Volume Viii Part 9 (1/2)

BACK-WIN. More I will use, if more I may prevail.

Back-winter comes but seldom forth abroad, But when he comes, he pincheth to the proof.

Winter is mild, his son is rough and stern: Ovid could well write of my tyranny, When he was banish'd to the frozen zone.

SUM. And banish'd be thou from my fertile bounds.

Winter, imprison him in thy dark cell, Or with the winds in bellowing caves of bra.s.s Let stern Hippotades[137] lock him up safe, Ne'er to peep forth, but when thou, faint and weak, Want'st him to aid thee in thy regiment.

BACK-WIN. I will peep forth, thy kingdom to supplant.

My father I will quickly freeze to death, And then sole monarch will I sit, and think, How I may banish thee as thou dost me.

WIN. I see my downfall written in his brows.

Convey him hence to his a.s.signed h.e.l.l!

Fathers are given to love their sons too well.

[_Exit_ BACK-WINTER.

WILL SUM. No, by my troth, nor mothers neither: I am sure I could never find it. This Back-winter plays a railing part to no purpose: my small learning finds no reason for it, except as a back-winter or an after-winter is more raging, tempestuous, and violent than the beginning of winter; so he brings him in stamping and raging as if he were mad, when his father is a jolly, mild, quiet old man, and stands still and does nothing. The court accepts of your meaning. You might have written in the margin of your play-book--”Let there be a few rushes laid[138]

in the place where Back-winter shall tumble, for fear of 'raying[139]

his clothes:” or set down, ”Enter Back-winter, with his boy bringing a brush after him, to take off the dust, if need require.” But you will ne'er have any wardrobe-wit while you live: I pray you, hold the book well;[140] [that] we be not _non plus_ in the latter end of the play.

SUM. This is the last stroke my tongue's clock must strike.

My last will, which I will that you perform.

My crown I have dispos'd already of.

Item, I give my wither'd flowers and herbs Unto dead corses, for to deck them with.

My shady walks to great men's servitors, Who in their masters' shadows walk secure.

My pleasant open air and fragrant smells To Croydon and the grounds ab.u.t.ting round.

My heat and warmth to toiling labourers, My long days to bondmen and prisoners, My short night[s] to young [un]married souls.

My drought and thirst to drunkards' quenchless throats: My fruits to Autumn, my adopted heir: My murmuring springs, musicians of sweet sleep, To malcontents [who], with their well-tun'd ears,[141]

Channell'd in a sweet falling quatorzain, Do lull their cares[142] asleep, listening themselves.

And finally, O words, now cleanse your course Unto Eliza, that most sacred dame, Whom none but saints and angels ought to name, All my fair days remaining I bequeath To wait upon her, till she be return'd.

Autumn, I charge thee, when that I am dead, Be prest[143] and serviceable at her beck, Present her with thy goodliest ripen'd fruits; Unclothe no arbours, where she ever sat, Touch not a tree thou think'st she may pa.s.s by.

And, Winter, with thy writhen, frosty face, Smooth up thy visage, when thou look'st on her; Thou never look'st on such bright majesty.

A charmed circle draw about her court, Wherein warm days may dance, and no cold come: On seas let winds make war, not vex her rest; Quiet enclose her bed, thought fly her breast.

Ah, gracious queen! though summer pine away, Yet let thy flouris.h.i.+ng stand at a stay.

First droop this universal's aged frame, Ere any malady thy strength should tame.

Heaven raise up pillars to uphold thy hand, Peace may have still his temple in thy land.

Lo! I have said; this is the total sum.

Autumn and Winter, on your faithfulness For the performance I do firmly build.