 | The Maid in the Mill |  |
Actus quartus.
Scæna Prima.
Enter Antonio, Martine, Bustofa.Mar.
By all means discharge your follower.
Ant.
If we can get him off: Sirrha Bustofa.
Thou must needs run back.
Bust.
But I must not unlesse you send
A Bier, or a Lictor at my back, I do not use to run
From my friends.
Ant.
Well, go will serve turne: I have forgot.
Bust.
What Sir,
Ant.
See if I can think on't now.
Bust.
I know what 'tis now?
Ant.
A Pistolet of that.
Bust.
Done, you have forgot a device to send me away,
You are going a smocking perhaps.
Mar.
His owne, due, due i'faith Antonio,
The Pistolet's his owne.
Ant.
I confesse it,
There 'tis: now if you could afford out of it
A reasonable excuse to mine Uncle.
Bust.
Yes, I can:
But an excuse will not serve your turn: it must be a lie,
A full lie, 'twill do no good else: if you'll go to
The price of that?
Ant.
Is a lie dearer then an excuse?
Bust.
Oh, treble; this is the price of an excuse: but a lye is two more:
Look how many foyles go to a fair fall, so many excuses to
A full lye, and lesse cannot serve your turn, let any Tailor
I'th' Towne make it.
Mar.
Wie, 'tis reasonable, give him his price:
Let it be large enough now.
Bust.
I'll warrant you, cover him all over.
Ant.
I would have proof of one now.
Bust.
What? scale my invention before hand? you shall pardon
Me for that: well, I'll commend you to your Uncle, and
Tell him you'll be at home at supper with him.
Ant.
By no means, I cannot come to night (man)
Bust.
I know that too, you do not know a lye when you see it.
Mar.
Remember it must stretch for all night.
Bust.
I shall want stuffe, I doubt 'twill come to the other Pistolet.
Ant.
Well, lay out, you shall be no loser Sir.
Bust.
It must be faced, you know, there will be a yard of dissimulation
At least (City-measure) and cut upon an untroth or two: Lyned
With Fables, that must needs be, cold weather's coming, if it had
A galloon of hypocrisie, 't would do wells and hooked
Together with a couple of conceits,
That's necessity; well, I'll bring in my
Bill: I'll warrant you as fair a lye by that time I have done
With it, as any gentleman i'th' Town can swear too: if he
Would betray his Lord and Master.
Exit.
Ant.
So, so, this necessary trouble's over.
Mar.
I would you had bought an excuse of him
Before he went: you'll want one for Ismenia.
15
Tush, there needs none, there's no suspition yet,
And I'll be arm'd before the next encounter,
In a fast tye with my fair Isabel.
Enter Bustofa.
Mar.
Yes, you'll find your errand is before you now.
Bust.
Oh Gentlemen, look to your selves, ye are
Men of another world else: your enemies are upon you;
The old house of the Bellides will fall upon your heads:
Signior Lisauro.
Ant.
Lisauro?
Bust.
And Don what call you him? he's a Gentleman:
Yet he has but a Yeomans name,
Don Tarso, Tarso, and a dozen at their heels.
Ant.
Lisauro, Tarso, nor a dozen more
Shall fright me from my ground, nor shun my path,
Let'em come on in their ablest fury.
Mar.
'Tis worthily resolved: I'll stand by you Sir,
This way, I am thy true friend.
Bust.
I'll be gone Sir, that one may live to tell what's become of you.
Put up, put up, will you never learn to know a lye
From an Esop's fables? there's a taste for you now.
Exit.
Enter Ismenia and Aminta,
Mar.
Look Sir, what time of day is it?
Ant.
I know not, my eies go false, I dare not trust 'em now,
I prethee tell me (Martin) if thou canst,
Is that Ismenia, or Isabella.
Mar.
This is the Lady, forget not Isabella.
Ant.
If this face may be borrowed and lent out,
If it can shift shoulders, and take other tyres,
So, 'tis mine where ere I find it
Ism.
Be sudden:
Exit Aminta.
I cannot hold out long.
Mar.
Beleeve't she frowns.
Ant.
Let it come, she cannot frown me off on't:
How prettily it wooes me to come neerer?
How do you (Lady) since yesterdaies pains?
Were you not weary? of my faith.
Ism.
I think you were.
Ant.
What Lady?
Ism.
Weary of your faith, 'tis a burthen
That men faint under, though they bear little of it.
Mar.
So, this is to the purpose.
Ant.
You came home
In a fair hour I hope?
Enter Aminta.
Ism.
From whence Sir?
Am.
Sir, there's a Gentlewoman without desires to speak with you.
Ant.
They were pretty homely toyes: but your presence
Made them illustrious.
Ism.
My Cosen speaks to you.
Am.
A Gentlewoman Sir, Isabella
She names her self.
Mar.
So, so, it hits finely now.
Ant.
Name your self how you please: speak what you please,
I'll hear you cheerfully.
Ism.
You are not well,
Request her in: she may have more acquaintance
With his passions, and better cure for 'em.
Am.
She's nice in that (Madam) poor soul it seems
She's fearfull of your displeasure.
Ism.
I'll quit her
From that presently, and bring her in my self.
Exit.
Mar.
How carelesly do you behave your self?
When you should call all your best faculties
To councell in you: how will you answer
The breach you made with fair Ismenia?
Have you forgot the retrograde vow you took
With her, that now is come in evidence?
You'll die upon your shame, you need no more
Enemies of the house, but the Lady now:
You shall have your dispatch.
Enter Ismenia like Juno.
Ant.
Give me that face,
And I am satisfied upon whose shoulders
So ere it growes: Juno deliver us
Out of this amazement: Beseech you Goddesse
Tell us of our friends, how dos Ismenia?
And how does Isabella? both in good health
I hope, as you your self are.
Ism.
I am at farthest
In my counterfeit: my Antonio
I have matter against you may need pardon,
As I must crave of you.
Ant.
Observe you Sir,
What evidence is come against me? what think you
The Hydra-headed Jury will say to't?
Mar.
'Tis I am foold,
My hopes are pour'd into the bottomles tubs,
Tis labour for the house of Bellides:
I must not seem so yet: but in sooth (Lady)
Did you imagine your changeable face
Hid you from me? by this hand I knew you.
Ant.
I went by the face: and by these eies I
Might have been deceived.
Ism.
You might indeed (Antonio)
For this Gentleman did vow to Isabella,
That he it was that lov'd Ismenia,
And not Antonio?
Mar.
Good, and was not that
A manifest confession that I knew you?
I else had been unjust unto my friend:
Twas well remembred, there I found you out
And speak your conscience now.
Ant.
But did he so protest?
Ism.
Yes, I vow to you, had Antonio
Wedded Isabella, Ismenia
Had not been lost, there had been her lover.
Ant.
Why much good do you friend, take her to you:
I crave but one, here have I my wish full,
I am glad we shall be so neer Neighbours.
Mar.
Take both Sir, Juno to boote: three parts in one,
S. Hilarie blesse you, now oportunitie
Beware to meet with falshood, if thou canst
Shun it, my friends faith's turning from him.
Ism.
Might I not justly accuse Antonio
For a love-wanderer? you know no other
But me, for another, and confesse troth now?
Ant.
Here was my guide, where ere I find this face,
I am a Lover, marry, I must not misse
This freckle then, I have the number of 'em,
Nor this dimple: not a silk from this brow,
I carry the full Idea ever with me;
If Nature can so punctually paralel,
I may be cozened.
Ism.
Well, all this is even:
But now, to perfect all, our love must now
Come to our Enemies hands, where neither part
Will ever give consent to't.
Ant.
Most certain:
For which reason it must not be put to'em:
Have we not prevention in our owne hands.
16
Yet be so nice to pull till I ask leave
Of the churlish Gardner, that will deny me?
Ism.
O Antonio.
Ant.
'Tis manners to fall to
When grace is said.
Ism.
That holy act 's to come.
Mar.
You may ope an oyster or two before grace.
Ant.
Are there not double vows, as valuable
And as well spoke as any Frier utters?
Heaven has heard all.
Ism.
Yes: but stayes the blessing,
Till all dues be done: heaven is not serv'd by halfs.
Wee shall have ne'r a fathers blessing here,
Let us not lose the better, from above.
Ant.
You take up weapons of unequal force,
It shows you cowardly: heark in your ear.
Am.
Have I lost all imployment? Would this proffer
Had been made to me, though I had paid it
With a reasonable pennance.
Mar.
Have I past
All thy fore-lock (Time)? I'll stretch a long arm
But I'll catch hold again: Doe but look back
Over thy shoulder, and have a pull at thee.
Ism.
I hear you (Sir) nor can I hear too much
While you speak well: You know th'accustom'd place
Of our night-parley: if you can ascend,
The window shall receive you. You may finde there
A corrupted Church-man to bid you welcome.
Ant.
I would meet no other man.
Ism.
Aminta, you hear this.
Am.
With joy (Madam) 'cause it pleases you.
It may be mine own case another time:
Now you go the right way: ask the Banes out,
Put it past father, or friends, to forbid it,
And then you're sure. Sir, your Hymen Taper
I'll light up for you: the window shall show you
The way to Sestos.
Ant.
I'll venture drowning.
Mar.
The Simile holds not; 'tis hanging rather.
You must ascend your Castle by a ladder;
To the foot I'll bring you.
Ant.
Leave mee to climb it.
Mar.
If I do turn you off?
Ant.
Till night fare-well:
Then better.
Ism.
Best it should be;
But peevish hatred keeps back that degree.
Exeunt.
Mar.
I never look'd so smooth as now I purpose:
And then beware: Knave is at worst of knave
When he smiles best, and the most seems to save.
Exit.
Scæna Secunda.
Enter Julio.Jul.
My mind's unquiet; while Antonio
My Nephew's abroad, my heart is not at home,
Only my fears stay with me; bad company;
But I cannot shift 'em off. This hatred
Betwixt the House of Bellides and us,
Is not fair war: 'tis civill, but uncivill.
We are neer neighbours, were of loves as neer,
Till a crosse misconstruction ('twas no more
In conscience) put us so far asunder:
I would 'twere reconcil'd; it has lasted
Too many Sun-sets, if grace might moderate:
Man should not lose so many dayes of peace
To satisfie the anger of one minute
I could repent it heartily. I sent
The knave to attend my Antonio too,
Enter Bustofa.
Yet he returns no comfort to me neither.
Bust.
No: I must not.
Jul.
Hah; hee's come,
Bust.
I must not: 'twill breake his heart to hear it.
Jul.
How? there's bad tidings: I must obscure & hear it;
He will not tell mee for breaking of my heart,
'Tis half split already.
Bust.
I have spi'd him: Now to knock down a Don
with a lie, a silly harmlesse lie; 'twill be valiantly done,
and nobly perhaps.
Jul.
I cannot hear him now.
Bust.
Oh the bloody dayes that wee live in; the envious,
malitious, deadly dayes that we draw breath in!
Jul.
Now I hear too loud.
Bust.
The children that never shall be born may rue
it; for men that are slain now might have liv'd to have
got children, that might have curs'd their fathers.
Jul.
Oh, my posterity is ruin'd.
Bust.
Oh sweet Antonio.
Jul.
Oh deer Antonio.
Bust.
Yet it was nobly done of both parts: When hee
and Lisauro met,
Jul.
Oh, death has parted 'em.
Bust.
Welcome my mortall foe (sayes one), Welcome
my deadly enemy (sayes th'other:) off go their doublets,
they in their shirts, and their swords stark naked; here
lies Antonio, here lies Lisauro: hee comes upon him with
an Embroccado, that hee puts by with a puncta reversa;
Lisauro recoils mee two paces and some six inches back,
takes his career, and then, oh.
Jul.
Oh.
Bust.
Runs Antonio quite thorow,
Jul.
Oh villain.
Bust.
Quite thorow between the arme and the body:
so yet he had no hurt at that bout.
Jul.
Goodnesse be praised.
Bust.
But then, at next encounter, he fetches me up Lisauro;
Lisauro makes out a Long at him, which he thinking
to be a Passado, Antonio's foot slipping: down: oh
down.
Jul.
O now thou art lost.
Bust.
Oh, but the quality of the thing: both Gentlemen,
both Spanish Christians, yet one man to shed
Jul.
Say his enemies blood.
Bust.
His hair may come by divers casualties, though
he never go into the field with his foe: but a man to lose
nine ounces and two drams of blood at one wound, thirteen
and a scruple at another, and to live till he die in cold
blood: yet the Surgeon (that cur'd him) said, if Pia-mater
had not been perish'd, he had bin a lives man till this day.
Jul.
There hee concludes he is gone.
Bust.
But all this is nothing: now I come to the
point.
Jul.
I the point, that's deadly: the ancient blow
Over the buckler ne'r went half so deep.
Bust.
Yet pitie bids mee keep in my charitie: for mee
to pull an old mans ears from his head with telling of a
Tale: oh fowle Tale! No, be silent Tale. Furthermore,
there is the charge of Buriall; every one will cry Blacks,
Blacks, that had but the least finger dipt in his blood,
though ten degrees remov'd when 'twas done. Moreover,
17
and sweet breads; yet I say, the man may recover
again, and die in his bed.
Jul.
What motley stuffe is this? Sirrha, speak truth
What hath befallen my deer Antonio?
Restrain your pity in concealing it;
Tell mee the danger full; take off your care
Of my receiving it: kill me that way.
I'll forgive my death: what thou keepst back from truth
Thou shalt speak in pain; doe not look to find
A limb in his right place, a bone unbroke,
Nor so much flesh unbrod'd of all that mountain
As a worm might sup on; dispatch, or be dispatch'd.
Bust.
Alas Sir, I know nothing, but that Anton. is a man of
Gods making to this hour, 'tis not two since I left him so.
Jul.
Where didst thou leave him?
Bust.
In the same clothes he had on when he went from you.
Jul.
Does he live?
Bust.
I saw him drink.
Jul.
Is he not wounded?
Bust.
He may have a cut i'th' leg by this time; for Don
Martin and he were at whole slashes.
Jul.
Met he not with Lisauro?
Bust.
I doe not know her.
Jul.
Her? Lisauro is a man, as he is.
Bust.
I saw ne'r a man like him.
Jul.
Didst thou not discourse a fight betwixt Ant. & Lis.?
Bust.
I to my self; I hope a man may give himself the lie
if it please him.
Jul.
Didst thou lie then?
Bust.
As sure as you live now.
Jul.
I live the happier by it: when will he return?
Bust.
That he sent me to tel you, within these ten daies at farthest.
Jul.
Ten daies? he's not wont to be absent two.
Bust.
Nor I think he wil not: he said he would be at home
to morrow; but I love to speak within my compasse.
Jul.
You shall speak within mine Sir, now. Within there:
Enter Servants.
Take this fellow into custodie, keep him safe
I charge you.
Bust.
Safe? do you hear? take notice what plight you find
me in, if there want but a collop or a steak o'me, look to't.
Jul.
If my nephew return not in his health to morrow,
Thou goest to th'Rack.
Bust.
Let me go to th'manger first; I had rather eat oats
then hay.
Exeunt.
Enter Bellides with a Letter.
Bel.
By your leave, Sir.
Jul.
For ought I know yet, you are welcom Sir.
Bel.
Read that, and tell me so: or if thy spectacles be not easie,
Keep thy nose unsadled, and ope thine ears;
I can speak thee the contents, I made 'em;
'Tis a challenge, a fair one, I'll maintain't:
I scorn to hire my Second to deliver 't,
I bring't my self: Dost know me, Julio?
Jul.
Bellides?
Bel.
Yes: Is not thine hair on end now?
Jul.
Som what amaz'd at thy rash hardines;
How durst thou come so neer thine enemie?
Bel.
Durst?
I dare come neerer: thou'rt a fool, Julio.
Jul.
Take it home to thee with a knave to boot.
Bel.
Knave to thy teeth again: and all that's quit:
Give me not a fool more then I give thee,
Or if thou dost, look to hear on't again.
Jul.
What an encounter's this?
Bel.
A noble one:
My hand is to my words, thou hast it there,
There I do challenge thee, if thou dar'st be
Good friends with me; or I'll proclaim thee coward.
Jul.
Be friends with thee?
Bel.
I'll shew thee reasons for't:
A pair of old coxcombs (now wee go together)
Such as should stand examples of discretion,
The rules of Grammar to unwilling youth
To take out lessons by; we that should check
And quench the raging fire in others bloods,
We strike the battell to destruction?
Read 'em the black art? and make 'em beleeve
It is divinitie? Heathens, are we not?
Speak thy conscience, how hast thou slept this month,
Since this Fiend haunted us?
Jul.
Sure, some good Angell
Was with us both last night: speak thou truth now,
Was it not last nights motion?
Bel.
Dost not think
I would not lay hold of it at first proffer?
Should I ne'r sleep again?
Jul.
Take not all from me;
I'll tell the doctrine of my vision.
Say that Antonio (best of thy blood)
Or any one, the least allyed to thee,
Should be the prey unto Lisauro's sword,
Or any of the house of Bellides?
Bel.
Mine was the just inversion: on, on.
Jul.
How would thine eys have emptied thee in sorrow,
And left the condiment of Nature drie?
Thy hands have turn'd rebellious to the balls,
And broke the glasses, with thine own curses
Have torn thy soul, left thee a Statue
To propagate thy next posterity.
Bel.
Yes, and thou causer? so it said to me,
They fight but your mischiefs: the yong men were friends,
As is the life and blood coagulate
And curded in one body; but this is yours,
An inheritance that you have gatherd for 'em,
A Legacie of blood, to kill each other
Throughout your Generations. Was't not so?
Jul.
Word for word.
Bel.
Nay, I can go farther yet.
Jul.
'Tis far enough; Let us attone it here.
And in a reconciled circle fold
Our friendship new again.
Bel.
The signe's in Gemini,
An auspicious house, 't has joyn'd both ours again.
Jul.
You cannot proclaim me coward now, Don Bellides
Bel.
No: thou 'rt a valiant fellow: so am I:
I'll fight with thee at this hug, to the last leg
I have to stand on, or breath or life left.
Jul.
This is the salt unto humanity,
And keeps it sweet.
Bel.
Love! oh life stinks without it.
I can tell you news.
Jul.
Good has long been wanting.
Bel.
I do suspect, and I have some proof on't,
(So far as a Love-Epistle comes to)
That Antonio (your nephew) and my daughter
Ismenia are very good friends before us.
Jul.
That were a double wall about our houses,
Which I could wish were builded.
Bel.
I had it
From Antonio's Intimate, Don Martin:
And yet (me thought) it was no friendly part
18
Jul.
Perhaps't was his consent:
Lovers have policies as well as Statesmen:
They look not alwaies at the mark they aime at.
Bel.
Wee'll take up cudgels, and have one bowt with'em,
They shall know nothing of this union:
And till they find themselves most desperate,
Succour shall never see'em.
Jul.
I'll take your part Sir.
Bel.
It grows late; there's a happy day past us.
Jul.
The example I hope to all behind it.
Exeunt.
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Aminta (above) with a Taper.Am.
Stand fair, light of Love, which epithite and place
Adds to thee honour, to me it would be shame,
We must be weight in love, no grain too light;
Thou art the Land-mark, but if love be blind,
(As many that can see have so reported)
What benefit canst thou be to his darknesse?
Love is a Jewel (some say) inestimable,
But hung at the eare, deprives our owne sight,
And so it shines to others, not our selves.
I speak my skill, I have onely heard on't,
But I could wish a neerer document,
Alas, the ignorant desire to know:
Some say Love's but a toy, and with a but.
Now me thinks I should love it ne'r the worse,
A toy is harmelesse sure, and may be plaid with,
It seldom goes without his adjunct, pretty,
A pretty toy we say, 'tis meeter to joy too.
Well, here may be a mad night yet for all this,
Here's a Priest ready, and a Lady ready:
A chamber ready, and a bed ready,
'Tis then but making unready, and that's soone done:
My Lady is my Cosen; I, my self,
Which is neerest then? My desires are mine,
Say they be hers too, is't a hanging matter?
It may be ventur'd in a worser cause,
I must go question with my conscience:
I have the word; Centinel, do thou stand,
Thou shalt not need to call, I'll he at hand.
Exit.
Enter Antonio and Martin.
Ant.
Are we not dog'd behind us, thinkst thou friend?
Mar.
I heard not one bark, Sir.
Ant.
There are that bite
And bark not (man) me-thought I spy'd two fellows
That through two streets together walk'd aloof,
And wore their eies suspiciously upon us.
Mar.
Your Jealousie, nothing else; or such perhaps
As are afraid as much of us, who knows
But about the like busines? but for your fears sake
I'll advise and entreat one curtesie.
Ant.
What's that friend?
Mar.
I will not be denyed, Sir,
Change your upper garments with me.
Ant.
It needs not.
Mar.
I think so too, but I will have it so,
If you dare trust me with the better Sir.
Ant.
Nay then.
Mar.
If there should be danger towards,
There will be the main mark I'm sure.
Ant.
Here thou tak'st from me.
Mar.
Tush, the General
Must be safe, how ere the Battel goes:
See you the Beacon yonder?
Ant.
Yes, we are neer shore.
Enter 2. Gentlemen with weapons drawn, they set upon Martin: Antonio pursues them out in rescue of Martin.
Mar.
Come, Land, land, you must clamber by the cliffe,
Here are no staires to rise by.
Ant.
I, are you there?
fight and Exeunt.
Enter Aminta above, and Martin return'd again, ascends.
Am.
Antonio?
Mar.
Yes Ismenia.
Am.
Thine owne.
Mar.
Quench the light, thine eies are guides illustrious.
Am.
'Tis necessary.
Exeunt.
Enter Antonio.
Mar.
Your legs have sav'd your lives, who ere you are,
Friend. Martin? where art thou? not hurt I hope:
Sure I was farthest in the pursuit of 'em:
My pleasures are forgotten through my fears:
The lights extinct, it was discreetly done:
They could not but have notice of the broile,
And fearing that might call up company,
Have carefully prevented, and closed up:
I do commend the heed; oh, but my friend,
I fear his hurt: friend? friend? it cannot be
So mortal, that I should lose thee quite, friend?
A groan, any thing that may discover thee:
Thou art not sunk so far, but I might hear thee:
I'll lay mine ear as low as thou canst fall:
Friend, Don Martin, I must answer for thee,
'Twas in my cause thou fell'st, if thou beest downe,
Such dangers stand betwixt us and our joyes,
That should we forethink ere we undertake,
Wee'ld sit at home, and save. What a night's here?
Purpos'd for so much joy, and now dispos'd
To so much wretchednes? I shall not rest in't:
If I had all my pleasures there within,
I should not entertain'em with a smile.
Good night to you: Mine will be black and sad,
A friend cannot, a woman may be bad.
Exit.
| The Maid in the Mill | |