THE COUNTRY; Before Puntarvolo's House.
ENTER FASTIDIOUS BRISK, CINEDO, CARLO BUFFONE, AND SOGLIARDO.
Fast.
Cinedo, watch when the knight comes, and give us word.
Cin.
I will, sir.
[EXIT.
Fast.
How lik'st thou my boy, Carlo?
Car.
O, well, well. He looks like a colonel of the Pigmies horse, or one
of these motions in a great antique clock; he would shew well upon a
haberdasher's stall, at a corner shop, rarely.
Fast.
'Sheart, what a damn'd witty rogue's this! How he confounds with
his similes!
Car.
Better with similes than smiles: and whither were you riding now,
signior?
Fast.
Who, I? What a silly jest's that! Whither should I ride but to the
court?
Car.
O, pardon me, sir, twenty places more; your hot-house, or your
whore-house —
Fast.
By the virtue of my soul, this knight dwells in Elysium here.
Car.
He's gone now, I thought he would fly out presently. These be our
nimble-spirited catsos, that have their evasions at pleasure, will run over a bog like your wild Irish; no sooner started, but they'll leap from one thing to another, like a squirrel, heigh! dance and do tricks in their discourse, from fire to water, from water to air, from air to earth, as if their tongues did but e'en lick the four elements over, and away.
Fast.
Sirrah, Carlo, thou never saw'st my gray hobby yet, didst thou?
Car.
No; have you such a one?
Fast.
The best in Europe, my good villain, thou'lt say when thou seest him.
Car.
But when shall I see him?
Fast.
There was a nobleman in the court offered me a hundred pound for
him, by this light: a fine little fiery slave, he runs like a — oh,
excellent, excellent! — with the very sound of the spur.
Car.
How! the sound of the spur?
Fast.
O, it's your only humour now extant, sir; a good gingle, a good gingle.
Car.
S'blood! you shall see him turn morrice-dancer, he has got him
bells, a good suit, and a hobby-horse.
Sig.
Signior, now you talk of a hobby-horse, I know where one is will not
be given for a brace of angels.
Fast.
How is that, sir?
Sog.
Marry, sir, I am telling this gentleman of a hobby-horse; it was my
father's indeed, and though I say it —
Car.
That should not say it — on, on.
Sog.
He did dance in it, with as good humour and as good regard as any man of his degree whatsoever, being no gentleman: I have danc'd in it myself too.
Car.
Not since the humour of gentility was upon you, did you?
Sog.
Yes, once; marry, that was but to shew what a gentleman might do in a humour.
Car.
O, very good.
Mit.
Why, this fellow's discourse were nothing but for the word humour.
Cor.
O bear with him; an he should lack matter and words too, 'twere pitiful.
Sog.
Nay, look you, sir, there's ne'er a gentleman in the country has the
like humours, for the hobby-horse, as I have; I have the method for the threading of the needle and all, the —
Car.
How, the method?
Sog.
Ay, the leigerity for that, and the whighhie, and the daggers in the
nose, and the travels of the egg from finger to finger, and all the humours incident to the quality. The horse hangs at home in my parlour. I'll keep it for a monument as long as I live, sure.
Car.
Do so; and when you die, 'twill be an excellent trophy to hang over
your tomb.
Sog.
Mass, and I'll have a tomb, now I think on't; 'tis but so much charges.
Car.
Best build it in your lifetime then, your heirs may hap to forget it
else.
Sog.
Nay, I mean so, I'll not trust to them.
Car.
No, for heirs and executors are grown damnable careless, 'specially
since the ghosts of testators left walking. — How like you him, signior?
Fast.
'Fore heavens, his humour arrides me exceedingly.
Car.
Arrides you!
Fast.
Ay, pleases me: a pox on't! I am so haunted at the court, and at
my lodging, with your refined choice spirits, that it makes me clean of another garb, another sheaf, I know not how! I cannot frame me to your harsh vulgar phrase, 'tis against my genius.
Sog.
Signior Carlo!
[TAKES HIM ASIDE.
Cor.
This is right to that of Horace, "Dum vitant stulti vitia, in
contraria currunt"; so this gallant labouring to avoid popularity, falls
into a habit of affectation, ten thousand times hatefuller than the former.
Car.
[POINTING TO FASTIDIOUS.] Who, he? a gull, a fool, no salt in him
i' the earth, man; he looks like a fresh salmon kept in a tub; he'll be
spent shortly. His brain's lighter than his feather already, and his
tongue more subject to lye, than that is to wag; he sleeps with a musk-cat every night, and walks all day hang'd in pomander chains for penance; he has his skin tann'd in civet, to make his complexion strong, and the sweetness of his youth lasting in the sense of his sweet lady; a good empty puff, he loves you well, signior.
Sog.
There shall be no love lost, sir, I'll assure you.
Fast.
[ADVANCING TO THEM.] Nay, Carlo, I am not happy in thy love, I see:
pray thee suffer me to enjoy thy company a little, sweet mischief: by this air, I shall envy this gentleman's place in thy affections, if you be thus private, i'faith.
ENTER CINEDO.
How now! Is the knight arrived?
Cin.
No, sir, but 'tis guess'd he will arrive presently, by his fore-runners.
Fast.
His hounds! by Minerva, an excellent figure; a good boy.
Car.
You should give him a French crown for it; the boy would find two
better figures in that, and a good figure of your bounty beside.
Fast.
Tut, the boy wants no crowns.
Car.
No crown; speak in the singular number, and we'll believe you.
Fast.
Nay, thou are so capriciously conceited now. Sirrah damnation, I
have heard this knight Puntarvolo reported to be a gentleman of exceeding good humour, thou know'st him; prithee, how is his disposition? I never was so favoured of my stars, as to see him yet. Boy, do you look to the hobby?
Cin.
Ay, sir, the groom has set him up.
[AS CINEDO IS GOING OUT, SOGLIARDO TAKES HIM ASIDE.
Fast.
'Tis well: I rid out of my way of intent to visit him, and take
knowledge of his — Nay, good Wickedness, his humour, his humour.
Car.
Why, he loves dogs, and hawks, and his wife well; he has a good
riding face, and he can sit a great horse; he will taint a staff well at
tile; when he is mounted he looks like the sign of the George, that's all I know; save, that instead of a dragon, he will brandish against a tree, and break his sword as confidently upon the knotty bark, as the other did upon the scales of the beast.
Fast.
O, but this is nothing to that's delivered of him. They say he has
dialogues and discourses between his horse, himself, and his dog; and that he will court his own lady, as she were a stranger never encounter'd before.
Car.
Ay, that he will, and make fresh love to her every morning; this
gentleman has been a spectator of it, Signior Insulso.
Sog.
I am resolute to keep a page. — Say you, sir?
[LEAPS FROM WHISPERING WITH CINEDO.
Car.
You have seen Signior Puntarvolo accost his lady?
Sog.
O, ay, sir.
Fast.
And how is the manner of it, prithee, good signior?
Sog.
Faith, sir, in very good sort; he has his humours for it, sir;
at first, (suppose he were now to come from riding or hunting, or so,) he has his trumpet to sound, and then the waiting-gentlewoman she looks out, and then he speaks, and then she speaks, — very pretty, i'faith, gentlemen.
Fast.
Why, but do you remember no particulars, signior?
Sog.
O, yes, sir, first, the gentlewoman, she looks out at the window.
Car.
After the trumpet has summon'd a parle, not before?
Sog.
No, sir, not before; and then says he, — ha, ha, ha, ha!
Car.
What says he? be not rapt so.
Sog.
Says he, — ha, ha, ha, ha!
Fast.
Nay, speak, speak.
Sog.
Ha, ha, ha! — says he, God save you, says he; — ha, ha!
Car.
Was this the ridiculous motive to all this passion?
Sog.
Nay, that that comes after is, — ha, ha, ha, ha!
Car.
Doubtless he apprehends more than he utters, this fellow; or else —
[A CRY OF HOUNDS WITHIN.
Sog.
List, list, they are come from hunting; stand by, close under this
terras, and you shall see it done better than I can show it.
Car.
So it had need, 'twill scarce poise the observation else.
Sog.
Faith, I remember all, but the manner of it is quite out of my head.
Fast.
O, withdraw, withdraw, it cannot be but a most pleasing object.
[THEY STAND ASIDE.
ENTER PUNTARVOLO, FOLLOWED BY HIS HUNTSMAN LEADING A GREYHOUND.
Punt.
Forester, give wind to thy horn. — Enough; by this the sound hath
touch'd the ears of the inclos'd: depart, leave the dog, and take with thee what thou has deserved, the horn and thanks.
[EXIT HUNTSMAN.
Car.
Ay, marry, there is some taste in this.
Fast.
Is't not good?
Sog.
Ah, peace; now above, now above!
[A WAITING-GENTLEWOMAN APPEARS AT THE WINDOW.
Punt.
Stay; mine eye hath, on the instant, through the bounty of the
window, received the form of a nymph. I will step forward three paces; of the which, I will barely retire one; and, after some little flexure of the knee, with an erected grace salute her; one, two, and three! Sweet lady, God save you!
Gent. [ABOVE.]
No, forsooth; I am but the waiting-gentlewoman.
Car.
He knew that before.
Punt.
Pardon me: 'humanum est errare'.
Car.
He learn'd that of his chaplain.
Punt.
To the perfection of compliment (which is the dial of the thought,
and guided by the sun of your beauties,) are required these three specials; the gnomon, the puntilios, and the superficies: the superficies is that we call place; the puntilios, circ*mstance; and the gnomon, ceremony; in either of which, for a stranger to err, 'tis easy and facile; and such am I.
Car.
True, not knowing her horizon, he must needs err; which I fear he
knows too well.
Punt.
What call you the lord of the castle, sweet face?
Gent. [ABOVE.]
The lord of the castle is a knight, sir; signior Puntarvolo.
Punt.
Puntarvolo! O —
Car.
Now must he ruminate.
Fast.
Does the wench know him all this while, then?
Car.
O, do you know me, man? why, therein lies the syrup of the jest;
it's a project, a designment of his own, a thing studied, and rehearst as ordinarily at his coming from hawking or hunting, as a jig after a play.
Sog.
Ay, e'en like your jig, sir.
Punt.
'Tis a most sumptuous and stately edifice! Of what years is the
knight, fair damsel?
Gent.
Faith, much about your years, sir.
Punt.
What complexion, or what stature bears he?
Gent.
Of your stature, and very near upon your complexion.
Punt.
Mine is melancholy, —
Car.
So is the dog's, just.
Punt.
And doth argue constancy, chiefly in love. What are his endowments? is he courteous?
Gent.
O, the most courteous knight in Christian land, sir.
Punt.
Is he magnanimous?
Gent.
As the skin between your brows, sir.
Punt.
Is he bountiful?
Car.
'Slud, he takes an inventory of his own good parts.
Gent.
Bountiful! ay, sir, I would you should know it; the poor are served
at his gate, early and late, sir.
Punt.
Is he learned?
Gent.
O, ay, sir, he can speak the French and Italian.
Punt.
Then he has travelled?
Gent.
Ay, forsooth, he hath been beyond seas once or twice.
Car.
As far as Paris, to fetch over a fashion, and come back again.
Punt.
Is he religious?
Gent.
Religious! I know not what you call religious, but he goes to
church, I am sure.
Fast.
'Slid, methinks these answers should offend him.
Car.
Tut, no; he knows they are excellent, and to her capacity that speaks
them.
Punt.
Would I might but see his face!
Car.
She should let down a glass from the window at that word, and request
him to look in't.
Punt.
Doubtless the gentleman is most exact, and absolutely qualified;
doth the castle contain him?
Gent.
No, sir, he is from home, but his lady is within.
Punt.
His lady! what, is she fair, splendidious, and amiable?
Gent.
O, Lord, sir.
Punt.
Prithee, dear nymph, intreat her beauties to shine on this side of
the building.
[EXIT WAITING-GENTLEWOMAN FROM THE WINDOW.
Car.
That he may erect a new dial of compliment, with his gnomons and his puntilios.
Fast.
Nay, thou art such another cynic now, a man had need walk uprightly
before thee.
Car.
Heart, can any man walk more upright than he does? Look, look; as if he went in a frame, or had a suit of wainscot on: and the dog watching him, lest he should leap out on't.
Fast.
O, villain!
Car.
Well, an e'er I meet him in the city, I'll have him jointed, I'll
pawn him in Eastcheap, among the butchers, else.
Fast.
Peace; who be these, Carlo?
ENTER SORDIDO AND FUNGOSO.
Sord.
Yonder's your godfather; do your duty to him, son.
Sog.
This, sir? a poor elder brother of mine, sir, a yeoman, may dispend
some seven or eight hundred a year; that's his son, my nephew, there.
Punt.
You are not ill come, neighbour Sordido, though I have not yet said,
well-come; what, my godson is grown a great proficient by this.
Sord.
I hope he will grow great one day, sir.
Fast.
What does he study? the law?
Sog.
Ay, sir, he is a gentleman, though his father be but a yeoman.
Car.
What call you your nephew, signior?
Sog.
Marry, his name is Fungoso.
Car.
Fungoso! O, he look'd somewhat like a sponge in that pink'd yellow
doublet, methought; well, make much of him; I see he was never born to ride upon a mule.
Gent.
[REAPPEARS AT THE WINDOW.]
My lady will come presently, sir.
Sog.
O, now, now!
Punt.
Stand by, retire yourselves a space; nay, pray you, forget not the
use of your hat; the air is piercing.
[SORDIDO AND FUNGOSO WITHDRAW.
Fast.
What! will not their presence prevail against the current of his
humour?
Car.
O, no; it's a mere flood, a torrent carries all afore it.
[LADY PUNTARVOLO APPEARS AT THE WINDOW.
Punt.
What more than heavenly pulchritude is this.
What magazine, or treasury of bliss?
Dazzle, you organs to my optic sense,
To view a creature of such eminence:
O, I am planet-struck, and in yon sphere
A brighter star than Venus doth appear!
Fast.
How! in verse!
Car.
An extacy, an extacy, man.
Lady P. [ABOVE]
is your desire to speak with me, sir knight?
Car.
He will tell you that anon; neither his brain nor his body are yet
moulded for an answer.
Punt.
Most debonair, and luculent lady, I decline me as low as the basis
of your altitude.
Cor.
He makes congies to his wife in geometrical proportions.
Mit.
Is it possible there should be any such humorist?
Cor.
Very easily possible, sir, you see there is.
Punt.
I have scarce collected my spirits, but lately scattered in the
administration of your form; to which, if the bounties of your mind be any way responsible, I doubt not but my desires shall find a smooth and secure passage. I am a poor knight-errant, lady, that hunting in the adjacent forest, was, by adventure, in the pursuit of a hart, brought to this place; which hart, dear madam, escaped by enchantment: the evening approaching myself and servant wearied, my suit is, to enter your fair castle and refresh me.
Lady. Sir knight, albeit it be not usual with me, chiefly in the absence of a husband, to admit any entrance to strangers, yet in the true regard of those innated virtues, and fair parts, which so strive to express themselves, in you; I am resolved to entertain you to the best of my unworthy power; which I acknowledge to be nothing, valued with what so worthy a person may deserve. Please you but stay while I descend.
[EXIT FROM THE WINDOW.
Punt.
Most admired lady, you astonish me.
[WALKS ASIDE WITH SORDIDO AND HIS SON.
Car.
What! with speaking a speech of your own penning?
Fast.
Nay, look: prithee, peace.
Car.
Pox on't! I am impatient of such foppery.
Fast.
O let us hear the rest.
Car.
What! a tedious chapter of courtship, after sir Lancelot and queen
Guenever? Away! I marle in what dull cold nook he found this lady out; that, being a woman, she was blest with no more copy of wit but to serve his humour thus. 'Slud, I think he feeds her with porridge, I: she could never have such a thick brain else.
Sog.
Why, is porridge so hurtful, signior?
Car.
O, nothing under heaven more prejudicial to those ascending subtle powers, or doth sooner abate that which we call 'ac*men ingenii', than your gross fare: Why, I'll make you an instance; your city-wives, but observe 'em, you have not more perfect true fools in the world bred than they are generally; and yet you see, by the fineness and delicacy of their diet, diving into the fat capons, drinking your rich wines, feeding on larks, sparrows, potato-pies, and such good unctuous meats, how their wits are refined and rarified; and sometimes a very quintessence of conceit flows
from them, able to drown a weak apprehension.
ENTER LADY PUNTARVOLO AND HER WAITING-WOMAN.
Fast.
Peace, here comes the lady..
Lady.
Gad's me, here's company! turn in again.
[EXIT WITH HER WOMAN.
Fast.
'Slight, our presence has cut off the convoy of the jest.
Car.
All the better, I am glad on't; for the issue was very perspicuous.
Come let's discover, and salute the knight.
[THEY COME FORWARD.
Punt.
Stay; who be these that address themselves towards us? What Carlo! Now by the sincerity of my soul, welcome; welcome, gentlemen: and how dost thou, thou 'Grand Scourge', or 'Second Untruss of the time'?
Car.
Faith, spending my metal in this reeling world (here and there), as
the sway of my affection carries me, and perhaps stumble upon a
yeoman-feuterer, as I do now; or one of fortune's mules, laden with
treasure, and an empty cloak-bag, following him, gaping when a gab will untie.
Punt.
Peace, you bandog, peace! What brisk Nymphadoro is that in the
white virgin-boot there?
Car.
Marry, sir, one that I must interest you to take a very particular
knowledge of, and with more than ordinary respect; monsieur Fastidious.
Punt.
Sir, I could wish, that for the time of your vouchsafed abiding
here, and more real entertainment, this is my house stood on the Muses hill, and these my orchards were those of the Hesperides.
Fast.
I possess as much in your wish, sir, as if I were made lord of the
Indies; and I pray you believe it.
Car.
I have a better opinion of his faith, than to think it will be so
corrupted.
Sog.
Come, brother, I'll bring you acquainted with gentlemen, and good
fellows, such as shall do you more grace than —
Sord.
Brother, I hunger not for such acquaintance: Do you take heed, lest —
[CARLO COMES TOWARD THEM.
Sog.
Husht! My brother, sir, for want of education, sir, somewhat nodding to the boor, the clown; but I request you in private, sir.
Fung.
[LOOKING AT FASTIDIOUS BRISK.]
By heaven, it is a very fine suit of
clothes.
[ASIDE.
Cor.
Do you observe that signior? There's another humour has new-crack'd the shell.
Mit.
What! he is enamour'd of the fashion, is he?
Cor.
O, you forestall the jest.
Fung.
I marle what it might stand him in.
[ASIDE.
Sog.
Nephew!
Fung.
'Fore me, it's an excellent suit, and as neatly becomes him.
[ASIDE.] — What said you, uncle?
Sog.
When saw you my niece?
Fung.
Marry, yesternight I supp'd there. — That kind of boot does very
rare too.
[ASIDE.
Sog.
And what news hear you?
Fung.
The gilt spur and all! Would I were hang'd, but 'tis exceeding
good. [ASIDE.] — Say you, uncle?
Sog.
Your mind is carried away with somewhat else: I ask what news you hear?
Fung.
Troth, we hear none. — In good faith [LOOKING AT FASTIDIOUS BRISK]
I was never so pleased with a fashion, days of my life. O an I might have but my wish, I'd ask no more of heaven now, but such a suit, such a hat, such a band, such a doublet, such a hose, such a boot, and such a —
[ASIDE.
Sog.
They say, there's a new motion of the city of Nineveh, with Jonas and the whale, to be seen at Fleet-bridge. You can tell, cousin?
Fung.
Here's such a world of questions with him now! — Yes, I think there be such a thing, I saw the picture. — Would he would once be satisfied!
Let me see, the doublet, say fifty shillings the doublet, and between three or four pound the hose; then boots, hat, and band: some ten or eleven pound will do it all, and suit me for the heavens!
[ASIDE.
Sog.
I'll see all those devices an I come to London once.
Fung.
Ods 'slid, an I could compass it, 'twere rare [ASIDE.] — Hark you,
uncle.
Sog.
What says my nephew?
Fung.
Faith, uncle, I would have desired you to have made a motion for me to my father, in a thing that — Walk aside, and I'll tell you, sir; no more but this: there's a parcel of law books (some twenty pounds worth) that lie in a place for a little more than half the money they cost; and I think, for some twelve pound, or twenty mark, I could go near to redeem them; there's Plowden, Dyar, Brooke, and Fitz-Herbert, divers such as I must have ere long; and you know, I were as good save five or six pound, as not, uncle. I pray you, move it for me.
Sog.
That I will: when would you have me do it? presently?
Fung.
O, ay, I pray you, good uncle: [SOGLIARDO TAKES SORDIDO ASIDE.] —
send me good luck, Lord, an't be thy will, prosper it! O my stars, now, now, if it take now, I am made for ever.
Fast.
Shall I tell you, sir? by this air, I am the most beholden to that
lord, of any gentleman living; he does use me the most honourably, and with the greatest respect, more indeed than can be utter'd with any opinion of truth.
Punt.
Then have you the count Gratiato?
Fast.
As true noble a gentleman too as any breathes; I am exceedingly
endear'd to his love: By this hand, I protest to you, signior, I speak it not gloriously, nor out of affectation, but there's he and the count
Frugale, signior Illustre, signior Luculento, and a sort of 'em, that when I am at court, they do share me amongst them; happy is he can enjoy me most private. I do wish myself sometime an ubiquitary for their love, in good faith.
Car.
There's ne'er a one of them but might lie a week on the rack, ere
they could bring forth his name; and yet he pours them out as familiarly, as if he had seen them stand by the fire in the presence, or ta'en tobacco with them over the stage, in the lord's room.
Punt.
Then you must of necessity know our court-star there, that planet of wit, madona Saviolina?
Fast.
O Lord, sir, my mistress.
Punt.
Is she your mistress?
Fast.
Faith, here be some slight favours of hers, sir, that do speak it,
she is; as this scarf, sir, or this ribbon in my ear, or so; this feather
grew in her sweet fan sometimes, though now it be my poor fortune to wear it, as you see, sir: slight, slight, a foolish toy.
Punt.
Well, she is the lady of a most exalted and ingenious spirit.
Fast.
Did you ever hear any woman speak like her? or enriched with a more plentiful discourse?
Car.
O villainous! nothing but sound, sound, a mere echo; she speaks as she goes tired, in cobweb-lawn, light, thin; good enough to catch flies withal.
Punt.
O manage your affections.
Fast.
Well, if thou be'st not plagued for this blasphemy one day —
Punt.
Come, regard not a jester: It is in the power of my purse to make
him speak well or ill of me.
Fast.
Sir, I affirm it to you upon my credit and judgment, she has the
most harmonious and musical strain of wit that ever tempted a true ear; and yet to see! — a rude tongue would profane heaven, if it could.
Punt.
I am not ignorant of it, sir.
Fast.
Oh, it flows from her like nectar, and she doth give it that sweet
quick grace, and exornation in the composure that by this good air, as I am an honest man, would I might never stir, sir, but — she does observe as pure a phrase, and use as choice figures in her ordinary conferences, as any be in the 'Arcadia'.
Car.
Or rather in Green's works, whence she may steal with more security.
Sord.
Well, if ten pound will fetch 'em, you shall have it; but I'll part
with no more.
Fung.
I'll try what that will do, if you please.
Sord.
Do so; and when you have them, study hard.
Fung.
Yes, sir. An I could study to get forty shillings more now! Well,
I will put myself into the fashion, as far as this will go, presently.
Sord.
I wonder it rains not: the almanack says, we should have a store of
rain to-day.
[ASIDE.
Punt.
Why, sir, to-morrow I will associate you to court myself, and from
thence to the city about a business, a project I have; I will expose it to you sir; Carlo, I am sure has heard of it.
Car.
What's that, sir?
Punt.
I do intend, this year of jubilee coming on, to travel: and because
I will not altogether go upon expense, I am determined to put forth some five thousand pound, to be paid me five for one, upon the return of myself, my wife, and my dog from the Turk's court in Constantinople. If all or either of us miscarry in the journey, 'tis gone: if we be successful, why, there will be five and twenty thousand pound to entertain time withal.
Nay, go not, neighbour Sordido; stay to-night, and help to make our society the fuller. Gentlemen, frolic: Carlo! what! dull now?
Car.
I was thinking on your project, sir, an you call it so. Is this the
dog goes with you?
Punt.
This is the dog, sir.
Car.
He does not go barefoot, does he?
Punt.
Away, you traitor, away!
Car.
Nay, afore God, I speak simply; he may prick his foot with a thorn,
and be as much as the whole venture is worth. Besides, for a dog that never travell'd before, it's a huge journey to Constantinople. I'll tell you now, an he were mine, I'd have some present conference with a physician, what antidotes were good to give him, preservatives against poison; for assure you, if once your money be out, there'll be divers attempts made against the life of the poor animal.
Punt.
Thou art still dangerous.
Fast.
Is signior Deliro's wife your kinswoman?
Sog.
Ay, sir, she is my niece, my brother's daughter here, and my nephew's sister.
Sord.
Do you know her, sir?
Fast.
O Lord, sir! signior Deliro, her husband, is my merchant.
Fung.
Ay, I have seen this gentleman there often.
Fast.
I cry you mercy, sir; let me crave your name, pray you.
Fung.
Fungoso, sir.
Fast.
Good signior Fungoso, I shall request to know you better, sir.
Fung.
I am her brother, sir.
Fast.
In fair time, sir.
Punt.
Come, gentlemen, I will be your conduct.
Fast.
Nay, pray you sir; we shall meet at signior Deliro's often.
Sog.
You shall have me at the herald's office, sir, for some week or so at
my first coming up. Come, Carlo.
[EXEUNT.
Mit.
Methinks, Cordatus, he dwelt somewhat too long on this scene; it hung in the hand.
Cor.
I see not where he could have insisted less, and to have made the
humours perspicuous enough.
Mit.
True, as his subject lies; but he might have altered the shape of his
argument, and explicated them better in single scenes.
Cor.
That had been single indeed. Why, be they not the same persons in this, as they would have been in those? and is it not an object of more state, to behold the scene full, and relieved with variety of speakers to the end, than to see a vast empty stage, and the actors come in one by one, as if they were dropt down with a feather into the eye of the spectators?
Mit.
Nay, you are better traded with these things than I, and therefore
I'll subscribe to your judgment; marry, you shall give me leave to make objections.
Cor.
O, what else? it is the special intent of the author you should do
so; for thereby others, that are present, may as well be satisfied, who haply would object the same you would do.
Mit.
So, sir; but when appears Macilente again?
Cor.
Marry, he stays but till our silence give him leave: here he comes,
and with him signior Deliro, a merchant at whose house he is come to sojourn: make your own observation now, only transfer your thoughts to the city, with the scene: where suppose they speak.