Part 19

In the following we have another case of catch-singing. The original music of 'Flout 'em' has not come down to us.

Tempest III, ii, 122.

Stephano. Come on, Trinculo, let us sing.

Caliban. That's not the tune. [Very likely, as they were tipsy.]

Ste. What is this same?

Trin. This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.

* * * * *

L. 136.

Cal. Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices, &c.

Ste. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing.

L. 152.

I would, I could see this taborer: [Ariel] he lays it on.

Also Id. III, ii, 119.

Stephano, like most of the scamps in Shakespeare, is a good musician. He leads the catch, appreciates Ariel's tabor playing (l. 152), and is overjoyed to think that he will have all his music 'for nothing' (l. 145) in the magical isle.

Finally, in the Taming of the Shrew, we have the title of another old catch, of which the music has survived--viz., 'Jack, boy.'

Shrew IV, i, 42.

Curtis. Therefore, good Grumio, the news.

Grumio. Why, "Jack, boy! ho, boy!" and as much news as thou wilt.

The words of this catch, which takes four voices, are--

'Jack, boy, ho! boy, news; The cat is in the well, Let us ring now for her knell, Ding, dong, ding, dong, bell.'

The music [see Appendix], like that of so many other catches, is anonymous, and is of some date long before Shakespeare.

As You V, iii, 7.

Touchstone. By my troth, well met. Come, sit, sit, and a song.

2 Page. We are for you; sit i' the middle.

1 Page. Shall we clap into 't roundly, without hawking, or spitting, or saying we are hoarse, which are the only prologues to a bad voice?

2 Page. I' faith, i' faith; and both in a tune, like two gipsies on a horse.

Touch. Truly, young gentlemen, though there was no great matter in the ditty, yet the note was very untuneable.

1 Page. You are deceived, sir; we kept time; we lost not our time.