And then for the great gilt andirons? –

CHL. Again! Would the andirons were in your great guts, for me.

ALB. I do vanish, wife.

 

Exit

 

CHL. How shall I do, Master Crispinus? Here will be all the bravest ladies in court presently, to see your cousin Cytheris: O the gods! How might I behave myself now, as to entertain them most courtly?

CRI. Marry, lady, if you will entertain them most courtly, you must do thus: as soon as ever your maid or your man brings you word they are come; you must say ›A pox on 'em, what do they here?‹ And yet when they come, speak them as fair, and give them the kindest welcome in words that can be.

CHL. Is that the fashion of courtiers, Crispinus?

CRI. I assure you, it is, lady, I have observed it.

CHL. For your pox, sir, it is easily hit on; but, 'tis not so easy to speak fair after, methinks?

 

Enter Albius

 

ALB. O wife, the coaches are come, on my word, a number of coaches and courtiers.

CHL. A pox on them: what do they here?

ALB. How now wife! Wouldst thou not have 'em come?

CHL. Come? Come, you are a fool, you: he knows not the trick on't. Call Cytheris, I pray you: and good Master Crispinus, you can observe, you say; let me entreat you for all the ladies' behaviours, jewels, jests, and attires, that, you marking as well as I, we may put both our marks together, when they are gone, and confer of them.

CRI. I warrant you, sweet lady; let me alone to observe, till I turn myself to nothing but observation.

 

Enter Cytheris

 

Good morrow, cousin Cytheris.

CYT. Welcome, kind cousin. What? Are they come?

ALB. Aye, your friend Cornelius Gallus, Ovid, Tibullus, Propertius, with Julia the Emperor's daughter, and the lady Plautia, are lighted at the door; and with them Hermogenes Tigellius, the excellent musician.

CYT. Come, let us go meet them, Chloe.

CHL. Observe, Crispinus.

CRI. At a hair's breadth, lady, I warrant you.

 

Scene 2

Enter Gallus, Ovid, Tibullus, Propertius, Hermogenes, Julia, Plautia

 

GAL. Health to the lovely Chloe: you must pardon me, mistress, that I prefer this fair gentlewoman.

CYT. I pardon, and praise you for it, sir; and I beseech your Excellence, receive her beauties into your knowledge and favour.

JUL. Cytheris, she hath favour and behaviour that commands as much of me: and sweet Chloe, know I do exceedingly love you, and that I will approve in any grace my father the Emperor may show you. Is this your husband?

ALB. For fault of a better, if it please your highness.

CHL. God's my life! How he shames me!

CYT. Not a whit, Chloe, they all think you politic and witty; wise women choose not husbands for the eye, merit, or birth, but wealth, and sovereignty.

OVI. Sir, we all come to gratulate, for the good report of you.

TIB. And would be glad to deserve your love, sir.

ALB. My wife will answer you all, gentlemen; I'll come to you again presently.

 

Exit

PLA.