Enter the Milk-maids with their pails.
Madge.How dost thou now?
Vio.Why, very well I thank you, 'tis late, shall I haste home?
Nan.I prethee we shall be shent soundly.
Madge.Why does that railing man goe with us?
Vio.I prethee speak well of him, on my word,He's an honest man.Nan.There was never any so one's complexion, a Gentleman?I'de be asham'd to have such a foul mouth.[Exeunt.
Enter Mother, Alexander, Andrugio,and his manRowland.
Moth.How nowAlexander, what Gentleman is this?
Alex.Indeed forsooth I know not, I found him at the market full of woe, crying a lost daughter, and telling all her tokens to the people; andwhat you wot?by all subscription in the world, it should be our new MaidMelvia, one would little think it, therefore I was bold to tell him of her Mistriss.
Moth.Melvia?It cannot be, fool, alas you know she is a poor wench, and I took her in upon mere charity.
And.So seem'd my daughter when she went away, as she had made her self.
Moth.What stature was your child of, Sir?
And.Not high, and of a brown complexion,Her Hair aborn, a round face, which some friends that flattered me, would say 'twould be a good one.
Alex.This is stillMelvia, Mistriss, that's the truth on't.
Moth.It may be so, I'll promise you.
Alex.Well, goe thy ways, the flower of our Town, for a hand and a foot, I shall never see thy fellow.
Moth.But had she not such toyes, as Bracelets, Rings, and Jewels?
And.She was something bold indeed, to take such things that night she left me.
Moth.Then belike she run away?
And.Though she be one I love, I dare not lye, she did indeed.
Moth.What think you of this Jewel?
And.Yes, this was one of them, and this was mine, you have made me a new man, I thank you for it.
Moth.Nay, and she be given to filching, there is your Jewel, I am clear on't: but by your leave, Sir, you shall answer me for what is lost since she came hither, I can tell you, there lye things scattering in every place about the house.
Alex.As I am virtuous, I have the lyingst old Gentlewoman to my Mistriss, and the most malicious, the devil a good word will she give a servant, that's her old rule; and God be thanked, they'll give her as few, there is perfect love on both sides, it yearns my heart to[heare]the wench misconstrued, a careful soul she is, I'll be sworn for her, and when she's gone, let them say what they will, they may cast their caps at such another.
And.What you have lost by her, with all my heartI'll see you doublepaid for, youhave say'dWith your kind pity, two that must not liveUnless it be to thank you; take this Jewel,This strikes off none of her offences, Mistriss,Would I might see her.
Moth.Alexander, run, and bid her make haste home, she's at the milking Close; but tell her not by any means who's here, I know she'll be too fearful.
Alex.Well, we'll have a posset yet at parting, that's my comfort, and one round, or else I'll lose my Will.[Exit.
And.You shall findSilvio,Uberto, andPedroenquiring for the Wench at the next Town, tell them she is found, and where I am, and with the favor of this Gentlewoman, desire them to come hither.
Moth.I pray do, they shall be all welcome.[Exit Serv.
Enter Justice,Curio,andMark.
Just.By your leave forsooth, you shall see me find the parties by a slight.
Moth.Who's that, Mr. Justice? how do you, Sir?
Just.Why, very well, and busie, where's your Son?
Moth.He's within, Sir.
Just.Hum, and how does the young woman my Cosin, that came down with him.
Moth.She's above, as a woman in her case may be.
Just.You have confest it? then sirrah call in the Officers: she's no Cosin of mine; a mere trick to discover all.
Moth.To discover? what?
EnterMarkand Officers.
Just.You shall know that anon: I think[you]have overreached you; oh welcome, enter the house, and by virtueof my warrant which you have there, seize upon the bodily persons of those whose names are there written, to wit, oneMercury, and the wife of oneAntonio.
Moth.For what.
Just.Away I say,This Gentleman shall certifie you for what.[Ex. Officer.
Moth.He can accuse my Son of nothing, he came from travel but within these two days.
Just.There hangs a tale.
Moth.I should be sorry this should fall out at any time: but especially now Sir; will you favour me so much, as to let me know of what you accuse him?
Cur.Upon suspition of murther.
Moth.Murther? I defie thee.
Cur.I pray God he may prove himself innocent.
Just.Fie, say not so, you shew your self to be no good Common-wealths man: for the more are hang'd the better 'tis for the Common-wealth.
Moth.By this rule you were best hang your self.
Just.I forgive your honest mirth ever: Oh welcome, welcomeMark.
EnterMarkand Officers, withMercuryand the Wife.
Your Pen, Ink, and Paper, to take their examinations.
Mer.Why do you pull me so? I'll go alone.
Just.Let them stand, let them stand quietly, whilst they are examin'd?
Wife.What will you examine us of?
Just.OfAntonio'smurther.
Mer.Why, he was my friend.
Wife.He was my Husband.
Just.The more shame for you both;Mark, your Pen and Ink.
Moth.Pray God all be well, I never knew any of these travellers come to good; I beseech you, Sir, be favourable to my Son.
Just.Gentlewoman, hold you content, I would it were come to that!
Mer.For gods sake mother, why kneel you to such apig-brib'd fellow? he has surfeited of Geese, and they have put him into a fit of Justice; let him do his worst.
Just.Is your paper ready?
Mark.I am ready, Sir.
EnterAntonio.
Just.Accuse them, Sir, I command thee to lay down accusations against these persons, in behalf of the State, and first look upon the parties to be accus'd, and deliver your name.
Cur.My name isCurio, my murthered kinsmanIf he were living now, I should not know him,'Tis so long since we saw one another.
Ant.My CosinCurio?
Cur.But thus much from the mouths of his servants, and others, whose examinations I have in writing about me, I can accuse them of; thisMercury, the last night, but this last, lay inAntonio'shouse, and in the night he rose, raisingAntonio, where privately they were in talk an hour, to what end I know not: but of likelyhood, findingAntonio'shouse not a fit place to murder him in, he suffered him to go to bed again, but in the morning early, he train'd him I think forth, after which time he never saw his home; his cloaths were found near the place whereMercurywas, and the people at first denyed they saw him: but at last he made afriv[o]loustale, that there he shifted himself into a Footmans habit: but in short, the next hour this woman went toMercury, and in her Coach they posted hither; true accusations, I have no more, and I will make none.
Just.No more? we need no more, sirrah, be drawing their Mittimus before we hear their answer. What say you Sir? are you guilty of this murther?
Mer.No Sir.
Just.Whether you are or no, confess, it will be the better for you.
Mer.If I were guilty, your Rhetorick could not fetch it forth: but though I am innocent, I confess, that if I were a stander by, thesecirc[u]mstancesurg'd, which are true, would make me doubtless believe the accused parties, to be guilty.
Just.Write down, that he being a stander by; for so you see he is, doth doubtlesly believe the accused parties, which is himself to be guilty.
Mer.I say no such thing.
Just.Write it down I say, we'll try that.
Mer.I care not what you write, pray God you did not kill him for my love, though I am free from this, we both deserve—
Wife.Govern your tongue I pray you, all is well, my Husband lives, I know it, and I see him.
Just.They whisper, sever them quickly I say, Officers, why do you let them prompt one another, Gentlewoman, what say you to this, are not you guilty?
Wife.No, as I hope for mercy.
Just.But are not those circumstances true, that this Gentleman hath so shortly and methodically deliver'd?
Wife.They are, and what you do with me, I care not,Since he is dead, in whom was all my care:You knew him not.
Just.No, an't been better for you too, and you had never known him.
Wife.Why then you did not know the worlds chief joy,His face so manly as it had been made,To fright the world, yet he so sweetly temper'd;That he would make himself a natural fool,To do a noblekind[n]essfor a friend.He was a man whose name I'll not out-live,Longer than heaven, whose Will must be obey'd;Will have me do.
Ant.And I will quit thy kindness.
Just.Before me, she has made the tears stand in mine eyes, but I must be austere, Gentlewoman; you must confess this murder.
Wife.I cannot, Sir, I did it not, but I desire to see those examinations which this Gentleman acknowledges to have about him, for but late last night I receiv'd Letters from the City, yet I heard of no confession, then.
Just.You shall see them time enough I warrant you, but Letters you say you had, where are those Letters?
Wife.Sir, they are gone.
Just.Gone? whither are they gone?How have you dispos'd of 'em?
Wife.Why Sir, they are for womens matters, and so I use 'em.
Just.Who writ 'em?
Wife.A man of mine.
Just.Who brought 'em?
Wife.A Post.
Just.A Post? there is some great haste sure, aha, where is that Post?
Wife.Sir, there he stands..
Just.Does he so? bring hither that Post, I am afraid that Post will prove a knave; come hither Post, what? what can you say concerning the murder ofAntonio?
Ant.What's that to you?
Just.Oh Post, you have no answer ready, have you? I'll have one from you.
Ant.You shall have no more from me than you have; you examine an honest Gentleman and Gentlewoman here, 'tis pitty such fools as you should be i'th Commission.
Just.Say you so Post, take away that Post, whip him and bring him again quickly, I'll hamper you Post.
Mer.'TisAntonio, I know him now as well; what an irregular fool is this!
Ant.Whip me? hold off.
Wife.Oh good Sir whip him, by his murmuring he should know something of my Husbands death; that may quit me, for gods sake fetch't out.
Just.Whip him I say.
Ant.Who is't dares whip me now?
Wife.Oh my lov'd Husband.
Mer.My most worthy friend? where have you been so long?
Ant.I cannot speak for joy.
Just.Why, what's the matter now, and shall not Law then have her course?
Andra.It shallh[a]veno other course than it has I think.
Just.It shall have other course before I go, or I'll beat my brains, and I say it was not honestly done of him to discover himself before the parties accus'd were executed,that Law might have had her course, for then the kingdom flourishes.
Ant.But such a wife as thou, had never any man, and such a friend as he, believe me wife, shall never be[a]good wife, love my friend, friend love my wife, hark friend.
Just.Mark, if we can have nothing to do, you shall swear the peace of some body.
Mark.Yes Sir.
Ant.By my troth I am sorry my wife is so obstinate, sooth, if I could yet do thee any good, I wou'd, faith I wou'd.
Mer.I thank you Sir, I have lost that passion.
Ant.CosinCurio, you and I must be better acquainted.
Cur.It is my wish, Sir.
Ant.I should not have known you neither, 'tis so long since we saw, we were but children then: but you have shew'd your self an honest man to me.
Cur.I would be ever so.
EnterRichardoandViola.
Moth.Look you, who's there.
And.Say nothing to me, for thy peace is made.
Rich.Sir, I can nothing say,But that you are her Father, you can bothNot only pardon, when you have a wrong,But love where you have most injury.
Just.I think I shall hear of no hanging this year, there's A Tinker and a Whore yet, the Cryer said, that rob'd her, and are in prison, I hope they shall be hang'd.
And.No truly Sir, they have broke prison.
Just.'Tis no matter, then[t]heJaylor shall be hang'd.
And.You are deceiv'd in that too, Sir, 'twas known to be against his will, and he hath got his pardon, I think for nothing, but if it doth cost him any thing, I'll pay it.
Just.Mark, up with your papers, away.
Mer.Oh you shall stay dinner, I have a couple of brawling neighbors, that I'll assure you will not agree, and you shall have the hearing of their matter.
Just.With all my heart.
Mer.Go, Gentlemen, go in.
Rich.OhViola, that no succeeding age,Might loose the memory of what thou wert,But such an overswayed Sex is yours,That all the virtuous actions you can do,Are but as men will call them; and I swear,'Tis my belief, that women want but ways;To praise their deeds, but men want deeds to praise.[Exeunt omnes.
'Tis ended, but my hopes and fears begin,Nor can it be imputed as a sinIn me to wish it favour, if this night,To the Judicious it hath giv'n delight.I have my ends, and may such for their grace,Vouchsaf'd to this, find theirs in every place.
In the following references to the text the lines are numbered from the top of the page, including titles, acts, stage directions, &c., but not, of course, the headline or mere 'rules.' Where, as in the lists of Persons Represented, there are double columns, the right-hand column is numbered after the left.
In the following references to the text the lines are numbered from the top of the page, including titles, acts, stage directions, &c., but not, of course, the headline or mere 'rules.' Where, as in the lists of Persons Represented, there are double columns, the right-hand column is numbered after the left.
It has not been thought necessary to record the correction of every turned letter nor the substitution of marks of interrogation for marks of exclamation andvice versâ. Full-stops have been silently inserted at the ends of speeches and each fresh speaker has been given the dignity of a fresh line: in the double-columned folio the speeches are frequently run on. Misprints in the Quartos and the First Folio are recorded when they appear to be interesting. A word or two from the printed text is attached to the variants recorded below in cases where the variant, by itself, would not be sufficiently clear. Altered punctuation is shown, usually, by printing the old punctuation between the preceding and following words.
A=First folio.B=Second folio.
p.1,ll. 5-29.Not inA
p.3,l. 13.B]Mar.l. 36.B] breeches out of fear,
p.5,l. 27.B]Rom.
p.6,l. 6.A] Fox andMoroso
p.7,l. 26.A] have I
p.8,l. 5.A] up rowsel. 7.A] o' th longs
p.10,l. 38.B] Wonting
p.11,l. 19.A] 'Cheerel. 35.B]Jap.
p.12,l. 22.A] home at
p.14,l. 13.A] Spinala's
p.15,l. 20.B] saying froml. 23.B] list, liel. 29.B] as' tfol wolsl. 34.B] Bug-words
p.16,l. 28.B] acceptl. 32.A] i'ld
p.18,l. 20.B]Mar.
p.19,l. 2.A] all thyl. 23.A] Jewry
p.20,l. 1.AandB] shall believel. 9.B] speed?l. 18.B] so.
p.21,l. 13.B] you
p.22,l. 3.B] Stranger, than
p.23,l. 26.Aomits] is
p.24,l. 8.B] him.l. 10.B] it;
p.25,l. 14.Aomits]Mor.
p.26,l. 36.B] selves
p.27,l. 26.Bomits] mostl. 27.B] Coughs.
p.28,l. 10.A] doe th'eml. 21.A] Found
p.29,l. 32.B]Bow.l. 35.A]Row. Thou hast heard I am sure of Esculapius.So were etc.
p.30,l. 14.B]Row.Thoul. 19.B] bel. 34.B]Raw.l. 39.Bomits] doe
p.32,l. 33.B] aad
p.33,l. 5.B] Godheadsl. 40.Arepeats herell. 16-25onp. 29,with the following alterations]Enter three mayds, at severall doors.goes the businesse
p.34,l. 1.B]Tertia.
p.35,l. 8.B] Heavenl. 16.B] the Kingdomll. 22-36.Not inA
p.36,ll. 3, 4.Aomits]Citizens and Countrey women.
p.37,l. 14.Bomits] thenl. 22.A] I liel. 40.AandB] Plackets.
p.38,l. 1.B] Daryll. 30, 31.Not inB
p.39,l. 5.AandB] importun'd.l. 24.B] down thel. 29.B] commanded
p.40,l. 1.B]Petro.l. 17.B] Mistresses
p.41,l. 4.B]Tro.
p.42,l. 35.AandB] leave.
p.43,l. 15.B]Jac.l. 31.B] Payers
p.44,l. 7.B]Jac.l. 10.A] Baggetl. 12.A] a soberl. 31.A]Cinque-paceDame tosse and Butter, had he Bob too?
p.45,l. 33.B] pains
p.46,l. 34.A] plush, perfum'd, and purffle B] purffle,l. 38.B] hangings.
p.47,l. 31.Aomits] youl. 36.A] built
p.50,l. 7.A] love tool. 31.A] there's no gewgaws
p.51,l. 33.B] Woman.
p.53,l. 23.A] Heaven
p.56,l. 14.Aomits] a
p.57,l. 5.A] dunhilll. 8.B] twol. 33.A] get dozen
p.58,l. 1.B] wouldl. 6.B] Eeel
p.61,l. 24.A] these
p.62,l. 34.B] Maidl. 39.Bomits bracketl. 40.A] dogge-latch
p.66,l. 11.B] pounds
p.67,l. 34.B]Exunt
p.68,l. 6.Bomits] feare
p.69,l. 18.A] by-lowesl. 19.A] can hatel. 26.Aomits] my
p.70,l. 7.Bomits] again
p.71,l. 8.B] Woman.l. 24.B] 'cut
p.72,l. 26.B] signs.
p.73,l. 6.B]Petrn.l. 29.A] morall
p.75,l. 15.A] new adventurel. 16.A] us nothing
p.76,l. 9.B]Catayana
p.78,l. 4.A] Ha's
p.79,l. 34.Bomits], you
p.80,l. 1.B] pettishl. 23.B.omits] God
p.81,l. 33.Aomits]Exeunt
p.83,l. 4.B] come, exceed
p.85,l. 28.B] Faddingl. 31.A] seagly
p.86,l. 12.B] same.l. 37.A] had his
p.89,l. 6.A] home since, since yel. 15.A] thy breadl. 16.A] thy teethl. 33.B]Petrol. 36.Bomits] done
p.90,l. 2.B]Mor
p.91,ll. 3-42.Omitted inA
p.92,l. 7.B] find.l. 12.B] surprize.l. 24.B] tightly
p.93,l. 35.Bomits] weares
p.94,l. 23.B] since
p.95,l. 14.A] 'is a
p.98,l. 18.A] a tenant
p.100,l. 24.B] Andll.28,29.Bomits stage direction
p.101,l. 5.A] Let my
p.103,l. 9.A] There they should lye as miseriesl. 13.B] will
p.104,l. 2.B] thisl. 14.A] accept your prisoner
p.105,l. 31.A] Clod with
p.107,l. 20.Aomits] and
p.108,l. 31.Bomits] her
p.109,l. 1.A] holds my
p.110,l. 10.B] men do to
p.111,l. 6.B] begunl. 30.Aomits one] that
p.113,l. 35.B] Merchans
p.114,l. 33.B]Then.
p.116,l. 34.B] Body, oh me
p.117,l. 2.B] rhese
p.118,l. 37.B] preparation?
p.122,l. 17.B] Princess
p.123,l. 21.Aomits] himl. 33.B] woman
p.124,l. 23.B] Aud
p.125,l. 5.A] you
p.126,l. 8.B] kinsman.l. 14.A] wert
p.127,l. 2.B] darel. 24.B] followers.l. 37.A] have you
p.128,l. 8.A] Princessel. 13.B]Pyu.l. 20.B] Love thesel. 28.A] feates
p.129,l. 32.B] enconragement
p.130,l. 25.B]Pen.
p.131,l. 13.A] Is lovel. 33.A] And be but to make cleane his sword: coward
p.132,l. 23.Aomits]and
p.135,l. 8.A] Princesse
p.136,l. 28.B] hope no night
p.138,l. 40.A] complaine, me
p.143,l. 30.A] And then
p.144,l. 12.Aomits] isl. 20.A] Now I
p.145,l. 35.A] toward
p.146,l. 27.B] Island
p.147,l. 1.B] dance.l. 20.A] Plow
p.148,l. 16.A] And mayl. 33.B] endeavour;
p.149,l. 12.A] hide in iniquitiesl. 18.Aomits]and
p.150,l. 30.A]Emanuel—not—
p.151,l. 12.B] Armusia.
p.152,l. 6.A] with'ml. 10.B] honourablyl. 27.B] him [full point supplied]
p.153,l. 1.A] wils
p.154,l. 1.A] you
p.155,l. 7.B] knowledge;l. 8.B]swellings,A]maine airel. 16.A] doe performe
p.157,l. 25.A] bound to?
p.158,l. 2.A] plague 'al. 26.A] stinch
p.159,l. 10.B] Nations
p.160,l. 31.Bomits] for 't;
p.161,l. 32.Bomits the second] ye
p.162,l. 8.B] you
p.163,l. 31.Aomits] a
p.164,l. 18.B] you
p.165,l. 11.A] his arrant
p.168,l. 25.B] thakfull. 26.B] Dios
p.170,l. 17.B] Princesses
There is an edition ofThe Island Princessin the British Museum (161. c. 70) dated 1669, 'As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal by His Majesties Servants. With the Alterations and New Additional Scenes. Licensed May 31. 1669. Roger L'Estrange.' It does not appear to be desirable to record here more than the following readings from a collation kindly made by Mrs Arnold Glover:
p.92,l. 22.pleasures
p.96,l. 6.alone as a mask
p.103,l. 27.Diascould
p.104,l. 21.your countrey
p.105,l. 31.Clad
p.106,l. 34.next to nothing
p.108,l. 18.thou wish her
p.116, to p.117, l. 15.Re-written
p.117,l. 29.without couragel. 35.boyish brains out
p.140,l. 24.to tax
pp.164,165.Re-writtenA prologue and an epilogue are added
p.171,ll. 3-28.Not inAThe Prologue is printed at the end of the playl. 13.B] Lougueville
p.172,l. 2.B] audl. 31.B] ro
p.173,l. 8.A] you bel. 16.A] preachtl. 30.A] travaile
p.174,l. 8.A] lights ... makes
p.175,l. 38.B] worthy
p.176,l. 19.B] upbraidl. 39.Aomits] a
p.177,l. 26.A] not, in
p.178,l. 20.B] hel. 25.A] looks
p.179,l. 2.B]Mousieur
p.184,l. 1.A] mine still, whenl. 15.A] trojan purple
p.185,l. 11.Aomits]Scæna Prima.
p.186,ll. 18, 19.A] contented her,When you first married her; a
p.187,l. 1.B] mightyl. 3.Bomits] up
p.189,l. 5.Aomits the second] the
p.196,l. 23.Aomits] answer
p.198,l. 5.A] do your
p.199,l. 4.Bomits] arel. 17.Aomits]Scæna Prima.
p.200,l. 24.A] for me
p.202,l. 36.B] Wake
p.203,l. 20.B] you
p.209,l. 31.Bomits] good
p.211,l. 10.A] Meron
p.212,l. 8.A] thy Dukel. 29.Aomits]Scæna Prima.Aomits]and