Diag. I mean, because they know you and your office.

Cal. Office! I would I could put it off; I am sure I sweat quite through my office. I might have made room at my daughter’s wedding: they have near kill’d her among them; and now I must do service for him that hath forsaken her. Serve that will.

[Exit.

Diag. He’s so humorous since his daughter was forsaken— Hark, hark! there, there! so,so! Codes, codes! [Knock within.] What now?

Mel. [within.] Open the door.

Diag. Who’s there?

Mel. [within.] Melantius.

Diag. I hope your lordship brings no troop with you; for, if you do, I must return them.

[Opens the door. Persons endeavour to rush in.

Enter MELANTIUS and a Lady.

Mel. None but this lady, sir.

Diag. The ladies are all placed above, save those that come in the king’s troop: The best of Rhodes sit there, and there’s room.

Mel. I thank you, sir.—When I have seen you placed,madam, I must attend the king; but, the masque done,
I’ll wait on you again.

[Exit with the Lady into the gallery.

Diag. Stand back there!—Room for my lord Melantius!— pray, bear back—this is no place for such youths and their trulls—let the doors shut again.—No!—do your heads itch? I’ll scratch them for you. [Shuts the door.]—So, now thrust and hang. [Knocking.] Again! who is’t now?—I cannot blame my lord Calianax for going away: ’Would he were here! he would run raging among them, and break a dozen wiser heads than his own, in the twinkling of an eye.—What’s the news now?
[Within.] I pray you, can you help me to the speech of the master-cook?

Diag. If I open the door, I’ll cook some of your calves-heads.
Peace, rogues! [Knocking.]—Again! who is’t?

Mel. [within.] Melantius.

Enter CALIANAX.

Cal. Let him not in.

Diag. O, my lord, I must.—Make room there for my lord.

Enter MELANTIUS.

[To Melantius.