y did you choose me?
why did the ladies prick out me? I am sure there were other
gallants. But me of all the rest! By that light, and, as I am a
courtier, would I might never stir, but 'tis strange. Would to the
lord the ladies would come once!

ENTER MORPHIDES.

MORP. Signior, the gallants and ladies are at hand. Are you
ready, sir?

AMO. Instantly. Go, accomplish your attire: [EXIT ASOTUS.]
Cousin Morphides, assist me to make good the door with your
officious tyranny.

CITIZEN. [WITHIN.] By your leave, my masters there, pray you
let's come by.

PAGES. [WITHIN.] You by! why should you come by more than we?

CITIZEN'S WIFE. [WITHIN.] Why, sir! because he is my brother
that plays the prizes.

MORP. Your brother!

CITIZEN. [WITHIN.] Ay, her brother, sir, and we must come in.

TAILOR. [WITHIN.] Why, what are you?

CITIZEN. [WITHIN.] I am her husband, sir.

TAILOR. [WITHIN.] Then thrust forward your head.

AMO. What tumult is there?

MORP. Who's there? bear back there! Stand from the door!

AMO. Enter none but the ladies and their hang-byes.--

ENTER PHANTASTE, PHILAUTIA, ARGURION, MORIA, HEDON, AND ANAIDES,
INTRODUCING TWO LADIES.

Welcome beauties, and your kind shadows.

HED. This country lady, my friend, good signior Amorphus.

ANA. And my cockatrice here.

AMO. She is welcome.

THE CITIZEN, AND HIS WIFE, PAGES, ETC., APPEAR AT THE DOOR.

MORP. Knock those same pages there; and, goodman coxcomb the
citizen, who would you speak withal?

WIFE. My brother.

AMO. With whom? your brother!

MORP. Who is your brother?

WIFE. Master Asotus.

AMO. Master Asotus! is he your brother? he is taken up with
great persons; he is not to know you to-night.

RE-ENTER ASOTUS HASTILY.

ASO. O Jove, master! an there come e'er a citizen gentlewoman in
my name, let her have entrance, I pray you: it is my sister.

WIFE. Brother!

CIT. [THRUSTING IN.] Brother, master Asotus!

ASO. Who's there?

WIFE. 'Tis I, brother.

ASO. Gods me, there she is! good master, intrude her.

MORP. Make place! bear back there!

ENTER CITIZEN'S WIFE.

AMO. Knock that simple fellow there.

WIFE. Nay, good sir, it is my husband.

MORP. The simpler fellow he.--Away! back with your head, sir!
[PUSHES THE CITIZEN BACK.]