A table set out covered with black. Two waxen tapers. The King's [defaced] picture at one end and a crucifix at the other. Onaelia [dressed in black] walking discontentedly weeping to the crucifix.
QUESTION Oh sorrow, sorrow, say where do'st thou dwell?
QUESTION Art thou in city, town or court?
QUESTION O why into the world is sorrow sent?
QUESTION What takest thou take pleasure in?
ANSWER To weep, To sigh, to sob, to pine, to groan, To wring my hands, to sit alone.
QUESTION Oh when, oh when, shall sorrow quiet have?
ANSWER Never, never, never, never, Never till she finds a grave.
CORNEGO No lesson Madam but Lacrymae's? <3> If you had buried nine husbands, so much water as you might squeeze out of an onion had been tears enough to cast away upon fellows that cannot thank you. Come, be jovial.
CORNEGO A suit of laugh and lie down would wear better.
ONAELIA What should I do to be merry, Cornego?
ONELIA But what's the best mirth in the world?
CORNEGO Marry this, to see much, say little, do little, get little, spend little and want nothing.
ONELIA Oh, but there is a mirth beyond all these; This picture has so vexed me, I'm half mad, To spite it therefore, I'll sing any song Thyself shall tune. Say then, what mirth is best?
CORNEGO Why then Madam, what I knock out now is the very marrowbone of mirth and this it is.
CORNEGO The best mirth for a lawyer is to have fools to his clients; for citizens to have noblemen pay for their debts; for tailors to have store of satin brought in, for then how little soever their houses are, they will be sure to have large yards. The best mirth for bawds is to have fresh handsome whores, and for whores to have rich gulls come aboard their pinnaces <4>, for then they are sure to build galleasses <5>.
ONELIA These to such souls are mirth, but to mine, none. Away.
ONELIA I will not sin so much as to hope for peace And 'tis a mock ill suits your gravity.
CARDINAL I come to knit the nerves of your lost strength, To build your ruins up, to set you free From this your voluntary banishment, And give new being to your murdered fame.
ONELIA A name I hate. Oh, I am deaf now to your embassy.
ONELIA Your language breathed from him Is death's sad doom upon a wretch condemned.