University of Virginia Library

Actus Quintus.

Scea. pria.

Enter Sebastian, & Aberzanes.
Seb.
You are Wellcom Sir,

Ab.
J thinck J'am worthie on't
for looke you (Sir,) J come vn-trust. (in troth)

Seb.
the more's the pitty: (honester Men goe to't)
that Slaves should scape it: What Blade haue you got there?

Ab.

Nay, J know not that (Sir) J am not acquainted greatly
with the Blade; J am sure 'tis a good Scabbard, and that
satisfies me,

An.
'tis long enough indeed, yf that be good.

Ab.
J love to Weare a long-Weapon: 'tis a thing com̄endable

An.
J pray draw it, Sir.

Ab.
Jt is not to be drawne.

An.
Not to be drawne?

Ab.
J doe not Care to see't: to tell you troth Sir,
'tis onely a Hollyday thing, to weare by a mans side

An.
draw it, or J'll rip thee downe from Neck to Navill
though there's small glory in't.

Ab.
are you in earnest, Sir?

An.
J'll tell thee that anon.

Ab.
why, what's the matter Sir?

An.
What a base misery is this in life now.
This Slave had so much daring Courage in him
to Act a syn would shame whole Generations,
but hath not so much honest strength about him
to draw a Sword, in way of Satisfaction.
this showes thy great Guilt, that thou dare'st not fight

Ab.
yes: J dare fight (Sir) in an honest Cause.

An.
why come then (Slave) thou'st made my Sister a Whore.

Ab.
prove that an honest Cause, and J'll be hangd.

An.
so many starting-holes? Can J light no way?
goe-too, you shall haue your wish; all honest play.
Come-forth thou fruitfull Wickednes: thou seed
of Shame, and Murder, Take to thee in Wedlock
Basenes, and Cowardize: a fitt Match for thee.
Come Sir, along with me

Ab.
'las: What to doe
J am too yong to take a wiffe, in troth.

An.
but old enough to take a Strumpet, though:
you'll'd fayne get all Your Children before-hand,
and marry, when y'haue don: that's a strange course Sir,
This woman J bestow on thee: what do'st thou say.

Ab.
J would J had such an other to bestow on You, Sir

An.
vncharitable Slave: Dog: Coward as thou art
to wish a plague so great as thine, to any.

Ab.
to my frend Sir, where J thinck J may be bold

An.
downe; and do't sollempnely: Contract yourselues.
With truth, and zeale, or nere rise vp agen:
J will not haue her die i'th'state of Strumpet
though she tooke pride to live-one: Hermio the Wine

Her.
'tis here Sir: 'troth, J wonder at some things,
but J'll keepe honest.

An.
Soe: hee'rs to you both now.
and to your Joies, if 't be your luck to find 'em,
J tell you, you must weep hard, if you doe:
devide it 'twixt you both: You shall not need
a strong Bill of Divorcement after that
yf you mislike your Bargaine: Goe, get-in, now,
kneele, and pray hartely to get forgivenes
of those two Soules, whose Bodies thou hast murderd:
Spread subtle Poyson. Now my Shame in her
will dye, when J dye: ther's some comfort yet
J doe but thinck how each mans punishment
proves still a kind of Justice to himself
J was the Man, that told this Jnocent Gentlewoman
(whom J did falcely wedd, and falcely kill)
That he that was her Husband first, by Contract
was slayne i'th'feild; and he's knowne yet to live.
So did J cruelly beguile her hart
for which J'am well rewarded: so is Gasper
who, to befrend my Love, swore fearefull othes,
he saw the last Breath fly from him. J see now
'tis a thing dreadfull t'abuse holy Vowes
and falls most weightie

Her.
take Comfort Sir,
You'r guilty of no death: they're onely hurt,
and that not mortally

An.
thou breath'st vntruthes,

—Enter Gaspero
Her.
Speake Gasper, for me then.

Gas.
Your vniust Rage, Sir
has hurt me, without cause.

An.
'tis changd to Greif fo't.
how fares my wiffe.

Gas.
No doubt Sir, She fares well.
for She neu'r felt your fury: The poore Sinner
that hath this seaven yeere, kept herself sound for you
'tis your luck to bring her into th'Surgeons hands now.

An.
Florida.

Gas.
She; J know no other, Sir,
You were neu'r at charge yet, but with one Light-horse

An.
why wher's your Lady? wher's my wiffe to night then

Gas.
nay ask not me, Sir; your struck-Doa within
tells a strange tale of her

An.
this is vnsufferable
Never had man such meanes to make him mad.
Oh, that the Poyson, would but spare my life
till J had found her out.

Her.
your wish is graunted Sir,
vpon the faithfullnes of a pittying Servant
J gaue you none at all; my hart was kinder,
Let not Conceyt abuse you, you'r as healthfull
(for any drug,) as life yet ever found you.

An.
why heer's a happines, wipes of mightie Sorrowes
—Enter L. Gouernor.
the benefit of ever-pleasing Service
blesse thy profession. Oh my worthie Lord
J'haue an ill Bargaine: Never man had worsse
the Woman that (vnworthie) weares your Blood
to countenance Syn in her: your Neice; she's falce,

Gou.
Falce?

An.
Jmpudent-adulterous.

Gou.
you'r too lowd,
—Enter Florida
and grow too bold too, with her Vertuous Meekenes,
who dare accuse-her.

Flo.
heer's one dare and can:
she lyes this night with Celio, her owne Seruant,
the Place Fernando's house.

Gou.
thou do'st amaze vs.

An.
why heere's but Lust translated from one Basenes
into an other; heere J thought to haue caught 'em,
but lighted wrong, by falce Jntelligence
and made me hurt the Jnocent: But now
J'll make my Revenge dreadfuller then a Tempest,
an Army should not stop me', or a Sea
devide 'em from my Revenge.

—Exit
Gou.
J'll not speake
to haue her sparde, if she be base, and guilty.
yf otherwies, heaven will not see her wrongd,
J need not take care for her: Let that Woman
be carefully lookd to, (both for health, and surenes,)
it is not that mistaken wound, thou wearst
shalbe thy priviledge

Flo.
you cannot torture me
worsse then the Surgeon dos: so long J care not.
Yf she be adulterous J will neuer trust
Vertues in Women, they'r but Veyles for lust.

—Exit
Her.
to what a lasting Ruine, mischeif Runs,
J had thought J had well, and happely ended all
in keeping back the poyson, and new rage now
spreads a worsse Venom; My poore Lady greives me,
'tis strange to me, that her sweet seeming Vertues
should be so meanely over-tooke with Celio,
a Seruant, 'tis not possible

—Enter Jsabella & Sebastian
Js.
good morrow Hermio
my Sister stirring yet?

Her.
how? stirring forsooth:
here has byn simple stirring: Are you not hurt Madam:
pray speake, we haue a Surgeon ready.

Js.
how a Surgeon?

Her.
hath byn at work theis five howres.

Js.
how he talkes.

Her.
did you not meete my Master.

Js.
how your Master? why came he home to night?

Her.
then know you nothing, Madam
please you but walk in, you shall heare strange busines

Js.
J'am much beholding to your Truth now, am J not?
y'haue seru'd me faire: my creadit's staind for ever—.

Ext
Seb.
this is the wickedst fortune, that ere blewe.
Wee're both vndon, for nothing: ther's no way
flatters Recovery now; the Thing's so grosse
her disgrace greives me more, then a liffes losse

—Exit.

Scea. 3a.

Enter Duchesse: Heccat. Firestone
Hec.
What death is't you desire for Almachildes?

Duch.
a sodaine, and a subtle.

Hec.
then J haue fitted you,
here lye the Guifts of both, sodaine, and subtle.
his Picture made in wax, and gently molten
by a blew fire, kindled with dead-mens Eies
will waste him by degrees.

Duch.
in what time, 'pree-thee?

Hec.
perhaps in a Moones progresse,

Duch.
what? a Moneth?
out vpon pictures, if they be so tedious
give me things with some life

Hec.
then seeke no farther.

Duch.
this must be don with speed: dispatchd this night.
if it may possible

Hec.
J haue it for you
her's that will do't: stay but perfections time,
and that's not five howres hence.

Duch.
Canst thou doe this

Hec.
Can J?

Duch.
J meane so closely.

Hec.
so closely doe you meane too?

Duch-
so artfully: so cun̄ingly

Hec.
worsse, and worsse; doubts, and Jncredulities
they make me mad: Let scrupulous Greatnes know
Cum Volui ripis ipsis mirantibus Amnes,
in Fontes rediere suos, concussaque sisto,
Stantia Concutio, Cantu Freta Nubila Pello,
Nubilaque induco, Ventos, Abigoque Vocoque,
Viperias rumpo Verbis, et Carmine fauces,
Et Siluas moueo, Jubeoque tremiiscere Montes
Et mugire Solum, Manes-que exire Sepulchris.
Teque Luna traho. Can you doubt me then daughter?
That can make Mountaines tremble, Miles of woods walk
whole Earthes Foundation bellow, and the Spiritts
of the entombd, to burst-out from their Marbles;
nay, draw yond Moone, to my envolu'd Designes?

Fire

J know as well as can be, when my Mother's mad and
o
r great Catt angrie; for one spitts French then, and thother spitts Latten.

Duch.
J did not doubt you, Mother.

Hec.
No? what did you
My Powre's so firme, it is not to be questiond.

Duch.
forgive what's past: and now J know th'offensivenes
that vexes Art, J'll shun th'occasion ever.

Hec.
Leave all to me, and my five Sisters, Daughter.
Jt shall be convaid in at Howlott-time
take you no Care; My Spiritts know their Moments,
Rauen, or Screich-owle never fly by th'dore
but they call-in (J thanck 'em;) and they loose not by't
J give 'em Barley, soakd in Jnfants-Blood
they shall haue Semina, cum Sanguine
their gorge crambd full, if they come once to or house.
we are no Niggard.

Fire.

they fare but too well when they come heather: they eate
vp as much tother night, as would haue made me a good
conscionable Pudding

Hec.
give me some Lizards-Braine: quickly Firestone
wher's Grannam Stadlin, and all the rest o'th Sisters?

Fir.
all at hand forsooth.

Hec.
give me Mar maritin: some Beare-breech: wheu.

Fir.
heer's Beare-breech, and Lizards braine forsooth.

Hec.
Jnto the vessell;
and fetch three ownces of the red-haird-Girle
J killd last midnight.

Fir.
whereabouts, sweet Mother?

Hec.
Hip: Hip, or Flanck: where is the Acopus?

Fir.
you shall haue Acopus, forsooth.

Hec.
stir: stir about: whilst J begin the Charme.

A Charme Song: about a Vessell.

Black Spiritts, and white: Red Spiritts, and Gray,
Mingle, Mingle, Mingle, you that mingle may.
Titty, Tiffin: keepe it stiff in
Fire-Drake, Puckey, make it Luckey.
Liand, Robin, you must bob in
Round, a-round, about, about
All ill come runing-in, all Good keepe-out.

1. Witch
heeres the Blood of a Bat.

Hec.
Put in that: oh put in that.

2.
heer's Libbards Bane

Hec.
Put-in againe

1.
the Juice of Toad: the Oile of Adder

2.
those will make the yonker madder.

Hec.
Put in: ther's all. and rid the Stench.

Fire.
nay heeres three ounces of the red-haird wench.


all Round: around; around etc.

Hec.
so; soe enough: into the Vessell with it
there 'thath the true perfection: J am so light
at any mischeif: ther's no Villany
but is a Tune methinckes

Fire.

A Tune: 'tis to the Tune of dampnation then: J warrant
yo
u: and that Song hath a villanous Burthen.

Hec.
Come my sweet Sisters: let the Aire strike our Tune
whilst we show Reverence to yond peeping Moone.

—here they Daunce ye witches Dance & Ext.

Scea. 4a.

Enter L. Gouernor, Jsabella, [Antonio,] Florida, Francisca: Abberzanes, Gaspero, Hermio:
Js.
My Lord, J haue given you nothing but the truth
of a most plaine, and Jnocent intent,
My wrongs being so apparant, in this Woman
(a Crature that robbs Wedlock of all Comfort,
Where ere she fastens). J could doe no lesse
but seeke meanes privatly to shame his Folly:
No farther reachd my Mallice, and it glads me
that none but my base Jniurer is found
to be my falce Accusor.

Gou
this is strange
that he should give the wrongs, yet seeke Revenge.
But (Sirha) you; you are accusd here doubly,
first by your Lady, for a falce Jntelligence
that causd her Absence, which much hurts her Name,
though her Jntents were blameles: Next by this woman
for an Adulterous designe, and Plott
practisd betweene you to entrap her Honor,
whilst she, for her hire, should enioy her Husband.
your Answeare

Seb.
part of this is truth (my Lord)
to which J'am guilty, in a rash Jntent,
but cleere in Act; and She most cleere in both;
not sanctitie more spotles.

Her.
oh my Lord

Gou.
what newes breakes there?

Her.
of strange distruction:
Here stands the Lady, that within this howre
was made a Widow.

Gou.
how?

Her.
Your Neice, (my Lord.)
a fearefull vnexpected Accident
brought death, to meet his fury: for my Lord
entring Fernando's house, like a raisd Tempest
(wc h nothing heedes but its owne violent rage)
blinded with wrath, and Jelouzie, (which scorne guides)
from a falce Trap-dore, fell into a depth
exceeds a Temples height: Which takes into it
part of the doongeon, that falls threescore Faddom
vnder the Castle.

Gou.
oh you Seede of Lust
Wrongs, and Revenges wrongfull, with what Terror s
you doe present yourselues to Wretched man,
when his soule least expects you?

Js.
J forgive him
all his wrongs now, and signe it with my pitty

Flo.
oh my sweet Seruant.

Gou
looke to yond light Mistris

Gasp.
she's in a Swowne (my Lord)

Gou.
Convey her hence,
Jt is a sight would greive a modest eie
to see a Strumpetts-soule sinck into Passion,
for him that was the Husband of an other:
Yet all this cleeres not you?

Seb.
thancks to heaven
that J am now of age to cleere myself then.

Gou.
Sebastian?

Seb.
the same, much wrongd: (Sir)

Jsa.
am J certaine
of what mine eie takes ioy to looke vpon?

Seb.
your service cannot alter me from knowledge.
J am your Servant ever.

Gou.
wellcom to life (Sir)
Gasper, thou swor'st his death.

Gas.

J did indeed (my Lord)
and haue byn since well paid for't: one for-sworne mouth
hath gott me two, or three more here.

Seb.
J was dead (Sir)
both to my Joies, and all mens vnderstanding
till this my howre of life: for 'twas my fortune
to make the first of my Returne to Vrbin
a witnes to that Marriage: since which time
J haue walkd beneath myself, and all my Comforts,
like one on Earth, whose Joyes are laid aboue.
and though it had byn offence small in me
to enioy mine owne, J left her pure, and free.

Gou.
the greater, and more sacred is thy Blessing,
for where Heavens Bountie, holly ground-work finds
'tis like a Sea, encompassing chast Minds

—Enter Duchess.
Hermio.
The Duchesse Comes my Lord.

Gou.
be you then all Wittnesses
of an Jntent most horrid

Duch.
one poore night
ever Almachildes now:
better his meaner fortunes wept then or s,
that tooke the true height of a Princesse Spirit
to Match vnto their Greatnes: such lifes as his
were onely made to breake the force of Fate
ere it came at vs, and receive the Venom.
'tis but a vsuall frendship for a Mistris
to loose some forty yeares life, in hopefull time
and hazard an eternall soule for ever.
as yong as he has don, and more desert-full.

Gou.
Madam.

Duch.
my Lord.

Gou.
this is the howre, that J'haue so long desird
the Tumult's full appeazd: Now may we both
exchange Embraces, with a fortunate Arme
and practise to make love knotts, thus.

—Duke is discouerd
Duch.
my Lord?

Gou.
thus lustfull woman: and bold Murdresse thus.
Blessed Powres, to make my loyaltie, and Truth so happy
Looke thee, thou shame of Greatnes: Stayne of Honor,
behold thy work, and weep before thy death
if thou bee'st blessd wt h sorrow, and a Conscience
Which is a Guift from heaven, and seldom knocks
at any Murdrers brest, with sounds of Comfort
See, this thy Worthie, and vnequalld Peice
a faire encouragement for an other Husband.

Duch.
bestow me vpon death Sir, J am guilty
and of a Cruelty aboue my Cause,
his Jniury was too-low, for my Revenge
performes a Justice, that may light all others
to Noble Actions: life is hatefull to me,
beholding my dead Lord; Make vs an one
in death, whom Marriage made one, of two Living,
till cursed fury parted vs: My Lord
J covet to be like him.

Gou-
No, my Sword
shall neuer stayne the virgin-brightnes on't
with blood of an Adultresse.

Duch.
there my Lord,
J dare my Accusor, and defy the world
Death, shame, and Torment, Blood, J am guilty of
but not Adultery: not the breach of Honor.

Gou.
No: Come forth Almachildes

—Enter Almachildes
Duch.
Almachildes?
hath Time brought him about to save himself
by my distruction? J am iustly doombd

Gou.
doe you know this woman?

Al.
J haue knowne her better Sir, then at this time

Gou.
but she defies you there.

Al.
that's the com̄on trick of them all.

Duch.
Nay since J am touchd so neere: before my death then
Jn right of Honors Jnocence, J am bold
to call heaven, and my Woman here to Witnes.
—Enter Amoretta
My Lord, let her speak truth, or may she perish.

Am.
Then Sir, by all the hopes of a Maids Comfort
either in faithfull service, or blessd Marriage
the Woman that his blinded folly knew
was onely a hirde-Strumpet: a Professor
of Lust, and Jmpudence: Which here is ready
to approve what J haue spoken.

Al.
A com̄on Strumpet?
this Comes of Scarffes: J'll neuer more weare
an Habberdashers shop before nine eies agen.

Gou.
my Sword is prowd, thou art lightend of that syn,
dye then a Murdresse onely:

Duke
Live a Duchesse
better then ever loud; embracd, and honord.

Duch.
my Lord?

Duke.
Nay, since in honor thou canst iustly rise
vanish all wrongs: thy former Practise dies
J thanck thee Almachildes for my life
this Lord, for Truth, and Heaven for such a Wife,
Who, though her Jntent synd, yet she makes amends
With Greif, and Honor. (Vertues noblest Ends)
What greiv'd you then, shall neuer more offend you,
Your Father's Skull, with honor wee'll Jnter
and give the Peace, due to the Sepulcher;
And in all Times, may this Daie euer proue
a Daie of Triumph, Joie, and honest Loue

—Exeunt.