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Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744

"A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2"


IDLENESS. [_Lulls him_.
Welcome, with all my heart: sir boy, hold here this fan,
And softly cool his face; sleep soundly, gentleman.
This char is char'd[416] well now, Ignorance, my son,
Thou seest all this, how featly[417] it is done;
But wot'st thou why?
IGNORANCE.
Nay, bumfay,[418] mother, not I.
Well, I wot 'tis a gay worched trick and trim:
Chould rejouce my heart to chance coots[419] with him.
IDLENESS.
Dost thou remember how many I have served in the like sort?
IGNORANCE.
It doth my heart good to think on this sport.
IDLENESS.
Wilt thou see this proper fellow served so?
IGNORANCE.
Chould give tway pence to see it and tway pence mo.
IDLENESS.
Come off, then, let me see thee in his doublet and his[420] hose.
IGNORANCE.
You shall see a tall fellow, mother, I suppose.
IDLENESS.
Help off with this sleeve softly for fear of waking,
We shall leave the gentleman in a pretty taking.
Give me thy coat, hold this in thy hand:
This fellow would be married to Science, I understand.
But, ere we leave him, tell me another tale!
Now let us make him look somewhat stale.
There lie, and there be: the proverb is verified,
I am neither idle, nor yet well-occupied.
IGNORANCE.
Mother, must I have his coat? now, mother, I must.
Chalt be a lively lad with hey tisty-tust.
IDLENESS.
Sleep sound, and have no care to occupy thy head,
As near unto thy body now, as if thou had'st been dead.


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