BRISK

Cinedo, watch when the knight comes, &give us word. How likest thou my boy, Carlo? S'heart, what a damned witty rogue's this? how he confounds with his simile's? Who I? what a silly jest's that? whither should I ride but to the Court? By the virtue of my soul this knight dwells in Elizium here. Sirrah Carlo, thou never sawest my gray Hobby yet, didst thou? The best in Europe (my good villain) thou'lt say, when thou seest him. There was a Noble man in the Court offered me 100 pound for him by this light: a fine little fiery slave, he runs Like a (Oh) excellent, excellent, with the very found of the spur. Oh, it's your only humour now extant sir: a good jingle, a good jingle. How is that Sir? Before heavens his Humour arrides me exceedingly. I, pleases me (a pox on it) I am so haunted at the court & at my lodging with your refined choice spirits, that it makes me clean of another Garb, another strain, I know not how; I cannot frame me to your harsh vulgar phrase, it's against my Genius. Nay Carlo, I am not happy in thy love I see, pr'y thee suffer me to enjoy thy company a little (sweet mischief) by this air, I shall envy this gentleman's place in thy affections, if you be thus private I faith: how now? is the knight arrived? His hounds! by Min rua and excellent Figure; a good boy. Tut, the boy wants no crowns. Nay, thou art so capriciously conceited now: Sirrah (Damnation) I have herd this knight Puntarvolo, reported to be a gentleman of exceeding good humour: thou knowest him; prithee, how is his disposition? I never was so favoured of my stars as to see him yet. Boy, do you look to the Hobby? It's well: I rid out of my way of intent to visit him, and take knowledge of his: Nay good Wickedness, his humour, his humour. Oh, but this is nothing to that's delivered of him: they say he has dialogues, and discourses between his horse, him self, and his dog; and that he will court his own Lady, as she were a strange r never encountered before, And how is the manner of it prithee good Signior? Why, but do you remember no particulars, Signior? Nay speak, speak. Oh withdraw, withdraw, it cannot be but a most plea sing object. It's not good? Does the wench know him all this while then? S worser me thinks these answers should offend him. Nay, thou art such another Cinique now, a man had needs walk uprightly before thee. Oh villain! Peace, who be these, Carlo? What does he study? the law? What? will not their presence prevail against the current of his humour? How? in verse? Nay look; pr y thee peac . Oh lets hear the rest. Peace, here comes the Lady. 'Slight, our presence has cut off the convoy of the jest. I possess as much in your wish sir, as if I were made Lord of the Indies; and I pray you believe it. Shall I tell you sir: by this air I am the most behol ding to that Lord, of any Gentleman living; he does use me the most honourably, and with the greatest respect, more in deed, than can be uttered with any opinion of truth. As true noble a Gentleman too as any breathes; I am exceedingly endeared to his love: by Jesu, (I protest to you Signior, I speak it not gloriously, nor out of affectation, but) there's he, and the Count Frugale, Signior Illustre, Signior Lu culento, and a sort of them; that (when I am at the Court) they do share me amongst them. Happy is he can enjoy me most private; I do wish my self sometime and Ubiquitary for their love, in good faith. Oh Lord Sir! my mistress. Faith, here be some slight favours of hers sir, that do speak it, She is; as this Scarf sir, or this Ribbon in mine ear, or so; this Feather grew in her sweet Fan sometime, though now it be my poor Fortune's to wear it as you see sir; slight, slight; a foolish toy. Did you ever hear any woman speak Like her? or enriched with a more plentiful discourse? Well, if thou be'st not plagued for this blasphemy one day:— Sir, I affirm it to you (upon my Credit and Judge meant) she has the most Harmonious and Musical strain of Wit, that ever tempted a true ear; and yet to see, a rude tongue will profane Heaven. O, it flows from her Like Nectar, and she does give it, that sweet, quick grace, and exornation in the compo sure, that ( By this good Heaven ) she does observe as pure a Phrase, and use as choice Figures in her ordinary conferences, as any be i'the Arcadia. Is Signior Worser liros wife your kinswoman? Oh God sir, Signior Deliro her husband is my Merchant. I cry you mercy sir: let me crave your name, pray you. Good Signior Fungoso, I shall request to know you bet ter sir. In fair time sir. Nay pray you sir; we shall meet at Signior Deliro's often. Save you Signior Deliro: how do' st thou sweet Lady? Let me kiss thee. Faith live in court Signior Deliro, in grace I thank God, both of the noble Masculine and Feminine. I must speak with you in private by and by. There was a Countess gave me her hand to kiss to day in the presence: did me more good by Jesu, then, and you sternight sent her Coach twice to my lodging, to intre at me ac company her, and my sweet mistress, with some two or three nameless Ladies more: Oh, I have been graced by them beyond all aim of affection: this's her garter my dagger hangs in: and they do so commend and approve my apparel, with my ju dicious wearing of it, it's above wonder. Why I'll tell you now (in good faith) and by this Chair, which (by the grace of God) I intend presently to fit in, I had three Suits in one year, made three great Ladies in love with me: I had other three, undid three Gentlemen in imitation: & other three, got three other Gentlemen, Wid dowes of three thousand pound a year. Oh believe it sir; your good Face is the Witch, & your Apparel the Spells, that bring all the pleasures of the world into their Circle. Why, assure you Signior, rich apparel has strange virtues: it makes him that hath it without means, esteemed for and excellent Wit: he that enjoys it with means, puts the world in remembrance of his means: it helps the deformi ties of Nature, and gives Lustre to her beauty's; makes conti nuall Holiday where it shines; sets the wits of Ladies at work, that otherwise would be idle: furnisheth your two-shilling Ordinary; takes possession of your Stage at your new Play; and enricheth your Oars, as scorning to go with your Scull. What's he, Signior? By heaven, I wonder at you Citizens, what kind of Creatures you are? That you can consort your selves with such poor seam-rent fellows. Why? what ha he in him of such virtue to be re guarded? would? Nothing else? He should get him clothes: I would cherish those good parts of travel in him, and prefer him to some Nobleman of good place. Why, and he had good clothes, I'd carry him to the Court with me to morrow. You say well Sir: faith Signior Deliro, I am come to have you play the Alchymi with me, and change the Species of my land, into that mettle you talk of. Faith some three or fourscore pound. I'll accompany you thither. It's no matter, I have no other designem in hand, and therefore as good go along. Adieu, sweet Lady. Come, lets walk in the Mediterraneum: I assure you sir I am not the least respected among Ladies; but let that pass: do you know how to go into the Presence Sir? No, on your head sir: for it's that must bear you out, I assure you: as thus sir: You must first have and especial care so to wear your Hat, that it oppress not confusedly this your Predominant or Foretop; because (when you come at the Presence door) you may with once or twice stroking up your Forehead thus, enter with your Predominant perfect: that is, standing up stiff. I sir. And Ingenious observation: give me leave to crave your name sir. Good Signior Macilente: if this Gentleman, Signior Worser liro, furnish you (as he says he will) with clothes, I will bring you to morrow by this time into the Presence of the most Di Vine and Acute Lady of the Court: you shall see sweet Silent Rhetoric, and Dumb Eloquence speaking in her eye; but when she speaks her self, such and Anatomy of Wit, so Sinewiz'd and Arteriz'd, that it's the goodliest Model of pleasure that ever was, to behold. O, she strikes the world into Admiration of her; (Oh, Oh, Oh) I cannot express them be leave me. Mass, yonder's the knight Puntarvolo. Entreat your poor friend to walk off a little Signior, I will salute the knight. You are right well encou ̄ tread sir, how do's your fair Dog? It's Signior Deliro sir. Why do you see sir? they say I am Fantastical: why true, I know it, & I pursue my Humour still in continued ̄ tempt of this censor ous age: 'Slight & a man should do nothing but what a sort of stale iudgeme ̄ ts about this town will approve in him, he were a sweet Ass, Ill beg him i'faith: I never knew any more find fault with a fashion, then they that knew not how to put themselves into't. For mine own partly, so I please mine own appetite, I am care less what the fusti World speaks of me, puh: Where? where? See now he is expostulating with his Rapier, Look, Look. Oh violence, I wonder the blade can contain it self, being so provoked. By my faith, and it's to be suspected, I'll ask him. Signior. Will you ell your Rapier? I did indeed. Nay (let me pray you Sir) be not moved: I protest I would rather ave been silent than any way offensive, had I known your nature. Marry he tells me, If I please to show the bounty of my mind, to impart some ten groats to his use or so. Pr'y thee away: is Signior Deliro departed? Gods precious, what mischievous luck is this: adieu Gentleme ̄ . After my Merchant, Signior Deliro sir. Well now Signior Macilente, you are not only well come to the Court, but also to my mistress with drawing cham ̄ ber: Boy get me some Tobacco, I'll but go in, and show I am here, and come to you presently sir. In faith I have made you stay somewhat long sir, but is my Tobacco ready boy? Give me, my mistress is upon coming, you shall see her presently sir, (Tab.) you'll say you never accosted a more piercing wit. This Tobacco is not dried Boy, or else the Pipe's defective. O, your wits of Italy are nothing comparable to her, her brain's a very Quiver of jests, and she do's dart them abroad with that sweet lose and judicial aim that you would—here she comes sir. A kind of affectionate reverence strikes me with a cold shivering (me thinks.) By Jesu, I'd spend twenty pound my vaulting Horse stood here now, she might see me do but one trick? I either. Oh these stirring humours make Ladies mad with desire, she comes. My good Genius embolden me, Boy the Pipe quickly. A second good morrow to my fair mistress. How Like you that answer? is't not admirable? Troth sweet Lady I shall (Tab.) be prepared to give you thanks for those thanks, and (Tab.) study more officious and obsequous regards (Tab.) to your fair beauty's: (Tab.) mend the pipe boy. Before God (sweet Lady) believe it, I do honour the meanest rush in this chamber for your love. Oh, by Jesu pardon me, I said for your love, by this light; but it is the accustomed sharpness of your Ingenuity sweet Mistress to—Mass your Violl's new str ng me thinks. By the soul of Music Lady (hum, hum.) I do more adore and admire your (hum, hum) peredo minant perfections than (hum, hum) ever I shall have power and faculty to express (hum.) It's miserably out of tune, by this hand. Sweet Lady tune it. Boy some Tobacco. Signior Macilente, you take none sir? (Tab.) How Like you her wit? (Tab.) You see the subject of her sweet fingers there? (Tab.) O she tickles it so, that (Tab.) she makes it laugh most Divinely; ( Tab. ) I'll tell you a good jest now, and your self shall say it's a good one: I have wished my self to be that In strument (I think) a thousand times, and not so few, by Hea uens ( Tab. ) Oh, no Sir, to be in use I assure you; as your judicious eyes may testify. (Tab.) Instantly sweet Lady (Tab.) In good faith here's most Divine Tobacco. Good, nay deer Lady stay: by this sweet Smoke, I think your wit be all fire: (Tab.) Still more excellent: (before God, and these bright Heavens) I think (Tab.) you are made of Ingenuity, I (Tab.) Will your Ladyship take any? Meaning my head, Lady? Oh Admirable Simil ! Heart of a Gentleman to neglect me afore presence thus: Sweet sir, I bese changed you be silent in my disgrace, By Jesu, I never was in so vile a Humour in my life, and her wit was at the loud too, Report it not for a million good sir; let me be so far endeared to your love. Good hours make Music with your mirth Gen tlemen, and keep time to your humours: how now Carlo? Good faith I must crave pardon; I was invited this morning ere I was out of my bed, by a Bevy of Ladies, to a Banquet: whence it was almost one of Hercules Labors for me to come away, but that the respect of my promise did so pre vail with me: I know they'le take it very ill, especially one that gave me this Bracelet of her Hair but over night, and this Pearl another gave me from her forehead, Marry she— what? are the Writings ready? And how does my rare qualified friend Sogliardo? o Signior Macilente! by these eyes I saw you not, I had saluted you sooner else on my troth: I hope sir I may presume upon you that you will not divulge my late cheek, or disgrace in deed sir. Any thing in him? beshrew me, I; the fellow hath a good ingenious face. Good faith Signior (now you speak of a quarrel) I'll acquaint you with a difference that happened between a Gallant and my self: sir Puntarvolo, you know him if I should name him; Signior Luculento. Fai h sir, the same that sundered Agamemnon and great Thetis son; but let the cause escape Sir: He sent me a challenge (mixed with some few braves) which I restored, and in fine we met. Now indeed Sir (I must tell you) he did offer at first very desperately, but without judgement: for look you sir. I cast my self into this figure: now he, comes violently on, and with all advancing his Rapier to strike, I thought to have took his arm (for he had left his whole body to my election, and I was sure he could not recover his guard) Sir, I missed my purpose in his arm, rashed his doublet sleeve, ran him close by the left cheek, and through his hair: He again lights me here, I had a gold Cable hatband then new come up, (which I wore a bout a murrey French Hat I had) cuts my Hatband (and yet it was Massy, goldsmiths work) cuts my brims, which by good fortune (being thick embroidered with gold twist, and Spangle's) disappointed the force of the blow: Nevertheless it grazed on my shoulder, takes me away six purles of and Italian cutwork Band I wore, cost me three pounds in the exchange but three days before. Here (in the opinion of mutual damage) we paused: but (ere I proceed) I must tell you Signior, that (in this last encounter) not having leisure to put off my silver Spurs, one of the rowels catched hold of the ruffle of my Boot, and (being Spanish leather, and subject to tear) overthrows me, rends me two pair of silk stockings (that I put on being somewhat a raw morning, a Peach colour and another) and strikes me some half inch worser epe into the side of the Calf; He (seeing the blood come) presently takes horse and away. I (would ving bound up my wound with a piece of my wrought Shirt) Rid after him, and (lighting at the court gate both to gether) embraced and marched hand in hand up into the Pre sense. Faith sir Puntaruolo go to the Court, and take lea e of the Ladies first. Here he comes. I indeed, she's a little too selfe-conceited, and 'twere not for that Humour, she were the most to be admired Lady in the world. Now by Jesu Macilente, it is above measure excellent: it'll be the only courtly exploit that ever proved Courtier ingenious. Would you speak to me Sir? Content: good Sir vouchsafe us your pleasance. Who I sir? Mass that is true in deed knight, you must not carry him into the Presence. Why you're best leave him at the Porters lodge. Slight, how'll you do then? Why, but will you leave him with so slight command, and infuse no more charge upon the fellow? I warrant you. His Dog's in the Court, Lady. He does stay the rather Madame, to present your Acute judgement with so Courtly, and well-Parted a Gentleman, as yet your Ladyship hath never seen. No Lady, this is a Kinsman of Justice Silence. It's most true Lady; marry he is no such excellent pro per man. I, especially a Rustic or a Clown Madam, that it is not possible for the sharpest-sighted wit (in the world) to dis cerne any sparks of the Gentleman in him, when he does it. I faith (sweet Lady) that you shall: see here he comes. Before God, her Ladyship says true (Knight:) but does he not affect the Clown most naturally, Mistress? It's strange in truth, her Ladyship should see so far into him. She hath given most infallible signs of the Gentle man in him, that's certain. Oh, but she knows it is not so. Faith no, she saw the Gentleman as bright as at noon day she: she deciphered him at first. What, is she gone? Nay, let's follow it while it's hight Gentlemen. The poor Lady is most miserably out of her Humour i'faith. Gods precious, go seek for the fellow, good Signior. Did you see Sir Puntarvolos Dog here Cavalier, since you came? Before God I am so Melancholy for his Dogs disaster, but I'll go. Say how (sweet Carlo ) for so God mend me, the poor Knights mones draw me into fellowship of his misfortunes. But be not discouraged good sir Puntarvolo, I am content your adventure shall be performed upon your Cat. Lay hold on me sir! for what? My riot! God's my judge, take heed what you do; Carlo did I offer any violence? Peremptory, Shife I appeal to the Drawers, if I did him any hard measure. Sbloud I appeal to George here. Troth fair Lady, it's first the pleasure of the Fates, and next of the Constable to have it so, but, I am patient, and indeed comforted the more in your kind visitation. No believe it, sweet Creature, your Brother gave me no such intelligence. But has your husband any such purpose? No sweet mistress, why are you in this passion? Fair Lady I conceive you, and may this kiss assure you, that where Adversity hath (as it were) contracted, Pros peritie shall not—Gods light your Husband. Now in good faith (and as I am Gentle) there could not have come a thing in this world to have distracted me more than the wrinkled Fortune's of this poor Dame. Oh God, I am undone. Oh Jesu! Oh, the most Celestial, and full of wonder and de light that can be imagined Signior, beyond all thought and apprehension of Pleasure. A man lives there in that divine Rapture, that he will think himself in the third Heaven for the time, and lose all sense of Mortality whatsoever; when he shall behold such glorious (and almost immortal) beauty's, hear such Angelical and Harmonious voices, discourse with such flowing and Ambrosian spirits, whose wits as sudden as Lightning, and humorous as Nectar; O: it makes a man all Quintessence and Flame, and lifts him up (in a moment) to the we ry Crystal Crown o'the sky, where (hovering in the stre ̄ gth of his Imagine cion ) he shall behold all the delights of the Hespe rides, the Insulae Fortunatae, Adonis gardens, Tempe, or what else (confined within the amplest verge of Poesy ) to be mere Um brae, and imperfect Figures, conferred with the most essential felicity of your Court. I, to some perhaps: but, and he should come to my Mistress with Tobacco (this Gentleman knows) she 'ld reply upon him i'faith. O (by this bright sun) she has the most acute, ready, and facetious wit, that—tut there's no spirit able to stand her. You can report it Signior, you have seen her? Easily Sir? then are all impossibilities easy. Marry I will say, I will both applaud you, and admire you for it. Nay you shall hear sir, with this we both fell out and breathed: Now (upon the second igne of his assault) I betook me to the former manner of my defence; he (on the other side) abandoned his body to the same danger as before, and follows me still with blows. But I (being loath to take the deadly advantage that lay before me of his left side) made a kind of stramazoun, ran him up to the hilts, through the Doublet, through the Shirt, and yet missed the skin. He (making a reverse blow) falls upon my embossed girdle (I had thrown off the hangers a little before) strikes off a skirt of a thick laced Satin Doublet I had (lined with some four Taffa taes) cuts of two panes embroidered with Pearl, rends through the drawings out of Tyss w, enters the linings, and skips the flesh.