Cynthia's Revels Part 22

MORP. The simpler fellow he.--Away! back with your head, sir!

[PUSHES THE CITIZEN BACK.]

ASO. Brother, you must pardon your non-entry: husbands are not allow'd here, in truth. I'll come home soon with my sister: pray you meet us with a lantern, brother. Be merry, sister: I shall make you laugh anon. [EXIT.]

PHA. Your prizer is not ready, Amorphus.

AMO. Apprehend your places; he shall be soon, and at all points.

ANA. Is there any body come to answer him? shall we have any sport?

AMO. Sport of importance; howsoever, give me the gloves.

HED. Gloves! why gloves, signior?

PHI. What's the ceremony?

AMO. [DISTRIBUTING GLOVES.] Beside their received fitness, at all prizes, they are here properly accommodate to the nuptials of my scholar's 'haviour to the lady Courtship. Please you apparel your hands. Madam Phantaste, madam Philautia, guardian, signior Hedon, signior Anaides, gentlemen all, ladies.

ALL. Thanks, good Amorphus.

AMO. I will now call forth my provost, and present him.

[EXIT.]

ANA. Heart! why should not we be masters as well as he?

HED. That's true, and play our masters' prizes as well as the t'other?

MOR. In sadness, for using your court-weapons, methinks you may.

PHA. Nay, but why should not we ladies play our prizes, I pray? I see no reason but we should take them down at their own weapons.

PHI. Troth, and so we may, if we handle them well.

WIFE. Ay, indeed, forsooth, madam, if 'twere in the city, we would think foul scorn but we would, forsooth.

PHA. Pray you, what should we call your name?

WIFE. My name is Downfall.

HED. Good mistress Downfall! I am sorry your husband could not get in.

WIFE. 'Tis no matter for him, sir.

ANA. No, no, she has the more liberty for herself.

[A FLOURISH.]

PHA. Peace, peace! they come.

RE-ENTER AMORPHUS, INTRODUCING ASOTUS IN A FULL-DRESS SUIT.

AMO. So, keep up your ruff; the tincture of your neck is not all so pure, but it will ask it. Maintain your sprig upright; your cloke on your half-shoulder falling; so: I will read your bill, advance it, and present you.--Silence!

"Be it known to all that profess courtship, by these presents (from the white satin reveller, to the cloth of tissue and bodkin) that we, Ulysses-Polytropus-Amorphus, master of the n.o.ble and subtile science of courtship, do give leave and licence to our provost, Acolastus-Polypragmon-Asotus, to play his master's prize, against all masters whatsoever, in this subtile mystery, at these four, the choice and most cunning weapons of court-compliment, viz. the BARE ACCOST; the BETTER REGARD; the SOLEMN ADDRESS; and the PERFECT CLOSE. These are therefore to give notice to all comers, that he, the said Acolastus-Polypragmon-Asotus, is here present (by the help of his mercer, tailor, milliner, sempster, and so forth) at his designed hour, in this fair gallery, the present day of this present month, to perform and do his uttermost for the achievement and bearing away of the prizes, which are these: viz. For the Bare Accost, two wall-eyes in a face forced: for the Better Regard, a face favourably simpering, with a fan waving: for the Solemn Address, two lips wagging, and never a wise word: for the Perfect Close, a wring by the hand, with a banquet in a corner.

And Phoebus save Cynthia!"

Appeareth no man yet, to answer the prizer? no voice?--Music, give them their summons.

[MUSIC.]

PHA. The solemnity of this is excellent.

AMO. Silence! Well, I perceive your name is their terror, and keepeth them back.

ASO. I'faith, master, let's go; no body comes. 'Victus, victa, victum; victi, victae, victi--let's be retrograde.

AMO. Stay. That were dispunct to the ladies. Rather ourself shall be your encounter. Take your state up to the wall; and, lady, [LEADING MORIA TO THE STATE.] may we implore you to stand forth, as first term or bound to our courtship.

HED. 'Fore heaven, 'twill shew rarely.

AMO. Sound a charge. [A CHARGE.]

ANA. A pox on't! Your vulgar will count this fabulous and impudent now: by that candle, they'll never conceit it.

[THEY ACT THEIR ACCOST SEVERALLY TO MORIA.]

PHA. Excellent well! admirable!

PHI. Peace!

HED. Most fashionably, believe it.

PHI. O, he is a well-spoken gentleman.

PHA. Now the other.

PHI. Very good.

HED. For a scholar, Honour.

ANA. O, 'tis too Dutch. He reels too much. [A FLOURISH.]

HED. This weapon is done.

AMO. No, we have our two bouts at every weapon; expect.

CRI. [WITHIN.] Where be these gallants, and their brave prizer here?

MORP. Who's there? bear back; keep the door.