 | VVomen pleas'd |  |
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Duchesse, Syenna, Lords, Silvio.Duch.
Joy to you Silvio, and your young faire Bride,
You have stolne a day upon us; you cannot wooe Sir.
Sil.
The joyes of Hell hang over me, O mischiefe,
To what a fortune has the Devill driven me?
Am I reserv'd for this?
Sy.
Beshrew me Sir,
But you have gotten you a right faire bedfellow,
Let you alone to chuse.
Sil.
I beseech your Grace,
'Tis misery enough to have met the Devill,
Not mens reproches too.
Sy.
How old is she?
Duch.
A very Girle, her eye delivers it.
Sy.
Her teeth are scarce come yet.
Lord.
What goodly children
Will they two have now? she is rarely made to breed on,
What a sweet timberd body?
Duch.
Knotty i'th back,
But will hold out the stronger; What a nose?
Sy.
I marry, such a nose, so rarely mounted,
Upon my conscience, 'twas the part he doted on.
Duch.
And that fine little eye to it, like an Elephants.
Lord.
Yes, if her feet were round, and her ears sachells.
Sy.
For any thing we know.
Sil.
Have ye no mercy?
No pitty in your bloods, to use a wretch thus?
You Princes, in whose hearts the best compassions,
Neerest to those in Heaven, should finde fit places,
Why do you mock at misery? fling scornes and basenesse
Upon his broken back, that sinks with sorrowes?
Heaven may reward you too, and an houre come,
When all your great designes shall shew ridiculous,
And your hearts pinch'd like mine.
Musick in divers places
Duch.
Fye Sir, so angry
Upon your wedding day? go smug your selfe,
The Maid will come anon: what Musick's this?
Sy.
I warrant you some noble preparation.
Duch.
Let's take our places then.
Sil.
More of these Devills dumps?
Must I be ever haunted with these witchcrafts?
Enter a Masquerado of severall Shapes and Daunces, after which enters Belvidere and dispenses them, before the Maskers enter two Presenters, among which are Bartello, Lopez, Claudio, Isabella, Rhodope, Soto, Penurio, Jaquenet.
1 Pre.
Roome, roome for merry spirits, roome,
Hether on command we come,
From the good old Beldam sent,
Cares and sorrowes to prevent.
2.
Looke up Silvio, smile, and sing,
After winter comes a spring.
1.
Feare not faint foole what may follow,
Eyes that now are sunk and hollow,
By her Art may quick returne
To their flames againe, and burne.
2.
Art commands all youth, and blood,
Strength and beauty it makes good.
1.
Feare not then, dispaire not, sing
Round about as we do spring:
Cares and sorrowes cast away,
This is the old wives holy-day.
Daunce here, then enter Belvidere.
Duch.
Who is this?
Sy.
The shape of Belvidere.
Bel.
Now Silvio,
How do'st thou like me now?
Sil.
Thus I kneele to thee.
Bel.
Stand up, and come no nearer, mark me well too,
For if thou troublest me I vanish instantly:
Now chuse wisely or chuse never,
One thou must enjoy for ever.
Do'st thou love me thus?
Sil.
Most dearely.
Bel.
Take heed foole, it concernes thee nearely.
If thou wilt have me young and bright,
Pleasing to thine eye and sight,
Courtly, and admir'd of all,
Take heed least thy fame do fall,
I shall then be full of scorne,
Wanton, proud, beware the horne,
Hating what I lov'd before,
Flattery apt to fall before,
All consuming, nothing getting,
Thus thy faire name comes to setting.
But if old and free from these
Thou shalt chuse me, I shall please:
I shall then maintaine thee still,
With my vertue and my skill:
Still encrease and build thy name,
Chuse now Silvio, here I am.
Sil.
I know not what to say, which way to turne me,
Into thy Soveraigne will I put my answer.
Bel.
I thank ye Sir, and my will thus rewards ye,
Take your old Love, your best, your dearest Silvio:
No more Spells now, nor further shapes to alter me,
I am thy Belvidere indeed, Deare Mother,
There is no altering this, heavens hand is with it:
46
Sil.
But why that Hag?
Bel.
In that shape most secure still,
I followed all your fortunes, serv'd, and counsell'd ye,
I met ye at the Farmers first a Country wench,
Where fearing to be knowne I tooke that habit,
And to make ye laughing sport at this mad marriage,
By secret ayde of my friend Rhodope
We got this Maske.
Sil.
And I am sure I have ye.
Bel.
For ever now, for ever.
Duch.
You see it must be,
The wheele of destiny hath turn'd it round so.
Sy.
It must, it is, and curs'd be he that breakes it.
Duch.
Ile put a choyce to you Sir: ye are my Prisoner.
Sy.
I am so, and I must be so, till it please you—
Duch.
Chuse one of these, either to pay a Ransome,
At what rate I shall set it, which shall be high enough,
And so returne a Free-man, and a Bachellor,
Or give me leave to give you a fit wife,
In honour every way your Graces equall,
And so your Ransom's paid.
Sy.
You say most nobly,
Silvio's example's mine, pray chuse you for me.
Duc.
I thank ye Sir, I have got the mastry too,
And here I give your Grace a husbands freedome,
Give me your hand, my Husband.
Sy.
You much honour me,
And I shall ever serve ye for this favour.
Bart.
Come Lopez, let us give our wives the breeches too,
For they will have 'em.
Lop.
Whilst they rule with vertue
Ile give 'em, skin and all.
Isab.
Wee'l scratch it off else.
Sil.
I am glad ye live, more glad ye live to honour,
And from this houre a stronger love dwell with us;
Pray you take your man againe.
Cla.
He knowes my house Sir.
Duch.
'Tis sin to keep you longer from your Loves,
Wee'l lead the way; and you young men that know not
How to preserve a wife, and keep her faire,
Give 'em their soveraign wills, & pleas'd they are.
Exeunt.
| VVomen pleas'd | |