EnterGabriella,andMariaabove.AndLaval,Bride, States in solemnity as to marriage; and pass over; viz. Duke, Marine, Longaville.
EnterGabriella,andMariaabove.AndLaval,Bride, States in solemnity as to marriage; and pass over; viz. Duke, Marine, Longaville.
Mar.I hear 'em come.Gab.Would I might never hear more.Mar.I told you still: but you were so incredulous.See, there they kiss.Gab.Adders be your embraces.The poison of a rotten heart, ohHellen!Blast thee as I have been; just such a flattery,With that same cunning face, that smile upon't,Oh mark itMarie, mark it seriously,That Master smile caught me.Mar.There's the old Duke, andMarineher Father.Gab.Oh!Mar.ThereLongaville—The Ladies now.Gab.Oh, [I] am murder'd,Marie.Beast, most inconstant beast.Mar.There.Gab.There I am not;No more I am not there: Hear me, oh Heaven!And all you powers of Justice bow down to me;But you of pity dye. I am abus'd,She that depended on your Providence,She is abus'd: your honor is abus'd.That noble piece ye made, and call'd it man,Is turn'd to Devil: all the world's abus'd:Give me a womans Will, provok'd to mischief,A two-edg'd heart; my suffering thoughts to wild-fires,And my embraces to a timeless grave turn.Mar.Here I'll step in, for 'tis an act of merit.Gab.I am too big to utter more.Mar.Take time then.[Exeunt.
Mar.I hear 'em come.
Gab.Would I might never hear more.
Mar.I told you still: but you were so incredulous.See, there they kiss.
Gab.Adders be your embraces.The poison of a rotten heart, ohHellen!Blast thee as I have been; just such a flattery,With that same cunning face, that smile upon't,Oh mark itMarie, mark it seriously,That Master smile caught me.
Mar.There's the old Duke, andMarineher Father.
Gab.Oh!
Mar.ThereLongaville—The Ladies now.
Gab.Oh, [I] am murder'd,Marie.Beast, most inconstant beast.
Mar.There.
Gab.There I am not;No more I am not there: Hear me, oh Heaven!And all you powers of Justice bow down to me;But you of pity dye. I am abus'd,She that depended on your Providence,She is abus'd: your honor is abus'd.That noble piece ye made, and call'd it man,Is turn'd to Devil: all the world's abus'd:Give me a womans Will, provok'd to mischief,A two-edg'd heart; my suffering thoughts to wild-fires,And my embraces to a timeless grave turn.
Mar.Here I'll step in, for 'tis an act of merit.
Gab.I am too big to utter more.
Mar.Take time then.[Exeunt.
EnterGentilleandCasta.
Gent.This solitary life at home undoes thee,Obscures thy beauty first, which should prefer thee;Next fills thee full of sad thoughts, which thy yearsMust not arrive at yet, they choak thy sweetness;Follow the time, my Girl, and it will bring theeEven to the fellowship of the noblest women,Hellenher self, to whom I would prefer thee,And under whom this poor and private carriage,Which I am only able yet to reach at,Being cast off, and all thy sweets at lustre,Will take thee as a fair friend, and prefer thee.Casta.Good Sir, be not so cruel as to seekTo kill that sweet content y'have bred me to:Have I not here enough to thank Heaven for?The free air uncorrupted with new flattery.The water that I touch, unbrib'd with odoursTo make me sweet to others: the pure fireNot smothered up, and choak'd with lustful incenseTo make my bloud sweat; but burning clear and high,Tells me my mind must flame up so to Heaven.What should I do at Court, wear rich apparel?Methinks these are as warm: And for your state, Sir,Wealthy enough; Is it you would have me proud,And like a Pageant, stuck up for amazements?Teach not your child to tread that path, for fear (Sir)Your dry bones after death, groan in your graveThe miseries that follow.Gent.ExcellentCasta.Casta.When shall I pray again? (a Courtier)Or when I do, to what God? what new bodyAnd new face must I make me, with new manners?For I must be no more my self. Whose MistrissMust I be first? with whose sin-offering season'd?And when I am grown so great and gloriousWith prostitution of my burning beauties,That great Lords kneel, and Princes beg for favours,Do you think I'll be your Daughter, a poor Gentlemans,Or know you for my father?
Gent.This solitary life at home undoes thee,Obscures thy beauty first, which should prefer thee;Next fills thee full of sad thoughts, which thy yearsMust not arrive at yet, they choak thy sweetness;Follow the time, my Girl, and it will bring theeEven to the fellowship of the noblest women,Hellenher self, to whom I would prefer thee,And under whom this poor and private carriage,Which I am only able yet to reach at,Being cast off, and all thy sweets at lustre,Will take thee as a fair friend, and prefer thee.
Casta.Good Sir, be not so cruel as to seekTo kill that sweet content y'have bred me to:Have I not here enough to thank Heaven for?The free air uncorrupted with new flattery.The water that I touch, unbrib'd with odoursTo make me sweet to others: the pure fireNot smothered up, and choak'd with lustful incenseTo make my bloud sweat; but burning clear and high,Tells me my mind must flame up so to Heaven.What should I do at Court, wear rich apparel?Methinks these are as warm: And for your state, Sir,Wealthy enough; Is it you would have me proud,And like a Pageant, stuck up for amazements?Teach not your child to tread that path, for fear (Sir)Your dry bones after death, groan in your graveThe miseries that follow.
Gent.ExcellentCasta.
Casta.When shall I pray again? (a Courtier)Or when I do, to what God? what new bodyAnd new face must I make me, with new manners?For I must be no more my self. Whose MistrissMust I be first? with whose sin-offering season'd?And when I am grown so great and gloriousWith prostitution of my burning beauties,That great Lords kneel, and Princes beg for favours,Do you think I'll be your Daughter, a poor Gentlemans,Or know you for my father?
EnterLavall.
Gent.My bestCasta.Oh my most virtuous child! Heaven reigns within thee;Take thine own choice, sweet child, and live a Saint still.The LordLavall, stand by wench.Lav.Gabriella,She cannot, nor she dares not make it known,My greatness crushes her, when e'er she offers:Why should I fear her then?Gent.Come, let's pass on wench.Lav.Gentille, come hither: who's that Gentlewoman?Gent.A child of mine, Sir, who observing custome,Is going to the Monastery to her Prayers.Lav.A fair one, a most sweet one; fitter farTo beautifie a Court, than make a Votarist.Go on, fair Beauty, and in your OrizonsRemember me: will ye, fair sweet?Casta.Most humbly.[Exeunt.Lav.An admirable Beauty: how it fires me!
Gent.My bestCasta.Oh my most virtuous child! Heaven reigns within thee;Take thine own choice, sweet child, and live a Saint still.The LordLavall, stand by wench.
Lav.Gabriella,She cannot, nor she dares not make it known,My greatness crushes her, when e'er she offers:Why should I fear her then?
Gent.Come, let's pass on wench.
Lav.Gentille, come hither: who's that Gentlewoman?
Gent.A child of mine, Sir, who observing custome,Is going to the Monastery to her Prayers.
Lav.A fair one, a most sweet one; fitter farTo beautifie a Court, than make a Votarist.Go on, fair Beauty, and in your OrizonsRemember me: will ye, fair sweet?
Casta.Most humbly.[Exeunt.
Lav.An admirable Beauty: how it fires me!
Enter a Spirit.
But she's too full of grace, and I too wicked.I feel my wonted fit: Defend me, goodness.Oh! it grows colder still, and stiffer on me,My hair stands up, my sinews shake and shrink;Help me good Heaven, and good thoughts dwell within me.Oh get thee gone, thou evil evil spirit,Haunt me no more, I charge thee.Spir.YesLavall:Thou art my vassal, and the slave to mischief,I blast thee with new sin: pursue thy pleasure;Castais rare and sweet, a blowing Beauty;Set thy desires a fire, and never quench 'emTill thou enjoy'st her; make her all thy Heaven,And all thy joy, for she is all true happiness:Thou art powerful, use command; if that prevail not,Force her: I'll be thy friend.Lav.Oh help me, help me.Spir.Her virtue, like a spell, sinks me to darkness.[Exit.
But she's too full of grace, and I too wicked.I feel my wonted fit: Defend me, goodness.Oh! it grows colder still, and stiffer on me,My hair stands up, my sinews shake and shrink;Help me good Heaven, and good thoughts dwell within me.Oh get thee gone, thou evil evil spirit,Haunt me no more, I charge thee.
Spir.YesLavall:Thou art my vassal, and the slave to mischief,I blast thee with new sin: pursue thy pleasure;Castais rare and sweet, a blowing Beauty;Set thy desires a fire, and never quench 'emTill thou enjoy'st her; make her all thy Heaven,And all thy joy, for she is all true happiness:Thou art powerful, use command; if that prevail not,Force her: I'll be thy friend.
Lav.Oh help me, help me.
Spir.Her virtue, like a spell, sinks me to darkness.[Exit.
EnterGentilleandCasta.
Gent.He's here still. How is't, noble Lord? me thinks, Sir,You look a little wildly. Is it that way?Is't her you stare on so? I have spy'd your fire, Sir,Bu[t] dare not stay the flaming. Come.Lav.Sweet [c]reature,Excellent Beauty, do me but the happinessTo be your humblest servant. Oh fair eyes,Oh blessed, Blessed Sweetness, Divine Virgin!Casta.Oh good my Lord, retire into your honor:You're spoken good and virtuous, plac'd [at] HelmeTo govern others from mischances: from exampleOf such fair Chronicles as great ones are,We do, or sure we should direct our lives.I know y'are full of worth, a school of virtueDaily instructing us that live below ye,I make no doubt, dwells there.Lav.I cannot answer,She has struck me dumb with wonder.Casta.Goodness guide ye.[Exeunt.Lav.She's gone, and with her all [l]ight, and has left meDark as my black desires. Oh devil lust,How dost thou hug my bloud, and whisper to me,There is no day again, no time, no living,Without this lusty Beauty break upon me!Let me collect my self, I strive like billows,Beaten against a rock, and fall a fool still.I must enjoy her, and I will: from this hourMy thoughts, and all my bus'ness shall be nothing.
Gent.He's here still. How is't, noble Lord? me thinks, Sir,You look a little wildly. Is it that way?Is't her you stare on so? I have spy'd your fire, Sir,Bu[t] dare not stay the flaming. Come.
Lav.Sweet [c]reature,Excellent Beauty, do me but the happinessTo be your humblest servant. Oh fair eyes,Oh blessed, Blessed Sweetness, Divine Virgin!
Casta.Oh good my Lord, retire into your honor:You're spoken good and virtuous, plac'd [at] HelmeTo govern others from mischances: from exampleOf such fair Chronicles as great ones are,We do, or sure we should direct our lives.I know y'are full of worth, a school of virtueDaily instructing us that live below ye,I make no doubt, dwells there.
Lav.I cannot answer,She has struck me dumb with wonder.
Casta.Goodness guide ye.[Exeunt.
Lav.She's gone, and with her all [l]ight, and has left meDark as my black desires. Oh devil lust,How dost thou hug my bloud, and whisper to me,There is no day again, no time, no living,Without this lusty Beauty break upon me!Let me collect my self, I strive like billows,Beaten against a rock, and fall a fool still.I must enjoy her, and I will: from this hourMy thoughts, and all my bus'ness shall be nothing.
EnterMaria.
My eating, and my sleeping, but her beauty,And how to work it.Mar.Health to my LordLavall.Nay good Sir, do not turn with such displeasure;I come not to afflict your new born pleasures;My honour'd Mistriss, neither let that vex ye,For nothing is intended, but safe to you.Lav.What of your Mistriss? I am full of bus'ness.Mar.I will be short, my Lord; she, loving Lady,Considering the unequal tie between ye,And how your ruine with the Duke lay on it,As also the most noble match now made,By me sends back all links of marriage,All Holy Vows, and Rights of Ceremony,All promises, oaths, tears, and all such pawnsYou left in hostage: only her love she cannot,For that still follows ye, but not to hurt ye;And still beholds ye Sir, but not to shame ye:In recompence of which, this is her suit, Sir,Her poor and last petition, but to grant her,When weary nights have cloyed ye up with kisses,(As such must come) the honor of a Mistriss,The honor but to let her see those eyes,(Those eyes she doats on, more than gods do goodness)And but to kiss you only: with this prayer,(a prayer only to awake your pity)And on her knees she made it, that this nightYou'ld bless her with your company at supper.Lav.I like this well, and now I think on't better,I'll make a present use from this occasion.Mar.Nay, good my Lord, be not so cruel to herBecause she has been yours.Lav.And to mine own endA rare way I will work.Mar.Can love for ever,The Love of her (my Lord) so perish in ye?As ye desire in your desires to prosper.What gallant under Heaven, butAnjou's Heir thenCan brag so fair a Wife, and sweet a Mistriss?Good noble Lord.Lav.Ye mis-apply me,Mary,Nor do I want true pity to your Lady:Pity and love tell me, too much I have wrong'd herTo dare to see her more: yet if her sweetnessCan entertain a Mediation,And it must be a great one that can cure me;My love again, as far as honor bids me,My service and my self—Mar.That's nobly spoken.Lav.Shall hourly see her; want shall never know her;Nor where she has bestow'd her love, repent her.Mar.Now whither drives he?Lav.I have heardMaria,That no two women in the world more lov'd,Then thy good Mistriss, andGentille's fair Daughter.Mar.What may this mean? you have heard a truth, my Lord:But since the secret Love betwixt you two,My Mistriss durst not entertain such friendship;Castais quick, and of a piercing judgement,And quickly will find out a flaw.Lav.HoldMarie:Shrink not, 'tis good gold, wench: prepare a Banquet,And get thatCastathither; for she's a creatureSo full of forcible Divine perswasion,And so unwearied ever with good offic[e],And she shall cure my ill cause to my Mistriss,And make all errors up.Mar.I'll doe my best, Sir:But she's too fearful, coy, and scrupulous,To leave her Fathers house so late; and bashfulAt any mans appearance, that I fear, Sir;'Twill prove impossible.Lav.There's more gold,Marie,And fain thy Mistriss wondrous sick to death, wench.Mar.I have ye in the wind now, and I'll pay ye.Lav.She cannot chuse but come; 'tis charity,The chief of her profession: undertake this,And I am there at night; if not, I leave ye.Mar.I will not loose this offer, though it fall outClean cross to that we cast, I'll undertake it,I will, my Lord; she shall be there.Lav.By ——?Mar.By —— she shall.Lav.Let it be something late then.For being seen, now force or favour wins her.My spirits are grown dull, strong wine, and store,Shall set 'em up again, and make me fitTo draw home at the enterprize I aim at.[Exit.Ma.Go thy wa[ies] false Lord, if thou hold'st, thou pay'stThe price of all thy lusts. Thou shalt be thereThou modest Maid, if I have any working,And yet thy honor safe; for which this thiefI know has set this meeting: but I'll watch him.
My eating, and my sleeping, but her beauty,And how to work it.
Mar.Health to my LordLavall.Nay good Sir, do not turn with such displeasure;I come not to afflict your new born pleasures;My honour'd Mistriss, neither let that vex ye,For nothing is intended, but safe to you.
Lav.What of your Mistriss? I am full of bus'ness.
Mar.I will be short, my Lord; she, loving Lady,Considering the unequal tie between ye,And how your ruine with the Duke lay on it,As also the most noble match now made,By me sends back all links of marriage,All Holy Vows, and Rights of Ceremony,All promises, oaths, tears, and all such pawnsYou left in hostage: only her love she cannot,For that still follows ye, but not to hurt ye;And still beholds ye Sir, but not to shame ye:In recompence of which, this is her suit, Sir,Her poor and last petition, but to grant her,When weary nights have cloyed ye up with kisses,(As such must come) the honor of a Mistriss,The honor but to let her see those eyes,(Those eyes she doats on, more than gods do goodness)And but to kiss you only: with this prayer,(a prayer only to awake your pity)And on her knees she made it, that this nightYou'ld bless her with your company at supper.
Lav.I like this well, and now I think on't better,I'll make a present use from this occasion.
Mar.Nay, good my Lord, be not so cruel to herBecause she has been yours.
Lav.And to mine own endA rare way I will work.
Mar.Can love for ever,The Love of her (my Lord) so perish in ye?As ye desire in your desires to prosper.What gallant under Heaven, butAnjou's Heir thenCan brag so fair a Wife, and sweet a Mistriss?Good noble Lord.
Lav.Ye mis-apply me,Mary,Nor do I want true pity to your Lady:Pity and love tell me, too much I have wrong'd herTo dare to see her more: yet if her sweetnessCan entertain a Mediation,And it must be a great one that can cure me;My love again, as far as honor bids me,My service and my self—
Mar.That's nobly spoken.
Lav.Shall hourly see her; want shall never know her;Nor where she has bestow'd her love, repent her.
Mar.Now whither drives he?
Lav.I have heardMaria,That no two women in the world more lov'd,Then thy good Mistriss, andGentille's fair Daughter.
Mar.What may this mean? you have heard a truth, my Lord:But since the secret Love betwixt you two,My Mistriss durst not entertain such friendship;Castais quick, and of a piercing judgement,And quickly will find out a flaw.
Lav.HoldMarie:Shrink not, 'tis good gold, wench: prepare a Banquet,And get thatCastathither; for she's a creatureSo full of forcible Divine perswasion,And so unwearied ever with good offic[e],And she shall cure my ill cause to my Mistriss,And make all errors up.
Mar.I'll doe my best, Sir:But she's too fearful, coy, and scrupulous,To leave her Fathers house so late; and bashfulAt any mans appearance, that I fear, Sir;'Twill prove impossible.
Lav.There's more gold,Marie,And fain thy Mistriss wondrous sick to death, wench.
Mar.I have ye in the wind now, and I'll pay ye.
Lav.She cannot chuse but come; 'tis charity,The chief of her profession: undertake this,And I am there at night; if not, I leave ye.
Mar.I will not loose this offer, though it fall outClean cross to that we cast, I'll undertake it,I will, my Lord; she shall be there.
Lav.By ——?
Mar.By —— she shall.
Lav.Let it be something late then.For being seen, now force or favour wins her.My spirits are grown dull, strong wine, and store,Shall set 'em up again, and make me fitTo draw home at the enterprize I aim at.[Exit.
Ma.Go thy wa[ies] false Lord, if thou hold'st, thou pay'stThe price of all thy lusts. Thou shalt be thereThou modest Maid, if I have any working,And yet thy honor safe; for which this thiefI know has set this meeting: but I'll watch him.
EnterPer[o]lot.
Per.Maria.Mar.Are mine eyes mine own? or bless me,Am I deluded with a flying shadow?Per.Why do you start so from me?Mar.It speaks sensibly,And shews a living body: yet I am fearful.Per.Give me your hand, goodMaria.Mar.He feels warm too.Per.And next your [l]ips.Mar.He kisses perfectly.Nay, and the Devil be n[o] worse: you arePerolot.Per.I was, and sure I should be: Can a small distance,And ten short moneths take from your memoryThe figure of your friend, that you stand wondring?Be not amaz'd, I am the self-samePer[o]lot,Living, and well; Son toGentille, and BrotherTo virtuousCasta; to your beauteous Mistriss,The long since poor betroth'd, and still vow'd servant.Mar.Nay, sure he lives. My LordLavall, your Master,Brought news long since to your much mourning Mistriss,Ye dy'd atOrleance; bound her with an oath too,To keep it secret from your aged Father,Lest it should rack his heart.Per.A pretty secretTo try my Mistriss Love, and make my welcomeFrom travel of more worth; from whence, Heaven be thanked,My business for the Duke dispatch'd to th' purpose,And all my money spent, I am come home, wench.How does my Mistriss? for I have not yet seenAny, nor will I, till I do her service.
Per.Maria.
Mar.Are mine eyes mine own? or bless me,Am I deluded with a flying shadow?
Per.Why do you start so from me?
Mar.It speaks sensibly,And shews a living body: yet I am fearful.
Per.Give me your hand, goodMaria.
Mar.He feels warm too.
Per.And next your [l]ips.
Mar.He kisses perfectly.Nay, and the Devil be n[o] worse: you arePerolot.
Per.I was, and sure I should be: Can a small distance,And ten short moneths take from your memoryThe figure of your friend, that you stand wondring?Be not amaz'd, I am the self-samePer[o]lot,Living, and well; Son toGentille, and BrotherTo virtuousCasta; to your beauteous Mistriss,The long since poor betroth'd, and still vow'd servant.
Mar.Nay, sure he lives. My LordLavall, your Master,Brought news long since to your much mourning Mistriss,Ye dy'd atOrleance; bound her with an oath too,To keep it secret from your aged Father,Lest it should rack his heart.
Per.A pretty secretTo try my Mistriss Love, and make my welcomeFrom travel of more worth; from whence, Heaven be thanked,My business for the Duke dispatch'd to th' purpose,And all my money spent, I am come home, wench.How does my Mistriss? for I have not yet seenAny, nor will I, till I do her service.
Mar.But did the LordLavalknow of your love, Sir, before he went?
Mar.But did the LordLavalknow of your love, Sir, before he went?
Per.Yes, by much more force he got it,But none else knew; upon his promise tooAnd honor to conceal it faithfullyTill my return; to further which, he told me,My business being ended, from the DukeHe would procure a pension for my service,Able to make my Mistriss a fit Husband.Mar.But are you sure of this?Per.Sure as my sight, wench.Mar.Then is your Lord a base dissembling villain,A Devil Lord, the damn'd Lord of all lewdness,And has betraid ye, and undone my Mistriss,My poor sweet Mistriss: oh that leacher Lord,Who, poor soul, since was married.Per.To whom,Maria?Mar.To that unlucky Lord, a —— upon him;Whose hot horse-appetite being allaid onceWith her chaste joyes, married again, scarce cool'd,The Torches yet not out the yellowHymenLighted about the bed, the Songs yet sounding,Marine's young noble DaughterHelena,Whose mischief stands at door next. Oh that recreant!Per.Oh villain! Oh most unmanly falshood!Nay then I see, my Letters were betraid too.Oh, I am full of this, great with his mischiefs,Loaden and burst: Come, lead me to my Lady.Mar.I cannot, Sir,Lavallkeeps her conceal'd,Besides, her griefs are such, she will see no man.Per.I must, and will go to her: I will see her:There be my friend, or this shall be thy furthest.Mar.Hold, and I'll help thee: but first ye shall swear to me,As you are true and gentle, as ye hateThis beastly and base Lord, where I shall place ye,(Which shall be within sight) till I discharge ye,What-e'er you see or hear, to make no motion.Per.I do by ——Mar.Stay here about the house then,Till it be later; yet the time's not perfect:There at the back door I'll attend you truly.Per.Oh monstrous, monstrous beastly villain.[Exit.Mar.How cross this falls, and from all expectation!And what the end shall be, Heaven only yet knows:Only I wish, and hope. But I forget still,Castamust be the bait, or all miscarries.[Exeunt.
Per.Yes, by much more force he got it,But none else knew; upon his promise tooAnd honor to conceal it faithfullyTill my return; to further which, he told me,My business being ended, from the DukeHe would procure a pension for my service,Able to make my Mistriss a fit Husband.
Mar.But are you sure of this?
Per.Sure as my sight, wench.
Mar.Then is your Lord a base dissembling villain,A Devil Lord, the damn'd Lord of all lewdness,And has betraid ye, and undone my Mistriss,My poor sweet Mistriss: oh that leacher Lord,Who, poor soul, since was married.
Per.To whom,Maria?
Mar.To that unlucky Lord, a —— upon him;Whose hot horse-appetite being allaid onceWith her chaste joyes, married again, scarce cool'd,The Torches yet not out the yellowHymenLighted about the bed, the Songs yet sounding,Marine's young noble DaughterHelena,Whose mischief stands at door next. Oh that recreant!
Per.Oh villain! Oh most unmanly falshood!Nay then I see, my Letters were betraid too.Oh, I am full of this, great with his mischiefs,Loaden and burst: Come, lead me to my Lady.
Mar.I cannot, Sir,Lavallkeeps her conceal'd,Besides, her griefs are such, she will see no man.
Per.I must, and will go to her: I will see her:There be my friend, or this shall be thy furthest.
Mar.Hold, and I'll help thee: but first ye shall swear to me,As you are true and gentle, as ye hateThis beastly and base Lord, where I shall place ye,(Which shall be within sight) till I discharge ye,What-e'er you see or hear, to make no motion.
Per.I do by ——
Mar.Stay here about the house then,Till it be later; yet the time's not perfect:There at the back door I'll attend you truly.
Per.Oh monstrous, monstrous beastly villain.[Exit.
Mar.How cross this falls, and from all expectation!And what the end shall be, Heaven only yet knows:Only I wish, and hope. But I forget still,Castamust be the bait, or all miscarries.[Exeunt.
EnterGentillewith a Torch, Shalloonabove.
Gent.Holla,Shaloon.Shal.Who's there?Gent.A word from the Duke, Sir.Shal.Your pleasure.Gent.Tell your Lord he must to Court strait.Shal.He is ill at ease: and prays he may be pardon'dThe occasions of this night.Gent.Belike he is drunk then:He must away; the Duke and his fair Lady,The beauteousHelena, are now atCent.Of whom she has such fortune in her carding,The Duke has lost a thousand Crowns, and swears,He will not go to bed, till byLavallThe Tide of loss be turn'd again. Awake him,For 'tis the pleasure of the Duke he must rise.Sha.Having so strict command (Sir) to the contrary,I dare not do it: I beseech your pardon.Gent.Are you sure he is there?Sha.Yes.Gen.And asleep?Sha.I think so.Gen.And are you sure you will not tell him,Shalon?Sha.Yes, very sure.Gen.Then I am sure, I will.Open, or I must force.Sha.Pray ye stay, he is not,Nor will not be this night. You may excuse it.Gent.I knew he was gone about some womans labour.As good a neighbor, though I say it, and as comfortable:Many such more we needShaloon. Alas, poor Lady,Thou art like to lie cross-legg'd to night. Good Monsieur,I will excuse your Master for this once, Sir,Because sometimes I have lov'd a wench my self too.Sha.'Tis a good hearing, Sir.Gent.But for your lye,Shaloon,If I had you here, it should be no good hearing.For your pate I would pummel.Sha.A fair good night, Sir.Gent.Good night, thou noble Knight, SirPandarus.My heart is cold o'th' suddain, and a strange dulnessPossesses all my body: thy Will be done Heaven.[Exit.
Gent.Holla,Shaloon.
Shal.Who's there?
Gent.A word from the Duke, Sir.
Shal.Your pleasure.
Gent.Tell your Lord he must to Court strait.
Shal.He is ill at ease: and prays he may be pardon'dThe occasions of this night.
Gent.Belike he is drunk then:He must away; the Duke and his fair Lady,The beauteousHelena, are now atCent.Of whom she has such fortune in her carding,The Duke has lost a thousand Crowns, and swears,He will not go to bed, till byLavallThe Tide of loss be turn'd again. Awake him,For 'tis the pleasure of the Duke he must rise.
Sha.Having so strict command (Sir) to the contrary,I dare not do it: I beseech your pardon.
Gent.Are you sure he is there?
Sha.Yes.
Gen.And asleep?
Sha.I think so.
Gen.And are you sure you will not tell him,Shalon?
Sha.Yes, very sure.
Gen.Then I am sure, I will.Open, or I must force.
Sha.Pray ye stay, he is not,Nor will not be this night. You may excuse it.
Gent.I knew he was gone about some womans labour.As good a neighbor, though I say it, and as comfortable:Many such more we needShaloon. Alas, poor Lady,Thou art like to lie cross-legg'd to night. Good Monsieur,I will excuse your Master for this once, Sir,Because sometimes I have lov'd a wench my self too.
Sha.'Tis a good hearing, Sir.
Gent.But for your lye,Shaloon,If I had you here, it should be no good hearing.For your pate I would pummel.
Sha.A fair good night, Sir.
Gent.Good night, thou noble Knight, SirPandarus.My heart is cold o'th' suddain, and a strange dulnessPossesses all my body: thy Will be done Heaven.[Exit.
EnterGabriellaandCasta:andMariawith a Taper.
Casta.'Faith Friend, I was even going to my bed,When your Maid told me of your sudden sickness:But from my grave (so truly I love you)I think your name would raise me: ye look illSince last I saw ye, much decay'd in colour:Yet I thank Heaven, I find no such great dangerAs your Maid frighted me withal: take courageAnd give your sickness course: some grief you have gotThat feeds within upon your tender spirits,And wanting open way to vent it self,Murders your mind, and choaks up all your sweetness.Gab.It was my Maids fault; worthy friend, to trouble ye,So late, upon so light a cause: yet since I have yeOh my dearCasta.Casta.Out with it, God's name.Gab.The Closset of my heart, I will lock here, wench,
Casta.'Faith Friend, I was even going to my bed,When your Maid told me of your sudden sickness:But from my grave (so truly I love you)I think your name would raise me: ye look illSince last I saw ye, much decay'd in colour:Yet I thank Heaven, I find no such great dangerAs your Maid frighted me withal: take courageAnd give your sickness course: some grief you have gotThat feeds within upon your tender spirits,And wanting open way to vent it self,Murders your mind, and choaks up all your sweetness.
Gab.It was my Maids fault; worthy friend, to trouble ye,So late, upon so light a cause: yet since I have yeOh my dearCasta.
Casta.Out with it, God's name.
Gab.The Closset of my heart, I will lock here, wench,
[Lavalknocks within.
And things shall make ye tremble. Who's that knocks there?Mar.'TisLavall.Gab.Sit you still. Let him in.I am resolv'd, and all you wronged women,You noble spirits, that as I have suffer'dUnder this glorious beast-insulting man,Lend me your causes, then your cruelties,For I must put on madness above women.Cast.Why do you look so ghastly?Gab.Peace; no harm, Deer.
And things shall make ye tremble. Who's that knocks there?
Mar.'TisLavall.
Gab.Sit you still. Let him in.I am resolv'd, and all you wronged women,You noble spirits, that as I have suffer'dUnder this glorious beast-insulting man,Lend me your causes, then your cruelties,For I must put on madness above women.
Cast.Why do you look so ghastly?
Gab.Peace; no harm, Deer.
EnterLavall.
Lav.There, take my cloak and sword: Where is this Banquet?Mar.In the next room.Casta.How came he here? Heaven bless me.Lav.Give me some Wine wench; fill it full, and sprightly.Gab.Sit still, and be not fearful.Lav.Till my veins swell,And my strong sinews stretch like that braveCentaur,That at the Table snatch'd the Bride awayIn spight ofHercules.Casta.I am betraid.Lav.Nay, start not Lady; 'tis for you that I come,And for your beauty: 'tis for you,LavallHonors this night; to you, the sacred shrineI humbly bow, offering my vows and prayers;To you I live.Gab.In with the powder quickly:So, that and the Wine will rock ye.[Lav.Here, to the health]Of the most beauteous and divine, fairCasta,The star of sweetness.Gab.Fear him not, I'll die first.And who shall pledge ye?Lav.Thou shalt, thou tann'd Gipsey:And worship to that brightness give, coldTartar.By —— ye shall not stir; ye are my Mistris,The glory of my love, the great adventure,The Mistris of my heart, and she my whore.Gab.Thou ly'st, base, beastly Lord; drunker then anger,Thou sowsed Lord, got by a surfeit, thou lyest basely.Nay, stir not: I dare tell thee so. Sit you still.If I be whore, it is in marrying thee,That art so absolute and full a villain,No Sacrament can save that piece tied to thee.How often hast thou woo'd in those flatteries,Almost those very words, my constancie?What goddess have I not been, or what goodnessWhat star that is of any name in Heaven,Or brightness? which of all the virtues(But drunkenness, and drabbing, thy two morals)Have not I reach'd to? what Spring was ever sweeter?WhatScythiansnow so white? what crystal chaster?Is not thy new wife now the same too? Hang thee,Base Bigamist, thou honor of ill women.Casta.How's this? O! Heaven defend me.Gab.Thou salt-itch,For whom no cure but ever burning brimstoneCan be imagin'd.Lav.Ha, ha, ha.Gab.Dost thou laugh, thou breakerOf all law, all religion, of all faithThou Soule contemner?Lav.Peace, thou paltry woman:And sit by me, Sweet.Gab.By the Devil?Lav.Come,And lull me with delights.Gab.It works amain now.Lav.Give me such kisses as the Queen of shadowsGave to the sleeping boy she stole onLatmus;Look round about in snakie wreathes close folded,Those rosie arms about my neck, O!Venus.Gab.Fear not, I say.Lav.Thou admirable sweetness,Distill thy blessings like those silver drops,That falling on fair grounds, rise all in roses:Shoot me a thousand darts from those fair eyes,And through my heart transfix 'em all, I'll stand 'em.Send me a thousand smiles, and presentlyI'll catch 'em in mine eyes, and by Love's powerTurn 'em toCupidsall, and fling 'em on thee,How high she looks, and heavenly! More wine for me.Ga.Give him more wine, and good friend be not fearful.Lav.Here on my knee, thou Goddess of delights,This lustie grape I offer to thy Beauties;See how it leaps to view that perfect rednessThat dwels upon thy lips: now, how it blushesTo be outblush'd. Oh! let me feed my fancie,And as I hold the purple god in one handDancing about the bri[m] and proudly swelling,Deck'd in the pride of nature young, and blowing;So let me take fairSemelein the other,And sing the loves of gods, then drink, their Nectar'sNot yet desir'd.Casta.Oh!Lav.Then like lustieTarquinTurn'd into flames withLucrececoy denyals,His blood and spirit equally ambitious,I force thee for my own.Casta.O help me Justice:Help me, my Chastitie.Lav.Now I am bravely quarried.[Perolot above.Per.'Tis my Sister.Gab.No, bawdy slave, no Treacher, she is not carried.Per.She's loose again, and gone. I'll keep my place still.Mar.Now it works bravely: stand, he cannot hurt ye.Lav.O my sweet Love, my life.[He falls downe, and sleeps.Mar.He sinks.Lav.My blessing.Mar.So, now he is safe a while.Gab.Lock all the doors, wench,Then for my wrongs.Per.Now I'll appear to know all.Gab.Be quick, quick, goodMarie, sure and sudden.Per.Stay, I must in first.Gab.O' my conscience!It is youngPerol[o]t: Oh my stung conscience!It is my first and noblest Love.Mar.Leave wondring,And recollect your self: the man is living,Equally wrong'd as you, and by that Devil.Per.'Tis most true, Lady: your unhappy fortuneI grieve for as mine own, your fault forgive too,If it be one. This is no time for kisses:I have heard all, and known all, which mine earsAre crack'd apieces with, and my heart perish'd.I saw him in your chamber, saw his fury.And am afire till I have found his heart out.What do you mean to do? for I'll make one.Gab.To make his death more horrid (for he shall dye).Per.He m[u]st, he must.Gab.We'll watch him till he wakes,Then bind him, and then torture him.Per.'Tis nothing.No, take him dead drunk now without repentance,His leachery inseam'd upon him.Gab.Excellent.Per.I'll do it my self; and when 'tis done, provide ye,For we'll away forItalythis night.Gab.We'll follow thorow all hazards.Per.Oh false Lord,Unmanly, mischievous; how I could curse thee;But that but blasts thy fame; have at thy heart, fool:Loop-holes I'll make enough to let thy life out.Lav.Oh! does the devil ride me?Per.Nay then.Lav.Murder.Nay, then take my share too.Per.Help; oh! he has slain me.Bloudy intentions must have bloud.Lav.Hah?Per.Heaven.Gab.He sinks, he sinks, for ever sinks: oh fortune!Oh sorrow! how like seas thou flowest upon me!Here will I dwell for ever. WeepMaria,Weep this young man's misfortune: oh thou truest!
Lav.There, take my cloak and sword: Where is this Banquet?
Mar.In the next room.
Casta.How came he here? Heaven bless me.
Lav.Give me some Wine wench; fill it full, and sprightly.
Gab.Sit still, and be not fearful.
Lav.Till my veins swell,And my strong sinews stretch like that braveCentaur,That at the Table snatch'd the Bride awayIn spight ofHercules.
Casta.I am betraid.
Lav.Nay, start not Lady; 'tis for you that I come,And for your beauty: 'tis for you,LavallHonors this night; to you, the sacred shrineI humbly bow, offering my vows and prayers;To you I live.
Gab.In with the powder quickly:So, that and the Wine will rock ye.
[Lav.Here, to the health]Of the most beauteous and divine, fairCasta,The star of sweetness.
Gab.Fear him not, I'll die first.And who shall pledge ye?
Lav.Thou shalt, thou tann'd Gipsey:And worship to that brightness give, coldTartar.By —— ye shall not stir; ye are my Mistris,The glory of my love, the great adventure,The Mistris of my heart, and she my whore.
Gab.Thou ly'st, base, beastly Lord; drunker then anger,Thou sowsed Lord, got by a surfeit, thou lyest basely.Nay, stir not: I dare tell thee so. Sit you still.If I be whore, it is in marrying thee,That art so absolute and full a villain,No Sacrament can save that piece tied to thee.How often hast thou woo'd in those flatteries,Almost those very words, my constancie?What goddess have I not been, or what goodnessWhat star that is of any name in Heaven,Or brightness? which of all the virtues(But drunkenness, and drabbing, thy two morals)Have not I reach'd to? what Spring was ever sweeter?WhatScythiansnow so white? what crystal chaster?Is not thy new wife now the same too? Hang thee,Base Bigamist, thou honor of ill women.
Casta.How's this? O! Heaven defend me.
Gab.Thou salt-itch,For whom no cure but ever burning brimstoneCan be imagin'd.
Lav.Ha, ha, ha.
Gab.Dost thou laugh, thou breakerOf all law, all religion, of all faithThou Soule contemner?
Lav.Peace, thou paltry woman:And sit by me, Sweet.
Gab.By the Devil?
Lav.Come,And lull me with delights.
Gab.It works amain now.
Lav.Give me such kisses as the Queen of shadowsGave to the sleeping boy she stole onLatmus;Look round about in snakie wreathes close folded,Those rosie arms about my neck, O!Venus.
Gab.Fear not, I say.
Lav.Thou admirable sweetness,Distill thy blessings like those silver drops,That falling on fair grounds, rise all in roses:Shoot me a thousand darts from those fair eyes,And through my heart transfix 'em all, I'll stand 'em.Send me a thousand smiles, and presentlyI'll catch 'em in mine eyes, and by Love's powerTurn 'em toCupidsall, and fling 'em on thee,How high she looks, and heavenly! More wine for me.
Ga.Give him more wine, and good friend be not fearful.
Lav.Here on my knee, thou Goddess of delights,This lustie grape I offer to thy Beauties;See how it leaps to view that perfect rednessThat dwels upon thy lips: now, how it blushesTo be outblush'd. Oh! let me feed my fancie,And as I hold the purple god in one handDancing about the bri[m] and proudly swelling,Deck'd in the pride of nature young, and blowing;So let me take fairSemelein the other,And sing the loves of gods, then drink, their Nectar'sNot yet desir'd.
Casta.Oh!
Lav.Then like lustieTarquinTurn'd into flames withLucrececoy denyals,His blood and spirit equally ambitious,I force thee for my own.
Casta.O help me Justice:Help me, my Chastitie.
Lav.Now I am bravely quarried.[Perolot above.
Per.'Tis my Sister.
Gab.No, bawdy slave, no Treacher, she is not carried.
Per.She's loose again, and gone. I'll keep my place still.
Mar.Now it works bravely: stand, he cannot hurt ye.
Lav.O my sweet Love, my life.[He falls downe, and sleeps.
Mar.He sinks.
Lav.My blessing.
Mar.So, now he is safe a while.
Gab.Lock all the doors, wench,Then for my wrongs.
Per.Now I'll appear to know all.
Gab.Be quick, quick, goodMarie, sure and sudden.
Per.Stay, I must in first.
Gab.O' my conscience!It is youngPerol[o]t: Oh my stung conscience!It is my first and noblest Love.
Mar.Leave wondring,And recollect your self: the man is living,Equally wrong'd as you, and by that Devil.
Per.'Tis most true, Lady: your unhappy fortuneI grieve for as mine own, your fault forgive too,If it be one. This is no time for kisses:I have heard all, and known all, which mine earsAre crack'd apieces with, and my heart perish'd.I saw him in your chamber, saw his fury.And am afire till I have found his heart out.What do you mean to do? for I'll make one.
Gab.To make his death more horrid (for he shall dye).
Per.He m[u]st, he must.
Gab.We'll watch him till he wakes,Then bind him, and then torture him.
Per.'Tis nothing.No, take him dead drunk now without repentance,His leachery inseam'd upon him.
Gab.Excellent.
Per.I'll do it my self; and when 'tis done, provide ye,For we'll away forItalythis night.
Gab.We'll follow thorow all hazards.
Per.Oh false Lord,Unmanly, mischievous; how I could curse thee;But that but blasts thy fame; have at thy heart, fool:Loop-holes I'll make enough to let thy life out.
Lav.Oh! does the devil ride me?
Per.Nay then.
Lav.Murder.Nay, then take my share too.
Per.Help; oh! he has slain me.Bloudy intentions must have bloud.
Lav.Hah?
Per.Heaven.
Gab.He sinks, he sinks, for ever sinks: oh fortune!Oh sorrow! how like seas thou flowest upon me!Here will I dwell for ever. WeepMaria,Weep this young man's misfortune: oh thou truest!
Enter Spirit.
Lav.What have I done?Spir.That that has mark'd thy soul man.Lav.And art thou come again thou dismal spirit?Spir.Yes, to devour thy last.Lav.Mercy upon thee.Spir.Thy hour is come: succession, honor, pleasure,And all the lustre thou so long hast look'd forMust here have end: Summon thy sins before thee.Lav.Oh my affrighted soul!Spir.There lies a black one;Thy own best servant by thy own hand slain,Thy drunkenness procur'd it: There's another:Think of fairGabriella, there she weeps;And such tears are not lost.Lav.Oh miserable!Spir.Thy foul intention to the virtuousCasta.Lav.No more, no more, thou wild-fire.Spir.Last, thy last wife,Think on the wrong she suffers.Lav.O my miserie.Oh! whither shall I flie?Spir.Thou hast no faith, fool.Heark to thy knell.[Sings, and vanishes.Lav.Millions of sins muster about mine eyes now:Murders, ambitions, lust, false faiths; O horror,In what a stormie form of death thou rid'st now!Me thinks I see all tortures, fires, and frosts,Deep sinking caves, where nothing but despair dwels,The balefull birds of night hovering about 'em;A grave, me thinks, now opens, and a herseHung with my Arms tumbles into it: oh!Oh! my afflicted soul: I cannot pray;And the least child that has but goodness in himMay strike my head off; so stupid are my powers:I'll lift mine eyes up though.Mar.Cease these laments,They are too poor for venge[a]nce:Lavalllives yet.Gab.Then thus I drie all sorrows from these eyes,Fury and rage possess 'em now: damn'd divell.Lav.Hah?Gab.This for youngPerolot.Lav.O mercy, mercy.Gab.This for my wrongs.Lav.But one short hour to cure me.[Knock within.Oh be not cruell: Oh! oh.Mar.Heark, they knock.Make hast for Heavens sake, Mistris.Gab.This forCasta.Lav.Oh, O, O, O![He dies.Mar.He's dead: come quickly, let's away with him,'T will be too late else.Gab.Help, help up to th' chamber![Exeunt with Lavalls body.
Lav.What have I done?
Spir.That that has mark'd thy soul man.
Lav.And art thou come again thou dismal spirit?
Spir.Yes, to devour thy last.
Lav.Mercy upon thee.
Spir.Thy hour is come: succession, honor, pleasure,And all the lustre thou so long hast look'd forMust here have end: Summon thy sins before thee.
Lav.Oh my affrighted soul!
Spir.There lies a black one;Thy own best servant by thy own hand slain,Thy drunkenness procur'd it: There's another:Think of fairGabriella, there she weeps;And such tears are not lost.
Lav.Oh miserable!
Spir.Thy foul intention to the virtuousCasta.
Lav.No more, no more, thou wild-fire.
Spir.Last, thy last wife,Think on the wrong she suffers.
Lav.O my miserie.Oh! whither shall I flie?
Spir.Thou hast no faith, fool.Heark to thy knell.[Sings, and vanishes.
Lav.Millions of sins muster about mine eyes now:Murders, ambitions, lust, false faiths; O horror,In what a stormie form of death thou rid'st now!Me thinks I see all tortures, fires, and frosts,Deep sinking caves, where nothing but despair dwels,The balefull birds of night hovering about 'em;A grave, me thinks, now opens, and a herseHung with my Arms tumbles into it: oh!Oh! my afflicted soul: I cannot pray;And the least child that has but goodness in himMay strike my head off; so stupid are my powers:I'll lift mine eyes up though.
Mar.Cease these laments,They are too poor for venge[a]nce:Lavalllives yet.
Gab.Then thus I drie all sorrows from these eyes,Fury and rage possess 'em now: damn'd divell.
Lav.Hah?
Gab.This for youngPerolot.
Lav.O mercy, mercy.
Gab.This for my wrongs.
Lav.But one short hour to cure me.[Knock within.Oh be not cruell: Oh! oh.
Mar.Heark, they knock.Make hast for Heavens sake, Mistris.
Gab.This forCasta.
Lav.Oh, O, O, O![He dies.
Mar.He's dead: come quickly, let's away with him,'T will be too late else.
Gab.Help, help up to th' chamber![Exeunt with Lavalls body.
Enter Duke, Hellena, Gentile, Casta, and attendants, with lights.