How like thou this morning, Colinet? What, 33shall we have a fair day?

The sky hangs full of humour, and I think 35we shall have rain.

Why, rain is fair weather when the ground is dry 37and barren, especially when it rains humour, for then do 38men like hot sparrows and pigeons open all their wings 39ready to receive them.

Why, then, we may chance to have a fair day, for 41we shall spend it with so humorous acquaintance as rains 42nothing but humour all their lifetime.

True, Colinet, over which will I sit like an old king 44in an old-fashion play, having his wife, his council, his children, 45 and his fool about him, to whom he will sit and 46point very learnedly as followeth:

2.6My council grave, and 47you my noble peers,

2.7My tender wife, and you my children48 dear,

2.8And thou my fool —

Not meaning me, sir, I hope.

No, sir, but thus will I sit, as it were, and point out 51all my humorous companions.

You shall do marvellous well, sir.

I thank you for your good encouragement. But, 54Colinet, thou shalt see Catalian bring me hither an odd gentleman55 presently to be acquainted withal, who in his manner 56 of taking acquaintance will make us excellent sport.

Why, Lemot, I think thou sendest about of purpose 58for young gallants to be acquainted withal, to make thyself 59merry in the manner of taking acquaintance.

By heaven I do, Colinet, for there is no better sport 61than to observe the complement, for thatʼs their word, complement,62 do you mark, sir?

Yea, sir, but what humour hath this gallant in his manner64 of taking acquaintance?

2.1665Lemot Marry thus, sir: he will speak the very selfsame 66word to a syllable after him of whom he takes acquaintance,67 as if I should say, 68‘I am marvellous glad of your acquaintanceʼ, he will reply, 69‘I am marvellous glad of your acquaintanceʼ. 70‘I have heard much good of your rare parts and fine carriageʼ; 71‘I have heard much good of your rare parts and fine carriageʼ. 72So long as the complements of a gentleman last, he is your 73complete ape.

Why, this is excellent.

Nay, sirrah, hereʼs the jest of it: when he is past this 76gratulation, he will retire himself to a chimney or a wall standing 77 folding his arms thus; and go you and speak to him 78so far as the room you are in will afford you, you shall never 79 get him from that most gentlemanlike set or behaviour.

This makes his humour perfect. I would he would 81come once.

[Aside to Colinet] See where he comes. Now must I say, Lupus est in 84fabula, for these Latin ends are part of a gentleman and a 85good scholar.

Oh, good morrow Monsieur Lemot. Here is the 87gentleman you desired so much to be acquainted withal.

He is marvellous welcome. [To Blanvel] I shall be exceeding 89proud of your acquaintance.

I shall be exceeding proud of your acquaintance.

I have heard much good of your rare parts and fine 92carriages.

I have heard much good of your rare parts and 94fine carriages.

I shall be glad to be commanded by you.

I shall be glad to be commanded by you.

I pray do not you say so.

I pray do not you say so.

Well, gentlemen, this day letʼs consecrate to mirth.100 And Colinet, you know, no man better, that you are mightily 101in love with lovely Martia, daughter to old Foyes.

I confess it. Here are none but friends.

Well then, go to her this morning in Countess Morenʼs104 name, and so perhaps you may get her company, though 105the old churl be so jealous that he will suffer no man to 106come at her but the vain gull Labesha for his living sake, 107and he, as yet, she will not be acquainted withal.

Well, this Iʼll do, whatsoever come on it.

Why nothing but good will come of it, neʼer doubt 110it man.

[Aside to Lemot] He hath taken up his stand. Talk a little further 112and see an you can remove him.

[Aside] I will, Catalian. [Aloud] Now, Monsieur Blanvel, mark, I pray.

I do, sir, very well, I warrant you.

You know the old Count Labervele hath a passing 116fair young lady, that is a passing foul Puritan?

I know her very well, sir. She goes more like a 118milkmaid than a countess, for all her youth and 119beauty.

True, sir. Yet of her is the old Count so jealous 121that he will suffer no man to come at her. Yet I will find a 122means that two of us will have access to her, though before 123 his face, which shall so heat his jealous humour till he be 124stark mad. But, Colinet, go you first to lovely Martia, for ʼtis 125too soon for the old lord and his fair young lady to rise.

Adieu, Monsieur Blanvel.

Adieu, good Monsieur Colinet.

Monsieur Blanvel, your kindness in this will bind me 129much to you.

Monsieur Lemot, your kindness in this will bind me 131much to you.

I pray you do not say so, sir.

I pray you do not say so sir.

Willʼt please you to go in?

Willʼt please you to go in?

I will follow you.

I will follow you.

It shall be yours.

It shall be yours.

Kind Monsieur Blanvel.

Kind Monsieur Lemot.