(Enter PICUS.) Hand us your band: you see I'm butler here. How came you hither? PICUS. How? Why a strange odd man A sort of foreign slave, I think-addressed me I' the market, waiting for my turn, Like a beast of burthen, and hired me for this service. So I was hired, too. DOMUS. PICUS. 'Tis a glorious house! But come, let's kiss the lips of your bottle. DOMUS. Ay, but be modest: wine is apt to blush. PICUS. 'Tis famous beverage : It makes me reel i' the head. DOMUS. I believe ye, boy. Why, since I sipped it—(mind, I'd only sipped)— I've had such glorious pictures in my brains Such rich rare dreams! Such blooms, and rosy bowers, and tumbling fountains, [Drinks. PICUS. Here's a vision ! DOMUS. The sky was always bright; or, if it gloomed, The very storms came on with scented waters, And, if it snowed, 'twas roses; claps of thunder The very flowers took wing and chased the butterflies! PICUS. Egad, 'tis very sweet. I prithee, dearest Domus, DOMUS. No! hear me out. The hills seemed made of cloud, bridges of rainbows, The earth like trodden smoke. Nothing at all was heavy, gross, or human: Mountains, with climbing cities on their backs, Shifted about like castled elephants; You might have launched the houses on the sea, The stones I pitched i' the ponds would barely sink— PICUS. Dear Domus, let me paint, too-dear, dear Domus. DOMUS. Methought I was all air-Jove! I was feared, I had not flesh enough to hold me down From mounting up to the moon. At every step Bounce! when I only thought to stride a pace, I bounded thirty. PICUS. Thirty! Oh, let me drink! [Drinks. DOMUS. And that too when I'd even eat or drank PICUS. Two meals to the hour-nay Domus-let me drink, DOMUS. [Drinks. But then my fare was all so light and delicate, PICUS. Thanks, Domus-Pshaw, it's empty!-Well, who cares— There's something thin and washy after all In these poor visions. They all end in emptiness, Our Lady's very welcome: (bowing) yours, my lady— Sir, your poor butler: (to LYCIUS) Picus-man-speak up, The very same that swam so in my dreams; I had forgot the goddess! LAMIA. Peace, rude knave! You've tasted what belonged to nobler brains, And maddened!-My sweet love (to LYCIUS) 'twas kept for you, 'Tis nature's choicest vintage. (to DOMUS) Drink no more, sir! Except what I'll provide you. DOMUS. O sweet Lady! Lord, and I had a cup I'd thank you in it !— But you've been drunk-sweet lady-you've been drunk! Here's Master Picus knows-for we drunk you. And well you may. Look here's a house we've come to! O Jupiter! Look here are pictures, sir, and here's our statues !— And there's Apollo-just aiming at the serpent. LAMIA. Peace, fool-my dearest Lycius, [Pointing. DOMUS. What, don't I know my place? Ain't I the butler? My place, slave! LYCIUS. [Falls on his back. No more—no more-there-pull him out by the heels [Domus is dragged out. (To LAMIA.) My most dear love-how fares it with you now? Your cheek is somewhat pale. LAMIA. Indeed, I'm weary, 'We'll not stay here--I have some cheer provided In a more quiet chamber. SCENE IV. [Exeunt. A Street in Corinth; on one side a very noble building, which is the residence of LAMIA. MERCUTIUS, with the other Gallants, come and discourse in front of the house. So, here they're lodged ! MERCUTIUS. In faith a pretty nest! GALLO. The first that led us hither for revenge— O brave Mercutius ! CURIO. Now my humor's different, For while there's any stone left in the market-place |