Christmas: Its Origin and Associations / Together with Its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations During Nineteen Centuries

by W. F. Dawson

TIME'S COMPLAINT.

Time.
Veritas, the Daughter of Time.
Opinion		Seducers of Veritas.
Error
Studioso, a Scholler.
Manco, a lame Souldiour.
Clinias, a poore Country-man.
Humphry Swallow, a drunken Cob
Goodwife Spiggot, an Ale-wife.
Philonices, a rangling Lawyer.
Seruus Philonices.
Bellicoso, a Casheere Corporall.

PROLOGUE.[62]

	"Worthelie heere wee bring you Time's Complaint
	Whom we have most just cause for to complaine of,
	For hee hath lent us such a little space
	That what wee doe wants much of its true grace.
	Yet let your wonted love that kindelie take,
	Which we could wish were better for your sake.
	EnterTime with the Musicians to place them
Time.	O wellsaid, wellsaid; wellcome, wellcome, faith!
	It doth mee good to see I have some friends.
	Come, true observers of due time, come on:
	A fitt of musicke, but keepe time, keepe time
	In your remembrance still, or else you jarre:
	These for my sake too much neglected are.
	The world termes them beggars, fidling roagues,
	But come my fidling friends, I like you well,
	And for my sake I hope this company,
	Naie more the Prince himselfe, will like your tunes.
	Here take your place and shew your greatest skill,
	All now is well that is not verie ill.

Time expecting the comming of the Prince (to whom hee preferreth a petition) placeth himselfe on the stage till the traine bee past.

	This waie hee comes, here will I place my selfe,
	They saie hee is an honourable Prince,
	Respectfull, curteous, liberall, and learn'd:
	If hee bee soe hee will not choose but heare mee.
	Poore aged Time was never so abused,
	If not for my sake, yet for his owne good,
	Hee will read over my petition.
	Oft hath the like beene drawne and given up
	To his nobilitie; But carelesse they
	In theire deepe pockets swallow good men's praiers.
	This his owne hand shall have, or I will keepe it:—
	But here they come, stand close and viewe the traine.

Enter first six Knighte Marshalls men in suitable liveries with links and truncheons two by two.

Next the Knighte Marshall alone in armour and bases with a truncheon.

Then fower other of his men as before.

After these fower Knightes in rich apparell with hats and feathers, rapiers and daggers, bootes and spurres, everie one his Lackie attending on him with torch-light, all two by two.