University of Virginia Library

Actus Quartus.

Scea. pria.

Enter Almachildes.
Al.

Though the Fates haue endude me with a pretty kind
of Lightnes, that J can laugh at the world in a Corner
on't; and can make myself merry on Fasting-Nightes to
rub-out a Supper (w
c h were a pretious Qualitie, in a yong formall Studient, yet let the world know, there is some
difference betwixt my Joviall Condition, and the Lunary-state
of Madnes: J am not quight out of my Witts: J know a
Bawd, from an Aquavite-shop, a Strumpet from Wild-fire,
and a Beadle from Brimestone. Now shall J try the honestie
of a Great-Woman soundly, She reckning the Duke's made
away, J'll be hangd, if J be not the next now. Yf J trust her
as She's a Woman, Let one of her long Haires wind about my
hart, and be the end of me, (w
c h were a piteous Lamentable Tragedie, and might be entituled a Faire Warning for all
Haire-Braceletts)

Already there's an Jnsurrection
among the People; they are vp in Armes
Not out of any reason, but their wills,
(which are in them their Saints) sweatting, and swearing
(out of their zeale to Rudenes) that no Stranger
(as they terme her) shall governe over them,
they say they'll raise a Duke among them selues 'first

Duch.
Oh Almachildes, J perceive already
—Enter Duchess
our Loves are borne to Crosses: We'ar be-sett,
by Multitudes: and (which is worsse) J feare me
vnfreended too of any: my cheif Care
is for thy sweet youthes saffetie

Al.
He that beleeues you not
goes the right way to heauen, o' my conscience

Duch.
there is no trusting of'em: they are all as barren
in Pitty, as in Faith: he that putts confidence
in them, dies openly to the sight of all men,
not with his Frends, and Neighbours, in peace privat
but as his shame, so his cold farewell is,
publique, and full of noyse. But keepe you close, Sir,
not seene of any, till J see the way
plaine for your saffetie. J expect the Com̄ing
of the Lord Gouernour, Whom J will flatter
with faire Entreaties, to appease their wildnes,
and before him, take a great greif vpon Me
for the Dukes death; his strange and sodaine losse
and when a quiet comes, expect thy Joyes

Al.
J doe expect now to be made away
'twixt this and Tuesday night, if J live Wednesday
say J haue 'byn carefull, and shund Spoone-Meate

—Exit
Duch.
This Fellow lives too long after the deed,
J'am weary of his sight: he must die quickly,
or J'haue small hope of Saffetie: My great Aymes
at the Lord Gouernour's love; he is a Spirit
can sway, and Countenaunce: theis obey and Crowch.
My Guiltynes had need of such a Master,
that with a beck can suppresse Multitudes
and dym Misse-deedes, with radiance of his Glory.
not to be seene with dazeled popular Eies.
—Enter L. Gouernor
and here behold him come.

Gou.
Returne back to 'em,
say we desire 'em to be frends of Peace
till they heare farther from vs.

Duch.
O my Lord.
J fly vnto the pitty of your Noblenes,
the greivedst Lady, that was ere be-sett
with stormes of Sorrowes, or wild rage of People.
Never was Womans greif for losse of Lord
deerer then Mine, to Me.

Gou.
ther's no Right don
to Him now (Madam) by Wrong don to Your self:
Your owne good wisedom may instruct you so far:
and for the Peoples Tumult (which oft growes
from Libertie, or Rancknes of long Peace)
J'll labour to restraine, as J'ue begun (Madam)

Duch.
My thancks, and Praires shall neu'r forget you (Sir)
and, in time to Come, my Love.

Gou.
Your Love (sweet Madam)
You make my Joyes too happy: J did covett
to be the fortunate man, that Blessing visitts,
Which J'll esteeme the Crowne, and full Reward
of Service present, and Deserts to come,
Jt is a happines J'll be bold to sue for
when J haue sett a Calme vpon theis Speritts
that now are vp for Ruine

Duch.
Sir, my wishes
are so well mett in yours, so fairely answeard
and nobely recompencd, it makes me suffer
in those extreemes that few haue ever felt,
to hold two Passions, in one hart at once
of Gladnes, and of Sorrow.

Gou.
then as the Ollyff
is the meeke Ensigne of faire Fruitfull Peace,
so is this kisse, of yours.

Duch.
Loves powre be with you, Sir.

—[Exit]
Gou.
how sh'as be-trayd her; may J breathe no longer
then to doe Vertue service, and bring forth
the fruites of Noble thoughtes, honest, and loyall.
this wilbe worth th'obseruing; and J'll do't.

—Exit
Duch.
What a sure happines confirmes Joy to Me,
now in the times of my most im̄inent dangers?
J look'd for Ruyne; and encrease of Honor
meetes me auspitiously. But my hopes are clogd now
with an vnworthie weight: ther's the misfortune,
What course shall J take now with this yong man,
for he must be no hindraunce: J haue thought on't.
J'll take some Witches Councell, for his End,
that wilbe sur'st. (Mischeif is Mischeiffes frend).

—Exit

Scea. 2a.

Enter Sebastian, & Fernando
Seb.
Yf ever you knew force of Love in life Sir,
give to mine pitty

Fer.
you doe ill to doubt me.

Seb.
J could make bold with no frend seemelier
then with yourself, because you were in presence
at our Vow-making

Fer.
J'am a Witnes to't.

Seb.
then you best vnderstand, of all men living
this is no wrong J offer, no abuse
either to faith, or frendship: for we'are registerd
Husband, and wife in heaven, though there wants that
which often keepes licentious Man in awe
from starting from their Wedlocks, the knot publique,
'tis in our Soules knit fast, and how more pretious
the Soule is, then the Body, so much iudge
the sacred, and celestiall Tye within vs,
more then the outward Forme, which calls but Witnes
here vpon earth, to what is don in heaven.
though J must needes confes, the least is honorable
(as an Embassador sent from a King
has Honor by the Employment, yet ther's greater
—Enter Florida.
dwells in the king that sent him; so in this)

Fer.
J approve all you speake: and will appeere to You
a faithfull pittying frend.

Seb.
Looke, there is She, Sir,
One good for nothing but to make vse of.
and J'm constraind to employ her, to make all things
plaine, easie, and probable; For when She Comes
and findes one here that Claimes him, as J'haue taught
both this to do't, and He, to Compound with Her,
'twill stirr beleif the more of such a Busynes:

Fer.
J praise the Carriage well.

Seb.
hark you (sweet Mistris
J shall doe you a simple Turne in this:
for She disgrac'd thus: You are vp in fauor
for ever, with her Husband.

Flo.
that's my hope Sir,
J would not take the paines els: haue You the keyes
of the garden-side, that J may get betimes in,
closely, and take her Lodging?

Seb.
yes, J haue thought vpon You,
here be the keyes.

Flo.
marry, and thancks (sweet Sir)
sett me a work so still.

Seb.
your Joyes are falce ones:
You'ar like to lye alone; you'll be deceiud
of the Bedfellow you looke for; els my purpose
were in an ill case: he's on his forth nightes Jorney
you'll find cold comfort there: a Dreame wilbe
even the best Market you can make to night:
She'll not be long now; You may loose no time neither:
yf She but take you at the dore 'tis enough.
When a Suspect doth Catch once, it burnes maynely.
there may you end your Busynes, and as cun̄ingly
as if you were i'th'Chamber, if you please,
to vse but the same Art.

Flo.
What need you vrge that,
Which comes so naturally J cannot misse on't?
What makes the Devill so greedy of a Soule
but 'cause ha's lost his owne; to all Joyes lost:
So 'tis our Trade to sett Snares for other Women
'cause we were once caught ourselues.

Seb.
a sweet allusion:
Hell, and a Whore it seemes are Partners then,
in one Ambition: yet thou'rt here Deceiu'd now
thou canst sett none to hurt, or wrong her Honor
it rather makes it perfect: Best of frends
that ever Loves-extremities were blessd with
J feele mine Armes with thee; and call my peace
the Of-spring of thy frendship: J will thinck
this night my wedding-night: and with-a-Joy
as reverend, as Religion can make Mans
J will embrace this Blessing: honest Actions
are Lawes vnto themselues, and that good feare
which is on others forcd, growes kindly there.

Fer.
hark, hark: One knocks; away Sir: 'tis she certenly
Jt sounds much like a womans iealious Larum,

—Enter Jsab.
Jsa.
by your leave Sir

Fer.
you'ar wellcom Gentlewoman.

Jsa.
Our Ladiship, then stands vs in no stead now
One word in privat Sir.—

Fer.
noe surely for-sooth
there is no such here, y'haue mistooke the house.

Jsa.
Oh Sir, that haue J not: excuse me there
J come not with such Jgnoraunce: thinck not so Sir.
'twas told me at the entring of your House here
by one that knowes him too well.

Fer.
who should that be?

Jsa.
nay Sir, betraying is not my profession:
but here J know he is: and J presume
He would give me Admittance, if he knew on't.
as one o'n's neerest frends.

Fer.
y'ar not his wife for-sooth?

Jsa.
yes, by my faith am J.

Fer-
Cry you mercy then Lady.

Jsa.
She goes here by the name on's Wife: good stuff
But the bold Strumpet neuer told me that

Fer.
We are so oft deceiud that Let out Lodgings
we know not whom to trust: 'tis such a world,
there are so many odd-trickes now a daies
put vpon House-keepers.

Jsa.
why? doe you thinck J'll'd wrong
you, or the Reputation of your House?
'pray show me the way to him

Fer.
hee's a sleepe (Lady
the Curtaines drawne about him.

Jsa.
well: well Sir,
J'll haue that Care, J'll not disease him much.
Tread you but lightly: oh, of what grosse falcehood
is Mans hart made of? had my first Loue liu'd
and return'd saffe, he would haue byn a light
to all Mens Actions, his faith shinde so bright

—Ext—Enter Sebastian
Seb-
J cannot so deceive her 'twer too sinfull,
there's more Religion in my Love, then soe:
Jt is not treacherous Lust, that gives Content
t'-an honest mind: and this could prove no better,
Were it in Me, a part of manly Justice,
that haue sought strange hard meanes to keep her Chast
to her first vow; and J t'abuse her first.
Better J neuer knew what Comfort were
in womans love, then wickedly to know it.
What could the falcehood of one Night availe him
that must enioy for ever, or he's lost?
'tis the way rather to drawe hate vpon me:
for (knowne) tis as impossible she should love me,
as youth, in health, to doat vpon a greif,
or one that's robd, and bound, t'affect the Theif
No, he that would Soules sacred Comfort wyn,
must burne in pure love, like a Seraphin

—Enter Jsabella
Js.
Cœlio?

Seb.
Sweet Madam.

Js.
thou 'hast deluded me:
there's no body.

Seb.
how? J wonder he would misse (Madam)
having appointed too, 'twer a strange Goodnes
if heaven should turne his hart now, by the way.

Js.
Oh, never Celio.

Seb.
yes, J ha' knowne the like
Man is not at his owne disposing (Madam)
the blessd Powres haue prouided better for him,
or he were miserable: he may come Yet
'tis earely (Madam) if you would be pleasd
to embrace my Councell, you should see this Night over.
since y' haue bestowd this paines

Js.
J intend soe.

Seb.
that Strumpet would be found, els she should goe
J cursse the time now, J did eu'r make vse
of such a plague: Sin knowes not what it do's.

—Ex

Scea. 3a.

Enter Francisca, in her Chamber.)
Fra.
'Tis now my Brothers time: even much about it
for though he dissembled a whole forthnights absence
he comes againe to night: 'twas so agreed
before he went: J must be-stir my Wits now
to Catch this Sister of mine, and bring her name
to some disgrace first, to preserue mine owne:
ther's proffit in that Cuning: She cast off
my Company betimes to night, by Tricks, and sleightes,
and J was well contented: J am resolu'd
there's no hate lost betweene vs: for J know
she do's not love me now, but painefully,
like one that's forc'd to smile vpon a greif
to bring some purpose forward: and J'll pay her
in her owne Mettle. They're now all at rest,
and Gasper there, and all: list: fast a-sleepe
he cryes it hether: J must disease you straight Sir:
For the Maides-Servants, and the Girles o'th'house
J spic'd them lately with a drowzie Posset,
they will not heare in hast: My Brother's Come,
oh, where's this key now for him? here 'tis happely:
but J must wake him first: why Gasper: Gasper.

—Enter Gaspero.
Gasp.
What a pox gaspe you for?

Fra.
Now J'll throw't downe.

Gasp.
who's that call'd me now? somebody call'd Gasper?

Fra.
oh, vp, as thou'rt an honest fellow Gasper.

Gasp.
J shall not rise to night then: what's the matter?
Who's that? yong Mistris?

Fra.
J: vp: vp; Sweet Gasper.
my Sister hath both knockd, and call'd this howre,
and not a Maid will stirr.

Gas.
they'll stirr enough sometimes

Fra.
hark: hark agen: Gasper: oh. run: run. pre thee.

Gas.
give me leave to cloath myself.

Fra.
stand'st vpon Cloathing
in an extremitie? hark: hark agen.
She may be dead ere thou com'st: oh in quickly
He's gon: he cannot choose, but be tooke now
—Enter Antonio
or met in his returne; that wilbe enough
Brother? here take this Light.

An.
my carefull Sister.

Fra.
looke first in her owne Lodging, ere you enter,

An:
oh. abusd Confidence: heere's nothing of him
but what betrayes him more.

Fra.
then 'tis too true, Brother

An.
J'll make base Lust a terrible example,
No villany ere paied deerer.

Fra.
help: hold Sir,

An.
J'am deaff to all humanitie

Fra.
List: list:
a strange and sodaine silence after all,
J trust h'as spoild 'em both: too deere a happines.
oh how J tremble betweene doubts, and Joies

An.
there perish both: downe to the house of Falcehood
Where periurous Wedlock weepes: oh periurous woman
sh'ad tooke the Jnocence of sleepe vpon her
at my approach, and would not see me come,
as if sh'ad layne there, like a harmeles soule
and never dream'd of Mischeif. What's all this now?
J feele no ease; the Burthens not yet off
so long as th'Abuse sticks in my knowledge,
oh, 'tis a paine of hell, to know ones shame,
had it byn hid, & don, it' had ben don happy,
for he that's Jgnorant lives long, and merry.

Fra.
J shall know all now: Brother.

An.
Come downe quickly: for J must kill thee too.

Fra.
Me?

An
stay not long
yf thou desir'st to dye with litle paine
make haste J'll'd wish thee, and come willingly
yf J be forcd to come, J shalbe cruell,
aboue a Man to thee.

Fra.
why Sir. my Brother?

An.
talk to thy soule, yf thou wilt talk at all.
to Me thou'rt lost for ever.

Fra.
this is fearefull in you
beyond all reason (Brother,) would you thus
reward me for my Care and Truth showne to You?

An.
a Cursse vpon 'em both: and Thee for Companie,
'tis that too dilligent thanckles Care of thine
makes me a Murderer, and that Ruynes Truth
that lightes me to the knowledge of my Shame.
Hadst thou byn secreat, then had J byn happy
and had a hope (like Man) of Joies to Come
Now here J stand a Stayne to my Creation:
and, which is heavier then all Torments to me
the vnderstanding of this base Adultery,
and that, thou toldst me first, which thou deseru'st
Death worthely for.

Fra.
if that be the worst, hold Sir,
hold Brother, J can ease your knowledge straight
by my soules hopes J can: ther's no such thing

An.
how?

Fra.
blesse me but with life, J'll tell you all.
Your Bed was never wrongd.

An.
what? never wrongd?

Fra.
J ask but mercy, as J deale with Truth now,
'twas onely my Deceipt, my Plot, and Cun̄ing
to bring disgrace vpon her, by that meanes
to keepe mine owne hid, wc h none knew but she
to speak troth' J' had a Child by Aberzanes, Sir

An.
How? Aberszanes?

Fra.
and my Mothers Letter
Was counterfeyted, to get time, and Place
for my deliuery.

An.
oh, my Wrath's redoubled,

Fra
At my Returne, she could speake all my Folly
and blam'd me, with good Councell. J, for feare
it should be made knowne, thus rewarded her,
Wrought you into suspition without cause:
And at your Cōing, raisd-vp Gasper sodainely,
sent him but in before you, by a falcehood,
which (to your kindled Jelouzie) J knew
would add enough: what's now confessd is true

An.
the more J heare, the worsse it fares with me.
J ha' kill'd 'em now for nothing: yet the shame
followes my Blood still: : Once more come downe
Looke you, my Sword goes vp: Call Hermio to me,
Let the new Man alone: hee'll wake too soone
to find his Mistris dead, and loose a Service;
Allready the day breakes vpon my Guilt
—Enter Hermio
J must be breif, and sodaine. Hermio

Her.
Sir

An.
Run: knock-vp Aberzanes speedely
say J desire his Company this Morning
to yonder horse-Race, tell him: That will fetch him,
oh, heark you, by the way—

Her.
yes Sir.

An.
vse speed now:
Or J will nere vse thee more: and perhaps
J speake in a right howre: My greif ore-flowes,
J must in privat goe, and vent my Woes—

Ext