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Sœna. 2.

Enter Francisco and Ricardo and Attilio.
Ric.

Nay mark, mark it Francisco: It was the naturalest curtesie
that ever was ordaind; A young Gentleman being spent,
to have a rich Widow set him up agen: to see how fortune has
provided for all mortalities ruins; your College for your old
standing Scholer, your Hospitall for your lame creeping Souldier,
your Baud for your mangled Rorer, your open house for your
Beggar, and your Widow for your Gentleman: ha Fancisco?


Fra.

I Sir, you may be merry: you'r in hope of a rich Widow.



8

Ric.

And why shouldst not thou be in hope of an other, if there
were any spirit in thee, thou art as likely a fellow as any is in the
company. Ile be hang'd now if I doe not hit the true cause of thy
sadness; and confess truly y'faith; thou hast some land unsold yet,
I hold my life.


Fra.

Mary I hope so Sir.


Ric.

A Pox ont, have I found it? 'slight away with't with all
speed man. I was never merry at heart while I had a foot: why
man, Fortune never minds us, till we are left alone to our selves:
for what need she take care for them, that doe nothing but take
care for themselves? why, do'st think if I had kept my lands still,
I should ever have look'd after a rich Widow? alas, I should have
married some poor young Maid, got five and twenty children,
and undone my self.


Fra.

I protest Sir, I should not have the face though, to come
to a rich Widow with nothing


Ric.

Why, art thou so simple, as thou mak'st thy self? do'st
think y'faith I come to a rich Widow with nothing?


Fra.
I mean with state not answerable to hers.

Ric.
Why ther's the fortune, man, that I talkd on;
She knows all this, and yet I am welcome to her.

Fra.
I, that's strange Sir.

Ric.

Nay more to pierce thy hard heart, and make thee sell thy
land if thou'st any grace: she has 'mongst others two substantiall
Suters,

One, in good time bee't spoke, I owe much money to,
She knows this too, and yet I'm welcome to her,
Nor dares the unconscionable Rascall trouble me;
Sh'as told him thus, those that profess love to her
Shall have the libertie to come and goe,
Or else get him gone first; she knows not yet
Where fortune may bestow her, she's her gift,
Therefore to all will shew a kind respect.

Fra.
Why this is like a woman: I ha' no luck in't.

Ric.
And as at a Sheriffs table, O blest custome,
A poor indebted Gentleman may dine,
Feed well, and without fear, and depart so,
So to her lips, fearless I come and goe?

Fra.
You may well boast, y'ar much the happier man Sir

Ric.
So you would be, and you would sell your land Sir


9

Fra.
I have heard the circumstance of your sweet fortunes:
Prethee give ear to my unlucky tale now.

Ric.
That's an ill hearing; but come on for once Sir.

Fra.
I never yet lov'd but one Woman.

Ric.
Right, I begun so too; but I have lov'd a thousand since.

Fra.
Pray hear me Sir; but this is a mans wife.

Ric.
So has five hundred of my thousand been.

Fra.
Nay see and you'l regard me.

Ric.
No? you see I doe,
I bring you an example in for every thing.

Fra.
This mans wife

Ric.
So you said.

Fra.
Seems very strict

Ric.
Ha, humh.

Fra.
Doe you laugh at that?

Ric.
Seems very strict you said,
I hear you man, y'faith you are so jealous still.

Fra.
But why should that make you laugh?

Ric.
Because she seems so: you'r such an other—

Fra.
Nay Sir, I think she is.

Ric.
You cannot tell then.

Fra.
I dare not aske the question I protest
For fear of a repulse, which yet not having,
My mind's the quieter, and I live in hope still.

Ric.
Ha, hum: this 'tis to be a landed man. Come, I perceive
I must show you a little of my fortune, and instruct you:
Not aske the question?

Fra.
Me thought still she fround Sir?

Ric.
Why that's the cause fool, that she look'd so scurvily.
Come, come, make me your woman, you'l ne'r do't else,
Ile shew you her condition presently.

I perceive you must begin like a young Vaulter, and get up at
horse-tail, before you get into the saddle; have you the boldness
to utter your mind to me now, being but in hose and doublet?
I think if I should put on a Farthingale, thou wouldest never have
the heart to do't.


Fra.

Perhaps I should not then for laughing at you Sir.


Ric.

In the mean time I fear I shall laugh at thee without one.


Fra.

Nay you must think friend, I dare speak to a woman.


Ric.

You shall pardon me for that friend; I will not think it,
till I see't.



10

Fra.
Why you shall then: I shalbe glad to learn too,
Of one so deep as you are.

Ric.

So you may Sir; Now 'tis my best course to look mildly,
I shall put him out at first else.


Fra.
A word, sweet Lady.

Ric.
With me Sir? say your pleasure.

Fra.
O Ricardo,
Thou art too good to be a woman long.

Ric.
Doe not find fault with this, for fear I prove
Too scornfull, be content when y'ar well us'd.

Fra.
You say well Sir. Lady I have lov'd you long.

Ric.
'Tis a good hearing Sir. If he be not out now ile be hang'd.

Fra.
You play a scornefull woman? I perceive Ricardo,

You have not been us'd to 'em: why ile come in at my pleasure
with you: alas 'tis nothing for a man to talk, when a woman
gives way too't: one shall seldome meet with a Lady so kind, as
thou playdst her.


Ric.

Not altogether perhaps: he that draws their pictures
must flatter 'em a little, they'l look he that plays 'em should doo't
a great deal then.


Fra.
Come, come ile play the woman, that I'm us'd too,
I see you ne'r wore shooe that pincht you yet,
All your things comes on easie.

Ric.
Say you so Sir?
Ile try your Ladiship 'faith: Lady well met.

Fra.
I doe not think so Sir.

Ric.
A scornefull Gom,

And at the first dash too: my Widow never gave me such an answer,
ile to you agen Sir.

Fairest of creatures, I doe love thee infinitely.

Fra.
Ther's no body bids you Sir.

Ric.

Pox on thee thou art the beastliest crossest Baggage that ever
man met withall; but ile see thee hang'd sweet Lady ere I be
daunted with this: why thou'rt too awkward Sirha.


Fra.
Hang thee base fellow.

Ric.
Now by this light, he thinks he do'st indeed,
Nay then have at your plumb-tree faith, ile not be foild,

Though you seem to be careless Madam, as you have enough wherwith
all to be, yet I doe, must, and will love you.


Fra.

Sir, if you begin to be rude, ile call my woman.



11

Ric.

What a pestilent Queans this? I shall have much adoe
with her I see that; tell me as y'ar a woman Lady, what serve
kisses for? but to stop all your mouths.


Fra.

Hold, hold Ricardo.


Ric.

Disgrace me VVidow.


Fra.

Art mad, I'm Francisco?


Atta.

Signior Ricardo, up, up.


Ric.

VVho is't Francisco?


Fra.

Francisco quoth a? what are you mad Sir?


Ric.

A bots on thee, thou do'st not know what injury thou
hast done me, I was i'th' fairest dream, this is your way now, and
you can follow it.


Fra.
'Tis a strange way me thinks.

Ric.
Learn you to play a woman not so scornfully then,
For I am like the Actor that you spoke on,
I must have the part that overcomes the Lady,
I never like the Play else.—Now your friendship,
But to assist a subtle trick I ha' thought on,
And the rich VVidows mine within these three hours.

Att., Fra.
VVe should be proud of that Sir.

Ric.
List to me then.
Ile place you too, I can do't handsomly
I know the house so well, to hear the conference
'Twixt her and I, she's a most affable one,
Her words will give advantage, and ile urge'em
To the kind proof, to catch her in a Contract,
Then shall you both step in as witnesses,
And take her in the snare.

Fra.
But doe you love hir?
And then 'twill prosper.

Ric.
By this hand I doe,
Not for her wealth, but for her person too.

Fra.
It shalbe done then.

Ric.
But stay, stay Francisco,
Where shall we meet with thee some two hours hence now?

Fra.
Why hark you Sir.

Ric.
Enough, command my life,
Get me the widow, ile get thee the wife.

[Exit. Ricardo & Attalio.]
Fra.
Oh that's now with me past hope; yet I must love her,
I would I could not do't.

[Enter Brandino and Martino.]

12

Mar.
Yonder's the villain Master.

Bran.
Francisco; I am happy.

Mar.

Let's both draw Mr. for ther's no body with him; Stay,
stay Mr.

Doe not you draw till I be ready too,
Let's draw just both together, and keep ev'n.

Bran.
What and we kill'd him now, before he saw us?

Mar.
No, then he will hardly see to read the letter.

Bran.
That's true: good counsell marry.

Mar.
Marry thus much Sir,
You may kill him lawfully, all the while he's a reading on't, as an
Anabaptist may lie with a Brothers wife all the while he's a sleep.

Bran.
He turns; he looks: Come on Sir, you, Francisco,
I lov'd your father well, but you'r a villain:
He lov'd me well too; but you love my wife Sir,
After whom take you that? I will not say
Your Mother plaid false.

Fra.
No Sir, you were not best.

Bran.
But I will say, in spight of thee, my wife's honest.

Mar.
And I, my Mistriss.

Fra.
You may, ile give you leave.

Bran.
Leave, or leave not, there, she defies you Sir;
Keep your adulterous sheet to wind you in,
Or cover your forbidden parts at least,
For fear you want one; many a leacher may
That sins in Cambrick now.

Mar.
And in Lawn too Master.

Bran.
Nay read, and tremble Sir.

Mar.

Now shall I do't Mr? I see a piece of an open seam in
his Shirt, shall I run him in there, for my Sword has ne'r a point.


Bran.

No, let him foam a while.


Mar.

If your Sword be no better than mine, we shall not kill
him by daylight, we had need have a Lanthorn.


Bran.
Talk not of Lanthorns, he's a sturdy Lecher,
He would make the horns fly about my ears.

Fra.
I apprehend thee: admirable woman,
Which to love best I know not; thy wit, or beauty.

Bran.
Now Sir, have you well viewd your bastard there,
Got of your lustfull brain? 'give you joy on't.

Fra.
I thank you Sir, although you speak in jest,

13

I must confess, I sent your wife this letter,
And often courted her, tempted, and urg'd her.

Bran.
Did you so Sir?
Then first before I kill thee, I for-warn thee my house.

Mar.

And I before I kill thee, for warn thee my office; dye to
morrow next, thou never getst Warrant of me more, for love,
or money.


Fra.
Remember but agen, from whence I came Sir,
And then I know you cannot think amiss of me.

Bran.
How's this?

Mar.
Pray hear him: it may grow to a peace:

For Mr. though we have carried the business nobly, we are not
altogether so valiant as we should be.


Bran.
Peace, thou sayst true in that: what is't you'ld say Sir?

Fra.
Was not my Father, (quietness be with him)
And you sworn Brothers?

Bran.
Why Right: that's it urges me.

Fra.
And could you have a thought that I could wrong you,
As far as the deed goes?

Bran.
You took the course Sir.

Fra.
To make you happy, and you rightly weighd it.

Mar.
Troth ile put up at all adventures Mr.
It comes off very fair yet.

Fra.
You in years
Married a young Maid: what do's the world judge think you?

Mar.
Birlady Mr. knavishly enough I warrant you,
I should doe so my self.

Fra.
Now to damp slander,
And all her envious and suspitious brood,
I made this friendly tryall of her constancy,
Being Son to him you lov'd; that now confirm'd
I might advance my Sword against the world
In her most fair defence, which joys my spirit.

Mar.
Oh Mr. let me weep while you embrace him.

Bran.
Francisco; is thy fathers soul in thee?
Lives he here still? what, will he shew himself
In his male seed to me? give me thy hand,
Me thinks it feels now like thy fathers to me,
Prethee forgive me.

Mar.
And me to, prethee.


14

Bran.
Come to my house, thy father never' miss'd it.

Mar.
Fetch now as many Warrants as you please Sir,
And welcome too.

Fra.
To see how soon mans goodness
May be abus'd.

Bran.
But now I know thy intent
Welcome to all that I have.

Fra.
Sir, I take it:
A gift so given, hang him that would forsake it.

Exit.
Bran.
Martino, I applaud my fortune, and thy Counsell.

Mar.
You never have ill fortune when you follow it.
Here was things carried now, in the true nature of a quiet Duello;
A great strife ended, without the rough Souldier, or the—
And now you may take your journy.

Bran.
Thou art my glee Martino.

Exeunt.