Sir J. Fitz-ale. Ah! I steepd[1372] my muse last night in Aganippe.
Sir Eubule Nestor. Ah! the Justice now may well be said to keepe an open howse.
Sir J. Fitz-ale. Sir Eglamour, the Justice intends to wayte on any ladies come and dine with you. Sir Fastidious and the Captaine comes with him; as also the bull-bayters, his old companions of the tappe; neither witt nor learning; impudent swearers; bestiall drinkers, a peck at a draught; hacking blades; huge colosses, with long swords, horse-skin belts; old reformados of Charles the first; sad wretches; old cinque-quaters; bacon[1373]-fac't fellowes; centaures that looke as if they could not prove the Christian; downe their beardes[1374] ... and dyed with mundungus[1375]. Now, ladies, looke to yourselves, for every one will have a smack at your lipps with their unsanctified mustaches.
Ladies. Bless us! I'le not come neer 'em, if they be such.
Fitz-ale. The Justice and's myrmidons are to drinke up 1000 of ale at mother Mackerell's.
Sir Eubule—drinke as in the dayes of Pantagruel.
Fitz-ale. Plato saies perpetuall drunkennesse is the reward of virtue.
[1376]The Countrey Revell.
Act III, scene iii.
An alehouse bower. Enter Mris. Maquerell, Justice Wagstaffe, Sir John Fitz-ale, Captain Exceptious Quarrellsome, Sir Fastidious Overween, the sowgelder, and Sir Hugh the vicar, myrmidons.