Act I. Scene I.

Enter Alexander

_Alexander speaks_

Silence, brave gentlemen, if you will give an eye,

Alexander is my name, I’ll sing a tragedy;

A ramble here I took the country for to see,

Three actors I have brought, so far from Italy.

The first I do present, he is a noble king,

He’st just come from the wars, good tidings he doth bring;

The next that doth come in he is a doctor good,

Had it not been for him I’d surely lost my blood.

Old Dives is the next, a miser you may see,

Who, by lending of his gold, is come to poverty;

So, gentlemen, you see, our actors will go round,

Stand off a little while more pastime will be found.

The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 2 (of 3) or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac · 第 12 / 16 章