IN REFUM. III.
25 lines✦
ufus the courtier, at the theatre,Leaving the best and most conspicuous place,Doth either to the stage[463] himself transfer,Or through a grate[464] doth show his double face,For that the clamorous fry of Inns of CourtFill up the private rooms of greater price,And such a place where all may have resortHe in his singularity doth despise.Yet doth not his particular humour shunThe common stews and brothels of the town, 10Though all the world in troops do thither run,Clean and unclean, the gentle and the clown:Then why should Rufus in his pride abhorA common seat, that loves a common whore? FOOTNOTES: [463] It was a common practice for gallants to sit upon hired stools inthe stage, especially at the private theatres. From the _Induction_ toMarston's _Malcontent_ it appears that the custom was not tolerated atsome of the public theatres. The ordinary charge for the use of a stoolwas sixpence. [464] Malone was no doubt right in supposing that there is here anallusion to the "private boxes" placed at each side of the balcony atthe back of the stage. They must have been very dark and uncomfortable.In the _Gull's Horn-Book_ Dekker says that "much new Satin was theredampned by being smothered to death in darkness."
✦