[Of this interlude only two copies have hitherto been discovered, one
in the Devonshire collection, the second in the King's Library, British
Museum, from the Roxburghe sale. An account of the piece, which has
never been reprinted before, is given by Collier ("History of Dramatic
Poetry," ii. 381-3). Considering its rarity, early date, and curiosity,
it is remarkable that "Nice Wanton" should have escaped Dodsley and his
editors.]
A PRETTY INTERLUDE, CALLED NICE WANTON.
Wherein ye may see
Three branches of an ill tree:
The mother and her children three,
Two naught, and one godly.
Early sharp, that will be thorn,
Soon ill, that will be naught:
To be naught, better unborn,
Better unfed than naughtily taught.
_Ut magnum magnos, pueros puerilia doctus_.
* * * * *
PERSONAGES.
_The Messenger.
Barnabas. Iniquity.
Ismael. Baily errand.
Dalilah. Xantippe.
Eulalia. Worldly Shame.
Daniel the Judge_.
Anno Domini, M.D.LX.
THE PROLOGUE.
THE MESSENGER. The prudent Prince Solomon doth say,
He that spareth the rod, the child doth hate,
He would youth should be kept in awe alway
By correction in time at reasonable rate:
To be taught to fear God, and their parents obey,
To get learning and qualities, thereby to maintain
An honest quiet life, correspondent alway
To God's law and the king's, for it is certain,
If children be noseled[212] in idleness and ill,
And brought up therein, it is hard to restrain,
And draw them from natural wont evil,
As here in this interlude ye shall see plain:
By two children brought up wantonly in play,
Whom the mother doth excuse, when she should chastise;
They delight in dalliance and mischief alway,
At last they end their lives in miserable wise.
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