MOUSE. You lie, and you say it. I your pot! I know what I'll say.

OLD WOMAN. Why, what wilt thou say?

MOUSE. But say I have him, and thou darst.

OLD WOMAN. Why, thou knave, thou hast not only my pot but my drink unpaid for.

MOUSE. You lie like an old--I will not say whore.

OLD WOMAN. Dost thou call me whore? I'll cap thee for my pot.

MOUSE. Cap me & thou darest, search me whether I have it or no.

[She searcheth him, and he drinketh over her head and casts down the pot; she stumbleth at it; then they fall together by the ears; she takes her pot and goes out. Exit.]

[Enter Segasto.]

SEGASTO. How now, sirra, what's the matter?

MOUSE. Oh, flies, master, flies.

SEGASTO. Flies? where are they?

MOUSE. Oh here, master, all about your face.

SEGASTO. Why, thou liest; I think thou art mad.

MOUSE. Why, master, I have killed a duncart full at the least.

SEGASTO. Go to, sirra! leaving this idle talk, give ear to me.

MOUSE. How? give you one of my ears? not & you were ten masters.

SEGASTO. Why, sir, I bid you give ear to my words.

MOUSE. I tell you I will not be made a curtall for no man's pleasure.

SEGASTO. I tell thee, attend what I say: go thy ways straight and rear the whole town.

MOUSE. How? rear the town? even go your self; it is more than I can do: why, do you think I can rear a town, that can scarce rear a pot of ale to my head? I should rear a town, should I not?

SEGASTO. Go to the custable and make a privy search, for the shepherd is run away with the King's daughter.

MOUSE. How? is the shepherd run away with the king's daughter? or is the king's daughter run away with the shepherd?

SEGASTO. I cannot tell, but they are both gone together.

MOUSE. What a fool is she to run away with the shepherd! why, I think I am a little handsomer man than the shepherd my self; but tell me, master, must I make a privy search, or search in the privy?

SEGASTO. Why, doest thou think they will be there?

MOUSE. I cannot tell.

SEGASTO. Well, then, search every where; leave no place unsearched for them.

[Exit.]

MOUSE. Oh now am I in office; now will I to that old firebrand's house & will not leave one place unsearched: nay, I'll to her ale stand & drink as long as I can stand, & when I have done, I'll let out all the rest, to see if he be not bid in the barrel. & I find him not there, I'll to the cupboard; I'll not leave one corner of her house unsearched: yfaith, ye old crust, I will be with you now.

[Exit.]

ACT IV. SCENE I. Valentia. The Court.

[Sound Music.]

[Enter the King of Valentia, Anselmo, Roderigo, Lord Borachius, with others.]

KING OF VALENTIA. Enough of Music, it but adds to torment; Delights to vexed spirits are as Dates Set to a sickly man, which rather cloy than comfort: Let me entreat you to entreat no more.

RODERIGO. Let your strings sleep; have done there.

[Let the music cease.]

KING OF VALENTIA. Mirth to a soul disturb'd are embers turn'd, Which sudden gleam with molestation, But sooner loose their sight fort; Tis Gold bestowed upon a Rioter, Which not relieves, but murders him: Tis a Drug Given to the healthful, Which infects, not cures. How can a Father that hath lost his Son, A Prince both wise, virtuous, and valiant, Take pleasure in the idle acts of Time? No, no; till Mucedorus I shall see again, All joy is comfortless, all pleasure pain.

ANSELMO. Your son my lord is well.

KING OF VALENTIA. I pre-thee, speak that thrice.

ANSELMO. The Prince, you Son, is safe.

KING OF VALENTIA. O where, Anselmo? surfeit me with that.

ANSELMO. In Aragon, my Liege; And at his parture, Bound my secrecy, By his affectious love, not to disclose it: But care of him, and pity of your age, Makes my tongue blab what my breast vow'd concealment.

KING OF VALENTIA. Thou not deceivest me? I ever thought thee What I find thee now, An upright, loyal man. But what desire, Or young-fed humour Nurst within the brain, Drew him so privately to Aragon?

ANSELMO. A forcing Adamant: Love, mixt with fear and doubtful jealousy, Whether report guilded a worthless trunk, Or Amadine deserved her high extolment.

William Shakespeare
Classic Literature Library

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