Shakspeare and His Times [Vol. 1 of 2] / Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his age

by Nathan Drake

"Sil. Do nothing but eat and make good cheer,

(Singing.)

And praise heaven for the merry year;

When flesh is cheap and females dear,[586:A]

And lusty lads roam here and there,

So merrily,

And ever among so merrily.

Fal. There's a merry heart!—Good master Silence, I'll give you a health for that anon.—

Sil. Be merry, be merry, my wife's as all;[586:B]

For women are shrews, both short and tall: