Cynthia's Revels Part 14

ANA. Ay, say you so! nay, then, have at them: Ladies, here's one hath distinguish'd you by your names already: It shall only become me to ask how you do.

HED. Ods so, was this the design you travail'd with?

PHA. Who answers the brazen head? it spoke to somebody.

ANA. Lady Wisdom, do you interpret for these puppets?

MOR. In truth, and sadness, honours, you are in great offence for this. Go to; the gentleman (I'll undertake with him) is a man of fair living, and able to maintain a lady in her two coaches a day, besides pages, monkeys, and paraquettoes, with such attendants as she shall think meet for her turn; and therefore there is more respect requirable, howso'er you seem to connive. Hark you, sir, let me discourse a syllable with you. I am to say to you, these ladies are not of that close and open behaviour as haply you may suspend; their carriage is well known to be such as it should be, both gentle and extraordinary.

MER. O, here comes the other pair.

ENTER AMORPHUS AND ASOTUS.

AMO. That was your father's love, the nymph Argurion. I would have you direct all your courtship thither; if you could but endear yourself to her affection, you were eternally engallanted.

ASO. In truth, sir! pray Phoebus I prove favoursome in her fair eyes.

AMO. All divine mixture, and increase of beauty to this bright bevy of ladies; and to the male courtiers, compliment and courtesy.

HED. In the behalf of the males, I gratify you, Amorphus.

PHA. And I of the females.

AMO. Succinctly return'd. I do vail to both your thanks, and kiss them; but primarily to yours, most ingenious, acute, and polite lady.

PHI. Ods my life, how he does all-to-bequalify her! "ingenious, acute", and "polite!" as if there was not others in place as ingenious, acute, and polite as she.

HED Yes, but you must know, lady, he cannot speak out of a dictionary method.

PHA. Sit down, sweet Amorphus. When will this water come, think you?

AMO. It cannot now be long, fair lady.

CUP. Now observe, Mercury.

ASO. How, most ambiguous beauty! love you? that I will, by this handkerchief.

MER. 'Slid, he draws his oaths out of his pocket.

ARG. But will you be constant?

ASO. Constant, madam! I will not say for constantness; but by this purse, which I would be loth to swear by, unless it were embroidered, I protest, more than most fair lady, you are the only absolute, and unparallel'd creature, I do adore, and admire, and respect, and reverence in this court, corner of the world, or kingdom. Methinks you are melancholy.

ARG. Does your heart speak all this?

ASO. Say you?

MER. O, he is groping for another oath.

ASO. Now by this watch--I marle how forward the day is--I do unfeignedly avow myself--'slight, 'tis deeper than I took it, past five--yours entirely addicted, madam.

ARG. I require no more, dearest Asotus; henceforth let me call you mine, and in remembrance of me, vouchsafe to wear this chain and this diamond.

ASO. O lord, sweet lady!

CUP. There are new oaths for him. What! doth Hermes taste no alteration in all this?

MER. Yes, thou hast strook Argurion enamour'd on Asotus, methinks.

CUP. Alas, no; I am n.o.body, I; I can do nothing in this disguise.

MER. But thou hast not wounded any of the rest, Cupid.

CUP. Not yet; it is enough that I have begun so prosperously.

ARG. Nay, these are nothing to the gems I will hourly bestow upon thee; be but faithful and kind to me, and I will lade thee with my richest bounties: behold, here my bracelets from mine arms.

ASO. Not so, good lady, by this diamond.

ARG. Take 'em, wear 'em; my jewels, chain of pearl pendants, all I have.

ASO. Nay then, by this pearl you make me a wanton.

CUP. Shall not she answer for this, to maintain him thus in swearing?

MER. O no, there is a way to wean him from this, the gentleman may be reclaim'd.

CUP. Ay, if you had the airing of his apparel, coz, I think.

ASO. Loving! 'twere pity an I should be living else, believe me.

Save you, sir, save you, sweet lady, save you, monsieur Anaides, save you, dear madam.

ANA. Dost thou know him that saluted thee, Hedon?

HED. No, some idle Fungoso, that hath got above the cupboard since yesterday.

ANA. 'Slud, I never saw him till this morning, and he salutes me as familiarly as if we had known together since the deluge, or the first year of Troy action.

AMO. A most right-handed and auspicious encounter. Confine yourself to your fortunes.

PHI. For sport's sake let's have some Riddles or Purposes, ho!

PHA. No, faith, your Prophecies are best, the t'other are stale.

PHI. Prophecies! we cannot all sit in at them; we shall make a confusion. No; what call'd you that we had in the forenoon?

PHA. Substantives, and adjectives, is it not, Hedon?