 | The Witch |  |
Scea. 2a.
Enter Almachildes.Al.
What a mad toy, tooke me, to Sup with Witches?
fye of all druncken humor s, by this hand
J could beat myself when J thinck on't; and the Raskalls
made me good Cheere too: and to my vnderstanding then,
eate some of every dish, and spoild the rest.
but com̄ing to my Lodging, J remember
J was as hungry as a tyred-Foote Post.
What's this? Oh, 'tis the Charme her Hagship gave me,
for my Duchesse obstinate Woman; woond-about
a three-penny-silk Ryban, of three Cullours,
24
Amoretta: why ther's her Name indeed.
Necte-Amoretta-agen, two Bouts,
Nodo et Veneris, dic Vincula Necte:
Nay if Veneris be one, J'm sure there's no dead flesh in 't.
Yf J should vntertake to Construe this now,
J should make a fine peece of work of it
for few yong Gallants are given a good Construction
of any thing (hardly of their best frends wives
Sisters, or Neices:) Let me see what J can doe now.
Necte tribus Nodis: Nick of the Tribe of Noddies
Ternos Colores, that makes Turn'd Cullours,
Nodo et Veneris, Goes to his Venery like a Noddy,
Dic Vincula, with Dick the Vintners Boy
Here were a sweet Charme now, if this were the Meaning on't
and very likely to over-come an honorable Gentlewoman.
The whorson old Helcat, would haue given me the
Brayne of a Catt once, in my hand kerch'er, J bad
her make sawce with't with a vengeance: And a
Litle Bone in the hethermost part of a Woollff's Taile
J bad her pick her Teeth with't, with a pestlence:
a Collourd Ryban? a fine gentle Charme,
a man may give't his Sister, his Brothers wiffe
—Enter Amoretta.
ordinarily: See; here she comes luckely.
Am.
Blessd Powres; What secreat syn haue J com̄itted
that still you send this punishment vpon me?
Al.
'tis but a gentle punishment: so take it.
Am.
why Sir. what meane you? will you ravish me?
Al.
what. in the Gallery? and the Sun peepe in?
there's fitter time, and place: 'tis in her Bosom now.
Am.
goe: you're the rudest thing, ere came at Court.
Al.
well: well: J hope you'll tell me an other tale
ere you be two howres older: a rude thing?
J'll make you eate your word; J'll make all split els.
—Exit
Am.
nay: now J thinck on't better: J'am too blame too
25
Nobely descended too, and Daunces well
beshrew my hart; J'll take him, when ther's time,
he wilbe Catchd-vp quickly: the Duchess saies
sh'as some Employment for him, and has sworne me
to vse my best Art in't: life of my Joyes,
there were good stuff: J will not trust her wt h him.
J'll call him back againe: he must not keepe
Enter Duchesse
out of my sight so long; J shall grow mad then
Duch.
He lives not now to see to morrow spent,
if this Meanes take effect, as ther's no hardnes in 't.
Last night he plaid his horrid Game agen,
Came to my Bed-side at the full of Midnight,
and in his hand that fatall fearefull Cup;
Wak'd me, and forc'd me pledge him, to my trembling,
and my dead Father's scorne; that wounds my sight
that his Remembraunce should be raysde in spight.
But either his Confusion, or mine ends it.
oh Amoretta, hast thou mett him, yet
speake Wench, ha'st don that for me?
Am.
what (good Madam?)
Duch.
distruction of my hopes; do'st ask that now?
didst thou not sweare to Me, out of thy hate
to Almachildes, thou'dst dissemble him
a loving Enterteynement, and a Meeting,
where J should work my will?
Am.
good Madam pardon me:
a loving Enterteinement? J doe protest
myself to give him, (with all speed J can too)
but, as J 'am yet a Maid (a perfect one)
as the old time was wont to afford, when
there was few Tricks, and litle Cun̄ing stirring
J can dissemble none that will serve your turne,
he must haue ev'n a right one, and a plaine one.
Duch.
thou makst me doubt thy health: speak, art thou well?
Am.
oh never better; if he would make hast
26
Duch.
J'me quight lost in this woman: What's that fell
out of her Bosom now? some Love-token.
Am.
nay, J'll say that for him: hee's the vn-civillst Gentleman:
and every way desertles.
Duch.
who's that now?
she discom̄ends so fast?
Am.
J could not love him (Madam)
of any man, in Court.
Duch.
What's he now.-pree-thee?
Am.
who should it be, but Almachildes, (Madam?)
J never hated man so deepely yet.
Duch.
as Almachildes?
Am.
J am sick (good Madam)
when J but heare him nam'd.
Duch.
how is this possible?
but now thou saidst thou lou'dst him; and didst raise him
'bove all the Court, in praises.
Am.
how great people
may speake their pleasure, Madam; but surely J
should thinck the worsse of my Tongue while J liu'd then.
Duch.
No longer haue J patience to forbeare thee:
thou that retainst an envious soule to goodnes:
He is a Gentleman deserues as much
as ever Fortune yet, bestowd on Man:
the Glory, and prime lustre of our Court;
Nor can there any but our-self, be worthie of him;
and take you notice of that now from Me,
say you haue Warning on't: yf you did love him,
you must not now.
Am.
Let your Grace never feare it
Duch.
thy name is Amoretta, as Ours is,
't has made me Love, and trust thee.
Am.
and my faithfullnes
has appeerd well i'th'proofe still: ha'st-not (Madam?)
27
but if't faile now, 'tis nothing
Am.
then it shall not.
J know he will not be long from fluttring
about this place; now h'as had a sight of me; and J'll performe
Jn all that J vowd (Madam) faithfully.
Duch.
then am J blessd, both in Revenge, and Love
—Enter Almachildes
and thou shalt tast the Sweetnes —Exit
Am.
What Your Aymes be
J list not to enquire: All J desire
is to preserve a Computent honestie
both for nine owne, and his vse that shall haue me
(whose luck so ere it be) oh He's return'd alredy
J knew he would not faile.
Al.
it workes by this time
or the Devill's in 't: J thinck: J'll neu'r trust Witch els
nor sup with 'em this Twelue moneth.
Am.
J must sooth him now:
and 'tis great paine to do't against ones stomach.
Al.
now Amoretta?
Am.
Now y'ar well com Sir,
yf you'll'd come alwaies thus.
Al.
oh, am J soe?
is the case alterd since?
Am.
yf you'll'd be rude,
and know your times, 'twer somewhat: a great Comfort:
'las: J could be as loving and as venturous
as any Woman (wee're all flesh and blood-Man)
Yf you could play the Game out modestly
and not be-tray your hand: J must haue care Sir,
You know J haue a Marriage-time, to Come,
and that's for life: your best Folkes wilbe merry
but looke to the maine-Chaunce, (that's Reputation,)
and then doe what they list.
Al.
wil't heare my oath?
By the sweet health of youth, J wilbe carefull,
and never prate on't: nor like a Cun̄ing-Snarer
28
Am.
Well: yeilding then to such Conditions,
as my poore Bashfullnes shall require from you,
J shall yeild shortly after.
Al.
I'll consent to 'em
and may thy sweet Humilitie be a Patterne
for all prowd-women, living:
Am.
they're beholding to you—.
Ext.
| The Witch | |