full many there be will hazard their life,
Happ’ly to ease your grace of all your strife.
Of this kind of conspiracy now let us common.[178]
Some man Virginius before you must summon,
And say that Virginia is none of his daughter,
But that Virginius by night away caught her:
Then charge you the father his daughter to bring;
Then do you detain her, till proved be the thing:
Which well you may win her, she present in house.
It is but haphazard, a man or a mouse.
Here let him make as though he went out, and let Conscience and Justice come out after[180]him, and let Conscience hold in his hand a lamp burning, and let Justice have a sword, and hold it before Appius’ breast.
Appius.I find it, I mind it, I swear that I will,Though shame or defame do happen, no skill.[179]But out, I am wounded: how am I divided!Two states of my life from me are now glided;For Conscience he pricketh me contemned,And Justice saith, judgment would have me condemned:Conscience saith, cruelty sure will detest me;And Justice saith, death in th’ end will molest me:And both in one sudden me-thinks they do cry,That fire eternal my soul shall destroy.Haphazard.Why, these are but thoughts, man: why, fie for shame, fie!For Conscience was careless and sailing by seas,Was drowned in a basket and had a disease,Sore moved for pity, when he would grant none,For being hard-hearted was turned to a stone:And sailing by Sandwich he sank for his sin.Then care not for conscience the worth of a pin.And judgment judge[d] Justice to have a rewardFor judging still justly, but all now is marr’d;For gifts they are given where judgment is none.Thus judgment and justice a wrong way hath gone.Then care not for Conscience the worth of a fable;Justice is no man, nor nought to do able.Appius.And sayest thou so, my ’sured friend? then hap as hap shall it:Let Conscience grope and judgment crave, I will not shrink one whit.I will persever in my thought: I will deflower her youth;I will not sure reverted be, my heart shall have no ruth.Come on, proceed, and wait on me, I will, hap woe or wealth:Hap blunt, hap sharp, hap life, hap death: th[r]ough Haphazard be of health.Haphazard.At hand (quoth pick-purse) here ready am I.See well to the cut-purse: be ruled by me.[Exeunt.
Appius.I find it, I mind it, I swear that I will,Though shame or defame do happen, no skill.[179]But out, I am wounded: how am I divided!Two states of my life from me are now glided;For Conscience he pricketh me contemned,And Justice saith, judgment would have me condemned:Conscience saith, cruelty sure will detest me;And Justice saith, death in th’ end will molest me:And both in one sudden me-thinks they do cry,That fire eternal my soul shall destroy.
Appius.I find it, I mind it, I swear that I will,
Though shame or defame do happen, no skill.[179]
But out, I am wounded: how am I divided!
Two states of my life from me are now glided;
For Conscience he pricketh me contemned,
And Justice saith, judgment would have me condemned:
Conscience saith, cruelty sure will detest me;
And Justice saith, death in th’ end will molest me:
And both in one sudden me-thinks they do cry,
That fire eternal my soul shall destroy.
Haphazard.Why, these are but thoughts, man: why, fie for shame, fie!For Conscience was careless and sailing by seas,Was drowned in a basket and had a disease,Sore moved for pity, when he would grant none,For being hard-hearted was turned to a stone:And sailing by Sandwich he sank for his sin.Then care not for conscience the worth of a pin.And judgment judge[d] Justice to have a rewardFor judging still justly, but all now is marr’d;For gifts they are given where judgment is none.Thus judgment and justice a wrong way hath gone.Then care not for Conscience the worth of a fable;Justice is no man, nor nought to do able.
Haphazard.Why, these are but thoughts, man: why, fie for shame, fie!
For Conscience was careless and sailing by seas,
Was drowned in a basket and had a disease,
Sore moved for pity, when he would grant none,
For being hard-hearted was turned to a stone:
And sailing by Sandwich he sank for his sin.
Then care not for conscience the worth of a pin.
And judgment judge[d] Justice to have a reward
For judging still justly, but all now is marr’d;
For gifts they are given where judgment is none.
Thus judgment and justice a wrong way hath gone.
Then care not for Conscience the worth of a fable;
Justice is no man, nor nought to do able.
Appius.And sayest thou so, my ’sured friend? then hap as hap shall it:Let Conscience grope and judgment crave, I will not shrink one whit.I will persever in my thought: I will deflower her youth;I will not sure reverted be, my heart shall have no ruth.Come on, proceed, and wait on me, I will, hap woe or wealth:Hap blunt, hap sharp, hap life, hap death: th[r]ough Haphazard be of health.
Appius.And sayest thou so, my ’sured friend? then hap as hap shall it:
Let Conscience grope and judgment crave, I will not shrink one whit.
I will persever in my thought: I will deflower her youth;
I will not sure reverted be, my heart shall have no ruth.
Come on, proceed, and wait on me, I will, hap woe or wealth:
Hap blunt, hap sharp, hap life, hap death: th[r]ough Haphazard be of health.
Haphazard.At hand (quoth pick-purse) here ready am I.See well to the cut-purse: be ruled by me.[Exeunt.
Haphazard.At hand (quoth pick-purse) here ready am I.
See well to the cut-purse: be ruled by me.
[Exeunt.
EnterConscience.
Conscience.O clear unspotted gifts of Jove,How haps thou art refused?O Conscience clear, what cruel mindThy truth hath thus misused?I spotted am by wilful will,By lawless love and lust,By dreadful danger of the life,By faith that is unjust,Justice.Ah gift of Jove, Ah Fortune’s face,Ah state of steady life!I Justice am, and prince of peers,The end of laws and strife:A guider of the common weal,A guardian[181]to the poor;And yet hath filthy lust suppress’dMy virtues in one hour.Well, well, this is the most to trust,In end we shall aspireTo see the end of these our foesWith sword and eke with fire.Conscience.O help, ye gods, we members require.[Exeunt.
Conscience.O clear unspotted gifts of Jove,How haps thou art refused?O Conscience clear, what cruel mindThy truth hath thus misused?I spotted am by wilful will,By lawless love and lust,By dreadful danger of the life,By faith that is unjust,
Conscience.O clear unspotted gifts of Jove,
How haps thou art refused?
O Conscience clear, what cruel mind
Thy truth hath thus misused?
I spotted am by wilful will,
By lawless love and lust,
By dreadful danger of the life,
By faith that is unjust,
Justice.Ah gift of Jove, Ah Fortune’s face,Ah state of steady life!I Justice am, and prince of peers,The end of laws and strife:A guider of the common weal,A guardian[181]to the poor;And yet hath filthy lust suppress’dMy virtues in one hour.Well, well, this is the most to trust,In end we shall aspireTo see the end of these our foesWith sword and eke with fire.
Justice.Ah gift of Jove, Ah Fortune’s face,
Ah state of steady life!
I Justice am, and prince of peers,
The end of laws and strife:
A guider of the common weal,
A guardian[181]to the poor;
And yet hath filthy lust suppress’d
My virtues in one hour.
Well, well, this is the most to trust,
In end we shall aspire
To see the end of these our foes
With sword and eke with fire.
Conscience.O help, ye gods, we members require.[Exeunt.
Conscience.O help, ye gods, we members require.
[Exeunt.
EnterHaphazard.