No More Learning

(1. ) “The Tragedie of Gorboduc; whereof three
“Actes were written by Thomas Nortone, and the two
“laste by Thomas Sackvyle. Settforthe as the same “was shewed before the Queenes most excellent
“Majestie, in her hignes court of Whitehall, the 18
“Jan. 1561. By the Gentlemen of Thynner Temple, “ in London, Sept. 22. ” 4to. Printed for William
Griffith. . (See Ames's p. 316. )
Typographical Antiquities,
This Edition I have not seen. It appears to be the first spurious one complained of by the Authors.
(2. ) “The Tragedie of Ferrex and Porrex. Set “forth without addition or alteration; but altogether “as the same was shewed on stage before the Queenes “Majestie about nine yeares past, viz. the xv. 111 day of “Januarie, 1561, by the Gentlemen of the Inner “Temple. Seen and allowed, &c. Imprinted at “London by John Daye, dwelling -over Aldersgate. ” B. L. 8vo.
In the Bodleian Library, and in the possession of Thomas Pearson, Esq.
(3. ) “The Tragedie of Gorboduc; whereof three
“Actes were written by Thomas Norton, and the two
“last by Thomas Sackvyle. Set forth as the same “was shewed before the Queenes most excellent
“Majesty, in her hignes Court of Whitehall, by the “Gentlemen of the Inner Temple. At London, “printed by Edward Allde for John Perrin, and are to “be sold in Paule's Churchyard, at the signe of the “Angell, 1590. ” B. L. 4to.
In the Collection of Thomas Pearson Esq. and also
lso to #:
to jo
so ;4%
in that of Mr. Garrick. In the last-mentioned
“of Inner Temple. ”
The Serpent
Division appears -
translation.
C.
173
*
copy is a discourse entitled, The Serpent of Devision *.
the end the address “To the Gentlemen
Readers,” prefixed The Serpent Division, the printer says—“Heere
“shalt thou see also, with content thou peruse the woful “Tragedie Gorboduc, and Ferrex and Porrex his two sonnes,
“it was presented before the Queenes Majestie, the Gentlemen
so
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DAMON AND PITHIAS.
Richard Edwards, a Somersetshire man, was born
in the year 1523, admitted a scholar of Corpus Christi College on the 11th of May, 1540, and probationer fellow on the 11th of August, 1544. At the founda
tion of Christ Church, by King Henry the Eighth, in
the upper
year 1547, was chosen student table, and the same year took the degree Arts. From the University, removed
Master Lincoln’s- Inn; and the beginning Queen Elizabeth's reign
was appointed one the gentlemen her chapel, and
master the children there". He died, according John Hawkins', the 31st October, 1566.
He was the author of
(1) Damon and Pithias: Comedy. Acted before
Queen the children her chapel, and published 4to. 1571. 4to. 1582
(2) Palaemon and Arcyte: Comedy. two
1566. This September.
parts. Acted Christ-Church-Hall, piece was represented the and
The first evening, was scarcely begun formed before became Tragedy,
per the weight the multitudes the scaffold fell down. Five men
were greatly hurt and wounded, and three killed
has been conjectured that came early Court, for there
existin MS. some Poems with his name, addressed
the beauties Nuga An the Paradise Edwards upon this subject, and the first
o, Court Queen Mary. See the new edition Mr. Park, vol. p. 392. The third Poem
Doyntie Devises,
anzashews that was young man when sought “become 'one the courtly trayne:” begins,
youthfull yeeres when fyrst young desyres began
pricke me foorth serve Čourt, sciender tall young
lm man,” &c.
History Music, vol. 541.
the words “newly imprinted” the title-page the edition 157 perhaps understood, that had been Polished before; may only mean that the Play was then
*wly imprinted” from the MS. Some biographers have noticed **PPosed edition Damon and Pithias, 1570, but this mis
the year following.
I- N
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178
the fall of a wall”. On the second evening, the Queen is said to have been much entertained. After the play was ended, she called the author to her, commended
his work, promised what she would do for him, and
talked to him in the most familiar way. One of the performers, supposed to be young Carew, pleased her
so much, that she made him a present of eight guineas.
See Wood's Athenae Oroniensis, vol. 1. p. 151. ; and Peshall's History of the University of Oxford, 227, 228.
Chetwood says, both parts of this play were printed, with the Author's Songs and Poems, in 1585. Wood assures us, that there were several other dramatic
pieces by him, which he did not live to finish; and that
it was the opinion of many, he would have run mad had he continued to exercise his talents as a writer for
the stage.
He was also the Author of
Some Poems printed in The Paradise of Dainty Devises, 4to. 1575, and a Poem called Edward's Soul knil ; or The Soule's knell: written in his last illness.
He appears to have obtained a considerable reputa tion as a dramatic writer, which will appear from the following testimony in Puttenham's Art of Poetry: “I
“think that for Tragedy the Lord Buckhurst and
“Maister Edward Ferrys, for such doings as I have
“seen of theirs, do deserve the highest price; the Earl
“of Oxford, and Mr. Edwards of her Majesty's “Chapel, for Comedy and Interlude. ” An Epitaphon
him is said to be printed among the Poems of George Turberville”.
* Peshall's History of the University of Oxford, 227.
* This production, which Mr. Reed had not seen, does exist; and is to be be found in Turberville's Epitaphes, Epigrams, Songes, and Sonets, printed in 1570. It opens as follows:
“Epitaph on Maister Edwards, sometime Maister of the Chil
“dren of the Chapell, and Gentleman of Lyncolnes Inne * Court.
“Ye learned Muses nine, and Sacred Sisters all,
“Now lay your cheerfull cithrons downe, and to lamenting fall.
179
“Rent off those garlandes greene, doe laurel leaves away,
“Remove the myrtill from your browes, and stint on strings to play;
** For he #: led the daunce, the cheesest of your traine,
“I
“Ye courtiers chaunge your cheere, lament in wailefull wise,
hight, by
mean the man that Edwards cruell death is slaine.
“For now your Orpheus has resignd, in clay his carcas lies. “O ruth! he is bereft, that whilst he lived here,
“For poet's pen and passinge witte, could have no Englishe
peere.
-
“His veine in verse was such, so stately eke his style,
“His fate in forging sugred songes, with cleane and curious file ; “As all the learned Greekes and Romaines would repine,
“If they did live againe, to viewe his verse with scornefull eine. ”
The rest of this production is in the same strain, and the above will be a sufficient specimen. C.
THE PROLOGUE.
On everie syde, wheras I glaunce my rovyng eye,
bee,
Your lust is lost, and all the pleasures that you sought, Is frustrate quite of toying playes. A soden change is
-
wrought:
-
I
playnly espie doe
Silence in all eares bent
But if your egre lookes doo longe such toyes to see,
As heretofore, in commycall wise, were wont abroade to
:
For loe, our aucthor's muse, that masked in delight, Hath forst penne against kinde”, more such
sportes
Muse that lust, (right worshipfull) for chaunce hath
made this change,
For that some seemed too much yonge desires range:
whiche, right glad please, seyng that did offende,
Of all humblie pardon craves: his pen that shall amende.
And yet (worshipfull audience) thus much dare advouche, commedies the greatest skyll this, rightly touche
All thynges the quicke; and eke frame eche person
That his common talke, you may his nature rightly know
write.
royster ought not preache, that were heare,
But from vertue doth swerve, ought his wordes appeare:
The olde man sober, the yonge man rashe, the lover
triumphyng joyes.
The matron grave, the harlot wilde, and full wanton toyes.
kindel See note Ferrex and Porrex this vol.
-
-
straunge
A * as
In
In
7 in to
he
he to
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of
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he
no
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so
by
: to
he
to to so,
to
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his in
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to
181
Whiche all in one course, they no wise doo agree;
So correspondent to their kinde their speeches ought to be. -
Which speeches well pronounste, with action lively framed, Ifthis offende the lookers on, Horace then blamed,
Which hath our author taught schole, from whom doth not swarve,
all suche kinde exercise decorum observe.
Thus much for his defence (he sayth) poetes earst have donne,
Which heretofore commodies the self same rase did 7°onne.
But now for briefe, the matter expresse.
Which here wee shall present, this: Damon and Pithias.
rare ensample frendship true, legend lie,
But thynge once donne indeede, hystories doe discrie. Whiche doone yore longe time past, yet present
Lo here Siracusa' th' auncient towne, which once the Romaines wonne,
Here Dionisius pallace, within whose courte this thing most strange was donne.
Which matter mixt with myrth and care, just name applie,
As seemes most fit, wee have termed, tragicall com medie.
Wherein talkyng courtly toyes, doe protest this flat,
Wee talke Dionisius courte, wee meane court but that:
And that we doo meane, who wysely calleth minde The time, the place, the authoro, here most plainely shall
finde.
Loe this speake” for our defence, lest others should - be shent":
But worthy audience, wee you pray, take thinges they ment;
shall
here,
Even were dooynge now, lively shall appeare.
author] authours, 1st. edit. speake] spake, 2d. edit.
shent: To shend, says Mr. Steevens, treat with injurious language. Note Hamlet,
Again, Ascham's Report and Discourse.
reprove harshly, Bennet's Edition,
in
be
it
of
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to
so as
is
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it
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at let
to
he
be
to
in
182
Whose upright judgement we doo crave, with heedfull
eare and eye
To here the cause, and see th' effect of this newe tragicall
commedie.
[Erit.
p. 38: “A wonderfull follie in a great man himselfe, and some “ piece of miserie in a whole commonwealth, where fooles chiefly “ and flatterers may speake freely what they will, and wise men “and good men shal commonly be shent, if they speake what they “should. ”
THE SPEAKERS NAMES.
ARISTIPPUs, a pleasant gentilman. CARIsop HUs, a parasite.
DAMon, two gentlemen of Greece. PITHIAs, }
STEPHANo,
WILL, Aristippus lackey.
JACKE, Carisophus lackey.
SNAP, the porter.
DIONIsIUs, the kynge.
EUBULUs, the kynge's counselour. GRoNNo, the hangman.
GRIMME, the colyer.
servant to Damon and Pithias.
eadi
ng.
DAMON AND PITHIAS. *
Here entreth ARIsTIPPUs.
Aristippus. THo' strange (perhaps) it seemes to some,
That I, Aristippus, a courtier am become:
A philosopher of late, not of the meanist name,
But now, to the courtly behaviour, my lyfe I frame: Muse he that lyst, to you of good skill,
I say that I am a phylosopher styll.
Lovers of wisdom, are termed philosophers",
Then who is a philosopher so rightly as I? For in lovyng of wisdom, proofe doth this trie, That frustra sapit, qui non sapit sibi.
I am wyse for myselfe, then tell me of troth, Is not that great wisdom, as the world goth
* Although it is obvious that great pains were taken by Mr. Reed and others, (to say nothing of Dodsley,) in the collation of this dramatic piece, yet they left it in a very imperfect state. In the course of it not less than fifty important variations and errors have been detected, consisting of words omitted, and words acci dentally inserted independently of errors of the press for which of course an Editor was not responsible. It is hoped that it will be now found more uniformly correct, although the Editor can scarcely
flatter himself that the reprint may not be still found defective. C. * philosophers, Philosophie, both Editions. The alteration by
. D*odsley. Mr.
And both the editions are perhaps right, as far as this word is concerned : the error lies elsewhere ; for it will be remarked that the rhime requires philosophy and not philosophers, which Mr. Dodsley
r
The following is suggested as the correct and original
“Lovyng of wisdom is termed philosophie,
“Then who is a philosopher so rightly as I ? ”
In the next line the author expressly speaks,of lovyng of wisdom,
as if intending to employ the words he had used beforc. At the same time the Editor was not so well assured of the accuracy of his emendation as to warrant the insertion of it in the textin opposition to previous authorities. . C.
186 DAMON AND PITH IAS.
Some philosophers in the streete go ragged and torne, And feede on vyle rootes, whom boyes laugh to scorne:
But I in fine silkes haunt Dionisius pallace,
Wherin with dayntie fare myselfe I do solace.
I can talke of philosophie as well as the best,
But the strayte kynde of lyfe I leave to the rest. And I professe now the courtly philosophie,
To crouche, to speake fayre, myselfe I applie,
To feede the kinges humour with pleasant devises,
For which, I am called Regius canis.
But wot ye who named me first the kinges dogge?
It was the roage Diogenes, that vile grunting hogge. Let him rolle in his tubbe, to winne a vaine praise,
In the courte pleasantly I wyll spende my dayes; Wherin, what doo, am not learne,
What wyll serve myne owne turne, can quickly dis
Cearne.
All my tyme schoole have not spent vaynly,
can helpe one, not that good poinct philosophy!
Here entreth CARIsoPHüs.
Carisophus. beshrew your fine eares, since you
came from schoole,
the court you have made many wiseman foole: And though you paint out your fayned phylosophie,
God helpe me, but playne kinde flattery, Which you use finely pleasant sorte,
That none but Aristippus now makes the kinge sporte. Ere you came hyther, poore was sombody,
The king delighted mee, now am but noddy.
Aristippus. faith, Carisophus, you know yourselfe best,
But will not call you noddie, but only jest,
And thus assure you, though came from schoole
To serve this court, came not yet the kinges foole;
his eares with servile squirilitie:
That office yours, you know right perfectlie.
parasites and sicophants you are grave" bencher, The king feedes you often from his owne trencher.
grave] great,
edit.
7
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DAMON AND PITH IAS. 187
I envye not your state, nor yet your great favour,
Then grudge not at all, if in my behaviour
I make the kinge mery with pleasant urbanitie,
Whom I neverabused to any man's injurie.
Carisophus. Be cocke sir, yet in the courte you doo" best thrive,
For you get more in one day then I doo in five. Aristippus. Why man, in the court, doo you not see
Rewardes geven for vertue to every degree ? To rewarde the unworthy that worlde is done,
The court is changed, a good thread hath bin sponne Of dogges woll heretofore, and why? because it was
liked, -
-
And not for that it was best trimmed and picked:
But now men's eares are finer, such grosse toyes are
not set by,
Therfore to a trimmer kynde of myrth myselfe I applye:
Wherein though I please, it commeth not of my desert, But of the kinge's favour.
Carisophus. It may so be; yet in your prosperitie, Dispise not an olde courtier: Carisophus is he,
Which hath long time fed Dionisius' humor:
Diligently to please, styll at hand; there was never
rumour
Spread in this” towne of any smale thinge, but I Brought it to the kinge in post by and by.
Yet now I crave your friendship, which if I may attayne, Most sure and unfained frindship I promyse you againe: So we two linckt in frindshippe, brother and brother, Full well in the court may helpe one another.
Aristippus. Bir Lady, Carisophus, though you know not philosophie,
Yet surely you are a better courtier then I:
And yet I not so evyll a courtier, that wyll seeme to dispise
Such an olde courtier as you, so expert and so wyse.
But where as you crave myne, and offer your friendship so willingly, o
With hart I,geve you thankes this your great curtesie:
doo) omitted 24 edit. this] the, edit.
*
in
*
for
2d
188 - DAMON AND PITHIAS.
Assuring of friendship both with tooth and nayle, Whiles life lasteth, never to fayle.
Carisophus. A thousand thankes I geve you, oh friend Aristippus. -
Aristippus. O friend Carisophus.
Carisophus. How joyfull am I, sith I have to friend Aristippus now !
Aristippus. None so glad of Carisophus friendship as I, I make God a vowe,
I speake as I thinke, beleve me.
Carisophus. Sith we are now so friendly joyned, it
seemeth to mee,
That one of us help eche other in every degree:
Prefer you my cause when you are in presence,
To further your matters to the kinge, let me alone in
your absence.
Aristippus. Friend Carisophus, this shall be done as
you would wish:
But I pray you tell mee thus much by the way,
Whither now from this place wyll you take your journay?
Carisophus. I wyll not dissemble, that were against friendship,
Igoe into the citie some knaves to nip.
For talke with their goodes, to encrease the kynges treasure,
In such kinde of service I set my cheefe pleasure: Farewel, friend” Aristippus, now for a time. [Erit. Aristippus. Adewe, friend Carisophus—In good faith
now,
Of force I must laugh at this solempne vow.
Is Aristippus linkt in friendship with Carisophus?
Quid cum tanto asino, talis philosophus 2
They say, Morum similitudo consultat amicitias”;
Then how can this friendship betwene us two come to
passe ?
“friend] omitted in 2d edit. "
• —Morum similitudo consultat amicitias. ] I think we should read conciliat. Conciliat et conjungit inter se homines. Cic. Off. i.
-
S. 16.
DAMON AND PITHIAS. 189
* We are as like in condicions as Jacke Fletcher and his bowlt;
I brought up in learnyng, but he is a very dolt,
As touching good letters; but otherwise such a craftie knave,
Yf you seeke a whole region his lyke you can not have:
A villaine for his life, a varlet died in graine,
You lose money by him “if you sell him for one knave, for hee serves for twaine:
A flatteryng parasite, a sicophant also,
A common accuser of men, to the good an open foe. Of halfe a worde, he can make a legend of lies, Which he wyll advouch with such tragicall cryes, As though were true that comes out his mouth. Were indede hanged and by,”
He cannot tell one tale, but twyse must lie.
He spareth man's life which kind servis
That wyll never leave.
Have done verie wisely lest perhaps
get the kinge's favour, hath got such savour,t
Methinke then that
joyne friendship with him,
Comming his way might nipt; for such knaves in presence,
We see oft times put honest men silence:
We are like condicions, Jacke Fletcher Fletcher maker arrows, from fleche
Fletchers Company had several charters granted
and bowlt] arrow, Fr. The
them, though present, believe, they have only nominal existence. Aristippus
means say, that differs much disposition from Cari
sophus, Jack the arrowsmith varies quality from bolt arrow his own making.
— you sell him for one knave, for hee serves for twaine] So,
Leke Leke, quoth the Devil “There thou mayst
“And where knaves
See Note The Two Gentlemen Verona, vol.
for twayne. ” edit. 1778,
176. S.
Both the old editions give this line
follows: and by. ”
the two old copies, their notes, sometimes
“Where dede The change was necessary
This whole line omitted
and Mr. Reed and his friend remarked
the Collier, 1589:
called knave grane,
scant thou mayst
hanged the sense.
even the variation letters, singular that they should have passed over this circumstance without observation.
the latest
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to be
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190 DAMON AND PITHIAS,
Yet I have played with his beard in knitting this knot, I promist friendship, but you love few wordes; I spake
but meant not.
Who markes this friendship betwene two
Shal judge the worldely friendship without any more
doo.
may ryght patron thereof; but true friendship deede
Of nought but vertue doth truly proseede. But why now enter into philosophie,
Which doo professe the fine kind wyll hence the court with thinke the king stirring,
To wait pinche, still sight
curtesie? haste may; now bright day.
meane,
For wot what? new broome sweepes cleane
As hie honor mynde not clime, So meane the court lose no time:
Wherein, happy man his dole”, trust that Shall not speede worst, and that very quickly.
[Erit. Here entreth DAMon and PITH1As lyke mariners.
Damon. Neptune, immortall thy prayse,
For that safe from Greece we have past the seas To this noble citie Siracusae, where we -
The auncient raygne the Romaines may see.
Whose force Greece also here tofore hath knowne,
Whosevertue the shrill trumpoffame sofarrehathblowne. Pithias. My Damon, right high prayse we ought
geve
Neptune and the gods, that safely dyd arryve:
meant] meane, edit.
new broome sweepes cleane] This was proverbial. See Ray's
Collection Proverbs, 140.
happy man
ancient writers. the Shrew,
his dole] proverbial expression often found
Dole, Mr. Steevens observes (Note The Taming 1. ), any thing dealt out distributed,
though original meaning was the provision given away
the his dole,
Shak
doors great men's houses. though Ray, 116, gives
speare also uses the phrase Again, Hudibras,
generally written
687: “Let us that are unhurt and whole
“Fall on, and happy man be's dole. ”
the 2d 4to. The Merry Wives
his dole. Windsor.
in
p.
of
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A. be S. p. 2dall
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DAMON AND PITH IAS. 191
The seas, I thinke, with contrary winds never raged so; I am even yet so seasicke, that I faynt as I go; Therfore let us get some lodgyng quickely.
But where is Stephano?
Here entreth STEPHANo.
Stephano. Not farre hence: a pockes take these maryner knaves,
Not one would healpe mee to carry this stuffe, such dronken slaves
I thinke be accursed of the goddes owne mouthes.
Damon. Stephano, leave thy ragyng, and enter Siracusae,
We wil provide lodgyng, and thou shalt eased thy burden and by.
Stephano. Good mayster make haste, for tell you playne,
This heavy burden puts poore Stephano much payne.
Pithias. Come thy wayes, thou shalt and that anon.
Here entreth CARIsoPHUs.
Carisophus. true saying, that spoken,
eased, [Ereunt.
hath bin
The pitcher goeth longe the water, that it. " commeth home broken.
My owne proofe this hath taught me, for truly sith the citie have used walke very slyly,
Not with one can meete, that wyll talke joyne with mee,
And creepe into men's bosomes”: some talke for snatche,
But whiche, into one trip other, might trimly them catche,
And accuse them: now, not with one can meete,
That wyl joyne talke with me, am shun'd lyke devill the streete.
My credite crackte where am knowne; but, heare
say,
it] he, 1st edit. bosomes] bosome, edit.
-
Certaine Hanson are arrived, they were good pray,
-
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192 DAMON AND PITIIIAS.
If happely I might meete with them, I fear not I, But in talke I should trippe them, and that very finely. Whiche thinge, I assure you, I doo for myne ownegayne,
Orels I woulde not plodde thus up and downe, I tell you playne.
Well, I wyll for a whyle to the court, to see
What Aristippus doth; I would be loth in faver he should overrun me;
He is a subtile chyld, he flattereth so fynely, that I feare mee
He wyll licke the fatte from my lippes, and so outwery Imee :
Therfore I wyll not be longe absent, but at hand,
That his fine driftes may understande. [Exit. Here entreth WYLL and JACK
Wyll. wonder what my master Aristippus meanes now adaies,
That leaveth philosophie, and seekes “to please Kyng Dionisius with such mery toyes:
only joyes, As trim courtier the best,
Ready aunswer, quicke tauntes, pleasaunt jeste; lusty companion devise with fine dames,
Whose humour feede, his wylie witte frames. Jacke. By cocke, you say, your maister aminion; foule coyle keepes this court; Aristippus alone
Now rules the roaste with his pleasant devises,
That feare wyll put out conceit my maister Carisophus.
Wyll. Feare not that, Jacke; for like brother and brother,
They are knit true friendship the one with the other; They are fellowes you knowe and honest men both, Therfore the one hinder the other they will lothe.
Jacke. Yea, but have heard say there falshod felowshippe,
the court sometimes one geves another finely the slippe:
seekes] seeketh, 2d edit.
Dionisius' court now
*
o
in I to
he he to as
In
AA
In
he I all
-
of
is
be
he is
E.
in
I
to a
as in
to
I he
in
to
duely obey,
DAMON AND PITH IAS.
193
Which when it is spied, it is laught out with a scoffel, And with sporting and playing quietly *shaken of:
In which kinde of toying thy master hath such a grace, That he wyll never blush, he hath a wooden face.
But, Wyll, my maister hath bees in head, hee fynde mee heare pratinge, am but dead:
He still trotting the citie, there sumwhat the winde;
His lookes bewtayes inwarde troubled mynde: Therfore wyll packing the courte and by;
once angry, Jacke shall cry the pye.
Wyll. Byr lady, tary longe here the same
tast,
For my master sent mee errand, and bad mee make haste,
Therfore we wyll departe together. [Eveunt. Here entreth STEP HANo.
Stephano. Ofte times have heard, before came hether,
That man can serve two maisters together; sentence true, moste men doo take
At any time false that man can make
And yet their leave, that first have spoken, How that may prove false, even here wyll open: For Stephano, loe, named my father,
At this time serve two masters together,
And love them lyke the one and the other;
To him stande bond, yet serve another,
Whom Damon my master loves his owne brother: gentleman too, and Pithias named, –
Fraught with vertue, whom vice never defamed.
These twoo, since schoole they fell acquainted, mutuall friendship time have fainted,
But loved kindly and friendly eche other,
sauce shall
can doo other.
bondman am, nature hath wrought me, One Damon Greece, gentleman, bought me.
As thoughe they were brothers
scoffe] grace, 2d edit. WOL.
father and mother
quietly] quickly, edit. o
I.
I so
no
beI
In 19
AAIA IfIf I heis
*
by
he I is as
on an
to
2d
.
I
o
in
no
no
ofI I
by
so
a
at so as Iif
be
in
at a so no I I
his
by
I it
I of
it: it,
by
wo
is
his
194 DAMON AND PITHIAS.
Pythagoras learnynge these two have embrased, Which bothe are in vertue so narrowly laced,
That
To have
All one
their whole doings fall this issue, respect but onely vertue:
effecte, one their goynge,
their doyng. one condicion,
the fruition: pleased
All one
These gentlemen both, beyng
their study, one
Both alike my service have
Pithias joyfull Damon
Yf Pithias be served, then Damon eased.
Serve one, serve both, neare, who would win them thinke they have but one hart betwene them.
travelyng countreyes, we three have contrived
Full many yeare, and this day arrived
At Siracusa Sicilia, that auncient towne,
Where my masters are lodged; and and downe
Go seekyng learne what news here are walkyng, To harke what thynges the people are talkynge.
lyke not this soyle, for goe ploddynge,
marke there two, there three, their heades alwayes
noddinge,
close secret wise, styll whisperyng together.
aske any question, man doth answer:
But shakyng their heads, they their wayes speak
Inge,
marke how with teares their wet eyes are leakynge:
Some strangnesse there that breedeth this musinge. Well, wyll my masters, and tell their using,
That they may learne, and walke wisely together: feare shall curse the time came hether. [Erit.
— we three have contrived,
Full many yeare:] To contrive, this place, signifies wear
away, spend, from contero, Lat. So, Shakspeare's Taming the Shrew, A.
Please you we many contrive this afternoon Totum hunc contrivi diem. S.
See also the Notes Dr. Warburton and lyr. Johnson on the
above line
Shakspeare.
in
we
is ininall ofa ofno
, of
if
all
to
I to
l. a S.
2.
to in
-
so
in in
we
in allofin to
* I I IfIn I
II InI
is, no go
all
I
3 up
is
:
to
to of
-
21,
:
of
as
I be do
DAM ON AND PITH IAS. 195
Here entreth ARIst IPPUs and WYLL.
Aristippus. Wyll, didst thou heare the ladies so talke of mee’?
What ayleth them? from their nippes” shall I never be free ?
Wyll. Good faith, sir, all the ladies in the courte do plainly report,
That without mencion of them you can make no sporte:
They are your playne song to singe descant upon *;
If they weare not, your mirth were gone.
Therfore, master, jest no more with women in any
wise,
If you doo, by cocke, you are lyke to know the price.
Aristippus. Byr lady, Wyll, this is good counsell: playnely to jest
Of women, proofe hath taught mee it is not the best:
I wyll change my coppy, how be it I care not a
quinche”,
I know the galde horse will soonest winche: But learne thou secretly what prively they talke Of me in the courte: among them slyly walke,
And bring me true newes thereof.
Wyll. I wyll, sir, maister therof have no doubt,
for I
Wheare they talke of you wyll enforme you perfectly. Aristippus. Do so, my boy: if thou bringe it finely
to passe,
For thy good service thou shalt go in thine olde coate
at Christmas.
[Ereunt.
*! e nippes] taunts, or sarcasms. See Johnson. N.
* playne song, to singe descant upon. ] Plain song, is planus cantus,
uniform modulation. Descant, is musical paraphrase. See a Note on The Midsummer Night's Dream, vol. 3, p. 63. ; and another on King Richard III. vol. 7. p. 6. edit. 1778. S.
*I
Johnson observes, appears to be the same as winch. It should seem to be expressive of some slight degree of pain, and in this instance to mean the same as if the speaker had said, I care not a fillip. S.
care not a
quinche. ] Spenser word, which,
has this as Dr.
2
196 DAMON AND PIthIAS.
Enter DAMon, PITHIAs, STEPHANo.
Damon. Stephano, is this true that thou hast tolde me?
Stephano. Sir, for lies hetherto mee.