_Boh._ Accept my jig, guid king, and let me rest; The grave with guid men is a gay-built nest.
_Ober._ The rising sun doth call me hence away; Thanks for thy jig, I may no longer stay: But if my train did wake thee from thy rest So shall they sing thy lullaby to nest. [_Exeunt._
SCENE I.--_Porch to the Castle of the_ COUNTESS OF ARRAN.
_The_ COUNTESS OF ARRAN _and_ IDA _discovered sitting at work._
_Count. of A._ Fair Ida, might you choose the greatest good, 'Midst all the world in blessings that abound, Wherein, my daughter, should your liking be?
_Ida._ Not in delights, or pomp, or majesty.
_Ida._ Since these are means to draw the mind From perfect good, and make true judgment blind.
_Count. of A._ Might you have wealth and fortune's richest store?
_Ida._ Yet would I, might I choose, be honest-poor; For she that sits at fortune's feet a-low Is sure she shall not taste a further woe; But those that prank on top of fortune's ball Still fear a change, and, fearing, catch a fall.
_Count. of A._ Tut, foolish maid, each one contemneth need.
_Ida._ Good reason why, they know not good indeed.
_Count. of A._ Many, marry, then, on whom distress doth lour.
_Ida._ Yes, they that virtue deem an honest dower. Madam, by right this world I may compare Unto my work, wherein with heedful care The heavenly workman plants with curious hand-- As I with needle draw--each thing on land Even as he list: some men like to the rose Are fashion'd fresh; some in their stalks do close, And, born, do sudden die; some are but weeds, And yet from them a secret good proceeds: I with my needle, if I please, may blot The fairest rose within my cambric plot; God with a beck can change each worldly thing, The poor to earth, the beggar to the king. What, then, hath man wherein he well may boast, Since by a beck he lives, a lour[262] is lost?
_Count. of A._ Peace, Ida, here are strangers near at hand.
_Count. of A._ I thank you, gentle squire.
_Eust._ The country Countess of Northumberland Doth greet you well; and hath requested me To bring these letters to your ladyship. [_Delivers the letters._
_Count. of A._ I thank her honour, and yourself, my friend. [_Peruses them._ I see she means you good, brave gentleman.-- Daughter, the Lady Elinor salutes Yourself as well as me: then for her sake 'Twere good you entertain'd that courtier well.