Good-day to you.

Long. His majesty doth recommend himself
Most kindly to you, sir, and hath, by me,

Sent you this favor: kneel down; rise a knight!
Mar. I thank his majesty !

Long.

And he doth further

Request you not to leave the court so soon;

For though your former merits have been slighted,
After this time there shall no office fall

Worthy your spirit (as he doth confess

There's none so great) but you shall surely have it.

Gent. (aside to Mar.) Do you hear? If you yield yet, you are an ass.

Mar. I'll show my service to his majesty

In greater things than these: but for this small one

I must entreat his highness to excuse me.

Long. I'll bear your knightly words unto the king,

[Exit.

And bring his princely answer back again.

Gent. Well said! Be resolute a while; I know There is a tide of honors coming on;

I warrant you!

Enter BEAUFORT.

Beau. Where is this new made knight?

Mar. Here, sir.

Beau. Let me enfold you in my arms,

Then call you lord! the king will have it so :
Who doth entreat your lordship to remember
His message sent to you by Longueville.

Gent. If you be dirty, and dare not mount aloft,
You may yield now; I know what I would do.
Mar. Peace! I will fit him.-Tell his majesty
I am a subject, and I do confess

I serve a gracious prince, that thus hath heap'd
Honors on me without desert; but yet

As for the message, business urgeth me,

I must begone, and he must pardon me,

Were he ten thousand kings and emperors.

Beau. I'll tell him so.

Gent. Why, this was like yourself!

[Aside.

Beau. As he hath wrought him, 'tis the finest fellow

That e'er was Christmas-lord! he carries it

So truly to the life, as though he were

One of the plot to gull himself.

[Exit.

You sent the wisest and the shrewdest answer

Unto the king, I swear, my honor'd friend,

That ever any subject sent his liege.

Mar. Nay, now I know I have him on the hip, I'll follow it.

Enter LONGUEVILLE,

Long. My honorable lord!

Give me your noble hand, right courteous peer,

And from henceforward be a courtly earl;

The king so wills, and subjects must obey:

Only he doth desire you to consider

Of his request.

Gent. Why, faith, you are well, my lord; Yield to him.

Mar. Yield? Why, 'twas my plot

Gent. Nay,

'Twas your wife's plot.

Mar. To get preferment by it.

And thinks he now to pop me in the mouth

But with an earldom? I'll be one step higher

Gent. It is the finest lord! I am afraid anon
He will stand upon't to share the kingdom with him.

Enter BEAUFORT.

Beau. Where's this courtly earl?

His majesty commends his love unto you,
And will you but now grant to his request,
He bids you be a duke, and choose of whence.

Gent. Why, if you yield not now, you are undone ;
What can you wish to have more, but the kingdom?
Mar. So please his majesty, I would be duke
Of Burgundy, because I like the place.

Beau. I know the king is pleased.

Mar. Then will I stay,

And kiss his highness' hand.

Beau. His majesty

Will be a glad man when he hears it.

[Aside.

Long. (aside to the Gent.) But how shall we keep this from the world's

ear,

That some one tell him not, he is no duke?

Gent. We'll think of that anon.-Why, gentlemen,

Is this a gracious habit for a duke?

Each gentle body set a finger to,

To pluck the clouds (of these his riding weeds)
From off the orient sun, off his best clothes;

I'll pluck one boot and spur off,

Long.

Beau. I'll pluck his jerkin off.
Gent.

I another.

Sit down, my lord.

Both his spurs off at once, good Longueville!
And, Beaufort, take that scarf off, and that hat.
Now set your gracious foot to this of mine;
One pluck will do it; so! Off with the other!
Long. Lo, thus your servant Longueville doth pluck
The trophy of your former gentry off.—

Off with his jerkin, Beaufort!

Gent. Didst thou never see

A nimble tailor stand so in his stockings,

Whilst some friend help'd to pluck his jerkin off,

Why, how now, sir? What does your worship mean,

To pluck your grave and thrifty habit off?

Mar. My slippers, Jaques !

Lady. Unto your will, as every good wife ought,
I have turn'd all my thoughts, and now am ready.
Mar. Oh, wife, I am not worthy to kiss
The least of all thy toes, much less thy thumb,
Which yet I would be bold with! All thy counsel
Hath been to me angelical; but mine

[They pluck him.

To make me dress and undress, turn and wind me,
Because you find me pliant? Said I not

The whole world should not alter me, if once

I were resolved? and now you call me duchess:
Why, what's the matter?

Long. The choicest fortunes wait upon our duke!
Gent. And give him all content and happiness!
Beau. Let his great name live to the end of time!
Mar. We thank you, and are pleased to give you notice
We shall at fitter times wait on your loves;
Till when, be near us.

Long. May it please your grace

To see the city? 't will be to the minds
And much contentment of the doubtful people.
Mar. I am determined so. Till my return,

I leave my honor'd duchess to her chamber.
Be careful of your health? I pray you be so.

Gent. Your grace shall suffer us, your humble servants,
To give attendance, fit so great a person,

Long. (aside) Away, good Beaufort; raise a guard sufficient To keep him from the reach of tongues; be quick!

And, do you hear? remember how the streets
Must be disposed for cries and salutations

Your grace determines not to see the king?

Mar. Not yet; I shall be ready ten days hence
To kiss his highness' hand, and give him thanks,
As it is fit I should, for his great bounty.
Set forward, gentlemen!

Groom.

Room for the duke there!

[They issue forth.

Room there afore; sound! Room, and keep your places,
And you may see enough; keep your places!

Long. These people are too far unmanner'd, thus

To stop your grace's way with multitudes.

Mar. Rebuke them not, good monsieur: 'Tis their loves, Which I will answer, if it please my stars

And with my words my heart; for as the tree-
Long. Your grace had best beware; 't will be inform'd
Your greatness with the people.

Mar.

I had more,
My honest and ingenuous people: but
The weight of business hath prevented me;
I am call'd from you; But this tree I speak of
Shall bring forth fruit, I hope, to your content,
And so, I share my bowels amongst you all.
All. A noble duke! a very noble duke!

*

SCENE. A Hall in MARINE'S House.
Enter MARINE and JAQUES.

Mar. Not gone unto my tenants, to relate
My grace, and honor, and the mightiness
Of my new name, which would have struck a terror
Through their coarse doublets to their very hearts ?
Jaques. Alas, great lord and master, I could scarce
With safety of my life return again

Unto your grace's house: and, but for one
That had some mercy, I had sure been hang'd.
Mar. My house?

Jaques.

Yes, sir, this house; your house i' th' town. Mar. Jaques, we are displeased; hath it no name?

[Exeunt.