_A Player._ Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antic in the world.
_Lord._ Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, 100 And give them friendly welcome every one: Let them want nothing that my house affords. [_Exit one with the Players._
Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page, And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady: That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber; 105 And call him 'madam,' do him obeisance. Tell him from me, as he will win my love, He bear himself with honourable action, Such as he hath observed in noble ladies Unto their lords, by them accomplished: 110 Such duty to the drunkard let him do With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy, And say, 'What is't your honour will command, Wherein your lady and your humble wife May show her duty and make known her love?' 115 And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses, And with declining head into his bosom, Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd To see her noble lord restored to health, Who for this seven years hath esteemed him 120 No better than a poor and loathsome beggar: And if the boy have not a woman's gift To rain a shower of commanded tears, An onion will do well for such a shift, Which in a napkin being close convey'd 125 Shall in despite enforce a watery eye. See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst: Anon I'll give thee more instructions. [_Exit a Servingman._ I know the boy will well usurp the grace, Voice, gait and action of a gentlewoman: 130 I long to hear him call the drunkard husband, And how my men will stay themselves from laughter When they do homage to this simple peasant. I'll in to counsel them; haply my presence May well abate the over-merry spleen 135 Which otherwise would grow into extremes. [_Exeunt._
[INDUCTION.] Pope. om. Ff Q. See note (I).
[SCENE I. Before ...] Theobald. A Hedge Ale-house. Capell.
[Enter ...] Enter Begger and Hostes, Christophero Sly. Ff Q.
[2] _stocks_] F3 F4. _stockes_ F1 Q.] _stokes_ F2.
[7] _Go by, Jeronimy_] _goe by Ieronimie_ Q. _go by S. Ieronimie_ Ff (_Ieronimy_ F2. _Jeronimy_ F3 F4). _go by, Jeronimo_ Theobald. '_go by_,' _says Jeronimy_ Steevens (Capell conj.). _go--by S. Jeronimy_ Knight. See note (II).
[9] _thirdborough_] Theobald. _head-borough_ Ff Q.