A Select Collection of Old English Plays, vol 1 | Page 9

instruments is never without, Could prove all these points, and yet by his science Can tell how many mile the earth is about, And many other strange conclusions, no doubt. His instruments could show thee so certain, That every rude carter should them perceive plain.
HU. Now would to God I had that man now here For the contemplation of my mind! STU. If ye will, I shall for him inquire, And bring him hither, if I can him find. HU. Then might I say ye were to me right kind. STU. I shall assay, by God that me dear bought, For cunning is the thing that would be sought. SEN. Well hit, quoth Hykman, when that he smote His wife on the buttocks with a beer-pot. Aha! now good even, fool, good even! It is even thee, knave, that I mean. Hast thou done thy babbling? STU. Yea, peradventure, what then? SEN. Then hold down thy head like a pretty man, and take my blessing. Benedicite! I grant to thee this pardon, And give thee absolution For thy sooth saws; stand up, Jackdaw! I beshrew thy father's son, Make room, sirs, and let us be merry, With huffa gallant, sing tirl on the berry, And let the wide world wind![15] Sing, frisky jolly, with hey troly lolly, For I see well it is but a folly For to have a sad mind: For rather than I would use such folly, To pray, to study, or be pope holy, I had as lief be dead. By Gog's body, I tell you true! I speak as I think now, else I beshrew Even my next fellow's head! Master Humanity, sir, by your leave, I were right loth you to grieve, Though I do him despise; For if ye knew him as well as I, Ye would not use his company, Nor love him in no wise. HU. Sir, he looketh like an honest man, Therefore I marvel that ye can This wise him deprave. SEN. Though he look never so well, I promise you he hath a shrewd smell. HU. Why so? I pray you tell. SEN. For he savoureth like a knave. STU. Hold your peace, sir, ye mistake me! What, I trow, that ye would make me Like to one of your kin. SEN. Hark, sirs, hear ye not how boldly He calleth me knave again by policy? The devil pull off his skin! I would he were hanged by the throat, For by the mass I love him not: We two can never agree; I am content, sir, with you to tarry, And I am for you so necessary, Ye cannot live without me. HU. Why, sir, I say, what man be ye? SEN. I am called Sensual Appetite, All creatures in me delight; I comfort the wits five, The tasting, smelling, and hearing; I refresh the sight and feeling To all creatures alive. For when the body waxeth hungry For lack of food, or else thirsty, Then with drinks pleasant I restore him out of pain, And oft refresh nature again With delicate viand. With pleasant sound of harmony The hearing alway I satisfy, I dare this well report; The smelling with sweet odour, And the sight with pleasant figure And colours, I comfort; The feeling, that is so pleasant, Of every member, foot, or hand, What pleasure therein can be By the touching of soft and hard, Of hot or cold, nought in regard, Except it come by me. HU. Then I cannot see the contrary, But ye are for me full necessary, And right convenient. STU. Yea, sir, beware yet what ye do, For if you forsake my company so, Lord Nature will not be content. Of him ye shall never learn good thing, Nother virtue nor no other cunning, This dare I well say. SEN. Marry, avaunt, knave! I thee defy! Did Nature forbid him my company? What sayest thou thereto? Speak openly. HU. As for that I know well nay. SEN. No, by God! I am right sure; For he knoweth well no creature Without me can live one day. HU. Sir, I pray you be content, It is not utterly mine intent Your company to exile; But only to have communication, And a pastime of recreation With this man for a while. STU. Well, for your pleasure I will depart. HU. Now go, knave, go! I beshrew thy heart! The devil send thee forward! SEN. Now, by my troth, I marvel greatly, That ever ye would use the company So mich of such a knave; For if ye do no nother thing, But ever study and to be musing, As he would have you, it will you bring At the last unto your grave! Ye should ever study principal For to comfort your