 | The Little French Lawyer |  |
Actus Quinti.
Scena Prima.
A Horrid noise of Musique within.Enter one and opens the Chamber doore, in which Lamira and Anabell were shut, they in all feare.
Lam.
O Cousen how I shake, all this long night.
What frights and noises we have heard still they encrease
The villaines put on shapes to torture us,
And to their Divells forme such preparations
As if they were a hatching new dishonours,
And fatall ruine, past dull mans invention
Goe not too far and pray good Cousen Anabell
Harke a new noise.
A strange Musick.
Ana.
They are exquisite in mischeif.
Sackbut & Troup musick.
I will goe on this roome gives no protection,
More then the next, what's that? how sad and hollow,
The sound comes to us.
Theeves peeping.
Lam.
Groning? or singing is it?
Lowder.
Ana.
The wind I think murmuring amongst old rooms
Lam.
Now it growes lowder sure some sad presage
Of our fowle losse—peepe—, looke now they peepe,
Ana.
Pox peepe 'em.
Lam.
O give them gentle language,
Ana.
Give em rats-bane.
Peepe above.
Lam.
Now they are above
Ana.
I would they were i'th Center,
Lam.
Thou art so foolish desperate,
Ana.
Since we must loose.
Lam.
Call 'em brave fellowes, Gentlemen,
Ana.
Call 'em rogues,
Rogues as they are, rude rogues, uncivill villaines
Lam.
Look an thou woot, beware dost thou feele the danger?
Ana.
Till the danger feele me, this will I talke still,
And worse when that comes too; they cannot eate me
This is a punishment upon our owne prides,
Most justly laied; we must abuse brave Gentlemen,
Make 'em tame fooles & hobby-horses, laugh & jeere at
Such men too, and so handsome and so Noble,
That howsoere we seem'd to carry it
Woo'd 'twer to doe againe,
Lam.
I doe confesse cousen,
It was too harsh, too foolish.
Ana.
Doe you feele it?
Doe you find it now? take heed ot'h punishment,
We might have had two gallant Gentlemen,
Proper young, o how it tortures me
Two Divells now, two rascalls two and twenty
Lam.
O thinke not so
Ana.
Nay an we scape so modestly—
Lam.
May we be worthy any eyes, or knowledge,
When we are used thus?
Ana.
Why not? why doe you cry!
Are we not women still? what were we made for?
Lam.
But thus, thus basely—
Ana.
'Tis against our wills,
And if there come a thousand so,—
Lam.
Out on thee,
Ana.
You are a foole, what we cannot resist,
Why should we greive and blush for? there be women,
And they that beare the name of excellent women
Would give their whole estates, to meete this fortune
Lam.
Harke, a new noise.
New sound within.
Ana.
Let 'em goe on, I feare not,
If wrangling fighting and scratching cannot preserve me
Why so be it Cousen; if I be ordain'd
To breed a race of rogues.—
Enter foure over the stage with Beaupre and Verdoone bound and halters about their necks.
Lam.
They come
Ana.
Be firme,
They are wellcom.
Lam.
What mask of death is this? O my deare Brother
Ana.
My coose to; why now y'are glorious villaines
Lam.
O, shall we loose our honours?
Ana.
Let 'em goe,
When death prepares the way, they are but Pageants
Why must these dye?
Beau.
Lament your owne misfortunes
We perish happily before your ruines,
Ana.
Has mischeif ne'r a tongue?
1 Gent.
Yes foolish woman,
Our Captaines will is death.
Ana.
You dare not doe it
Tell thy base boisterous Captaine what I say,
Thy lawlesse Captaine that he dares not;
Doe you laugh you rogue? you pamperd rogue?
Lam.
Good Sir,
Good Cousen gently, as y'are a Gentleman,—
Ana.
A gentleman? a slave a dog the devills harbinger
Lam.
Sir as you had a mother,
Ana.
He a Mother?
Shame not the name of mother, a she Beare
A bloody old woolf bitch, a woman Mother?
Lookes that rude lumpe, as if he had a mother?
Intreat him? hang him do thy worst thou darst not,
Thou dar'st not wrong their lives, thy Captain dares not
They are persons of more price
Ver.
What ere we suffer
Let not your angers wrong you,
Ana.
You cannot suffer.
The men that doe this deed must live i'th moone
Free from the gripe of Justice.
Lam.
Is it not better?
Ann.
Is it not better? let 'em goe on like rascalls
And put false faces on; they dare not doe it;
Flatter such scabbs of nature,
Gent.
Woman, woman
The next worke is with you.
Ana.
Unbind those Gentlemen,
And put their fatall fortunes, on our neckes.
Lam.
As you have mercy doe;
Ana.
As you are monsters.
Lam.
Fright us no more with shipwrack of our honours
Nor if there be a guilt by us committed
Let it endanger those,
Ana.
I say they dare not.
There be a thousand gallouses yee rogues,
Tortures, ye bloody rogues wheeles,
Gent.
Away.
Lam.
Stay.
Ana.
Stay,
Stay and i'll flatter too: good sweet fac'd Gentlemen
You excellent in honesty; o kinsmen!
O Noble kinsmen!
Gen.
Away with 'em.
Exit Verta. Beaup. and Gent.
Ana.
Stay yet
The Devill and his lovely dam walke with you,
Come fortify your self, if they doe dy,
72
They cannot find an houre more Innocent,
Nor more friends to revenge 'em.
Enter Cleremont disguis'd.
Lam.
Now stand constant,
For now our tryalls come,
Cler.
This beauties mine
Your minute moves not yet,
Lam.
She sinkes if Christian,
If any sparke of noble heate.—
Cler.
Rise Lady
And fearelesse rise, there's no dishonour meant you,
Doe you know my tongue?
Ana.
I have heard it,
Cler.
Marke it better
I am one that loves you, fairely, nobly loves you
Looke on my face?
Ana.
O Sir?
Cler.
No more words, softly
Hearke, but hearke wisely how, understand well,
Suspect not, feare not
Ana.
You have brought me comfort
Cler.
If you thinke me worthy of your Husband,
I am no rogue, nor Begger if you dare doe thus—
Ana.
You are Mounsier Cleremont,
Cler.
I am the same
If you dare venture, speake, if not I leave you,
And leave you to the mercy of these villaines
That will not wooe ye much,
Ana.
Save my reputation
And free me from these slaves.
Cler.
By this kisse i'll doe it
And from the least dishonour they dare aime at you
I have a priest too, shall be ready.
Ana.
You are forward,
Lam.
Is this my constant Cousen? how she whispers,
Kisses and huggs the theif.
Ana.
You'll offer nothing
Cler.
Till all be tyed
Not as I am a Gentleman
Ana.
Can you releive my Aunt too?
Cler.
Not yet Mistris.
But feare nothing all shall be well away quickly
It must be done i'th moment or
Ana.
I am with yee
Cler.
I'll know now who sleepes by me, keepe your standing
Exit Cler. and Anabell.
Lam.
Well, go thy wayes, & thine own shame dwell with thee?
Is this the constancy she shewed the bravery
The deare love and the life, she owed her kinsmen?
O brave tongue valiant glorious woman?
Is this the noble anger you arriv'd at?
Are these the theeves you scornd the rogues you rayld at?
The scabs and scums of nature? o faire modesty,
Excellent vertue, whither art thou fled?
What hand o heaven is over us, when strong virgins
Yeild to their feares, and to their feares their fortunes?
Never beleef come neare me more, farewell wench,
A long farewell from all that ever knew thee
My turne is next,
I am resolved it comes
But in a nobler shape, ha?
Enter Dinant.
Din.
Blesse yee Lady
Lam.
Indeed Sir, I had need of many blessings,
For all the houres, I have had since I came here,
Have bin 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 bitternesse
And every hower my death.
Lam.
Heaven was your comfort.
Din.
Till the last evening, sitting full of sadnesse
Wailing, sweet Mistris, your unhappy fortunes
Mine owne I had the least care of round about me,
The Captaine, and the company stood gaping,
When I began the story of my love,
To you faire Saint, and with so full a sorrow,
Followed each point, that even from those rude eyes,
That never knew what pitty meant or mercy
Ther stole downe soft relentings, take heed Mistris,
And let not such unholy hearts out doe you,
The soft plum'd god will see againe 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 meanes 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 houres, to talke of love in?
Shall we make fooles of our afflictions?
Can any thing sound sweetly in mine eares,
Where all the noise of bloody horrour?
My Brother, and my Cousen, they are dead Sir,
Dead, basely dead, is this an age to foole in?
And I my self, I know not what I shall be
Yet I must thanke you and if happily
You had asked me yesterday, when these were living,
And my feares lesse, I might have hearkned to you,
Din.
Peace to your grief, I bind you to your word.
Enter Cleremont Anabell, Beaupre, Verdoone, Charlote Nurse, the two Gentlemen.
Lam.
How? doe you conjure?
Din.
Not to raise dreadfull apparitions, Madam,
But such as you would gladly see.
Lam.
My Brother, and nephew living?
Beap.
And both owe their lives,
To the favour of these Gentlemen,
Verd.
Who deserve
Our service, and for us, your gracious thankes.
Lam.
Which I give freely, and become a suitour,
To be hereafter more familiar.
Kisse.
With such great worth and vertue,
1 Gen.
Ever thinke us,
Your servants Madam.
Cler.
Why if thou wilt needs know
How we are freed, I will discover it,
And with laconick brevity, these Gentlemen
This night incountring with those out lawes that
Yesterday made us prisoners, and as we were
Attempted by 'em they with greater courage,
(I am sure with better fortune not alone,
Guarded themselves, but forc'd the bloody thieves,
Being got betweene them, and this hellish Cave,
For safety of their lives, to fly up higher
Into the woods, all left to their possession
This save your Brother, and your nephew from
The gibbet, this redeem'd me from my Chaines,
And gave my friend his liberty this preserv'd
Your honour ready to be lost,
Din.
But that
I know this for a ly, and that the thieves
73
Suborn'd to this he does deliver it
With such a constant brow, that I am doubtfull,
I should believe him too.
1 Gent.
If we did well,
We are rewarded.
2 Gent.
Thankes but takes away
From 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 shall
Command Dinant and Cleremont, nor Beaupre,
Nor Verdoone sents it: for the Ladyes, they
Were easie to be gul'd.
1 Gent.
'Twas but a jest,
And yet the jest, may chance to breake our neckes
Should it be knowne.
Cler.
Feare nothing.
Din.
Cleremont.
Say, what successe?
Cler.
As thou wouldst wish, 'tis done Lad,
The grove will witnesse with me, that this night,
I lay not like a blocke: but how speed you?
Din.
I yet am in suspence, devise some meanes
To get these off, and speedily.
Cler.
I have it,
Come, we are dull, I thinke that the good fellowes,
Our predecessors in this place, were not
So foolish, and improvident husbands, but
'Twill yeild 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 walke againe
I'th' Woods, if you thinke fit, rather then eate.
Cler.
A little respite prithee; nay blush not,
You aske but whats your owne, and warrantable
Monsier, Beaupre, Verdoone,
What thinke you of the motion?
Verd.
Lead the way.
Ex.
Beau.
We follow willingly.
Manent, Din. and Lamira.
Cler.
When you shall thinke fit,
We will expect you.
Din.
Now be mistris of
Your 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 with
The rod of mine owne dotage: doe not flatter
Your selfe, with hope, that any humane helpe
Can free you, and for ayde by miracle;
A base unthankfull woman is unworthy.
Lam.
You will not force me?
Rather then enjury you
With your consent because I will torment you;
I'le make you feele the effects of abus'd love,
And glory in your torture.
Lam.
Brother, Nephew,
Helpe, helpe, for heavens sake.
Din.
Teare your throat, cry lowder,
Though every leafe, these trees beare, were an Eccho,
And summond in your best friends to redeeme you,
It should be fruitlesse: 'tis not that I love you,
Or value those delights you prize so high,
That I'le enjoy you, a French crowne will buy
More sport, and a companion, to whom,
You in your best trim, are an Ethiope.
Lam.
Forbeare me then.
Din.
Not so, I'll do't in spite,
And breake that stubborne disobedient will,
That hath so long held out, that boasted honour,
I will make equall with a common VVhores;
The spring of Chastity, that fed your pride,
And grew into a River of vaine glory,
I will defile with mudd, the mudd of lust,
And make it lothsome even to goats.
Lam.
O heaven!
No pitty sir?
Din.
You taught me to be cruell,
And dare you thinke of mercy? I'le tell thee foole,
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 Authority,
Command what I would have.
Lam.
I am lost for ever:
Good sir, I doe confesse my fault, my grosse fault,
And yeild my selfe up, miserable guilty;
Thus kneeling, I confesse, you cannot study
Sufficient punishments, to load me with;
I am in your power, and I confesse againe,
You cannot be too cruell: if there be,
Besides the losse 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 looke for,
Doe what you please.
Din.
Indeed I will doe nothing,
Nor touch, nor hurt you Lady, nor had ever
Such a lewd purpose.
Lam.
Can there be such goodnesse,
And in a man so injur'd?
Din.
Be confirmed in't.
I seale it thus: I must confesse you vex'd me,
In fooling me so often, and those feares,
You threw upon me, call'd for a requitall,
Which now I have return'd, all unchast love
Dinant thus throwes away; live to man-kind,
As you have done to me, and I will honour
Your vertue, and no more thinke of your beauty.
Lam.
All I possesse, comes short of satisfaction.
Din.
No complements: the terrours of this night
Imagine, but a fearfull dreame, and so
With ease forget it: for Dinant, that labour'd
To blast your honour, is a Champion for it,
And will protect and guard it.
Lam.
'Tis as safe then,
As if a compleat Army undertooke it.
Exeunt.
Enter La-writ, Sampson, Clyents.
La-writ.
Do not perswade me gentle Monsier Sampson,
I am a mortall man againe, a Lawyer,
My mortall part, I have put off.
74
Sweet Monsier,
Let but our honours teach us.
La-writ.
Monsier Sampson,
My honourable friend, my valiant friend,
Be but so beaten-forward my brave Clyents,
I am yours, and you are mine againe, be but so thrasht,
Receive that Castigation with a cudgell.
Sam.
Which calls upon us for a Reparation.
La-wr.
I have, it cost me halfe a crowne, I beare it
All over me, I beare it Monsier Sampson;
The oyles, and the old woman, that repaires to me,
To noint my beaten body.
Sam.
It concernes you,
You have bin swing'd.
La-writ.
Let it concerne thee too;
Goe and be beaten, speake scurvy words, as I did,
Speake to that Lion Lord, waken his anger,
And have a hundred Bastinado's, doe;
Three broken pates, thy teeth knockt out, doe Sampson,
Thy valiant armes and leggs beaten to Poultesses,
Doe silly Sampson, doe.
1 Cly.
You wrong the gentleman,
To put him out of his right minde thus:
You wrong us, and our Causes.
La-writ.
Downe with him gentlemen,
Turne him, and beat him, if he breake our peace,
Then when thou hast bin Lam'd, thy small guts perisht,
Then talke to me, before I scorne thy counsell,
Feele what I feele, and let my Lord repaire thee.
Sam.
And can the brave La-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-wr.
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, mine Uncle,
Take Money of the men thou meanest to Cozen,
Drinke Wine, and eat good meat, and live discreetly,
Talke little, 'tis an Antidote against a beating;
Keep thy hand from thy sword, and from thy Laundresse placket,
And thou wilt live long.
1 Cly.
Give eare, and be instructed.
La-writ.
I find I am wiser then a Justice of Peace now,
Give me the wisdome that's beaten into a man
That sticks still by him: art thou a new man?
Sam.
Yes, yes,
Thy learned precepts have inchanted me,
La-writ.
Goe my son Sampson, I have now begot thee,
I'le send thee causes; speake to thy Lord, and live.
And lay my share by, goe and live in peace,
Put on new suites, and shew fit for thy place;
That man neglects his living, is an Asse:
Exit. Samp.
Farewell; come chearly boyes, about our businesse,
Now welcome tongue againe, hang Swords.
1 Cly.
Sweet Advocate.
Exeunt.
Enter Nurse and Charlote.
Nur.
I know not wench, they may call 'em what they wil,
Outlawes, or theeves, but I am sure to me
One was an honest man, he us'd me well,
What I did, 'tis no matter, he complain'd not.
Char.
I must confesse, there was one bold with me too,
Some coy thing, would say rude, but 'tis no matter,
I was to pay a Waiting womans ransome,
And I have don't, and I would pay't againe,
Were I taine to morrow
Nur.
Alas, there was no hurt,
If't be a sin, for such as live at hard meat,
And keepe a long Lent, in the woods as they doe,
To tast a little flesh,
Char.
God help the Courtiers,
That ly at racke and manger
Nurse.
I shall love
A theefe 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 bin empty twenty yeares,
Char.
Peace Nurse,
Farewell, and cry not rost meate, me thinkes Cleremont
And my Lady Anabell are in one night,
Familliarly acquainted.
Nurse.
I observe it,
If she have got a penny too.
Enter Vertaigne Champernell and Provost.
Charl.
No more,
My Lord Mounsier Vertaigne the provost too,
Hast and acquaint my Lady.
Exit Nurse and Charl.
Pro.
Wonderous strainge,
Vert.
'Tis true Sir, on my credit,
Cham.
On mine honour,
Pro.
I have bin provost-Marshall twenty yeares,
And have trussed up a thousand of these rascalls,
But so nere Paris yet, I never met with,
One 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 power
They let you goe; it was a Courtesy,
That French theeves use not often, I much pitty
The Gentle Ladyes, yet I know not how,
I rather hope then feare
Enter Dinant, Cleremont, Verdoone, Beaupre, Lamira, Anabell, Charlote, Nurse.
Are these the prisoners?
Din.
We were such
Verta.
Kill me not, excesse of joy,
Cham.
I see thou livest, but hast thou had no fowle play
Lam.
No on my soule, my usage hath bin noble,
Far from all violence,
Cham.
How were you freed,
But kisse me first, wee'll talk of that at leasure,
I am glad I have thee; Neice how you keepe off,
As you knew me not?
Ana.
Sir, I am where
I owe most duty
Cler.
'Tis indeed most true Sir,
The man that should have bin your bed fellow
Your Lordships Bedfellow, that could not smell out
A Virgin of sixteene, that was your foole,
To make you merry, this poore simple fellow
Has met the maid agen, and now she knowes,
He is a man,
Cham.
How! is she dishonoured?
Cler.
Not unlesse marriage be dishonourable,
Heaven is a witnesse of our happy contract
And the next Priest we meete shall warrant it
75
'Tis turn'd to earnest now.
Cham.
Is this true Neice
Din.
Her blushing silence grants it; nay Sir storme not
He is my friend, and I can make this good,
His birth and fortunes equall hers, your Lordship
Might have sought out a worse we are all friends too,
All differences end thus. Now Sir, unlesse
You would raise new dissentions make perfect
What is so well begun
Verta.
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 Monsieur Dinant 'ere long i'll shew you,
Another Neice, to this not much inferiour,
As you shall like proceed
Din.
I thanke you Sir,
Cham.
Backe then to Paris, well that travell ends
That makes of deadly enemies perfect friends.
Exeunt omnes.
| The Little French Lawyer | |