VIRGINIUS. O wife, O spouse, I am content.
VIRGINIA. O father, we do consent. [_Sing here._
_The trustiest treasure in earth,[163] as we see, Is man, wife, and children in one to agree; Then friendly and kindly let measure be mixed With reason in season, where friendship is fixed._
_When nature nursed first of all, young Alexander learned, Of whom the poets mention make, in judgment so discerned, O, what did want, that love procured, his vital end well near? This is the hope, where parents love their children, do not fear_,
_The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see Is man, wife, and children, &c._
_What[164] time King Nisus would not let his daughter to be taught, Of any one correcting hand to virtue[165] to be brought, She, void of duty, cut his locks and golden tresses clear, Whereby his realm was overrun, and she was paid her hire._
_The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see, Is man, wife, and children, &c._
_When Dædalus from Crete did fly With Icarus his joy. He nought regarding father’s words, Did seek his own annoy: He mounted up into the skies, Whereat the gods did frown. And Phœbus sore his wings did fry, And headlong flings him down._
_The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see, Is man, wife, and children, &c._
_Then sith that partiality doth partly discord move, And hatred oftentimes doth creep, where overmuch we love; And if we love no whit at all, the faming trump will sound, Come, wife, come, spouse, come, daughter dear, let measure bear the ground._
_The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see, Is man, wife, and children in one to agree; Then friendly and kindly let measure be mixed With reason in season, where friendship is fixed._ _Exeunt._[166]
Very well, Sir, very well, Sir; it shall be done, As fast as ever I can prepare: Who dips[167] with the devil, he had need have a long spoon, Or else full small will be his fare. Yet a proper gentleman I am, of truth: Yea, that may ye see by my long side-gown: Yea, but what am I? a scholar, or a schoolmaster, or else some youth. A lawyer, a student, or else a country clown: A broom-man, a basket-maker, or a baker of pies, A flesh or a fishmonger, or a sower of lies? A louse or a louser, a leek or a lark, A dreamer, a drumble,[168] a fire or a spark? A caitiff, a cutthroat, a creeper in corners, A hairbrain, a hangman, or a grafter of horners? By the gods, I know not how best to devise, My name or my property well to disguise. A merchant, a May-pole, a man or a mackerel, A crab or a crevis, a crane or a cockerel? Most of all these my nature doth enjoy; Sometime I advance them, sometime I destroy. A maid or a mussel-boat, a wife or a wild duck? As bold as blind bayard, as wise as a wood-cock. As fine as fi’pence, as proud as a peacock, As stout as a stockfish, as meek as a meacock. As big as a beggar, as fat as a fool, As true as a tinker, as rich as an owl: With hey-trick, how troll, trey-trip and trey-trace, Troll-hazard with a vengeance, I beshrew his knave’s face; For tro and troll-hazard keep such a range, That poor Haphazard was never so strange: But yet, Haphazard, be of good cheer, Go play and repast thee, man, be merry to-yere.[169] Though victual be dainty and hard for to get, Yet perhaps a number will die of the sweat:[170] Though it be in hazard, yet happily I may, Though money be lacking, yet one day go gay.