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  • Title: Two Noble Kinsmen (Quarto, 1634)

    • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Two Noble Kinsmen (Quarto, 1634)

    The Two Noble Kinsmen.
    1710We are a few of those collected here
    That ruder Tongues distinguish villager,
    And to say veritie, and not to fable;
    We are a merry rout, or else a rable
    Or company, or by a figure, Choris
    1715That fore thy dignitie will dance a Morris.
    And I that am the rectifier of all
    By title Pedagogus, that let fall
    The Birch upon the breeches of the small ones,
    And humble with a Ferula the tall ones,
    1720Doe here present this Machine, or this frame,
    And daintie Duke, whose doughtie dismall fame
    From Dis to Dedalus, from post to pillar
    Is blowne abroad; helpe me thy poore well willer,
    And with thy twinckling eyes, looke right and straight
    1725Vpon this mighty Morr---of mickle waight
    Is---now comes in, which being glewd together
    Makes Morris, and the cause that we came hether.
    The body of our sport of no small study
    I first appeare, though rude, and raw, and muddy,
    1730To speake before thy noble grace, this tenner:
    At whose great feete I offer up my penner.
    The next the Lord of May, and Lady bright,
    The Chambermaid, and Servingman by night
    That seeke out silent hanging: Then mine Host
    1735And his fat Spowse, that welcomes to their cost
    The gauled Traveller, and with a beckning
    Informes the Tapster to inflame the reckning:
    Then the beast eating Clowne, and next the foole,
    The Bavian with long tayle, and eke long toole,
    1740Cum multis aliijs that make a dance,
    Say I, and all shall presently advance.
    Thes. I, I by any meanes, deere Domine.
    Per. Produce. Musicke Dance.
    Intrate filij, Come forth, and foot it,
    Knocke for
    Schoole. Enter
    The Dance.
    1745Ladies, if we have beene merry
    And have pleasd thee with a derry,
    And a derry, and a downe
    Say
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