 | The Rivall Friends |  |
Scena 10.
Iustice Hooke, Terpander, Mistris Vrsly, Loveall, Anteros, Placenta, Neander, Constantina (as dead,) brought in by two of Lively's servants, three Fidlers, one of them carryes all the fidles, and Neanders sword, the other two leade him in.Hooke.
And get you packing too, thou olde impostor,
With your distorted puppet here; and you
That make the custardes quake where ere you come,
Thou enemy to sweet meats.
Ter.
Mr. Hooke
'Twould rellish more of wisedome if you did
Beare out this matter coolely. Come my daughter.
Hook.
O me! the very boy's will laugh at me.
Ter.
Anteros salute your sister, and embrace her.
Ant.
I am undone againe! what shall I doe
Loveall?
Lou.
What shall you doe? why kisse her man.
Ant:
Sister god save you,—and as much to you
My never-to-be-hereafter father in law.
Hook:
Woe's me! what shall I say? what shall I doe?
I have given in the morgage, and without money.
But what new spectacle is this?
Lou:
Whats heere?
How? the dead body of a gentle-woman?
Pla:
Is this Neandur?
1 Rust.
Hold the cut-throat fidlers
Whilst we doe bring this gentlewoman 'fore the justice.
2 Rust:
A kind and loving husband sure, that has.
Lou:
Ha? what is this I see? O trayterous eyes:
Can I believe ye any more? my sister?
Constantina?
Hook:
How's that?
Pla:
It cannot be.
Lou:
'Tis she. O partiall heavens! but yet it is not,
'Tis not long since I left my sister safe
Within her chamber, and in another habit—
By all the powers 'tis she—I doe profane
The god's; it is not she, it is not.—once more.
The twins of Leda were not halfe so like.
I'le be resolv'd immediatly.
Exit.
1 Rust:
Good M. justice,
I pray you heare me. As we did daunce even now
In your North field, we found this gentlewoman,
Lying all along (as to say) even quite dead,
And this her husband with his naked sword
Standing hard by her.
Hook:
Another riddle yet.
Her husband? ha? Why is not this Neander
One of the rivall's in my daughters love?
2 Rust.
Ander, or Pander, wee know not that,
But 'tis her husband, that wee'r sure of
Is he not Robbin?
1 Rust.
I that he is our Edward,
We both were present when they were detracted.
2 Rust.
Subtracted you foole. But as I sayd before
Seeing him stand so desperatly with his sword
We stole behind him, and so caught him.
Ant:
A valiant act believ't. Good sir, let's goe.
Pla:
Ah Constantina, ah good heart! was this
The journey you intended?
Ant:
Sir, I beseech you—
We shall be poyson'd with these womens sighs
He offers to goe.
'Tis worse then a Germayne hot-house.
Ter:
Anteros
Stay, we will see the end of this.
Hook:
Fye, fye, Hell is broke loose upon me: all her furies
Are come at once t'assault me.
Con:
Ah Cleopes!
she revives.
Nean:
She lives againe, O miracle of women!
Con:
Where art thou Cleopes?
Nean:
Oh hated name,
Enough t'infect the world, but that it comes
Out of those lipps.
Pla:
Speake Constantina.
Con.
What haue I to doe
With light or heaven? I will not live.
Pla:
O me!
1 Rust.
Why doe you rub her head
And face so much, you foolish woman you?
Let me alone, I'le find her wound I warrant you.
Pla.
Forbeare, or I'le find that swines face of yours.
She strikes him.
Const.
I am too bad for hell, they'l not receiue me,
They are afraid I should infect those soules,
Those vertuous soules which doe inhabit there.
Nean.
Art thou not softned yet Neander? Ha?
Hadst thou an heart cut out 'oth Diamond rocke,
Sure this would melt it.
Const.
O my Cleopes!
1 Rust.
What will you giue sir, and I will let you
Shift for your selfe?
Nean.
What thou deservest villaine.
2 Rust.
Halfe part, or else she shall not go.
Nea.
Take halfe.
He breakes loose, and beats them out.
I will divide my gifts betwixt yee—there.
Thou Temple of Vertue, fayrest Constantina.—
Const.
Oh I shall die againe if I see him.
Nean.
But will you liue if I doe presently
Make a divorce betwixt you and Neander?
And place you in the armes of him you so
Loue, and adore, your Cleopes?
Const.
You cannot.
Nean.
Thou'rt all divinitie, indeed I cannot.
See where Pandora comes; but now I can.
Behold my Lucius.
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