Volume Vii Part 44 (2/2)
Be it knowne unto all men that I Henry Porter do owe unto Phillip Henchlowe the some of x's of lawfull money of England which I did borrowe of hym the 26 of Maye a'o. dom.
1599 Henry Porter[204].
”The Two Angry Women of Abington” is thus noticed by the late Charles Lamb: ”The pleasant comedy from which these extracts are taken is contemporary with some of the earliest of Shakespeare's, and is no whit inferior to either the 'Comedy of Errors' or the 'Taming of the Shrew,'
for instance. It is full of business, humour, and merry malice. Its night scenes are peculiarly sprightly and wakeful. The versification unenc.u.mbered, and rich with compound epithets.”[205]
A.D.
THE PROLOGUE.
Gentlemen, I come to ye like one that lacks and would borrow, but was loth to ask, lest he should be denied: I would ask, but I would ask to obtain; O, would I knew that manner of asking! To beg were base; and to couch low, and to carry an humble show of entreaty, were too dog-like, that fawns on his master to get a bone from his trencher: out, cur! I cannot abide it; to put on the shape and habit of this new world's new-found beggars, mistermed soldiers[206], as thus: ”Sweet gentlemen, let a poor scholar implore and exerate that you would make him rich in the possession of a mite of your favours, to keep him a true man in wit, and to pay for his lodging among the Muses! so G.o.d him help, he is driven to a most low estate! 'tis not unknown what service of words he hath been at; he lost his limbs in a late conflict of flout; a brave repulse and a hot a.s.sault it was, he doth protest, as ever he saw, since he knew what the report of a volley of jests were; he shall therefore desire you”--A plague upon it, each beadle disdained would whip him from your company. Well, gentlemen, I cannot tell how to get your favours better than by desert: then the worse luck, or the worse wit, or somewhat, for I shall not now deserve it. Well, then[207], I commit myself to my fortunes and your contents; contented to die, if your severe judgments shall judge me to be stung to death with the adder's hiss.
THE NAMES OF THE SPEAKERS.[208]
M[ASTER] GOURSEY.
MIST[RESS] GOURSEY.
M[ASTER] BARNES.
MIST[RESS] BARNES.
FRANK GOURSEY.
PHILIP [BARNES.]
BOY.
MALL BARNES.
d.i.c.k COOMES.
HODGE.
NICHOLAS PROVERBS.
SIR RALPH SMITH.
[LADY SMITH.]
WILL, _Sir Ralph's man.
[Other Attendants_.]
THE PLEASANT COMEDY OF THE TWO ANGRY WOMEN OF ABINGTON.
_Enter_ MASTER GOURSEY _and his wife, and_ MASTER BARNES _and his wife, with their two sons, and their two servants_.
MASTER GOURSEY. Good Master Barnes, this entertain of yours, So full of courtesy and rich delight, Makes me mis...o...b.. my poor ability In quittance of this friendly courtesy.
MR BAR. O Master Goursey, neighbour-amity Is such a jewel of high-reckoned worth, As for the attain of it what would not I Disburse, it is so precious in my thoughts!
MR GOUR. Kind sir, near-dwelling amity indeed Offers the heart's inquiry better view Than love that's seated in a farther soil: As prospectives[209], the[210] nearer that they be, Yield better judgment to the judging eye; Things seen far off are lessened in the eye, When their true shape is seen being hard by.
MR BAR. True, sir, 'tis so; and truly I esteem Mere[211] amity, familiar neighbourhood, The cousin german unto wedded love.
MR GOUR. Ay, sir, there's surely some alliance 'twixt them, For they have both the offspring from the heart: Within the heart's-blood-ocean still are found Jewels of amity and gems of love.
MR BAR. Ay, Master Goursey, I have in my time Seen many s.h.i.+pwrecks of true honesty; But incident such dangers ever are To them that without compa.s.s sail so far: Why, what need men to swim, when they may wade?-- But leave this talk, enough of this is said: And, Master Goursey, in good faith, sir, welcome;-- And, Mistress Goursey, I am much in debt Unto your kindness that would visit me.
MRS GOUR. O Master Barnes, you put me but in mind Of that which I should say; 'tis we that are Indebted to your kindness for this cheer: Which debt that we may repay, I pray let's have Sometimes your company at our homely house.
MRS BAR. That, Mistress Goursey, you shall surely have; He'll[212] be a bold guest, I warrant ye, And bolder too with you than I would have him.
MRS. GOUR. How, do you mean he will be bold with me?
MRS BAR. Why, he will trouble you at home, forsooth, Often call in, and ask ye how ye do; And sit and chat with you all day till night, And all night too,[213] if he might have his will.
MR BAR. Ay, wife, indeed I thank her for her kindness; She hath made me much good cheer pa.s.sing that way.
MRS BAR. Pa.s.sing well-done of her, she is a kind wench.
I thank ye, Mistress Goursey, for my husband; And if it hap your husband come our way A-hunting or such ordinary sports, I'll do as much for yours as you for mine.
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