LOVEL
Here comes one, that will quickly dissipate these humours.
(Enter one drunk.)
DRUNKEN MAN
Good-morrow to you, gentlemen. Mr. Lovel, I am your humble servant.
Honest Jack Woodvil, I will get drunk with you to-morrow.
WOODVIL
And why to-morrow, honest Mr. Freeman?
DRUNKEN MAN
I scent a traitor in that question. A beastly question. Is it not his
Majesty's birth-day? the day, of all days in the year, on which King
Charles the second was graciously pleased to be born. (Sings) "Great
pity 'tis such days as those should come but once a year."
LOVEL
Drunk in a morning! foh! how he stinks!
DRUNKEN MAN
And why not drunk in a morning? can'st tell, bully?
WOODVIL Because, being the sweet and tender infancy of the day, methinks, it should ill endure such early blightings.
DRUNKEN MAN I grant you, 'tis in some sort the youth and tender nonage of the day. Youth is bashful, and I give it a cup to encourage it. (Sings) "Ale that will make Grimalkin prate."—At noon I drink for thirst, at night for fellowship, but, above all, I love to usher in the bashful morning under the auspices of a freshening stoop of liquor. (Sings) "Ale in a Saxon rumkin then makes valour burgeon in tall men."—But, I crave pardon. I fear I keep that gentleman from serious thoughts. There be those that wait for me in the cellar.
WOODVIL
Who are they?