'34 



LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



Major. Now am I so sweet a man, that for thy ill threat I'll 

 give thee good counsel. Make a match on't ; marry thy master's 

 leavings 'tis a known way for old cullies to buy promotion. 



[The MARQUIS advances^] 



Marq. How is this, fellows ? You are not ready. 

 Major. My lord, this madam hath hindered us. 

 Marq. And what has been done is not well done. 

 Major. She is answerable, my lord. 



Marq. Why, you have set a bush here ; a very thicket to 

 hide my guests from me. Griselda, you know how I mislike all 

 tawdry ornaments hindering good fellowship. 



Major. I bade her shift those very flowers, my lord, but she 

 would take no orders from me not she. 



Marq. You said she was answerable. Was it not rather 

 your duty then to do her bidding ? 



Major. Your lordship will be merry. 

 Marq. Would they not obey you, Grisyld ? 

 Gris. My lord, they thought you did not really mean that I 

 should be obeyed. 



Marq. Ah ! (smiling) you thought I sent the lady here to 

 make you sport. 



Major. We're not so dull but we can take a joke, my lord. 

 Marq. But it seems you have a spirit yet, Griselda, and 

 would not move the flowers at this fellow's bidding. 



Gris. My lord, I was about to move them, not indeed at his 

 bidding, but knowing the custom of the house. Shall I move 

 them now ? 



Marq. Too late, Griselda. Those who speak in my name 

 must be obeyed. You, fellow, say that she refused to shift those 

 flowers ; name her punishment yourself. 



Major. Some merry gibe, my lord, would do well for a 

 wedding day. Let me see. Marry, I have it. My knaves 

 might paint her face, my lord, and smirch her fine clothes, and 

 turn her out among the common sort of people. They would 

 laugh, my lord. 



Serg. Hound and liar ! Pardon my speech, my lord ; the 

 lady never disobeyed. 



Major. You must not credit him, my lord. He and she will 



