The house of kings and heroes lack'd repairs,

160

And Peter, though reluctant, served the players:

Connected thus, he heard in way polite,—

"Come, Master Nottage, see us play to-night."

At first 'twas folly, nonsense, idle stuff,

But seen for nothing it grew well enough;

And better now—now best, and every night

In this fool's paradise he drank delight;

And, as he felt the bliss, he wish'd to know