 | The Rivall Friends |  |
Sce. 11.
Laurentio, Lucius, Endymion, Pandora, Isabella, cum cæteris.Laur.
Nay, I will still persist to follow thee
Basest of men.
End.
Good father.
Luc.
Suffer him;
His tongue has learn'd the palsie from his hands;
Alas hee's old, and must bee pardon'd for't.
But what imports this multitude? and see Neander
With his Boy-bride. Pandora, sweetest Lady—
Ant.
An other tempest! where shall I shelter me?
Luc.
By all the joyes in Loue, by all the sorrowes,
By all his Roses, and his Worme-wood, take
Vpon my friend Neander.—Fairest soule,
Doe but contemplate that most curious frame
Of man, in what a pleasing harmonie
Nature has marryed all those provinces
His limbes together: view but his sparkling eye,
And reade divinitie there; looke on his hayre,
Survey his face, and fee how Majestie
And sweetnesse there doe striue for victory,
And still the issue's doubtfull.
Nean.
Lucius,
Thou shalt not overcome; disguise farewell.
O thou that art the shame of all thy sexe,
Faire Constantina, yet not halfe so faire
As vertuous, here behold thy Cleopes;
Hee discovers himselfe.
Neander's vanish'd; why doe you wonder so?
I doe confesse I lou'd that Gentlewoman,
And for her loue I tooke on this disguise,
And here for thine I put it off againe,
And on my bended knee doe begg my pardon
For all the wrong I'ue done thee
Ant.
Cleopes!
Hoo.
It is a miracle: but the bonds, the living.
Pla.
O heavens! 'tis he, most happy Constantina!
Const.
My Cleopes? grant me some respite joy
Before thou kilst me—Oh my Cleopes!
Whom doe I embrace? into whose armes am I fallen?
Cleo.
O constant virgin!
Const.
But how shall I hereafter
Giue any credit to my senses? O
Placenta, courteous Midwife, pray thee tell mee,
Where am I now? in heaven?
Pla.
Bridle your passion.
Luc.
Am I my selfe? or doe I dreame all this?
Cleo.
Lucius, take truce with wonder, I am Cleopes,
And I doe hope though now I weare that name,
As deare to thee as when I heard Neander.
You may remember when as first the beautie
Of fayre Pandora did attract your eyes
To wonder, and to loue, that I was then
A busie wooer unto Constantina:
But so it pleased Cupid, that while I
To her, the vigour of Pandora's beames,
(As doth the Sun unto our culinar fire)
Did quite extinguish that same petty flame.
Thinking it vaine t'attempt her in that shape,
I presently did take some discontent,
And fain'd a journey into Belgia,
And not long after tooke on this disguise,
And return'd hither; where I haue remain'd
Your Rivall, and capitall friend together:
And (which I wonder at the most) unknowne:
You haue my Metamorphosis. But sweet,
How cam'st thou 'pray thee, unto Mr Liuely?
And by what trickes did he inveagle thee
Vnto this contract, since thou didst not know
That Cleopes was there invisible?
Con.
My better Genius, you shall heare within
The story whole, it is too tedious
To be told here.
Cleo.
But now Pandora, why
Stand you so dully here, and doe not flie
Into his strict embraces, who alone
Loues you, and who alone deserues your loue?
Luc.
Doe I loue her? doe I deserue her loue?
Hast thou (sweet friend) for me forsaken her,
Whom thou didst prize 'boue thine owne proper soule?
And now hast married her whom thou didst flie?
And all for my sake, and shall I thus repay thee?
But for her loue thou ne're hadst been Neander;
And but for mine hadst been Neander still;
Friend Cleopes, or if thou wilt Neander,
(Vnder both titles most belov'd of me)
Was shee all Venus; did each hayre of hers
Fetter a Loue, were there as many Cupids
That hover'd o'e her head, as there be lights
VVhich guild yon Marble roofe, by them I sweare,
By all that's Sacred, by what ever flyes
The touch of mortall eye, I sweare againe,
I would disclaime her and her loue for ever.
Pand.
Troth Lucius; I doe pitie you, that doe
VVhat need all these deepe protestations?
I care not this for all your loue, nor yet
For your friend Ianus there with the two faces;
Nor do I think ye men.
Luc.
So quickly?
Pan.
Yes.
I doe confesse I am a woman; see,
Here is the man has wonne what ye haue lost;
Stout souldiers sure, that when the Citie gates
VVere open to yee, durst not enter in.
Luc.
O Isabella, 'tis for thy sake I know
That all these miseries doe happen mee.
(Forgiue mee good Laurentio) Isabella,
At length I haue experience what it is
To loue an outside, the meere barke of woman,
And to forsake an inward vertue: but
If once I haue thee in possession more—
[Redit in scenam Loueall cum Isabella]
Loue.
Follow mee Witch, devill, strumpet, prostitute.
Isab.
Ah whither will he drag mee? oh my heart!
Loue.
What haue yee done with my dead sisters body?
Con.
Thy sisters body now has got a soule.
(O my sweet Cleopes!) most welcome brother.
Loue.
But doth she liue then?
Const.
And so happily,
As I haue call'd it impudence to wish
What I doe now enjoy.
Laur.
Whom doe I see?
My daughter Isabella?
Loue.
But is this Cleopes?
Luc.
I dare not looke upon that wronged face.
Const.
It is, and now thy sisters husband.
Cleo.
Brother,
All health, all happinesse.
Loue.
More then all to you,
Good Cleopes.—But dost thou liue, my sister?
Why wast thou dead but now?
Const.
Thou shalt heare that
Some other time.
Laur.
Seest thou that virgin?
End.
Yes, it is my sister Isabella.
Laur.
Peace.
Isab.
I am undone! my father, and my brother.
Sir, I beseech you pardon what my loue,
And younger yeeres haue trespas'd.
Laur.
Rise my daughter;
Ioy will not suffer mee for to be angry.
Seest thou that face?
Isab.
It is Endymion
My brother.—Brother, God saue you.
End.
Sister!
Thy Brother? 'tis thy traytour that I meane,
That has undone thee and thy name.
Isab.
'Tis Lucius.
Ant.
Sir I beseech you doe not hearken to him.
Ter.
No more.
Ant.
A pox upon this honesty,
It will vndoe us all: 'tis ten to one
But that his tender Conscience will perswade him
To pay in the money for all this.
Luc.
Faire soule
Canst thou forgiue thy Lucius?
Isa.
Canst thou loue
Thy Isabella?
Luc.
Give me a man dares aske
That question? Good Laurentio let me craue
Your likeing and consent.
Lau.
Consent? to what?
Luc.
To marry this your daughter.
Lau.
Marry my daughter?
No periur'd wretch.
Isa.
Sir I beseech you grant it.
O Lucius! O happy houre!
Lau.
Thou hast her,
And with her such a portion as shall please thee.
Luc.
I will not heare of Portion, shee her selfe
Is dowry enough to mee.—O Isabella!
Pla.
What? Is the Players boy prov'd woman too?
Pan.
Father.
Hook.
I say trouble me not—the morgage.
Pan.
Sir I beseech you heare me.
Hook.
Fy, fy, fy.
Pan.
And let me haue your approbation
In this young Gentleman for my husband.
Hook:
O.
Laur.
Perhaps sir you may doubt of his estate,
But if you'le credit me, I can instruct you,
I am his Father, hee mine onely Sonne,
And (I doe thanke my starrs) our fortun's are
None of the meanest. Speake Sir, will you give
Your daughter here, without a portion?
Hook.
Without a Portion? take her what er'e thou art—
So, So, that care is past yet, this a little
Help's out with th'other losses.
Ter.
Master Hooke,
You shall not frowne, since all things here doe smile;
To morrow I will pay you halfe your mony,
So you will grant me a generall acquittance;
'Tis in my power (you know) and I may chuse
Whether I'le pay a farthing, but no more,
(There is a thing call'd conscience within me;
And) you shall have it: therefore be frolike Sir.
Hook.
Thou art an honest man. Yee are all honest, yee are all honest.
Liu.
All this while have I
Employ'd mine eares about this businesse.
Now show thy selfe, and of what house thou com'st.
All health to this faire company—much ioy—
Much happinesse—and a young Sonne to you;
Are you at leasure for to kill me yet?
You see I'me come againe.
Nean.
Let me embrace thee
Thou instrument of all our good.
Liue.
Yes, yes,
I was a foole, knewe nothing, knewe iust nothing,
Could not divine a whit, not tell, not tell,
How this same geare would come to passe, not I;
How doe you like your Liuely now? your Liuely?
Hooke.
Wee will discourse of that within. Terpander,
Sir will it please you follow? you my Sonne,
Gentl'men y'are all my guests to night. Mee
Think's I am growne Pestilent kinde vpon the suddayne,
The Musicke too, wee will be merry, come,
Nay come, come, take me while the homours hot.
[Exeunt omnes, but Loveall and Anteros.]
Ant.
Loueall, a word: nay troupe on, let them troupe.
Lov.
The newes?
Ant.
'Faith nothing but to take my leaue,
Bid you far well.
Lov.
Why so? I pray thee stay,
You'le in I hope.
Ant.
What among such a kennell
Of women? noe, adiew.
Lou.
Nay preethee goe.
Ant.
Not for the Fay'ry Kingdome.
Wise.
Mr. Loveall,
Sweet Mr. Loveall.
Mung.
Anteros.
Ant.
How now?
Mung.
As I am a gentleman, and an elder brother, I am almost
choak'd.
Wise.
Sweet Mr. Loveall, O Mr. Loveall. 'Tis vtterly
against my complexion,
Ant.
Death! our fooles,
Our dish of buffles: as I hope to prosper
My thoughts had lost them quite.
Lou.
I thought not of them.
Nod.
Good Mr. Loveall are the officers gone?
Ham.
Anteros, Anteros, is the coast cleare yet?
Ant.
But how shall wee dispose of them?
Lou.
Wee'd best
Barrell them vp and send them for new England.
Ant.
A pox there's fooles enow already there.
Let's pickle them for Winter Sallads.
Lou.
No,
Let's get some broaken trumpet, or old drumme,
And shew them to the people from some strange
Beasts out of Affrick.
Mer.
Father, my gowne is not silke yet.
Stip.
A bots on you.
Ant.
Harke, there's another egge sprung, my sheepheard
and his faire daughter.
Wise.
Loveall, Mr. Loveall, I am of a sanguine complexion.
Ham.
Anteros.
Ant.
Now all the world! what shall wee do with them?
But stay, a word,—performe it, I'le take order
[Hee whispers with Loveall]
T'vncase vm' to your hands.—
Now quickly Nodle, all is quiet now,—
Exit Loveall.
Come Mr. William—Not a mouse is stirring—
Safe, safe, all's safe. Ha, he, he.
[They all 4 come out at the 4 corners of the stage.]
Nod.
I'ue spoyl'd my cloathes quite, would I had a brush;
How now? wee're gull'd.
Wis.
I, as I am liuing saule.—marke the end on't.
Ham.
Who haue wee here? does his ghost walke?
Nod.
Wee are all geer'd I perceiue it plaine now.
Wis.
Who's that? Mr. Mungrell? is the Scholler aliue againe?
I should haue beene very melancholy to haue beene
hang'd as I am a liuing saule.
Nod.
If I could get my rapier and a brush,
[Redit in scenam Loveall & Placenta with a cudgell.]
I'de steale away.
Pla.
Would you haue a brush? I'le brush yee yee villaines,
Nay, Mr. Loueall told me what dusty companions yee were,
And that yee wanted brushing, and how yee had
Abus'd my husband, and my daughter, ty'de them
To a tree, come one your wayes, want yee brushing?
Ye rascalls, I'le brush you, would ye be brusht!
[She beats thē forth
Come on, lets see what cover'd dish a'haue here now?
[She vnties them
Hy day! you lubberly knaue; what Madame Gillian too?
Stip.
What? is shee come now to trouble vs!
My daughter, I doe charge you on my blessing
Looke scuruily vpon her.
Mer.
Yes forsooth Father.
Stip.
Call her not Mother darling, but disclaime her,
Against our gentility daughter, and shee lyes;
Call her the plaine old woman, sweet-lips, doe;
Ile beare you out in't, doe as your father bids you.
Pla.
How now?
Mer.
But forsooth father, my neckercher is not turn'd into
Gold yet.
Pla.
They are both mad of a certaine.
Stip,
I am a gentleman, and I will be a gentleman, I will enclose,
and I will rayse rents—I wil be a lower-house man, and I will be—
Plac.
An old cox-combe, and you shall be beaten.
[She beats him.]
Stip.
But does this stand good in law?
Plac.
Feare not that; I'le find an old statute for it, doubt it not.
You are a gentleman? and you will be a gentleman? I'le make you
gentle enough e're I haue done with you.
Stip.
O, O, O.
Plac.
And you my sweet lips that wil not call me mother, but
looke scuruily,
Come on your wayes I haue the common law on my side too for
this.
[She beats Merda.]
Mer.
Oh mother, I'le neuer bee a gentlewoman more while I
liue, nor neuer talke of gold neckerchers, no that I won't truely.
[Shee beats Stipes againe.]
Plac.
Yes, you shall bee a Lower-house man, you shall; I'le
take you downe a Pinne, you'r too high now.
Stip.
O, O, good wife—O, O, hony wife.
Pla.
You'l in?
[Exit. Plac. & Merda.]
Stip.
Buz, peace and catch a mouse cry I.
[Enter Hammershin]
Ant.
What is my Scholler return'd? return'd pre'thee goe in Iack
Loveall, I'le change but two words with him
[Exit Love.
And follow. Well sayd, nay looke not sowerly on the matter.
Ham.
You haue abus'd mee Sir, and goe to the fence Schoole
with mee if you dare, or else wrastle a fall with me.
Ant.
Ile giue thee satisfaction my rowser
My Hit-her-better, nay put off these frownes;
What say'st thou to my sister, and the Living?
I know you haue heard the newes from out the Cabbin,
And you was once a Suitour to her; speake,
Will that content thee? come you are not the first
Has got a Parsonage with fooling Sir,
Nay spare your Hatt, it will be tedious,
My thankes shall be in Oates.
Stip.
But Master Ieoffry.
Ant.
Follow Iack Loveall in.
[Exit Ham.]
Stip.
You know I was your Master to day.
Ant.
Well put the case.
Stip.
Poore, and ill parell'd.
Ant.
Put the case againe.
Stip.
But now you see how strangely altered.
Ant.
Put the case the third time.
Stip.
Are you avis'd of that? I'le n'ere trust winking beast
againe for your sake, I'le tell you but so. Did you not tell mee
that Obrum would make me a gentleman? Obrum? Obrum? if
Obrum has no better tricks then these, let Obrum keepe
his tricks to coole his porredge, 'sduds I look'd euery minute
when Obrum would haue put a greene scarlet suite vpon my
backe like your's, all to bee dawb'd with spingle spangles; and
in the meane time comes my wife with a blacke and blew home
spun of her onne making. Well that same Obrum is a sembling
cony catching knaue, and I know what I could call you too, but
for your whiniard, and your staring goggles.
Ant.
Stipes, no more, advaunce thy duller eye,
Know'st thou what all those blazing stars portend?
Sti.
I, I, by'r Lady? how now? 'sduds I thinke fourty
Obrums haue beene here, (Master Ieoffry is that Obrum that
makes gentlefolkes, a Taylor?) one Obrum could neuer haue
paynted them thus.
| The Rivall Friends | |