Prologue

Enter HOSTESS and SLY

• Christopher Sly. I'll pheeze you, in faith.

• Hostess. A pair of stocks, you rogue!

• Christopher Sly. Y'are a baggage; the Slys are no rogues. Look in the
  chronicles: we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore, paucas 5
  pallabris; let the world slide. Sessa!

• Hostess. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst?

• Christopher Sly. No, not a denier. Go by, Saint Jeronimy, go to thy cold bed
  and warm thee.

• Hostess. I know my remedy; I must go fetch the third-borough. 10

Exit

• Christopher Sly. Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him by law.
  I'll not budge an inch, boy; let him come, and kindly.
  [Falls asleep]
  Wind horns. Enter a LORD from hunting, with his train 15

• Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds;
  Brach Merriman, the poor cur, is emboss'd;
  And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach.
  Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good
  At the hedge corner, in the coldest fault? 20
  I would not lose the dog for twenty pound.

• First Huntsman. Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord;
  He cried upon it at the merest loss,
  And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent;
  Trust me, I take him for the better dog. 25

• Lord. Thou art a fool; if Echo were as fleet,
  I would esteem him worth a dozen such.
  But sup them well, and look unto them all;
  To-morrow I intend to hunt again.

• First Huntsman. I will, my lord. 30

• Lord. What's here? One dead, or drunk?
  See, doth he breathe?

• Second Huntsman. He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd with ale,
  This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly.

• Lord. O monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies! 35
  Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!
  Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man.
  What think you, if he were convey'd to bed,
  Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers,
  A most delicious banquet by his bed, 40
  And brave attendants near him when he wakes,
  Would not the beggar then forget himself?

• First Huntsman. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.

• Second Huntsman. It would seem strange unto him when he wak'd.

• Lord. Even as a flatt'ring dream or worthless fancy. 45
  Then take him up, and manage well the jest:
  Carry him gently to my fairest chamber,
  And hang it round with all my wanton pictures;
  Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters,
  And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet; 50
  Procure me music ready when he wakes,
  To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound;
  And if he chance to speak, be ready straight,
  And with a low submissive reverence
  Say 'What is it your honour will command?' 55
  Let one attend him with a silver basin
  Full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers;
  Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper,
  And say 'Will't please your lordship cool your hands?'
  Some one be ready with a costly suit, 60
  And ask him what apparel he will wear;
  Another tell him of his hounds and horse,
  And that his lady mourns at his disease;
  Persuade him that he hath been lunatic,
  And, when he says he is, say that he dreams, 65
  For he is nothing but a mighty lord.
  This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs;
  It will be pastime passing excellent,
  If it be husbanded with modesty.

• First Huntsman. My lord, I warrant you we will play our part 70
  As he shall think by our true diligence
  He is no less than what we say he is.

• Lord. Take him up gently, and to bed with him;
  And each one to his office when he wakes.
  [SLY is carried out. A trumpet sounds] 75
  Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds-
  [Exit SERVANT]
  Belike some noble gentleman that means,
  Travelling some journey, to repose him here.
  [Re-enter a SERVINGMAN] 80
  How now! who is it?

• Servant. An't please your honour, players
  That offer service to your lordship.

• Lord. Bid them come near.
  Now, fellows, you are welcome. 85

• Players. We thank your honour.

• Lord. Do you intend to stay with me to-night?

• Player. So please your lordship to accept our duty.

• Lord. With all my heart. This fellow I remember 90
  Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son;
  'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well.
  I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part
  Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd.

• Player. I think 'twas Soto that your honour means. 95

• Lord. 'Tis very true; thou didst it excellent.
  Well, you are come to me in happy time,
  The rather for I have some sport in hand
  Wherein your cunning can assist me much.
  There is a lord will hear you play to-night; 100
  But I am doubtful of your modesties,
  Lest, over-eying of his odd behaviour,
  For yet his honour never heard a play,
  You break into some merry passion
  And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs, 105
  If you should smile, he grows impatient.

• Player. Fear not, my lord; we can contain ourselves,
  Were he the veriest antic in the world.

• Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery,
  And give them friendly welcome every one; 110
  Let them want nothing that my house affords.
  [Exit one with the PLAYERS]
  Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew my page,
  And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady;
  That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber, 115
  And call him 'madam,' do him obeisance.
  Tell him from me- as he will win my love-
  He bear himself with honourable action,
  Such as he hath observ'd in noble ladies
  Unto their lords, by them accomplished; 120
  Such duty to the drunkard let him do,
  With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy,
  And say 'What is't your honour will command,
  Wherein your lady and your humble wife
  May show her duty and make known her love?' 125
  And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses,
  And with declining head into his bosom,
  Bid him shed tears, as being overjoyed
  To see her noble lord restor'd to health,
  Who for this seven years hath esteemed him 130
  No better than a poor and loathsome beggar.
  And if the boy have not a woman's gift
  To rain a shower of commanded tears,
  An onion will do well for such a shift,
  Which, in a napkin being close convey'd, 135
  Shall in despite enforce a watery eye.
  See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst;
  Anon I'll give thee more instructions. Exit a SERVINGMAN
  I know the boy will well usurp the grace,
  Voice, gait, and action, of a gentlewoman; 140
  I long to hear him call the drunkard 'husband';
  And how my men will stay themselves from laughter
  When they do homage to this simple peasant.
  I'll in to counsel them; haply my presence
  May well abate the over-merry spleen, 145
  Which otherwise would grow into extremes. Exeunt