University of Virginia Library

Actus Primus:

Scea. Prima.

Enter Sebastian, & Fernando.
Seb.
My three yeeres spent in War, has now vndon
my peace for ever.

Fer.
Good; be patient, Sir

Seb.
She is my Wife by Contract before Heaven,
and all the Angells, Sir.

Fer.
J doe beleeue you;
but where's the remedie now? you see She's gon:
an other has possession

Seb.
ther's the torment.

Fer.
This day, being the first of yor Returne
vnluckely proves the first too of her fastning
her Vncle (Sir) the Gouernor of Rauenna
holding a good opinion of the Bride-groome
as he's faire-spoken (Sir) and wondrous mild.

Seb.
there goes the Devill, in a Sheepe-skyn.

Fer.
with all speed
clap'd-it vp sodainely: J cannot thinck, (sure)
that the Maid over-loves him: though being Married
perhaps (for her owne Creadit) now She intends
performance of an honest duteous wife.

Seb.
Sir: J'ue a world of Busynes; question nothing;
You will but loose your Labour, 'tis not fitt
for any (hardly mine owne secrecie)
to know what J intend: J take my Leave (Sir)
J find such strange Employments in myselfe
that vnles Death pitty-me, and lay me downe
J shall not sleepe theis seaven-yeeres: that's the least (Sir)

—Ex
Fer.
that Sorrow's dangerous can abide no Councell
'tis like a wound past Cure; Wrongs don to Loue
strike the hart-deepely: none can truely iudge on't
but the poore-sencible-Sufferer, whom it racks
with vn-beleived-Paines, which Men in health,
that-enioy Love, not possibly can Act;
(nay not so much as thinck:) in troth J pitty him;
His Sighes drinck life-Blood-in, this time of Feasting:
A Banquet towards too? Not yet hath Riott
plaid-out her last Sceane? At such Enterteynements, still
Forgetfullnes obeys, and Surfeyt governes;
Heer's Marriage sweetely honourd, in gorg'd Stomachs,
—Enter Gaspero, & Serut.
and over-flowing Cupps.

Gas.
Where is she (Sirha?)

Ser.
not farr-off.

Gas.
pree-thee where? goe fetch her hether:
J'll ridd-him away straight: The King's now rissen (Sir)

Fer.
J am a ioyfull Man to heare it (Sir)
it seemes h'as drunck the lesse: though J thinck he
that has the least, h'as certenly enough.

—Exit
Gas.
J haue obseru'd this Fellow all the Feast-time
he hath not pledg'd one Cup, but lookd most wickedly
vpon good Malego, flyes to the Black-Jack still
—Enter Florida.
and sticks to small drinck like a Water-Rat
Oh; here She comes: alas the poore Whore weepes,
'tis not for Grace now, all the world must iudge:
Jt is for Spleene, and madnes 'gainst this Marriage:
J doe but thinck how she could beat the Vicar now,
scratch the Man horribly, that gave the woman,
the woman worst of all, if she durst doe it.
Why how now (Mistris) this weeping needs not, for though
my Master Marry for his Reputation,
He meanes to keepe you too.

Flo.
how Sir?

Gas.
he do'th, indeed.
he swore't to me, last night: are you so simple
(and haue byn five yeeres traded?) as to thinck
one Woman would serve him? fye; not an Empresse;
why, Hee'll be sick o'th'wife within ten Nightes,
or never trust my Judgement.

Flo.
will he, thinck'st thou?

Gas.
will he?

Flo.
J find thee still so comfortable
beshrew my hart, if J knew how to misse thee:
they talk of Gentlemen, Perfumers, and such things;
give me the kindnes of the Master's-Man
in my distresse, say J.

Gas.
'tis your great Love (forsooth)
'please You with-draw your self to yond privat Parlor,
J'll send you Venson, Custard, Pasnip-pie
For Banquetting-stuff (as Sucketts, Jellyes, Sirrups)
J will bring in my self.

Flo.
J'll take 'em kindly. Sir)

—Exit
Gas.
Sh'as your grand-Strumpetts Complement to a tittle.
'tis a faire Building: it had need; it has
iust at this time some one, and twenty Jn-mates:
but half of 'em are yong Merchants; they'll depart shortly.
(they take but Romes for Som̄er, and away they,
when 't growes fowle-weather) mary then Come the Tearmers
and comonly they're well booted for all seasons.
—Enter Almachildes & Amoretta.
But peace: noe more: the Guests are com̄ing-in

Al.
the Fates haue blessd me; haue J mett you privatly?

Am.
why Sir? why Almachildes?

Al.
not a kisse.

Am.
J'll call alowd, y'-faith.

Al.
J'll stopp your mouth.

Am.
vpon my love to reputation
J'll tell the Duchesse, once more,

Al.
'tis the way to make her laugh a litle.

Am.
She'll not thinck
that you dare vse a Maid of Honou r thus.

Al.
Amsterdam swallow thee for a Puritaine
and Geneua cast thee vp againe, like She that sunck
at Charing-crosse, and rose againe at Queene hith

Am.
J theis are the holly fruites of the sweete Vine, Sir.—

Al.
Sweet Venery be with thee, and J at the taile
of my wish: J am a litle head-strong, and soe
are most of the Company: J will to the Witches:
they say they haue Charmes, & Tricks to make
—Enter Duke, Duchess, L. Gouernor, Antonio, & Isabella Francisca.
a wench fall backwards, and lead a man herself
to a Cuntry-house, some mile out of the Towne,
like a Fire-drake: there be such whorson kind
Girles, and such bawdy Witches, and J'll try
conclusions.

Duke.
A Bancket yet? why surely (my Lord Gouernor,
Bacchus could never boast of a day till now
to spread his powre, and make his Glory knowne.

Duch.
Sir: y'haue don nobely; though in modestie
you keepe it from vs, know we vnderstand so much
All this daies Cost, 'tis your great Love bestowes
in honor of the Bride, your vertuous Neice.

Gou.
Jn love to Goodnes, and your presence (Madam)
so vnderstood, 'tis rightly

Du:
now will J
have a strange health after all theis

Gou.
what's that (my Lord?)

Du.
a Health in a strange Cup; and 't shall goe round.

Gou.
Your Grace need not doubt that (Sir) having seene
so many pledg'd already: this faire Company
cannot shrinck now for one: so it end there.

Du.
Jt shall: for all ends here: heere's a full period.

Gou.
a Skull (my Lord?)

Du.
Call it a Souldiers-Cup (Man)
fye how you fright the Women? J haue sworne
it shall goe round, excepting onely you (Sir)
for your late Sicknes, and the Bride herself,
whose Health it is.

Jsa.
mary' J thanck heaven for that.

Du.
Our Duchesse, J know will pledge vs, though the Cup
was once her Fathers head; Which as a Trophee
wee'll keepe till death, in memory of that Conquest:
He was the greatest Foe, our Steele ere strook-at,
and he was bravely slayne; then tooke we thee
into our bosomes-Love: thou madest the Peace
for all thy Cuntry: thou: that Beutie did
we'are deerer then a Father? are We not

Duch.
Yes (Sir) by much.

Du.
and we shall find that straight

Ant.
that's an ill Bride-Cup, for a Marriage-day,
J doe not like the Fate-on't.

Gou.
good my Lord
the Duchesse lookes pale: Let her not pledge you there.

Du.
pale?

Duch.
Sir, not J.

Du.
Se how your Lordship Failes now;
the Rose' not fresher; nor the Sun at rising
more comfortably pleasing

Duch.
Sir, to you,
the Lord of this daies honor.

Ant.
all first moving
from your grace (Madam) and the Dukes great Fauor;
Sister it must.

Fran.
this' the worst Fright that could come,
to a conceald great Belly: J'me with Child,
and this will bring it out, Or make me Come
some seaven weekes sooner then we Maidens reckon.

Duch.
did ever cruell, barbarous Act, match this?
twice hath his Surfeytes brought my Fathers Memory
thus spight fully, and scorne fully to mine Eies,
and J'll endure't no more: 'tis in my hart since:
J'll be reveng'd, as far as death can lead me.

Al.
Am J the last man then? J may deserve
to be first one daie.

Gou.
Sir, it 'has gon round now.

Du.
the round? an excellent way to trayne-vp Soldiers.
where's Bride, and Bride-groome?

An.
at your happie service.

Du.
a Boy to night at least: J charge you looke to't
or J'll renounce you for industrious Subiects.

An.
your Grace speakes like a worthie, and tryde Soldiers.

—Ext.
Gasp.
And you'll doe well, for one that nere tost-Pike (Sir)

—Exit

Scea. 2a.

Enter Heccat: & other witches: (with Properties, and Habitts fitting.)
Hec.
Titty, and Tiffin, Suckin
and Pidgen, Liard, and Robin
white Spirits, black Spiritts: gray Spiritts; redd Spiritts:
Deuill-Toad: Deuill-Ram: Deuill-Catt: and Deuill Dam.
Why Hoppo, and Stadlin, Hellwin, & Prickle.

Stad.
here, sweating at the Vessell.

Hec.
Boyle it well.

Hop.
it gallops now.

Hec.
Are the Flames blew enough
or shall J vse a litle Seeton more?

Stad.
the Nipps of Fayries vpon Maides white hipps
are not more perfect Azure.

Hec.
Tend it care fully
Send Stadlin to me with a Brazen Dish
that J may fall to work vpon theis Serpents,
and squeize 'em ready for the second howre.
why, when?

Stad.
heere's Stadlin, and the Dish.

Hec.
there take this vn-baptized-Brat:
Boile it well:preserve the Fat,
you know 'tis pretious to transfer
our 'noynted Flesh into the Aire,
in Moone-light nights, or Steeple-Topps,
Mountaines, and Pine-trees, that like pricks, or Stopps,
seeme to our height: High Towres, and Roofes of Princes
like wrinckles in the Earth: Whole Prouinces
appeare to our sight then, ev'n leeke
a russet-Moale, vpon some Ladies cheeke.
When hundred Leagues in Aire, we feast, and sing,
Daunce, kisse, and Coll, vse every thing.
what yong-man can we wish to pleasure vs
but we enioy him in an Incubus?
thou know'st it Stadlin?

Sta.
vsually that's don.

Hec.
Last night thou got'st the Maior of Wlelplies Son
J knew him by his black Cloake, lyn'd with yallow;
J thinck thou 'hast spoild the youth: hee's but seaventeene,
J'll haue him the next Mounting: away-in.
goe feed the Vessell for the second howre.

Sta.
where be the Magicall herbes?

Hec.
they're downe his throate.
his mouth cramb'd full; his Eares, and Nosthrills stufft:
J thrust in Eleoselinum lately
Aconitum, Frondes Populeus, and Soote,
You may see that, he lookes so back i'th'mouth
then Sium, Acharum, Vulgaro too
Dentaphillon, the Blood of a Flitter-mowse
Solanum Somnificum et Oleum

Sta.
then ther's all Heccat?

Hec.
Js the Hart of wax
stuck full of Magique-Nedles?

Sta.
'tis don Heccat.

Hec.
and is the Farmers Picture, and his Wives
layd-downe to th'fire yet?

Stad.
they 'are a roasting, both, too

Hec.
good.
then their Marrowes are a melting subtelly,
and three monethes Sicknes, sucks-vp life in 'em.
They denide me often Flowre, Barme, and Milke
Goose-greaze, and Tar, when J nere hurt their Charmings,
their Brew-locks, Nor. their Batches, nor fore-spoake
any of their Breedings. Now J'll be-meete with 'em.
seaven of their yong Piggs, J'haue Be-witchd already
of the last Littor, nine Ducklyngs; thirteene Goselings, & a Hog:
fell lame last Sonday after Even-song too.
and mark how their Sheepe prosper; or what Soape
each Milch-kine gives to th'Paile: J'll send those Snakes
shall milke'em all before hand: the dew-d-skirted Dayrie-wenches
shall stroak dry Duggs, for this, and goe home Curssing:
J'll mar their Sillabubs, and swathie Feastings
vnder Cowes-Bellies, with the Parish-youthes:
—Enter Fire-stone
wher's Fire-Stone? our Son Firestone?

Fire.
here am J (Mother)

Hec.
Take-in this Brazen-Dish full of deere-Ware,
thou shalt haue all when J die; and that wilbe
ev'n iust at twelue a Clock at night, come three yeere

Fire.
and may you not haue one a-Clock in to th'dozen (Mother?)

Hec.
Noh.

Fire.

Your Spirits are then more vnconscionable then Bakers;
you'll haue liu'de then (Mother) six-score yeare to the hundred:
and me-thincks after six-score yeares, the Devill might give
yo
u a Cast: for he's a Fruiterer too, and has byn from the begining; the first Apple that ere was eaten, came through
his fingers: The Costor-mongers then, J hold to be the
auncientest-Trade, though some would haue the Tailor
prickd-downe before him.

Hec.
goe: and take heed you shed not by the way:
the howre must haue Her Portion, 'tis deere Sirrop,
each Charmed Drop is able to Confound
a Famely consisting of nineteene;
or one and twentie-Feeders.

Fire.
Mar'y heere's Stuff indeed
Deere Surrup call you it? a litle thing
would make me give you a Dram on't, in a Possett
and Cutt you three yeares shorter.

Hec.
thou 'rt now about some villany?

Fire.
Not J (for-sooth) truly the Devill's in her J thinck.
how one villaine smells out an other straight:

ther's no knavery but is nosde like a dog, and
can smell-out a Doggs-meaning (Mother) J pray
give me leave to ramble a-broad to night, with the
Night-Mare, for J haue a great mind to over-lay
a fat-Parsons Daughter.

Hec.
and who shall lye with me then?

Fire.
the great Cat, for one night (Mother) 'tis but a Night
make shift with him for once.

Hec.
you 're a kind Son:
but 'tis the nature of you all, J see that:
you had rather hunt after strange Women still
then lye with your owne Mothers: Gett thee gon;
Sweatt thy six ounces out about the Vessell
and thou shalt play at Mid-night: the Night-Mare
shall call thee when it walkes.

Fire.
thancks most sweet Mother.

—Exit—Enter Sebastian.
Hec.
Vrchins, Elves, Haggs, Satires, Pans, Fawnes,
Silence. Kitt with the Candle stick; Tritons, Centaures,
Dwarffes, Jmps, the Spoorne, the Mare, the Man
i'th Oake: the Hell-wayne, the Fire-Drake, the
Puckle. A. Ab. Hur. Hus.

Seb.
Heaven knowes with what vnwillingnes, and hate
J enter this dambd-place: But such extreemes
of wrongs in love, fight 'gainst religious knowledge.
that were J ledd by this disease, to deathes
as nomberles as Creatures that must die
J could not shun the way: J know what 'tis
to pitty Mad-men now, they're wretched things
that ever were created, if they be
of womans-making, and her faithles vowes:
J feare they're now a-kissing: what's a Clock?
'tis now but Supper-time, But Night will come;
and all new-married Copples, make short Suppers;
What ere thou art, J haue no spare time to feare thee,
my horrors are so strong, and great already.
that thou seem'st nothing: Vp and laze not
hadst thou my Busynes, thou couldst nere sit soe
'twould firck thee into Ayre, a thousand mile
beyond thy Oynetments; J would J were read
so-much in thy black powre, and mine owne greifes
J'me in great need of help; Wil't give me any.

Hec.
thy Boldnes takes me bravely: We'are all sworne
to sweatt for such a Spirit. See: J regard thee
J rise, and bid thee wellcome; What's thy wish now?

Seb.
oh my hart swells with't. J must take breath first

Hec.
Js't to Confound some Enemie on the Seas?
it may be don to night. Stadlin's with-in,
She raises all your sodaine ruinous Stormes
that Ship-wrack Barks, and teares-vp growing-Oakes,
flyes over Houses, and takes Anno Domini
out of a Rich-mans Chymney, (a sweet place for 't)
he would be hangd, ere he would set his owne yeares there,
they must be Chamberd, in a five-pound Picture,
a greene-silk Curtaine drawne before the Eies on't
(his rotten-diseasd yeares) Or dost thou Envy
the fat-prosperitie of any Neighbour?
J'll call forth Hoppo, and her Jncantation
can straight destroy the yong of all his Cattell:
blast vine-yards, Orchards, Meadowes; or in one night
transport his Doong, Hay, Corne, by Reekes, whole Stacks,
into thine owne Ground.

Seb.
this would come most richely now
to many a Cuntry-Grazier: But my Envy
lies not so lowe, as Cattell, Corne, or Vines
'twill trouble your best powres to give me ease.

Hec.
is yt to Starve-vp Generation?
to strike a Barrennes in Man, or Woman?

Seb.
hah?

Hec.
hah? did you feele me there? J knew Your Greife

Seb.
Can there be such things don?

Hec.
are theis the Skins
of Serpents? theis of Snakes?

Seb.
J see they are.

Hec.
so sure into what House theis are Convaid,
knitt with theis Charmed, and retentive Knotts,
neither the Man begetts, nor Woman Breedes;
no, nor performes the least desires of wedlock,
being then a mutuall dutie: J could give thee
Chiroconita, Adincantida
Archimadon, Marmaritin Calicia,
Which J could sort to Villanous-Barren Ends,
but this leades the same way: More J could instance:
as the same Needles thrust into their pillowes
that soawes, and socks-vp dead-men in their Sheetes:
a privy grizzell of a Man that hangs,
after Sun-Sett: good, excellent: yet all's there (Sir)

Seb.
You could not doe a man that speciall kindnes
to part'em vtterly now? Could you doe that?

Hec.
No: Time must do't: We cannot dis-ioyne Wedlock:
'tis of Heavens fastning: well may we raise Jarrs,
Jealouzies, Striffes, and hart-burning-disagreements,
like a thick Skurff ore life, as did our Master
vpon that patient Miracle: but the work it self
our powre cannot dis-ioynt.

Seb.
J depart happy
in what J haue then, being constraind to this:
and graunt you (greater Powres,) that dispose men,
that J may neuer need this Hag agen.—

Exit
Hec.
J know he loves Me not: nor there's no hope on't,
'tis for the Love of mischeif J doe this.
and that we' are sworne to; the first oath we take.

Fire.
oh Mother, Mother.

Hec.
what's the Newes with thee now?

Fire.

there's the bravest yong Gentleman within, and the
fineliest Drunck; J thought he would haue falne into the
Vessell; he stumbled at a Pipkin of Childes Greaze: reelde
against Stadlin, over threw her, and in the tumbling-Cast,
struck-vp old Puckles heeles with her Clothes over her eares.

Hec-

hoy-day:

Fire.

J was fayne to throw the Cat-vpon her to save her
honestie: and all litle enough: J cryde out still J pray be
Coverd: See where he comes now (mother.)

—Enter Almachildes
Alm.
Call you theis Witches?
they be Tumblers me-thincks, very flat Tumblers

Hec.
'tis Almachildes: fresh Blood stirrs in Me
the man that J haue lusted to enioy,
J haue had him thrice in Jncubus already.

Al.
Js Your name Gooddy-Hag?

Hec.
'tis any thing:
Call me the horridst, and vnhallowedst-things
that Liffe, and Nature trembles at, for Thee
J'll be the same: Thou com'st for a Loue-Charme now?

Al.
why thou'rt a Witch J thinck.

Hec.
thou shalt haue choice of twentie, wett, or drie.

Al.
nay let's haue drie-ones.

Hec.
yf thou wilt vse't by way of Cup, and Potion
J'll give thee a Remora shall be-witch her straight

All.
a Remora? what's that?

Hec.
a litle Suck-stone
some call it a Stalamprey, a small Fish.

Al.
and must' be butterd?

Hec.
the Bones of a greene Frog-too; wondrous pretious,
the Flesh consum'd by Pize mires

Al.
Pize-mires? give me a Chamber-pot.

Fire.
you shall see him goe nighe to be so vnmannerly,
hee'll make water before my Mother, anon.

Al.
and now you talke of Frogs, J haue somewhat here,
J come not emptie pocketted from a Bancket.
(J learn'd that of my Haber-dashers Wife.)
looke Gooddy Witch, there's a Toad in March-pane fore you.

Hec.
oh Sir, y'haue fitted me.

Al.
and heer's a Spawne or two
of the same Paddock-Brood too, for yor Son.

Fire.
J thanck your worship Sir: how comes yor handkercher
so sweetely thus berayd, sure 'tis wett-Sucket, Sir

Al.
'tis nothing but the Sirrup the Toad spit.
take all J pree-thee.

Hec.
this was kindly don Sir,
and you shall sup with Me to-night for this

Al.
how? sup with thee? do'st thinck J'll eate fryde Ratts,
and pickelld Spiders?

Hec.
No: I can Com̄aund Sir,
the best Meate i'th whole Prouince, for my Frends
and reverently seru'd-in too.

Al.
how?

Hec.
in good fashion

—she Coniures: And Enter a Catt (playing on a Fidle,) and Spiritts (wt h Meate)
Al.
let me but see that, and J'll sup wt h you
The Catt and Fidle? an excellent Ordinarie
You had a Devill once, in a Fox-skin?

Hec.
Oh; J haue him still: Come Walke with me Sir.

—Ext
Fire

how apt, and ready is a Drunckard now to Reele to the
Devill? well. J'll even Jn, and see how he eates, and
J'll be hangd if J be not the fatter of the twaine
with laughing at him.

—Exit.