A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 68

Verse to_ FORTUNE.

_Thou that dost guide the world by thy direction, Thou that dost conquer states to thy subjection, Thou that dost keep each king in thy correction, Thou that preservest all in thy protection, For all thy gifts unto thy majesty I yield both thanks and praise immortally: To mighty Fortune, &c.

Verse to_ MONEY.

_Sweet Money, the minion that sails with all winds, Sweet Money, the minstrel that makes merry all minds, Sweet Money, that gables of bondage unbinds, Sweet Money, that maintains all sports of all kinds, This is that sweet Money, that rules like a king, And makes me all praises of Money to sing

[Exeunt_.

ACT III., SCENE I.

_Enter_ DANDALINE, _the hostess_.

DAN. Now, i'faith, ye little peevish harlotry,[393]

I'll one day make you spit your meat more handsomely.

By my truth, truly had I not come in the rather, She had laid me to the fire the loin of veal and capon both together, Not weighing (like an unwitty girlish mother), That the one would ask more roasting than the other; So that either the veal had been left stark raw, Or else the capon burnt, and so not worth a straw.

And that had been pity: for I a.s.sure you at a word, A better bird, a fairer bird, a finer bird: A sweeter bird, a younger bird, a tenderer bird: A daintier bird, a crisper bird, a more delicate bird: Was there never set upon any gentleman's board.

But I lack my guests, that should pay for this gear: And sure my mind gives me, I should find them here, Two of mine acquaintance, familiar grown, The third to me yet a gentleman unknown, More than by hearsay, that he is fresh and l.u.s.ty, Full of money, and by name Prodigality.

Now, sir, to link him sure to his hostess Dandaline, Dandaline must provide to have all things very fine.

And therefore already it is _definitum_, The gentleman shall want nothing may please his _appet.i.tum_.

And because most meats unsauced are motives to drouth, He shall have a lemon to moisten his mouth, A lemon I mean; no lemon I trow; Take heed, my fair maids, you take me not so.

For though I go not as grave as my grandmother, Yet I have honesty as well as another.

But hush, now shall I hear some news.

[_Manet_.

SCENE II.

_Enter_ TOM TOSS, d.i.c.k DICER.[394]

DICER. Fellow Tomkin, I think this world is made of flint; There's neither money, nor wares worth money, in't.

TOSS. Hold thy peace, d.i.c.k, it cannot still keep at this stint: We are now lighted upon such a mint, As (follow it well) I dare warrant thee, Thy turn shall be served in every degree.

DAND. d.i.c.k boy, mine own boy, how dost thou? what cheer?

DICER. What, Dandeline, mine hostess, what make you here?

DAND. I came of purpose to inquire for thee.

DICER. And I came of purpose to seek Prodigality.

DAND. What, he you told me of? indeed, is it he?

DICER. Ay, of my fidelity.

DAND. A good boy, of mine honesty.

But when come ye?

DICER. As soon as I can find him.

DAND. Seek him, good d.i.c.k, and find him speedily: For this, I a.s.sure ye, your supper is ready.

DICER. Go home before, make all things very fine.

DAND. I will. Farewell.

DICER. Farewell.

DAND. Farewell to Tomkin, too?

TOSS. Farewell, sweet Dandaline.

DAND. But, hear ye? bring him.

DICER. Who?

DAND. Tush, a G.o.d's name, you know who!

I mean the gentleman.

DICER. Go to, go to. [DANDALINE _exit_.

Tom, now to the purpose where first we began.

TOSS. Cast care away, d.i.c.k; I'll make thee a man.

DICER. A gospel in thy mouth, Tom, for it never went worse.

Master Money hath left me never a penny in my purse.

TOSS. 'Twill be better, d.i.c.k, shalt see, very shortly.

DICER. I pray thee, tell me is this brave Prodigality, So full of money as he is said to be?

TOSS. Full, quotha? he is too full, I promise thee.

DICER. And will he lash it out so l.u.s.tily?

TOSS. Exceedingly, unreasonably, unmeasureably.

DICER. Then may such mates as we, that be so bare, Hope some way or other to catch a share.

TOM. a.s.sure thyself that; but whist, he cometh here: Let's entertain him with familiar cheer.