ROPER.
’Twill do well, my lord,
And be right pleasing pastime to your guests.
MORE.
I prithee, tell me, what plays have ye?
PLAYER.
Diverse, my lord: The Cradle of Security,
His nail o’ the head, Impatient Poverty,
The play of Four Peas, Dives and Lazarus,
Lusty Juventus, and The Marriage of Wit and Wisdom.
MORE.
The Marriage of Wit and Wisdom! that, my lads;
I’ll none but that; the theme is very good,
And may maintain a liberal argument:
To marry wit to wisdom, asks some cunning;
Many have wit, that may come short of wisdom.
We’ll see how Master poet plays his part,
And whether wit or wisdom grace his art.—
Go, make him drink, and all his fellows too.—
How many are ye?
PLAYER.
Four men and a boy, sir.
MORE.
But one boy? then I see,
There’s but few women in the play.
PLAYER.
Three, my lord; Dame Science, Lady Vanity,
And Wisdom she herself.
MORE.
And one boy play them all? by our Lady, he’s laden.
Well, my good fellow, get ye straight together,
And make ye ready with what haste ye may.—
Proud their supper gainst the play be done,
Else shall we stay our guests here over long.—
Make haste, I pray ye.
PLAYER.
We will, my lord.
[Exit Servant and Player.]