[The doctor relates in ribald lines his various remedies, and the scene ends.]
Act II. Scene II.
Prince George arises.
Prince George speaks.
O horrible! terrible! the like was never seen,
A man drove out of seven senses into fifteen,
And out of fifteen into four score,
O horrible! terrible! the like was ne’er before.
Alex. Thou silly ass, that liv’st on grass, dost thou abuse a stranger?
I live in hopes to buy new ropes, and tie thy nose to a manger.
P. George. Sir, unto you I bend.
Alex. Stand off thou slave, I think thee not my friend.
P. George. A slave! Sir, that’s for me by far too base a name,
That word deserves to stab thine honour’s fame!
Alex. To be stabb’d, sir, is least of all my care,
Appoint your time and place, I’ll meet you there.
P. George. I’ll cross the water at the hour of five.
Alex. I’ll meet you there, sir, if I be alive.
P. George. But stop, sir, I’ll wish you a wife both lusty and young,
Can talk Dutch, French, and the Italian tongue.
Alex. I’ll have none such.
P. George. Why don’t you love your learning?
Alex. Yes, I love my learning as I love my life,
I love a learned scholar, but not a learned wife;
Stand off, &c.
K. of Egypt. Sir, to express thy beauty I’m not able,
For thy face shines like the very kitchen table,
Thy teeth are no whiter than the charcoal, &c.
Alex. Stand off thou dirty dog, or by my sword thou’lt die,
I’ll make thy body full of holes, and cause thy buttons to fly.
Act II. Scene III.
King of Egypt fights, and is killed.
Enter Prince George.
Oh! what is here? oh! what is to be done?
Our king is slain, the crown is likewise gone;
Take up his body, bear it hence away,
For in this place no longer shall it stay.
The Conclusion.
Bouncer Buckler, velvet’s dear,
And Christmas comes but once a year,
Though when it comes it brings good cheer,
But farewell Christmas once a year.
Farewell, farewell, adieu! friendship and unity,
I hope we have made sport, and pleas’d the company;
But, gentlemen, you see we’re but actors four,
We’ve done our best, and the best can do no more.