University of Virginia Library

Enter Orlando, and Infælice.
Infæ.
From whom saiest thou?

Orla.
From a poore Gentlewoman, Madam, whom I serue.

Infæ.
And whats your businesse?

Orla.

This, Madam: my poore Mistris has a waste piece
of ground, which is her owne by inheritance, and left to
her by her mother; There's a Lord now that goes about,
not to take it cleane from her, but to inclose it to himselfe,
and to ioyne it to a piece of his Lordships.

Infæ.

What would she haue me doe in this?

Orla.

No more, Madam, but what one woman should
doe for another in such a case. My Honourable Lord, your
Husband would doe any thing in her behalfe, but shee had
rather put her selfe into your hands, because you (a woman)
may doe more with the Duke your Father.

Infæ.

Where lyes this Land?

Orl.

Within a stones cast of this place; my Mistris, I think,
would be content to let him enioy it after her decease, if
that would serue his turne, so my Master would yeeld too:
but she cannot abide to heare that the Lord should meddle
with it in her life time.

Infæ.

Is she then married? why stirres not her Husband
in it?

Orl.

Her Husband stirres in it vnder hand: but because
the other is a great rich man, my Master is loth to be seene
in it too much.

Infæ.
Let her in writing draw the cause at large:
And I will moue the Duke.

Orl.

'Tis set downe, Madam, here in blacke and white
already: worke it so, Madam, that she may keepe her owne
without disturbance, grieuance, molestation, or medling of
any other; and she bestowes this purse of gold on your Ladyship.

Infæ.
Old man, Ile pleade for her, but take no fees:
Giue Lawyers them, I swim not in that flood,
Ile touch no gold, till I haue done her good.

Orl.

I would all Proctors Clearkes were of your minde,
I should law more amongst them then I doe then; here, Madam,
is the suruey, not onely of the Mannor it selfe, but of

the Grange house, with euery Medow pasture, Ploughland,
Cony-borough, Fish-pond, hedge, ditch, and bush
that stands in it.

Infæ.

My Husbands name, and hand and seale at armes
to a Loue-letter? Where hadst thou this writing?

Orla.

From the foresaid party, Madam, that would keepe
the foresaid Land out of the foresaid Lords fingers.

Infæ.

My Lord turnd Ranger now?

Orl.

Y'are a good Huntresse, Lady, you ha found your
Game already; your Lord would faine be a Ranger, but my
Mistris requests you to let him runne a course in your owne
Parke, if you'll not doo't for loue, then doo't for money; she
has no white money, but there's gold, or else she praies you
to ring him by this token, and so you shall be sure his nose
will not be rooting other mens pastures.

Infæ.
This very purse was wouen with mine owne hands,
This Diamond on that very night, when he
Vntyed my Virgin girdle, gaue I him:
And must a common Harlot share in mine?
Old man, to quit thy paines, take thou the gold.

Orl.
Not I, Madam, old Seruingmen want no money.

Infæ.
Cupid himselfe was sure his Secretary,
These lines are euen the Arrowes Loue let flies,
The very Incke dropt out of Uenus eyes.

Orla.

I doe not thinke, Madam, but hee fetcht off some
Poet or other for those lines, for they are parlous Hawkes
to flie at wenches.

Infæ.
Here's honied poyson, to me he ne'r thus writ,
But Lust can set a double edge on wit.

Orla.

Nay, that's true, Madam, a wench will whet any
thing, if it be not too dull.

Infæ.
Oathes, promises, preferments, Iewels, gold,
What snares should breake, if all these cannot hold?
What creature is thy Mistris?

Orl.

One of those creatures that are contrary to man;
a woman.

Infæ.

What manner of woman?

Orl.

A little tiny woman, lower then your Ladiship by
head and shoulders, but as mad a wench as euer vnlaced a
petticote: these things should I indeed haue deliuered to my
Lord your Husband.

Infæ.

They are deliuered better: Why should she send
backe these things?

Orl.
Ware, ware, there's knauery.

Infæ.
Strumpets like cheating gamesters will not win
At first: these are but baites to draw him in.
How might I learne his hunting houres?

Orl.

The Irish Footman can tell you all his hunting
houres, the Parke he hunts in, the Doe he would strike, that
Irish Shackatory beates the bush for him, and knowes all;
he brought that Letter, and that Ring; he is the Carrier.

Infæ.

Knowest thou what other gifts haue past betweene
them?

Orl.

Little S. Patricke knowes all.

Infæ.

Him Ile examine presently.

Orl.

Not whilest I am here, sweet Madam.

Infæ.

Be gon then, & what lyes in me command.

Exit Orl.