 | The Twins |  |
Act. 3.
Scen. 1.
Enter Julio, Carolo, and Corbo.Jul.
I never had a greater willingness
To receive any man; if that your honesty
Answer my love, I shall not be a stranger,
But a kind father to you.
Corb.
And I your Uncle.
Pray, Sir, let me have a little private talk with him.
Jul.
Speak your pleasure, Sir.
Corb.
Come nearer to me Nephew:
Can you flea a Deer, and set on pot for dinner,
And turn the spit sometimes, if not Ile teach you,
And greaz the old mans shooes, and sometimes mine,
But not often Cuz.
Car.
Ile do my best endeavour.
Corb.
You must do what belongs to th'younger prentice.
I can tell you 'tis not so much trouble, as in the City,
Where you must keep shop til the foreman tends his Mistris
Car.
I thank you for your good instructions,
I willingly obey.
Jul.
Not so Laberio,
Sirrah, he's my fellow, and not yours;
Expect no help from him, but as superiour,
Honour him as my self, and since you pray
I would not question you of your affairs,
Or your life past, since repetition of it,
Would but repeat your griefs, I shall be silent
But this I say, your outside and behaviour
Car.
Sir, I thank you,
Your good opinion of me will incite me
To merit your report. Who are these Father?
Enter Silvio, Philagro, and Douz.
Jul.
Good harmless neighbours come to visit me.
Phil.
Good morrow neighbour, good morrow.
Jul.
Thank you both
For your kind visit: here's a young Gentleman
While they talk, Corbo and Douze are sometime dancing, sometime complementing, and sometimes laughing to one another, &c.
That weary of the cares the world affords
Desires to ease himself by privacy
Here in our woods.
Phil.
Welcom with all our hearts.
Jul.
Is this your daughter neighbour?
Sil.
I marry is't.
Jul.
A very mannerly maid.
Sil.
I you would say so if you knew all.
Jul.
Well neighbours you must feast with me to day.
Corbo, go hunt a Deer, make hast agen,
For at admission of each new guest
Some sport 'tis fit we have.
Corb.
Yes Sir I go.
Beckons Douze, she steales after.
Jul.
Come then lets in and talk the time away
Till his return, but where's your daughter now?
Phil.
She's gone with Corbo now, Ile lay my life on't,
Sil.
This love is such a thing: well let 'em go,
He shall have her for altogether one of these daies.
Jul.
I like it very well.
Sil.
But neighbour Julio,
We have a little business to dispatch,
Which done, we will return and spend the day
With you and our new neighbour.
Jul.
Take your time,
I shall expect you two hours hence agen.
Phil.
We will not fail, farewel to both till then.
Jul.
The like to you; come son Laberio.
Car.
Please you permit me, I would walk a while,
And view the pleasant scituation about your cave.
Jul.
I leave you to your self.
Exit Jul.
Car.
Nor name nor state, nor place of birth reveal'd,
Nor parentage, nor the particular cause
Of my address to this same lawless wood:
Who then can tax me for a murderer?
Yes, I can tax thee Carolo, cries conscience:
O what a sting is that; what is a murderer?
A Traytor against nature, that with one dash
Marres a fair image, which the rarest limmer
I cannot make alive the smallest worm,
That spins her self into a silken tomb,
Which after proves the cloathing of our bodies,
And how much less can I inspire a breath
Into thy soul: but I did beg my liberty
To walk, not talk.
Exit.
Enter Corbo and Dowze.
Corb.
Thy beauty has wounded me unto the heart,
And I shall ne'r be well till thou hast cur'd me
With a plaister of love; let not brave Corbo languish
Dow.
Alass my dear, shew me where is thy wound.
Cor.
I, thou hast made a deer of me and shot me:
O come and make me whole, or I shall dye.
Dow.
I will kiss my lips into a consumption to save thy life.
(kiss.
But when will you come home and marry me?
Cor.
O this it is to be a hunter in the woods;
And yet 'tis honester then your two grand City hunters,
Your Tavern hunters, and your Whore hunters,
That ne'r leave hunting till they cannot stand:
Your Tavern hunter's a most notorious theef,
That when the beggar had nothing left i'th world
But the brave proverb, he rob'd him of it;
And whereas forty beggars were joyned in commission
To express a drunkard, now one Gentleman do's it.
Why he will drink his wine by the score, and not pay for it.
Now for your Whore hunter.
Dow.
What beast's your Whore?
Are they venison?
Cor.
No they'r too common to be deer;
Why you may have them for two pence and three pence a peece
In every garden-house.
Dow.
Then are none in Parks?
Cor.
Yes abundance they say at this time of the year,
And your Gentlemen keep 'em for their own diet.
Dow.
Why are they good meat?
Cor.
Nay that I cannot tell,
But they may be good, for they'r costly enough:
Let me see are there none now in our wood?
Look, look, yonder's one.
Dow.
Why that's a woman.
Cor.
'Tis an arrant Whore.
Dow.
'Tis very like a Gentlewoman.
Cor.
True, for now adaies you can't know one from to'ther.
Dow.
Nay good sweet heart go hunt, and Ile run home
To see all things be well, and then Ile meet you
Cor.
Ha wilt thou go? sweet rogue let me embrace
Thy slender waste, and buss thy sweet swines face.
Dow.
Away, away, you don't deserve to have
A virgin and opportunity together
And know not to do with 'em.
(Exit running.
Cor.
Why what an ass was I? such a fine green grass plat
As here is, that I would not lay her down on't.
But 'twould a been a mad trick afore all these folks,
I should ha' been shame fac'd, and though
I durst doe something before her, yet Ile do nothing before you.
Exit Corb.
Alphonso creeps out of a cave.
Alph.
Stay, stay a while, here's gold, will not that turn thee?
Then I must follow thee.
Cor.
Well, whats the news?
Alph.
Here's gold man.
Cor.
Some pandars fee Ile lay my life on't.
No I scorn your gold.
Exit.
Alph.
I must not leave him thus.
Ex. Alphonso.
Enter Julio and Carolo.
Jul.
I will not urge you to reveal your self: you have the habit you
desir'd to have.
Car.
And I perswade my self a Fryers Gown and Coole affords not
that felicity as this does to my heart; he that never knew any other life
but what was full of toyl thinks his state blest, till a more happy change
convinces him of errour: Now I finde a country habit and a country
are the best matches, and that life most blest, whose labour is proportion'd
with his rest.
Jul.
Son I am glad you like our life so well, but I much wonder
Corbo stayes so long; yet now he's with his sweet-heart on my life, he
little thinks on us: Ile to the green, and see if he be there, Ile not stay
long.
Car.
Ile rest me here till you return agen. When did I sleep? ne'r
since I first grew jealous. Down, down, tormenting thoughts, I did not
kill him, only Alphonso setting fiercely on me with his drawn sword, ran
at me with such violence, that missing me, he ran his heart upon my
Daggers point, and so he kild himself. Now say I goe agen unto the
Court, submit my self to censure of the Law, and pass by way of a se
defendendo, shan't I be quit? my Conscience answers no. Why no? say
I, Ile give thee a Lawyers fee if thou wilt speak, or if thou'lt hold
thy tongue, Ile double it: But if this plea will not serve, 'tis but
Manslaughter, let the Jury doe their worst. But if the Jury should
Judges frown give it up wilful Murder; where am I then? gone to the
pot, to the pot. But soft no more: O sweet sleep, do not mock me;
me-thinks I feel thee steal upon me now: Rob me, and Ile forgive thee;
but with this caution, you will restore my stoln senses to me, and let me
wake agen.
(sleeps.
Enter a Wood-nimph and sings to him, waving a silver Rod, o'r his head, and departs: after that enters Corbo, in Alphonso's clothes, with Alphonso's Sword, and Carolo's Dagger naked by his side trying several waies to wear his cloak and hat, conguing to the Post as to a Gentlewoman, kissing her, and offering to lead her in gentle manner.
Cor.
Yet all this while my Gentlewoman's but a Post, and a man were
as good kiss a Post as some of them. Nay Ile undertake our new Maypole
does not smel so much of paint as many of their faces. Well I will
enoble the baseness of my stock, as many worshipfull Gentlemen
have done before me: let me see I am a Gentleman, there's no doubt
on't I am new moulded, how now? Laberio here asleep? now I see the
world is like a pair of scales; here's one turn'd beggar, and I am turn'd
Gentleman: I did ever think I was born to great preferment: Well if I
do hear through all Italy of any great man, Knight, Squire, Lord, or
Earl that's of my name, Ile make bold to borrow his Arms, and call him
Cosen, worshipful or honourable Cosen: Or 'tis but buying new at Heralds
office, and a Knighthood at the Court, and I need no more. Well
if my old Master will serve me, Ile entertain him before another because
I would be even with him for beating and kicking of me in his hasty humours.
Well, if he'd come, I'de send him for the Deer I shot to day,
and then I'de go to dinner. Fine cloathes, and mony in my purse; I
must to Court; for if I stay long I know I shall be sent for: for Signior
Corbo's fame will spread abroad.
Enter a Country man making legs as he passes by.
Countr.
Gid ye goden.
Corb.
We thank thee, hum, hum, hum. We
do receive our dues from you with smiles, a sign we are highly pleas'd.
Countr.
Why Sir I know you not.
Cor.
We would not have thee, or if thou do'st, pass by, thou wilt disparage
us with thy acknowledgement: be thou our humble vassal, and
depart when I command—so, hum, hum, hum.
Enter Douwze.
Dow.
What no body at home, and here's a brave Gallant stayes to
speak with 'em.
[She makes cursies.
Ha, ha, here's Dowze, Ile take no notice on her. Bless thee our
loyal she subject, a good girl: Knowst thou that poor wretch father
Julio, and where he is?
Dow.
Forsooth he's not at home, but he will be at dinner.
Cor.
Go seek him, and tell him we would have him wait on us. We
do command his service—a good child.
Exit Dowze.
Shall I marry such a lambs wool, gray-coated, straw-hatted, hobnayl'd,
hopper-arst wench as this? No, give me a Court Madam. Well, I perceive
some Gentlemen are fools as well as I: he has given me gold and
silver to swear I found him murdered in the wood, stript him and cast
his body into the River. But stay, must I swear I found him dead or
kild? Well Ile swear something, 'tis a fine art for a man to swear himself
into good clothes and money in his purse. Well, I beleeve never
was canvass stuft so full of knavery, as mine is now. Pray heaven that
the knaves plague ben't in these clothes, and I dye full of the infection;
I'm half afraid: no matter, if I dye, I dye a Gentleman, though born
a Beggar, and that is better then be born a Gentleman and dye a Beggar;
and yet this last fals oftner out than t'other; and what is't long
of? Your upstart parishes of Bawdy-houses, not to say streets, that
scarce a Gentleman of Italy can turn his nose to th'West but smels a
priviledged Whore-house. Wel Ile go call for songs among the rusticks,
a Christmas Carols.
Carolo wakes.
Car.
Who calls Carolo?
Cor.
Carolo? who calls Carolo? I call Carolo, he do's not know
me.
Car.
Thou restless ghost of murdered Alphonso.
[kneels.
Cor.
Now he thinks cause I am so fine, that I am his Godfather.
Car.
I do confess.
Cor.
I, I, confess and be hang'd.
Car.
I murdered thee.
Cor.
Tell me a lye to my face? he has
been hir'd as I am: say, who hir'd you?
Car.
None but my self.
Cor.
No? then the more fool you. What
are you the better for that?
Car.
Not anything.
Cor.
No I warrant you: would I ha' hir'd my self?
Car.
Rob me not of that little rest I have.
Cor.
Rob him not; now he takes me for a thief: now dare I draw
my sword against one that's afraid of me.
[stares at the sight of it.
Loo loo loo loo—
[runs prancing at him.
Car.
O spare me gentle Ghost.
Cor.
Gentle ghost! I know by that he takes me for a Gentleman:
For most of your Gentlemen are brave spirits.
Car.
Oh, I know thy sword, it was thy royal fathers, loaden with honour
purchased by him: Richer in prizes of true chivalry I never knew
the blade, if fame be not too lavish; ne'r was it stain'd till thou didst
draw it out 'gainst me unarm'd.
Enter Julio.
Jul.
Laberio on his knees trembling, and my man Corbo in gay clothes
abusing him! I heard Laberio say, Didst draw it out against me unarm'd:
Sure he has kill'd a man; if nobly, I will cheerish him; if otherwise,
our wood shall be no cowards Sanctuary: Ile see him take no
wrong at Corbo's hand; yet Ile hear more.
[Corbo drawes the naked Dagger foom his girdle and shakes it.
Car.
'Tis true I had that dagger, but nothing else, or to defend my
self, or offend thee: If all things be well weigh'd, heavens judgement
on thee for thy cowardly odds did punish thee, not I: that little weapon,
what of my self could I have done with it?
Cor.
Now he praises me I'de not kill him a great deal but a little with
this pretty Ilet-hole maker.
Jul.
A royal combatant: nay never start; look man 'tis Corbo.
Car.
Now beshrew his heart, he has found Alphonso, stript him, and
buried him, would I knew where.
[aside.
Jul.
Come y'ar a noble murderer, this the worst action that e'r you
did, has honour in't: To fight against such odds, and conquer too, shew'd
a true Roman spirit. What was his name you slew.
Car.
Pardon me father; if that be still unknown to you, I'm glad, and
hope it shall be still.
Jul.
Yet by degrees I know I shall hear all: use your discretion, I
will not urge you tell, nor break my promise. Sirrah put up your
weapon.
Cor.
I ha' done, I ha' done Sir. Yet I would not put it up but that I
fear he'd beat me: H'as spoyl'd my sport: I ha' forgot my gentry.
Jul.
Come hither Sirrah.
Corb.
Pray keep your fatty fingers from my clothes: use me like a
Gentleman.
Jul.
O by all means; come, sirrah, tell me where you had these
clothes.
Cor.
Sirrah? why 'tis not now as when Andrea liv'd.
Jul.
Will you be bung'd.
Corb.
Cosen Laberio, you ha' been a
Gentleman, is it fit? me thinks you should not stand by and see a Gentleman
abus'd: but I see there's some that wear gay clothes may be
be beaten by gray coats, witness Signior Corbo.
Where had you em?
Cor.
I'th wood.
Car.
Of whom?
Cor.
A man.
Jul.
Was he alive or dead?
Corb.
This is a hard question. I
know not that, but he was kill'd Ile swear.
Car.
Why then he was dead.
Cor.
Nay soft, a friend of mine
was kill'd i'th wars they said, and I saw him alive a long time after:
Come, come, he that must swear, and lye to boot, had need take heed
what he saies.
[aside.
Jul.
Sirrah proceed, but don't wait for interrogatories.
Cor.
When first Laberio came to our Cell, you sent me forth to
hunt.
Car.
Pish, you go backwards.
Cor.
Why 'tis the fashion with Gentlemen now adaies to goe backwards
in the world, by making Ladies fall back, but I am like those that
meaning to leap far run a little back.
Car.
Well, now proceed.
Cor.
When first Laberio.
Jul.
Go on where you left, or Ile baste you.
Corb.
Came unto our cell, you sent me forth to hunt.
Car.
So now proceed.
Cor.
Where did I leave? When first, &c.—
[a pace over.
To hunt, there I left, but some will never leave hunting.
Jul.
We shall doe no good at this time; hee'l not tell: Remember
this, I will know another time. Sirrah, y'had best go put on your old
clothes.
Cor.
Um, let me wear these till my monies gone, and then let the
Broker and the Devil take 'em.
Car.
Why do you joyn the Devil and the Broker together?
Cor.
Because they'r never a sunder; nay 'tis true, the Broker while
he lives gets the Devil and all, and the Devil keeps the Broker ever
after.
Car.
Well you are more knave then fool.
Cor.
I, so I had rather: the world cheats fools, but knaves can cheat
the world.
Jul.
Sirrah be gone, fetch home your Deer and dress it with all the
speed you can: you know our neighbours will be here straight, else
I'de make you tell your tale; but remember slave, forbearance is no
quittance.
Exeunt Jul. & Car.
Cor.
What an ass am I, why I do want heart to be a Gentleman; I see
I must change my habit.
Exit.
| The Twins | |