
Act 1 Scene 5
SCENE V. A hall in Black's house.
Musicians waiting. Enter SIRIUS’ with napkins
SIRIUS BLACK
Where's Potpan, that he helps not to take away? He shift a trencher? he scrape a trencher!
SIRIUS BLACK
When good manners shall lie all in one or two men's hands and they unwashed too, 'tis a foul thing.
SIRIUS BLACK
Away with the joint-stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. Good thou, save me a piece of marchpane; and, as thou lovest me, let the porter let in Sirius Black and Sirius. Sirius, and Potpan!
SIRIUS BLACK
Ay, boy, ready.
SIRIUS BLACK
You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.
SIRIUS BLACK
We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly, boys; be brisk awhile, and the longer liver take all.
Enter SIRIUS, with SIRIUS and others of his house, meeting the Guests and Maskers
SIRIUS BLACK
Welcome, gentlemen! ladies that have their toes Unplagued with corns will have a bout with you. Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all Will now deny to dance? she that makes dainty, She, I'll swear, hath corns; am I come near ye now? Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day That I have worn a visor and could tell A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear, Such as would please: 'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gone: You are welcome, gentlemen! come, musicians, play. A hall, a hall! give room! and foot it, girls.
Music plays, and they dance
More light, you knaves; and turn the tables up, And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot. Ah, sirrah, this unlook'd-for sport comes well. Nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin Black; For you and I are past our dancing days: How long is't now since last yourself and I Were in a mask?
SIRIUS BLACK
By'r lady, thirty years.
SIRIUS BLACK
What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much: 'Tis since the nuptials of Sirius, Come pentecost as quickly as it will, Some five and twenty years; and then we mask'd.
SIRIUS BLACK
'Tis more, 'tis more, his son is elder, sir; His son is thirty.
SIRIUS BLACK
Will you tell me that? His son was but a ward two years ago.
SIRIUS BLACK
[To Sirius] What lady is that, which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?
SIRIUS BLACK
I know not, sir.
SIRIUS BLACK
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
SIRIUS BLACK
This, by his voice, should be a Black. Fetch me my rapier, boy. What dares the slave Come hither, cover'd with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honour of my kin, To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.
SIRIUS BLACK
Why, how now, kinsman! wherefore storm you so?
SIRIUS BLACK
Uncle, this is a Black, our foe, A villain that is hither come in spite, To scorn at our solemnity this night.
SIRIUS BLACK
Young Sirius is it?
SIRIUS BLACK
'Tis he, that villain Sirius.
SIRIUS BLACK
Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone; He bears him like a portly gentleman; And, to say truth, Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth: I would not for the wealth of all the town Here in my house do him disparagement: Therefore be patient, take no note of him: It is my will, the which if thou respect, Show a fair presence and put off these frowns, And ill-beseeming semblance for a feast.
SIRIUS BLACK
It fits, when such a villain is a guest: I'll not endure him.
SIRIUS BLACK
He shall be endured: What, goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to; Am I the master here, or you? go to. You'll not endure him! God shall mend my soul! You'll make a mutiny among my guests! You will set cock-a-hoop! you'll be the man!
SIRIUS BLACK
Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.
SIRIUS BLACK
Go to, go to; You are a saucy boy: is't so, indeed? This trick may chance to scathe you, I know what: You must contrary me! marry, 'tis time. Well said, my hearts! You are a princox; go: Be quiet, or--More light, more light! For shame! I'll make you quiet. What, cheerly, my hearts!
SIRIUS BLACK
Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall Now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall.
Exit
SIRIUS BLACK
[To SIRIUS] If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
SIRIUS BLACK
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
SIRIUS BLACK
Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
SIRIUS BLACK
Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
SIRIUS BLACK
O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
SIRIUS BLACK
Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
SIRIUS BLACK
Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.
SIRIUS BLACK
Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
SIRIUS BLACK
Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.
SIRIUS BLACK
You kiss by the book.
SIRIUS BLACK
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
SIRIUS BLACK
What is her mother?
SIRIUS BLACK
Marry, bachelor, Her mother is the lady of the house, And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous I nursed her daughter, that you talk'd withal; I tell you, he that can lay hold of her Shall have the chinks.
SIRIUS BLACK
Is she a Black? O dear account! my life is my foe's debt.
REMUS LUPIN
Away, begone; the sport is at the best.
SIRIUS BLACK
Ay, so I fear; the more is my unrest.
SIRIUS BLACK
Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone; We have a trifling foolish banquet towards. Is it e'en so? why, then, I thank you all I thank you, honest gentlemen; good night. More torches here! Come on then, let's to bed. Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late: I'll to my rest.
Exeunt all but SIRIUS BLACK and SIRIUS BLACK
SIRIUS BLACK
Come hither, Sirius. What is yond gentleman?
SIRIUS BLACK
The son and heir of old Sirius.
SIRIUS BLACK
What's he that now is going out of door?
SIRIUS BLACK
Marry, that, I think, be young Sirius.
SIRIUS BLACK
What's he that follows there, that would not dance?
SIRIUS BLACK
I know not.
SIRIUS BLACK
Go ask his name: if he be married. My grave is like to be my wedding bed.
SIRIUS BLACK
His name is Sirius, and a Black; The only son of your great enemy.
SIRIUS BLACK
My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy.
SIRIUS BLACK
What's this? what's this?
SIRIUS BLACK
A rhyme I learn'd even now Of one I danced withal.
One calls within 'Sirius.'
SIRIUS BLACK
Anon, anon! Come, let's away; the strangers all are gone.
Exeunt