Chapter XXIV: Prologue

Howe’er th' intents and appetites of men
Are different as their faces, how and when
T' employ their actions, yet all without strife
Meet in this point,—Any thing for a quiet life:
Nor is there one, I think, that’s hither come
For his delight, but would find peace at home
On any terms. The lawyer does not cease[857]
To talk himself into a sweat with pain,
And so his fees buy quiet, ’tis his gain:
The poor man does endure the scorching sun
And feels no weariness, his day-labour done,
So his wife entertain him with a smile
And thank his travail, though she slept the while.
This being in men of all conditions true
Does give our play a name; and if to you
It yield content and usual delight,
For our parts we shall sleep secure to night.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

LORD BEAUFORT.
SIR FRANCIS CRESSINGHAM.
GEORGE CRESSINGHAM, }
EDWARD, _a child_, } _his sons_.
FRANKLIN _senior_.
FRANKLIN _junior, his son_.
KNAVESBY, _a lawyer_.
SAUNDER, _steward to Sir Francis Cressingham_.
WATER-CAMLET, _a mercer_.
GEORGE, }
RALPH, } _his apprentices_.
SWEET-BALL, _a barber_.
FLESH-HOOK.
COUNTERBUFF.
_Surveyor, Barber’s Boy, &c._

LADY CRESSINGHAM, _wife to Sir Francis_.
MISTRESS GEORGE CRESSINGHAM, _disguised as Selenger, a
page to Lord Beaufort_.
MISTRESS KNAVESBY.
MISTRESS WATER-CAMLET.
MARIA, _a child, daughter to Sir Francis Cressingham_.
MARGARITA, _a French bawd_.

Scene, LONDON.

ANY THING FOR A QUIET LIFE.