My laboring spirit, being late oppressed

2.2.4769With my son's folly, can embrace no rest

2.2.5770Till it hath plotted by advice and skill

2.2.6771How to reduce him from affected will

2.2.7772To reason's manage -- which while I intend,

2.2.8773My troubled soul begins to apprehend

2.2.9774A farther secret, and to meditate

2.2.10775Upon the difference of man's estate,

2.2.11776Where is deciphered, to true judgment's eye,

2.2.12777A deep, concealed, and precious mystery.

2.2.13778Yet can I not but worthily admire

2.2.14779At Nature's art, who, when she did inspire

2.2.15780This heat of life, placed Reason as a king

2.2.16781Here in the head to have the marshaling

2.2.17782Of our affections, and with sovereignty

2.2.18783To sway the state of our weak empery.

2.2.19784But, as in divers commonwealths we see

2.2.20785The form of government to disagree,

2.2.21786Even so in man: who searcheth soon shall find

2.2.22787As much or more variety of mind.

2.2.23788Some men's affections, like a sullen wife,

2.2.24789Is with her husband, Reason, still at strife.

2.2.25790Others, like proud arch-traitors that rebel

2.2.26791Against their sovereign, practice to expel

2.2.27792Their liege lord, Reason, and not shame to tread

2.2.28793Upon his holy and anointed head.

2.2.29794But as that land or nation best doth thrive

2.2.30795Which to smooth-fronted Peace is most proclive,

2.2.31796So doth that mind whose fair affections, ranged

2.2.32797By Reason's rules, stand constant and unchanged.

2.2.33798Else, if the power of Reason be not such,

2.2.34799Why do we attribute to him so much?

2.2.35800Or why are we obsequious to his law

2.2.36801If he want spirit our affects to awe?

2.2.37802Oh, no, I argue weakly; he is strong,

2.2.38803Albeit my son have done him too much wrong.

[Aside] My master! Nay, faith, have at you. I am fleshed, 806now I have sped so well. -- Gentleman, I beseech you, respect the estate 807of a poor soldier. I am ashamed of this base course of life, God's 808my comfort, but extremity provokes me to't. What remedy?

I have not for you now.

By the faith I bear unto God, gentleman, it is no 811ordinary custom, but only to preserve manhood. I protest to you, a man I 812have been, a man I may be, by your sweet bounty.

I pray thee, good friend, be satisfied.

Good signor, by Jesu, you may do the part of a 815kind gentleman in lending a poor soldier the price of two cans of beer, 816a matter of small value. The King of heaven shall pay you, and I 817shall rest thankful, sweet signor.

Nay, an you be so importunate --

Oh, Lord, sir, need will have his course. I was not 820made to this vile use. Well, the edge of the enemy could not have 821abated me so much.

[He weeps.] It's hard when a man hath served in 822his prince's cause and be thus. Signor, let me derive a small piece of 823silver from you. It shall not be given in the course of time. By 824this good ground, I was fain to pawn my rapier last night for a 825poor supper; I am a pagan else, sweet signor.

Believe me, I am rapt with admiration

2.2.48827To think a man of thy exterior presence

2.2.49828Should in the constitution of the mind

2.2.50829Be so degenerate, infirm, and base.

2.2.51830Art thou a man? And sham'st thou not to beg?

2.2.52831To practice such a servile kind of life?

2.2.53832Why, were thy education ne'er so mean,

2.2.54833Having thy limbs, a thousand fairer courses

2.2.55834Offer themselves to thy election.

2.2.56835Nay, there the wars might still supply thy wants,

2.2.57836Or service of some virtuous gentleman,

2.2.58837Or honest labor. Nay, what can I name

2.2.59838But would become thee better than to beg?

2.2.60839But men of your condition feed on sloth,

2.2.61840As doth the scarab on the dung she breeds in,

2.2.62841Not caring how the temper of your spirits

2.2.63842Is eaten with the rust of idleness.

2.2.64843Now, afore God, whate'er he be that should

2.2.65844Relieve a person of thy quality

2.2.66845While you insist in this loose, desperate course,

2.2.67846I would esteem the sin not thine, but his.

Faith, signor, I would gladly find some other course, if so --

Ay, you'd gladly find it, but you will not seek it.

Alas, sir, where should a man seek? In the wars there's 850no ascent by desert in these days, but -- and for service, would it 851were as soon purchased as wished for, God's my comfort! I know what I 852would say --

What's thy name?

Please you: Portensio.

Portensio?

2.2.74856Say that a man should entertain thee now;

2.2.75857Would thou be honest, humble, just, and true?

Signor, by the place and honor of a soldier --

Nay, nay, I like not these affected oaths.

2.2.78860Speak plainly, man: what think'st thou of my words?

Nothing, signor, but wish my fortunes were as happy as my service should be honest.

Well, follow me. I'll prove thee, if thy deeds

2.2.81863Will carry a proportion to thy words.

Yes, sir, straight. I'll but garter my hose.

2.2.83865Oh, that my belly were hooped now! For I am ready to 866burst with laughing. 'Slid, was there ever seen a fox in years to betray 867himself thus? Now shall I be possessed of all his determinations, and, consequently, my 868young master. Well, he is resolved to prove my honesty. Faith, and I am 869resolved to prove his patience. Oh, I shall abuse him intolerably! This small piece 870of service will bring him clean out of love with the soldier forever. It's 871no matter. Let the world think me a bad counterfeit if I cannot give 872him the slip in an instant. Why, this is better than to have stayed 873his journey, by half. Well, I'll follow him. Oh, how I long to be employed! Exit.