University of Virginia Library

ACT. II.

SCENE I.

The Court.
Enter Tamira and Charlott.
Tam.
I scarce have Sense left to believe thy News.

Cha.
Madam, you may rely upon't.

Tam.
O Heavens!
That Monsieur has brought D' Amboise to Court!

Cha.
Most certainly; and hangs about his Neck
As if they Twinn'd both at a Birth together:
He's now to introduce him to the King.
How much concern'd she is!

[Aside.
Tam.
O cou'd he look
In some inchanted Glass, and see my Heart,
How the poor Inmate struggles to get out;
And when my Soul beholds him through my Eyes,
How it leaps up in Extasie to meet him!
Then sure he would not think I was ungrateful.

Cha.
She's strangely Rapt!

[Aside.
Tam.
Pray Heaven my Governess have kept her Word:
This News affects me strangely: And see,
The King and Court appear. Lie close my Joyes,
[Exit Cha.
Smother'd, and husht like Waters in a Calm:
I'le thrust my self into the Crowd to see
The Entrance of my Hearts best Deity.

Enter King Henry, Guise, Montsurry, Barrisor, L'Annou, Pirrhot, Brisack, Mellinel, Dutchess of Guise, Beaupre, Annable, Pero, Guards and Attendnts.
Bris.
These bold Confederates crowd about the Guise,
As if they'd brave the King here in the Presence.

Mel.
Oh, you know Faction is a kind of Hydra,
That whilst you Lop one Head, another grows.

Briss.
This new made Peace between the Guise and him
I fear wants Power to quench the old Resentments.

King.
When went the English Embassadors from hence?

Briss.
Some two days since, Sir.

King.
That Island once was happy in her Natives;
And no one Court in Christendom could boast
Of Men more Valiant or more rarely qualified.
With Shame, I needs must own it, our French Court
Was held a Mirrour of Confusion to it.

Guise.
I never thought so Sir.

Briss.
Faith I believe thee:
Nor any thing else that ever he thought.

[Aside.
Mell.
Peace, we shall hear more; I see th'Ambitious Vein
Is glowing on the front of the Proud Guise.

King.
How is it then my Lord in your Opinion?

Guise.
For my part Sir, I think e'm slight and vain,
And that they've aped the Model of our Court
As they have still out-aped us in our Habits.
Never were Snakes so weary of their Skins,
And apt to leap out of themselves as they;
Who when they Travel to become Rare Men,
Come home improv'd with a new foppish Suit,
Like Monkies, cover'd with the Garbs of Men.

Mount.
Nay now my Lord, your Grace is moved with Spleen:
For tho the Youth and Gayety of some
May shew a little lightness of the Soul,
Till Ripening Years has given 'em Grains of weight,
Yet no wise Husbandman gives o're his Harvest
Because there chanced a Mildew, or a Blast;
But Gleans the best and soundest of his Grain,
'Till the next Year repairs him with its Plenty.

King.
Vain as they were, my Lord, slight as you make 'em,
I should be highly pleased by your example
To see our Count outdo 'em.

Mell.
There's a Rub.

Briss.
The Guise will at him agen;
He's studying for another Contradiction,
I'le lay my Life.

Mell.
Hee'd Choak else,
Ha! can I believe my Eyes? look, who comes yonder?

Enter Monsieur and D'Amboise, Richly Habited.
Briss.
D'Amboise, by all that's good, and Monsieur with him.

Mell.
This is an Age of Miracles;
How the Guise Ogles him!

Mons.
Sir, I have brought a Gentleman to Court, and
Pray will you vouchsafe to do him Grace.

King.
D'Amboise I think.

D'Amboise Kneels and Kisses the Kings Hand.
D'Amboise.
That's still my name, Dread Sir,
Tho I am somewhat alter'd in my Habit.

King.
I like your Alteration, and must tell you
I have expected the offer of your Service,
For I, in fear to make mild Vertue proud,
Use not to seek her out in any one.

D'Amboise.
Nor does she, to seek out every one.
Monarchs indeed have a prerogative,
And Vertue is their Vassal.

Mons.
I woo'd her Modesty in him, Sir,
And paid her those dues that I think she merits.

King.
If you have woo'd and won, then Brother wear him.

Mons.
Thou art mine, D'Amboise,
Come now, I'le Enter thee
[Governess aside whispers D'Amboise.
Among the Ladies; first here's
The Guise's Dutchess; the next the Joy of my Soul,
The Charming Countess of Mount Surry.

D'Amboise.
Ha! What says he? the Joy of his Soul?

[Aside.
Mons.
Come, I'le introduce you.
Ladies, you are too many to be in Counsel,
I have here a Friend that will be glad to
Enter into your Graces.

Dutch.
If he would be enter'd into our Graces, my Lord,
Methinks you should give him leave to speak
For himself.

Beau.
Has he never been a Courtier, my Lord?

Mons.
Never, my Lady.

Dutch.
And why did the Toy take him in the Head now?

D'Ambois.
'Tis Leap-Year, Madam, and therefore very
Good to enter a Courtier.

King.
Dutchess of Guise, you'll find there's one
Is not too Bashful.

[King goes and sits down at a Table, and beckons Mount Surry to Play at Chesse.
Dutch.
No, Sir, I rather wish he
Be'nt guily of the bold Extremity.

Tam.
The Gentleman would be a Courtier at
First sight; but Sir you are mistaken, you must
Learn your Horn-book, and your Psalter, and
A scurvy Treatise or two more, before you
Come to your Court Grammar.

D'Amboise.
You shall teach me any Lesson you please Madam,
Nay, and whip me, if I grow dull; I'm sure
'Twill be reasonable, and for my Instruction.

Dutch.
I dare swear, he has assurance enough,
To think he does deserve at first.

D'Amboise.
Faith Madam, that assurance you speak of,
I think is the only thing I want of a Courtier;
But I shall quickly improve, and would
Gladly take Protection Madam, under
Your Graces Colours.

Dutch.
Soft and Fair Sir, do you not know you
Must rise by degrees, first being the Servant
Of some common Lady, or Knights Wife;
Then a little higher, to a Lords Wife; next
A little higher, to a Countess; yet a little
Higher to a Dutchess; and then turn the Ladder.

Guise.
How now! they're very familiar methinks.

Barr., L'Annou.
Ha, ha, ha.

D'Amboise.
Will you allow a Man then Four Mistresses Madam,
When the greatest Mistress is allowed but Three Servants?

Dutch.
Where find you that Statute, Sir?

D'Amboise.
Why be judg'd by the Groom Porters.

Dutch.
The Groom Porters?

D'Amboise.
Ay Madam, must not they judge of all
Games I'th'Court?

Dutch.
You talk like a Gamster.

Guise.
Sir, know you me?

D'Amboise.
My Lord?

Guise.
I know you not; whom do you serve?

D'Amboise.
Serve, my Lord?

Guise.
Hence prating Upstart, your Courtship is
Too Sawcy.

D'Amboise.
Upstart and Sawcy; 'tis the Guise, but yet
Those Terms might have been spared
Of the Guisard. Sawcy, he's Jealous by
This light; are you blind o'that side Duke! I'le
To her again, for that: on Princely Mistriss,
For the honour of Courtship, another Riddle.

Guise.
Cease your Courtship, or by Heavens I'le cut your Throat.

D'Amboise.
Cut my Throat, cut a Whetstone; Butcher
Every thing with thy Tongue, or thy curst Agents,
Thy Sword I'm sure is slow enough in danger:
I wish the King fear'd the cutting of his Throat
No more, than I fear thy cutting mine.

Guise.
I'le do't by this Hand.

D'Amboise.
That Hand dares not do it;
Thou'st cut too many Throats already, Guise,
And Robb'd the Land of many Thousand Souls
More precious than thy own. Come Madam,
I beseech your Grace talk; your Wit does wonders;
For as I was saying,

Pyrr.
There's some strange disorder.

Barr.
A sudden Transmigration with D'Amboise;
Methinks in a minute; from the Court Lobby
Into the Dutchesses Closset.

L'Ann.
You see what wonders a fine Suit can work.

Pyrr.
Prithee step to the Guise and discover him.

Barr.
By no means, let the new Suit work;
We'll see the Issue.

Guise.
Leave your prating.

D'Amboise.
I will not. I say noble Mistress, and I will stand too't,
That if a Woman may have Three Servants, a Man
May have Threescore Mistresses.

Guise.
Sirrah, I'le have you whipt out of the Court
For this Insolence.

D'Amboise.
Whipt! such another Syllable out of the presence
If thou darst for thy Dukedom.

Guise.
Remember Poltroon.

Mons.
What's the matter? prithee forbear.

D'Amboise.
Oh by the Infernals, were not the King i't'h presence,
He should strew the Chamber like a Rush.

Mons.
But leave Courting his Wife then.

D'Amboise.
'Sdeath, Hell and Furies, I'le Court her
In spight of him. Not Court her? Come Madam,
For Heavens sake talk on, fear nothing; but
Let's have another Story. Well mayst thou
Drive thy Master from the Court, but never D'Amboise.

Mons.
His great Heart will not down, come
Come away my Lord,—

[To Guise, he takes the Dutchess away; then Ex. Mons. Dutchess Ladies and Guise.
Guise.
I'le find a time.

D'Amboise.
Pish, Vapour.

Tam.
Pray Heaven the old Governess
Has done her Message; I would fain speak with him,
For methinks the Guise looks very mischievously.

Barr.
Why here's a Lion scared with the
Throat of a Dunghill Cock: A Craven
That has just shaked off his Gafflets, now does
He Crow for the Victory.

L'Ann.
'Tis one of the best Farces e're was acted.

Pyrr.
Who does the Guise suppose him to be,
I wonder.

L'Ann.
Some Countrey Heir, I warrant, and thinks
That Suit new drawn out of the Mercer's Book.

Barr.
I have heard of a Fellow that by fixt
Imaginations, looking upon a Bull-Baiting,
Had a visible pair of Horns grew out
Of his Forehead; so I believe this Gallant
Overjoy'd with Monsieur's cast Suit, imagines himself
To be Monsieur.

Pyrr.
Peace, he looks this way. What will you say
Now, if the Guise be gone to fetch a Blanket for him?

L'Ann.
D'slife, how he stares on us!

Barr.
Bless us, let's away!

Briss.
D'Amboise is making up to 'em, I hope 'twill
Come to something.

Mell.
The fleering Fops, deserve a beating richly.

D'Amboise.
I'll say that for 'em.
Now Sir, take your full view; how does the
Object please you?

Barr.
If you ask my Opinion Sir, I think your Suit sits as well
As if't had been made for you.

D'Amboise.
So Sir, and was that the subject of your ridiculous
Jollity?

Pyrr.
Perhaps it was Sir.

D'Amboise.
Sir, I have observed all your fleerings;
And though you're now in a place of safety,
We shall meet, when this buffoonly Grinning
Will cost you the best Blood in your Bodies.

L. Ann.
Go, go, Sir, Court your Mistress, and bring her to your Party.

Bar.
Ay, and his Sister too, or else we shall have odds against him.

D'Ambois.
Pish, Valour stands not in number: I dare avouch
One Man may beat three Boys.

Barr.
Boys Sir!

Briss.
Nay Gentlemen, you shall have no odds of him neither;
He's as good a Man as the proudest of you, and
You shall not wrong him.

Barr.
Not Sir.

Mell.
Not Sir; tho he have not your Titles, I believe him a
Better Man than the best of you,
And I'le Justifie him.

Pyrr.
Will you, Sir?

Mell.
Yes, Sir, that will I.

D'Ambois.
I shou'd thank you for this Kindness, Gent.
If I thought these perfumed Muskats being
Out of this Priviledge durst but mew at us.

Barr.
Does your Confidence doubt that, Sir? Follow and try.

L'Ann.
Come, Sir, we'll lead you a Dance.

Exeunt.
King rises from Play.
King.
My Lord, your Judgment gets the better of me,
I should take odds of you:

Mont.
A Minute's Chance, Sir: To morrow it will
Be your Majesties.

King.
Perhaps so too. When went the Guise away?

Mount.
About half an hour since, Sir; and as I guess
In some distaste with D'Amboise.

King.
I know it galls his Envy, to see his suddain
Bravery and Great Spirit.

Mont.
I hope not, Sir, the Guise has many Vertues.

King.
O my Lord,
This Envy is a Creature of strange Nature;
She feeds on outcast Intrails like a Kite:
In which foul Heap, if any Ill lies hid,
She sticks her Beak into it, shakes it up,
And throws it all abroad, that all may view it;
Corruption is her Nutriment; but touch her
With any Sovereign Oyntment, and you kill her.
Where she finds any Faults in Men, she feasts,
And with loud Scandals bruits 'em through the World,
To spread Contagion; but if she tastes
The smallest Relish of commended Virtue,
She Surfeits of it, and is like a Fly
That passes all the Bodies soundest parts,
And dwells upon the Sores. Wise Men may shun her,
But she has never Power to shun her self.
For wheresoe're she flies from her own harms,
She bears her Foes still Claspt within her Arms.

SCENE The Field.
Enter D'Amboise, Brissack, Mellinel, Barressor, L'Annou, Pyrhot, stript for the Duel.
Barr.
Come surly Sir, whose rough Abilities
Would jostle out the Vertues of Mankind,
And proudly think yours are the only Worthy;
We'll shew you that we are not so much Courtiers,
But we can fight as well as we can talk.

D'Ambois.
I am glad on't,
And wish all Courts were furnish'd with such Men;
Good ones would then be valued, and Fools find Scorn:
We judge of Minds not by their Deeds, but Habits,
And gaudy flattering Favourites are esteem'd
The wisest in the Land, tho ne're such Blockheads.

L'An.
Our Swords will best decide our Merits, Sir:

Briss.
They are the fittest Disputants i'th'Field.

D'Ambois.
One thing I urge: These Gentlemen are Strangers,
And tho they nobly lent their Courtesie
To assist me against your mean deriding me;
The Injury was Levell'd all at me,
And I would right my self against ye all:
Let one at once assail me honourably,
If I hold out t' th'last, mine be the Praise;
Or if I sink by th'first, let it be thine:
It will a satisfaction give in Death,
That I have not engag'd the Innocent.

Barr.
This looks like Boast, D'Amboise; but be it so.

Mell.
I except against the Offer.

Briss.
And I:
Think not, D'Amboise, the Quarrel we espous'd
Shall be determin'd, and we not engag'd.

Pirhot.
Come, no more Words, so we fight, be it any ways.

D'Ambois.
It must be some way, I wish it might be mine.

[They fight, Mellinor kills Pyrhot, Lannou, Brisack.]
Barr.
Some Pause, D'Amboise,
Two of our Friends are gone, preserve the
Others, and thee and I decide it.

D'Ambois.
Agreed.

Mellinel.
No, I have lost my Friend, and will revenge him.

Lannou.
Come on then.

D'Ambois.
It is in vain to stop them. Now Barressor!

Barr.
I shrink not yet.

D'Ambois.
Thy Blood flows fast.

Barr.
I am the lighter for't.

Mell.
D'Amboise. Farewel.

[Mel falls.
Barr.
I follow thee.

[Bar. falls.
L' An.
Here's more Work yet.

D'Ambois.
L'Annou, thou'rt brave; I'm satisfy'd;
There's Blood enough shed.

L'Annou.
Too much, D'Amboise; had there been none
At all, it had been well; but now there
Must be more; thou wer't for fighting us all round,
Ar't satifi'd with one?

D'Ambois.
Think not I'm tyr'd. Oh Tamira, if I fall, Farewel.

[Fight, L'Annou falls.
L'Annou.
Tamira's thine, and thou hast thy Revenge.
Gallant D'Ambois! I love thee now, and
Grieve for my Affront.

D'Ambois.

The Rest of Infant Souls uncharg'd with Sin be with thee and
my Noble Friends.—Mischief has been too powerful among us; and
what my Fate will be who does survive thee, I know not, nor I fear not.
Now to Tamira; she sent to me before I fought; and 'tis for her I hope, Heaven
has preserv'd me.

From Honours Bloody Field I must remove,
And hush my Danger in the Arms of Love.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Enter Monsieur and Tamira.
Mons.
Madam, regard your own Good, if not mine:
You do not know what you may be by me; perhaps I shortly
May have the Power to advance, or pull down any.

Tam.
That's not my Study, one way I'm sure
You shall not pull down me. My Husband's Height
Is Crown to all my Hopes; and his retiring
To any mean State shall be my Preferment;
My Honour's in my own Hands, spight of Kings.

Mons.
Honour, what's that? Your second Maidenhead?
Thus all your plaguy Sex will cry when courted
By one you do not fancy; but if you like
Your Addressor, Your Husband is your necessary Tool,
Your Fop, to own Brats which worse Fops beget,
And wears more Horns than are in Arden Forest.

Tam.
Does this Talk suit a Prince?

Mons.
Do not I know, Madam,
You live in Court here by your own Election,
Frequenting all our Publick Sports and Revels,
All the most youthful Companies of Men?
And wherefore do you this? to please your Husband?
'Tis gross and fulsom: If your Husbands Pleasure
Be all your Object, and you aim at Honour,
In living close to him; get you from Court,
You may have him at home.
Speak plain, and say, I do not like you, Sir,
You're an ill-favour'd Fellow in my Eye,
And I am answered.

Tam.
Then I pray be answered;
For to be plain, I do not like your Highness
In that way you like.

Mons.
'Sdeath! Hell and Furies! could I you please your Eye,
You wou'd like me as well e're you would lose me:
Honour! and Husband! Now by yon bright Planet,
All Hell has not the Mischief of one Woman.

Tam.
Now by this Light, my Lord, I'le tell the King
Your vile and most ungenerous Proceedings;
A Lady cannot breath Court-Air, and live
As she was born, and with that sort of Pleasure
That fits her state, but she must be defamed
With an infamous Lord's Detraction. Who's there?
Come Diligence; what? you're at your Book,
When Men are at your Mistress. Have I taught you
Enter Charlotte.
Any such Waiting-womans Quality?

Mons.
Has your Lady taught you to know Men from Men,
To squint upon the happy one in Favour,
And turn the Fool that's slighted out of Doors?
And d'ye forget? For that's I know your Lesson,
And so farewel good Husband.

[Exit.
Tam.
Farewel wicked Prince, and yet I scarce can call him so,
For in my Conscience he is in the right;
And when a Womans Heart is once possess'd,
Nothing so nauseous as a Second Lover.
Enter Montsurry.
My Husband here! If he stays I'm undone.

Mont.
How does my Love? Was not the Monsieur here?

Tam.
Yes, to rare purpose,
And your Cause is as good to seek him too,
And haunt his Company.

Mont.
Why? What's the matter?

Tam.
Matter of Death, were I Wife to some Men;
I cannot live in Quiet in my House
For Importunities, almost to Rapes
Offer'd me by him.

Mont.
Prithee bear with him;
Thou knowest he is unmarried, and a Courtier,
Ay, and a Prince.
Be merry then my Life, and laugh at him;
I know my Presence is so dear to thee,
That other Men appear worse than they are:
Yet I must beg thy Pardon for this Night,
Thou know'st how far I am engag'd to th'King,
Besides my Promise.

Tam.
I am so sensible of it,
That, my Lord, you shall not stay one minute longer.

Mont.
I fear thou wilt be Melancholy.

Tam.
No, not much:
Be sure you come I'th'Morning.

Mont.
With the Rising Sun
I'le visit thy more comfortable Beauty;
In the mean time Farewel my Love.

[Exit.
Tam.
Adieu, dear Husband.
Oh that all Wives, betray'd to this curst Yoke,
And forc'd to draw with one they cannot love,
Cou'd see this parting 'twixt my Lord and me,
And learn the subtile Art of wise Dissembling,
Of which I now pretend to be Arts Mistress,
And best know how to bear the Clog of Wedlock.
Get you to Bed. This coming Night
[To Char.
I'le trouble none of your Services: Make sure
The Doors, and call your other Fellows to their Rest.

Char.
Yes, Madam; yet I will watch too,
[Aside
To know why you watch; perhaps I may discover
Something, and deserve another Purse
Like that the Monsieur gave me last.

[Exit.
Tam.
Oh that as yet my Heart and Inclinations
All tend to Vertue, I could sway my Passion,
And look on D'Amboise with Indifferent Eyes;
But 'tis too late I fear; Love's powerful Influence
Has crowded every Corner in my Breast,
And there's no Room for Decency or Reason:
He comes, he comes—
How shall I look on him, how shall I live,
And not consume in blushes, if there be
In Nature, such a thing as Modesty?

[Exit.
Enter D'Amboise, Teresia from the Vault.
D'Ambois.
Is this the Antichamber?

Teres.
'Tis next her Bed-Chamber: What? you would be there,
Would you?

D'Ambois.
Ay, ay, Mother, the closer the Devotion the better, you know;
Go, go, prithee give her Notice.

Teres.
Heark! D'ye hear nothing!

D'Ambois.
No, no.

Teres.
The Cats are howling and scratching one another;
There's no good near hand, when such unsanctified
Noises are abroad.

D'Ambois.
Let 'em scratch and be damn'd: Prithee be gon.

Teres.
Well, if I am not preferr'd after this, there's no
Gratitude in being, that I'm sure of:

[Exit.
D'Ambois.
Now all the Peaceful Regents of the Night,
Silently gliding Exhalations,
Languishing Winds and murmuring Falls of Waters,
Sadness of Heart and Ominous secureness,
Inchantments, dead Sleeps, all the Friends of Rest
That ever workt upon the Life of Man,
Assist me now, and this Charm'd Hour,
Fix like the Center, make the violent Wheels
Of time and fortune stand, and great existence
(The Makers Treasure,) now not seem to be,
To all but my approaching love and me.

Enter Tamira and Teresia.
Tam.
O I must see him, tho each step he takes
Goes to my Heart.

D'Ambois.
Madam upon my Knees I wait your doom.

Tam.
O rise, Sir rise, why would you come thus late?
Tho I did send to you to prevent a danger,
Why would you take me at my word, and at
A time for Visits so unfit? how durst you
Enter here?

D'Ambois.
Where is the harm sweet, since your Honour is secure.

Tam.
How are you sure of that? what tho my Husband
Lye forth to Night, and all our Female Servants
Fast bound in Sleep, yet there's one that wakes above,
Whose Eye no Sleep can bind; he sees
Through Walls and Doors, nay even our Thoughts.

D'Amboise.
He sees in pity then, and not in Anger:
Besides, what can he see, but a wrong'd wretch'd Lover,
Taxing his dearest Mistress with foul Perjury,
And breach of holy Vows?

Tam.
O do not break my Heart with talking so,
You know I was betrayed.

D'Amboise.
Then I know too,
You should, if you could pity, do me Justice.

Tam.
Alas, how is it possible? I am now anothers.

D'Amboise.
By Stealth, by Rapine, Irreligious Force;
For sure I am, your Will was not consenting;
And to that Will, should joyn this beauteous Body
Which once I durst call mine. O by the Gods
Here do I clasp thee with a Lovers right,
And on thy Breast, the Altar of my Vows,
The sweet undoer of a Faithful heart,
Swear by the sacred influence about thee,
Never to sever or unloose my hold
Till I have Comfort from thee.

Tam.
Let go Rash Man, and since you will persist,
Tell me the Story of your Griefs within;
For once I'le hear it; but if you grow bold,
Never expect to see my Face again.

[Exit.
Teres.
What, I warrant you have angred her now.

D'Ambois.
No, no, shee'l return presently; I must get this
Old Gibcat out of the way. Prithee dear
[Aside.
Mother, look to the Vault Door; I think I heard
A Noise. I must follow her, she has promis'd
To speak to Monsieur to beg my Pardon of the King
About the Duel; and you know I must not neglect it.
Have but a little patience, I'le be with you presently.

Teres.
Patience, ah Son, Son, here will be fine work;
Well, go too, Remember, d'ye hear.

D'Amboise.
Why canst thou think I'le forget thee? Go, go
Prithee make haste into the Vault. So, so,
And now I'le bring new Forces to the Siege.
Ne're let the Heroe doubt the Fort to win,
That Storms without, and Love betrays within.

[Exit.