Of an advancement; else a bachelor Rom. Is't a mystery, You've lately found out, Livio, or a cunning Liv. Pish! believe it, Endeavours and an active brain are better Are game knaves only fly at: then a fellow 8 Reputed valiant, lives by the sword, and takes up Quarrels, or braves them, as the novice likes, 7 A single life's no burden.] For a the quarto reads, as single life's, &c. Another, 8 Reputed valiant, lives by the sword, &c.] Thus Fletcher : "Your high offers Taught by the Masters of Dependencies, That, by compounding differencies 'tween others, Will never carry it." 66 These masters of dependencies," as they called themselves, were a set of low bullies and bravoes, who undertook to instruct such country novices, as aspired to the reputation of valour, in the fashionable mode of getting up a quarrel; and, if need were, submitted to be beaten by them. They are noticed with ridicule and contempt by most of our old dramatists. To gild his reputation;-most improbable. A world of desperate undertakings, possibly, Procures some hungry meals, some tavern surfeits, Some frippery to hide nakedness; perhaps Rom. You are pleasant In new discoveries of fortune; use them Cast. Such wild language Was wont to be a stranger to your custom; Liv. Name and honour What are they? a mere sound without support ance, A begging-Chastity, youth, beauty, handsome ness, Discourse, behaviour which might charm attention, The scambling half a ducat, &c.] Scambling appears to be used in this place for obtaining by impudent importunity, by false pretences, &c.; in a word, much in the sense of skelder, as we have it in Jonson, Decker, and others. Uncut, so flowers unworn, so silk-worms' webs Unwrought, gold unrefined; then all those glories Are of esteem, when used and set at price:There's no dark sense in this. Rom. I understand not The drift on't, nor how meant, nor yet to whom. Cast. Pray, brother, be more plain. Liv. First, Romanello, This for your satisfaction: if you waste More hours in courtship to this maid, my sister, Rom. A sure acquittance, Liv. Next, Castamela, To thee, my own loved sister, let me say, To fame the treasure which this age hath open'd, Cast. You are merry. Liv. My jealousy of thy fresh blooming years, Prompted a fear of husbanding too charily Thy growth to such perfection, as no flattery Of art can perish now. Cast. Here's talk in riddles !1 Brother, the exposition? 1 Here's talk in riddles.] Here is, indeed; and, what is worse, no Edipus at hand to solve them. It would be mere presumption to alter the text; but if the reader, in the following line, Prompted a fear of husbanding too charily, be pleased to suppose care and so, in the place of fear and too, he will catch, I believe, some glimpse of the poet's meaning. Liv. I'll no longer Chamber thy freedom; we have been already Thrifty enough in our low fortunes; henceforth Command thy liberty, with that thy pleasures. Rom. Is't come to this? Cast. You are wondrous full of courtesy. Liv. Ladies of birth and quality are suitors For being known t'ye; I have promised, sister, They shall partake your company. Cast. What ladies? Where, when, how, whọ? Liv. A day, a week, a month, Sported amongst such beauties, is a gain On time; they are young, wise, noble, fair, and chaste. Cast. Chaste? Liv. Castamela, chaste; I would not hazard My hopes, my joys of thee, on dangerous trial. Yet if, as it may chance, a neat cloath'd merriment Pass without blush, in tattling,—so the words Fall not too broad, 'tis but a pastime smiled at Amongst yourselves in counsel; but beware Of being overheard. Cast. This is pretty! Rom. I doubt I know not what, yet must be silent. [Aside. 2 Amongst yourselves in counsel.] i. e. in secret, in private: the expression is common to all our old writers. Enter TROYLO, FLORIA, CLARELLA, SILVIA, and NITIDO. Liv. They come as soon as spoke of.-Sweetest fair ones, My sister cannot but conceive this honour Troy. Virtuous lady. Flo. We are your servants. May fix us in a league. Cast. All fitly welcome. I find not reason, gentle ladies, whereon To cast this debt of mine; but my acknowledge ment Shall study to pay thankfulness. Troy. Sweet beauty! Your brother hath indeed been too much churl In this concealment from us all, who love him, Sil. Please to enrich us With your wish'd amity. Flo. Our coach attends; We cannot be denied. Clar. Command it, Nitido. Nit. Ladies, I shall now for a lusty harvest! "Twill prove a cheap year, should these barns be fill'd once. [Aside and exit. Cast. Brother, one word in private. |