Aye, marry, but how will't be done?

TRU. I'll undertake the directing of all the lady guests thither, and then the meat must follow.

CLE. For God's sake, let's effect it: it will be an excellent comedy of affliction, so many several noises.

DAU. But are they not at the other place already, think you?

TRU. I'll warrant you for the college honours: one o' their faces has not the priming colour laid on yet, nor the other her smock sleeked.

CLE. Oh, but they'll rise earlier than ordinary to a feast.

TRU. Best go see, and assure ourselves.

CLE. Who knows the house?

TRU. I'll lead you, were you never there yet?

DAU. Not I.

CLE. Nor I.

TRU. Where ha' you lived then? Not know Tom Otter!

CLE. No: for God's sake, what is he?

TRU. An excellent animal, equal with your Daw, or La Fool, if not transcendent; and does Latin it as much as your barber: he is his wife's subject, he calls her Princess, and at such times as these, follows her up and down the house like a page, with his hat off, partly for heat, partly for reverence. At this instant, he is marshalling of his bull, bear, and horse.

DAU. What be those, in the name of Sphinx?

TRU. Why, sir? He has been a great man at the bear- garden in his time: and from that subtle sport, has ta'en the witty denomination of his chief carousing cups. One he calls his bull, another his bear, another his horse. And then he has his lesser glasses, that he calls his deer, and his ape; and several degrees of 'em too: and never is well, nor thinks any entertainment perfect, till these be brought out, and set o' the cupboard.

CLE. For God's love! We should miss this, if we should not go.

TRU. Nay, he has a thousand things as good, that will speak him all day. He will rail on his wife, with certain commonplaces, behind her back; and to her face ––

DAU. No more of him. Let's go see him, I petition you.

 

Exeunt

 

 

Act III

Scene 1

Otter's house

 

Enter Otter, Mistress Otter

 

OTT. Nay, good Princess, hear me pauca verba.

MISTRESS OT. By that light, I'll ha' you chained up, with your bulldogs, and bear-dogs, if you be not civil the sooner. I'll send you to kennel, i'faith. You were best bait me with your bull, bear, and horse? Never a time, that the courtiers or collegiates come to the house, but you make it a Shrove Tuesday! I would have you get your Whitsuntide velvet-cap, and your staff i' your hand, to entertain 'em: yes in troth, do.

OTT. Not so, Princess, neither, but under correction, sweet Princess, gi' me leave – these things I am known to the courtiers by. It is reported to them for my humour, and they receive it so, and do expect it.