A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 85

RON. So: there's s.h.i.+rts And bands[287] to furnish all on's for a twelvemonth.

ALB. An altar in the midst, loaded with plate Of silver basins, ewers, cups, [and] candlesticks, Flagons and beakers; salts, chargers, casting-bottles.[288]

'Twere not amiss to mix some bowls of gold, So they be ma.s.sy, the better to resemble The lovely brotherhood of Sol and Luna: Also some diamonds for Jupiter.

For by the whiteness and bright sparkling l.u.s.tres We allure the intelligence to descend.

RON. Furbo and I are those intelligences That must attend upon the magistery. [_Aside._

ALB. Now, for the ceremonious sacrifice, Provide such creatures as the moon delights in: Two sucking lambs, white as the Alpine snow; Yet if they have a mole or two, 'twill pa.s.s; The moon herself wants not her spots.

PAN. 'Tis true.

RON. Were they h.e.l.l-black, we'd make a s.h.i.+ft to eat them.

[_Aside._

ALB. White capons, pheasants, pigeons; one little blackbird Would stain and spoil the work. Get several wines To quench the holy embers: Rhenish, Greek wine, White muscadel, sherry, and rich canary, So't be not grown too yellow; for the quicker, Brisker and older, the better for these ceremonies: The more abundance, sooner shall we finish.

For 'tis our rule in suchlike businesses, Who spares most, spends most. Either this day must do't, Or th' revolution of five hundred years Cannot: so fit are all the heavens to help us.

RON. A thousand thanks! thou'lt make a complete cheat.

Thus, loaded with this treasure, cheer'd with wine, Strengthen'd with meat, we'll carry thee in triumph, As the great General of our atchievement.

PAN. Sir, for rich plate and jewels I have store; But know not how to furnish you with hangings.

ALB. Cannot you borrow from the shops? four hours Shall render all as fair as you receiv'd it.

PAN. That can I easily do.

ALB. And hear you, sir: If you chance meet with boxes of white comfits, Marchpane, dry sucket, macaroons, and diet-bread, 'Twill help on well----

RON. To furnish out our banquet.

ALB. I had clean forgot; we must have ambergris,[289]

The greyest can be found, some dozen ounces: I'll use but half a drachm; but 'tis our fas.h.i.+on T' offer a little from a greater lump.

PAN. All shall be done with expedition.

ALB. And when your man's transform'd, the chain you promis'd.

PAN. My hand: my deeds shall wait upon my promise.

ALB. Lead then with happy foot to view the chamber.

PAN. I go, sir. Trincalo, attend us here, And not a word, on peril of thy life.

TRIN. Sir, if they kill me, I'll not stir a foot; And if my tongue's pull'd out, not speak a word.

SCENE IV.

TRINCALO, CRICCA.

TRIN. O, what a business 'tis to be transform'd!

My master talks of four-and-twenty hours: But, if I mew these flags[290] of yeomanry, Gild in the sear,[291] and s.h.i.+ne in bloom of gentry, 'Tis not their 'strology nor sacrifice Shall force me cast that coat. I'll ne'er part with't, Till I be sheriff of th' county, and in commission Of peace and quorum. Then will I get m' a clerk, A practis'd fellow, wiser than my wors.h.i.+p, And domineer amongst my fearful neighbours.

And feast them bountifully with their own bribes.

CRI. Trincalo!

TRIN. Wear a gold chain at every quarter sessions, Look big and grave, and speak not one wise word.

CRI. Trincalo!

TRIN. Examine wenches got with child, and curiously Search all the circ.u.mstances: have blank mitti-muses Printed in readiness; breathe nought but, _Sirrah_, _Rogue, ha? ho? hum? Constable, look to your charge;_ Then vouch a statute and a Latin sentence, Wide from the matter.

CRI. Trincalo!

TRIN. License all ale-houses; Match my son Transformation t' a knight's daughter, And buy a bouncing pedigree of a Welsh herald: And then----

CRI. What! In such serious meditations?

TRIN. Faith, no; but building castles in the air While th' weather's fit: O Cricca, such a business!

CRI. What is't?

TRIN. Nay, soft; they're secrets of my master, Lock'd in my breast: he has the key at's purse-strings.[292]

CRI. My master's secret! keep it, good farmer, keep it; I would not lend an ear to't, if thou'dst hire me.

Farewell.

TRIN. O, how it boils and swells! if I keep't longer, 'Twill grow t' impostume in my breast, and choke me. Cricca!

CRI. Adieu, good Trincalo; the secrets of our betters Are dangerous: I dare not know't.

TRIN. But, hear'st thou!

Say, I should tell, can'st keep as close as I do?

CRI. Yes: but I had rather want it. Adieu.

TRIN. Alb.u.mazar----

CRI. Farewell.

TRIN. Alb.u.mazar----

CRI. Prythee.

TRIN. Alb.u.mazar, Th' astrologer, hath undertook to change me T' Antonio's shape: this done, must I give Flavia To my old master, and his maid to Trincalo.

CRI. But where's Pandolfo and Alb.u.mazar?