Epicoene, or the silent woman. A comedie. Acted in the yeare 1609. By the children of her majesties revels. The author B. I.

Scene I.

Morose, Mute.

CAnnot I, yet, finde out a more compendious method, then by this Trunke, to saue my Seruants the labour of speech, and mine eares, the discord of sounds? Let me see: all Discourses, but mine owne, afflict mee, they seeme harsh,

impertinent, and irkesome. Is it not possible, that thou should'st answere me, by Signes, and, I apprehend thee, fel∣low? speake not, though I question you. You haue taken the Ring, off from the street doore, as I bad you? answere mee not, by speech, but by silence; vnlesse,

At the brea∣ches, still the fellow makes legs, or signes

it be otherwise (—) very good. And, you haue fastened on a thick quilt, or flock∣bed, on the out-side of the doore; that if they knocke with their Daggers, or with Brick-bats, they can make no noyse? but with your legge, your answere, vnlesse it bee otherwise (—) very good. This is not, onely, fit modestie in a Ser∣uant, but good state, and discretion in a Master. And you haue beene with Cutberd, the Barber, to haue him come to mee? (—) good. And, hee will come presently? answere mee not but with your legge, vnlesse it bee otherwise: if it bee otherwise, shake your head, or shrugge (—) so. Your Italian, and Spaniard, are wise in these! and it is a frugall, and comely grauitie. How long will it bee, ere Cut∣berd come? stay, if an houre, hold vp your whole hand; if halfe an houre, two fingers; if a quarter, one; (—) good: halfe a quarter? 'tis well. And haue you giuen him a Key, to come in without knocking? (—) good. And, is the Lock oyld, and the Hinges, to day? (—) good. And the Quilting of the stayres no where worne out, and bare (—) very good. I see, by much doctrine, and impulsion, it may be effected: stand by. The Turke, in this diuine discipline, is admirable, excee∣ding all the Potentates of the Earth; still waited on by Mutes; and all his Commands so executed; yea, euen in the Warre (as I haue heard) and in his Marches, most of his Charges, and directions, giuen by Signes, and with silence: and exquisite art! and I am heartily asham'd, and angry often∣times, that the Princes of Christendome, should suffer a Bar∣barian, to transcend 'hem in so high a point of felicitie. I will practize it, hereafter. How now? oh! oh! what Villaine? what Prodigie of Mankinde is that? looke. Oh!

One winds a Horne without. Againe.

cut his throat, cut his throat: what Murderer, Hell-hound, Deuill can this be?

Mut.

It is a Post from the Court—

Mor.

Out Rogue, and must thou blow thy Horne, too?

Mut.

Alas, it is a Post from the Court, Sir, that sayes, hee must speake with you, paine of death—

Mor.

Paine of thy life, be silent.