Chapter 9

EnterMisogynosand Swash.

Swash.This is the place, Sir, she appoynted you.Mis.Is this the Orchard then,Where I must pluck the fruit from that faire tree?Swash.I would it might proue Stone-fruit,And so choke him.Mis.Ha! what’s here? a banquet?Swa.Banquet? Where?Mis.Readie prepar’d? why, this is excellent!What a kind creature ’tis?Swa.Did not I sayHow monstrously she lou’d you? Come, fall to.Mis.Before my Mistresse come?Swa.I’faith Sir, I;This is but onely a prouocatiue,To make you strong and lustie for the incounter.Mis.And here’s Wine too;Nothing but Bloud and Spirit.Fall to,Swash.Swa.A sweetthing is loue,That fills both heart and mind:There is no comfort in the world,To women that are kind. Here, Sir, I’le drinke to you.Mis.I would she would come away once: Now, methinks,I could performe. And see! but wish and haue.

Swash.This is the place, Sir, she appoynted you.

Mis.Is this the Orchard then,Where I must pluck the fruit from that faire tree?

Mis.Is this the Orchard then,

Where I must pluck the fruit from that faire tree?

Swash.I would it might proue Stone-fruit,And so choke him.

Swash.I would it might proue Stone-fruit,

And so choke him.

Mis.Ha! what’s here? a banquet?

Swa.Banquet? Where?

Mis.Readie prepar’d? why, this is excellent!What a kind creature ’tis?

Mis.Readie prepar’d? why, this is excellent!

What a kind creature ’tis?

Swa.Did not I sayHow monstrously she lou’d you? Come, fall to.

Swa.Did not I say

How monstrously she lou’d you? Come, fall to.

Mis.Before my Mistresse come?

Swa.I’faith Sir, I;This is but onely a prouocatiue,To make you strong and lustie for the incounter.

Swa.I’faith Sir, I;

This is but onely a prouocatiue,

To make you strong and lustie for the incounter.

Mis.And here’s Wine too;Nothing but Bloud and Spirit.Fall to,Swash.

Mis.And here’s Wine too;

Nothing but Bloud and Spirit.

Fall to,Swash.

Swa.A sweetthing is loue,That fills both heart and mind:There is no comfort in the world,To women that are kind. Here, Sir, I’le drinke to you.

Swa.A sweetthing is loue,

That fills both heart and mind:

There is no comfort in the world,

To women that are kind. Here, Sir, I’le drinke to you.

Mis.I would she would come away once: Now, methinks,I could performe. And see! but wish and haue.

Mis.I would she would come away once: Now, methinks,

I could performe. And see! but wish and haue.

EnterAtlanta.

Atlan.Oh, are you come? I see you keep your houre.Mis.I should be sorry else.Atl.Nay, keepe your place.Mis.Will you sit downe then? Sirrah? Walke aloofe.Atl.Let him be doing something. Here, take this.Mis.I haue made bold to taste your Wine and Cates.And when you please, we’le try the operation.Atl.How?Mis.You know my mind.Atlan.You men are all so fickle, that poore weDoe not know whom to trust.But doe you loue me truely?Mis.By this kisse.Atl.No, saue that labour, Sir: I’le take your word.Yet, how should I beleeue you, when so lateYou rail’d against our Sex, and slander’d vs?Mis.Oh doe not thinke of that, that’s done and gone.Doe not recall what’s past. I now recant:And (by this hand) I loue thee truly, Loue.Atl.May I beleeue all this?Mis.Come hither,Swash.How often haue I sworne to thee alone,I lou’d this Lady; neuer none but shee?Swa.Yes truely, that he has.Mis.You may be proud, I tell you, of my loue,There is a thousand Women in this Towne,To imbrace me, would clap their hands for ioy,And run like so many wild Cats.Swa.That they would,I dare be sworne for vm,And hang about him like so many Catch-poles,He would ne’r get from vm,And yet this happinesse is profer’d you.Atl.Which I cannot refuse,You haue, you know, such a preuayling tongue,No woman can deny you any thing.Mis.Why, that was kindly spoke. Where shall wee meet?Atl.Hearke in your eare, I’le tell you.Mis.Best of all.Atl.But—Mis.Doe you thinke mesuch a foole?Atl.Till then farewell: I’le speedily returne.|Ex. Atl.|Mis.Why law now,Swash, I told thee she would yeeld,No woman in the world can hold out long.Oh beware when a man of Art courts a woman.Swa.I, or a Fencer, Sir: We lay vm flat before vs.But, pray you tell me, Master, Doe you loueThis Lasse sincerely?Mis.Ha, ha, ha. Loue? that were a iest indeed,To passe away the time for sport, or so;Th’are made for nothing else:And he that loues vm longer, is a foole.Swa.Me thinkes ’tis pittie to delude her, Sir:I’faith she’s a handsome wench.Mis.Away, you Asse.Delude? what are they good for else?

Atlan.Oh, are you come? I see you keep your houre.

Mis.I should be sorry else.

Atl.Nay, keepe your place.

Mis.Will you sit downe then? Sirrah? Walke aloofe.

Atl.Let him be doing something. Here, take this.

Mis.I haue made bold to taste your Wine and Cates.And when you please, we’le try the operation.

Mis.I haue made bold to taste your Wine and Cates.

And when you please, we’le try the operation.

Atl.How?

Mis.You know my mind.

Atlan.You men are all so fickle, that poore weDoe not know whom to trust.But doe you loue me truely?

Atlan.You men are all so fickle, that poore we

Doe not know whom to trust.

But doe you loue me truely?

Mis.By this kisse.

Atl.No, saue that labour, Sir: I’le take your word.Yet, how should I beleeue you, when so lateYou rail’d against our Sex, and slander’d vs?

Atl.No, saue that labour, Sir: I’le take your word.

Yet, how should I beleeue you, when so late

You rail’d against our Sex, and slander’d vs?

Mis.Oh doe not thinke of that, that’s done and gone.Doe not recall what’s past. I now recant:And (by this hand) I loue thee truly, Loue.

Mis.Oh doe not thinke of that, that’s done and gone.

Doe not recall what’s past. I now recant:

And (by this hand) I loue thee truly, Loue.

Atl.May I beleeue all this?

Mis.Come hither,Swash.How often haue I sworne to thee alone,I lou’d this Lady; neuer none but shee?

Mis.Come hither,Swash.

How often haue I sworne to thee alone,

I lou’d this Lady; neuer none but shee?

Swa.Yes truely, that he has.

Mis.You may be proud, I tell you, of my loue,There is a thousand Women in this Towne,To imbrace me, would clap their hands for ioy,And run like so many wild Cats.

Mis.You may be proud, I tell you, of my loue,

There is a thousand Women in this Towne,

To imbrace me, would clap their hands for ioy,

And run like so many wild Cats.

Swa.That they would,I dare be sworne for vm,And hang about him like so many Catch-poles,He would ne’r get from vm,And yet this happinesse is profer’d you.

Swa.That they would,

I dare be sworne for vm,

And hang about him like so many Catch-poles,

He would ne’r get from vm,

And yet this happinesse is profer’d you.

Atl.Which I cannot refuse,You haue, you know, such a preuayling tongue,No woman can deny you any thing.

Atl.Which I cannot refuse,

You haue, you know, such a preuayling tongue,

No woman can deny you any thing.

Mis.Why, that was kindly spoke. Where shall wee meet?

Atl.Hearke in your eare, I’le tell you.

Mis.Best of all.

Atl.But—

Mis.Doe you thinke mesuch a foole?

Atl.Till then farewell: I’le speedily returne.|Ex. Atl.|

Mis.Why law now,Swash, I told thee she would yeeld,No woman in the world can hold out long.Oh beware when a man of Art courts a woman.

Mis.Why law now,Swash, I told thee she would yeeld,

No woman in the world can hold out long.

Oh beware when a man of Art courts a woman.

Swa.I, or a Fencer, Sir: We lay vm flat before vs.But, pray you tell me, Master, Doe you loueThis Lasse sincerely?

Swa.I, or a Fencer, Sir: We lay vm flat before vs.

But, pray you tell me, Master, Doe you loue

This Lasse sincerely?

Mis.Ha, ha, ha. Loue? that were a iest indeed,To passe away the time for sport, or so;Th’are made for nothing else:And he that loues vm longer, is a foole.

Mis.Ha, ha, ha. Loue? that were a iest indeed,

To passe away the time for sport, or so;

Th’are made for nothing else:

And he that loues vm longer, is a foole.

Swa.Me thinkes ’tis pittie to delude her, Sir:I’faith she’s a handsome wench.

Swa.Me thinkes ’tis pittie to delude her, Sir:

I’faith she’s a handsome wench.

Mis.Away, you Asse.Delude? what are they good for else?

Mis.Away, you Asse.

Delude? what are they good for else?

EnterAtlanta.

She comes againe. Out of the Orchard,Swash.Welcome, Sweet heart.Atl.Are you in priuate, Sir?Mis.There’s not an eye vnder the HorizonThat can behold vs; If Suspicion tell,I’le beat her blind as euer Fencer was.Atl.Sir, now you talke of Fencing, I heare youProfesse that noble Science.Mis.’Tis most true.Atl.I loue you, Sir, the better; ’tis a thingI honour with my heart. If any oneShould scandalize or twit me with your loue,You can defend my fame, and make such men—Mis.Creepe on their knees, aske thee forgiuenesse,Or any other base submission.Atl.Oh, what a happinesse shall I inioy?But can can you doe this if occasion serue?Mis.Would some were here to make experience,That thou mightst see my skill.Atl.Sir, that will I.|Strike him.|Mis.How’s this?Atl.Impudent slaue,How dar’st thou looke a woman in the face,Or commence loue to any: Specially to mee?Thou know’st I’me vow’d thy publique enemie,Which this, and this, and this shall testifie.Mis.Oh that I had a weapon, thou shouldst know,A thousand women could not stand one blow,From my vnconquerd arme.Atl.That shall be tride.I’le fit you, Sir, in your owne element.I thinke thou darest not looke vpon a sword.See, there’s a foyle: I will but thumpe you, Sir.Thy life’s reseru’d vnto a worse reuenge.|Play.|Mis.Oh. Some Deuil’s enterd in this Idol sure,To make mee misbelieue. Oh.Atl.Cowardly slaue. A Fencer? you a Fidler.He cannot hold his weapon,Gard his brest; no, nor defend a thrust. Art not asham’dThus to disgrace that noble exercise?Mis.Oh: Hold, hold; I yeeld, I yeeld.Atl.Has our Countrie meats fed you so high,You needs must haue a stale for your base lust?I’le satiate your sences ere I haue done:And so much for your feeling: For your taste,You haue had sufficient in your sweet-meats, Sir:Your drinke too was perfum’d to please your smell.Mis.I, but I haue had but sowre sauce to vm.Atl.Why then the Prouerbe holds. Now for your sight.Madam, Come forth, and bring your followers.

She comes againe. Out of the Orchard,Swash.Welcome, Sweet heart.

She comes againe. Out of the Orchard,Swash.

Welcome, Sweet heart.

Atl.Are you in priuate, Sir?

Mis.There’s not an eye vnder the HorizonThat can behold vs; If Suspicion tell,I’le beat her blind as euer Fencer was.

Mis.There’s not an eye vnder the Horizon

That can behold vs; If Suspicion tell,

I’le beat her blind as euer Fencer was.

Atl.Sir, now you talke of Fencing, I heare youProfesse that noble Science.

Atl.Sir, now you talke of Fencing, I heare you

Professe that noble Science.

Mis.’Tis most true.

Atl.I loue you, Sir, the better; ’tis a thingI honour with my heart. If any oneShould scandalize or twit me with your loue,You can defend my fame, and make such men—

Atl.I loue you, Sir, the better; ’tis a thing

I honour with my heart. If any one

Should scandalize or twit me with your loue,

You can defend my fame, and make such men—

Mis.Creepe on their knees, aske thee forgiuenesse,Or any other base submission.

Mis.Creepe on their knees, aske thee forgiuenesse,

Or any other base submission.

Atl.Oh, what a happinesse shall I inioy?But can can you doe this if occasion serue?

Atl.Oh, what a happinesse shall I inioy?

But can can you doe this if occasion serue?

Mis.Would some were here to make experience,That thou mightst see my skill.

Mis.Would some were here to make experience,

That thou mightst see my skill.

Atl.Sir, that will I.|Strike him.|

Mis.How’s this?

Atl.Impudent slaue,How dar’st thou looke a woman in the face,Or commence loue to any: Specially to mee?Thou know’st I’me vow’d thy publique enemie,Which this, and this, and this shall testifie.

Atl.Impudent slaue,

How dar’st thou looke a woman in the face,

Or commence loue to any: Specially to mee?

Thou know’st I’me vow’d thy publique enemie,

Which this, and this, and this shall testifie.

Mis.Oh that I had a weapon, thou shouldst know,A thousand women could not stand one blow,From my vnconquerd arme.

Mis.Oh that I had a weapon, thou shouldst know,

A thousand women could not stand one blow,

From my vnconquerd arme.

Atl.That shall be tride.I’le fit you, Sir, in your owne element.I thinke thou darest not looke vpon a sword.See, there’s a foyle: I will but thumpe you, Sir.Thy life’s reseru’d vnto a worse reuenge.|Play.|

Atl.That shall be tride.

I’le fit you, Sir, in your owne element.

I thinke thou darest not looke vpon a sword.

See, there’s a foyle: I will but thumpe you, Sir.

Thy life’s reseru’d vnto a worse reuenge.|Play.|

Mis.Oh. Some Deuil’s enterd in this Idol sure,To make mee misbelieue. Oh.

Mis.Oh. Some Deuil’s enterd in this Idol sure,

To make mee misbelieue. Oh.

Atl.Cowardly slaue. A Fencer? you a Fidler.He cannot hold his weapon,Gard his brest; no, nor defend a thrust. Art not asham’dThus to disgrace that noble exercise?

Atl.Cowardly slaue. A Fencer? you a Fidler.

He cannot hold his weapon,

Gard his brest; no, nor defend a thrust. Art not asham’d

Thus to disgrace that noble exercise?

Mis.Oh: Hold, hold; I yeeld, I yeeld.

Atl.Has our Countrie meats fed you so high,You needs must haue a stale for your base lust?I’le satiate your sences ere I haue done:And so much for your feeling: For your taste,You haue had sufficient in your sweet-meats, Sir:Your drinke too was perfum’d to please your smell.

Atl.Has our Countrie meats fed you so high,

You needs must haue a stale for your base lust?

I’le satiate your sences ere I haue done:

And so much for your feeling: For your taste,

You haue had sufficient in your sweet-meats, Sir:

Your drinke too was perfum’d to please your smell.

Mis.I, but I haue had but sowre sauce to vm.

Atl.Why then the Prouerbe holds. Now for your sight.Madam, Come forth, and bring your followers.

Atl.Why then the Prouerbe holds. Now for your sight.

Madam, Come forth, and bring your followers.

Enter all the Women.

Mis.I’de rather see so many Cockatrices.Oh that my eyes might be for euer shut,So that I might ne’r behold these Crocadils.Aur.Where’s this bawling Bandog.Omnes.Here, here, here, here.Mis.Murder, murder, murder. I’me betraid.I shall be torne in pieces. Murder, ho.Aur.Is this the dogged Humorist that calsHimselfe the woman-hater?Mis.On my knees.Aur.Dost thou reply, vile Monster? Binde him, come.Old W.Let me come to him, Ile so mumble him.Aur.Remember faireLeonidamy child,Whose innocence was made a SacrificeTo thy base Forgeries and Sophistrie.Omnes.Out, you abominable Rascall.Aur.This for your hearing, Sir: now all is full.Mis.Ladies, Gentlewomen, sweetAtlanta, all,Heare me but speake.Lor.No, not a syllable.You haue spoke to match alreadie, you damn’d Rogue.But weele reward you for’t. Skrew his iawes.Mis.Oh, oh, oh.Aur.Now, thou inhumane wretch, what punishmentShall we inuent sufficient to inflict,According to the height of our reuenge?Omnes.Let’s teare his limmes in pieces, ioynt from ioynt.Mis.Oh, oh.Scold.Three or foure paire of Pincers, now red hot,Were excellent.Lor.Will not our Bodkings serue?Aur.Hang him, Slaue, shall he dye as noble a deathAsCæsardid? No, no: pinch him, pricke him.A Boy.I haue small Pins enow to serue vs all.Scold.We cannot wish for better: take him vp,And bind him to this Post.Lor.Faith, Post and Paire,As good a Game as can be.Aur.Come, let’s to’t,Shuffle the Cards, and leaue out all the Knaues.Atl.No, the Knaues in at Post, and out at Paire.Aur.Shall it be so? Agreed?Deale round.Scold.First, stake.Mis.Oh, oh, oh, oh.Atl.Passe.Aur.Passe.Lor.Nay, Ile not passe it so.|Mis.Oh, oh.|A Boy.Faith, Ile be in too,Mis.Oh!

Mis.I’de rather see so many Cockatrices.Oh that my eyes might be for euer shut,So that I might ne’r behold these Crocadils.

Mis.I’de rather see so many Cockatrices.

Oh that my eyes might be for euer shut,

So that I might ne’r behold these Crocadils.

Aur.Where’s this bawling Bandog.

Omnes.Here, here, here, here.

Mis.Murder, murder, murder. I’me betraid.I shall be torne in pieces. Murder, ho.

Mis.Murder, murder, murder. I’me betraid.

I shall be torne in pieces. Murder, ho.

Aur.Is this the dogged Humorist that calsHimselfe the woman-hater?

Aur.Is this the dogged Humorist that cals

Himselfe the woman-hater?

Mis.On my knees.

Aur.Dost thou reply, vile Monster? Binde him, come.

Old W.Let me come to him, Ile so mumble him.

Aur.Remember faireLeonidamy child,Whose innocence was made a SacrificeTo thy base Forgeries and Sophistrie.

Aur.Remember faireLeonidamy child,

Whose innocence was made a Sacrifice

To thy base Forgeries and Sophistrie.

Omnes.Out, you abominable Rascall.

Aur.This for your hearing, Sir: now all is full.

Mis.Ladies, Gentlewomen, sweetAtlanta, all,Heare me but speake.

Mis.Ladies, Gentlewomen, sweetAtlanta, all,

Heare me but speake.

Lor.No, not a syllable.You haue spoke to match alreadie, you damn’d Rogue.But weele reward you for’t. Skrew his iawes.

Lor.No, not a syllable.

You haue spoke to match alreadie, you damn’d Rogue.

But weele reward you for’t. Skrew his iawes.

Mis.Oh, oh, oh.

Aur.Now, thou inhumane wretch, what punishmentShall we inuent sufficient to inflict,According to the height of our reuenge?

Aur.Now, thou inhumane wretch, what punishment

Shall we inuent sufficient to inflict,

According to the height of our reuenge?

Omnes.Let’s teare his limmes in pieces, ioynt from ioynt.

Mis.Oh, oh.

Scold.Three or foure paire of Pincers, now red hot,Were excellent.

Scold.Three or foure paire of Pincers, now red hot,

Were excellent.

Lor.Will not our Bodkings serue?

Aur.Hang him, Slaue, shall he dye as noble a deathAsCæsardid? No, no: pinch him, pricke him.

Aur.Hang him, Slaue, shall he dye as noble a death

AsCæsardid? No, no: pinch him, pricke him.

A Boy.I haue small Pins enow to serue vs all.

Scold.We cannot wish for better: take him vp,And bind him to this Post.

Scold.We cannot wish for better: take him vp,

And bind him to this Post.

Lor.Faith, Post and Paire,As good a Game as can be.

Lor.Faith, Post and Paire,

As good a Game as can be.

Aur.Come, let’s to’t,Shuffle the Cards, and leaue out all the Knaues.

Aur.Come, let’s to’t,

Shuffle the Cards, and leaue out all the Knaues.

Atl.No, the Knaues in at Post, and out at Paire.

Aur.Shall it be so? Agreed?Deale round.

Aur.Shall it be so? Agreed?

Deale round.

Scold.First, stake.

Mis.Oh, oh, oh, oh.

Atl.Passe.

Aur.Passe.

Lor.Nay, Ile not passe it so.|Mis.Oh, oh.|

A Boy.Faith, Ile be in too,

Mis.Oh!

Enter two Old Women and Swash.

Aur.Againe, for me too, I will vye it.|Mis.Oh.|Atl.And for me, Ile not deny it.|Mis.Oh.|Lor.Ile see you, and revy’t agen.|Mis.Oh, oh.|Scold.For your two, Ile put in ten.|Mis.Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.|Aur.How now? stay, who’s this?Swash.I could not find the way out of the Orchard,If I should ha’ beene hang’d, but fell into theseOld Women s mouthes: but the best is,They had no teeth to bite me, but my Grandame heereScratches most deuillishly.Atl.Here’s a Whelpe of the same Litter too.Come hither Sirrah, doe you know this man?Swash.Yes, forsooth, I know him,He was my Master once, want of a better.Lor.Then you were one of his Confederates, Sir.Swash.I his Confederate? I defye him,He knowes I alwayes gaue him good counsell,If he had had the grace to follow it:Here he is himselfe, let him deny’t if he can.Mis.Oh, oh, oh.Swash.Did not I euer say, Master, take heed,Wrong not kind Gentlewomen,Honest louing women? Many a timeHaue I beene beaten by him blacke and blue,For looking on a woman, is’t not true?Mis.Oh, oh.Swash.You seehis bringing vp,To make a mouth at all this companie.Aur.This is an honest fellow; he shall escape.Sirrah, thou lou’st a woman?Swash.I, with all my heart.Scold.He lookes as if he did.Atl.Well, stand aside, weele imploy you anon:Forbeare your tortors yet, something is hid,That we must haue reueal’d, and he himselfeShall be his owne accuser: you all know,He hath arraign’d vs for inconstancie:But now weele arraigne him, and iudge him too,This is womans counsell: Madame, we make youLadie Chiefe Iustice of this Female Court,Mistris Recorder, I.Loretta, you,Sit for the Notarie:Crier, she:The rest shall beare inferior Offices,As Keepers, Seriants, Executioners.Swash.Ide rather be a Hangman then a Seriant:Yet there’s no great difference, if one will not,T’other must.Atl.Mother, goe you and call a Iurie full,Of which y’are the fore-woman.1. Old W.Thanke you forsooth, Ile fetch one presently:’Tis fit he should be scratcht, and please your Grace:Sure, he is no man.Atl.We want a Barre. O, these two foyles shall serue:One stucke i’ the Earth, and crosse it from this Tree.Now take your places, bring him to the Barre,Sirrah, vngag him.Swash.Let him be gag’d still:Then you are sure what e’r you say to him,He cannot contradict you.Atl.Pull it out.Swash.Doe not bite y’are best.Mis.Oh, that I were a Serpent for your sakes,Bearing a thousand stings.Aur.Worse then thou art,Thou canst not wish to be, abortiue wretch.Bring him to the Barre.Swash.You’ld not be rul’d by me: I told you o’this,And now you see what followes,Hanging’s the least, what-cu’r followes that.Aur.Clarke of the Peace,Reade the Indictment.Scold.Silence in the Court.Swash.Silence? & none but women? That were strange!Lor.Misogynos, hold vp thy hand.Swash.His name isSwetnam, notMisogynos.That’s but a borrowed name.Mis.Peace, you Rogue,Will you discouer me?Aur.Swetnamis his name.Swash.I,Ioseph Swetnam, that’s his name, forsooth,Iosephthe Iew was a better Gentile farre.Lor.ThenIoseph Swetnam, alias Misogynos,Alias Molastomus, aliastheWoman-hater.Swash.How came he by all these names?I haue heard many say, he was neu’r christen’d.Lor.Thou art here indicted by these names, that thou,Contrary to nature, and the peace of this Land,Hast wickedly and maliciously slandred,Maligned, and opprobriously defamed the ciuill societieOf the whole Sex of women: therefore speake,Guiltie, or not guiltie?Mis.Not guiltie.Swash.Hum.Omnes.Not guiltie.Mis.No, not guiltie.Aur.Darest thou denie a truth so manifest?Didst thou not lately both by word, and deed,Publish a Pamphlet in disgrace of vs,And of all women-kind?Mis.No, no, no, not I.Swash.Hum.Atl.Calling vs tyrannous, ambitious, cruell?Aur.Comparing vs to Serpents, CrocodilesFor Dissimulation,Hiena’sfor Subtilties,Such like?Lor.And farre worse:That we are all the Deuils agents,To seduce Man agen?Scold.That all our studies are but to deludeOur credulous Husbands?Mis.I denie all this.Swash.Hum.Lor.Nay more,Thou dost affirme, without distinction,All married Wiues are the Deuils Hackneyes,To carrie their Husbands to Hell.Aur.Inhumane Monster, hast thou neu’r a Mother?Swash.No, forsooth, he is aSuccubus, begotBetwixt a Deuill and a Witch.Mis.If I did any such, let it be produc’d.Atl.Bring in the Books for a firme Euidence,And bid the Iurie giue the Verdict vp.

Aur.Againe, for me too, I will vye it.|Mis.Oh.|

Atl.And for me, Ile not deny it.|Mis.Oh.|

Lor.Ile see you, and revy’t agen.|Mis.Oh, oh.|

Scold.For your two, Ile put in ten.|Mis.Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.|

Aur.How now? stay, who’s this?

Swash.I could not find the way out of the Orchard,If I should ha’ beene hang’d, but fell into theseOld Women s mouthes: but the best is,They had no teeth to bite me, but my Grandame heereScratches most deuillishly.

Swash.I could not find the way out of the Orchard,

If I should ha’ beene hang’d, but fell into these

Old Women s mouthes: but the best is,

They had no teeth to bite me, but my Grandame heere

Scratches most deuillishly.

Atl.Here’s a Whelpe of the same Litter too.Come hither Sirrah, doe you know this man?

Atl.Here’s a Whelpe of the same Litter too.

Come hither Sirrah, doe you know this man?

Swash.Yes, forsooth, I know him,He was my Master once, want of a better.

Swash.Yes, forsooth, I know him,

He was my Master once, want of a better.

Lor.Then you were one of his Confederates, Sir.

Swash.I his Confederate? I defye him,He knowes I alwayes gaue him good counsell,If he had had the grace to follow it:Here he is himselfe, let him deny’t if he can.

Swash.I his Confederate? I defye him,

He knowes I alwayes gaue him good counsell,

If he had had the grace to follow it:

Here he is himselfe, let him deny’t if he can.

Mis.Oh, oh, oh.

Swash.Did not I euer say, Master, take heed,Wrong not kind Gentlewomen,Honest louing women? Many a timeHaue I beene beaten by him blacke and blue,For looking on a woman, is’t not true?

Swash.Did not I euer say, Master, take heed,

Wrong not kind Gentlewomen,

Honest louing women? Many a time

Haue I beene beaten by him blacke and blue,

For looking on a woman, is’t not true?

Mis.Oh, oh.

Swash.You seehis bringing vp,To make a mouth at all this companie.

Swash.You seehis bringing vp,

To make a mouth at all this companie.

Aur.This is an honest fellow; he shall escape.Sirrah, thou lou’st a woman?

Aur.This is an honest fellow; he shall escape.

Sirrah, thou lou’st a woman?

Swash.I, with all my heart.

Scold.He lookes as if he did.

Atl.Well, stand aside, weele imploy you anon:Forbeare your tortors yet, something is hid,That we must haue reueal’d, and he himselfeShall be his owne accuser: you all know,He hath arraign’d vs for inconstancie:But now weele arraigne him, and iudge him too,This is womans counsell: Madame, we make youLadie Chiefe Iustice of this Female Court,Mistris Recorder, I.Loretta, you,Sit for the Notarie:Crier, she:The rest shall beare inferior Offices,As Keepers, Seriants, Executioners.

Atl.Well, stand aside, weele imploy you anon:

Forbeare your tortors yet, something is hid,

That we must haue reueal’d, and he himselfe

Shall be his owne accuser: you all know,

He hath arraign’d vs for inconstancie:

But now weele arraigne him, and iudge him too,

This is womans counsell: Madame, we make you

Ladie Chiefe Iustice of this Female Court,

Mistris Recorder, I.Loretta, you,

Sit for the Notarie:Crier, she:

The rest shall beare inferior Offices,

As Keepers, Seriants, Executioners.

Swash.Ide rather be a Hangman then a Seriant:Yet there’s no great difference, if one will not,T’other must.

Swash.Ide rather be a Hangman then a Seriant:

Yet there’s no great difference, if one will not,

T’other must.

Atl.Mother, goe you and call a Iurie full,Of which y’are the fore-woman.

Atl.Mother, goe you and call a Iurie full,

Of which y’are the fore-woman.

1. Old W.Thanke you forsooth, Ile fetch one presently:’Tis fit he should be scratcht, and please your Grace:Sure, he is no man.

1. Old W.Thanke you forsooth, Ile fetch one presently:

’Tis fit he should be scratcht, and please your Grace:

Sure, he is no man.

Atl.We want a Barre. O, these two foyles shall serue:One stucke i’ the Earth, and crosse it from this Tree.Now take your places, bring him to the Barre,Sirrah, vngag him.

Atl.We want a Barre. O, these two foyles shall serue:

One stucke i’ the Earth, and crosse it from this Tree.

Now take your places, bring him to the Barre,

Sirrah, vngag him.

Swash.Let him be gag’d still:Then you are sure what e’r you say to him,He cannot contradict you.

Swash.Let him be gag’d still:

Then you are sure what e’r you say to him,

He cannot contradict you.

Atl.Pull it out.

Swash.Doe not bite y’are best.

Mis.Oh, that I were a Serpent for your sakes,Bearing a thousand stings.

Mis.Oh, that I were a Serpent for your sakes,

Bearing a thousand stings.

Aur.Worse then thou art,Thou canst not wish to be, abortiue wretch.Bring him to the Barre.

Aur.Worse then thou art,

Thou canst not wish to be, abortiue wretch.

Bring him to the Barre.

Swash.You’ld not be rul’d by me: I told you o’this,And now you see what followes,Hanging’s the least, what-cu’r followes that.

Swash.You’ld not be rul’d by me: I told you o’this,

And now you see what followes,

Hanging’s the least, what-cu’r followes that.

Aur.Clarke of the Peace,Reade the Indictment.

Aur.Clarke of the Peace,

Reade the Indictment.

Scold.Silence in the Court.

Swash.Silence? & none but women? That were strange!

Lor.Misogynos, hold vp thy hand.

Swash.His name isSwetnam, notMisogynos.That’s but a borrowed name.

Swash.His name isSwetnam, notMisogynos.

That’s but a borrowed name.

Mis.Peace, you Rogue,Will you discouer me?

Mis.Peace, you Rogue,

Will you discouer me?

Aur.Swetnamis his name.

Swash.I,Ioseph Swetnam, that’s his name, forsooth,Iosephthe Iew was a better Gentile farre.

Swash.I,Ioseph Swetnam, that’s his name, forsooth,

Iosephthe Iew was a better Gentile farre.

Lor.ThenIoseph Swetnam, alias Misogynos,Alias Molastomus, aliastheWoman-hater.

Lor.ThenIoseph Swetnam, alias Misogynos,

Alias Molastomus, aliastheWoman-hater.

Swash.How came he by all these names?I haue heard many say, he was neu’r christen’d.

Swash.How came he by all these names?

I haue heard many say, he was neu’r christen’d.

Lor.Thou art here indicted by these names, that thou,Contrary to nature, and the peace of this Land,Hast wickedly and maliciously slandred,Maligned, and opprobriously defamed the ciuill societieOf the whole Sex of women: therefore speake,Guiltie, or not guiltie?

Lor.Thou art here indicted by these names, that thou,

Contrary to nature, and the peace of this Land,

Hast wickedly and maliciously slandred,

Maligned, and opprobriously defamed the ciuill societie

Of the whole Sex of women: therefore speake,

Guiltie, or not guiltie?

Mis.Not guiltie.

Swash.Hum.

Omnes.Not guiltie.

Mis.No, not guiltie.

Aur.Darest thou denie a truth so manifest?Didst thou not lately both by word, and deed,Publish a Pamphlet in disgrace of vs,And of all women-kind?

Aur.Darest thou denie a truth so manifest?

Didst thou not lately both by word, and deed,

Publish a Pamphlet in disgrace of vs,

And of all women-kind?

Mis.No, no, no, not I.

Swash.Hum.

Atl.Calling vs tyrannous, ambitious, cruell?

Aur.Comparing vs to Serpents, CrocodilesFor Dissimulation,Hiena’sfor Subtilties,Such like?

Aur.Comparing vs to Serpents, Crocodiles

For Dissimulation,Hiena’sfor Subtilties,

Such like?

Lor.And farre worse:That we are all the Deuils agents,To seduce Man agen?

Lor.And farre worse:

That we are all the Deuils agents,

To seduce Man agen?

Scold.That all our studies are but to deludeOur credulous Husbands?

Scold.That all our studies are but to delude

Our credulous Husbands?

Mis.I denie all this.

Swash.Hum.

Lor.Nay more,Thou dost affirme, without distinction,All married Wiues are the Deuils Hackneyes,To carrie their Husbands to Hell.

Lor.Nay more,

Thou dost affirme, without distinction,

All married Wiues are the Deuils Hackneyes,

To carrie their Husbands to Hell.

Aur.Inhumane Monster, hast thou neu’r a Mother?

Swash.No, forsooth, he is aSuccubus, begotBetwixt a Deuill and a Witch.

Swash.No, forsooth, he is aSuccubus, begot

Betwixt a Deuill and a Witch.

Mis.If I did any such, let it be produc’d.

Atl.Bring in the Books for a firme Euidence,And bid the Iurie giue the Verdict vp.

Atl.Bring in the Books for a firme Euidence,

And bid the Iurie giue the Verdict vp.

Enter two Old Women.

Old W.Guiltie, guiltie, guiltie.Guiltie of Woman-slander, and defamation.Atl.Produce the Bookes, and reade the Title of vm.Lor.The Arraignment of idle, froward,And vnconstant women.Aur.What say you, Sir, to this?Mis.Shew me my name, and then Ile yeeld vnto’t.Aur.No, that’s your policie and cowardise,You durst not publish, what you dar’d to write,Thy man is witnesse to’t: sirrah, confesse,Or you shall eu’n be seru’d of the same sawce.Swash.No, no, no, no, Ile tell you all,He is no Fencer, that’s but for a shew,For feare of being beaten: the best Clarke,For cowardise that can be in the World,To terrifie the Female Champions,He was in England, a poore Scholer first,And came to Medley, to eate Cakes and Creame,At my old Mothers house, she trusted him:At least some sixteene shillings o’the score,And he perswaded her, he would make meA Scholer of the Niniuersitie, which she, kind Foole, beleeu’d:He neu’r taught me any Lesson, but to raile against women,That was my morning and my euening Lecture.And in one yeere he runne away from thence,And then he tooke the habit of a Fencer:And set vp Schoole at Bristow: there he liu’dA yeere or two, till he had writ this Booke:And then the women beat him out the Towne,And then we came to London: there forsooth,He put his Booke i’the Presse, and publisht it,And made a thousand men and wiues fall out.Till two or three good wenches, in meere spight,Laid their heads together, and rail’d him out of th’ Land,Then we came hither: this is all forsooth.Aur.’Tis eu’n enough.Mis.’Tis all as false as women.Omnes.Stop his mouth.Atlan.Either be quiet, or y’are gag’d agen.Aur.Proceed in Iudgement.Atlan.Madame, thus it is.First, he shall weare this Mouzell, to expresseHis barking humour against women-kind.And he shall be led, and publike showne,In euery Street i’ the Citie, and be boundIn certaine places to a Post or Stake,And bayted by all the honest women in the Parish.Mis.Is that the worst? there will not one be foundIn all the Citie.Omnes.Out, you lying Rascall.Forbeare a little.Atlan.Then he shal be whipt quite thorow the Land,Till he come to the Sea-Coast, and then be shipt,And sent to liue amongst the Infidels.Omnes.Oh, the Lord preserue your Grace.Lor.Oh, oh, oh.Aur.Call in his Bookes,And let vm all be burn’d and cast away,And his Arraignment now put i’the Presse,That he may liue a shame vnto his Sex.Atlan.Sirrah, the charge be yours: which if you faile,You shall be vs’d so too: if well perform’d,You shall be well rewarded. Breake vp Court.Omnes.Away, you bawling Mastiffe.Clow.Pish, pish.|Exeunt.|

Old W.Guiltie, guiltie, guiltie.Guiltie of Woman-slander, and defamation.

Old W.Guiltie, guiltie, guiltie.

Guiltie of Woman-slander, and defamation.

Atl.Produce the Bookes, and reade the Title of vm.

Lor.The Arraignment of idle, froward,And vnconstant women.

Lor.The Arraignment of idle, froward,

And vnconstant women.

Aur.What say you, Sir, to this?

Mis.Shew me my name, and then Ile yeeld vnto’t.

Aur.No, that’s your policie and cowardise,You durst not publish, what you dar’d to write,Thy man is witnesse to’t: sirrah, confesse,Or you shall eu’n be seru’d of the same sawce.

Aur.No, that’s your policie and cowardise,

You durst not publish, what you dar’d to write,

Thy man is witnesse to’t: sirrah, confesse,

Or you shall eu’n be seru’d of the same sawce.

Swash.No, no, no, no, Ile tell you all,He is no Fencer, that’s but for a shew,For feare of being beaten: the best Clarke,For cowardise that can be in the World,To terrifie the Female Champions,He was in England, a poore Scholer first,And came to Medley, to eate Cakes and Creame,At my old Mothers house, she trusted him:At least some sixteene shillings o’the score,And he perswaded her, he would make meA Scholer of the Niniuersitie, which she, kind Foole, beleeu’d:He neu’r taught me any Lesson, but to raile against women,That was my morning and my euening Lecture.And in one yeere he runne away from thence,And then he tooke the habit of a Fencer:And set vp Schoole at Bristow: there he liu’dA yeere or two, till he had writ this Booke:And then the women beat him out the Towne,And then we came to London: there forsooth,He put his Booke i’the Presse, and publisht it,And made a thousand men and wiues fall out.Till two or three good wenches, in meere spight,Laid their heads together, and rail’d him out of th’ Land,Then we came hither: this is all forsooth.

Swash.No, no, no, no, Ile tell you all,

He is no Fencer, that’s but for a shew,

For feare of being beaten: the best Clarke,

For cowardise that can be in the World,

To terrifie the Female Champions,

He was in England, a poore Scholer first,

And came to Medley, to eate Cakes and Creame,

At my old Mothers house, she trusted him:

At least some sixteene shillings o’the score,

And he perswaded her, he would make me

A Scholer of the Niniuersitie, which she, kind Foole, beleeu’d:

He neu’r taught me any Lesson, but to raile against women,

That was my morning and my euening Lecture.

And in one yeere he runne away from thence,

And then he tooke the habit of a Fencer:

And set vp Schoole at Bristow: there he liu’d

A yeere or two, till he had writ this Booke:

And then the women beat him out the Towne,

And then we came to London: there forsooth,

He put his Booke i’the Presse, and publisht it,

And made a thousand men and wiues fall out.

Till two or three good wenches, in meere spight,

Laid their heads together, and rail’d him out of th’ Land,

Then we came hither: this is all forsooth.

Aur.’Tis eu’n enough.

Mis.’Tis all as false as women.

Omnes.Stop his mouth.

Atlan.Either be quiet, or y’are gag’d agen.

Aur.Proceed in Iudgement.

Atlan.Madame, thus it is.First, he shall weare this Mouzell, to expresseHis barking humour against women-kind.And he shall be led, and publike showne,In euery Street i’ the Citie, and be boundIn certaine places to a Post or Stake,And bayted by all the honest women in the Parish.

Atlan.Madame, thus it is.

First, he shall weare this Mouzell, to expresse

His barking humour against women-kind.

And he shall be led, and publike showne,

In euery Street i’ the Citie, and be bound

In certaine places to a Post or Stake,

And bayted by all the honest women in the Parish.

Mis.Is that the worst? there will not one be foundIn all the Citie.

Mis.Is that the worst? there will not one be found

In all the Citie.

Omnes.Out, you lying Rascall.Forbeare a little.

Omnes.Out, you lying Rascall.

Forbeare a little.

Atlan.Then he shal be whipt quite thorow the Land,Till he come to the Sea-Coast, and then be shipt,And sent to liue amongst the Infidels.

Atlan.Then he shal be whipt quite thorow the Land,

Till he come to the Sea-Coast, and then be shipt,

And sent to liue amongst the Infidels.

Omnes.Oh, the Lord preserue your Grace.

Lor.Oh, oh, oh.

Aur.Call in his Bookes,And let vm all be burn’d and cast away,And his Arraignment now put i’the Presse,That he may liue a shame vnto his Sex.

Aur.Call in his Bookes,

And let vm all be burn’d and cast away,

And his Arraignment now put i’the Presse,

That he may liue a shame vnto his Sex.

Atlan.Sirrah, the charge be yours: which if you faile,You shall be vs’d so too: if well perform’d,You shall be well rewarded. Breake vp Court.

Atlan.Sirrah, the charge be yours: which if you faile,

You shall be vs’d so too: if well perform’d,

You shall be well rewarded. Breake vp Court.

Omnes.Away, you bawling Mastiffe.

Clow.Pish, pish.|Exeunt.|

EnterAtticus, Sforza, Nicanor,and one or two Lords more.

King.Why doe you thus pursue me? Can no placeShelter a King from being bayted thusWith Acclamations beyond sufferanceOf Maiestie, or mortall strength to beare?We will indure’t no longer. Where’s our Guard?Where isAurelia? where’sIagogone?To studie new Inuectiues? If agenThey dare but vtter the least syllable,Or smallest title of inueteracie,They shall not breathe a minute. Must a PrinceBe checkt, and schooled, pursued and scolded at,For executing Iustice?Nic.Royall, Sir.Be pleased, to cast away these Discontents.Iago’ssorrie for his bold offence.The Queene repents her too, and all the CourtIs clowded o’r with griefe: your sadnesse, Sir,Fils euery Subiects heart with heauinesse.Will’t please your Highnesse to behold some pastime,There is a Maske and other sports prepar’d:Prepared to solace you,To steale away your sorrowes.King.Who’s that spoke?Nicanor, is’t hee? I thought as much:I knew no other would be halfe so kind,Nor carefull of our health: doe what thou wilt,We will deny nothing that thou demandest,My dearest Comforter, stay to my age,The hope of Sicilie lyes now in thee.Come sit by vs, weele see what new deuiceThy diligence——Nic.My dutie.King.No, thy loueHath studied to delight thy Soueraigne.Come sit,Nicanor.Nic.Pardon, Sir, awhile,Ile giue command to see it straight perform’d,And instantly returne.King.Make no delay:We haue no ioy but in thy companie.Nic.Nor I no Hell, but thy continuance.Ile present that will shorten it, I hope.King.Sforza, thou louest me too: come neerer vs:But oldIagois a froward Lord,Honest, but lenatiue, ore-swaid too muchWith pitt e against Iustice, that’s not good:Indeed it is not in a Counsellar.And he has too much of woman, otherwiseHe might be Ruler of a Monarchie,For policie and wisdome.Sforzasit,Take you your places to behold this Maske.

King.Why doe you thus pursue me? Can no place

Shelter a King from being bayted thus

With Acclamations beyond sufferance

Of Maiestie, or mortall strength to beare?

We will indure’t no longer. Where’s our Guard?

Where isAurelia? where’sIagogone?

To studie new Inuectiues? If agen

They dare but vtter the least syllable,

Or smallest title of inueteracie,

They shall not breathe a minute. Must a Prince

Be checkt, and schooled, pursued and scolded at,

For executing Iustice?

Nic.Royall, Sir.Be pleased, to cast away these Discontents.Iago’ssorrie for his bold offence.The Queene repents her too, and all the CourtIs clowded o’r with griefe: your sadnesse, Sir,Fils euery Subiects heart with heauinesse.Will’t please your Highnesse to behold some pastime,There is a Maske and other sports prepar’d:Prepared to solace you,To steale away your sorrowes.

Nic.Royall, Sir.

Be pleased, to cast away these Discontents.

Iago’ssorrie for his bold offence.

The Queene repents her too, and all the Court

Is clowded o’r with griefe: your sadnesse, Sir,

Fils euery Subiects heart with heauinesse.

Will’t please your Highnesse to behold some pastime,

There is a Maske and other sports prepar’d:

Prepared to solace you,

To steale away your sorrowes.

King.Who’s that spoke?Nicanor, is’t hee? I thought as much:I knew no other would be halfe so kind,Nor carefull of our health: doe what thou wilt,We will deny nothing that thou demandest,My dearest Comforter, stay to my age,The hope of Sicilie lyes now in thee.Come sit by vs, weele see what new deuiceThy diligence——Nic.My dutie.

King.Who’s that spoke?

Nicanor, is’t hee? I thought as much:

I knew no other would be halfe so kind,

Nor carefull of our health: doe what thou wilt,

We will deny nothing that thou demandest,

My dearest Comforter, stay to my age,

The hope of Sicilie lyes now in thee.

Come sit by vs, weele see what new deuice

Thy diligence——Nic.My dutie.

King.No, thy loueHath studied to delight thy Soueraigne.Come sit,Nicanor.

King.No, thy loue

Hath studied to delight thy Soueraigne.

Come sit,Nicanor.

Nic.Pardon, Sir, awhile,Ile giue command to see it straight perform’d,And instantly returne.

Nic.Pardon, Sir, awhile,

Ile giue command to see it straight perform’d,

And instantly returne.

King.Make no delay:We haue no ioy but in thy companie.

King.Make no delay:

We haue no ioy but in thy companie.

Nic.Nor I no Hell, but thy continuance.Ile present that will shorten it, I hope.

Nic.Nor I no Hell, but thy continuance.

Ile present that will shorten it, I hope.

King.Sforza, thou louest me too: come neerer vs:But oldIagois a froward Lord,Honest, but lenatiue, ore-swaid too muchWith pitt e against Iustice, that’s not good:Indeed it is not in a Counsellar.And he has too much of woman, otherwiseHe might be Ruler of a Monarchie,For policie and wisdome.Sforzasit,Take you your places to behold this Maske.

King.Sforza, thou louest me too: come neerer vs:

But oldIagois a froward Lord,

Honest, but lenatiue, ore-swaid too much

With pitt e against Iustice, that’s not good:

Indeed it is not in a Counsellar.

And he has too much of woman, otherwise

He might be Ruler of a Monarchie,

For policie and wisdome.Sforzasit,

Take you your places to behold this Maske.

EnterNicanor.

Nic.Now they are readie.King.Let vm enter then.Come sit by vs,Nicanor, and describeThe meaning, as they enter.

Nic.Now they are readie.

King.Let vm enter then.Come sit by vs,Nicanor, and describeThe meaning, as they enter.

King.Let vm enter then.

Come sit by vs,Nicanor, and describe

The meaning, as they enter.

EnterIago,and the Queene.

Iag.Heere your GraceMay vndiscouered sit, and view the Maske,And see how ’tis affected by the King:I know, 'twill nip him to the verie soule.The Maskers.|Enter Musike, dance.|Nic.He that leads the Dance,Is called wilfull Ignorance.King.The next that pryes on euery side,As if feare his feet did guide,Is held a wretch of base condition,He is titled false Suspition.Nic.The third is of a bolder Faction,But more deadly, ’tis Detraction.The last is Crueltie, a King that long,In seeming good, did sacred Iustice wrong.King.This Moral’s meant by me: by heauen it is,By Heauen, indeed: for nothing else had powerTo make me see my Follies. I confesse,’Twas wilfull Ignorance, and Selfe-conceit,Sooth’d with Hypocrisie, that drew me firstInto suspition of my Daughters loue,And call’d it Disobedience: false Suspect,’Twas thou possest me, thatLeonidaWas spotted and vnchaste.Nic.So, now it workes.King.And then Detraction prou’d a deadly Foe.Iag.I knew ’twould take effect.Aur.Most happily.King.I am that King did sacred Iustice wrong,Vnder a shew of Iustice, now ’tis plaine,It was my crueltie, not her desert,That sacrific’d my Child to pallid Death.Lisandroflew himselfe, but I, not heMust answere for that guiltlesse bloud was spilt:For I was Authour on’t, my Crueltie,Diuorcing two such Louers, was the causeThat drew him to despayre. How they all gaze,Whisper together, and then point at me,As if they here had being! yes they haue:But it shall proue a restlesse bed for them.Why doe they not begin?

Iag.Heere your GraceMay vndiscouered sit, and view the Maske,And see how ’tis affected by the King:I know, 'twill nip him to the verie soule.The Maskers.|Enter Musike, dance.|

Iag.Heere your Grace

May vndiscouered sit, and view the Maske,

And see how ’tis affected by the King:

I know, 'twill nip him to the verie soule.

The Maskers.|Enter Musike, dance.|

Nic.He that leads the Dance,Is called wilfull Ignorance.

Nic.He that leads the Dance,

Is called wilfull Ignorance.

King.The next that pryes on euery side,As if feare his feet did guide,Is held a wretch of base condition,He is titled false Suspition.

King.The next that pryes on euery side,

As if feare his feet did guide,

Is held a wretch of base condition,

He is titled false Suspition.

Nic.The third is of a bolder Faction,But more deadly, ’tis Detraction.The last is Crueltie, a King that long,In seeming good, did sacred Iustice wrong.

Nic.The third is of a bolder Faction,

But more deadly, ’tis Detraction.

The last is Crueltie, a King that long,

In seeming good, did sacred Iustice wrong.

King.This Moral’s meant by me: by heauen it is,By Heauen, indeed: for nothing else had powerTo make me see my Follies. I confesse,’Twas wilfull Ignorance, and Selfe-conceit,Sooth’d with Hypocrisie, that drew me firstInto suspition of my Daughters loue,And call’d it Disobedience: false Suspect,’Twas thou possest me, thatLeonidaWas spotted and vnchaste.

King.This Moral’s meant by me: by heauen it is,

By Heauen, indeed: for nothing else had power

To make me see my Follies. I confesse,

’Twas wilfull Ignorance, and Selfe-conceit,

Sooth’d with Hypocrisie, that drew me first

Into suspition of my Daughters loue,

And call’d it Disobedience: false Suspect,

’Twas thou possest me, thatLeonida

Was spotted and vnchaste.

Nic.So, now it workes.

King.And then Detraction prou’d a deadly Foe.

Iag.I knew ’twould take effect.

Aur.Most happily.

King.I am that King did sacred Iustice wrong,Vnder a shew of Iustice, now ’tis plaine,It was my crueltie, not her desert,That sacrific’d my Child to pallid Death.Lisandroflew himselfe, but I, not heMust answere for that guiltlesse bloud was spilt:For I was Authour on’t, my Crueltie,Diuorcing two such Louers, was the causeThat drew him to despayre. How they all gaze,Whisper together, and then point at me,As if they here had being! yes they haue:But it shall proue a restlesse bed for them.Why doe they not begin?

King.I am that King did sacred Iustice wrong,

Vnder a shew of Iustice, now ’tis plaine,

It was my crueltie, not her desert,

That sacrific’d my Child to pallid Death.

Lisandroflew himselfe, but I, not he

Must answere for that guiltlesse bloud was spilt:

For I was Authour on’t, my Crueltie,

Diuorcing two such Louers, was the cause

That drew him to despayre. How they all gaze,

Whisper together, and then point at me,

As if they here had being! yes they haue:

But it shall proue a restlesse bed for them.

Why doe they not begin?

Enter Repentance.

Nic.Belike they want some of their companie.King.But stay, who’s that descends so prosperously,With such sweet sounding Musike? All obserue.

Nic.Belike they want some of their companie.

King.But stay, who’s that descends so prosperously,With such sweet sounding Musike? All obserue.

King.But stay, who’s that descends so prosperously,

With such sweet sounding Musike? All obserue.

Musike, dance.

Nic.See how the splendor of that Maiestie,That came from Heauen, hath disperst awaySuspition, Ignorance, and Crueltie,And instantly o’rcome Detraction too,Those enemies to vertue, foes to man,Are vanisht from my sight, and from my heart.But let Repentance stay. Ha, shallow Foole,Doe I so slightly bid her? On my knees,She must be followed, call’d and su’d vnto.And by continuall Prayers, woo’d, and wonne,Which I will neuer cease, if not too late.I doe repent me, let this SacrificeMake satisfaction for those fore-past CrimesMy ignorant soule committed.Repen.’Tis accepted.Imbrace me freely, rise: neuer too lateTo call vpon Repentance.Nic.I am trapt.Oh, the great Deuill! whose deuice was this?Now all will be reueal’d, I neuer dream’tVpon Repentance, I: but now I see,Truth will discouer all mens Trecherie.King.Liue euer in my bosome. What meanes this?

Nic.See how the splendor of that Maiestie,

That came from Heauen, hath disperst away

Suspition, Ignorance, and Crueltie,

And instantly o’rcome Detraction too,

Those enemies to vertue, foes to man,

Are vanisht from my sight, and from my heart.

But let Repentance stay. Ha, shallow Foole,

Doe I so slightly bid her? On my knees,

She must be followed, call’d and su’d vnto.

And by continuall Prayers, woo’d, and wonne,

Which I will neuer cease, if not too late.

I doe repent me, let this Sacrifice

Make satisfaction for those fore-past Crimes

My ignorant soule committed.

Repen.’Tis accepted.Imbrace me freely, rise: neuer too lateTo call vpon Repentance.

Repen.’Tis accepted.

Imbrace me freely, rise: neuer too late

To call vpon Repentance.

Nic.I am trapt.Oh, the great Deuill! whose deuice was this?Now all will be reueal’d, I neuer dream’tVpon Repentance, I: but now I see,Truth will discouer all mens Trecherie.

Nic.I am trapt.

Oh, the great Deuill! whose deuice was this?

Now all will be reueal’d, I neuer dream’t

Vpon Repentance, I: but now I see,

Truth will discouer all mens Trecherie.

King.Liue euer in my bosome. What meanes this?

EnterLorenzo, Lisandro, Leonida,a Siluan Nymph.

Lor.If a Siluan’s rude behauiourMay not heere despaire of fauour:Then to thee this newes I bring,Thou art call’d the righteous King,And as Fame do’s make report,Heere liues Iustice in thy Court:Know, that all the HappinesseI did in this World possesse,Was my onely Daughter, whoPandid on my age bestow,She was namedClaribell,WhomPalemonloued well:And she lou’d him as well againe;So that nothing did remaine,But the tyingHymensKnot.But it chanced so, God wot,That an old decrepit manMost prepostrously began,With flatt’ring words to woo my Daughter,But being still deny’d, he afterTurn’d his loue to mortall hateClaribellto ruinate,Striuing to o’rpresse her fame,With Lust, Contempt, Reproch, and Shame.Kin.What wouldst thou haue Vs doe?Good Father, speake.Lor.This fellow hath subborn’d a routOfsome base Villaines here-about,To take away my daughters life,Or else to rauish her. To end this strifeBe pleas’d to ioyne these Louers handsInto sacred nuptiall bands.Sfor.Nothing but put vm both together, Sir.The good old Shepheard would faine ha’t a match.Kin.We are content. Come giue Vs both your hands.Lor.You are a King; yet they are lothTo take your word without an othe.Kin.As We are King of Sicil, ’tis confirm’dFirme, to be reuoked neuer,Vntill death their liues disseuer.Lor.Princes, discouer: Here are witnessesInow to testifie this royall match.Kin.My daughter, andLisandro, liuing?Lor.Nay, wonder not, my Liege, your oath is past.Kin.Which thus, and thus, and thus I ratifie:There is but one step more, and farewell all.Aur.Oh, I am made immortall with this sight:My daughter, andLisandro, both aliue?Iag.This is no newes to mee: yet teares of ioyOre-flowes mine eyes to see this vnitie.Kin.Oh daughter, I haue done thee too much wrong:And, noble Prince, We now confesse Our errour:But heauen be prais’d that you haue both escap’dThe tyrannie of Our vniust decree.Aur.What happie accident preseru’d your liues?Whose was the proiect? Was it thine, old man?Lor.Madam, ’twas mine: Those that I could not saueBy eloquence, by policie I haue.Kin.WorthieAtlanta, thou hast meritedBeyond all imitation. We are madeToo poore to gratifie thy high deserts.Lor.Dread Soueraigne,All my deserts, my selfe, and what I haue,Thus I throw downe before your Highnesse feet.Att.My SonneLorenzo! Oh, assist, my Lords.The current of my ioy’s so violent,It does o’r-come my spirits. Worthy Sonne,Welcome from death; from bands, captiuitie.Aur.Welcome into my bosome as my soule.Prince.My princely Brother, could I adde a loueVnto that dutie that I owe for life,I am ingag’d vnto’t, you are my lifes Protector,And my Brother.Lis.And for a life I stand indebted too,Which Ile detayne, onely to honour you.Omnes.And on our knees we must this dutie tender,To you our Patron, and our Fames Defender.Rep.Behold the ioyes Repentance brings with her,Thy blessings are made full in Heauen and Earth.Att.Was euer Father happier in a Sonne,Or euer Kingdome had more hopefull Prince?But in a loyall Subiect, neuer KingMore blest then we are: and the grace we owe,Though farre too poore to quittance, shall make known,Thy loue and merit. Now we can discerneOur friends from flatt’rers.Nicanor, as for you,But that this houre is sacred vnto ioy,Thy life should pay the ransome of thy guilt.Nic.Your Graces pardon. ’Twas not pride of state,But her disdaine, that first inspir’d in meThis hope of Soueraigntie.Att.Well, we forgiue.Learne to liue honest now. Come, beautyous Queene,We hope that all are pleas’d: and now you see,In vaine we striue to crosse, what Heauens decree.

Lor.If a Siluan’s rude behauiour

May not heere despaire of fauour:

Then to thee this newes I bring,

Thou art call’d the righteous King,

And as Fame do’s make report,

Heere liues Iustice in thy Court:

Know, that all the Happinesse

I did in this World possesse,

Was my onely Daughter, who

Pandid on my age bestow,

She was namedClaribell,

WhomPalemonloued well:

And she lou’d him as well againe;

So that nothing did remaine,

But the tyingHymensKnot.

But it chanced so, God wot,

That an old decrepit man

Most prepostrously began,

With flatt’ring words to woo my Daughter,

But being still deny’d, he after

Turn’d his loue to mortall hate

Claribellto ruinate,

Striuing to o’rpresse her fame,

With Lust, Contempt, Reproch, and Shame.

Kin.What wouldst thou haue Vs doe?Good Father, speake.

Kin.What wouldst thou haue Vs doe?

Good Father, speake.

Lor.This fellow hath subborn’d a routOfsome base Villaines here-about,To take away my daughters life,Or else to rauish her. To end this strifeBe pleas’d to ioyne these Louers handsInto sacred nuptiall bands.

Lor.This fellow hath subborn’d a rout

Ofsome base Villaines here-about,

To take away my daughters life,

Or else to rauish her. To end this strife

Be pleas’d to ioyne these Louers hands

Into sacred nuptiall bands.

Sfor.Nothing but put vm both together, Sir.The good old Shepheard would faine ha’t a match.

Sfor.Nothing but put vm both together, Sir.

The good old Shepheard would faine ha’t a match.

Kin.We are content. Come giue Vs both your hands.

Lor.You are a King; yet they are lothTo take your word without an othe.

Lor.You are a King; yet they are loth

To take your word without an othe.

Kin.As We are King of Sicil, ’tis confirm’dFirme, to be reuoked neuer,Vntill death their liues disseuer.

Kin.As We are King of Sicil, ’tis confirm’d

Firme, to be reuoked neuer,

Vntill death their liues disseuer.

Lor.Princes, discouer: Here are witnessesInow to testifie this royall match.

Lor.Princes, discouer: Here are witnesses

Inow to testifie this royall match.

Kin.My daughter, andLisandro, liuing?

Lor.Nay, wonder not, my Liege, your oath is past.

Kin.Which thus, and thus, and thus I ratifie:There is but one step more, and farewell all.

Kin.Which thus, and thus, and thus I ratifie:

There is but one step more, and farewell all.

Aur.Oh, I am made immortall with this sight:My daughter, andLisandro, both aliue?

Aur.Oh, I am made immortall with this sight:

My daughter, andLisandro, both aliue?

Iag.This is no newes to mee: yet teares of ioyOre-flowes mine eyes to see this vnitie.

Iag.This is no newes to mee: yet teares of ioy

Ore-flowes mine eyes to see this vnitie.

Kin.Oh daughter, I haue done thee too much wrong:And, noble Prince, We now confesse Our errour:But heauen be prais’d that you haue both escap’dThe tyrannie of Our vniust decree.

Kin.Oh daughter, I haue done thee too much wrong:

And, noble Prince, We now confesse Our errour:

But heauen be prais’d that you haue both escap’d

The tyrannie of Our vniust decree.

Aur.What happie accident preseru’d your liues?Whose was the proiect? Was it thine, old man?

Aur.What happie accident preseru’d your liues?

Whose was the proiect? Was it thine, old man?

Lor.Madam, ’twas mine: Those that I could not saueBy eloquence, by policie I haue.

Lor.Madam, ’twas mine: Those that I could not saue

By eloquence, by policie I haue.

Kin.WorthieAtlanta, thou hast meritedBeyond all imitation. We are madeToo poore to gratifie thy high deserts.

Kin.WorthieAtlanta, thou hast merited

Beyond all imitation. We are made

Too poore to gratifie thy high deserts.

Lor.Dread Soueraigne,All my deserts, my selfe, and what I haue,Thus I throw downe before your Highnesse feet.

Lor.Dread Soueraigne,

All my deserts, my selfe, and what I haue,

Thus I throw downe before your Highnesse feet.

Att.My SonneLorenzo! Oh, assist, my Lords.The current of my ioy’s so violent,It does o’r-come my spirits. Worthy Sonne,Welcome from death; from bands, captiuitie.

Att.My SonneLorenzo! Oh, assist, my Lords.

The current of my ioy’s so violent,

It does o’r-come my spirits. Worthy Sonne,

Welcome from death; from bands, captiuitie.

Aur.Welcome into my bosome as my soule.

Prince.My princely Brother, could I adde a loueVnto that dutie that I owe for life,I am ingag’d vnto’t, you are my lifes Protector,And my Brother.

Prince.My princely Brother, could I adde a loue

Vnto that dutie that I owe for life,

I am ingag’d vnto’t, you are my lifes Protector,

And my Brother.

Lis.And for a life I stand indebted too,Which Ile detayne, onely to honour you.

Lis.And for a life I stand indebted too,

Which Ile detayne, onely to honour you.

Omnes.And on our knees we must this dutie tender,To you our Patron, and our Fames Defender.

Omnes.And on our knees we must this dutie tender,

To you our Patron, and our Fames Defender.

Rep.Behold the ioyes Repentance brings with her,Thy blessings are made full in Heauen and Earth.

Rep.Behold the ioyes Repentance brings with her,

Thy blessings are made full in Heauen and Earth.

Att.Was euer Father happier in a Sonne,Or euer Kingdome had more hopefull Prince?But in a loyall Subiect, neuer KingMore blest then we are: and the grace we owe,Though farre too poore to quittance, shall make known,Thy loue and merit. Now we can discerneOur friends from flatt’rers.Nicanor, as for you,But that this houre is sacred vnto ioy,Thy life should pay the ransome of thy guilt.

Att.Was euer Father happier in a Sonne,

Or euer Kingdome had more hopefull Prince?

But in a loyall Subiect, neuer King

More blest then we are: and the grace we owe,

Though farre too poore to quittance, shall make known,

Thy loue and merit. Now we can discerne

Our friends from flatt’rers.Nicanor, as for you,

But that this houre is sacred vnto ioy,

Thy life should pay the ransome of thy guilt.

Nic.Your Graces pardon. ’Twas not pride of state,But her disdaine, that first inspir’d in meThis hope of Soueraigntie.

Nic.Your Graces pardon. ’Twas not pride of state,

But her disdaine, that first inspir’d in me

This hope of Soueraigntie.

Att.Well, we forgiue.Learne to liue honest now. Come, beautyous Queene,We hope that all are pleas’d: and now you see,In vaine we striue to crosse, what Heauens decree.

Att.Well, we forgiue.

Learne to liue honest now. Come, beautyous Queene,

We hope that all are pleas’d: and now you see,

In vaine we striue to crosse, what Heauens decree.

FINIS.

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