Part 23 (1/2)

Chrysophilos, Senex Avarus. Antarchia.

Phantasta, Stolidus Generosus. Anthadia.

[Greek: Aphronios], Filius Chrysophili. Anaea, Mulier Inepta.

Chrestophilos, Socius Philomathis.

Crito, Senex, Pater Sophiae.

Critonis Seruus.

Cerdoos, Seruus Chrysophili.

Petinus, Seruus Phantastae.

”This play was very well acted, but especially the Chorus, the stage was never more free, the audience never more quiett and contented, so that they went away many of them crieing--_Abunde satisfactum est!_ itt was so well liked and applauded of all that saw itt.

”Here the stage & scaffold were pul'd downe which had stood from Cristmas, and it was resolved that upon the chaunge of the weather, the terme should begin on the Munday following.

”But in the meane time on Sunday nighte, being the Seventeenth of January, the Vice-chancelor, and the L. Clifford, with many other Doctors and Gentlemen were invited to supper in the President's lodging, where after supper they were entertained with a shew before mentioned, to witt, _The Seven Dayes in the Weeke_, to which, by this time, there was somewhat added, but not much: all was most kindly accepted, and the nighte was spent in great mirth. For the straungenes of the matter, and rarity of the fas.h.i.+on of their action pleased above expectation.

”At the end of this shew for the more rarity, there was one brought in my Lord's Stockes with this speech made uppon itt:

”'My Lord, I which am the lowest, am now become the lowdest, though (I hope) not the lewdest of your Lords.h.i.+ppe's servauntes. And though I come _pridie Calendas_, before I am cald, yet (I hope) my audacity shall have audience, and my faithfulnes favor. I am your Lords.h.i.+ppe's Elephaunt and heere is your castell, so that where other Lords are brought to their castells, heere your castell is brought to you. _Est locus in carcere_, there is a locke upon your Lords.h.i.+ppe's castell, which was committed unto my trust, how faithfull I have been therein they can tell who have taken an exact measure of my office by the foote: the matter of which your castell is builded is so precious, that there is none amongst company but is contented to wear of it within his b.u.t.tons, the end for which it was builded is very commendable, that they may bee kepte in order with wood, which otherwise would not bee kepte in order, heere is _fons latus pedibus tribus_, a fountaine to wash three mens legs, that they which have bene _aurium tenus_, over shoes, heere may be _crurum tenus_ over bootes too, This your Lords.h.i.+ppe's oracle or Tripos, out of which malefactors tell the truth and foretell of their amendment. Nay, I wil bee bould to compare it to your Lords.h.i.+ppe's braine, for what is there designed is heere executed. In these sells or ventricles are fancy, understanding, and memory. For such as your Lords.h.i.+ppe doth not fancy are put in the first hole, such as were dull and without understanding were put in the second hole, but such as your Lords.h.i.+ppe threatned (remember this) or I'le remember you, were put in the last and lowest dungeon, _c.u.m nemini obtrudi potest itur ad me_. When they cannot bee ruled otherwise they are brought unto mee, and my entertainment is _strato disc.u.mbitur ostro_, they straite sett downe att this oister table, where they are fast and doe fast, ffor _vinitur exiguo melius_, they make small meales, till the flames of clemency doe mitigate the Salamanders of your Lords.h.i.+ppe's severity. Now, my Lord, since I have told you what I am, I will bee bold to tell you what you may bee--You are mortall--Ergo you must die, the three sisters will not spare you, though you were their owne brother, and therefore while you have your good witts about you, _fac quid vobis_, make your will, that wee may know amongst so many well deserving men, that doe lay claime to this your castell, to whome as rightfull heire itt shall lawfully descend, that so all controversies being ended, before your Lords.h.i.+ppe's decea.s.se, hereafter your bones may ly, and wee your subjects live, in all rest and quietnes.

”'Dixi.'

”To make an end of this nighte's sporte, all departed merry and very well pleased, the actors were much commended, and the terme for their sakes prorogued one day longer.

”On the Thursday following the Prince was solemnly invited by the Canons of Christchurch to a comedy called _Yuletide_, where many thinges were either ill ment by them, or ill taken by us, but wee had very good reason to think the former, both for that the whole towne thought so, and the whole play was a medley of Christmas sportes, by which occasion Christmas Lords were much jested at, and our Prince was soe placed that many thinges were acted upon him, but yet, Mr. Deane himselfe, then vice-chancelor, very kindly sent for the Prince and some others of our howse, and laboured to satisfie us, protesting that no such thing was mente, as was reported, whereupon wee went away contented, and forebore the speaking of many things which otherwise were afterwards intended, for aunswering of them in their owne kind.

”On Candlemas nighte it was thoughte by our selves, and reported in the towne, that the Prince should resigne his place, but nothing being in readines for that purpose itt was deferred, but yet, least nothing should bee done, there was a Vigilate (as they terme it) a watching nighte procured by the Prince and his Counsell, and graunted by the officers of the Colledge, which was performed in manner following.

”THE VIGILATE.

”First, about eighte of the Clocke (for then itt was to begin, and to continue till fowre in the morning) the Colledge gates were shutt, and all the students summon'd by the sounding of a Trumpett three times, to make their personall appearance in the greate Hall, where after they were all come together, that the Prince's pleasure might bee the better knowne, this proclamation was publikely p.r.o.nounced by a Serjeant att Armes, in the hearing of them all.

”The high and mighty Thomas by the favour of Fortune Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, High Regent of the Hall, &c. To all Presidents, Vice Presidents, Officers, Readers, Masters, Batchelors, Felowes, Schollers, Commoners, Under-commoners, Servaunts, Scruitors, sendeth greeting.

Whereas of late by the turbulent spirits of seditious minded persons hath bene buzzed into the eares of many of our loving and liege subjectes a fearefull and dangerous report of our sudden downefall, which according to their libelling speeches should att this nighte fall upon us--We have thought it necessary not so much for our owne feares which are none at all, as for satisfieing and strengthening our welmeaning friends in their love and duty, to publish and by these presents to all our loyal subjects of what state and condicion soever, that they make their personall appearance to the setting and furnis.h.i.+ng of a most strong guarde and carefull watch as well for their security as the safety of our owne royall person, & the whole Common-wealth; In the which generall watch for the better comfort and ease of all men, our selfe, with our honourable privy Counsell, and the rest of our n.o.bility, intend to bee personally present.

”But because wee are no way minded to oppresse any man above his power, on our princely bounty, wee give licence to such as (for age or infirmity) are not able to perform that duty, to forfaite for their absence, yf they plead age ijs. vi^{d}.; if infirmity, xii^{d}., towards the furnis.h.i.+ng of his Highnes with a tall and sufficient watchman.

”Now because that which wee have wisely thought, and for our peace and safety, may not proove the cause of new troubles and dissentions, wee have thought good to adjoine some few cautions, in way of admonitions to bee observed.

”First, for that the disorders of an unruly and mutinous watch doe often open as it were the gate of danger and outrage, our princely will and pleasure is, that each man keepe his station with out murmuring, performing cheerefully all such offices and duties, as shal bee lawfully enjoin'd by us, or our offices, upon paine of forfeiting ijs. vi^{d}., as for age.

”Secondly, because sloth is a kind of disease in a well-ordered Common-wealth wee further charge and command by the vertue of our absolute authority, that no man bee found winking, or pincking, or nodding, much lesse snorting, upon paine of forfaiting twelve pence, as for infirmity.

”Thirdly, for the avoiding of a sudden dearth, or lingring famine which may ensue and justly follow the free and undoubted liberty of a riotous and luxurious time, yt is by us thought necessary that no man should in hugger mugger eate or drincke more than is publickly seene and allowed by the face of the body civill and politicke, upon paine of paieing twise, for such is in a manner stolen provision, and the second paiement to bee arbitrary.

”Given att our Mannor of Whites-hall, the seacond of February, and in the first of our Raigne.