A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vi Part 74

POLICY.

Sweet Love indeed!

POMP.

A lovely face!

PLEASURE.

A gallant grace!

NEMO.

Conscience, uncover.

POLICY.

Beauty divine!

POMP.

A face angelical!

PLEASURE.

Sweet creature of the world!

NEMO.

Enough for once; ladies, sit down again.

As cunning chapmen do by curious wares, [_To the audience_.

Which seldom shown do most inflame the mind, So must I deal, being dainty of these dames, Who seldom seen shall best allure these lords.

Awhile, my lords, I leave you with these three: Converse, confer on good conditions.

I will right soon return with such good friends As it concerns to clothe these dainty ones.

If any in my absence visit them, Know their intent, and use your skill therein.

[_Exit_.

POLICY.

Ladies, to call to mind your former lives, Were to recount your sorrows on a row.

Omitting, then, what you have been or be, What you may be I'll speak, so it please you; Wives to us three, ladies to London lords, Pomp, Pleasure, Policy, men of such regard, As shall you guard from evil, once matched with us: And Policy presents this good to you.

POMP.

With London's Pomp may one of you be join'd, Possessing more than Fortune can afford: Fortune's a fool, but heavenly providence Guards London's Pomp and her that shall be his.

PLEASURE.

And London's Pleasure, peerless in delights, Will deign to make one of these dames his own, Who may with him in more contentment live, Than ever did the Queen of Oethiop.

CONSCIENCE.

Though silence, lords, our modesty enforce, Nemo can tell the secrets of our thoughts: Nemo, that womens' minds can constant keep, He shall for us you answer, good my lords.

I speak for all, though ill-beseeming me.

_Enter_ FALSEHOOD _and_ DOUBLE-DEALING.

POLICY.

You speak but well. My lords, step we aside To note these fellows, what they do intend.

_Enter_ NEMO.

POMP.

Nemo can tell, for he doth follow them.

FALSEHOOD.

Ladies, to you--to some of you--we come, Sent from such friends as much affect your good, With garments and with compliments of cost, Accordant well to dames of such degree-- I come to Lucre.

DOUBLE-DEALING.

I to Love am sent, With no less cost than could be got for coin, Which with my message I deliver would, Could I discern which of these dames were she.

LOVE.

Friend, I am Love: what bringest thou there to me?

CONSCIENCE.

Beware, good Love, from whom, and what, thou takest.

NEMO.

No whispering, friend, but show it openly: The matter good, you need not be ashamed.

From whom comest thou?

DOUBLE-DEALING.

That I conceal from any but from Love.

NEMO.

From whom come you, sir?

FALSEHOOD.

That shall Lucre know, and none but she.

NEMO.

Then speak aloud, for whispering here is barr'd.

FALSEHOOD.

Then neither will I do, nor speak at all.

NEMO.

Then I will speak, and tell what you are both.

Thyself art Falsehood, and are sent from Fraud, To compa.s.s Lucre with a cloak of craft, With lawn of lies, and cauls of golden guile.

POLICY.

Pack you, my friend; for if you stay a while, You shall return no more to him that sent you.

NEMO.

Thou from Dissimulation art sent, And bring'st a gown of glosing, lin'd with l.u.s.t, A vardingale[258] of vain boast and fan of flattery, A ruff of riot and a cap of pride; And Double-dealing is thy name and office both.

DOUBLE-DEALING: Falsehood, let's go: we are deciphered.

FALSEHOOD.

Lucre, thou losest here a princely gift.