A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 68

O haps of haps, O rueful chance to me!

O Idleness, woe-worth the time, that I was ruled by thee!

Why did I lay my head within thy lap to rest?

Why was I not advis'd by her, that wish'd and will'd[427] me best?

O ten times treble[428] blessed wights, whose corps in grave do lie: That are not driven to behold these wretched cares which I[429]!

On me you[430] furies all, on me, have poured out your spite, Come now and slay me at the last, and rid my sorrows quite.

What coast shall me receive? where shall I show my head?

The world will say this same is he that, if he list, had sped.

This same is he, that took an enterprise in hand; This same is he that scarce one blow his enemy did withstand.

This same is he, that fought and fell in open field: This same is he that in the song of Idleness did yield.

This same is he that was in way to win the game: To join himself whereby he should have won immortal fame; And now is wrapp'd in woe, and buried in despair.

O happy case for thee, if death would rid thee quite of care!

ACT V., SCAENA 2.

SHAME, REASON, SCIENCE, WIT.

REASON.

Shame.

SHAME.

Who calls for Shame?

REASON.

Here is a merchant,[431] Shame, for thee to tame.

SHAME.

A shame come to you all, for I am almost lame With trudging up and down to them that lose their game.

REASON.

And here is one, whom thou must rightly blame, That hath preferr'd his folly to his fame.

SHAME.

Who? this good fellow? what call you his name?

REASON.

Wit, that on wooing to lady Science came.

SHAME.

Come aloft, child, let me see, what friscols you can fet;[432]

REASON.

[If] he hath deserved it, let him be well-bet.

WIT.

O, spare me with the whip, and sle me with thy knife: Ten thousand times more dear to me were present death than life.

SHAME.

Nay, nay, my friend, thou shalt not die as yet.

REASON.

Remember in what case dame Nature left thee, Wit; And how thou hast abus'd the same-- Thou hast deceived all our hope, as all the world may see.

SHAME.

A shame Come to it!--

REASON.

Remember, what fair words and promises thou diddest make, That for my daughter's love no pains thou wouldest forsake.

Remember in what sort we had a care of thee: Thou hast deceived all our hope, as all the world may see.

SHAME.

A shame come to it.

REASON.

Remember, how Instruction should have been followed still, And how thou wouldest be ruled by none but by Will How Idleness hath crept, and reigneth in thy breast, How Ignorance her son hath wholly thee possess'd.

SHAME.

A shame come to it.

WIT.

O woful wretch, to whom shall I complain?

What salve may serve to salve my sore, or to redress my pain?

REASON.

Nay, I can tell thee more: remember, how Thou was subdued of Tediousness right now.

Remember with what crakes thou went unto his den, Against the good advice and counsel of thy men, What Recreation did for thee in these thy rueful haps, And how the second time thou fell into the lap.[433]

SHAME.

A shame come to thee!

WIT.

O, let me breathe a while, and hold thy heavy hand, My grievous faults with Shame enough I understand.

Take ruth and pity on my plaint, or else I am forlorn; Let not the world continue thus in laughing me to scorn.

Madam, if I be he, to whom you once were bent, With whom to spend your time sometime you were content: If any hope be left, if any recompense Be able to recover this forepa.s.sed negligence, O, help me now poor wretch in this most heavy plight, And furnish me yet once again with Tediousness to fight.

SCIENCE.

Father, be good to these young tender years, See, how he doth bewail his folly past with tears!

REASON.

Hold, slave, take thou his coat for thy labour, We are content, at her request, to take you to our favour.

Come in, and dwell with us, till time shall serve: And from Instruction['s] rule look that thou never swerve.

Within we shall provide to set you up once more, This scourge hath taught you, what default was in you heretofore.

ACT V., SCAENA 3.