Sly. No, not a denier: Go by, says Jeronimy;Go to thy cold bed, and warm thee." Host. I know my remedy, I must go fetch the thirdborough. [Exit. Sly. Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him by law: I'll not budge an inch, boy; let him come, and kindly. [Lies down on the ground, and falls asleep. Wind Horns, Enter a Lord from hunting, with Huntsmen and Servants. Lord. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: Brach Merriman,—the poor cur is emboss'd,' 1 Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord; He cried upon it at the merest loss, And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent: 5 Go by, says Jeronimy:-Go to thy cold bed, and warm thee.] These phrases are allusions to a fustian old play, called Hieronymo, or the Spanish Tragedy, which was the common butt of raillery to all the poets in Shakspeare's time. 6 the thirdborough.] The office of Thirdborough is the same with that of Constable, except in places where there are both, in which case the former is little more than the constable's assistant. 7 Brach Merriman,—the poor cur is emboss'd,] The Commentators are not agreed as to the meaning of brach; it is a species of hound, but of what kind, uncertain. Mr. Malone thinks that Brach is a verb; and Sir T. Hanmer reads Leech Merriman: i. e. apply some remedies to him. Emboss'd is a hunting term. When a deer is hard run, and foams at the mouth, he is said to be emboss'd. A dog also when he is strained with hard running (especially upon hard ground,) will have his knees swelled, and then he is said to be emboss'd: from the French word bosse, which signifies a tumour. Lord. Thou art a fool; if Echo were as fleet, But 1 Hun. I will, my lord. Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe? 2 Hun. He breathes, my lord: Were he not warm'd with ale, This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. Lord. O monstrous beast! how like a swine he Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! And brave attendants near him when he wakes, 1 Hun. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot 2 Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he wak'd. Lord. Even as a flattering dream, or worthless fancy. Then take him up, and manage well the jest:- And hang it round with all my wanton pictures: To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound; And if he chance to speak, be ready straight, Full of rose-water, and bestrew'd with flowers; Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, hands? Some one be ready with a costly suit, 8 It will be pastime passing excellent. 1 Hun. My lord, I warrant you, we'll play our part, As he shall think, by our true diligence, He is no less than what we say he is. Lord. Take him up gently, and to bed with him; And each one to his office, when he wakes. [Some bear out SLY. A trumpet sounds. Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds:[Exit Servant. Belike, some noble gentleman; that means, Travelling some journey, to repose him here. Re-enter a Servant. How now? who is it? Serv. An it please your honour, Players that offer service to your lordship. Enter Players. Now, fellows, you are welcome. 1 Play. We thank your honour, Lord. Do you intend to stay with me to-night? 8 This do, and do it kindly,] Kindly, means naturally. 9 modesty.] By modesty is meant moderation, without suffering our merriment to break into an excess. 2 Play. So please your lordship to accept our duty.1 Lord. With all my heart.-This fellow I remember, Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son;- 1 Play. I think, 'twas Soto, that your honour means. Lord. 'Tis very true;-thou didst it excellent.Well, you are come to me in happy time; The rather for I have some sport in hand, Wherein your cunning can assist me much. There is a lord will hear you play to-night: But I am doubtful of your modesties; Lest, over-eying of his odd behaviour, (For yet his honour never heard a play,) You break into some merry passion, And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs, he grows impatient. i Play. Fear not, my lord; we can contain our If you should smile, selves, Were he the veriest antick in the world. Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery,2 to accept our duty.] It was in those times the custom of players to travel in companies, and offer their service at great houses. JOHNSON. 2 take them to the buttery,] Mr. Pope had probably these words in his thoughts, when he wrote the following passage of his preface: the top of the profession were then mere players, not gentlemen of the stage; they were led into the buttery by the steward, not placed at the lord's table, or the lady's toilette." But he seems not to have observed, that the players here introduced are strollers: and there is no reason to suppose that our author, Heminge, Burbage, Condell, &c. who were licensed by King James, were treated in this manner. MALONE. At the period when this comedy was written, and for many years after, the profession of a player was scarcely allowed to be And give them friendly welcome every one: Sirrah, go you to Bartholomew my page, [To a Servant. And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady: That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber, Tell him from me, (as he will win my love,) And with declining head into his bosom,- To see her noble lord restor❜d to health, reputable. The imagined dignity of those who did not belong to itinerant companies, is, therefore, unworthy consideration. I can as easily believe that the blundering editors of the first folio were suffered to lean their hands on Queen Elizabeth's chair of state, as that they were admitted to the table of the Earl of Leicester, or the toilette of Lady Hunsdon. Like Stephen in Every Man in his Humour, the greatest indulgence our histrionic leaders could haye expected, would have been a trencher and a napkin in the buttery." STEEVENS. 3 An onion-] It is not unlikely that the onion was an expedient used by the actors of interludes. |