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HEYWOOD'S DRAMATIC WORKS.
HE DRAMATIC WORKS OF THOMAS HEYWOODNOW FIRST COLLECTED WITH ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES AND A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR IN SIX VOLUMES
Ant prodejfi folent out ddeflare
VOLUME THE FIFTH
LONDON
JOHN PEARSON YORK STREET COVENT GARDEN •1874
BY
PR:
.ATE
A
CHALLENGE
FOR
B E A VT I E.
AS IT HATH BEENE SVN' dry times A6ted,
By the KINGS Majefties Servants :
At the Blacke-friers, and at the Globe on the Banke-fide,
Autprodeffefoknt, aut Dekftare
Written by THOMAS HEYWOOD.
LONDON-.
Printed by R. Raworth, and are to bee fold by lames Bceket,
at his (hop in the Inner Temple Gate, 1636. 5 B
The Prologue.
THe Roman and Athenian Drammaes/tfr;r Differ from us, And thofe that frequent are In Italy and France, even in thefe dayes, Compared with ours, are rather jiggs than Playes : Like of the Spanifh may be f aid, and Dutch, None verjlin language, but confeffe themfuch. They doe not build their proj efts on that ground, Nor have their phrafes halfe the weight and found Our laboured Scenes have had ; (and yet our Nation, Already too much taxtfor imitation , Infeeking to Ape others] cannot quit Some of our Poets, who have finrid in it* For where before great Patriots, Dukes and Kings Prefented for fome hie facinorious things, Were the Stage-Subiett ; now wejlrive toflie In tfieir low pitch, who never could f oar e hie : For now the common argument intreats, Of puling Lovers, craftie Bawdes or cJieates.
Nor blame I their quick fancies, who can fit Thefe queafie Times, with Humours flaJHt in wit, Whofe Art I both incourage and commend', I only tvijh that they would fometimes bend To memorije the valours offuch men, WJwfe very names might dignifie the Pen, And that our {once applauded} Rofcian flraine, In acting fuch might be reviv d againe : Which you to countenance, would the Stage make proud, And Poets Jlrive to key their firings more loud.
Dramatis P erf once.
King Sebaflian Queene Ifabella L. Bonavida Centella ) Pineda ] Valladaura Mont. Ferrers Hellena
Aldana
Petrocella
Leonora
Rofara
Manhurft
The Clovvne
Three Englilhmen.
King of Portugal!. His proud Queene. A noble and honeft Spanifh Lord.
Two Spani/h Sycophants.
A noble Spanifh Sea Captaine. A noble Engli/h Sea Captaine. Sifter to Ferrers, of incomparable
Vertue and Beautie. Father to Petrocella. A fair t Spani/h Ladie. An ancient Lady^ wife to Aldana. Maid to Hellena. Ferrers his friend. Servant to the Lord Bonavida. Sold for Slaves in Spaine.
A Challenge for Beauty.
AElus primus. Sc&na prima.
Enter the King of Portugal!, Ifabella the Queene, the Lord Bonavida, two other Lords, Centella, Pineda, with a great traine of Attendants.
King. M|He united blood of Spaine and
Portugal!, Now meetes in us ; the Heredi-
_ tary hopes,
That were but in Conception, now have birth, And what was but Idea, till this day, Hath put on efience.
Omnes. Toy to the Prince and Princeffe.
King. This Hayle from you, wee count a blefsing
to us,
And more then common greeting, as from Gentlemen, Crown'd both in blood, and vertue.
Ifabel. Thefe perhapps, See with judiciall eyes unto thofe joyes You gaine by enjoying us. King. Wee find them great. Ifabel. But great ? wee look'd for a fuperlative, And if there be a fit, and knowne degree,
6 A Challenge for Beauty.
Above compare, to have binne mark'd with that : Wee would not have a thought conceiv'd of us, But mould be mix'd with rapture, and what you Terme joy, tranfported into extalie, But great ?
Bona. Mee-thinkes addition great enough For any mortall Woman.
Cent. ToTuch goodneffe, Your highnefle might have lent an attribute Of farre more weight, and fplendor,
King. Teach us that ?
Ifabel. I mail, who would be weigh 'd unto my
worth,
And yet in all my poyfe not loofe a dram, Put you the prowdefl Lady in one fcale, And mee into another.
Bona. You mail mount her If pride will do 't.
Ifabel. This Beauty, Vertue, Birth, Shall unto mine owne Center finke my felfe, And lift her, unto nought fave fmoake and Ayre.
Pine. Nay, that upon my knowledge.
King. Faire Ifabdla> Inftrucl mee modeflly in what I erre, And if I mail but skant you in the leaft, j He make you large amends.
Ifabel. Why even in that, In tearming mee but faire, faire Ifabella ? It is a Milke-maides title, every Swaine Beftowes it on his Miftris, nere fo meane, Your City damfell fcornes the word, becaufe Tis common in the Country ; and (hall wee Bred in the Courts rich glory, intertain 't ? What's great and faire? wee would be term'd divine. Such as would give us our full character, Muft fearch for Epithites, and ftudie phrafe.
Bona. Examine but plaine Mantuan, and hee'l tell you, what woman is.
Ifabel. Great Prince of Portugal?, Obferve in me thine happineffe, thanke not Heaven
A Challenge for Beauty. 7
So much that thou wert borne, nor borne a Prince, But that thou injoy'fl us : For that great blefsing Give thy Creation thankes.
Cent. So he well may.
IfabeL Behold /here expofe me to all eyes, To univerfal cenfure. Lives a Lady Greater in Blood t if any that gainefay Spaine (hall maintaine it by her potency ; Search Italy and all thefe Climes beyond, Come by the Alps backe, and view France through out,
Produce me the mod excellent German Froae, Examine England, which fome fay breeds beauties Beyond all thefe, and Prince, your Portugall To equall this ; this 1 doe I boaft of thofe That are not mine ? fay wee afcribe our birth Onely to Fortune, and to nature forme. Count both thefe accidentall, there's a third Vertue remaines : and even in that wee dare With any Princefle of the World contefl. Come, your free cenfures Lord
Pineda. Madam I hold you In lead of thefe not to be parallelPd.
Centella. In my opinion, Madam, you fo farre Exceed all thefe that yet mine eyes have feene Nay heard, or read of.
Bonavid. O bafe flattery !
Cent. That unto thofe beforetime wondred at, You in our age appeare a miracle, And never to be matcht
Ifabella. We obferve in you, A kind of inforct filence mixt with fcornes, Your tongue hath beene fo back-ward to pronounce So definitive a fentence.
Bonauid. Know then Madam, I mufl confeffe (although a womans fonne) Yet cannot I diffemble, neither would I, Should I be rackt and tortured, then with pardon Vnto the Prince and you, thus much I thinke,
8 A Challenge for Beauty.
I not deny, but you by birth are royall. Beautious, or elfe I fhould condemne mine eyes, And fay they wore falfe lights; for your known e
vertues,
Traytor he were, that fhould but queftion them, I make this atteflation, yet fweet Princeffe, Thefe praifes you conferre upon your felfe Though they be jufl and true from your owne Tongue Loofe part of their great lufter, in thefe, or mee, They would have had more fweetnefie, better fownd, But from a Tuskan tongue, or Porteguife, Englifh or French, or any Strangers mouth, Much more harmonious relifh ; I have held it Still as a Maxime, my beft Judging dayes, Such doubt their worths, are forc'd themfelues to prayfe.
If a. Who fitter to fpeake trueth, then Trueth's own Tongue ?
Bona. Yet arrogance in Trueth may blemifli it.
Ifabel. Of Arrogance us 1
Bona. Call 't if you pleafe, Selferlove : Befides, in man or woman, fince the firft Nature hath yeelded none fo abfolute, To whom me made no fellow. Firfl for beautie, If Greece afforded a fayre Hellen, Troy Her paralleld with a Polyxena : For Wifedome, Rome prefented a Cornelia, And Lidia a Sofipatra : Chaftity ? Lucrece, of whom the Romanes fo much boaft : Did not the felfe fame Citie breede a Portia, Who when me heard her husband Brutus flaine, Kept from all other Engines, fwallowed fire, And by that meanes to meete with him in death, Of fuch I could produce yet Infinite ; And Madam though I muft confeffe you rare, And moll compleatly perfect in all thefe, Yet not fo choice a piece, but the wide world May yeeld you a competitor.
Ifabel. As you are, Prince,
A Challenge for Beauty. 9
And ever hope to have the fweete fruition
Of thofe pure gifts, that man fo much difdaines ;
Grant mee one free demand.
King. Speake, and obtaine.
Ifabel. His banimment from Spaine and Portugal!, Never hereafter to bee capable Of Honor, of Renowne, of place, or office, Till hee can find, produce, and fet before vs, Our match in Face and bofome, birth wee fet by, But be mee woman, and can ballance us, In both, or either, he redeemes his exile Without fuch, to returne, forfeits his head, Denie this Prince, you banifh us your bed.
King. Mofl. unpeer'd Lady, that, not for ten
Worlds,
For if an husband can a valTaile bee, To fuch approved vertues ; I am hee : Lord Bonavida, you have from her tongue An expreffe doome, that cannot bee revok't ; Tis like the Perfian feale vnalterable : And come my divine Princefle ; Hee (hall knowe, In his lufl doome, what zeale to you wee owe.
Exit K. 6- If a.
Bona. Is this Trueth's merit? Can the Court
find place
For none but flatterers, and muft I be made The firfl example of her Tyrannic ? Shall I be made a prefident through Spaine, To deterre men from fpeaking in the Court What's lufl and honed ? Nay, wee terme this law, Or meere oppreflion. What an Infinite taske Am I confin'd too ? One as vertuous No Cloifler fcarce but could fupply me with, And never travell further ; but the doubt is, Whether it harbour in fo fmooth a skinne ; As faire a face, I might with eafe produce, But Where's the Vertue then 1 fince few there are That weare both thefe afcriptions, Chafle, and fayre ;
io A Challenge for Beauty.
In all his twelue great labours, Hercules, Was not thus task'd by Juno.
Enter the Clowne.
Clow. Ill newes flies apace, and hath pluck't mee by the eares already, well, whofoever pronoun c'd that fentence ; I hope no body heares mee : I would his Portugall skinne were tann'd into Spanifli Leather, and either cut into fome flovenly Boote, to be dabled in the durt without a Galoach, or fnip'd into a Saint Martinet lerkin, that never came within the fent of a perfumers Ihoppe.
Bona. Had mee propof'd to find her match for
pride,
There had binne then no helpe, no hope at all j For that had bin the harder taske of two.
Clow. In ftead of confin'd had his doome beene to have been coffin'd, there had beene fome comfort, he might have ftill kept his Country, but in plaine Porten- gut/eand Spani/h, both banifht.
Bona. I am fure thou hearefl the newes.
Clow. How can I chufe, being in the mouth of every Diego, which I no fooner heard, but I fo fought that I might finde you, and fo finde you neuer here after to lofe you, for without you this is no place for mee, and without mee no Country can bee a Country for you. And fo a Figge for Spaine, and a Prune for Portugall.
Bona. I both accept and will reward thy love, If ere my Fate be to revifite home. Firfl thefe, then feverall Countries we will trie, To finde out this choyce peece.
Clow. That's you and I. Exeimt.
Enter Petrocella, Aldana her father. Aid. Why how l.J miftris daughter, have you con-
A Challenge for Beauty. 1 1
quered the Weft Indies, that you weare a gold Mine on your backe, this wearing will make your fathers revenewes fhrink.
Petr. He be fo bold as ftretch them on the tenters and they do.
Aid. Y'are a good lewell the whilft.
Petr. And Jewels muft be fet in gold father, He not lofe the leafl dram of my luftre.
Aid. You will not, and to what end fuits all this bravery pray ?
Pdr. To a good end if my Ayme bee fteady. Heare you the Newes at Court.
Aid Of Valladauraes fight at Sea ; is this golden baite for him 1
Petr. 'Las poore Sea-calfe : 'tis not his love I angle for, I fifli deeper flreames and for a richer draught, have you not heard of Bonavidrfs fortunes 1
Aid. To parallel the Queene in beauty and vertue ? which he can never doe.
Petr. Which he may eafily doe, her Prerogative of birth fet apart what blemifh doe you fee in mee that I may not bee the woman ?
Aid. Thou foolifh girle : then compare a Glow- worme with a Starre, a Starre with the Sunne.
Petr. And the Sunne with a Burning glade : Come, come, you're dim-fighted Father, could you fee with my eyes, and judge with my underftanding, your com- parifon would hold e contrario I allure you : thy hafty newes ?
Enter fervant.
Scr. A Noble Gentleman
Petr. Would fpeake with mee ; (Bonavide in my Confcience) Is't not fo fellow ?
Ser. I am not familliar with his name : He is of a noble afpecl.
Petr. It can be none but hee, give mee frefh orna ments, fee your errour now father, Cupid and Venus>
12 A Challenge for Beauty.
rich and new attires : Bonavide come ? live in my cheeke fweet beauty : Eloquence attend my tongue, and perfection my behaviour : Came hee on horfe- backe or Caroach't.
Ser. Neither of either. He is new come from Sea.
Petr. Certainely he having loft his labour in for- raine fearch he meetes his hopes at home, the more my honour ftill : flye and admit him. Your Counfell father, mail I feeme ftrange or familiar, wanton or ferious, affable or peevilh, I am as full of humors as an April day of variety, how mall I beare my felfe ?
Aid. Ene in the mid'ft meane, daughter, or let me
fee and thou wilt be ruld by me, beare thy felfe
E'ne how thou wilt, provided it be to thine owne profit, and my further honour : Noble Bonavide has Valladaur a Daughter? do you know this gallant?
Petr. Valladaura I hate, this gentleman acquainted with my beauty, reveald it to Bonavide : Sir you have bound mee to you, and comes to ufher him to my prefence.
Aid. Marry and wellcome, my further honour ftill.
Petr. We flay his comming, pray Sir fo returne him.
Vail. Whofe comming ?
Petr. His, your Mafters Bonavide 's.
Vail. You fpeake Riddles to me.
Petr. Be your owne (Edipus and diffolve them then.
Aid. Come not you Nuntius from Bonavida Sir ?
Vail. I am mine owne Nuntius and my Errand's love.
Aid. I heare no hurt, my further honour ftill.
Vail. Which I am come in perfon to deliver To this rare beauty.
Aid. Honour upon honour.
Petr. My fortunes flie of to ftrong a wing, to ftoope fo low a pitch, is not Bonavida come yet ?
Aid. As much as ere he will I thinke, Valladaura' s
A Challenge for Beauty. 1 3
a prettie piece of flefh, ceaze him : play not Efops cur, lofe not the fubftance in expectation of the fliaclow : 'tis a dog trick many Ladies have pradlis'd : bofome him, doe.
Petr. What, this meane creature ?
Aid. And he were meaner, fo thou getft profit, and thy father honour by't.
Vail. Are all my hopes repaid with fcorne ?
Aid. He begins to recoyle, clap him clofe to thy bread, hee's gone elfe.
Petr. Nay, Valladaura.
Vail. Have I laid out more breath In facrificing vowes, and fruitleffe Sonnets Vnto that beautious fhrine, than ere man did ?
Petr. Come, be not pafsionate, though I know both my worth and beauty, and underftand what Orbe they move into : I am not fo much infected with that fame Court-ficknefle Philautia, or felfe-love, to fcorne the fervice of any generous Spirit.
Aid. How, neither for thy profit, nor thy fathers honour ?
Petr. In fober conference then, what bounded fervice, have you ever done my beauty, that may chal lenge the leaft intereil in my love ?
Vail. As many as man can, I writ my felfe (And truly) lover ere I could write man, Pafsing my fervice as a flar, where me The bleft Jdea of thy glorious feature, Drawne by the curious working of my thoughts, Gave me the better, I put out to Sea, And there
Petr. What did you?
Aid. For thy honour now ; What didft at Sea ?
Vail. As much as any man
Aid. That did no more than thou didfl, thy fur ther honor Mil.
Vail. Somewhat I did : but what, let thefe deepe wounds
14 A Challenge for Beaiity.
Vndreft and unbound up deliver.
Petr. They are tonguetide, and cannot fpeak for blufhing, pretty ornaments for a fouldier, how came you by them tro ? honeitly ?
Vail. As noble Hettor did by his, but by An enemy farre more valiant than his.
Aid. I like that well, thy further honour flill.
Vail. At Sea I met with a bold man of war, And fomewhat more, an Englishman : Oh had Your eye (but fate denied that bleffedneffe) Witnefl our bearing, and how far the thought Of you and your rare beauty carried me Above my flrength.
Petr. I mould have faid what you are forc't to acknowledge that my beauty had been the better man.
Aid. I am proud of that, my further honour flill.
Pe. All this while you are beholding to my beauty, & I nothing in debt to your valour, which for ought I gather, is nothing at all.
Vail. Nothing ? to enter, and hold fingle combat With fuch a daring oppofite, nothing, to take Thefe dangerous wounds, and bring 'em home un- dreiU
Petr. 'Twas I confeffe fomewhat to take thefe wounds, yet in my minde he that gives the cognizance has more reafon to boafl of it, than hee that weares it : mew mee the man that gave you thefe wounds, and I'le commend his valour.
Aid. For giving of 'em 1 Knight there's fmall honour in taking of 'em though in my judgement, but what was he ?
Vail. A man whofe noble valour I miifl fpeake.
Petr. Good reafon, he has paid you foundly for't afore hand.
Vail. In love and honour I mall ever ferve him.
Petr. So I thought, for you weare a livery of his cut to the skin and lin'd with Crimfon : had you gin't him, I mould have tane you for the Mailer. But pardon me, I foare too high for a ferving-man, your
A Challenge for Beaiity. 15
eare, I am modeft, away, hie to the fuburbes, bribe fome honeft Barbarfurgeon to warn oft your difhonor and heale your infamy. That done once, learne this tenet of the war, The honour's more to give than weare a fear. Each coward may doe that. Exit.
Vail. Tis not my fate, but mine owne imperfection, That makes the act in it felfe good and laudable, 111 and diftaflfull, were my fervices Done by fome other, they muft needs become And grace the owner, were my words deliv'rd From any tongue but mine, they could not choofe But win attention : Had my love beene bred In any bread but mine, it could not thus Be fcorn'd and bafled. I of all the world Am moft infortunate, neither act, word, or love Can pleafe your audience, or compafsion move. Exit.
A Elus fecundus. Scena prima.
Enter Lo. Bonavide and the Clowne.
Bona. A Fter our tedious travells wee at length
jf-\^ Are fafe arriv'd in England, fpeake what
ufe Haft made of our long Voyage ?
Clow. Such as Travellers ufe, for by long praclife I am now at length growne perfect, and the truth is I can lie in any language.
Bona. But in our queft of this rare piece of beauty
1 6 A Challenge for Beauty.
And Vertue mixt, to rivall the great Princeffe, What thinkeft thou of our triall made in SpaineJ
Clow. I thinke of it as I ever did, that's as of a bottle of hay, and the Creature you talke of, a Needle, a very Spanifh Needle, which I feare you will never live to hit ful in the eie : Spayne ! there are fo many Mores int, that I know you would hope of nothing leffe : befides the moft beauties of Spaine have been oft in Civill.
Bona. What then of Portngall ?
Clow. Worfe then the tother : the Women there are for the moft part like their Orindges, the fayrer the outfide the rottenner within, and the founder at the heart, the rougher the skinne ; the Country is too hot, too hot.
Bona. What of the Ruffian then 1
Clow. As of a Country too cold, and in cold countries I know we mould have but cold comfort, befides the women goe wrapt in fo much fur, that of necefsity they muft have more haire then wit, befides they cannot be wife they have fo much adoo to keep themfelves warme, and more than that, what might the Prince and PrincefTe thinke, if after all our long travells, wee mould come home, and prefent them with a rum ?
Bona. Which only taking her great title of Is worth more than her felfe, of Italy Then give me thy true cenfure.
Clow. The cleane contrary way, oh, my Lord, there are fo many Italian Locks, that I know it was unpofsible your owne key mould open them all. Moreover thefe that are naturally jealous of their women, it is probable their women naturally give them caufe.
Bona. For France.
Clow. What the pox mould we fpeake of that, knowing what is bred in the bone, will hardly out of the flefh 1
Bona. The women of high Germany ?
A Challenge for Beauty. \ 7
Clow. A place that I mould highly ftand for, if the Princeffe had impos'd on us a chalenge for drinking.
Bona. Of the Low- Countries then.
Clow. In Flu/fling, there is good riding, but not without danger. For many at a high tide, have beene like to have beene cad away in the road. At Middle- borough, night or day you could fcarce finde the Ex change empty. At Briftles, if you remember you were us'd but roughly : At Since we were both well wafh't, Nimmin&ham bid you looke to your Skonce : and Oflend, beware the Cat. Don-hague is full of Witches, and had wee but tutcht at Rot or Dam, ten to one we had never come off found men. Much adoo wee had to finde New-Port : Therefore if ever you come to Bergen, fee you make it wifely.
Bona. And now, there's hope I (hall, this Albion That fitly beares name of his chalky cliffs, Breeds wondrous choyfe of Beauties, wife, and lovely, Scarce to be match't in all the world befides, 'Mongll which I- have took particular view of one, Whom had the Trojan Ravifher beheld, Troy had flill flood, the Queene of Love difgrac't, And (he alone had gain'd the golden prize, For which the three celefliall beauties flrove.
Clow. I grant you the face, but if fhee mould prove rotten at the heart, there's the queftion.
Bona. I thinke none to be made. Firfl for her birth, I have inquir'd her noble : For her breeding, It hath been 'mongft her equalls, and fo farre From leaft taxation, to the fayle of tongues, It merits imitation ; of her chaflity Some proofes I have made, and found it like the
Diamond,
Save by a Diamond never to be wrought. Could opportunity have mov'd, words tempted, Perfwafions tooke effect, or griefes have o'reled, Beneath my much importance me had falne : But like a promontory rocke fhee flands, At all the curled Oceans wrath unmov'd,
1 8 A Challenge for Beaiity.
Felling the gufts, and beating every ftorme, Yet on fuch vertues are her bafes fixt, Shee is not to be fhaken, then in her My travells take their period.
Clow. Then I would fhee and you were agreed, that you might come to a full poynt : and here Ihee comes, now or never make a full conclufion, and write Finis.
Enter Leonora and her Daughter.
Leo. Daughter, What thinke you of this ilranger 1
Helle. As a ftranger.
Leo. Of his carriage and complement.
Helle. As things for which he hath travell'd, 'tis
eafie
For him that hath the liberty of many Grounds to picke himfelfe a choyfe Nofegay, And hee that hath travell'd fo many Countries, Out of every one peculiarizing what's beft ; With what fmall difficulty may fuch a one Appeare complementall ?
Leo. His proffers to you were large.
Helle. And the performance may perhaps prove
like His journey, long.
Leo. What thinke you of his perfon 1
Helle. That there's many one cannot pray fo
well as He, that is better benefic't.
Leo. But fay hee had power to performe all that hee hath promifed.
Htlle. Onely this, that I have power in my felfe
to fay
More then I have yet either promis'd him, or You to utter.
Clow. Did not you heare her talke of utter, for fhame Sir, either utter your minde now to the full, or elfe utterly give it over.
A Challenge for Beauty. 1 9
Bona. Madam, What fay you to my fuit ?
Helle. I needes mud fay Sir, it becomes you well, Graces your prefence, and your prefence it : I like both Stuffe and fafhion.
Bona. Oh, fweet Lady, Tis good to play with fuch as ufe to fport, But with the ftaid be ferious.
Clow. Now whilft they are in talke, will I hold fome difcourfe or other with the old Gentlewoman : becaufe fhee mall not interrupt them. May it pleafe your old Ladifhip
Leo. Out of this fellow, I may finde perhaps That which his Matter would have loath reveald, I'le joyne with him in conference.
Hdle. Since you tax me of j eft, I charge you Sir Henceforth to fpeake all earneft, or fland mute,
Bona. I vow it by my greatefl bliffe on earth, My hopes I have in you.
Hdle. He try your faith,
Have you in all the countries you have travell'd Never made proofe of Lady ?
Bona. Yes, in all, And in each clime, of many.
Helle. Nay, I thought what I mould finde you, trufl a flrangers love as gold to court the minde. If then fuch numbers,
Why, after all thefe trialls make you me The laft of all your fales ?
Bona. Lafl of my hopes, Or period of my wifhes, had you faid, I mould have anfwered then, onely becaufe Of all you are moft perfect.
Hdle* Now you flatter.
Leo. A Lord faid'fl thou 1
Clowne. I, and I affure your Ladifhip, ally'de to the befl Grandoes of Spaine, nay more then fo,
Bona. As I confefle you perfect, I intreate Let not my merited prayfes make you proud, And vie your owne worth j I (hall wonder then :
C 2
2O A Challenge for Beauty.
Know Madam, that I left my Cotmtrey Spaine,
And there my many honours, not of pleafure,
But by compulfive force, unwillingly,
My voyage purpofely to find out you,
Which ere I could, I have travell'd Kingdomes
through, Search'd Courts, examin'd Cities, nay even Villages.
Helle. For mee ?
Bona. For you ; for the chiefe Paragon Of Beautie match't with Vertue. ; therefore you For one to rivall the great Spanifh Princeffe, Matchleffe in both, through halfe the world, fave
you,
Indeede I flatter not, you are that Myne, (Oh Lady, might I truely fay that Mine :) No India yeelds, fave this, but thine ; the funne To out-mine that candle, none but this cleere
fplendor,
Dimmes her imperfect glories ; You by this Shall winne your felfe a name through all the world, And purchafe admiration : mee that fo Have pryfd you, and efteem'd you, marking you Mongft thoufands, for a piece unparralleld : Before all things, my Countrey, Honors, Friends, That elfe like a poore exile forfeit all, And Lady, you the caufe on't : If my Love, Grounded upon fuch ftrong opinion Merit repulfe ; if you will loofe your felfe, And hazard mee, that have my head ingag'd To make this good : 1 onely (hall report The ftrangeft thing in my long fearch I finde, Beautie with Vertue mixt, prov'd both unkinde.
Helle. Which mould I be ? pray give me leave
to paufe, And then expecl; my anfwere.
Leo. And hath hee chuf'd her out amongft fo many 1
Clow. Yes, and meanes to make her a great Lady, to poffeffe her of all his fortunes, to put downe all the
A Challenge for Beauty. 21
prime Ladies of Spaine : and for Beautie and Vertue, to bee preferr'd before the great Princefle her felfe.
Leo. To this, fhould fhee not willingly afient, Shee were no more my daughter.
Bona. Now, your anfwere.
Helle-. Should this be true, that you preferre this
face
Before the beauties of fo many clymes : And that your life and meanes foly depend, There to expofe it freely, I mould much Digrefle from honor, to neglect fuch love, And mould I not in unfeene Vertue flrive To equall that feene beautie you fo prayfe, I mould then much wrong that great character You have beflow'd upon mee.
Leo. Which you mall not ; Daughter, I fay you (hall not ; Sir, fhee's yours, Or I difclaime her ever.
Helle. Pray good mother, A little pardon mee ; how mall I know What heere you promife, you can there make good.
Clow. If you diftrufl his word, take mine, which will pafle in Spaine for more Myravids, then the beft Squiers in England for Farthing-tokens.
Bona. That you may know it is not luft, but love, And the true fpeculation I have tane, In both thefe adjuncts, that proclaime you rare, That 'tis to have you denifon'd in Spaine, Be inflated in my liberall fortunes there, To appeare in Court a forraigne miracle, And not to make you heere my Proftitute ; I onely begge your promife, that, being granted, He backe into my Countrey, tell the Princefle, What heere in England I have feene and found, My peace being made, I will returne thus farre, To fixe you in that fpheare a fplendant ftarre, And this is all I crave.
Leo. 'Tis juft, and honefl, In this can be no fallacie at all.
21 A Challenge for Beauty.
Helle. As trueth then I accept it, and am yours.
Bona. And Lady, I your creature : For by you I am new made ; as Miftris of this contract, Accept this Ring, which never part withall, But to my felfe in perfon.
Helle. Not in death, T'fhall with me to my grave.
Bona. To prove your conftancy, One Impofition more -, there may be traines Layd to intrap our love, to injure you, And forfeit mee, therefore till my returne, Which mail be with what fuddenneffe I can : Be fhowne unto no ftranger.
Helle. Thefe I vow,
And pray you keepe this token with that care That I mail your commands, on this prefume, Of which, through all Hefperia you may boaft, Though my face pleafe, yet mail my vertue mod.
Bonce. Thou haft loft Ifabella ; and I gain'd me An Empire by my travell : I by you Am new created, being loft and gone, With this moft fweete addition, two in one.
Clow. A good hearing, and I and the old Gentle woman are both witneffes to the bargen. Exeunt.
Enter Valladaura, folus.
Valla. Approv'd, no adl, tho nere fo well becom-
ming
Part, fo well beautified, phrafe aptly languag'd, To the very Tone and Accent of the Time, But feemes in me defam'd and rufticall ; None can indure my fight, all things I doe Are conftrued to the worft ; I walke the ftreetes, Salute I all I meete, none refaluteth mee, But looke askue, and point, and laugh at mee, As who mould fay ; See Petrocellaes Scorn e, And that which wounds me deeper then death can, The more I ftrive to make me worth her love,
A Challenge for Beauty. 23
So much the more unworthy mee reputes mee.
Enter Pineda, and Centella, conferring.
Pine. And faith what think'fl of Bonavidoes under taking ?
Cent. As of the man himfelfe, more frivolous and
idle; He parallell the Queenc 1 ha, ha, ha.
Valla. They fpeake of mee, and feale it with a
fmile : That I could fmke, and hide me in the Center.
Pine. Bold Valladaura, well return'd from Sea : wee heare
Valla. Of my difgrace, what a fwift wing has Rumor ?
Cent. You met a bold and noble oppofite.
Valla. Have you heard that too 1
Pine. But beautious Petrocella
Valla. Shee has told all : I (hall be Ballated Sung up and downe by Minftrills ? Gentlemen, Tho my fuccefle fell fhort of my intent, Let it meete faire conflruction.
Pine. It deferves no leffe.
Cent. Your noble bearing, has given our moderne
gallants Plain e-fong to defcant on.
Valla. They fcoffe me palpably : but noble friends, Such I have ever reckon'd you, Let's change Difcourfe a while in private. Walke and conferre.
Enter Turkijh Captaine, Mont Ferars, Monhurfl, Pr if oners. With otliers.
Turk. Of all the Chriflians this arme ever flay'd, You come the neerefl men : What Countrey ?
Fera. England.
Turk. Y'ar Nobly Spirited : Have you got your ranfomes ?
24 A Challenge for Beauty.
Manh. None but our lives.
Fer. Them thus wee tender.
Turk. They are Jewells : We rather wilh to weare, than part withall, But need commands us to make inftant fale ; To the Male-Market with 'em, each man carries His price upon his moulder, goe goe, try the Market, Our felfe will flay, and anfwer cuftomers.
Vail. Y'ave given both me and my feares fatis-
faclion,
I mail report you noble, aud efteeme my credit Much richer than I did : As I faid, my oppofer Had man enough in him, and indeed more Then I have knowne in many.
Pyn. The Land breeds few other : what's here, a Market of Slaves ?
Vail. Manly proportions % Ha ! Mont. Ferrers ?
Fer. Death ! My mortall foe 1 how is my poore life hunted 1
Vail. You doe not know me 1
Fer. I muft give you the lie, to fay I doe.
Vail. 'Tis iurely hee, yet if it be, mifchance Has made him much unlike himfelfe, when he And I vy'd valour on the purple deck, He wore a looke more manly ; He try further. Were you nere Captaine of a Ship at Sea ?
Fer. I had nere been Have unto a Turke, a more elfe.
Vail. Of England ? your name Ferrers 2
Fer. Rather than deny
My name and Country, I'le acknowledge any Thing bafe or deadly : I confeffe you know me.
Vail. You mail know me too, ere we part.
Fer. I mail ?
Vail. Vnto fome cofl you mail, trufl to't. Exit.
Fer. If Fate
Has writ my name in her blacke booke : and this The hind-moft minute of my howers, I fcorne To bribe the Beldame to wipe't out againe.
A Challenge for Beauty. 2 5
Pin. You know the Gentleman confer'd with you ?
Fer. For a bold Foe, and a proud Spanyard.
Pyn. You may have caufe to fay fo : h'as fent your Ranfome.
Fer. My ranfome 1 Why 1 Why mould he ran- fome me ?
Nay rather, why mould I aske that ? I faw Inveterate hate flame in his burning eye, He frees me from flight bondage of the Turke To flave me to himfelfe, and exercife New tyranny ; he meets a living grave That's vaflall unto him, was once his flave ; That fate o'retakes me : I will not accept it.
Man. Your reafon ?
Fer. Not that I defire to live Slave to a Turke, or feare the bloodie ufage Of an ambitious Spanyard : Death is but death What fliape fo ere he comes in.
Pin. Why are ye fo loath to meete him then 1
Fer. Though you cannot inforce fo much, He tell
you,
See you this man ? One that with me hath fronted The wrath, and utmofl violence of Fate, Should mine owne Couritrimen, nay, naturall mother, Or my kind Sifter, whofe faire eyes I honour, Should the bed Lord of thofe have fent my ranfome, Had it come fingle without his, as this, I would have fpurn'd, and fent it backe.
Cent. You would Sir ? We fhall returne fo much.
Pin. And be perfwaded To finde ufage anfwerable to your Contempt. Exit.
Man. W hy for my fake doe you neglecl yonr free- dome ?
Fer. Becaufe for mine, thou haft not lov'd thy life, But throw ne it upon dangers more than common : Becaufe for me, thou left'ft thy native land, Father and Friends, and to make me a fortune
26 A Challenge for Beauty.
Vnmade thine owne ; gav'ft both thy felfe and fate Wholly to me ; thinke me not fo unjiifl To lofe a lewell made o're to me in truft. But they returne.
Enter Pineda and Centella.
Pin. Here's both their Ranfomes,
Throwes downe the bags.
Turk. And theres both the flaves, A better peny-worth of flefh and bloud Turk never fold.
Fer. Nor Chriftian but a Spanyard Would ere have bought.
Pin. Oh yes, your Englifh lewes, they'le buy and fell their fathers, proftrate their wives, and make money of their own children, the male (lewes can witneffe that : come on Sir, you mufk along.
Mon. How, muft ?
Ceut. And mail, prating you Englifh Have ?
Enter Valladaura.
Vail. You know me now 1
Fer. Yes truly, for a Tirant, And bloody hangman : had I knowne thee halfe fo
well,
When on the Deck I had thee at my mercy, I would have ground my fword upon thy bones, And writ my freedome in thy blood.
Vail. I live, To doe the like by thee
Fer. And I breathe yet, To dare thee to thy utmoft : and may winne More honour of thee, by my manly fuffering, Than thou, by bafe inflicting : My friend and I Like two chaine-bullets, fide by fide, will fly Thorow the jawes of death.
Vail. A lirong refolve,
A Challenge for Beauty. 2 7
But I (hall quickly weaken, (under them, Within there — quicke, that Paper will point out Diet and lodging for him, fpeakes to afervant.
Per. Sunder them ? that word Falls colder on me than the Rhewme of Death.
Pin. Then you'le not flie like bullets in the
jawes Of Death and danger ?
Fer. Heare me Valladaura, Since thou wilt needs take up the attribute And name of Tyrant, fludie thy trade perfect, Soile it not in performance, like a true Artift, Degree thy tortures, like an angry tempefl, Rife calmely firft, and keepe thy word rage laft, Torment us joyntly : funder us at firft, A plague fo deadly, that what ever followes Will feeme but as a Cordiall : wouldft have devis'd After a thoufand tortures, one to mad My manly patience, or to fplit my heart, It had beene done in this one accent, part.
Pin. Divide 'em fo.
Mon. Mezentius cruelty, Comes fhort of yours, he joynd, but you divide A living man in two.
ValL Right fpanifh Pride.
Fer. I us'd not you fo though : but noble Sir, How well thou haft merited living ?
Mon. So I'le die, Thy thought's an Antidote 'gainft tyrranie.
Fer. Borne on that confidence, lofe not one teare, Nor fpend a figh, let guilty cowards feare.
Vail. You'l find a change.
Fer. Your churlifh — nor can we looke to finde Vfage more gentle. Revenge is unconfin'd.
Vail. And fo (hall mine be : what the art of
man
Knowes of tormentlngs, mine (hall inflict, and can. This parting of you is the lead and firft,
28 A Challenge for Beauty.
Of infinite to come.
Per. I dare the worfl. Exeunt.
Enter Sebajlian, Ifabella, Centella, Pineda, with other attendants and followers.
Sebaft. Mofl divine Lady, in the late exile Of your depraver Bonavida; how Doe you applaud my juftice ?
Ifabel. Why, as luftice.
To have done leffe, mould have difgrac'd me more Then all your worth could merit.
Cm. Who doubts that, Hee were not worthy to be ftil'd a Prince, Or to partake that goodneffe got in you, That mould have let flip fuch proud arrogance, Without feverefl rigour.
Pin. Troath I wonder In what remote clyme the poore exile treads, Or in what place he hopes to find that piece His impudence durfl boafl of?
Ifabel. Hee's perhaps TravelPd to Arabia Felix, and from thence To bring the Phejiix hither.
Seba. He mould then Have kept his Country, if a Phenix live, You make Spaint blefl Arabia.
IfabeL I remember,
There liv'd a Spanifti Princeffe of our name, An Ifabella too, and not long fmce ; Who from her Pallace windowes, ftedfaftly, Gazing upon the Sunne, her haire tooke fire, Some Augures held it as a prodigy, I rather thinke fhe was Latonds brood, And that Apollo courted her bright haire, Elfe envying, that her treffes put downe his, He fcorcht them off in envie, nor dare I From her deriv'd, expofe me to his beames,
A Challenge for Beauty. 29
Lead, as he burnes the Phenix in her neft Made of the fweeteft aromatick wood ; Either in love or envie, he agree To ufe the like combuflion upon me.
Cent. A thing much to bee fear'd.
Pin. Then royall Lady, Might I advife you, ke.epe out of the Sunne And walke flill in the fhade, by proofe we fee Such Meteors oft take fire.
Ifabel. Alas poore Lord : To fee what thy bold rafhnefle brings thee to That thou art forc'd to wander through the world, To finde out a blacke Swan to rivall us ? Thou feek'fl a thing that is not : and thy raflmefle Hath juflly forc'd thine exile.
Enter a Lord.
Lord. Fayreft of Creatures, I bring you newes, Lord Bonavids return'd, And new arriv'd at Court.
Ifabel. Art fure 'tis fo ?
Lord. Moil certaine Royall Princeffe.
Ifabel. To his death : If he come empty handed.
Sebafl. But if fped, Then hee redeemes his exile.
Ifabel. Blind, and dull, Hath plenty bred a furfett in you then ? Or have you tane poflefsion of that treafure, You know not how to value to the worth ? But though you cannot, wee can rate our felfe : Perhaps, difpayre hath brought him backe to offer His defperate life ; Which if with fubmifsion, Repentance, and fome due acknowledgement, May in our grace find pardon ; Goe, admit him.
Cent. Now let's prepare our eyes ; For, hee no
queflion Hath brought o're fome rare creature.
30 A Challenge for Beauty.
Pine. Take your ftands, let's have of her full view.
Enter Lord Bonavida, and the Clowne.
Bona. All the delights of earth, and joyes above, For ever crowne your Temples.
Sebaft. Wellcome Bonavida ; How fpeed you in your voyage 1
Bona. That fucceffe, I had in expectation, Royall fir, I am now poffeft of, really.
Clown. Wee have found her.
Ifabel. Hah, whom ?
Bona. The pride of Nature, and of Love ; Beautie and Vertue in mofl high contention Which mould exceede each other.
Clow. Why, I can affure you, wee have her to
mow, And fuch a piece
Ifabel. Peace you ; What Countrey 1
Bona. England.
Ifabel. What place there ?
Bona. Of their chiefe Cities, the Metropolis, London.
Clow. I, and the fayrefl there, one fo fayre, that all Bartholmtw-fafR. could not match her againe.
Ifabel. Wee have no tongue for thee
Clow. But wee have a Tale for you, if you will give us the hearing.
Ifabel. What name ?
Bona. Hellena.
Ifabel. Of what difcent or Parentage *{
Bona. Noble by birth, yet not fo hie degreed, As her great vertues merit : nor her meanes, To counterpoyfe her beauty.
Clow. Yet wee have her, and weight and meafure with her, to put downe all the black-browd wenches in Spaine, for a face, and Phifiognomie.
Ifabel. That prater, Peace there.
A Challenge for Beauty. 3 1
Clowne. I hope, when travellers have light vpon a rich Purchafe, It is lawfull for them to bragg of their commoditie.
Ifabel. Wee may imagine one mofl beautifull ; But how to ranke with vs ? Bona. With any Lady, Europt or Afia yeelds them, pardon, Lady, I hope without the lead offence to you.
Ifabel. Perhaps fhee's fayre, what Inflance can you
give, That fhee's of fuch prov'd vertue.
Bona. Pafsing thoufands ; I will infill in one : At my departure, Onely one Ring I left with her in change, Which if fhee living part with, lend, or give Till my returne, He hold my felfe difgrac'd, Her ever-more difparidg'd : In exchang, Shee did beflow on me this Carcanett, Which I as long (hall keepe. If a. Pray let me fee't. ' Bona. Madam, I dare expofe to you my life, Then much more this.
Ifabel. 'Tis a mofl coftly lewell, Worthy a Princeffe wearing.
Clow. I can aflure you Lady, there was a Ring, and a thing exchang'd vpon the bargen.
Isabel. But where's this rare one 1 come produce
her flreight, To make her the courts wonder.
Bona. Pardon Lady :
Shee's yet in her owne Countrey ; But that Carcanet Can quickly fetch her over.
Ifabel. Pardon ? villaine, And bafe Impoflor, liu'd there fuch a creature, Would not thy pride have brought her to full view? But this Illufion feconding the firfl, Doubles thy punifhment ; Hence with him to prifon, More worthy of the blocke : Abufe us firft, And then deride us after ; Royall fir,
32 A Challenge for Beauty.
If fuffer me to fwallow this difgrace, You vnderprife me doubly.
Sebajl. Thou haft fpoke it, And it mail Hand.
Bono. Yet heare mee Royall fir.
IfabeL Away with him.
Clow. Then heare me Noble Lady.
IfabeL Shall wee be ftill tormented ?
Bona. If you denie mee freedome, grant mee that Which I more prife, my pretious Carcanet, That which you with no luftice can detain e,
IfabeL Into fome loathfome dungeon hurry him, Vnworthy the dayes comfort : beare this fcorne ?
Sebajl. Yo' have fentenc'd juftly.
If a. Pleafe you fir, a little To leave mee to my 'private folitude : I mall not be long from you.
Sebajl. Take your pleafure ; For your content is ours. Exit.
IfabeL Centella and Pineda.
Cen. Royall Madam.
IfabeL I have a projecl for you, which if you effect, You mall indeere me ever.
Cent. What's in men, Shall not in us be skanted.
IfabeL You have heard The Countrey, and th' place of her abode ; Thither lie furnifh you : Spare for no coft, Our Treafure lies ope to you, get that Ring By any flight or craft : be it pofsible That gold will doo't, corrupt her ; Vfe all meanes, All friends, devices, plotts, and ftratagems, To bring fome token of her falfeneffe backe : Further inftrudlions you mall have with you ; Meane-time prepare for travell.
Pine. And, or die, Or bring you newes of her inchaftitie.
IJabel. Inough, you are ours : part with this Carkanet ?
A Challenge for Beauty. 33
Not for a World : I have project too in that : Bee rival'd by a petty Englifli Dame ? Knew I the large earth did my equall give, Rather then brooke her fight, Ide ceaie to live.
Exeunt.
Aftus tertius. Scczna prima.
Enter Valladaura, and Ferrers gallant.
Per. O Ir from a bond-man, you have call me into a
^ free mould, almoft new made mee, yet what your purpofe is, I cannot gather, I am flill yours ; Is't your intention to pranke mee up, to make me fit for death, or feede mee till I be in fome good plight, the better to fatt your owne revenge ?
Valla. What I purpofe to my felfe, I dill keepe in
my felfe,
What you have found hitherto, fpeake, and when You find your felfe pinch'd, then freely complaine. Ferr. The face of your kind vifage yet lookes
fmooth,
I fpie in it no wrinckle ; But my friend, How have you dealt by him ?
Valla. As hee deferues, No further, pray inquire him.
Fer. If hee perifh,
I am fwept from off the earth too, with my filler, Hee next my heart fits unmoveable : pray what
fervice Will you command me now ?
5
34 -A Challenge for Bea^lty.
Valla. None : yet fome love I fhall intreate, withall, a grace from you, I have a Miflris, unto whom I purpofe A friendly vifitation, to which duty, I intreate you as a witneffe.
Ferr. I am yours.
Enter Aldana, and Petrocella.
Peir. I heare fay Bonavidaes returned.
Alda. And intends to vifit thee, for having fail'd in all his Forraine purpofes : hee meanes, upon thofe thy pillars, as Hercules did upon his, to write Non- ultra^ think'fl thou not fo girle 1 my further honor ftilL
Petr. To fee what a vertue lives in this Spanijh continent, efpecially amongfl yellow-hayr'd wenches ; Jafon, when hee went in quell of the Golden- Fleece, found it in Spaine, there's a Morrall in that, and that great Hercules, fo talk'd on amongfl the Greekes, after all his tra veils through Afia, Africke, and Europe, comming to this Countrey, into the Hand call'd Calis\ hee that, unleffe Poets lie, lay with Fifty Ladies in one night, and got Nine and forty Boyes, marry I mufl tell you, the lafl was a Girle ; Avas there fo tyred with one woman ; that hee gave over all his travells, retyr'd home to his Countrey, like a man taken downe, and in memory of his adventure : where hee reared his pillar, writ that moft methodicall Motta you fpeake of ; No further.
' Alda. My daughter is an apt, and wittie laffe : I know her apprehenfive, and well-brayn'd : My further honour flill.
Valla. Noble Madam,
I have brought a ilranger, and an Englim-man, To give you vifitation.
Alda. A worthy ftranger, a bold villaine too, My further honour flill.
Valla. To whom, Petrocella ?
A Challenge for Beauty. 35
As to a Gentleman to mee Intyr'd, I begge from you all the bed complement, Due unto my long fervice. Petr. Why, what's hee ? Valla. This man, doe you meane ? Petro. Yes hee, that fellow there. Valla. Fellow, to whom; he hath not his in
Spaine,
Nay, I might have tooke a larger bound, And not have pafl my limitt ; fellow, villaine ? Petr. Yes, or commpanion.
Valla. Paint me out a worthy
Elfe hee is fuch to none : This was the man
I met at fea, and fought with ; our Incounter
Was all in fmoake and fire, fo hotly fought,
That in that fogge, wee had no further light,
Then what our Lint-flaves gave : our Decks flow'd
blood,
Which through the Port-holes run, and dy'de the Sea Into a deepe vermillion, yet flill fought.
Ferr. But never with a braver oppofite Did JEngft/k-man trie with fire. Petr. Hee fpeakes well. Alda. Both to their honors dill. Valla. When Powder, and Bullet, And men, with all grew skant ; for fcarce was any Left to the prefent purpofe, ferviceable, Both bottomes ready through the violent leakes To fplit, and founder ; wee then hal'd, hung flaggs, And grew to compofition. Ferr. Which I begg'd. Valla. Sir, it came firft from mee ; And this pro-
pofd, That both our fhipps, goods, lives, and people, might
not
Bee in the Sea ingrav'd, and fwallowed up, Both from mans tongue and thought : that fuch rich
Prifes Might be to one Surviver ; the two Captaines
D 2
36 A Challenge for Beaiity.
To try it out by Combat.
A Ida. Honor Hill.
Valla. This nobly hee accepted ; Faiths new
pawn'd,
Hoftages given, two worthy feconds chuf d ; Lots caft, whofe Decks fhould bee th' appointed lifts ; To mine it fell : Hee boarded me to fight, From whom I came apparrel'd thus in wounds
Petr. It feemes then hee's a cutter.
Valla. Whofe fcarres ftill marke mee his.
Ferr. Weare I not yours ? Though not fo many, yet more deepely carv'd, With greater danger, and expence of blood, Then ever drop'd from thefe.
Valla. Short tale to make ; Vanquim'd I was, Hee victor ; and when all, Lading and lives were his ; Nay even mine too Lay proflrate at his mercy, with a magnificence Equall to any Prince, hee mould at
Petro. All this wee know, nor doe wee defire to heare over againe, what was before related ; but had you fpoke more in his prayfe, then you have done, which it may be is your purpofe ; I find nothing, but may well come within the compafle of his merit, and my beliefe.
Valla. Lady, I am glad you are fo pofseft of him ; And doe you thinke him fuch \
Petr. I thinke you would gladly fell whom you have fo lately bought, elfe you would never have fpoake him thus : If you have any fuch purpofe ; It may be, there be thofe that, but furrender up your bargen, would be glad to helpe you to your money. Ferr. I came but with one gyue upon my legge, Faflen'd upon mee in his curtefie, But fmce I look'd upon your Ladies eyes, Now I am doubly fetter'd.
Vail. .'Tis neglect,
A palpable neglect, me loves me not : It mall be fo, I will be borifh, and fallen.
A Challenge for Beauty. 3 7
Fer. Sir, you this day have brought me to a fight That more contents me than the wealth of Spaine : This matchlefie Lady.
Vail. My Miftris, whom if thou wilt court for me, And winne unto my wiflies.
Per. I Sir, doo't ?
Vail. Yes, by the love thou owed me ; doe you
pawfe ?
If ever I deferv'd the name of friend, Or hoped hereafter I may merit off thee, Make it thy fole endevours. Fer. Doubly captived : Honour mould flill prefeede love : Sir, I will, Though I to cure another, my felfe kill
Enter HelUna with her maide.
Helle. How long is't fince thofe Gentlemen of Spaine arrived here ?
Maid. Three dayes fmce, Lady,
Hell. Came there no letters along with 'em from Spaine ? fome note there f
Maid. Not to my hands.
Hell. Has Bonavida that name me thinks revives me, I dare not taxe him of neglecfl, and yet I am very pleafant this morning, lets have a fong Rofara : I would have the fubjedl love, and yet moded to, and yet a little wanton, yet chad and innocent as dreams of coles, and heard thou? where Bonavida 's name vouchfafes to grace the ditty, there let muficke fpeak in its fmoothed phrafe, and mod courtly fmging ; day, thou art a Jewell to pretious to be wafh'd with, thou wert given to deare purpofe : honour'd with this, lye there. A Song, during which, Jhe waJJies.
Maid. The ditties done.
Hell. And I have done : a dryer.
Maid. How am I bled : occalion I thank thee,
Ex. maid with Bafon and Ring.
38 A Challenge for Beauty.
Hell. Thy abfence Bonavida makes each minute feeme an houre and thy delay, makes infant time look
old, and were't not for this pledge of thy affeclion
miffes her ring Rofara, Maide.
Enter with the empty bafon.
Maid. Your pleafure madam ?
ffelle. Reach me my Ring.
Maid. What Ring, Lady ?
Helle. Doft aske that queftion ? that of the bafon 1
Maid. Truft me madam, I faw none.
Helle. Speak not againe upon thy^ life,^ where is the water 1
Maid. Throwne out Madam, and with it I feare the Ring, but He Exit,
Helle. Find it againe, or lofe thy felfe, inconfide- rate girle, how are my hopes betraid through thy ram negligence, was my blood pleafant for this ? my thoughts, loyfull for this
Enter Maid.
how now, haft found it ?
Maid. Nor ever (hall I feare Madam.
Helle. How, never ?
Then lofe thy felfe, my hopes are loft for ever, Torches and lights there, finde it againe, or never fee me more. Exit.
Maid. Your will's a law, which I intend not fud- denly to infringe ; and have I got thee my beft happi- neffe ? now to my Don of Spaine, the next newes you heare of me, is a Ladifhip at leaft ; but fie on this idlenefie, I ftand on thornes till I be in adlion.
Exit.
Enter Pineda and Centella.
Cent. You find her pliant 1
Pin. As a thing of wax, never was thrifty trader
A Challenge for Beauty. 39
more willing to put of a fulke commodity, than me was to truck for her maydenhead, I admire her for ward nefle.
Ccn. Call off the animall, (he takes her entrance juft at her qu. Hep you afide for feare of fufpition.
Enter Maid.
Maid. Oh, mailer Oracle, fweete mafter Oracle !
Cent. How thrives your project? workes it into fafhion ?
Maid. Beyond hope or expectation, was there not a Don of Spaine heere, to fpeake with me ?
Cent. Not I affure you ? you have met him then 1
Maid. Yes, and fo met him, fweet M. Oracle, I am bound to you for ever. Confer with Centella.
Enter Pineda.
Pin. This by my direction is the place, the labour in vaine, and here fpite of delay, fhe has prevented my haft, you fee I keep my word fweete.
Maid. And that's fomewhat flrange, in a gallant of your ranck.
Pine. But ufuall in a lover, may wee prefume upon the truft of this gentleman ?
Maid. Why, doe not you know him ? Oh ftrange ! why 'tis M. Oracle man; truft him? and I had a Maiden-head to fpare, I durft truft it naked in bed with him.
Cent. Sir, though both ftrangers, yet fates pad, and fortunes to come, are better knowne to me, than your felves : have you got the Ring 1
Maid. Have I ? have I not ? the handfomefl way I had for't.
Pin. Sweet, I am come to make tender of my pro- mife.
Maid. The like purpofe bring we Sir.
Pin. You have my heart already.
Maid. For which take mine, and that Ring to
40 A Challenge for Beauty.
boote : and M. Pin. Welcome as health to the houfe of ficknes : and now, where how, what, when ?
Cen. How is't Sir? I fee a fudden figne of altera tion in you.
Pin. And can you blame me, my blood chils, my nerves faint. I am abus'd. my attendant Dczmon prompts me, I am abus'd.
Cert. Where 3
Maid. Or by whom 1
Pin. Here, and by thee, by both a falfe impoflure and a common Strumpet.
Maid. Doe you miftruft my honefty 1
Cen. Or my Art ?
Pin. Both, they are both diffembled, and my noble purpofe fruftrate, this is not the Ring.
Maid. Not the Ring 1
Pin. And you the woman my fate points at ; how fimple innocence may be plaid upon ?
Maid. How, not the Ring 1 returne it backe then.
Pen. No, I will keepe it to witneffe and evidence againft you, for inftantly expedl the fevereft punilh- ment law can inflict upon Impoftures of this kinde.
Exit.
Cent. Difparagement to my Art, have you brought a falf Ring ?
Maid. The right on my faith, as I hope to be a Lady, the right.
Cent. I am proud of that, this tryall was not amiffe though.
Maid. But Oh Mailer Oracle, how you have de ceived me ?
Cent. I was deceiv'd my felfe, I fee my errour now ; onely a miftake in the figne, I fought for Mercury in one houfe, and hee lodg'd in the next, I muft change my lodging, the Citty ftones will grow too hot for me, I muft go coole my feet in the fuburbs. The all and onely miftake was in the figne.
A Challenge for Beauty. 41
Maid. The Labour in vaine, a fire on the figne and you too ; my Donna turn'd to this ? my prefer ment to this ? a Lady in the Morning, and a beggar before noone ? here's quicke work indeed ; a cunning man ? a cunning Rogue. If ere it be my luck to fee thee preach through a pillory, as one of the caft lims of your curfed crew did not long fmce, the hang man fhal have you by the eares for this : but Tie backe and lay my cafe open to my Lady.
Cent. Your only courfe, and now aboard for
Spaine, Her (name's our honour, and her lofle our gaine.
Exeunt.
Enter Manhurfl, with a falfe beard in his hand.
Man. The Spanyard's noble, beyond thought or expectation noble, in Head of a Dungeon, hee has fur- nim'd me with meanes, and fent me home with a let ter of his purpos'd friendfhip to my friend. And now, though freed both from Turk and Spanyard. I live flave to a more cruell nation than both, my owne countreymen, for furetylhip and debt, (difeafes that many a gallant lies fick to death on) have tane hold on mee, and though I know it improbable, and partly ridiculous, that a falfe beard, and a fantaflicall habit, mould mar my creation & make me a new creature, it has paft currant with fome in this place, and I may the bolder venter on't. Firft then to my friends Sifter, the young Lady Ferrars, I thinke her vertuous, but withall know her for a woman, and dare not trufl my liberty in fo weake a ftomacke: in this difguife then, Tie addreffe me to her prefently. Exit.
Enter Hellena and Maid.
Helle. Thou tell'ft me wonders, cheated of my Ring, by a cunning man, and a crafty Spanyard 1 the cofenage was premeditate : a Spanyard was he ?
42 A Challenge for Beauty.
Maid. Some JDo?i or Nobleman at leaft, he wore very good clothes.
Helle. So may a cheat, or a pickpurfe ; the better body, the planer the habit, painted clothes were de- vis'd for mind feeling, and fluttifh walls, It's the Ap- parrell of the mind crownes thee within Noble.
Maid. Then was hee a very beggar to cheat for fo poore a trifle as a Ring.
Ellen. 'Twas not fo much for the valew of the thing, As to impoverifh the oath of the wearer ; fome crafty finner had a hand in 't : or it might be Bonavi- daes plott, to try my loyaltie : and yet it relifhes too much bafeneffe to come from fo noble an authour ; how ever, mail I fee this, turne coward, and like a fall ing Tower, bury my beauty in my owne Ruins ? no, rather like the glorious Sun, defolue, and fcatter thefe clowds of Infamy. It is refolu'd, He after em to Spain<?\ Your purpofe Rofara.
Maid. To give you my bed attendance to the laft minute, pleafe your Ladyfhip accept it.
Helle. And freely pardon thee, receive a few direc tions for our voyage.
Enter Manhurft difguifed.
Man. Yes, this difguife will doo't; and for my friend, her noble brothers fake, He make the firft ten der of my fervice to her ; fave you Lady.
Helle. You'r welcome fir; would you any thing with us ?
Man. Impart a fecret to you.
Helle. To a Woman 1 by no meanes, wee want dif- cretion to keepe our owne.
Man. Strange ! Had I a fecret concern'd my life, Ide truft it in a Womans bofome to chufe, and thinke I lay'd it up fafe too.
Helle. Your reafon Sir 1
Man. Becaufe no wife-man will ever looke for any matter of Worth in fuch a weake building.
A Challenge for Beaiity. 43
Helle. A fellow of a bold afpec~t, and fuch a one, were I allured of his carriage, as would much availe mee in my voyage ; Art willing to ferve ?
Man. Mine owne turne with all my heart : This famions to my wifhes ; what if your Ladifhip doe want a fervant ? I am your man, your firfl man too, and fuch a man as know the World.
Helle. And fuch a man doe I want : You have beene in Spaine then 1 Did'R heare no talke of an Engli/ti-Tcizn. there, One Ferrers
Man. And one Manhurjl his friend, they are both prifoners, and lie — onely for ranfome.
Helle. My brother Prifoner? This news wings mee for my voyage.
Man. Are you for any adventures Lady ?
Helle. Thy bad newes enforces mee; He make that my colour, at leaft that Gentleman is my brother ; and coft it the lad penny of my Dower, I will not fee him want; He furnifh our voyage Inflantly.
Man. As generous, as he is valliant, 'twere cow- ardize in mee to difharten her, wee muft be gallant ; what habit were I bed to travell in, let me fee, a Span- ni/Jt flop, good eafie weare, but that like Chamber- maides, they are loofe, and fomewhat too open below.
Maid. Me-thinks your Dutch Caflocke is a comely weare.
Man. It hath bin, but now adayes it growes fhorter and fhorter, like your Court allowance : their Taylors are good huf bands, tho' they make little or no wafte at all, and that makes your Gallants fland fo much upon Points : your button-hofe is a good weare for Courtiers.
Maid. Why for Courtiers ?
Man. Caufe they are full of large promifes out ward, but lin'd with narrow and fcant-performance within.
Maid. 'Tas beene a good fafhion, but 'tis old.
44 ^ Challenge for Beaiity.
Helle. So is all goodneffe elfe, wee have nothing new, but oathes and dileafes.
Man. No, for my money, give mee your fubftan- tiall, Englifh hofe, round, and fom-what full afore.
Maid. Now they are mee-thinks a little too great.
Man. The more the difcretion of the Landlord that builds them : he makes roome enough for his Tennant to fland upright in, he may walk in and out at eafe without Hooping : but of all the reft, I am clean e out of love with your Irijh trowfes ; they are for all the world like a lealous wife, alwayes clofe at a mans tayle : out of all thefe will I cut and fafhion that mall bee new and Imitable : will you follow ?
Helle. Even where fate leades mee, wee are all her
flaves And have no dwellings of our own.
Man. Yes, Graves.
Aftus quetrtus. Scena prima.
Enter Ferrers and Petrocella.
Petr. T Never heard a fellow fince my yeeres, [ Taught mee how to diftinguifh II from good, To talke in this ftrange Key ; how Englifh this ? What art thou in thy Countrey 1
Ferr. There, a man.
Petr. What heere ?
Ferr. No better then you fee a flave.
Petr. Whofe ?
A Challenge for Bea^lty. 45
Ferr. His that hath redeem'd mee.
Pdr. Valladauraesl
Ferr. Yes, I proclaym 't ; I that was once mine
owne, And now become his creature.
Petro. I perceive,
Your comming is to make mee thinke you noble, Would you perfwade mee deeme your friend a God ? For only fuch make men, are you a gentleman ?
Ferr. Not heere, for I am all dejecledneffe, Captive to fortune, and a flaue to want ; I cannot call thefe clothes I weare mine owne, I doe not eate, but at anothers coft, This ayre I breathe, is borrowed ; nere was man So poore and atjedl. I have not fo much, In all this vniverfe, as a thing to leave, Or a Countrey I can freely boaft is mine : In all the world, I had but one true friend, And hee is ravifh'd from mee ; My efience, and my beeing, is anothers : What mould I fay ? I am not anything, And I pofleffe as little.
Petro. Tell me that 1
Come, come, I know you to be no fuch man, You are a Souldier, valiant, and renownd, Your carriage try'd by land, and prov'd at Sea, Of which, I have heard fuch full exprefsion No contradiction can perfwade you leffe, And in this faith I am conflant.
Fer. A meere worme Trod on by every Fate.
Pftro. Rais'd by your merit To be a common argument through Spaine, And fpeech at Princes Tables, for your worth Your prefence when you pleafe to expofe't abroad, Attracls all eyes, and draws them after you And thefe that under (land you call their friends, And pointing through the flreetes fay, this is he, This is that brave and noble Englimman,
46 A Challenge for Beauty.
Whom Souldiers ftrive to make their prefident, And other men their wonder.
Fer. This your fcorne Makes me appeare more abiecl to my felfe Then all difeafes I have tailed yet Had power to afperfe upon me, and yet Lady I could lay fomething durfl I.
Petro. Speak't at once.
Fer. And yet
Petro. Nay, but wee'l admit no pawfe.
Fer. I know not how my phrafe may relifh you, And loth I were to offend, even in what's pad I muft confeffe, I was too bold, — Farewell, I mail no more diflafte you.
Petro. Sir, you doe not,
I doe proclaimt you doe not, Hay, I charge you, Or as you fay, you have beene fortunes fcorne, So ever proove to woman.
Fer. You charge deepely, And yet now, I bethinke me.
Petr. As you are a Souldier, And Englifhman, have hope to bee redeemd From this your fcorned bondage you fuftaine, Have comfort in your Mother, and faire Siller, Renowne fo blazed in the eares of Spaine, Hope to re-breathe that ayre you tailed firil. So tell me
Fer. What 1
Petr. Your apprehenfion catch'd And almoil was in iheafe.
Fer. Lady I mall.
Petro. And in a word 1
Fer. I will.
Petro. Pronounce it then.
Fer. I love you.
Petro. Ha, ha, ha.
Fer. Still it is my mifery Thus to bee mock'd in all things.
Petro. Pretty faith.
A Challenge for Beauty. 47
Per. I look'd thus to be laught at, my eflate And fortunes I confefle, deferves no lefle ; That made me fo unwilling to denounce Mine owne derifions, but alas I finde No Nation, fex, complexion, birth, degree, But jeft at want, and mocke at mifery.
Petr. Love mee ?
Per. I doe, I doe, and maugre Fate, And fpight of all finifler evill (hall. And now I charge you, by that filiall zeale You owe your father, by the memory Of your deare mother, by the joyes you hope In blelTed marriage, by the fortunate iffue Stor'd in your wombe, by thefe and all things elfe, That you can flile with goodnefle : inflantly, Without evafion, trick, or circumilance, Nay, lead premeditation, anfwer me. Affect you me, or no ?
Petro* How fpeake you that ?
Per. Without demur or pawfe.
Petr. Give me but time To fleepe upon't.
Per. I pardon you no minute, not fo much As to apparell the leafl phrafe you fpeake, Speake in the fhortefl fentence.
Petr. You have vanquifh'd me At mine owne weapon : noble fir, I love you : And what my heart durfl never tell my tongue Leafl it mould blab my thoughts, at lafl I fpeake And iterate, I love you.
Per. Oh, my happinefTe !
What wilt thou feele me flill ? art thou not weary Of making me thy May-game to poflefle me Of fuch a treafures mighty Magozin, Not fuffer me t'injoy't, tane with this hand, With that to get another,
Petr. You are fad Sir, Be fo no more, if you have beene dejected It lies in me to mount you to that height,
48 A Challenge for Beaitty.
You could not ayme at greater, I am yours.
Thefe lips that only witnefle it in aire
Now with this truth confirme it. Kijfes him.
Fer. I was borne to't, And it mall out at once.
Petr. Sir, you feeme pafsionate, As if my anfwer pleafd not.
Fer. Now my death, For my owne tongue mufl kill me, noble Lady.
Enter Valladaura.
You have indeered me to you, but my vow Was ne'ere to match with any of what ftate Or birth foever, till before the contract, Some one thing I impofe her.
Petr. Shee to doo't 1
Fer. Or if me faile me in my firft demand I to abjure her ever.
Petr. I am fhee.
That beg to be implyde fo, name a danger Whofe very face would fright all womanhood, And manhood put in trance, nay whofe afpedl Would ague fuch, as mould but heare it told : But to the fad beholder, proove like thofe That gaz'd upon Medufaes inakie lockes, And turn'd them into Marble : Thefe and more Should you but fpeak't, I'de doe.
Ferrers. And fweare to this 1
Petro. I vow it by my honour, my beft hopes And all that I wifh gracious, name it then, For I am in a longing in my foule, To mew my loves exprefsion.
Fer. You fhall then.
Petro. I'le doe't as I am a Virgine. Lye it within mortality, I'le doe't.
Fer. You mall ?
Petro. I will : that which appeares in you So terrible to fpeake, I'le joy to act,
A Challenge for Beauty. 49
And take pride in performance.
Ferr. Then you fhall.
Petro. What r\ Souldier, What ?
Ferr. Love noble Valladaura, And at his fooneft appointment marry him.
Petro. Vnkind man, thou haft kil'd me.
Per* And my felfe With the fame ftroke.
Valladau. Oh, Noble Englimman, Thou now appear'ft a mirrour.
Petro. But in this, Pray Sir can you be ferious 1
Fer. As I would in death Unto my Confelfor.
Petro. Then I am loft, Now bafer than this fellow tearm'd himfelfe, To him that was on earth moft miferable : I am now become a Vafiaile, Nay, defpis'd, I that but once to day, thought my felfe rivall, For face and vertue, to the peereleffe Queene, Both thefe have proftituted to a flave, To be more flave than hee, but (hall he thus Behold in me this pafsion to ufurpe Triumph in my difgrace, and boaft abroad Of thjswfo poore a conqueft ? No Petrocella recollea thyfelfe, Preferve thy honor, though againft thy fpirit, And where thy heart is ficke, complaine thy heele, Let not thy fee,ne grief e pleafe him.
Fer. Home and retire, Why fhould you ftrive thus To undoe one that's allready conquer'd?
Petro. Poore exile ! oh, with what flight attribute Shall I devife to give thee exprefsion 1 Thou all that bafeneffe thou haft tearm'd thy felfe, Thou look'ft now I fhould whine and pule and weepe Hang 'bout thy necke, fubmit, and kneele for grace, As if thou wert that brave man fo reported ? Know I am no fuch Creature, neither thinke I There can be ought good in thee, faving this s E
50 A Challenge for Beauty.
Which was the laft, that thou had plighted me,
To one more worthy, one, whofe very fhadow
I prize, above thy beeing, one whofe a<fiions
Were never taxt in any thing fave this
To ranfome fuch a — what thou knoweft thy felfe
Him I'le both love and marry, hence, depart :
Oh heaven, how far my tongue fpeaks from my heart !
Fer. I would 'twere but a dream, then there were
hope
1 might be once awake, and fo fee day, But night is lodg'd within me, night perpetuall Darker than the Cimmerian, all my lights Have only beene meere flames that precede Tempeftuous crackes of thunder.
Valla. Now 'tis time
To rowze him from his flumber, worthy friend How have you fped this day in my behalfe ?
Fer. As you would wifh.
Valla. You neede not fpeak't againe. You averre no more then what my eares have witnefl, In which you have us'd fuch fidelity, I needs moft freely mull acquit all debts Twixt you and mee, and there Ingenioufly Confefie my felfe in reradge.
Ferr. Oh I flill, And ever- more, muft owe you.
Valla. But If you, Would add a fecond to this curtefie, I mould report you for the conftantft friend That ever ftriv'd to exceede in gratitude.
Ferr. Name it I pray you, having one thing done, I now am in at all things.
Valla. Vpon your honour.
Ferr. That which you .have bought, And pay'd for, with your money.
Valla. That no more, I charge you by our love.
Ferr. Why, I have done : What I fhall ever rue, may give it motion,
A Challenge for Beauty^ 5 1
I being now all for action.
Valla. Onely this,
For fome occafions to my felfe bed knowne, And which I now intreate you not inquire, But profecute, that Prieft (hall marry us : For your difguife, and all things fitting too't, Leave it to my difcretion to contrive, And this is all I injoyne.
Ferr. And this He doe.
Valla. And binde mee to you ever.
Ferr. I am in, Paft halfe already, why not up toth' chinne 1 Exeunt.
Enter Sebajlian, and Ifabella, Centella and Pineda, with otJier Followers and Attendants.
Seba/l. Centella and Pineda, Wee haue long Mournd for your abfence : had not our bright Queene Made us acquainted with th' intent thereof, Wee had not tooke it of you fubjedVlike, You fo unfriendly, left us without leave, But you are nobly welcome.
IfabeL As the men,'
Have crown'd us with a wreathe, of rarer worth, Then can the united birthes of Spaine and Portugall Maintaine to us : they make us ftill fupreame, And wee by them find no Competitor, The token that confirmes infallibly,. That beauty ftands corrupted.
Cent. Sacred Empreffe, Behold the Ring : the manner how mee fell, How eafily, and with what facillitie, Shee yeelded almoft at the firfl demand, Wee fKall relate at full.
IfabeL Forbeare Centella, for to vexe him more, It mall be in his hearing ; one of you Releafe him from the torment of his Prifon, To indure a greater heere : And mighty Prince, Give mee but leave, lince hee fo prowdly durft
E 2
52 A Challenge for Bea^lty.
Deprave our worth to fpite, nor all his griefe, And triumph in his willfull miferie,
Sebaft. You fpeake but what is juft and neceffary, In others to deterre the like prefumption, I pray fir reprehend him, you cannot bee too bitter In his lufl reprehenfion.
Enter Bonavida and his man, brought in by Pineda.
Cent. See, hee's come.
IfabeL Wee have fent to proove your Miftris.
Bona. And her conftancie Hath purchas'd my releafe, Is't not fo Madam *?
Ifabel. Wee are put downe ; I fear'd if any clyme Could yeeld rarietie to equall ours, It would be found in England.
Bona. So I faid,
And Royall Miflris, had you feene that face. And made fuch proofe, as I did of her heart, You would efleeme it no difgrace at all, To honour her, that's your fole paragon.
Ifa. Impudent flave
But wee'l containe our fpleene ; but 'tis my griefe To be excel'd in both : to have fail'd in one, Had bin the leffe vexation.
Bona. Oh my faire Hellena \
Thou haft fil'd my foule with rapture, and releaft me From melancholly durance ; Madam, what were they That made this happy triall and informd you That truth, to make her this acknowledgement ?
IfabeL Behold them : thefe are the witneffes Of my difgrace through Spaine.
Bona. They're noble Lords, By whofe approved cenfures, you have made, Her highneffe to confefle mine injuries. At your returne, in what plight did you leave Th' unequall'd Lady 1
Cent. Faith, in health of body.
Bona. Be proud my genius on't.
A Challenge for Beauty. 53
Pin. And lufly wondrous lufty.
Bona. Was (he feene 1
Cent. Yes feene, and felt, and heard, and under-
flood, We found her a Noune Subftantive.
Bona. Oh, my blood ! Why flyeft thou from my heart ?
Cent. Yet me (lood, And by her felfe too, when me was alone, But lighting upon company (he leak't, Poore proftitute, (he fell. Bona. Vnriddle me, And let me know thy meaning.
Cent. Then in plaine
Your Miftreffe is a Whore. Bona. Ccntella fpak't. Cent. And will mak't good, More Bonavida,
mine,
My proftitute, mod bafe and mercenary, Bowing her lu(l beneath the price of gold, For a few Spanifh Ryalls.
Bona. Oh, my rage !
Whether wilt thou tranfport me ? Villaine, Dog, Falfe and unworthy any noble ftyle, Scarce th' attribute of man.
Cent. Oh, Sir, anon I hope you'l have more patience.
Bona. Patience Devill? Let it flie to th' Antipodes, and we Wraftle in wrath and fury, that bafe lie He (lab with my (leeletto downe thy throate, And make thee (wallow both.
Pin. You are now heated : A little pawfe will coole you.
Bona. King, 'tis falfe, Beleeve him not great Princeffe, 'tis injuft ; Vnlefle an Angell mould defcend and fpeak't, And for an inftance (Ireight produce that Ring, It wins with me no credence.
54 -A Challenge for Beaiity.
Ifabel. Know you that ?
Bona. Ha, this — I doe, and therewithall dare
fweare That there's no faith in woman.
If a. Ha, ha, ha : What thinks the great cenforious carper now ?
Bona. That there's not one (give my alleageance
leave) I durft fufpedl even you, fmce me is falne.
Ifabel. Ha ; what of us ?
Bona. That I have callumnis'd, Your fame and vertue, that I merit death, That I am now profeft Antagonifl, (Saving your majefly) to all your fex, That I am weary now the ayre I breath, And mould you grant it Madam, would not live, That I no better than a Tray tor am, And in the higheft degree, have injur'd thefe, But moft, your facred felfe : if for all thefe You doe not mount me on the publicke fcaffold, I will lay violent hands upon my felfe : I beg my merited doome, my fentence crave, Which with fevered rigour let me have.
If a. We limit thee two dayes for thy repentance, The third's thy death.
Bona. My Hellena prove bafe 1 Mount thoughts towards heaven, you have on earth no place.
Sebaft. He hath but what he merits.
Ifabel. And great prince, Now boafl your felfe 'bove Brutus, Collatine. Or thofe moft famous for their conflant wives, And I my felfe unequal'd and unpeer'd May on the earth a blazing Comet mine, Seeming 'mongil others terren fole divine. Our trufty friends and fubjecls henceforth live In our higheft grace, and trull : how we will right You that for zeale to us have injur'd beene In our apparant juftice mail bee feene. Exeunt,
A Challenge for Beauty. 5 5
Enter Petrocella, Valladaura.
Vail. You fent for me.
Petro. I did, to fell thee a word of which no eare is worthy but thine owne, I love thee.
Vail. Pofsible, vexation mould take new fhapes to haunt me, you love me, come, this jeaft might pafie upon one of Cupids famions, but I being a found Sophifler in the art, am too familiar with your fallacies, to credit them or you.
Petro. Let not your comming betray your folly, though it be common with Ladies, twould (hew very ill in a Courtier. I confeffe I feem'd ftrange to you, till I was acquainted with your worth.
Val. How grew that acquaintance, 'twas without ray knowledg r\
Pet. Not to diflemble, fome impulfive Nuntirfs have wrought very (Irangely for you : but examine not particulars : fuffice, I fay I love you, and you dare not take my word, I can put you in no better fecurity.
Vail. I defire none, onely, but filence, you have vouchfafd mee a happineile, beyond merit or expecta tion.
Petr. Y'are the more beholding to me, and curtefie that comes from a woman freely, is worth twenty pleafures inforc't, neither would I have you taxe my love of immodefly : nor think I purpofe to make you pay for the nurfery of another mans pleafure, though it be common with fome at Court ; I have a kind of thing within me cal'd confcience, only I love you, and out of a compafsionate charity purpofe to marry you.
Enter Aldana, Pineda, Centella, Ferrers like a Churchman.
Vail. H'as don't to purpofe, I know not how to take you Lady.
Petro. Ene as you find me, that's with more faults than vertues : but fee, my father and fome of my befl
56 A Challenge for Beaiity.
friends, to whom I have read the (lory of my love, come in perfon to difpatch the Nuptialls.
Vail. Then I prefume y'are earned, fir I muft call you father.
Aid. And never mifcall me, if fhee be thy wife as I thinke fhee will be.
Vail. With your confent
Aid. Get hers, it's not a draw matter for mine, and yet to make her no worfe than (he is, I muft needs fay fhee will doe any thing (he lift her felfe in fpite of my .beard, my further Honour ftill ; but take her to thee, I thought fo, as foone as ever I faw thee fmacke, I knew 'twould prove a match and now 'tis out, my further honour ftill.
Petr. Out before 'tis throughly lighted 1 fuch matches were nere kindled at Hymens altar, have you fufficient certificate of my love now 1
Vail. Yes fweet, and now my refolutions wings Flie with fome Fethers : thou the man muft joyne us ?
Fer. Yes, and divide my felfe from happineffe, This hand muft forth my bofom pluck a bleffedneffe And place it in an others, are you ready ?
ValL To (hake thine Honour, which 'gins faint
already,
We are, fet on, let muficke fpeake aloud, At fuch chad Vnions Jove himfelfe is proud.
Muficke founds, while Ferrers in the habit of a Churchman joynes them, they all exit.
Fer. Awake ? or in a dreame 1 I hope the lad, The god of marriage would not fee his (hrine So much abus'd, the hallow'd lights burn out Themfelves in anger, and the Cov'nant Booke Dropt downe for (name, my hand (hooke, and my
tongue
Like a falfe evidence before a judge Faltred, and gave it felfe the lie, and yet
A Challenge for Beauty. 5 7
My treacherous heart agreed to't, and this habit. Oh, could I throw my griefe as eafily from me, As I do thee, nere did religious fhape, Count'nance or fhelter fuch a horrid act
Enter Valladaura.
Vail. Friend Ferrers
Per. Ha ? that very accent, friend, Gives my faint feares the lie ; and writes my ac"l Noble and lawfull : had I giv'n him my life Twas but his owne.
Vail. Will not this Marble weepe 1 Nor fhed a teare yet ? Not ? he quite outdares me, In noble curtefies, all my attempts Like curfes mail againft the winde flic back In mine owne face and foile it. Noble Ferrers Thy manly undertakings halfe perfwade me Th'art more than man.
Fer. Mine 1 'las, I have done nothing Worthy your lead good thought : if you (or hell) Can finde a fervice to injoine your flave More hard (or damnable) that may become (The Devill to will) a fervant to effecl, Vrge one more triall.
Vail. And with that He claime thee King of thy felfe and thy affections. And thus it is, for reafons yet conceaTd And ftrangely working in my mutinous thoughts, I would, and yet tis a requefl not fitting Me to enjoyne, nor thee to praclife.
Fer. Name it. And if I doe't not
Vail. I am afham'd to owne it, Tis fo uncomely and beyond the flrength Of man to ac~l : yet in a word, this night Thou malt (denie't not) under my name and habit, Sleepe in my marriage meets and with my wife.
Fer. Sleepe with your wife ? and is that all ?
58 A Challenge for Beaiity.
Vail Yes, all
That I allow, if after I (hall prove, Thou art unchafte, fo much as in a kiffe, All thy paft worth is blemifh'd, never demand The reaion on't, that's buried.
Ferr. I will do't ; fleepe with your wife ? He
do't, No Eunuke like mee.
Valla. Shee's now gone to her Chamber, Ladies and all have left her, under this clowd, Goe fhrow'd thy felfe.
Ferr. 'Tis done, How ere I fett, He rife bright honors fonne. Exeunt.
A£lus quintus. Scczna prima.
Enter Valladaura^ Aldana, Pineda, and Centella.
Pine. T T 7 Hat diflurbs Valladaura ?
V V Alda. What meanes my fonne ?
Valla. To runne, and roare, and bellow. *
Cont. You are not mad ?
Valla. As the great beaft call'd Bull; Oh the crampe, the crampe !
Alda. Where ?
Valla. Here, there, every where, in my Cry, my Mouth, my tongue, pull, and you love mee, pull.
Pine. Where ?
Palla. In the middle there.
Alda. What doe you meane ?
A Challenge for Beauty. 59
Valla. Shew you a true Embleme of my felfe ; I am married.
Alda. True, to tny daughter. Valla. Yes, to a ftrumpet, to a lafcivious ftrumpet, not pofsible to draw on my wedding mooes without a home.
Alda. You are too darke. Valla. And your daughter too light.
Omnes. Speake your griefes fully.
Valla. As patience, not naffer me this piece Of frailty, cut out of the heart of beauty, Where I fo lov'd, as it was doubtfull whether Shee or my life were deerer to mee ; fhee Whom by mee married, is this night Clafpt with a ftranger : makes her fathers houfe The wedding chamber, and her nuptiall fheetes Reeke to adulterate pleafure
Alda. Little to my honor, and this be true ;
Valla. Would, oh my loft life, I could prove it
falfe,
Fates not fo mercifull ; late up at revells ; I will not fay fome of her feel of late Plide me with wine, to give her purpofe food, But healths flew round, and with full wing, and ftill I was their aime :
They mift their aime tho' ; and yet but a fayrer Aflbone as opportunity ferv'd me : Vnfeene I left 'em, and by a private key, Went to my Chamber, where I faid, He dare call her Neither my wife, nor Bride ; your luflfull daughter.
Alda. Doing no hurt, I hope mee has more care of him then fo.
Valla. Wearied with pleafure, fhee lies faft afleepe, Laid in a ftrangers armes, fti'as ftay'd my fpeech, 'Tas dim'd mine eyes from fight, and patience, Reftrain'd my head from fury : what hee is, Or whence, I neither know nor queftion.
Alda. I commend ye, my daughter a whore, make
60 A Challenge for Beauty*
my houfe a ftews, and her father a pander ; is this all the honor fhe doth me 1
Pine. Difhonor'd above fufferance.
A Ida. Wine, and a flrumpet, were there no hope of generation, but in her onely, this hand mould be her hang-man : a whore on her wedding night, There's more modefly contein'd in a Goate, flrumpet, whore, I will not call her daughter, He loofe her, Will you leade the way ?
Valla. Your pardon, I am fo mildly temper'd, the expence of one cheape teare, would buy her pardon ; had her fault ilroke at my life ; If you intend Revenge do't in my abfence.
Alda. Th'art a chicken, leave us, tho' a fathers name, He beare a lyons heart, breake ope the doores, flrumpet, why Impudence, breake ope the doore
Enter Petrocella with a bloody punyard.
Petr. Whom doe you feeke 1
Alda. A flrumpet, thee, a I can't devife a name
bad enough for thee.
Petr. He give my felfe one, call me Murther-
effe ; A Name I am prowd of.
Valla. Ha ?
Alda. She has fau'd us a labor ; what means this bloody punyard 1
Petr. Reade in my brow, doe you not fee his
name Writ in red letters ?
Alda. I fee none ; whofe 1 what name 1
Petr. Bafe Valladauraes
Alda. Thy Husband ?
Petr. Hee was never mine; for tho' you joyn'd
our hands, My heart ne're tide a man to 't ; and how ever duty
A Challenge far Beauty. 61
Lives at command, Love cannot be inforc'd, And rather then live bound to one I love not, I have bought my freedom with his life.
Vail. Falfe woman ;
Petr. Alive againe ! blefl flarre
Valla. I nere was dead,
But thou hafl kill'd a man, whom to haue fau'd, Had I a thoufand lives, Ide loofe them all ;
0 valliant Ferrers, a more Noble Gentleman Never drew aire.
Omnes. The En$lifh man ?
Valla. The wonder,
And abftracl of all vertues : did you but know What bold and noble Paffages of honor, He for my fake, with danger hazzarded, You would have thought there were more deity, Then man within him
Petr. Choaked in my revenge, This loyes mee yet, that tho' I mifl thy life,
1 reach'd thy friends.
Valla. My friend indeede : and one, That did'fl but know how ardently he lou'd Thee Tiger, thee, his cruell murderer, Thou'dft curfe thy hand, and hate thy bloody felfe, For thy not loving him.
A Ida. If hee were fo loving to her, and honour able to you what bufmeffe had hee in your Chamber ?
Vail. Much, and farre more then ever was in
man,
But pafsing many unmatch't curtefies, In honors duell, when I all hope had loft, Ever win the
Petr. That flave woo'd mee for you, fo much the fweeter by that, the thought of my revenge.
Valla. To trie him further, In a church-mans
habit,
Altho' hee lov'd thee dearer then his life, At my intreat hee married us.
62 A Challenge for Beauty.
Petr. White-liver' d peafant, I have given him a due recompence.
Valla. But lafl,
And it may fland, writ in the Rowle of time, A daring challenge to all Ages.
Pine. You fent him to bed to your wife.
Petro. Which tho' I hated him, I muft acknow ledge Him noble that way.
Valla. Every way ; the World Has loft a Iewell> not to be regain'd By loffe of twenty Worlds.
Cent. But to what purpofe did you fend him to yonr wives bed ?
Valla. My purpofe was, having once paft that
triall, To have made you man and wife.
Alda. How could that bee, when you were mar ried before ?
Alda. Shee was never mine, the marriage was not
lawfull.
Done by a Lay-man ; But mans fate, 'tis throwne Above his reach, our hopes are not our owne.
Petr. Ha, ha, ha.
Valla. Deft laugh at forrow 1
Petr. Would you have mee turne Crocodile, and weepe, Ferrers, Mont Ferrers, prithee come helpe me to laugh a little.
Enter Ferrers.
Valla. Ferrers \ my friend alive ?
Petr. By this blood of a Turtle, and that's a chafte oath, hee never died.
Valla. Haft fail'd thy promife, and abuf'd my truR?
Petr. Doe but name the word, abufe by love, and He kill him indeed ; what mould hee doe ? He came to bed, and for his eyes fake, flept with mee, yet ne're
A Challenge for Beauty. 63
fo much as kifl mee, but I confefle, I gave him twenty.
Valla. To quittance with him thus, I give him thy hand.
Ferr. I aske no more, I have her heart already.
Petr. Have heart and faith, Noble Mont Ferrers.
Alda. My daughter chafle, my houfe honed, and noble Ferrers my Son-in-law ; this happens to my fur ther honor indeede.
Pine. Noble of all fides, and fo for joy of your friendly agreement, the Amorous funne is come to give you a huntf-up.
Cent. Aurora lookes red at that, but with the new light, new bufmefle meetes us, Bonavidaes Execution.
Pine. Ten a clocke, is the lafl houre his life has to reckon.
Alda. Pleafe you take part of a fhort breakfaft, wee will accompany you.
Valla. Come Ferrers, now all Tryalls are con-
firm'd In this Imbrace.
Fer. You have beene ever noble. Exeunt.
Enter Manhurft, Hellen, and her Maid page-like.
Helle. This then is Spaine, into which continent You promift to conduct mee.
Manh. Yes, it is.
Helle. And what this Cities name ?
Manh. Civill, the chiefe of Spaine ; where I pre-
fume You never were till now.
Helle. As I remember : I never was in Civill, but being heere, How mail wee bed difpofe us 1
Manh. Doubt not mee : He fit you with a lodg ing ; Heere's a Spaniard, He fownd him to that purpofe.
64 A Challenge for Beaiity.
Enter the Clowne.
Clow. Truft a Woman ? truft thy morgage to an Vfurer, thy moulder to the Mace, or thy bare backe to the Beadle, thou wilt bee whipt on all fides ; a Woman ?
Belle. This fellow, as I recolle6l my felfe, Was fervant to the noble Bonavida.
Rofa. I know him, 'tis the fame.
Clow. Why are they cal'd faire, but that they are like a Faire where every one fets up (hop, and any ,man may buy for his mony ? why lovely, but to de note unto us, they lie when they tell a man they love him? why chafle ? unleffe from Coaft to countrey, and from Conilable to Conftable : Why Virgin 1 but that they are meerely gins and fnares to intangle poore men in : why, when a man courts them, doe they cry, away, away 1 but onely to tell a man that there is a way, if he have the wit to finde it. Oh, Women, Women, fcemineo generi tribuuntur Propria qua Maribus.
Man. This fellow I perceive's a Satyrift Againft the Feminine Sex Save thee, my fri end.
Clow. From Women and I care not, for there's againft them no {landing.
Helle. Is there in them fuch danger ?
Clow. Danger, I find but a little in that face, and tis a face able to out-face the beil face in Spaine. A face that I have beene face to face with, before now, but 'tis fo long fince I cannot tell when and we have travelld fo many Countries I cannot gueffe where, Are you a flranger faire Lady ?
Helle. Yes, and a traveller.
Clow. I love you the better for that, for indeed I my felfe have feene Countries, and I fee no reafon, but that if both parties were agreed, we two might lie together by Authority.
Man. Why I have travel' d too
A Challenge for Beauty. 65
Clow. Alas, poore fellow, thou lookfl not with the face, but if thou canft give mee but the true fafhions and defcriptions of Countries, or my friend, with mee you can purchafe no Credit.
Man. I mall and thus in briefe too.
The Song.
THe Spanyard loves his antient Slop. A Lombard the Venetian : And fame like breech-leffe women go, The Rum, Turke, lew, and Grecian.
The thriftie Frenchman weares fmall wafte, The Dutch his belly boafleth, The Englifh-man is for them all, And for eachfajhion coajleth.
The Turke in Linnen wraps his head. The Perfian his in Lawne too, The Rum with fables furs his Cap And change will not be draw tie to.
The Spanyard's conflant to his block, The French inconflant ever, But of all Felts that may be felt, Give me your Englifh Beaver.
The German loves his Coony- Wooll, The Irim-man his /hag too, The Welch his Mon-mouth loves to weare, And of the fame will brag too.
Some love the rough and feme the fmoothe, Some great and others fmall things, But O your lickorifJi Englifh-man, He loves to deale in all things.
The Rum drinks quajje, Dutch Lubecks beere, And that is ftrong and mightie, The Brittaine he Methe^len quaffs, The Irifh Aqua-vita.
66 A Challenge for Beaiity.
The French affects the Orleans grape. The Spanyard ftps his Sherry, The Englifh none of thefe can f cape, But hee with all makes merry.
The Italian in her high Chopeene, Scotch laffe, and lovely Froe too, The Spanifh Donna, French Madam, He doth not fear e to goe to.
Nothing fo fttll of hazard, dread, Nought Hues above the Center, No health, no fajliion, wine or wench, On which he dare not venter.
Clow. God-a-mercy for this in faith, and were it not that the griefe, for my Noble Matters death, and that to morrow too
Helle. Why, haft thou a mafter to fuffer ]
Clow. Yes, and about a face too that would have ferv'd the turne, if the heart had been correfpondent. If you have a minde to fee the pittifull fpectacle, I'le helpe you to a place, where you mall have roome to fee, leafure to lament, and time to med teares.
Helle. Strange, moft ftrange, I will inquire this
further, I'th meane time, canft helpe us to a lodging ?
Clow. Yes, efpecially for fuch a face. If you defire a ftrong one, to a prifon. If you would lie cheape and fave charges, 'tis but fpeaking treafon, and I'le helpe you to be billeted, at the Kings caftle.
Enter Bonavida with Officers, and executioner.
Bona. The Queene playes with my death, And bids me act a bold Tragedians part, To which, fuch moving action I will give, That it mail glaze this Theater round with teares, And all that mall behold me on this ftage,
A Challenge for Beaiity. 67
Pittying my fate : fhall taxe her cruelty, And to the SpaniJJi Chronicles let this abide, That he whofe tongue hath juflified their fex, Whofe fword hath coapt brave Champions for their
fame
Whofe travells have been to maintaine their honours, And of their vertues to give large approofe ; That he, whofe labour was their praife t'uphold, Should by a woman fall ; a faire falfe woman : And be it not the leail flaine to that Country, That (he was bred in England.
Sound, Enter Sebaftian, Ifabella, Ferrers, Valladaura, Aldana, Pineda, Petrocella, 6°^.
Sebajl. The character you have given that noble
ftranger,
His valour, faith, and friendfhip Valladaura, So deepely hath impreft us : that we are pleas'd, To fee him match't into a noble houfe, And wee from henceforth fhall account him ours.
Ifabel. Faire Petrocella, we commend your choyce, For if renowne hath blazond him aright, Spaine it could fcarce have betterd \ we have flor'd Favours for you, and high refpect for him, Which leafure mall make knowne ; but to the Pri-
foner,
That's now our prefent bufmefle : Seate you Lords, Pineda, you next us.
Bona. Queene here's your fport, And this the marke you aime at : yet in this Deale gently with me, doe not mock my death, And He expofe my life as willingly, As in my ripeft joyes and befl of pleafures. In love which moil I wifh to have preferv'd, Nor trouble me with vaine intergatories To turne my foule (in the high rode to heaven Into fome dangerous by-path) grant but this, My death I freely pardon.
F 2
68 A Challenge for Beauty.
Ifdbel. Thofe fmall minutes You have to fpend, are at your owne defires, No tongue fhall interrupt you.
Bonavid. Now you are kinde : I now with what prepared fpeed I can Will come to kiffe my Fate. Prepares for death.
Enter Manhurft, Hellena, and the Maide.
Man. Come Lady, if we prefTe not through the
throng Wee fhall not get to th' hearing.
Hdle. 'Mongft all thefe Courtiers, point me out the man ?
Maid. That Picke-devant that elbowes next the Queene.
Helle. Enough, no more.
Bona. Now farewell Royall Soveraigne and great
Queene,
Vnto whofe high and facred Majefly My forfeit head thus ftoopes : and beft lov'd Peeres, I only wifh this blood you fhall fee drawne Had drop't before the common enemie, The barbarous Turke : in fome jufl Chriflian caufe Not in this feminine quarrell. I had then Dyde a crown'd Martyr : that offendour like Now bow to th' Axe of luftice ; fare-well to Thee, for whofe love I undergoe this ftiame, May thy repentance for thy guilt begge pardon, That wee may meete in blefl Elizium, There our foules kiffe together : Farewell world, Growne fo corrupt, thou wilt not fuffer Vertue And Beauty roofe together : may thy charitie Guide me to yon fafe harbour. Thus I fall Beneath my offences, and take leave of
Helle. Stay.
Ifabel. Who interupts our luftice 1
Helle. As you are Royall,
A Challenge for Beaiity. 69
And worthy of thofe honors arch your head, Deferre that bloody bufmefTe now in hand, To right an injur'd woman.
Manh. What meanes this 1
Stbajl. A lovely and fweete prefence.
Ferr. That apparition tranfports mee into wonder.
Ifabel. A rare afpecl ; had fhee a fuiting vertue, Pineda, I mould halfe fuipe6l my challenge, And willingly compound.
Pine. Mofl Divine Princefie, Should they meete heere, I mould not blame your
feares, Since th' one appeares to bee incomparable.
Sebaft. What feeke you from this throne ?
Helle. That in which Kings Referable moft the Gods : luftice.
Ifabel. 'GainR whom ?
Helle. Againfl a Fellon ; robber ! a bafe thiefe. Harbour'd in this your Court.
Sebaft. If fuch live heere,
As wee are King, wee bannifh him our patronage, And'yeeld him up to fentence ; ftrft, faire creature, Give us your name, your birth, and.qualitie.
Helle. My Nation forraine: birth, not high de-
gree'd,
Nor every way ignoble : for my qualitie, Some that prefume to know mee, call rne Libertine, Wanton, and wild wench ; nay, a Curtizan : But were I loofer then ere Lais was, It mould not barre mee juftice.
Sebaft. Thou (halt ha'te.
Ferr. That word quak'd all the blood within my
vaines, And agues all my nerves.
Pine. You keepe your owne yet madam.
Ifabel. And of that, Pineda, I am prowd, infinite prowde, I nere was pleas'd with anies fmne till now ;
70 A Challenge for Beauty.
It makes mee ftill unpeer'd.
Sebajl. Speake, what's your wrong ? Helle. See you this pantofle ? Twas a rich paire, till the bafe fellonie, Of one of this your Court divided them ; For being lodg'd, and nobly entertained, Was not alone content to vitiate Both fame and body, and to take full furfet Of that my proflitution, but unworthy The title of a noble Gentleman, Hee ftole the flipper there, that fellowes this, Valewed at no leffe then a Thoufand Crownes.
Sebaft. And cheapely rated too, find out the
man,
And bee hee one Inthron'd in our highefl grace, Hee mall be thine to cenfure.
Ifab. Take furveigh, Make ftrickt inquiry, fmgle men by men : For mine owne part, fo much I grieve thy loffe, And his bafe theft abhorre, that were't the man Vpon whofe moulder wee did ufe to leane, Severitie mould judge him.
Helle. You are all gratious, And He make bold to ufe the benefit Of this your Clemency.
Ferr. Oh that fome whirle-wind would but match
mee up,
And beare me to a defart wilderneffe, Where never man was knowne, to funder mee So farre, If not much further, from my fhame.
Petr. Pray fir, why fhould this beautie trouble
you 1 If one of your acquaintance.
Ferr. I hope Lady, you are not lealous, are
you ? Helle. Sir looke up : you are no whit like the
man. JBona. But mee the woman,
A Challenge for Beauty. 71
For whom the fword thus thirfles : is this a vifion 1 Or elfe fome waking dreame.
Helle. And have I found thee villaine ? Think'R
thou Majeflie
Can be protection for a common thiefe ? This is that bafe fellonious impudente, Shame to his Nation, fcandall to his birth, And a difgrace unto that Royall Court, In which hee feemes protected.
Pine. Ha, who 1 ?
Ifabel. Pineda guilty ; mall wee bolfler theft, And patronage difhonour.
Helle. luftice Queene, luftice great fir, let not this hie tribunal!, So famous by that Virgin, fent from heaven, That beares the fword and ballance, now be taxt Of favour, or connivence.
Sebaft. As wee hope,
To be held worthy of the Crowne wee weare, Thou malt not find us partiall.
Ifabel. Hence from us, For till thou canfl approve thine Innocence, And cleere this blacke afperfion throwne on thee, Wee heere abandon thee, to the feveritie Of the Lawes rigorous cenfure.
Pine. You amaze mee, Nor know I what this meanes.
Helle. I challenge then this man for dealing from
mee The fellow to this flipper.
Pine. Of which crime, I heere proteft mee cleere : Name the time where.
Helle. That night, when I became thy Paramore, Brefted thee, in thefe armes received thee Into my free Imbraces, and imparted The lavifh More of fuch voluptuous fweetes, I lent with all profufenefle,
Pine. I doe this ! Madam, by all my favours flor'd in you,
72 A Challenge for Beaitty.
I never look'd upon that face till now;
Nor doe I know what this Impofture meanes.
Helle. What faith my Page to this ?
Maid. That 'tis moil falfe, And what my Lady heere protefts for true, That, noble fir, I'me witneffe, as a man To all his vnjuft actions acceffary.
Centel. Produce mee as a party? May this
prefence,
And awefull Throne, 'fore which I fland accuf 'd, Pronounce mee as a man forfooke and loft, If in the lead of what thefe two fuggelt, I have the fmalleft knowledge.
Sebaft. Both wayes ftrange.
Pine. Bring me in cenfure ? by that royalty, Beneath whofe grace I breathe, mee is to mee As forraine as an Indian : and her caufe As farre from my acquaintance : by my life, Which ne're before a more Royall Court, Could have bin call'd in queftion : what mee is, I know not : of what Nation, birth, degree ; How, or from whence deriv'd, what continent, Or from what place fhee's come ; mee may be
Turke,
But More mee cannot bee, mee is fo faire, Shee's ftrange to me, yet fomewhat mould I fay ; To breft with her, I might as well have done it With a Beare, or Lionneffe : Madam with her I vow I never did.
Helle. Give me thy oath of that.
Pine. I can, and dare.
Cent. And I as willingly, That I was never fecond to a man, In any fuch falfe bufmeffe.
Helle. Let them fweare.
Ifdbel. They mall.
Pine. Wee will.
Bona. This is a conflict worfe, Then in the fad Duell 'tweene death and life,
A Challenge for Beauty. 73
When neither's certaine, both in difficulty, As it is now with me I pray ha done That I were potted to your Country, there To finifh all my Travells.
Htlle. Both have fworne : And Princes, as you hope to crowne your heads With that perpetuall wreath, which fhall laft ever, Catt on a poore dejected innocent Virgine Your eies, of grace and pitty : what fmne is't ? Or who can be the patron to fuch evill ? That a poore innocent Maid, fpotlefle in thought, And pure in heart, borne without fpleene and gall : That never injur'd creature : never had heart To thinke of wrong, or ponder injurie; That fuch a one in her white innocence, Striving to live peculiar in the compafie Of her owne vertues. Notwithttanding thefe Should be fought out by ttrangers, perfecuted Made infamous, even there where me was made For imitation, hift at in her Country, Abandoned of her mother, kindred, friends : Deprav'd in forren Climes, fcorn'd every where, And even in Princes Courts, reputed vile : O pitty, pitty this.
Sebafl. Thou fpeak'fl Enigma's woman, and haft
neede To finde a Sphinx to explaine them.
Hellc. Then behold, The ttrangett calling impos'd on me That ere was laid on Virgin ; I am fhee For whom this noble Sir hath undertooke, And wrongly (lands convic~led, this that body So ftain'd and fullied by thefe barbarous tongues, That even in fcolding lies juttice, for heav'n Hath forc't them to fweare tnith, they never faw
me,
How am I then polluted gratious Queene ? How can fuch finde competitours in vertue,
74 A Challenge for Beauty.
That will not give it countenance : had thofe murdred
me,
As they have kild my fame and havock't that, A pittied and crown'd martyr I had dy'de, That am in cenfure now, a condemn' d heretick, And meere Apoftate to all woman-hood ; And what I ever made my Prefident, Sincerity and goodneffe : Villeines blufh, And Sir, out gaze their falfhood, Queene bee jufl ; Leaft in the Ocean of that prize you fteale, You fhipwracke all your glories.
Sebqft. 'Tis mofl ftrange :
IfabeL We know you not, Give us fome lively inftance, y'are the woman.
Helle. How mould I know that Ring to be the
fame
Of which my credulous maide was by thefe two Cheated and rob'd, mofl treacheroufly betrai'd ; That Carkanet you weare, perufe it well, Hath both my name and piclure. Markes fufficient To prove me no importer. Doth your guilt Bow you fo low already ? let your penitence There flay you, leafl your fmnes weight cleave the
earth, And finke you downe to hell.
Bona. What proftrates them Mounts me to expectations : my blefl choyfe, Now I have feene thy apparant innocence, Queene I mail die contented.
IfabeL Oh, till now, I never thought to bee vanquifh't.
Pin. Pox on that flipper.
Per. Stand you all mute ? then give me leave to fpeake.
Petr. Sir, what doth this concerne you ?
Fer. Woman, peace.
Helle. Oh fir, you are my brother.
Per. Strumpet hence,
A Challenge for Beauty. 75
Would I had never knowne thee, thou haft made
mee
A forren fcorne, and where I aime at honour Moft infamous and loath'd, this vitiated beauty Even by her owne confefsion late deflowr'd I beg from this mod facred Majefty, To fee feverely chaftis'd : being Englifh To have that Englifli fhame and punimment, Due to the like offendours.
Sebq/l. Shee Hands cleer'd By her accufers filence.
Per. This may be
A meere confederacy, but to my feares At all no fatisfaclion, her owne tongue Hath publifh't her a mechall proftitute, And that is my firft truth.
Vail. I pray Sir,
What is this match lefle beauty unto you Being already in your felfe ingag'd To this faire Creature, that this Strangers cafe Should any way be yours.
Ftr. Spaines admiration. And wonder of a friend. I dare to you Be plaine and ferious ; to all others eares I Wifh my words lock't in filence : Oh, with (hame And infamy I fpeake it, defiring heaven 'T might be my laftof fpeech, this thing, polluted This (would I had ought elce to flile her by)
But needes out, out it muft, (he is my my
Sifter.
Vail. Flelh and blood ?
Per. The fame, Oh me, the fame, my naturall Sifter.
Vail. Father and mother }
Per. So.
Vail. You are not honeft, And now no more my friend : I doe begin To doubt you, nay, moft hainoufly fufpecl. you, I fcarce can thinke you a true morall man,
76 A Challenge for Beauty.
Much leffe Religious : Ferrers before thefe, This Royall bench, either confeffe thee mad, Defperate, and quite given o're to callumnie Or in behalfe of this (I know not who) I chalenge thee the combat.
Fer. Oh, you are mine And I vowed ever yours.
Vail. Come no fuch thing. Either pronounce this Lady innocent, Or I denounce thee mifcreant.
Man. Though I have flood In filence all this while : yet in this caufe I, I my felfe am taxt : and to approve This Ladies Beautie, vertue, chaftity Tie be this Spanyard's fecond.
Bona. I am wrong'd,
And thou haft don't, try both, I mould be firfl, But be thou what thou canft be, he or thou, So freely hath this Lady fhew'd her felfe Mine, fo I now dare terme her, that in fpight Of fpleene or envie's oppofition ; It is a thing I doe defire to imbrace And meet in violent lightnings : and then I fpeake it, me is mine : and this encounter Concernes me, onely me ; who intercepts me Is guilty of my chalenge, his owne death, Her injury, and my moft juft revenge.
Per. Pray lets talke mildly : And firft to you, to whom my foule's ingag'd, Why mould you hazard fuch a precious life For one by her owne language Hands condemn'd.
Vail. Becaufe me is thy Sifter ; and fo well I love thy merit that no new imprefsion Can finke in me, that any of thy Line, Can ever ftand polluted : I have found thee In all thy deeds fo noble —
Fer. Oh you have moulded her In me anew ; and friend your confirmation, I doe receive her perfect as the woman,
A Challenge jor Beauty. 77
Whofe acts are lawes, whofe fayings Oracles, And (he was never truly mine, tijl now, So I receive her from you. But I pray, What might you be of whom I have deferv'd So ill to make you my Antagonift ?
Vail. Or why to me, to bee fo deere a friend As to become my fecond, fince your face I never faw till now.
Man. Not Manhurjlt
Ferr. Friend !
Man. Oh fir, you were my ranfome.
Bonavi. I am wrapt : Spaine (hew thy luftice ; now, where, or from
whence
Canfl thou defire fo rare a prefident : Wouldfl thou fee Beauty ? Looke upon that face : Or Vertue ? heere, fee thy true Innocence, Valour in him, true noblenefle in them all, And happy them, that naked of all thefe, Hath fent thee hither forraine prefidents, For in(lru6lion, and example.
IfabeL Now I yeeld : And till now never ; hence bafe fycophants, I (hall abjure you ever, Flattering glaffes, That gave mee a falfe face, but in this Chriflall, I now behold mee truely, you are fhee By whom He henceforth dreffe mee, and not weare No hurt, of which you are not prefident ; Bee ever mine : next her, you that have travell'd To fetch mee o're this Mirrour, which He casket, As my bed Jewell : I now find my felfe, That to my felfe, was till this day unknown, I have tranfgreft in that I fought to fleece So pure a Diamond.
Seba/t. Come, wee'le end all this : Firfl, Lady wee'le acquit your lealoufie, She is his filler : Ferrers, wee (hall ranke you In as high grace, as you are in his love ; Nor have you Manhurfl, lead exprefl your felfe,
78 A Challenge for Beauty.
In gratitude to him, friendfhip to both ;
You Bonavida wee reftore, you Hand
In the eye of our preferrement ; you wee admire :
And thus conclude : Two Nations have contended
For breft and face, in you both thefe are ended.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
The Epilogue.
IN battells, fome men fall, others againe, Come off with honored fcarrs, wounded,
notjlaine, Injhip-wracks, fome Jink, and are feene no
more, Others on Mafts, and Planks attaine the
JJiore ; ' Tis fo 'twixt us and you ; your Smile or
Frowne,
Can fave, or fpill ; to make usfwimme> or drowne.
Loves Maiftreffe:
OR,
The Queens Mafque.
As it was three times prefented before their two Excellent MAJESTIES,
within the fpace of eight dayes ;
In the prefence of fundry Forraigne
AMBASSADORS.
Pub likely Affed by the QUEENS
Comoedians, At the Phoenix in Drury-Lane.
Written by THOMAS HEYWOOD.
Aut prodeffefolent, aut dele flare.
LONDON:
Printed by Robert Raworth, for John Crouch and are to bee fold by lafper Emery, at the figne of the Eagle and Child, In Pauls Church-yard. 1636.
[In the following reprint the " Second Impreffion, corrected by the Author, Thomas Hey wood. London, Printed by John Raworth, for John Crouch, 1640," has been carefully collated with the firft Edition. The differences, however, are few and unimportant.]
TO THE RIGHT
Honorable, EDWARD, Earle of Dorfet, Lorcl Chamberlaine to the QVEENES Moft Excellent Majeftie, Knight of the Noble order of the Garter, and one of His MAIESTIES moft Honorable Privie Coun- cell, &c.
RIGHT HONOVRABLE,
|T having pleafed Her Moft Excel lent Majeftie to grace this (though unworthy) Poem fo often with her Royal prefence, I was imboldened the rather (though I dare not commend) yet to commit it to your Noble Patronage, neither are Dramma's of this nature, fo
The Epiftle Dedicatory.
defpicable, as to be held unworthy the countenance of great men, when there is frequent prefident, that the like have beene Dedicated too, and entertained by Empe- rours, and the moil Potent Princes of their times. If your Honor fhall dayne the acceptance of a playne mans love, and obferuance in this Prefentment, as you grace the worke, fo you fhall much incourage the Author, who humbly takes his leave of your Lordf hip with that borrowed from the excellent Poet Nemefeanus. EgL I.
o Dignus fenior quern Carmine Phoebus
Pan Calamisy Fidibus, Linus, Modulantibus, Orpheus, Concinerent
Thomas Hey wood.
To the Reader.
GENEROVS READER,
\0r this Dramatick Poem, I neede not much Apologie ; It having pajl fo many Tejls of Approbation, yet for commendable Cuftomes fake I follow the tradition of all or mojl Authors, who were never deficient in this kind of complement : The Argument is taken from Apuleius, an excellent Morrall, iftruely under/load, and may be called a golden Truth, con- teined in a leaden fable, which though it bee not altogether confpicuoiis to the vulgar, yet to thofe of Learning and judgement, no lejje appreJiended in tJte Paraphrafe, then approved in the Originall : of which, if the perufers hereof were all Apuleians, and never a Midas amongjl them, I fhould make no quejlion : So much for the Subject it felfe, but for the rare decorements which new apparetid it, when it came tJte fecond time to the Roy all viewe, (Her Gratious Majeftie then entertaining His
To the Reader.
Highneffe at Denmarke-houfe, upon his Birth day) I cannot pretermit to give a due CharracJer to that admirable Artift, Mr. Inego lones, M after furueyor of the Kings worke, &c. Who to every Act, nay almoft to every Sceane, by his excellent Inuentions, gave fuck an extraordinary Litfter ; upon every occajion changing the ftage, to the ad- miraiion of all the Spectators ; that, as I muft Ingenivujly confeffe, It was above my apprehenjiion to conceive, fo to their f acred Majefties, and the reft of the A^lditory ; It gave fo generall a content, that I prefume they never parted from any object, prefented in that kind, better pleafed, or more ple- nally fatisfied \ But thefe I leave to your Judge ments to gefje at ; the thing it felfe I propofe to your eyes, to cenfure, which if you Judge as favourably as I expreffe it freely, I Jhall eve* re- maine as heretofore :
Studious of your beft opinions.
THO. HEYWOOD.
1F The Prologue to this Play, the firfl time it was Pre- fented on the Stage ; Cupid defcending in a cloude, the Speaker.
IT was a Cuflome 'mongft the Romanes, when State Ladies they inuited, or great men, As if their doores were all too bafe, and vile To entertaine them ; their large Roofes t' untile, And their unbounded welcome more to crowne, In Artificiall Cloudes to let them downe ; Their fuperfUtious Love fo farre extending, Receiving them as gods from heaven defcending. Although wee cannot meete you with like (late, As entering hither at our publike gate, You are as welcome ; 'Tis Love bids you fo : And, as their ufe was, to their guefts to fhowe Their bed, and coftlieft JeweUs (without boaft, So Cupid will) what hee affedleth mod, His fweete and deareft Miftris ; or if ought Were more in valuation, or in thought, That you mould fee : Shee is both frefh, and new, Then bid her but as welcome, as I, you.
Her Majejlie Inviting the King to Denmarke Houfe, in the Strand, upon His Birth-day, being November the 19. This Play (bearing from that time) the Title of the Queenes Mafque, was againe prefented before Him : Cupid fpeaking the Prologue.
WHo fo un-read, doth not of Plato heare, His Annus Magnus, and his Vertent yeare ; In which the Starres, and Planets, Moone, and Sunne, Tyr*d with continuall labour ; having runne
• 88
So many Ages long peregrination,
Each returnes frefh and new to it's firfl flation.
This is the yeare fure ; rather this the day, Able to change November into May : This day's in heaven a lubylee of loy. Where Angels fmg in quires, Vive la Roy. This is the Royall Birth-day of a King, Then men with Angels lo pcean fmg.
I had almoft loft my felfe, when my intent Was to tell why I come, and from whom fent : From One, to whom Pm but a fhadow, Shee The very foule of Amabilitee. One that without my quiver and my bow, Commands the hearts and eyes, of high and low, Whofe Name (Infcribed here) did you but behold, JT would change the footy Inke, to liquid Gold Of fulgent beautie ; but fo pure a mind, As if tinclur'd from Heaven, and fo devin'd. I Love, from Love am fent, but Shee the right : Then grace (Great King) the Triumphs, of Loves night.
IT The Epilogue, fpoken by Cupid, pointing to the feverall Plannets.
NOw Royall Princes, let me turne to you, Daigne from Loves mouth, to take this nights adieu : Thinke all thefe Planets that on earth heere move, (Shadowes of thofe Cceleftiall ones above) Breath on you their beft Influences ; Vulcan hee, Shall henceforth take charge of your Armorie. luno the Marriage queene, mall bleffe your bed : The Sunne mail take the bright beames from his head, To increafe your glorious lufler : and the Moone, Attend on you to make your Mid-night, noone : Ceres with plenty mall inrich your ftore, Aud Mercury mail flie from more to more Vpon your errands, prove your happy ranger, Home-bred to efpie, and fore-fee forraigne danger : Venus with fweetes, and I, with Love will charme you ;
89
And after all thcfc, love with power fhall arme you. J have kept you waking long, good night 'tis late, Many fuch Birth-dayes may you celebrate.
II The Prologue To the King and Queene, at the fecond time of the Authors Play called Cupids Miftreffe or Cupid and Pfiche, prefented before them, the fame Weeke : Spoken by Cupid.
YEs ; fure 'twas heere : where fome few houres I pafl, The very time that I defcended laft ; Yes heere it was, I know it by a face, To which my Miflris Pfiche mud give place. A Prefence ; that from Venus takes all power, And makes each place fhee comes in, Cupids bower. Though in their feverall fpheares, each Planet ride, (With all the gods) to feaft mee and my bride, With Nettar and Ambrofia, yet, that wafle Of godly Fare, could not my pallat tafle : But I muft all Ccelefliall fweets forbeare, To re-viewe Earthly love, and Ivno heere, Whom having feene ; Haile to you once againe ; Long as the fpheares continue, may you Reigne In Majeftie, In power, in Iffue blefl, Bee all thefe with your fortunate yeeres Increaft, Till Citpid(evzr young) with Time grow old! And you, this Iron Age, changing to gold, (Re-pur'd by your two vertues) Thefe etheriall, May change to brighter Chaires in th' Heavens Imperiall.
Dramatis Perfonae.
Apuleius
Midas.
Admetus,
Aftioche
Petrea
Pfiche
Menetius
Zelotes
Venus.
Cupid.
Pan.
Apollo.
Mercury.
Vulcan.
Pluto.
Proferpine.
Minos.
Eacus.
/ V
} !
The Chorus. King <?/Theffaly.
His three Daughters.
Husbands to Petrea and Af tioche. Rhadamant. Charon. Cerberus. Zephirus. Boreas. Furies.
Foure Ciclops. The Clowne. Amarillis ajhee Swaine. Foure Swaines.
Loues Miftris,
ACT I. SCENE I.
Enter Apuleius, with a paire of AJfe eares in his hand.
Ow art thou Apuleius retransform'd ? Or elfe how cam'ft thou metamorphifd
__ Into an Afle ? Why to fo dull a beafl, Of flow, and fo obtufe a memory ? I had a brain e aym'd at infcrutable things, Beyond the Moone ; what was fublunarie, Me thought was for my fludy all too meane ; Therefore, I therefore was I thus tranfhap'd : That knowing man who keepes not in his bounds, ' But pries into Heavens hidden myfteries Further then leave ; his dulnefle is increaft, Ceafeth to be a man, and fo turnes beafl : And thus I fell, yet by the felfe fame power That calls all humane wifedome foolimnefle, Am once more to my priftine fhape reflor'd ; Onely to mew how vaine my ambitions were, This follies crefl I ftill about mee beare : I faine would know the way to Helicon, Can none heere tell mee ? Will none filence breake It feemes, thefe fit to heare then, not to fpeake :
92 Loues Mi/Iris.
Enter Midas.
Heeres one I hope can tell mee : Reverend father, How lies my journey to the Mufes hill 1
Mi. Follow thy nofe.
Ap. Thou moft unreverend groome, (I hope my Afies fhape is quite fhooke off) Why in this churlifh manner fpeak'ft thou then 1
Mi. The Mufes 1 hang the Mufes.
Ap. Can'ft thou conduct My wandring flepps to Aganippes fpring 1 To the Mufes Temple I am travelling, And mufl to them performe a facrifice.
Mi. An Affe head of thy owne, thou mufl per forme.
Ap. If men be growne thus favage, oh you powers, Remetamorphife mee into an affe ; 'Tis leffe inglorious, and leffe griefe to live A beaft amongft wilde beafts, then to fee man Bruite-like to blemifh his creation.
Mi. I tell thee once againe, I know no Mufes, No Mufes hill, no Aganippes fpring ; And which is more, I care for no fuch toyes.
Ap. And which is worft, none wife will care for
thee;
Oh griefe, that filver haires mould crowne his head, By whom the Mufes are difhonoured : Say Idoll, what's thy name ?
Mi. What's that to thee % Yet was I fometime King of Phrigia, To whom God Bacchus was beholding once : And therefore bad me aske what I would have, It mould bee granted ; Inftantly I begg'd That whatfoere I touch'd might turne to Gold ; At firfl it pleaf d mee : When I fate to eate, I touch'd the Table, and it ftraight was gold, The trenchers gold ; I call'd for earthen veffells, Which by my touch were alcumif d to gold,
Loues Miftris. 93
All which I hugg'd ; but when I came to carue, Even as the dimes, fo the meate was gold ; The liquid wine, but touch'd, was ftraight congeal'd ; And had not Bacchus freed me from my wifh, Amid'd my gold I had beene daru'd ere this.
Ap. Dull covetous foole.
Mi. The fhame of this made me refigne my (late ; And where before I was a King of men, To flie the harfhnes of fooles bitter jeafls, I made this wooll crowne, and am King of beads, And my name's Midas.
Ap. ' Then oh King of beads, Be this thy curfe , When thy bafe life's out-worne, No facred Poet name thee but in fcorne : But wilt thou fit with filence ?
Mi. Thou prat'ft and bablefl, what would'fl thou have mee doe ?
Ap. See'ft thou this fpheare fpangled with all thefe
flarres,
All thefe Love-arts ; nor (hall they part from hence With unfeaded eares : My purpofe was To expofe to them the (hapes of all thofe affes, With whom my lod foule wandred in a mid. Knowing, of them thou art not counted lead ; But firft He (hew a dory of mine owne, Of Cupia's love to Pfiche, fit and fee't, He make thee then ingenioufly confeffe Thy treafon 'gaind the Mufes majedie ; Withall, not onely whatfoever's mine, But all true Poets raptures are divine.
Mi. Thou had prevail'd with mee, by Pan He
day;
But take heede Poet that your rimes be found, Elfe with thine owne Affe eares thou (halt be crown'd.
Ap. Wee two contend ; Art heere, there Igno rance :
Bee you the Judges, wee inuite you all Vnto this banquet Accademicall. Exeunt.
94 Loues Mi/Iris.
Recorders. Enter Admetus, Menetius, Zelotis, Aftioche, Petrea, Pfiche.
Ad. You Peeres and Daughters to th' Arcadian
King,
Wee have paft the great'ft part of our pilgrimage ; Liften, oh liften, for thefe founds that guild The aires light wings, fanning through all our eares Immortall tunes ; tell us wee are ariv'd At facred Delphos ; fee the burnilh'd Spires Advance themfelues to welcome our approach ; The Temple gates ftand ope, and that great Deitie, Whofe tongue fpeaks nothing leffe then Oracle, Attended by his Sibells, daines to appeare.
Enter Apollo.
Mene. Oh teach our knees with a moft reverent
touch To kiffe this hallowed earth.
Zelo. Ladies kneele downe.
Aftio. And fir relate to faire Latonaes Sonne Why this religious voyage was attempted.
Ad. Daughters I mail : Sacred Apollo, god of Archerie, Of Arts, of Phificke, and of Poetrie ; loves bright hair'd Sonne, whofe yellow treffes mine Like curled flames, hurling a moll divine And dazling fplendor on thefe leffer fires, Which from thy guilt beames, when thy Carre retires, Kindle thofe tapers that lend eyes to night : Oh thou that art the landlord of all light ; Bridegroome to morning, dayes eternall King, To whom Nine Mufes in a facred ring, In dances fphericall, trip hand in hand, Whilft thy well-flringed Harpe their feet command ; Great Delphian Prieft, wee to adore thy name
Loucs Miflris. 95
Have burnt fat thighs of Bulls in hallow'd flame, Whofe favor wrap'd in clowds of fmoake and fire, To thy Starre-fpangled pallace durfl afpire ; Tell us who (hall untie the Virgin zone Of the white-handed Pfiche \ fhee alone Of three mofl faire, is mofl unfortunate, All love, but none her love will celebrate With nuptiall rights ; what muft of her betide Dread Phebus tell, to whom mail fhee be bride.
ApoL Cloath Pfiche in a mourning weede, Then lead and leave her on a hill, Where Venus Doves their young ones feede, Her husband not of humane race ; But one, whofe flaming fight doth kill, And yet wants eyes ; his ferpents face If fhee behold, fhee mufl fee hell ; And yet by fome notorious deede, Obtaine a Patent from that place Neuer to die : Pfiche farewell, Much joy'd, much greev'd ; unclafpe that fpell,
Ex. Apollo.
Ad. Much griev'd, and yet'much joy'd, poore girle,
I feare The fcale of griefe will weigh down that of cheere.
Mene. Shee mufl fee hell ; and yet fhee neere mall
die ; True, for hells torments live eternally.
AJli. But father, no tongue mall her joyes ex- preffe.
Petre. Phebus^ thy words leave us all comfortlefle.
Pfi. I mufl efpoufe a ferpent, that's my hell.
Zelo. But fince you never mall behold his face, Your torments cannot bee too horrible.
Mene. Is't pofsible, by deeds impofsible To attaine the Crowne of immortality : It cannot bee ; Thus mocking Phebus leaves us, Alwayes in clowds of darkenefle to deceive us.
Ad. Stay thy prophane tongue, lefl deferued wrath
96 Loves Mi/Iris.
Strike thee with death from his revengefull fpheare : Thou mull be cloth'd in mourning, fo thou art, A mourning habite, and a thought-ficke heart ; Thou muft be left alone on Venus hill ; The deftinies decree, wee muft fulfill : Thy husband muft want fight, and yet have eyes That flame, and kill ; oh leave thefe myfteries Yntill the gods reveale them ; come, let's hence : Change your Arcadian tunes to Lidian founds, Sad notes are fweeteft, where deepe woe confounds.
Exeunt omnes.
Recorders. Enter Venus.
Ven. Cupid my fonne, where's hee ? Within.
Cup. Anon — forfooth.
Ven. He gather rods of rofes, if you mock mee With your anon-forfooth. Within.
Cup. Anon — forfooth.
Ven. Shall I be ftill thus vext ? ftill when my
blood
Boyles in the fire of anger, then this ape With purpofe frets mee. Boy.
Enter Cupid.
Cup. Anon-forfooth.
Ven. Will Juno come, or Ceres ?
Cup. Juno lay lolling in my Vncles lapp.
Ven. Which Yncle ?
Cup. Vncle Jove. I laught out-right To fee how (wanton-like) with both her armes Shee clung about his necke ; gave him ten kiffes, Toy'd with his locks, look'd babies in his eyes, And fwore fhee would not watch him when hee went Amongft his wenches, if hee'd turne away His fawcie page, the fmooth-fac'd Ganimed; The boy by chance upon her fan had fpilt A cup of Nectar ; oh how Juno fwore :
Loues Miflris. 97
I told my Aunt I'de give her a new fan, To let loves page be Cupids feruing-man.
Ven. What's this to Venus meflage, what faid Iiino }
Cu. I ask'd her when fhee'd come, and in good
footh She anfwered nothing but anon-forfooth.
Ven. And where was Ceres, what did fhee replie ?
CM. Ceres was binding garlands for god Pa/i, Of Blew- bottles, and yellow piffabeds That grew amongfl the Wheate, with which me
crown'd
His forked browes, and woed him with his home To rouze the skipping Satirs, to goe hunt A herd of fwine that rooted up her corne : I ask'd her when fhee'd come, and in good footh Shee fent me packing with anon forfooth.
Ven. I fent for Pan, and for Apollo too, What news from them 1
Cu. They faid they would bee heere immediately.
Enter Pan, and Apollo.
Apo. Why in fuch hafte hath Venus fent for us ? Ven. I fent for luno, and for Ceres too, But they'le not come.
Pan. Well, what's the news with you ? Ven. Have you not heard how Venus is con-
temn'd ?
Her Temples gaz'd at, but not troad upon, Her {lately hangings, and her pillowes torne ; Thofe rofie garlands that her flatues crown'd, Are wither'd, or elfe trampled on the ground ; Thofe troopes that flock'd to Paphos to adore mee, Shun Paphos now, aud fcornefully abhorre mee. Pan. That's flrange, for all are up to'th eares in
love ;
Boyes without beards get boyes, and girles beare girles,
98 Loues Miftris.
Fine little rattle-babies, fcarce thus high,
Are now call'd wives ; If long this hot world Hand,
Wee fhall have all the earth turne Pigmy-land.
Ven. All honour Love, but none adore Loves
Queene. Apol. The injury is great ; but from whence
fprings it ?
Ven. From Pfiche daughter to the Arcadian King ; They call her Queene of Love, will know no other, And fweare my Sonne fhall kneele and call her
mother. Cup. But Cupid fweares to make the jacks for-
fworne.
Apol. Will Citharea fwallow this difgrace ? Pan. What fhall Pan doe in this ? Ven. Lend me your ayds : If you meete Pfiche^ charge young Mercury To fend mee to her, or Imprifon her Till you have fent mee word.
Apol. If this be all, Venus fhall have her wifh. Pan. Pan by his vpright homes and beard doth
fweare
To hunt out Pfiche ; but if I doe this, What will fweete Venus give mee ?
Ven. A fweete kiffe ;
And Phebus fhall have one, Cupid another, Vpon condition they will right thofe wrongs Which Pfiche in her great pride throwes on mee : Draw from thy quiver a dull leaden fhaft, And flricke it through her bofome to the heart ; Make her in Love, but let her proud eyes doate On fome ill-fhapen drudge, fome ugly foole : Doe this ; He weave for thee a Coronet Of Rofes, mixt with Berenices haire ; And give thee my befl charriot, and my Doves To hunt with on the earth ; or in the ayre ; Wilt thou doe this my boy ? Cup. I will forfooth. Ven. Nay doe not mock mee, wilt thou ?
Loues Mi/Iris. 99
Cup. Yes in d cede, Indeede I will forfooth.
Ven. Sweete lad adue then : Apollo, Pan, revenge poore Venus wrongs, Whilfl I unyoke my filuer coloured team, To wanton on the bofome of yon dream. Exit.
Apol. Now fhee hath call'd me downe unto the
earth, He try what paflhnes dwell amongft the fwaines.
Exit.
Pan. And with my Satires I will have fome fport Heere in the Arcadian vallyes. Exit.
Cup. Shall Pfiches beautious eyes gaze on bafe
love?
Noe, let my Mother florme, and chafe and lower, Shee fliall be none but Cupids Paramour :
Enter Zephirus.
Ho ! Zephirus, how now thou puffing (lave,
Art thou growne proud, thou fwell'ft fo ? Gentle
winde,
Clap on thy fmoothefl feathers, fleekeft wings, And mount thee to the top of yonder rocke, There malt thou find anon, a forlorne maide, Conuey her gently downe unto the vaile That borders on my bower ; fee this perform'd, And I will cloath thee in a graffe-greene roabe, Spotted with Dafies, Pincks, and Marigolds; lie play the thiefe in Flora's treafurie, To make all eyes in love with Zephirus ; Fly hence, do this, and henceforth be thou King Of all the Windes, and father of the Spring. Exeunt.
E?iter Admetus, Menetius, Zelotis, Aflioche, Petrea, Pfiche.
Ad. Behold the foote of that unhappy rocke, Vpon whofe frozen top, by Phebus doome, Thou mull abide thy mod fmifter hap.
H 2
TOO Loues Mi/Iris.
AJlio. Deare filler Pfiche.
Pfi. Peace AJtioche,
Petrea, Father : you fhould all have mourn'd When the mad fpirits of the multitude Kneel'd downe, and call'd mee Venus, then have
wept,
When Cithareas Altars were left bare, And I was call'd a goddeffe ; when thefe teares, Whofe reeking makes my funerall lights burne
dimme, Might have quench'd Venus wrath; but leave mee
now To fight with death, or meete worfe mifery.
Mene. But lurkes that ferpent in this fatall rocke ?
Pet. So faid Apollo.
Zelo. Then Menetius, Wee will conduct faire Pfiche to the cave, And rip the monflers intrailes with our fwords.
Pft. Forbeare all force, I will afcend alone ; Phebus will be difpleaf d ; Alone faid hee, Diflreffed Pfiche mall climbe up yon hill.
Ad. The way is dangerous, thou wilt loofe thy
felfe Without a guide.
Pfi. Death muft my conduct bee, See where the pale hagge ftands ; vaine world adieu ; I am his bride, hee waites for none of you.
Shee climbes up the Rocke.
Ad. What paines the poore girle takes, fee how
fhee ftrives Againft the fwelling bofome of the hill.
Mene. See the kind brambles, as enarnor'd of her, Circle her beautie in their catching armes, Woeing her to come back ; as who mould fay, Thou run'fl too fall to death, fweete Pfiche flay.
Ad. But all in vaine, fhee now hath climb'd the
Rock,
And wafts her hand, doe you the like to her, Whofe timeleffe death prepares my fepulchre.
Loues Mi/Iris. 101
Petre. Sifter with courage meete thy deftinie, To morrow, if thou liu'ft, wee'le vifite thee. Exeunt.
Enter Cupid and Zephirus.
Cup. Flie Zephirus, on top of yonder mount My faire Love fits ; on thy foft fwelling wings
Let Pfiche ride you Voyces that atend mee,
Ex. Zep.
Dance in the aire like wantons, to intice My love to dwell in Cupid's Paradife : Muficke with ravifhing tones inchant her eares j A banquet there : Shee that doth Cupid wed, Thus mall mee live, and thus be honoured. Exit.
Enter Zephirus and takes Pfiche from the Rocke ; and Exit with her in his armes. A Banquet brought in. Enter Zephirus with Pfiche, and places her at the Banquet, and Exit.
PJi. Where am I now 1 For through the cheere-
full aire
Hither I have beene brought, on unfeene wings ; What wonderous place is this ? No ferpent fure Lurkes in this pleafant bowre : my eare drinks founds Of heaven-tun'd Inflruments ; I fee no creature, And yet me thought foft fingers fet me downe, And I am forc'd by fweete compulfion,
A Banquet firfl plaine, and prefently fet out with all Delicates.
To bee the onely guefl of this faire board,
Which emptie, is as foone new furnifhed ;
I faine would touch thefe fweetes, but feare to taile
them. Eccho. Tafte them.
2. Tafte them.
3. Tafte them.
IO2 Loues Mi/Iris.
Pft. What voice is that 1 I dare no longer fit. Eccho. Sit.
2. Sit.
3. Sit.
Pfi. Who mock's mee ? Are you devills, or are you
gods. Eccho. Gods.
2. Gods.
3. Gods.
Pft. The gods will doe no harme.
Eccho. No harme. No harme. No harme.
Pji. Pfiche bee bold, and tafte this heavenly
foode. Eccho. Ha ha ha.
2. Ha ha ha.
3. Ha ha ha.
Pfi. Thefe are no Ecchoes, for they fhift their
place,
Nor catch they my laft words as Ecchoes doe : For when I would have fed, they mock'd my pride, They laught aloud at my prefumption : No, thefe are Fury-Elues, and will torment mee,
Enter Zephirus with Drinke.
If thus I talke to them, Who fills this wine,
And tempts my eye with it 1 as who mould fay, Drinke Pfiche.
Eccho. Drinke Pfiche.
2. Drinke Pfiche.
3, Drinke Pfiche.
Pft. lie tafte no drop of this inchanted wine : Faine from this magic circle would I rife, Yet dare not ; oh let Pfiche fee your eyes, Or rid me hence, and fet my feares in peace.
Ecch. Peace.
2. Peace.
3. Peace.
Loues Mi/Iris. 103
Enter Cupid.
Cup. How lovely is my Pfiche ; earth's too bafe To be poffefl of her Celeftiall forme : My Mother hates her ; for the gods I feare Would banifh her from earth, my Love being there ; And therefore (hall mee live in Cupids Bower, For mee deferues to bee Loves Paramoure : Oh how my faire eyes wound mee ; by this kifle, And this wl.ite hand.
Pfi. Oh mee ! what voice is this I feele ? befides, foft fingers, and a ring.
Cup. Long white fingers ; foft white hand, Ring and all at thy command.
Pfi,. Is this my husband then 1
Cup. Ho Zephirus, Remove hence thefe Ambrofian dimes ftraight.
Zephirus takes off the Banquet.
Pfi. My father much miftooke the Oracle ; To this fweete voice, could I enjoy the fight, I mould my felfe then flile Queen e of delight.
Cup. Pleafure mall bee thy lackie ; wilt thou hunt, Then in an ayerie charriot dra\frne by birds, On the winds downie backe my love (hall ride ; Mild Zephirus mail be thy Waggoner ; Who if the heate offend, his filuer wings Shall fan coole ayre upon thee, yet my love, If thou commit'fl one finne, thou art not mine.
Pfi. Name it, and He avoid it for your fake.
Cu. Thy mourning fiflers fhortly will returne, And feeke thee on the rocke from whence thou
cam'fl,
But fhun their fight and fpeech ; PficJie doe this, Thou rob'fl mee elfe of love, thy felfe of bliffe.
Pfi. Not fpeake nor fee my fiflers ; oh what
pleafure Can Pfiche take, lock't in a golden layle 1
Cup. Runne not unto thy ruine gentle love ; Yet if thou needs wilt fee and fpeake with them,
IO4 Loues Mi/Iris.
Command thy feruant Zephirus to bring them From top of yonder rocke into this vaile ; But if they make inquiry who I am, Fill both their laps with gold, and fend them gon, Befides I woe thee by this nuptiall kiffe, Doe not perfwade me to difclofe my fhape, Attempting that, thou loofeft this high flate ; I then muft leave thee, thou live defolate. •
Pfi. In all thefe things, I will obey my love.
Cup. Then Pfiche, in thine unfeene husbands
hand
Clafpe thy white fingers ; He now crowne thy bed With the fweet fpoiles of thy loft Maiden-head.
Exeunt.
Enter Apuleius and Midas. Mid. Hand off, let goe my fheepe-hooke, He not
He hang my felfe, ere He fee out thy Play : Call you this Poetry ?
Ap. If this difpleafe thee Midas, then He mew
thee •
Ere I proceede with Cupid and his Love, What kind of people I commerft withall In my tranlhape.
Mi. That's when thou wert an Affe.
Ap. The very fame.
Mi. Yes, that I faine would fee.
Ap. Sit then and view thine owne infirmitie.
A Dance. Enter a Proud Affe with eares.
Mi. What fellow's that 1
Ap. A felfe-will'd infolent foole, Who fpights at thofe above him, and thofe beneath Defpifeth, and his equalls jets upon ; Rich in his owne conceit, in judgement poore, Still carping, tho' a coxcombe, and may paffe5
Loues MiJIris. 105
As thefe dayes goe, for a proud arogant Afle. Dance. Enter a Prodigall Ajje.
Mid. I, this I like : What fellowes that?
Ap. A fellow hee,
Who riots that, which moft penurioufly His father hoorded, in drabs, drinke and play ; Wearing fantaftick habitts, and gay clothes, Till hee hath quite exhaufled all his gold, And for a Prodigall Affe may bee enroul'd.
Dance. Enter a Drunken Affe.
Mi. This gives me good content What's hee 1
Ap. A pot-companion, brother to the glafle, That roares in's cupps, indeede a drunken Afle.
Dance. Enter an Vfurer.
Mi. He lookes like a good fellow — Now that gray- beard ?
Ap. One that doth pinch his belly in his life, And flarue his owne guts to make others feede ; Patcheth his owne clothes to make others proud, And for a covetous Afle may be alow'd.
Dance. A young Gentle- Woman.
Me. But fo did never Midas Now, that Minks.
Ap. Her mothers darling (hee, borne to good
meanes ;
In love with all (hee fees, yet truely, none ; Who when great Heires are proffered, trifles them ; And in the end, when with none elfe (he can, Shee marries with her -fathers feruing-man : And that is a right fhee-Afle.
Dance. An Ignorant Affe.
Mi. What Reverend perfon's that of all the other ? I like him beft.
io6 Loues Mi/Iris.
Ap. That Midas, is thy brother, A piece of mooving earth, illiterate, dull ; Who having in himfelfe naught commendable, Enuies what's good in others ; and yet dare In his owne impudence, with Arts compare : A blocke, a ftone, yet learning hee'le revile, And a dull Ignorant Affe wee will him flile.
Mi. But where's your Poet Affe among all thefe ?
Dance, and Exit.
Ap. Ther's no fuch creature.
Mi. Then what call'fl thou thofe That let not men lie quiet in their graves, But hant their ghofls with ballatts and bal'd rimes ? Doe they not teach the very feinds in hell Speake in blanke verfe ; doe wee not daily fee Every dull-witted Affe fpit Poetrie : And for thy Scene ; thou bring'fl heere on the ftage A young greene-fickneffe baggage to run after A little ape-fac'd boy thou tearm'ft a god ; Is not this moft abfur'd 1
Ap. Mif-underftanding foole, thus much conceive, Pfiche is Antma, Pfiche is the Soule, The Soule a Virgin, longs to be a bride, The foule's Immortall, whom then can fhee wooe But Heaven ? whom wed, but Immortality : Oh blame not Pfiche then, if mad with rage, Shee long for this fo divine marriage.
Mid. But tell mee then, why mould Apollo fay, All love her, and yet none will marry her.
Ap. All love faire Pfiche, all caft amorous eyes On the foules beautie, but who is't will wed her 1 None with the foule will leade fo Uriel a life As heaven enjoynes, with fuch a bleffed wife.
Me. Thou promp'ft my underflanding pretty well ; But why mould Venus being Queene of Love, Wifh her fonne Cupid to enamour her On fome bafe groome mif-fhapen, and deform'd 1
Ap. By Venus heere, is meant intemperate lufl : Luft woes her fonne Defire, to inflame the foule
Loiies Miflris. 107
With fome bafe groome, that's to fome ugly fmne ; Dfftre is good and ill ; the evill fweares To obay his mother Venus, and vexe Pfic/ie : But Cupid reprefenting true defire, Doates on the Soules fweete beauty, fends his feruant Zephirus ; In whom, Celeftiall pleafur's meant, To entice his love, the Soule, to his chad bed, Giving her heaven for her loft maiden-head.
Mi. Onely one riddle more, and I have done ; Why did the poore girle Pfiche take fuch paines 1 What fcrambling fhift fhee made to climhe the moun-
taine,
And crawle through brakes and briers to get a hus band.
Ap. This fhewes how many flrong adverfities, Croffes, pricks, thornes, and flings of confcience, Would throw the ambitious foule affecting heaven, Into defpaire and fainting diffidence, Which Pfiche muft paffe through ; the Soule mufl flie Through thoufand letts, to feeke eternitie.
Mi. Thou hafl made this fomewhat plaine.
Ap. Kind Gentlemen,
Winke at our flrife, you may in pardoning this, Count this our talke a meere Parentefis. Exeunt.
ACT II. SCENE I.
Enter Pfiche, Aflioche, and Petrea.
Pfi. \ T 7Elcome deare fiflers ; with the breath of
VV Love,
Poore Pfiche gives kind welcome to you both : Oh tell me then by what aufpitious guide,
io8 Loues Mi/Iris.
You came conduced to this facred place ?
Afli* Siller you (hall : when many a weary flep Had brought us to the top of yonder rocke, Mild Zephirus embrac'd us in his armes, And in a cloude of rich and flrong perfumes, Brought's unto the skirts of this greene meade.
Pfi. And happily ariu'd : Nature and Art Have ftrove to make this dale their treafurie ; Windes flie on Pfiches errands ; fhapes unfeene Are my attendants, and to make mee fport, Will dance like nimble Ecchoes in the ayre, And mocke mee.
Eccho. Mock me,
2. Mock me.
3. Mock me.
Pft. Sifters how like you this ? Eccho. This, ha ha ha.
2. This, ha ha ha.
3. This, ha ha ha.
Petre. They mock us, will they doe no harme to
us?
Pfi. Oh no. Eccho. No.
2. No.
3. No.
Pfi. Bablers, be filent. Eccho. Silent.
2. Silent.
3. Silent.
Pfi. Or He punifh you ; And let me heare fome muficke — Loud — And Hill.
Loude Muficke, andftill Muficke. Tell mee, how like you this ?
AJK. It flies the reach of Admiration.
Petr. But let us fee the fhapes of them that play, What are they, fpeake? or what's your husbands
name ?
Let's know our brother, that wee may relate To th' King our father your high honour'd ftate.
Loues Miftris. 109
Pfi. My husband, fitter, is now rid from home.
Afti. Why, fay he bee ; I hope you know his
name ;
Wee'le ranfacke all the Pallace but wee'le find him : Is your fweete-heart fo proud, hee'le not be feene 1
Petr. Where is hee Pfiche 1
Pfi. Trufl mee, hee's from home.
AJIL Let's fee his Picture then 1
Pfi. Laffe I have none.
Petr. Defcribe his perfon.
Pfi. I muft fhift from hence, My tongue will elfe breede my confuficn.
Afti. Nay fitter, when ?
Petr. When fitter will it bee ?
Pfi. How fliould I give him mape I never faw 1 Hee's a faire lovely youth, upon each cheeke, Smiles lie in cheerefull dimples ; on his brow Sits Love and Majeftie in glorious pride ; His eyes fuch beauty in their circles hold, That walking in the night, I have thought them
ftarres :
Long flaxen curled trefles crowne his head. Come, come, you fhall not be enamoured On my faire husband, this for all fuffice, Hee's young and rich.
Afti. Oh how my blood doth rife In enuy of her high felicitie ; Speake, what's his name ?
Pfi. Home, Home ; more muficke there, I mutt to reft :
Recorders. Enter Zephirus with baggs.
Ho ZephiruS)
Come foorth, and bring mee brim-full baggs of gold,: Hold up your lapps ; tho' them you cannot fee That bring this gold, this larges take from mee ; Adieu, adieu : my duty to the King, I needs mutt flop mine eares when Syrens fmg. Exit. Petr. Aftioche.
no Loues Miftris.
Afti* Petrea, oh, I am mad to note her pride ; Her husband is no ferpent as 'twas faid, And falfe Apollo fung ; hee is fome god, And this his Temple, for no mortall hand Hath laid thefe Chriftiall pavements, cloathed thefe
meades
In never-fading liveries of greene ; Flora you fee cloathes all the ground with flowers, flora is Pfiches hand-maid ; Zephirus Is but her foote-boy, lackeys at her becke.
Pet?-. Yet fhee's our fitter, and it doth mee good To fee rich worth in any of our blood.
Afti. Thou art a foole Petrea, for I hate That any's fortune fhould tranfcend my flate ; Shee fends us hence in fcorne, but wee'le returne, And never ceafe, till by fome treachery, Her pride we make a Have to mifery. Exeunt.
Enter Admetus, Menetius, and Zelotis.
Mme. Patience great fir, you have not loft them
all, Doubtleffe the two laft live.
Zelo. Sir though they be your daughters, th'are our
wives, And wee are in no fuch defpaire of them.
Ad. Admit you were one for AJKoche^ And that another for Petrea wept, You two, but for two wives fhed husbands teares ; For you and them, I forrow all : your feares Divided betwixt you ; on me alone, Lies like a mountaine, and thus cafleth downe Admetus wretched body, with his crowne ; They followed Pftche and her deftiny, Hath given them death, us living mifery.
Enter Evemore. Eve. Rife Royall Sir, your Daughters are return'd.
Loues Mi/Iris. 1 1 1
Aa. Oh where, which way ; are my t\vo daugh ters come 1
Eve. Yes fir, and both their lapps are fill'd with gold.
Enter Aflioche and Petrea.
Ad. Welcome to both in one ; oh can you tell AY hat fate your fitter hath ?
Both. Pftche is well.
Ad. So among mortalls, it is often fed, Children and friends are well, when they are dead.
AJlio. But Pfiche lives, and on her breath attends Delights that farre furmount all earthly joy; Mufioke, fweete voyces, and Ambrofian fare, Windes, and the light-wing' d creatures of the ayre ; Cleere channel'd rivers, iprmgs, and flowrie meades, Are proud when Pftche wantons on their ftreames, When Pfiche on their rich Imbroidery treades, When Pftche guilds their Chriftall with her beames ; Wee have but feene our fifler ; and behold She fends us with our lapps full brimm'd with gold.
Adm. Oh, you amaze me Daughters.
Pet. Let joy banifh amazement from your kingly
thoughts,
Pfiche is wedded to fome Deitie, And prayes withall, our quicke returne againe.
Ad. Wee grant it ; wee with you and thefe, will
goe
To Pfiches bowre ; defire inflames my minde, To fit on the bright wings of that blefl winde.
AJli. Oh but the god that governes Pfiches
thoughts ;
For fure hee is Immortall ; charg'd my fifler To talke with none but us.
Petr. Yet by the magicke of our tongues wee'le
try If wee can win you fo much libertie.
Ad. Goe my Aflioche, but come againe
1 1 2 Loues Mi/Iris.
To comfort him that mufl thy want complaine ;
Goe with my love Petrea, but return e
With winged fpeede, whir ft wee your abfence mourne ;
Goe with my bleffmg ; bleft thofe fillers bee,
That live like you in bonds of unitie :
Give Pfiche this ; give her thou this Petrea,
Kiffeth them,
Tell her fhee is my felfe, my foules Idea, And fay, whil'ft fhee is fpotleffe, lovely white, Shee mall bee my fole comfort, my delight : So part with my beft wilhes. Exeunt.
Enter Clown e, with three or four e Swianes.
Clo. And what might you call that yong gentle man, that rules and raignes, reuells and roares in thefe walkes of Arcadia, that makes you borrow fheepes eyes from your flocks, and leaves you no more braines in your heads than in your meepe-hookes ? What might you call that gallant ?
1. Swa. Whom doe you mean, him whom god Pan fo honours, the Fawnes feare, and the Satires make to fee?
Clo. file ipfe, the fame ; I defire no more than this fheepe-hooke in my hand to encounter with that fwafh-buckler.
2. Swa. It is the god of Love, they call him Cupid.
Clo, Cupid Coxcombe; your Satyrs are all fots, your Fawnes fooles, and your Pan a pittifull poore fellow ; had I their homes (as I know not what I may have in time) I would fo gore him ; and what weapons doth hee ufe 1
3. Swa. They fay Bow and Arrowes.
Clo. Bow and Bird-boults doth he not ; and how lies hee ? where's his guard 1 what's his play ? Can any of you all give me his true title 1
i. Swa. Not I, 'tis farre beyond mee.
Clo. Then harken oh you hoydes, and liflen oh
Loites Miftris. 113
you Illiterates, vvhil'fl I give you his (lile in Folio : Hee is King of cares, cogitations, and cox-combes ; Vice-roy of vowes and vanities ; Prince of paflions, prate-apaces, and pickled lovers ; Duke of difafters, diffemblers, and drown'd eyes ; Marqueffe of molan- cholly, and mad-folkes, grand Signior of griefes, and grones ; Lord of lamentations, Heroe of hie-hoes, Admirall of aymees, and Mounfieur of mutton-lac'd.
2. Swaine. Heere's a ftile I mall never bee able to get over.
Clo. And who doe you thinke maintaines this prin- cox in his Pontificallbus ?
1. Swa. Nay, it exceeds my capacitie.
Clo. A company of pittifull fellowes call'd Poets ; did you never heare of one Homer, and of the Tale of Troy, and of a ten yeeres fiege, and many fuch trifles.
2. Swa. Yefe, and many things concerning them. Clo. But heare mee, oh you mifle of mifunder-
(landing ; this Troy was a Village of fome twenty houfes ; and Priam, as filly a fellow as I am, onely loving to play the good fellow, hee had a great many bowling lads ; whom hee called fonnes.
3. Swa. As we have heere in Arcadia.
Clo. lull the fame ; by this Troy ranne a fmall Brooke, that one might ftride over ; on the other fide dwelt Mtnelaus a Farmer, who had a light wench to his Wife call'd Hellen, that kept his fheepe, whom Paris, one of Priams mad lads, feeing and liking, ticeth over the brooke, and lies with her in defpight of her husbands teeth ; for which wrong, hee fends for one Agamemnon his brother, that was then high Con- ftable of the hundred, and complaynes to him : hee fends to one Vliffies, a faire fpoken fellow, and Towne- clarke, and to divers others, amongft whom was one ftowt fellow call'd Ajax, a Butcher, who upon a Holy- day, brings a payre of cudgells, and layes them downe in the mid'ft, where the Two Hundreds were then met, which Heftor a Baker, another bold lad of the other
ii4 Loues Mi/Iris.
fide feeing, fteps foorth, and takes them up; thefe two had a bowte or two for a broken pate ; And heere was all the circumftance of the Trojan Wanes.
i. Swa. To fee what thefe Poets can doe,
Clowne. But liften to them, and they will fill your heads with a thoufand fooleries ; obferue one thing, there's none of you all fooner in love, but hee is troubled with their itch, for hee will bee in his Amorets, and his Canzonets, his Paftoralls, and his Madrigalls, to his Phillis, and his Amorillis.
i. Swa. Oh beautious Amorillis.
Clo. And what's Amorillis thinkfl thou ?
1. Swa. A faire and lovely creature.
Clo. He mew thee the contrary by her owne name, Amor is love, tilts, is ill, is ill, cannot bee good ; Ergo Amorillis is ftarke naught ; let one or two examples feme for more, there's one of our fayrefl Nimphes called Sufanna ; what is Sufanna, but Sus and anna, which is in plaine Arcadia, Nan is a Sow.
2. Swa. Well, you have taught us more then ever I underftood before, concerning Poetrie.
Clowne. Come to mee but one howre in a morn ing, and He reade deeper Philofophie to you ; good- morrow Neighbors ; Poets, quoth a ; What's litule tu patule, but Titles and Pages; What's Propria que maribus, but a proper man loves Mary-bons, or Feminno generi tribiunter, but the Feminine Gender is troublefome ; what's Ovid, but quafi avoide ; now mould I be in love, with whom ? with Doll, what's that but Dole and lamentation, with lugg, what's mee, but filler to a black-pot, or what's Pegg, good for nothing but to drive into pofle : no Cupid, I defie thee and all thy genealogie.
Enter Cupid.
Cup. What's hee that fo prophanes our deitia I And fcornes that power which all the gods adore; To whom love fome-times bends, and Neptune kneeles,
Loues Mi/Iris. 1 1 5
Mars homageth, and Phebus will fubmit, Slie Mercury obey, and Vulcan bow too ; And all the rurall gods and goddefles, Saytirs and Nimphes, allow their foveraigne ; Hee (hall not fcape unpunifhed.
Clo. If I could but find one of thefe fantaflicall Poets, or light upon that little god their Patron, I would fo tickle them.
Cup. This hobinall, this rufticke, this bafe clowne ; I find him of a dull and braine-lefle eye, Such as I know a golden-headed fhaft Will never enter ; of a skinne fo thicke, As pointed filuer hath no power to pierce : For fuch groffe fooles, I have a bolt in ftore, Which though it cannot wound, mail give a blow, To ftartle all within him. Shootes.
Clo. Oh me, hey-hoe.
Cup. Lie there bafe Midas baftard, that refufes All-honour'd love, and rayl'ft againft the Mufes.
Exit.
Clo. Oh coward, whatfoere thou art, to come be hind a man and flrike him before, for. I faw no body
to Ihoote, and never give a man warning, oh
coward, I am payd, I am pepper'd ; the cafe is alter'd, for any one may geffe by the hugeneffe of the blow, that I am mightily in love ; ay-me, that any wench were heere, whofe name is Ayme ; now could I be in love with any madge, though me were an Howlet, or with any mayd, though (he look't like a Malkin ; Oh Poetry, I find that I am poyfon'd with thee too; for me-thinks I could fay my prayers in blanke-verfe, nay let me fee, I thinke I could rime for a neede ; Cupid I yeeld, fmce fo I know thy will is, And He goe feeke me out fome Amarillu. Exit.
Enter Pfiche alone.
Eft. There's at this time a combat in my foule, Whether to trufl my well-knowne fitters better,
I 2
n6 Loues Mi/Iris.
Or my yet unfeene husband ; I have asked, Demanded, and enquired of all my traine, This fairy-traine that hourely waites on mee, Yet none of them will tell mee what he is ;
Enter Cupid.
Befides, this follitude to be alone,
Begins to grow mod tedious, and my feares
Doe every way diftrac~l mee.
Cup. Why how now Pfiche ?
Pfi. Oh let Mercies eyes Shine on my fault.
Cup. Are thefe thy heaven-bound vowes 1 Are all thy proteflations guilded ayre ? Haft thou no more regard to my command, Or thine owne fafety ?
Pfi. Deare love pardon mee.
Cup. Once more I doe; and ftill mull pardon
thee,
And thou muft ftill offend, ftill torture mee ; Yet once againe He try thy conftanc^ : Thy fifters are at hand.
Pfi. But gentle Love, Shall I not fpeake to them ?
Cup. Yes, but I woe thee
To fend them quickly hence, or they'le undoe thee ; They now are at the Rock, bid the coole winde To pleafe thee, bring them to the place afsign'd.
Exit.
Enter Zephirus with the two Sifters.
Pfi. Ho Zephirus, Tell me the caufe of your fo quicke returne ?
AJli. Pfiche wee come with danger of our lives, To fave our fifter from enfuing harme.
Pfi. What harme? What danger?
Afti. Danger eminent, Once you refufed our counfell, and deni'd
Loues Mi/Iris. 1 1 7
To let us know your husband, or his name.
Petr. Come let's fee him.
Pfi. Oh, what (hall I doe ?
Petr. Efcape the danger you are fall'n into.
Pfi. You cannot fee him.
AJIL Give us then his fhape ?
Pfi. His fhape, why hee's a man whofe fnowie
head Bowes on his bofome, through the weight of age.
AJli. That cannot bee ; you faid hee was a youth Of comely (lature, with long flaxen haire.
Pfi. I am entrap'd.
AJli. Speake, did you ever fee your husband 1
Pfi. Why doe you aske, pray trouble me no more ; Leave me, and I will fill your lapps with gold.
AJli. Once thy gold tempted us to leave this
place,
And to betray thy life to mifery, It mall not now ; did not Apollo doome Thy fatall marriage to fome hiddeous bead ; How juft is Phebus in his auguries ; Lad night, when wee went hence laden with gold, Wee fpide a ferpent gliding on the meade, Who at the fight of us, writhing his head Proudly into the ayre, firft hifl at heaven, Becaufe it did not (hade him from our eyes.
Pfi. How did that ferpent vanifh from your fight ?
AJli. In at thefe gates hee rowld, Pfiche be wife, For tho' a while hee dally with thy beauty, Dulling thy tafle with fweetes, thy eyes with (hewes, Thy eares with muficke, and fweete lullabies, Hee will in time devoure thee.
Pfi. Miferable wretch, How (hall I flie the fate that follows mee 1 Whofe helpe (hall I inuoke ?
Petr. Tell us the trueth, And wee'le devife fome meanes to fuccour thee.
Pfi. You are my fiflers, I confefie to you, I never faw his face, know not his fhape,
1 1 8 Loues Mi/Iris.
Yet have I touched his eyes, and felt his hands, Oft have I kift his cheekes, more oft his lipps ; Eyes, hands, lipps, cheekes, and face fo charm'd my
touch,
That I have fworne, fave his, there were none fuch ; Yet your ftrange flory makes me to fufpect That hee's fome ferpent, for hee tells me dill, To fee his glorious fhape, will mine mee ; Befides hee bids mee fhun your company, Elfe you will breede my forrow ; this is that Which troubles mee.
AJIL Here then my counfell ; Inflantly provide A keene-edg'd rayfor, and a burning lampe ; At night, when fleepe fits on his monflrous eyes, Steale from his fpeckled fide, flep to your light, And without feare behold his horrid fhape, And with the rayfor cut his skalie throate ; And fo by death gaine life, and hee being dead, Pfiche fhall to fome King be married.
Petr. How doth our filler relifh this devife ?
Pft. I doe embrace your councell, and this night He put the fame in execution ; Come, you have made mee refolute and bould, And now receive your lapps ore-fwell'd with gold.
Exit.
A/It. Swell in thy pride, untill thou break'ft thy
heart, Yet come, wee'le take her larges ere we part. Exit.
Enter Midas and Apuleius.
Mi. Poet no more ; I have enough of Pfiche : Her fiflers and the ferpent, all of them Moft villanous lies, He proove it ; and unlefle To pleafe my felfe, and keepe mine eyes from fleepe, Thou'lt let mee mew thee fome of our fine fport, Such as wee ufe heere in Arcadia, I will endure no longer.
Ap. Well, I am pleafd.
Loues Mi/Iris. 119
Mi. He mew thee in a dance.
Ap. Art fome-times muft give way to Ignorance.
A DANCE.
Enter Pan, Clowne, Swaines, and Countrey-wenches ; They Dance, and Exit.
Mi. Was not this fport indeede ?
Ap. My modeflie gives thee no reprehenfion, For I am well pleafed with your Paftorall mirth ; But as thou had'ft a power over mine eyes, To fit it out with patience ; fo lend mee Thy atentive eares.
Mi. Firfl cleere thy obfurdities, Nay, grofe ones too ; heere Pfiche lyes abominably, And fayes (hee has two husbands, the one young. The other old : How canil thou anfwere this ?
Ap. Though thy vaine doubts be moft familiar To thefe judicious hearers, well experienc'd, As well in matters Morrall as Divine ; To thee He make it plaine.
Mi. I prethee doe.
Ap. Did Pfiche lie to fay mee had two loves ? How like art thou to PficJie, (hee to thee.
Mi. To mee, I fcorne her likenefle.
Ap. In this poynt thou art, For rather then thy fillers (hall grow angry, To make earths droflie pleafures (lay for thee, Thou wilt exclaime with Pfiche, Cupids young ; The joyes of heaven are all too young, too little To be believ'd or look'd at ; if that faile, Thou with the foule wil't fay, my love is old, Divine delights are crooked like old age, Who will not vow, fpeake, nay fweare any thing, To have their vaine delights feru'd like a king.
Mi. 'Tis pretty, but your Ecchoes pleas'd me bed ;
120 Loues Mi/Iris.
Oh if a man had feene them.
Ap. With a mortall eye None can ; in them is hid this miftery ; Caeleftiall raptures, that to allure the fight, Are feene no more then voices being on high, Subject unto no weake, and flefhly eye.
Mi. But why did Cupid hide himfelfe from Pfiche!\
Ap. Oh who dares prie into thofe railleries, That heaven would have conceal'd ; for this fhee's
charg'd Not to fee Cupids face, to fhun her fillers.
Mi. Thole gadding girles, what did'ft thou meane by them ?
Ap. The reftleffe finnes that travell night and
day, Enuying her bliffe, the fweete foule to betray.
Mi. Well, by this little I conceive the reft, I care not greately if I flay it out, But if not lik't, He either fleepe or flowte.
Ap. So will not thefe I hope, before they view What horrid dangers Cupids bride purfue. Exeunt.
ACT III. SCENE I.
Enter Pfiche in night-attire^ with a Lampe and a Rayfor.
Pfi. ' "^Imes eldeft daughter Night, mother of
eafe, Thou gentle nurfe, that with fweete lulabies,
Loues Mi/Iris. 121
Care- waking hearts to gentle (lumber charm'ft ; Thou fmooth-cheek't negro night, the black-eyed
Queene,
That rid'fl about the world on the foft backs Of downy Ravens fleeke and fable plumes, And from thy Charriot, filent darkneffe flings ; In which man, beaft, and bird, inueloped, Takes their repofe and reft ; Pfiche intreats thee, Noe larre nor found betray her bold attempt :
Cup. dif covered fleeping on a Bed.
Soft filken vaile that curtaines in my doubt, Give way to thefe white hands, thefe jealous eyes, Sharpe knife prepar'd for a red facrifice ; Bright lampe conduct me to my love or hate, Make mee this night blefl, or infortunate : Wonderous amazement ! what doe I behold 1 A Bow and quiver, thefe fhafts tip'd with gold, With filuer this, this fluggifh arrowes head, Is like my heavie heart, compof'd of lead ; Such weapons Cithercas Sonne doth beare, Pfiche were happy if this Cupid were ; Malitious fitters, I your enuy fee, This is no ferpent, but a Deitie : What prety loves, like filken (lumbers lie, Clofing the covers of each Chriilall eye ; Hence thou prepared inttrument of death, Whilft Pfiche fucks new life from his fvveete breath : Churle beauty, beautious nigard, thus He chide, Why did'ft thou from mine eyes this glory hide ? Ah mee, thou envious light, what haft thou done ?
Cup. Immortall powers, oh fuccour Venus fonne * What hellifh hagg hath drop't this fcalding oyle On Loves Caeleftiall fhape 1
Pfi. 'Twas Pfiches hand.
Cup. How durft thou violate my dread com mand ?
Venus my Mother, bid mee make thee doate On fome bafe groome ; and I left her and heaven,
122 Loues Mi/Iris.
And with mine owne darts wounded mine owne
breft;
For all thefe favours, wouldft thou murder mee ? Pfi. Let my weake fex pleade for my great
offence.
Cup. No, for thy fake, this plague purfue thy fex ; You mail have appetites, and hot defires, Which though fuppli'd, mall nere be fatisfied ; You mail be flill rebellious, like the Sea, And like the windes inconftant ; things forbid You mofl mail covet, loath what you mould like ; You mail be wife in wifhes, but enjoying, Shall venture heavens loffe for a little toying : Ho Zephirus.
Enter Zephirus.
Pfi. What will my deare love doe 1
Cup. Hence, touch me not, He be no more thy
love :
Difcharge my ieruants from this fairy vaile, Refigne thy office to the boyflrous North, Bid famine ride upon his frozen wings, Till they be blafted with his poyfonous breath ; Muficke, be turn'd to horror, fmiles to teares, Pleafures to (hreikes, felicitie to feares.
Pft. Why doe you plague the place for my
offence ? Cu. Why for thy fiflers fake fought' ft thou my
hate ?
But I will bee reveng'd on them and thee, On them, for thy fake, on thy felfe, for mee. Pfi. For pitty heare poore Pfiche. Cup. Noe, away ? Pft. I have no way but yours ; which way you
flie, He hang upon your wings, or fall, and die.
Cup. Soone (halt thou leave thy hold ; run Zephirus,
Loues Mi/Iris. 123
A Storme. Enter Boreus.
Fetch Boreus Art thou come my Aquilon :
Boreus, I charge thee by Orithias love, Lay wade and barren this faire flowrie grove, And make this Paradife a den of fnakes ; For I will have it uglier then hell, And none but gaftly fcrietch-owles heere (hall dwell ; Breath winters ftormes upon the blufhing cheekes Of beautious Pfiche \ with thy boyflerous breath, Rend off her filkes, and cloathe her in torne raggs ; Hang on her loath'd locks bafe deformity, And beare her to her father, leave her there, Barren of comfort, great with child of feare ; PficJie farewell, whil'ft thou with woes art crown'd I muft goe gather herbes to cure my wound. Exit. Pfi. With woes indeede; thofe wretches live in
woe, Whom loue forfakes, and Pfiche mull doe fo.
Exeunt* With a great Storme.
Enter Clowne, Amarillis, and Swaines.
Clo. Doe you heare the news, you annimalls ?
1. Siva. Is it worth the hearing?
Clo. A qveftion well ask'd, for it is muficall news, and therefore worth your eares : Apollo being call'd by Venus from heaven, hath ever fince kept Admetus his fheepe, with whom Pan meeting, they fell in con tention, whether his Pipe or Apollos Harpe could yeeld the better Muficke, and which withall could fmg the beft ; come then my fweete Amarillis , and take thy place amongft the reft, for this is the day of the tryall, and amongft others, I heard my father Midas fay, that all other bufmefle fet a part, he would be at it ; but there is one mifchiefe late happened.
2. Swa. What's that I prithee ?
Clo. Pan hath got a cold, is hoarfe, and hath loft his voice, and therefore hath chofe mee to fmg
124 Loues Miftris.
in his place ; and Phoebus, becaufe hee will take no aduantage, hath pick'd out one of his Pages to doe the like for him ; therefore come, make a lane, for by this time they are upon their entrance.
i. Swaine. But is it poffible that Pans Pipe dare contend with Apolloes Harpe 1
Clo. Yes that it is poffible, blind harper, and that my winde-pipe mail proove ; make roome, and get you all out of the lifts fave I, that am to be one of the combatants.
A Flourijli. Enter Apollo, Pan, Admetus, Petrea, Ailioche, their two husbands, and Midas.
Pan. Who mall be ludge 1
Apo. Admetus.
Ad. Sacred Apollo, great Pan pardon mee ; It is a cunning much beyond my skill, Therefore I humbly crave to be excui'd.
Apol. Admetus, for thy hofpitallity, Ph&bus will be thy friend, and gives thee leave In this to ufe thy pleafure.
Pan. What thinks Phoebus Of Midas once of men, now King of beafts.
Apol. No better man, fo pleafe him undertake it.
Mid. Yes Phoebus, Midas will, and though poore
Marfias,
For flriving with thee had his skin pull'd off, Yet have wee Swaines, and fome too not farre off, I could have faid, fome neere to mee in blood, Can tickle you for a tone.
Clo. Meaning mee, and I will fet out a throate.
Apol. Is this thy champion 1
Pa?i. Yes, and who's for thee ?
Apol. One of my minuts, houres, dayes, weekes,
or moneths,
Or yeeres, or feafons, that ftill waite on us, And have done ever fmce the firfl of time ; Not one can come amiffe.
Loues Mi/Iris. 125
Mi* Who (hall begin 1 Ad. Mo ft voices. All. Apollo, Apollo.
Clo. No matter tho' his Champion begin, let mee alone to come up with the Cataftrophe. All. Silence, Silence.
SONG.
Phcebus unto thee weefing, Oh thou great Idalian King : Thou the 6W0/Phifick art, Of Poetry, and Archery ; Weefing vnto thee with a heart, Devoted to thy deity : All bright glory crowne thy head, Thou f over aine of all Piety, Whofe golden beames and rayes arejhed As well upon the poor e as rich, For thou alike regardejl each ; Phcebus unto thee weefing, Oh thou great Idalian King.
Mi. I marry, this was fome-what to th' purpofe ; I needs mufl fay 'twas prety, but god Pan, Now let us heare your Champion ?
Pan. Come, (land forth ?
SONG.
Clow. Thou that art catfd the bright Hiperion,
Wer>t thou morejlrong then Spanijh Gerion, That had three heads upon one man, Compare not with our great god Pan :
They call thee Sonne of bright Latona, But girt thee in thy torrid zona, Sweate, bajle, and broyle, as bejl thou can, Thou art not like our Dripping Pan.
126 Loues Miflris.
What cares heefor the great god Neptune, With all the broath that hee is kept in ; Vulcan or love heefcornes to bow to, To Hermes, or the inf email Pluto.
Then thou that art the heavens bright eye, Or burne, or fcorch, or boyle, or fry, Bee thou a god, or bee thou man, Thou art not like our Frying Pan.
They call thee Phoebus, god of day,
Yeeres moneths, weekes hours, of March and
May,
Bring up thy army in the van, Wee'le meete thee with our Pudding Pan.
Thy f elf e in thy bright Char riot fettle, With Skillet arm'd, Braffe-pot, or Kettle, With lugg, Black-pot, with Glaffe, or Can, No talking to our Warming Pan.
Thou haft thy beanies, thy browes to deck, Thou haft thy Daphne at thy beck ; Pan hath his homes, Sirnjx, and Phillis, And I Pans Swaine, my Amarillis.
Ad. You Midas have heard both; thefe onely
waite Your juft and upright fentence.
Mi. Is Phoebus pleafed ?
Ap. Pleafed.
Mi. And is Pan content.
Pan. Content.
Clow. No v if my father can but cenfure as well as I fmg, the to\\ ne's ours.
Mi. Yes Sonne, I can, and that mofl learnedly :
Thy Harpe to Pans Pipe, yeeld god Phoebus, For 'tis not now as in Diebus Illis, Pan all the yeere wee follow, But femel in anno ridet Apollo,
Loues Miftris. 127
Thy quirejler cannot come neerc The voice of this our Chanticleert, Then leave offthefe thy burning rayes, And gim to Pan the Prick and pray fe, Thy colour change, looke pale and wan, In honour of the great god Pan.
All. A fentence, a fentence, a Pan, a Pan.
ApoL Henceforth be all your rurall muficke fuch, Made out of Tinkers, Pans, and Kettle-drummes ; And never hence-foorth may your fields bee grac'd With the fweete mufick of Apollo's lyre : Midas for thee, may thy eares longer grow, As fhorter flill thy judgement, dulnefle, and dotage, Bee onely govern'd with thofe reverend haires ; Let all like thee, that as they grow in time, Decay in knowledge, have that old mans curfe, To be twice children ; for thy fqueaking fonne, May all thy flate thou leav'ft him at thy death, Bee to fing Ballets through Arcadia, And them to the like tunes ; fare-well Admetus, My muficke lives unqueftion'd, what's amifle Is not in us, but in their ignorance ; Thus undifparadg'd, Phoebus leaves the place, And with them to fucceflion, my difgrace. Exit.
Ad. Phoebus is gone difpleaf 'd.
Pan. Still may he be fo.
Mi. Midas I'me fure has judged with equitie.
A Stornu. Enter Pfiche and Boreas.
Clo. But fee father, fee god Pan, if in revenge, he hath not fent a bluftering wind to blow us all hence ; 'tis Boreas, 'tis Boreas.
Pan. Come Midas, come Swaines, till this ftorme
be pad,
Let us away to fhelter. Exeunt.
Pfi. Where art thou Pfiche, how art thou de- form'd ?
128 Loues Mi/Iris.
What ayre affords thee breath 1 what men be thefe ?
Where (hall I hide me ; let no humane eye
Behold me thus disfigured, and alham'd :
My Father, Brothers, and my Sifters too,
That wrought my fall, what (hall poore Pfiche doe 1
Ad. What bare anotomy of griefe is this, That glads mine eare with found of Pfiches name ^
Pfi. 'Tis her owne tongue, the herald of her
(hame; Father Admetus, Sifters, pitty mee.
Ad. Thou art no child of mine.
Afti. Spurn e her away, 'Tis (ome infectious ftrumpet, and her breath Will blaft our cheekes ; her fight is worfe then death.
Pfi. I did not ufe you thus, nor fpurne you backe, When on the nimble wings of Zephirus You were tranfported into Cupids vaile ; Your entertainment then deferu'd more right, Then like a dogge, thus fpurne mee from your fight ; Sifters.
Petr. Out hagge, wee fcorne thy fifter-hood.
Pfi. You fcorne mee too ; nay then at laft I fee, Pride will not looke on bafe deformity : Father Admetus, pitty wretched Pfiche. Kneels.
Ad. Out Impudence ; If once againe thy tongue Mangle the reputation of my girle, He have it ftraight torne out, hence with th' Im- poftor.
Pfi. Vf'd like a dogge, and by a fathers doome, Dragg'd from his prefence, how am I transferred 1 lie try my brothers next, upon my knees.
Zelo. Depart the place, for mee, I know thee not.
Pfi. Oh mee, how quickly wretches are forgot ?
Mi. Wretched, away.
Pfi. Away; all cry away, Bafenefie and Pride in one place cannot (lay. AJlioche, kind fifter, for old loves, Refolue my father that I am his child ; Put him in mind of Phoebus oracle,
Loues Miftris. 129
And leaving mee upon the barren rocke ; Remember how you came unto my bower, And how my feruants fill'd your lapps with gold ; And laft, remember how by your aduife, I made attempt to flrike my husband dead, As hee was deeping, doe you know me now ? Thence grew my mifery.
AJti. Yes foole, and my great heart loyes in thy fall : and father, now I better Suruey her, my mind gives mee this is Pftche.
Petr. I am of her thought too, and yet much
wonder, How fuch a beauty mould be fo deform'd.
Ad. None mail perfwade me to't : fhees none of
mine That tells mee I have any part in her.
Recorders. Cupid defends.
Cup. Admetus flay, chide thy conceit, it offers
wrong Unto thy daughter Pfiche.
Pfi. Oh what heavenly tongue Will once vouchfafe to found poore Pfiches name, Torne with difgrace, doubly expof d to fhame.
Cup. Pfiche^ his tongue, whofe charge had'fl thou
obeyM,
Thy profperous flate had not beene fo betray'd ; Nor had ft thou bin a fubjecl to that fhame Which now attends thee.
E/£. Cupid, my deare lord, Pardon my gilt, haue pitty on my forrow ?
Cup. I cannot, no I d'are not, heaven, and earth, The deftinies, and all th' Immortall powers, Have with the yron pen of Fate, writ downe Thy certaine paine ; did I not give thee charge, To tafte the pleafures of Immortall love, But not to wade too deepe in miftery ? Could not my heavenly company fuffice
130 Loues Mi/Iris.
To cheere the foule ? but thou with earthly eyes Muft fee my face ; and view my reall beauty, Againft my charge, thy love, and humane duty.
PJl. I doe intreate.
Cup. Arife, kneele not to mee ; But thanke thy fillers, they apparrell'd thee In that diftraafull fhape ; PJiche farewell, He mourne in heaven, to fee thy paines in hell.
Cupid afcends.
Ad. Poore miferable child ; in ftead of teares, My heart weepes blood ; I am confounded quite : I have three daughters, thou of all the reft, Had'ft in my true conceptions greateft mare, For which, I calPd thee Pfahe, that's the foule, For as my foule I lov'd thee ; now I abjure All intereft in thy birth ; hence from my Court ? My hand mail nere lay bleffing on thy head, Nor my tongue grace thee with a daughters name, Thou art not mine, but the bafe birth of fhame.
Pfi. Oh whether mall a wretch conuert her eyes, When her owne father fhall her teares defpife ?
Enter Mercury.
Mer. Atend Arcadians, The Proclamation of the Papkian Queen e.
Ad. When Hermes fpeakes, wee are bound to all attendance.
Mer. Oh yes, If any can bring Pfiche unto Venus
Afti. Pfiche, whom you are fent to feeke, ftands there.
Mer. Then heere ends Mercuries Commiffion : Pfiche^ in Venus name, I doe arreft thee, For wrongs to her and Cupid.
Pfi I obey
Your high arreft, and with an humble fuite, Proftrate my felfe to Cithereas wrath ; Where's angry Venus 1
Loues Mi/Iris. 131
Mer. Franticke in this grove, Mourning Adonis death, and heere mee comes.
Enter Venus.
Ven. Accurfed bow, why did' (I thou not defend
him?
Hee mail not die, Adonis dill mall live ; Apollo, gentle Phoebus, mount thy Charriot, And in his cold breft breathe Caeleftiall fire, For all earths fimples cannot cure his wound, Or if hee mud expire, command the Mufes To give my love Immortall memory : Haft thou found Pfiche 1 oh that in this rage, I could but now forget her.
Mer. See where fhee ftands, With downe-caft eyes, and weake up-heaved hands.
Yen. luft of my height, my ftate, and my proportion; And were her priftine beauty lent her backe, Might in the rabbles judgement riuall mee : Strumpet, prophaner of our facred rights, How haft thou wrong'd mee, and abuf 'd my fonne 1 By ayming at my honour, and his life.
PJi. Dread Paphian Queene, for lovely Cupids
fake,
And this rich burthen in my wretched wombe, Pitty poore Pfiche.
Ven. Haft thou plaid the ftrumpet, And for thy finnes fake muft I pardon thee ? No, that alone hath made me rhercilefle.
Venus beats JUT.
Pfi. Helpe mee deare Father, fifters, Mercury.
Ad. I dare not fpeake for thee.
AJK. Nor I. ,
Petr. Nor I.
Pfi. Poore Pfiche, borne unto aduerfity.
Mer. Bee not fo bitter Madam, for his fake, By whom you are made a grandam.
Ven. I prove a grandame to a ftrumpets brat ?
K 2
132 Loues Miftris.
Goe Mercury ; and from fome Garner fetch Five meafures of five feverall forts of graine ; Difpatch it Hermes.
Mer. What will Vemis doe ?
Ven. Thou (halt know better when thou back return'ft : Exit Mercury.
You are young Venus, and the Queene of Loue, That had th' ambition to be Cupids wife, And marry with a god ; Ho Boreas, Since Mercury is flack in his returne, Winde her inticing locks about thy arme, And tofling her loofe carcaffe in the ayre, Fling it into the bofome of fome ftorme, And grind her bones to powder in the fall.
Pfi. Pitty me Venus, Father pleade for mee.
Enter Mercury with graine.
Ven. 'Tis well done Hermes, haft thou brought the
graine ?
Mer. Madam I have. Ven. Then minion, heere's your taske, Looke on all thefe j fee, thus I mingle them. Pfi. And what muft miferable Pfiche doe ? Ven. To feverall heapes, with thine owne hands
divide
Each feverall feede ere the Sun kiffe the Weft, Or looke for death ; goe, and when that is done, He ride to Paphos and enlarge my fonne, Whom yet I keepe clofe Prifoner in my clofet. Exit. Ad. Pfiche adieu, none can reverfe thy doome. Afli. Not I.
Mene. Nor wee. Exit, all but Mer. and Pfi.
Pfi. I wifh the earth my tombe.. Mer. Take patience Pfiche, and be comforted Pfi. Comfort, alas what comfort can mee find, Whofe father and deare friends prove fo unkind. Mer. For Cupids fake, who for thy love now weares
Loues Mi/Iris. 133
A paire of golden fhackles on his heeles :
This Mercury will doe, flie hence to Paphos,
And fetch him from his late imprifonment,
Then tell him of his mothers tyrannic,
That done, wee two vrill teach thee without paine,
In feverall heapes how to divide this graine. Extunt.
Enter Midas and Apuleius.
Mi. And where have I beene think'ft thou Apu leius ? Did'ft thou not miffe mee 1
Ap. Yes, I did not fleepe, As thou did'ft in thy judgement.
Mi. Then I perceive,
Thou know'ft how I maintain' d our rurall muficke, Preferring it before Apollos harpe.
Ap. Yes, and by that inferre, thou art all earthie, Nothing Caeleftiall in thee.
Mi. All's one for that ; now for your morrall.
Ap. Wilt thou flay it out ?
Mi. No, 'tis too dull,
Vnlefle thou'lt quicken me with fome conceit, Thy Pfiches fadneffe hath made me fo heauy, That MorpJieus fteales upon mee.
Ap. What wouldft thou fee ?
Mi. Thy little Cupid I like pretty well, And would fee fome-thing elfe what hee can doe, More then belongs to Pfahe.
Ap. Well, to keep thee awake, He mew thee now Loves Contrarieties. Which was more then my promife.
A DANCE.
Enter a King a?td a Begger, a Yovng-man and an Old woman, a Leans man, a Fat woman. Dance, &* Exit.
Mi. I marry, this was fomewhat like indeede ;
1 34 Loues Miftris.
Heere's yong and old ; heere's fat and leane j the beg-
ger and the King ; Love hath power over all.
But to your morrall now ; why comes your Pfiche With a fharpe Rayfor, and a burning Lampe, To murder Cupid \ then hee wakes and chafes, And flings houfe out at windowes, was't not fo ? Ap. He tell thee; ihee charm' d by her fitters
tongues,
Thinks her faire love a ferpent, and growne mad, Would murder Cupid, teare even low. from heaven ; Yet note the greatneffe of Caelettiall mercy, One glimpfe, one lampe, one fparke, one divine
thought Pluckes backe her arme, and more inflames her
brefl
With amorous raptures ; but becaufe poore foule, Shee aym'd to fearch forbidden mytteries, Her eyes are blafted, Cupid loathes her fight, Hee leaves her ugly, and his blefled bower Is rent in pieces ; For heaven feemes to fall When our poore foules turn diabollicall.
Mi. For that 'twixt Pan and Phoebus, I know
beft,
For I was there an umpire j but refolue mee ; Why left he Pfiche when fhee loft his love, Yet mourn'd when fhee was left of all her friends. Ap. All bid the wretched foule run to defpaire, When leprous finne deformes her, but even then, When the gods hate her? when fhee's fcorn'd of
men 1
Cupid hangs in the ayre ; his divine eyes Shed teares for her, comforts her miferies. Mi. Yet hee forfooke her too. Ap. Till Pfiche bee made faire and angel- white,
Shee's not to ttand in Cupids glorious fight : Mi. Well,, I am anfwer'd. Ap. And for thy part Midast
Loues Mi/Iris. 135
Laugh, fleepe, or flowte, nay fnarle, and cavell too ; Which none of thefe heere met I hope will doe.
Exeunt.
ACT IIII. SCENE I.
Enter Vulcan.
Vul. TT 7Ithin there, Pirackmon, when you
\ \ knave ?
Take in Adonis quiver, and his bow, And hang them up in Venus armory, By Mars his gantlet, and Achilles fword : Ha ha ha, I laugh untill my fides be fore For joy that my Wives dandiprat is dead ; And now my Ciclops lay't on luftily ; There's halfe a hundred Thunder-boults befpoake, Which argues that the World is full of fmne ; Neptune hath broke his Mace, and lunos Coach Muft bee new mended, and the hind-moft wheeles Muft have two fpoakes fet in ; Phoebus fore-horfe Muft have two new fhooes, calk'd, and one remove ; Pans Sheepe-hooke muft be mended fhortly too, Plie it of all hands, wee have much to doe.
i. Ciclop^ from within.
Ci. Mafter, heere's one of Ceres husband-men Would have a Plough-mare, and a Sith new ground. Vul. New ground, new halter'd, hee mall ftay his turne ;
136 Loues Mi/Iris.
Wee fhall deceive the gods and goddeffes, For a plow-jogging hinde.
2. Ci. Heere's Mercury to have his caduces mended.
Vul. Hee fhall Hay.
3. Ci. Heere's Ganimed,
To have his mailers hunting-nagge new mod, And Mars his lackie, with a broken gorget.
4. Ci. And heere's a clowne for hob-nailes. Vul. Heere's the devill and all ;
What would they have me doe 1 I toyle and moyle Worfe then a mill-horfe, fcarce have flept a minute This fortnight, and odd dayes ; I have not time To fit and eate ; but I'le give over all, And hue upon my wife, as others doe ; They fay fhee hath good takings ; ere He endure it, 1 will doe any thing ; when I was made a Smith, Would I had beene a Beare-ward. 4. Ci. What mall wee doe firft ? Vul. Why firft goe hang your felues : I keepe a douzen lourney-men at leaft, Befides my Cidops and my Prentifes, Yet 'twill not fadge ; I thinke my little boy Cupid muft blow the bellowes, and my Wife Venus mufl leave her trade, and turne fhee-fmith, Yet 'twould fcarce quit the coft; fhee'd fpend mee
more
In Nectar, and fweet-balls to fcowre her cheek es, Smudg'd and befmear'd with cole-duft and with
fmoake,
Then all her worke would come to ; But foft, what fhackled run-away is this ?
Enter Cupid in fetters.
Why how now Cupid ?
Cup. Crawling foftly to you, You are my dad, and I am come to fee you.
Vul. How came you out of credit with your Mother]
Loues Mi/Iris.
37
Cup. Aske me how I crept into credit rather, For doe you fee fir ; thus the matter ftands, I am indebted, and thus enter'd bands To be foorth-comming.
Vul. Y'are a young whore-mafler ; about your
wench, I have heard all ; but where's your Mother now 1
Cup. Binding up Mirths for Adonis tombe, Whom mee hath now turn'd to a Hiacinth ?
Vul. And what's become of Pfahe, where is (hee ?
Cup. I parted but even now with Mercury ', Who told me that my Mother had enjoyn'd her To part five meafures of commixed graine Into five heapes, which feem'd impoflible ; But hee and I, fent forth the toyling Ants, Who like fo many earnell labourers, Did it with eafe, for they were numberleffe : Then with his cunning, having pick'd the locke Of Venus Clofet doore, hee fet mee free, And I am come deare father, to intreat, To file off thefe my boults.
Vul. Cupid I dare not, Venus gave me charge, Not to take off thy (hackles.
Cup. Father, fweete Hony fugar-candy dad, Indeede, indeede you mail.
Vul. This cologing wagge Will not be anfwered : come, fet up your legge ; Venus will fole mee by the eares for this.
Cup. No, no, I warrant you.
Enter Pfiche with a Violl. 'tis done, th'art free ;-
-but who
Vul. So, now
comes here ? Shee's angry fure, for fee how big fhee lookes ; What a great breadth me beares ; me-thinks a woman Becomes no ornaments fhee weares, fo well As a great-belly ; therefore 'tis much pitty, They mould want things, to make them looke fo
prittie.
138 Loues Mi/Iris.
Pfi. Vnhappy Pfiche, Venus moft obdure, And never fatiate with my endleffe cares, When by the helpe of filly labouring Ants, I had ended the firft taske, her cruelty Binds mee to worfe difafter.
Cup. Once my Love,
Had'ft thou beene true to Cupid, not the leaft Of all thefe evills had affaulted thee ; And till my mothers anger bee appeaf'd, I dare doe nothing ; Yet for our firft loves fake, Make me acquainted with thy fecond taske, And as I may be fure lie further it.
Pfi. Let my lipps kiffe this earth whereon you
treade,
In low fubmiffion ; for her late injunction, Tranfcends all humane poffibilitie : This Violl I mufl fill at that fpring-head, From whence Cocitus flowes, that fearefull flreame, Which feedes the river Stix.
Cup. Be aduif 'd by mee, Not farre from Tenerus, whofe barren topp Is crown'd with clouds of fmoake, there lies a
meade,
Ore-growne with Ofiers, Bryars, and Sicamors, In this loues Eagle (on whofe duskie wings, Ganimed flew to heaven) obfcures himfelfe From lealous lunoes wrath ; enquire him out, Tell him thy griefe, and that thou cam'fl from mee, From this hard taske hee will deliver thee.
Pfi,. Thanks glorious deitie, upon my knees Preft downe with this rich burthen of thy love, I begg that you will mediate 'twixt my err ours, And your fterne mothers wrath.
Cup. Well get thee gone, 'Tis I will front her indignation. Exit. Pfiche.
Enter Pan, and Venus. Pan. This way he ran with fhackles on his heeles,
Loues Mi/Iris. 139
And faid hee would to Vulcan ; oh but fee Where hee (lands cogging with him.
Ven. Now you run-away, You difobedient, thou unhappy wagg, Where be the golden fetters I left you bound in 1
Cup. True, for my good behaviour, but you fee My bands are cancell'd, and your fonne fet free. Ven. He whip you for't, with nettles fteept in
wine.
Cup. So you'l nettle mee, and I muft fmart for't ; But when your owne flames burne, and you defire With him, or him, to glut your appetite, Then gentle Cupid, then, my prittie fonne, My love, my deare, my darling, and what not, Till you have had your will.
Ven. With his flattering tongue, Hee flill prevents my anger : but for thee, As crooked in thy manners as thy fhape ; I thought, great foole, you durft not harbor him. Vul. No more I did, fweete wife. Cup. Sweete mother Queene, BulTe my blacke dad for all that hee hath done, Was love to you, and kindnefle to your fonne.
Vul. Speake for me Pan, as ere thou hop'ft to
have Thy broken hook well mended.
Pan. When, canfl tell ? I tell thee, I muft firft have befides that, A douzen of Branding-jrons to marke my flocke, (The time drawes neere, meepe-mearing is at hand) Befides, two of my Satirs falling out About a Lambe, one of them burft his home, It muft be tip'd too ; thou art well acquainted With tipping homes.
Vul. Ha, homes, with homes, how's that ?
Pan. Nay, aske your Wife, I cannot fpeake of
homes,
But ftill you take the laft word to your felfe, For Venus makes, and Vulcan weares,
140 Loues Mi/Iris.
And Vulcan takes, and Venus beares. Vul. Vulcan weare homes ? Ven. No fweet-heart, you miflake, Pan is the forked god, with homes was borne, And ever fince, his tongue runs of the home. Pan. Speake fhall I have my Sheepe-hooke, and
thofe Irons ?
Vul. Yes Pan, you (hall,
But yet thofe homes have ftrucke deepe to my heart. Pan. Take heede they grow not upward to your
head,
And tipping homes, your browes weare homes in- deede :
Enter Pfiche.
But who comes heere 1 Vulcan is this your wench I Th' hadfl befl looke to him Venus.
Pfi. Like your obedient fervant, that layes downe Her life and labour at her MifLris feete, So comes poore Pfiche, held betweene the armes Of feare and duty ; feare dilhartning mee, Would pluck me back, but duty being more flrong, Bids me goe foreward, bending my weake knee Before the Shrine of facred Maieftie ; Accept my feruice, who to gaine your grace, Would yeeld my felfe to afhie death's imbrace.
Ven. Is this that water of th' Infernall lake ?
Pfi. This is that water, whofe infectious torrent Runs from Cocitus, into Flegiton, Infernall Stix, and the blacke Acheron, Deare Goddeffe.
Ven. Art thou not a fawning counterfeit ? Firft I imploy'd thee to divide my graine, A taske impoffible for mortall hands, This fecond as more hard, and yet 'tis done ; Thou work' ft by forcery ; but no damn'd fpell Shall keepe mee from my wrath, thy foule from hell. Vul. Venus, fweete moufe, nay prithee doe not chide,
Loues Mi/Iris. 1 4 1
Forgive, as I forgive thee.
Ven. Polt-foote, peace.
Cup. Sweete Mother, let your ire be mollified, Since for her fault me hath endur'd this paine, Bannifh all hate, and make her bled againe.
Ven. Againe I charge thee not to fpeake for her : Once more He try thee further, fmce thy heart Is wedded to fuch hellifh forcery ; Hye to Proferpina, the black-brow'd Queene, He fend thee on my embafsie to hell, Tell her that ficknefie, with her afhie hand, Hath fvvept away the beauty from my cheekes, And I defire her fend me fome of hers ; Fetch me a box of beauty then from hell, That's thy lafl labour, urge not a replie, Doe my command and live, refafe, and die.
Cup. For my fake, my bed Mother, pittie her,
Ven. For thee I hate her, and for her hate thee.
Pan. Nay gentle Venus, be more mercifull, For her great-bellies fake.
Ven. For that alone, He hate you all, till fhee be fled and gone.
Pfi. Then goe I mufl, and going, nere returne ; Oh Cupid, my inconflancy to thee, Is caufe of this my endlefle mifery.
Cup. With-draw thee Pfiche till the reft be gone, Anon He fpeake with thee. Exit Pfiche.
Enter Mercury.
Mer. Venus, Vulcan, Cupid, and god Pan, I fummon you to appeare at Ceres plaine, To entertaine the faire Proferpina, For whom I now am fent ; I mud to hell About loues embaflie, Venus farewell. Exit.
Ven. Hermes farewell, wee'le meete at Ceres plen-
tious Court : Come Cupid, follow mee.
Pan. Vulcan cannot goe.
142 Loiies Miftris.
VuL Yes, but 'tis befl to keepe behind a fhrew. Pan. Then put her in before, on Venus, goe.
Ex. all but C^.
Cup. Pfiche approach, but doe not come too neere, That pride thou haft already bought too deere.
Enter Pfiche.
Pft. Oh pitty Pfiche, ihee is fent to hell.
Cup. It is the found of hell wakes pitties eye, Elfe I had left thee to more mifery ; My loves not done, though thou art quite undone, Vnleffe I arme thee 'gainft the darts of death, Which hell aimes at thee.
Pfi. Let thy facred breath
Cup. Wound me no more with words, for they but
grieve me ;
Now marke what on thy Tourney muft relieve thee : Firft, hie thee to the bancks of Acheron, Thou can'fl not miffe the way, 'tis broad and worne With trampling of Ten thoufand pafiengers, There (halt thou find hells churlim Ferry-man, His name is Charon, there's to pay his hire, Take heede thou loofe it not, for doing fo, Hee'le beate, and leave thee on the more of woe ; Being ferried over, thou malt fpie hell gates, Thou need'ft not knocke, they are open night and
day, Give Cerberus a fop, and paffe away.
Pfi. And what's that Cerberus 1
Cup. Porter of hell,
Who mufl at thy returne be brib'd againe ; My great defire to helpe thee, hinders thee, I mould have told thee when in Charons barge, Thou art wafting ore the dreadfull waves of Stix, An aged man, with a pale countenance, His name's Oblivion, fwimming in the flood, Will heave his wither'd armes, and cry, helpe, helpe, Save mee from drowning ; ftretch not forth thy hand,
Loues Mi/Iris. 143
For if thou dofl, thou nere return' ft to fliore, Thou wil't forget my love, fee mee no more.
Pfi. He ftop mine eares againft Oblivions cry.
Cup. Being landed, thou (halt fee old wrinkled
haggs,
Spinning black threds, whil'ft folly reeles them up ; Hee will let fall his reele, and pray thee reach it, But ftoope not ; they will likewife beckon thee To fit downe by them ; but to fpinne a thread Take heede, doing fo, from mee thou art banimed.
Pfi. He Ihun their baites,
Cup. Being enter' d Plutoes Court, They all will tice thee with a thoufand traines, Shun all, and neither fit nor eate with them, Onely deliver what thou art enioyn'd, Receive the boxe of beauty and be gon, Which ftill keepe fhut, let not thy daring eye Behold the wealth that in the boxe doth lie,
Pfi. Dread Cupid
Cup. Now fare-well, had'ft thou but obey'd mee, Thy face had ftill bin lovely, and mine eye Doated on thee with heavenly lealoufie. Exeunt.
Enter Clowne and Swaines.
\. Swa. And what doft thou thinke of Cupid now ?
Clo. Doe not thinke I am fo ftupid But to thinke well of great god Cupid.
2. Swa. And what of Poets.
Clo. As Poets, as of Potentates, for fince I plaid the laft prize againft Phoebus, in which I may fay of my felfe, vent, vidi, vid\ I have beene fo troubled with a Poeticall itch, that I can fcratch you out Rimes, and Ballats, Songs, and Sonnetts, Oades, and Madrigalls, till they bleede againe.
i. Swai. Then thou art reconcil'd to Homer.
Clo. Homer was Honourable, Hefiod Heroicall, Virgil a Vicegerent, Nafo Notorious, Martiall a Pro-
144 Loues Miftris.
voft, hivinall a loviall lad, and Perfius a Paramount ; what doe I thinke of Poetry 1 of which my felfe am a profefl member.
2. Swa. And may be very well fpar'd, and yet the body never the worfe, but thou may'fl fee what be- coms of rayling againft Cupid, what a fweet Miftris hee hath put upon thee 1 Clo. Who, my Amarillis.
i. Swat. Yes, the verieft dowdy in all Arcadia, even Mopfa compar'd with her, ftiewes like a Madam ;
firft fhee's old
Clo. It was very well faid, to fay firft, becaufe fhee was before us, and for being old, is not age reverend 1 and therefore in mine eyes fhee's honourable. i. Swat. And wrinkled.
Clo. Is't not the famion ; doe not our Gentiles weare their haire crifped, the Nimphs their gownes pleated, and the Fawns their ftockings, for the more grace, wrinckled ; doth not the earth (hew well when 'tis plowed, and the land beft when it lies in furrowes. i. Swat. Befides, fhee hath a horrible long nofe. Clo. That's to defend her lipps, but thou fmner to fence, and renegade to reafon, doft thou blame length in any thing ? doft thou not wifh thy life long, and know'ft thou not that Trueth comes out at length ; When all our joyes are gone and paft, Doth not Long-look'd for, come at laft ; If any of our Nimphs be wrong'd, will fliee not fay, 'tis Long of mee, 'tis Long of thee, or Long of him ; If they buy any commodity by the yard, doe they not wifh it long; your Advocate wifhes to have a law fuite hang Long; And the poore client, bee his cloake never fo fhort, and thread-bare, yet would be glad to weare it longer.
No married man, but doth his wife much wrong, Tho' hee himfelfe be fhort, to have nothing long.
2. Swa. The Ihort and the long ont is, fhee's an ugly creature, make of her what thou can'ft.
Clo. Make of her what I can ; oh that all, or any of you could like mee, looke upon her with the eyes
Loues Mi/Iris. 145
of Poetry, I would then let you know what I have made of her.
i. Swa. Prithee let's hear't.
Clow. Then liflen hither, oh you Imps of igno rance ;
Oh tell mee, have you ever feme, Since you were borne unto this day, Which is longfince, a wit fo greene, And cover1 d with a headfo gray.
To praife her Jlill, my Mufes will is, Although therein I have no cunning, Yet is the nofe of Amarillis Like to a Cock, long, andftill running.
Her eyes, though dimme, dofeeme cleere, And they of Rheume can well difpofe, The one doth blinke, the other bleare, In Pearle-drops Jlriving with her nofe.
Her brefts are like two beds of bliffe, Or rather like two leane-cowes udders, Which Jhewes thatjhee no Change-ling is, Becaufe they fay, fuch were her mothers.
Thofefew teeth left her in her head, Nowfland like hedge-Jlakes in her gumms. Full of white Dandriff is her head, Shee puts the Cobler downe for thumbs.
Her fides be long, her belly lanke, And of her legges whatjhould I fay, But that Jfiee feeles well in theflanke, And both her feeie, themfelues difplay.
i. Swai. All the Homers in Afia could never have come fo neere the bufmefle.
Clo. From head to foote, for her flature and yeeres, patterne her in all Arcadia; fay mee bee a foule beaft, in your eyes, yet (hee is my Syren j and mewing foule to others, and faire to mee, I mail live the hap-
L
146 Loues Mi/Iris,
pier, and fhee the honefter, but I have a remedy againft all this, in fpight of Cupid. 2. Swat. What's that ?
do. I heare Pfiche his Miftris, is fent to hell for a boxe of beauty, 'tis but way-laying of her, and taking it from her,
Then Amarillis mail compare
With any other (he that dare. Exeunt.
Enter Midas and Apulejus.
Mi. This lafl I lik'd, and had it all beene fuch, Onely a meere difcourfe 'twixt fwaines and clownes, It then had pleaf'd mee ; now fome quaint device, Some kick-maw or other to keepe me waking.
Ap. Then by the leave of thefe fpec~tators heere, He fuite mee to thy low capacitie ; Of Vulcans Ciclopps He fo much intreate, That thou malt fee them on their Anuile beate ; 'Tis muficke fitting thee, for who but knowes, The Vulgar are beft pleaf 'd with noyfe and Ihowes ? A Dance of Vulcan and his Ciclopps.
Mid. Well, this I like :
Now let mee knowe the creame of this conceit ; Why graine ? why meafures ? why the number five ? Your morrall fir for that.
Ap. The number five, our Sences doth include, Thofe feverall graines, our feverall forts of finnes, Which like thofe feedes, to count, are infinite ; And fo commixt, that to diftinguifh them, It much tranfcends humane capacitie.
Mid. And then thofe Ants, what didft thou meane by them \
Ap. By thofe are meant our recollections, And Laborinths, ftill bufied in the fearch Of what hath paft, and were it poflible, By drawing them into their former heapes, To pay to each, indebted Penitence ; But all in vaine, for this can never bee
Loues Mi/Iris. 147
Without true Love, guided by Mercury :
But for my Sceane, how do'ft thou relifh that 1
Mid. As ribble, rabble, and I know not what ; A Violl mud be fill'd with fligian dropps, And that an Eagle mufl for Pfiche fetch ; And all this, to what purpofe ?
Ap. What to thee,
And fuch like drones, feemes to be mod abfurd, Is to the wife, perfpicuous and mod plame 1 When Pfiche hath tranfgreff'd, and her offence (Almoft pad pardon) merrits Cupids wrath ; Then woes like waves, follow each others neck, Then mud fhee fetch a glaffe of digian water, A Violl fill'd with true repentant teares, And that fhee cannot fill, nor fetch from thence, But by the Eagles helpe, Heauens providence.
Mi. But for her voyage into Hell; cand make mee Believe, that once there, fhee can come from thence 1
Ap. Can'd thou be filent, and but apprehend Thou now behold'd her fit in Charons boate ? Oblivion reaching up his wretched hands, To crave her helpe, and then by folly woed, Next by the Idle fiders ; thefe things pad, Entering Hell gates, whither thy imagination May bring her ; Howfoever Gentlemen, I hope that you will better underdand ; Wee'le but affright her with Hells Court, and then, On your wing'd thoughts bring her to earth agen.
Exeunt.
ACT. V. Scene. I.
Enter Pluto, Proferpine, Minos, Eacus, Rhadamant, Charon, Cerberus, and Mercury.
Plu. 'T^ Aire Mayas Sonne, declare your embafsie ? JP Mer. Wheate-crowned Ceres, harued Soveraigne, L 2
148 Loues Mi/Iris.
And Mother to the faire Proferpina,
Sends greeting to her Sonne, hells awfull King,
Letting him know, this day Latonas Sonne
Enters the firft houfe of his Zodiake,
And with his guilt beames welcomes in the Spring ;
This day the Virgins of Sicilia,
Old Wives, young Children, Souldiers, Citizens,,
Princes and Prelates, on Cijjephus bancks,
Are gathered in well-order'd multitudes,
Dancing in Chorrufses, fmging mirth -full layes,
Such as lambe, Megamiraes maid,
Sung, when me mourn'd her Daughters ravifhment :
This day hath Ceres call'd a Seffions,
Where Proferpine mufl bee ; but ere fhee leave
The black Imperiall Throne of this low world,
Pfiche the Daughter to th1 'Arcadian King,
Mufl doe a meffage to her deitie.
Prof. Wee know th' Intent of that great influence, With all the purpofe of the Paphian Queene, Shee meanes prowd Pfiche never mall returne, And wee will keepe her ; Charon fetch her ore.
Cha. Shee's come already.
Mino. Then conduct her in.
Cha. • Hell's full enough of fhrewes; if fhee be
faire,
I know fhee's curft, pray let her tarry there, A curft queanes tongue, the very fiends flill feare.
Plu. Fetch her I fay, Venus mall be reveng'd.
Eac. Goe Charon, waite upon him Cerberus.
Mino. If fhee performe the cuftomes of our Court, Being fent on meffage from fupernall powers, Wee can then with no juftice keepe her heere.
Rha. True Minos, 'tis the law of hell and Fate ; Yet Cerberus and Charon, get you gone, Tell Pfiche that hell's King, and Proferpine, With Minos bench'd, Eacus and Radamant, Vpon their black Tribunalls, fends for her ; You Furies, with your enuious eyes attend, Leaft Pfiche 'gainft our cuflomes mall offend.
Cha. Come Cerberus, come haggs, fetch Pfiche in.
Loues Miflris. 149
Cer. Yes, and for all her flaynes, and leprofie, Me-thinks I now could eate her. Exit.
Mer. Pfiche is well inflrudled Rhadamant, Her husband Cupid gave her certaine rules, For her uncertaine journey.
Enter Charon, Cerberus, and Pfiche.
All. Heere fliee comes.
Cer. My fop, haft thou thy naulum Ferry-man ?
Cha. I have.
Plu. Pfiche (land foorth, nay poore foule, tremble not.
Minos. How came this woman over Acheron 1 Reach'd fhee not hand to helpe Oblivion 1
Cha. No, yet the wretch made many a pittious
cry, Yet fhee look'd on him with a fcornefull eye.
Eac. How did fliee pafie the haggs, that fpunne
the threads Of Idle-folly, in the path of hell ?
Cha. They all defir'd her helpe, but fliee deny'd To fet a ringer unto follies thred.
Plu. Shee hath done well, why kneel'ft thou on the ground ?
Pfi. I kneele to Prqferpine, for I am fent By facred Venus for a boxe of beautie.
Prof. Faire Pfiche, you mall haue what you defire, Rife up, fit downe by us, 'tis much unfit, The Wife of Cupid on the ground fit.
Pf. Pfiche is Cupids out-caft, and his fcorne, And therefore fits thus low, and thus forlorne.
Plu. Oh thou belov'd of Love, be not fo fad ; Furnifh a Banquet, let our coufen tafte The delicates that grow in thefe darke groves.
Prof. Art thou not faint ? A Banquet fet foorth.
Pfi. Yes, wonderous faint, and weary, Faint through the want of foode, weary with toyle Of my un-number'd fteps, faint through the terror
150 Loues Miftris.
That on each fide affrights mee, faint and weary With bearing this poore burthen in my wombe ; Cupid, thy words are true, thou didft fore-tell, My pride on earth, fhould worke my plagues in hell. Plu. Refrefh thy felfe then, tafle our delicates. Pft. I dare not touch them. Rha. Thou haft a fop, eate that. Pft. It is not mine, It is your Porters fee. Cer. Give it mee then.
Pft. Anon I will, at my returne from hence ; In the meane time, facred Proferpina, By all the teares your grieved mother med, When you were ftole from Pifmaes flowrie banke, Let Pftche be difpatched to Cipria, Leaft the incenfed goddeffe doe fome wrong To her poore feruant, if mee flay too long. Plu. Will mee not fit c\ fcornes mee to tafte our
foode 1 Give her fome wine.
Cha. Heere girle, drinke to hells King.
Pft. Give me cold water from the murmuring
fpring ?
Plu. I am foule-vext, that any mortall eye Should fee our cuftomes, and returne alive, To blab them to the wide eare of the world : But Proferpine, having perform'd all rights, Wee muft not heere detaine her j fend her hence. Prof. My en vie e quails yours, but all in vaine ; Pftche receive this boxe from Proferpine, Wherein Caeleftiall beautie is inclof 'd. But on thy life, dare not to looke into't, As thou refpedl'ft thy fafetie.
PJl. I receive it,
And humbly begging to dread Plutoes Queene, Intreate to be difmiff'd this fearefull Court, Plu. Charon, conuey her backe. Cha. My Ferry-money. Cer. My fopp.
Loucs Mi/Iris. 151
Pfi. Both's heere.
Exit. Char, and Cer. with Pfiche.
Plu. Pfiche is worthy to be Cupids Wife, And Proferpine, remember her to Venus, Make interceflion, that the Queene of Love No longer prove th'ungentle ftep-mother.
Mer. Pluto, when Pfiche hath perform'd her taske, My Sifter will no doubt be reconcil'd ; Cupid prefented a Petition To loue, and all the Senate of the gods, To take from her, her bafe deformity, The gods agreed, and Venus too was pleafd At her returne from hell it mould be done.
Plut. Heere Hermes, take my Queene Proferpina, Returne her when the fifter of the Sunne Hath fixe times compaffed her filuer fpheare ; Commend me to my mother, great loves wife. My fifter Pallas, and to all the gods, So farewell P'^'oes joy, all hell mail mourne With hiddious cries, till my faire love returne.
Exeunt. Hiddeous muficke.
Enter Cupid.
Cup. Many a long looke have my watchfull eyes Sent out to meet with Pfiche, heere Ihee comes,
Enter Pfiche.
And in her hand the boxe, Cupid ftand clofe, And over-heare the fumme of her difcourfe.
Enter Clown e.
Clo. This is fhee, I know her by her marter'd face ; Venus did well to fend her for beauty, for poore foule, (he hath neede on't, I have dogg'd her, to fee if I could find her at any aduantage, to fteale away her boxe ; I have already got love from Cupid, I have got Poetry from Apollo, and if I could now get beauty
152 Loues Mi/Iris.
from Pfiche, Phaon the faire Ferry-man, was never fo famous in Sidllia, as I Coridon mail be in Arcadia.
Pft. You trayterous thoughts, no more affault me
thus,
My lovely Cupid charg'd me not to fee What Proferpine fent Venus in this boxe, The like command did hells Queene lay on mee, Oh heaven, yet I mail die except I doe't.
Cup. I Pfiche, what flill in your longing, vaine ?
Clo. That's it, nay I mall know't, if I fee't againe.
Pfi. It's beautie Pfiche, and Celaefliall, And thou art ugly, this will make thee mine, And change this earthy forme to (hape divine ; Open it boldly, but I (hall offend, Why fay I doe, 'tis but the breach of dutie, And who'le not venture to get heavenly beautie, Rich beautie, ever frefh, never decaying, Which lies intombed in this heavenly fhrine ; Nor in this bold attempt thinke mee prophane, Striving thus fpotted, to be free from flaine.
Shee opens the Boxe, and falls afleepe.
Clo. Nay I thought I mould take you napping,
Takes up the Boxe.
And thou malt goe with mee ; for 'tis my duty, My Miftris being a blowfe, to find her beautie.
Cupid charmes him ajleepe.
Clip. To make thee lovely in thy Miftris eyes, Make ufe of that, and boafl of thy rich prize.
Cupid layes a counterfeit Boxe by him. But foolifli girle ; alas why blame I thee, When all thy Sex is guilty of like pride, And ever was 1 but where's this beauty now1? Turn'd into flumbers, and like watery pearles Of honey-tafting dew hangs on thefe lids : Shee wakes againe ; I have fwept off the flumber That hung fo heavy on thefe fpotted covers, Which once clof'd in, the light of all true lovers.
Pfi. Where am I now? Dread Cupid pardon mee.
Loues Mi/Iris. 153
Cup. Come rife, and wipe away thefe fruitlefle
teares :
Take up the boxe, and hie thee to my Mother 1 Pft. Shee'le kill mee for the beautie I have
loft. Cup. Turn foole, I gather'd it from thy clofd
eyes,
Where in the fhape of (lumber it did reft ; Be comforted, Cupids white hand mail cleere This blacke deformitie, and thou malt ride In Venus chariot, and be deified : I thought to chide too bad, but 'twill not bee, True Love can but a while looke bitterly : Awake thou too, the treafure there inclof4d, Rifle at will, but fee it well difpoi'd. Exit.
Clow. Where am I, nay where is mee ; I no looner caft mine eye upon the boxe, to fay heere 'tis, but I was afleepe before a man could fay what's this, what's this faid I :
Re Joyce all mortalls that weare fmocks, For I have found rich beauties boxe : I was before but a man made, but I am now a very made man ; and when 'tis knowne I am polTeff d of this rich treafure, both Young and Old, Short and Tall, Tagg and Ragg,
Witch and Hagg, Crone and Beldam, Who though they come abroade but feldome, will crawle upon crutches to find out mee ; But come as many as will, and as faft as can, by their fauours, my Amarillis mall bee firft feru'd : and yet not firft neither, am I in poffefsion my felfe, and (hall not I be the white boy of Arcadia: Adonis is dead, and (hall not I bee Venus fweetheart. Come boxe of beautie, and for white and red,
The Boxe is full of ugly Painting. Put downe loves Page, the fmooth-fac'd Ganimed ; Dawbe on, dawbe on, as thicke as thou canft
lay on,
Till thou exceede the Ferry-man call'd Fhaon ; Cupid compar'd with mee, (hall be a toy
154 Upues Mi/Iris.
And looke but like the figne of the black-boy ; My face mall mine jufl as my hand difpofes, In one cheeke He plant Lillies, in t'other rofes, Till all that this my vifage gaze upon, Say there, there goes the faire-fac'd Coridon*
Enter Swaines.
1. Swai. Where is Coridon^ Hymen ftayes, and Amarillis attends, the Bride is ready, but no Bride- groome to be found 1
Clo. I doe not thinke the Clownes will know me when they fee mee, Colin, Dickon, Hobinall, and how is't, how is't ?
2. Swai. Ha ha ha, very fcuruily me-thinks, is this Coridon ?
Clo. Nay, if my face in Swaines breede fuch
delight,
What will the Nimphs doe when they come in fight.
3. Sw. O monflrous Coridon \ how cam'ft thou thus chang'd ?
Clo. Chang'd, I hope fo ; I have not travell'd thus farre for nothing ; fpeake you mortalls, Doth not my brow relent ? mines not my nofe 1 Springs not heere a Lillie, there a Rofe ?
2. Swai. A Rofe, a Lillie ? a Blew-bottle, and a cancker-flower, what is that upon thy face 1
Clo. Beautie, boyes, beautie.
2. Swai. Beautie doft call it, I prethee from whence came it 1
Clo. Marry from hell.
2. Swai. From :hell, 1 beleeve it, for it hath made thee looke like a devill already.
Clo. Goe fheare your fheepe, make money of your
wooll,
Sell all your Lambes, and make your purfes full, And then, if on the price wee can agree,
* faire-cheek'd Coridon. 1636.
Loues Miftris. 155
He fit you all, and make you looke like mee.
2. Swai. Like thee, Ide rather fee thee hang'd ; doft thou think wee meane to weare Vizors ?
Clo. This 'tis to be meere mortalls, and have noe addition of learning or travell ; their dull eyes cannot judge of Caelefliall beautie : butwhere's my Amarillis, and the god of marriage Hymen ?
i. Swai. They both flay for thee in Venus Temple ; but I hope thou wilt not be married to her in this pickle?
Clo, Will I not, yes, and dazell all their eyes that mall looke on mee, efpecially my Amarillis, And fhee mufl needs have fome part of my theft, All is not gone, fomthing for her is left : Leade on, leade on, this day you mall be my men, And thus in pompe will we go meet with Hymen : And Dickon , if anon thou wilt be finfull To drinke with mee, I will give thee thy skin-full : If any heere, I fpeake it out of dutie, Defire Complection from my boxe of beautie, This night I am bufie, let him come to morrow, They mall have flore, if they will buy, or borrow.
Exeunt.
Enter Phoebus, Pan, Vulcan, Venus, Admetus, Aflioche, Petrea, Menetius, and Zelotes.
Ven. By this I know, that Minks is come from
hell,
And heere me harbours ; but Arcadian King, Deliver her, or by our dreadfull frowne, He fpoile thy Courts, and cafl thy Temples downe j Conceale her longer, not the gods intreatees Shall guard her from the death, my rage intends. Ad. Dread Queene of Paphos, fhee remaines not
heere,
Nor thinke that I abet her, though my child, Againfl your wrath, or power; Nay, did fhee fo-
journe
In any place where I have free command, Ide caufe her to be fetch't thence inflantly,
156 Loues Miftris.
And as your flave and vaffaile tender her.
Ven. If fhe be fafe return'd from Proferpine, Shee muft be pardon'd, and become divine ; But to conceale her beeing, and keepe backe The prefent fent,* aymes at her future wrack.
Apol. If ever in faire Venus I had power. Or grac'd her fummer paftimes with my beames, At length with a commifferating eye, Looke on diflreffed Pfiche.
VuL Doe good wife,
Vfe her with all the favour thou can'ft thinke, Conive at her, as I at thy faults winke.
Pan. And Pan protefts by Cannaes nut-browne
haire,
The faireft Nimph, fmce Sirnix, I ere faw, Be friends with her, my Saityrs all mail play, And I with them make this a holy-day.
Enter Mercury and Proferpine.
Mer. To all thefe gods, to Venus, and this
traine,
Health from the Sonne of Saturne, and Queen e Ceres.
Ven. Welcome, what would the meffenger of love To us, or thefe 1
Mer. Pan, Vulcan, and your felfe, With Phoebus, and the great Arcadian King, Mud bee this day at Ceres fowing-feafl, Vnto which Annuall meeting, fee faire Proferpine Is come from Plutoes Court.
Ven. Welcome faire Queene.
Apol. Welcome faire filler, from the vaults below, Wee two are Twins, of faire Latona borne, And were together nurfl in Delos He ; You guide the night, as I diredl the day, Darkeneffe and light betwixt us wee divide, Nor fquare, but in our mutuall Orbes agree,
* Her prefent fight. 1636.
Lones Mi/Iris. 157
Vnlefie you move juft 'twixt the earth and mee, For then you eclipfe my lufture.
Vul. Coufen Queene,
I am even moone-ficke, and halfe merry mad, For joy of thy arrival. ' Pan. By our Crefts
Wee mould bee coufens, for wee both are horn'd, And Vulcan of our kin too ; but fweete goddefle, Now I bethinke me of th' Arcadian Nimphes, I am bound to thee for many a pretty fight, And much good fport I have had by thy moone-light.
Prof. To give you meeting, I am come from hell.
Ven. Saw you not Pfiche there ?
Prof. Loves Queene I did, Hither mee comes with Cupid, hand in hand, Her leprofie, through labour, is made cleere, And beautious in your eye, fhee'le now appeare.
Enter Cupid and Pfiche.
Cup. Celaeftiall Sea-borne Queene, I heere prefent
you
My Pfiche, who hath fatisfi'd your will : Deliver her, faire Love, from Projerpine, The boxe of beautie, endlefle, and divine.
Pfi. Guided by Love, Lord of my life and hope, I come undaunted to your gratious fight, Hoping my fufferance hath out-worne his wrath ?
Ven. Shee hath fcap'd hell, and now the taske is
done,
And I Mill croft, by a difobedient Sonne ; But tell mee how this Leoper came thus faire ?
Cup. At my entreate it was, 'Mongft all the gods I claym'd her for my Wife, Who taking a joynt pitty of her wrongs Gave their confent, and then Great love himfelfe Call'd for a cup of Immortallitie, Dranke part to her, and Pftc/ie quafft the reft, At which, deformitie forfooke her quite,
158 Loues Mi/Iris.
And fhee made faire, and then proclaym'd my bride, love vowing, fhee mould now be deifi'd.
Ven. I fee I cannot conquer Deftinie, By Fate fhee firft was thine, I give her thee.
Mer. Now Pfiche, you mufl fee your fillers
judg'd,
Vnftaid Petrea, and unkind Aftioche, Admdus, you muft be their fentencer.
Afti. Husband, your knees.
Petr. My deare Lord pleade for us.
Afti. Will neither.; yet Father.
Ad. Wretches peace, Pfiche by you was torne from her delight, And rudely rent from Cupids Paradice ; 'Twas you that robb'd her of a Fathers love ; By your alurements fhe was fent to hell, And had not divine ayde fecur'd her thence, Poore foule for ever fh' had bin there detain'd, For which, to endleffe durance I adjudge you ; For merits filuer gates are alwayes barr'd To hearts impenitent, and willfull hard.
Pfi. Have pitty on them Father, gentle husband, Remember not their frawd in tempting mee : You gods, and goddeffes, with Pfiche joyne To begg their pardons, all you Arcadians kneele ; For had they not my happineffe enuy'd, My Love and Patience had not fo bin try'd.
All. Wee all will mediate for them.
Ad. Then Daughters, give your fitter Pfiche thanks, And to her vertues be a feruant ftill, As having made atonement for your ill.
Both. Wee'Je hence-forth be her hand-maids.
Ven. They fhall attend her unto Plenties bower, Where Ceres, Queene of all Fertility, Inuites us with the other gods to feaft.
Mer. There love &&&Ph(£bus fhall leade Cupids
Queene,
To the bright Pallace of Eternitie ; Bacchus fhall give us Wine, and Ganimed
L oues Miftris. 1 5 9
Shall crowne our full cupps with the grapes pure
blood ;
Ceres fhall yeeld us all earth's delicates, The Graces fhall bring Balme, the Mufes fmg In Cupids honour, Loves Immortall King.
VuL Vulcan will dance, and fmg, and skip, and
quaffe, And with his fmoakie jeafts make Cupid laugh.
Cup. Such as love mee, make mee their prefident, See, thus I take faire Pfiche by the hand, Mercury doe you the like to Proferpine, My Mother Venus cannot want a mate ; In honour of our marriage, match your felves, And with a meafure grace our nuptialls, But fuch as doe not love to bee in motion, View as fpeclators, how our joy appeares, Dancing to the fweete muficke of the fpheares. A Dance of Cupid, Pfiche, the gods and goddeffes.
ApoL Now circle Pfiche in a fayrie ring, Whim I and Venus grace her with this Crowne ; This done, to feaft with Ceres > and the gods, And next unto the Pallace of the Sunne, To end thofe facred rites wee have begun.
Enter Midas and Apulejus.
Mi. Is this your morrall ] This your Poetry ? What haft thou done, what fpoke, what repre-
fented, Which I with all thefe cannot juftly taxe ?
Ap. Yes, all like thee th' obtufe and ftupid
mindes,
But there's an underftanding that hath depth Beyond thy mallow non-fence ; there's a wit, A brain e which thou want'ft, I to that fubmit.
Mi. And even in that thou fool'ft thy felfe.
Cup. Nay then,
I by the favour of thefe Gentlemen, Will arbitrate this ftrife ; one feekes to aduance
160 Loues Miftris.
His Art, the other flands for ignorance ; Both hope, and both fhall have their merrits full, Heere's meede for either, both the apt, and dull, Pleai'd or difpleaf d, this cenfure I allow ; Keepe thou the Affes eares, the Lawrell thou : If you, judicious, this my doome commend, Pfiche by you fhall doubly Crown'd afcend ; And then this Legacie I leave behind, Where ere you love, prove of one faith, one mind. The Spring comes on, and Cupid doth divine, Each fhall enjoy his befl lou'd Valentine, Which when you have, may you like us agree, And at your befl retirements thinke on mee.
FINJS.
THE
RAPE
OF
LVCRECE.
A true Roman Tragedy.
With the feverall Songs in their apt places, by
Valerius the merry Lord among the Roman
Peeres,
The Copy revifed, and fundry Songs before omit ted, now inferted in their right places.
A6led by Her Majefties Servants at the Red-Bull.
The fifth Impreflion. Written ^THOMAS HEYWOOD.
LONDON,
Printed by lohn Raworth, for Nathaniel Butter. 1638.
[This play was originally published in 1609. The prefent reprint is of the latefl edition publiftied in the author's lifetime, as revifed and augmented by him. The text has been carefully collated with that of the firfl edition.]
To the Reader,
hath been no cuftome in me of all other men (courteous Readers) to commit my Playes to the Preffe : the reafon though fome may attribute to my owne infufficiency, I had rather fubfcribe, in that, to their feveare cenfure, then by feeking to avoyd the imputation of weakenefle, to incurre greater fufpition of honefty : for though fome have ufed a double fale of their labours, firft to the Stage, and after to the Prefle : For my owne part, I here proclaime my felfe euer faithfull in the firft. and never guilty of the laft : yet fince fome of my Playes have (unknowne to me, and without any of my direction) accidentally come into the Printers hands, and therefore fo corrupt and mangled, copied onely by the eare) that I have beene as unable to know them, as afhamed to challenge them. This therefore I was the willinger to furnifh out in his native habit : firft being by confent, next becaufe the reft have been fo wronged, in being publifht in fuch favage and ragged ornaments: Accept it courteous Gentlemen, and proove as favourable Readers as we have found you gracious Auditors.
Yours, T. H.
Dramatis Perfonte*
Servius King of Rome,
Tarquin The proud.
Tullia Wife of Tarquin Superbus.
th€ two Sonnes o
Brutus lunior
Colatinus
Horatius Codes
Mutius Scevola
Lucretius
Porfenna King of the Tufcans.
Porfennds Secretary.
Pub. Valerius
The Priefl of Apollo.
2. Centtnels
Lucretia ravifht by Sextus
Myrabile Lucretia s Maid
The Clowne.
The Rape of Lucrece.
SENATE.
Enter Tarquin Superbus, Sextus Tarquinius, Tullia, Aruns, Lucretius, Valerius, Poplicola, and Senators before them.
Tul. Effthdraw • we niufl have private con
HHuirli W^k our deere husband
Tar. Ifr^pffll What would'ft thou wife ?
TuL Be what I am not, make thee greater farre Then thou canfl aime to be.
Tar. Why I am Tarquin.
Tul. And I am Tullia, what of that ? What Diapafons, more in Tarquins name Then in a Subjefts ? or what's Tullia More in the found then to become the name Of a poore maid or waiting Gentlewoman \ I am a Princefle both by birth and thoughts, Yet all's but Tullia> ther's no refonance In a bare flile : my title beares no breadth ; Nor hath it any Rate : oh me, im'e ficke !
Tar. Sicke Lady?
Tul. Sicke at heart.
1 66 The Rape of Liicrece.
Tar. Why my fweet Tuttia <\
Tul. To be a queen I long, long, and am ficke. With ardency my hot appetite's a fire, Till my fwolne fervor be delivered Of that great title Queene, my heart's all Royall, Not to be circumfcribed in fervile bounds, While there's a King that rules the Peeres of Rome, Tarquin makes legs, and Tullia curtfies low, Bowes at each nod, and muft not neere the (late Without obeyfance, oh ! I hate this awe, My proud heart cannot brook it.
Tar. Heare me wife.
7ul. I am no wife of Tarquins if not King : Oh had love made me man, I would have mounted Above the bafe tribunals of the earth, Vp to the Clouds, for pompous foveraignty. Thou art a man, oh beare my royall minde, Mount heaven, and fee if Tullia lag behinde, There is no earth in me, I am all fire, Were Tarquin fo, then fhould we both afpire.
Tar. Oh Tullia, though my body tafle of dulneffe, My foule is wing'd, to foare as high as thine, But noate what flags our wings, fourty five yeeres The King thy father hath protected Rome.
Till. That makes for us : the people covet change, Even the beil things in time grow tedious.
Tar. T'would feeme unnaturall, in thee, my
Tullia, The reverend King, thy father to depofe :
Tul. A kingdoms queft, makes fonnes and fathers foes.
Tar. And but by Servius fall we cannot climbe, The balme that muft anoint us is his blood.
Tul. Lets lave our brows then in that crimfon
flood,
We muft be bold and dreadleffe : who afpires, Mounts by the lives of Fathers, Sons, and Sires.
Tar. And fo muft I, fince for a kingdomes love, Thou canft defpife a Father for a Crowne :
The Rape of Lucrece. 167
Tarquin (hall mount, Servius be tumbled downe, For he ufurps my ftate, and firft depofd My father in my fwathed infancy, For which he (hall be countant : to this end I have founded all the Peeres and Senators, And though unknowne to thee my Tullia, They all imbrace my faction ; and fo they Love change of ftate, a new King to obey.
Tul. Now is my Tarqum worthy Tullias grace. Since in my armes, I thus a King embrace.
Tar. The King mould meet this day in Parlia ment.
With all the Senate and Eftates of Rome, His place will I aflume, and there proclaime, All our decrees in Royall Tarquins name. Flori/li.
Enter Sextus, Aruns, Lucretius, Valerius, Collatine and Senators.
Luc. May it pleafe thee noble Tarquin to attend The King this day in the high Capitoll ?
Tul. Attend ?
Tar. We intend this day to fee the Capitoll. You knew our Father good Lucrttius :
Luc. I did my Lord.
Tar. Was not I his Son 1 The Queen my mother was of royall thoughts And heart pure, as unblemifht Innocence.
Luc. What askes my Lord ?
Tar. Sonnes mould fucceed their fathers, but
anon You (hall heare more, high time that we were gone.
Florijli. Exeunt : Manet Collatine and Valerius.
Col. Trier's morall fure in this, Valerius. Heeres modell, yea, and matter too to breed Strange meditations in the provident braines Of our grave Fathers : fome ftrange project lives This -day in Cradle that's but newly borne.
1 68 The Rape of Lucrece.
Val No doubt Coiatine no doubt, heres a giddy and drunken world, it Reeles, it hath got the daggers, the commonwealth is ficke of an Ague, of which nothing can cure her but fome violent and fudden affrightment.
Col. The wife of Tarquin would be a Queen, nay on my life (he is with childe till (he be fo.
VcU.t And longs to be brought to bed of a King- dome,' I divine we mail fee fcuffling to day in the Capitoll.
Col. If there be any difference among the Princes and Senate, whofe faction will Valerius follow 1
Val. Oh Collatine, I am a true Citizen, and in this I will bell mew my felfe to be one, to take part with the ftrongeft. If Servius orecome, I am Liegeman to S:rvius, and if Tarquin fubdue, I am for viue Tar- quinius.
Col. Valerius, no more, this talke does but keep us from the fight of this folemnity : by this the Princes are entring the Capitoll : come, we mud attend.
Exeunt.
SENATE.
Tarquin, Tullia, Sextus, Aruns, Lucretius one way : Brutus meeting them the other way very humor- oufly.
Tar. This place is not for fooles, this parliament Affembles not the flraines of Ideotifme, Onely the grave and wifeft of the Land : Important are th'affaires we have in hand. Hence with that Mome.
Luc. Brutus forbeare the prefence.
Brut. Forbeare the prefence, why pra'y
Sext. None are admitted to this grave concourfe But wife men : nay good Brutus.
Brut. You'le have an empty Parliament then.
The Rape of Lucrece. 169
Aru. Here is no roome for fooles.
Bru. Then what mak'fl thou here, or he, or he ? oh Jupiter ! if this command be kept flriclly, we (hall have empty Benches : get you home you that are here, for here will be nothing to do this day : a generall con- courfe of wife men, t'was never feene fmce the firft Chaos. Tarquin, if the generall rule have no excep tions, thou wilt have an empty Confiilory.
Tul. Brutus you trouble us.
Bru. How powerfull am I you Roman deities, that am able to trouble her that troubles a whole Empire ? fooles exempted, and women admitted ! laugh Demo- critus, but have you nothing to fay to Mad-men ?
Tar. Mad-men have here no place.
Bru. Then out of doores with Tarquin, what's he that may fit in a calme valley, and will chufe to repofe in a tempeiluous mountaine, but a mad-man ? that may live in tranquillous pleafures, and will feek out a kingdomes cares, but a mad-man ? who would feek in novation in a Common-wealth in publike, or be over- rul'd by a curfl wife in private, but a foole or a mad man ? give me thy hand Tarqvin, mail we two be dif- mifl together from the Capitoll 1
Tar. Reftraine his follie.
Tul. Drive the frantique hence.
Bru. Nay Brutus.
Sext. Good Brutus.
Bru. Nay, foft, foft good blood of the Tarquins, lets have a few cold words firft, and I am gone in an inftant, I claime the priviledge of the Nobility of Rome, and by that priviledge my feat in the Capitol. I am a Lord by birth, my place is as free in the Capitol as Horatius, thine, or thine Lucretius, thine Sextus, Aruns thine, or any here : I am a Lord and you banifh all the Lord fooles from the prefence, youle have few to wait vpon the King, but Gentlemen : nay, I am eafily perfwaded then, hands off, fmce you will not have my company, you (hall have my roome.
1 70 The Rape of Lucrece.
My roome indeed, for what I feeme to be, Brutus is not, but borne great Rome to free. The ftate is full of dropfie, and fwollen big With windie vapors, which my fword muft pierce, To purge th'infedled blood, bred by the pride Of thefe infefled bloods : nay now I goe, Behold I vanifh fmce tis Tarquins minde, One fmall foole goes, but great fooles leaves behinde.
Exit.
Lucre. Tis pittie one fo generoufly deriv'd, Should be depriv'd his beft induements thus, And want the true directions of the foule.
Tar. To leave thefe delatorie trifles, Lords Now to the publique bufmeffe of the Land. Lords take your feverall places.
Luc. Not great Tarquin, Before the King aflume his regall throne. Whofe comming we attend.
Tulli. Hee's come already.
Luc. The King ?
Tar. The King.
Col. Servius ?
Tar. Tarquinius.
Lucre. Servius is King.
Tar. He was by power divine, The Throne that long fmce he ufurpt is mine. Heere we enthrone our felves, Cathedrall flate Long fmce detaind us, juftly we refume, Then let our friends and fuch as love us crie, Live Tarquin and enjoy this Soveraigntie.
Otnnes. Live Tarquin and injoy this Soveraignty.
Florijh-.
Enter Valerius.
Vale. The King himfelfe with fuch confederate
Peeres, As floutly embrace his faction, being inform'd
The Rape of Lucrece. 1 7 1
Of Tarquins vfurpation, armed comes, Neere to the entrance of the Capitoll.
Tarq. No man give place, he that dares to arife And doe him reverence, we his love defpife.
Enter Servius, Horatius, Scevola, Souldiers.
Ser. Traytor.
Tar. Vfurper.
Ser. Defcend.
Tullia. Sit dill.
Ser. In Servius name, Romes great imperiall
Monarch,
I charge thee Tarquin difmthrone thy felfe, And throw thee at our feet, proftrate for mercy.
Hor. Spoke like a King.
Tar. In Tarquins name, now Romes imperiall
Monarch,
We charge thee Servius make free refignation, Of that archt-wreath thou had ufurpt fo long.
Tul. Words worth an Empire.
Hor. Shall this be brookt my Soveraigne : Difmount the Traytor.
Sex. Touch him he that dares.
Hor. Dares !
Tul. Dares.
Ser. Strumpet, no child e of mine,
Tul. Dotard, and not my father.
Ser. Kneele to thy King ?
Tul. Submit thou to thy Queene.
Ser. Infufferable treafon ! with bright fleele, Lop downe thefe interponents that withftand The paflage to our throne.
Hor. That Codes dares.
Sex. We with our fleele guard Tarquin and his chaire.
See. A Servius. Servius is flaine.
Aru. A Tarquin.
172 The Rape of L ucrece.
Tar. Now are we King indeede, our awe is
builded
Vpon this Royall bafe, the flaughtered body Of a dead King : we by his mine rife To a Monarchall Throne.
TuL We have our longing. My fathers death gives me a fecond life Much better then the firft, my birth was fervile, But this new breath of raigne is large and free, Welcome my fecond life of Soveraignty.
Luc. I have a Daughter, but I hope of mettle, Subject to better temperature, mould my Lucrece Be of this pride, thefe hands mould facrifice Her blood vnto the Gods that dwell below, The abortiue brat mould not out-live my fpleene, But Lucrece is my Daughter, this my Queene.
TuL Teare off the Crowne, that yet empales the
temples
Of our ufurping Father : quickly Lords, And in the face of his yet bleeding wounds, Let us receive our honours.
Tar. The fame breath Gives our Hate life, that was the Vfurpers death.
TuL Here then by heavens hand wee inveft our
felves :
Mufique, whofe loftiefl tones grace Princes crown'd, Vnto our novel Coronation found. Florijh.
Enter Valerius with Horatius and Scevola.
Tarq. Whom doth Valerius to our Hate prefent ?
Val. Two valiant Romans, this Horatius Codes, This Gentleman calld Mutius Scevola. Who whilft King Servius wore the Diadem, Vpheld his fway and Princedome by their loves, But he being falne, fince all the Peeres of Rome Applaud King Tarquin in his Soveraignty, They with like furTrage greet your Coronation.
The Rape of Lucrece. 1 73
Hor. This hand alide vnto the Roman Crowne, Whom never feare dejected, or caft low, Laies his victorious fword at Tarquins feet, And proftrates with that fword allegiance. King Servius life we lov'd, but he expir'd, Great Tarquins life is in our hearts defir'd.
See. Who whilfl he rules with juftice and integrity Shall with our dreadles hands our hearts command, Even with the beft imploiments of our lives, Since Fortune lifts thee, we fubmit to Fate, Our felves are vailals to the Roman flate.
Tarq. Your roomes were emptie in our traine of
friends,
Which we rejoyce to fee fo well fupplide : Receive our grace, live in our clement favours, In whofe fubmiflion our young glory growes To his ripe height : fall in our friendly traine And ftrengthen with your loves our infant Raigne.
Hor. We live for Tarquin.
See. And to thee alone, Whilfl juftice keeps thy fword and thou thy Throne.
Tar. Then are you ours, and now condudl us
ftraight
In triumph through the populous flreets of Rome. To the Kings Palace our Majefticke feat. Your hearts though freely proffred, we intreat.
Sennat. As they march, Tullia treads on her Father Srjlaies.
Tullia. What blocke is that we tread on ?
Luc. Tis the bodie
Of your deceafed Father Madam, Queene Your (hoe is crimfond with his vitall blood.
Tul. No matter, let his mangled body lie, And with his bafe confederates flrew the ftreets, That in digrace of his ufurped pride, We ore his truncke may in our Chariot ride : For mounted like a Queene, t'would doe me good
1 7 4 The Rape of L ucrece.
To wafh my Coach-naves in my fathers blood.
Luc. Heres a good Childe.
Tar. Remove it wee command, And beare his carcaffe to the funerall pile, Where after this dejection, let it have His folemne and due obfequies : faire Tullia^ Thy hate to him growes from thy love to us, Thou fhewefl thy felfe in this unnaturall ftrife An unkind Daughter, but a loving wife. But on unto our Palace, this bleft day, A Kings encreafe growes by a Kings decay.
Brutus alone.
Brut. Murder the King ! a high and capitoll
treafon,
Thofe Giants that wag'd warre againfl the Gods, For which the ore-whelmed Mountaines hurld by
love
To fcatter them, and give them timeles graves Was not more cruell then this butcherle, This flaughter made by Tarquin • but the Queene, A woman, fie fie : did not this fhee-paracide Adde to her fathers wounds ? and when his body Lay all befmeard and ftaynd in the blood royall, Did not this Monfter, this infernall hag, Make her unwilling Chariotter drive on, And with his mod wheeles crum her Fathers bones ? Break his craz'd fcull, and dam his fparckled braines Vpon the pavements, whilfl me held the raines ! The affrighted Sun at this abhorred object, Put on a maske of bloud, and yet me blufht not love art thou juft ; haft thou reward for pietie ^ And for offence no vengeance ? or canft punilh Fellons, and pardon Traitors ? chaflife Murderers, And winke at Paracides 1 if thou be worthy, As well we know thou art, to fill the Throne Of all eternitie, then with that hand That flings the trifurke thundt. , let the pride Of thefe our irreligious Monarkifers
The Rape of L ucrece. 1 7 5
Be crown'd in blood : this makes poore Brutus mad, To fee fin frolique, and the vertuous fad.
Enter Sextus and Aruns.
Aru. Soft, heeres Brutus, let us acquaint him with the newes.
Sex. Content : now Coufen Brutus. ' Arttr Who, I your kinfman? though I be of the blood of the Tar quins yet no coufen gentle Prince.
Aru. And why fo Brutus, fcorne you our aliance ?
Bru. No, I was coufen to the Tarquins, when they were fubje<5ls, but dare claime no kindred as they are foveraignes : Brutus is not fo mad though he be merry, but he hath wit enough to keepe his head on his moulders.
Aru. Why doe you my Lord thus loofe your houres, and neither profefle warre nor domeflick profit ? the nrfl might beget you love, the other riches.
Bru. Becaufe I would live, have I not anfwered you, becaufe I would live ? fooles and mad-men are no rubs in the way of Vfurpers, the firmament can brooke but one Sunne, and for my part I mufl not mine : I had rather live an obfcure blacke, then appeare a faire white to be mot at, the end of all is, I would live : had Servius beene a fhrub, the wind had not fhooke him, or a mad-man, hee had not perifht : I covet no more wit nor imployment then as much as will keepe life and foule together, I would but live.
Aru. You are fatyricall coufen Brutus, but to the purpofe : the king dreampt a flrange and ominous dream lafl night, and to be refolv'd of the event, my brother Sextus and I mufl to the Oracle.
Sex. And becaufe we would be well accompanied, wee have got leave of the king that you Brutus fhall afibciate us, for our purpofe is to make a merry journey on't.
1 76 The Rape of Lucrece.
Bru. So youle carry me along with you to be your foole and make you merrie.
Sex. Not our foole, but
Bru. To make you merry : I mall, nay, I would make you merrie, or tickle you till you laugh : the Oracle ! ile go to be refolv'd of fome doubts private to my felfe : nay Princes, I am fo much indeer'd both to your loves and companies, that you mall not have the power to be rid of me, what limits have we for our journey?
Sext. Five dayes, no more.
Brut. I mall fit me to your preparations, but one thing more, goes Collatine along ?
Sext. Collatine is troubled with the common difeafe of all new married men, he's ficke of the wife, his ex- cufe is forfooth that Lucrece will not let him goe, but you having neither wife nor wit to hold you, I hope will not difappoint us.
Bru. Had I both, yet mould you prevaile with me above either.
Aru. We mail expect you.
Bru. Horatius Codes, and Mutius Scevola are not engag'd in this expedition ?
Aru. No, they attend the King farewell.
Bru. Lucretius ftayes at home too, and Valerius ?
Sext. The Palace cannot fpare them.
Bru. None but we three ?
Sex. We three.
Bru. We three, well five dayes hence.
Sex. You have the time, farewell.
Exeunt, Sextus and A runs.
Bru. The time I hope cannot be circumfcribde Within fo fhort a limit, Rome and I Are not fo happy ; what's the reafon then, Heaven fpares his rod fo long ? Mer curie tell me ! I hav't, the fruit of pride is yet but green e, Not mellow, though it growes apace, it comes not To his full height : Jove oft delayes his vengeance,
The Rape of Liter ece. 1 77
That when it haps 'tmay proove more terrible. Difpaire not Brutus then, but let thy countrey And thee take this lad comfort after all, Pride when thy fruit is ripe t'mufl rot, and fall. But to the Oracle.
Enter Horatius Codes, Mutius Scevola.
Hor. I would I were no Roman.
See. Codes why 1
Hor. I am difcontented and dare not fpeake my thoughts.
See. What, (hall I fpeake them for you 1
Hor. Mutius doe.
Scevo. Tarquin is proud.
Hor. Thou haft them.
Scevo. Tyrannous.
Hor. True.
See. Infufferably loftie.
Hor. Thou haft hit me.
Scev. And (hall I tell thee what I prophefie Of his fucceeding rule 1
Ifo. No, I'le doo't for thee, Tarquins abilitie will in the weale, Beget a weake unable impotence : His ftrength, make Rome and our dominions weak His foaring high make us to flag our wings, And die clofe by the earth : his golden feathers Are of fuch vaftnes, that they fpread like fayles, And fo becalme us that wee haue not aire Able to raife our plumes, to tafte the pleafures Of our own Elements.
Scevo. Wee are one heart, Our thoughts and our defires are futable.
Hor. Since he was King he beares him like a
God,
His wife like Pallas, or the wife of love. Will not be fpoke to without facrifice, And homage fole due to the Deities.
5 N
178 The Rape of L ucrece.
Enter Lucretius.
Scevo. What haft with good Lucretius 1
Lucre. Haft but fraall fpeed, I had an earned fuit vnto the King, About fome bufmeffe that concernes the weale Of Rome and us, twill not be liftned too, He has tooke upon him fuch ambitious ftate, That he abandons conference with his Peeres, Or if he chance to endure our tongues fo much, As but to heare their fo nance, he defpifes The intent of all our fpeeches, our advices, And counfell : thinking his owne judgement only To be approved in matters militarie, And in affaires domeflicke, we are but mutes, And fellowes of no parts, violes unftrung, Our notes too harm to ftrike in Princes eares. Great love amend it.
Hor. Whither will you my Lord ?
Luc. No matter where If from the court, He home to Collatine And to my daughter Lucrece : home breeds fafety, Dangers begot in Court, a life retir'd Mufl pleafe me now perforce : then noble Scevola, And you my deere Horatius, farewell both, Where induflrie is fcornd lets welcome floth.
Enter Collatine.
Hora. Nay good Lucretius doe not leave us thus, See heere comes Collatine, but wheres Valerius 1 How does he tafte thefe times ?
Col. Not giddily like Brutus, paffionately Like old Lucretius with his teare fvvolne eies, Not laughingly like Mutius Scevola, Nor bluntly like Horatius Codes here. He has ufurpt a ftranger garbe of humour, DiflincT, from thefe in nature every way.
Luc. How is he reliflit, can his eyes forbeare
The Rape of Lucrece. 1 79
In this ftrange (late to (bed a paffionate teare ?
,&?. Can he forbeare to laugh with Scevola, At that which paflionate weeping cannot mend ?
Hora. Nay can his thought fhape ought but melan-
cholly
To fee thefe dangerous paffages of Hate, How is he tempered noble Collatine ?
Colla. Strangely, he is all long, hee's ditty all, Note that : Valerius hath given up the Court And weand himfelfe from the Kings confiflory In which his fweet harmonious tongue grew harm, Whether it be that he is difcontent, Yet would not fo appeare before the King, Or whether in applaufe of thefe new Edicts, Which fo diftafte the people, or what caufe I know not, but now hee's all muficall. Vnto the Counfell chamber he goes finging, And whil'fl the King his willfull Edicts makes, In which nones tongue is powerfull fave the Kings, Hee's in a corner, relifhing ftrange aires. Conclufively hee's from a toward hopefull Gentleman, Tranfefhapt to a meere Ballater, none knowing Whence mould proceed this tranfmutation,
Enter Valerius.
Hor. See where he comes. Morrow Valerius. Lucre. Morrow my Lord.
Song.
Val. When Tarquinyfry? in Court began, And was approved King : Some men for fudden joy gr i weep, But Iforforrowfing.
See. Ha, ha, how long has my Valerius Put on this ftraine of mirth, or what's the caufe ?
N 2
180 The Rape of Lucrece.
Song.
Val. Let humor change and f pare not, Since Tarquin's proud, I care not, His fair e words fo bewitch my delight, That I doted on his fight. Now he is changed, cruell thoughts embracing, And my defer ts dif gracing.
Hor. Vpon my life he's either mad or love-ficke, Oh can Valerius, but fo late a Statef-man, Of whom the publike weale deferv'd fo well, Tune out his age in Songs and Canfonets. Whofe voice mould thunder counfell in the eares Of Tarquin and proud Tullia ? think Valerius What that proud woman Tullia is, twill put thee Quite out of Tune.
Song.
Val. Now what is love I will thee tell, It is the fountain and the well, Where pleafure and repentance dwell, It is perhaps the fanfing bell, That rings all in to heaven or hell. And this is love, and this is love, as I heere tell.
Now what is love I will you Jhow, A thing that creeps and cannot goe : A prize that paffeth to and fro, A thing for me, a thing for moe, And he that proves Jhall jinde it jo,
And this is love, and this is love, fweet friend I fro.
Lucre. Valerius I (hall quickly change thy cheere, And make thy paffionate eyes lament with mine, Think e how that worthy Prince our kinfman King Was butchered in the Marble Capitoll.
The Rape of Lucrece. 1 8 1
Shall Servius Tullius unregarded die
Alone of thee, whome all the Romane Ladies,
Even yet with teare-fwollen eyes, and forrowfull
foules,
Compaflionate, as well he merited ; To thefe lamenting dames what canfl thou fmg ? Whofe griefe through all the Romane Temples ring.
Song.
Va. Lament Ladies lament, Lament the Roman land, The King is fra thee hent. Was doughtie on his hand, Week gang into the Kirk, His dead corps week embrace, And when wefe him dead, We ay will cry alas. Fa la.
Hora. This muficke mads me, I all mirth defpife.
Luc. To heare him fmg drawes rivers from mine eyes.
Sceuo. It pleafeth me for fmce the court is harm, And lookes a skance on fouldiers, lets be merry, Court Ladies, fmg, drinke, dance, and every man Get him a miflris, coach it in the Countrey, And tall the fweetes of it, what thinks Valerius Of Scevolats lafl counfell ?
Song.
Va. Why fitue we fouldiers cannot prove. And griefe it is to us therefore, Let every man get him a love, To trim her well, and fight no more. That we may tafle of lovers bliffe, Be merry and blith, imbrace and kiffe, That Ladies may fay,fome more of this, That Ladies mayfay,fome more of this.
1 82 The Rape of Lucrece.
Since Court and Citie both grow proud, Andfafety you delight to heare, Wee in the Country will us fhroud, Where lives to pleafe both eye and eare : The Nightingale fings lug, fug, lug The little Lambe leaps after his dug, And the prety milke-maids they lookefo firing. And the prety milke-maids, &c.
Come Scevola fhall we goe and be idle 1 Luc. He in to weepe. Hora. But I my gall to grate. Scevo. He laugh at time, till it will change our Fate. Exeunt they.
Manet Collatine.
Colla. Thou art not what thou feem'ft, Lord
Scevola,
Thy heart mournes in thee, though thy vifage fmile, And fo doe's thy foule weepe, Valerius, Although thy habit fing, for thefe new humours Are but put on for fafety, and to arme them Again ft the pride of Tarquin, from whofe danger, None great in love, in counfell, or opinion, Can be kept fafe : this makes me lofe my houres At home with Lucrece, and abandon court.
Enter Clowne.
Clow. Fortune I embrace thee. that thou haft affifted me in finding my mailer, the Gods of good Rome keepe my Lord and mailer out of all bad com pany.
Colla. Sirra the newes with you.
Clow. Would you ha Court newes, Campe newes, City newes or Country newes, or would you know whats the newes at home ?
Col. Let me know all the newes.
The Rape of L ucrece. 1 8 3
Clow. The newes at Court is ; that a fmale leg and a filk flocking is in the fafhion for your Lord : And the water that God Mercury makes is in requeft with your Ladie. The heavines of the kings wine makes' many a light head, and the emptines of his dimes many full bellies, eating and drinking was never more in ufe : you mall finde the baddeft legs in boots, and the worfl faces in masks. They keepe their old ftomackes dill, the kings good Cooke hath the mod wrong : for that which was wont to be private only to him, is now ufurpt among all the other officers : for now every man in his place, to the prejudice of the mafler Cooke, makes bold to licke his owne fingers.
Col. The newes in the campe.
Clow. The greatefl newes in the campe is, that there is no newes at all, for being no campe at all, how can there be any tidings from it ?
Col. Then for the city.
Co£. The Senators are rich, their wives faire, credit grows cheap, and traffick dear, for you have many that are broke, the poorefl man that is, may take vp what he will, fo he will be but bound (to a poll till he pay the debt). There was one courtier lay with twelve mens wives in the fuburbs, and prefTing farther to make one more cuckold within the walles, and being taken with the manner, had nothing to fay for him- felfe, but this, he that made twelve made thirteene.
Col. Now fir for the countrey.
Clo. There is no newes there but at the Ale-houfe, ther's the mod receit, and is it not flrange my Lord, that fo many men love ale that know not what ale is.
Col. Why, what is ale ?
Clo. Why, ale is a kind of juice made of the precious grain called Malt, and what is malt ? Malt's M, A, L, T, and what is M, A, L, T 1 M much, A ale, L little, T thrift, that is, much ale, little thrift.
Cola. Only the newes at home, and I have done.
184 The Rape of Lucrece.
Clow. My Lady muft needes fpeake with you about earneft bufmeffe, that concernes her neerely, and I was fent in all hafte to entreat your Lordfhip to come away.
Col. And couldeft thou not have told me ? Lucrece
flay, And I ftand trifling here 1 follow, away.
Clow. I marry fir, the way into her were a way worth following, and that's the reafon that fo many Serving-men that are familiar with their Miftriffes, have loft the name of Servitors, and are now call'd their maflers followers. Reft you merry.
Sound Muficke.
Apollo's Priejls, with Tapers, after them, Aruns, Sextus, and Brutus, with their oblations, all kneeling before the Oracle.
Prieft. O thou Delphian god infpire Thy Priefts, and with celeftiall fire Shot from thy beames crowne our defire,
That we may follow, In thefe thy true and hallowed meafures, The utmoft of thy heavenly treafures, According to the thoughts and pleafures
Of great Apollo.
Our hearts with inflammations burne, Great Tarquin and his people mourne, Till from thy Temple we return e.
With fome glad tyding. Then tell us, Shall great Rome be bleft, And royall Tarquin live in reft, That gives his high enobled breft
To thy fafe guiding ?
Oracle. Then Rome her ancient honours wins, When me is purg'd from Tullids fins.
Brut. Gramercies Phoebus for thefe fpels, Phoebus alone, alone excells.
The Rape of Lucrece. 1 85
Sext. Tullia perhaps finn'd in our grandfires
death,
And hath not yet by reconcilement made Attone with Phoebus, at whofe (hrine we kneele : Yet gentle Priefl let us thus farre prevaile, To know if Tarquins feed mall governe Rome, And by fucceflion claime the royall wreath ? Behold me younger of the Tarquins race : This elder Arwis, both the fonnes of Tullia, This Iiinius Brutus, though a mad-man, yet Of the high blood of the Tarquins.
Priejl. Sextus peace : Tell us, O thou that (hin'ft fo bright, From whom the world receives his light, Whofe abfence is perpetuall night,
Whofe praifes ring : Is it with heavens applaufe decreed, When Tarquins foule from earth is freed, That noble Sextus (hall fucceed
In Rome as King ?
Brut. I Oracle, haft thou loft thy tongue ?
Aru. Tempt him againe faire Pried.
Sext. If not as King, let Delphian Phoebus yet Thus much refolve us, Who (hall governe Rome, Or of us three beare greateft preheminence 1
Priejl. Sextus I will, Yet facred Phoebus we entreat, Which of thefe three mall be great With largeft power and (late repleate
By the heavens doome ? Phcebus thy thoughts no longer fmother.
Oracle. He that firft (hall kiffe his mother. Shall be powerfull, and no other
Of you three in Rome.
Sext. Shall kifle his mother ! Brutus falls.
Brut. Mother Earth, to thee an humble kiffe I tender.
Aru. What means Brutus ?
Brut. The blood of the (laughter'd facrifice made
1 86 The Rape of Lucrece.
this floore as flippery as the place where Tarquin treads, tis glaffie and as fmoothe as ice : I was proud to heare the Oracle fo gracious to the blood of the Tarquins and fo I fell.
Sext. Nothing but fo, then to the Oracle. I charge thee Arutis, Iimius Brutus thee, To keep the facred doome of the Oracle From all our traine, led when the younger lad Our brother now at home, fits dandled Vpon faire Tullias lap, this underflanding May kiffe our beauteous mother, and fucceed.
Bru. Let the charge goe round, It mail goe hard but He prevent you Sextus.
Sex. I feare not the madman Brutus, and for Aruns let me alone to buckle with him, I'le be the firft at my mothers lips for a kingdome.
Bru. If the madman have not bin before you Sextus, if Oracles be Oracles, their phrafes are myfli- call, they fpeak flill in clouds : had he meant a natu- rall mother he would not ha fpoke it by circum- ftance.
Sex. Tullia, if ever thy lips were pleafing to me, let it be at my returne from the Oracle.
Aru. If a kiffe will make me a King, Tullia I will fpring to thee, though through the blood of Sextus.
Brut. Earth I acknowledge no mother but thee, accept me as thy Son, and I mail mine as bright in Rome as Apollo himfelfe in his temple at Delphos.
Sext. Our Superflitions ended, facred Prieft, Since wee have had free anfwere from the Gods, To whofe faire altars we have done due right, And hallowed them with prefents acceptable, Lets now returne, treading thefe holy meafures, With which we entred great Apollds Temple. Now Phoebus let thy fweet tun'd organes found, Whofe fphere like muficke mufl direc~l our feet Vpon the marble pavement : after this Weele gaine a kingdome by a mothers kiffe. Exeunt.
The Rape of Lucrece. 187
SENATE.
A table and chaires prepared, Tarquin, Tullia, and Collatine, Scevola, Horatius, Lucretius, Vale rius, Lords.
Tarquin. Attend us with your perfons, but your
eares » Be deafe unto our counfells. The Lords fall off on
Tul. Farther yet. either fide and attend.
Tar. Now Tullia what mud be concluded next 1
Tullia. The kingdome you have got by pollicy You muft maintaine by pride.
Tarquin. Good.
Tullia. Thofe that were late of the Kings faction Cut off for feare they prove rebellious.
Tarq. Better.
Tullia. Since you gaine nothing by the popular
love, Maintaine by feare your Princedome.
Tar. Excellent, thou art our Oracle and fave from
thee
We will admit no counfell, we obtaind Our (late by cunning, it mud be kept by flrength. And fuch as cannot love, weele teach to feare, To encourage which upon our better judgment, And to flrike greater terrour to the world, I have forbid thy fathers funerall.
Tul. No matter.
Var. All capitall caufes are by us difcud, Traverfl, and executed without counfell, We challenge too by our prerogative, The goods of fuch as ftrive againd our (late, The freed Citizens without attaint, Arraigne, or judgement, we to exile doome, The poorer are our drudges, rich our prey, And fuch as dare not drive our rule obey.
1 88 The Rape of Lucrece.
TuL Kings are as Gods, and divine Scepters beare, The Gods command for mortall tribute, feare. But Royall Lord, we that defpife their love, Mufl feeke fome meanes how to maintaine this awe.
Tar. By forraigne leagues, and by our flrength
abroad.
Shall we that are degreed above our people, Whom heaven hath made our vaffals, raigne with
them?
No, Kings above the reft tribunald hie, Should with no meaner then with Kings allie : For this we to Mamilius Tufculan The Latin King ha given in marriage Our Royall daughter : Now his people's ours, The neighbour Princes are fubdude by armes : And whom we could not conquer by conftraint, Them we have fought to win by curtefie, Kings that are proud, yet would fecure their owne, By love abroad, mail purchafe feare at home.
TuL We are fecure, and yet our greatefl flrength Is in our children, how dare treafon looke Vs in the face, having iffue 1 barren Princes Breed danger in their fingularitie, Having none to fucceed, their claime dies in them. But when in topping on three Tarquins more Like Hidraes heads grow to revenge his death j It terrifies blacke treafon.
Tar. Tullids wife,
And apprehenfive, were our Princely fons Sextus and Aruns backe returned fafe, With an applaufive anfwere of the Gods From th' Oracle, our ftate were able then Being Gods our felves, to fcorne the hate of men.
Enter Sextus, Aruns, and Bruttis.
Sex. Wheie'sTW/**;
Aru. Where's our Mother ?
Hor. Yonder Princes, at Councel with the King.
Tul. Our fonnes return'd.
Sex. Royall Mother.
The Rape of Lucrece. 189
Aru. Renowned Queen.
Sex. I love her bed, Therefore will Sextus do his duty firft.
Aru. Being eldeft in my birth, ile not be youngefl In zeale to Tullia.
Brut. Too't Lads.
Aruns. Mother a kifle.
Sex. Though laft in birth let me be firfl in love. A kifle faire mother.
Aru. Shall I loofe my right 1
Sext. Arum mail downe, were Aruns twice my
Brother, If he prefume fore me to kifle my mother.
Aru. I Sextus •, think this kifle to be a Crowne, thus would we tug for't.
Sex. Aruns thou muft downe.
7arq. Reftraine them Lords.
Bru. Nay too't boyes, O tis brave, They tug for fhadowes, I the fubftance have.
Aru. Through armed gates, and thoufand fwords
ile breake To mew my duty, let my valour fpeake.
Breakesfrom the Lords and kiffes her.
Sex, Oh heavens ! you have difolv'd me.
Aru. Here I fland, What I ha done to anfwer with this hand.
Sex. Oh all ye Delphian Gods looke downe and
fee How for thefe wrongs I will revenged be.
Tar. Curbe in the proud boyes fury, let us know From whence this difcord rifeth.
Tullia. From our love, How happy are we in our iflue now When as our fons, even with their blouds contend To exceed in dutie, we accept your zeale. This your fuperlative degree of kindnefle So much prevailes with us, that to the King
T 90 The Rape of Liter ece.
We engage our owne deere love twixt his incenfement And your prefumption, you are pardoned both. And Sextus though you faild in your firft proffer, We do not yet efteeme you leaft in love, Afcend and touch our lips. Sext. Thanke you, no. Tullia. Then to thy knee we will defcend thus
low. Sex. Nay now it mall not need : how great's my
heart ! Aru. In Tarquins Crowne thou now haft loft thy
part. Sex. No kiffmg now, Tarquin, great Queene
adiew. Aruns, on earth we ha no foe but you.
Tarq. What meanes this their unnaturall enmitie ] Tullia. Hate, borne from love. lar. Refolves us then, how did the Gods ac cept
Our facrifice, how are they pleas'd with us ? How long will they applaud our foveraignty *\ Bru. Shall I tell the King ? Tar. Do Coufen, with the proceffe of your jour ney.
Bru. I will. We went from hither, when we went from hence, arrived thither when we landed there, made an end of our prayers when we had done our Orifones, when thus quoth Phoebus, Tarquin fhall be happy whilfl he is blefl, governe while he raignes, wake when he fleepes not, fleepe when he wakes not, quaffe when he drinkes, feede when he eates,gape when his mouth opens, live till he die, and die when he can live no longer. So Phcebus commends him to you.
Tar. Mad Brutus dill, Son Aruns, What fay
you ? Aru. That the great Gods to whom the potent
King Of this large Empire facrinc'd by us,
The Rape of Lucrece. 191
Applaud your raigne, commend your foveraignty : And by a generall Synode grant to Tarquin, Long days, faire hopes, Majeftique government.
Bru. Adding withall, that to depofe the late King which in others, had been arch-treafon, in Tarquin was honor : what in Brutus had been ufurpation, in Tarquin was lawfull fucceflion : and for Tullia, though it be parricide for a childe to kill her father, in Tullia it was charity by death, to rid him of all his calamities. Phcebus himfelfe faid fhe was a good childe, and (hall not I fay as he fayes, to tread upon her fathers skull, fparkle his braines upon her Chariot wheele, And weare the facred tincture of his blood Vpon her fervile fhoe ? but more then this, After his death deny him the due claime Of all mortality, a funerall,
An earthen fepulchre, this, this, quoth the Oracle, Save Tullia none would do.
Tul. Brutus no more, Leaft with the eyes of wrath and fury incenfl We looke into thy humour : were not madnes And folly to thy words a priviledge, Even in thy laft reproofe of our proceedings Thou hadft pronounc't thy death.
Bru. If Tullia will fend Brutus abroad for newes, and after at his returne not endure the telling of it : let Tullia either get clofer eares, or get for Brutus a ftric"ler tongue.
Tullia. How fir?
Bru. God bo'ye.
Tar. Alas tis madnes (pardon him) not fpleene, j Nor is it hate, but frenzie, we are pleafd ! To heare the Gods propitious to our prayers. But whither's Sextus gone ? refolve us Codes ^ We faw thee in his parting follow him.
Hora. I heard him fay, he would flraight take his
horfe
And to the warlike Gabines enemies To Rome, and you.
192 The Rape of Lucrece.
Tar. Save them we have no oppofites. Dares the proud boy confederate with our foes ? Attend us Lords, we mud new battle wage, And with bright armes confront the proud boyes rage.
Exeunt.
Manet Lucretius, Collatine, Horatius, Valerius, Scevola.
Hor. Had I as many foules as drops of blood In thefe brancht vaines, as many lives as flarres Stuck in yond' azure Rofe, and were to die More deaths then I have wafted weary minutes, To grow to this, ide hazard all and more, To purchafe freedome to this bondag'd Rome. I'me vext to fee this virgin conquereffe Weare fhackles in my fight.
Luc. Oh would my teares Would rid great Rome of thefe prodigious feares.
Enter Brutus.
Bru. What, weeping ripe Lucretius ? poffible? now Lords, Lads, friends, fellows, yong madcaps, gal lants, and old courtly ruffians, all fubjects under one tyranny, and therefore mould be partners of one and the fame unanimity. Shall we goe fingle our felves by two and two, and go talk treafon ? then tis but his yea, and my nay, if we be cald to queflion : Or fhals goe ufe fome violent buflling to breake through this thorny fervitude, or fhal we every man go fit like, O man in defperation, and with Lucretius weepe at Romes mifery : now am I for all things any thing or nothing, I can laugh with Scevola, weepe with this good old man, fing oh hone hone with Valerius, fret with Horatius Codes, be mad like my felfe, or neu- trize with Collatine. Say what fhal's doe.
Hora. Fret.
Vol. Sing.
The Rape of Lucrece.
193
Luc. Weepe.
Scevo. , Laugh.
Bru. Rather let's all be mad That Tarquin he flill raigneth, Romes (lill fad.
Col. ' You are madmen all that yeild fo much to
paflion.
You lay your felves too open to your enemies, That would be glad to prie into your deedes, And catch advantage to enfnare our lives. The kings feare, like a (hadow, dogs you (lill, Nor can you walke without it : I commend Valerius moft, and noble Scevola, That what they cannot mend, feeme not to mind, By my confent lets all weare out our houres In harmeles fports : hauke, hunt, game, fing, drinke,
dance,
So (hall we feeme offenceleffe and live fafe. In dangers bloody jawes where being humerous, Cloudy and curioufly inquifitive Into the Kings proceedings, there arm'd feare May fearch into us, call our deeds to queflion, And fo prevent all future expectation : Of wifht amendment let us (lay the time, Till heaven have made them ripe for juft revenge, When opportunitie is offered us, And then (Irike home, till then doe what you pleafe : No difcontented thought my mind (hall feaze.
Bru. I am of Collatines mind now. Valerius fmg us a baudy fong, and make's merry : nay it (hall be (o.
Valer. Brutus (hall pardon me.
Scev. The time that mould have beene ferioufly fpent in the State-houfe, I ha learnt fecurely to fpend in a wenching houfe, and now I profeffe my felfe any thing but a Statefman.
Hor. The more thy vanity.
Luc. The leffe thy honour.
Valer. The more his fafety, and the leffe his feare.
1 94 The Rape of Lucrece.
The firft new Song.
She that denies me, I would have,
Who craves me, I defpife. Venus hath power to rule mine heart,
But not to pleafe mine eyes. Temptations offered, I Jlill fcorne.
Deny'd\ I cling them Jlill. lie neither glut mine appetite,
Norfeeke toftarve my will.
Diana, double cloatftd offends ; JL- So Venus, naked quite. The laft begets afurfet, and
The other no delight. That crafty Girle Jliall pleafe me bejl
That No, for Yea, can fay, And every wanton willing kiffe
Canfeafon with a Nay.
Brut. We ha beene mad Lords long, now let us be merry Lords, Horatius maugre thy melancholly, and Lucretius in fpight of thy forrow, He have a fong a fubject for the ditty.
Hor. Great Tarquins pride, and Tullias cruelty.
Bru. Dangerous, no.
Luc. The tyrannies of the Court, and vaffalage of the City.
See. Neither, mail I give the fubjea?
Bru. Doe, and let it be of all the pretty wenches in Rome.
Scev. It mail, mail it, mail it Valerius *\
Val. Any thing according to my poore acquaint ance and little converfance.
Brti. Nay you mail flay Horatius, Lucretius fo mall you, he removes himfelfe from the love of Brutus, that mrinkes from my fide till we have had a fong of all the pretty fuburbians : fit round, when Valerius ?
The Rape of Lucrece: 195
Song.
Vol. Shall I woe the lovely Molly, She's fo faire, fo fat, fo jolly, Bittjhe has a tricke of folly , Therefore lie ha none of Molly.
No, no, no, no, no, no. lie haue none of Molly, no no no.
Oh the cherry lips of Nelly, They are red and f oft as jelly, But too welljhe loves her belly, Therefore He have none of Nelly. No, no, no, &C.
What fay you to bonny Betty, Ha youfeene a laffefo pretty ? But her body ts fofweatty,
Therefore He ha none of Betty, No, no, no, no, no.
When I dally with my Dolly, She is full of melancholly, Oh that wench is pejlilent holly, Therefore He have none of Dolly, No, no, no, 6°<r.
/ could fancy lovely Nanny, Butjlie has the loves of many, Yet her felfefJie loves not any. Therefore He have none of Nanny, no, nc, &c.
In aflaxjhop Ifpide Ratchell, Where Jhe her flax and tow did hatchell, But her cheekes hang like afatchell, Therefore He have none of Ratchell, No, no, &c.
in a corner I met Biddy,
Her heeles were light, htr head was giddy,
1 96 The Rape of Lucrece.
She fell downe, andfomewhat did I, Therefore He have none of Biddy, No, no, &LC.
Brut. The reft weel here within, what offence is there in this Lucretius ? what hurt's in this Horatius ? is it not better to fmg with our heads on, then to bleed with our heads off ? I nere took Collatine for a Politician till now, come Valerius, weel run over all the wenches of Rome, from the community of lafci- vious Flora to the chaftity of divine Lucrece, come good Horatius. Exeunt.
Enter Lucrece, Maide and Clowne.
Luc. A Chaire.
Clo. A chaire for my Lady, Miftris Mirable do you not here my Lady call.
Luc. Come neere fir, be leffe officious In duty, and ufe more attention, Nay Gentlewoman we exempt not you From our difcourfe, you muft afford an eare As well as he, to what we ha to fay.
Maid. I ftill remaine your hand-maide.
Luc. Sirrah I ha feene you oft familiar . With this my maide and waiting Gentlewoman, As cafting amorous glances, wanton lookes, And privy becks favouring incontinence, I let you know you are not for my fervice Vnleffe you grow more civill.
Clow. Indeed Madam for my owne part I wifh Miftris Mirable well, as one fellow fervant ought to wifh to another, but to fay that ever 1 flung any fheeps eyes in her face how fay you miftris Mirable did I ever offer it ?
Luc. Nay Miftris, I ha feene you anfwere him, With gracious lookes, and fome uncivill fmiles, Retorting eyes, and giving his demeanure Such welcome as becomes not modefty.
The Rape of Lncrece. 197
Know hence-forth there fhall no lafcivious phrafe, Sufpitious looke, or fliadow of incontinence, Be entertain'd by any that attend, On Roman Lucrece.
Maide. Madam, I !
Luc. Excufe it not, for my premeditate thought Speakes nothing out of ramnefle, nor vaine heare fay, But what my owne experience teftifies Againft you both, let then this milde reproofe, Forewarne you of the like : my reputation Which is held precious in the eies of Rome, Shall be no fhelter to the lead intent Of loofenefle, leave all familiaritie, And quite renounce acquaintance, or I here, Difcharge you both my fervice.
Clow. For my owne part Madam, as I am a true Roman by nature, though no Roman by my nofe, I never fpent the lead lip labour on miftris Mirable, never fo much as glanc'd, never us'd any wincking or pinking, never nodded at her, no not fo much as when I was afleepe, never askt her the queflion fo much as whatsher name: if you can bring any man, woman, or childe, that can fay fo much behinde my backe, as for he did but kiffe her, for I did but kifle her and fo let her go : let my Lord Collatine inftead of plucking my coate, plucke my skin over my eares and turne me away naked, that wherefoever I mall come I may be held a raw Servingman hereafter.
Luc. Sirrah, you know our mind.
Clo. If ever I knew what belongs to thefe cafes, or yet know what they meane, if ever I us'd any plaine dealing, or were ever worth fuch a Jewell, would I might die like a begger : if ever I were fo far read in my Grammer, as to know what an Interjection is, or a conjunction Copulative, would I might never have good of my qui qua. quod : why, do you thinke Madam I have no more care of my (elfe being but a flnpling, then to goe to it at thefe yeares ? flefh and blood cannot endure it, I (hall euen fpoile one of the beft faces in Rome with crying at your unkindnefle.
1 98 The Rape of Lucrece.
Luc. I ha done, fee if you can fpie your Lord re turning from the Court, and give me notice what ftrangers he brings home with him.
Enter Collatine, Valeriics, Horatius, Scevola.
Clow. Yes ile go, but fee kind man he faves me a labour.
Hor. Come Valerius let's heare in our way to the houfe of Collatine, that you went late hammering of concerning the Taverns in Rome.
Val. Only this Horatius.
Song.
The Gentry to the Kings heady
The Nobles to the Crowne,
The Knights unto the goulden Fleece y
And to the plough the Clowne.
The Church-man to the Miter.
The Shep-heard to the Starre.
The Gardiner •, hies him to Rofe,
To the Drum the man of warre ;
To the Feathers Ladies you ; the Globe
The Sea-man doth not fcorne
The Vfurer to the Devill, and
The Townefman to the Home.
The Huntfman to the white Hart,
To the Ship the Mar chant goes,
But you that doe the Mufes love
The Sivanne, calde River Poe.
The Banquerout to the worlds end,
The Foole to the Fortune hie.
Vnto the Mouth, the Oyjler wife,
The Fidler to the Pie,
The Punck unto the Cockecatrice.
The Drunkard to the Vine,
The Beggar to the Bujh, then meete
And with Duke Humphrey Dim.
The Rape of Lucr fece. 199
Col. Faire Lucrece, I ha brought thefe Lords from
Court To feaft with thee, firrah prepare us dinner.
Luc. My Lord is welcome, fo are all his friends, The newes at Court Lords.
Hor. Madam flrange newes : Prince Scxtits by the enemies of Rome^ Was nobly us'de, and made their Generall, Twice hath he met his father in the field, And foild him by the Warlike Gabines aid : But how hath he rewarded that brave Nation, That in his. great difgrace fupported him? He tell you Madam, he fince the lafl battell Sent to his Father a clofe meflenger To be receiv'd to grace, withall demanding What he fhould doe with thofe his enemies ? Great Tarquin from his Sonne receives this newes, Being walking in his Garden : When the meflenger Importunde him for anfwere, the proud King Lops with his wand the heads of poppies off, And fayes no more ; with this uncertaine anfwer The meflenger to Sextus backe returnes, Who queflions of his Fathers words, lookes, gefture ? He tels him that the haughtie fpeechles King Straight apprehends, cuts off the great mens heads, And having left the Gabines without governe, Flies to his father, and this day is welcom'd For this his traiterous fervice by the King, With all due folemne honours to the Court.
Scevo. Curtefie flrangely requited, this none but the fon of Tarquin would have enterprifde.
Vol. I like it, I applaud it, this will come to fome- what in the end, when heaven has cafl up his account, fome of them will be calde to a hard reckoning. For my part, I dreamt laft night I went a fifhing. •
The fecond new Song.
Though the weather jangles With our hookeS) and our angles y
2oo The Rape of Lucrece.
Our nets bejhaken, and no fijh taken : Though frejh Cod and Whiting, Are not this day biting, Gurnet, nor Conger, to fatisfie hunger, Yet looke to our draught.
Hale the maine bowling, Thefeas have left their rowling, The waves their huffing, the winds their puffing, Vp to the Top-majl Boy, And bring us news of joy, Heres no demurring, no fijh is ftirring.
Yet fome thing we have caught.
Col. Leave all to heaven.
Enter Clowne.
Clow. My Lords, *• the beft plumporedge in all Rome cooles for your honours, dinner is piping hot upon the table : and if you make not the more hafle, you are like to have but cold cheare : the Cooke hath done his part, and there's not a difh on the drefler but he has made it fmoke for you, if you have good ftomackes, and come not in while the meat is hot, youl'e make hunger and cold meete together.
Col. My man's a Rhetorician I can tell you, And his conceit is fluent : Enter Lords, You muft be Lucrece guefts, and ihe is fcant In nothing, for fuch Princes mufl not want. Exeunt.
Manet Valerius and Clowne.
Clow. My Lord Valerius, I have even a fuit to your honor, I ha not the power to part from you, without a relliih, a note, a tone, we mufl get an Aire betwixt us.
Val. Thy meaning.
Clo. Nothing but this, \Q\mfor the King has beene in many ballads,
The Rape of Lucrece. 201
lohn/or the King downe dino, lohn/or the King, has eaten many Jallads, lohn/tfr the Kingfings hey ho. Val. Thou wouldft have a fong, wouldft thou not ? Clow. And be everlaftingly bound to your honour, I am now forfaking the world and the Devill, and fomewhat leaning towards the flefh, if you could but teach me how to choofe a wench fit for my Mature and complexion, I mould reft yours in all good offices.
Val. He doe that for thee, what's thy name ? •
Clow. My name fir is Pompie.
Val. Well then attend. Hefings.
Song.
Pompie / willjhew thee, the way to know
A daintie dapper wench.
Firjlfee her all bare, let her skin be rare
And be toucht with no part of the French :
Let her eye be clear e, and her browes feuere,
Her eye-browes thin and fine :
But iffhe be a ptmck, and love to be drunke,
Then keepe her fall from the wine.
Let her Jlature be meane, and her body cleane,
Thou can/I not choofe but like her :
But fee fhe ha good clothes, with a faire Roman
nofe,
For that's thefigne of ajiriker. Let her legs be f mall, but not ufd to fprall, Her tongue not too lowd nor cocket. Let her arms befirong, and her fingers long, But not us'd to dive in pocket. Let her body be long, and her backe bejlrong, With afoft lip that entangles, With an ivory brejl, and her haire well drejl, Without gold lace orfpangles. Let herfoote be f mall, cleane legd wit hall, Her apparell not too gaudy :
2O2 The Rape of Lucrece.
And one that hath not bin, in any houfe offtnne, Nor place that hath been baudy.
Clo. But Gods me, am I trifling here with you, and dinner cooles a' the table, and I am call'd to my attendance, oh my fweet Lord Valerius ! Exeunt.
S E N N A T E.
Enter Targuin, Porfenna, Tullia, Sextus, A runs.
Tarq. Next King Porfenna, whom we tender
deerly,
Welcome young Sextus, thou haft to our yoake, Suppreft the necke of a proud nation The warlike Gabins, enemies to Rome.
Sex. It was my duty Royall Emperour, The duty of a Subjecl and a Sonne. We at Our mothers interceffion likewifer Are now aton'd with Aruns whom we here Receive into our bofome.
Tul. This is done Like a kinde brother and a naturall fonne.
Aru. We enterchange a royall heart with Sextus> And graft us in your love.
Tarq. Now King Porfenna, welcome once more, to Tarquin and to Rome.
For. We are proud of your alliance, Rome is ours, And we are Romes, this our religious league Shall be carv'd firme in Characters of braffe, And live for ever to fucceeding times.
Tar. It mail Porfenna, now this league's eftablifht We will proceed in our determin'd wars, To bring the neighbour Nations under us, Our purpofe is to make young Sextus Generall Of all our army, who hath prov'd his fortunes And found them full of favour : weele begin With ftrong Ardea, ha you given in charge To affemble all our Captaines, and take mufter Of our flrong army 1
The Rape of Lucrece. 203
Aru. That bufmefle is difpatch't.
Sex. We ha likewife fent for all our bed com manders to take charge according to their merit : Lord Valerius,
Lord Brutus, Codes, Mutius Scevola, And Collatine to make due preparation for mch a gallant fiege.
Tarq. This day you mail fet forward, Sextus goe, •And lets us fee your army march along. Before this King and us, that we may view The puiflance of our hod prepard already, To lay high-reard Ardea wafle and lowe.
Sex. I (hall my Liege.
Tul. Aruns afTociate him.
Aru. A rivall with my brother in his honours.
Exeunt Aruns and Sextus.
Tar. Porfenna (hall behold the flrength of Rome, And body of the Campe, under the charge Of two brave Princes, to lay hodile fiege Againft the dronged Citie that withdands The all-commanding Targuin.
Porf. Tis an object To pleafe Porfennaes eye. Soft March.
Luc. The hod is now
Upon their March. You from this place may fee The pride of all the Roman Chivalry.
Sextus, Aruns, Brutus, Collatine, Valerius, Scevola, Codes, with fouldiers, drum and colours, march over theftage, and congee to the King and Queene*
Porf. This fight's more pleafmg to Porfennaes eye, Then all our rich Attalia pompous feafts, Or fumptuous revels : we are borne a Souldier, And in our nonage fuckt the milke of warre. Should any (Irange fate lowre upon this army Or that the mercilefle gulfe of confufion Should (wallow them, we at our proper charge, And from our native confines vow fupply
2O4 The Rape of Lucrece.
Of men and armes to make thefe numbers full.
Tarq. You are our Royall brother, and in you, Tarquin is powerfull and maintaines his awe.
Tullia. The like Porfenna may command of Rome.
For. But we have (in your frefh varieties) Feafled too much, and kept our felfe too long From our owne feate. our profperous returne Hath bin expected by our Lords and Peeres.
Tarq. The bufmeffe of our warres thus forwarded. We ha beft leafure for your entertainment, Which now mall want no due folemnitie.
Par. It hath beene beyond both expectation And merit, but in fight of heaven I fweare, If ever royall Tarquin mall demand Vfe of our love, 'tis ready {lor'd for you Even in our Kingly breaft.
Tar. The like we vow To King Porfenna, we will yet a little Enlarge your royall welcome with Rarieties, Such as Rome yeilds : that done, before we part, Of two remote Dominions make one heart. Set forward then, our fonnes wage warre abroad, To make us peace at home : we are of our felfe Without fupportance, we all fate dene, Aidleffe, and of our felfe we (land thus hie. Exeunt.
Two fouldiers meet as in the watch.
1. Stand, who goes there ?
2. A friend.
1. Stirre not, for if thou dofl ile broach thee flraight
Upon this pike. The word 1
2. Sol. Porfenna.
1. Pafie, flay, who walkes the round to night, The generall, or any of his Captaines ?
2. Sol. Horatius hath the charge, the other Chief- taines,
TJie Rape of Lucrece. 205
Reft in the Generalls tent, there's no commander Of any note, but revell with the Prince : And I amongft the reft am charg'd to attend Vpon their Roufe.
1. Sol. Fade freely, I this night muft ftand, Twixt them and danger, the time t)f night 1
2. Sol. The clocke laft told eleven. i. Sol. The powers celeftiall
That have tooke Rome in charge, protect it ftill. Againe good night, thus muft poore Souldiers do, Whil'ft their commanders are with dainties fed, And fleepe on Downe, the earth muft be our bed.
Exit.
A banquet prepared.
Enter Sextus, Aruns, Brutus, Valerius, Horatius, Sceuola, Collatine.
Sex. Sit round, the enemie is pounded faft In their ovvne folds, the walles made to oppugne, Hotlile incurfions become a prifon, To keepe them faft for execution ; There's no eruption to be feared.
Bru. What (hall's doe ? Come a health to the gene- rails health; and Valerius that fits the moft civilly (hall begin it, I cannot talke till my blood be mingled with this blood of grapes : Fill for Valerius, thou (houldft drinke wel, for thou haft beene in the Ger man warres, if thou lov'ft me drinke upfe freeze.
Sex. Nay fmce Brutus has fpoke the word, the firft health (hall be impof'd on you Valerius, and if ever you have beene Germaniz'd, let it be after the Dutch famion.
Vale. The generall may command.
Bru. He may, why elfe is he call'd the comman der 1
Sex. We will intreate Valerius.
Vale. Since you will needs inforce a high German health, looke well to your heads, for I come upon you
206 The Rape oj Lucrece.
with this Dutch Taffaker : if you were of a more noble fcience then you are, it will goe neere to breake your heads round.
A Dutch Song.
O Mork gift men ein man,
Skerry merry vip,
O morke giff men ein man
Skerry merry vap.
O morke giff men ein man,
that tik die ten long o drievan can.
Skerry merry vip, and skerry merrv vap
and skerry merry runke ede bunk,
Ede hoore was a hai dedle downe
Dedle drnnke a :
Skerry merry runk ede bunk, ede hoor was drunk a.
O daughter yeis ein alto kleene,
Skerry merry vip,
0 daughter yets ein alto kleene,
Skerry merry vap.
O daughter yeis ein alto kleene,
Ye molten flop, ein yert aleene
Skerry merry vip, and skerry merry vap
And skerry merry runk ede bunk,
Ede hoore was a hey dedle downe
Dedle drunke a :
Skerry merry, runk ede bunk ede hoor was drunk a.
Sex. Grammercies Valerius, came this hie-Ger- man health as double as his double ruffe, i'de pledge it.
Brut. Where it in Lubecks or double double beere, their owne naturall liquor i'de pledge it were it as deep as his ruffe : let the health goe round about the board, as his band goes round about his necke. I am no more afraid of this dutch fauchion, then I mould be of the heathenilh invention.
Col. I mull intreat you fpare me, for my braine
The Rape of Lucrece. 207
brookes not the fumes of wine, their vaporous drength offends me much.
Hor. I would have none fpare me, for He fpare none, Collatine will pledge no health vnlefle it be to his Lucrece.
Sex. What's Lucrece but a woman, and what are
women
But tortures and difturbance vnto men 1 If they be foule th'are odious, and if faire, Th'are like rich veflels full of poifonous drugs, Or like black ferpents arm'd with golden fcales : For my own part they (hall not trouble me.
Brutus. Sextus fit fad for I proclaime my felfe a womans champion, and (hall unhorfe thee elfe.
Vale. For my owne part I'me a maried man, and He fpeake to my wife to thanke thee Brutus.
Aru. I have a wife too, and I thinke the mod ver- tuous Lady in the world.
See. I cannot fay but that I have a good wife too, and I love her : but if (he were in heaven, be- fhrew me if I would wi(h her fo much hurt as to de- fire her companie upon earth again e, yet upon my honour, though (he be not very faire, (he is exceeding honed.
Bru. Nay the leffe beauty, the leffe temptation to defpoile her honedy.
See. I mould be angry with him that mould make quedion of her honour.
Brut. And I angry with thee if thou (houldd not maintaine her honour.
Aru. If you compare the vertues of your wives, let me dep in for mine.
Colla. I mould wrong my Lucrece not to dand for her.
Sex. Ha, ha, all captaines, and dand upon the honedy of your wives ; id poflible thinke you That women of young fpirit and full age, Of fluent wit, that can both fmg and dance,
208 The Rape of Lucrece.
Reade, write, fuch as feede well and tafle choice
cates,
That ftraight diffolve to puritie of blood, That keepe the veines full, and enflame the appetite, Making the fpirit able, ftrong, and prone, Can fuch as thefe their husbands being away Emploid in forreign fieges or elfe where, Deny fuch as importune them at home ? Tell me that flaxe will not be toucht with fire, Nor they be won to what they moft defire 1
Bru. Shall I end this controverfie in a word ?
Sex. Doe good Brutus.
Bru. I hold fome holy, but fome apt to finne, Some tractable, but fome that none can winne, Such as are vertuous, Gold nor wealth can move, Some vicious of themfelves are prone to love. Some grapes are fweet and in the Garden grow. Others unprun'd turne wilde neglecled fo. The pureft oare containes both Gold and droffe, The one all gaine, the other nought but loffe. The one difgrace, reproch, and fcandall taints, The other angels and fweet featur'd Saints.
Col Such is my vertuous Lucrece.
Aru. Yet me for vertue not comparable to the wife of Aruns.
See. And why may not mine be rankt with the moft vertuous ?
Hor. I would put in for a lot, but a thoufand to one I (hall draw but a blanke.
Vale. I mould not mew I lov'd my wife, not to take her part in her abfence : I hold her inferiour to none.
Aru. Save mine.
Vale. No not to her.
Bru. Oh this were a brave controverfie for a jury of women to arbitrate.
Col. He hazard all my fortunes on the vertues Of divine Lucrece, (hall we try them thus ?
The Rape of Lucrece. 209
It is now dead of night, lets mount our deeds, Within this two houres we may reach to Rome, And to our houfes all come unprepar'd, And unexpected by our hie praifd wives, She of them all that we find befl imploid, Devoted, and mofl hufwife exercifd, Let her be held moft vertuous, and her husband Winne by the wager a rich horfe and armour.
Am. A hand on that.
Vale. Heares a helping hand to that bargaine.
Hor. But (hall we to horfe without circumflance \
See. Scevola will be mounted with the firfl.
Sex. Then mount, Chevall Brutus this night take you the charge of the army, He fee the tryall of this wager, 'twould do me good to fee fome of them finde their wives in the armes of their lovers, they are fo confident in their vertues : Brutus weele enterchange, good night, be thou but as provident ore the Army as we (if our horfes fail not) expeditious in our journey : to horfe, to horfe.
All. Farewell good Brutus. Exeunt.
Enter Lucrece and her two maids.
Luc. But one houre more and you ^fhall all to
red :
Now that your Lord is abfent from this houfe, And that the mafters eye is from his charge, We muft be carefull, and with providence Guide his domeflick bufineffe, we ha now Given ore all feafting and left revelling, Which ill becomes the houfe whofe Lord is abfent. We banifh all exceffe till his return, In fear of whom my foul doth daily mourn.
i Madam, fo pleafe you to repofe your felf Within your Chamber, leave us to our tasks, We will not loiter, though you take your reft.
Luc. Not fo, you (hall not overwatch your felves s p
2io The Rape of L^tcrece.
Longer then I wake with you, for it fits
Good hufwlves, when their husbands are from home,
To eye their fervants labours, and in care,
And the true manage of his houfhold flate,
Earlieft to rife, and to be up moll late.
Since all his bufineffe he commits to me,
He be his faithfull Reward till the Camp
Diffolve, and he return, thus wives mould do,
In abfence of their Lords be husbands too.
2. Madam, the Lord Turnus his man was thrice for you here, to have intreated you home to fupper, he fayes his Lord takes it unkindly he could not have your company.
Luc. To pleafe a loving husband, He offend The love and patience of my dearefl friend, Methinks his purpofe was unreafonable To draw me in my husbands abfence forth, To feaft and banquet, 'twould have ill becomde me, To have left the charge of fuch a fpacious houfe Without both Lord and Miftreffe ; I am opinion'd thus : Wives mould not ftray Out of their doors their husbands being away : Lord Turnus fhal excufe me.
i. Pray Madam, fet me right into my work.
Luc. Being abroad, I may forget the charge Impofd me by my Lord, or be compeld To flay out late, which were my husband here, Might be, without diftafte, but he from hence, With late abroad, there can no excufe difpence. Here, take your work again, a while proceed, And then to bed, for whilft you fow He reade.
Enter Sextus, Arum, Valerius, Collatine, Jforatius, Sceiwla.
Arun. I would have hazarded all my hopes, my wife had not been fo late a revelling.
The Rape of Lucrece. 2 1 1
Vale. Nor mine at this time of night a gamboling.
Hor. They weare fo much Corke under their heeles, they cannot choofe but love to caper.
See. Nothing does me good, but that if my wife were watching, all theirs were wantoning, and if I ha loft, none can brag of their winnings.
Sex. Now Collatine to yours, either Lucrece muft be better imployd then the reft, or you content to have her vertues rankt with the reft.
Col. I am pleaf d.
Hor. Soft, foft, let's fteale upon her as upon the reft, leaft having fome watch-word at our arrivall, we may give her notice to be better prepar'd : nay by your leave Collatine, weele limit you no advantage.
CoL See Lords, thus Lucrece revels with her
maids,
In (lead of ryot, quaffing, and the practice Of high lavoltoes to the ravifhing found Of chambring mufique, me like a good huswife Is teaching of her fervants fundrie chares, Lucrece ?
Luc. My Lord and husband welcome, ten times
welcome.
Is it to fee your Lucrect you thus late Ha with your perfons hazard left the Camp, And trufted to the danger of a night So dark, and full of horrour.
Aru. Lords all's loft.
Hor. By love ile buy my wife a wheele, and make her fpin for this tricke.
See. If I make not mine learne to live by the pricke of her needle for this I'm no Roman.
Col. Sweete wife falute thefe Lords, thy continence Hath won thy husband a Barbarian horfe And a rich coat of armes.
Luc. Oh pardon me, the joy to fee my Lord, Tooke from me all refpecl. of their degrees, The richeft entertainement lives with us, According to the houre and the provifion
p 2
2 1 2 The Rape of Lucrece.
Of a poore wife in the abfence of her husband,
We proftrate to you, howfoever meane,
We thus excufe't, Lord Collatine away,
We neither feaft, dance, quaffe, riot, nor play,
Sex. If one woman among fo many bad, may be found good, if a white wench may prove a black fwan, it is Lucrece, her beautie hath relation to her vertue, and her vertue correfpondent to her beauty, and in both me is matchleffe.
ColL Lords will you yeild the wager ?
Aru. Stay, the wager was as well which of our Wives was faireft too, it ftretcht as well to their beautie as to their continence, who mall judge that ?
Hor. That can none of us, becaufe we are all parties, let Prince Sextus determine it who hath bin with us, and bin an eye witneffe of their beauties.
Vale. Agreed.
See. I am pleafd with the cenfure of Prince Sextus. i
Aru. So are we all.
Col. I commit my Lucrece wholy to the difpofe of Sextus*
Sex. And Sextus commits him wholy to the difpofe
of Lucrece.
I love the Lady and her grace defire, Nor can my love wrong what my thoughts admire. Aruns, no queftion but your wife is chaft, And thrifty, but this Lady knowes no wafte. Valerius, yours is modefl, fomething faire, Her grace and beautie are without compare, Thine Mutius well difpos'd, and of good feature, But the world yeilds not fo divine a creature. Horatius, thine a fmug laffe and grac't well, But amongft all, faire Lucrece doth excell. Then our impartiall heart and judging eyes, This verdict gives, faire Lticrece wins the prize.
Col. Then Lords you are indebted to me a horfe and armour.
* Cenfure of Sextus. 1609.
The Rape of Lucrece. 2 1 3
Omnes, We yeild it.
Luc, Will you tafte fuch welcome Lords, as a poore unprovided houfe can yeild ?
Sex. Gramercie Lucrece, no, we mufl this night fleepe by Ardea walles.
Lu. But my Lords, I hope my Collatine wil not fo leave his Lucrece.
Sex. He mufl, we have but idled from the Camp, to try a merry wager about their wives, & this the hazard of the kings difpleafure, mould any man be miffing from his charge : the powers that governe Rome make divine Lucrece for ever happy, good night.
See. But Valerius, what thinkefl thou of the country girles from whence we came, compar'd with our city wives whom we this night have try'd. Vol. Scevola thou malt heare.
The third new Song.
O yes, roomefor the Cryer, Who never yet was found a Iyer.
O ye fine f mug country Laffes,
That would for Brookes change chrijlall Glaffes,
And be tr an/hap* d from foot to crowne,
And Straw-beds change for beds of Downe ;
Your Partlets turne into Rebatoes,
Andjlead of Garrets eate Potatoes ;
Your Fronlets lay by, and your Rayles,
And fringe with gold your daggled Tailes :
Now your Hawke-nofes Jhall have Hoods
And Billements with golden Studs ;
Strawe-hats Jliall be no more Bongraces
From the bright Sunne to hid? your faces,
For hempen fmockes to helpe the Itch,
Have linnen,fewed withfilverjlich ;
And wherefoere they chance tojlride,
214 The Rape of Lucrece.
One bare before to be their guide. O yes, roomefor the Cryer, Who never yet was found a Iyer.
Luc. Wil not my husband repofe this night with me?
Hor. Lucrece mall pardon him, we ha tooke our leaves of our wives, nor mail Collatine be before us though our Ladies in other things come behind you.
Col. I mufl be fwaid : the joys and the delights Of many thoufand nights meete all in one To make my Lucrece happy.
Luc. I am bound to your flridl will, to each good night.
Sex. To horfe, to horfe, Lucrece, we cannot reft, Till our hot lufl imbofome in thy bred.
Exeunt, manet Lit.
Luc. With no unkindnefle we mould our Lords
upbraid,
Husbands and Kings muft alwayes be obaid. Nothing fave the high bufmes of the ftate, And the charge given him at Ardeas fiege, Could ha made Collatine fo much digreffe, From the affection that he beares his wife. But fubjecls mufl excufe when Kings claime power. But leaving this before the charme of fleepe, Ceafe with his downy wings upon my eyes, I mufl goe take account among my fervants Of their dayes taske, we mufl not cherifh floth, No covetous thought makes me thus provident, But to fhun idleneffe, which wife men fay, Begets ranke lufl, and vertue beates away. Exit.
Enter Sextus, Aruns, Horatius, Brutics^ Scevola, Valerius.
Hor. Returne to Rome now we are in the midway to the Camp %
The Rape of Lucrece. 2 1 5
Sex, My Lords, 'tis bufinefle that concernes my
life, To morrow if we live weele vifite thee.
Vale. Will Sextus enjoyne me to accompany him t
See. Or me t
Sex. Nor you, nor any, 'tis important bufinefle And ferious occurrences that call me, Perhaps Lords He commend you to your wives. Collatine mail I doe you any fervice to your Lucrece ?
Col. Onle commend me.
Sex. What, no private token to purchafe our kind welcom ?
Col. Would Royall Sextus would but honour me To beare her a flight token.
Sex. What ?
Col. This Ring.
Sex. As I am Royall I will fee't delivered. This Ring to Lucrece (hall my love convay, And in this gift thou doft thy bed betray. To morrow we fliali meete, this night fweete fate, May I prove welcome though a gueft ingrate. Exit.
Aru. Hee's for the Citie, we for the Camp, the night makes the way teadious and melancholy, prethee a meiry fong to beguile it
Song. Hefings.
Val. There was a young man and a maid fell in love^ Terry dery ding, terry tery ding, tery tery dino. To get her good will he often did, Terry dery ding, terry dery ding, langtido dille. Theres many will fay, and mojl will allow, tery
dery, 6r*c.
Theres nothing fo good as a terry dery dery, &>c. I would wijh all maids before they be fick, terry
dery, &*c To inquire for a young man that has a good terry
dtry.
2 1 6 The Rape of Lucrece.
See. Nay, my Lord, I heard them all have a con- ceite of an Englishman, a flrange people, in the wefterne Iflands, one that for his variety in habit, humour and geflure, put downe all other nations whatfoever, a little of that if you love me.
Valle. Well Scevola, you mall.
Song.
The Spaniard loves his ancient flop.
The Lumbard his Venetian,
Andfome, like breech-leffe women goe :
The Ruffe, Turke, lew, and Grecian,
The threyfly Frenchman wears f mall waftey
The Dutch his belly boafteth :
The Englifhman is for them all;
And for eachfajhion coajleth.
The Turke in Linnen wraps his head, The Perfian his in Lawne too. The Ruffe with fables fur res his Cap, And change, will not be drawne too : The Spaniards conftant to his blocke ; The French, inconjlant ever, But of all Fealts that can be felt, Give me your Englifh Beaver.
The German loves his Conny-wooll : The Irifhman his Shagge-too, The Welih his Munmouth loves to weare And of the fame will bragg too. Some love the rough, andfome ttt fmooth, Some great, and others f mall things, But Oh your lecherous Englifhman : He loves to deale in all things.
The Ruffe drinkes quaff es^ Dutch, lubecks Beere. And that is Jlrong and mighty. The Brittaine, he Metheglen quaffes^ The Irifh, Aquavit^
The Rape of Lucrece. 2 1 7
The French affetls the Orleance Grape. The Spaniard tofts his Sherry, The Etiglifli none of thefe can f cape : But hee with all makes merry.
The Italian in her high Chapeene, Scotch Laffe, and lovely Froa-too. The Spanifh Donna, French Madam : He will notfeare to goe too ; Nothing fo full of Hazard dread. Nought lives above the Center, No FaJJiion, Health, no Wine, nor Wench, On which hee dare not venter.
Hor. Good Valerius, this has brought us even to the skirts of the campe, enter Lords. Exit.
Enter Sextus and Lucrece.
Luc. This Ring my Lord hath opt the gates to
you,
For though I know you for a Royall Prince My foveraignes Sonne, and friend to Collatine Without that key you had not entred heere. More lights and fee a banquet (lraight«f)rovided, My love to my deere husband (hall appeare In the kind welcome that I give his friend.
Sex. Not love-ficke, but love-lunaticke, love-mad : I am all fire, impatience, and my blood Boyles in my heart, with loofe and fenfuall thoughts.
Luc. A chaire for the Prince, may't pleafe your highnes fit 1 v. Madam, with you.
Luc. It will become the wife of Collatine To wait upon your trencher.-
Sex. You (hall fit : Behind us at the camp we left our (late, We are but your gueft, indeede you (hall not waite : Her modeftie hath fuch (Irong power ore me, And fuch a reverence hath fate given her brow,
2 1 8 The Rape of Liicrece.
That it appeares a kinde of blafphemy,
To have any wanton word harm in her eares.
I cannot woo, and yet I love bove meafure,
Tis force, not fuite, muft purchafe this rich treafure.
Luc. Your highnefle cannot tafte fuch homely ca'tes.
Sex. Indeed I cannot feede (but on thy face, Thou art the banquet that my thoughts imbrace).
Luc. Knew you my Lord, what free and zealous
welcome
We tender you, your highneffe would prefume Vpon your entertainment : oft, and many times I have heard my husband fpeake of Sextus valour, Extoll your worth, prayfe your perfection, I, dote upon your valor, and your friendfhip Prife next his Lucrece.
Sex. Oh impious luft, In all things bafe, refpeclles and unjuft ! Thy vertue, grace, and fame, I muft enjoy, Though in the purchafe I all Rome deftroy. Madam, if I be welcome as your vertue Bids me prefume I am, Caroufe to me A health unto your husband.
Luc. A woruans draught my Lord, to Collatine.
Sext. Nay you muft drinke off all.
Luc. Your grace muft pardon The tender weakneffe of a womans braine.
Sex. It is to Collatine.
Luc. Methinks 'twould ill became the modeftie Of any Roman Lady to caroufe, And drowne her vertues in the juice of grapes. How can I (hew my love unto my husband To do his wife fuch wrong ? by too much wine I might negledl the charge of this great houfe Left foly to my keepe, elfe my example Might in my feruants breed encouragement So to offend, both which were pardonleffe, Elfe to your Grace I might neglec~l my dutie, And flack obeylance to fo great a gueft :
The Rape of Lucrece. 2 1 9
All which being accidentall unto wine, Oh let me not fo wrong my Collatine.
Sex. We excufe you, her perfections like a torrent With violence breaks upon me, and at once Inverts and f wallows all that's good in me. Prepofterous Fates, what mifchiefes you involve Vpon a Caitiffe Prince, left to the fury Of all grand mifchiefe ? hath the grandame world Yet fmothered fuch a ftrange abortiue wonder, That from her vertues mould arife my finne ? I am worfl then what's mofl ill, depriv'd all reafon, My heart all fierie luft, my foule all treafon.
Luc. My Lord, I feare your health, your changing
brow
Hath fhewne fo much difturbance, noble Sextus, Hath not your ventrous travell from the Campe, Nor the moyft rawnes of this humorous night Impaird your health ?
Sex. Divined Lucrece no. I cannot eate.
Luc. To reft then, A rank of torches there, attend the Prince.
Sex. Madam I doubt I am a gueft this night Too troublefome, and I offend your reft.
Lu. This Ring fpeaks for me, that next Collatine You are to me moft welcome, yet my Lord Thus much prefume, without this from his hand, Sextus this night could not have entred here ; No, not the king himfelfe : My dores the daytime to my friends are free, But in the night the obdure gates are lefle kinde, Without this ring they can no entrance finde. Lights for the Prince.
Sex. A kifle and fo goodnight, nay for your rings fake deny not that.
Lu. love give your highnes foft and fweete repofe.
Sex. And thee the like with foft and fweete content,* My vowes are fixt, my thoughts on mifchiefe bent.
Exit with torches.
* And thee the like repofe with foft content. 1609.
2 2 o The Rape of L ucrece.
Luc. Tis late, fo many ftarres mine in this
roome,
By reafon of this great and Princely gueft, The world might call our modeftie in queftion, To revell thus, our husband at the Campe, Hafte and to reft ; fave in the Princes chamber, Let not a light appeare, my hearts all fadnefle, love unto thy protection I commit My chaftitie and honour to thy keepe, My waking foule I give whilft my thoughts fleepe.
Exit.
Enter Clowne and a Servmgman.
Clow. Soft, foft not too loud, imagine we were now going on the ropes with egges at our heeles, he that hath but a creking fhooe I would he had a creeke in is neck, tread not too hard for difturbing Prince Sextus.
Ser. I wonder the Prince would ha none of us flay in his Chamber and helpe him to bed.
Clo. What an affe art thou to wonder, there may be many caufes : thou knowft the Prince is a Souldier, and Souldiers many times want fhift : who can fay whether he have a cleane fhirt on or no : for any thing that we know he hath us'd ftaves aker a late, or hath tane a medecine to kill the itch, what's that to us, we did our duty to proffer our fervice.
Ser. And what mould we enter farther into his thoughts ? come mails to bed ? I am as drowfie as a dormoufe, and my head is as heavy as though I had a night-cap of lead on.
Clow. And my eyes begin to glew themfelves to gether, I was till fupper was done all together for your repafl, and now after fupper I am onely for your repofe : I thinke for the two vertues of eating and fleeping, there's never a Roman fpirit under the Cope of heaven can put me downe.
The Rape of Lucrece. 2 2 1
Enter Mirable.
Mir. For fhame what a conjuring, and catter- walling keepe you here, that my Lady cannot fleepe : you (hall have her call by and by, and fend you all to bed with a witnefle.
Clo. Sweete Miflris Mirable we are going.
Mir. You are too loud, come, every man difpofe him to his reft, and ile to mine.
Ser. Out with your Torches.
Clow. Come then, and every man fneake into his kennell. Exeunt.
Enter Sextus with his Sword drawne and a Taper light.
Sex. Night be as fecret as thou art clofe, as clofe As thou art blacke and darke, thou ominous Queene Of Tenebroufe filence, make this fatall houre As true to Rape, as thou haft made it kind To murder, and harm mifchiefe : Cinthia maske thy
cheeke,
And all you fparkling elementall fires Choake up your beauties in prodigeous fogs, Or be extinct in fome thicke vaporous clouds, Leaft you behold my praclife : I am bound Vpon a blacke adventure, on a deede That muft wound vertue, and make beautie bleed, Paufe Sextus, and before thou runft thy felfe Into this violent danger, weigh thy finne, Thou art yet free, belov'd, grac'd in the Campe, Of great opinion and undoubted hope, Romes darling in the univerfall grace, Both of the field, and fenate : were thefe fortunes To make thee great in both, backe yet, thy fame Is free from hazard, and thy ftile from fhame, Oh fate ! thou haft ufurpt fuch power o're man, That where thou pleadft thy will no mortall can. On then, blacke mifchiefe hurry me the way,
222 The Rape of Lucrece.
My felfe I muft deftroy, her life betray,
The flate of King and Subjea, the difpleafure
Of Prince and people, the revenge of noble,
And the contempt of bafe the incurd vengeance
Of my wrongd kinfman Collatine, the Treafon
Againft divin'ft Lucrece : all thefe totall curfies
Forefeene not feard upon one Sextus meete,
To make my dayes harm : fo this night be fweete,
No iarre of Clocke, no ominous hatefull howle
Of any flarting Hound, no horfe-coughe breath'd from
the entrals
Of any drowfie Groome, wakes this charm'd filence And flarts this generall (lumber, forward flill, To make thy luft live, all thy vertues kill.
Lu. dij "covered in her bed.
Heere, heere, behold ! beneath thefe curtains lies That bright enchantreffe that hath daz'd my eyes. Oh who but Sextus could commit fuch wafte 1 On one fo faire, fo kinde, fo truly chafte 1 Or like a ravifher thus rudely fland, To offend this face, this brow, this lip, this hand ? Or at fuch fatall houres thefe revels keepe, With thought once to defile thy innocent fleepe, Save in this breft, fuch thoughts could finde no place, Or pay with treafon her kinde hofpitall grace ; But I am luft-burnt all, bent on what's bad, That which mould calme good thought, makes Tarquin
mad. Madam Lucrece ?
Luc. Whofe that ? oh me ! befhrew you.
Sex. Sweet, tis I.
Luc. What I ?
Sex. Make roome.
Luc. My husband Collating *\
Sex. Thy husband's at the Campe.
Luc. Heare is no place for. any man fave him.
Sex. Grant me that grace.
Luc. What are you 1
'Sex. Tarquin and thy friend, and muft enjoy thee.
The Rape of Lucrece. 223
Luc. Heaven fuch finnes defend.
Sex. Why doe you tremble Lady ? ceafe this feare, I am alone, there's no fufpicious eare That can betray this deed : nay flart not fweete.
Lite. Dreame I, or am I full awake ? oh no ! I know I dreame to fee Prince Sextus fo. Sweete Lord awake me, rid me from this terror, I know you for a Prince, a Gentleman, Royall and honefl, one that loves my Lord, And would not wracke a womans chaflitie For Romcs imperiall Diadem, oh then Pardon this dream, for being awake I know Prince Sextus, Romes great hope, would not for
fhame Havocke his owne worth, or difpoile my fame.
Sex. I'me bent on both my thoughts are all on
fire,
Choofe thee, thou mud imbrace death, or defire. Yet doe I love thee, wilt thou accept it ?
Luc. No.
Sex. If not thy love, thou mufl enjoy thy foe. Where faire meanes cannot, force fhall make my
way : By love I mud enjoy thee.
Luc. Sweet Lord flay.
Sex. I'me all impatience, violence and rage. And fave thy bed nought can this fire affwage : Wilt love me 1
Luc. No, I cannot.
Sex. Tell me why?
Luc. Hate me and in that hate let me die.
Sex. By love ile force thee.
Luc. By a God you fweare, To do a devils deed, fweet Lord forbear By the fame Tove I fweare that made this foule, Never to yeild unto an act fo fowle. Helpe, helpe.
Sex. Thefe pillowes firfl (hall flop thy breath, If thou but fhriekefl, harke how ile frame thy death.
224 The Rape of L^ccrece.
Luc. For death I care not, fo I keepe unftaind The uncraz'd honour I have yet maintaind.
Sex. Thou canft keepe neither, for if thou but
fqueakeft
Or letft the leaft harm noife jarre in my eare, He broach thee on my fteele, that done, ftraight
murder
One of thy bafeft Groom es, and lay you both Grafpt arme in arme, on thy adulterate bed, Then call in witneffe of that mechall fmne, So malt thou die, thy death be fcandalous, Thy name be odious, thy fufpec~led body Denide all funerall rites, and loving Collatine Shall hate thee even in death : then fave all this, And to thy fortunes adde another friend, Give thy feares comfort, and thefe torments end.
Luc. He die firft, and yet heare me, as y'are
noble,
If all your goodneffe and bed generous thoughts Be not exilde your heart, pittie, oh pity The vertues of a woman : marre not that Cannot be made againe : this once defilde, Not all the Ocean waves can purifie Or warn my flaine away : you feeke to foyle, That which the radiant fplendor of the Sunne Cannot make bright againe : behold my teares, Oh thinke them pearled drops, diftilled from the
heart
Of foule-chafl Lucrece : thinke them Orators, To pleade the caufe of abfent Collatine, Your friend and kinfman.
Sex. Tufh, I am obdure.
Luc. Then make my name foule, keep my body
pure,
Oh Prince of Princes, do but weigh your fmne, Thinke how much I mall loofe, how fmall you winne. I loofe the honour of my name and blood, Loffe, Romes imperiall Crowne cannot make good.
The Rape of Lucrece.
225
You wmne the worlds fhame and all good mens hate, Oh who would pleafure, buy at fuch deere rate, Nor can you terme it pleafure, for what is fweet, Where force and hate, jarre and contention meet ? Weigh but for what tis that you urge me dill, To gaine a womans love againfl her will ? roule but repent fuch wrong done a chart, wife,
thinke that labour's not worth all your ftrife. Curfe your hot luft, and fay you have wrong'd your
friends,
But all the world cannot make me amends, I tooke you for a friend, wrong not my trull, But let thefe chafte tearmes quench your fierie luft. Sex. No, thofe moift teares contending with my
fire,
Quench not my heat, but make it clime much higher : lie drag thee hence. Luc. Oh !
Sex. If thou raife thefe cries, Lodg'd in thy flaughtered armes fome bafe Groome
dyes.
And Rome that hath admired thy name fo long Shall blot thy death with fcandall from my tongue. Luc. love guard my innocence. Sex. Lucrece th'art mine : In fpight of love and all the powers divine.
He beares her out. Enter a Serving man.
Ser. What's a Clocke tro ? my Lord bad me be early readie with my Gelding, for he would ride be times in the morning : now had I rather be up an houre before my time then a minute after, for my Lord will be fo infinitely angry if I but over-fleepe my fclfe a moment, that I had better be out of my life then in his difpleafure : but foft, fome of my Lord Collatines men lie in the next chamber, I care not if 1 call them up, for it growes towards day : what Pom- /*>', Pompey ?
'
226 The Rape of Lucrece.
Clo. Who is that cals ?
Ser. Tis I.
Clow. Whofe that, my Lord Sextus his man, what a pox make you up before day \
Ser. \ would have the key of the Gate to come at my Lords Horfe in the flable.
Clo. I would my Lord Sextus and you were both in the hay-loft for Pompey can take none of his natu- rall reft among you : heres eene Oftler rife and give my horfe another pecke of hay.
Ser. Nay good Pompey helpe me to the key of the Stable.
Clow. Well, Pompey was borne to do Rome good in being fo kinde to the young Princes Gelding, but if for my kindneffe in giving him Peafe and Gates he mould kicke me, I mould fcarfe fay God a mercy horfe : but come, He goe with thee to the ftable. Exeunt.
Enter Sextus and Lucrece unready.
Sex. Nay, weepe not fweete, what's done is paft
recall,
Call not thy name in queftion, by this forrow Which is yet without blemifh, what hath paft Is hid from the worlds eye, and onely private Twixt us, faire Lucrece : pull not on my head, The wrath of Rome; if I have done thee wrong, Love was the caufe, thy fame is without blot. And thou in Sextus haft a true friend got. Nay fweet looke up, thou onely haft my heart, I muft be gone, Lucrece a kiffe and part.
Lu. Oh ! Jhe flings from him and Exit.
Sex. No? peevifh dame farewell, then be the
bruter
Of thy owne mame, which Tarquin would conceale, I am arm'd 'gainft all can come, let mifchiefe frowne, With all his terror arm'd with ominous fate, To all their fpleenes a welcome ile afford,
The Rape of Lucrece. 227
With this bold heart, flrong hand and my good fword.
Exit.
Enter Brutus, Valerius, Horatius, Aruns, Scevola, Collatme.
Bru. \Vhat fo early Valerius and your voyce not up yet 1 thou wall wont to be my Larke, and raife me with thy early notes.
Val. I was never fo hard fet yet my Lord, but I had ever a fit of mirth for my friend.
Bru. Prethee lets heare it then while we may, for I divine thy mufique and my madnefle are both fhort liv'd, we mall have fomewhat elfe to doe ere long we we hope Valerius.
Hor. love fend it.
Packe cloudes away, and welcome day
With night we banijhforrow,
Swede Ay re blow f oft, mount Lark aloft,
To give my love good morrow.
Wingesfrom the winde, to pleafe her minde,
Notes from the Larke He borrow ;
Bird prune thy wing, Nightingale ftng :
To give my love good morrow.
To give my love good morrow,
Notes from them all He borrow.
Wake from thy nejl, Robin red-breft, Sing Birds in every Furrow, And from each bill, let Muftckejhrill, Give my fair e love good morrow : Blacke-bird and ThruJJi, in euery Bujh, Stare, Linnet, and Cock-fparrow, You pretty elves, amongfl yourf elves y Sing my fair e love good morrow. To giue my love good morrow. Sing Birds in every Furrow.
Q 2
228 The Rape of Liter ece.
Bru. Me thinks our warres go not well forwards, Horatius we have greater enemies to buflle with then the Ardeans, if we durfl but front them.
Hor. Would it were come to fronting.
Bru. Then we married men mould have the ad vantage of the batchelers Horatius^ efpecially fuch as have revelling wives, thofe that can caper in the Citie, while their husbands are in the Camp, Collatine why are you fo fad ? the thought of this mould not trouble you, having a Lucrece to your bedfellow.
CoL My Lord I know no caufe of difcontent, yet cannot I be merry.
See. Come, come, make him merry, lets have a fong in praife of his Lucrece.
Val Content.
The fourth new Song : In the praife of Lucrece.
On two white Collomns archtfheftands, Some f now would thinke them Jure',
Some Chriftall, other Lillies ftript, But none of thofe fo pure.
This beauty when I contemplate
What riches 1 behold, 'Tis rooft within with vertuous thoughts.
Without, 'tis thatcht with gold.
Two doores there are to enter at,
The one Pie not enquire, Becaufe conceal1 d, the other feene,
Whofe fight inflames defire.
Whether the porch be Corrall cleere,
Or with rich Crimfon lin'd, Or Rofe-leaves, lafting all the yeare
It is not yet divirid.
Her eyes not made of pureft glaffe, Or Chriftall, but tranfpareth ;
The Rape of Lucrece. 229
The life of Diamonds they furpaffe, Their very fight infnareth.
That which without we rough-caft call, Toftand 'gain/I winde and weather ;
For its rare beauty equalls all That I have nantd together.
for were it not by modejl Art
Kept from the fight of skies, It woiddflrike dim the Sunne it felfe,
And daze the gazers eyes.
The Cafe fo rich, how may we praife
TJie Jewell lodgd within, To draw their praife I were unwife,
To wrong them it were fume.
Aru. I fhould be frolicke if my brother were but return' d to the Camp.
Hor. And in good time behold Prince Sextus.
Omnes. Health to our General!.
Sex. Thank you.
Bru. Will you furuey your forces, and give order for a prefent aflault, your fouldiers long to be tugging with the Ardeans.
Sex. No.
Col. Have you feene Lucretia my Lord, how fares (he?
Sex. Well, He to my Tent.
Aru. Why how now, whats the matter brother ?
Exeunt the brothers.
Bru. Thank you, No, well, He to my Tent : Get thee to thy Tent and a coward goe with thee, if thou haft noe more fpirit to a fpeedie encounter.
Vale. Shall I goe after him and know the caufe of his difcontent1?
See. Or I my Lord ?
Bru. Neither, to purfue a foole in his humour ? is the next way to make him more humorous, He not be
230 The Rape of Lucrece.
guiltie of his folly, thank you, no, before I wifh him health agen when he is ficke of the fullens, may I die, not like a Roman, but like a runagate.
See. Perhaps hee's not well.
Bru. Well : then let him be ill.
Vale. Nay if he be dying I could wifh he were, He ring out his funerall peale, and this it is.
Come lift and harke
The Bell doth towle, Forfome but new
Departing foule. And was not that
Some ominous fowle, The Bats the Night- Crow or Skreech-Owle. To thefe I heare
The wild- Woolfe Howie In this black night
Thatfeemes to Skowle* All thefe my black-
Bookejhall in-rowle. For Harke, Jlill Jlill
The Bell doth towle Forfome but now
Departing foule.
See. Excellent Valerius, but is not that Collatings man ?
Enter Clowne.
Vale. The newes with this hafty poll ?
Clo. Did nobody fee my Lord Collatine ? oh ! my Ladie commends her to you, here's a letter.
Col. Give it me.
Clo. Fie upon't, never was poore Pompey fo over- labour'd as I have beene, I thinke I have fpurd my horfe fuch a queflion, that he is fcarce able to wig or
The Rape of Lucrece. 2 3 1
wag his tayle for an anfwere, but my Lady bad me fpare for no horfe flefh, and I thinke I have made him runne his race.
Bru. Cofen Collatine the newes at Rome ?
Col. Nothing but what you all may well pertake, Reade here my Lord, Brutus readcs the letter.
Deere Lord, if ever thou will fee thy Lucrece. Choofe of the friends which thou affected beft, And all important bufmeffe fet apart, Repaire to Rome : commend me to Lord Brutus, Valerius, Mutius, & Horatius, Say I in treat their prefence, where my Father Lucretius (hall attend them, farewell fweet, Th' affaires are great, then doe not faile to meete.
Bru. He thither as I live. Exit.
Col. I though I die. Exit.
See. To Rome with expeditious wings weele flie.
Exit
Hor. The newes, the newes, if it have any fhape Of fadnefle, if fome prodegie have chanft, That may beget revenge, He ceafe to chafe, Vex, martyr, grieve, torture, torment my felfe, And tune my humor to ftrange flraines of mirth, My foule divines fome happinefle, fpeake, fpeake : I know thou haft fome newes that will create me Merrie and muficall for I would laugh, Be new tranfliapt, I preethee fing Valerius That I may ay re with thee.
TJie lajl new Song.
fde thinke my felfe as proud in Shackles, As doth thejhip in all her Tackles. The wife-man boafis no more his Braines, Then 1'de infult in Gyves and Chaines : As Creditors would life tJieir Debters, So could I toffe andjtiake my Fetters, But not confeffe, my thoughts Jlwuld be
232 The Rape of Lucrece.
In durance f aft as thofe kept me.
And could whenfpight their hurts Invirons.
Then dance to th mufick of my Irons.
Vale. Now tell us what's the projec~l of thy meffage ?
Clo. My Lords, the Princely Sextus has beene at home, but what he hath done there I may partly mif- truft, but cannot altogether refolve you : befides, my Lady fwore me, that whatfoever I fufpedted I mould fay nothing.
Val. If thou wilt not fay thy minde I prethee fmg thy minde, and then thou maift fave thine oath.
Clo. Indeed I was not fworne to that, I may either laugh out my newes or fmg em, and fo I may fave mine oath to my Lady.
Hor. How's all at Rome, that with fuch fad prefage Difturbed Collatine and noble Brutus Are hurried from the Camp with Scevola ? Arid we with expedition amongfl the reft, Are charged to Rome ? fpeake what did Sextus there with thy faire Miftreffe 1
Val. Second me my Lord, and weele urge him to difclofe it.
Valerius, Horatius, and the Clowne their Catch.
Val. Did he take faire Lucrece by the toe man ?
Hor. Toe man.
Val. I man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha ha man.
Hora. And further did heftrive to go man ?
Clow. Goe man.
Hor. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man, fa derry derry downe
ha fa derry dino. Val. Did he take faire Lucrece by the heele man ?
The Rape of Lucrece. 233
Clow. Heele man.
Val. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man.
Hor. And did he further flrive to feele man ?
Clow. Feele man.
Hor. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man, ha fa derry, &>c.
Val. Did he take the Lady by thejhin man 1
Clow. Shin man.
Val. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man.
Hor. Further too would he have been man ?
Clow. Been man.
Hor. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man, Ha fa dery, &*c.
Val. Did he take the Lady by the knee man ?
Clow. Knee man.
Val. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man.
Hor. Farther then that would he be ma?i ?
Clow. Be man.
Hor. 7 man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man, hey fa dery, &>c.
Val. Did he take the Lady by the thigh man ?
Clow. Thigh man.
Val. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man.
Hor. And now he came itfomewhat nie man.
Clow. Nie man.
Hor. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man, Hey fa dery, &>c.
Val. But did he do the father thing man ?
Clow. Thing man ?
Val. / man.
Clow. Ha ha ha ha man.
Hor. And at the fame had he a fling man.
Clo. Fling man.
Hor. / man.
Clo. Hay ha ha man, hey fa dery, &*c. Exeunt.
234 The Rape of Lucrece.
A Table and a Chaire couered with blacke. Lucrece and her Maid.
Luc. Mirable.
Maid. Madam.
Luc. Is not my father old Lucretius come yet 1
Maid. Not yet.
Luc. Nor any from the Campe ?
Maid. Neither Madam.
Luc. Go, begon,
And leave me to the trueft grief of heart, That ever entred any Matrons breft : Oh!
Maid. Why weepe you Lady 1 alas why do you
flaine Your modeft cheekes with thefe orTenfive teares 1
Luc. Nothing, nay, nothing ; oh you powerfull Gods, That mould have Angels guardents on your throne. To protect innocence and chaflitie ! oh why Suffer you fuch inhumane maffacre On harmleffe vertue ? wherefore take you charge, On finleffe foules to fee them wounded thus With Rape or violence ? or give white innocence, Armor of proofe gainft finne : or by oppreffion Kill vertue quite, and guerdon bafe tranfgreflion ? Is it my fate above all other women ? Or is my fmne more hainous then the reft, That amongft Thoufands, millions, infinites, I, onely I, mould to this Ihame be borne, To be a flaine to women, natures fcorne ? Oh!
Maid. What ailes you Madam, truth you make me
weep
To fee you fhed fait teares ; what hath opprefl you ? Why is your chamber hung with mourning blacke ? Your habit fable, and your eyes thus fwolne With ominous teares, alas what troubles you 1
Luc. I am not fad, thou didft deceive thy felfe, I did not weepe, ther's nothing troubles me, But wherefore doft thou blufh ?
The Rape of Lucrece. 235
Maid. Madam not I.
Luc. Indeed thou didft, and in that blufh my gilt
thou didil betray. How cam'fl thou by the notice of my fmne 1
Maid. What fmne ?
Luc. My blot, my fcandall, and my mame : Oh Tarquin, thou my honour didft betray, Difgrace no time, no age can wipe away, Oh!
Maid. Sweet Lady cheare your felfe, He fetch my
Violl,
And fee if I can fing you fad afleepe, A little reft would weare away this paflion.
Luc. Do what thou wilt, I can command no
more,
Being no more a woman, I am now Devote to death and an inhabitant Of th'other world : thefe eyes mud ever weepe Till fate hath clofd them with eternall fleepe.
Enter Brutus, Collatine, Horatius, Scevola, Valerius one way, Lucretius another way.
Luc. Brutus !
Bru. Lucretius !
Luc. Father !
Col. Lucrece !
Luc. Collatine !
Bru. How cheare you Madam 1 how ift with you
coufen ?
Why is your eye deject and drown'd in forrow ? Why is this funerall blacke, and ornaments Of widdow-hood ? refolve me coufen Lucrece.
Hor. How fare you Lady ?
Old Luc. What's the matter girle ?
Col. Why how is't with you Lucrece, tell me
fweete ?
Why do'ft thou hide thy face ? and with thy hand Darken thofe eyes that were my Sunnes of joy, To make my pleafures florifh in the Spring ?
236 The Rape of Lucrece.
Luc. Oh me !
Val. Whence are thefe fighes and teares ?
See. How growes this paffion ?
Bru. Speake Lady, you are hem'd in with your
friends.
Girt in a pale of fafety, and environ'd And circled in a fortreffe of your kindred. Let not thofe drops fall fruitles to the ground, Nor let your fighes adde to the fencelefie wind. Speake, who hath wrong'd you %
Luc. Ere I fpeake my woe, Sweare youle revenge poore Lucrece on her foe.
J3ru. Be his head archt with gold.
Hor. Be his hand arm'd with an imperiall Scepter.
Old Luc. Be he great as Tarquin, thron'd in an imperiall feat.
Bru. Be he no more than mortall, he mail feele The vengefull edge of this victorious fteele.
Luc. Then feat you Lords, whilft I exprefle my
wrong.
Father, dear husband, and my kinfman, Lords, Heare me, I am difhonour'd and difgrac'd, My reputation mangled, my renowne Difparaged, but my body, oh my body.
Col. What Lucrece.
Luc. Stain'd, polluted, and defiFd. Strange fteps are found in my adulterate bed, And though my thoughts be white as innocence, Yet is my body foild with lufl-burn'd finne, And by a ilranger I am flrumpeted, Raviflit, inforc'd, and am no more to rank Among the Roman Matrons.
Br. Yet cheere you Lady, and reflraine thefe
teares,
If you were forc'd the finne concernes not you, A woman's borne but with a womans flrength : Who was the Ravifher?
Hor. I, name him Lady, our love to you mall only
The Rape of Lucrece. 237
thus appeare, in the revenge that we will take on him.
Luc. I hope fo Lords, 'twas Sextus the Kings Sonne.
Omnes. How ? Sextus Tarquin \ Luc. That unprincely Prince, Who gueft-wife entred with my husbands Ring, This Ring, oh Collatine \ this Ring you fent Is caufe of all my woe, your difcontent. I feafled him, then lodg'd him, and beftowde My choifeft welcome, but in dead of night My traiterous gueft came arm'd unto my bed, Frighted my filent fleepe, threatned, and praid For entertainment : I defpifed both. Which hearing, his fharp pointed Semiter The Tyrant bent againfl my naked breft, Alas, I beg'd my death, but note his tyranny He brought with him a torment worfe then death, For having murdred me, he fwore to kill One of my bafeft Groomes, and lodge him dead In my dead armes : then call in teftimonie Of my adulterie, to make me hated Even in my death, of husband, father, friends, Of Rome and all the world : this, this, oh princes, Ravilht and kild me at once.
Col. Yet comfort Lady, I quit thy guilt, for what could Lucrece doe More then a woman ? hadfl thou dide polluted By this bafe fcandall, thou hadfl wrong'd thy fame : And hindred us of a mod juft reuenge.
All. What (hall we do Lords ?
Bru. Lay your refolute hands upon the fword of
Brutus^ Vow and fweare, as you hope meed for merit from the
Gods,
Or feare reward for fmne, from devils below : As you are Romans, and efleeme your fame More then your lives, all humorous toyes fet off,
238 The Rape of Liter ece.
Of madding, finging, fmiling. and what elfe, Receive your native valours, be your felves, And joyne with Brutus in the jufl revenge Of this chafte ravilht Lady, fweare. All. We do. Luc. Then with your humours heere my grief ends
too,
My flaine I thus wipe off, call in my fighes, And in the hope of this revenge, forbeare Even to my death to fall one paffionate teare, Yet Lords, that you may crowne my innocence With your befl thoughts, that you may henceforth
know
We are the fame in heart we feeme in mow. And though I quit my foule of all fuch fin,
The Lords whifper.
He not debare my body punifhment : Let all the world, learne of a Roman dame, To prife her life leffe then her honor'd fame.
Ktis her f elf e. Lucr. Lucrece. Col. Wife. Bru. Lady.
Scev. She hath flaine her felfe. VaL Oh fee yet Lords if there be hope of life. Bru. She's dead, then turne your funerall teares to
fire
And indignation, let us now redeeme Our mif-fpent time, and over take our floath With hoflile expedition, this great Lords, This bloody knife, on which her chafle blood flowed, Shall not from Brutus till fome ftrange revenge Fall on the heads of Tarquins.
Hor. Now's the time
To call their pride to compt, Brutus lead on, Weele follow thee to their confufion.
Vale. By love we will, the fprightfull youth of
Rome Trickt up in plumed harneffe mall attend
beare that chafte
The Rape of Lucrece. 239
The march of Brutus, whom we here create our
Generall Again ft the Tarquins.
See. Be it io.
Bru. We embrace it : now to ftir the wrath of
Rome,
You, Collatine and good Lucretius ', With eyes yet drown'd in teares,
body
Into the market place : that horrid object, Shall kindle them with a moft juft revenge.
Hor. To fee the father and the husband mourne Ore this chafte Dame, that have fo well defer v'd Of Rome and them, then to infer the pride, The wrongs and the perpetuall tyranny Of all the Tarquins, Servius Tullius death, And his unnaturall ufage by that Monfter Tullia the Queene. All thefe mail well concurre In a combind revenge.
Bru. Lucrece, thy death weele mourne in glittering 1 armes
And plumed caskes : fome beare that reverend loade, Vnto the Forum where our force fhall meete To fet upon the pallas, and expell This viperous brood from Rome : I know the people Will gladly imbrace our fortunes : Scevola, Go you and mufter powers in Brutus name. Valerius, you aflift him inftantly, And to the mazed people freely fpeake The caufe of this concourfe.
Vol. We go. Exeunt Vale. &• Sew.
Bru. And you dear Lord, whofe fpeechlefle grief
is boundleffe.
Turne all your teares with ours, to wrath and rage, The hearts of all the Tarquins mall weepe blood Vpon the funerall Hearfe, with whofe chaft body, Honour your armes, and to th' affembled people, Difclofe her innocent woundes : Gramercies Lords
240 The Rape of L^lcrece.
A great Jhout and aflourijh with drums and Trumpets.
That univerfal fhout tels me their words
Are gratious with the people, and their troopes
Are ready imbatteld, and expert but us
To lead them on, love give our fortunes fpeed.
Weele murder, murder, and bafe rape mail bleed.
Alarum, Enter in the fight Tarquin and Tullia flying, purfude by Brutus, and the Romans march with Drum and Colors, Porfenna, A runs, Sextus, Tar quin, and Tullia meets and joynes with them : To them Brutus and the Romans with Drum and fouldiers : they make aftand*
Brit. Even thus farre Tyrant have we dog'd thy
fleps, Frighting thy Queene and thee with horrid fteele.
Tar. Lodg'd in the fafetie of Porfennaes armes, Now Traytor Brtitus we dare front thy pride. f
Hor. Porftnna th'art unworthy of a fcepter, To fhelter pride, luft, rape, and tyrannic, In that proud Prince and his confederate Peeres.
Sex. Traytors to heaven : to Tarquin, Rome and
us,
Treafon to Kings doth ftretch even to the Gods, And thofe high Gods that take great Rome in charge, Shall punifh your rebellion.
Col. Oh Devill Sextus, fpeake not thou of Gods, Nor caft thofe falfe and fained eyes to heaven, Whofe rape the furies mufl torment in Hell, Of Lucrece, Lucrece.
See. Her chafle blood flill cries For vengeance to the etherial deities.
Luc. Oh 'twas a foule deed Sextus.
Val. And thy fhame Shall be eternall and outlive her fame.
Aru. Say Sextus lov'd her, was me not a woman, I, and perhaps was willing to be forc'd,
The Rape of Liter ece.
241
Mufl you being privat fubjecls dare to ring Warres loud alarum gainft your potent King ?
For. Brutus therein thou doft forget thy felfe, And wrong'ft the glory of thine Anceftors, Stayning thy blood with Treafon.
Bru. Tufcan know The Confull Brutus is their powerfull foe.
All Tarquin. Confull.
Hor. I confull and the powerfull hand of Rome Grafpes his imperiall fword.: the name of King The Tyrant Tarquins have made odious Vnto this nation, and the generall knee Of this our warlike people, now low bends To royall Brutus where the Kings name ends.
Bru. Now Sextus wher's the Oracle, when I kifl My Mother earth it plainely did foretell, My Noble vertues did thy finne exceed, Brutus fhould fway, and lull-burnt Tarquin bleed.
Val. Now (hall the blood of Servius, fall as
heavie
As a huge mountaine on your Tyrant heads, Ore whelming all your glorie.
Hor. Tullia's guilt,
Shall be by us reveng'd, that in her pride In blood paternall, her rough coach wheeles di'd.
Luc. Your Tyrannies :
Ser. Pride.
Col. And my Lucrece fate, Shall all be fwallowed in this hoftile hate.
Sex. Oh Romulus, thou that firfl reard yon walles In fight of which we (land, in thy foft bofome Is hang'd, the nefl in which the Tarquins build ; Within the branches of thy lofty fpires Tarquin mail pearch, or where he once hath flood, His high built airy (hall be drown'd in blood ; Alarum then, Brutus by heaven I vow, My fword mall prove thou nere waft mad till now.
Bru. Sextus, my madnefle with your lives expires, Thy fenfuall eyes are fixt upon that wall,
242 The Rape of Lucrece.
Thou nere fhalt enter, Rome confines you all. For. A charge then. Tar. love and Tarqmn. Hor. But we crie a Brutus. Bru. Lucrece, fame and victory.
Alarum, the Romans are beaten off.
Alarum, Enter Brutus, Horatius, Valerius, Scevola, Lucretius and Collatine.
Bru. Thou loviall hand hold up thy Scepter high, And let not luftice be opprefl with Pride, Oh you Penates leave not Rome and us, Grafpt in the purple hands of death and ruine, The Tar quins have the beft.
Hor. Yet ftand, my foote is fixt upon this bridge ', Tiber, thy arched flreames (hall be chang'd crimfon, With Roman blood before I budge from hence.
See. Brutus retire, for if thou enter Rome We are all loft, ftand not on valour now, But fave thy people, let's furvive this day, To trie the fortunes of another field.
Vol. Breake downe the Bridge, leaft the purfuing
enemy Enter with us and take the fpoile of Rome.
Hor. Then breake behinde me, for by heaven il'e
grow
And roote my foote as deepe as to the center, Before I leave this paffage.
Luc. Come your mad.
Col. The foe comes on, and we in trifling heere, Hazard our felfe and people.
Hor. Save them all, To make Rome ftand, Horatius here will fall.
Bru. We would not loofe thee, do not breft thy
felfe
'Gainft thoufands, if thou front'ft, them thou art ring'd
i
The Rape of L ucrece. 243
With million fvvords and darts, and we behind Mull breake the Bridge of Tyber to fave Rome. Before thee infinite gaze on thy face. And menace death, the raging flreames of Tyber Are at thy backe to fwallow thee.
Hor. Retire, To make Rome live, tis death that I defire.
Bru. Then farewell dead Horatius, thinke in us The univerfall arme of potent Rome, Takes his lafl leave of thee in this embrace.
All embrace him.
Hor. Farewell.
All. Farewell.
Brti. Triefe arches all mufl downe To interdict their paflage through the towne.
Exeunt.
Alarum, Enter Tarquin, Porfenna, and A rims with their pikes and Targeters.
All. Enter, enter, enter.
A noise of knocking downe the bridge, within.
Hor. Soft Tarquin, fee a bullwarke to the bridge, You firft mufl pafle, the man that enters here Mufl make his paffage though Horatius brefl, See with this Target do I buckler Rome, And with this fword defie the puiflant army Of two great Kings.
Por. One man to face an hofl ! Charge fouldiers, of full forty thoufand Romans Theres but one daring hand againfl your hofl, To keep you from the facke or fpoile of Rome, Charge, charge.
Aruns. • Vpon them Souldiers. Alarum, Alarum.
Enter in fever all places, Sextus and Valerius above.
Sex. Oh cowards, (laves, and vaffals, what not enter ?
R 2
244 The Rape of Liter ece.
Was it for this you plac'd my regiment
Vpon a hill, to be the fad fpeclator
Of fuch a generall cowardife ? Tarqtiin, Aruns,
Porfenna, fouldiers, paffe Horatius quickly,
For they behind him will devolue the bridge,
And raging Tyber that's impaffible,
Your hofl mud fwim before you conquer Rome.
VaL Yet ftand Horatius, beare but one brunt
more,
The arched bridge mail finke upon his piles, And in his fall lift thy renown to heaven.
Sex. Yet enter.
VaL Dear Horatius, yet (land And fave a million one powerfull hand.
Alarum, and the falling of the Bridge.
Aruns and all. Charge, charge, charge.
Sex. Degenerate flaves, the bridge is falne, Rome's
loft. Vale. Horatius, thou art ftronger then their
hofle,
Thy flrength is valour, theirs are idle braves, Now fave thy felf, and leap into the waves.
Hor. Porfenna, Tarquin, now wade pafl your
depths
And enter Rome, I feel my body finke Beneath my ponderous weight, Rome is preferv'd, And now farewell ; for he that follows me Mull fearch the bottome of this raging flream, Fame with thy golden wings renowne my Creft, And Tyber take me on thy filver breft. Exit.
Por. Hee's leapt off from the bridge and drownd
himfelf. Sex. You are deceiv'd, his fpirit foares too
high
To be choakt in with the bafe element Of water, lo he fwims arm'd as he was, Whilfl all the army have difcharg'd their arrows,
The Rape of Liicrece. 245
Of which the fliield upon his back flicks full. Shout and flouriJJi.
And hark, the fhout of all the multitude Now welcomes him a land : Horatius fame Hath chekt our armies with a generall (hame. But come, to morrows fortune mud reflore This fcandall, which I of the Gods implore.
For. Then we mull find another time faire
Prince
To fcourge thefe people, and revenge your wrongs. For this night ile betake me to my tent.
A Table and Lights in the tent.
Tar. And we to ours, to morrow wee'll renowne Our army with the fpoile of this rich Towne.
Exit Tarquin cumfuis.
Enter Secretary.
For. Our Secretary.
Secret. My Lord.
For. Command lights and torches in our tents
' Enter fouldiers with Torches.
And let a guard ingirt our fafety round, Whilfl we debate of military bufmeffe : Come, fit and let's confult.
Enter Scevola difguifed.
Scev. Horatius, famous for defending Rome, But we ha done nought worthy Scevola^ Nor of a Roman : I in this difguife Have pafl the army and the puiflant guard Of King Porfenna : this mould be his tent ; And in good time, now fate dire<5l my flrength Againfl a King, to free great Rome at length.
246 The Rape of Lucrece.
. Secret. Oh I am flain, treafon, trealon. ;
Porfen. Villaine what haft thou done 1
Scevo. Why flain the King ?
Porfen. What King?
Scevo. Porfenna.
Porfen. Porfenna lives to fee thee tortured, With plagues more divellifh then the pains of Hell.
See. Oh too ram Mutius, haft thou mill thy
aime?
And thou bafe hand that didft dire6l my poniard Againft a peafants breft, behold thy error Thus I will punifh : I will give thee freely Vnto the fire, nor will I wear a limbe, That with fuch rafhneffe mail offend his Lord.
Por. What will the madman do 1
See. Porfenna fo,
Punifh my hand thus, for not killing thee. Three hundred noble lads befide my felf Have vow'd to all the gods that patron Rome, Thy ruine for fupporting tyranny : And though I fail, expecft yet every houre, When fome flrange fate thy fortunes will devoure.
Por. Stay Roman we admire thy conftancy, And fcorne of fortune, go, return to Rome, We give thee life, and fay, the king Porfenna, Whofe life thou feek'fl is in this honorable, Paffe freely, guard him to the walls of Rome, And were we not fo much ingagde to Tarquin, We would not lift a hand againft that nation That breeds fuch noble fpirits. Exit*
Scev. Well I go, And for revenge take life even of my foe.
Porf. Conduct him fafely : what 300 Gallants Sworn e to our death, and all refolv'd like him ! Weele prove for Tarquin, if they faile our hopes, Peace mall be made with Rome, but firft our
fecretary Shall have his rights of funerall, then our fhield
The Rape of Lucrcce. 247
We muft addrefle next for to morrowes field. Exit.
Enter Brutus, Horatius, Valerius, Collatine, Lucretius Marching.
Bru. By thee we are Confull, and flill govern
Rome,
Which but for thee, had bin difpoild and tane, Made a confufed heape of men and flones, Swimming in bloud and flaughter, deare fforatius, Thy noble pidlure mall be carv'd in brafle, And fixt for thy perpetuall memory In our high Capitoll.
Hor. Great Confull thankes, But leaving this, lets march out of the Citie. And once more bid them battell on the plaines.
VaL This day my foule divines we (hall live
free
From all the furious Tarquins : but wheres Scevola ? We fee not him to day.
Enter Scevola.
Here Lords, behold me handlefle as you fee. The caufe I mifl Porfenna in his tent, And in his dead kild but his fecretary. The moved King when he beheld me punifli My ram miftake, with loffe of my right hand, Vnbeg'd, and almoil fcornd, he gave me life. Which I had then refus'd, but in defire To venge faire Lucrece Rape. Soft alarum.
Hor. Deare Scevola Thou haft exceeded us in our refolve, But will the Tarquins give us prefent battell ?
See. That may ye heare, the skirmilh is begun Already twixt the horfe.
Luc. Then noble Confull Lead our maine Battell on.
Bru. Oh love this day
Ballance our caufe, and let the innocent bloud Of Rape ftaind Lucrece, crowne with death and horror
248 The Rape of Lucrece.
The heads of all the Turquins, fee this day
In her caufe do we confecrate our lives.
And in defence of luflice now march on :
I heare their martiall mufique, be our mock
As terrible as are the meeting clouds
That breake in thunder, yet our hopes are faire,
And this rough charge mall all our hopes repaire.
Exeunt, Alarum, bait dl within.
Enter Porfenna and A runs.
Porfen. Yet grow our lofty plumes unflag'd with
bloud,
\nd yet fweet pleafure wantons in the aire : How goes the battell Arum ?
Aru. Tis even balanfl, I enterchang'd with Brutus hand to hand A dangerous encounter, both are wounded, And had not the rude preafe divided us, One had dropt downe to earth.
Por. Twas bravely fought. I faw the King your father free his perfon From thoufand Romans that begirt his Hate, Where flying arrowes thick as attomes fung About his eares.
Aru. I hope a glorious day, Come Tufcan King let's on them. Alarum.
Enter Horatius and Valerius.
Hor. Aruns flay,
That fword that late did drinke the Confuls bloud, Mud with his keene phang tire upon my flefh, Or this on thine.
Aruns. It fparde the Confuls life To end thy dayes in a more glorious ftrife.
Val. I fland againfl thee Tufcan.
Por. I for thee.
Hor. Where ere I finde a Tarquin, he's for me. Alarum^ fight > Aruns flaine, Porfenna Expulft.
The Rape of Lucrcce. 249
Alarum, Enter Tarquin with an arrow in his brcfl, Tullia with him, purfudc by Collating Lucretius, Scevola.
Tar. Faire Tullia leave me, fave thy felfe by
flight,
Since mine is defperate, behold I am wounded Even to the death : there Hayes within my tent A winged lennet, mount his back and fly, Live to revenge my death fmce I mud die.
Tul. Had I the heart to tread upon the bulke Of my dead father, and to fee him flaughtered, Only for love of Tarquin and a Crown, And (hall I fear death more then loffe of both ? No, this is Tullia 's fame, rather then fly From Tarquin, 'mongft a thoufand fwords Iheel dy.
AIL Hew them to pieces both.
Tar. My Tullia fave, And ore my caitiffe head thofe Meteors wave.
Coll. Let Tullia yield then.
Tul. Yeild me, cuckold no ; Mercy I fcorne, let me the danger know.
See. Vpon them then.
Val. Let's bring them to their fate, And let them perifli in the peoples hate.
Tul. Fear not, lie back thee husband.
Tar. But for thee, Sweet were the hand that this charg'd foul could
free,
Life I defpife, let noble Sevtus ftand To avenge our death, even till thefe vitals end, Scorning my own, thy life will I defend.
Tul. And He fweet Tarquin to my power guard
thine, Come on ye flaves and make this earth divine.
Alarum, Tarquin and Tullia flaine
Alarum, Brutus all bloody. Bru. Awns, this crimfon favour for thy fake
250 The Rape of Liter ece.
He weare upon my forehead maskt with blood, Till all the moyilure in the Tar quins veines Be fpilt upon the earth, and leave thy body As dry as the parent Summer, burnt and fcorcht With the Canicular ftars.
Hor. Aruns lies dead, By this bright fword that towr'd about his head.
Col. And fee great Confull, where the pride Rome lies funke and fallen.
Val. Befides him lies the Queen mangled and hewn amongfl the Roman Souldiers.
Hor. Lift up their flaughter'd bodies, help to rear
them
Againft this hill in view of all the Camp. This fight will be a terrour to the foe, And make them yield or fly.
Bru. But wher's the Rauimer, injurious Sextus, that we fee not him ? Jliort Alarum.
Enter Sextus.
Sex. Through broken fpears, crackt fwords, un-
boweld fleeds,
Flaude armors, mangled limbs, and batter'd casks, Knee deep in blood, I ha pierfl the Roman hoft To be my Fathers refcue.
Hor. 'Tis too late, His mounting pride's funk in the peoples hate.
Sex. My father, mother, brother ! fortune, now I do defie thee, I expofe my felf To horrid danger, fafety I defpife : I dare the worft of perill, I am bound, On till this pile of flefh be all one wound.
VaL Begirt him Lords, this is the Ravimer, Ther's no revenge for Lucrece till he fall.
Luc. Ceafe Sextus then :
Sex. Sextus defies you all ; Yet will you give me language ere I die.
Bru. Say on.
Sex. 'Tis not for mercy, for I fcorne that life
77/6' Rape of Lucrece. 251
That's given by any, and the more to adde To your immenfe unmeafurable hate, I was the fpur unto my fathers pride, 'Twas I that aw'd the Princes of the land ; That made thee Brutus mad, thefe difcontent : I ravifht the chafte Lucrece; Sextus I, Thy daughter, and thy wife, Brutus thy coufm. •Allide indeed to all ; 'twas for my Rape, Her conflant hand ript up her innocent breft, 'Twas Sextus did all this.
Col. Which ile revenge.
Hor. Leave that to me.
Luc. Old as I am lie doo't.
See. I have one hand left yet, of flrength enough To kill a Ravifher.
Sex. Come all at once, I all ; Yet heare me Brutus, thou art honourable, And my words tend to thee : My father dide By many hands, What's he mongft you can chal lenge
The leafl, I fmalleft honour in his death 1 If I be kill'd amongft this hoftile throng, The pooreft fnakie fouldier well may claime As much renowne in royall Sextus death, As Brutus, thou, or thou Horatius : I am to die, and more then die I cannot. Rob not your felves of honour in my death. When the two mightieft fpirits of Greece and Troy, Tug'd for the maftry, Heclor and Achilles, Had puiflant Heclor by Achilles hand, Dide in a fingle monomachie, Achilles Had bin the worthy : but being (lain by odds, The poorefl Mirmidon had as much honour As faint Achilles in the Trojans death.
Bru. Hadft thou not done a deed fo execrable That gods and men abhorre, ide love thee Sextus, And hug thee for this challenge breath'd fo freely : Behold, I fland for Rome as General!, Thou of the Tarquins doefl alone furvive,
252 The Rape of Lucrece.
The head of all thefe garboyles, the chief after Of that black fin, which we chaftife by armes. Brave Romans, with your bright fwords be our
lids,
And ring us in, none dare to offend the Prince By the lead touch, left he incurre our wrath : This honour do your Confull, that his hand May punifti this arch-mifchiefe, that the times Succeeding may of Brutus thus much tell, By him pride, luft, and all the Tarquins fell.
Sex. To ravifh Lucrece, cuckold Collatine, And fpill the chafteft blood that ever ran In any Matrons vaines, repents me not So much as to ha wronged a gentleman So noble as the Confull in this ftrife. Brutus be bold, thou fightft with one fcornes life.
Bru. And thou with one, that lefle then his re nown, Prifeth his blood, or Rome* imperial! Crowne.
Alarum, a fierce fight with f word and target, then after paufe and breathe.
Bru. Sextus (land faire : much honour fhall I
win To revenge Lucrece, and chaftife thy fin.
Sext. I repent nothing, may I live or die, Though my blood fall, my fpirit fhall mount on hie.
Alarum, fight with fingle fwords, and being deai wounded and painting for brctli, making ajlrc at each together with their gantlets they fall.
Hor. Both flaine! Oh noble Brutus, this tl
fame
To after ages (hall furvive ; thy ! Shall have a faire an<i
yhom the Matrons (hall in funtrall black
The Rape of Luc:
253
Mourne twelue fad Moones, thou that firfl goveni'd
•'•<',
And fwaid the people by a Confuls name. Thefe bodies of the Tarquins weele commit Vnto the funerall pile : you Collating Shall fucceed Brutus, in the Confuls place, Whom with this Lawrell wreath we here create.
Crowne him with Lawrell. Such is the peoples voyce, accept it then.
Col. We do, and may our powre fo juft appeare, Rome may have peace, both with our love and feare. But foft, what march is this ?
Florijh. Porfenna, Drum, Collatine, and Souldiers.
For. The Tufcan King, feeing the Tarquins flain, Thus arm'd and battell'd offers peace to Rome : To connrme which, wele give you prefent hoflage ; If you deny, wele ftand upon our guard, And by the force of armes, maintain our own.
Vol. After fo much effufion and large waile Of Roman blood, the name of peace is welcome : Since of the Tarquins none remaine in Rome, And Lucrcce Rape is now reveng'd at full, 'Twere good to entertain Porfemuts League.
Col. Porfcnna we im brace, whofe Royall pre tence Shall grace the Confull to the funerall pile.
March on to Ron. C otir guard and guide,
That hath in us vcng'd Rape, and punilht jmdi'.
. /////.
254
To the Reader,
BEcaufe we would not that any mans expectation fliould be deceived in the ample Printing of this Book : Lo, (Gentle Reader) we have inferted thefe few Songs, which were added by the flranger that lately a6led Valerius his part, in forme following.
The Cries of ROME,
THus go the cries in ~R.omes faire towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe. Round and found all of a collour, Buy a very fine marking ftone, marking ftone, Round and found all of a collour ; Buy a very fine marking ftone a very very fine. Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firft they go u£ ftreet, and then they go downe.
Bread and — meat — bread — and meat
For the — ten — der — mercy of God to the
poore prif — ners of Newgate, foure-
fcore and ten — -poore — prif oners.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
Salt— fait— white Wor—fterftiire fait,
Thus go the cries in Romes/<zzr<? towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
Buy a very fine Moufe-trap, or a tormentor
for your Fleaes.
Thus go the cries in Romes/^V<? towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
The Rape of Lucrece. 255
Kitchin-ftuffe maids.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne,
Fir ft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
Ha you any Wood to cleave ?
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firjl they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
I ha white Radifti, white
hard Lett ice, white young Onions.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Fir/I they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
I ha Rock-Sampier, Rock-Sampier.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firjl they go up Jlreet, and then they go downe.
Buy a Mat, a Mil-mat,
Mat, or a Hafock for your pew,
A Jlopple for your dofejloole,
Or a Pefock to thr uft your feet in.
Thus go the cries in Homes faire towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
Whiting maids Whiting.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go dowm.
Hot fine Oat-cakes, hot.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
Small- Coales here.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe..
Will you buy any Milke to day.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
256 The Rape of Lucrece.
Lanthorne and Candle light here
Maid, a light here.
Thus go the cries in Romes faire towne, Firft they go up ftreet, and then they go downe.
Here lies a company of very poore
Women, in the dark dungeon,
Hungry cold and comfortleffe night and day,
Pity the poore women in the dark dungeon.
Thus go the cries where they do houfe them, Firft they come to the grate, and then they go lowfe them.
The fecond Song.
Arife, arife, my luggie my Puggie,
arife get up my dear. The weather is cold, it blowes, it fnowes,
oh let me be lodged here. My luggie my Puggie, my hony my cony,
my love, my dove, my deare, Oh oh, the weather is cold, it blowes, it fnowes,
oh oh, let me be lodged here.
Begon, begon, my Willie, my Billie,
begon, begon my deare, The weather is warme, ^ twill do thee no harme,
thou can/I not be lodged here. My Willy, my Billy, my hony my cony,
my love, my dove, my deare, Oh oh, the weather is warme, 'twill do thee no harm
oh oh, thou canft not be lodged here.
Farewell, farewell, my luggie, my Puggie,
farewell, farewell my deare, Then will I begon from whence that I came,
if I cannot be lodged here.
The Rape of Lucrece.
257
My luggie my Puggit, my hony, my cony,
my love, my dove, my deare, Oh, oh, then will I be gone, from whence that I came,
oh oh, if I cannot be lodged here.
Returne, returne my Willy, my Billy,
returne my dove and my deare, The weather doth change, thenfeeme not Jlrange,
Tfwujhalt be lodged here. My Willie, my Billie, my hony, my cony,
my love, my dove, my deare, Oh oh, the weather doth change thenfeem not Jlrange,
oh oh, and thoujhalt be lodged Jiere.
FINIS.
Porta pietatis,
OR,
The Port or Harbour of Piety.
Expreft in fundry Triumphes, Pageants, and Showes, at the
Initiation of the Right Honourable Sir MAVRICE ABBOT,
Knight, into the Majoralty of the famous and
farre renowned City London.
All the charge and expence of the laborious Projedls,
both by water and Land, being thefole undertaking
of the Right Worjhipfull Company of
the Drapers.
Written by THOMAS HEYWOOD. Redeunt Speftacula — —
Printed at London by /. Okes. 1638.
s 2
TO THE RIGHT HONOR ABLE SIR MAURICE ABBOTT,
KNIGHT, THE LORD MAIOR OF THIS
RENOWNED METROPOLIS, LONDON.
RIGHT HONOURABLE :
A Ntiquity informes us, in the moft flourifoing J-\^ Jlate of Rome, of an Order of the Candi- dati, fo called becaufe habited in white vefture be tokening Innocence, and thofe of the noblejl Citi zens, who in that garbe walked the Jlrccts with humble lookes, andfubmijfe gefture, thereby to in- fmuate themfelves into the grace of the people, being ambitious after honour and Office. Great Lord, it fareth not fo with You, who though for inward Candor and fincerity, You may compare with the bejl of them, yet have beene fo far from affecting fuch popularity, that though You in Your great Modejly would willingly have evaded it ; yet fome places by importunity, and this Your prefcnt PrcetorJJiip hath by a gener all fujf rage, and the unanimous harmony of a free Election, beene confcrd upon you.
Neither can I omit the Jtappincjje of Your de- ceafed Father, remarkable in three mojl fortunate
262
Sonnes ; the one, for many year es together, Arch- Bijhop of Canterbury, and Metropolitane of all England ; another, a reverend Father in God, Bifhop of Salisbury, as memorable for his learned Workes and Writings, as the other for his Epifcopall government in the Church, and Counfell in ftate. A nd now lately YourHonourdfelfe the Lord Maior of this Metropolis, the famous City London-, In which, and of which, as you are now Maximus, fo it is expefted youjhall prove Optimus. Grave Sir, it is a knowne Maxime, that the konotir which is acquired by Vertue,hath a perpetuall ajjurance ; nor blame my boldnejfe, if I prefiime to prompt Your memory in what You have longftudied. The life of a Magi/Irate is the rule and fquare whereby inferior perfons frame their Carriage and deport ment, who fooner ajjimulate themj elves to their Lives than their Lowes, which Lawes if not executed are of no eftiniation. But I ceafe further to trouble Yom Lordjhip, leaving you to Your Honourable charge, zvitJi that of the Poet.
Qui fua rnetitur, pondera ferre potefl.
Your Lordjhips in all obfervancey THOMAS HEYWOOD.
LONDINI PORTA P1ETATIS:
LONDON'S GATE TO PIETY.
place
and Weftminfier are two twin- fifler cities, as joyned by one flreet, fo watered by one ftreame ; the firfl a breeder of grave magiflrates, the fecond, the buriall- great monarchs; both famous for their two cathedrals ; the one dedicated to the honour of Saint Paul, the other of Saint Peter. Thefe I rather concatenate, becaufe as in the one, the right honourable the lord maior receiveth his honour, fo in the other he takes his oath ; yet London may be prefumed to be the elder, and more excel lent in birth, meanes, and iffue; in the firfl for her antiquity, in the fecond for her ability, in the third, for her numerous progeny ; (he and her fuburbs being decored with two feverall burfes or exchanges, and beautified with two eminent gardens of exercife, knowne by the names of artillery and military. I (hall not need to infill much either upon her exten- fion, or dimenfion, nor to compare her with other eminent cities that were, or are ; it having beene an argument treated of by authentick authors, and the laborious project of many learned pennes, and fre quently celebrated upon the like dayes of folemnity. And although by the fpace of tenne yeares Lafl
264 Londons Gate to Piety.
paft, there hath not beene any lord major free of that company, yet was there within twelve years before that sixe lord majors of the fame. And it mail not bee amiffe to give you a briefe nomination of fome honourable praetors, and thofe of prime re- marke in that company; Sir Henry Fitz-Alwin, draper, was the firft lord major of this citie, which place hee helde for foure and twenty yeeres together, and upward ; and in the firft yeere of his majoralty, anno 1210. London-bridge, which was before made of timber, was begun to be built of ftone. Sir William Powltney was foure times lord major; 1337 he built a chappell in Pauls, where hee lyeth buried, and creeled a colledge neere unto the church of St. Laurence Powltney, London : he moreover built the church of little Alhallows, in Thames Street, with other pious and devout -acts. John Hind, draper, lord major 1405, built the church of St. Swithen, by Lon- don-Jlone, &c. Sir lohn Norman was the firft that rowed in his bardge to Weftminfter, when he went to take his oath. Sir Richard Hardell fate in the judi- catory feate fixe yeares together. Simo?i Eyre, lord major, built Leaden Hall at his owne proper coils and charges. Sir Richard Pipe, George Monox, lord major 1515, and Sir lohn Milborne, were great erectors of almes-houfes, hofpitalls, &c., and left liberally to the poore. Sir Richard Campion perfected divers chari table workes, left unfmim't by Sir lohn Milborne, before named. Sir Thomas Hayes, 1615, Sir lohn lolls, 1616, Sir Edward Barkham, Sir Martin Lumley, Sir Allan Gotten, Sir Cuthbert Hacket, &c. To fpeake of them all, I mould but fpend paper in a meere capi tulation of their names, and neglect the project now in agitation.
THE FIRST SHOW BY WATER.
The firft mow by water is prefented by Proteus in a beautiful fea-chariot, for the better ornament, decored
Londons Gate to Piety. 265
with divers marine nymphs, and fea-goddefles, &c. He fitteth or rideth upon a moving tortois, which is reckoned amongfl the Amphibia, quod in ambobus dementis degant: that is, one of thofe creatures that live in two elements, the water and the land ; alluding to the trading of the right honourable the prefent lord major, who is a merchant, free of the Turkey, Italian, French, Spanifh, Mufcovy, and was late governour of the Eaft Indy-Company. This Proteus, or H/KOTOS, that is Primus, is held to be the firft, or moft ancient of the fea-gods, the f&nne of Oceanus and Thetis, who could tranlhape himfelfe into any figure whatfoever, and was skilfull in prediction. He was called Ver- tumnus d, vertendo, becaufe he indented, or turned the courfe of the river Tyber, which floweth up to Rome, as the T/iames to London. He was a king, and reigned in the Carpathian Ifland, which, becaufe it was full of boggs and marifn places (as lying neere unto the maine ocean), he had that title conferr'd on him to be a marine god : when the Sdthians thought to invade him, and by reafon of the former impedi ments could no way damage his countrey, it therefore increafed their fuperflitious opinion to have him deified. He was called alfo paflor populi, that is, a fhepheard of the people ; and is faid alfo to feede Neptunes fifhes, call'd Phocae.
It was a cuflome amongfl the ^Egyptian kings to have their fcepters infculpt with fundry hierogliphicks or figures, as a lyon, a dragon, a tree, a flame of fire, &c., as their fancies lead them ; for which that pro verb was conferr'd on him, Proteo mutabilior, that is, more changeable than Proteus. This Proteus, or Vertumnus, or Vefores, reigned in ;£gypt fome foure yeeres before the Trojan warre, that is anno mundi 2752.
PROTEUS HIS SPEECH.
Proteus, of all the marine gods the prime, And held the noblejl both for birth and time;
266 Londons Gate to Piety.
From him who with his trident fw ayes the main,
And ploughs the waves in curies, or makes them plaine :
Neptune, both lord of ebbe and inundation,
I come to greete your great inauguration.
They call me verfi-pellis, and 'tis true,
No figure, forme, no Jhape to me is new ;
For I appeare what creature f defire,
Sometimes a bull, aferpent,fometimes fire.
Thefirjl denotes my Jlrength ; flrong muft he be,
And powerfull, who of p ire to your degree.
You muft be wife as ferpents, to decide
Such doubts as errour, or mifprifion hide.
And next, like fire (of tft elements moft pure},
Whofe nature can no fordid Jlujfe endure,
As in calcining metals we behold,
It funders and divides the drojfefrom gold.
And fuch are the decrements thatftill waite
Uponfo grave, fo great a magiftrate. This tortois, double-natured, doth imply
(By the two elements of moift and dry),
So much as gives the world to under/land,
Your noble trading both by fea and land.
Of porpofes the vajl heards Proteus keeps,
And I amjlyfd the prophet of the deepes,
Sent to predict good omen. May thatfleete
Which makes tti Eaft Indies with our England meete,
Profper to all your hearts defires ; their fayles
Be to andfrofwelPd with aufpicious gales ;
May you (who of this city now take charge),
With all the fcarlet fenate in your barge,
The fame thereof fo heighten, future flory
Above all other Jlates may crowne her glory.
To hinder what's more weighty, I am loath, Paffe therefore freely on, to take your oath.
This (how is after brought off from the water, to attend upon the reft by land, of which the firft is,
Londons Gate to Piety. 267
THE FIRST SHOW BY LAND.
A fhepheard, with his skrip and bottle, and his dog by him, a fheep-hooke in his hand ; round about him are his flocke, fome feeding, others refling in feverall poflures, the plat-forme adorn'd with flowers, plants, and trees, bearing iundry fruits. And becaufe this worfhipfull fociety tradeth in cloth, it is pertinent that I fliould fpeake fomething of the fheepe, who is of all other foure-footed beads the mofl harmlefle and gentle. Thofe that write of them report that in Arabia they have tayles three cubits in length ; in Chios they are the fmalleft, but their milke and cheefe the fweetefl, and beft. The lambe from her yeaning knoweth and acknowledgeth her damme : thofe are held to be mod profitable for ftore, whofe bodies are biggeft, the fleece foftefl and thickefl, and their legs fhorteft. Their age is reckoned at tenne yeeres, they breed at two, and ceafe at nine ; the ewes goe with their young an hundred and fifty dayes. Pliny faith the beft. wooll Apulia and Italy yeelds, and next them, Milefmm, Tarentum, Canufium, and Laodicea in Afia ; their generall time of fheering is in July. The poet Laberius called the rammes of the flocke rtcipro- ci-cornes, and lanicutes, alluding to the writhing of their homes, and their skinnes bearing wooll : the bell- weather, or captaine of the flocke, is called vervex feftarius, &c.
THE SHEPHEARD'S SPEECH.
By what rare frame, or in what curious verfe, Can the rich profits of your trades commerce Be to the full exprejl 1 which to explains, Lyes not in poet's pen, or artifis braine. What beajl, or bird, for hyde, or feather rare, For mans life made, can with theffieepe compare 1 The horfe of Jlrength or fwiftneffe may be proud \ 2) ut yet hisflejh is not for food allowed.
268 Londons Gate to Piety.
The heards yeeld mi Ike, and meate (commodious both), Yet none of all their skins make wooll for cloth. Thejheepe doth all; the parrot and the Jay, The peacock, eflridge, all in colours gay. Delight the eye ; feme with their notes, the eare ; But what are thefe unto the cloth we weare ?
Search forrefts, defarts, for beafts wilde or tame, The mountaines or the vales, fearch the vajl frame Of the wide univerfe, the earth, and skie, Nor beajl, nor bird, can with the Jheepe comply. No creature under heaven, beet f mall or great, Butfome way ufefull ; one affords us meate, Another ornament j Jhee more than this, — Of patience, and of profit ttt embleme is. Informer ages by the heroes fought ; After, from Greece into Hefperia brought; She's cloattid in plenteous riches, and being JJiorne, Her fleece an order, and by emperours worne. All thefe are knowne, yet further under/land, In twelve divide the profits of this land, As hydes, tinne, lead; or what elf e you can name, Tenne of thofe twelve the fleece may juflly claime ; Then how can that among/I the reft be mift, By which allftates, all common weales fubftft^. Great honour then belongs unto this trade, And you, great Lord, for whom this triumph's made.
THE SECOND SHOW BY LAND.
The fecond fhow by land is an Indian beaft called a Rinoceros, which being prefented to the life, is for the rareneffe thereof, more fit to beautifie a triumph ; his head, necke, backe, buttockes, fides, and thighes, armed by nature with impenetrable skales ; his hide or skinne of the colour of the boxe-tree ; in greatneffe equall with the elephant, but his legges are fomewhat fhorter ; an enemy to all beafts of rapine and prey, as the lyon, leopard, beare, wolfe, tiger, and the like ; but to others, as the horfe, affe, oxe, fheep, &c., which feede not
Londons Gate to Piety. 269
upon the life and blood of the weaker, but of the grafle and hearbage of the field, harmleffe and gentle, ready to fuccour them, when they be any way diilreffed. Hee hath a (hort home growing from his nofe, and being in continuall enmity with the elephant, before hee encounter him, he fharpeneth it againfl a flone,and in the fight aimeth to wound him in the belly, being the foftefl place about him, and the fooneft pierc'd. He is back'd by an Indian, the fpeaker.
THE INDIANS SPEECH.
The dignity of Merchants who can tell ?
Or how much they all Traders ante-cell 1
When others here at home fecurely fleepe,
He plowes the bofome of each unknowne deepe,
And in them fees heavens wonders ; for he can
Take a full view of the Leviathan,
Whofe ftrength all marine monfiers dothfurpaffe>
His ribs as iron, his fins and skalesas braffe.
Hisjhip like to the feather1 d fowle he wings, And from all coafts hee rich materialls brings, For ornament or profit ; thofe by which Infer iour artsfubfijl, and become rich ; By land he makes difcovery of all nations, Their manners, and their countries' fcituations, And with thof e fav age natures fo complies, That therms no rarity from thence can rife But he makes frequent with us, and yet thefe Not without dangers, both on Jhores andfeas ; The land he pierceth, and the ocean skowers, To make them all by free tranf portage ours.
You (honourd Sir) amongfl the chief e are nairid, By whofe commerce our nation hath beenefam'd. The Romans in their triumphes had before, Their chariots borne or lead (to grace the more The fumptuous Jliou.*}, the prime and choifejl things, Which they had taken from the captive kings ; What curious jiatue, whatjlrange bird or beajl
270 Londons Gate to Piety.
That dime did yeeld (if rare above the re/I), Was there exposed \ entring your civillflate, Whom better may weftrive to imitate ? This huge Rinoceros (not 'mongft us feene, Yet frequent where fome facJors oft have beene) Is embleme of the prcetorjhip you beare, Who to all beajles of prey, who rend and teare The innocent heards and flocks, is foe prof eft. But in all juft defences armes his crejl. You of this wilderneffe are Lord ; fofway, The weake may be upheld, the proud obey.
THE THIRD SHOW BY LAND.
The third fhow by land, is a fhip fully accommo dated with all her mafts, fayles, cordage, tacklings, cables, anchors, ordnance, &c., in that fmall modell, figuring the greatefl veffell ; but concerning mips and navigation, with the honour and benefits thence ac- crewing. I have lately delivered my felfe fo amply in a booke publifhed the laft fummer, of his majefties great Ihippe called the Soveraigne of the Seas, that to any who defire to be better certified concerning fuch things, I referre them to that tractate, from whence they may receive full and plenteous fatisfaclion : I come now to a yong failor the fpeaker.
THE SPEECH FROM THE SHIPPE.
Shipping to our fir/I fathers was not knowne, (Though now among ft all nations common growne) Nor trade by fea ; we read the flrjl choife peece
Was th! Argo, built to fetch the golden fleece ; In which brave voyage flxty princes, all Heroes, fuch as we Semones call : In that new vejfell to attaine thefhore,
Where fuch a prize was, each tugg'd at the oare. On one bench Hercules and Hilasy^/<?, Beauty andftrength ; and fiding jujl with that,
Londons Gate to Piety. 271
Daunaus and Lynceus offo quicke a fight. No inter pofer, or large diftance might Dull his cleare opticks ; thofe that had the charge And the chiefe ftearadge of that princely barge, Zethes and Calais, whofe judgements meet, Being f aid f have feathers on their heads and feete : Wefpare the refl. Grave fir, the merchant's trade Is that for which alljhipping firfl was made ; And through an Hellefpont who would but pull, Steer e, and hoife faile, to bring home golden wool 11 for wee by that are cloath'd. In the firfl place Sateflrength and beauty ; oh what afweete grace Have thofe united ; both now yours, great lord, Your beauty is your robe, yourflrength the f word.
You mujl have Lynceus eyes, and further fee Than either you before have done, or he Could ei'er ; having now a true infpeftion Into eachflrife, each caufe without affeflion To this or to that party ; fome are fed To have had feathers on their feet and head, (As thrfe whom I late namd] ; you mufl have more, And in your place be feathered now all o'er ; You mufl have feathers in your thoughts, your eyes, Your hands, your feete', for he thafs truely wife Muflflill be of a winged apprehenfion, As well for execution, as prevention. You know (right honourdfir] delay es and paufes, In judicature, dull, if not damp, good caufes. That we prefume f advife, we pardon crave, It being confejl, all thefe, and more you have.
THE FOURTH SHOW BY LAND.
The fourth fhow by land beat „ the title Porta Pietatis, The Gate of Piety : which is the doore by which all zealous and devout men enter into the fruition of their long hoped for happineffe. It is a delicate and artificiall compofed ftruclure, built temple- fafhion, as mod genuine and proper to the perfons
272 Londons Gate to Piety.
therein prefented. The fpeaker is Piety her felfe, her habit befl fuiting with her condition ; upon her head are certaine beames or raies of gold, intimating a glory belonging to fanclity ; in one hand an angelicall ftaffe, with a banner ; on the other arme a croffe gules in a field argent; upon one hand fits a beautifull childe, reprefenting Religion, upon whofe fhield are figured Time, with his daughter Truth ; her motto Vincit veritas. In another copartment fitteth one re prefenting the bleffed Virgin, patroneffe of this right worfhipfull fociety, crowned : in one hand a Fanne of flarres, in the other a fhield, in which are infcribed three crownes (gradatiiri), afcending, being the armes or efcutchion of the company, and her motto that which belongeth unto it ; Deofoli honor et gloria ; that is, unto God onely be honour and glory. Next her fit the three theologicall graces, Faith, Hope, and Cha rity, with three efcutchions ; Faith's motto, fidei ala, ccelifcala ; the wings of Faith are the ladder by which we fcale heaven. Hopes, Solum fpernit qui coslum fperat ; hee hates the earth, that hopes for heaven. Loves motto, Lbi charitas, non eft caritas', who giveth willingly, mail never want wretchedly. A fixth perfo- nateth Zeale, in whofe efcutchion is a burning hart : her word; in tepida frigida, flagrant ; neither luke- warme, nor key-cold, but ever burning. A feventh figure th Humility : her's : In terra corpus, in coslo cor', the body on earth, the heart in heaven. And laft Conftandes, Metam tangenti corona-, a crowne be longeth to him who perfevereth to the end. I come to the fpeech.
PIETY THE SPEAKER.
This ftruflure is a citadel I, or toiver, Where piety, plac't in her heavenly bower, Poynts out the way to bliffe, guirt with a ring Of all thqfe graces that may glory bring. Here fits Religion fir me (though elfewhere tor tie
Londons Gate to Piety. 273
By fchifmaticks, and made the atheifl'sfcornc]. Shining in her pure truth, nor needJJie quake. Affrighted with the faggot and the flake ; Sheds to you deare, you unto her are tender. Under thefcepter of the Faith's defender.
How am I extafide whtn I behold You build new temples, and repaire the old \ There's not aflone thafs laid in fuch foundation, But is aflep degreeing to falvation ; And not afcaffold reared to that intent, But mounts afoule above the firmament. Of merchants, we know magiflrates are made, And they (of thoje\ mofl happy thatfo trade.
Your Virgin-faint fits next Religion, crowrid, With her owne hand-maids (fee), invirorid round, And thefe are they the learned fchoole-men call The three Prime Vertues theologicall, Faith, Hope, and Love ; Zeal all inflamed with fire Of devout at~ls, doth afixt place afpire. Tfiefeventh Humility, and we commend The eighth to Con (Ian cy, which crownes the end.
A triple crowne's ttt emblazon of your crefl, But to gaine one, is to be ever blefl. Proceede in that fair e courfe you have begun, So when your annual glajfe of flate is run, (Nay, that of life}, ours, but the gate to bliffe, Shall let you in to yon Metropolis.
There now remaineth onely the lafl fpeech at night, fpoken by Proteus, which concludes the tryumph.
THE SPEECH AT NIGHT.
Now bright Hiperion hath unloosed his teame, And wajht his coach-fleeds in cold \fast zftreamt ', Day doth to night giue place, yet ereyoufleepe, Remember what the prophet of the deepe, Proteus, foretold. Allfuch as flate afpire, Mufl be as bulls, asferpents, and like fire.
5 T
2 74 Londons Gate to Piety.
The Jhepheard grazing of his flocks, display es The ufe and profit from the fleece we raife. That Indian Beaft (hae. he a tongue to fpeake), Woufefay,fuppreffe the proud, fupport the weake. Thatjhip the merchant's honour loudly tells, And how all other traces it antecells ; But Piety doth point you to thatjlarre, By which good merchants Jleere. Too bold we are To keepe you from your reft ; tomorrow 's funne Will raife you to new cares, not yet begun.
I will not fpeake much concerning the two brothers, Mr. John and Mathias Chriftmas, the modellers and compofers of those feverall peeces this day prefented to a mighty confluence, (being the two fucceeding fonnes of that moft ingenious artift, Mr. Gerard Chriflmas), to whom, and to whofe workmanmip I will onely conferre that character, which being long fmce, (upon the like occafion), conferr'd upon the father, I cannot but now meritedly beftow upon the fonnes; men, as they are excellent in their art, fo they are faithfull in their performance.
FINIS.
The Wife-woman
Of HOGS DON.
A COMEDIE
As it hath been fundry times A tied with great Applaufe.
Written by THO: HEYWOOD.
Autprodeffefolent, aut Delaware—
LONDON,
Printed by M. P. for Henry Shephard, and are to be
fold at his Shop in Chancerie-Lane, at the Signe
of the Bible, between Serjeants- Inne and
Fleet-JIreet. 1638.
Drammatis Perfona.
Young Chartley, A wild- headed Gentleman. Boyfler, a blunt fellow. Sencer, a conceited Gentle man.
Haringfield, a Civill Gen tleman. Luce, a Gold - Smithes
Daughter.
Luce's Father, a Gold- Smith. Jofeph, the Gold-Smiths
Apprentice. Old Maaer Chartley. Young Chartleyes man. Old Chartleyes man.
Sir Harry, A Knight, who
is no piece of a Schollcr. Gratiana, Sir Harryes
Daughter.
Taber, Sir Harryes man. Sir Boniface, an ignorant
Pedant, or Schoolmaikr. The Wifewoman of Hogf-
dont who beares the name
of the Dramma. A Countryman, Clyent to
the Wifewoman. A Kitchin-mayd, and two
Citizens Wives, that
come to the Wifewoman
for counfell.
THE WISE-WOMAN OF
HOGSDON.
A6lus primus, Scena prima.
Enter, as newly come from play, foure young Gentlemen, Majler Chartley, Majler Sencer, M. Boyfter, and Majler Haringfield.
Chartley.
Rice of my life : now if the Devill have bones, thefe Dyce are made of his. Was ever fuch a call feene in this Age 1 Could any Gull in Europe (faving my felfe) fling fuch a cad ? Boyjler. Eye. Chart. No. Boy/ler. Yes. Chart.
pound,
But I fay no : I have loft an hundred
280 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
And I will have my faying.
Boy/1. I have loft an other hundred, He have
mine. Ey, yes, I flung a worfe : a worfe by oddes.
Chart. I cry you mercy fir, loofers may fpeake> He not except 'gainft you : but let me fee Which of thefe two that pocket up our Cam Dares contradict me ?
fencer. Sir, not I : I fay you have had bad cafting.
Haring. So fay I. A
Chart. I fay this Hatt's not made of wooll. Which of you all dares fay the contrary ?
Sencer. It may bee 'tis a Beaver.
Haring. Very likely fo : 'tis not Wooll, but a plaine Beaver.
Chart. "Pis Wooll, but which of you dares fay fo? I would faine picke a quarrell with them, to get fome of my money againe ; but the flaves now they have got it, are too wife to part with it. I fay it is not blacke.
Haring. So fay wee too.
Boyft. Tis falfe : his Cap's of Woole, 'tis blacke, and Wooll, and Wooll and blacke.
Chart. I have nought to fay to lofers. Have I nothing left to fet at a Caft 1 Ey finger, Muft you be fet in gold, and not a jot of filver in my
purfe ? A Bale of frefh Dice. Hoe, come at this King.
Sencer. Fie M. C 'hartley, 'tis time to give over.
Chart. That's the Winners phrafe : Hold me
play,
Or hee that hath uncrown'd me, He take a fpeedie order with him.
Boyft. Frefh dice : this lewell I will venture
more, Take this and all. He play in fpight of lucke.
Haring. Since you will needs ; trip for the Dice. I fee it is hard to goe a winner from this company.
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 281
Chart. "The Dice are mine : This Diamond I valew at twentie markes : He venture it at a throw.
Haring. 'Tis fet you.
Chart. Then at all. All's mine. Nay M. Boy-
Jler,
I barre you : let us worke upon the winners. Gramercy Sinks : Nay, though I owe you no quarrell, yet you mud give mee leave to draw.
Haring. I had rather you fliould draw your
fword, Then draw my money thus.
Chart. Againe fweet Dice : nay I barre fwearing, Gentlemen, let's play patiently. Well, this At the Candleflicke, fo Chartley throwes out.
Boyjl. Now Dice at all. To tho, quoth the Spaniard.
Senc. Here's precious lucke.
Boyjl. Why Via. I thinke tis Quick-filver ; It goes and comes fo fafl : there's life in this.
Haring. Hee paffes all with Trayes.
Chart. With Trayes, how fay by that 1 Oh hee's old dogge at Bowles and Trayes.
Senc. Lend me fome money : be my halfe one
Caft.
He once out-brave this Gamefter with a throw. So now the Dice are mine, wilt be my halfe 1
Haring. I will.
Senc. Then once He play the Franck Gamefter, I "t- mee but fee how much you both can make, And He caft at all, all, every Crofle.
Chart. Now bleffe us all, what will you every Crofle ?
Setic* I will. not leave my felfe one Crofle to blefle me.
Boy ft. I fet.
Chart. And foe doe I.
Senc. Why then at all. How ! He flings out.
Chart. Nay, fweare not, lets play patiently.
282 The Wife-woman of Hog f don.
Senc. Damn'd Dice : did ever Gamefler fee the like?
Boyft. Never, never.
Senc. Was ever knowne fuch Cafting *(
Chart. Drunke nor fober, I ne're faw a man caft worfe.
Sere. He prove this Hat of mine an Helmet. Which of you here dares fay the contrary ?
Chart. As faire an Helmet as any man in Europe Needs to weare.
Senc. C hartley, thy Hat is blacke.
Chart. Vpon better recollection, 'tis fo indeed.
Senc. I fay 'tis made of Wooll.
Chart. True, my lofing had tooke away my
Senfes,
Both of Seeing and Feeling : but better lucke Hath brought them to their right temper. But come, a pox of Dice ; 'tis time to give over.
Senc. All times are times for winners to give
over,
But not for them that lofe. He play till midnight, But I will change my lucke.
Haring. Come, come, you (hall not. Give over : tufh give over ; doe I pray, And chufe the Fortune of fome other hower : Let's not like debofht fellowes, play our Clothes, Belts, Rapiers, nor our needfull ornaments : 'Tis childifh, not becomming Gentlemen. Play was at firft ordayn'd to paffe the time ; And fir, you but abufe the ufe of Play, To employ it otherwife.
Sencer. You may perfwade me
For once He leave a loofer.
Chart. Then come put on your Helmet; let's leave this abominable Game, and find out fome better Exercife. I cannot indure this chafing when men loofe.
Senc. And there's not a more teflie wafpifh Com* panion then thy felfe when thou art a loofer, and yet
77/6' Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 283
thou mull bee vexing others with, Play patiently Gentlemen, and lets have no fwearing.
Chart. A figne that I can give good counfell bet ter than take it : but fay, Where be the prettied wenches, my hearts ?
Senc. Well remembred, this puts mee in mind of an appointment I had with a Gentlewoman of fome refpea.
Chart. I have you fir, I have you ; but I think you will never have her : 'tis Gratiana the Knights daughter in Gracious Street Have I toucht you ?
Senc. You have come fomewhat neere me, but toucht me not. Matter Haringfield, will you beare me company thither? Have you feene the Gentle woman, M. Chartleyl
Chart. Never fir.
Sencer. How have you heard of her ?
Chart. That mee hath, as other women have, That (he goes for a Mayd, as others doe, &c.
Senc. I can alfure you, mee is a proper Gentle woman.
Chart. Then if me have you, (he is like to have a proper Gentleman.
Senc. You mould tell them fo that know it not Adiew Gentlemen. Ex. Sencer and flaring.
Boyfter. I am. glad yet they goe fo lightly away.
Chart. What will you doe M. Boyjler ?
Boyjl. Somewhat.
Chart. You will not acquaint me with your bufmefle.
Boyjl. No : I am in love, my head is full of Pro clamations. There is a thing call'd a Virgin. Nature hath (hewed her Art in making her. Court her I can not, but He doe as I may.
Chart. Doe you goe, or (lay fir ?
Boyjl. Goe. Exit Boyjl.
Chart. You before, He follow. He thinkes with his blunt humour, to enter as farre as I with my (harpe : No, my true Trojan, no : There is a faire
284 The Wife-woman of Hog f don.
fweet modeft rogue, her name is Luce : with this Dan- cliprat, this pretty little Apes face, is yon blunt fellow in love ; and no marvell, for fhee hath a Browe be witching, Eyes ravifhing, and a Tongue enchanting : And indeed fhee hath no fault in the world but one, and that is, fhee is honeft : and were it not for that, fhee were the onely fweet Rogue in Chriftendome. As I live, I love her extreamely, and to enjoy her would give any thing : But the foole flands in her owne light, and will doe nothing without Marriage : but what fhould I doe marrying 1 I can better indure Gives, than Bands of Matrimonie. But in this Medi tation, I am glad I have Jwonne my Money againe. Nay, and fhee may be glad of it too : for the Girle is but poore, and in my pockett I have layd up a Stocke for her, 'tis put to ufe alreadie. And if I meete not with a Dyce-houfe, or an Ordinary by the way, no queflion but I may increafe it to a fumme. Well, He unto the Exchange to buy her fome prettie Noveltie : That done, He vifite my little Rafcall, and follicite inflantly. Exeunt.
A £lus primus, Scena fecunda.
Enter Luce in a Sempfters Jhop, at worke vpon a lac'd Ha?idkercher, and Jofeph a Prentice.
Luce. Where is my Father ? lofeph. lofeph. Miflreffe, above, And prayes you to attend below a little.
The Wife-woman of Hog f don. 285
Luce. I doe not love to fit thus publikely : And yet upon the traffique of our Wares, Our provident Eyes and prefence mufl dill wayte. Doe you attend the (hop, He ply my worke. I fee my father is not jelous of me, That trufls mee to the open view of all. The reafon is, hee knowes my thoughts are chaft, And my care fuch, as that it needes the awe Of no aria Overfeer.
Enter M. Boyjler.
Boyjl. Venders Luce. Save thee.
Luce. And you too, fir, y'are welcom ; want you
ought, I pray, in which our Trade may furnifh you ?
Boyjl. Yes.
Luce. lofeph, mew the Gentleman.
Boyfl. Tis heere that I would buy.
Luce. What doe you meane fir, fpeak, what ift you
lack?
I pray you wherefore doe you fixe your eyes So firmely in my face ? what would you have ?
Boyjl. Thee.
Luce. Mee 1
Boyjl. Yes, thee.
Luce. Your pleafure is to jeft, and fo I take it Pray give me leave fir, to intend my worke.
Boyjl, You are fayre.
Luce. You flout mee.
Boyjl. You are, goe too, you are, Ide vexe him that mould fay the contrary.
Luce. Well, you may fay your pleafure.
Boy/I. I love thee.
Luce. Oh Sir !
Boyjl. As I live, I doe.
Luce. Now as I am a true Maid, The mod religious oath that I dare fweare,
286 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
I hold my felfe indebted to your love : And I am forry there remaines in mee, No power how to requite it.
Boyjl. Love mee, prethee now, doe if thou canft.
Luce. I cannot.
Boyjl. Prethee, if thou canfl.
Luce. Indeed I cannot.
Boyjl. Yet aske thine heart, and fee what may be done.
Luce. In troth I am forry you mould fpend a
figh
For my fake unrequited, or a teare ; Ey, or a word.
Boyjl. 'Tis no matter for my words, they are not
many, And thofe not very wife one's neither.
Luce. Yet I befeech you fpend no more in vaine. I fcorne you not ; Difdaine's as farre from mee, As are the two Poles diflant : therefore Sir, Becaufe I would not hold you in fufpence, But tell you what at firft to truft unto, Thus in a word, I muft not fancie you.
Boyjl. Muft not ?
Boyjl. I cannot, nor I may not.
Boyjl. I am gone : Thou haft given me, Luce, a Bone to gnaw upon.
Exit.
Luce. Alas, that Beauty mould be fought of more Then can in joy it : might I have my wifh, I would feeme faire but onely in his eye, That mould poffeffe mee in a Nuptiall tye.
Enter yong Majkr Chartley, with Gloves, Ring, Purfe, &>c.
Chartl. Morrow Luce ; In exchange of this kifle, fee what I have brought thee from the Exchange. Luce. What meane you Sir, by this ?
The Wife-woman of Hog f don. 287
Chart. Guefle that by the circumftance, here's a Ring, weare't for my fake; twenty Angels, pocket them you foole ; come, come, I know thou art a Maid, fay nay, and take them.
Luce. Sweet Mailer Chartley, doe not fallen
on me,
More then with eafe I can make off : your Gift I reverence, yet refufe ; and I pray tell mee, Why doe you make fo many Errands hither ? Send me fo many Letters ? fatten on me So many favours ? what's your meaning in't 1
Char. Harke in thine eare, He tell thee ; nay heare me out, is't poflible fo foft a body mould have fo hard a foule ? Nay now I know my penance, you will be angry, and fchoole me for tempting your modefly : a figge for this modefly, it hinders many a good man from many a good turne, & that's all the good it doth. If thou but knewfl, Luce, how I love thee, thou wouldfl be farre more traclable. Nay, I barre chiding when you fpeake, He flop thy lips if thou dofl but offer an angry word, by this hand He do't, and with this hand too. Go to now, what fay you?
Suce. Sir, if you love me, as you fay you
doe, Shew me the fruits thereof.
Chart. The flocke I can, thou maifl fee the fruits hereafter.
Luce. Can I beleeve you love mee, when you
feeke The fhipwrack of mine Honour ?
Chart. Honour ! there's another word to flap in a mans mouth: Honour! what fhouldfl thousand I ftand upon our Honour, that were neither of us yet, Right Wormipfull ?
Luce. I am forry Sir, I have lent fo large an
eare
To fuch a bad difcourfe ; and I protefl After this houre, never to doe the like.
288 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
I mufl confeffe, of all the Gentlemen That ever courted mee, you have pofiefl The bell part in my thoughts : but this courfe lan guage
Exiles you quite from thence. Sir, had you come, Inflead of changing this mine honeft name Into a Strumpets, to have honoured me With the chaile Title of a Modeft Wife ; I had referv'd an eare for all your fuits : But fince I fee your rudeneffe finds no limit, I leave you to your lull.
Chart You mail not, Luce.
Luce. Then keepe your tongue within more mode rate bounds.
Chart. I will, as I am vertuous, I will : I told you, the fecond word would be Marriage. It makes a man forfeit his Freedome, and makes him walke ever after with a Chaine at his heeles, or a lack-an-Apes hang ing at his elbow : Marriage is like D&dalus his laby rinth, and being once in, there's no finding the way out. Well, I love this little property moft intolerably, and I muft fet her on the Laft, though it coft me all the mooes in my mop. Well Luce, thou feeft my flomacke is pome downe ; thou hail my heart already, there's my hand.
Luce. But jn what way ?
Chart. Nay, I know not the way yet, but I hope to find it hereafter, by your good direction.
Luce. I meane, in what manner ? in what way ?
Chart. In the way of marriage, in the way of honefty, in the way that was never gone yet : I hope thou art a Maid, Luce.
Luce. Yes Sir, and 1 accept it : in exchange Of this your hand, you mail receive my heart.
Chartley. A bargaine, and there's earnefl on thy lips.
Luce. He call my Father, Sir, to witneffe it : See, here hee comes.
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 289
Enter her Father ; a plaine Citizen.
Chart. Father, fave you, you have happened of an untoward Son-in-Law ; here I am, how doe you like mee ?
Father. Sir, I was nearer then you were aware, And over-heard both fumme and circumftance.
Chart. Then I perceive you are an old Evef-drop-
per: But what doe you thinke of it, Father 1
Father. I entertaine the motion with all love, And I rejoyce my Daughter is preferr'd, And rais'd to fuch a match ; I heard the contracl, And will confirme it gladly : but pray Sir, When mail the merry day be ?
Chart. Marry, even to morrow by that we can fee ; nay, wee'l lofe no more time, He take order for that
Luce. Stay but a moneth.
Chart. A moneth ! thou canft not hire me too't. Why Luce, if thou beeft hungry, canft thou flay a moneth from meat 1 Nay, if I fee my diet before me, I love to fall too when I have a ftomacke. Here, buy thee a new Smocke ; let's have a new Bed too, and looke it be ftrong : there's a box of Rings and Jewels, lay them up. Ha firra, me thinkes the very name of Wed lock hath brought me to a Night-cap already, and I am growne civill on the fudden. There's more money for Dimes, Platters, Ladles, Candlefticks, &c. as I mall find them fet downe in the Inventorie.
Father. But whom mail wee invite unto the Wed ding?
Enter 2d. Luce, a yong Countrey Gentlewoman, in the habit of a Page, and overheares their difcourfe.
Chart. Ey, thereby hangs a Tale, we will have no more at our marriage, but my felfe, to fay, I take thee 6 u
igo The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Luce ; them to fay, I Luce take thee Robin : the Vicar to put us together, and you Father, to play the Clerke, and cry Amen.
Father. Your reafon for that.
Chartl. I would not for a world it fhould bee knowne to my Friend es, or come to my Fathers eare. It may bee tenne thoufand pounds out of my way for the prefent : therefore this is my conceite, Let us bee marry ed privately, and Luce mail live like a Mayde Hill, and beare the Name. Tis nothing Luce : it is a common thing in this age to goe for a Mayde, and bee none. He frequent the houfe fecretly : feare not Girle, though I revell abroad a dayes, He bee with thee to bring a nights, my little Whiting Mopp.
Luce. But fo I may incurre a publike fcandall, By your fo oft frequenting to my Chamber.
Chart. Scandall ? what fcandall ? Why to flopp the mouth of all fcandall, after fome few dayes doe I appeare in my likeneffe, married man and honed houf-keeper, and then what becomes of your fcandall ? Come, fend for Mr. Vicar , and what we doe, lets, doe fuddenly.
2. Luce. Cold comfort for me.
Luce. If your purpofe to be fo privately mar ried, I know one excellent at fuch an exployt : are you not acquainted with the Wife-woman of Hogf don ?
Chartley. O the Witch, the Beldame, the Hagge of Hogfdon.
Luce. The fame, but I hold her to bee of no fuch condition. I will anone make a fleppe thither, and punctually acquaint her with all our proceedings : mee is never without a Sir lohn at her elbow, ready for fuch a flratagem.
Chart. Well, bee't fo then. Exeunt.
2. Luce. Heigh hoe : have I difguis'd my felfe, and flolne out of the Countrey thus farre, and can light of no better newes to entertaine mee ? Oh this wild-
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 291
headed wicked Chartley, whome nothing will tame. To this Gallant was I poore Gentle-woman be- troathed, and the Marriage day appoynted : But hee out of a fantaftick and giddy humour, before the time prefixed, pods up to London. After him come I thus habited, and you fee my welcome, to bee an eare- witneflfe of his fecond Contracting. Modeftie would not fuffer mee to difcover my felfe, otherwife, I mould have gone neere to have marred the match. I heard them talke of Hogs don, and a Wife-woman, where thele Aymes (hall bee brought to Action, He fee if I can infmuate my felfe into her fervice : that's my next project : and now good luck of my fide.
Exit.
Explicit AElus primus.
A6lus fecundus, Scena prima.
Enter the Wife-woman and her Clyents, a Coun- trey-man with an Vrinall,foure Women like Citizens wives, Taber a Serving-man, . and a Chamber-mayd.
Wifewoman. Fie, fie, what a toyle, and a moyle
it is,
For a woman to bee wifer then all her neigh bours 1 I pray good people, prefie not too fafl upon me ;
U 2
29 2 The Wife-woman of Hog Won.
Though I have two eares, I can heare but one at
once. You with the Vrine.
Enter 2. Luce, andftands afide.
Countryman. Here forfooth Miflreffe. Wifew. And who difliU'd this water 1
My wives Limbeck, if it pleafe you.
And where doth the paine hold her
Countr. Wifew. moft Conntr. Wifew. her heart. Countr. Wifewo. 2. Luce. Wifewo.
Marry at her heart forfooth.
Ey, at her heart, fhee hath a griping at
You have hit it right. Nay, I can fee fo much in the Vrine. luft fo much as is told her. Shee hath no paine in her head, hath fhee ? Couutrym. No indeed, I never heard her com- plaine of her head,
Wifewo. I told you fo, her paine lyes all at her
heart ; Alas good heart ! but how feeles fhee her fto-
macke 1
Countrym. O queafie, and ficke atftomacke. Wifewo. Ey, I warrant you, I thinke I can fee as farre into a Mill-flone as another : you have heard of Mother Nottingham, who for her time, was prettily well skill'd in cafling of Waters : and after her, Mother JBombye\ and then there is one Hatfield in Pepper- Alley, hee doth prettie well for a thing that's loft. There's another in Coleharbour, that's skill'd in the Planets. Mother Sturton in Goulden-lanc, is for Fore- fpeaking : Mother Phillips of the Banke-fide, for the weakneffe of the backe : and then there's a very reve rent Matron on Clarkenwell- Green, good at many things : Miflris Mary on \hzBanke-fide, is for reeling a Figure : and one (what doe you call her) in Weft- minfter^ that praclifeth the Booke and the Key, and the
The Wije-woman of Hog I don. 293
Sive and the Sheares : and all doe well, accord ing to their talent. For my felfe, let the world fpeake : harke you my friend, you fliall take —
(Shee whifpers)
2. Luce. 'Tis flrange the Ignorant mould be thus
fool'd.
What can this Witch, this Wizard, or old Trot, Doe by Ipchantment, or by Magicke fpell 1 Such as profefle that Art mould be deepe Schollers. What reading can this fimple Woman have ? 'Tis palpable groffe foolery.
Wifeivo. Now friend, your bufmeffe 1
Taber. I have ftolne out of my Matters houfe, forfooth, with the Kitchin-Mayd, and I am come to know of you, whether it be my fortune to have her, or no.
Wifewo. And what's your fuit, Lady?
Kttchin. Forfooth, I come to know whether I be a Maid or no.
Wifewo. Why, art thou in doubt of that ?
Kitchin. It may bee I have more reafon then all the world knowes.
Taber. Nay, if thou com'ft to know whether thou beeft a Maid or no, I had bed aske to know whether I be with child or no.
Wifcw. Withdraw into the Parlour there, He but talke with this other Gentlewoman, and He refolve you prefently.
Taber. Come Sifly, if fhee cannot refolve thee, I can, and in the Cafe of a Mayden-head doe more then fliee, I warrant thee. Exeunt.
The Worn. Forfooth I am bold, as they fay.
Wifew. You are welcome Gentlewoman. —
Worn. I would not have it knowne to my Neigh bours, that I come to a Wife -woman for any thing, by my truly.
Wifewom.- For mould your Husband come and find you here.
Worn. My Husband woman, I am a Widdow.
294 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Wifewom. Where are my braines 1 'tis true, you are a Widdow ; and you dwell, let me fee, I can never re member that place.
Worn. In Kentjlreet.
Wifewom. Kentftreet, Kentjlreet \ and I can tell you wherfore you come.
Worn. Why, and fay true ?
Wifewom. You are a Wagge, you are a Wagge : why, what doe you thinke now I would fay 1
Worn. Perhaps, to know how many Husbands I mould have.
Wifewom. And if I mould fay fo, mould I fay amiffe ?
Worn. I thinke you are a Witch.
Wifewom. In, in, He but reade a little of PtblomU* and Erra Pater : and when I have call a Figure, He come to you prefently. Exit Worn.
Now Wagge, what wouldft thou have 1
2, Luce. If this were a Wifewoman, fhee could tell that without asking. Now me thinkes I mould come to know whether I were a Boy or a Girle j forfooth I lacke a fervice.
Wifewo. By my Fidelitie, and I want a good trufty Lad.
1. Luce. Now could I figh, and fay, Alas, this is fome Bawd trade-falne, and out of her wicked experi ence, is come to bee reputed wife. He ferve her, bee't but to pry into the myfterie of her Science.
Wifewo. A proper ftripling, and a wife, I warrant him ; here's a penie for thee, lie hire thee for a yeare by the Statute of Winchefler : prove true and hon- eft, and thou malt want nothing that a good Boy —
2. Luce. Here Wife-woman you are out againe, I mail want what a good Boy mould have, whilft I live : well, here I mail live both unknowne, and my Sex unfufpecled. But whom have wee here 1
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 295
Enter Mafler Haringfield, and Chartley halfe drunke.
Chart. Come Haringfield, now wee have beene drinking of Mother Red-caps Ale, let us now goe make fome fport with the Wife-woman.
Haring. Wee (hall be thought very wife men, of all fuch as mall fee us goe in to the Wife-woman s.
Chartley. See, heere (hee is ; how now Witch 1 How now Hagge \ How now Beldame 1 You are the Wife-woman, are you ? and have wit to keepe your felfe warme enough, I warrant you. Wifewo. Out thou knave.
2. Luce. And will thefe wild oates never be fowne ?
Chart. You Inchantreffe, Sorcereffe, Shee-devill ; you Madam Hecate, Lady Proferpine, you are too old, you Hagge, now, for conjuring up Spirits your felfe ; but you keepe prettie yong Witches under your roofe, that can doe that.
Wifewo. I, or my Family conjure up any Spirits ! I dene thee, thou yong Hare-brain'd —
Haring. Forbeare him till he have his Senfes about him, and I (hall then hold thee for a Wife- woman indeed : otherwife, 1 (hall doubt thou haft thy name for nothing. Come friend, away, if thou loved me.
Chart. Away you old Dromedary, lie come one of thefe nights, and make a racket amongft your Shee- Catterwaullers.
Haring. I prethee let's be civill.
Chart. Out of my fight, thou Shee-maftiffe.
Exeunt.
2. Luce. Patience, fweet Miftris. Wifewo. Now bleffe mee, hee hath put mee into fuch a feare, as makes all my bones to dance, and rattle in my skin : He be reveng'd on that fwaggering companion.
2. Luce. Miftris, I wifli you would, hee's a meere
296 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Mad-cap, and all his delight is in mif-ufing fuch reve rent Matrons as your felfe.
Wifewo. Well, what's thy name, Boy 1
2. Luce. I am even little better than a Turn- broach, for my name is lacke.
Wifewomo. Honeft lacke, if thou couldft but devife how I might cry quittance with this cutting Dicke, I will goe neare to adopt thee my Sonne and heire.
2. Luce. Miflris, there is a way, and this it is ; To morrow morning doth this Gentleman Intend to marry with one Miflris Luce, A Gold-fmiths Daughter ; doe you know the Maid ?
Wifewo. My Daughter, and a prettie fmug face't
Girle.
I had a note but late from her, and fhee meanes To be with me in th' evening : for I have befpoke Sir Boniface to marry her in the morning.
2. Luce. Doe bnt prevent this Gallant of his
Wife, And then your wrongs mail be reveng'd at full.
Wifewo. He doe't, as I am Matron ; Ey, and (hew him a new tricke for his learning.
Enter Mafter Boyfter.
Boyft. Morrow.
Wifewo. Y'are welcome Sir.
Boyjl. Art wife ?
2. Luce. Hee mould be wife, becaufe hee fpeakes few words.
Wifewo. I am as I am, and there's an end.
Boyft. Canfl conjure ?
Wifewo. Oh that's a foule word ! but I can tell you your Fortune, as they fay ; I have fome little skill in Palmiftry, but never had to doe with the devill.
Boyfl. And had the devill never any thing to doe
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 297
with thee? thou look'ft fomewhat like his damme. Looke on mee, canfl tell what I ayle ?
Wifewo. Can you tell your felfe ? I mould guefle, you be mad, or not well in your wits.
Boyft. Th'art wife, I am fo : men being in love,
are mad, And I being in love, am fo.
Wifewo. Nay, if I fee your complexion once, I thinke I can guefle as neare as another.
Boyft. One Miftris Luce I love, knowfl thou her, Gran n am ?
Wifewo. As well as the Beggar knowes his Dim. Why mee is one of my Daughters.
Boyft. Make her my wife, He give thee forty pieces.
2. Luce. Take them Miflris, to be reveng'd on Chartley.
Wifewo. A bargain, flrike me luck, ceafe all your
forrow, Faire Luce (hall be your Bride betimes to morrow.
Boyft. Th'art a good Grannam ; and, but that thy vv teeth Rand like hedge-flakes in thy head, I'de kifle thee. /
Exit.
Wifewo. Pray will you in ; come hither lacke, I
have
A new tricke come into my head, wilt thou AIM mee in't ?
2. Luce. If it concerne the crofling of the marriage with Miftris Luce, He do't what e're it be.
Wifeiuo. Thou malt be tyred like a woman ; can you make a curtefie, take fmall ftrides, fimper, and feeme mod eft 1 me thinkes thou haft a womans voyce al ready.
2. Luce. Doubt not of me, He act them natu rally.
Wifewo. I have conceited, to have Luce married to this blunt Gentleman ; fhee miftaking him for Chart- ley, and Chartley mall marry thee, being a Boy, and take thee for Luce. Wilt not be excellent I
298 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
2. Luce. Oh fuper, fuper-excellent ! Wifewo. . Play but thy part, as He ac~l mine, He fit him with a Wife, I warrant him.
2. Luce. And a Wife He warrant him. Exeunt.
Enter Old Sir Harry, and his man Taber.
Sir Har. Ha, then them faweft them whifpering with my Daughter.
Tab. I faw them, if it mail pleafe you, not whifper, but —
Sir Har. How then, thou knave ?
Taber. Marry Sir Knight, I faw them in fad talke ; but to fay they were directly whifpering, I am not able.
Sir Har. Why Taber, that fad talke was whif pering.
Tabe. Nay, they did not greatly whifper, for I heard what was faid, and what was faid, I have the wit to keepe to my felfe.
Sir Har. What faid the unthrift, Taber, tell me
knave ? Tell me, good knave, what did the unthrift fay 1
Taber. I am loath to be call'd in queftion abo ut men and womens matters, but as foone as ever he faw your Daughter, I heard what was fpoke.
Sir Harry. Here firra, take thy Quarters wages afore-hand, and tell me all their words, and what their greeting was at their firft encounter; hold thine hand.
Taber. Thankes, Noble Sir, and now He tell you. Your daughter being walking to take the aire of the fields, and I before her ; whom fhould wee meet juft in the nicke 1
Sir Har. lufl in the nicke, man ?
Taber. In the high-way I meant, Sir.
Sir Har. Ha, and what conference pafl betwixt them, Taber ?
Taber. As well as my Pipe can utter, you mail
The Wife-woman of Hog f don. 299
know Sir. This Gentleman meeting with my yong Miflris full butt ; imagine you were (he, and I yong Matter Sencer ; now there you come, and here I meet you, he comes in this manner, and put off his hat in this famion.
Sir Har. I, but what faid hee ?
Taber. Be with you, faire Gentlewoman ; and fo goes quite away, and fcarfe fo much as once look't backe : and if this were language to offer to a yong Ladie, judge you.
Sir Har But {pake hee nothing elfe \
Taber. Nothing as I am true.
Sir Har. Why man, all this was nothing.
Taber. Yes Sir, it was as much as my Quarters wages afore-hand.
Enter Mafter Sencer, Majkr Haringfield, and Gratiana.
Grat. Here are two Gentlemen with great defire, Crave conference with my Father : here he is, Now Gallants, you may freely fpeake your minds,
Senc. Save you Sir, my name is Sencer ; 'I am a Northampton-Jhire Gentleman, borne to a thoufand pound Land by the yeare : I love your Daughter, and I am come to crave your good-will.
Sir Har. Have you my Daughters, that you covet mine ?
Senc. No Sir, but I hope in time I mall have.
Sir Har. So hope not I. Sir, Sir, my Daughters yong, and you a Gentleman unknowne, Sencer ? ha, Sencer ? O Sir, your name I now remember well, 'tis rank't 'mongfl unthrifts, dicers, fwaggerers, and drunkards : were not you brought before me, fome moneth fince, for beating of the Watch, by the fame token, I fent you to the Counter 1
Senc. I confeffe my felfe to have beene in that action, but note the caufe, Sir : you could not have
TJie Wife-woman of Hog [don.
pleafur'd mee fo much, in giving mee a piece of gold, as at the fame time to helpe me to that Counter.
Sir Har. Why Sir, what caufe had you to beat the Watch, and raife a midnight tumult in the ftreets?
Scnc, Nay, but heare mee, fweet Sir Harry. Being fomewhat late at Supper at the Mittr, the doores were (hut at my Lodging, I knock't at three or foure places more, all were a-bed, and fall : Innes, Tavernes, none would give me entertainment Now, would you have had me difpair'd, and layne in the ftreets 1 No, I bethought me of a tricke worth two of that, and prefentiy devis'd, having at that time a charge of money about me, to be lodg'd, and fafely too.
Sir Har. As how, I pray you ?
Senc. Marry thus : I had knockt my heeles againft the ground a good while, knew not where to have a Bed for love nor money. Now what did I? but fpying the Watch, went and hit the Conflable a good fowfe on the Eare, who provided me of a lodging prefentiy; and the next day, being brought before your Worlhip, I was then fent thither backe againe, where I lay three or foure dayes without controule.
Sir Har. O, /are a Gallant ! is that Gentleman A Suitor too t
Haring. I am a Suitor in my friends behalfe, No otherwife : I can allure you, Sir, He is a Gentleman difcended well, DerivM from a good houfe, well quallif/d, And well pofleft ; but that which moll mould move
you, Hee loves your Daughter.
Grot. But were I to chufe, Which of thefe two mould pleafe my fancie beft, I fooner Ihould aflecl this Gentleman, For his mild carriage, and his faire difcourfe, Then my hot Suitor ; Ruffians I deleft :
TJie Wife-woman of Hog f don* 301
A fmooth and fquare behaviour likes mee meft.
Seru. What fay you to me, Lady.
Gratian. You had bell aske my Father what I fhould (ay.
Sent. Are you angry, fweet Lady, that I ask't your Fathers confent I
Grot. No, if you can get his confent to marry him, mall it difpleafe mee !
JJaring. Indeed you therein much forget your
felfe,
To found her Father e're you tailed her. You mould have firfl fought meanes for her good will, And after compafl his.
Sir Har. He can prevaile with neither: Gentle men.
If you will come to revell, you are welcome ; If to my Table, welcome ; if to ufe mee In any gratefull Office, welcome too : But if you come as Suitors, there's the doore.
Sen. The doore !
Sir Har. I (ay the doore.
Sent. Why Sir! tell not me of your doore, nor going out of it, your companie is faire and good, and fo is your Daughters ; He (lay here this twelve-moneth, e're fie offer to trouble your doore.
Sir Har. Sir, but you (hall not Taber! where's that knave I
Sate. Why Sir, I hope you doe not meane to make us dance, that you call for a Taber.
Harixg. Nay Mailer Stiver, doe not urge the
Knight,
Hee is incenft. now, chufe a fitter houre, And tempt his love in that : old men are teflie, Their rage, if (lood againft, growes violent ; But fuffred and forborme, confounds it felfe.
Sir Har. Where's Taber t
Taber. At hand, noble Mafler.
Sir Har. Shew them the doom.
3<D2 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Taber. That I will, and take money too, if it pleafe them.
Senc. Is thy name Taber ?
Taber. I am fo eclip't Sir.
Sdnc. And Taber, are you appointed to give us lacke Drum's entertainment ?
Taber. Why fir, you doe not play upon me.
Sencer. Though I cannot, yet I have knowne an Hare that could. But Knight, thou doeft not forbid us thine Houfe.
Sir Har. Yes, and forewarne it too.
Sencer. But by thy favour, wee may chufe whether we will take any warning or no. Well, farewell olde Knight, though thou forbidfl mee thine houfe, He honour thee, and extoll thee ; and though thou keepft mee from thy Daughter, thou malt not hinder mee to love her, and admire her : and by thy favour, fome- times to fee her : A Catt may looke at a King, and fo may I at her. Give me thine hand, Knight, the next time I come into thy company, thou malt not onely bid me welcome, but hire mee to (lay with thee, and thy daughter.
Sir Har. When I doe that, enjoy my full confent, To marry Graciana.
Sencer. Tis a match, flrike mee lucke : Wife that may bee, farewell : Father in law that Muft bee, adiew. Taber, play before, my friend And I will daunce after. Exeunt.
Sir Har. When I receive thee gladly to mine
houfe,
And wage thy flay, thou malt have Graciana, Doubt not, thou malt. Here's a flrange Humourift, To come a wooing. Taber ; are they gone ?
Tab. I have plaid them away, if it pleafe your Worfhip ; and yonder at the doore attends a School- mafler, you fent for him, if you remember, to teach my little yong Matter and Mittris.
Sir Har. A proper Scholler, pray him to come neare.
The Wife-woman of Hog f don. 303
Enter a pedanticall Schoolmafter, Sir Boniface.
Sir Bonif. Eques Honoratus : Avefalutatus : non video quid eft in Tergo, fedfalve bona virgo.
Sir Har. Sir, you may call me nick-names : if you love me, fpeake in your Mother-tongue ; or at the lead, if Learning be fo much ally'd unto you, that Latine unawares flowes from your lips : to make your mind familiar with my knowledge, pray utter it in Englifh : what's your name 1
Sir Bonif. Sitfauftum tibi omen. He tell you my Nomen.
Sir Har. Will you tell it to no men. He entertaine none e're I know their names : Nay, if you be fo dainty of your name, You are not for my fervice.
Sir Bonif. Intende vir nobihs.
Sir Har. Not for twenty Nobles : Trufl rne, I will not buy your name fo deare.
Sir Bon. O fgnorantia ! what it is to deale with
(lupidity 1
Sir Henry, Sir Henry, heare me one word, I fee, Preceptor legit, vos vero negligitis.
Tab. I think he faith we are a companie of fooles, and Nigits, but. I hope you mall. not find us fuch, Matter Schoolmafler.
Sir Har. Friend, friend, to cut off all vaine cir-
cumflance,
Tell me your name, and anfwer me directly, Plainly, and to my underftanding too, Or I (hall leave you : here's a deale of gibberifh.
Sir Bonif. Vir bone.
Sir Har. Nay, nay, make me no bones, but do't.
Sir Bonif. Then in plaine vulgar Englifh I am
call'd, )ir Boniface Abfee.
Sir Har. Why this is fomewhat like, Sir Boni face,
I
304 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Give me thine hand, thou art a proper man, And in my judgement, a great Scholler too : What mall 1 give thee by the yeare 1
Sir Bonif. He truft, Sir, to your generofity ; I will not bargaine, but account my felfe Mille 6° mille modis, bound to you .
Sir Har. I cannot leave my Mils, they'r farm'd
already, The ftipend that I give, mail be in money.
Taber. Sure Sir, this is fome Miller that comes to undermine you, in the fhape of a Schoolmafter.
Graf. You both miftake the Scholler.
Sir Har. I underftand my Englifh, that I know ; What's more then Moderne, doth furpafle my reach. Sir Boniface, come to me two dayes hence, You mall receive an anfwer ; I have now, Matters of fome import that trouble me, Thou Ihouldfl be elfe difpatch't.
Tdber. Sir Boniface, if you come to live in our houfe, and be a Familifl amongfl us, I mail defire you better acquaintance, your Name and my Phif- nomy mould have fome confanguinitie, good Sir Boniface.
Sir Bonif. Quomodo vales, quomodo vales.
Taber. Goe with you to the Ale-houfe ? I like the motion well j He make an excufe out of doores and follow you. I am glad yet, we mail have a Good- fellow come into the houfe amongft us.
Sir Bonif. Vale vir magne.
Sir Har. You mall not have me at Saint Magnes, my houfe is here in Gracious-Jlreet.
Sir Bonif. I know it, fweet Knight, I know it. Then virgo formofa, 6° Domine %ratiofe valete.
Sir Har- Ey, in Gracious-Jlreet you mall heare
of me, Sir Bonif. He mall inftni(ft my children ; and to
thee, Faire Gratiana, reade the Latine tongue.
Taber. Who, (hall Sir Bawdy-face ?
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 305
Sir Har. Sir Boniface, you foole.
Taber. His name is fo hard to hit on.
Sir Har. Come Daughter, if things fall out as
I intend, My thoughts fhall [peace have, and thefe troubles
end. Eoceunt.
Explicit Aclus fecundus.
Actus tertius, Scena prima.
Ecnter thefecond Luce, which was lack in womans apparell, and the Wife-woman.
Wifewo. lack, thou art my Boy.
2. Luce. Miflris !
Wifewo. lie be a Mother to thee, no Miflris : come Lad, I muft have thee fworne to the orders of my houfe, and the fecrets thereof.
2. Luce. As I am an honed Lad, I am yours to command. But Miflris, what meane all thefe womens pictures, hanged here in your withdrawing roome 1
Wifewo. He tell thee, Boy ; marry thou mufl be fecret. When any Citizens, or yong Gentlemen come hither, under a colour to know their Fortunes, they looke upon thefe pictures, and which of them they beft like, (he is ready with a wet finger : here they have all the furniture belonging to a privat-chamber, bedde,
306 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
bed-fellow and all ; but mum, thou knoweft my mean ing, lacke.
2. Luce. But I fee comming and going, Maids, or fuch as goe for Maids, iome of them, as if they were ready .to lie downe, fometimes two or three delivered in one night ; then fuddenly leave their Brats behind them, and conveigh themfelves into the Citie againe : what becomes of their Children ?
Wifewo. Thofe be Kitchin-maids, and Chamber maids, and fometimes good mens Daughters ; who having catcht a clap, and growing neare their time, get leave to fee their friends in the Countrey, for a weeke or fo : then hither they come, and for a matter of money, here they are delivered. I have a Midwife or two belonging to the houfe, and one Sir Boniface a Deacon, that makes a mift to chriften the Infants : we have poore, honeft, and fecret Neighbours, that fland for common Goffips. But doft not thou know this?
2. Luce. Yes, now I doe : but what after becomes of the poore Infants ?
Wifewo. Why, in the night we fend them abroad, and lay one at this mans doore, and another at that, fuch as are able to keepe them ; and what after be comes of them, we inquire not. And this is another firing to my Bowe.
2. Luce. Moft ftrange, that womans brain mould
apprehend
Such lawleffe, indirect, and horrid meanes For covetous gaine ! How many unknowne Trades Women and men are free of, which they never Had Charter for ? but Miflris, are you fo Cunning as you make your felfe ; you can Neither write nor reade, what doe you with thofe Bookes you fo often turne over 1
Wifew. Why tell the leaves ; for to be ignorant, and feeme ignorant, what greater folly ?
2. Luce. Beleeve me, this is a cunning Woman ; neither hath fhee her name for nothing, who out of
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 307
her ignorance, can foole fo many that thinke them- felves wife. But wherefore have you built this little Clofet clofe to the doore, where fitting, you may heare every word fpoken, by all fuch as aske for you.
Wifewo. True, and therefore I built it : if any knock, you mufl to the doore and queflion them, to find what they come about, if to this purpofe, or to that. Now they ignorantly telling thee their errand, which I fitting in my Clofet, overheare, prefently come forth, and tell them the caufe of their comming, with every word that hath paft betwixt you in private : which they admiring, and thinking it to be miraculous, by their report I become thus famous.
2. Luce. This is no Trade, but a Myfterie ; and were I a Wife-woman, as indeed I am but a foolifh Boy, I need not live by your fervice. But Miftris, we lofe our felves in this difcourfe, is not this the morning in which I mould be married ?
Wifewo. Now, how had I forgot my felfe ? Miftris Luce promifl to be with mee halfe an houre agoe, but mask't and difguis'd, and fo malt thou be too : here's a blacke VaUe to hide thy face againft the reft come.
Enter Sir Boniface.
Sir Bonif. Sit tibi bona dies : falus 6* quies.
Wifewo. Into the withdrawing roome, Sir Boni face.
Sir Bonif. Without any compunction, I will make the Conjunction. Exit.
Wifewo. Now keepe thy countenance, Boy.
2. Luce. Feare not mee, I have as good a face in a Maske, as any Lady in the Land could wifh to have : but to my heart, hee comes, or he comes not ; now am I in a pittifull perplexity, untill I fee the event of all.
Wifewo. No more lacke now, but Miftris Luce.
2. Luce. I warrant you Miftris : that it happens fo
X 2
308 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
luckily, that my name mould be Luce too, to make the marriage more firme !
Enter Chartley difguis'd, and in a Vifard.
Chart. My honey fweet Hagge, where's Lucel
Wifewo. Here fweet heart, but difguis'd and vail'd, as you are vifarded.
Chart. But what's the reafon we are thus Hood- winkt 1
Wifew. No difcovery of your felves for a million, there's Sir Boniface within, (hall hee blab who you are? Befides, there's a yong Heire that hath flolne a Lords Daughter from the Court, and would not have their faces feene for a World : cannot you be content to fare well, and keepe your owne counfell, and fee,, yonder they come.
Enter at feverall places, Boyfter vifarded, and Luce masKt.
Chart. Gramarcie my Sugar-candie fweet Trot.
Wifewo. Mum, no more words.
Chart. If the great Heire and the yong Lady be fo dainty of their Complexions, they mail fee (my fweet Luce) we can vifard it with the bett of them.
Luce. That Gentleman, by the Wifewomans de- fcription, mould be Matter Chartley.
(Meaning Boyfter.)
Boy ft. That gallant Wench, if my Grannam fable
not, Should be Luce : but what be thofe other ?
Wifewo. You wrong mee, but to aske, who but a yong Heire, and a Lady of the Court : that's Luce, take her, and keepe your promife.
Boy ft. Pocas palabras.
Wife-wo. That's Chartley, take him Luce.
Luce. But who be they ?
The Wife-woman of Hog [don. 309
Wtfwo. A Lord and Lady (hall Sir Boniface
flay, Rather then fo, drive who fhould leade the way.
Exeunt Chartley with lack, Boyiler with Luce.
Wifeu'o. Now lack my Boy, keepe thine owne counfell and countenance, and I (hall cry quittance with my yong Gallant Well, by this time Sir Boni face is at his Booke. But becaufe there is a miflake, knowne onely to my Boy and my felfe ; the Marriage mall be no fooner ended, but lie diflurbe them by fome fudden out-cry, and that too, before they have leafure to unmaske, and make knowne themfelves one to another ; for if the deceite were knowne, I mould fall into the danger of that yong mad Rafcall. And now this double apprehenfion of the Lord and the Lady mall fetch mee off from all ; I know it is Sir Boniface his cuflome, to make fhort worke, and hath difpatcht by this : And now Wife- woman, try if thou canfl beftir thy felfe like to a Mad-woman — fhift for your felves, Warrants and Purfevants ! Away, Warrants and Pur- fevants ! Ihift for your felves.
Enter, as affrighttd and amazed, Chartley, Boyfler, Boniface, and others.
Chart. He take this way.
Boyft. I this. Exeunt.
Bonif. Curro Curris Cucurri : My cheeks are all
Murry, And I am gone in an hurry. Exit.
Luce. O Heaven ! what (hall become of me ?
2. Luce. I know what (hall become of me already.
Wifewo. O fweet Daughter, drift cloathes with this Lady 1 Nay, as thou lov'fl thy credit and mine, change Habits— So, if thou bee'ft taken in her Gar ments, finding the miftake will let thee pafle ; and mould they meet her in thine, not knowing her, would no way queftion her : and this prove to both your fecurities and my fafety.
310 The Wife-woman of Hogf don.
Luce. As faft as I can, good Mother : So Madam farewell.
2. Luce. All happy joyes betide you. Exit.
Wifew. Ha, ha, let me hold my fides, and laugh : Here were even a Plot to make a play on, but that Chartley is fo fool'd by my Boy lacke: Well, heele make a notable Wagge, He warrant him. All the left will bee,, if Boyjler mould meete with him in Luce's habitt, which hee hath now on, hee would thinke himfelfe meerely gulPd and cheated ; and mould Chartley meet with Luce as fhee is now Roab'd, hee would bee confident hee had marryed her. Let mee fee how many Trades have I to live by : Firfl, I am a Wife-woman, and a Fortune-teller, and under that I deale in Phyficke and Fore-fpeaking, in Palmiflry, and recovering of things loft. Next, I undertake to cure Madd folkes. Then I keepe Gentlewomen Lodgers, to furnifh fuch Chambers as I let out by the night : Then I am provided for bringing young Wenches to bed ; and for a need, you fee I can play the Match maker. Shee that is but one, and profeffeth fo many, may well bee tearmed a Wife-woman, if there bee any. Exit.
Enter Boy tier.
Boy ft. Why, runne away, and leave my Wench behind ? He backe : what have Warrants and Pur- fevants to doe with mee 1 with mee 1 why mould I budge 1 why fhould I weare Maske or Vifard ? If Lords or Ladies oifend, let Lords and Ladies anfwer ; let mee better bethinke mee. Why mould I play at Hob-man blinde ? Hum ; why marry in Tenebris, ha ! is there no tricke in it ? If my Grannam mould make mee a yonger Brother now, and inftead of Luce, pop mee off with fome broken commoditie, I were finely ferv'd : mofl fure I am, to be in for better and worfe, but with whom, Heaven and my Grannam knowes.
The Wife-woman of Hogjdon. 3 1 1
Enter halfe ready and maskt, 2. Luce.
2. Luce* I am ftolne out of doores, to fee if I can meet my Husband ; with whom I purpofe to make fome fport, ere I fuddenly difclofe my felfe : what's hee?
Boyft. Heyday, what have wee here, an Hoberde- hoy ? come hither you.
2. Luce. 'Tis Miftris Luces Husband, He not leave him thus.
Boy (I. What art thou?
2. Luce. Doe you not know mee ?
Boy ft. That Maske and Robe I know.
2. Luce. I hope fo, or elfe I were in a woe cafe.
Boy ft. That Maske, that Gowne I married.
2. Luce. Then you have no reafon, but to injoy both them and me too, and fo you are like ; I mould be loath to divorce Man and Wife.
Boyft. I am fool'd, but what crackt ware are you, forfooth t
fc 2. Luce. I belong to the old Gentlewoman of the houfe.
Boyft. He fet her houfe on fire : I am finely bobb'd.
2. Luce. But I hope you will not bobb me. •
Boyft. No I'fe warrant thee : what art thou ? Girle or Boy 1
2. Luce. Both, and neither ; I was a Ladd lad night, but in the morning 1 was conjured into a LafTe : And being a Girle now, I (hall be tranilated to a Boy anon. Here's all I can at this time fay for my felfe : Farewell.
Boyft. Yes, and be hang'd withall. O for fome Gunpowder to blow up this Witch, this Shee-catt, this damn'd Sorcerefle ! O I could teare her to fitters with my teeth ! Yet I mud be patient, and put up all, left I bee made a jeere to fuch as know mee ; fool'd by a Boy ! Goe too, of all the reft, the Girle Luce mufl not know it Exit.
312 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Enter Chartley and his wan, meeting Luce.
Chart. So, now am I the fame man I was yefter- day ; who can fay I was difguis'd 1 or who can diftinr guifh my condition now 1 or reade in my face, whether I be a married man. -or a Batchelor?
Luce. Who's that 1
Chart. Luce.
Luce. Sweet Husband, is it you 1
Chart. The newes ?
Luce. Never fo frighted in my dayes.
Chart. What's become of the Lord and the Lady?
Luce. The Lord fled after you, the Lady ftaid ; who maskt, and halfe unready, ran fall after her poore affrighted Husband : now all's quiet.
Chart. This ftorme is then well paft, and now conveigh your felfe home as privately as you can : and fee you make this, knowne to none but your Father.
Luce. I am your Wife and Servant. Exit.
Chart. The name of Luce hath beene ominous to mee ; one Luce I mould have married in the Coun- trey, and jufl the night before, a toy tooke me in the head, and mounting my Horfe, I left Capons, Ducks, Geefe, Poultry, Wildfowle, Father, and Bride and all, and pofled up to London, where I have ever fmce continued Batchelor, till now. And now
Enter Gratiana in hafte, a Serving-man before her, and Taber after her.
Grat. Nay on, I prethee fellow on, my Father will wonder; where I have beene vifiting. Now, what had I forgot? Taber, there's money, goe to the Gold- fmiths, bid him fend mee my Fanne ; and make a quicke return e : on, fellow on. Exit.
Taber. Her Fanne at the Gold-fmiths ! now had I
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 3 1 3
forgot to aske her his name, or his figne : but I will after to know.
Chart. Sirrah, goe call mee backe that Serving- man,
And aske him what's the Gentlewomans name. Servingman. I mail ; ho, you : Friend, you. Taber. Who's that calls 1 Servingman. 'Twas I.
Taber. Your bufmefle ? you mould be one, though not of my cognifance, yet of my condition : a Serv ing-creature, as I take it : pray what's your will with mee?
Servingman. Pray Sir, what might I call that Gentlewoman, on whom you were attendant ?
Taber. You may call her what you pleafe, but if you call her otherwife then in the way of honeftie, you may perchance heare on't.
Servingman. Nay, be not offended : I fay, what doe you call her ?
Taber. Why Sir, I call her as it (hall bed pleafe mee, fometimes yong Lady, iometimes yong Miflris ; and what hath any man to doe with that '?
Chart. Are you fo captious, firrah, what's her
name? Speake, and be briefe.
Taber. Ey marry Sir, you fpeake to purpofe, and I can refolve you : her name is Gratiana. But all this while I have forgot my Miflris Fanne. Exit.
Chart. Gratiana \ oft have I heard of her, but faw her not till now : 'tis a prettie wench, a very prettie wench, nay, a very, very, very prettie wench. But what a Rogue am I, of a married man 1 nay, that have not beene married this fix houres, and to have my fhittle-wits runne a Wooll-gathering already ? What would jpoore Luce fay if mee mould heare of this ? I may very well call her poore Luce, for I can not prefume of five pounds to her portion : what a Coxcombe was I, being a Gentleman, and well de- riv'd, to match into fo beggarly a kindred 1 What
314 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
needed I to have grafted in the ftocke of fuch a Choake Peare, and fuch a goodly Popering as this to efcape mee ? Efcape mee (faid I ?) if mee doe, fhee fhall doe it narrowly : but I am married already, and therefore it is not poffible, unleffe I mould make away my wife, to compaffe her. Married ! why who knowes it ? He out-face the Prieft, and then there is none but fhee and her Father, and their evidence is not good in Law : and if they put mee in fuite, the beft is, they are poore, and cannot follow it. I marry Sir, a man may have fome credit by fuch a Wife as this. I could like this marriage well, if a man might change away his Wife, dill as hee is a weary of her, and cope her away like a bad commoditie : if every new Moone a man might have a new Wife, that's every yeare a dozen. But this, Till Death us do part \ is tedious : I will goe a wooing to her, I will ; but how mail I doe for jewels and tokens ? Luce hath mine in her cuf- todie, money and all ; turn, He juggle them from her well enough : fee, here Ihee comes.
Enter Luce, and her Father.
Luce. Here is my Husband, I pray move him in it.
Father. It toucheth both our reputations nearly ; For by his oft repaire, now whilft the Marriage Is kept from publike knowledge, your good name May be by Neighbours hardly cenfur'd of.
Chart. Th'art fad, th'art fad Luce: what, melan- cholly already, ere thou haft had good caufe to be merry, and knewft what fport was.
Luce. I have great reafon, when my name is
tofs'd
In every Goffips mouth, and made a by-word Vnto fuch people as it leaft concernes. Nay, in my hearing, as they paffe along, Some have not fpar'd to brand my modeftie, Saying, There fits fhee whom yong Chartley keepes :
!
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 3 1 5
There hath hee entred late, betimes gone forth.
Where I with pride was wont to fit before,
I'm now with fhame fent blufhing from the doore.
Chart. Alas poore foole, I am forry for thee, but yet cannot helpe thee, as I am a Gentleman. Why fay Luce, thou lofefl now forty millings worth of Credit, flay but a time, and it mail bring thee in a thoufand pounds worth of commoditie.
Father. Son, Son, had I efleem'd my profit more Then I have done my credit, I had now Beene many thoufands richer : but you fee,"' Truth and good dealing beare an humble faile ; That little I in joy, it is with quiet, Got with good confcience, kept with good report : And that I dill mail labour to preferve.
Chart. But doe you heare mee ?
Father. Nothing He heare, that tends unto the
mine
Of mine, or of my Daughters honeflie. Shall I be held a Broker to lewd Luft, Now in my waine of yeares ?
Chart. Will you but heare mee ?
FatJier. Not in this cafe. I that have liv'd thus
long,
Reported well, efleem'd a welcome Gueft At every burthen'd Table, there refpe<5led ; Now to be held a Pander to my Daughter ? That I mould live to this !
Chart. But harke you Father ?
Father. A Bawd to mine owne child 1
Chart. Father ?
Father. To my fweet Luce \
Chart. Father?
Father. Deale with . me like a Son, then call me
Father ;
I that have had the tongues of every man Ready to crowne my Reputation : The hands of all my Neighbours to fubfcribe To my good like ; and fuch as could not write,
3 1 6 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Ready with Palfie and unlettered fingers, To fet their fcribling markes.
Chart. Why Father in Law ?
Father. Thou hadft a Mother Luce ; 'tis woe with
me
To fay thou hadft, but haft not ; a kind Wife, And a good Nurfe fhe was : me, had (he liv'd To heare my name thus canvaft, and thus tofs'd, Seven yeares before me dy'd, I had beene a Widower Seven yeares before I was' : Heaven reft her foule, Shee is in Heaven I hope. {Hee wipes his eyes.)
Chart. Why fo now, thefe be good words, I knew thefe ftormes would have a fhowre, and then they would ceafe. Now if your anger be over, heare me.
Father. Well, fay on Son.
Chart. Stay but a Moneth, 'tis but foure Weekes ; nay, 'tis February -, the fhorteft Moneth of the yeare, and in that time I mall be at full age ; and the Land being intail'd, my Father can dif-inherit mee of no thing. Is your fpleene downe now ? Have I fatisfied you ? Well, I fee you chollericke hafty men, are the kindeft when all is done. Here's fuch wetting of Hand-kerchers, hee weepes to thinke of his Wife, mee weepes to fee her Father cry ! Peace foole, wee mail elfe have thee claime kindred of the Woman kill'd with kindneffe.
Father. Well Son, my anger's pafV; yet I muft tell
you,
It grieves mee that you mould thus flight it off,
Concerning us, no fuch a deere degree.
In private be it fpoke, my Daughter tels me,
Shee's both a Wife and Maid.
k Chart. That may be help't.
Now Luce, your Fathers pacifi'd, will you be pleas'd ?
I would indure a Quarters punifhment for thee, and
wilt not thou fuffer a poore Moneths penance for
mee 1 'Tis but eight and twenty dayes, Wench ; thou
malt fare well all the time, drinke well, eate well, lie
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 3 1 7
well : come, one^word of comfort at the later end of the day.
Luce. Yours is my fame, mine honour, and my
heart Link't to your pleafure, and mail never part.
Chart. Gramercie Wench, thou (halt weare this chaine no longer for that word, He multiply the linkes in fuch order, that it mail have light to mine about thy necke, oftener then it doth : this Jewell, a plaine Briftowe (lone, a counterfeit. How bafe was I, that comming to thee in the way of Marriage, courted thee with counterfeit ftones ? Thou (halt weare right, or none : thou haft no money about thee, Luce ?
Luce. Yes Sir, I have the hundred pounds that you gave me to lay up lad.
Chart. Fetch it ; let mee fee, how much branch'd Sattin goes to a Petticoat ? and how much wrought Velvet to a Gowne ? then for a Bever for the Citie, and a Black-bagge for the Country : He promife her nothing, but if any fuch trifles bee brought home, let her not thanke mee for them.
Enter Luce with the Bagge.
Gramercie Luce. Nay, goe in, Gravitie and Modeftie, ten to one but you (hall heare of mee, e're you fee mee againe.
Father. I know you kinde, impute my haftie Lan guage unto my rage, not mee.
Chart. Why, doe not I know you, and doe not I know her? I doubt you'l wi(h (hortly, that I had never knowne either of you : now, what fayfl thou, my fweet Luce ?
Luce. My words are yours, fo is my life : I am now part of your felfe, fo made by Nuptiall vovves.
Chart. What a Pagan am I, to praclife fuch vil- lany againft this honed Chriftian ! If Gratiana did come into my thoughts, I (hould Jail into a vaine to pittie her : but now that I talk of her, I have a tongue
318 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
to wooe her, Tokens to win her ; and that done, if I doe not find a tricke, both to weare her, and wearie her, it may prove a piece of a Wonder. Thou feeft, Luce, I have fome (lore of Crownes about me, there are brave things to be bought in the Citie ; Cheapfide, and the Exchange, afford varietie and raritie. This is all I will fay now, but thou mayfl heare more of mee hereafter. Exit.
Luce. Heaven fpeed you where you goe Sir ; mail
we in? Though not from fcandall, wee live free from Sin.
Father. He in before. Exit.
Enter Mafler Boyfler.
Boyjl. I am ftill in love with Lucey and I would
know
An anfwer more directly : fie, fie, this Love Hangs on me like an Ague, makes me turne foole, Coxcombe and Afle : why mould I love her, why ? A Rattle-Baby, Puppit, a flight toy, And now I could goe to buffets with my felfe, And cuffe this Love away : but fee, that's Luce.
Luce. I cannot fhun him, but He make him off.
Boyjl. Morrow.
JLuce. As much to you.
Boyjl. I'le ufe few words, Canft love me ?
Luce. Deed Sir no.
Boyjl. Why then farewell, the way I came, He goe.
Exit.
Luce. This is no tedious Courtfhip, hee's foone
anfwer'd,
So mould all Sutors elfe bee, were they wife ; For being repulft, they doe but wafle their dayes In thankleffe fuites, and fuperficiall praife.
Enter Boyfler againe. Boyjl. Sweare that thou wilt not love me.
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 319
Luce. Not Sir, for any hate I ever bare you, Or any foolifh pride, or vaine conceite : Or that your feature doth not pleafe mine eye, Or that you are not a brave Gentleman : But for concealed reafons I am forc'd To give you this cold anfwer ; and to fweare I mud not, then with patience pray forbeare.
Boyft. Even farewell then. Exit.
Luce. The like to you, and fave your hopes in
me.
Heaven grant you your beft wimes ; all this ftrife Will end it felfe, when I am knowne a Wife.
Exeunt.
Explicit Attus tertius.
AElus 4. Scena prima.
Enter Sir Harry, M. Harringsfield Gratiana with others*
Sir Harry. I am fatiffied good M. Harringsfield touching your friend, and fince I fee you haue left his dangerous company, I limit you to bee a welcome gueft vnto my Table.
Harring. You haue bin alwayes noble.
Enter Taber. Sir Harry. Taber : the newes with thee.
320 The Wife-woman of Hog [don.
Taber. May it pleafe the right vvorfhipfull to vn- deriland that there are fome at the Gate who dance a turne or two without, and defire to bee admitted to fpeake with you within.
Sir Harry. The Scholler is it not.
Taber. Nay fir, there are two Schollers, and they are fpowting Latin one againft the other ; And in my fimple Judgement the ftranger is the better Scholler, and is fomewhat too hard for fir Boniface : For he fpeakes lowder, and that you know is ever the figne of the moil learning, and hee alfo hath a great defire to feme your Worfhip.
Sir * Harry. Two fchollers ; My houfe hath not place for two, thus it mail bee. Taber admit them both, wee though vnlearned will heare them two dif- pute, and hee that of the two feemes the beft read, mall bee receiued, the other quite cafheired.
Harring. In that you fhowe but luftice, in all per- fons merit mould bee regarded.
Enter Taber v/keringfir Boniface and Sencer, dtf gulfed like a pedant.
Sir Boniface. Venerabilis magiflri : Abfint vobis capiftri.
Sencer. Et tu domini calve, iterum atque, ite- rum falve, Amo amas amavi} fweet Lady Heauen faue yee.
Sir Harry. This approues him to be excellent, but I thank my breeding I vnderfland not a word, you tong-men you whole wealth lyes in your braines ; Not in your budgets heere mee : Be it knowne, my houfe affords roome for one Schoole-mafler but not for more. And I am thus refolved, take you that fide gentle fir Sir Boniface, and fir poffeffe you that.
Hee of you two in arguing prooues the befl. To him will I fubfcribe are you agreed.
Sir Boniface. Nee animo, nee corde, nee vtroque.
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 321
Smc. No more of that nee corde, noble Knight, he wifhes you nee corde, thinke of that.
Sir Harry. A Corde about my necke, fir Boni face. Speake doe you ufe mee well.
Sir Boniface. Doming cur rogas.
Senc. Is this to bee indured, to call a Knight. Cur, Rogue and Afie,
Sir Harry. I find my felfe abus'd.
Harring. Yet patience good fyr Harry, and heare more pray fir Boniface : of what Vniver- fitie were you of ?
Sir Boniface. I was fludent in Brazen nofe.
Harring. A man might guefle fo much by your pimples, and of what place were you :
Senc. Petrus dormit fecurus ; I was Sir of Peeter houfe.
Sir Boniface. Natus tram, in Woxford, and 1 pro ceeded in Oxford.
Senc. Eft mihi bene noftrum, thou wouldefl fay, in Gotam ; For my part fir Harry, I can reade Ser- uice and Marry, Que genus et flexum, though I goe in genes Fuflion, fcalpellum et charta I was not brought vp at Plowe & cart, I can teach Qui mihi, and neyther laugh nor tee-hee, fed as in prefente, if your worfhip at this prefent, Ifte, I/la Iftud, will doe mee any good, to giue mee Itgtm pone in Gold or in monie. Piper atque papauer, He deferue it with my labour.
Harring. But when goe you to difpute.
Sir Boniface. Nominative hie prediculus, his words are mod ridiculous : But tu thou, qui the which, derideft thofe that bee rich, confterue hanc fententiam, conftrue mee this fentence. Eft modus in rebus funt certi denique fines :
Sencer. Eft modus in rebus : There is mud in the
rivers. Sunt certi denique fines, and certaine littleFiflies.
322 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Sir Harry. I warrant you he hath his anfwer ready.
Sir Boniface. Dij boni boni.
Harring. Heele giue you more bones then thofe to knaw on Sir Boniface.
Senc. Kartere Moofotropos Poluphiltate phile poe- tatis Tes Logikes retoon, onch elafhifle fophoon.
That is as much as to fay. in our materna lingua I will make you fir Boniface, confeffe your felfe an Affe in Englilh, fpeake open and broad words, for want of Latin, and Denique inftruc~t mee to refolue fuch queftions as I (hall aske you in our moderne tongue.
Sir Harry. Confeffe him an Affe, fpeake ob- fceane words after intreate thee to refolue thy quef tions. Doe that, poffeffe the place.
Sencer. Di do and dum : No more words but mum :
Sir Boniface. Noble fir Harry ; Numquam fie poffit 1
Sir Harry. Sir Boniface is ficke already and calls for a pofiit, no marvell, being fo threatned.
Sencer. You Boniface, decline mee I am a no after the firft coniugation, amo amavi, vocito vocitavi. Titubo titubavi ?
Sir Boniface. I am not the preceptor to a
pupill.
But can decline it, marke fir Timothy : I am a no.
Sencer. Bene bene.
Sir Boniface. I am an as 1
Senc. Mofl treue mofl treue, vos eflis, ut egofum teflis, that what he confeft is as true as the peftis.
Sir Harry. This Scholler workes by inagick hee hath made him confefle himfelfe an Affe.
Sir Boniface. Per has meas manus vir, tu es in- fanus.
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 323
Sencer. He make him fret worfe yet ; Sir Boniface : quid eft grammatica.
Sir Boniface. Grammatica eft ars.
Sir Harry. Fye, fye, no more of thefe words good fir Boniface.
Sencer. Attend again e, proceed mee with this verfe of reverent Cato : Si deus eft animus.
Sir Boniface. Nobis ut carmina dicunt.
Taber. Di quoth ha, out on him for a beaftly man.
Sir Harry. T would not haue him teach my chil dren fo for more then I am worth.
Sir Bonif. O ! but reverend fyr Harry you muft fubaudi.
Sir Harry. He- never bee fo baudy whileft I liue, nor any of mine I hope.
Sir Boniface. O ! Propria quae maribus :
Sir Harry. Ey Boniface, it is thofe maribones, That makes you talke fo broadly ?
Sir Boniface. Venerabilis vir homo ille eft ebrius.
Sir Harry. What doth hee meane by that.
Sencer. Hee faith, I can fpeake Hebrewe.
Sir Harry. I Beleeu't : But if fyr Boniface ftill con thefe leffons, He'l fpeake the French tongue perfit.
Sencer. Now to the laft, ile taske fyr Boniface, But with an eafie queftion. Tell mee fyr : Whats Latin for this Earth 1
Sir Boniface. Facile and eafy more fit for the pupill then the preceptor : whats Latin for this Earth 1 Tellus.
Sencer. Tell you ; no fyr, it belongs to you to tell mee.
Sir Boniface. I fay Tellus is Latin for the Earth.
Sencer. And I fay, I will not tell you what is Latin for the Earth ; vnlefle you yeild mee viclor.
Sir Harry. You haue no reafon : good fyr
Timothy. The place is yours.
Y 2
324 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Harring. Hee hath deferv'd it well.
Senfer. But ile deferue it better, why this fellow Is Franticke, you mall heere mee make him
fpeake
Idely and without fence. Tie make him fay, His Nofe was Husband to a Queene,
He whifpers fir Harry.
Sir Harry. Sir Timothy not poffible.
Tdber. Hee will not fpeake it for fhame.
Sencer. That you mail heere ; Magifter Bo niface.
Sir Boniface. Quidais domine Timothy. * Sencer. Who was Pafiphas husband Queene of Creete.
Sir Boniface. Who knowes not that, why Minos was her Husband.
Sencer. That his nofe was ; did I not tell you fo.
Sir Boniface. I fay that Minos was : ^ Sencer. That his Nofe was ha ha.
Sir Harr.y. Ile not beleeue it. Sir Boniface, there are a brace of Angels. You are not for my turne, fir Timothy You are the man mall reade vnto my daughter The Latin tongue, in which I am ignorant : Confeffe your felfe an Affe ; fpeake bawdy words ; And after to talke idely. Hence away : You mall haue my good word, but not my pay 1
Sir Boniface. Opus eft vfus ; fir Timothy you abufe
us.
I fweare by a nowne, had I thy hofe downe, Qui qne quod, I would fo fmoake thee with the
rod :
llle Ilia, Illud, vntill I fetch blood. But Nobiles valete, remaine in quiete. Exit.
Sir Harry. Sir Timothy, there is fome Gold in
earned,
I like you well take into your tuition, My daughter Gratiana ; the newes Taber.
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 325
Enter Taber.
Taber. Of another gallant noble fir that pretends to haue bufmefie, both with you and my miilreile. Sir Harry. Admit him.
Enter Charily very gallant, in his hand a Lady.
Taber. Lufty luventus ; will it pleafe you to draw neere.
Chart. Noble Knight, whim you perufe that fweete Lady, tell mee how you like this : (kiffeth her.
Gratia. You prefle fo fuddainly vpon mee fyr > I know not what to anfwer.
Sender. Mad Charily ; what makes defperation heere.
Chart. To the word wooer let mee add the name fpeeder my father hath written to your father, and the caufe of his writing at this prefent, is to let you vnder- (land, that hee feares you have liu'd a maide too long : and therefore to prevent all difeafes incident to the fame ; as the greene ficknetTe and others. Hee fent mee like a fkilful Phyfitian, to take order with you againfl all fuch maladies. If you will not credit mee, lift but how fervently my father writes in my be- halfe.
Sir Harry. Hee is my onely fonne, and mee I take as your onely daughter, what mould hinder then, to make a match betweene them, (well tis .well tis good I like it) I will make her loynter three hundred pounds a yeare.
Chart. How fay you by that fweete Lady three hundred pounds a yeare and a proper man to boote.
Sir ' Harry. All's good, I like it, welcome M.
Charily. Thou Gratiana art no child of mine
326 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
VnlefTe thou bidft him welcome. This I prefume To bee your fathers hand.
Chart. But He bee fworne he never writ it.
Sir Harry. And this his feale at Armes.
Chart. Or elfe I vnderftand it very poorely, but
Lady In earnefl of further acquaintance, receiue this
Chayne, Thefe Jewels, hand and heart.
Sir Harry. Refufe no Chaine nor Jewels, heart nor
hand,
But in exchange of thefe beftowe thy felfe Thine owne deere felfe vpon hiim.
Gratia. My felfe aon him, whom I tell now neere
faw ? Well fmce I muft, your will's to mee a law.
Senc. Nay then tis time to fpeake, mail I fland heere wayting like a Coxcombe, and fee her giuen away before my face 1 flay your hand fyr Harry ; and let me claim e my promife.
Sir Harry. My promife He performe fyr Timothy \ You mail haue all your wages duly paid.
Senc. I claime faire Gratiana by your promife. No more fyr Timothy -, but Sencer now, You promif'd mee when you receiued my fervice, And with your liberall hand did wage my flay : To endowe mee freely with your daughters Love, That promife now I claime.
Sir Harry. Meere cofnidge, knavery, I tide my felfe to no conditions. In which fuch guile is pradlifed, come fonne
Charily.
To cut of all difaflers incident To thefe proceedings wee will follemnife Thefe Nuptiall rites with all fpeede poffible.
Chart. Farewell good fyr Timothy, farewell learn'd fyr Timothy. Exeunt*
Sencer. Why : and farewell learned fyr Timothy. For now fyr Timothy and I am two :
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 327
Boafl on, bragge on, exalt exalt thy felfe,
Swim in a Sea of pleafure and content
Whilfl my Barke fuffers wrack ile bee revenged,
Charily ; ile cry vindifla for this Icorne,
Next time thou goreft, it mud be with thy home.
Exit.
Enter M. Boyfler.
Boyjler. I am mad, and know not at what. I could fwagger but know not with whom, I am at oddes with rny felfe ; and know not why : I mall bee pacified, and cannot tell when, I would faine haue a wife but cannot tell where, I would fallen on Luce but cannot tell how. How ; where ; when ; why ; whom ; what. Feeding fure makes me leane, and falling fat.
Enter Luce and lofeph.
Luce. Not all this while once fee mee.
lofeph. His occafions, Perhaps inforce his abfence.
Luce. His occafions : Vnlefle hee find occafion of new Love What could inforce fuch abfence from his fpoufe : Am I growne fowle and blacke, fince my efpoufals. It mould not feeme fo ; For the (hop is daily Cuflom'd with flore of Chap-men, fuch as come To cheapen Love. O no, I am my felfe ? But Charily hee is changed.
lofeph. You know that Gentleman.
Luce. Efcape him if thou canfl.
Boyfter. Hee cannot, I arrefl you ;
Luce. At whofe fuite.
Boyjler. Not at mine owne, thats daflit, I loue
thee not
Thou art a Spaniard, Gipfee, a meere Blackamore : Againe, I fay I loue thee not.
Luce. A Blackemore^ a Gipfy ?
328 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Sure I am chang'd indeed, and thats the caufe
My Husband left mee fo, this Gentleman
Once tearmd mee teautifull, how looke I lofeph.
lofeph. As well as ere you did, fat, frefh, and fayre.
Boyfter. You lye boy, pocket that, and now be gon.
lofeph. And what mail then become of my Mif- treffe,
Boyfter. He' waite vpon your MiftrefTe.
Luce. I know you will not waite on fuch a Gipfie.
Boyfter. Yes Luce on fuch a Gipfie; Boyy abi abL
lofeph. Abide fir, you neede not feare that I haue no purpofe to leaue her.
Boyfter. Now you are going to the wedding-
houfe. You are bid to be a Bride maid, are you not.
Luce. What wedding fir, or whofe ?
Boyfter. Why Chartleyes ; Luce hath hee bin thy friend fo long, and would not bid thee to waite on his Bride.
Why lookft thou red and pale, and both, and neither.
Luce. To Mr. Chartleyes Bridals, why, to whom, Should hee be married.
Boyfter. To grace of Gratious ftreete.
Luce. To Gratianal Belhrowe you fir you doe not ufe mee well, To buze into mine eares thefe ftrange vntruths : I tell you fir, 'tis as impoffible
That they two mould match : as Earth and Heauen to meet.
Boyfter. You'l not beleeue it, pray then harke
within
The Nuptiall muficke echoing to their ioyes. But you giue credit to no certaintyes : I told you but a tale, a lye, a fable 1 A monftrous, a notorious idle untruth,
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 329
That you were blacke, and that I lou'd you not. And you could credit that.
Enter fir Harry and Haringsfield, Chartly leading Gratiana by the Arme^ Taber and attendants.
Who's tell-troth now.
Know you that man, or know you that fine Virgin :
Whom by the arme hee leades.
Luce. I'le not indure't : Heauen giue you joy fir :
Chart. I thanke you. Luce ? Jhe faints.
Sir Harry. Looke to the Maid mee faints.
Boyjl. held her vp.
Chartly. Grace come not neere her Grace. Father keepe off, on Gentlemen apace. Shees troubled with the falling fickneffe, for Oft hath (hee fallen before mee.
Sir Harry. Nay if it bee no otherwife, on gentle men.
Let thofe with her flriue to recouer her. Keepe off, the difeafe is infectious :
Chartly. If it were in a man, it were nothing, but the falling fickneffe in a woman is dangerous.
Enter Luces Father.
My tother father in Lawe, now mall I bee vtterly
fham'd,
If hee affure to know mee, Tie out face him. Father. Sonne your well met Chartly. How fellow. Father. I cry you mercy fir. Chart. No hanne done friend, no harme done.
Exeunt. Father. If hee 1 hee could not but haue known
mee there, Yet he was wondrous like him.
Boyft. How cheare you Luce, whence grew this
paffion.
Luce. Pardon mee fir, I doe not know my felfe : I am apt to fwound, and now the fit is pafl mee.
330 The Wife-woman of Hogjdon.
I thanke you for your helpe : is matter Charily Vanifhc fo foone :
Boyfter. Yes : and to fupply his place, fee where thy father comes.
Father. Hee hath not fuch a fuit, befides this
gallant
Led by the arme a Bride, a lutty Bride 1 How much might I haue wrong'd the Gentleman By craving his acquaintance, this it is, To haue dimme Eyes. Why lookes my daughter fad. I cry you mercy. Sir I faw not you.
Boyft. I would I had not feene you at this time neither, farewell. Exit.
Luce. If hee be gone? then call mee vent my
griefe, Father I am vndone.
Father. Forbid it Heauen.
Luce. Difgrac't, defpif'd, difcarded, and catt off.
Father. How, mine owne child.
Luce. My Husband, O my husband ?
Father. What of him.
Luce. Shall I the mower of all my griefe at once Power out before you : Charily, once my husband Hath left mee to my mame. Him and his Bride, I met within few minutes.
Father. Sure t'was they. I met them two, t'was hee ; bafe villaine lewe. I'le to the Wedding boord, and tell him fo : lie doo't as I am a man.
Luce. Bee not fo ram.
Father. He Hue and dye vpon him ; Hee's a bafe fellow, fo I'le prooue him too. lofeph my Sword.
Luce. This rafhneffe will vndoe us.
Father. He haue my Sword. It hath bin twice in France, and once in Spatne, With lohn a Gaunt, when I was young like him I had my wards, and foynes, and quarter-blowes : And knew the way into St. Georges fields.
The Wife-woman of Hogjdon. 331
Twice in a morning, Tuttle, Finsbury 1
I knew them all, ile too him, wher's my fword.
Luce. Or leaue this fpleene, or you will ouei throw Our fortunes quite, let us confult together, What wee were heft to doe.
Father. Tie make him play at Leap-frog, well I heare thee.
Luce. I cannot prooue our marriage, it was fecret, And hee may find fome cavell in the Law.
Father. I'le too him with no Law, but Staffood
Lawe. I'le ferret the falfe boy, nay on good Luce.
Luce. Part of your fpleene, if you would change
to counfel, Wee might revenge us better.
Father. Well I heare thee.
Luce. To claime a publicke marriage at his
hands :
Wee want fufncient proofe, and then the world Will but deride our folly, and fo adde Bubble difgrace vnto my former wrong. To Law with him hee hath a greater purfe, And nobler friends, how then to make it knowne ?
Father. Is this his damask'd kirtle frendge with
Gold.
His blacke bagge, and his Beauer, tis well yet. I haue a Sword.
Luce. And I haue a project in my Braine begot, To make his owne mouth witnes to the World My innocence, and his incontinence 1 Leaue it to mee, ile cleare my felfe from blame, Though I the wrong, yet hee mail reape the fhame.
Exeunt.
Enter Sencer like a Seruin%-man.
Senc. Now or never, looke about thee Sencer, to morrow is the Marriage day which to preuent, lyes not within the compafle of my apprehenfion, therefore I
332 The Wife-woman of Hogjdon.
haue thus difguifed my felfe, to goe to the looming womans, the fortune tellers, the any thing, the nothing, this over again ft mother Red-caps is her houfe, ile knocke.
Enter 2. Luce in her boyes JJiape.
2. Luce. Whofe there ? What would you haue ?
Sencer. I would fpeake with the wife gentlewoman of the houfe.
2. Luce. O be like you haue loft fomewhat.
Sencer. You are in the wrong fweete youth.
2. Luce. I am fomewhat thicke of hearing, pray fpeak out.
Sencer. I fay I haue not loft any thing, but wit and
time, And neither of thofe fhee can helpe mee too.
2. Luce: Then you belike are croft in Loue, and come to know what fuccefie you mall haue.
Sencer. Thou haft hit it fweete ladde ; thou haft hit it.
2. Luce. What is it, you fay fir.
Sencer. Thou haft hit it ?
2. Luce. I pray come in ile bring you to my Mif- treffe. Exit.
Enter Luce and lofeph.
Luce. This is the houfe, knock lofeph, my bufineffe craues difpatch.
lofeph. Now am I as angry, as thou art timerous, and now to vent the next thing I meete, O tis the doore. (knoeks.
Enter 2. Luce.
2. Luce. Who's there, what are you. Luce. A maid and a wife.
The Wije-woman of Hogjdon. 333
2. Luce. And that would grieue any wench to bee
fo, I know that by my felfe, not Luce.
Luce. Boy, where's your Miftrefle.
2. Luce. In fome private talke with a Gentleman 1 He fetch her to you prefently. Exit.
Luce. If fliee and you fee mee not, I am but.
dead,
I fhall be made a by-word to the World : The fcorne of women ; and my Fathers fliame.
Enter Wife-woman and Sencer.
Wifewonan. You tell mee your name is Sencer •, I knew it before, and that Charily is to bee married, I could haue told it you.
2. Luce. Married to morrow, O mee.
Sencer. Ey but you tell mee, that Charily before to morrow mail bee difappointed of his, make that good, thou (halt haue twenty Angels.
Wifewoman. He doo't, (land afide, ile haue but a word or two with this Gentlewoman ; and I am for you prefently.
Luce. O ! Mother, mother. (They whifper.
2. Luce. My husband marry another wife tomor row?
O changeable deftinie, no fooner married to him, but inflantly to loofe him. Nor death it grieues mee fo much that I am a wife, but that I am a maid too, to carry one of them well is as much as any is bound to doe, but to be tid'e to both, is more then flem and blood can indure.
Wifewoman. Well trull to mee, and I will fett all things ftreight.
Enter Boyfter.
334 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
dan, this wifard, and haue I found thee, thus then will I teare, mumble and maule thee.
Wifewoman. Helpe, helpe, and if you be a gentle man.
Sencer. Forbeare this rudenefie, hee that touches
her, - Drawes againft mee.
Boyfttr. Againft you fir, apply thou, that mall be tride.
AIL Helpe, helpe, part them helpe.
Sencer. With patience heare her fpeake.
Boyfter. Now Trot, now Granam, what canft thou fay for thy felfe : what Luce heare be patient and put vp then, mee muft not fee the end.
Sencer. Than truce of all fides, if wee come for
counfell, Let us with patience heare it.
Luce. Then firft to mee.
Wifew. You would preuent young Chartlyes mar riage, you mall : harke in your eare.
Luce. It pleafeth mee.
Wifew. You foreflall Gratianes wedding, 'tis but thus.
Sencer. He doo't.
Wifew. You would inioy Luce as your wife, and lye with her to morrow night. Harke in your eare.
Boyfter. Fiat.
Wifew oman. Away, you mall in joy him, you are married, Luce away, you mail fee Charily difcarded from Gratiana, Sencer bee gon, and if I fayle in any of thefe or the reft, I lay my felfe open to all your difpleafures.
Boyfter. Farewell till foone :
Wifewoman. You know your meeting place. All. Wee doe ?
Wifewoman. You mall report mee wife and cun ning too. Exit.
2. Luce. lie adde one night more to the time, I haue faid.
The Wife-woman of H of g don. 335 I haue not many I hope to Hue a maid. Exit.
Enter Taber and fir Boniface with a Trencher, with broken meate and a Napkin.
Taber. Fye, fye, what a time of trouble is this to morrow to morrow is my miftrefle to be married, and wee feruingmen are fo pufled.
Sir Boniface. The dinner's halfe done, and before
I fay
Grace, and bid the old Knight and his guefl proface. A medicine from your trencher, good M. Taber. As good a man as ere was fir Saber : Well thinke it no (hame, men of learning and wit, fay fludy gets a ftomacke, friend Taber a bit.
Taber. Lick cleane good fir Boniface, and faue the fcraper a labour.
Enter Sencer like a Servingman.
Sir Boniface. But foft let mee ponder : Know you him that comes yonder ?
Taber. Moll heartily welcome, would you fpeake with any heere.
Senc. Pray is the yong gentleman of the houfe at leifure.
Taber. Meane you the Bridegroome M. Chartly.
Sencer. I haue a Letter for him. You feeme to be a gentleman your felfe, acquaint him with my attend ance, and I mall reft yours in all good offices.
Taber. Sir Boniface, pray keepe the gentleman company. I will firft acquaint your lippes with the vertue of the Seller.
Sir Boniface. Adefdem come neere, and tail df
our beere. Welcome, fme dole, for puntis te vole. Exit.
Sencer. When I taft of your liquor. Gramercy mafter Vicar.
33 6 The Wife-woman of Hog f don.
Enter Taber with a bowk of Beere and a Napkine.
Taber. Moft heartily welcome : your curtefie I befeech you, ply it off, I intreate you, pray fir Boni face keepe the Gentleman company ; till I acquaint my yong mafter with his bufmeffe. Exit.
Sir Bonif. Taber^ I mall befo las manus.
They diffemble one to another.
Sencer. A voftreferuitor.
Enter Haringsfield.
Harring. Hee what art thou.
Sencer. A hanger on, if it pleafe you :
Harring. And I a maker off, ile not beare your
gallowes, You mall not hang on mee.
Enter Chartly with his Napkin as from Dinner.
O Mr Bridegroome.
Chartly. Gentlemen, the Ladies call vpon you to dance, they will be out of meafure difpleafed, if din ner beeing done, you bee not ready to leade them a meafure.
Harring. Indeede women love not to bee fcanted of their meafure.
Chartly. Fie fir Boniface : haue you forgot your
felfe,
Whilfl you are in the Hall, there's nev.er a whetflone for their wits in the Parler 1
Sir Boniface. I will enter and fet an edge vpon their Ingenies.
Chartly. To mee fir, from whom ? a letter to her moft deere moft louing, moft kind friend Mr. Chartly thefe bee deliuered : fure from fome wench or other I long to know the contente.
Sencer. Now to cry quittance with you for my fare well Icarn'd fir Timothv
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 337
Charily. Good newes, as I Hue, there's ior thy paines my good fir Pandarus : Hadfl thou brought mee word my father had turnd vp his heeles, thou couldft fcarcely haue pleafed mee better : (Hee reades) though I difclaime the name of wife, of which I account my felfe altogether vn worthy, yet let mee claime fome fmall interefl in your loue, this night I lye at the houfe where wee were married, (the Wifewomans I meane) where my maiden-head is to bee rifled, bid fayre for it, and inioy it, fee mee this night or never, fo may you marrying Gratiana, and louing mee, haue a fweete wife and a true friend : This night or never, your quondam wife : Hereafter your poore fweet-heart no other : Luce. So when I am tyr'd with Gratiana, that is when I am pafl grace, with her I can make my rendevowz, ile not flip this- occafion, nor fleepe till I fee her, thou art an honeft ladde, and maifl prooue a good Pimpe in time. Can (I thou advife mte what colour, I may haue to compaffe this com modity.
Sencer. Sir, fhee this night expects you, and pre pares a coflly banquet for you.
Charily. lie goe, although the Devill and mif- chance looke bigge.
Sencer. Feyne fome newes that fuch a peece of Land is falne to you, and you mufl inflantly ride to take poflemon of it, or which is more probable, can not you perfwade them you haue receiu'd a letter that your Father lyes a dying.
Charily. You rogue, I would hee did but the name of that newes is cal'd, too good to be true.
Sencer. And that if ever you will fee him aliue, you mufl ride pofl into th£ Country.
Charily. Enough : if ever I prooue Knight errant thou (halt bee mine owne proper fquire, for this thou hail fitted mee with a plot, doe but waite heere note how I will manage it Taber my horfe, for I mufl ride to night.
Taber. To night fir.
338 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Charily. So tell my Bride and Father, I haue newes that quite confounds my fences.
Enter Sir Harry, Gratiana and Harringsfield.
Gratiana. How ride to night, the marriage day
to morrow
And all things well provided for the feaft. O tell mee fweete, why doe you looke fo pale.
Charily. My Father, O my Father :
Grace. What of him.
Sir Harry. What of your father, Sonne ?
Charily. If ever I will heere his aged tongue. Preach to mee counfell, or his palfy hand, Stroake my wild head, and bleffe mee, or his
eyes :
Drop teare by teare which they haue often done, At my mifgovern'd rioting youth. What mould I more, if ever I would fee ; That good old man aliue. Oh, Oh ?
Sencer. Goe thy wayes for thou malt ha't.
Grace. But doe you meane to ride.
Charily. Ey Grace, all this night.
Sencer. Not all the night without alighting fure : You'l finde more in't then to get vp and ride.
Harring. The Gentlemans riding bootes and fpurres. Why Taker 1
Charily. Nay Grace, now's no time To fland on fcrupulous parting. Kneweft thou my bufmeffe.
Sencer. As mee mail knowe it :
Charily. And how I meane this night to toyle my felfe.
Sencer. Marry hang you brock.
Charily. Thou would be moane my travell.
Sencer. I know t'would grieue her.
Charily. You father, Grace, good Mr. Harrings-
JUll You fir, and all pray for mee Gentlemen,
The Wife-woman of Hog f don. 339
That in this darke nights journey I may finde Smooth way fweete fpeed and all things to my minde.
Sir Har. Wee'l fee my fonne take horfe.
Exeunt.
Gratiana. But I will flay. I want the heart to fee him poft away ?
Sencer. Saue you gentlewoman, I haue a meffage to deliver to one Miftreffe Gratiana^ this mould bee the Knights houfe her father.
Gratiana. It is : The meffage that you haue to
her,
You may acquaint mee with, for I am one That knowes the infide of her thoughts.
Sencer. Are you the Lady,
Gratiana. Sir I am the poore gentlewoman.
Sencer. There is a conning woman dwells not
farre,
At Hogfdon Lady, famous for her skill. Befides fome private talke that much concernes Your fortunes in your love. Shee hath to fhewe you This night if it (hall pleafe you walke fo farre As to her houfe, an admirable fuite Of coflly needle worke, which if you pleafe. You may by vnder-rate for halfe the valew It coft the making, about fixe a clocke. You may haue view thereof, but otherwife, A Lady that hath crau'd the fight thereof : Mud haue the firft refufall.
Gratiana. He not fayle her. My husband beeing this day rid from home. My leafure fitly ferues mee,
Sencer. Thanke you Miftrefle ? At fixe a clocke.
Gratian. I will not fayle the houre. Exit.
Sencer. Now to fir Harry, his is the next place. To meete at Hogfdon his fayre daughter Grace. Exit.
z 2
34-O The Wife-woman of Hog f don.
Aftus 5. Scena prima.
Enter old M. Chartly as new come out of the Country To inquire after his Sonne, and three or foure ferving men with blew Coates to attend him.
Old Chart. Good heauen ; This London is a
flranger growne,
And out of my acquaintance, this feauen yeares I haue not feene Pauls fleeple, or Cheape croffe.
Gyles. Sir.
Old Chart. Haft thou not made inquiry for my Sonne.
Gyles. Yes fir, I haue askt about euery where
for him, But cannott heare of him.
Old Chart. Difperfe your felues, inquire about the Tavern es, Ordinary es, Bowie-ally es, Tenif courts. Gaming- houfes. For there (I feare) hee will be found.
Gyle. But where mall wee heare of your worfhip again e.
Old Chart. At Grace Church by the Conduit,
neere fir Harry ,
But flay, leaue off a while your bootleffe fearch, Had e're man fuch a wild braine to his forrow, Of fuch fmall hope, who when hee mould haue married A fayre, a modeft, and a vertuous maide, Rich and revenewed well, and even the night Before the marriage day, tooke horfe, road thence Whether Heaven knowes, fmce the diflracled virgin Hath left her Fathers houfe, but neather found, Yet in their fearch wee haue meafured out much Ground.
Enter Sir Harry and Sencer. Sencer. Your worfhip will bee there.
TJte Wife-woman of Hog f don. 341
Sir Harry. Yes, not to fayle. At halfe an houre pafl fixe, or before feaven.
Sencer. You (hall not finde us at fixe and at feaven, ile warrant you : good health to your worfhip.
Exit.
Sir Harry. Farewell good fellow, At the Wifewomans houfe I know it well : Perhaps (hee knowes fome danger touching mee. I'le keepe mine houre.
Old Chart. Sir Harry, a hand a hand to balk you
it were fmn. I (hall be bold to make your houfe mine Inne.
Sir Harry. Brother Charily j I am glad to fee you.
Old Chart. Mee thinkes fir Harry you looke
(Irangely on mee. And doe not bid me welcome with an heart.
Sir Harry. And blame mee not to looke
amazedly, To fee you heare.
Old Chart. Why mee ?
Sir Harry. Come come, y'are welcome. And now ile turne my (Irangenefle to true joy, I am glad to fee you well, and fafe recovered, Of your late grievous fickneffe.
Old Chart. The (Irange amazed lookes that you
caftoff
You put on mee, and blame mee not to wonder, That you mould talke of ficknefle to found men, I thanke my (larres, I did not taft the griefe Of inward paine or outward malady, This feaven yeeres day.
Sir Harry. But by your favour brother, Then let mee haue my wonder backe againe.
Old Chart. Before I quite part with it, let mee
knowe,
Why you the name of brother put vpon mee. In every claufe, a name as (Irange to mee : As my recovered ficknefle.
342 The Wife-woman of Hogjdon.
Sir Harry. You are plefant, And it becomes you well, welcome againe, The rather you are come jufl to the wedding.
Old Chart. What wedding fir.
Sir Harry. That you mould aske that queftion : Why of my daughter Grace.
Old Charily. Is Grace beftow'd ? Of whom I pray.
Sir Harry. Of whom, but of your fonne. I wonder brother Charily, and my friend, You mould thus play on mee.
Old Chart. But by your favour, Were you tenne Knights Sir Harry, (take mee with
you)
My fonne match with your daughter, my confent, Not worthy to bee crau'd.
Sir Harry. Nay, then I fee :
You'l ftirre my patience, know this forward match Tooke its firft birth from you.
Old Chart. From mee ?
Sir Harry. From you. Perufe this letter, know you your owne hand. 'Twas well that I referu'd, your hand a witneffe Againft your tongue, you had beft denie the
loynter,
Of the three hundred pounds made to my daughter, Tis that I know you ayme at, but your feale.
Old Chart. Shall not make mee approue it, I
denye
This Seale for mine, nor doe I vouch that hand, Your daughter and the dower, letter and all I quite difclaime, fir Harry you much wrong mee.
Sir Harry. I can beare more then this, heape
wrong on wrong,
And ile fupport it all, I for this time Will caft my fpleene behind mee, and yet heare mee, This letter your fonne Charily as from you, Delivered mee. I like the motion well.
Old Chart. Myipleen is further thro wne afidethen yours,
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 343
And I am full as patient, and yet heare mee ; My fonne's contracted to another maid, Nay I am patient ftill, yet that I writ This letter feald, this imprefle I denye.
Sir Harry. Why then the jack your hand did
counterfeit. Old Chart. Why then hee did fo, where's that vn-
thrift fpeake ? Sir Harry. Some houre agoe, hee mounted and
rid pod
To giue you vifit whom hee faid lay ficke Vpon your death-bed.
Old Chart. You amaze mee fir. It is an ill prefage, hereon I fee Your former falutation tooke its ground : Too fee mee fafe recovered of my fickneffe.
Sir Harry. Indeed it did, your welcome is a
fubjecl,
I cannot vfe too oft, welcome againe, I am forry you this night mull fup alone ; For I am elfe-where cald about fome bufmefle, Concerning what I know not, howers run on. I muft to Hogfdon, high time I were gon. Exit.
Old Chart. Perhaps to the Wifewomans, fhee may
tell mee,
The fortunes of my fonne, this accident, Hath bred in mee fufpition, and flrange feares. I will not fup alone, but I proteft, 'Mongft fome this night I'le play the intruding guefl.
Exit with his ferving-men.
Enter the Wifewoman, Sencer, Luce and her Father, 2. Luce.
Wifew. But will fir Harry come. Sencer. Prefume hee will, and Charily too. Father. He have the knave by the eares. Luce. Nay patience fir, leaue your revenge to mee.
344 TIw Wife-woman of Hog f don.
Enter M. Boyfler.
Boyjler. Granam I am come according to pro- mife.
Wifew. And welcome to the beft hole that I haue in Hogfdon.
Boyjler. Good even.
Luce. Thanks fir, a good even may it proue, That each may reape the fruits of their owne Love :
2. Luce. That (hall be my prayer too.
Boyjler. Come what mail's doo.
Wifew. Withdraw, He place you all in feverall
roomes. Where fit, fee, but fay nothing. Exeunt.
Enter Taber vjhering Gratiana.
Taber. Heere fweete Miftreffe, I know the place well ever fince I was heere to know my fortune. Gratiana. Call mee fome halfe an houre hence.
Exit.
Enter the Wifewoman and 2. Luce.
Wifew. Your Ladifhip is moft lovingly welcome. A low floole for the Gentlewoman boy : I made bold to fend to you to take view of fuch a peece of worke, as I prefume you haue feldome feene the like.
Gratia. Of whofe doing, I pray.
Wifew. A friend of yours and mine. Pleafe you
withdraw He bring you too't.
2. Luce. Miftreffe.
Wifew One calls fweet Lady, I mail doe you
wrong, But pray you thinke my little flay not long :
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 345
Enter Sencer, fir Harry and Luce.
Sencer. Here fir in this retyring Chamber.
Sir Harry. Gramercy friend, how now ; whats
here to do A pretty wench and a clofe chamber too.
Luce. That you haue fo much grac't my Mothers
houfe,
With your defired prefence worthy Knight. Receiue a poore Maides thanks, who's there ? a
chayre And cumin for fir Harry.
Sir Harry. Thanks moft fayre.
Luce. Pleafe you but a few minutes heere to (lay : Till my returne, ile not bee long away.
Sencer. The gentle woman will waite on you by and by fir.
Sir Harry. And ile attend her friend, Of all thofe doubts I long to know the end :
Enter 2. Luce and old Chartly.
2. Luce. The Knight you feeke was heere, or will
bee ftreight,
And if you bee the man you name your felfe You are moft welcome, and you mall not backe, Till you haue feene fir Harry. Old Chart. Gentle youth. I faw him enter heere, and under priviledge Of his acquaintance made I bold to flay.
2. Luce. And you are welcome fir, fit downe I
pray. Wifew. Now they are plac't in feverall roomes, that
looke Into this one. Were Chartly come we had all our
company.
Sencer. Harke, theres one knocks 'tis Chartly on my life.
346 The Wife-woman of Hogfdon.
Luce. One of you let him in whilft I prepare
mee To entertaine his comming.
Enter young Chartly, Vflierd in by Sencer.
Charily. What? old acquaintance Luce. Not a
word? Yet fome lip labour if thou loveft mee.
Gratiana. My Husband ?
Sir Harry. What young Chartly 1
Old Chart. How 1 My fonne.
Chartly. Come, come away with this wailing in woe, if thou putft finger in the eye a little longer, I mall plunge in paine too prefently.
Luce. O husband, husband.
Anne. Husband ?
Chartly. What fay ft thou my fweet wife.
Gratiana. Wife ? O my hart.
2. Luce. In that name wife I claime a poore childs part.
Luce. O husband ; How haue you uf d mee ?
Chart. Nay how doe I meane to ufe thee 1 But
as a man Should ufe his wife.
Gratiana. I hope hee doth not meane to ufe her fo.
2. Luce. I hope fo too.
Boyft. My granam is a Witch.
Chart. Nay Luce> fweete wife leaue weeping if thou lou'ft mee.
Luce. O can you blame mee, knowing that the
fountain e
Of all thefe Springs tooke their firft head, from you, You know, you too will know, not three daies fince Are pail, fince wee were married.
Gratiana. Married, I can indure no longer.
Sir Harry. It cannot bee.
Old Chart. It is not poffible.
The Wife-woman of Hog f don. 347
Boyjler. lie bee even with thee, for this old granam.
Luce. And though wee wanted witnefle vpon Earth, Yet Heaven beares record of our Nuptiall Tye.
Chart. Turn, when wee meete in heaven lets talk
of that.
Nay come you afle, you foole, whats paft is paft, Though man and wife, yet I muft marry nowe Another gallant, here's thy letter Luce. And this night I intend to lodge with thee.
2. Luce. I'le fcratch her eyes out firft, although I love her.
Charily. Prethe bee merry ?
I haue made a gull of Grace, and old fir Harry Thinks mee a great way off, I tould the Knight, My father lay a dying, tooke pofl horfe, Rid out of Holburne, turn'd by Ijlington, So, hither wench to lodge all night with thee.
2. Luce. Heeres one faith nay to that.
Old Chart. Was that your journey :
Charily. Why I haue too much Grace already.
Boyjler. Thou haft no grace at all.
Charily. Nay lets to bed, if thou couldft but ima- gin how I loue thee Luce.
Luce. How is it poffible you can loue mee, and goe about to marry another.
Charily. Doft thou not know fhee's rich ? Why you foole as foone as I haue got her dower, it is but giuing her a dram, or a pill to purge melancholy to make her turne vp her heeles, and then with all that wealth, come I to liue with thee my fweete raskall.
Gratiana. Shee thanks you, and is much behold ing to you.
Charily. I am betraide.
Gratiana. Art thou my fuiter? would'ft thou
marry mee, And thy firft wife aliue, then poyfon mee,
34 8 The Wife-woman of Hog f don.
To purchafe my poore dowre.
Charily. What mall I fay, or thinke, or doe, I am at a Nonplus.
Gratiana. Had thou the face, thou brazen impu dence, To look vpon mee pad grace.
Chart. Thou can ft not properly call mee pad
grace, for
I never inioyd thee yet : I cannot tell! whether I blufh or no, but I haue now at this time, More Grace, then I can tell what to doe with.
Gratiana. Who drew thee to this folly ? J Chartly. Who but the old dotard thy Father who when I was honeftly married to a civill maide, hee perfwaded mee to leaue her, I was loath at firft, but after intreating, vrging, and offering mee large proffers, I mufl confeffe I was feduc't to come a woo ing to thee.
Grace. My father, villain e.
Chart. Ey thy father Grace. And were he heere would luftifie it to the old dotards face,
Sir Harry. Vil'd boy thou dar'fl not bee fo impu dent.
When did I meet thee, feeke or fue to thee : When ? Name the day, the month, the houre, the
yeare.
/ Chartly. Plots, plots. I can but cry you mercy * both,
Say that I haue done you wrong, I can bee but forry for it, but indeede to cleare you, and lay the fault where it ought to bee. All this comes from mine owne father in the countrey, who hearing I had married with Luce fends mee word of his bleffmg to bee divorft from her, and to come a fuiter to your daugh ter, I thinke you haue his hand and feale to mow.
Old Chart. My hand and feale, when was that letter writ.
Chart. Heyda, if you get one word more of mee
The Wife-woman of Hog f don. 349
to night, but fcurvy lookes, ile giue you leaue to hang mee.
Sir Harry. Vilde boy.
Old Chart. Vngratious villaine.
Gratiatia. Trecherous youth 1
Sir Harry. No grace at all ?
Chart. No grace.
Old Chart. This is bad company who hath feduc't
thee?
Speake on my blefling, who hath thus mifled thee 1 But no more lyes I charge thee.
Chart. Bad company hath bin the (hame of mee, I was as vertuoufly giuen as any youth in Europe, till I fell into one Boyjlers company, 'tis hee that hath done all the harme vpon mee.
Boyjler. I.
Chart. And if hee mould deny it ?
Boyjler. What then you'd cry him mercy.
Chart. I had bed bite out my tongue, and fpeake no more what (hall I doe, or what (hall I fay, there is no out-facing them all ; Gentlemen, Fathers, wiues, or what elfe. I haue wrongd you all. I confefle it that I haue, what would you more, will any of you rayle of mee? Ile beare it, will any of you beate mee? So they (Irike not too hard, Ile fuffer it, will any of you challenge mee 1 Ile anfwer it. What would you haue mee fay, or doo ? One of thefe I haue married, the other I haue betrothed, yet both maides for mee ; Will you haue mee take one, and leaue the tother ? I will, will you haue me keepe them both ? I will.
Father. Periured not mine.
Chart. What you heere too ? Nay then I fee all my good friends are met together, wilt thou haue mee Luce ? I am thy Husband, and had I not lou'd thee better then Grace, I had not difappointed the mar riage day to morrow.
Luce. Lafciuious no.
Chartly. Wilt thou haue mee Grace, for had I not
350 The Wife-woman of Hog f don.
lou'd thee better then Luce, I would never after I had married her bin contracled to thee.
Grace. Inconflant no.
Chart. Then neither married man, widdow nor batcheller, whats to bee done ? Heeres even the pro- verbe verifi'd, betweene two flooles, the tayle goes to ground.
Sir Harry. Now I bethinke mee this our meeting heere is wondrous ftrange, call in the Gentlewoman that ownes this houfe.
Enter Sencer and the Wifewoman, Hee like a leman.
Boyfter. Old trot. He trounce thee. Here is the marriage prou'd twixt Luce and Charily, Witch this was not your promife.
Wifew. Haue patience, and in the end wee'l pay you all. Your worfhips are moft hartily welcome, I made bold to fend for you, and you may fee to what end, which was to difcover vnto you, the wild vagaryes of this wanton wag pafty, a wild-oates I warrant him, and fir Harry that your daughter hath fcap't this skouring, thanke this gentleman, and then make of him as hee deferues.
Sir Harry, O, I remember him.
Grace. Hee never pleaf'd mine eye fo well as
now.
I know his Love, and hee in Chartlyes place My favour mail poffeffe.
Sencer. Thanks my fweete Grace.
Sir Har. Ey and the more the inconflant youth to
fpight. Sencer^ I giue her thee in Chartlyes fight.
Chart. There's one gone already, but this is my wife and her ile keepe in fpight both of the Devill and his dam.
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 351
Wifew. Not from her lawfull Husband.
Chart. That am I.
Wifew. That is the Gentleman, accept him Luce. And you the like of her, nay ile make it good, This gentleman married you vifarded, you him dif- guif'd miftaking him for Charily, which none but my boy lack was privy too : after fhee chang'd her habit with him, as you with lack. And you in miftreffe Luces habit.
Luce. May I beleeue you mother.
Wifew. This bee your token.
Boyjl. Her that I married, I wrong twice by the finger.
Luce. Of that token, my hand was fenfible.
Boyft. And ere the clamourous and loud noife bee
gone, I whifperd to her thus.
Luce. You are the man.
Boyjler. Thanks granam, what thou promift thou haft done.
Father. And leauing him, I take you for my fonne.
Chart. Two gone, then wheres the third, this
makes mee mad. Where is my wife then, for a wife I had.
Wifew. Not fee thy wife. Come hither jack my
boy. Nay take him to thee, and with him all joy.
Old Chart. Well art thou feru'd to bee a generall
fcorne,
To all thy bloud : and if not for our fakes, For thy foules health and credit of the world, Haue fome regard to mee, to mee thy father.
Chartley. Enough fir : if I mould fay I would be come a new man ; You would not take my word. If Ij mould fweare. I would amend my life, you would not take mine oath, if I mould bind myfelfe, to become an honeft man you would fcarce take my bond.
352 The Wife-woman of Hog f don.
Old Chart. I mould doe none of thefe.
Charily. Then fee fir, when to all your judgements I fee me pad grace, doe I lay hold of Grace, and heere begin to retyre my felfe, this woman hath lent mee a glaffe, in which 1 fee all my imperfections, at which my confcience doth more blufh inwardly, then my face outwardly, and now I dare confidently vndertake for my felfe I am honefl.
2. Luce. Then I dare confidently vndertake to helpe you to a wife who defires to haue an honefl man or none, looke on mee well, fimple though I fland heere I am your wife, blufh not at your folly man. perhaps I haue more in mee, then you ex peel from mee.
Charily. Knavery and riot both which, are now to mee foraigne.
2. Luce. You and I haue bin better acquainted and yet fearch mee not too farre leaft you fhame mee, looke on mee well, nay better, better yet, ile af- fure you I left of a petticoate when I put on thefe breeches. What fay you now.
Jhee shatters her hayre.
Chart. Firfl loue, and befl beloved ?
2. Luce. Let me bee both or neither.
Wifew. My boy turn'd girle I hope fhee'l keepe my counfell from henceforth, ile never entertaine any fervant but ile haue her fearcht.
Old Chart. Her love hath drawne her hither after
him.
My loving daughter welcome thou haft runne, A happy courfe to fee my fon thus chang'd.
Chartly. Father, call mee once againe'yotir fonne, and fir Harry mee your friend : Sencer an hand, and miflreffe Grace an hart, in honourable loue. Where I haue wrong'd you Luce forgiue. Impute my errours to my youth not mee, with Grace I interchange an im- brace with you Luce, a parting buffe I wifh you all joy, devide my heart amongfl you, thou my foule.
Nay mother midnight theres fome loue for you.
The Wife-woman of Hogfdon. 353
Out of thy folly, beeing reputed wife,
Wee, felfe conceated haue our follyes found :
Beare thou the name of all thefe comick acls.
Luce, Luce and Grace, (O covetous man) I fee,
I fought to ingrofle what now fufficeth three.
Yet each one wife, enough, one Nuptiall Feaft :
Shall ferue three Bridalls where, bee thou chiefe guefl.
Exeunt omnes.
Explicat Attus 5.
A A
TO
HIS CHOSEN FRIEND,
the learned Author Mr Thomas Heywood.
THou wants no Herald to divulge thy fame ; V needs no Apologie ; Only thy name Into jiidicious Readers, doth infufe ; A will to adde a Lawrell to thy mufe ; Was now Maecsenas living, how would hee Support thy learned wit ? whofe indujlry Hath purchaf d fuch a knowing skill ; that thofe Who read admire thee ; lejfefome Criticke JJiowes His Ignorance infeeking with newfongs, To gaine the honour which to thee belongs. But let pale envie belch forth all her fpight Thy Candid fame f hall Jlill contimie white Vnf potted, pure, andfaire, till memory ', Be turned obliuion, or a Deity, Proue mortall; And when Atropos/^^// doe Thefatall offic£, her belongs vnto ; Apollo will rebreath a life in thee, In length to eqiiall all eternity e Where in Elyzian joyes hee willfo raife Thy worth where never wither f hall the bayes Wherewith hee crownes thee ; So thy works willJJww. The Debt, I pay 's no more but what I owe.
SAMVEL KING.
Londini Status Pacatus:
OR,
LONDONS Peaceable Eftate.
Expreft in fundry Triumphs, Pageants, and
Shewes, at the Innitiation of the right
Honourable HENRY GARWAY, into the
Majoralty of the Famous and farre
Renowned City LONDON.
All the Charge and Expence, of the laborious Pro-
jedls both by Water and Land, being the
fole undertakings of the Right Worfhipfull
Society of Drapers.
Written by THOMAS HEY WOOD.
Redeunt Speftacula
Printed at London, by lohn Okes. 1639.
To the Right Honorable
Henry Garway, Lord Maior of this Famous Metropolis; London.
Right Honourable^
[O whom for your long Travell, variety of Language, and knowne Wifedome, I can- >not but give a precedence due to your
Perfon, as a priority belonging to your
place j fmce laboured lines onely comply with judicious eares. I mud ingenioufly confeffe your worth fo farre to tranfcend my weakeneffe, that I am almoft filent in the Proem ere I enter on the Epitafis : yet prefuming on your generous difpofition, which ever waiteth on follid Judgement, I thus proceede.
Your breeding (Right Honourable) next to a Scholler hath beene chiefly in Mercature, and of your fufficiency therein, you have not onely given to this City ample fatisfaclion ; but to the feverall parts of this Chriflian World : your perfonall Travell in your youth acquainting you with the paffages and proceedings in other forraigne regions, have bettered your conceptions (now growing towards Age) in the management of State Magiflracy in your native Realme : of which fmce the time that you were firfl
The Epiftle Dedicatory.
chofen Alderman, you have given rare Prefident ; none having decided more differences, ended more doubtfull Caufes ; or beene a greater Peace-maker than your honoured lelfe.
And for the multiplicity of your Commerce, it is moft manifeft, that you have long Traded (to begin with the neareft firft) in the Low Countries, France, Spaine, Italy, Venice, Eajl India ; ,and moreover in Grant-land, Mufcovy, and Turkey, of which three noble focieties laft named you are at this prefent Governour. Hiftory tells us that divers Praetors and Tribunes during the time of their Authority, have bin fo indulgent over the people committed to their charge ; that they have not onely ratified the good Edicts of others, but devifed wholfome Ordinances of themfelves : when Solon fwayed the Senate no Creditor had power over the Debters bodies, but their goods onely. In Platoes Common-weale all exceffe was pro hibited, which amongil the Romans was cald Lex fumptuaria. Acilius glabrio made an Edict De pecuniis repitundis, Commanding all mony taken by bribery, extortion, or other indirect meanes to bee reflored, cald Lex Acilia : Another compelled the Plebe to a liberall contribution towards all publicke Showes, and Triumphs ; which was Titled Lexfannia.
But not to indanger the juft reproofe of a prefump- tious arrogance, in prompting your Lordfhip in the fludied Duties of your fucceeding charge, I conclude with that Spanifh Refran : Embia al fabio a la em- baxada, Y no le degat nada ; ftill remembring that of Cato, Imperium gero non mihi fed Civitati etfocijs.
Your Honours mofl obfequious Tho. Heywood.
Londini Status
Pacatus: or
Londons Peaceable Eftate,
>t to infifl upon the Antiquity, Nobility, nor the firft foundation and fcituation of this glorious City, comparing it with others (of old) rarely remarkable ; now demolifht and ruin'd : neither with thofe contemporary or at this prelent in greatell profperity, either for Magni ficent ftructure, or Grave and godly Government ; becaule it hath bin the Annuall argument, fuiting with the occafion now in agitation : let them therefore pafle as conclufions granted, & principles againfl which there is no difputation to be held ; fmce for beautifull Architectures, Pallaces, Rialtoes, Guilds, Arcenalls, Temples, Cathedralls, Aquaeducts &c. and further for commerce in al Countries, Chriftian or Heathen ; difcoveries, plantations, (as in Ireland, Vir ginia, Bromoothos, or Summers Iflands, St. Chrijlophers, New England, Harber-grace in new-found Land &c.
360 Londini Status Pacatus, or
In which the moil famous Cities of the World, Athens, Thebes ; Lacedemon, nor Rome it felfe the Metropolis of the Roman Empire, could in her moil flouriming eflate and Potency, (though flie Tyrannized over the whole World,) in the leafl compare with London. And in the way of Competitor-fhip, the Spartan Ephori, the Athenian Areopagitce, with Romes purple Optimates, may fubfcribe to her fcarlet Senate ; no Pretor in any City whatfoever being graced with the like Sollenme and fumptuous Inauguration.
But from the Gity, I come now to the particular Company of the Drapers, one of the prime members thereof ; which may claime one fpeciall priority above the reft : in regard that Sir Henry Fitz-Alwin was of that Fraternity, and the firft Lord Major, who might bee rather cald a perpetuall Dictator than an one yeares Prsetor ; continuing his Majoralty from foure and twenty yeares and upwards together : not Anno complete, but vita durante ; from his Initiation, to his Expiration : which hath not hapned in any other of the eleven Worfhipfull Societies. After him within a little fpace, Sir William Powltney foure yeares together Lord Major, lohn Hind, Sir lohn New-man, Sir Richard Hardell, before whom the Sword was borne for the fpace of fixe ieverall yeares without iritermiflion. Simon Eyre who built Leaden Hall, or Sir Richard Pipe, George Monox, Sir lohn Milborne, Sir Richard Campion, Sir Thomas Hayes, Sir lohn lolls, Sir Edward Barkham, Sir Martin Lumley, Sir Allen Gotten, Sir Cutbert Hacket, and Sir Maurice Abbot, whom the Right Honourable Henry Garway now fucceedeth : the right Worfhipfull Mr. Thomas Adam, being this yeare Sheriftt and of the Drapers Society.
And although before the lafl Lord Maior preceed- ing this, there hath not bin any for the fpace of ten yeares of that Worfhipfull fraternity, yet in the Annual viceffitude of twelve yeares before, fixe of thole before named were elecled into the Prae torian dignity : and all, or mod of thefe from the
Londons peaceable Eftate. 361
firft being builders of Churches, and Chappels ; Founders of Schooles, Almef-houfes, and Hofpitalls, repayrers of decayed Temples, and Oratories ; Bene factors to Halls, and liberall contributors to the main taining of Arts,< and all Pious and Charitable acls whatsoever. Befides your Coate of Armes, Nobili- tated by ancient Heraldry, being three imperiall Crownes fupported by two golden pelletted Lions ; your Creft Aries, the firft of the twelue Zodiack fignes ; your infcript, To God alone be all honour and glory : your Patronefle, the bleffed Virgin ; all thefe approve your antiquity and dignity : I have nominated thefe amongft many, &c. but I come now to the firft (hew by water.
The firft Shew by water.
IS a perfon reprefenting the ancient River Nilus, mounted in a Sea-Chariot, and feated upon a filver Scallop (the plat-forme decored with Marine Nimphs and Goddeffes) his habit fuiting with the nature of the river, in his right hand a feven-forked Scepter, alluding to the feven heads, or as many Chan- nells through which he runnes ; and therefore by Ovid, cald Septem-fluus : he is drawne by two Croca- diles, which may be reckoned amongft the Amphibia, as living in, and pertaking of the two Elements, Earth and Water : the river it felfe by fundry Inundations watereth the whole Land of sEgypt, leaving behind it a flime, or moift Clay, which ferveth for a marie or manuring, to make the foyle more fertill. The origi- nall head from which it flovves is uncertaine, which Claudian thus exprefleth : Et Arcanos Nili deprendite •fontes. The Ecclefiafticall Writers hold it for one of the foure rivers that floweth from the earthly Para- dife ; in divers places it changeth name, according to the fcituation of the mores through which it runnes : it brings forth Reedes, whofe filmes or inward rinds are much like our Paper, and for a need may be writ
362 Londini Status Pacatus, or
upon ; and therefore by the Poets cald Nilus papyri- fer : of all other rivers it onely breedeth Crocadiles and Hippotami, sEquifluviales, Sea Horfes.
The Crocadile is a Serpent that from a fmall Egge, growes in fhort time to a mighty length and bigneffe, for fome of them have bin 22 Cubits long; it hath four feet, with which he runnes as fwiftly on land as hee fwims by water ; he is bold over thofe that fly him, but fearefull of thofe that purfue him ; the foure winter moneths, November, December, January, and February, he eats not at all ; hee hath no tongue, but teeth fharpe and long ; neither in feeding doth he move his lower jaw : briefly, hee is terrible to man and beaft, and preyes on both : but I leave them and come to the fpeaker.
Nilus.
"XT Ilus an ancient River, knoivne to excel I \^\ Among/I thofe four e, (which before Adam^// Water d the earthly Paradife} now claimes A new alliance with his brother Thames. Martia, fo cald of Marfms, who to win The praife from great Apollo, loft his skin : Amphrifus, who his namejhall ever keepe, Since there Apollo kept Admetus Sheepe. Nor yet Cremera, by whofe firtile fide Three hundred and fixe Fabij at once dide. Xantus, and Simois, thofe too famous floods, So often ftairid in Greeke and Trojan bloods : Nor let Pharfalian Enepeus boaft In Csefars triumph, o're great Pompies hoafl : Deucalion bragge not of Cephifus/tf/'W, fiecaufe mere it loft man-kind he reftor'd : Caifter of her Swans, Permeffus cleere, Proud that the Mufes were delighted there. Paclolus, nor Idafpes, fam'd of old For glittering Channells, patfd with pearle and gold. Let none of thefe compare with aged Nile,
Londons peaceable Eftate. 363
Who onely breeds the weeping Crocodile : Who drew me hither to the Celebration, Of this your great loud voyc'd inauguration.
Grave aud judicious Praetor, O make me Your happy Embleame ; fince as 1 forefee By reafon, that in JEgyptfatts no rat fie, There needs mujl be a dearth of graffe and graine ; Therefore, by frequent Inundations, I In my great care, that needfull wantfupply : So Magijlrates (of which you prime and bejl We mujl acknowledge) ought to the dijlrejl : In your known gravity and goodneffe caft The future to provide for, falve what's pajl.
Myfeven-fold Scepters Hierogliphick, tels Seven heads, from which my mighty river fwels, Seven liberall arts (by you maintaind] exprejfe Your Cities magnitude and worthineffe.
And as you fee my Crocodiles If way, Monjlers, which both by land and water prey} If any fuch here breed 1 as fome no doubt, In place and Office may be ; fearch them out : And then, what greater honour can you claime, Then fuch rude beajls like me to cur be and tame f
But y1 are too long detain d; I next commend you,
Vnto thofe Triumphs that on Land attend you.
Thefecond Shew, but the firfl by Land.
IS Janus, plac'd upon an Artificiall Structure, built in a fquare modell, at the foure corners whereof fit foure Perfons reprefenting the foure feafons ; Spring, Summer, Autume, Winter-, everyone habited agree able to his propriety and condition. The name Janus is borrowed from the Hebrew word Iain, which im- plyeth Vinum, wine, being held to bee the firft that planted the Vine. Some report him to have bin an ancient King of Italy amongfl the Aborigines, An. mun. 2629, & before Chrifl 1319, who received Saturne. flying from his Son Jupiter, & taught him the
364 Londini Status Pacatus> or
ufe of Agriculture and?Tillage. Hiftorians report him to have bin the wifeft King in his dayes ; remembring things pail, and predicting what was futurely to come ; & therefore they figured him with two faces : he was Deified after his death, to whom Numa dedicated a Temple, (hut in the time of peace, open in the time of warre ; from which he had the denomination of Janus Patuleius, and Clauftus : fome thinke him to have bin Ogyges, others Noah, with one face looking backward upon the world before the Flood, the other forward on that fince the Flood : they alfo called the one the face of Government, the other of Labour. His (landing upon fuch fixt bafes admonimeth all Magif- trates, and men of Honour, to be conftant in all their courfes ; but efpecially in the eftablifliing and maintenance of true Religion : He holdeth in his hand a golden Key to (hut up the yeare pad, as never more to come ; and open to the yeare future : it may al(o be an Embleme of noble policy to unbofome and bring to light their trecherous devifes and ftratagems, who feeke to undermine and fupplant the profperity of a faire & flourifhing Common-weale. Upon the Key are two Greek letters ingraven, £ and e and on a bar in his left hand the letter r all being numerall, and make up 365, the number of the dayes in our folary yeare ; of which by fome hee is (lil'd the Father : the bar in his left hand implyeth the Fortitude required in every good Magiftrate, in the incouragement of-vertue, and fuppreffion of vice, &c. Janus the fpeaker :
Hisfpeech as followeth. ;
I Janus, the year es Father, in my prime Almojl as foone as either light, or time ; Hither my feruants the foure Seafons bring Cold Winter, Autumne, Summer, and the Spring. Eleven Moneths are my Sonnes, my Daughter May Makes up the twelft : her Sifters Night, and Day Acknowledge me their Father : Girles of fpleene
Londons peaceable Eftate. 365
So oppofd, they never will at once beefeene.
The Houres my Hand-maids are, which imploy'd
Shall make you in your Prcetor-JJiip excell
(As all the refl fore-nan? d :) Behold this Key,
With which I dpe the gates of Land and Sea
To the time future ; being made by me
To all your Trade, commerce, and Trafficke free.
Procccde and prof per, ivhilft the yearefore-paft
(As never more to come) I Jhut up f aft;
One face ftill looking backe, leaft good Ac7s done
Mi^ht be obfcur'd in darke oblivion :
As t/i other foruiard, to fee what's to doe ;
Both for Gods Honour, and your Country es to.
From lanus this ufe may it pleafe you gather ; You for one year e are made the Cities Father ; Thefcfoure fucceeding Seafons, / refigne Unto your charge ; (which I before cald mine :) To the twelue Moneths, moft aptly may comply Your twelue chiefe Companies : who can deny My Daughter Day for your imployment prefll The blacke-brow V/ m\gcti., fequeftred for your reft % So fpend the Houres to inrich future ftory, Both for your owne grace and the Cities glory.
My golden Key make ufe off, to fet wide Thofe Prifon gates, where many afoule hath dide, Starved by tJC Opprejjors cruelty \ thofe Gaild For Capital! crimes, unpittied, and unbaild, Referve for publicke Triall'. luftice is bound To cut of Gangreenes, to preferve the found : But none knowes better than your f elf e (Grave Lord) What Mercy is : or when to ufe the Sword.
The third Show
IS Orpheus with his Harpe, feated in a faire Plat- forme, beautified with pleafant Trees, upon which are pearcht feverall Birds, and below Bealls of all forts,
366 Londini Status Pacatus> or
who notwithftanding being of feverall conditions, and oppofite natures, yet all imagined to be attentive to his Mufick. This Show hath reference to the title of the whole Triumph, Status pacatus, A peaceable and bleft eftate, in which our Soveraigns Royalty hath' a correfpondence with Saturnes Reigne, which was cald the golden world. There were fouremofl excellent of the Harpe, remembred unto us by the ancient Poets, who are likewife the Emblemes of the foure Elements : Apollo the Son of hipiter and Latona, (killing the Dragon Pithon) of fire. Amphion the Son of lupiter and Antiope, figured with a Camelion of Ayre. Arion the Methimnian riding upon a Dolphin, of water : and Orpheus the Thracian (thus accomodated) of the Earth : and thefe attributes were confer'd on them for their feverall Ayres, and ftraines in Mufick: this Orpheus was the Sonne of Apollo, who inflrucled him on the Harpe, upon which he grew fo excellent that the Woods and Mountaines followed him ; the Rivers ilaid their courfe, and the wild beads, and birds their prey, with Trees, and Hones were faid to be attentive to his Mufick : of him much more might be fpoken, but to fhorten circumftance I come to his Speech.
Orpheus.
INquire from all antiquity, 'tis faid That when Apolloes Son, (I Orpheus) plaid ^ ^on my Harpe : the rivers if they f wet d Above their bankes or Torrents that rebeld ; Grew fmooth to heare my muficke : and forbore To vexe the Channels, or mole/I the Shore. The Panther, Tyger, the wild Boare, the Beare, Forget their rage, to give me attentive eare, Lions with Lambs together coucht in love, As dreadleffe by the Falcon pearcht the Dove : The Hounds their purfuite did leave off, and there
London* peaceable Eftate. 367
Sate Hart, and Hare, dofe by them without feare : The fad predicting Raven, from the Oake {Hollowed with age) was not once heard to croake, Nor any Bird of harjti throate : onely then The Nightingale, the Robin, and the Wren With all their muficall quire, in filent groanes, (Affraide to fing out] cherrupt to my Tones. The very Trees I didfo much intrance, They fliooke their bowes becaufe they could not dance : But, Stones not rooted, but above the ground Mov d in rare poflures to my Harps fweet Jound : 1 the foure bluflering Brothers rage make calme, And 'Jlead of violent gujls to breath foft balme.
Yet there's an Harmony which doth rejoyce Mans heart, more than the Inftrument, or Voyce ; The Gitterne, Harpe, the Viol, and the Lute, When that is htard to found may all Jland mute ; Whofe happy Symptoms more contentment brings Than any Confort, made- by breath or firings : Andfejids afweeter rapture to the eares Than that above ; made by th' orbicular Spheares.
May it your grave Pretorian wifedome pleafe , You are that Orpheus who can do all thefe : If any flreame beyond its bounds f}iall f well, You beare the Trident that fuch rage can quell. Whenbeafls of Rapine (trufting to their power) Would any of your harmelejfe flocks devoure : Yours is the f word that can fuch violence flay, To keepe the Rich from rigour, Poore from prey \ Neither from any harjh ill-boading beake, Leajl difcord ffiall be heard, when you butfpeake ; Whilfl in Harmonious quire the refl contend, Which in your praife each othtrfJiall tranfcend*
Trees rooted in felfe-will, and (which feemes ftrange) Even fenceleffe ftonzs you into life may change. This Wifedome can ; yet there s a more Devine Concordancy, which farre exceedeth mine : Thafs of unanimous hearts ; plenty, increafe \ With all Terreflriall bkffings waiie on peace-.
368 Londini Status Pacatus, or
Which whilfl maintained in your Commerce and
Trade, Proves fweeter Muficke than ere Orpheus made.
The fourth Show
T S a Chariot drawne by two Cainmells, upon cithers J_ back an Indian mounted, and habited according to the manner of their Country : of Cammells there be two forts, the Baftrian, and Arabian ; and differ thus : The Baftrians have two bunches or fwellings on the backe, and are called Dromedaries : the Ara bians but one, and another on the breaft, on which they leane when they lye downe to reft : They want the upper order of teeth, and are fome times ufed in War, in velocity exceeding horfes ; but moft com monly for burdens, every one being acquainted with his owne lading according to his flrength ; leffe weight they defire not, and more they will not beare : they are taught to kneele till they have their load, and then they rife of themfelves. Neither in their journey will they change their pace ; they can abftaine from water foure dayes together, but then they drinke as well for the time paft, as that to come ; yet not before with their ieet they have troubled the ftreame : they live to fifty yeares, and fome to an hundred ; and though the pelleted Lyons might have ferv'd more properly to this place, as being fupporters of the Armes belonging to the Right Worlhipfull Company of the Drapers \ yet thefe are as genuine to the purpofe : to mow his Lord- fhips general! negotiation in all kinds of Merchandife whatfoever.
I cannot ftand to fpeake much of the Fleece, but of lafon and Medea, (thus briefly ;) Jqfon fignifieth fanans, or healing, Medea confilium, or Counfell : he was the Son of jEta, his Father was no fooner dead but he left the Kingdome to his brother Pelias, who fet him upon an adventure to fetch the golden Fleece from Colchos : to which purpofe hee caufed the Argoe
Londons peaceable Eflate. 369
to be built, in which fixty of the prime Princes of Greece accompanied him ; whom Medea the Daughter of Oetes King of ColcJws courteoufly entertained with all the reft of the Argonauts: and being greatly inamoured of him, and affraide leaft he mould perilh in the attempt ; knowing the danger he was to under - goe, upon promife of Marriage, (he taught him how he mould tame the Brazen-footed Bulls, and to cafl the Dragon that watched the Fleece into a dead fleepe : which hee did, and by flaying him bore away the prize. The reft I leave to the Speaker, which is
Medea.
^T^Hus doth the daughter of the Colchian King, Her Husband lafon home in Triumph bring,
After his mighty Conqueft of the Fleece;
The Aureum vellus brought from thence to Greece. And waft not a brave prife ? for who fo dull
Cannot conceive the worth of golden wooll 1
The mornings Sun upon their Fleeces JJiines,
Making the fields appeare like richeft Mines. One of thefirft we reade of was the Ram,
Upon whofe back Phrixus and Hellefwam
The Hellefpont : /Jie to her laftingfame
(By being drown d there, gave the Sea that name :)
But Phrixus fafely did to Colchosy?<a?r<?,
And on loves Alter facrificed there
The golden Beaft, wJwfe Jaithfull fervice done,
With the Celeftiall go&sjuch favour won ; That ftriv ing 'mongft themf elves to have him graced, Him firft of all the Zodiakfignes they plat d. And worthily, f earth the vaft earth ar deep, No beaft to man,fo ufefull as thejfieep : How many poore men doth it keepe in pay, Of feveral Trades and faculties ; elfe they Might ftarve for want of lively-hood', but their charge
bearing By Carding, Spinning, Weaving, Fulling, Shearing.
5 E B
370 Londini Statiis Pacahis, or
How with herfle/h we arefatisJVd within,
Cloatttd with her Wooll without ; in whofe JJiorne skin
Thofe reverent antiquities are kepi.
Which elfe longfince had i?i oblivion flept :
And for the Fleece it f elfe, it is an honour •
Firjt Nature, andftnce Time, hath cajl upon her,
So great, fo eminent, fo meriting praij e,
Even Emperours weare it on their Fe.aftivall dayes :
And none that ever her true vertue knew,
But rated her with Ophir, and Peru.
Thefe Cammels though among/I us rarely feene, Yet frequent where your Lordjhip oft hath beene In your long Travells : may the world per {wade The rich Commerce and noblentffe of your Trade,
Time Jo contratls us, that we cannot dwell On all in which you Merchants moft exceel : Yet honored Sir, what's in this place deny'd Shall in Pacatus Status bee fupptyd.
The fifth Show.
AS the lafl had a relation to the Company in generall, fo this hath reference to his Loidfliip m particular, as he is a noble Merchant ; having it hereditary from his worthy Father Mr. William Gar- way, who was not onely a great Benefactor to the Right Worlhipfull Society of the Drapers, but an indulgent Educator of divers yong men, who have fmce prov'd great and Eminent adventurers; fome attaining even to the prime Magiflracy of this our Metropolis.
The next Modell prefented to the publick view is a Ship, which as it hath all accomodatings and orna ments belonging to fuch a Veffell ; fo it is alfo decored with the Armes of the nine Companies of Merchant- adventurers, of which his Lordthip hath bin, and is at this prefent free : the trouble of the place, ths prefle of fo mighty a confluence, with the neceflity of time, in the folemnity of fuch a Feaflivall Day (then
Londons peaceable Eftate. 371
limited) will not afford it a fpeech : which I the rather omit ; becaufe in the lad reprefentation of the like, the excellency of Merchandife, the commodity of (hipping, with the antiquity and profit of Navigation was delivered at large : I therefore come to the fixt and lafl, which is
AN artificiall Architecture befl able (for the Workeman-fhip) to commend it felfe, and being apparent to the publick view, leffe needeth my def- cription. It prefenteth the calamities of War, & the bleifednefle of peace, Status Pacatus ; bearing the Title of the whole Triumph : In one part thereof are exprefl to the life, the figures of Death, Famine, Sick- nejfe,ftra%e, &c. in the other Prosperity, Plenty, Health, Wealth, but efpecially the free and frequent Preaching of the Word and Gofpell. I defire not to fwell thefe few pages to fmall purpofe, therefore thus briefly of both. Peace is the Tranquility, and calme quiet of Kingdomes, free from Section, tumult, uproares and faction ; a Plantation of refl, eafe and fecurity ; with all the flourifhing ornaments of earthly felicity : peace is the end at which War aimeth : Honour the fruits of peace ; and good Government the ground of either, afking no leffe wifedome to preferve it, then valour to obtain it : for Concord and Unity maketh a mite to increafe to a Magazin, when difcord and debate in any publick Weale, or private fociety, leffeneth a mountaine to a Mole-hill ; and therefore Pacem te pofdmus omnes.
Now of the contrary, War is of two forts, Civill, or Forraigne. Domefticke War is the over-throw and mine of all Eflates and Monarchies, and the incen diary of whatfoever is mofl execrable, begetting con tempt of God, corruption of manners, and difobedience to Magiflrates : change of Lawes, neglect of Juflice, and dif-eflimation of Learning and liberall Arts : But forraigne Warre is that (by Plato, cald a more gentle and generous contention) onely lawfull, being under-
B B 2
372 Londini Statics Pacatus> or
tooke to propagate true Religion ; or to procure a continuance of Peace. Any War may be begun with great facility, but is ended with much difficulty ; neitheris it in his power to end it who begins it : to raife a combuflion is in the power of any Coward, but to appeafe it lyes onely in the mercy of the Con- querour : & therefore much fafer and better is cer- taine peace, than hoped for Victory : the firfl is in our Will, the latter in the Will of the Gods.
Ergo Fames, peftis, Bellum graffantur in omnes, Viverefi vultis, vivitejam melius.
By War, Plague, Famine (loe) the people fall ; Then better live : if you will live at all.
The more to illuftrate this Tryumph, it is graced by the Company of Artillery men compleatly armed, to expreffe Warre : and the Livery and gown-men being the Embleme of Peace. I come now to the Speech, delivered by The Genius of the City.
WAr, to the unexperiencd, pleafant Jhowes, But they who in the Progreffe and the Clofe Shall trace it, know it horrid ; 'Tis a time Deftwtd) to the revenge, andfcourge of Crime : A time, when numerous armies, with thejlrejfe Of mailed men, and harnejl Horfes, preffe Grones from the trembling Earth (with fear e ajfounded) And with the reeking gore of flaine and wounded Drencht her in Jlead of Raine : when like Jhooting
Comets
It's lightning bolts the thundring Cannon vomets ; Quaking the bellowing Ay re : when Jhr ill alarmcs, RuJIting of rowted Troopes, clajhivg of Armes Render a noife ; as hidious and as loude, As a tumultuous fea in Tempeft plow1 d : When flaughter Jlrowes the crimfon plaine with Courfes, Men combat men, inraged Horfes, Horfes : When Maffacre, (all quarter quite denying) Revclls amidft the flying, crying, dying.
Lonaons peaceable Eftate. 373
// is a Time when Stratagem furrounds, And the beleagured City clofe impounds : When mounted Ordnance with their Jlreporous peale ( Warrs DialecT] on both fides raile ; and deale Death at each dire dif charge : When pinching need Of food, hath forced thefamijttd Mother feed On her 'forejlarved Babe ; and Hunger raves So fitrcely, Men eate men out of their Graves : When Plague makes friend, the friend \ brother, t/ic
brother ;
The Harmleffe, armeleffe • murder one another : WJien in the Husbands ana fad Parents
The Wife, and Virgins ravi/ht, in defptght AS lately in Of helpeleffe fuccour ; when without all ruth, Germany. The Honourable Aged, lovely Youth And Infant, in promifcuous heapes are throwne (By indifferent havock) like a medow mowne.
It is a time, when forrage, pillage, ftrage, What witty cruelty, or barbarous rage Can or invent or execute ; defigne To utter defolation : when in fine Whole Troy is but one Bone-fire, that devours Houfe, Pallace, Temple, and kicks downe thofe Towers That with the Clouds did late alliance boaft, Which in afpiring fmoke give up the ghofl. Laft him (who Exit, in thefe Tragick Scenes, Of f word, fire, famine, plagues find ; thraldome gleanes.
Andfuch a time is War, andfuch the throwes Our neighbour Nations travell now in ; woes Quite defperate cf delivery : whilft calme Peace, Profperity, and Plenty, with increafe Of all concatinated Blefiings />>«/<? With cheei'efull face on this fole-happy Ifle.
Let then our gratitudes and Pious cares Strive to entaile them to Us, and our Heires : Left that too late, (having Jlertie Warre acdted) We wiJJi that Peace j which (whilft we had) we flighted.
374 Londini Status Pacatus, or
One thing I cannot omit, concerning the Wardens and Committies of this Worfhipful Society of the Drapers; that howfoever in all my writing I labour to avoyd what is Abftrufe or obfolete : fo withall I ftudy not to meddle with what is too frequent and common : yet in all my expreffions either of Poeticall fancie, or (more grave Hiftory,) their apprehenfions went equally along with my reading : neither, had I travel'd in the leafl deviating path, could I have efcapt without a juft taxation : but I come now to the laft Speech at night.
The lajl Speech. ,
THe Sun is fet, Day doth not now appcare (As fame few houres late) in our Hemifphere ; Hefperus the Captaine of the Watch, hath tane Charge of the Starrs ; and now about Charles- wairie Hath placed his Centinels to* attend the Moone, Ifpoffible to make of mid-night noone.
May't pleafe you to remember from old Nile, The danger of ttt Amphibian Grocadile ; How from old Janus, you this year e have power Over each Seafon, Moneth, each day and houre. from Orpheus, thatfweet mufick of two parts y The civill Harmony of tongues and hearts. The Fleece of Aries Trumpets to eternity ', The Drapers Honour, due to that Fraternity. We by the Sheep and Camels under/land^ Your Lordjtiips Travells both by Sea and Land : Status Pacatus taft doth intimate, The happineffe of this your peacefull flate. Long may it loft (of all Earths bleffings bejt,} Whiljt we this night commend you to your reft.
Concerning thefe two excellent Artifls, and Matter Mathias Chriftmas, brothers ; the exquifite contrivers of chefe Triumphall Models ; I can onely
Londons peaceable Eftate. 375
fay thus much : their workeman-fhip exceeds what I can exprefle in words, and in my opinion their per formance of what they undertake, is equall at leaft, if not tranfcendent over any's who in the like kind mall flrive to parralell them.
FINIS.
377
NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE 65.
The Song
The Spanyard loves his antient Slop, &c.
The fame fong is printed again with fome flight verbal differ ences in The Rape of Lucrecey p. 216.
PAGE 81.
Loves Maiftreffe : or The Queens Mafque.
This and the following play, The Rapeof Lucrete, were reprinted in 1824 as Nos. 4 and 5 of The Old EngliJJi Drama : A Selection cj Plays from the Old Englifh Dramatifts (Baldwyn).
PAGE 88.
Ceres with plenty fhall inrich your (lore And Mercury Jhall flie from fJiore toJJiore. The firft of thefe lines, which is omitted in both the old edi tions of the play, is fupplied from the Prologues and Epilogues printed in Heywood's little volume of Pleafant Dialogues and Dramma's. Lond. 1637, p. 240.
PAGE 180.
It is perhaps the fanfmg bell.
Sance ^//—Saint's bell, or the San&us bell, a fmall bell which called to prayers and other holy offices.
378
PAGE 195.
Where JJte her flax and tow did hatchell. i. e., drefs.
PAGE 201.
Her tongue not too lowd nor cocket. i. e., pert
PAGE 205. if thou lov'Jl me drinke vpfe freeze.
A cant phrafe, borrowed from the Dutch, of frequent occur rence in our dramatic writers, and «fed to fignify being intoxi cated. Its derivation is doubtful, but the moft probable interpre tation is "in the Dutch fafhion." See Notes to Chapman, Vol. III.
PAGE 206. this Dutch Taffaker.
Taffaker is perhaps ufed here to fignify a cup or goblet, from the word ta/Je.
PAGE 213.
Your Partlets turne into Rebatoes. f.fi., turn your ruffs into falling collars.
Ib.
Your Fronlets lay by, and your Rayles. L e.j cloaks, or loofe gowns.
Ib.
Strawe-hats JJiall be no more Bongraces. Projecting bonnets to defend the complexion.
PAGE 216. SONG. — The Spaniard loves his ancient Jlop.
It has already been noted that this is the fame fong, with a few verbal variations, which appears in A Challenge for Beauty, fupra, p. 65.
379
PAGE 219.
hath tfte $randame world Yet fmotheredy#r/j ajlrange abortive wonder. The editor of The Old Englijh Drama (1824) reads "mo- ther'd " in this line.
PAGE 220.
for any thing that -we know he hath us'd flaves aker a late. Staves-acre is the herb larkfpur.
Ib.
were thefe fortunes To make thee great in both.
So all the original editions : the editor of Tlie Old EngliJJt Drama reads —
" where thefe fortunes Do make thee great in both. "
PAGE 227.
Packe cloudes away, &c.
This exquifite little fong, with one or two unimportant verbal differences, is printed among the Epithalamions in Heywood's Dialogues and Drammas. Lond. 1637. pp. 262-263.
PAGE 265.
Proteus.
Diodorus, i. 62, explains the fable of the varied fliapes as- fumed by Proteus, as an allufion to a cuflom of the Egyptian kings, who adorned their heads with various figures and em blematic devices, intended to flrike beholders with awe and reverence, — the king being with this ancient nation the chief prieft, and a fort of human god.
PAGE 268. Her fleece an order, and by emperours worne.
Monftrelet, in his Chronicles, defcribes the inftitution of this order in thefe words : — '* In this year (1429) the Duke of Bur gundy eftablifhed, in honour of God and St. Andrew, whofe
crofs he bore in his arms, an order or fraternity of twenty-four knights without reproach, and gentlemen from four generations, to each of whom he gave a collar of gold handfomely wrought with his device, viz. ' Du Fufil ' (a fteel finking fparks from a flint), to each of which collars were fufpended in front, like as great ladies wear croffes, clafps, or diamonds ; and in the centre thereof was a golden fleece, fimilar to what Jafon con quered in old times, as is written in the hiftory of Troy, and which no Chriflian prince had ever before made ufe of. The duke therefore called this order *' the order of the Golden Fleece.' " — Chap. 79, Johnef tranflation.
PAGE 269.
Rhinoceros, in continuall enmity with the elephant. This is a very ancient fable, which as it long preceded, fo it for many years furvived the author of this pageant. Edward Topfel, chaplain of St. Botolph, Alderfgate, in his very curious book, The Hi/lory of 'four-footed Beafts, 1658, a thick folio of mar vellous (lories felecled from Conrad Gefner, and others ; tells us that when thefe animals " are to fight, they whet their horn upon a ftone : and there is not only a difcord betwixt thefe beads and the elephant for their food, but a naturall diffention and enmity, for it is confidently affirmed, that when the rhino ceros which was at Lisbon was brought into the prefence of an elephant, the elephant ran away from him." We are then told that he conquers "by faftening his horn in the elephant's belly," and that "he is taken by the fame means that the unicorn is taken ; for it is faid by Albertus, Ifidorus, and Alumnus, that above all other natures they love virgins, and that unto them they will come, be they never fo wild, and fall afleep before them ; fo being afleep they are eafily taken and carried away.' Much more to the fame purpofe has he of elephants ; and the reader who would wifh to know of "their reverence for kings,' "their love of beautiful women," and even "the religion of elephants," will do well to confult Topfel's book.
PAGE 270.
The Soveraigne of the Seas. The pamphlet to which our author alludes is intitled A true
Defcription of his Majejlies Royall Ship, built this year e, 1637, at Woolwitch iti Kent. To the great glory of our EngliJJi nation, and not paraldd in tkc -whole Chriftian -world. Lond. 1637. (Forty- eight pages, small 410. , with a copper-plate engraving of the vessel.) Heywood, as he fays here, does indeed *' deliver him- felf amply" on the fubjecl of fhip-building, beginning with Noah's ark, and running through all the heathen authors, he brings his remarks down to his own time, and ends with a full defcription of this richly carved and decorated veffel, which is curious to thofe interefled in early naval building.
PAGE 274.
John and Mathias Chriftmas.
Heywood mentions thefe artifts in his account of the " Sove- raign of the Seas," already fpoken of. He fays "the mafter carvers (of the various ornaments upon it) are John and Mathias Chriftmas, the fonnes of that excellent workeman, Mafter Gerard Chriftmas, fome two years fmce deceafed, who as they fucceed him in his place fo they have ftriv'd to exceed him in his art." In Dalla way's edition of Walpole's Anecdotes, we are told "they were very able carvers, and were extenfively employed in defign- ing and finifliing monuments. Very creditable fpec:mens of their fkill are the bufls of Ralph Hawtrey and his wife (1638—47) on their tomb at Rifelip, Middlefex, in white marble. Lyfons. They alfo made a tomb at Ampton, in Suffolk, for Sir H. Cal- thorpe. — Gough, Topogr. vol. i. p. 579.
END OF FIFTH VOLUME.
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