University of Virginia Library

Scæne 6.

Enter Alinda, Honora, Viola.
Al.
You must not be so fearefull, little one,
Nor Lady you so sad, you will ne're make Courtiers
With these dull sullen thoughts; this place is pleasure,
Preserv'd to that use, so inhabited;
And those that live here, live delightfull, joyfull:
These are the Gardens of Adonis, Ladies,
Where all sweets to their free and noble uses,
Grow ever young and courted.

Hon.
Blesse me heaven,
Can things of her yeares arrive at these rudiments?
By your leave fair gentlewoman, how long have you bin here?

Al.
Faith much about a week.

Hon.
You have studied hard,
And by my faith arriv'd at a great knowledge.

Viol.
Were not you bashfull at first?

Al.
I, I, for an houre or two:
But when I saw people laugh'd at me for it,
And thought it a dull breeding—

Hon.
You are govern'd here then
Much after the mens opinions.

Al.
Ever Ladie.

Hon.
And what they think is honourable.—

Al.
Most precisely
We follow with all faith.

Hon.
A goodly Catechisme.

Viol.
But bashfull for an houre or two?

Al.
Faith to say true,
I do not think I was so long: for look yee,
'Tis to no end here, put on what shape ye will,
And soure your selfe with ne're so much austeritie,
You shall be courted in the same, and won too,
'Tis but some two houres more; and so much time lost,
Which we hold pretious here: In so much time now
As I have told you this, you may lose a servant,
Your age, nor all your Art can e're recover.
Catch me occasion as she comes, hold fast there,
Till what you doe affect is ripn'd to yee.
Has the Duke seen yee yet?

Ho.
What if he have not?

Al.
You doe your beauties too much wrong, appearing
So full of sweetnesse, newnesse; set so richly,
As if a Councell beyond nature fram'd yee.

Hon.
If we were thus? say heaven had given these blessings,
Must we turne these to sin-oblations?

Al.
How foolishly this Countrey way shewes in ye?
How full of flegme? doe you come here to pray Ladies.
You had best crie, stand away, let me alone gentlemen,
Ile tell my father else.

Viol.
This woman's naught sure,
A verie naughtie woman.

Hon.
Come, say on friend,
Ile be instructed by ye.

Al.
You'll thank me for't.

Ho.
Either I or the devil shal: The Duke you were speaking of.

Al.
'Tis well remembred: yes, let him first see you,
Appeare not openly till he has view'd yee.

Hon.
Hee's a very noble Prince they say.

Al.
O wondrous gracious;
And as you may deliver your selfe at the first viewing.
For look ye, you must beare your selfe; yet take heed
It be so season'd with a sweet humilitie,
And grac'd with such a bountie in your beautie—

Hon.
But I hope he will offer me no ill?

Al.
No, no:
'Tis like he will kisse ye, and play with ye.

Hon.
Plaie with me, how?

Al.
Why, good Lord, that you are such a foole now.
No harme assure your selfe.

Viol.
Will ye play with me too?

Al.
Look babies in your eyes, my prettie sweet one:
Ther's a fine sport: doe you know your lodgings yet?

Hon.
I heare of none.

Al.
I doe then, they are handsome,
Convenient for accesse.

Viol.
Accesse?

Al.
Yes little one,
For visitation of those friends and servants,
Your beauties shall make choice of: friends and visits:
Doe not you know those uses? Alas poore novice;
There's a close Cowch or two, handsomely placed too.

Viol.
What are those I pray you?

Al.
Who would be troubled with such raw things? they are to lie upon,
And your love by ye; and discourse, and toy in.

Viol.
Alas I have no love.

Al.
You must by any meanes:
You'll have a hundred, feare not.

Viol.
Honestie keep me:
What shall I doe with all those?

Al.
You'll finde uses:
Ye are ignorant yet, let time work; you must learne too,
To lie handsomly in your bed a mornings, neatly drest
In a most curious VVastcoat, to set ye off well,
Play with your Bracelets, sing you must learn to rhime to,
And riddle neatlie; studie the hardest language,
And 'tis no matter whether it be sense, or no,
So it goe seemlie off. Be sure yee profit
In kissing, kissing sweetly: there lies a maine point,
A key that opens to all practick pleasure;
Ile helpe yee to a friend of mine shal teach ye,
And suddenlie: your Countrey way is fulsome.

Hon.
Have ye schooles for all these mysteries?

Al.
O yes,
And severall houres prefix'd to studie in:
Ye may have Kalanders to know the good houre,
And when to take a jewell: for the ill too,
VVhen to refuse, with observations on 'em;
Under what Signe 'tis best meeting in an Arbor,
And in what Bower, and houre it works; a thousand,
VVhen in a Coach, when in a private lodging,
VVith all their vertues.

Hon.
Have ye studied these?
How beastly they become your youth? how bawdily?
A woman of your tendernesse, a teacher,
Teacher of these lewd Arts? of your full beauty?
A man made up in lust would loath this in yee:
The rankest Leacher, hate such impudence.
They say the devill can assume heavens brightnesse,
And so appeare to tempt us: sure thou art no woman.

Al.
I joy to finde ye thus,

Hon.
Thou hast no tendernesse,
No reluctation in thy heart: 'tis mischiefe.

Al.
All's one for that; read these and then be satisfi'd,
A few more private rules I have gather'd for ye,
Read 'em, and well observe 'em: so I leave ye.

Exit.
Viol.
A wondrous wicked woman: shame go with thee.

Hon.

Vio.
Feare not thou yet unblasted Violet,
Nor let my wanton words a doubt beget,
Live in that peace and sweetnessr of thy bud,
Remember whose thou art, and grow still good.
Remember what thou art, and stand a storie
Fit for thy noble Sex, and thine owne glorie.

Hon.
I know not what to thinke.

Viol.
Sure a good woman,
An excellent woman, sister.

Hon.
It confounds me;
Let 'em use all their arts, if these be their ends,
The Court I say breeds the best foes and friends.
Come, let's be honest wench, and doe our best service.

Vio.
A most excellent woman, I will love her.

Exeunt.