University of Virginia Library

Scena Prima.

Enter Valentine, Alice, and Servant.
Val.
He cannot goe and take no farewel of me,
Can he be so unkind? he's but retir'd
Into the Garden or the Orchard: see Sirs.

Ali.
He would not ride there certain, those were planted
Only for walks I take it.

Val.
Ride? nay then,
Had he a horse out?

Ser.
So the Groom delivers
Somewhat before the break of day.

Val.
He's gone,
My best friend's gone Alice; I have lost the noblest,
The truest, and the most man I e're found yet.

Alice.
Indeed Sir, he deserves all praise.

Val.
All Sister,
All, all, and all too little: O that honesty,
That ermine honesty, unspotted ever,
That perfect goodness.

Alice.
Sure he will return Sir,
He cannot be so harsh.

Val.
O never, never,
Never return, thou know'st not where the cause lyes.

Alice.
He was the worthiest welcom.

Val.
He deserv'd it.

Alice.
Nor wanted, to our knowledge.

Val.
I will tell thee,
Within this hour, things that shall startle thee,
He never must return.

Enter Michael.
Mich.
Good morrow Signieur.

Val.
Good morrow Master Michael.

Mich.
My good neighbour,
Me thinks you are stirring early since your travel,
You have learn'd the rule of health sir, where's your mistress?
She keeps her warm I warrant ye, i' bed yet?

Val.
I think she does.

Alice.
'Tis not her hour of waking.

Mich.
Did you lye with her, Lady?

Alice.
Not to night Sir,
Nor any night this week else.

Mich.
When last saw ye her?

Alice.
Late yesternight.

Mich.
Was she' bed then?

Alice.
No Sir,
I lest her at her prayers: why do ye ask me?

Mich.
I have been strangely haunted with a dream
All this long night, and after many wakings,
The same dream still; me thought I met young Cellide
Just at S. Katherines gate the Nunnery.

Val.
Ha?

Mic.
Her face slubber'd o're with tears, and troubles,
Me thought she cry'd unto the Lady Abbess,
For charity receive me holy woman,
A Maid that has forgot the worlds affections,
Into thy virgin order: me thought she took her,
Put on a Stole, and sacred robe upon her,
And there I left her.

Val.
Dream?

Mich.
Good Mistress Alice
Do me the favour (yet to satisfie me)
To step but up, and see.

Alice.
I know she's there Sir,
And all this but a dream:

Mich.
You know not my dreams,
They are unhappy ones, and often truths,
But this I hope, yet.

Alice.
I will satisfie ye.

[Exit.
Mich.
Neighbours, how does the Gentleman?

Val.
I know not,
Dream of a Nunnery?

Mich.
How found ye my words
About the nature of his sickness Valentine?

Val.
Did she not cry out, 'twas my folly too
That forc'd her to this nunnery? did she not curse me?
For God sake speak: did you not dream of me too,
How basely, poorly, tamely, like a fool,
Tir'd with his joyes?

Mich.
Alas poor Gentleman,
Ye promis'd me Sir to bear all these crosses.

Val.
I bear 'em till I break again.

Mich.
But nobly,
Truly to weigh.

Val.
Good neighbours, no more of it,
Ye do but fling flax on my fire: where is she?

Enter Alice.
Ali.
Not yonder Sir, nor has not this night certain
Been in her bed.

Mich.
It must be truth she tells ye,
And now I'le shew ye why I came: this morning
A man of mine being employed about business,
Came early home, who at S. Katherines Nunnery,
About day peep, told me he met your Mistress,
And as I spoke it in a dream, so troubled
And so received by the Abbess, did he see her,
The wonder made me rise, and hast unto ye
To know the cause.

Val.
Farewel, I cannot speak it.
[Exit Val.

Alice.
For Heaven sake leave him not.

Mich.
I will not Lady.

Alice.
Alas, he's much afflicted,

Mich.
We shall know shortly more, apply your own care
At home good Alice, and trust him to my counsel,
Nay, do not weep, all shall be well, despair not.

[Exeunt.