 | The Dvke of Millaine |  |
Scæ. Secunda.
Enter Graccho, Officer.Offic.
What I did, I had warrant for; you haue tasted
My Office gently, and for those soft strokes,
Flea bitings to the Ierks I could haue lent you,
There does belong a feeling.
Grac.
Must I pay
For being tormented and dishonor'd?
Off.
Fye no,
Your honours not empar'd in't: What's the letting out
Of a little corrupt blood, and the next way too?
There is no Chirurgion like me to take off
A Courtiers Itch that's rampant at great Ladies,
Or turnes knaue for preferment, or growes proud
Of their rich Clokes, and Sutes, though got by brokage,
And so forgets his betters.
Grac.
Verie good Sir,
But am I the first man of qualitie,
That e're came vnder your fingers?
Off.
Not by a thousand,
And they haue said I haue a luckie hand to,
Both men and women of all sorts haue bow'd
Vnder this scepter. I haue had a fellow
That could indite forsooth, and make fine meeters
To tinckle in the eares of ignorant Madams,
That for defaming of great Men, was sent me
Thredbare and lowsie, and in three dayes after
Discharged by another that set him on, I haue seene him
Cap a pe gallant, and his stripes wash'd of
With oyle of Angels.
Grac.
'Twas a soueraigne cure,
Off.
There was a Secretarie to, that would not be
Conformable to the Orders of the Church,
But still rayle at authoritie, brought to me,
When I had worm'd his tongue, and trussed his hanches,
Grew a fine Pulpet man, and was benefic'd.
Had he not cause to thanke me?
Grac.
There was phisicke
Was to the purpose.
Off.
Now for women,
For your more consolation, I could tell you
Twentie fine stories, but I'le end in one,
And 'tis the last that's memorable.
Grac.
Prethe doe,
For I grow wearie of thee.
Off.
There was lately
A fine she waiter in the Court, that doted
Extreamely of a Gentleman, that had
His maine dependance on a Signiors fauor
(I will not name) but could not compasse him
On any tearmes. This wanton at dead midnight
Was found at the exercise behind the Arras
With the 'foresaid Signior; he got cleare off,
But she was seis'd on, and to saue his honor,
Indur'd the lash; And though I made her often
Curuet and caper, she would neuer tell,
Who play'd at push-pin with her.
Grac.
But what follow'd?
Prethe be briefe.
Off.
Why this Sir, she deliuered,
Had store of Crownes assign'd her by her patron,
Who forc'd the Gentleman to saue her credit,
To marie her, and say he was the partie
Found in Lobs pound. So, she that before gladly
Would haue been his whore, raignes o're him as his wife,
Nor dares he grumble at it. Speake but truth then,
Is not my Office luckie?
Goe, ther's for thee,
But what will be my fortune?
Off.
If you thriue not
After that soft correction, come againe.
Grac.
I thanke you knaue.
Off.
And then knaue, I will fit you.
Ex. Officer.
Grac.
Whipt like a rogue? no lighter punishment striue
To ballance with a little mirth: 'Tis well,
My credit sunke for euer, I am now
Fit companie, only for Pages and for foot boyes,
That haue perused the Porters Lodge.
Enter two Gentlemen.
1. Gentlem.
See Iulio,
Yonder the proud slaue is, how he lookes now
After his castigation?
2. Gentlem.
As he came
From a close fight at Sea vnder the Hatches,
With a she Dunckerke, that was shot before
Betweene winde and weather,
And he hath sprung a leake too, or I'me cousen'd.
1. Gentlem.
Lets be merie with him.
Grac.
How they stare at me? am I turn'd to an Owle?
The wonder Gentlemen?
2. Gentlem.
I read this morning
Strange stories of the passiue fortitude
Of men in former ages, which I thought
Impossible, and not to be beleeued.
But now I looke on you, my wonder ceases.
Grac.
The reason Sir?
2. Gentlem.
Why Sir you haue been whip'd
Whip'd signior Graccho. And the whip I take it,
Is to a Gentleman, the greatest tryall
That may be of his patience.
Grac.
Sir, I'le call you
To a strickt account for this.
2. Gentlem.
I'le not deale with you,
Vnlesse I haue a Beadle for my second.
1. Gentlem.
Farewell poore Graccho.
Ex. Gentlem.
Grac.
Better and better still, If euer wrongs
Could teach a wretch to find the way to vengence,
Hell now inspire me. How, the Lord Protector!
Enter Franc. & Seruant
My Iudge I thank him. Whether thus in priuate,
I will not see him.
Franc.
If I am sought for,
Say I am indispos'd, and will not heare,
Or suits, or sutors.
Seru.
But Sir, if the Princes
Enquire, what shall I answere?
Franc.
Say, I am rid
Abrode to take the ayre, but by no meanes
Let her know I am in Court.
Seru.
So I shall tell her.
Ex. seruant
Franc.
Within there, Ladies.
Ent. a Gentlewoman
Gentlew.
My good Lord, your pleasure?
Franc.
Prethe let me begge thy fauor for accesse
To the Dutches.
Gentlew.
In good sooth my Lord I dare not,
She's verie priuate.
Franc.
Come ther's gold to buy thee
A new gowne, and a rich one.
This will tempt me.
Gentlew.
I once swore
If e're I lost my maiden-head, it should be
With a great Lord as you are, and I know not how,
I feele a yeelding inclination in me,
If you haue appitite.
Franc.
Poxe on thy maiden-head,
Where is thy Lady?
Gentlew.
If you venter on her,
She's walking in the Gallerie, perhaps
You will find her lesse tractable.
Franc.
Bring me to her.
I feare you'l haue cold entertainment, when
You are at your iourneys end, and 'twere discretion
To take a snatch by the way.
Franc.
Prethe leaue fooling,
My page waites in the lobbie, giue him sweet meats,
He is trayn'd vp for his Masters ease,
And he will coole thee.
Ex. Franc. & Gentlew.
Grac.
A braue discouerie beyond my hope,
A plot euen offer'd to my hand to worke on,
If I am dull now, may I liue and dye
The scorne of wormes & slaues, let me consider,
My Lady and her Mother first committed
In the fauor of the Dutches, and I whip'd,
That with an Iron pen is writ in brasse
On my tough hart, now growne a harder mettal,
And all his brib'd approches to the Dutches
To be conceal'd, good, good, This to my Lady,
Deliuer'd as I'le order it, runs her mad.
But this may proue but courtship, let it be
I care not so it feed her Iealousie.
Ex.
| The Dvke of Millaine | |