Brag.
A most fine Figure.
Boy.
To proue you a Cypher.
Brag.
I will heereupon confesse I am in loue: and as it is base for a Souldier to loue; so am I in loue with a base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour of affection, would deliuer mee from the reprobate thought of it, I would take Desire prisoner, and ransome him to any French Courtier for a new deuis'd curtsie. I thinke scorne to sigh, me thinkes I should out-sweare Cupid. Comfort me Boy, What great men haue beene in loue?
Boy.
Hercules Master.
Brag.
Most sweete Hercules: more authority deare Boy, name more; and sweet my childe let them be men of good repute and carriage.
Boy.
Sampson Master, he was a man of good carriage, great carriage: for hee carried the Towne-gates on his backe like a Porter: and he was in loue.
Brag.
O well-knit Sampson, strong ioynted Sampson; I doe excell thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst mee in carrying gates. I am in loue too. Who was Sampsons loue my deare Moth?
Boy.
A Woman, Master.
Brag.
Of what complexion?
Boy.
Of all the foure, or the three, or the two, or one of the foure.
Brag.
Tell me precisely of what complexion?
Boy.
Of the sea-water Greene sir.
Brag.
Is that one of the foure complexions?
Boy.
As I haue read sir, and the best of them too.
Brag.
Greene indeed is the colour of Louers: but to haue a Loue of that colour, methinkes Sampson had small reason for it. He surely affected her for her wit.
Boy.
It was so sir, for she had a greene wit.
Brag.
My Loue is most immaculate white and red.
Boy.
Most immaculate thoughts Master, are mask'd vnder such colours.
Brag.
Define, define, well educated infant.
Boy.
My fathers witte, and my mothers tongue assist mee.
Brag.
Sweet inuocation of a childe, most pretty and patheticall.
Boy.
If shee be made of white and red,
Her faults will nere be knowne:
For blush-in cheekes by faults are bred,
And feares by pale white showne:
Then if she feare, or be to blame,
By this you shall not know,
For still her cheekes possesse the same,
Which natiue she doth owe:
A dangerous rime master against the reason of white and redde.
Brag.
Is there not a ballet Boy, of the King and the Begger?
Boy.
The world was very guilty of such a Ballet some three ages since, but I thinke now 'tis not to be found: or if it were, it would neither serue for the writing, nor the tune.
Brag.
I will haue that subiect newly writ ore, that I may example my digression by some mighty president. Boy, I doe loue that Countrey girle that I tooke in the Parke with the rationall hinde Costard: she deserues well.
Boy.
To bee whip'd: and yet a better loue then my Master.
Brag.
Sing Boy, my spirit grows heauy in loue.
Boy.
And that's great maruell, louing a light wench.
Brag.
I say sing.
Boy.
Forbeare till this company be past.
Enter Clowne, Constable, and Wench.
Const.
Sir, the Dukes pleasure, is that you keepe Costard safe, and you must let him take no delight, nor no penance, but hee must fast three daies a weeke: for this Damsell, I must keepe her at the Parke, shee is alowd for the Day-woman. Fare you well. Exit.
Brag.
I do betray my selfe with blushing: Maide.
Maid.
Man.
Brag.
I wil visit thee at the Lodge.
Maid.
That's here by.
Brag.
I know where it is situate.
Mai.
Lord how wise you are!
Brag.
I will tell thee wonders.
Ma.
With what face?
Brag.
I loue thee.
Mai.
So I heard you say.
Brag.
And so farewell.
Mai.
Faire weather after you.
Clo.
Come Iaquenetta, away. Exeunt.
Brag.
Villaine, thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardoned.
Clo.
Well sir, I hope when I doe it, I shall doe it on a full stomacke.
Brag.
Thou shalt be heauily punished.
Clo.
I am more bound to you then your fellowes, for they are but lightly rewarded.
Clo.
Take away this villaine, shut him vp.
Boy.
Come you transgressing slaue, away.
Clow.
Let mee not bee pent vp sir, I will fast being loose.
Boy.
No sir, that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prison.
Clow.
Well, if euer I do see the merry dayes of desolation that I haue seene, some shall see.
Boy.
What shall some see?
Clow.
Nay nothing, Master Moth, but what they looke vpon. It is not for prisoners to be silent in their words, and therefore I will say nothing: I thanke God, I haue as little patience as another man, and therefore I can be quiet. Exit.
Brag.
I doe affect the very ground (which is base) where her shooe (which is baser) guided by her foote (which is basest) doth tread. I shall be forsworn (which is a great argument of falshood) if I loue. And how can that be true loue, which is falsly attempted? Loue is a familiar, Loue is a Diuell. There is no euill Angell but Loue, yet Sampson was so tempted, and he had an excellent strength: Yet was Salomon so seduced, and hee had a very good witte. Cupids Butshaft is too hard for Hercules Clubbe, and therefore too much ods for a Spaniards Rapier: The first and second cause will not serue my turne: the Passado hee respects not, the Duello he regards not; his disgrace is to be called Boy, but his glorie is to subdue men. Adue Valour, rust Rapier, bee still Drum, for your manager is in loue; yea hee loueth. Assist me some extemporall god of Rime, for I am sure I shall turne Sonnet. Deuise Wit, write Pen, for I am for whole volumes in folio. Exit.
Finis Actus Primus.
