A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 62

STUDY.

No.

WIT.

A month?

STUDY.

Neither.

WIT.

No?

STUDY.

Not so.

INSTRUCTION.

No, nor so many mo.

WIT.

Then, farewell all, for, as I hope to thrive, I will prove him, ere I sleep, if I be alive, And if ye be mine, and good fellows all three, Go thither out of hand, and take your chance with me.

INSTRUCTION.

For my part, I know I can do you no good.

WILL.

You are a proper man of your hands, by the rood!

Yet well fare him, that never his master forsaketh.

WIT.

What say'st thou, Study?

STUDY.

My head acheth.

WIT.

Out upon thee, coward! speak, Diligence.

DILIGENCE.

Against Instruction's mind, I am loth to go hence, Yet I will make one, rather than you should lack.

WIT.

Perhaps we may find them at this time in bed.

WILL.

So much the rather look you to be sped, Care for no more, but once to come within her, And when you have done, then let another win her.

WIT.

To come within her, child? what meanest thou by that?

WILL.

One ma.s.s for a penny, you know what is what!

WIT.

Heard you ever such a counsel of such a Jack sprat?

WILL.

Why, sir, do ye think to do any good, If ye stand in a corner like Robin Hood?

Nay, you must stout it, and face it out with the best: Set on a good countenance, make the most of the least, Whosoever skip in, look to your part, And while you live, beware of a false heart.

WIT.

Both blame and shame rash boldness doth breed.

WILL.

You must adventure both: spare to speak, spare to speed.

What tell you me of shame? it is shame to steal a horse.

WIT.

More haste than good speed makes many fare the worse.

WILL.

But he that takes not such time, while he may, Shall leap at a whiting, when time is away.

WIT.

But he that leaps, before he look, good son, May leap in the mire, and miss when he hath done.

[_Enter Science, Season, and Experience_.

SCIENCE.

Methink I hear the voice of Will, Wit's boy.

WIT.

I see her come, her sorrow and my joy, My salve and yet my sore, my comfort and my care, The causer of my wound, and yet the well of my welfare; O happy wight, that have the saint of your request, O hopeless hope, that holdeth me from that which likes me best!

Twixt hope and fear I stand, to mar or else to make, This day to be relieved quite, or else my death-wound to take.

REASON.

Here let us rest awhile, and pause all three:

EXPERIENCE.

Daughter, sit down, belike this same is he.

WILL.

Be of good cheer, sir; be ruled by me.

Women are best pleased, till they be used homely, Look her in the face, and tell your tale stoutly.

WIT.

O pearl of pa.s.sing price, sent down from G.o.d on high, The sweetest beauty to entice, that hath been seen with eye: The well of wealth to all, that no man doth annoy: The key of kingdoms and the seal of everlasting joy.

The treasure and the store, whom all good things began, The nurse of lady Wisdom's love, the link of man and man.

What words shall me suffice to utter my desire?

What heat of talk shall I devise, for to express my fire?