Prologue.

EnterCleremont,disguis'd.

Lam.Now stand constant,For now our tryal's come.Cler.This beautie's mine,Your minute moves not yet.Lam.She sinks if Christian,If any spark of noble heat.—Cler.Rise LadyAnd fearless rise, there's no dishonour meant you,Do you know my tongue?Ana.I have heard it.Cler.Mark it better,I am one that loves you, fairly, nobly loves you,Look on my face?Ana.O Sir?Cler.No more words, softlyHark, but hark wisely how, understand well,Suspect not, fear not.Ana.You have brought me comfort.Cler.If you think me worthy of your husband,I am no rogue nor Begger, if you dare do thus—Ana.You are MonsieurCleremont.Cler.I am the same,If you dare venture, speak, if not I leave you,And leave you to the mercy of these villainsThat will not wooe ye much.Ana.Save my reputation,And free me from these slaves.Cler.By this kiss I'le do it,And from the least dishonour they dare aim at you,I have a Priest too, shall be ready.Ana.You are forward.Lam.Is this my constant cousin? how she whispers,Kisses and huggs the thief!Ana.You'l offer nothing.Cler.Till all be tyed,Not as I am a Gentleman.Ana.Can you relieve my Aunt too?Cler.Not yet Mistris,But fear nothing, all shall be well, away quicklyIt must be done i'th' moment or—Ana.I am with ye.Cler.I'le know now who sleeps by me, keep your standing.[Ex.Cler.andAnabel.Lam.Well, go thy way, and thine own shame dwell with thee.Is this the constancy she shew'd, the bravery?The dear love and the life she ow'd her kinsmen?O brave tongue, valiant glorious woman!Is this the noble anger you arriv'd at?Are these the thieves you scorn'd, the rogues you rail'd at?The scabs and scums of nature? O fair modesty,Excellent vertue, whither art thou fled?What hand O Heaven is over us, when strong virginsYield to their fears, and to their fears their fortunes?Never belief come near me more, farewel wench,A long farewel from all that ever knew thee:My turn is next,I am resolv'd, it comesBut in a nobler shape, ha?

EnterDinant.

Din.Blesse ye Lady.Lam.Indeed Sir, I had need of many blessings,For all the hours I have had since I came here,Have been so many curses. How got you liberty?For I presume you come to comfort me.Din.To comfort you, and love you, 'tis most true,My bondage was as yours, as full of bitternessAnd every hour my death.Lam.Heaven was your comfort.Din.Till the last evening, sitting full of sadness,Wailing, sweet Mistris, your unhappy fortunes,(Mine own I had the least care of) round about meThe Captain and the company stood gaping,When I began the story of my loveTo you fair Saint, and with so full a sorrow,Follow'd each point, that even from those rude eyes,That never knew what pity meant or mercy,There stole down soft relentings: take heed Mistris,And let not such unholy hearts outdo you,The soft plum'd god will see again; thus taken,As men transform'd with the strange tale I told,They stood amaz'd, then bid me rise and live,Take liberty and means to see your person,And wisht me prosperous in your love, wish you so,Be wise and loving Lady, shew but you so.Lam.O Sir, are these fit hours to talk of love in?Shall we make fools of our afflictions?Can any thing sound sweetly in mine ears,Where all the noise of bloody horrour is?My Brother, and my Cousin, they are dead Sir,Dead, basely dead, is this an age to fool in?And I my self, I know not what I shall be,Yet I must thank you, and if happilyYou had ask'd me yesterday, when these were living,And my fears less, I might have hearkned to you.Din.Peace to your grief, I bind you to your word.

EnterCleremont, Anabel, Beaupre, Verdone, Charlote,Nurse, the two Gentlemen.

Lam.How? do you conjure?Din.Not to raise dreadfull apparitions, Madam,But such as you would gladly see.Lam.My Brother, and nephew living?Beau.And both owe their livesTo the favour of these Gentlemen.Verd.Who deserveOur service, and for us, your gracious thanks.Lam.Which I give freely, and become a suitor,To be hereafter more familiar[Kisse.With such great worth and vertue.1 Gent.Ever think usYour servants, Madam.Cler.Why if thou wilt needs knowHow we are freed, I will discover it,And with laconick brevity: these GentlemenThis night incountring with those outlaws thatYesterday made us prisoners, and as we wereAttempted by 'em they with greater courage,(I am sure with better fortune) not alone,Guarded themselves, but forc'd the bloody thieves,Being got between them, and this hellish Cave,For safety of their lives, to fly up higherInto the woods, all left to their possession,This sav'd your Brother, and your nephew fromThe gibbet, this redeem'd me from my Chains,And gave my friend his liberty, this preserv'dYour honour ready to be lost.Din.But thatI know this for a ly, and that the thievesAnd gentlemen, are the same men, by my practiceSuborn'd to this, he does deliver itWith such a constant brow, that I am doubtfull,I should believe him too.1 Gent.If we did well,We are rewarded.2 Gent.Thanks but takes awayFrom what was freely purpos'd.Cler.Now by this hand,You have so cunningly discharg'd your parts,That while we live, rest confident you shallCommandDinantandCleremont; norBeaupre,NorVerdonescents it: for the Ladies, theyWere easie to be gull'd.1 Gent.'Twas but a jest,And yet the jest may chance to break our necksShould it be known.Cler.Fear nothing.Din.Cleremont,Say, what success?Cler.As thou wouldst wish, 'tis done Lad,The grove will witness with me, that this nightI lay not like a block: but how speed you?Din.I yet am in suspence, devise some meansTo get these off, and speedily.Cler.I have it,Come, we are dull, I think that the good fellows,Our predecessors in this place, were notSo foolish, and improvident husbands, but'Twill yield us meat and wine.1 Gent.Let's ransack it,'Tis ours now by the Law.Cler.How say you sweet one,Have you an appetite?Ana.To walk againI'th' Woods, if you think fit, rather than eat.Cler.A little respite prethee; nay blush not,You ask but what's your own, and warrantable:Monsieur,Beaupre,Verdone,What think you of the motion?Verd.Lead the way.Beau.We follow willingly.[Ex. Man.Din.andLam.Cler.When you shall think fit,We will expect you.Din.Now be mistris ofYour promise Lady.Lam.'Twas to give you hearing.Din.But that word hearing, did include a grant,And you must make it good.Lam.Must?Din.Must and shall,I will be fool'd no more, you had your tricks;Made properties of me, and of my friend;Presum'd upon your power, and whip'd me withThe rod of mine own dotage: do not flatterYour self with hope, that any humane helpCan free you, and for aid by miracleA base unthankfull woman is unworthy.Lam.You will not force me?Din.Rather than enjoy youWith your consent, because I will torment you;I'le make you feel the effects of abus'd love,And glory in your torture.Lam.Brother, Nephew,Help, help, for Heavens sake.Din.Tear your throat, cry louder,Though every leaf, these trees bear, were an Echo,And summon'd in your best friends to redeem you,It should be fruitless: 'tis not that I love you,Or value those delights you prize so high,That I'le enjoy you, a French crown will buyMore sport, and a companion, to whom,You in your best trim are an Ethiop.Lam.Forbear me then.Din.Not so, I'le do't in spite,And break that stubborn disobedient will,That hath so long held out, that boasted honourI will make equal with a common Whores;The spring of Chastity, that fed your pride,And grew into a River of vain glory,I will defile with mudd, the mudd of lust,And make it loathsome even to goats.Lam.O Heaven!No pity Sir?Din.You taught me to be cruel,And dare you think of mercy? I'le tell thee fool,Those that surpriz'd thee, were my instruments,I can plot too good Madam, you shall find it:And in the stead of licking of my fingers,Kneeling and whining like a boy new breech'd,To get a toy forsooth, not worth an apple,Thus make my way, and with AuthorityCommand what I would have.Lam.I am lost for ever:Good Sir, I do confess my fault, my gross fault,And yield my self up, miserable guilty;Thus kneeling I confess, you cannot studySufficient punishments to load me with;I am in your power, and I confess again,You cannot be too cruel: if there be,Besides the loss of my long guarded honour,Any thing else to make the ballance even,Pray put it in, all hopes, all helpes have left me;I am girt round with sorrow, hell's about me,And ravishment the least that I can look for,Do what you please.Din.Indeed I will do nothing,Nor touch nor hurt you Lady, nor had everSuch a lewd purpose.Lam.Can there be such goodness,And in a man so injur'd?Din.Be confirm'd in't.I seal it thus: I must confess you vex'd me,In fooling me so often, and those fearsYou threw upon me call'd for a requital,Which now I have return'd, all unchast loveDinantthus throws away; live to man-kind,As you have done to me, and I will honourYour vertue, and no more think of your beauty.Lam.All I possess, comes short of satisfaction.Din.No complements: the terrours of this nightImagine but a fearfull dream, and soWith ease forget it: forDinant, that labour'dTo blast your honour, is a Champion for it,And will protect and guard it.Lam.'Tis as safe then,As if a compleat Army undertook it.[Exeunt.

EnterLa-writ, Sampson,Clyents.

La-writ.Do not perswade me gentle MonsieurSampson,I am a mortal man again, a Lawyer,My martiall part I have put off.Sam.Sweet Monsieur,Let but our honours teach us.La-writ.MonsieurSampson,My honourable friend, my valiant friend,Be but so beaten, forward my brave Clients,I am yours, and you are mine again, be but so thrasht,Receive that Castigation with a cudgel.Sam.Which calls upon us for a Reparation.La-writ.I have, it cost me half a crown, I bear itAll over me, I bear it MonsieurSampson;The oyls, and the old woman that repairs to me,To 'noint my beaten body.Sam.It concerns you,You have been swing'd.La-writ.Let it concern thee too;Goe and be beaten, speak scurvy words, as I did,Speak to that Lion Lord, waken his anger,And have a hundred Bastinado's, doe;Three broken pates, thy teeth knockt out, doSampson,Thy valiant arms and leggs beaten to Poultesses,Do sillySampson, do.1 Cly.You wrong the Gentleman,To put him out of his right mind thus:You wrong us, and our Causes.La-writ.Down with him Gentlemen,Turn him, and beat him, if he break our peace,Then when thou hast been Lam'd, thy small guts perisht,Then talk to me, before I scorn thy counsel,Feel what I feel, and let my Lord repair thee.Sam.And can the braveLa-writ—2 Cly.Tempt him no further,Be warn'd and say no more.La-writ.If thou doest,Sampson,Thou seest my Mirmidons, I'le let 'em loose,That in a moment—Sam.I say nothing, Sir, but I could wish—La-writ.They shall destroy thee wishing;There's ne'r a man of these, but have lost ten causes,Dearer then ten mens lives; tempt, and thou diest:Goe home, and smile upon my Lord, thine Uncle,Take Mony of the men thou mean'st to Cousin,Drink Wine, and eat good meat, and live discreetly,Talk little, 'tis an antidote against a beating;Keep thy hand from thy sword, and from thy Laundress placket,And thou wilt live long.1 Cly.Give ear, and be instructed.La-writ.I find I am wiser than a Justice of Peace now,Give me the wisdom that's beaten into a manThat sticks still by him: art thou a new man?Sam.Yes, yes,Thy learned precepts have inchanted me.La-writ.Goe my sonSampson, I have now begot thee,I'le send thee causes; speak to thy Lord, and live,And lay my share by, goe and live in peace,Put on new suits, and shew fit for thy place;That man neglects his living, is an Asse:[ExitSamp.Farewel; come chearily boyes, about our business,Now welcom tongue again, hang Swords.1 Cly.Sweet Advocate.[Exeunt.

EnterNurse,andCharlote.

Nur.I know not wench, they may call 'em what they will,Outlawes, or thieves, but I am sure, to meOne was an honest man, he us'd me well,What I did, 'tis no matter, he complain'd not.Char.I must confess, there was one bold with me too,Some coy thing would say rude, but 'tis no matter,I was to pay a Waiting womans ransom,And I have don't, and I would pay't again,Were I ta'n to morrow.Nur.Alas, there was no hurt,If 't be a sin for such as live at hard meat,And keep a long Lent, in the woods as they do,To taste a little flesh.Char.God help the Courtiers,That lye at rack and manger.Nur.I shall loveA thief the better for this while I live,They are men of a charitable vocation,And give where there is need, and with discretion,And put a good speed penny in my purse,That has been empty twenty years.Char.Peace Nurse,Farewel, and cry not rost meat, me thinksCleremontAnd my LadyAnabelare in one night,Familiarly acquainted.Nur.I observe it,If she have got a penny too.

EnterVertaign, Champernel,andProvost.

Charl.No more,My Lord MonsieurVertaigne, the provost too,Haste and acquaint my Lady.[Ex.Nur.andChar.Pro.Wonderous strange.Vert.'Tis true Sir, on my credit.Cham.O mine honour.Pro.I have been provost-Marshal twenty years,And have trussed up a thousand of these rascals,But so nearParisyet I never met withOne of that Brotherhood.Cham.We to our cost have,But will you search the wood?Pro.It is beset,They cannot scape us, nothing makes me wonder,So much as having you within their powerThey let you goe; it was a Courtesy,That French thieves use not often, I much pityThe Gentle Ladies, yet I know not how,I rather hope than fear.

EnterDinant, Cleremont, Verdone, Beaupre, Lamira, Anabel, Charlote,Nurse.

Are these the prisoners?Din.We were such.Verd.Kill me not, excess of joy.Cham.I see thou livest, but hast thou had no foul play?Lam.No on my soul, my usage hath been noble,Far from all violence.Cham.How were you freed?But kiss me first, we'l talk of that at leasure,I am glad I have thee; Niece how you keep off,As you knew me not?Ana.Sir, I am whereI owe most duty.Cler.'Tis indeed most true Sir,The man that should have been your bedfellowYour Lordships bedfellow, that could not smell outA Virgin of sixteen, that was your fool,To make you merry, this poor simple fellowHas met the maid again, and now she knowsHe is a man.Cham.How! is she dishonoured?Cler.Not unless marriage be dishonourable,Heaven is a witness of our happy contract,And the next Priest we meet shall warrant itTo all the world: I lay with her in jeast,'Tis turn'd to earnest now.Cham.Is this true, Niece?Din.Her blushing silence grants it; nay Sir storm not,He is my friend, and I can make this good,His birth and fortunes equal hers, your LordshipMight have sought out a worse, we are all friends too,All differences end thus. Now Sir, unlessYou would raise new dissentions, make perfectWhat is so well begun.Vert.That were not manly.Lam.Let me perswade you.Cham.Well God give you joy,She shall not come a Begger to you Sir.For you MonsieurDinant'ere long I'le shew youAnother Niece, to this not much inferiour,As you shall like proceed.Din.I thank you Sir.Cham.Back then toParis: well that travel endsThat makes of deadly enemies perfect friends.[Exeunt omnes.

To promise much, before a play begin,And when 'tis done, ask pardon, were a sinWe'l not be guilty of: and to excuseBefore we know a fault, were to abuseThe writers and our selves, for I dare sayWe all are fool'd if this be not a Play,And such a play as shall (so should plays do)Imp times dull wings, and make you merry too.'Twas to that purpose writ, so we intend itAnd we have our wisht ends, if you commend it.

Gentlemen,

I am sent forth to enquire what you decree}Of us and of our Poets, they will be}This night exceeding merry, so will we}If you approve their labours. They professYou are their Patrons, and we say no less,Resolve us then, for you can only tellWhether we have done id'ly or done well.

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Variations in abbreviated names, hyphenations, contractions, and punctuation have been retained.

Pages 421, 454: Individual braces on multiple lines represent one large brace encompassing those lines.

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