Leath. This is he, that acts young Leander, sir: he is extremely beloved of the womenkind, they do so affect his action, the green gamesters, that come here! and this is lovely Hero: this with the beard, Damon; and this pretty Pythias: this is the ghost of king Dionysius in the habit of a scrivener; as you shall see anon at large.
Cokes. Well, they are a civil company, I like ’em for that; they offer not to fleer, nor jeer, nor break jests, as the great players do: and then, there goes not so much charge to the feasting of them, or making them drunk, as to the other, by reason of their littleness. Do they use to play perfect? are they never fluster’d?
Leath. No, sir, I thank my industry and policy for it; they are as well govern’d a company, though I say it——And here is young Leander, is as proper an actor of his inches, and shakes his head like an hostler.
Cokes. But do you play it according to the printed book? I have read that.
Leath. By no means, sir.
Cokes. No! how then?
Leath. A better way, sir; that is too learned and poetical for our audience: what do they know what Hellespont is, guilty of true love’s blood? or what Abydos is? or the other, Sestos hight?
Cokes. Thou art in the right; I do not know myself.
Leath. No, I have entreated master Littlewit to take a little pains to reduce it to a more familiar strain for our people.
Cokes. How, I pray thee, good master Littlewit?