Cynthia's Revels Part 25

AMO. I! Is the palate of your judgment down? Gentles, I do appeal.

ASO. Yes, master, to me: the judges be fools.

ANA. How now, sir! tie up your tongue, mungrel. He cannot appeal.

ASO. Say, you sir?

ANA. Sit you still, sir.

ASO. Why, so I do; do not I, I pray you?

MER. Remercie, madame, and these honourable censors.

AMO. Well, to the second weapon, the "Better Regard". I will encounter you better. Attempt.

HED. Sweet Honour.

PHI. What says my good Ambition?

HED. Which take you at this next weapon? I lay a Discretion with you on Amorphus's head.

PHI. Why, I take the French-behaved gentleman.

HED. 'Tis done, a Discretion.

CRI. A Discretion! A pretty court-wager! Would any discreet person hazard his wit so?

PHA. I'll lay a Discretion with you, Anaides.

ANA. Hang 'em, I'll not venture a doit of Discretion on either of their heads.

CRI. No, he should venture all then.

ANA. I like none of their plays. [A CHARGE.]

HED. See, see! this is strange play!

ANA. 'Tis too full of uncertain motion. He hobbles too much.

CRI. 'Tis call'd your court-staggers, sir.

HED. That same fellow talks so now he has a place!

ANA. Hang him! neglect him.

MER. "Your good ladys.h.i.+p's affectioned."

WIFE. Ods so! they speak at this weapon, brother.

ASO. They must do so, sister; how should it be the Better Regard, else?

PHA. Methinks he did not this respectively enough.

PHI. Why, the monsieur but dallies with him.

HED. Dallies! 'Slight, see! he'll put him to't in earnest.-- Well done, Amorphus!

ANA. That puff was good indeed.

CRI. Ods me! this is desperate play: he hits himself o' the s.h.i.+ns.

HED. An he make this good through, he carries it, I warrant him.

CRI. Indeed he displays his feet rarely.

HED. See, see! he does the respective leer d.a.m.nably well.

AMO. "The true idolater of your beauties shall never pa.s.s their deities unadored: I rest your poor knight."

HED. See, now the oblique leer, or the Ja.n.u.s: he satisfies all with that aspect most n.o.bly. [A FLOURISH.]

Cri. And most terribly he comes off; like your rodomontado.

PHA. How like you this play, Anaides?

ANA. Good play; but 'tis too rough and boisterous.

AMO. I will second it with a stroke easier, wherein I will prove his language. [A CHARGE.]

ANA. This is filthy, and grave, now.

HED. O, 'tis cool and wary play. We must not disgrace our own camerade too much.

AMO. "Signora, ho tanto obligo per le favore resciuto da lei; che veramente desidero con tutto il core, a remunerarla in parte: e sicurative, signora mea cara, che io sera sempre p.r.o.nto a servirla, e honorarla. Bascio le mane de vo' signoria."

CRI. The Venetian dop this.

PHA. Most unexpectedly excellent! The French goes down certain.

ASO. As buckets are put down into a well; Or as a school-boy--

CRI. Truss up your simile, jack-daw, and observe.

HED. Now the monsieur is moved.

ANA. Bo-peep!

HED. O, most antick.