 | A Pleasant Comedy, called A Mayden-Head Well Lost |  |
Actus Quintus.
Enter Millaine to Stroza.Milla.
Thou art our trusty Counsellor; if this passe euruant
We're past all feare: What is she prethee? What?
Stro.
What's that to you, bee shee what ere she can,
All's one to vs, so she be found a Virgin;
I haue hyred her, and shee's pleas'd.
Milla.
But gaue you charge
Assoone as ere the Prince was fast asleepe,
That shee should rise and giue place to our daughter?
Stro.
Doubt you not that; what, iealous already?
Milla.
How long she stayes, I faine would be a bed;
Pray heauen shee doe not fall
By him asleepe, and so forget her selfe.
Stro.
Heer's in my heart, a violent Feauer still;
Nor shall I find my selfe in my true temper,
Vntill this brunt bee past.
Milla.
What, not yet? had she with Parma beene a bed so long,
It would haue more perplext mee.
Enter Lauretta.
Stro.
See, here shee is;
The newes?
Lauret.
The Prince is fast, all done.
Step in her place;
Nay when? and counterfeit sleepe presently.
Stro.
Away to bed my Lord: You to the Forrest.
I'le to my Coach, all's well.
Exeunt Stroza and the Duke.
Lauret.
And for my part, it was not much amisse.
Because my Lord the Prince had such content
Which caus'd him giue his Charter to my hand,
The full assurance of faire Iulia's dowre:
Day gins to breake, and I must to the Lodge.
Oh what a griefe it was to leaue the Prince!
But leaue those thoughts: These Gifts to me assign'd,
Are nothing worth the Iem I left behind.
Exit.
Enter Prince and Mounsieur with a Torch.
Moun.
What doe you not like your bed-fellow, my Lord;
That you are vp so soone?
Prin.
Oh friend, was neuer man blest with a Bride
So chast! I'me scarce my selfe, till this be knowne
To my faire Forrest friend: Lett's mount away,
The nights quite spent: and now begins the day.
Enter Mother and Clowne.
Wife.
And what was it you said sirra?
Clow.
Marry, I would intreat your Lady-ship to turne away
My fellow Ierom, for I thinke hee's
No true man.
Wife.
No true man, Why?
Clo.
Marry we were both in the Tauerne together tother day—
Wife.
And hee stole some Plate?
Clo.
No Madam, but there stood at our elbow a pottle Pot—
Wife.
And hee stole the Pot?
Clo.
No Madam, but he stole the wine in the Pot, and drunke it off,
Your Ladyship could not be better be-pist in a Summers-day.
Enter Prince and Mounsieur.
Prin.
Good morrow Lady: Wher's your daughter pray?
Wife.
Shee tooke so little rest last night, my Lord
I thinke shee is scarce well.
Prin.
Pray may wee see her?
Wife.
My Lord you may.
Shee's drawne out vpon a Bed.
Song.
[1]
Hence with Passion, Sighes and Teares,Desasters, Sorrowes, Cares and Feares.
See, my Loue (my Loue) appeares,
That thought himselfe exil'd.
Whence might all these loud Ioyes grow?
Whence might Myrth, and Banquet's flow?
But that hee's come (hee's come) I know.
Faire Fortune thou hast smil'd.
2
Giue to these blind windowes, Eyes;Daze the Stars, and mocke the Skies,
And let vs two (vs two) devise,
To lavish our best Treasures
Crowne our Wishes with Content,
Meet our Soules in sweet consent,
And let this night (this night) bee spent
In all aboundant pleasvres.
Oh good morrow Lady,
I come to tell you newes!
Lauret.
They are wellcome to me my Lord.
Prin.
You know the Princesse Iulia was suppos'd to bee
Adulterate—
Lauret.
So we haue heard it rumor'd.
Prin.
Oh but faire friend, she was indeed bely'd!
And I this morning rose from her chast bed:
But wherefore sweete cast you that blushing smile?
But you haue broak promise with me: For you told me
That the same day and houre I tooke my Bride,
You should Inioy a Princely Husband.
Lauret.
Trew
My Lord, I did.
Prin.
And are you married then?
Lauret.
And lay with him last night.
Prin.
Is hee off fortunes?
Lauret.
That you may soone coniecture by this gift.
Prin.
What haue you then, some tokens that were his?
Lauret.
Some ew my Lord, amongst the rest, this diamond
Hee put vpon my finger.
Prin.
You amaze mee!
Yet Rings may bee alike: If then your husband
Bee of such state and fortunes, What dowre are you allotted.
Lauret.
Sir, ten thousand crownes byth' yeere.
Prin.
I gaue no more vnto my Iulia.
But where is the security you haue
For the performance of it?
Lauret.
See here, My Lord,
Sir, Is not that sufficient for a dowry?
Prin.
This is the Indenture that I gaue to Iulia;
Preethee Lauretta, but resolue me true,
How came you by this Charter?
Lauret.
Pardon great Prince; for all that loue you spake
To Iulia, you whisper'd in my eare:
Her father sent mee here, fiue hundred crownes
By Stroza; but neither his gold, nor all
His sly temptations, could one whit mooue mee;
Onely the loue I euer bare your honour,
Made me not prise my owne. No lustfull appetite
Made me attempt such an ambitious practise,
As to aspire vnto your bed my Lord.
Prin.
Rise, doe not weepe, Oh I am strangely rapt
Into deepe strange confusion?
Moun.
Millaine should know, were it my case my Lord,
A better Prince then hee should not wrong me.
Prin.
I haue bethought already how to beare mee;
This Charter and this Ring, faire Loue, keepe you;
And when I send for you, you shall repaire
Vnto the Court: This all I shall inioyne you.
Lauret.
Great Sir, I shall.
Prin.
Come Mounsieur, now 'tis cast,
Reuenge neere rules, so it be found at last.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter the two Dukes with Iulia, Stroza and attendants.
Milla.
Who saw the Prince last? Is't a custome with him
To rise thus early?
Floren.
Sir, hee neuer sleepes
Longer then th'day, nor keepes his bed by Sunne:
'Tis not the loue of the fairest Lady liues,
Can make him leaue his morning exercise.
Iulia.
He neuer exercis'd with me, I'm sure;
I might haue layne as safe, free, and vntoucht,
By any Lady liuing.
Enter the Prince and Mounsi.
Prince.
Pardon Lords,
I haue stay'd you long, your blessing royall Father.
A womans houre: Now heare me speake my Lords,
I'm married to a Lady, whose chaste honour,
Reports and false Suggestions, did inforce me
To call in publike question; but that we leaue
Vnto our last nights rest.
Stro.
True my good Lord;
But did you find me faulty?
Prin.
I doe protest, my Lords, I bosom'd with
As true and chaste a Virgin, as ere lodg'd
As I am Royall.
Str.
All's well my Lord?
Milla.
All's excellent Stroza.
Prin.
Now for an ends and publike satisfaction,
For the foule wrong I did her, questioning
Her Vertue, Ile confirme her dowre, and that
Before I eate: Sweet Lady, reach the Charter
I gaue you last night, 'fore you were full mine?
Iulia.
I receiu'd none Sir.
Prin.
Sweet, will you tel mee that?
With which you did receiue a Ring the Duke
My father gaue me.
Iulia.
When?
Prince.
Last night.
Iulia.
Where?
Prince.
In your Bed.
Iulia.
'Twas in my dreame then.
Prince.
Being broad awake.
Stro.
I like not this: I smell a Rat.
Milla.
Stroza, I feare too.
Stro.
Brazen sore-head, Wilt
Thou leaue now: 'Tis true my Lord. You did
Receiue them both, Haue you forgot sweet Lady,
This very morning, that you gaue them both
To me? The Princesse ieasted, to see how
You woo'd but take it.
Moun.
Excellent Villaine!
Prince.
'Twas well put off:
'Tis strange shee's so forgetfull: I prethee Stroza
Where are they?
Stro.
Where are they? they are—
Prince.
Where?
Why studdy you?
Stro.
They are there—
Where man?
Stro.
I poasted them
To Millaine, sent them safe, dare you not trust my word
Prince.
Not till I see my deeds.
Stro.
By one oth' Princes Traine.
Prince.
See which of the Traine is wanting.
Moun.
I shall my Lord.
Stro.
I would I were in Turkey.
Milla.
Would I were on horse-backe.
Prin.
Nay, looke not you deiected beautious Bride,
For this is done onely to honour you.
Enter a Seruing-man with a child in a couered Dish.
Gent.
The Prince, my Master, hearing your solemnities,
Hath sent this dish, to adde a present to
Your royall Feasts, wishing himselfe therein
To be a wellcome guest.
Prince.
Your Masters name?
Gent.
Prince Parma.
Prince.
Giue this Gentleman
A 100. crownes: This will much grace our banquet.
Flo.
Ther's in that dish, some Morrall.
Milla.
Comming from him,
Meethinks it should be season'd with some strange
And dangerous poyson: Touch't not, my Lord.
Flo.
There should be more in't, then a feasting dish;
What's here, a Child?
Iulia.
Oh my perplexed heart!
Pri.
Vpon his brest ther's something writ, Ile read it.
'Tis fit, if Iustice bee not quite exil'd
That he that wedds the mother, keepe the child.
This Child was sent to me.That he that wedds the mother, keepe the child.
Stro.
From whom? whom, Parma? breake the bastards necke,
As I would doe the Fathers, were hee here.
Sure spare't for the Mothers sake; t'was sent to vs:
Which of the trayne is wanting?
Enter Mounsieur.
Moun.
None my Lord.
Prin.
Stroza, where is this Charter and the Ring?
Stro.
I know of none.
Moun.
Why, t'was confest.
Stro.
Right, I confest it; but your grace must know,
'Twas but to please your humour, which began
To grow into some violence.
Moun.
I can forbeare no longer; Impudent Stroza,
Thou art a Villaine, periur'd, and forsworne:
That Duke dishonourable; and shee vnchast:
Besides, thou hyredst a Virgin in her roome;
(Slaue as thou art) to bosome with the Prince;
Gau'st her fiue hundred Crownes. That this is true,
I will maintaine by combat.
Stro.
That I did this? Hee lies below his entrayles.
That dares to braue mee with such a proud affront:
And in the honour of my Prince and Countrey
I will approoue thee recreant.
Prin.
A strife, that nought saue combat can deside.
The cause so full of doubts, and intricate.
Soe, they are both arm'd, and euenly, without odds,
Saue what the iustice of the cause can yeeld.
Exit Mounsieur and Stroza.
Enter Prince Parma.
Par.
Bee't no intrusion held, if a strange Prince
(Setting behind, all complementall leaue)
Amongst strange Princes enters: Let me know
Which is the Prince of Florence?
Prince
Wee are hee.
Parm.
And Parma?
Iuli.
Parma?
Excuse mee Sir,
I know him not: But if I much mistake not,
Wee are late indebted to you for a present.
Parm.
It was a gift, I should bee loath to part with,
But vpon good conditions. Am I then
To all a stranger: Doe you not know mee Lady?
Milla.
Heare him not speake, I charge thee by thine honor?
Prince.
Parma speake, and if thy speech was bent to mee?
Parm.
Ere I proceede, let mee behold this babe;
Nere a Nurse heere? Pray hand it you sweete Lady,
Till I find out a Mother.
Milla.
Touch it not,
I charge thee on my blessing.
Iulia
Pardon Sir,
It well becomes my handling.
Prince.
Parma proceede.
Parm.
Then Florence know, thou hast wrong'd me beyond, thought;
Shipwrackt my Honour, and my Fame; nay strumpeted
Her, whom I tearme my Bride.
Prince
'Tis false, I neuer imbrac'd saue with one,
And her, I found to bee most truely chast.
Parm.
Then It maintaine: Hast thou a Wife heere?
Prince
Yes.
Parm.
Then Ile approoue her to bee none of thine,
That thou hast fetch't her from anothers armes.
Nay more, that shee's vnchast?
Prin.
Know Parma, thou hast kindled such a Flame,
That all the Oceans billowes scarce can quench:
Bee that our quarrells ground.
Florence
Princes, forbeare:
First see the Issue of the former Combat,
Before more blood you hazard.
Prince
Wee are pleased.
Parm.
And wee content.
Moun.
Yeeld thy selfe recreant villaine, or thou dy'st.
Stro.
Saue mee, I will confesse; Is Parma heere?
Parm.
Yes, heere wee are.
Stro.
I falsely stuft thy head with Iealousies,
And for some priuate ends of my reuenge,
Disgrac'd the Generall, and set odds betwixt
Lauretta and the Princesse: All these mischiefes
Proceede from my suggestions.
Milla.
Damne him for it.
Stro.
Is that your kindnesse? Giue me leaue to liue.
Bee't but to taynt his honour.
Prince
Tell mee Stroza,
Was Iulia chaste?
Stro.
No.
Prince
Did her Father know it?
Stro.
Yes, and more too: I had the Gold from him,
To bribe the Generalls daughter.
Florence
Iniuries,
Beyond the thought of man.
Milla.
Which wee 'le no longer striue with, since the heauens
haue laid that ope most plaine and palpable, which most
wee thought to conceale.
Prince.
Will Parma fight?
Parm.
Resolue mee first? Was Iulia found Chast?
Prince.
I heere protest, wee parted both, as cleere,
As at our first encounter.
Parm.
Then I accept her, If you my Lord
Bee pleas'd so to part with her.
Prince.
Willingly.
Iulia.
Now haue I my desires: Had I withall,
Parm.
See Iulia,
Whom thy hard-hearted Father doom'd to death.
My care hath still Conserued, Imbrace it Lady;
Nay, 'tis thy owne nere feare it.
Prince.
Then Prince Parma,
With your words Ile proceed.
'Tis fit all Iustice bee not quite exil'd,
That hee that wedds the Mother keepe the child.
Florence
But Peeres, the Virgin that this Stroza hired
To Iustifie these wrongs?
Prince
At hand my Lord:
Mounsieur conduct them hither?
Moun.
I shall Sir.
Milla.
The Generalls Wife and Daughter.
Enter Lauretta, Wife, and Clowne.
Clow.
Yes and their man too; all that's left of him.
Prince
This the Maide,
To whom I am so bound?
Laure.
Oh let me lie
As prostrate at your foot in Vassallage,
As I was at your pleasure.
Prince
Sweete arise.
Clow.
Your Lordship hath bin vp already, when shee was
downe: I hope if the thing you wott of goe no worse
forward then it hath hegun, and that you take charge of my
young Lady, you neede not bee altogether vnmindfull of her
Gentleman-Vsher.
Florence.
Of what birth is that Lady?
Milla.
Euen the least
Enuy can speake, Shee is a Souldiers Daughter,
Decended from a noble parentage.
Wife.
Who with her mother,
Intreating, grace and pittie.
Milla.
You haue both:
Sure, sure, the heauens for our Ingratitude,
To noble Sforza, onr braue generall,
Hath thus crost our proceedings: which to recompence,
Wee'le take you vnto our best patronage.
Wife.
Millaine is honorable.
Prince
But by your fauour Sir,
This must bee our owne charge.
Florence
With which we are pleas'd.
Iulia.
Stroza was cause of all, but his submission
Hath sau'd him from our hate, arise in grace.
Whil'st we thus greete Lauretta.
Lauret.
Royall Princesse,
I still shall be your hand-maide.
Stroza
Who would striue,
To bee a villaine, when the good thus thriue?
Prince
You crowne me with your wishes, Royall father;
My Mistris first, and next my bed-fellow,
And now my Bride most welcome. Excellent Sir,
Imbrace the Millaine Duke, whil'st I change hand
with Princely Parma; Iulia, once my Wife?
Backe to your husband I returne you chast:
Mounsieur, bee still our friend: You our kind Mother:
And let succeeding Ages, thus much say:
Never was Maiden-head better giuen away.
Exeunt omnes.
FINIS.
| A Pleasant Comedy, called A Mayden-Head Well Lost | |