Prate. Legions of devils haunt their diligence. Cyprus. Fie, I would not have a man of your high place,

Or for respect of wealth, or base observance,

In smallest things thus to neglect your credit,
Why look you, my lords, this orator is not like others
of his rank,

Who from their gainish and fantastick humours,
Go through the streets, spotted with peacock's plumes,
Wearing all colours, laces, broideries,
Sattins and silks, so antick garnished,

That when their gowns are off, you cannot find
In Italy a master shap❜d more nice.

But this fellow Prate here's of another sort,
Cloath'd like himself, demure and soberly:
Nay, you shall see him for a precedent.

[Ungowns the orator. Passion of mine eye-sight! who have we here? This is Alphonso, there's the orator.

Prate. Heart of impatience, I am then a cuckold! A scorn, a by-word, and a laughing stock.

What is my wife turn'd whore? and must her depth Be sounded by 96 the plumbs of foreigners?

36

Well, the revenge that I will take for this my shame Shall make all whores hereafter dread my name. Cyprus. Not for thy life, not for my love, I charge thee:

Thy wife is honest, chaste and virtuous:

Only this wanton lord, with lust and coin,

Hath much attempted, but prevail'd in nought.

For proof, see here the crowns he would have given To have purchas'd her bed's honour, but she would

not;

Which I bestow on you for recoinpence.

Therefore as thou dost hope my grace to find,

So to thy wife be loving, gentle, kind.

* The quarto, 1608, reads ganish, but probably we ought to read rarish. C.

36 the plumbs] i. e. the plummets. S.

Prate. Your majesty may mould me to your plea

sure.

Cyprus. I thank you, and will quittance it. Now, Mechant, we restore you to your lands, Your honours and near places, next ourself: To all that feel distaste in any sore,

We give to cure them all our grace and favour.

Thus storms bring gentle sun-shine; and our hands

May, after shipwreck, bring us to safe lands.

EDITION S.

(1.) "The dumbe Knight. A historicall Comedy, "acted sundry times by the children of his Majesties "Revels. London, Printed by Nicholas Okes, for "John Bache, and are to be sold at his shop in Popes"head Palace, neere to the Royall Exchange. 1608. "4to."*

(2.) "The Dumbe Knight. An Historicall Comedy, "acted sundry times by the children of his Majesties "Revells. London, Printed by A. M. for William "Sheares, and are to be sold at his shoppe in Chan66 cery Lane, near Seriants Inne." 1633. 4to.

*This edition had a different title page to some of the còpies, but in all other respects they were similar: it was as follows"The Dumbe Knight. A pleasant Comedy, acted sundry times by the children of his Majesties Revels. Written by Jarvis "Markham." [Imprint the same as above.] C.

END OF VOL. IV.