EROSTRATO

I come to seek some body that may accompany my master at dinner, he is alone, and would fain have good company. I have no commission to bring so many. How canst thou come alone that hast continually a legion of ravening wolves within Thee? And why? Nay because they have to many tongues. I speak but merrily with you Pasiphilo, go in, my master is ready to dine. He that riseth early, dineth early. You were best so. Ah hooresone boy, I say, how shall I find Erostrato? You crack halter, if I catch you by the ears, I shall make you answer me directly. Tarry me a little. Shall we try who can run fastest? Go to, tell me where is Erostrato? If thou see him, tell him I must needs speak with him immediately: or abide awhile, I will go seek him my self, rather than be suspected by going to his house. For the love of God call me Dulipo, not master, maintain the credit that thou haste hitherto kept, and let me alone. Yea, but so long the Parat uses to cry knap in sport, that at the last she calls his master knave in ear nest: so long you will use to call me master, that at the last we shall be herd. What news? In deed? O, how happy were I if this were true. I can not tell whither you know him or no, he is not to trust unto, a very flattering and a lying knave. And what was it in effect? Are these your good news? your excellent news? Well, say on. Well said. Oh God, is there any worse behind? Nay you can tell, you are better scholar than I. Leave thy jesting, and proceed. This is somewhat yet, for by this means I shall be sure to linger and live in hope one fourthnight longer, but at the fourthnights end when Philogono comes not, how shall I then do? yea and though he came, how may I any way hope of his consent, when he shall see, that to fol low this amorous enterprise, I have set aside all study, all remembrance of my duty, and all dread of shame. Alas, alas, I may go hang my self. Oh friend revive me, that hitherto since I first at tempted this matter have be continually dying. I understand not whereto this tendeth. Go too then. What tales he telleth me: what appertain these to me? Forth. Whither the devil will he? is it possible that this gear appertaineth any thing to my cause? I find neither head nor foot in it. Go to yet a while then. And I pray Thee how couldst thou upon the sud den devise or imagine such a lie? and to what purpose? I would fain hear you conclude. I believe you, for I know you can counterfeit well. By likelihood he was not very wise when he would believe that of his cum ̄ ntrey, which if it had be true, every man must needs have known it. Belike he was of small experience. Make and end I pray Thee. Out upon me, what a gross headed fool am I? now I perceive whereto this tale tendeth. Indifferently, but one thing I doubt. Marry, that when he hath be here two or three days, he shall hear of every man that there is no such thing between the Duke and the Town of Sciene. What, think you he will be entreated to stand hound for a dower of two thousand Ducats by the year? Well, if it be so, what shall we be the nearer to our purpose. And where have you left him? Why brought you him not with you? Well, go take him home, make him all the cheer you can, spare for no cost, I will allow it. Is this he? go meet him, by my truth he looks even like a go worser soul, he that fisheth for him, might be sure to catch a cods head: I will rest here a while to dis cipher him. Shall I make some sport with this gallant? what shall I say to him? In faith now let me alone. Since I can do no better, I will set such a stance between him and Pasiphilo, that all this town shall not make them friends. Yes sir, at your knamandement. Yes sir, and I think he be there still, ah, ah, ah. At a thing, that every man may not laugh at. Talk, that Pasiphilo had with my master this day. I may not tell it. Nay I will say nothing. I can say no more. I would tell you, if I were sure you would not tell it again. If my master should know that it came by me, I were better die a thousand death's. Yea, but what assurance shall I have? A pretty panem, the fulkers will not lend you a far thing on it. Yea marry sir, but where be they? but will you needs have me to tell it unto you? Yes it is of you, and I would gladly tell it you, by cause I would not have such a man of worship so scorned by a villain ribaulde. I will tell you so that you will swear never to tell it to Pasiphilo, to my master, nor to any other body. I will tell you, I am sorry to see how Pasiphilo doth abuse you, persuading you that always he laboureth for you, where in dé de, he lies on my master continually, as it were with tooth and nail for a stranger, a scholar, born in Sicilia they call him Roscus or arskisse, he hath a mad name I can never hit upon it. That same, I should never have remembered it: & the villain speaks all the evil of you that can e devised. To my master, yea and to Polinesta herself some times. More evil than I can imagine: that you are the mi serablest and most niggardly man that ever was. And that as often as he comes to your house, he is Like to die for hunger, you fare so well. And that you are the testiest man, and most diverse to please in the whole world, so that he cannot please you un less he should even kill himself with continual pain. Furthermore, that you cough continually and spit, so that a dog cannot abide it. You say true sir, yet further he say, your arm holes stink, your feet worse than they, and your breathe worst of all. And that you are bursen in the cods. And he says, that you desire this young gentlewo man, as much for other men's pleasure as for your own. Peradventure that by his beauty, you would entice many young men to your house. Nay, guess you that. Yea, and much more. Yea, more than you would think, in such sort, that long ere this, he would have give ̄ you a flat repulse, but Pa siphilo entreated him to continue you a suitor for his aduan tage. Marry, that during your suit he might still have some reward for his great pains. In good faith sir, they were but lost on him. Will you any thing else with me sir? Then I will take my leave of you. Sir, they call me Foul fallen you. No sir, I was born by a castle me ̄ call Scab catch you, fare you well sir. He dined this day with my master, but whither he went from thence I know not, what would you with him? Oh dear friend, go thy ways seek Pasiphilo, find him out, and conclude somewhat to our contentation. At the feasts if there be any, or else in the market with the poulters or the fishemongers. Marry he watches whose Caters bye the best meat, if any bye a fat Capon, a good breast of Veal, Fresh Salmon or any such good dish, he follows to the house, and either with some news, or some stale jest he will be sure to make himself a jest. Then must you needs find him, and when you have done I will make you laugh. At certain sport I made to day with master doctor. No it asks further leisure, I pray Thee dispatch, and find out Pasiphilo that honest man. Here sir. It shall be done sir. What have you done with Philogano your father?