University of Virginia Library

Scæna Sexta [et Ultima]

Wittworth brought on, in a Chaire, with him enter Doctor Makewell, & Modestina followes after,
Doctor.
This Wench is full of nicetie, or crafte,
I knowe not which, Shee's soe reseru'd—alas
Sweete Soule th'art nowe at rest,

Mod:
What meane you Sr?

Doctor.
Soe fierce was the disease, soe weake this fforte,
It had possession of, that the stronge Phisicke
I sent in to relieue, could not prevaile,
But by the vtter ruine of them both,
Thus, by an Onslaught, w'are victorious;

Mod:
And is hee dead? Sr.—Sr.—? [it cannott bee,] [ist euen soe?]
[There is noe place yee gods where you inhabite,]
[Worthy to entertaine his sacred soule,]
[Returne it, to this heavenly Mansion,]
[Yor. Banckrupt folly gaue it, Lett not need]
[OMITTED] [Make you vsurpe, what you soe freely past,]
[OMITTED] Ile take the faire advantage,

Shee Kisses him vehemently
«[OMITTED]c»tor:
What meanes this?

«M»od:
Cranke ignorance, Ile breath into these Corps,
[OMITTED] My wretched soule, that it may taste of blisse,
Liue with him, and make vpp this glorious bodie,
Sweete Sower-man, forgiue mee,, & I pray thee
Dispose this Carcase, to some place remote,
Least with dumbe Oratory, it appeale,
And challenge (out of envie) my blest soule,
And gett it selfe (as sad a wretch) restor'd;
But whither are you gaddinge, my vaine thoughts?
Noe, ther's a sober way—heere am I fixt,
She lyes downe & leanes her elboe on his Knee
Myne eyes shall taste noe light, myne eares admitt,
Noe fond ≼swations, but my soule receaue
More weightie torture, from my sighes, & groanes,
Then Hell can give it, that it may make speed,
And ou'take his soule, which, this way, went.,
Lett not yor Pupill arte, Con a newe Theame,
That it growe better learn'd, vse if you please,
The same experiment, I bee dispatch'd,

Doctor.
A bitter Wench,

Mod:
Then for our bodies Sr,
Dispose them as you please, but [to] not togeather,
I am not su≼stitious, 'twould please fate,
That hath to vs beene envious,, should wee lye,
Void of imployment, & yett still soe nigh.,

Doctor
I will in Virgine Allablaster raise
Your lively Image, with this Epitaphe,
Behould, the dead, yet liueing, you may see,
Soe cleare, soe pure, soe faire, soe cold, was shee;

Mod:
Never adorne my ruines, lett my storie,
And mee expire togeather, lett them raise
ffaire Monuments, whose Pile some merite has,
Yett whilst their Images, stand faire aboue,
Cutt out in lastinge Marble, they consume,
And though they lift ye. hands thus—they i'the graue
ffinde 'tis too late to pray, the massie frame
Cannott containe them ever, were they lodg'd
Deepe as the Centre, all the earth shall melt,
And they appeare, before the face of Heaven.,

Doctor
But graunt Sr. Wittworth should reviue againe,
How stand you then resolu'd?

(She starts up
Mod:
Sweete, deare, kinde, gentle,
ffreehearted, honest man (oh mee I knowe not
What people saie, when they betray their friends
To sad ingagements) if thou wilt stand bound,
I will indent to pay, the gods, the price,
They'le rate him at, e'ne in the Coyne, they allowe
To passe betwixt vs, wc h are Prayers, & vowes,
Not of the baser mettall, but refinde,
Such as their lively figure, mingles with,
Nor will I breake a day, an hower, a minute,
ffor feare they should distraine;

Doctor.
I'me satisfied,
In charitie I may noe more afflict,
Be comforted faire Virgine, yor friend liues,

Mod:
Oh finde out other game, iniurious man,

Doctor.
The Phisick hee hath taken was an Opiate,
Of Ladanum, & Diescordium, mixt
With Besar stone, & Amber, wc h procure
This deadly sleepe, and thus inforce his sences,
To take a sound repose, and gather strength,
It workes as I could wishe, it; rest assur'd
Some fewe howers hence, hee'le wake, a sober man,
Oh nowe—

Mod:
You are too lavishe, pray receaue,
Parte of my soule, y'aue made too spatious,
She falls vppon his bosome
To keepe within its lymitts—pardon mee
I did not wantonly imbrace yor. person,
But did with zeale salute, your inward beautie,
Y'are full of pyous deeds, & reverend arte,

Doctor.
Lett mee beseech you—

Mod:
I doe conceiue you,
And Sr., to you, as to his proper vse,
Thus lowe, as best befittinge both ye. present,
She Kneeles & will not bee rais'd
And her that dos present, I tender mee
A fellowe servant, with his other people,
I will exceed, but in my dilligence,
And care of his affaires, Ile bee his wife,
In Dutie only, and humilitie,
Call him, obserue him, hould him, as I ought,
My head, my Guide, Supporter, & my Lord,—
(arise
Which to confirme, and fill vpp our desires,
Thus before Heaven, & you, I doe betroath mee,

Doctor.
His sylence gives consent, nowe hee seemes dead
The Contract is the stronger, Louers haue,
(When by comixture they are made one fleshe)
One life betwixt them, one ioynct heart, one soule,,

Mod:
Soe will wee liue, and when our dayes are spent,
Wee'le shine, as Gemini, in the firmament.

Exeunt.