University of Virginia Library

SCENA 2.

Enter Castiza (with a Book) and two Ladies.
Cast.
Methinks you live strange lives! When I see it not
It grieves me less, you know how to ease me then;
If you but knew how well I lov'd your absence
You would bestow it upon me without asking.

1 La.
Faith, for my part, were it no more for
Ceremony then for Love,
You should walk long enough without my attendance,
And so think all my Fellows, though they say nothing;
Books in womens hands are as much against the hair, methinks,
As to see men wear stomachers, or night rayles;
She that has the Green-sickness and should follow her counsel,
Would dye like an Ass, and go to the worms like a sallad;
Not I, so long as such a Creature as man is made,
She is a fool that knows not what he is good for.

Exeunt Ladies.
Cast.
Though among lives elections, that of Virgin
I did speak noblest of; yet it has pleas'd the King
To send me a contented blessedness
In that of marriage, which I ever doubted;
Enter Vortiger and Horsus disguised.
I see the Kings affection was a true one,
It lasts and holds out long, that's no mean vertue
In a commanding man, though in great fear
At first I was enforc'd to venture on it.

Vor.
All's happy, clear and safe.

Hor.
The rest comes gently on.

Vor.
Be sure you seize on her full sight at first,
For fear of my discovery.

Hor.
Now fortune, and I am sped.

Cast.
Treason, treason!

Hor.
Sirrah, how stand you? prevent noise and clamour,
Or death shall end thy Service.

Vor.
A sure Cunning.

Cast.
Oh rescue, rescue.

Hor.
Dead her voice, away, make speed.

Cast.
No help, no succour?

Hor.
Louder yet, extend
Your voice to the last rack, you shall have leave now,
Y'are far from any pity.

Cast.
What's my sin?

Hor.
Contempt of man, and he's a noble Creature,
And takes it in ill part to be despis'd.

Cast.
I never despis'd any.

Hor.
No? you hold us
Unworthy to be lov'd, what call you that?

Cast.
I have a Lord disproves you.

Hor.
Pish, your Lord?
Y'are bound to love your Lord, that is no thanks to you;
You should love those you are not tyed to love,
That's the right tryal of a womans Charity:

Cast.
I know not what you are, nor what my fault is,
If it be life you seek, what ere you be,
Use no immodest words, and take it from me,
You kill me more in talking sinfully
Then acting Cruelty; be so far pitiful
To end me without words.

Hor.
Long may you live,
'Tis the wish of a good Subject, 'tis not life
That I thirst after, Loyalty forbid
I should commit such Treason; you mistake me,
I have no such bloudy thought, only your love
Shall content me.

Cast.
What said you, Sir?

Hor.
Thus plainly,
To strip my words as naked as my purpose,
I must and will enjoy thee: gone already?
Look to her, bear her up, she goes apace,
I fear'd this still, and therefore came provided,
There's that will fetch life from a dying spark
And make it spred a Furnace, she's well straight,
Pish, let her go, she stands upon my knowledge,
Or else she counterfeits, I know the vertue.

Cast.
Never did sorrows in afflicted woman
Meet with such cruelties, such hard hearted ways
Humane invention never found before.
To call back life to live is but ill taken
By some departing Soul; then to force mine back
To an eternal act of death in lust,
What is it, but most exectable?

Hor.
So, so;
But this is from my business, list to me,
Here you are now far from all hope of friendship,
Save what you make in me, scape me you cannot,
Send your Soul that assurance; that resolv'd on,
You know not who I am, nor ever shall,
I need not fear you then; but give consent,
Then with the faithfulness of a true friend
I'le open my self to you, fall your servant,
As I do now in hope, proud of submission,
And seal the deed up with eternal secresie,
Not death shall pluck it from me, much less the Kings
Authority or torture.

Vor.
I admire him.

Cast.
Oh, Sir, what e're you are, I teach my knee
Thus to requite you, be content to take
Only my sight, as ransom for my honour,
And where you have but mock'd my eyes with darkness
Pluck them quite out; all outward lights of body
I'le spare most willingly, but take not from me
That which must guide me to another world,
And leave me dark for ever, fast without
That cursed pleasure which will make two souls
Endure a famine everlastingly.

Hor.
This almost moves.

Vor.
By this light he'le be taken.

Hor.
I'le wrestle down all pity, what, will you consent?

Cast.
I'le never be so guilty.

Hor.
Farewell words then,
You hear no more of me, but thus I seize you.

Cast.
Oh if a power above be reverenc'd by thee,
I bind thee by that name, by manhood, nobleness,
Vort. snatches her away.
And all the charms of honour.

Hor.
Ah ha, here's one caught
For an example, never was poor Lady
So mock'd into false terrour, with what anguish
She lyes with her own Lord? now she could curse
All into barrenness, and beguil her self by it:
Conceit's a powerful thing, and is indeed
Plac'd as a palate to taste grief, or love,
And as that relishes so we approve:
Hence comes it that our taste is so beguil'd,
Changing pure bloud for some that's mix'd and soil'd.

Exeunt.