Introduction

Page

Thrice-noble lord, let me entreat of you
To pardon me yet for a night or two,
Or, if not so, until the sun be set,
For your physicians have expressly charged,    
In peril to incur your former malady,    
That I should yet absent me from your bed.    
I hope this reason stands for my excuse.

Sly

Ay, it stands so that I may hardly tarry so long. But I     
would be loath to fall into my dreams again. I will     
therefore tarry in despite of the flesh and the blood.    

Third Servant

Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood
Scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds,
And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep,    
So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn.

Second Servant

Dost thou love pictures? We will fetch thee straight
Adonis painted by a running brook,
And Cytherea all in sedges hid,    
Which seem to move and wanton with her breath,    
Even as the waving sedges play with wind.    

Pages