Pray you, what should we call your name?
WIFE. My name is Downfall.
HED. Good mistress Downfall! I am sorry your husband could not
get in.
WIFE. 'Tis no matter for him, sir.
ANA. No, no, she has the more liberty for herself.
[A FLOURISH.]
PHA. Peace, peace! they come.
RE-ENTER AMORPHUS, INTRODUCING ASOTUS IN A FULL-DRESS SUIT.
AMO. So, keep up your ruff; the tincture of your neck is not all
so pure, but it will ask it. Maintain your sprig upright; your
cloke on your half-shoulder falling; so: I will read your bill,
advance it, and present you. -- Silence!
"Be it known to all that profess courtship, by these presents (from
the white satin reveller, to the cloth of tissue and bodkin) that
we, Ulysses-Polytropus-Amorphus, master of the noble and subtile
science of courtship, do give leave and licence to our provost,
Acolastus-Polypragmon-Asotus, to play his master's prize, against
all masters whatsoever, in this subtile mystery, at these four, the
choice and most cunning weapons of court-compliment, viz. the BARE
ACCOST; the BETTER REGARD; the SOLEMN ADDRESS; and the
PERFECT CLOSE. These are therefore to give notice to all comers,
that he, the said Acolastus-Polypragmon-Asotus, is here present (by
the help of his mercer, tailor, milliner, sempster, and so forth)
at his designed hour, in this fair gallery, the present day of this
present month, to perform and do his uttermost for the achievement
and bearing away of the prizes, which are these: viz.
Pages:
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166