 | Loves Cure or, The Martial Maid |  |
Actus quartus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Uitelli, Lamorall, Genevora, Anastro, and two Pages with lights.Lam.
I pray you see the Masque, my Lord,
Ana.
'Tis early night yet.
Gen.
O if it be so late, take me along:
I would not give advantage to ill tongues
To tax my being here, without your presence
To be my warrant.
Uit.
You might spare this, Sister,
Knowing with whom I leave you; one that is
By your allowance, and his choice, your Servant,
And may my councell and perswasion work it,
Your husband speedily: For your entertainement
My thankes; I will not rob you of the meanes
To doe your Mistresse some acceptable service
In waiting on her to my house.
Gen.
My Lord,
Uit.
As you respect me, without further trouble
Retire, and taste those pleasures prepar'd for you,
And leave me to my own wayes.
Lam.
When you please sir.
Exeunt.
Scæna secunda.
Enter Malroda, and Alguazier.Mal.
You'l leave my Chamber?
Alg.
Let us but bill once,
My Dove, my Sparrow, and I, with my office
Will be thy slaves for ever.
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Are you so hot?
Alg.
But taste the difference of a man in place,
You'l finde that when authoritie pricks him forward,
Your Don, nor yet your Diego comes not neere him
To doe a Lady right: no men pay deerer
For their stolne sweetes, then we: three minutes trading
Affords to any sinner a protection
For three yeeres after: thinke on that, I burne;
But one drop of your bounty.
Mal.
Hence you rogue,
Am I fit for you? is't not grace sufficient
To have your staffe, abolt to bar the doore
Where a Don enters, but that you'l presume
To be his taster?
Alg.
Is no more respect
Due to this rod of justice?
Mal.
Doe you dispute?
Good Doctor of the Dungeon, not a word more,
—If you doe, my Lord Vitelli knowes it.
Alg.
Why I am bigge enough to answer him,
Or any man.
Mal.
'Tis well.
Uitelli within.
Vit.
Malroda.
Alg.
How?
Mal.
You know the voice, and now crowch like a Cur
Tane worrying sheepe: I now could have you guelded
For a Bawd rampani: but on this submission
For once I spare you
Alg.
I Will be reveng'd
My honourable Lord.
Vit.
There's for thy care
Alg.
I am mad, starck mad: proud Pagan scorn her host
I would I were but valiant enough to kick her,
Enter Piorato & Clara, above.
Il'd wish no manhood else.
Mal.
What's that?
Alg.
I am gone.
Exit.
Pio.
You see, I have kept my word.
Cla.
But in this object
Hardly deserv'd my thanks.
Pio.
Is there ought else
You will command me?
Cla.
Onely your sword
Which I must have: nay willingly I yet know
To force it, and to use it.
Pio.
'Tis yours Lady.
Cla.
I ask no other guard.
Pio.
If so I leave you:
And now, if that the Constable keepe his word,
A poorer man may chance to gull a Lord.
Exit.
Mal.
By this good—you shall not.
Uit.
By this—
I must, and will, Malroda; What doe you make
A stranger of me?
Mal.
I'le be so to you,
And you shall find it.
Vit.
These are your old arts
T'endeere the game you know I come to hunt for,
Which I have borne too coldly.
Mal.
Doe so still,
For if I heat you, hang me.
Vit.
If you doe not
I know who'll starve for't: why, thou shame of women,
Whose folly, or whose impudence is greater
Is doubtfull to determine; this to me
That know thee for a whore.
Mal.
And made me one,
Remember that.
Vit.
Why should I but grow wise
And tye that bounty up, which nor discretion
Nor honour can give way too; thou wouldst be
A Bawd e're twenty, and within a moneth
A barefoot, lowzie, and diseased whore,
And shift thy lodgings oftner then a rogue
That's whipt from post to post.
Mal.
Pish: all our Colledge
Know you can raile well in this kinde.
Cla.
For me
He never spake so well.
Vit.
I have maintain'd thee
The envy of great fortunes, made thee shine
As if thy name were glorious: stuck thee full
Of jewels, as the firmament of Starrs,
And in it made thee so remarkable
That it grew questionable, whether vertue poore,
Or vice so set forth as it is in thee,
Were even by modesties selfe to be prefer'd,
And am I thus repaid?
You are still my debtor;
Can this (though true) be weigh'd with my lost honour,
Much lesse my faith? I have liv'd private to you,
And but for you, had ne're known what lust was,
Nor what the sorrow for't.
Vit.
'Tis false.
Mal.
'Tis true,
But how return'd by you, thy whole life being
But one continued act of lust, and Shipwrack
Of womens chastities.
Vit.
But that I know
That she that dares be damn'd dares any thing,
I should admire thy tempting me: but presume not
On the power you thinke you hold o're my affections,
It will deceive you: yeeld, and presently
Or by the inflamed blood, which thou must quench
Ile make a forcible entrie.
Mal.
Touch me not:
You know I have a throat,—if you doe
I will cry out a rape, or sheath this here,
Ere i'le be kept, and us'd for Julip-water
T'allay the heate which lushious meats and wine
And not desire hath rais'd.
Uit.
A desperate devill,
My blood commands my reason: I must take
Some milder way.
Mal.
I hope (deere Don) I fit you.
The night is mine, although the day was yours
You are not fasting now: this speeding trick
Which I would as a principle leave to all,
That make their maintenance out of their own Indies
As I doe now; my good old mother taught me,
Daughter, quoth she, contest not with your lover
His stomach being empty; let wine heat him,
And then you may command him: 'tis a sure one:
His lookes shew he is coming.
Uit.
Come this needs not,
Especially to me: you know how deere
I ever have esteemed you.
Cla.
Lost again.
Uit.
That any sight of yours, hath power to change
My strongest resolution, and one teare
Sufficient to command a pardon from me,
For any wrong from you, which all mankinde
Should kneel in vaine for.
Mal.
Pray you pardon those
That need your favour, or desire it
Vit.
Prethee.
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For my rash anger, this purse fil'd with Gold.
Thou shalt have servants, gownes, attires, what not?
Only continue mine.
Mal.
'Twas this I fish'd for
Vit.
Look on me, and receive it.
Mal.
Well, you know
My gentle nature, and take pride t'abuse it:
You see a trifle pleases me, we are friends;
This kisse, and this confirmes it.
Cla.
With my ruine.
Mal.
I'le have this dyamond, and this pearle.
Uit.
They are yours.
Mal.
But wil you not, when you have what you came for,
Take them from me to morrow? tis a fashion
Your Lords of late have us'd.
Uit.
But Ile not follow.
Cla.
That any man at such a rate as this
Should pay for his repentance.
Vit.
Shall we to bed now?
Mal.
Instantly, Sweet: yet now I think on't better
Ther's something first that in a word or two
I must acquaint you with.
Cla.
Can I cry ayme,
To this against my selfe? Ile break this match,
Or make it stronger with my bloud.
Descends.
Enter Alguazier, Piorato, Pachieco, Metaldi, Mendoza, Lazarillo, &c.
Alg.
I am yours,
A Don's not priviledgd here more then yourself,
Win her, and weare her.
Pio.
Have you a Priest ready?
Alg.
I have him for thee, Lad; and when I have
Married this scornefull whore to this poor gallant.
She wil make suit to me; there is a trick
To bring a high-priz'd wench upon her knees:
For you my fine neat Harpyes stretch your tallons
And prove your selves true night-Birds.
Pach.
Take my word
For me and all the rest.
Laz.
If there be meat
Or any banquet stirring, you shall see
How ile bestow my selfe.
Alg.
When they are drawn,
Rush in upon 'em: al's faire prize you light on:
I must away: your officer may give way
To the Knavery of his watch, but must not see it.
You all know where to finde me.
Exit.
Met.
There look for us.
Uit.
Who's that?
Mal.
My Piorato, welcome, welcome:
Faith had you not come when you did, my Lord
Had done I know not what to me.
Uit.
I am gul'd,
First cheated of my Jewels, and then laugh'd at:
Sirha, what make you here?
Pio.
A businesse brings me,
More lawfull then your own,
Vit.
How's that, you slave?
Mal.
He's such, that would continue his a whore
Whom he would make a wife of.
Uit.
Ile trea'd upon
The face you doat on, strumpet.
Enter Clara.
Pach.
Keep the peace there.
Vit.
A plot upon my life too?
Met.
Down with him.
Cla.
Show your old valour, and learn from a woman,
One Eagle has a world of odd's against
A flight of Dawes, as these are.
Pio.
Get you off,
Ile follow instantly.
Pach.
Run for more help there.
Exeunt all but Uit. and Clara.
Uit.
Losse of my gold, & jewels, & the wench too
Afflicts me not so much, as th'having Clara
The witnesse of my weaknesse.
Cla.
He turns from me,
And yet I may urge merit, since his life
Is made my second gift.
Uit.
May I ne'r prosper
If I know how to thank her.
Cla.
Sir, your pardon
For pressing thus beyond a Virgins bounds
Upon your privacies: and let my being
Like to a man, as you are, be th'excuse
Of my solliciting that from you, which shall not
Be granted on my part, although desir'd
By any other: sir; you understand me,
And 'twould shew nobly in you, to prevent
From me a farther boldnesse, which I must
Proceed in, if you prove not mercifuil,
Though with my losse of blushes, and good name.
Uit.
Madam, I know your wil, and would be thankfull
If it were possible I could affect
The Daughter of an enemy.
Cla.
That faire false one
Whom with fond dotage you have long pursu'd
Had such a father: she to whom you pay
Deerer for your dishonour, then all titles
Ambitious men hunt for are worth.
Vit.
'Tis truth.
Cla.
Yet, with her, as a friend you still exchange
Health for diseases, and to your disgrace
Nourish the rivals to your present pleasures,
At your own charge, us'd as a property
To give a safe protection to her lust,
Yet share in nothing but the shame of it.
Uit.
Grant all this so, to take you for a wife
Were greater hazard, for should I offend you
(As tis not easy still to please a woman)
You are of so great a spirit, that I must learn
To weare your petticoat, for you wil have
My breeches from me.
Cla.
Rather from this houre
I here abjure all actions of a man,
And wil esteem it happinesse from you
To suffer like a woman: love, true love
Hath made a search within me, and expel'd
All but my naturall softnesse, and made perfect
That which my parents care could not begin.
I wil show strength in nothing, but my duty,
And glad desire to please you, and in that
Grow every day more able.
Uit.
Could this be,
What a brave race might I beget? I finde
A kind of yeelding; and no reason why
I should hold longer out: she's yong, and faire,
And chast for sure, but with her leave the Devil
Durst not attempt her: Madam, though you have
A Souldiers arme, your lips appear as if
They were a Ladies.
Cla.
They dare sir from you
Endure the tryall.
Uit.
Ha: once more I pray you:
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I have prov'd many, 'tis not safe I feare
To aske the rest now: wel, I will leave whoring
And luck herein send me with her: worthiest Lady,
Ile wait upon you home, and by the way
(If ere I marry, as ile not forswear it)
Tell you, you are my wife.
Cla.
Which if you do,
From me all man-kinde women, learne to woe.
Exeunt.
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Alguazier, Pachieco, Metaldi, Mendoza, Lazarillo.Alg.
A cloak? good purchase, and rich hangers? well,
Wee'l share ten Pistolets a man
Laz.
Yet still
I am monstrous hungry: could you not diduct
So much out of the grosse some, as would purchase
Eight loynes of Veale, and some two dozen of Capons?
Pach.
O strange proportion for five.
Laz.
For five? I have
A legion in my stomach that have kept
Perpetuall fast these ten years: for the Capons,
They are to me but as so many black Birds:
May I but eate once, and be satisfied,
Let the fates call me, when my ship is fraught,
And I shall hang in peace.
Alg.
Steale well to night,
And thou shalt feed to morrow; so now you are
Your selves againe, ile raise another watch
To free you from suspition: set on any
You meet with boldly: ile not be far off,
T'assist you, and protect you.
Exit.
Met.
O brave officer.
Enter Alvarez, Lucio, Bobadilla.
Pach.
Would every ward had one but so well given,
And we would watch for rug, in gownes of velvet.
Mend.
Stand close: a prize.
Met.
Satten, and gold Lace, Lads.
Alv.
Why do'st thou hang upon me?
Luc.
'Tis so darke
I dare not see my way: for heaven sake father
Let us go home.
Bob.
No, ev'n here wee'l leave you:
Let's run away from him, my Lord.
Luc.
Oh 'las.
Alv.
Thou hast made me mad: and I wil beat thee dead
Then bray the in a morter, and now mold thee
But I will alter thee.
Bob.
'T will never be:
He has bin three dayes practising to drink,
Yet still he sips, like to a waiting woman,
And looks as he were murdring of a fart
Among wild Irish swaggerers.
Luc.
I have still
Your good word, Zancho, father.
Alv.
Milk-sop coward;
No house of mine receives thee: I disclaim thee,
Thy mother; on her knees shall not entreat me
Hereafter to acknowledge thee.
Luc.
Pray you speak for me.
Bob.
I would; but now I cannot with mine honour.
Alv.
Ther's only one course left, that may redeem thee,
Which is, to strike the next man that you meet,
And if we chance to light upon a woman,
Take her away, and use her like a man,
Or I wil cut thy hamstrings.
Pach.
This makes focus
Alv.
What do'st thou do now?
Luc.
Sir, I am saying my prayers;
For being to undertake what you would have me,
I know I cannot live.
Enter Lamorall, Genevora, Anastro, and Pages with lights.
Lam.
Madam, I fear
You'l wish you had usd your coach your brothers house
Is yet far off.
Gen.
The better sir: this walk
Will help digestion after your great supper,
Of which I have fed largely.
Alv.
To your task,
Or els you know what followes:
Luc.
I am dying:
Now Lord have mercy on me: by your favour,
Sir I must strike you.
Lam.
For what cause?
Luc.
I know not:
And I must likewise talke with that young Lady,
An houre in private.
Lam.
What you must, is doubtfull,
But I am certain sir, I must beat you.
Luc.
Help, help.
Alv.
Not strik againe?
Lam.
How, Alvarez?
An.
This for my Lord Vitell's love.
Pach.
Break out,
And like true theeves, make pray on either side,
But seem to help the stranger.
Bob.
Oh my Lord,
They have beat him on his knees.
Luc.
Though I want courage:
I yet have a sons duty in me, and
Compassion of a fathers danger; than,
That wholy now possesses me.
Alv.
Lucio.
This is beyond my hope.
Met.
So Lazarillo,
Take up all boy: well done.
Pach.
And now steale off
Closely, and cunningly.
An.
How? have I found you?
Why Gentlemen, are you madde, to make your selves
A prey to Rogues?
Lam.
Would we were off.
Bob.
Theeves, theeves.
Lam.
Defer our own contention: and down with them.
Luc.
Ile make you sure.
Bob.
Now he playes the Devil.
Gen.
This place is not for me.
Exit.
Luc.
Ile follow her
Half of my pennance is past ore.
Exit.
Enter Alguazier, Assistente and other Watches.
Alg.
What noyse?
What tumult's there? keep the Kings peace I charge you.
Pach.
I am glad he's come yet.
Alv.
O, you keep good Guard
Upon the City when men of our ranck
Are set upon in the streetes.
141
The assistance
Shall heare of't be assur'd.
An.
And if he be
That carefull Governour he is reported,
You will smart for it.
Alg.
Patience, good Signiours:
Let me survey the Rascals: O, I know them,
And thank you for them: they are pillfring rogues
Of Andaluzia, that have perus'd
All Prisons in Castile: I dare not trust
The dungeon with them: no, ile have them home
To my own house.
Pach.
We had rather go to prison.
Alg.
Had you so dog-bolts? yes, I know you had:
You there would use your cunning fingers on
The simple locks; you would: but ile prevent you.
Lam.
My Mistris lost? good night.
Exit.
Bob.
Your Son's gon to,
What should become of him?
Alv.
Come of him, what will:
Now he dares fight, I care not: i'le to bed:
Look to your prisoners Alguazier.
Exit with Boba.
Alg.
Al's cleer'd:
Droop not for one disaster: let us hug,
And triumph in our knaveries.
Assist.
This confirmes
What was reported of him.
Met.
'Twas done bravely.
Alg.
I must a little glory in the meanes
We officers have, to play the Knaves, and safely:
How we breake through the toyles, pitch'd by the Law,
Yet hang up them that are far lesse delinquents:
A simple shopkeeper's carted for a baud
For lodging (though unwittingly) a smock-Gamster:
Where, with rewards, and credit I have kept
Malroda in my house as in a cloyster,
Without taint, or suspition.
Pach.
But suppose
The Governour should know't?
Alg.
He? good Gentleman,
Let him perplex himself with prying into
The measures in the market, and th'abuses
The day stands guilty of the pillage of the night
Is only mine, mine own feesimple;
Which you shall hold from me, tennants at will,
And pay no rent for't.
Pach.
Admirable Landlord.
Alg.
Now wee'l go search the taverns, commit such
As we finde drinking: and be drunk our selves
With what we take from them: these silly wretches
Whom I for forme sake only have brought hither
Shall watch without, and guard us.
Assist.
And we wil.
See you safe lodg'd, most worthy Alguazier,
With all of you his comrads.
Met.
Tis the Governour.
Alg.
We are betray'd?
Assist.
My guard there: bind them fast:
How men in high place, and authority
Are in their lives and estimation wrong'd
By their subordinate Ministers? yet such
They cannot but imploy: wrong'd justice finding
Scarce one true servant in ten officers.
'T'xpostulate with you, were but to delay
Your crimes due punishment, which shall fall upon you
So speedily, and severely, that it shall
Fright others by th'example: and confirme
How ever corrupt officers may disgrace
Themselves, 'tis not in them to wrong their place.
Bring them away.
Alg.
Wee'l suffer nobly yet,
And like to Spanish Gallants.
Pach.
And wee'l hang so.
Laz.
I have no stomach to it: but i'le endeavour.
Exeunt.
Scæna Quarta.
Enter Lucio, and Genevora.Gen.
Nay you are rude; pray you forbeare; your offer now
More then the breeding of a Gentleman
Can give you warrant for.
Luc.
Tis but to kisse you,
And think not ile receive that for a favour
Which was enjoyn'd me for a pennance, Lady.
Gen.
You have met a gentle confessor, and for once
(So then you wil rest satisfied) I vouchsafe it.
Luc.
Rest satisfide with a kisse? why can a man
Desire more from a woman? is there any
Pleasure beyond it? may I never live
If I know what it is.
Gen.
Sweet Innocence.
Luc.
VVhat a strange new motions do I feele? my veines
Burn with an unknown fire: in every part
I suffer alteration: I am poysond,
Yet languish with desire againe to taste it,
So sweetly it works on me.
Gen.
I ne'r saw
A lovely man, till now.
Luc.
How can this be?
She is a woman, as my mother is,
And her I have kiss'd often, and brought off
My lips unscortch'd; yours are more lovelie, Lady,
And so should be lesse hurtfull: pray you vouchsafe
Your hand, to quench the heat tane from your Lip,
Perhaps that may restore me.
Gen.
VVillinglie.
Luc.
The flame increases: if to touch you, burne thus,
VVhat would more strict embraces do? I know not,
And yet methinks to die so, were to ascend
To Heaven, through Paradise.
Gen.
I am wounded too,
Though modesty forbids that I should speake
VVhat ignorance makes him bold in: why do you fix
Your eyes so stronglie on me?
Luc.
Pray you stand still,
There is nothing els, that is worth the looking on:
I could adore you, Ladie.
Gen.
Can you love mee?
Luc.
To waite on you, in your chamber, and but touch
VVhat you, by wearing it, have made divine,
Were such a happinesse. I am resov'd,
Ile sell my libertie to you for this glove,
And write my selfe your slave.
Enter Lamorall.
Gen.
On easier termes,
Receive it as a friend.
Lam.
How! giving favour!
I'le have it with his heart.
Gen.
VVhat will you doe?
Luc.
As you are mercifull, take my life rather.
Gen.
VVill you depart with't so?
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Do's that grieve you?
Gen.
I know not: but even now you appeare valiant.
Luc.
Twas to preserve my father: in his cause
I could be so again.
Gen.
Not in your own? Kneel to thy rivall and thine enemy?
Away unworthy creature, I begin
To hate my selfe, for giving entrance to
A good opinion of thee: For thy torment,
If my poore beauty be of any power,
Mayst thou doat on it desperately: but never
Presume to hope for grace, till thou recover
And weare the favour that was ravish'd from thee.
Lam.
He weares my head to then.
Gen.
Poore foole, farewell.
Exit.
Luc.
My womanish soul, which hitherto hath governd
This coward flesh, I feele departing from me;
And in me by her beauty is inspir'd
A new, and masculine one: instructing me
What's fit to doe or suffer; powerfull love
That hast with loud, and yet a pleasing thunder
Rous'd sleeping manhood in me, thy new creature,
Perfect thy worke so that I may make known
Nature (though long kept back) wil have her owne.
Exeunt.
| Loves Cure or, The Martial Maid | |