SIR THOMAS MORE
Page: 34

Presume above my merit.

LADY.
When we come to you,
Then shall you rule us as we rule you here.
Now must I tell ye, madame, we have a play,
To welcome ye withal; how good so ere,
That know not I; my lord will have it so.

MORE.
Wife, hope the best; I am sure they'll do their best:
They that would better, comes not at their feast.
My good Lord Cardinal's players, I thank them for it,
Play us a play, to lengthen out your welcome:
They say it is The Marriage of Wit and Wisdom,
A theme of some import, how ere it prove;
But, if art fail, we'll inch it out with love.--

[Enter a Servant.]

What, are they ready?

SERVANT.
My lord, one of the players craves to speak with you.

MORE.
With me! where is he?

[Enter Inclination, the Vice, ready.]

INCLINATION.
Here, my lord.

MORE.
How now! what's the matter?

INCLINATION.
We would desire your honor but to stay a little; one of my fellows
is but run to Oagles for a long beard for young Wit, and he'll be
here presently.

MORE.
A long beard for young Wit! why, man, he may be without a beard
till he come to marriage, for wit goes not all by the hair. When
comes Wit in?

INCLINATION.
In the second scene, next to the Prologue, my lord.

MORE.
Why, play on till that scene come, and by that time Wit's beard will
be grown, or else the fellow returned with it. And what part
playest thou?

INCLINATION.
Inclination the Vice, my lord.

MORE.
Gramercies, now I may take the vice if I list: and wherefore hast
thou that bridle in thy hand?

INCLINATION.
I must be bridled anon, my lord.

MORE.
And thou beest not saddled too, it makes no matter, for then Wit's
inclination may gallop so fast, that he will outstrip Wisdom, and
fall to folly.

INCLINATION.
Indeed, so he does to Lady Vanity; but we have no folly in our
play.

MORE.
Then there's no wit in 't, I'll be sworn: folly waits on wit, as the
shadow on the body, and where wit is ripest there folly still is
readiest. But begin, I prithee: we'll rather allow a beardless Wit
than Wit all beard to have no brain.

INCLINATION.
Nay, he has his apparel on too, my lord, and therefore he is the