Ill-shap'd and ill-fac'd,

Disdain'd and disgrac'd, What he tells unto vobis' Mentitur de nobis.

Like Barclay's ship,1

From Oxford do skip

With colleges and schools, Full-loaden with fools.

crew?

Miles. Ecce asinum mundi

Figura rotundi,2

Neat, sheat, and fine,

As brisk as a cup of wine.

Burd. What are you?

Ralph. I am, father doctor, as a man would say, the bell-wether of this company: these are my lords, and I the Prince of Wales.

Clem. Are you Edward, the king's son?

Ralph. Sirrah Miles, bring hither the tapster that drew the wine, and, I warrant, when they see how soundly I have broke his head, they'll say 'twas done by no less man than a prince. Mason. I cannot believe that this is the Prince of Wales.

War. And why so, sir?

Mason. For they say the prince is a brave and a wise gentleman.

War. Why, and think'st thou, doctor, that he is not so?

Dar'st thou detract and derogate from him,
Being so lovely and so brave a youth?

Erms. Whose face, shining with many a sugar'd smile,

Bewrays that he is bred of princely race.
Miles. And yet, master doctor,

To speak like a proctor,

And tell unto you

What is veriment and true;

To cease of this quarrel,

Look but on his apparel;

Then mark but my talis,

He is great Prince of Walis,
The chief of our gregis,3
And filius regis:4

Then 'ware what is done,
For he is Henry's white' son.

Ralph. Doctors, whose doting nightcaps are not capable of my ingenious dignity, know that I am Edward Plantagenet, whom if you displease, will make a ship that shall hold all your colleges, and so carry away the niniversity with a fair wind to the Bankside in Southwark.How sayest thou, Ned Warren, shall I not do it? War. Yes, my good lord; and, if it please your lordship, I will gather up all your old pantofles, and with the cork make you a pinnace of five hundred ton, that shall serve the turn marvellous well, my lord.

Erms. And I, my lord, will have pioneers to undermine the town, that the very gardens and orchards be carried away for your summer walks.

Miles. And I, with scientia
And great diligentia,
Will conjure and charm,
To keep you from harm;
That utrum horum mavis,
Your very great navis,9

1 vobis, &c.-'you concerning us is false.'

2 Behold the ass (with) the figure of the round world.' 3 'flock.' 4 son of the king.'

5 white son. White was formerly used as a term of endearment.

6 the Bankside was a part of the burgh of Southwark, where were once four public theatres-the Globe, the Swan, the Rose, and the Hope; it was also a noted haunt of frail women.

7 pantofles-slippers; Fr. pantoufle. Whichever of these you choose or prefer.' 'ship.'

Worshipful Domine Dawcock? 3

Clem. Why, hare-brain'd courtiers, are you drunk or mad,

To taunt us up with such scurrility?
Deem you us men of base and light esteem,
To bring us such a fop for Henry's son ?-
Call out the beadles and convey them hence
Straight to Bocardo: let the roisters" lie
Close clapt in bolts, until their wits be tame.
Erms. Why, shall we to prison, my lord?
Ralph. What sayest, Miles, shall I honour the
prison with my presence?

Miles. No, no: out with your blades,
And hamper these jades;
Have a flurts and a crash,
Now play revel-dash,
And teach these sacerdos
That the Bocardos,
Like peasants and elves,
Are meet for themselves.

Mason. To the prison with them, constable.
War. Well, doctors, seeing I have sported me
With laughing at these mad and merry wags,
Know that Prince Edward is at Brazen-nose,
And this, attired like the Prince of Wales,
Is Ralph, King Henry's only loved fool;
I, Earl of Sussex, and this Ermsby,
One of the privy chamber to the king;
Who, while the prince with Friar Bacon stays,
Have revell'd it in Oxford as you see.

Mason. My lord, pardon us, we knew not what you were:

But courtiers may make greater 'scapes than these.

Wilt please your honour dine with me to-day?

War. I will, master doctor, and satisfy the vintner for his hurt; only I must desire you to imagine him all this forenoon the Prince of Wales.

Mason. I will, sir.

Ralph. And upon that I will lead the way: only will have Miles go before me, because I have heard Henry say that wisdom must go before majesty. [Exeunt.

Enter PRINCE EDWARD with his poniard in his hand, LACY, and MARGARET.

P. Edw. Lacy, thou canst not shroud thy traitorous thoughts,

Nor cover, as did Cassius, all thy wiles;
For Edward hath an eye that looks as far
As Lynceus from the shores of Græcia.
Did not I sit in Oxford by the friar,
And see thee court the maid of Fressingfield,
Sealing thy flattering fancies with a kiss?
Did not proud Bungay draw his portace forth,

And joining hand in hand had married you,
If Friar Bacon had not struck him dumb,
And mounted him upon a spirit's back,
That we might chat at Oxford with the friar?
Traitor, what answer'st? is not all this true?

Lacy. Truth all, my lord; and thus I make reply.
At Harleston fair, there courting for your grace,
Whenas mine eye survey'd her curious shape,
And drew the beauteous glory of her looks
To dive into the centre of my heart,
Love taught me that your honour did but jest,
That princes were in fancy but as men;
How that the lovely maid of Fressingfield
Was fitter to be Lacy's wedded wife
Than concubine unto the Prince of Wales.

P. Edu. Injurious Lacy, did I love thee more Than Alexander his Hephaestion? Did I unfold the passions of my love, And lock them in the closet of thy thoughts? Wert thou to Edward second to himself, Sole friend, and partner of his secret loves? And could a glance of fading beauty break Th' enchainèd fetters of such private friends? Base coward, false, and too effeminate To be corrival with a prince in thoughts! From Oxford have I posted since I din'd, To quite a traitor 'fore that Edward sleep.

Mar. 'Twas I, my lord, not Lacy stept awry; For oft he sued and courted for yourself, And still woo'd for the courtier all in green; But I, whom fancy made but over-fond, Pleaded myself with looks as if I lov'd; I fed mine eye with gazing on his face, And still bewitch'd lov'd Lacy with my looks; My heart with sighs, mine eyes pleaded with tears, My face held pity and content at once, And more I could not cipher-out by signs, But that I lov'd Lord Lacy with my heart. Then, worthy Edward, measure with thy mind If women's favours will not force men fall, If beauty, and if darts of piercing love, Are not of force to bury thoughts of friends. P. Edw. I tell thee, Peggy, I will have thy loves: Edward or none shall conquer Margaret. In frigates bottom'd with rich Sethin planks, Topt with the lofty firs of Lebanon, Stemm'd and incas'd with burnish'd ivory, And overlaid with plates of Persian wealth, Like Thetis shalt thou wanton on the waves, And draw the dolphins to thy lovely eyes, To dance lavoltas in the purple streams: Sirens, with harps and silver psalteries, Shall wait with music at thy frigate's stem, And entertain fair Margaret with their lays. England and England's wealth shall wait on thee; Britain shall bend unto her prince's love, And do due homage to thine excellence, If thou wilt be but Edward's Margaret. Mar. Pardon, my lord: if Jove's great royalty Sent me such presents as to Danaë; If Phoebus, tired' in Latona's webs, Came courting from the beauty of his lodge; The dulcet tunes of frolic Mercury, Nor all the wealth heaven's treasury affords, Should make me leave Lord Lacy or his love. P. Edw. I have learn'd at Oxford, then, this point of schools,

Ablata causa, tollitur effectus:3

Lacy, the cause that Margaret cannot love
Nor fix her liking on the English prince;
Take him away, and then th' effects will fail.

1 lavoltas-a lavolta was a dance for two persons, who whirled quickly round, face to face, each leaping alternately; Ital. volta; from Latin, volvo, volutum, to roll. 2 tired. Perhaps this should be 'tirèd.'

The cause being removed, the effect will fail.'

Villain, prepare thyself; for I will bathe My poniard in the bosom of an earl.

Lacy. Rather than live, and miss fair Margaret's love,

Prince Edward, stop not at the fatal doom,
But stab it home: end both my loves and life.
Mar. Brave Prince of Wales, honour'd for
royal deeds,

"Twere sin to stain fair Venus' courts with blood;
Love's conquest ends, my lord, in courtesy:
Spare Lacy, gentle Edward; let me die,
For so both you and he do cease your loves.

P. Edw. Lacy shall die as traitor to his lord. Lacy. I have deserv'd it, Edward; act it well. Mar. What hopes the prince to gain by Lacy's death?

P. Edw. To end the loves 'twixt him and Margaret.

Mar. Why, thinks King Henry's son that Margaret's love

Hangs in th' uncertain balance of proud time? That death shall make a discord of our thoughts? No, stab the earl, and, 'fore the morning sun Shall vaunt him thrice over the lofty east, Margaret will meet her Lacy in the heavens.

Lacy. If aught betides to lovely Margaret That wrongs or wrings her honour from content, Europe's rich wealth nor England's monarchy Should not allure Lacy to over-live.

Then, Edward, short my life, and end her loves. Mar. Rid2 me, and keep a friend worth many loves.

Lacy. Nay, Edward, keep a love worth many friends.

Mar. An' if thy mind be such as fame hath blaz'd,

Then, princely Edward, let us both abide
The fatal resolution of thy rage:

Banish thou fancy, and embrace revenge,
And in one tomb knit both our carcases,
Whose hearts were linkèd in one perfect love.
P. Edw. [aside.] Edward, art thou that famous
Prince of Wales,

Who at Damasco beat the Saracens,

And brought'st home triumph on thy lance's point?

And shall thy plumes be pull'd by Venus down?
Is't princely to dissever lovers' leagues?
Leave, Ned, and make a virtue of this fault,
And further Peg and Lacy in their loves:
So in subduing fancy's passion,

Conquering thyself, thou gett'st the richest spoil.

Lacy, rise up. Fair Peggy, here's my hand: The Prince of Wales hath conquer'd all his thoughts,

And all his loves he yields unto the earl.
Lacy, enjoy the maid of Fressingfield;
Make her thy Lincoln Countess at the church,
And Ned, as he is true Plantagenet,
Will give her to thee frankly for thy wife.

Lacy. Humbly I take her of my sovereign,
As if that Edward gave me England's right,
And rich'd me with the Albion diadem.

Mar. And doth the English prince mean true? Will he vouchsafe to cease his former loves, And yield the title of a country maid Unto Lord Lacy?

P. Edw. I will, fair Peggy, as I am true lord. Mar. Then, lordly sir, whose conquest is as great,

In conquering love, as Cæsar's victories,
Margaret, as mild and humble in her thoughts

1 vaunt display, show.

- Rid-get rid of.

As was Aspasia unto Cyrus' self,
Yields thanks, and, next Lord Lacy, doth enshrine
Edward the second secret in her heart.

P. Edw.-Gramercy, Peggy.-Now that vows are past,

And that your loves are not to be revolt,
Once, Lacy, friends again. Come, we will post
To Oxford; for this day the king is there,
And brings for Edward Castile Elinor.
Peggy, I must go see and view my wife:

I

pray God I like her as I loved thee.

Beside, Lord Lincoln, we shall hear dispute
"Twixt Friar Bacon and learn'd Vandermast.
Peggy, we'll leave you for a week or two.

Mar. As it please Lord Lacy: but love's foolish looks

Think footsteps miles and minutes to be hours.
Lacy. I'll hasten, Peggy, to make short return.-
But please your honour go unto the lodge,
We shall have butter, cheese, and venison;
And yesterday I brought for Margaret
A lusty bottle of neat claret wine:
Thus can we feast and entertain your grace.
P. Edw. 'Tis cheer, Lord Lacy, for an emperor,
If he respect the person and the place.
Come, let us in; for I will all this night
Ride post until I come to Bacon's cell. [Exeunt.
Enter KING HENRY, the EMPEROR, the KING OF
CASTILE, ELINOR, VANDERMAST, and BUNGAY.
Emp. Trust me, Plantagenet, these Oxford
schools

Are richly seated near the river-side:
The mountains full of fat and fallow deer,
The battling pastures lade with kine and flocks,
The town gorgeous with high-built colleges,
And scholars seemly in their grave attire,
Learned in searching principles of art.-
What is thy judgment, Jaques Vandermast?
Van. That lordly are the buildings of the
town,

Spacious the rooms, and full of pleasant walks;
But for the doctors, how that they be learned,
It may be meanly, for aught I can hear.

Bun. I tell thee, German, Hapsburg holds none such,

None read so deep as Oxenford contains.
There are within our academic state
Men that may lecture it in Germany
To all the doctors of your Belgic schools.

K. Hen. Stand to him, Bungay, charm this
Vandermast,

And I will use thee as a royal king.

Van. Wherein dar'st thou dispute with me?
Bun. In what a doctor and a friar can.
Van. Before rich Europe's worthies put thou
forth

The doubtful question unto Vandermast.

Bun. Let it be this: Whether the spirits of pyromancy 2 or geomancy be most predominant in magic?

Van. I say, of pyromancy.
Bun. And I, of geomancy.

Van. The cabalists that write of magic spells,
As Hermes, Melchie, and Pythagoras,
Affirm that, 'mongst the quadruplicity
Of elemental essence, terra is but thought

To be a punctum squared to the rest;

And that the compass of ascending elements
Exceed in bigness as they do in height;
Judging the concave circle of the sun
To hold the rest in his circumference.
If, then, as Hermes says, the fire be greatest,
Purest, and only giveth shape to spirits,
Then must these dæmones that haunt that place
Be every way superior to the rest.

Bun. I reason not of elemental shapes,
Nor tell I of the concave latitudes,
Noting their essence nor their quality,
But of the spirits that pyromancy calls,
And of the vigour of the geomantic fiends.

I tell thee, German, magic haunts the ground,
And those strange necromantic spells,

That work such shows and wondering in the world,

Are acted by those geomantic spirits
That Hermes calleth terræ filii.

The fiery spirits are but transparent shades,
That lightly pass as heralds to bear news;
But earthly fiends, clos'd in the lowest deep,
Dissever mountains, if they be but charg'd,
Being more gross and massy in their power.

Van. Rather these earthly geomantic spirits
Are dull and like the place where they remain;
For when proud Lucifer fell from the heavens,
The spirits and angels that did sin with him,
Retain'd their local essence as their faults,
All subject under Luna's continent.
They which offended less hung in the fire,
And second faults did rest within the air;
But Lucifer and his proud-hearted fiends
Were thrown into the centre of the earth,
Having less understanding than the rest,
As having greater sin and lesser grace.
Therefore such gross and earthly spirits do serve
For jugglers, witches, and vile sorcerers;
Whereas the pyromantic genii

Are mighty, swift, and of far-reaching power.
But grant that geomancy hath most force;
Bungay, to please these mighty potentates,
Prove by some instance what thy art can do.
Bun. I will.

Emp. Now, English Harry, here begins the game;

We shall see sport between these learned men.
Van. What wilt thou do?

Bun. Show thee the tree, leav'd with refined gold,

Whereon the fearful dragon held his seat,
That watch'd the garden call'd Hesperides,
Subdu'd and won by conquering Hercules.
Here BUNGAY conjures, and the tree appears
with the dragon shooting fire.

Van. Well done!

K. Hen. What say you, royal lordings, to my friar?

Hath he not done a point of cunning skill?

Van. Each scholar in the necromantic spells Can do as much as Bungay hath perform'd. But as Alcmena's bastard raz'd this tree, So will I raise him up as when he liv'd, And cause him pull the dragon from his seat, And tear the branches piecemeal from the root.Hercules! Prodi, prodi,2 Hercules!

HERCULES appears in his lion's skin.

Her. Quis me vult?3

The fiend, appearing like great Hercules,
From pulling down the branches of the tree,
Then art thou worthy to be counted learned.
Bun. I cannot.

Van. Cease, Hercules, until I give thee charge.

Mighty commander of this English isle,
Henry, come from the stout Plantagenets,
Bungay is learn'd enough to be a friar;
But to compare with Jaques Vandermast,
Oxford and Cambridge must go seek their cells
To find a man to match him in his art.
I have given non-plus to the Paduans,
To them of Sien, Florence, and Bologna,
Rheims, Louvain, and fair Rotterdam,
Frankfort, Lutrech, and Orleans:
And now must Henry, if he do me right,
Crown me with laurel, as they all have done.
Enter BACON.

Bacon. All hail to this royal company,
That sit to hear and see this strange dispute!-
Bungay, how stand'st thou as a man amaz'd?
What! hath the German acted more than thou?
Van. What art thou that question'st thus?
Bacon. Men call me Bacon.

Van. Lordly thou look'st, as if that thou wert learn'd;

Thy countenance as if science held her seat
Between the circled arches of thy brows.

K. Hen. Now, monarchs, hath the German found his match.

Emp. Bestir thee, Jaques, take not now the foil,

Lest thou dost lose what foretime thou didst gain.
Van. Bacon, wilt thou dispute?
Bacon. No,

Unless he were more learn'd than Vandermast:
For yet, tell me, what hast thou done?

Van. Rais'd Hercules to ruinate that tree That Bungay mounted by his magic spells. Bacon. Set Hercules to work.

Van. Now, Hercules, I charge thee to thy task; Pull off the golden branches from the root.

Her. I dare not. Seest thou not great Bacon here,

Whose frown doth act more than thy magic can?
Van. By all the thrones, and dominations,
Virtues, powers, and mighty hierarchies,
I charge thee to obey to Vandermast.

Her. Bacon, that bridles headstrong Belcephon,
And rules Asmenoth guider of the north,
Binds me from yielding unto Vandermast.

K. Hen. How now, Vandermast! have you met with your match?

Van. Never before was't known to Vandermast That men held devils in such obedient awe. Bacon doth more than art, or else I fail.

Emp. Why, Vandermast, art thou overcome?Bacon, dispute with him, and try his skill. Bacon. I came not, monarchs, for to hold dispute

With such a novice as is Vandermast;
I came to have your royalties to dine
With Friar Bacon here in Brazen-nose:
And, for this German troubles but the place,
And holds this audience with a long suspence,
I'll send him to his académy hence.-
Thou Hercules, whom Vandermast did raise,

Shall find the German in his study safe.

K. Hen. Bacon, thou hast honour'd England with thy skill,

And made fair Oxford famous by thine art:
I will be English Henry to thyself.

But tell me, shall we dine with thee to-day? Bacon. With me, my lord; and while I fit my cheer,

See where Prince Edward comes to welcome you,
Gracious as the morning-star of heaven. [Exit.
Enter PRINCE EDWARD, LACY, WARREN, ERMSBY.
Emp. Is this Prince Edward, Henry's royal
son?

How martial is the figure of his face!
Yet lovely and beset with amorets.1

K. Hen. Ned, where hast thou been?
P. Edw. At Framlingham, my lord, to try
your bucks

If they could scape the teasers or the toil.
But hearing of these lordly potentates
Landed, and progress'd up to Oxford town,
I posted to give entertain to them:
Chief to the Almain monarch; next to him,
And joint with him, Castile and Saxony
Are welcome as they may be to the English court.
Thus for the men: but see, Venus appears,
Or one

Sweet Elinor, beauty's high-swelling pride,
That overmatcheth Venus in her shape!
Rich nature's glory and her wealth at once,
Fair of all fairs, welcome to Albion;
Welcome to me, and welcome to thine own,
If that thou deign'st the welcome from myself.
Elin. Martial Plantagenet, Henry's high-minded
son,

The mark that Elinor did count her aim,
I lik'd thee 'fore I saw thee: now I love,
And so as in so short a time I may;
Yet so as time shall never break that so,
And therefore so accept of Elinor.

K. of Cast. Fear not, my lord, this couple will agree,

If love may creep into their wanton eyes :-
And therefore, Edward, I accept thee here,
Without suspence, as my adopted son.

K. Hen. Let me that joy in these consorting greets,

And glory in these honours done to Ned,
Yield thanks for all these favours to my son,

And rest a true Plantagenet to all.

Enter MILES with a cloth and trenchers and salt.

Miles. Salvete, omnes reges,2

That govern your greges

In Saxony and Spain,

In England and in Almain!
For all this frolic rabble
Must I cover the table
With trenchers, salt, and cloth;
And then look for your broth.

Emp. What pleasant fellow is this?

K. Hen. "Tis, my lord, Doctor Bacon's poor scholar.

Let it be done.'

Lutrech. Probably Utrecht is meant. 3 foil-defeat, failure.

1 amorets-looks of love. 3.flocks.'

Hail, all kings.'

Miles. [aside.] My master hath made me sewer of these great lords; and, God knows, I am as serviceable at a table as a sow is under an appletree. 'Tis no matter; their cheer shall not be great, and therefore what skills2 where the salt stand, before or behind? [Exit. K. of Cast. These scholars know more skill in axioms,

How to use quips and sleights of sophistry,
Than for to cover courtly for a king.

Re-enter MILES with a mess of pottage and broth; and, after him, BACON.

Miles. Spill, sir? why, do you think I never carried twopenny chop before in my life?By your leave, nobile decus,3

For here comes Doctor Bacon's pecus,*
Being in his full age

To carry a mess of pottage.

[this,

Bacon. Lordings, admire not if your cheer be
For we must keep our academic fare;
No riot where philosophy doth reign:
And therefore, Henry, place these potentates,
And bid them fall unto their frugal cates.
Emp. Presumptuous friar! what! scoff'st thou
at a king?

What! dost thou taunt us with thy peasant's fare,
And give us cates fit for country swains?-
Henry, proceeds this jest of thy consent,
To twit us with a pittance of such price?
Tell me,

and Frederick will not grieve thee long.
K. Hen. By Henry's honour, and the royal faith
The English monarch beareth to his friend,
I knew not of the friar's feeble fare,
Nor am I pleas'd he entertains you thus.

Bacon. Content thee, Frederick, for I show'd thee cates,

To let thee see how scholars use to feed;
How little meat refines our English wits.-
Miles, take away, and let it be thy dinner.

Miles. Marry, sir, I will.

This day shall be a festival-day with me;
For I shall exceed in the highest degree.

[Exit.

Bacon. I tell thee, monarch, all the German Could not afford thy entertainment such, [peers So royal and so full of majesty,

As Bacon will present to Frederick.
The basest waiter that attends thy cups
Shall be in honours greater than thyself;
And for thy cates, rich Alexandria drugs,
Fetch'd by carvels from Egypt's richest streights,
Found in the wealthy strand of Africa,
Shall royalize the table of my king;
Wines richer than th' Egyptian courtesan
Quaff'd to Augustus' kingly countermatch,
Shall be carous'd in English Henry's feast;
Candy shall yield the richest of her canes;

1 sewer was an official who set on and removed the dishes at a feast; perhaps from sew, sue, to follow; old Fr. sewer, squire.

2 skills-signifies. The seats at table above the saltcellar were assigned to the more distinguished guests; the seats below it, to those of inferior rank.

3 noble ornament or dignity.'

4 pecus means a herd or single head of cattle or sheep, also a beast or brute, literally or figuratively. 5 admire-wonder.

cates or acates-provisions, delicacies; old Fr. acater; Fr. acheter, to buy, provide.

7 drugs-from the same root as dry, means originally and literally, dried herbs, &c., not necessarily for

medicine.

8 carvel or caravel. A kind of light round ship, with a square poop, rigg'd and fitted out like a galley, holding about six score or seven score tun.'-Kersey in NARES. Fr. caravelle, Span. carabela, from Lat. carabus, Gr. karabos, a small wicker vessel covered with hides.

Egyptian courtesan-Cleopatra no doubt is meant.

Enter LAMBERT and SERLSBY with the Keeper. Lam. Come, frolic Keeper of our liege's game, Whose table spread hath ever venison And jacks of wine to welcome passengers, Know I'm in love with jolly Margaret, That overshines our damsels as the moon Darkeneth the brightest sparkles of the night. In Laxfield here my land and living lies: I'll make thy daughter jointer of it all, So thou consent to give her to my wife; And I can spend five hundred marks a year. Ser. I am the lands-lord, Keeper, of thy holds, By copy all thy living lies in me; Laxfield did never see me raise my due: I will enfeoff fair Margaret in all, So she will take her to a lusty squire.

Keep. Now, courteous gentles, if the Keeper's girl

Hath pleas'd the liking fancy of you both,
And with her beauty hath subdu'd your thoughts,
Tis doubtful to decide the question.

It joys me that such men of great esteem
Should lay their liking on this base estate,
And that her state should grow so fortunate
To be a wife to meaner men than you: 6
But sith such squires will stoop to Keeper's fee,
I will, to avoid displeasure of you both,
Call Margaret forth, and she shall make her choice.
Lam. Content, Keeper; send her unto us.
[Exit Keeper.

Why, Serlsby, is thy wife so lately dead,
Are all thy loves so lightly passed over,
As thou canst wed before the year be out?
Ser. I live not, Lambert, to content the dead,
Nor was I wedded but for life to her:
The grave ends and begins a married state.

Enter MARGARET.

Lam. Peggy, the lovely flower of all towns, Suffolk's fair Helen, and rich England's star, Whose beauty, temper'd with her huswifery, Makes England talk of merry Fressingfield!

Ser. I cannot trick it up with poesies, Nor paint my passions with comparisons, Nor tell a tale of Phoebus and his loves: But this believe me,-Laxfield here is mine, Of ancient rent seven hundred pounds a year, And if thou canst but love a country squire, I will enfeoff thee, Margaret, in all: I cannot flatter; try me, if thou please. Mar. Brave neighbouring squires, the stay of Suffolk's clime,

1 Persia, down her Volga, &c.-This,' observes my friend, Mr. W. N. Lettsom, is much as if France were to send claret and burgundy down her Thames.'-DYCE. 2 Probably mirabolans, or dried plums, are meant. 3 suckets-dried sweetmeats for sucking.

4 Cates from Judæa, choicer than the lamp That fired Rome with sparks of gluttony.Dyce thinks this a mutilated passage. The Rev. J. Mitford (Gent. Mag. for March 1833, p. 217) alters 'lamp' to balm.' 'Balm,' he says, or the exudation of the Balsamum, was the only export of Judæa to Rome; and the balm was peculiar to Judæa.'

5 By copy, &c. This evidently means that the keeper held his lands by copyhold from his landlord Serlsby. This passage is obscure, probably it is corrupted.