 | Rule a Wife, and have a Wife |  |
Actus Primus.
Scena Prima.
Enter Juan de Castro, and Michael Perez.Mich.
Are your Companies full, Colonel?
Juan.
No, not yet, Sir:
Nor will not be this month yet, as I reckon;
How rises your Command?
Mich.
We pick up still, and as our monies hold out,
We have men come, about that time I think
We shall be full too, many young Gallants go.
Juan.
And unexperienced,
The Wars are dainty dreams to young hot spirits,
Time and Experience will allay those Visions,
We have strange things to fill our numbers,
There's one Don Leon, a strange goodly fellow,
Recommended to me from some noble Friends,
For my Alferes, had you but seen his Person,
And what a Giants promise it protesteth.
Mich.
I have heard of him, and that he hath serv'd before too.
Juan.
But no harm done, nor never meant, Don Michael,
That came to my ears yet, ask him a question,
He blushes like a Girl, and answers little,
To the point less, he wears a Sword, a good one,
And good Cloaths too, he is whole skin'd, has no hurt yet,
Good promising hopes, I never yet heard certainly
Of any Gentleman that saw him angry.
Mich.
Preserve him, he'll conclude a peace if need be,
Many as strong as he will go along with us,
That swear as valiantly as heart can wish,
Their mouths charg'd with six oaths at once, and whole ones,
That make the drunken Dutch creep into Mole-hills.
Juan.
'Tis true, such we must look for: but Mich. Perez,
When heard you of Donna Margarita, the great Heiress?
Mich.
I hear every hour of her, though I never saw her,
She is the main discourse: noble Don Juan de Castro,
How happy were that man could catch this Wench up,
And live at ease! she is fair, and young, and wealthy,
Infinite wealthy, and as gracious too
In all her entertainments, as men report.
Juan.
But she is proud, Sir, that I know for certain,
And that comes seldome without wantonness,
He that shall marry her, must have a rare hand.
Mich.
Would I were married, I would find that Wisdom,
With a light rein to rule my Wife: if ever Woman
If the most subtile mould went beyond me,
I would give the Boys leave to whoot me out o'th' Parish.
Enter a Servant.
Ser.
Sir, there be two Gentlewomen attend to speak
With you.
Juan.
Wait on 'em in.
Mich.
Are they two handsome Women?
Ser.
They seem so, very handsom, but they are vail'd, Sir.
Mich.
Thou put'st sugar in my mouth, how it melts with me!
Have a sweet young Wench.
Juan.
Wait on them in I say.
[Exit Servant.
Mich.
Don Juan.
Juan.
How you itch, Michael! how you burnish!
Will not this Souldiers heat out of your bones yet,
Do your Eyes glow now?
Mich.
There be two.
Juan.
Say honest, what shame have you then?
Mich.
I would fain see that,
I have been in the Indies twice, and have seen strange things,
But two honest Women;—one I read of once.
Juan.
Prithee be modest.
Mich.
I'll be any thing.
Enter Servant, Donna Clara, and Estifania vail'd.
Juan.
You are welcome Ladies.
Mich.
Both hooded, I like 'em well though,
They come not for advice in Law sure hither;
May be they would learn to raise the Pike,
I am for 'em: they are very modest, 'tis a fine Preludium.
Juan.
With me, or with this Gentleman,
Would you speak, Lady?
Clara.
With you, Sir, as I guess, Juan de Castro.
Mich.
Her Curtain opens, she is a pretty Gentlewoman.
Juan.
I am the Man, and shall be bound to Fortune,
I may do any service to your Beauties.
Clara.
Captain, I hear you are marching down to Flanders,
To serve the Catholick King.
Juan.
I am sweet Lady.
Clara.
I have a Kinsman, and a noble Friend,
Imploy'd in those Wars, may be, Sir, you know him,
Don Campusano Captain of Carbines,
To whom I would request your Nobleness,
To give this poor Remembrance.
[A Letter.
Juan.
I shall do it,
I know the Gentleman, a most worthy Captain.
Clara.
Something in private.
Juan.
Step aside: I'll serve thee.
[Ex. Juan, and Clara.
Mich.
Prithee let me see thy face.
Estif.
Sir, you must pardon me,
Women of our sort, that maintain fair memories,
And keep suspect off from their Chastities,
Had need wear thicker Vails.
Mich.
I am no blaster of a Ladies Beauty,
Nor bold intruder on her special favours,
I know how tender Reputation is,
And with what guards it ought to be preserv'd, Lady,
You may to me.
Estif.
You must excuse me, Seignior, I come
Not here to sell my self.
Mich.
As I am a Gentleman, by the honour of a Souldier.
Estif.
I believe you,
I pray you be civil, I believe you would see me,
And when you have seen me I believe you will like me,
But in a strange place, to a stranger too,
As if I came on purpose to betray you,
Indeed I will not.
Mich.
I shall love you dearly,
And 'tis a sin to fling away affection,
I have no Mistress, no desire to honour
Any but you will not this Oyster open?
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She will draw sure; so deep, and taken from me
All the desire I might bestow on others,
Quickly before they come.
Estif.
Indeed I dare not:
But since I see you are so desirous, Sir,
To view a poor face that can merit nothing
But your Repentance.
Mich.
It must needs be excellent.
Estif.
And with what honesty you ask it of me,
When I am gone let your man follow me,
And view what house I enter, thither come,
For there I dare be bold to appear open:
And as I like your vertuous carriage then,
Enter Juan, Clara, a Servant.
I shall be able to give welcome to you;
She hath done her business, I must take my leave, Sir.
Mich.
I'll kiss your fair white hand and thank you, Lady.
My man shall wait, and I shall be your Servant,
Sirrah, come near, hark.
Serv.
I shall do it faithfully.
[Exit.
Juan.
You will command me no more services?
Cla.
To be careful of your noble health, dear Sir,
That I may ever honour you.
Juan.
I thank you,
And kiss your hands, wait on the Ladies down there.
[Exeunt Ladies, and Servants.
Mi.
You had the honour to see the face that came to you?
Juan.
And 'twas a fair one; what was yours, Don Michael?
Mi.
Mine was i'th' clipse, and had a Cloud drawn over it.
But I believe well, and I hope 'tis handsome,
She had a hand would stir a holy Hermite.
Juan.
You know none of 'em?
Mich.
No.
Juan.
Then I do, Captain,
But I'll say nothing till I see the proof on't,
Sit close Don Perez, or your Worship's caught.
I fear a Flye.
Mich.
Were those she brought Love-Letters?
Juan.
A Packet to a Kinsman now in Flanders,
Yours was very modest methought.
Mich.
Some young unmanag'd thing,
But I may live to see—
Juan.
'Tis worth experience,
Let's walk abroad and view our Companies.
[Exeunt.
Enter Sanchio, and Alonzo.
Sanch.
What, are you for the Wars, Alonzo?
Alon.
It may be I,
It may be no, e'n as the humour takes me.
If I find peace amongst the female Creatures,
And easie entertainment, I'll stay at home,
I am not so far obliged yet to long Marches
And mouldy Biskets, to run mad for Honour,
When you are all gone I have my choice before me.
Sanch.
Of which Hospital thou wilt sweat in; wilt thou
Never leave whoring?
Alon.
There is less danger in't than gunning, Sanchio,
Though we be shot sometimes, the shot's not mortal,
Besides, it breaks no limbs.
Sanch.
But it disables 'em,
Dost thou see how thou pull'st thy legs after-thee, as they
Hung by points.
Alon.
Better to pull 'em thus than walk on wooden ones,
Serve bravely for a Billet to support me.
Sanch.
Fye, fye, 'tis base.
Alon.
Dost thou count it base to suffer?
Suffer abundantly? 'tis the Crown of Honour;
You think it nothing to lie twenty days
Under a Surgeons hands that has no mercy.
Sanch.
As thou hast done I am sure, but I perceive now
Why you desire to stay, the orient Heiress,
The Margarita, Sir.
Alonz.
I would I had her.
Sanch.
They say she will marry.
Alonz.
I think she will.
Sanch.
And marry suddenly, as report goes too,
She fears her Youth will not hold out, Alonzo.
Alonz.
I would I had the sheathing on't.
Sanch.
They say too
She has a greedy eye that must be fed
With more than one mans meat.
Alonz.
Would she were mine,
I would cater for her well enough; but Sanchio,
There be too many great men that adore her,
Princes, and Princes fellows, that claim priviledge.
Sanch.
Yet those stand off i'th' way of marriage,
To be tyed to a mans pleasure is a second labour.
Alon.
She has bought a brave house here in town.
Sanch.
I have heard so.
Alonz.
If she convert it now to pious uses,
And bid poor Gentlemen welcome.
Sanch.
When comes she to it?
Alonz.
Within these two days, she is in the Country yet,
And keeps the noblest House.
Sanch.
Then there's some hope of her,
Wilt thou go my way?
Alonz.
No, no, I must leave you,
And repair to an old Gentlewoman
That has credit with her, that can speak a good word.
Sanch.
Send thee good fortune, but make thy Body sound first.
Alonz.
I am a Souldier,
And too sound a Body becomes me not;
Farewel, Sanchio.
[Exeunt.
Enter a Servant of Michael Perez.
Serv.
'Tis this or that house, or I have lost my aim,
They are both fair buildings, she walked plaguy fast,
Enter Estifania.
And hereabouts I lost her; stay, that's she,
'Tis very she,—she makes me a low court'sie,
Let me note the place, the street I well remember.
[Exit.
She is in again, certain some noble Lady.
How happy should I be if she love my master:
A wondrous goodly house, here are brave lodgings,
And I shall sleep now like an Emperour,
And eat abundantly: I thank my fortune,
I'll back with speed, and bring him happy tidings.
[Exit.
Enter three old Ladies.
1 Lady.
What should it mean, that in such haste
We are sent for?
2 Lady.
Belike the Lady Margaret has some business
She would break to us in private.
3 Lady.
It should seem so.
'Tis a good Lady, and a wise young Lady.
2 Lady.
And vertuous enough too I warrant ye
For a young Woman of her years; 'tis pity
To load her tender Age with too much Vertue.
3 Lady.
'Tis more sometimes than we can well away with.
Enter Altea.
Alt.
Good morrow, Ladies.
All.
'Morrow my good Madam.
1 Lad.
How does the sweet young Beauty, Lady Margaret?
2 Lady.
Has she slept well after her walk last night?
1 Lady.
Are her dreams gentle to her mind?
Alt.
All's well,
She's very well, she sent for you thus suddenly
To give her counsel in a business
That much concerns her.
2 Lady.
She does well and wisely,
To ask the counsel of the ancientst, Madam,
Our years have run through many things she knows not.
Alt.
She would fain marry.
1 Lady.
'Tis a proper calling.
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Alt.
That's left to argue on, I pray come in
And break your fast, drink a good cup or two,
To strengthen your understandings, then she'l tell ye.
2.
And good wine breeds good counsel,
We'l yield to ye.
[Exeunt.
Enter Juan de Castro, and Leon.
Juan.
Have you seen any service?
Leon.
Yes.
Juan.
Where?
Leon.
Every where.
Juan.
What office bore ye?
Leon.
None, I was not worthy.
Juan.
What Captains know you?
Leon.
None, they were above me.
Juan.
Were you never hurt?
Leon.
Not that I well remember,
But once I stole a Hen, and then they beat me;
Pray ask me no long questions, I have an ill memory.
Juan.
This is an Asse, did you never draw your sword yet?
Leon.
Not to do any harm I thank Heaven for't.
Juan.
Not ne'r ta'ne prisoner?
Leon.
No, I ran away,
For I had ne'r no mony to redeem me.
Juan.
Can you endure a Drum?
Leon.
It makes my head ake.
Juan.
Are you not valiant when you are drunk?
Leon.
I think not, but I am loving Sir.
Juan.
What a lump is this man,
Was your Father wise?
Leon.
Too wise for me I'm sure,
For he gave all he had to my younger Brother.
Juan.
That was no foolish part I'le bear you witness.
Canst thou lye with a woman?
Leon.
I think I could make shift Sir,
But I am bashfull.
Juan.
In the night?
Leon.
I know not,
Darkness indeed may do some good upon me.
Juan.
Why art thou sent to me to be my officer,
Ay, and commended too, when thou darst not fight?
Leon.
There be more officers of my opinion,
Or I am cozen'd Sir, men that talk more too.
Juan.
How wilt thou scape a bullet?
Leon.
Why by chance,
They aim at honourable men, alas I am none Sir.
Juan.
This fellow has some doubts in's talk that strike me,
Enter Alonzo.
He cannot be all fool: welcom Alonzo.
Alon.
What have you got there, temperance into your company?
The spirit of peace? we shall have wars
Enter Cacafogo.
By th'ounce then. O here's another pumpion,
Let him loose for luck sake, the cram'd son
Of a stav'd Usurer, Cacafogo, both their brains butter'd,
Cannot make two spoonfulls.
Caca.
My Father's dead: I am a man of war too,
Monyes, demesns; I have ships at sea too,
Captains.
Juan.
Take heed o'th' Hollanders, your ships may leak else.
Caca.
I scorn the Hollanders, they are my drunkards.
Alon.
Put up your gold Sir, I'le borrow it else.
Caca.
I am satisfied, you shall not,
Come out, I know thee, meet mine anger instantly.
Leon.
I never wrong'd ye.
Caca.
Thou hast wrong'd mine honor,
Thou look'dst upon my Mistris, thrice lasciviously,
Ile make it good.
Juan.
Do not heat your self, you will surfeit.
Caca.
Thou wan'st my mony too, with a pair of base bones,
In whom there was no truth, for which I beat thee,
I beat thee much, now I will hurt thee dangerously.
This shall provoke thee.
[He strikes.
Alon.
You struck too low by a foot Sir.
Juan.
You must get a ladder when you would beat
This fellow.
Leon.
I cannot chuse but kick again, pray pardon me.
Caca.
Hadst thou not ask'd my pardon, I had kill'd thee,
I leave thee as a thing despis'd, assoles manus a vostra siniare
a Maistre.
[Exit Cac.
Alon.
You have scap'd by miracle, there is not in all Spain,
A spirit of more fury than this fire drake.
Leon.
I see he is hasty, and I would give him leave
To beat me soundly if he would take my bond.
Juan.
What shall I do with this fellow?
Alon.
Turn him off,
He will infect the camp with cowardise,
If he goe with thee.
Juan.
About some week hence Sir,
If I can hit upon no abler officer,
You shall hear from me.
Leon.
I desire no better.
[Exit.
Enter Estifania, and Perez.
Per.
You have made me now too bountifull amends, Lady
For your strict carriage when you saw me first,
These beauties were not meant to be conceal'd,
It was a wrong to hide so sweet an object,
I cou'd now cnide ye, but it shall be thus,
No other anger ever touch your sweetness.
Estif.
You appear to me so honest, and so civil,
Without a blush Sir, I dare bid ye welcom.
Per.
Now let me ask your name.
Estif.
'Tis Estifanie, the heir of this poor place.
Per.
Poor do you call it?
There's nothing that I cast mine eyes upon,
But shews both rich and admirable, all the rooms
Are hung as if a Princess were to dwell here,
The Gardens, Orchards, every thing so curious:
Is all that plate your own too?
Estif.
'Tis but little,
Only for present use, I have more and richer,
When need shall call, or friends compel me use it,
The sutes you see of all the upper chamber,
Are those that commonly adorn the house,
I think I have besides, as fair, as civil,
As any town in Spain can parallel.
Per.
Now if she be not married, I have some hopes.
Are you a maid?
Estif.
You make me blush to answer,
I ever was accounted so to this hour,
And that's the reason that I live retir'd Sir.
Per.
Then would I counsel you to marry presently,
(If I can get her, I am made for ever)
For every year you lose, you lose a beauty,
A Husband now, an honest careful Husband,
Were such a comfort: will ye walk above stairs?
Estif.
This place will fit our talk, 'tis fitter far Sir,
Above there are day-beds, and such temptations
I dare not trust Sir.
Per.
She is excellent wise withal too.
Estif.
You nam'd a husband, I am not so strict Sir,
Nor ti'd unto a Virgins solitariness,
But if an honest, and a noble one,
Rich, and a souldier, for so I have vowed he shall be,
Were offer'd me, I think I should accept him,
But above all he must love.
Perez.
He were base else,
There's comfort ministred in the word souldier,
How sweetly should I live!
Estif.
I am not so ignorant, but that I know well,
How to be commanded,
And how again to make my self obey'd Sir,
I waste but little, I have gather'd much,
My rial not the less worth, when 'tis spent,
282
I hold it as indifferent in my duty,
To be his maid i'th' kitchin, or his Cook,
As in the Hall to know my self the Mistris.
Per.
Sweet, rich, and provident, now fortune stick
To me; I am a Souldier, and a bachelour, Lady,
And such a wife as you, I cou'd love infinitely,
They that use many words, some are deceitfull,
I long to be a Husband, and a good one,
For 'tis most certain I shall make a president
For all that follow me to love their Ladies,
I am young you see, able I would have you think too,
If't please you know, try me before you take me.
'Tis true I shall not meet in equal wealth
With ye, but Jewels, Chains, such as the war
Has given me, a thousand Duckets I dare
Presume on in ready gold, now as your
Care may handle it, as rich cloths too, as
Any he bears arms Lady.
Estif.
You are a true gentleman, and fair, I see by ye,
And such a man I had rather take.
Perez.
Pray do so, I'le have a Priest o'th' sudden.
Estif.
And as suddenly you will repent too.
Perez.
I'le be hang'd or drown'd first,
By this and this, and this kiss.
Estif.
You are a Flatterer,
But I must say there was something when I saw you
First, in that most noble face, that stirr'd my fancy.
Per.
I'le stir it better e're you sleep sweet Lady,
I'le send for all my trunks and give up all to ye,
Into your own dispose, before I bed ye,
And then sweet wench.
Estif.
You have the art to cozen me.
[Exeunt.
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