XXIV. SUSPICI O N. W OULD he were fatter---but I fear him not. Yet, if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should avoid, So foon as that fpare Caffius. He reads much He is a great observer---and he looks Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays: he hears no mufic. Seldom he fmiles; and fmiles in fuch a fort, As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit, That could be mov'd to smile at any thing. Such men as he be never at heart's ease, Whilst they behold a greater than themselves--And, therefore, are they very dangerous. I CAN as well be hanged, as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery.---I faw Mark Antony offer him a crown; and, as I told you, he put it by once---but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he offered it to him again: then, he put it by again---but, to my thinking, he was very loth to lay his fingers off it. And, then, he offered it a third time: he put it the third time by; and ftill as he refused it, the rabblement shouted, and clapt their chopt hands, and threw up their fweaty night-caps, and uttered such a deal of ftinking breath, because Cæfar refused the crown, that it had almoft choaked Cæfar; for he fwooned, and fell down at it; and for mine own part, I durft not laugh, laugh for fear of opening my lips, and receiving the bad air. BEFORE he fell down, when he perceived the common herd were glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope his doublet, and offered them his throat to cut: an' I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues!---and fo he fell. When he came to himself again, he faid, "If he had done, or faid any thing amifs, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity." Three or four wenches, where I ftood, cried, Alas, good foul !--and forgave him with all their hearts. But there's no heed to be taken of them: if Cæfar had ftabbed their mothers, they would have done no lefs. 44 46 HERE's a ftay, That shakes the rotten carcafe of old Death Out of his rags! Here's a large mouth indeed, That fpits forth death, and mountains, rocks and feas; Talks as familiarly of roaring lions, As maids of thirteen do of puppy dogs! What cannoneer begot this lufty blood? He fpeaks plain cannon-fire, and smoke and bounce. XXVI. WIT AND A Good therris-fack hath a two-fold operation in it. ---It afcends me into the brain. Dries me, there, all the foolish, dull, and crudy vapours which environ it makes it apprehenfive, quick, inventive; full of nimble, fiery and delectable fhapes, which, delivered over to the voice, the tongue, which is the birth, becomes excellent wit.---The fecond property of your excellent fherries, is, the warming of the blood: which, before, cold and fettled, left the liver white and pale; which is the badge of pufillanimity and cowardice. But the therris warms it, and makes it courfe from the inwards to the parts extreme. It illuminateth the face, which, as a bacon, gives warning to all the rest of this little kingdom, man, to arm: and, then, the vital commoners, and inland petty fpirits, mufter me all to their captain, the heart; who, great, and puffed up with this retinue, doth any deed of courage---and this valour comes of therries. So that skill in the weapon, is nothing without fack; for that fets it a-work and learning, a mere hoard of gold kept by a devil, till fack commences it, and fets it in act and use. Hereof comes it that Prince Harry is valiant : for the cold blood he did naturally inherit of his father, he hath, like lean, fteril, and bare land, manured, husbanded, and tilled, with drinking good, and good ftore of fertile fherries.---If I had a thoufand fons, the first human principle I would teach them, fhould beTo forswear thin potations, and to addict themfelves to fack. HUMOUR. A plague on all cowards, I fay, and a vengeance too, marry and amen! Give me a cup of fack, boy---Ere I lead lead this life long, I'll few nether focks, and mend them, and foot them too. A plague on all cowards! Give me a cup of fack, rogue. Is there no virtue ex[Drinks. tant? You rogue! here's lime in this fack too. There is nothing but roguery to be found in villanous man. Yet a coward is worfe than a cup of fack with lime in it-Go thy ways, old Jack! die when thou wilt, if manhood, good manhood, be not forgot upon the face of the earth, then am I a fhotten herring. There live not three good men unhanged in England; and one of them is fat; and grows old, God help the while !— A plague on all cowards, I fay ftill! Give me a cup of fack. [Drinks. I am a rogue if I were not at half-fword with a dozen of them two hours together. I have escaped by miracle. I am eight times thruft through the doublet; four through the hofe; my buckler cut through and through; my fword hacked like a hand-faw-- -ecce figAll num! I never dealt better fince I was a man. on all cowards, fay I Give me a cup of fack. [Drinks. 1 XXVII. PERTURBATION: VENGEANCE! death! plague ! confufion! Fiery what quality ?---Why, Glofter, Glofter! For the found man.---But wherefore fits he there ?- HEAVENS, drop your patience down! BLOW, |
