s with a banquet, marmalade, sweets, &c.;
deliver it round among the gentlewomen, and go out_.]

What, do you come with roast-meat after apples? Away with it. Digestion,
serve out cheese. What, but a pennyworth! It is just the measure of his
nose that sold it! Lamb's wool, the meekest meat in the world; 'twill
let any man fleece it. Snapdragon there!

MEM. O, I remember this dish well: it was first invented by Pluto, to
entertain Proserpina withal.

PHA. I think not so, Memory; for when Hercules had killed the flaming
dragon of Hesperia with the apples of that orchard, he made this fiery
meat; in memory whereof he named it Snapdragon.

COM. SEN. Gustus, let's hear your description?

GUS. Near to the lowly base of Cephalon,
My house is plac'd not much unlike a cave:
Yet arch'd above by wondrous workmanship,
With hewen stones wrought smoother and more fine
Than jet or marble fair from Iceland brought.
Over the door directly doth incline
A fair percullis of compacture strong,
To shut out all that may annoy the state
Or health of Microcosm; and within
Is spread a long board like a pliant tongue,
At which I hourly sit, and trial take
Of meats and drinks needful and delectable:
Twice every day do I provision make
For the sumptuous kitchen of the commonwealth;
Which, once well-boil'd, is soon distributed
To all the members, well refreshing them
With good supply of strength-renewing food.
Should I neglect this nursing[294] diligence,
The body of the realm would ruinate;
Yourself, my lord, with all your policies
And wondrous wit, could not preserve yourself:
Nor you, Phantastes; nor you, Memory.
Psyche herself, were't not that I repair
Her crazy house with props of nourishment,
Would soon forsake us: for whose dearest sake
Many a grievous pain have I sustain'd
By bitter pills and sour purgations;
Which if I had not valiantly abiden,
She had been long ere this departed.
Since the whole Microcosm I maintain,
Let me, as Prince, above the Senses reign.

COM. SEN. The reasons you urge, Gustus, breed a new doubt, whether it
be commodious or necessary, the resolution whereof I refer to your
judgment, licensing you meanwhile to depart.

[GUSTUS _leads his show about the stage, and goes out_.

SCAENA SEXTA.

_The Bench as before_; TACTUS, _a page before him
bearing his scutcheon, a tortoise Sable_.

TAC. Ready anon, forsooth! the devil she will!
Who would be toil'd with wenches in a