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That well by heart hath conn’d his embassage.

Action and accent did they teach him there:

“Thus must thou speak,” and “thus thy body bear”;

And ever and anon they made a doubt

Presence majestical would put him out;

“For,” quoth the King, “an angel shalt thou see;

Yet fear not thou, but speak audaciously.”

The boy replied, “An angel is not evil;

I should have fear’d her had she been a devil.”

With that all laugh’d, and clapp’d him on the shoulder,

Making the bold wag by their praises bolder.

One rubb’d his elbow thus, and fleer’d, and swore

A better speech was never spoke before.

Another, with his finger and his thumb,

Cried, “Via! we will do’t, come what will come.”

The third he caper’d, and cried, “All goes well.”

The fourth turn’d on the toe, and down he fell.

With that they all did tumble on the ground,

With such a zealous laughter, so profound,

That in this spleen ridiculous appears,

To check their folly, passion’s solemn tears.

Prin.

But what, but what, come they to visit us?

Boyet.