Digital Renaissance Editions

About this text

  • Title: An Humorous Day's Mirth (Modern)
  • Editor: Eleanor Lowe
  • Coordinating editor: Brett Greatley-Hirsch
  • General textual editor: Helen Ostovich
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-513-1

    Copyright Digital Renaissance Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: George Chapman
    Editor: Eleanor Lowe
    Peer Reviewed

    An Humorous Day's Mirth (Modern)

    1649.1[Scene 13]
    1650Enter Moren.
    Moren
    Now was there ever man so much accurst that, when his mind misgave him, such a man was hapless to keep him company? Yet who would keep him company but I? O vile Lemot, my wife and I are bound to curse thee 1655while we live, but chiefly I. Well, seek her or seek her not; find her, or find her not, I were as good see how hell opens as look upon her.
    Enter Catalian and Berger behind him.
    Catalian
    [Aside to Berger] We have him, i始faith. Stop thou him there, and I will meet 1660him here.
    Moren
    Well, I will venture once to seek her.
    Berger
    God始s lord, my lord! Come you this way? Why, your wife runs ranging like as if she were mad, swearing to slit your nose if she can catch you.
    Exit.
    1665Moren
    What shall I do at the sight of her and hern?
    Catalian
    God始s precious, my lord! Come you this way? Your wife comes ranging with a troop of dames, like Bacchus始 drunken frows, just as you go. Shift for yourself, my lord.
    Moren
    Stay, good Catalian.
    1670Catalian
    No, not I, my lord.
    Exit.
    Enter Jaques.
    Moren
    How now, Jaques, what始s the news?
    Jaques
    None but good, my lord.
    Moren
    Why, hast not seen my wife run round about the 1675streets?
    Jaques
    Not I, my lord. I come to you from my master, who would pray you to speak to Lemot, that Lemot might speak to the King, that my master始s lottery for his jewels may go forward. He hath made the rarest device that ever 1680you heard. We have Fortune in it, and she our maid plays, and I and my fellow carry two torches, and our boy goes before and speaks a speech. 始Tis very fine, i始faith, sir.
    Moren
    Sirrah, in this thou mayst highly pleasure me. Let me have thy place to bear a torch, that I may look on my wife, 1685an she not see me. For if I come into her sight abruptly, I were better be hanged.
    Jaques
    Oh, sir, you shall, or anything that I can do. I始ll send for your wife too.
    Moren
    I prithee do.
    Exeunt both.