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SIgnior, the gallants and ladies are at hand. Are you readie, sir?
Instantly. Goe, accomplish your attire: Cousin MORPHI∣DES, assist me, to make good the doore with your officious tyrannie.
By your leaue my masters there, pray you let's come by.
You by? why should you come by, more then we?
Why, sir? Because he is my brother, that playes the prizes.
Your brother?
I, her brother, sir, and we must come in.
Why, what are you?
I am her husband, sir.
Then thrust forward your head.
What tumult is there?
Who's there? beare backe there. Stand from the doore.
Enter none but the ladies, and their hang-bies; welcome Beau∣ties, and your kind Shadowes.
This countrie ladie, my friend, good signior AMORPHVS.
And my cockatrice, heere.
She is welcome.
Knocke those same pages there; and goodman Cockescombe the cittizen, who would you speake withall?
With whom? your brother?
Who is your brother?
Master ASOTVS? Is hee your brother? Hee is taken vp with great persons. Hee is not to know you to night.
O IOVE, master! and there come ere a cittizen gentlewoman in my name, let her haue entrance, I pray you. It is my sister.
Brother.
Brother, master ASOTVS.
Who's there?
'Tis I, brother.
Gods me! There she is, good master, intrude he.
Make place. Beare backe there.
Knocke that simple fellow, there.
Nay, good sir; It is my husband.
The simpler fellow hee. Away, backe with your head, sir.
Brother, you must pardon your non-entry: Husbands are not allow'd here in truth. Ile come home soone with my sister; pray you meet vs with a lanthorn, brother. Be merrie, sister: I shall make you laugh anon.
Your prizer is not readie AMORPHVS.
Apprehend your places, hee shall be soone; and at all points.
Is there any body come to answer him? Shal we haue any sport.
Sport of importance; howsoeuer, giue me the gloues.
Gloues! why gloues, Signior?
What's the ceremonie?
Besides their receiu'd fitnesse, at all prizes, they are here pro∣perly accommodate to the nuptials of my schollers hauiour to the ladie courtship. Please you apparell your hands. Madam PHANTASTE, madam PHILAVTIA, Guardian, Signior HEDON, Signior ANAIDES, Gentlemen all, Ladies.
Thankes, good AMORPHVS.
I will now call forth my prouost, and present him.
Heart! why should not we be masters, aswell as he?
That's true, and play our masters prizes, as well as the t'other?
In sadnesse, for vsing your court-weapons, me thinks, you may.
Nay, but why should not wee ladies play our prizes, I pray? I see no reason, but we should take 'hem downe, at their owne weapons.
Troth, and so we may, if we handle 'hem well.
I indeed, forsooth, Madame, if'twere i' the citie, wee would thinke foule scorne, but we would, forsooth.
Pray you, what shoul'd we call your name?
My name is, Downefall.
Good mistris Downefall! I am sorry, your husband could not get in.
'Tis no matter for him, sir.
No, no, shee has the more liberty for her selfe.
Peace, peace: They come.
So. Keepe vp your ruffe: the tincture of your necke is not all so pure, but it will aske it. Maintayne your sprig vpright; your cloke on your halfe-shoulder falling; So: I will reade your bill, aduance it, and present you.
Be it knowne to all that professe courtship, by these presents (from the white sattin reueller, to the cloth of tissue, and bodkin) that we, VLYSSES-POLYTROPVS-AMORPHVS, Master of the noble, and subtile science of courtship, doe giue leaue and licence to our Prouost, ACOLASTVS-POLYPRAGMON-ASOTVS, to play his Masters prize, against all Masters whatsoeuer in this subtile mysterie, at these foure, the choice, and most cunning weapons of court-complement, viz. the bare Accost; the better Reguard; the solemne Addresse; and the perfect Close. These are therefore to giue notice, to all commers, that hee, ••he said ACOLASTVS-POLYPRAG••ON-ASOTVS, is here present (by the helpe of his Mer••er, Taylor, Milla••er, Sempster, and so forth) at his designed houre, in this faire gallery, the present day of this present moneth, to performe, and doe his vttermost for the atchieuement, and bearing away of the prizes, which are these: viz. for the bare Accost, two Wall-eyes, in a face forced: For the better R••guard, a Face fauourably simpring, with a Farme wauing: For the solemne Addresse, two Lips wagging, and neuer a wise word: For the perfect Close, a Wring by the hand, with a Banquet in a corner. And PHOEBVS sa••e CYNTHIA.
Appeareth no man yet, to answere the prizer? No voice? Musique, giue them their summons.
The solemnity of this is excellent.
Silence. Well, I perceiue your name is their terror; and kee∣peth them backe.
I faith, Master, Let's goe: no body comes. Victus, victa,
victum; Victi, victae, victi—Let's bee retrograde.
Stay. That were dispunct to the ladies. Rather, our selfe shall be your Encounter. Take your state, vp, to the wall: And, ladie, may we implore you to stand forth, as first terme, or bound to our courtship.
'Fore heauen, 'twill shew rarely.
Sound a charge.
A poxe on't. Your vulgar will count this fabulous, and im∣pudent, now: by that candle, they'le ne're conceit it.
Excellent well! Admirable!
Peace.
Most fashionably, beleeue it.
O, he is a well-spoken gentleman.
Now the other.
Very good.
For a Scholer, Honor.
O, 'tis too d••tch. He reeles too much.
This weapon is done.
No, we haue our two bouts, at euery weapon, expect.