_Item_--A carol or song of thanksgiving. _Item_--A collection.
JONAS. An entertainment well devised, Master Ableways, sobeit the
words of the second song remain with me after I am delivered of the
first.
MARTHA. Are we to begin soon, Master Ableways? My feet are cold.
PETER. Are we all ready, friends? I will say one--two--three--and at
"three" I pray you all to give it off in a hearty manner from the
chest. One--two--
JONAS. Hold, hold, Master Ableways! Does it begin--No, that's the
other one. (JENNIFER whispers the first line to him) Ay, ay--I have it
now--and bursting to get out of me. Proceed, Peter Ableways.
PETER. One--two--three--(They carol.)
PETER. Well sung, all.
HUMPHREY. The applause followed, good Master Peter, as ordained.
Moreover, I have the tune of the second song ready within me. Likewise
a la-la-la or two to replace such words as I have forgotten.
MARTHA. Don't forget the collection, Master Ableways.
PETER. Ay, the collection. (He takes off his hat and places it on the
ground.)
HUMPHREY. Nay, not so fast, Master Peter. It would be ill if the good
folk thought that our success this night were to be estimated by an
empty hat. Place some of our money in it, Master Ableways.
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