t in the hollow ribs of craggy cliff,
Where dreary owls do shriek the live-long night,
Chasing away the birds of cheerful light;
Where yawning ghosts do howl in ghastly wise,
Where that dull, hollow-eyed, that staring sire,
Yclep'd Despair, hath his sad mansion:
Him let us find, and by his counsel we
Will end our too much irked misery.

STUDIOSO.
To wail thy haps, argues a dastard mind.

PHILOMUSUS.
To bear[109] too long, argues an ass's kind.

STUDIOSO.
Long since the worst chance of the die was cast.

PHILOMUSUS.
But why should that word _worst_ so long time last?

STUDIOSO.
Why dost thou now these sleepy plaints commence?

PHILOMUSUS.
Why should I e'er be dull'd with patience?

STUDIOSO.
Wise folk do bear with, struggling cannot mend.

PHILOMUSUS.
Good spirits must with thwarting fates contend.

STUDIOSO.
Some hope is left our fortunes to redress.

PHILOMUSUS.
No hope but this--e'er to be comfortless.

STUDIOSO.
Our life's remainder gentler hearts may find.

PHILOMUSUS.
The gentlest hearts to us will prove unkind.

ACTUS IV., SCAENA 1.

SIR RADERIC _and_ PRODIGO _at one corner of the stage_; RECORDER
_and_ AMORETTO _at the other: two_ PAGES _scouring of tobacco-pipes_.

SIR RADERIC.
Master Prodigo, Master Recorder hath told you law--your land is
forfeited; and for me not to take the forfeiture were to break the
Queen's law. For mark you, it's law to take the forfeiture; therefore
not to take[110] it is to break the Queen's law; and to break the
Queen's law is not to be a good subject, and I mean to be a good
subject. Besides, I am a justice of the peace; and, being justice of the
peace, I must do justice--that is, law--that is, to take the forfeiture,
especially having taken notice of it. Marry, Master Prodigo, here are a
few shillings over and besides the bargain.

PRODIGO.
Pox on your shillings! 'Sblood, a while ago, before he had me in the
lurch, who but my cousin Prodigo? You are welcome, my cousin Prodigo.
Take my cousin Prodigo's horse. A cup of wine for my cousin Prodigo.
Good faith, you shall sit here, good cousin Prodigo. A clean trencher
for my cousin Prodigo. Have a special care of my cousin Prodigo's
lodging. Now, Master Prodigo with a pox, and a few shillings for a
vantage. A plague on your shillings! Pox on your shillings! If it were
not for the sergeant, which dogs me at my heels, a plague on your
shillings! pox on your shillings! pox on yourself and you