[Aside.
Nurse.Now thou shalt have my heart; and thus it is:Don Franciscodoth often meetEugeniai’th’garden, who, to avoid suspition, after her Sistersin Bed, by my means gets her Night-Gown, andputs it on so to avoid being known, shou’d any see her.
Jasp.Oh, Excellent! when do they meet again?
Nurse.I’ve promis’d him this Night, though she was loath,till I told her he would but take his leave, for she’sgrown a little backward, now she’s to marryDon Gerardo.
Jasp.Is she to marry him, sayst thou?
Nurse.I, sure, for he makes Love to her, and she’s so hotupon’t, that she vows after this Night never to meetFranciscoany more; but I’le go Live with her,and so shalt thou.
Jasp.Ay, so I will—i’th’ Garden, sayst thou, and in hersisters Gown, no body with them!
NurseYes, the LordSebastian, he knows all, and alwayeswaits upon ’em.
Jasp.That’s well, keep thou the secret close, and ne’re fear me;but if my Lord should ask suspitiously questionsabout his Wife—namePedroto him, say, when he’sfrom Home, that Fellow stayes too long within herchamber, and say, thatFlorawaits; leave me to proveit true.
Nurse.Why, ’tis not so, I dare not tell my Lord so damn’d a Lye.
Jasp.Why? Y’are a Fool, there shall no hurt come of it,only we’l be Reveng’d ofPedro, and that Slut, forthey’re our Enemies; besides, if you won’t, I’le swearyou told me so, and moreover, let him know all therest y’have told me.
Nurse.Nay, don’t be angry, and I’le do any thing.
EnterCælia,Pedro, andFlora.
Cæl.Oh, thou Old doting Fool! what, still remain here!What punishment is proper for thy Age? As for you,Sirrah, I believe my Lord will find a way quickly tosend you packing.
Jasp.It may be so, but ’tis without a cause.
Cæl.Impudent Villain! how I do hate thy sight.Follow you me.
[To Nurse.][Ex.Cæl.Nurse, &Flora.
Ped.What, i’th’ dumps, Seignior! all a mort for yourmistress, faith man, take it not so to heart, there are othersi’th’ World as Young, though few may be as handsome.
Jasp.Ay, Sir, ’tis to be suppos’d; you can boast it by Experience,there are Young Ladies for sprucePedro’s—Jasper—must be content with their Nurses.
Ped.Content, say you? I, Marry, if she content you not, theDevil can’t; why, she’s a Dish of variety, like a hugeolio; there’s all Ages of Women in her. Thou artthe happiest man in a Mistress,Jasper—faith, I envy thee.
Jasp.’Tis very well.
Ped.Not too well neither.
Jasp.You may laugh; you stand on the top of Favour,have a care of falling down, I may catch youone day.
Ped.No, never with an Old Woman; it’s worse thencommitting Incest; to Cuckold, for ought I know, a dozen Generations.
Jasp.Rest you merry, I can leave you.
Ped.But I’le not quit you so.
[Exeunt.
EnterAntonioandGerardoDiscoursing.
Ger.In this dear Friend, consists my happiness;Therefore deny me not—Why pause you, Sir?My fears are come about—
Anto.What, hathEugeniagiven her consent?
Ger.I say not so, my Lord, but her denyalsWere spoke so faintly, I Interpret well.
Anto.Dear Friend, I am afraid you do mistakeThe Object of your Joyes, let me perswadeYou to believe, there’s not that happinessIn Marriage-Beds, as single People guess,No, no, so far from that, that thousands beFlatter’d by hopes to endless misery.And where there’s two obtain their hearts desire,Ten thousand miss it, and in grief expire.
Ger.Were these Positions true, there’s no man, sure,If Widdowed once, could other Wives endure.And yet we see the first depriv’d of Life,There’s few that seek not for a second Wife.
Anto.’Tis true, though strange, but yet our minds are such,As alwayes find too little, or too much;Desire’s a Monster, whose extended MawIs never fill’d, tho’ it doth all things draw:For we with envious Eyes do others see,Who want our ills, and think they happy be,Till we possessing what we wish’d before,Find our ills doubl’d, and so wish for more.
Ger.Suppose all true which you wou’d have me fear,Ills in possession still the greatest are:And my desires to such a height do rise,T’ attain their ends, I shou’d all else despise.
Anto.Since y’are resolv’d, I’le not your ends deny,But pray my words prove false when e’re you try;Though well they speak, who say the damned State,Chiefly consists in wishing things too late:Eugenia’sFather left her to my care,Which trust to end so well I did despair:Then name the day of Marriage—
Ger.No delayMy thoughts admit; I wish it were to day.
Anto.That cannot be, to Morrow I approve.
Ger.Time will flye slow, though Impt with wings of Love.
EnterCæliaandEugenia.
Cæl.My Lord, I beg your pardon for a short interruption.
Ger.Madam, ’tis I have cause to beg your pardon,Thus to detain your Lord, on’s Wedding-day,A Day in Justice should be wholly yours.
Cæl.My Lord is happy so to be detain’dAnd I am alwayes happy when he’s so.WhispersAnto.he takes a paper privately out of her pocket.But good, my Lord, your Ear—
Ger.Madam, if you repent not what y’have said,In answer to those Vows of my Affection,I then dare hope I may in time be happy.
Eugen.Tho’ I ne’re thought your words were further means,Then to pass time away in Raillery;Yet were my Answers such, as if you hadTold me a real Story of your Love:And the same Answers I’le again renew;My Will’s confin’d; my Fathers last CommandsLeft me no Choice but anothers will;If I were free, I then durst speak my thoughts:But I, in all, my Brother must obey.
Ger.He checks your Actions only, thoughts are free,Suppose him willing, would you favour me?
Eugen.But to suppose without his Will’s a Crime,If I that supposition should declare.
Ger.I do confess I should be loath to ownThat Blessing which I rate above my Life,If ’twere bestow’d by any hands but yours;Therefore by all your hopes I do conjure you,If you dislike my Love, Command my silence.
Eugen.Interpret well my blushes, when I sayI cannot find a thought for such Commands.
Ger.Then I am happy ’bove the reach of Envy;For I have his consent already granted,He nam’d the day of Marriage as you enter’d.
Eugen.You see, my Lord, that I had cause for fear,Since I’m bestow’d, and my consent ne’re askt.Sure my dead Father ne’re design’d it so?
Ger.Madam, I beg your pardon, for a truthMight well excuse your Brother in this matter;I urg’d to him I doubted not your favour,On which Condition he did grant me his.
Eugen.I shall hear further of it from himself,Till when, I beg your pardon.
[Offers to go out.
Anto.Sister, pray stay, for I have bus’ness with you.I know, my Dear, you never Lov’d that Fellow,Which since you do not, though he serves me well,Yet I’m resolv’d for this to part with him,Tho’ I could think a Pension for your Nurse,To keep her at a distance, were as well.
Cæl.Though now her dotage makes her want discretion,Her Love to us was great.
Anto.Come, trouble not your self about it, he shall go.
Cæl.My Lord, I’le trouble you no further.
Ger.I’le wait upon you, Madam.
[Ex.Gerar.andCæl.
Anto.Sister, you know your Father was my Friend,And was so confident that I was his,He trusted all your Fortunes in my hands,Though he had Brothers Living when he Dy’d,He told you too, and left it in his Will,That what you had was mine, if you did MarryWithout my Approbation: Is’t not true?
Eugen.Sir, ’tis a truth I’m glad of.
Anto.These things your Kindred though, did call contrivance,Which made their hatred rise so much against me,It makes a few’d betwixt our Families,Which soon would come to Blood, but for RespectThey bear my Wife, their Cozen.
Eugen.Brother, I cannot answer for their Actions,My own Respects to you were never wanting.
Anto.I do not deny it, Sister; and to proveI never did, nor will deserve worse from you,If you are willing now to change your State,And know a man preferr’d in your Election,Let him have Blood and worth, you and your FortuneI freely will resign into his hands.Then truly speak your thoughts.
Eugen.Surely, my Lord,You’d scarcely think I should be worth your care,If I should choose before you nam’d one to me.
Anto.Sister, I see your Kindreds JealousiesPartly infects you too; but to remove them,What think you ofGerardo, for a Husband?My wishes meet with yours, if he’s their Object;You know I’m no Dissembler.
Eugen.Nor shall you find me so; for I confessIn this you prove your Kindness, Care, and Justice;And I must meet it with my greatest thanks.
Anto.I’m joyful for it; to morrow is the day,A private Wedding will prevent all Rumour,You’d best withdraw then to provide your self.
[Ex.Eugen.
What Paper’s this I got out of her Pocket?Pray Heaven it be the right; it is the same,The very same —— what makes me tremble!Is’t horror or desire, or both assault me?Be it what it will, ’tis Hell to live in doubt;But stay, my Conscience sayes ’tis Sacriledge—What’s that? A word by cunning Priests inventedTo keep the Cheats they live by from our knowledge;As theÆgyptiandid withHieroglyfficks;But be it what it will, a Name, or thing,I’le read it, for’t may Cure my Jealousie,And surely that exceeds Hells misery.But to my Closet, where no Eye can see,All are call’d Pious, who live scandal free.
[Exit.
EnterEugeniaand Nurse.
Eugen.Since he has promis’d but to take his leave,And neither then, nor never urge more Sin,I am content to give him this last meeting.
Nurse.He’l be a glad man, I’m sure—but what shall poorJasperdo?
Eugen.If he will marry you, I’le keep you both.
Nurse.Thank you, Madam, I’le tell him your good will.
[Exit.
Eugen.What by this cursed Sin am I reduc’d to?To be a Slave to Slaves; nay, worse, a Bawd,A Name so base, profest ones do detest it,And yet I’m one, this cursed Hellish Hagg has made me so.Thefirst did sell, and then betray’d my Honour,Yet thinks she has oblig’d me by the Action.Nay, I am forc’t to say so now to please her;Some heavenly Angel make me Chaste again,Or make me nothing, I am resolv’d to try,Before I’de still live Whore, I’de choose to dye.
EnterJasper.
Jasp.I’m come to thank your Lady-ship for the great care,Nurse sayes, you have of me; but faith, Madam, Iwas ne’re made to be Steel to a Tinder-Box; she’smeer Touch-wood; no, I’m not for Marrying greatgrannums: But if your Lady-ship knows any YoungDame, that wants a strong back to do her drudgery,though it be in her Lord’s absence, I’m content.
Eugen.What, is the Fellow mad?
Jasp.No, Madam, not mad at all, but can as soberly keepcouncel as the best Young Gallant of ’em all; and amas able to do the feat: Please your Lady-ship to try me,and praise me as you find; if you dislike my work,I’le lose my labour, and have nothing for my pains.
Eugen.Oh, strange, unheard-of Impudence! Out, Villain.
[Ex.
Jasp.So scornful! Villain! Nay, if you call me so, ’tis timeto be so; what a Devil ayls my face, that she contemnsme thus? May be my Nose is not long enough she thinks,pox on her Pride, ’tis that or’e-comes her Leachery—I mustalter my Trade, for I was ne’re born I see to thrive bylove; then I’le set up a shop of hatred, and the Wares Ivent shall be Revenge, that may hit; but hold, my Lord.
EnterAntonio.
Anto.What have I got? Am I more satisfy’dBy this same Paper then I was before?No, not at all; and yet why should I not?There’s not a thought set down concerneth me—Yet that’s her policy—She either fear’d that I should get the Paper,Or else on purpose did contrive I might;But how can I know that? This Jealousie,If it continue long, will make me mad.
Jasp.Well, the Devil has put him on this pin meerlyto do me a kindness.
Anto.And yet it must continue, who can Cure it?Ay, there’s it, who can Cure it? Then I must be mad!Nay, I’m mad already, stark mad!—
Jasp.My good Lord.
Anto.What’s the matter? I fear he heard me.
[Aside.
Jasp.I come to take leave of your Lordship, I haveenemies I hear have turn’d me going.
Anto.Is’t not deservedly, thou Goat?
Jasp.Yes, yes, it may be so, since they will have it so;but if I had never seen, I had ne’re been turn’daway for doing: If I were as ready to makemischief, as I am fear’d to be; Nurse and I had notbeen only the Sufferers.
Anto.Explain your Riddle, Sirrah.
Jasp.Nay, let my Tongue come out e’re I say any thing todisquiet your Lordship, I love you better.
Anto.Disquiet me! What lyes within thy power to say thatcan disquiet me?
Jasp.Nay, nothing it may be, my Lady is my Lady, andyou are a kind Lord, that’s all I know; so beggingyour Lordships Discharge, I’m gone, and thentheirFears are over.
Anto.Villain, thou’st given me poyson; my veins swellwith it, produce the Antidote, or I’le dissect thy Soulto find it out; what is’t you know that can disquiet me?
Jasp.I know little, my Lord, to’ th’ purpose, besides, it willbut vex you, since there may be no harm in it.
Anto.Come, come, no going back, tell quickly what you know.
Jasp.I know, why, I know that my Lady hates me,because I told your Lordship the time she was todeliver the Jewels and Money toDon Lewis, andstill she calls me false in being true to you—but—
Anto.But what?
Jasp.But if I should say all I know—well, but letthat alone, good, my Lord, your Discharge.
Anto.Vile Dog, dost raise my Anger for to play with it?I’le vent it upon thee then.
[Draws, and cuts at him.
Jasp.Hold, hold, my Lord, and I’le tell all I know.
Anto.Let’s hear it.
Jasp.When you lay hid aboutDon Lewis’s death, I’veoften seen a Lady in the Night to meet two Meni’th’ Garden, but am not sure it was your Lady.
Anto.What makes you name her then?
Jasp.Her Gown, I think it was her Gown.
Anto.Wa’st often, say you?
Jasp.Yes, every Night, except you lay at home, for Itook pains to watch, they never fail’d coming,but there was but one of them went into the House,Sir, and he neither would not stay above an hourat most: this is all.
Anto.All, quoth a! What Devil would have more,if ’twas my Lady.
Jasp.I can’t say that, but yet I dare be sworn it washer Gown, I do believe, I mean, I think it was.
Anto.Could you not guess the men?
Jasp.I think they wereFranciscoandSebastian.
Anto.It must be they; a plague upon their Fewds;They can Revenge themselves upon my Wife:Go, call the Nurse, this she must needs conspire in;But keep all private from her.
[ExitJasper.
Is she so bucksome? Has she more Kinsmen Stallions?I’le cleanse her Blood, or empty all her veins;confessions calls she these! Betwixt Religion and her Leacherythe Devil dances Barley-break—but hold—whymay’nt the Rogue contrive this for Revenge?For if I reflect his pretending not to tell, did butusher in the Story. I must be cautious of a too light belief.
EnterCælia.
Cæl.My Lord, by Accident I’ve lost a Paper, which troubles me.
Anto.A Paper, say you? I took up one i’th’ Garden, and Ithink this is it.
Cæl.It is, my Lord, and I rejoyce no other Person found it.
Anto.Why, what is it?
Cæl.’Tis the Confession that I told you of.
Anto.I might have read it then, and ne’re askt you, hadI but known it.
Cæl.If your Lordship pleases you may read it.
Anto.No, no, I will not, but prethee keep it better.
Cæl.My Lord, there are some Tenants, who desire to expresstheir Loves by Rural Recreations—
Anto.Bid e’m stay, their sports are more in season after Dinner.So willing now to have it read, and yet before so backward!
[Ex.Cæl.
Why, this confirms me she is false, it was contriv’don purpose for my sight. The Devil’s not so cunningas a Woman.
[Enter Nurse.
Oh, Beldame, are you come? Tell me, you Bawd,Who Whores my Wife? For Whore I know she is,And you’re her Bawd. Tell me, I say, the man,The place, the Circumstance, and very time,Or I will quarter thee, and throw thy flesh to’th’ dogs.
Nurse.Alas, my Lord, I know nothing, but that whenyou’re from Home,Pedrogoes to her Chamber, andstays there all Night, but what they do, I knownot, for none butFlora’swith them.
Anto. Pedro! Oh monstrous, she would devour a Legion!Is’t every Night, do you say?
Nurse.Yes, every Night; but I durst never tell you!Alas, she suckt these Breasts.
Anto.Shew me this NightPedro, in Bed with her,or I will cut thy Tongue out.
Nurse.’Tis impossible when you are at home.
Anto.I will contrive a Journey out of Town, but will attwelve return, then let me in; for if you failI’le cut your Throat.
Nurse.I’le do my best.
[Exit.
Anto. Pedro! What sordid Devil prompted her to that?Why, I am known to all the World a Cuckold;The very Boys i’th’ street must point at me;But hold, this new Intelligence struck out the old,And made me quite forget aboutFrancisco.
EnterJasper.
Oh,Jasper! I’m confirm’d my Wife’s a Devil,And I will send her to the rest e’re Morning;Go and contrive a Letter fromDon John;Shall intimate he’s sick, and wants my presence,Then I’le contrive the rest.
Jasp.Be not too rash, my Lord, might I adviseYou should be certain e’re you Acted ought.
Anto.How can I be more certain then this Night,To be Eye-witness of her Lust my self,As Nurse has undertook I shall.
Jasp.Ay, Sir, but things may fail, and they not meet.
Anto.Name a more certain way then.
Jasp.My Lord, there lives a Woman in the Suburbs,Mighty in Science, who by Art can tellAll that she pleases, I’de have you go to her.
Anto.Is she of your acquaintance?
Jasp.No, my Lord, she scorns such things as me,She’s for the great ones; though for Charity,She sometimes helps poor people to their goods,I’me sure she’d serve your Lordship.
Anto.I fear she’l never trust us, lest we should betrayHer to the Inquisition.
Jasp.No fear of that, she cannot be betray’d,She knows Mens bus’ness er’e they come unto her.
Anto.Well then, contrive my absence, I’le go thither,I’m sure to know whether she cheats or no,For if she namesDon Lewis’mongst the rest,I shall believe her. Well, about the Letter.
[Exit.
Jasp.Are you there with your Beares;Don Lewissay you?Marry now I find ’twas Jealousie of his Wife;and not the matter of Money made him kill him,whether he was guilty or no; I’le be sure he shan’tbe forgot, for I’le before hand to my Aunt, and tellher all; I hope, she is a Witch; the People say so, amighty Artist I am sure she is, for she has donestrange things, and all men fear her, besides Iknow she loves me, and will strive all she can todo me good, and hap what will my Lord willthink me honest; for Night will surely shew hissister to him, drest in’s Ladyes Gown, what thoughhe kill her, the mistake will lye o’th’ Night, and noton me, thus I make good the Villain that she call’dme, in my Revenge on her; and if Nurse fails menot, I’le have my Lady, andPedro; finely firkt.When this is done, my Lord rewards my care,Let him the danger I’le the profit share.And since things Excellent commended be,’Tshall be my Aym t’excell in Villany.
The End of the first Act.
EnterJasperand the Witch.
Jasp.THis kindness, Aunt, I beg, your Art must do;For I have no way else to save my place.
Witch.Why, ’tis impossible; I’ve no such ArtAs People think, to call up Spirits to me;Nor know I any thing, but what is told me.
Jasp.Now you dissemble, Aunt, for han’t you oftenRais’d Storms, have rent up Trees, and shook strongTowers? Seeming to threaten Nature with it’s end;And at such times have sent strange shapedSpirits, who have restored to owners stolen Goods.These things so many know, it is impossibleFor you to keep it private; but I find,Rather then trust me with your mighty secrets,Or help me with your Art, you’l see my Ruine.
Witch.These things you speak of, people think I do,And so I’de have e’m; for tis the only way I have to Live:The Vulgar People love to be deluded;And things the most unlikely they most dote on;A strange Disease in Cattle, Hogs or Pigs,Or any Accident in Cheese or Butter;Though’t be but Natural, or a Sluts fault,Must strait be Witchcraft! Oh, the Witch was here!The Ears or Tail is burn’d, the Churn is burn’d;And this to hurt the Witch, when all the whileThey’re likest Witches that believe such Cures;Could I do all that People think I can,I’de ne’re take pains to find out stolen Goods,Or hold intelligence with Thieves to bring e’m,Meerly to get my Bread; no, I would makeThe Universe pay Tribute to my power,And all the Bug-bear Lords InquisitorsMore tremble at my Name then I do nowAt theirs: Ah,Jasper, would I raiseStorms when I would, blast Corn, turnRivers backwardChange shapes, mov’d where I pleas’d i’th’ Air,And that so fast, as thought it self wouldHardly overtake me:What is’t I could not do? if all were trueThe Foolish People think, the Pope himself wouldQuickly lose Respect,And none be thought infallible but I.
Jasp.I’m sure I tremble for your want of power,More then I should to see Hells dreadfull’st shape,For I must flye the Town.
Witch. Jasper, not so; though I can raise no Devils,Yet I Confederate with Rogues andJuglers,Things that can shape themselves like Elves,And Goblins—And often do like Spirits haunt great Houses,Most times to steal, but many times for mirth;Enter a little Devil, and tumbles the Summerset.These I’le soon send for; arise, myPincula.
Jasp.Heav’ns bless me! save me, good Aunt.
Witch.From what? You Fool, ’tis but a little Boy,Which I instruct to carry on my Cheats:Come, leave your Fooling, I have bus’ness for you;Uncase your self, and quickly go and findRanter, andSwash,Dive,Fob,Snap,Gilt, andPick-lock,Those are my Archest Devils; as you goCall uponDog’rellthe Ballad-maker, and sayI want him strait, bid them be sureTo bring home half a dozen more with them,For I shall need their help, let e’m not fail,For money’s to be got.
Devil.’Tis that will make e’m come; I’le haste, forsooth.
[Exit.
Jasp.I’m glad it’s gone, for surely it was a Devil,What ever you pretend.
Witch.Thou’rt a Fool:It was a Boy, I tell thee, and no Devil;Nor am I a sorceress, though I could wishTo do thee good I was: But ’tis no matter,Bring thou thy Lord, I’le practice well enoughTo make him think all true, that I shall shew him.
Jasp.You now Revive my Drooping Spirits, Aunt, andMake my hopes grow strong! Ah sweet Revenge,How my soul Dances but with thoughts of it;Assist me, Aunt, to get this mighty Blessing, and IShall dye your slave.
Witch.O rare Boy!How I rejoyce to see this Spirit in thee,For ’tis the vertue of our FamilyTo seek Revenge, not basely swallow wrongs:Don Sancho De Mensalvo, thy GrandsireWas for a while Vice-Admiral of Spain,But then disgrac’d turn’d Pyrate and Reveng’dWith Fire and Sword on all Mankind, the wrongsHe thought the Court had basely plac’d on him;At last he was betray’d and lost his head,Thy Father turn’d Bandetto, what he gotI did dispose of for him; but his FateBetray’d him too to Death by Execution:Since when I by these Arts do strive to live,And thou art forc’d to serve—That very Lord, who does those LandsPossess should have been thine.
Jasp.But will e’re long mount to some higher sphere,Or dye in the attempt; this Plot, perhaps, may do,And I thereby obtain some part of my EstateAgain; for if the plotted mischiefs shall succeed,I’le tell him whom I am, and my resolves, eitherTo share his Fortunes or Reveal all. Then I willRiseDon Jasper De Monsalvoand Cheek by Jole,Ask howAntoniodoes. Then don’t forget the names.
Witch.Not one of them: I know them very well.
Jasp.Farewell, Dear Aunt, but don’t you seem to know me.
Witch.Out you great Fool! What become my Instructer?Be careful of your self, and fear not me. Farewel, boy.
[Exeunt.
EnterAntonio,Gerardo,Cælia,Eugenia, as to a Masque, and take their seats.
Ger.Have you heard, Madam, what they represent?
CæliaMy Lord, I’m told they mean to play the Gipsies,And tell our fortunes to us.
Anto.I would they could.
Eugen.If all Man’s life determin’d is before,I would not know my Destiny me-thinks,For good is best, when least it is Expected;And bad fore-seen is doubl’d by our fearThings certain no fore-knowledge can preventSuch knowledge only can bring discontent.
Ger.In this with you I perfectly agree.
Anto.Yet for all that I wish I could foresee.
Cælia.My Lord, what profit by it wou’d you gain?
Anto.’Twould cure doubt to me the deadliest pain.
Ger.Doubt is th’effect of fear or Jealousie,Two Passions which to Reason give the LyeFor fear torments, but never does assist,And Jealousie is love lost in a Mist.Both Hood-wink truth, then go to blind-mans buff,Cry here, then there, seem to direct enough:But all the while shift place making the mindAs it goes out of breath despair to find.And if at last something it stumbles on,Perhaps it calls it false and then ’tis gone.If true, what’s gain’d only just time to seeA breachless Play a Game at Liberty;That has no other end then this, that menRun to be tyr’d just to set down agen.
Anto.This is a truth, and so for ought I know,To the same purpose tends all things we do:Life’s a Disease, and yet we seldom say,That Man is sick whom we see laugh and play;And ’tis as well to bid the Bed-rid ride,As to bid Men in doubt be satisfy’d:For ’tis the mind’s Disease, and Physick shouldBe proper to’t, or else the Patient’s fool’d.And there’s no Drug in Nature doubt to CureBut only one, and that is to be sure.
Cæl.Yes, Circumstance, my Lord, if well apply’d.
Anto.I’ve known that often fail, when it was try’dBut they come—
[Flourish.
Enter first Gipsie, and sings.
1. Gipsie.COme, come, away; follow, follow your Prince,I am King of the swarthy Complexions;Follow me that can lead you through Chimneys and ChinksTo steal Bacon and Pease;Nay, sometimes with easeTo a Feast of the choycest Confections.Come, follow me then, come away, come away.
Enter second Gipsie, and sings.
2. Gip.We know no Rebellion, but obey, but obey,To our King we are just,And true to our trust,Leaving discord to those, that their Princes oppose,When by the Spirit of Treason in Non-sence they pray.
Enter all the rest, and sing.
Chor.We know &c.
1. Gip.Come then, and follow, a prize, a prize, a prize.
2. Gip.Give the word then, and helloa.
All.A prize, a prize, a prize.
1. Gip.Here are Gallants and Ladies have fortunes to tell.
2. Gip.We’l tell e’m good Fortune if they give us a spell.
1. Gip.A hand crost with silver the Spirit infuses.
2. Gip.There’s no Prophet lately that mettle refuses.
1. Gip.Men get Heaven now by Bargain and Sale.Masses, Trentals and DirgesAre not had for no Charges,And a Vicar for nothing won’t tell you a Tale.
All.Masses, &c.
1. Gip.All things are bought and sold.
2. Gip.Good Fortune goes with Gold.
1. Gip.Fall on to your Trading then.
Men Gip.W’are for the Ladies.
Wom. Gip.And we for the Men.
1. Gip.ToCæl.Lady, you have lost a Lover,Cross my hand, I’le more discover.
2. Gip.ToAnto.My Lord, I know you baseness scorn,And would be loath to wear a Horn.
1. Gip.ToEug.Lady, some do speak you fair,That hatred to your welfare bear.
2. Gip.ToGer.My Lord, you Love a handsom Lady,She Loves you as well it may be.
1. Gip. sings.Thus we seldom miss the matter,Things past we can tell, by these Generals well,And ne’re stay to prove the truth of the latter.
All.Things past, &c.
1. ToCæl.You shall Live long and happily, Lady.
2. ToAnto.My Lord, I can tell you, good Fortunes your Friend.
1. ToEug.You shall e’re long play with your own Baby.
2. ToGer.Your Love my Lord, will have good end.
1. Gip. sings.Thus we Live merrily, merrily, merrily,And thus to our Dancing we sing;Our Lands and our LivingsLye in others believings,When to all Men we tell the same thing:And thus to our Dancing we sing.Thus we, &c.
[An Antique of Gipsies, and Exeunt.
Anto.By this we see that all the Worlds a Cheat,Where truths and falshoods lye so intermixt,And are so like each other, that ’tis hardTo find the difference; who would not think these PeopleA real pack of such as we call Gipsies.
Ger.Things perfectly alike are but the same;And these were Gipsies, if we did not knowHow to consider them the contrary;So in Terrestial things there is not oneBut takes its Form and Nature from our fancy;Not its own being, and is what we do think it.
Anto.But truth is still it self.
Ger.No, not at all, as truth appears to us;For oftentimesThat is a truth to me that’s false to you,So ’twould not be if it was truly true.
EnterPedroand a Servant, with a Letter toAntonio.
Serv.My Lord,Don Johnsalutes you in that Letter.
Cæl.How does my Couzen, Friend?
Serv.Madam, I fear he’s drawing near his end.
Cæl.’Pray Heav’n divert it.
Anto.The Letter shews, that Death did guide his hand;It only says, Oh Friend, come now or never.
Ger.How did his Sickness take him?
Serv.Chacing the Buck too hard; he hot with Labour,Drunk of a cooling Spring too eagerly,And that has given him pains, the Doctors say,Will give him Death immediately.
Cæl.Heav’n grant him help.
Anto.Return, and tell thy Lord, I’m at thy heels.Pedro, bring my Boots, and bid two Horses be madeready.
Cæl.Whom do you take, my Lord?
Anto. Pedro:—but hold,Jasperis not discharg’d, I’le ee’n take him.
Cæl. Jasper, my Lord! Pray take not him.
EnterPed.with Boots.Anto.Why not him, there are no Nurses there?Where’sJasper Pedro?
Ped.He said he wou’d not dine, and wentabroad, yet I suppose he may be now in’s Chamber.
Anto.Reach my Bootes, who has worn ’em lately?I do believe you get into my Bootes.
StrikesPedrowith a Boot’top.Ped.I, my Lord.
Anto.I, you, my Rogue! Go, see forJasper.
[ExitPedro.
Cæl.My Lord! Why do you thus disturb your self?
Anto.You see the blow don’t maim him, you neednot be concern’d.
Cælia.What means my Lord?
Anto.As you hateJasper, I hate whom I please.