University of Virginia Library

Actus Tercius

Scea. pria.

Enter Duchesse, leading Almachildes
[(blindfold)
Al.
This' You that was a Maid? how are you borne
to deceiue Men? J'had thought to haue married you,
J had byn finely handled, had J not?
J'll say that man is wise ever hereafter
that tries his wife before hand: 'tis no mervaile
You should profes such Bashfullnes, to Blind-one,
as if you durst not looke a man i'th'face
Your Modestie would blush soe: why doe you not run,
and tell the Duchesse now? goe; you should tell all:
Let her know this too: why heere's the plague now:
'tis hard at first to wyn'em: When they're gotten
ther's no way to be ridd on'em: they stick
to a Man like Bird-lyme: my Oathe's Out:
will you release me, J'll release myself els.

Duch.
nay sure J'll bring you to your Sight agen:
say, thou must either dye, or kill the Duke:
for one of them thou must doe.

Al.
how, (good Madam?)

Duch.
Thou hast thy Choice, and to that purpose, Sir
J'haue given thee knowledge now of what thou hast,
and what thou must doe, to be worthie on't.
You must not thinck to Come by such a Fortune
without desert, that were vnreasonable.
He that's not borne to honor, must not looke
to haue it Come wt h ease to him. he must wyn't:
Take but into thine Actions, Wit, and Courage
that's all we ask of thee: But if through weaknes
of a poere Spirit, thou deniest me this
thinck but how thou shalt dye (as J'll work meanes for't)
no Murderer ever like thee, for J purpose
to call this subtle sinfull Snare of mine
an Act of Force from thee: thou 'rt prowd, & youthfull
J shalbe beleeu'd; besides thy Wantonnes
is at this howre in question 'mongst our Women,
Which will make ill for thee.

Al.
J had hard Chaunce
to light vpon this pleasure, that 's so costly:
'tis not Content with what a Man can doe
and give him breath, but seekes to haue that too.

Duch.
well: take thy choice.

Al.
J see no Choice in't (Madam)
[—Enter Gaspero]
For 'tis all death me-thincks

Duch.
thou'st an ill sight then,
of a yong-man, tis death if thou refuse it
and say my zeale has warn'd thee: But consenting
'twilbe new life, great Honor, and my Love,
which in perpetuall Bands, J'll fasten to thee.

Al.
how Madam?

Duch.
J'll do't religiously:
make thee my Husband: may J loose all sence
of pleasure in life els: and be more miserable
then ever Creature was: for nothing lives
but has a Joy in some-what.

Al.
then by all
the hopefull Fortunes of a yong mans Rising
J will performe it (Madam)

Duch.
there's a pledge then
of a Duchesse Love for thee: and now trust me
for thy most happy saffetie: J will choose
that Time, shall never hurt thee: when a man
showes Resolution, and there's worth in him
J'll haue a Care of him: part now for this time
but still be neere about vs, till thou canst
be neerer, that's our-self.

Al.
and that J'll venture hard for.

Duch.
good speed to thee.

—Ext.

Scea. 2a.

Enter Gaspero, & Florida.
Flo.

Pree-thee be care full of me, very care full now,

Gas.

J warrant yo
u: He that cannot be carefull of a Queane, can be care full of no body; 'tis every mans humo
r that: J should neu'r looke to a Wife half so handsomely.

Flo.

oh softly, (sweet Sir) should your Mistris meet me now
in her owne House, J were vndon for ever.

Gas.
never feare her; She's at her Prick-song close,
ther's all the ioy she has, or takes delight in
Looke heer's the Garden key, my Master gaue 't me,
and will'd me to be carefull: doubt not you on't.

Flo.
your Master is a noble Compleat Gentleman,
—Enter Sebastian
and do's a woman all the right that may be.

Seb.
how now? what's she?

Gas.
a kind of doubtfull Creature;
J'll tell thee more anon.

Seb.
J know that face
to be a Strumpetts; or mine eie is envious
and would fayne wish it soe, where J would haue it.
J faile, if the Condition of this Fellow
weares not about it, a strong scent of Basenes,
J saw her once before here, five daies since 'tis
and the same wary-Pandarous dilligence
was then bestow'd on her; She came alterd then,
and more enclyning to the Citty-tuck.
Whom should this Peice of Transformation visit
after the com̄on curtesie of Frailetie
in our House here? surely not any Servant
they are not kept so lusty, She so lowe;
J'am at a strange Stand, Loue, and Luck assist me.
—Enter Gaspero.
the Truth J shall wyn from him, by falce play
he's now return'd: Well Sir, as you were saying
goe forward with your Tale.

Gas.
what? J know nothing.

Seb.
the Gentlewoman

Gas.
She's gon out at' Back-dore now.

Seb.
then farewell She, and, you, if that be all

Gas.
Come: Come, thou shalt haue more: J haue no powre
to lock myself vp from thee.

Seb.
so me-thincks.

Gas.
You shall not thinck; trust me Sir, You shall not.
Your eare: She's one o'th'Falling Famely
a Queane, my Master keepes; she lyes at Rutneys.

Seb.
is't possible: J thought J' had seene her some-where.

Gas.
J tell you truth sinceerely. Sha's byn thrice here
by stelth within theis ten daies, and departed still
with pleasure, and with thancks Sir, 'tis her luck.
surely J thinck if ever there were man
be-witchd in this world 'tis my Master (Sirha)

Seb.
thinckst thou so Gasper?

Gas.
oh, Sir too apparant.

Seb.
this may prove happie: 'tis the likeliest meanes
that Fortune yet ere showd me.

—Enter Jsabella
Jsa.
you're both here now,
and strangers newly lighted: wher's your Attendance?

Seb.
J know what makes you waspish: a pox on't
shee'll every day be angrie now at nothing

—Ext
Jsa.
J'll call her stranger ever in my hart,
Sha's killd the name of Sister, through base lust
and fled to shifts: oh, how a Brother's good thoughtes
may be be-guild in woman: Heer's a Letter
(found in her absence.) reports strangely of her
and speakes her Jmpudence: sh'as vndon herself.
J could not hold from weeping, when J read it;
abusde her Brother's house, and his good confidence:
'twas don not like herself: J blame here much:
but if she can but keep it from his knowledge
—Enter Gaspero
J will not greive him first. it shall not Come
by my meanes to his hart: Now Sir, the Newes?

Gas.
You call'd'em Strangers: 'tis my Masters Sister (Madam)

Jsa.
oh, is't soe: She's wellcome: Who's come wt h her?

Gas.
J see none but Abberzanes.

Jsa.
he's enough
to bring a Woman to Confusion
more then a wiser man, or a far greater.
A letter came last weeke to her Brother's hands
to make-way for her Com̄ing-vp agen,
after her shame was lightend; and she writt there
the Gentleman her Mother wishd her to
(taking a violent Surfeyt, at a Wedding)
dide ere she came to see him: What strange Cun̄ing
—Enter Abberzanes & Francisca
Sin helpes a woman to: here she comes now
Sister, you'ar wellcom home againe.

Fra.
thancks (sweet Sister)

Jsa.
y'haue had good speed.

Fra.
what saies she? J haue made
all the best speed, J could.

Jsa.
J well beleeue You.
Sir, we'are all much beholding to Your kindnes

Ab.
my Service ever (Madam) to a Gentle woman,
J tooke a bouney-Mare J keep, and mett her
some ten mile out of towne: aleaven, J thinck:
'twas at the Stump J mett you, J remember.
at bottom of the Hill.

Fra.
'twas there about Sir.

Ab.
full eleaven then, by the rod, if they were measur'd

Jsa.
you looke ill (me thincks) haue you byn sick of late?
'troth, very bleake, doth she not? how thinck you Sir?

Ab.
no: no: a litle sharp with riding, sh'as ridd sore.

Fra.
J ever looke leane after a Jorney Sister
one shall doe, that has travaild: travaild hard.

Ab.
till Evening, J comēnd you to yourselves, Ladies

—Exit
Jsa:
and that's best trusting to, if you were hangd.
y'ar well acquainted with his hand, went-out now?

Fra.
his hand?

Jsa.
J speake of nothing els: J thinck 'tis there.
please you to looke vpon 't: and when y' haue don
yf you did weepe, it could not be amisse
a signe you could say Grace, after a full Meale.
You had not need looke paler; Yet you doe:
'twas ill don to abuse your self, and vs,
to wrong so good a Brother, and the thoughtes
that we both held of you: J did doubt you much
before or marriage-day: but then my strangenes,
and better-hope still, kept me off, from speaking.
Yet may you find a kind, and peacefull Sister of me,
if you desist here, and shake-hands with Folly,
which You ha'more cause to doe, then J to wish you;
as truely as J beare a Love to Goodnes,
your Brother knowes not yet on't, nor shall ever
for my part, so you leave his Company:
but if J find you impudent, in synīng
J will not keep't an howre; nay, prove you r Enemie
and you know who will ayde me: as y' haue goodnes,
You may make vse of this; J'll leave it with you.

—Exit
Fra.
heer's a sweet Churching, after a Womans Labour,
and a five giue you ioy: why where the Devill
lay you to be found out? the sodaine hurrey
of hastning to prevent shame, brought shame forth.
that's still the Cursse of all lascivious Stuff
Misdeedes could neuer yet be wary enough.
Now must J stand in feare of every looke:
nay tremble at a Whisper: she can keepe it secreat?
that's very likely, and a Woman too?
J'am sure J could not do't: and J am made
as well as she can be for any purpose,
'twould neuer stay with me two daies; J'haue cast it
the third would be a terrible sick-day with me,
not possible to beare it: should J then
trust to her strength in 't, that lyes every night
whispering the daies newes in a Husbands eare?
Noe: and J haue thought vpon the meanes: blessd Fortune;
J must be quitt with her, in the same fashion,
or els 'tis nothing; there's no way like it,
To bring her Honestie into question cunīngly:
my Brother will beleeue small likelihoods,
comīng from Me to; J lying now i'th house,
may work things to my will, beyond Conceit too:
Disgrace her first: her Tale will neu'r be heard,
J learnd that Councell first of a sound Card.
J doe suspect Gasper, my Brother's Squire there
had some hand in this mischeif, for he's Cuning
—Enter Antonio
and J perhaps may fitt him.

An.
Your Sister told me
You were come: thou'rt wellcome.

Fra.
where is she?

An.
who? my wiffe?

Fra.
J Sir.

An.
within.

Fra.
not'within hearing, 'thinck you?

An.
Within hearing?
what's thy conceit in that? why shak'st thy head soe?
and look'st so pale, and poorely?

Fra.
J'm a Foole indeed
to take such greif for others: for your Fortune Sir,

An.
my Fortune? worsse things yet? fare well life then.

Fra.
J feare y'ar much deceiu'd (Sir) in this Woman,

An.
who? in my Wife? speak low: Come hether, softly Sister.

Fra.
J love her as a Woman You made choice of,
but when she wrongs you, Naturall Love is touchd (Brother)
and that will speake you know.

An.
J trust it will.

Fra.
J held a shrewd suspition of her Lightnes
at first, when J went downe: Which made me haste the sooner
but more, to make amends, at my Returne now
J found apparant signes.

An.
apparant sai'st thou?

Fra.
J, and of base Lust too; that makes th'affliction

An.
there has byn villany wrought vpon me then,
'tis too playne now.

Fra.
happy are they, J say still
that haue their Sisters living i'th House with 'em,
their Mothers, or some kindred: a great Comfort;
to all poore Married Men; it is not possible
a yong Wife can abuse a Husband then,
'tis found streight. but sweare secrecie to this (Brother)

An.
to this, and all thou wilt haue.

—Enter Jsabella.
Fra.
then this followes, Sir.

An.
J praise thy Councell well: J'll put't in vse straight
See where she comes herself: kind, honest Lady,
J must now borrow a whole forthnights leave of thee

Jsa.
how Sir? a forthnights?

An.
Jt may be but ten daies: J know not Yet.
'tis Busynes for the State, and 't must be don

Jsa.
J wish good speed to't then.

An.
why that was well spoake,
J'll take but a Foote-Boy: J need no more.
the rest J'll leave at home, to doe you service.

Jsa.
vse your owne pleasure, Sir.

An.
'till my Returne
you'll be good Company: my Sister, and you

Jsa.
wee shall make shift Sir.

An.
J'am glad now she's Come,
and so the wishes of my love to both.

—Exit
—Enter Sebastian
Jsa.
and our good praires with you Sir.

Seb:
Now my fortune.
by your kind fauor (Madam)

Jsa.
with me, Sir?

Seb.
the words shall not be many: but the faithfullnes
and true respect, that is included in 'em,
is worthie your Attention; and may put vpon Me
the faire repute of a iust honest Seruant.

Jsa.
What's here to doe Sir, ther's such great preparation toward?

Seb.
in breif, that Goodnes in you, is abusd, Madam;
You haue the Married life, but 'tis a Strumpet
that has the Joy on't, and the fruitfullnes,
there goes away your Comfort.

Jsa.
how? a Strumpet?

Seb.
of five yeeres cost, and vpwards: a deere mischeif
(as they are all of 'em) his forthnights Jorney
is to that Cuntry, if it be not rudenes
to speake the truth. J haue found it all out (Madam)

Jsa.
thou'st found out thine owne Ruine: for to my knowledge
thou do'st be-lye him basely: J dare sweare
he's a Gentleman, as free from that Folly
as ever tooke religious life vpon him.

Seb.
be not too confident to your owne Abuse (Madam)
Since J haue begun the truth, neither your Frownes
the onely Cursses that J haue on Earth
(because my Meanes depends vpon your Service)
Nor all the execration of Mans Fury
shall putt me off: though J be poore, J'm honest,
and too iust in this Busynes: J perceive now,
too-much Respect, and faithfullnes to Ladies
may be a wrong to Seruants.

Jsa.
art thou yet
so impudent to stand in 't?

Seb.
are you yet so cold, (Madam,)
in the beleif on't? there my wonder's fixt,
hauing such blessed health, and youth about you,
Which makes the Jniury mightie

Jsa.
Why J tell thee
it were too great a fortune for thy Lownes
to find-out such a thing: thou do'st not looke
as if thou'rt made for't: by the pretious Sweetes of Love
J would give half my Wealth, for such a Bargaine
and thinck 'twer bought too cheape: thou canst not ghesse
thy Meanes, and happines, should J find this true.
First, J'll'd prefer thee to the Lord, my Vncle,
hee's Gouernour of Rauenna, all the Advauncements
i'th'Kingdom, flowes from him: What need J boast that,
which Comōn Fame can teach thee?

Seb.
then thus (Madam)
since J presume now on you r height of Spirit
& yor regard to Yor owne youth, and fruitfullnes
(wc h every Woman naturally loves and covetts)
Accept but of my Labour, in directions,
You shall both find your Wrongs (wc h you may right
at your owne pleasure) yet not misse to night
here in the house neither: None shall take notice
of any absence in you, as J haue thought on't.

Jsa.
doe this, and take my praise, and thancks for ever.

Seb.
as J deserue, J wish'em: and will serve you

—Ext.

Scea. 3a.

Enter Heccat: Witches, & Fire-stone
Hec.
The Moone's a Gallant, see how brisk she rides

Stad.
heer's a rich Evening, Heccat.

Hec.
J: is't not wenches,
to take a Jorney of five thousand Mile

Hop.
ours will be more to night

Hec.
oh, 'twill be pretious: heard you the Owle yet?

Stad.
breifely in the Copps,
as we came through now:

Hec.
'tis high time for vs then.

Stad.
There was a Bat hoong at my lipps three times
as we came through the woods, and dranck her fill.
old Puckle saw her.

Hec.
you are fortunate still
the very Schreich-Owle lights vpon Your shoulder
and wooes you, like a Pidgeon: are you furnishd?
haue you your Oyntments?

Stad-
all:

Hec.
prepare to Flight then
J'll over-take you swiftly

Stad.
hye-thee Heccat:
We shalbe vp betimes

Hec.
J'll reach you quickly

Fire:

they' are all going a Birding to night: they talke of Fowles
i'th Aire, that fly by day, J am sure they'll be a Company of
Fowle Slutts there to night: yf we haue not Mortallitie after
it, J'll be hang'd, for they are able to putryfie it; to Jnfect
a whole Region: She spies me now.

Hec.

what Fire-stone, our sweet Son?

Fire.

a litle sweeter then some of yo
u; or a Doonghill were too good for me.

Hec.

how much ha'st here?

Fire.

Nine teene, and all brave plump ones, besides six lizards,
and three Serpentine Eggs.

Hec.
deere, and sweet Boy; What herbes ha'st thou?

Fire-
J haue some Mar Martin, and Mandragon;

Hec.
Marmaritin, and Mandragora, thou wouldst say.
heer's Pannax too: J thanck thee

Fire-
My Pan akes J am sure
With kneeling-downe to Cut 'em.

Hec.
and Selago,
Hedge Hisop too: how neere he goes my Cuttings?
were they all cropt by Moone-light?

Fire.
every Blade of 'em.
or J am a Moone-Calff (Mother)

Hec.
hye thee home with'em
looke well to the House to night; J am for aloft.

Fire.

Aloft (quoth you?) J would you would breake yo
r neck once, that J might haue all quickly: hark: hark Mother.
they are aboue the Steeple alredy, flying over your head
with a noyse of Musitians

Hec.

they are they indeed: help: help me: J'm too late els.

Song:

Come away: Come away:
in ye aire.
Hecat: Heccat, Come away

Hec.
J come, J come, J come, J come,
with all the speed J may,
with all the speed J may.
wher's Stadlin?
Heere
in ye aire.
wher's Puckle
heere
And Hoppo too, and Hellwaine too
we lack but you; we lack but you,
in ye aire
Come away, make up the count

Hecc.
J will but noynt, and then J mount.
Ther's one comes downe to fetch his dues
aboue
a kisse, a Coll, a Sip of Blood
A Spirit like a Cat descends.
and why thou staist so long
J muse, J muse.
Since the Air's so sweet, and good.

Hec.
Oh art thou come
what newes: what newes?
All goes still to our delight,
Either come, or els
Refuse: Refuse:

Hec.
Now J am furnishd for the Flight.

Fire:

hark, hark, the Catt sings a brave Treble in her owne
Language.

Hec.
going vp.
Now J goe, now J flie,
Malkin my sweete Spirit, and J.
Oh what a daintie pleasure 'tis
to ride in the Aire
when the Moone shines faire
and sing, and daunce, and toy, and kiss;
Ouer Woods, high Rocks, and Mountaines,
Ouer Seas, our Mistris Fountaines,
Ouer Steepe Towres, and Turretts,
we fly by night, 'mongst troopes of Spiritts,
No Ring of Bells, to our Eares sounds
No howles of Woolues, no yelps of Hounds.
No, not the noyse of waters-breache
or Cannons throat, our height can reache.


No Ring of Bells &c.

aboue.
Fire-

Well Mother, J thanck your kindnes: You must be
gambolling i'th Aire; and leave me to walk here, like a
Foole, and a Mortall.

—Exit.