University of Virginia Library

Scea. 2a.

Enter Sebastian, & Fernando
Seb.
Yf ever you knew force of Love in life Sir,
give to mine pitty

Fer.
you doe ill to doubt me.

Seb.
J could make bold with no frend seemelier
then with yourself, because you were in presence
at our Vow-making

Fer.
J'am a Witnes to't.

Seb.
then you best vnderstand, of all men living
this is no wrong J offer, no abuse
either to faith, or frendship: for we'are registerd
Husband, and wife in heaven, though there wants that
which often keepes licentious Man in awe
from starting from their Wedlocks, the knot publique,
'tis in our Soules knit fast, and how more pretious
the Soule is, then the Body, so much iudge
the sacred, and celestiall Tye within vs,
more then the outward Forme, which calls but Witnes
here vpon earth, to what is don in heaven.
though J must needes confes, the least is honorable
(as an Embassador sent from a King
has Honor by the Employment, yet ther's greater
—Enter Florida.
dwells in the king that sent him; so in this)

Fer.
J approve all you speake: and will appeere to You
a faithfull pittying frend.

Seb.
Looke, there is She, Sir,
One good for nothing but to make vse of.
and J'm constraind to employ her, to make all things
plaine, easie, and probable; For when She Comes
and findes one here that Claimes him, as J'haue taught
both this to do't, and He, to Compound with Her,
'twill stirr beleif the more of such a Busynes:

Fer.
J praise the Carriage well.

Seb.
hark you (sweet Mistris
J shall doe you a simple Turne in this:
for She disgrac'd thus: You are vp in fauor
for ever, with her Husband.

Flo.
that's my hope Sir,
J would not take the paines els: haue You the keyes
of the garden-side, that J may get betimes in,
closely, and take her Lodging?

Seb.
yes, J haue thought vpon You,
here be the keyes.

Flo.
marry, and thancks (sweet Sir)
sett me a work so still.

Seb.
your Joyes are falce ones:
You'ar like to lye alone; you'll be deceiud
of the Bedfellow you looke for; els my purpose
were in an ill case: he's on his forth nightes Jorney
you'll find cold comfort there: a Dreame wilbe
even the best Market you can make to night:
She'll not be long now; You may loose no time neither:
yf She but take you at the dore 'tis enough.
When a Suspect doth Catch once, it burnes maynely.
there may you end your Busynes, and as cun̄ingly
as if you were i'th'Chamber, if you please,
to vse but the same Art.

Flo.
What need you vrge that,
Which comes so naturally J cannot misse on't?
What makes the Devill so greedy of a Soule
but 'cause ha's lost his owne; to all Joyes lost:
So 'tis our Trade to sett Snares for other Women
'cause we were once caught ourselues.

Seb.
a sweet allusion:
Hell, and a Whore it seemes are Partners then,
in one Ambition: yet thou'rt here Deceiu'd now
thou canst sett none to hurt, or wrong her Honor
it rather makes it perfect: Best of frends
that ever Loves-extremities were blessd with
J feele mine Armes with thee; and call my peace
the Of-spring of thy frendship: J will thinck
this night my wedding-night: and with-a-Joy
as reverend, as Religion can make Mans
J will embrace this Blessing: honest Actions
are Lawes vnto themselues, and that good feare
which is on others forcd, growes kindly there.

Fer.
hark, hark: One knocks; away Sir: 'tis she certenly
Jt sounds much like a womans iealious Larum,

—Enter Jsab.
Jsa.
by your leave Sir

Fer.
you'ar wellcom Gentlewoman.

Jsa.
Our Ladiship, then stands vs in no stead now
One word in privat Sir.—

Fer.
noe surely for-sooth
there is no such here, y'haue mistooke the house.

Jsa.
Oh Sir, that haue J not: excuse me there
J come not with such Jgnoraunce: thinck not so Sir.
'twas told me at the entring of your House here
by one that knowes him too well.

Fer.
who should that be?

Jsa.
nay Sir, betraying is not my profession:
but here J know he is: and J presume
He would give me Admittance, if he knew on't.
as one o'n's neerest frends.

Fer.
y'ar not his wife for-sooth?

Jsa.
yes, by my faith am J.

Fer-
Cry you mercy then Lady.

Jsa.
She goes here by the name on's Wife: good stuff
But the bold Strumpet neuer told me that

Fer.
We are so oft deceiud that Let out Lodgings
we know not whom to trust: 'tis such a world,
there are so many odd-trickes now a daies
put vpon House-keepers.

Jsa.
why? doe you thinck J'll'd wrong
you, or the Reputation of your House?
'pray show me the way to him

Fer.
hee's a sleepe (Lady
the Curtaines drawne about him.

Jsa.
well: well Sir,
J'll haue that Care, J'll not disease him much.
Tread you but lightly: oh, of what grosse falcehood
is Mans hart made of? had my first Loue liu'd
and return'd saffe, he would haue byn a light
to all Mens Actions, his faith shinde so bright

—Ext—Enter Sebastian
Seb-
J cannot so deceive her 'twer too sinfull,
there's more Religion in my Love, then soe:
Jt is not treacherous Lust, that gives Content
t'-an honest mind: and this could prove no better,
Were it in Me, a part of manly Justice,
that haue sought strange hard meanes to keep her Chast
to her first vow; and J t'abuse her first.
Better J neuer knew what Comfort were
in womans love, then wickedly to know it.
What could the falcehood of one Night availe him
that must enioy for ever, or he's lost?
'tis the way rather to drawe hate vpon me:
for (knowne) tis as impossible she should love me,
as youth, in health, to doat vpon a greif,
or one that's robd, and bound, t'affect the Theif
No, he that would Soules sacred Comfort wyn,
must burne in pure love, like a Seraphin

—Enter Jsabella
Js.
Cœlio?

Seb.
Sweet Madam.

Js.
thou 'hast deluded me:
there's no body.

Seb.
how? J wonder he would misse (Madam)
having appointed too, 'twer a strange Goodnes
if heaven should turne his hart now, by the way.

Js.
Oh, never Celio.

Seb.
yes, J ha' knowne the like
Man is not at his owne disposing (Madam)
the blessd Powres haue prouided better for him,
or he were miserable: he may come Yet
'tis earely (Madam) if you would be pleasd
to embrace my Councell, you should see this Night over.
since y' haue bestowd this paines

Js.
J intend soe.

Seb.
that Strumpet would be found, els she should goe
J cursse the time now, J did eu'r make vse
of such a plague: Sin knowes not what it do's.

—Ex