William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (374 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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Sc. 9
Enter a Messenger to More. Messenger. T. Goodal
Enter a Messenger to More. Messenger. T. Goodal
MESSENGER
My honourable lord, the Mayor of London
Accompanied with his lady and her train
Are coming hither, and are hard at hand
To feast with you. A sergeant’s come before
To tell your lordship of their near approach.
Accompanied with his lady and her train
Are coming hither, and are hard at hand
To feast with you. A sergeant’s come before
To tell your lordship of their near approach.
⌈
Exit Messenger
⌉
Exit Messenger
⌉
MORE
Why, this is cheerful news. Friends go and come.
Reverend Erasmus, whose delicious words
Express the very soul and life of wit,
Newly took sad leave of me, with tears
Troubled the silver channel of the Thames,
Which, glad of such a burden, proudly swelled
And on her bosom bore him toward the sea.
He’s gone to Rotterdam. Peace go with him!
He left me heavy when he went from hence,
But this recomforts me. The kind Lord Mayor,
His brethren aldermen, with their fair wives
Will feast this night with us. Why, so’t should be.
More’s merry heart lives by good company.
Reverend Erasmus, whose delicious words
Express the very soul and life of wit,
Newly took sad leave of me, with tears
Troubled the silver channel of the Thames,
Which, glad of such a burden, proudly swelled
And on her bosom bore him toward the sea.
He’s gone to Rotterdam. Peace go with him!
He left me heavy when he went from hence,
But this recomforts me. The kind Lord Mayor,
His brethren aldermen, with their fair wives
Will feast this night with us. Why, so’t should be.
More’s merry heart lives by good company.
⌈
Enter Master Roper and Servingmen
⌉
Good gentlemen, be careful; give great charge
Our diet be made dainty for the taste.
For, of all people that the earth affords,
The Londoners fare richest at their boards.
Our diet be made dainty for the taste.
For, of all people that the earth affords,
The Londoners fare richest at their boards.
[
Addition V
(
playhouse scribe
)]
Addition V
(
playhouse scribe
)]
[
Original Text
(
Munday
)]
Original Text
(
Munday
)]
Come, my good fellows, stir, be diligent.
Sloth is an idle fellow. Leave him now.
The time requires your expeditious service.
Place me here stools to set the ladies on.
Sloth is an idle fellow. Leave him now.
The time requires your expeditious service.
Place me here stools to set the ladies on.
⌈
Servingmen set stools
⌉
Son Roper, you have given order for the banquet?
ROPER
I have, my lord, and everything is ready.
Enter Lady More
MORE
O welcome, wife. Give you direction
How women should be placed; you know it best.
For my Lord Mayor, his brethren, and the rest,
Let me alone. Men best can order men.
How women should be placed; you know it best.
For my Lord Mayor, his brethren, and the rest,
Let me alone. Men best can order men.
LADY MORE
I warrant ye, my lord, all shall be well.
There’s one without that stays to speak with ye,
And bade me tell ye that he is a player.
There’s one without that stays to speak with ye,
And bade me tell ye that he is a player.
MORE
A player, wife?—One of ye bid him come in.
Exit one,
[
a Servingman
]
[
a Servingman
]
Nay, stir there, fellows. Fie, ye are too slow!
See that your lights be in a readiness.
The banquet shall be here.—God’s me, madam,
Leave my Lady Mayoress? Both of us from the board?
And my son Roper too? What may our guests think?
See that your lights be in a readiness.
The banquet shall be here.—God’s me, madam,
Leave my Lady Mayoress? Both of us from the board?
And my son Roper too? What may our guests think?
LADY MORE
My lord, they are risen, and sitting by the fire.
MORE
Why, yet go you, and keep them company.
It is not meet we should be absent both.
It is not meet we should be absent both.
Exit Lady
Enter Player
Welcome, good friend. What is your will with me?
PLAYER
My lord, my fellows and myself
Are come to tender ye our willing service,
So please you to command us.
Are come to tender ye our willing service,
So please you to command us.
MORE
What, for a play, you mean?
Whom do ye serve?
PLAYER
My Lord Cardinal’s grace.
MORE
My Lord Cardinal’s players? Now trust me, welcome.
You happen hither in a lucky time
To pleasure me and benefit yourselves.
The Mayor of London and some aldermen,
His lady, and their wives are my kind guests
This night at supper. Now, to have a play
Before the banquet will be excellent.
How think you, son Roper?
You happen hither in a lucky time
To pleasure me and benefit yourselves.
The Mayor of London and some aldermen,
His lady, and their wives are my kind guests
This night at supper. Now, to have a play
Before the banquet will be excellent.
How think you, son Roper?
ROPER
’Twill do well, my lord,
And be right pleasing pastime to your guests.
MORE
I prithee tell me, what plays have ye?
PLAYER
Diverse, my lord: The Cradle of Security,
Hit Nail o’th’ Head, Impatient Poverty,
The Play of Four Ps, Dives and Lazarus,
Lusty Juventus, and The Marriage of Wit and Wisdom.
Hit Nail o’th’ Head, Impatient Poverty,
The Play of Four Ps, Dives and Lazarus,
Lusty Juventus, and The Marriage of Wit and Wisdom.
MORE
The Marriage of Wit
and
Wisdom? That, my lads,
I’ll none but that. The theme is very good,
And may maintain a liberal argument.
To marry wit to wisdom asks some cunning.
Many have wit that may come short of wisdom.
We’ll see how Master Poet plays his part,
And whether wit or wisdom grace his art.
Go, make him drink, and all his fellows too.
How many are ye?
and
Wisdom? That, my lads,
I’ll none but that. The theme is very good,
And may maintain a liberal argument.
To marry wit to wisdom asks some cunning.
Many have wit that may come short of wisdom.
We’ll see how Master Poet plays his part,
And whether wit or wisdom grace his art.
Go, make him drink, and all his fellows too.
How many are ye?
PLAYER Four men and a boy, sir.
MORE But one boy? Then I see There’s but few women in the play.
PLAYER
Three, my lord: Dame Science, Lady Vanity,
And Wisdom she herself.
And Wisdom she herself.
MORE
And one boy play them all? By‘r Lady, he’s loaden.
Well, my good fellow, get ye straight together
And make ye ready with what haste ye may.
⌈
To Servingmen
⌉ Provide their supper’gainst the play be
done,
Else shall we stay our guests here overlong.
⌈
To Player
⌉ Make haste, I pray ye.
Well, my good fellow, get ye straight together
And make ye ready with what haste ye may.
⌈
To Servingmen
⌉ Provide their supper’gainst the play be
done,
Else shall we stay our guests here overlong.
⌈
To Player
⌉ Make haste, I pray ye.
PLAYER
We will, my lord.
Exeunt Servingmen and Player
MORE
Where are the waits? [
To Roper
] Go, bid them play,
To spend the time a while.
To Roper
] Go, bid them play,
To spend the time a while.
Enter Lady More
How now, madam?
LADY MORE
My lord, they’re coming hither.
MORE
They’re welcome. Wife, I’ll tell ye one thing.
Our sport is somewhat mended: we shall have
A play tonight, The Marriage of Wit
and
Wisdom,
And acted by my good Lord Cardinal’s players.
How like ye that, wife?
Our sport is somewhat mended: we shall have
A play tonight, The Marriage of Wit
and
Wisdom,
And acted by my good Lord Cardinal’s players.
How like ye that, wife?
LADY MORE
My Lord, I like it well.
See, they are coming.
Waits play hautbois
The waits plays. Enters Lord Mayor, so many Aldermen
as may, the Lady Mayoress, in scarlet, with other
ladies and Sir Thomas More’s daughters, [one of them
Roper’s wife]; Servants carrying lighted torches by them
MORE
Once again, welcome, welcome, my good Lord Mayor,
And brethren all—for once I was your brother,
And so am still in heart. It is not state
That can our love from London separate.
〈〉
〈 〉 naught but pride;
But they that cast an eye still whence they came
Know how they rose, and how to use the same.
And brethren all—for once I was your brother,
And so am still in heart. It is not state
That can our love from London separate.
〈〉
〈 〉 naught but pride;
But they that cast an eye still whence they came
Know how they rose, and how to use the same.
LORD MAYOR
My lord, you set a gloss on London’s fame,
And make it happy ever by your name.
Needs must we say when we remember More,
’Twas he that drove rebellion from our door
With grave discretions, mild and gentle breath,
Shielding a many subjects’ lives from death.
O, how our city is by you renowned,
And with your virtues our endeavours crowned.
And make it happy ever by your name.
Needs must we say when we remember More,
’Twas he that drove rebellion from our door
With grave discretions, mild and gentle breath,
Shielding a many subjects’ lives from death.
O, how our city is by you renowned,
And with your virtues our endeavours crowned.
MORE
No more, my good Lord Mayor; but thanks to all
That on so short a summons you would come
To visit him that holds your kindness dear.
[
To Lady More
] Madam, you are not merry with my Lady
Mayoress
And these fair ladies. Pray ye, seat them all.
[
To
Lord
Mayor
] And here, my lord, let me appoint your
place;
The rest to seat themselves. Nay, I’ll weary ye;
You will not long in haste to visit me.
That on so short a summons you would come
To visit him that holds your kindness dear.
[
To Lady More
] Madam, you are not merry with my Lady
Mayoress
And these fair ladies. Pray ye, seat them all.
[
To
Lord
Mayor
] And here, my lord, let me appoint your
place;
The rest to seat themselves. Nay, I’ll weary ye;
You will not long in haste to visit me.
LADY MORE
Good madam, sit. In sooth, you shall sit here.
LADY MAYORESS
Good madam, pardon me, it may not be.
LADY MORE
In troth, I’ll have it so. I’ll sit here by ye.
Good ladies, sit.—More stools here, ho!
Good ladies, sit.—More stools here, ho!
LADY MAYORESS
It is your favour, madam, makes me thus
Presume above my merit.
Presume above my merit.
LADY MORE When we come to you,
Then shall you rule us as we rule you here.
[
They sit
]
Now must I tell ye, madam, we have a play
To welcome ye withal. How good soe’er
That know not I; my lord will have it so.
To welcome ye withal. How good soe’er
That know not I; my lord will have it so.
MORE
Wife, hope the best; I am sure they’ll do their best.
They that would better comes not at their feast.
My good Lord Cardinal’s players, I thank them for it,
Play us a play, to lengthen out your welcome,
My good Lord Mayor and all my other friends.
They say it is
The Marriage of Wit and Wisdom
—
A theme of some import, howe’er it prove.
But if art fail, we’ll inch it out with love.
What, are they ready?
They that would better comes not at their feast.
My good Lord Cardinal’s players, I thank them for it,
Play us a play, to lengthen out your welcome,
My good Lord Mayor and all my other friends.
They say it is
The Marriage of Wit and Wisdom
—
A theme of some import, howe’er it prove.
But if art fail, we’ll inch it out with love.
What, are they ready?
SERVANT
My lord, one of the players craves to speak with you.
MORE With me? Where is he?
Enter
[
the
Player of]
Inclination the Vice
,
ready
, [
with a bridle in his hand
]
PLAYER
of
INCLINATION Here, my lord.
of
INCLINATION Here, my lord.
MORE How now, what’s the matter?
PLAYER
of
INCLINATION We would desire your honour but to stay a little. One of my fellows is but run to Ogle’s for a long beard for young Wit, and he’ll be here presently.
of
INCLINATION We would desire your honour but to stay a little. One of my fellows is but run to Ogle’s for a long beard for young Wit, and he’ll be here presently.
MORE A long beard for young Wit? Why, man, he may be without a beard till he come to marriage, for wit goes not all by the hair. When comes Wit in?
PLAYER
of
INCLINATION In the second scene, next to the Prologue, my lord.
of
INCLINATION In the second scene, next to the Prologue, my lord.
MORE Why, play on till that scene come, and by that time Wit’s beard will be grown, or else the fellow returned with it. And what part play’st thou?
PLAYER
of
INCLINATION Inclination, the Vice, my lord.
of
INCLINATION Inclination, the Vice, my lord.
MORE Gramercies, now I may take the Vice if I list. And wherefore hast thou that bridle in thy hand?
PLAYER of INCLINATION I must be bridled anon, my lord.
MORE An thou beest not saddled too it makes no matter, for then Wit’s Inclination may gallop so fast that he will outstrip wisdom and fall to folly.
PLAYER of INCLINATION Indeed, so he does, to Lady Vanity; but we have no Folly in our play.
MORE Then there’s no wit in’t, I’ll be sworn. Folly waits on wit as the shadow on the body, and where wit is ripest, there folly still is readiest. But begin, I prithee. We’ll rather allow a beardless Wit than Wit, all beard, to have no brain.
PLAYER
of
INCLINATION Nay, he has his apparel on too, my lord, and therefore he is the readier to enter.
of
INCLINATION Nay, he has his apparel on too, my lord, and therefore he is the readier to enter.
MORE
Then, good Inclination, begin at a venture.
Exit ⌈
Player
of
Inclination
⌉
Player
of
Inclination
⌉
My Lord Mayor, Wit lacks a beard, or else they would
begin.
I’d lend him mine, but that it is too thin.
Silence, they come.
begin.
I’d lend him mine, but that it is too thin.
Silence, they come.
The trumpet sounds. Enter the Prologue
PROLOGUE
Now for as much as in these latter days
Throughout the whole world in every land
Vice doth increase and virtue decays,
Iniquity having the upper hand,
We therefore intend, good gentle audience,
A pretty, short interlude to play at this present,
Desiring your leave and quiet silence
To show the same as is meet and expedient.
It is called The Marriage
of Wit
and Wisdom,
A matter right pithy and pleasing to hear,
Whereof in brief we will show the whole sum.
But I must be gone, for Wit doth appear. Exit
Enter Wit, ruffling, and Inclination, the Vice
Throughout the whole world in every land
Vice doth increase and virtue decays,
Iniquity having the upper hand,
We therefore intend, good gentle audience,
A pretty, short interlude to play at this present,
Desiring your leave and quiet silence
To show the same as is meet and expedient.
It is called The Marriage
of Wit
and Wisdom,
A matter right pithy and pleasing to hear,
Whereof in brief we will show the whole sum.
But I must be gone, for Wit doth appear. Exit
Enter Wit, ruffling, and Inclination, the Vice
WIT [
sings
]
sings
]
In an arbour green, asleep whereas I lay—
The birds sang sweetly in the midst of the day—
I dreamèd fast of mirth and play.
In youth is pleasure, in youth is pleasure.
Methought I walked still to and fro,
And from her company I could not go;
But when I waked it was not so. iso
In youth is pleasure, in youth is pleasure.
Therefor my heart is surely plight
Of her alone to have a sight
Which is my joy and heart’s delight.
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