A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 59

His mother taught him first to love, while he was young: Which love with age increaseth sore, and waxeth wondrous strong; For very fame displays your bounty more and more, And at this pinch he burneth so as never heretofore.

Not fantasies forsooth,[391] not vain and idle toys of love; Not hope of that which commonly doth other suitors move; But fixed fast good-will that never shall relent, And virtue's force, that shines in you, bad him give this attempt.

He hath no need of wealth, he wooes not for your good; His kindred is such he need not to seek to match with n.o.ble blood, Such store of friends that, where he list, he may command, And none so hardy to presume his pleasure to withstand.

Yourself it is, [madam,] your virtue and your grace, Your n.o.ble gifts, your endless praise in every place: You alone, I say, the mark that he would hit, The hoped joy, the dearest prey, that can befal to Wit.

EXPERIENCE.

I have not heard a message more trimly done.

SCIENCE.

Nor I; what age art thou of, my good son?

WILL.

Between eleven and twelve, madam, more or less.

REASON.

He hath been instructed this errand, as I guess.

SCIENCE.

How old is the gentleman thy master, canst thou tell?

WILL.

Seventeen or thereabout, I wot not very well.

SCIENCE.

What stature, of what making, what kind of port bears he?

WILL.

Such as your ladyship cannot mislike, trust me.

Well-grown, well-made, a stripling clean and tall: Well-favoured, somewhat black, and manly therewithal; And that you may conceive his personage the better, Lo, here of him the very shape and lively picture!

This hath he sent to you to view and to behold: I dare advouch no joint therein, no jot, to be controll'd.

SCIENCE.

In good faith, I thank thy master with my heart; I perceive that nature in him hath done her part.

WILL.

Farther, if it please your honour to know: My master would be glad to run, ride, or go, At your commandment to any place far or near, To have but a sight of your ladyship there.

I beseech you appoint him the place and the hour, You shall see, how readily to you he will scour.

REASON.

Do so.

EXPERIENCE.

Yea, in any wise, daughter; for, hear you me, He seemeth a right worthy and trim young man to be.

SCIENCE.

Commend me then to Wit, and let him understand, That I accept with all my heart this present at his hand, And that I would be glad, when he doth see his time, To hear and see him face to face within this house of mine.

Then may he break his mind, and talk with me his fill; Till then, adieu, both he and thou, mine own sweet little Will.

[_Exeunt Science, Reason, Experience_.

ACT II, SCAENA 3.

WILL.

Ah flattering quean, how neatly she can talk, How minionly she trips, how sadly she can walk!

Well, wanton, yet beware that ye be sound and sure, Fair words are wont ofttimes fair women to allure, Now must I get me home, and make report of this To him, that thinks it long till my return, i-wis.

[_Exit_.

ACT III., SCAENA 1.

WIT _and_ WILL.

WIT.

Say'st thou me so, boy? will she have me indeed?

WILL.

Be of good cheer, sir; I warrant you to speed.

WIT.

Did both her parents speak well to her of me?

WILL.

As heart can think; go on, and you shall see.

WIT.

How took she the picture? How liketh she my person?

WILL.

She never had done toting[392] and looking thereon.

WIT.

And when must I come to talk with her my fill?

WILL.

Whensoever you please, and as oft as you will.

WIT.

O my sweet boy, how shall I recompense Thy faithful heart and painful diligence?

My hope, my stay, my wealth, the key of all my joy!

WILL.

I pray you, sir, call me your man, and not your boy.