I prize a soldier, that, to give him pay, I do lay down these jewels, will make sale Timol. Brave masculine spirit! Diph. We are shown, to our shame, what we in honour Should have taught others. Arch. Such a fair example Must needs be followed. Timag. Ever my dear sister, But now our family's glory. Leost. Were she deformed, The virtues of her mind would force a stoick To sue to be her servant. Cleon. I must yield; And, though my heart-blood part with it, I will Deliver in my wealth. Asot. I would say something; But, the truth is, I know not what. Timol. We have money; And men must now be thought on. Arch. We can press Of labourers in the country (men inured Inrol our slaves, lusty and able varlets, Cleon. They shall go for me; I will not pay and fight too. Cleora. How! your slaves? O stain of honour! Once more, sir, your pardon; I could not wish my thoughts a better organ Cleora. Are you men? (For age may qualify, though not excuse, The backwardness of these) able young men ? Timol. By my hopes, There's fire and spirit enough in this to make Thersites valiant. Cleora. No; far, far be it from you: Let these of meaner quality contend, Who can endure most labour; plow the earth, And think they are rewarded when their sweat Brings home a fruitful harvest to their lords; Let them prove good artificers, and serve you For use and ornament; but not presume To touch at what is noble; if you think them The privilege and prerogative of great minds, And such ne'er-dying glories made the prize I would not to my brother, nay, my father, Timol. She's inspired, Or in her speaks the genius of your country, I am a constant lover of your mind, That does transcend all precedents. Cleora. 'Tis an honour, And so I do receive it. Cor. Plague upon it! [Gives her scarf. She has got the start of us: I could even burst With envy at her fortune. Olym. A raw young thing! We've too much tongue sometimes, our husbands Old Cleon, fat and unwieldy; I shall never Aso. 'Tis my suit too: I am a gristle, and these spider fingers To rule the slaves at home, I can so yerk them; Timol. Have your desires; You would be burdens to us, no way aids.- Pis. Meet me to-morrow night near to the I've something to impart may break our fetters, If you dare second me. Cimb. We'll not fail. Grac. A cart-rope Shall not bind me at home. [Exeunt. ACT II. ■ SCENE I.-The same. A Room in ARCHIDAMUS'S House. Enter ARCHIDAMUS, TIMAGORAS, LEOSTHE- Arch. I shrink not in the shoulders; though I'm tough; steel to the back: I have not wasted My stock of strength in feather beds. Here's an arm too; There's stuff in't, and I hope will use a sword As well as any beardless boy of you all. Timag. I'm glad to see you, sir, so well pre- To endure the travail of the war. I shall endure, when some of you keep your cabins, For all your flaunting feathers. Nay, Leosthe nes, You're welcome too, all friends and fellows now. Leost. Your servant, sir. Arch. Pish! leave these compliments, Leost. Sir, what you please. Arch. Go to, then; I presume you will con- That you are two notorious whoremasters. (For if we should deny it you'll not believe us) What will you infer upon it? Arch. What you'll groan for, I fear, when you come to the test. Old stories tell us, There's a month called October, which brings in Cold weather; there are trenches too, 'tis rumoured, In which to stand all night to the knees in water, In gallants breeds the toothach; there's a sport too, Named lying perdue, do you mark me? 'tis a game, VOL. I. Which you must learn to play at; now in these seasons, And choice variety of exercises, (Nay, I come to you,) and fasts, not for devotion, Your rambling hunt-smock feels strange alterations; And in a frosty morning looks as if Would keep him warmer then a scarlet waistcoat, Or an armour lined with fur Enter DIPHILUS and CLEORA. O welcome, welcome! You've cut off my discourse, but I will perfect My lecture in the camp. Diph. Come, we are stayed for; The general's afire for a remove, And longs to be in action. Arch. 'Tis my wish too." We must part. Nay, no tears, my best Cleora; [TO PISANDER. You with that care and reverence observe her, As you would pay to me. A kiss; farewell, girl! Diph. Peace wait upon you, fair one! [Exeunt ARCH. DIPH. and PIS. Timag. 'Twere impertinence To wish you to be careful of your honour, Leost. "Tis a noble favour, For which I ever owe you. We're alone: Cleora. And still continue ignorant; Leost. Yet it must be spoken, Or you will chide my slackness: You have fired From your sweet breath, still fanned by it and I may be tempted? cherished, Must mount up in a glorious flame, or I Cleora. May it yet burn here, And, as a sea-mark, serve to guide true lovers (Tossed on the ocean of luxurious wishes) Safe from the rocks of lust, into the harbour Of pure affection! rising up an example Which after-times shall witness to our glory, First took from us beginning! Leost. 'Tis a happiness My duty to my country, and mine honour, Cleora. Alas! I then was witty To plead against myself; and mine eye, fixed Leost. You were never proved. For me, I have conversed with you no farther Than would become a brother. I ne'er tuned Loose notes to your chaste ears; or brought rich presents For my artillery, to batter down The fortress of your honour; nor endeavoured The agents I employed; and when I came And Love, that came along with me, was taught Cleora. And 'twas Through which you were to cut your passage to it. That modesty that took me and preserves me, Leost. I'll stay at home, then. Cleora. No, that must not be; For so, to serve my own ends, and to gain A certain triumph, which must fall upon you, Leost. Sweet, take comfort! And what I offer you, you must vouchsafe me, Or I am wretched: All the dangers that I can encounter in the war are trifles; My enemies abroad to be contemned; Like a fresh rose, in mine own natural sweetness; Which, sullied with the touch of impure hands, Loses both scent and beauty. Leost. But, Cleora, When I am absent, as I must go from you, Of loose temptations; when the memory And blow your chastity up; when your weak senses, At once assaulted, shall conspire against you, The dreadful foes, that have the power to hurt me, And play the traitors to your soul, your virtue; I leave at home with you. Cleora. With me? Leost. Nay, in you, In every part about you; they are armed To fight against me. Cleora. Where? Leost. There's no perfection That you are mistress of, but musters up Cleora. This is strange! Leost. But true, sweet: Excess of love can work such miracles. Cleora. Can you think How can you stand? 'Faith, though you fall, and I The judge, before whom you then stood accused, I should acquit you. Cleora. Will you then confirm That love and jealousy, though of different na tures, Must of necessity be twins; the younger And spoil him of his birthright? 'tis not well. From my just anger. Leost. What will you do? Or from this minute you're a stranger to me; [He binds her eyes. My tomb, if you miscarry: There I'll spend Enter ASOTUS, driving in GRACCULO. For pity's sake! Asot. Now am I in my kingdom :Who says I am not valiant? I begin To frown again: quake, villain. Grac. So I do, sir; Your looks are agues to me. Asot. Are they so, sir! 'Slight, if I had them at this bay that flout me, And say I look like a sheep and an ass, I'd make them Feel that I am a lion. Grac. Do not roar, sir, As you are a valiant beast: but do you know Asot. I'll beat thee a little more, Grac. Plague on his mirth! I'm sure I mourn for't. Asot. Remember too, I charge you, To teach my horse good manners; yet this morn- As I rode to take the air, the untutor❜d jade Grac. I thank him for't. Asot. What's that? Enter CORISCA and ZANTHIA. She is chastising too: how brave we live, Coris. Careless harlotry, Grac. Here's a second show Coris. Fie on these wars! I'm starved for want of action; not a gamester To keep a woman play. If this world last Such arts, in long vacation; would they were To serve the turn at a pinch; but I am now Asot. My mother-in-law is, sure, Coris. There are none but our slaves left, I cannot taste such gross meat. Some that are hungry Draw on their shoemakers, and take a fall Asot. Fair madam, and my mother. Coris. Leave the last out, it smells rank of the country, And shews coarse breeding: your true courtier His niece, or sister, from another woman, Asot. Two days sithence; But she's so coy, forsooth, that ere I can Grac. I say, sir, I will teach him to hold his Her woman calls her away. heels, If you will rule your fingers. Asot. I'll think upon't. Grac. I am bruised to jelly: better be a dog, Than slave to a fool or coward. Asot. Here's my mother, Coris. Here's a dull thing! Send off your man. But better taught, I hope. She ever did me. [Exit. Coris. We'll have a scene of wirth; You are to enter, and, as you pass by, Salute my woman; be but bold enough, You'll speed, I warrant you. Begin. Asot. Have at it Save thee, sweet heart! a kiss. Zant. Venus forbid, sir, I should presume to taste your honour's lips Coris. This is well on both parts. Zant. Happy in your lordship, As oft as she thinks on you. Coris. Very good: This wench will learn in time. Zant. O sir! and speaks the best of you; admires Your wit, your clothes, discourse; and swears, but that Asot. 'Slid, she's angry. Zant. No, no, sir, she but seems so. To her again. Asot. Lady, I will descend to kiss your hand, But that 'tis gloved, and civet makes me sick; And to presume to taste your lip 's not safe, Your woman by. Coris. I hope she's no observer Of whom I grace. [ZANTHIA looks on a book. Asot. She's at her book, O rare! [Kisses her. Coris. A kiss for entertainment is sufficient; Too much of one dish cloys me. Asot. I would serve in The second course; but still I fear your woman. Coris. You are very cautelous. [ZANTHIA seems to sleep. Asot. 'Slight, she's asleep! 'Tis pity these instructions are not printed; To play with my good fortune, and your favour; [Exit ZANTHIA. Were now worth gold.-She's gone to watch. Coris. You are grown conceited. Asot. You teach me. Lady, now your cabi net Now we've begun, let's end the act. Your father's wife! Asot. Why, being his heir, I am bound, Since he can make no satisfaction to you, To see his debts paid. Enter ZANTHIA running. Zant. Madam, my lord! Coris. Fall off; I must trifle with the time too; hell confound it! Asot. Plague on his toothless chaps! he cannot do't Himself, yet hinders such as have good stomachs. Enter CLEON. Cleon. Where are you, wife? I would fain go abroad, But cannot find my slaves that bear my litter; I am tired. Your shoulder, son;-nay, sweet, thy hand too; A turn or two in the garden, and then to supper, and so to bed. Asot. Never to rise, I hope, more. [Exeunt, |