THE SECOND ACT.[140]
Enter DISSIMULATION, having on a farmer's long coat and a cap, and his poll and beard painted motley.
DISSIMULATION.
Nay, no less than a farmer, a right honest man,
But my tongue cannot stay me to tell what I am:
Nay, who is it that knows me not by my party-colour'd head?
They may well think, that see me, my honesty is fled.
Tush! a fig for honesty: tut, let that go,
Sith men, women and children my name and doings do know.
My name is Dissimulation, and no base mind I bear,
For my outward effects my inward zeal do declare;
For men do dissemble with their wives, and their wives with them again,
So that in the hearts of them I always remain.
The child dissembles with his father, the sister with her[141] brother,
The maiden with her mistress, and the young man with his lover.[142]
There is dissimulation between neighbour and neighbour, friend and
friend, one with another,
Between the servant and his master, between brother and brother.
Then, why make you it strange that ever you knew me,
Seeing so how[143] I range thoroughout every degree?
But I forget my business: I'll towards London as fast[144] I can,
To get entertainment of one of the three ladies, like an honest man.
Enter SIMPLICITY like a miller, all mealy,
with a wand in his hand.
SIMPLICITY.
They say there is preferment in London to have:
Mass, and there be, I'll be passing and brave.
Why, I'll be no more a miller, because the maidens call me Dusty-poll;
One thumps me on the neck, and another strikes me on the nol:
And you see I am a handsome fellow: mark the comporknance[145] of
my stature.
Faith, I'll go seek peradventures,[146] and be a serving-creature.
DISSIMULATION.
Whither away, good fellow? I pray thee, declare.
SIMPLICITY.
Marry, I'll 'clare thee: to London; would thou didst go there.
DISSIMULATION.
What if I did? would it be better for thee?
SIMPLICITY.
Ay, marry should it, for I love honest company.
DISSIMULATION.
Agreed; there is a bargain; but what shall I call thee?