SCENE I.—The Palace of Rasni.
Enter Rasni with his Kings, Magi, Lords, and Attendants; Alvida and her Ladies; to a banquet.
Rasni. So, viceroys, you have pleas'd me passing well;
These curious cates are gracious in mine eye,
But these borachios of the richest wine
Make me to think how blithesome we will be.—
Seat thee, fair Juno, in the royal throne,
And I will serve thee to see thy face,
That, feeding on the beauty of thy looks,
My stomach and mine eyes may both be fill'd.—
Come, lordings, seat you, fellow-mates at feast,
And frolic, wags; this is a day of glee:
This banquet is for brightsome Alvida.
I'll have them skink[118] my standing bowls with wine,
And no man drink but quaff a whole carouse
Unto the health of beauteous Alvida:
For whoso riseth from this feast not drunk,
As I am Rasni, Nineveh's great king,
Shall die the death as traitor to myself,
For that he scorns the health of Alvida.
K. of Cil. That will I never do, my lord;
Therefore with favour, fortune to your grace,
Carouse unto the health of Alvida.
Rasni. Gramercy, lording, here I take thy pledge:—
And, Crete, to thee a bowl of Greekish wine,
Here to the health of Alvida.
K. of Crete. Let come, my lord. Jack skinker, fill it full,
A pledge unto the health of heavenly Alvida.
Rasni. Vassals, attendant on our royal feasts,
Drink you, I say, unto my lover's health:
Let none that is in Rasni's royal court
Go this night safe and sober to his bed.
Enter Adam.
Adam. This way he is, and here will I speak with him.
First Lord. Fellow, whither pressest thou?
Adam. I press nobody, sir; I am going to speak with a friend of mine.
First Lord. Why, slave, here is none but the king, and his viceroys.
Adam. The king! marry, sir, he is the man I would speak withal.
First Lord. Why, callest him a friend of thine?