A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 69

WILL.

Once in my life I have an odd half-hour to spare, To ease myself of all my travail and my care.

I stood not still so long this twenty days, I ween, But ever more sent forth on messages I have been.

Such trudging and such toil, by the ma.s.s, was never seen; My body is worn out, and spent with labour clean.

And this it is that makes me look so lean.

That lets my growth, and makes me seem a squall;[434]

What then, although my stature be not tall, Yet I am as proper as you, so neat and cleanly, And have my joints at commandment full of activity.

What should a servant do with all this flesh and bones, That, makes them run with leaden heels, and stir themself like stones?

Give me a proper squire much after my pitch, And mark how he from place to place will squich;[435]

Fair or foul, thick or thin, mire or dusty; Cloud or rain, light or dark, clear or misty: Ride or run, to or fro, bad or good: A neat little fellow on his business will scud.

These great lubbers[436] are neither active nor wise, That feed till they sleep, and sleep out their eyes.

So heavy, so dull, so untoward in their doing, That it is a good sight to see them leave working.

But all this while, while I stand prating here, I see not my master; I left him snorting here.

[_Exit_.

ACT V., SCAENA 4.

SCIENCE, WIT, WILL; [_to them_] INSTRUCTION, STUDY, DILIGENCE, TEDIOUSNESS.

SCIENCE.

Mine own dear Wit, the hope of mine avail, My care, my comfort, my treasure and my trust, Take heart of grace our enemy to a.s.sail, Lay up these things, which you have heard discuss'd; So doing, undoubtingly you cannot fail To win the field, to 'scape all these unhappy shewers;[437]

To glad your friends, to cause your foes to wail; To match with us, and then the gain is yours.

Here in this closet ourself will sit and see Your manly feats and your success in fight: Strike home courageously for you and me; Learn where and how to fend, and how to smite.

In any wise, be ruled by these three; They shall direct both you and Will aright.

Farewell, and let our loving counsel be At every hand before you in your fight.

WIT.

Here in my sight, good madam, sit and view: That, when I list, I may look upon you.

This face, this n.o.ble face, this lively hue, Shall harden me, shall make our enemy rue.

O faithful mates, that have this care of me, How shall I ever recompense your pains with gold or fee?

Come now, and, as you please, enjoin me how to do it, And you shall see me prest and serviceable to it.

WILL.

Why, master, whither [a]way? what haste? am I no body?

INSTRUCTION.

What, Will, we may not miss thee for no money.

WIT.

Welcome, good Will, and do as thou art bid; This day or never must Tediousness be rid.

WILL.

G.o.d speed us well, I will make one at all a.s.says.

INSTRUCTION.

Thou shalt watch to take him at certain bays, Come not in the throng, but save thyself always.

You twain on either side first with your sword and buckler; After the first conflict, fight with your sword and daggers; You, sir, with a javelin and your target in your hand, See how ye can his deadly strokes withstand.

Keep at the foin;[438] come not within his reach, Until you see, what good advantage you may catch.

Then hardily leave him not, till time you strike him dead, And, of all other parts, especially save your head.

WIT.

Is this all, for I would fain have done?

WILL.

I would we were at it, I care not how soon.

INSTRUCTION.

Now, when ye please; I have no more to tell, But heartily to pray for you, and wish you well.

WIT.

I thank you; go thou, and bid the battle, Will.

WILL.

Come out, thou monster fell, that hast desire to spill The knot and linked love of Science and of Wit, Come, try the quarrel in the field, and fight with us a fit.

ACT V., SCAENA 5.

TEDIOUSNESS, WIT, WILL, INSTRUCTION, STUDY, DILIGENCE.

TEDIOUSNESS.

A doughty dust[439] these four boys will do: I will eat them by morsels, two and two!

Thou fightest for a wife! a rod, a rod!

Had I wist this, I would have laid on load, And beat thy brain and this my club together, And made thee safe enough for returning hither.

WILL.

A foul wh.o.r.eson! what a st.u.r.dy thief it is!

But we will pelt thee, knave, until for woe thou p.i.s.s.

TEDIOUSNESS.

Let me come to that elf.

WIT.

Nay, nay, thou shalt have work enough to save thyself.

[_Fight_.

INSTRUCTION.

Take breath, and change your weapons; play the men.

TEDIOUSNESS.

Somewhat it was that made thee come again.

Thou stickest somewhat better to thy tackling, I see, But what, no force; ye are but Jack-Sprat to me.