University of Virginia Library

Actus Quarti,

Scena Prima.

Enter Dacus, and Spinella.
Dacus.
I tell thee (sweet Spinella) I adore thee,
Have for thee a more generous affection,
Than the greatest Lord in all this Province hath.

Spin.
You mean Bassanes. But, my doughty Captain!
He doth express his love in Golden Termes;
Which I more value then a Souldier's Oathes.

Dacus.
He loves you for himself, and not for you
Mine is a virtuous Flame.

Spin.
Your Dotage is,
For-getfull grown of what is past.

Dacus.
I fain
Would marry you

Spin.
Dacus! I am too young

Dacus.
Why jests my pritty wanton so?

Spin.
Old women that love melancholy Lifes,
Are the fitst Creatures to make slavish wifes.

Dacus.
Have you so small Esteem for holy Marriage?
And can you think it such a Bondage?

Spin.
Yes,
Are not such yoak'd together? And oftentimes?
Draw they not Contrary waies; like Dogs in Couples?
The tugging at an Oare in any Gally
Is as much Liberty as your Matrimony.

Dac.
Fie pritty Atheist. Such profaness quit
And take an Husband, take thy Captain Dacus:
A man whose sword shall reap the Parthian Fields,
And bring thee in (by frequent victories)
A large Revenew, equall to thy wishes.

Spinel.
My glorious talking Captain, I shall not
Be won with empty words.

Dacus
Have you no care
Of future Bliss, or Bare?

Spinel.
Plato, and Virgil he hath read, I smell him,
And Courts me with their trim Philosophy.

Dacus
As you resolve to live, you do not Mean
To serve the Gods.

Spinel.
There you come somthing near me
But Venus is a goddess, and I shall
Serve her. But Dacus! To be plain with you,
I love a Gaudy Charriot, and fine Horses,
Servants of all sorts, in rich Liveries,
Delicious Meats, and Wines, costly Apparell,
And Jewels of the highest value. I must
Out-glitter all the Femals of the Province,
Or I shall want my will.

Dacus.
And all this Bravery
Bassanes wealth shall furnish you withall
You hope, as I suppose. But (dear Spinella)
Think of his Marriage. He hath now a wife
Of great Descent, who brought a Fortune to him
So vast, I want Arethmetick to name it:
And she may look to be maintain'd at th'height
Of all his Means; And then your hopes will proove
Fleeting as shadows, vanish in the Aire.

Spinel.
'Twit me not with his wedlock: For our Crime
Will now be greater, And he shall be brought
To buy his Pleasure at an higher value.

Enter Hannibal, Cacala, and Floretta.
The Roman Captain his Mistris, and his servant.
Dacus.
How fares it with my mighty man of War,
Let us shake our victorious Hands in Peace,
And pray to Mars to set the world in uprore.

Hannibal.
That Timerous Princes may grow Bountifull;
Court us to take Employment on us, while
Their Luxuries they may securely follow.

Dacus.
Brave Captain Hannibal, such iron Times
Would be a Golden Age to us; shall we
Together walk and drink an health or two,
To all the Sons of Battail?

Hannibal.
I am for you.

Spinel.
Then I'le retire and keep my Mother Company.

Exeunt Han. Dac. Spin.
Caca.
Gentle Floretta stay. Let me not loose
This opportunity to wooe thy love.

Floretta.
Where learn't your folly those fine words?

Caca.
Your eyes have taught me to express my heart:
They have infus'd a Spirit of speech into me.

Flor.
You have been certainly with some Pedagogue,
And hired him to pen this Courtship for you.

Caca.
I love thee better then I love my Captain.

Flor.
And I your Captain much above you affect.

Caca.
What delicate eyes you have! I'le kiss them out,
And weare them in my ears.

Flor.
You shall be hang'd first,
I'de rather scratch thy heart out with my nayles.
And stuffe a Cushion with't.

Caca.
To sit, and fart upon't, and keep warm.
Thou art a pretious Rogue, and I had rather
Have thee to be my wife, then any Damsell.
That lives in the Suburra. Give me a wench
In all the Gamesome frailty of her youth;
Especially, wood she turn honest afterwards.

Flor.
Thou talk'st at such a Randam Cacala,
That th'art a Pastime to me. But why rather
Wouldst thou elect, a Beauty broken up
Then one that's sound?

Caca.
To tell you the plain Truth,
An honest woman is a Bugbear to me:
I never took Delight in their Acquaintance.

Flor.
Run after your Master tell him I would speak with him.

Caca.
I'le pimpe no more: But will henceforth grow honest.

Flor.
I doubt me (Cacala!) thou hast of late
Been troubled with some terrible Dreams. Hast seen
Pluto, and his dark Region in thy sleep?
What else should make thee talke of Virtue?

Caca.
The goodwill (Floretta) that I bear to you
Engages me to this discourse. I pray thee
Take me unto thy Husband; And we then
Will run away together, leave Captain Hannibal.
To his new Fortune; And resolve both of us
To lead our lives Honestly for the future.

Flor.
Out thou villain! Turn Traytor to Master
So liberall to thee as Captain is?
But that I know he would frown thee to death,
I would acquaint him with this Parley mend
Or neither he, nor I, will be thy Friend.
Exit Flor.

Caca.
I know not what to make of this wench, and yet I would fain
Make her my wife: But I think I am a fool for my Labour.
Shee'l hold her Peace I hope, That's all my Care
And then to get her, I will not despaire.

Exit.

Scena Secunda.

Enter Bassanes, Marullus, and Clorina with servants.
Bassanes.
So place her in that Chaire, and the sides
Tye fast her Arms, keep her hands open thus!
Here the servants tye her fast, and fasten Pyrontus heart in her hands.
Thus! That she may not close them, or remove them:
And put her Paramour's Heart into them: So
Now Foul Adultress! Thou may'st contemplate
Of the Affection it did bear thee once.
Reflect upon the Mountain of thy Sins,
Which hath over-whelm'd the false Pyrontus. Look
Thou most libidinous woman, what a Ruine
Thy Lust hath brought upon him, and thy self.

Clori.
I have at large (calling the gods to witness
That what I told swearv'd not a jot from truth)
Related to you all the Particulars
Of his unruly love; that he surpriz'd me,
Come in at my window whilst I was asleep;
With what an horrour I was stricken at it,
When I perceiv'd t'was he; how I rail'd at him,
Cal'd him by the worst names that I could think on
Bad him be gon for ever from my sight;
That I look'd on him as a Basilisk;
The Ruine of his honour, and mine own,
That I would tell you of him my Bassanes,
Inform you what a Divel's Company
You kept I'th likeness of a Friend. Just gods!
Protect my Innocency, and by some means
Divine, inspire these Truths into his heart.

Bassa.
That wife who dares pollute the Nuptiall Bed,
Is prodigall enough of Vows and Tears,
To win belief from credulous Persons; she
Hath done no wrong, when she hath done all the wrong.

Clori.
Thrice happy are those souls that from the Cares,
And slanders of this wicked Age are free,
Walk up and down Elizium in their thin
And airy substances. And have them so
Transparent that their thoughts may all be seen.
Wood mine were such. Oh that the Deities
Would lend their eyes a while to you, that you
Might search (Bassanes) every Cranny of,
My heart. I do not know a thought I have,
I would conceal from you.

Bassa.
Thou hast a Soul,
So ulcerous, Clorina, that the Prayers,
And vows of all the world can never cleanse it

Clor.
Oh! the hard heart of unbelieving Man!
Happy you Virgins that do stop your ears
Against the Charms of their bewitching tongue
And evermore continue in your Chastity.
I would to Heaven I never had beheld
Hymen to light his Pine. Have I bestow'd
My self on you to find such miseries,
Under your Roof? I wish my Parents had
As soon as I was born expos'd me to
The open Fields, unto the Cruelty
Of the most salvage Beasts; or in a small
Unguided Boat, left me unto the fury
Of an enraged Sea. Would any Mischief
Had fallen upon me, but this fatall Marriage.

Bassa.
Hearken Marullus! are you not amaz'd
To hear her speak against our Nuptials thus?
It is apparent that she doth repent her
Of taking me, And wish'd she had Pyrontus.

Mar.
I pray you hear her out.

Clorin.
How you mistake
My meaning, my belov'd, and cruell Husband!
I would it had been pleasing to the gods,
I never had been made a wife to any.
How Fortunate a choice might you else where
Have found; these dire Mischances mist; and I
(With my ill Fate) have no man else infected.

Mar.
My heart is bigg with sorrow at her words,
And vents it self in this sad dew.

Bassa.
What are these Tears for, you do drie away?

Mar.
I cannot choose but Melt.

Bassa.
You are too Tender.
Come: we will leave her to contemplate here
The horrid wickednesses, she hath acted.
If that all sense of honour hath not left thee.
Clorina, dye: It will be endless shame
For thee to live, after thou thus hast brought
Perpetuall Ignominy on my poor Family.

Mar.
I pitty her Bassanes, much commiserate
Her so dysastrous Fate: She may be Innocent:
I pray you think her so; I hope she is.

Bæssa.
Her Reputation's gon, for ever lost:
A Sea of Tears cannot wash off her Guilt,
'Tis so infectious, I am tainted with it.
False woman, dye: Lost honour never more
(By any Means) admits of any Cure.

Exeunt.

Scena Tertia.

Enter Ovid, Solus.
Sure I was born when all the glorious Starrs
Were met in Councell to contrive a Mischief.
Under pretence of my Loose youthfull studies,
For the composing of my Art of Love.
In my declining years (when I expected
Ease, and a quiet Life) I was exil'd
From Rome, and here confin'd to end my daies
Among a people rude, and almost barbarous,
Except a few of th'Gentry and Nobility,
In a Cold Country (where fierce Jether payes
(Through divers channels) a Continuall Tribute
This vast streams into the Euxine Sea,
And many have imagin'd Julia
Daughter of great Augustus was too gracious.
And liberall of her Amorous Favours to me;
Which caus'd him to inflict this Punishment.
But ere that Emperour left the world, he was
Inform'd (for that Particular) of my Innocency:
And was acquainted that, if I were faulty,
It was an Error in me, not a Crime;
For if I er'e enjoy'd her, it was through
Her craft; I taking her to be another.
But he was too severe; That excellent Princess
He shew'd as little Mercy to, as me.
Now about Twenty years; in the small Island
Of Trimerus (near the Apulian Shores)
Confin'd by him sh'hath led a tedious Life.
I must confess she had a Generous kindness
For me, and took delight to read my Poems.
But by her Letters, and Authentick witness
Clear'd me sufficiently from that Reproach:
And won thereby so much upon her Father,
That I had been repeal'd if he had liv'd.
Since his Decease by divers Messengers
(Persons of Noble Rank and Quality)
And by her eloquent Epistles she hath
(For my Return to Rome) importun'd much
The great Tiberius, her too Cruell Husband.
But he that to a wife (who brought him all
The Universe in Porcion), shews no mercy,
Will not redress my wrongs. Here I must mourn
Out all my Life; and find my Funerall Urn.

Exit.

Scena Quarta.

Enter Hannibal, and Cacala.
Han.
This Captain Dacus is a joviall Blade,
Doubtless a very valiant Gentleman,
And of an heart as liberall as the Aire.
Cacala! How lik'st thou him?

Caca.
But so, so: yet
I was well pleas'd to see him pay the Reckning.
You are far from home, and Mistriss Floretta is
As chargeable as a stable of running Horses.

Han.
It is grown somthing late; And Time to think.
Of our Return unto our Lodgings. Look!
What's that?

Espies a man hanging on a Gibbet.
Caca.
Sir, I see nothing.

Han.
Cast thy eyes
That way. How now! what is't hangs there?

Caca.
Alas!
'Tis a poor Fellow that was executed.
Two, or three daies ago.

Han.
He had ill fortune.
Had he not better have follow'd Mars, and falne
In glorious Battail, and his soul exspir'd
Through many wounds; then Ignominiously,
Thus sneak to death in Noose of paltry halter.

Caca.
My Captain Hannibal talkes evermore
Of mighty Battails, or his litle whore.

Han.
What mutter you, Sirrah?

Caca.
I (by your valour's Leave) was saying Captain,
Y'on man hangs in a pitifull cold corner.
The North wind shakes his Legs as he were dancing
Of Wine, and Women, and of all good Meats,
He hath forever took his Leave.

Han.
I'm sorry for's hard Fate. Some lying People
Report some of the dead have walk'd. If thou
Can'st such a piece of fine Activity show,
Come sup with me to night. Thou shalt be welcome.

Speaks to the Hungd-man.
Caca.
He bows his head.

Han.
Hang 'his head.

Caca.
He needs not put himself to such unnecessary trouble:
He that small favour hath receiv'd already,
From some of's smaller Friends.

Han.
If th'art a good dead Fellow, Come, (I say)
And sup with me to night.

Spectre,
I'le come.

Caca.
I think I heard him answer; he would come.
Han, Thou art so timerous; The Eccho of
My voice deludes thee.

Han.
Follow me thou fearfull Puppy.

Caca.
A dog,
His Captain-ship makes of me; Sir, I shall
Even tread upon your Heels: I dare not stay
Behind an Inch.

Han.
Come then, for I fear nothing.

Caca.
By your Leave.
I dread the Gallows mightily: And a Thief
That can talk after he's dead is a terrible Bug-bear.

Exeunt.

Scena Quinta.

Enter Armelina, Bassanes, and Marullus.
Arme.
I'me come to wait upon you Brother, and
To see how my dear Sister; your Clorina
Enjoyes her health. I found among your servants,
A generall sorrow as I pas'd along.
And you (me thinks) reflect distracted looks:
What is the reason of this Alteration,
Throughout your Family?

Bassa.
I am somthing troubled,
And now not in condition for discourse.

Arme.
What is the matter, good Marullus! Though
Though may suppose some business, that hath fallen
Athwart his Expectation, hath distemper'd
Tis thoughts at present; yet I guess he is not
Sick. Therefore my afflicted mind misgives me,
That my poor Sister is not well; Resolve me,
Alas! I see some Malady hath taken her:
And he like a Good Husband suffers with her,
Grieves for her want of health: Is it not so?

Bassa.
Sweet Armelina! At this present leave me:
I at another time should fitter be,
To give you th'Entertainment you deserve;
According to the utmost of my power.

Arme.
The gods be with you: My poor Company
Shall be no longer to you troublesome.
I hope to find my Sister in her Chamber;
And will go sit with her.

Bassa.
She is not there.

Arme.
Where is she then? For I resolve to see her.

Bassa.
She's not in case to give you Entertainment,
Or to receive a visit.

Arme.
Alas! You strike me
Almost as dead, as I suspect she is.
For Heavens sake teach me where to find her.

Bassa.
She is alive,
I pray you let that satisfy, and leave us.

Arme.
Not for the World. I will not leave the house
Till I have seen, and spoken with Clorina.

Bassa.
My dear Marullus! Since this Lady is
So very importunate, She'l not be diverted,
Guide her I pray you to her Sister.

Mar.
I must obey you; And fair Armelina
Shall wait upon you.

Exeunt Mar. and Armel.
Arme.
Lead, and I follow you.

Bassa.
Now she will Curse me, and traduce my name,
Though (the Gods know) her Sister's in the blame.
He that refrains for fear of womens Tongs
To right himself, basely submits to wrongs.

Exit.

Scena Sexta.

After a small supper set forth, Enter Hannibal, and Cacala.
Han.
What! Is this all w'are like to have?

Caca.
So please your Souldier-ship, renowned Captain,
This is even all; And it may serve the turn.
Although I have an Appetite as sharp
As your victorious Sword, great Captain Hannibal.

Han.
Where is Floretta (Cacala?) Go call her,
She will rail at this meat, and call me covetous.

Caca.
I needs must say, her stomack never fail'd her;
Though she's but litle, she's a tall woman at a Trencher.

Han.
Run, and call her,
Tell her the meat, will be cold; And then 'tis spoyld.

Caca.
I may save that Labour. Mistris Spinella hath invited her to supper.
They and Cypassis eat to night together.

Han.
Will Captain Dacus be there.

Caca.
I think not Sir.
I never knew Cypassis but an hungry:
She's not so bountifull, as to invite
Others to eat her meat up.

Han.
How comes it then Floretta is their guest?
Sit down, and be not troublesome: You know
I'de have it so.

Caca.
I thank your valour. I have some small suspition
Bassanes hath a Likeing took to your
Dear Damigolla, and Cypassis must
Court her, and tempt her to his various Lust.

Han.
May be so Cacala! Let him take his Chance:
If he so lead, i'le follow him the Dance,
Then I will woe Spinella; And he shall
Father the spurious Issue i'le get on her.
Hark! Some body knocks: Rise, and inform me who
Is at the door—How now, What art thou deafe,
And hear'st me knock; or dumb because thou speak'st not?
An Apoplexy sure hath ceaz'd upon thee.
Sit down again, and drink a Glass of Wine
It will recover thee. Well don, now eat thy meat.
Again there knocks some body at the door.
Rise once more Sirrah, and conduct them in.
Be gon, or I shall kick you to your duty.
He opens the door, turns back and fals down, as in a Swound.
This Idle Rascall sure the falling Sickness
Hath got of late. I must be at the charge,
I fear to send for a Physician to him.
I wonder who it is: For some body knocks
Again. It needs must be a stranger, else
He such long Complement would not have shew'd.
Still he knocks on. I will go bring him in.
Enter Spectre.
Your name Sir, and your pleasure

Spectre.
My name, Helvidius is.

Han.
You are a stranger
Unknown to me; I pray, what is your business.

Spectre.
I come to sup with you,

Han.
Though clad so meanly,
You shall be welcom.

Spectre.
I am not so rude,
To press upon you, uninvited Captain.

Han.
Who should invite you?

Spec.
Sir! Your self.

Han.
'Tis strange.
I should forget it then.

Spec.
I come unlook'd for Noble Hannibal,
But you did bid me to supper to night.

Han.
My Memory hath fail'd me. Where Helvidius?

Spec.
At the Gibbet, by the City walls;
Where I did hang in Chains.

Han.
This is a Curtesy deserves a welcome,
You are most welcom Sir, and so believe it.

Spec.
You are my generous Patron, and I thank you.

Han.
Sit down, I pray sit down. So: 'tis well done,
Cacala! Where's Cacala. Give me a Glass of Wine,
What on the flore still! rise man.

Cacala.
I dare not stir nor breathe, Sir.

Han.
He will not hurt you.

Spec.
I shall not be so rude, where I find welcome
To do a Mischief.

Han.
Fill Wine. Sir much good do you; And here's to you,
To you fair Mistrisses health; whether alive,
Or your Companion it'h Elizian Groves.

Spec.
You much endear me.

Han.
Could I have thought you would have supp'd with me,
You should have been much better treated.
Sit down and eat, Thou silly Cacala!

Caca.
I am very timerous.
His Promise and my Valour do protect

Han.
[OMITTED] thee.

Caca.
This Napkin thus dispos'd under my Hat,
Shall keep my eyes off him. I'le eat like a Lion;
Because I sit in fear, and after will
Shew the Cud as some Beasts do, to disjest it.

Spec.
Good Fellow, I salute thee with this Boule:
To thy brave Hannibals Mistrisses health.

Caca.
I have no mind to drink yet. My Master
Is the better Pledger of such Fancies.

Han.
You shall not refuse him. Off with it Cacala:
Ill'e conclude it.

Spec.
It has gon round.
Captain, your kindness hath so far oblieg'd me,
That I presume to crave a favour of you.

Han.
You shall command.

Spec.
I pray you dine with me to morrow.

Han.
You jest,

Spec.
I am in earnest: You shall be most welcome.

Han.
Where?

Spec.
At the Gibbit.

Han.
I'le come.

Caca.
Now my bellie's full, I cannot forbear,
To cast a Sheep's eye at him.
Oh! oh.

Cries out aloud, falls backward, and (with his Legs under the Table) overthrows it, and all the meat.
Spect.
I thank you, generous Captain; And good night.

Han.
Farewell Sir; And expect me as I promis'd.
Rise thou unmannerly Beast, and let's to bed.

Caca.
Good Master, And thrice-valiant Captain Hannibal,
See me in bed first, and asleep, I beseech you,
And let me have Mistriss Floretta; For I dare not lye alone.

Han.
Follow me and undress me.

Caca.
Sir I beseech you have a litle Patience:
Say that I shall not lye alone to night,
And you will Comfort me. I otherwise
Shall be so weak with fear, I shall not be
Able to pluck your stockins off.

Han.
Get whom
Thou wilt to be thy bedfellow, but Floretta:
For, her I cannot spare.

Caca.
Then I entreat you,
Let me lye in the same bed with you both.

Han.
You must some other Lodging find.

Caca.
I'st so?
Then I must old Cypassis try: Perhaps
A Bottle of strong water will prevail
So far with her,
That she may give me leave,
To lye with her.
And yet I had much rather
Lye with my old Grand-mother, or Grand-father.

Han.
'Tis said she was a Beauty in her Youth.

Caca.
Sure no man can report it that hath seen it:
For I believe her birth was in the daies
Of Lucius Brutus; who was Rome's first Consul.

Exeunt.

Scena Septima.

Enter Marullus, and Armelina, to Clorina fastned in a Chair, with the heart of Pyrontus in her hand.
Arme.
Y'ave made me such a terrible Relation
Of his strange Jealousy, and his foul Murther,
And's barbarous usage of your deer sweet self;
That (my Clorina) I'm deficient
Of Language to express my Admiration.
But (my dull eyes) can you so long refrain
From dissolution into showers of Tears?
My heart is sure of Stone, or It would break
At these Effects of's impious Proceedings.

Clor.
Have patience, my best sister. 'Tis enough
For me to be so miserable: I would not
My suffrings should beget a Grief in you.

Arme.
Then I more stupid were then Salvages—
Then any beast in any Wilderness,
Or any Fury in black Hell it self.

Clor.
Oh! Armelina how am I beholding
Unto you, for your pitty of my wrongs!
And yet I needs must grieve to see you thus
Afflict your self at the sad sense of them.
But I beseech you to assume a Courage,
Worthy our Noble Family to orecome it.
I shall but a few Minutes longer trouble you
With my unfortunate Company. I find
My heart too weak to make Resistance longer
Against th'impetuous storm of my vast Injuries:
I find Death stealing sensibly upon me.

Arme.
The Heavens forbid.

Clor.
Prayers come too late now to divert my Fate.
I pray you therefore, good Marullus, haste
To my dear Husband, and your Faithful Friend.
Tell him, I beg but so much favour from him
As I may breathe my soul out in his presence
And see him once again; and I shall dye
Contentedly, and pardon him my wrongs.

Mar.
Madam! I do beseech you to have patience,
I will go for him; And have hope he will
Be very shortly reconcil'd unto you:
For from my soul I pitty your Misfortunes.
Exit Marullus.

Clor.
Shed no more tears. You have, my Armelina,
Spent too much of that precious dew already
On poor unworthy me.

Arme.
You are Clorina! my Elder, and
My only Sister: And can I perceive
Your Innocency persecuted thus,
And seem an unconcern'd spectator of it?
It is impossible. Give me leave therefore,
T'express all sorrow I am capable of
As tribute of my cordiall Affection
To your so lovely, sweet, and injur'd Person.

Enter Bassanes, and Marullus.
Clor.
Welcom my too unkind, though my dear Husband.
To your Clorina, welcom my Bassanes.
My eyes grow dim, and I my heart strings feel
To crack. Your harsh suspition of my Loyalty.
And so severe an usage of me, have
Cut off my life in prime of all my Youth.
Here, with my parting breath (in presence of
The gods, within the Hearing of your friend Marullus,
And of my Sister) I declare I dye
Free from all guilt, and never injur'd you.
And so Farewell for ever. Gods! I come;
Afford my Innocency in Heaven a Room.

She dyes
Mar.
She hath took leave of life.

Arme.
I did not think,
Her death had been so neer.
Farewell forever all Content and Pleasure
Since she is gon. No thought of Joy shall ever,
Possess my heart hereafter. She that was
My only happiness is vanish'd from me.
Look Monster of Mankind! This is a sight
Only befits the eyes of such a Villain.
Here thou hast murther'd the most virtuous wife
That ever Hymen knew; And one that was
In her Affection over-fond of thee.

Bassa.
Your passion makes you speak, you know not what.
Your Sister injur'd me in such high nature
That she hath justly brought upon her self,
The end that's come upon her.

Arme.
Th'Anthropophagians that devour mans flesh,
By thee may be instructed in worse Cruelties.
What Hellish wretch, but thy more Hellish self
Would thus have us'd a Lady of her Beauty?
To fasten with strong wire's (in a Case of Male)
A mans heart in his wife's own hand, and look her
With Chains into a Chair, fast; is a Mischief
None but Bassanes durst have done. What Tyrant
In History did ever act so ill?
Perillus was an Innocent to thee.
The vengeance of high Jove hangs o're thy head;
To strike thee with his forked-Thunder dead.

Bassa.
No Husband but a Wittall, would have suffer'd
The Prostitution of his Wife.

Arme.
You slander her, basely belye her virtues.
She to us all hath clear'd her self. Marullus
And I heard her relate the story. It was
The saddest that did ever fall from tongue;
Which she before had told thee all at large.
She doated on thee to her death, and with
Her last expiring breath protested freely
Her Innocency from thy imputed Crime.

Bassa.
I care not what you say: She was as foule
In her Base Actions, as her Face was Fair.

Arme.
Thou dost traduce inhumainly her virtue:
And I believe forbad'st she should have Meat.

Bassa.
I did not think of it; And therefore gave
Forth no such Order.

Arme.
If the least Humanity
Remains yet in thee, let her be releas'd
From these so barbarous bonds, this heart remov'd
Out of her hands; It with Pyrontus body
Deliver'd to his Friends for Sepulcher:
And I will take care for the funerall Rites
Of sweet Clorina my poor murther'd Sister.

Bassa.
T'will ease me of some trouble, and a Charge;
Therefore I will consent to that Demand:
And the gods keep me from a second Marriage.

Arme.
Thou need'st not fear that: thou canst not find a woman
So lost to Virtue, and to honor; that
Dare be a Wife to such a blooddy Butcher.
Sure there's no woman in the world so senseless,
And wicked as to give her self to thee.
I'le tell thy story unto all I meet:
And thy Reproach shall ring through every street.

Bassa.
Your Larum may run on; whil'st I'le declare
To all the world how false you women are.

Exeunt Omnes.