 | The Maid in the Mill |  |
Actus primus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Lisauro, Terzo, Ismena, and Aminta.Lis.
Let the Coach go round, wee'l walk along these Meadows:
And meet at Port again: Come my fair Sister,
These cool shades will delight ye.
Am.
Pray be merry,
The Birds sing as they meant to entertain ye,
Every thing smiles abroad: me thinks the River
(As he steals by) curles up his head, to view ye:
Every thing is in Love.
Ism.
You would have it so.
You that are fair, are easie of belief, Cosen,
The Theame slides from your Tongue.
Am.
I fair, I thank ye:
Mine's but shadow when your Sun shines by me.
Ism.
No more of this, you know your worth (Aminta)
Where are we now?
Am.
Hard by the Town (Ismena)
Ter.
Close by the Gates:
Ism.
'Tis a fine Ayre.
Lis.
A delicate;
The way so sweet and even, that the Coach
Would be a tumbling trouble to our pleasures,
Methinks I am very merry:
Ism.
I am sad:
Am.
You are ever so when we entreat ye (Cosen)
Ism.
I have no reason: such a trembling here
Over my heart methinks:
Am.
Sure you are fasting,
Or not slept well to night; some dream (Ismena)
Ism.
My dreams are like my thoughts, honest, and innocent,
Yours are unhappy; who are these that coast us?
Enter Antonio & Martin.
You told me the walk was private.
Ter.
'Tis most commonly:
Ism.
Two proper men: it seems they have some busines,
With me none sure; I do not like their faces;
They are not of our Company:
Ter.
No Cosen:
Lisauro, we are dog'd.
Lis.
I find it (Cosen)
Ant.
What handsome Lady?
Mar.
Yes, shee's very handsom.
They are handsome both,
Ant.
Martin, stay we are cosened.
Mar.
I will go up; a woman is no wild-fire.
Ant.
Now by my life she is sweet: Stay good Martin,
They are of our enemies; the House of Belides,
Our mortal enemies:
Mar.
Let 'em be devills,
They appear so handsomly, I will go forward;
If these be enemies, I'le ne'er seek friends more.
Ant.
Prethee forbear; the Gentlewomen.
Mar.
That's it (man)
That mopes me like a Gin.
'Pray ye stand off Ladies:
Lis.
They are both our enemies: both hate us equally;
By this fair day our mortal foes.
Ter.
I know 'em,
And come here to affront: how they gape at us?
They shall have gaping-work.
Ism.
Why your swords, Gentlemen?
Ter.
Pray ye stand you off, Cosen,
And good now leave your whistling: we are abus'd all,
Back, back I say:
Lis.
Go back.
Ant.
We are no doggs Sir,
To run back on command.
Ter.
Wee'l make ye run, Sir,
Ant.
Having a civil charge of handsom Ladies,
We are your servants: pray ye no quarrel Gentlemen.
There's way enough for both.
Lis.
Wee'l make it wider.
Ant.
If you will fight arm'd, from this Saint; have at ye.
Ism.
O me unhappy, are ye Gentlemen?
Discreet, and Civil, and in open view thus?
Am.
What will men think of us? nay you may kill us;
Mercy o'me: through my petticoat; what bloody gentlemē!
Ism.
Make way through me, ye had best, and kill an innocent:
Brother, why Cosen: by this light Ile die too:
This Gentleman is temperate: be you merciful:
Alas, the Swords.
Am.
You had best run me through the belly,
'Twill be a valiant thrust.
Ism.
I faint amongst ye.
Ant.
Pray ye be not fearful: I have done (sweet Lady)
My sword's already aw'd, and shall obey ye:
I come not here to violate sweet beauty,
I bow to that.
Ism.
Brother, you see this Gentleman,
This Noble Gentleman,
Lis.
Let him avoid then,
And leave our Walk.
Ant.
The Lady may command Sir,
She bears an eye more dreadful then your weapon.
Ism.
What a sweet nature this man has? dear brother,
Put up your sword.
Ter.
Let them put up and walk then:
Ant.
No more loud words: there's time enough before us:
For shame put up, do honour to these beauties:
Mar.
Our way is this,
We will not be denyde it.
Ter.
And ours is this, we will not be cross'd in it.
2
What ere your way is (Lady) 'tis a fair one;
And may it never meet with rude hands more,
Nor rough uncivil Tongues.
Exeunt.
Ism.
I thank ye Sir,
Indeed I thank ye nobly: A brave Enemie,
Here's a sweet temper now: This is a man (Brother)
This Gentleman's anger is so nobly seated,
That it becomes him: Yours proclaim ye Monsters.
What if he be our House-Foe? we may brag on't:
We have ne'er a friend in all our House so honourable:
I had rather from an Enemie, my Brother,
Learn worthy distances and modest difference,
Then from a race of empty friends, loud nothings:
I am hurt between ye.
Am.
So am I, I fear too:
I am sure their swords were between my leggs; dear Cosen
Why look ye pale? where are ye hurt?
Ism.
I know not,
But here me-thinks.
Lis.
Unlace her gentle Cosen.
Ism.
My heart, my heart, and yet I blesse the Hurter.
Am.
Is it so dangerous?
Ism.
Nay, nay, I faint not.
Am.
Here is no blood that I find, sure 'tis inward:
Ism.
Yes, yes, 'tis inward: 'twas a subtle weapon,
The hurt not to be cur'd I fear.
Lis.
The Coach there.
Am.
May be affright.
Ism.
Aminta, 'twas a sweet one,
And yet a cruel.
Am.
Now I find the wound plain:
A wondrous handsome Gentleman.
Ism.
Oh no deeper:
Prethee be silent (wench) it may be thy cause.
Am.
You must be searched: the wound will rancle; Cosen
And of so sweet a nature.
Ism.
Deer Aminta:
Make it not sorer.
Am.
And on my life admires ye.
Ism.
Call the Coach, Cosen.
Am.
The Coach, the Coach.
Ter.
'Tis ready, bring the Coach there.
Lis.
Well my brave enemies, we shall yet meet ye,
And our old hate shall testifie.
Ter.
It shall (Cosen.)
Exeunt.
Scæna secunda.
Enter Antonio and Martine.Ant.
Their swords, alas, I weigh'em not (deer Friend)
The indiscretion of the Owners blunts'em;
The fury of the House affrights not me,
It spends it self in words: (Oh me Martine)
There was a two edg'd eye, a Lady carried
A weapon that no valour can avoyd,
Nor Art (the hand of Spirit) put aside.
O Friend, it broke out on me like a bullet
Wrapt in a cloud of fire: that point (Martine)
Dazled my sence, and was too subtle for me,
Shot like a Comet in my face, and wounded
(To my eternal ruine) my hearts valour.
Mar.
Methinks she was no such peece.
Ant.
Blaspheme not Sir,
She is so far beyond weak commendation,
That impudence will blush to think ill of her.
Mar.
I see it not, and yet I have both eies open:
And I could judge, I know there is no beauty
Till our eies give it'em, and make'em hansom;
What's red and white, unles we do allow'em?
A green face else; and me-thinks such an other.
Ant.
Peace thou leud Heretick; Thou judge of beauties?
Thou hast an excellent sense for a signe-post (Friend)
Dost thou not see? Ile swear thou art soon blind else,
As blind as ignorance; when she appear'd first
Aurora breaking in the east, and through her face,
As if the Hours and Graces had strew'd Roses,
A blush of wonder flying; when she was frighted
At our uncivil swords, didst thou not mark
How far beyond the purity of snow
The soft wind drives whitenes of innocence,
Or any thing that bears Celestial palenes,
She appear'd o'th' sodain? Didst thou see her tears
When she intreated? O thou Reprobate!
Didst thou not see those orient tears flow'd from her,
The little Worlds of Love? A sett (Martine)
Of such sanctified Beads, and a holy heart to love
I could live ever a Religious Hermite.
Mar.
I do beleeve a little, and yet me-thinks
She was of the lowest stature.
Ant.
A rich Diamond
Set neat and deep; Natures chief Art (Martine)
Is to reserve her Modells curious,
Not cumbersome and great; and such a one
For fear she should exceed, upon her matter
Has she fram'd this; Oh 'tis a spark of beauty,
And where they appear so excellent in little,
They will but flame in great; Extention spoils'em:
Martine learn this, the narrower that our eies
Keep way unto our object, still the sweeter
That comes unto us: Great bodies are like Countries,
Discovering still, toyle and no pleasure finds'em.
Mar.
A rare Cosmographer for a small Island.
Now I believe she is handsom.
Ant.
Belive heartily,
Let thy belief, though long a coming, save thee.
Mar.
She was (certain) fair.
Ant.
But heark ye (Friend Martine)
Do not believe your self too far before me,
For then you may wrong me, Sir.
Mar.
Who bid ye teach me?
Do you show me meat, and stitch my lips (Antonio?)
Is that fair play?
Ant.
Now if thou shouldst abuse me,
And yet I know thee for an arrant Wencher,
A most immoderate thing; thou canst not love long.
Mar.
A little serves my turn, I fly at all games,
But I believe.
Ant.
How if we never see her more?
Shee is our enemie.
Mar.
Why are you jealous then?
As far as I conceive she hates our whole House.
Ant.
Yet (good Martine)
Mar.
Come, come, I have mercy on ye:
You shall enjoy her in your dream (Antonio)
And I'll not hinder: though now I perswade my self.
Enter Aminta with a Letter.
Ant.
Sit with perswasion down, and you deal honestly:
I will look better on her.
Mar.
Stay, who's this, Friend?
Ant.
Is't not the other Gentlewoman?
Mar.
Yes, a Letter.
3
I hope shee'l be a Second too; I am for her.
Am.
A good houre Gentlemen.
Ant.
You are welcom Lady;
'Tis like our late rude passage has powr'd on us
Some reprehension.
Am.
No, I bring no anger,
Though some deserv'd it.
Ant.
Sure we were all too blame, Lady;
But for my part (in all humility
And with no little shame) I ask your pardons,
Indeed I wear no sword to fright sweet beauties.
Am.
You have it, and this Letter; pray ye Sir view it,
And my Commission's done.
Mar.
Have ye none for me Lady?
Am.
Not at this time.
Mar.
I am sorry for't; I can read too.
Am.
I am glad: but Sir, to keep you in your exercise,
You may chance meet with one ill written.
Mar.
Thank ye,
So it be a womans, I can pick the meaning,
For likely they have but one end.
Am.
You say true Sir.
Exit.
Ant.
Martine, my wishes are come home and loaden,
Loaden with brave return: most happy, happy:
I am a blessed man: where's the Gentlewoman?
Mar.
Gone, the spirit's gone: what news?
Ant.
'Tis from the Lady;
From her we saw: from that same miracle,
I know her Name now: read but these three lines;
Read with devotion, friend, the lines are holy.
Martine
reads.
I dare not chide ye in my Letter (Sir)
'Twill be too gentle: If you please to look me
In the West-street, and find a fair Stone window,
Carved with white Cupids; there Ile entertain ye:
Night and discretion guide ye.
Call me Ismena.
Ant.
Give it me again: Come, come, fly, fly, I am all fire.
Mar.
There may be danger.
Ant.
So there is to drink
When men are thirsty, to eat hastily
When we are hungry: so there is in sleep, Friend,
Obstructions then may rise, and smother us,
We may die laughing, choked, even at devotions:
An Apoplexie, or a sodain Palsey
May strike us down.
Mar.
May be a train to catch ye.
Ant.
Then I am caught: and let Love answer for it.
'Tis not my folly, but his infamy:
And if he be adored, and dare do vild things.
Mar.
Well, I will go.
Ant.
She is a Lady, Sir,
A Maid, I think, and where that holy spell
Is flung about me, I ne're fear a villany,
'Tis almost night: away friend.
Mar.
I am ready,
I think I know the house too.
Ant.
Then we are happy.
Exeunt.
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Ismena and Aminta.Ism.
Did you meet him?
Am.
Yes.
Ism.
And did you give my Letter?
Am.
To what end went I?
Ism.
Are ye sure it was he?
Was it that Gentleman?
Am.
Do you think I was blind?
I went to seek no Carrier, nor no Midwife.
Ism.
What kind of man was he? thou maist be deceived Friend.
Am.
A man with a nose on's face: I think he had eies too,
And hands: for sure he took it.
Ism.
What an answer?
Am.
What questions are these to one that's hot and troubled?
Do you think me a Babe? am I not able (Cosen)
At my years and discretion, to deliver
A Letter handsomly! is that such a hard thing?
Why every wafer-woman will undertake it:
A Sempsters girle, or a Taylors wife will not misse it:
A Puritane Hostesse (Cosen) would scorn these questions.
My legges are weary.
Ism.
I'll make'em well again.
Am.
Are they at Supper?
Ism.
Yes, and I am not well,
Nor desire no company: look out, 'tis darkish.
Am.
I see nothing yet: assure your self, Ismena,
If he be a man he will not misse.
Ism.
It may be he is modest,
And that may pull him back from seeing me;
Or has made some wild construction of my easinesse:
I blush to think what I writ.
Am.
What should ye blush at?
Blush when you act your thoughts, not when you write 'em;
Blush soft between a pair of sheets, sweet Cosen,
Though he be a curious carried Gentleman, I cannot think
He's so unnatural to leave a woman,
A young, a noble, and a beauteous woman,
Leave her in her desires: Men of this age
Are rather prone to come before they are sent for.
Hark, I hear somthing: up to th'Chamber, Cosen,
You may spoil all else.
Enter Antonio and Martine.
Ism.
Let me see, they are Gentlemen;
It may be they.
Am.
They are they: get ye up,
And like a Land-star draw him.
Ism.
I am shamefac'd.
Exit.
Ant.
This is the street.
Mar.
I am looking for the house:
Close, close, pray ye close here.
Ant.
No, this is a Merchants;
I know the man well:
Mar.
And this a Pothecaries: I have lain here many times.
For a loosenes in my Hilts.
Ant.
Have ye not past it?
Mar.
No sure:
There is no house of mark that we have scaped yet.
Ant.
What place is this?
Mar.
Speak softer: 'may be spies;
If any, this, a goodly window too,
Carv'd far above, that I perceive: 'tis dark,
But she has such a lustre.
Enter Ismena and Aminta above with a Taper.
Ant.
Yes Martine,
So radiant she appears.
Mar.
Else we may misse, Sir:
4
Hark, hark, a window, and a candle too.
Ant.
Step close, 'tis she: I see the cloud disperse,
And now the beautious Planet.
Mar.
Hah, 'tis indeed,
Now by the soul of love a divine Creature.
Ism.
Sir, Sir,
Ant.
Most blessed Lady.
Ism.
'Pray ye stand out.
Am.
You need not fear, there's no body now stirring.
Mar.
Beyond his commendation I am taken,
Infinite strangely taken.
Am.
I love that Gentleman,
Methinks he has a dainty nimble body:
I love him heartily.
Ism.
'Tis the right Gentleman:
But what to say to him, Sir.
Am.
Speak.
Ant.
I wait still,
And will do till I grow an other Pillar,
To propt this house, so it please you.
Ism.
Speak softly,
And 'pray ye speak truly too.
Ant,
I never lyde, Lady.
Ism.
And don't think me impudent to ask ye,
I know ye are an Enemie, speak low,
But I would make ye a friend.
Ant.
I am friend to beauty;
Ther's no handsomnesse I dare be foe too.
Ism.
Are ye married?
Ant.
No.
Ism.
Are ye betrothed?
Ant.
No, neither.
Ism.
Indeed (fair Sir.)
Ant.
Indeed (fair sweet) I am not.
Most beauteous Virgin, I am free as you are.
Ism.
That may be Sir, then ye are miserable,
For I am bound.
Ant.
Happy the bonds that hold ye;
Or do you put them on your self for pleasure?
Sure they be sweeter far then libertie:
There is no blessednesse but in such bondage:
Give me that freedom (Madam) I beseech ye,
(Since you have question'd me so cunningly)
To ask you whom you are bound to, he must be certain
More then humane, that bounds in such a beauty:
Happy that happy chain, such links are heavenly.
Ism.
Pray ye do not mock me, Sir.
Ant.
Pray ye (Lady) tell me.
Ism.
Will ye beleeve, and will ye keep it to ye?
And not scorn what I speak?
Ant.
I dare not (Madam)
As Oracle what you say, I dare swear to.
Ism.
I'll set the candle by: for I shall blush now;
Fy, how it doubles in my mouth? it must out,
'Tis you I am bound to.
Ant.
Speak that word again,
I understand ye not.
Ism.
'Tis you I am bound to.
Ant.
Here is another gentleman.
Ism.
'Tis you Sir.
Am.
He may belov'd too.
Mar.
Not by thee, first curse me.
Ism.
And if I knew your name.
Ant.
Antonio (Madam)
Ism.
Antonio, take this kisse, 'tis you I am bound to.
Ant.
And when I set ye free, may heaven forsake me,
Ismena.
Ism.
Yes, now I perceive ye love me,
You have learnd my name.
Ant.
Hear but some vows I make to ye:
Hear but the protestations of a true love.
Ism.
No, no, not now: vowes should be cheerful things,
Done in the cleerest light, and noblest testimony:
No vow (deer Sir) tye not my fair belief
To such strict termes: those men have broken credits,
Loose and dismembred faiths (my deer Antonio)
That splinter'em with vows: am I not too bold?
Correct me when you please.
Ant.
I had rather hear ye,
For so sweet Musick never struck mine eares yet:
Will you believe now?
Ism.
Yes.
Ant.
I am yours.
Ism.
Speak lowder,
If ye answer the Priest so low, you will lose your wedding
Mar.
Would I might speak, I would holloa.
Ant.
Take my heart,
And if it be not firm and honest to you,
Heaven.
Ism.
Peace, no more: I'll keep your heart, and credit it.
Keep you your word: when will you come again (Friend?)
For this time we have wooed indifferently,
I would fain see ye, when I dare be bolder.
Ant.
Why any night: onely (deer noble Mistris)
Pardon three daies: my Uncle Julio
Has bound me to attend him upon promile,
Upon expectation too: we have rare sports there,
Rare Countrey sports, I would you could but see'em.
Dare ye so honour me?
Ism.
I dare not be there,
You know I dare not, no, I must not (friend)
Where I may come with honourable freedom:
Alas, I am ill too; wee in love.
Ant,
You flowt me.
Ism.
Trust me I do not: I speak truth, I am sickly,
And am in Love: but you must be Physician.
Ant.
I'll make a plaister of my best affection.
Ism.
Be gone, we have supp'd, I hear the people stir,
Take my best wishes: give me no cause (Antonio)
To curse this hapyy night.
Ant.
I'll lose my life first,
A thousand kisses.
Ism.
Take ten thousand back again.
Mar.
I am dumb with admiration: shall we goe Sir?
Exeunt.
Ism.
Dost thou know his Uncle?
Am.
No, but I can ask, Cosen.
Ism.
I'll tell thee more of that, come let's to bed both,
And give me handsom dreams, Love, I beseech thee.
Am.
'Has given ye a handsom subject.
Ism.
Pluck to the windows.
Exeunt.
Six Chaires placed at the Arras.
| The Maid in the Mill | |