A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 83

[270] An Arabic word, written variously by various authors, and signifies a circle drawn parallel to the horizon. It is generally used in the plural, and means a series of parallel circles, drawn through the several degrees of the meridian.--_Johnson's Dictionary._

[271] See Bishop Wilkins's "Voyage to the Moon," p. 110.--_Pegge._

ACT II., SCENE I.

TRINCALO, ARMELLINA.

TRIN. He that saith I am not in love, he lies _de cap-a-pie;_ for I am idle, choicely neat in my clothes, valiant, and extreme witty. My meditations are loaded with metaphors, songs, and sonnets; not a cur shakes his tail but I sigh out a pa.s.sion:[272] thus do I to my mistress; but, alas! I kiss the dog, and she kicks me. I never see a young wanton filly, but say I, there goes Armellina; nor a l.u.s.ty strong a.s.s, but I remember myself, and sit down to consider what a goodly race of mules would inherit, if she were willing: only I want utterance--and that's a main mark of love too.

ARM. Trincalo, Trincalo!

TRIN. O, 'tis Armellina! Now, if she have the wit to begin, as I mean she should, then will I confound her with compliments drawn from the plays I see at the Fortune and Red Bull,[273] where I learn all the words I speak and understand not.

ARM. Trincalo, what price bears wheat and saffron, that your band's so stiff and yellow?[274]--not a word? Why, Trincalo, what business in town? how do all at Totnam? grown mute? What do you bring from the country?

TRIN. There 'tis. Now are my floodgates drawn, and I'll surround her.

[_Aside._] What have I brought? sweet bit of beauty, a hundred thousand salutations o' th' elder-house to your most ill.u.s.trious honour and worship.

ARM. To me these t.i.tles! Is your basket full of nothing else?

TRIN. Full of the fruits of love, most resplendent lady: a present to your worthiness from your worship's poor va.s.sal Trincalo.

ARM. My life on't, he sc.r.a.p'd these compliments from his cart the last load he carried for the progress.[275] What ha' you read, that makes you grow so eloquent?

TRIN. Sweet madam, I read nothing but the lines of your ladyship's countenance; and desire only to kiss the skirts of your garment, if you vouchsafe me not the happiness of your white hands.

ARM. Come, give's your basket, and take it.

TRIN. O, sweet! now will I never wash my mouth after, nor breathe but at my nostrils, lest I lose the taste of her finger. Armellina, I must tell you a secret, if you'll make much on't.

ARM. As it deserves. What is't?

TRIN. I love you, dear morsel of modesty, I love; and so truly, that I'll make you mistress of my thoughts, lady of my revenues, and commit all my movables into your hands; that is, I'll give you an earnest kiss in the highway of matrimony.

ARM. Is this the end of all this business?

TRIN. This is the end of all business, most beautiful, and most-worthy-to-be-most beautiful, lady.

ARM. Hence, fool, hence!

[_Exit._

TRIN. Why, now she knows my meaning, let it work She put up the fruit in her lap, and threw away the basket: 'tis a plain sign she abhors the words, and embraces the meaning.

O lips, no lips,[276] but leaves besmear'd' with mildew!

O dew, no dew, but drops of honey-combs!

O combs, no combs, but fountains full of tears!

O tears, no tears, but----

SCENE II.

PANDOLFO, TRINCALO.

PAN. Cricca denies me: no persuasions, Proffers, rewards, can work him to transform.

Yonder's my country farmer Trincalo.

Never in fitter time, good Trincalo.

TRIN. Like a lean horse t' a fresh and l.u.s.ty pasture.

PAN. What rent dost pay me for thy farm at Totnam?

TRIN. Ten pound, and find it too dear a penny-worth.

PAN. My hand here. Take it rent-free for three lives, To serve me in a business I'll employ thee.

TRIN. Serve you! I'll serve, reserve, conserve, preserve, Deserve, you for th' one half. O Armellina; A jointure, ha, a jointure! [_Aside._] What's your employment?

PAN. Here's an astrologer has a wondrous secret, To transform men to other shapes and persons.

TRIN. How! transform things to men? I'll bring nine tailors, Refus'd last muster, shall give five marks apiece To shape three men of service out of all, And grant him th' remnant shreds above the bargain.

PAN. Now, if thou'lt let him change thee, take this lease, Drawn ready; put what lives thou pleasest.

TRIN. Stay, sir.

Say I am transform'd--who shall enjoy the lease, I or the person I must turn to?

PAN. Thou, Thou. The resemblance lasts but one whole day: Then home true farmer, as thou wert before.

TRIN. Where shall poor Trincalo be? How's this! transform'd!

Trans.m.u.ted, how? not I. I love myself Better than so: there's your lease.

I'd not venture For th' whole fee-simple.

PAN. Tell me the difference Betwixt a fool and a wise man.

TRIN. Faith, as much As 'twixt your worship and myself.

PAN. A wise man Accepts all fair occasions of advancement; Flies no commodity for fear of danger, Ventures and gains, lives easily, drinks good wine, Fares neatly, is richly cloth'd, in worthiest company; While your poor fool and clown, for fear of peril, Sweats hourly for a dry brown crust to bedward,[277]

And wakes all night for want of moisture.

TRIN. Well, sir, I'd rather starve in this my loved image, Than hazard thus my life for others' looks.

Change is a kind of death; I dare not try it.

PAN. Tis not so dangerous as thou tak'st it; we'll only Alter thy count'nance for a day. Imagine Thy face mask'd only; or that thou dream'st all night Thou wert apparell'd in Antonio's form; And (waking) find'st thyself true Trincalo.