To gild his reputation;-most improbable.

A world of desperate undertakings, possibly, Procures some hungry meals, some tavern surfeits,

Some frippery to hide nakedness; perhaps
The scambling' half a ducat now and then
To roar and noise it with the tattling hostess,
For a week's lodging; these are pretty shifts,
Souls bankrupt of their royalty submit to!
Give me a man, whose practice and experience,
Conceives not barely the philosopher's stone,
But indeed has it; one whose wit's his Indies:
The poor is most ridiculous.

Rom. You are pleasant

In new discoveries of fortune; use them
With moderation, Livio.

Cast. Such wild language

Was wont to be a stranger to your custom;
However, brother, you are pleased to vent it,
I hope, for recreation.

Liv. Name and honour

What are they? a mere sound without support

ance,

A begging-Chastity, youth, beauty, handsome

ness,

Discourse, behaviour which might charm attention,
And curse the gazer's eyes into amazement,
Are nature's common bounties; so are diamonds

The scambling half a ducat, &c.] Scambling appears to be used in this place for obtaining by impudent importunity, by false pretences, &c.; in a word, much in the sense of skelder, as we have it in Jonson, Decker, and others.

Uncut, so flowers unworn, so silk-worms' webs Unwrought, gold unrefined; then all those glories Are of esteem, when used and set at price:There's no dark sense in this.

Rom. I understand not

The drift on't, nor how meant, nor yet to whom. Cast. Pray, brother, be more plain.

Liv. First, Romanello,

This for your satisfaction: if you waste

More hours in courtship to this maid, my sister,
Weighing her competency with your own,
You go about to build without foundation;
So that care will prove void.

Rom. A sure acquittance,

If I must be discharged.

Liv. Next, Castamela,

To thee, my own loved sister, let me say,
I have not been so bountiful in shewing

To fame the treasure which this age hath open'd,
As thy true value merits.

Cast. You are merry.

Liv. My jealousy of thy fresh blooming years, Prompted a fear of husbanding too charily Thy growth to such perfection, as no flattery Of art can perish now.

Cast. Here's talk in riddles !1

Brother, the exposition?

1 Here's talk in riddles.] Here is, indeed; and, what is worse, no Edipus at hand to solve them. It would be mere presumption to alter the text; but if the reader, in the following line,

Prompted a fear of husbanding too charily,

be pleased to suppose care and so, in the place of fear and too, he will catch, I believe, some glimpse of the poet's meaning.

Liv. I'll no longer

Chamber thy freedom; we have been already Thrifty enough in our low fortunes; henceforth Command thy liberty, with that thy pleasures. Rom. Is't come to this?

Cast. You are wondrous full of courtesy.

Liv. Ladies of birth and quality are suitors For being known t'ye; I have promised, sister, They shall partake your company.

Cast. What ladies?

Where, when, how, who?

Liv. A day, a week, a month,

Sported amongst such beauties, is a gain

On time; they are young, wise, noble, fair, and chaste.

Cast. Chaste?

Liv. Castamela, chaste; I would not hazard My hopes, my joys of thee, on dangerous trial. Yet if, as it may chance, a neat cloath'd merriment Pass without blush, in tattling,-so the words Fall not too broad, 'tis but a pastime smiled at Amongst yourselves in counsel; but beware Of being overheard.

Cast. This is pretty!

Rom. I doubt I know not what, yet must be

silent.

[Aside.

Amongst yourselves in counsel.] i. e. in secret, in private: the expression is common to all our old writers.

Enter TROYLO, FLORIA, CLARELLA, SILVIA, and

NITIDO.

Liv. They come as soon as spoke of.-Sweetest fair ones,

My sister cannot but conceive this honour
Particular in your respects. Dear sir,
You grace us in your favours.

Troy. Virtuous lady.

Flo. We are your servants.
Clar. Your sure friends.

Sil. Society

May fix us in a league.

Cast. All fitly welcome.

I find not reason, gentle ladies, whereon

To cast this debt of mine; but my acknowledge

ment

Shall study to pay thankfulness.

Troy. Sweet beauty!

Your brother hath indeed been too much churl In this concealment from us all, who love him, Of such desired a presence.

Sil. Please to enrich us

With your wish'd amity.

Flo. Our coach attends; We cannot be denied.

Clar. Command it, Nitido.

Nit. Ladies, I shall now for a lusty harvest! "Twill prove a cheap year, should these barns be

fill'd once.

[Aside and exit.

Cast. Brother, one word in private.

Liv. Phew! anon

I shall instruct you at large. We are prepared,
And easily entreated;-'tis good manners
Not to be troublesome.

Troy. Thou'rt perfect, Livio.

Cast. Whither-But-he's my brother. [Aside. Troy. Fair, your arm;

I am your usher, lady.

Cast. As you please, sir.

Liv. I wait you to your coach. Some two hours

hence

I shall return again. (To ROM.)

Rom. Troylo-Savelli,

[Exeunt all but Roм.

Next heir unto the marquis! and the page too,
The marquis's own page! Livio transform'd
Into a sudden bravery,' and alter'd

In nature, or I dream! Amongst the ladies,
I not remember I have seen one face:

There's cunning in these changes; I am resolute,
Or to pursue the trick on't, or lose labour. [Exit.

3 Into a sudden bravery.] i. e. gallantry of attire, finery of dress:-freshly suited, as the margin says.