 | The Witch |  |
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
32
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.
| The Witch | |