Volume Ii Part 64 (1/2)

STUDY.

Go, that go list, I will at home remain, I have more need to take a nap in my bed.

WILL.

Do so, and, hear you, couch a cod's-head! [_Aside_.

INSTRUCTION.

Well, since it will none otherwise frame, Let us twain, Study, return[410] from whence we came.

STUDY.

Agreed.

[_Exit_.

WIT.

And let us three bestir ourselves like men; Unlikely things are brought to pa.s.s by courage now and then.

My Will, be always prest, and ready at an inch, To save thyself, to succour me, to help at every pinch.

Both twain on either side a.s.sault him, if ye can, And you shall see me in the middes, how I will play the man; This is the deadly den, as far as I perceive, Approach we near, and valiantly let us the onset give.

Come forth, thou monster fell, in drowsy darkness hid, For here is Wit, Dame Nature's son, that doth thee battle bid.

ACT IV., SCAENA 2.

TEDIOUSNESS, WIT, WILL, DILIGENCE.

TEDIOUSNESS.

What princ.o.x have we here, that dares me to a.s.sail?

Alas, poor boy, and weenest thou against me to prevail?

Full small was he thy friend, whoever sent thee hither, For I must drive thee back with shame, or slay thee altogether.

WIT.

Great boast, small roast: I warrant thee, do thy best, Thy head must serve my turn this day to set my heart at rest.

WILL.

And I must have a leg of thee, if I can catch it.

TEDIOUSNESS.

First I must quite this brain of thine, if I can reach it.

[_Fight, strike at Will_.

WIT.

Well s.h.i.+fted, Will; now have at thee, sir knave.

TEDIOUSNESS.

These friscols shall not serve your turn for all your vaunts so brave; Ho, ho! did I not tell thee thou cam'st to thy pain!

DILIGENCE.