Actus primus.
Scoena Prima.
AS I remember Adam, it was vpon this fashion bequeathed me by will, but poore a thousand Crownes, and as thou saift, charged my bro∣ther on his blessing to breed mee well: and there begins my sadnesse: My brother Iaques he keepes at schoole, and report speakes goldenly of his profit: for my part, he keepes me rustically at home, or (to speak more properly) staies me heere at home vnkept: for call you that keeping for a gentleman of my birth, that dif∣fers not from the stalling of an Oxe? his horses are bred better, for besides that they are faire with their feeding, they are taught their mannage, and to that end Riders deerely hir'd: but I (his brother) gaine nothing vnder him but growth, for the which his Animals on his dunghils are as much bound to him as I: besides this no∣thing that he so plentifully giues me, the something that nature gaue mee, his countenance seemes to take from me: hee lets mee feede with his Hindes, barres mee the place of a brother, and as much as in him lies, mines my gentility with my education. This is it Adam that grieues me, and the spirit of my Father, which I thinke is within mee, begins to mutinie against this seruitude. I will no longer endure it, though yet I know no wise remedy how to auoid it.
Yonder comes my Master, your brother.
Goe a-part Adam, and thou shalt heare how he will shake me vp.
Now Sir, what make you heere?
Nothing: I am not taught to make any thing.
What mar you then sir?
Marry sir, I am helping you to mar that which God made, a poore vnworthy brother of yours with idlenesse.
Marry sir be better employed, and be naught a while.
Shall I keepe your hogs, and eat huskes with them? what prodigall portion haue I spent, that I should come to such penury?
Know you where you are sir?
O sir, very well: heere in your Orchard.
Know you before whom sir?
I, better then him I am before knowes mee: I know you are my eldest brother, and in the gentle con∣dition of bloud you should so know me: the courtesie of nations allowes you my better, in that you are the first borne, but the same tradition takes not away my bloud, were there twenty brothers betwixt vs: I haue as much of my father in mee, as you, albeit I confesse your com∣ming before me is neerer to his reuerence.
What Boy.
Come, come elder brother, you are too yong in this.
Wilt thou lay hands on me villaine?
I am no villaine: I am the yongest sonne of Sir Rowland de Boys, he was my father, and he is thrice a vil∣laine that saies such a father begot villaines: wert thou not my brother, I would not take this hand from thy throat, till this other had puld out thy tongue for saying so, thou hast raild on thy selfe.
Sweet Masters bee patient, for your Fathers remembrance, be at accord.
Let me goe I say.
I will not till I please: you shall heare mee: my father charg'd you in his will to giue me good educati∣on: you haue train'd me like a pezant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities: the spirit of my father growes strong in mee, and I will no longer endure it: therefore allow me such exercises as may be∣come a gentleman, or giue mee the poore allottery my father left me by testament, with that I will goe buy my fortunes.
And what wilt thou do? beg when that is spent? Well sir, get you in. I will not long be troubled with you: you shall haue some part of your will, I pray you leaue me.
I will no further offend you, then becomes mee for my good.
Get you with him, you olde dogge.
Is old dogge my reward: most true, I haue lost my teeth in your seruice: God be with my olde ma∣ster, he would not haue spoke such a word. Ex. Orl. Ad.
Is it euen so, begin you to grow vpon me? I will physicke your ranckenesse, and yet giue no thousand crownes neyther: holla Dennis.
Calls your worship?
Was not Charles the Dukes Wrastler heere to speake with me?
So please you, he is heere at the doore, and im∣portunes accesse to you.
Call him in: 'twill be a good way: and to mor∣row the wrastling is.
Good morrow to your worship.
Good Mounsier Charles: what's the new newes at the new Court?
There's no newes at the Court Sir, but the olde newes: that is, the old Duke is banished by his yon∣ger brother the new Duke, and three or foure louing