Ma. Now go to your Books.
Bo. Yes, Sir.
Of VARIOUS PLAYS.
The ARGUMENT.
The Boys sending Cocles their Messenger to their Master, get Leave to go to Play; who shews that moderate Recreations are very necessary both for Mind and Body. The Master admonishes them that they keep together at Play, &c. 1. Of playing at Stool-ball: Of chusing Partners. 2. Of playing at Bowls, the Orders of the Bowling-Green. 3. Of playing at striking a Ball through an Iron Ring. 4. Of Dancing, that they should not dance presently after Dinner: Of playing at Leap-frog: Of Running: Of Swimming.
NICHOLAS, JEROME, COCLES, the MASTER.
Nic. I have had a great Mind a good While, and this fine Weather is a great Invitation to go to Play.
Jer. These indeed invite you, but the Master don't.
Nic. We must get some Spokesman that may extort a Holiday from him.
Jer. You did very well to say extort, for you may sooner wrest Hercules's Club out of his Hands than get a Play-day from him; but Time was when Nobody lov'd Play better than he did.