POLIDOR

Welcome to Athens my beloved friend, To Plato's schools and Aristotles walks, Welcome from Cestus famous for the love Of good Leander and his Tragedy, For whom the Helespont weeps brinish tears, The greatest grief is I cannot as I would Give entertainment to my dearest friend. Why how now my Lord, what in a dump, To see these damsels pass away so soon? I cannot blame your honour good my lord, For they are both lovely, wise, fair and young, And one of them the youngest of the three I long have loved (sweet friend) and she loved me, But never yet we could not find a means How we might compass our desired joys. Yes trust me, but he hath solemnly sworn, His eldest daughter first shall be espoused, Before he grants his youngest leave to love, And therefore he that means to get their loves, Must first provide for her if he will speed, And he that hath her shall be fettered so, As good be wedded to the devil himself, For such a skould as she did never live, And till that she be sped none else can speed, Which makes me think that all my labours lost, And whosoere can get his firm good will, A large dowry he shall be sure to have, For her father is a man of mighty wealth, And and ancient Citizen of the town, And that was he that went along with them. I Like your choice, and glad you chosen not mine, Then if you Like to follow on your love, We must devise a means and find some one That will attempt to wed this devilish skould, And I do know the man. Come hither boy, Go your ways sirrah to Ferandoes house, Desire him take the pains to come to me, For I must speak with him immediately. A man I think will fit his humour right, As blunt in speech as she is sharp of tongue, And he I think will match his every way, And yet he is a man of wealth sufficient, And for his person worth as good as she, And if he compass his to be his wife, Then may we freely visit both our loves. Here comes the man that I did tell you of. I would thy master once were in the vain, To try himself how he could woe a wench. Whither in faith Ferando, tell me true. How Like you this Aurelius, I think he knew Our minds before we sent to him, But tell me, when do you mean to speak with her? With all our hearts, Come Aurelius Let us be gone and leave him here alone. Come sweet Aurelius my faithful friend, Now will we go to see those lovely dams Richer in beauty then the orient pearl, Whiter then is the Alpine Crystal mould, And far more lovely then the terean plant, That blushing in the air turns to a stone. What Sander, what news with you? What, shall he be married then? Whither is thy master gone now? This is suddenly dispatched belike, Well, sirrah boy, take Sander in with you And have him to the buttery presently. I Valeria for he spoke to me, To help him to some cunning Musician, To teach his eldest daughter on the lute, And thou I know will fit his turn so well As thou shalt get great favour at his hands, Begun Valeria and say I sent thee to him. Now sweet Aurelius by this devise Shall we have leisure for to court our loves, For while that she is learning on the lute, His sisters may take time to steel abroad, For otherwise she'll keep them both within, And make them work while she his self does play, But come lets go unto Alfonsos house, And see how Valeria and Kate agreese, I doubt his Music scarce will please his skoller, But stay here comes Alfonso. He is, I pray you sir bid him welcome, He's a wealthy Merchants son of Cestus. Such news I herd, and I came now to know. Come then Aurcleus come in with me, And weel go fit a while and chat with them, And after bring them forth to take the air. How now Valeria, whears your mistress? Come fair Emelia my lovely love, Brighter then the burnished palace of the sun, The eyesight of the glorious firmament, In whose bright looks sparkles the radiant fire, Wily Prometheus slily stole from Jove, Infusing breath, life, motion, soul, To every object stricken by thine eyes. O fair Emelia I pine for thee, And either must enjoy thy love, or die. Thanks fair Emelia for these sweet words, But what says Phylena to his friend? I warrant you heel not be long away. His Tailor it may be hath been too slack, In his apparel which he means to wear, For no question but some fantastic suits He is determined to wear to day, And richly powdered with precious stones, Spotted with liquid gold, thick set with pearl, And such he means shall be his wedding suits. Fie Ferando not thus attired for shame, Come to my Chamber and there suit thy self, Of twenty suits that I did never were Farewell Ferando since you will be gone. Aurelius or else I miss my mark, Her tongue will walk if she does hold her hands, I am in doubt ere half a month be passed He'll curse the priest that married him so soon, And yet it may be she will be reclaimde, For she is very patient groan of late. Within this two days I will ride to him, And see how lovingly they do agree. And so to me whilst Polidor does live. I pray you sir let it stand, for I'll eat Some with her my self. Fair Emelia summer's sun bright Queen, Brighter of hew then is the burning climb, Where Phœbus in his bright aequator sits, Creating gold and pressious minneralls, What would Emelia do? if I were forced To leave fair Athens and to range the world. Come fair Emelia the Priest is gone, And at the church your father and the rest, Do stay to see our marriage rites performed, And knit in sighed of heaven this Gordian knot. That teeth of fretting time may never untwist, Then come fair love and gratulate with me, This days content and sweet solemnity. No marvel if Ferando be away, His wife I think hath troubled so his wits, That he remains at home to keep them warm, For forward wedlock as the prover be says, Hath brought him to his night cap long ago. And good my Lord let us entreat your grace, To purge your stomach of this Melancholy, Taint not your princely mind with grief my Lord, But pardon and forgive these lovers faults, That kneeling crave your gracious favour here. Nay then Ferando he must needs fit out, For he may call I think till he be weary, Before his wife will come before she list. I take it: I'll lay as much to yours, That my wife comes as soon as I do send. I wear it a thousand pounds I durst presume On my wives love: and I will lay with thee. And so will I upon my faith I vow. Agreed Boy desire your mistress to come hither. Now where your Mistress? Well sir I pray you lets here what Answer your wife will make. O wonderful metamorphosis. But thou Emelia hast lost me a great deal more. I say thou art a shrew. Well since 'tis done let it go, come lets in. My Lord if you vouchsafe of scholars fare, My house, my self, and all is yours to use, You and your men shall stay and lodge with me.