ing for one rabble, to have a new supply every evening. They take nothing from me indeed, they give too much. Spring. Thou art old Randal still! ever grumbling, but still officious for 'em. Ran. Yes: hang 'em, they know I love 'em well enough, I have had merry bouts with some of them. Spring. What say'st thou, Randal? Ran. They are indeed my pastime. I left the merry grigs (as their provender has prick'd 'em) in such a hoigh yonder! such a frolick! you'll hear anon, as you walk nearer 'em. Spring. Well, bonest Randal, thus it is: I am for a journey; I know not how long will be my absence. But I will presently take order with the cook, 3 pantler, and butler, for my wonted allowance to the poor: and I will leave money with thee to manage the affair till my return. Ran. Then up rise Randal, bailiff of the beggars. Spring. And if our master be displeas'd (although the charge be mine) at the openness of the entertainment, thou shalt then give it proportionably in money, and let them walk further. Ran. Pseugh! that will never do't, never do 'em good: 'tis the seat, the habitation, the rendezvous, that chears their hearts. Money would clog their consciences. Nor must I lose the musick of 'em in their lodging. Spring. We will agree upon't anon. Go now about your business. Ran. I go. Bailiff? nay steward and chamberlain, of the rogues and beggars. [Exit. Spring. I cannot think but with a trembling fear On this adventure, in a scruple, which I have not weigh'd with all my other doubts; I have committed none. And that may be sup plied, And better too, by some more constant to him. [A noise and singing within. Unto his noble heart. But hark! Ay, there's The harmony that drowns all doubts and fears. A little nearer SONG. From hunger and cold who lives more free, No sorrow, no sorrow, no sorrow, no sorrow. Let rich men care, we feel no sorrow. Spring. The emperor hears no such musick; nor Feels content like this. Each city, each town, and every village, If warm and fair, by yea-cock and nay-cock, Spring. Most ravishing delight! but, in all this, Only one sense is pleas'd; mine ear is feasted : [He opens the Scene; the Beggars are discover'd in their postures; then they issue forth; and at last the Patrico. All. Our master, our master! our sweet and comfortable master! Spring. How chear, my hearts? 1st Beg. Most crowse, most capringly. Shall we dance, shall we sing, to welcome our king? Strike up piper, a merry merry dance, Spring. Exceeding well perform'd. 1st Beg. 'Tis well, if it like you, master. But we have not that rag among us, that we will not dance off to do you service; we being all and only your servants, most noble sir. Command us therefore, and employ us, we beseech you. Spring. Thou speak'st most courtly. 2d Beg. Sir, he can speak, and could have writ as well. He is a decay'd poet, newly fallen 3 Pantler-The Pantler was the officer who presided over the pantry, as the butler over the buttery, and the haistiller over the haistery. See Notes to The Northumberland Household Book, p. 417. 4 Crowse. These terms are explained at the end of this play. 5 Lustick-i. e. As lusty, as jovial. Lustigh is a Dutch word, with those significations.~~~See Note on All's Well that ends Well, A. 2. S. 3: 6 It like you. See Note to Cornelia, Dodsley's Old Plays, Vol. II. p. 245. VOL. III. 2 A in among us and begs as well as the best of us. He learn'd it pretty well in his own profession before; and can the better practise it in ours now. Spring. Thou art a wit too, it seems. 3d Beg. He should have wit and knavery too, sir; for he was an attorney, till he was pitch'd over the bar; and, from that fall, he was taken up a knight of the post; and so he continued, till he was degraded at the whipping-post; and from thence he ran resolutely into this course. His cunning in the law, and the other's labour with the Muses, are dedicate to your service; and, for myself, I'll fight for you. Spring. Thou art a brave fellow, and speak'st like a commander. Hast thou borne arms? 4th Beg. Sir, he has borne the name of a Netherland soldier, till he ran away from his colours, and was taken lame with lying in the fields, by a Sciatica: I mean, sir, the Strapado: after which, by a second retreat, indeed running away, he scambled into this country, and so escap'd the gallows; and then snapp'd up his living in the city, by his wit in cheating, pimping, and such-like arts, till the cart and the pillory shew'd him too publickly to the world: and so, begging being the last refuge, he enter'd into our society, and now lives as honestly, I must needs say, as the best of us. Spring. Thou speak'st good language too. 1st Beg. He was a courtier born, sir, and begs on pleasure, I assure you; refusing great and constant means from able friends to make him a staid man: yet, the want of a leg notwithstanding, he must travel in this kind, against all common reason, by the special policy of providence. Spring. As how, I pr'y thee? 1st Beg. His father, sir, was a courtier; a great court-beggar, I assure you: I made these verses on him, and his son here. A courtier begg'd by covelise, not need, While the oppress'd, that lost that great estate, The father dies (the world says) very rich; And begs with, what's a gentleman, but 's pleasure? Or say it be upon the heir a curse; worse. For of the general store that Heaven has sent, He values not a penny, 'till 't be spent. All. A Scribble, a Scribble! 2d Beg. What city or court-poet could say more than our hedge-muse-monger here? 3d Beg. What say you, sir, to our poet Scribble, here? Spring. I like his vein exceeding well, and the whole concert of you. 2d Beg. Concert, sir! we have musicians too among us: true merry beggars indeed, that being within the reach of the lash for singing libellous songs at London, were fain to fly into our covey, and here they sing all our poet's ditties. They can sing any thing most tuneably, sir, but psalms. What they may do hereafter, under a triple tree, is much expected: but they live very civilly and genteelly among us. Spring. But what is he there, that solemn old fellow, that neither speaks of himself, por any body for him? 2d Beg. O sir, the rarest man of all: he is a prophet. See how he holds up his prognosticating nose. He is divining now. Spring. How, a prophet? 2d Beg. Yes, sir, a cunning man, and a fortune-teller. "Tis thought he was a great clerk before his decay; but he is very close; will not tell his beginning, nor the fortune he himself is fallen from; but he serves us for a clergyman still, and marries us, if need be, after a new way of his own. Spring. How long have you had his company? 2d Beg. But lately come amongst us; but a very ancient stroller all the land over, and has travelled with gipsies; and is a patrico. Shall he read your fortune, sir? Spring. If it please him. By this palm, I understand Thou art born to wealth and land; Shalt build with thy great grandsire's dust. Spring. Where shall I find it? But come, I'll not trouble my head with the search. 2d Beg. What say you, sir, to our crew? Are we not well congregated? Spring. You are a jovial crew: the only people whose happiness I admire. 3d Beg. Will you make us happy in serving you? Have you any enemies? Shall we fight under you? Will you be our captain ? 2d Beg. Nay, our king. 3d Beg. Command us something, sir. 7 Scambled. See Note 35 on The Merry Devil of Edmonton, Vol. II. p. 251. Spring. Where's the next rendezvous ? 1st Beg. Neither in village nor in town; But three mile off, at Maple-down. Spring. At evening, there I'll visit you. 9 SONG. Come, come, away; the spring Cuckoo, cries he; Jug, Jug, Jug, sings she, From bush to bush, from tree to tree. Why in one place then tarry we? Come away; why do we stay? We have no debt or rent to pay : No bargains or accounts to make; Nor land, nor lease, to let or take: Or if we had, should that remore us, When all the world's our own before us? And where we pass, and make resort, It is our kingdom and our court. Cuckoo, cries, &c. Spring. So now away. [Exeunt Cantantes. They dream of happiness that live in state; But they enjoy it that obey their fate. ACT II. Enter VINCENT, HILLIARD, MERIEL, RACHEL. | house, when they have the air at pleasure, in all Vin. I am overcome with admiration at the felicity they take! Hil. Beggars! they are the only people can boast the benefit of a free state, in the full enjoyment of liberty, mirth, and ease; having all things in common, and nothing wanting of Nature's whole provision within the reach of their desires. Who would have lost this sight of their revels? Vin. How think you, ladies? Are they not the only happy in a nation? Mer. Happier than we, I'm sure, that are pent up and ty'd by the nose to the continual steam of hot hospitality here, in our father's variety. Rach. And though I know we have merrier spirits than they, yet to live thus confin'd, stifles us. Hil. Why, ladies, you have liberty enough; or may take what you please. Mer. Yes, in our father's rule and government, or by his allowance! What's that to absolute freedom; such as the very beggars have; to feast and revel here to-day, and yonder tomorrow; next day, where they please; and so on still, the whole country or kingdom over? There's liberty! the birds of the air can take no more. 8 Maple-down.-In Kent on the north-west side of Wrotham. 9 Song.-On the revival of this play, the following song was substituted, instead of that in the text: Rach. And then at home here, or wheresoever he comes, our father is so pensive, (what muddy spirit soever possesses him, would I could conjure it out!) that he makes us even sick of his sadness, that were wont to see my gossip's cock to-day, mould cockle-bread, dance clutterdepouch and hannykin booby, binde barrels, or do any thing before him, and he would laugh at us. Mer. Now he never looks upon us but with a sigh, or tears in his eyes, though we simper ever so sanctifiedly. What tales have been told him of us, or what he suspects, I know not. God forgive him; I do: but I am weary of his house. Rach. Does he think us whores tro, because sometimes we talk as lightly as great ladies. I can swear safely for the virginity of one of us, so far as word and deed goes: marry, thought's free. Mer. Which is that one of us, I pray? Yourself, or me? Rach. Good sister Meriel, charity begins at home but I'll swear, I think as charitably of thee; and not only because thou art a year younger neither. Mer. I am beholden to you. But for my father, I would I knew his grief, and how to cure him, or that we were where we could not see it. It spoils our mirth; and that has been better than his meat to us. Vin. Will you hear our motion, ladies? Mer. Pseugh! you would marry us presently out of his way, because he has given you a foolish kind of promise: but we will see him in a better humour first, and 10 as apt to laugh as we to lie down, I warrant him. Hil. 'Tis like that course will cure him, would you embrace it. Rach. We will have him cur'd first, I tell you; and you shall wait that season, and our leisure. Mer. I will rather hazard my being one of the devil's ape-leaders, than to marry while he is melancholy. Rach. Or I to stay in his house, to give entertainment to this knight, or t'other coxcomb, that comes to chear him up with eating of his chear: when we must fetch 'em sweetmeats, and they must tell us," Ladies, your lips are sweeter;" and then fall into courtship; one, in a set speech, taken out of "Old Breton's Works; another, with verses out of 12 The Academy of Compliments, or some or other of the new poetical pamphleteers, ambitious only to spoil paper, and publish their names in print. And then to be kiss'd, and sometimes slaver'd-fagh! Mer. 'Tis not to be endur'd. We must ont of the house. We cannot live but by laughing; and that aloud, and nobody sad within hearing. Vin. We are for any adventure with you, ladies. Shall we project a journey for you? Your father has trusted you, and will think you safe in our company; and we would fain be abroad upon some progress with you. Shail we make a fling to London, and see how the spring appears there in the Spring Garden; and in Hyde Park, to see the races, horse and foot; to hear the jockies crack; and see the 13 Adamites run naked afore the ladies? Rach. We have seen all already there, as well as they, last year. Hil. But there ha' been new plays since. Rach. Worse than t' other way. I love not to carry my health where others drop their diseases. There's no sport i' that. Vin. Will you up to the hill-top of sports then, and merriments, 14 Dover's Olimpicks, or the Cotswold Games? 10 As apt to laugh as we to lie down.-Alluding to the old game at cards, called Laugh and lie down. S. P. "Old Breton.-See Note 20 to The Goblins, Dodsley's Old Plays, Vol. X. p. 172. 12 Academy of Compliments.—A popular book, in great reputation with the lower ranks of readers. It was composed of verses, letters, &c. 13 Adamites. A sect which sprung up at Amsterdam. Both men and women used to pray, and perform all divine services naked. 14 Dover's Olimpicks, or the Cotswold Games." These games were begun, and continued, at a certain time in the year, for forty years, by one Robert Dover, an attorney of Barton on the Heath, in Warwickshire, son of John Dover of Norfolk; who, being full of activity, and of a generous, free, and public spirit, did, with leave from King James the 1st, select a place on Cotswold Hills, in Gloucestershire, whereon those games should be acted. Endimion Porter, Esq. a native of that county, and a servant to that King, a person also of a most generous spirit, did, to encourage Dover, give him some of the King's old cloaths, with a hat and feather and ruff, purposely to grace him, and consequently the solemnity. Dover was constantly there in person, well mounted and accoutred, and was the chief director and manager of those games, frequented by the nobility and gentry (some of whom came sixty miles to see them) even till the rascally rebellion was began by the Presbyterians; which gave a stop to their proceedings, and spoiled all that was generous or ingenious elsewhere.”—This is Wood's account, Ath. Oxon. Vol. II. 812. In 1636 was published Annalia Dubrensia, upon the yearly celebration of Mr Robert Dover's Olympic Games upon Cotswold Hills, &c. containing verses by Drayton, Randolph, Ben Jonson, Feltham, Mennis, Marmyon, Heywood, and others. Prefixed to it is a plate, representing the games and sports, and Captain Dover on horseback, riding from place to place. Mer. No, that will be too publick for our recreation. We would have it more within ourselves. Hil. Think of some course yourselves then. We are for you upon any way, as far as horse and money can carry us. Vin. Ay, and if those means fail us, as far as our legs can bear, or our hands can help us. Rach. And we will put you to't. Come aside, Meriel Vin. Some jeer, perhaps, to put upon us. Hil. What think you of a pilgrimage to Winifride's Well? 15 St Vin. Or a journey to the Wise Woman at Nantwich, to ask if we be fit husbands for 'em? Hil. They are not scrupulous in that, we having had their growing loves up from our childhoods, and the old squire's good-will before all Vin. If it be not some trick upon us, which they'll discover in some monstrous shape, they cozen me. Now, ladies, is your project ripe? 1? Possess us with the knowledge of it. Rach. It is more precious than to be imparted upon a slight demand. Hil. Pray let us hear it: you know we are your trusty servants. Vin. And have kept all your counsels ever since we have been infant play-fellows. Rach. Yes, you have play'd at all kinds of small with but this is to the purpose. game Ha! ha! ha! us; Hil. It seems so, by your laughing. Rach. And asks a stronger tongue-tie than tearing of books, burning of samplers, making dirt-pies, or piss and paddle in't. Vin. You know how, and what we have vow'd; to wait upon you any how, and any whither. Mer. And you will stand to't? Hil. Ay, and go to't with you, wherever it be. Mer. Pray tell't 'em, sister Rachel. Rach. Why, gentlemen,-ha! ha!—————thus it istell it you, Meriel. Vin. O, is that all? Mer. You are the elder. Pray tell it you. Rach. You are the younger. I cominand you to tell it. Come, out with it, they long to have it. Hil. When? Vin. When? Mer. In troth, you must tell it, sister; I cannot. Pray begin. Rach. Then, gentlemen, stand your ground. Vin. Some terrible business, sure! Rach. You seem'd e'en now to admire the felicity of beggars. Mer. And have engag'd yourself to join with us in any course. Kach. Will you now with us, and for our sakes, turn beggars? Mer. It is our resolution, and our injunction on you. Rach. But for a time, and a short progress. Mer. And for a spring-trick of youth, now, in the season. Vin. Beggars! what rogues are these? We are resolved to take our course. ready? [ings? Don't we now beg your loves, and your enjoyDo we not beg to be receiv'd your servants? To kiss your hands; or, if you will vouchsafe, Your lips; or your embraces? Hil. We now beg, That we may fetch the rings and priest to marry us: Wherein are we no beggars? Rach. That will not serve. come for that yet. You shall beg victuals first. Your time's not Vin. O, I conceive your begging progress is to ramble out this summer among your father's tenants; and 'tis in request among gentlemen's daughters to devour their cheese-cakes, applepies, cream and custards, flapjacks, and panpuddings. 18 15 St Winifride's Well.-Near Holywell, in the county of Flint.-See Pennant's Tour in North Wales, 1773, p. 28. 16 Imp'd.-Junius, in his Etymologicon, explains Imp in this manner: "Surculus. Imped, Insertus. cymræis imp est Surculus. impio, Inoculare, inserere.” 17 Possess us, &c.—See Note 7 to The City Night-cap, postea. 18 Flapjacks. A flapjack is a provincial term for an apple-puff. S. So, in Pericles, A. 2. S. 1: "Come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for all day; fish for fasting-days and more; or puddings and flapjacks: and thou shalt be welcome." |