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The fift Act.
Enter Lacy, Mistresse Bonavent, Bonvile, Mistresse Fairefield, Mistresse Caroll, Tryer.La.
My Lord you honour us.
Bo.
And what we want
In honourable entertainement, we beseech
Our duties may supply in your construction.
Lor.
What needes this ceremonie
La.
Thou art welcome too Franke Tryer.
Tr.
I give you thankes, and wish you still more joy sir.
Bo.
Weele shew your Lordship a poore Gallery.
La.
But where's my new acquaintance?
Bo.
His Nagge outstript the Coaches,
Hee'le be your guest anon, feare not!
Exit.
Ca.
While they complement with my Lord, let you and I
Change a few words.
Iu.
As many as you please.
Ca.
Then to the purpose
Touching your brother, Lady,
Twere tedious to repeate, he has beene pleas'd
To thinke well of me, and to trouble you
With the discourse how I have answered it
Twere vaine, but thus how ere he seeme to carry it
While you were present, I doe finde him desperate.
Iu.
How!
Ca.
Nay I speake no conjecture, I have more
Intelligence than you imagine, you are his sister,
And nature binds you to affect his safety,
By some convenient Messenger send for him;
But as you love his life doe not delay it;
Alas I shall be sorry, any gentleman
Should for my sake take any desparate course.
Iu.
But are you serious?
Ca.
Perhaps good counsell
Applyed while his despaire is greene may cure him,
If not?
You make me wonder.
Ca.
I know the inconsiderate will blame
Me for his death, I shall be rall'd upon
And have a thousand cruelties throwne on me,
But would you have me promise love and flatter him?
I would doe much to save his life, I could
Shew you a paper, that would make you bleed
To see his resolution, and what
Strange and unimitable wayes he has
Vow'd to pursue, I tremble to thinke on em.
There's not a punishment in fiction
And Poets write enough of hell, if you
Have read their story, but heele try the worst,
Were it not that I feare him every minute.
And that all haste were requisite to save him,
You should peruse his letter.
Iu.
Letter? since we saw him,
Ca.
Since, I must confesse, I wondred,
But you in this shall see I have no malice,
I pray send for him, as I am a gentlewoman
I have pure intention to preserve his life;
And cause I see the truth of his affliction,
Which may be yours or mine, or any bodies
Whose passions are neglected, I will try
My best skill to reduce him, here's M. Tryer!
Enter Tryer.
He now depends upon your charity,
Send for him by the love you beare a brother.
Tr.
Will you not Chide my want of Manners gentlewomen
To interrupt your dialogue.
Iu.
We ha done sir.
Ca.
I shall be still your servant.
Iu.
Here's a riddle; but I will doo't,
Shall I presume upon you for a favour.
Enter Lord.
Tr.
You shall impose on me a greater trouble
My Lord, your eare.
Lo.
We misse you above Lady.
My Lord I waite upon you, I beseech
Your pardon but a minute—will you doe this,
It is an office he may thanke you for,
Beside my acknowledgement.
Tr.
Yes Ile goe
And yet I doe not like to be sent oft,
This is the second time.
Iu.
Now I am for your Lordship,
What's your pleasure.
Lo.
I would be your Echo Lady, and returne
Your last word—pleasure.
Iu.
May you never want it.
Lo.
This wonot serve my turne.
Iu.
What my Lord?
Lo.
This is the charity of some rich men,
That passing by some monument that stoopes
With age, whose ruines pleade for a repaire
Pitty the fall of such a goodly pile,
But will not spare from their superfluous wealth
To be the benefactor.
Fa.
I acknowlede
That empty wishes are their shame, that have
Ability to doe a Noble worke,
And flye the Action.
Lo.
Come! you may apply it,
I would not have you a gentlewoman of your word
Alone, they're deedes that crowne all, what you wish me
Is in your owne ability to give;
You understand me; will you at length consent
To multiply, weele point a place and time,
And all the world shall envie us.
Iu.
My Lord!
Lo.
Lord me no lords, shall we enjoy lippes upon't,
Why doe you looke as you still wondred at me,
Doe I not make a reasonable motion,
Ist onely in my selfe, shannot you share
I'the delight, or doe I appeare a Monster
'Bove all mankind, you shunne my embrace thus
Cuts for me, I ha beene talked on and commended,
How ere you please to value me.
Iu.
Did they see you thus perfectly.
Lo.
Not alwayes, 'twas
Sometimes a little darker when they prais'd me,
I have the same activitie.
Iu.
You are
Something, I would not name my Lord.
Lo.
And yet you doe, you call me Lord, that's something
And you consider, all men are not borne to't.
Iu.
T'were better not to have beene borne to honours,
Than forfeit em so poorely, he is truely
Noble, and best justifies his blood
When he can number the descents of vertue.
Lo.
You'le not degrade me.
Iu.
Tis not in my power
Or will my Lord, and yet you presse me strangely
As y'are a person, separate and distinct
By your high blood, above me and my fortunes
Thus low I bend, you have no noble title
Which I not bow to, they are Characters
Which we should read at distance, and there is
Not one that shall with more devotion
And honour of your birth, expresse her service,
It is my duty, where the king has seal'd
His favours, I should shew humility
My best obedience to his act.
Lo.
So should
All hansome women that will be good subjects.
Iu.
But if to all those honourable names,
That mark'd you for the peoples reverence,
In such a vitious age, you dare rise up
Example too of goodnesse, they which teach
Their knees a Complement, will give their heart,
And I among the number of the humblest
Most proud to serve your Lordship, and would refuse
No office or command, that should engage me
Of vertue is above all shine of State,
And will draw more admirers; but I must
Be bold to tell you sir, unlesse you prove
A friend to vertue were your honour centupled,
Could you pile titles till you reach the Clouds.
Were every petty Mannor you possesse
A Kingdome, and the bloud of many Princes
Vnited in your veynes, with these had you
A person that had more attraction
Then Poesie can furnish, love withall,
Yet I, I in such infinite distance am
As much above you in my innocence.
Lo.
This becomes not.
Iu.
Tis the first libertie
I ever tooke to speake my selfe, I have
Bin bold in the comparison, but find not
Wherein I have wrong'd vertue, pleading for it.
Lo.
How long will you continue thus?
Iu.
I wish
To have my last houre witnesse of these thoughts,
And I will hope before that time, to heare
Your Lordship of another minde.
Lo.
I know not,
Tis time enough to thinke o'that hereafter,
Ile bee a convertite within these two daies,
Vpon condition you and I may have
One bout to night, no body heares.
Iu.
Alas you plunge too farre, and are within this minute,
Further from heaven then ever.
Lo.
I may live
To requite the curtesie.
Iu.
Live my Lord to be
Your Countries honour and support, and thinke not
Of these poore dreames.
Lo.
I find not desire to sleepe, and I were a bed wee.
Iu.
Tis not improbable my Lord but you
May live to be an old man, and fill up
When your colde bloud shall starve your wanton thoughts,
And your slow pulse beate like your bodies knell,
When time hath snow'd upon your haire, oh then
Will it be any comfort to remember
The sinnes of your wild youth, how many wives,
Or virgins y'ave dishonour'd? in their number,
Would any memory of me (should I
Be sinfull to consent) not fetch a teare,
From you perhaps a sigh to breake your heart,
Will you not wish then you had never mixt
With Atheists, and those men whose wits are vented
In oathes, and blasphemy, now the pride of Gentlemen,
That strike at heaven, and make againe of thunder.
Lo.
If this be true? what a wretched thing should I
Appeare now, if I were any thing but a Lord,
I do not like my selfe, give me thy hand
Since there is no remedy, be honest! theres no harme
I'this I hope, I wonot tell thee all
My minde at once, If I doe returne Carthusian,
And renounce flesh upon this, the devill is like
To ha the worst ont—but I am expected.
Exit.
Iu.
My Lord ile follow yee.
Enter Fairefeild, and Tryer.
Brother welcome?
Sir we are both obligd to you
A Friend of yours desirers some private conference.
Fa.
With me?
Iu.
He does not looke so desperate; how dee brother?
Fa.
Well—dost not see me?
Ile come to thee presently.
Exit.
Enter againe with Caroll.
Fa.
What's the meaning?
Tr.
Nay I know not, She is full of mysteries a late;
Shees here agen, there is some tricke in't.
Iu.
Brother I sent for you, and I thinke twas time,
Pray harken to this gentlewoman, she will
Give you good councell, you and I withdraw sir.
Exeunt. Iul. and Try.
Tr.
Whither you please.
Y'are a strange gentleman,
Alas, what doe you meane? is it because
I have dealt justly with you, without flattery
Tould you my heart, youle take these wicked courses?
But I am loath to chide, yet I must tell you
Y'are too, too blame, alas you know affection
Is not to be compeld, I have bin as kinde
To you as other men, nay I still thought
A little better of you, and will you
Give such example to the rest,
Because forsooth, I doe not love you,
Will you be desperate?
Fa.
I will be desperate!
Ca.
'Twere a fine credit for you, but perhappes
Youle go to hell to be reveng'd o me,
And teach the other gentlemen to follow yee,
That men may say 'twas long of me and raile at
My unkindnesse, is this all your Christianity?
Or could you not prosecute your impious purpose,
But you must send me word on't, and perplex
My conscience with your devilish devises
Is this a letter to be sent a Mistris?
Fa.
I send a letter?
Ca.
You were best deny your hand.
Fa.
My names subscrib'd, who has done this?
Reades
Rivers of hell I come, Charon thy Oare
Is needlesse, I will swim unto the shoare,
And beg of Pluto, and of Proserpine,
That all the damned torments may be mine,
With Tantalus Ile stand up to the chin
In waves, upon Ixions wheele Ile spin
The sisters thread, quaile Cerberus with my groane,
And take no Phisicke, for the rowling stone
Ile hang my selfe, a hundred times a day.
Ca.
There be short daies in hell.
Fa.
And burne my selfe as often if you say
The word.
Ca.
Alas not I.
And if I ever chance to come
Within the Confines of Elizium,
The amazed Ghosts shall bee agast to see,
How I will hang my selfe on every tree,
Heres a strange resolution.
Yours till his necke be broke, Fairefeild.
Ca.Is it not?
Whither is fled your piety! but sir
I have no meaning to exasperate
Thoughts that oppose your safety, and to shew
I have compassion, and delight in no
Mans ruine, I wil frame my selfe to love you.
Fa.
Will you? why thanke you!
Ca.
Heres my hand I will;
Be comforted, I have a stronger faith.
Fa.
I see then you haue charity for an need.
Ca.
Ile lose my humour to preserve a life,
You might ha met with some hard hearted Mistresse,
That would a suffred you to hang or drowne
Your selfe.
Fa.
I might indeed.
Ca.
And carried newes
To the distressed Ghosts, but I am mercifull,
But doe not you mistake me, for I do not
This out of any extraordinary
Former good will, only to save your life.
There be so many beames convenient,
And you may slip out of the world before
We are aware, beside you dwell to neere
The River, if you should be melancholy
After some tides, you would come in, and be
More talkt off then the Pilchards, but I ha done:
You sha'not go to hell for me, I now
Am very serious, and if you please
To thinke well of me instantly weele marry,
Ile see how I can love you afterward,
Shal's to the Priest?
Fa.
By your good favour, no
I am in no such tune.
You doe suspect
I ieere still? by my troth I am in earnest.
Fa.
To save my life you are content to marry me,
Yes.
Ca.
To save thy life, I will not be troubled with thee!
How?
Fa.
No Madam jeere all, I am now resolv'd,
Talke, and talke out thy heart, I wo'not lose
My selfe a scruple, ha you no more letters,
They're pretty mirth, wou'd I knew who subscrib'd
My name. I am so farre from hanging of my selfe,
That I will live yet to be thy tormenter,
Vertue I thanke thee for't, and for the more
Security, Ile never dote againe;
Nor marry, nor endure the imaginations
Of your fraile sex, this very night I will
Be fitted for you all, Ile geld my selfe,
'Tis something lesse then hanging, and when I
Have carv'd away all my concupiscence,
Observe but how Ile triumph, nay Ile doo't,
And there were no more men in the world.
Ca.
Sir, sir, as you love goodnes
Ile tell you all, first heare me, and then execute,
You wonot be so foolish, I doe love you.
Fa.
I hope so, that I may revenge thy peevishnes.
Ca.
My heart is full, and modesty forbids
I should use many words, I see my folly,
You may be just, and use me with like cruelty,
But if you doe I can instruct my selfe,
And be as miserable indeed as I
Made you in supposition, my thoughts
Point upon no sensuality, remit
What's past, and I will meete your best affection,
I know you love me still, do not refuse me.
If I goe once more backe, you nere recover me.
Fa.
I am as ticklish.
Ca.
Then lets clapt up wisely,
While we are both i'th humor, I do finde
Say ist a Match? speake quickely, or for ever
Hereafter hold your peace.
Fa.
Done!
Ca.
Why done!
Fa.
Seale and deliver.
Ca.
My hand and heart, this shall suffice till morning.
Fa.
Each others now by conquest, come lets to e'm
If you should false now.
Ca.
Hold me not worth the hanging.
Exeunt.
Enter Mi s Fairefield, Tryer, Bonvile.
Lo.
I knew not, she was thy Mistresse, which incouraged
All my discourses.
Tr.
My Lord y'ave richly satisfied me, and
Now I dare write my selfe, the happiest lover
In all the world, know Lady I ha tryed you.
Iu.
You have it seemes.
Tr.
And I have found thee right
And perfect gold, nor will I change thee for
A Crowne imperiall.
Iu.
And I have tryed you,
And found you drosse, nor doe I love my heart
So ill, to change it with you.
Tr.
How's this?
Iu.
Vnworthily you have suspected me,
And cherish'd that bad humor, for which know
You never must have hope to gaine my love,
He that shall doubt my vertue, out of fancy,
Merits my just suspition and disdaine.
Lo.
Oh fie Franke, practise jealosie so soone,
Distrust the truth of her thou lov'st, suspect
Thy owne heart sooner, what I have sayd I have
my pardon for, thou wert a wife for him
Whose thoughts were nere corrupted.
Tr.
Twas but a tryall and may plead for pardon.
Iu.
I pray denie me not that liberty,
I will have proofe too, of the man I choose
My husband, beleeve me, if men be
My selfe, and thinke no honour equall to
Remaine a Virgine.
Tr.
I have made a trespasse
Which if I cannot expiate, yet let me
Dwell in your Charity.
Iu.
You shall not doubt that.
Enter Fairefield, Mistresse Caroll, Lacy, Mistresse Bon.
Pray my Lord know him for your servant.
Fa.
I am much honour'd.
Lo.
You cannot but deserve more by the title of her brother.
La.
An other couple.
Bo.
Master Fairefield and my Cosen are contracted.
Ca.
Tis time I thinke, sister ile shortly call you.
Iu.
I ever wisht it.
Fa.
Franke Tryer is melancholy, how hast thou sped?
Tr.
No no I am very merry.
Iu.
Our banes sir are forbidden.
Fa.
On what termes?
La.
My Lord you meet but a course entertainement,
How chance the musicke speakes not, shall us dance?
Enter Venture and Rider.
Ven.
Rivers of hell I come!
Ri.
Charon thy Oare is needelesse, save you gallants!
Ven.
I will swimme unto thy shoare, art not thou Hero.
Ca.
But you are not Leander if you be not drown'd,
In the Hellespont.
Ven.
I told thee I would drowne my selfe a hundred times a day
Ca.
Your letter did.
Ven.
A ha?
Ca.
It was a devillish good one.
Ven.
Then I am come
To tickle the confines of Elizium,
My Lord I invite you to my wedding,
And all this good companie.
Lo.
I am glad your shoulder is recovered;
When is the day?
Ven.
Do thou set the time.
After to morrow, name it, this gentleman
And I shall be marryed i'th morning, and you know
We must have a time to dine, and dance to bed.
Ven.
Married?
Fa.
Yes you may be a guest sir, and be welcome.
Ven.
I am bob'd agen,
Ile bob for no more Eeles, let her take her course.
La.
Oh for some Willow garlands.
Recorders.
Enter Page and Master Bon.
Lo.
This is my boy, how now sirra?
Pa.
My Lord I am employ'd in a devise;
Roome for the melancholy wight,
Some doe call him willow Knight,
Who this paines hath undertaken,
To finde out lovers are forsaken,
Whose heads, because but little witted,
Shall with Garlands straight be fitted.
Speake who are tost on Cupids Billowes,
And receive the Crowne of willowes,
This way, that way, round about,
Keepe your heads from breaking out.
La.
This is excellent, nay nay Gentlemen
You must obey the Ceremony.
Ven.
He tooke measure of my head.
Ri.
And mine.
Tr.
It must be my fate too.
Ven.
Now we beth'.
M. Bo.
And if you please to try, I doe not thinke
But this would fit you excellently.
La.
Mine! What does he meane?
Bo.
I prethee Master Lacy try for once,
Nay he, he has some conceipt.
La.
For thy sake Ile doe any thing, what now?
M. B.
Y'are now a Messe of willow gentlemen,
And now my Lord Ile presume to bid you welcome.
Fa.
Is not this gentleman made you dance?
La.
My new acquaintance, where's thy beard?
M. Bo.
I left it at the Barbers, it grew rancke,
And he has reap'd it.
Here, take thy toy agen.
M. B.
It shannot neede.
Lo.
You tell me wonders Lady; is this gentleman
Your Husband?
La., Ca.
How her husband my Lord?
M. B.
Yes indeed Lady, if you please you may
Call me your kinsman, seaven yeare and misfortune,
I confesse, had much disguis'd me, but I was
And by degrees may proove agen her husband.
Bo.
After a tedious absence, suppos'd death
Arriv'd to make me happy.
Ven.
This is rare!
M. B.
My Lord and Gentlemen,
Y'are no lesse welcome than before, M. Lacy droope not.
La.
This turne was above all expectation
And full of wonder, I congratulate
Your mutuall happinesse.
Ven.
All of a brotherhood.
La.
M. Bonavent, a my Conscience tis he!
Did fortune owe me this?
Ca.
A thousand welcomes.
Bo.
Equall joyes to thee, and Master Fairefield.
Lo.
Nay then you but obey the ceremony.
La.
I was not ripe for such a blessing, take her,
And with an honest heart I wish you joyes,
Welcome to life agen, I see a providence
In this, and I obey it.
Ven.
In such good company twould never grieve
A man to weare the willow.
M. B.
You have but chang'd
Your host, whose heart proclaimes a generall welcome.
Bo.
He was discovered to me in the Parke,
Though I conceal'd it.
M. B.
Every circumstance
Of my absence, after supper weele discourse of,
I will not doubt your Lordship meanes to honour us.
Lo.
Ile be your guest, and drinke a joviall health
To your new marriage, and the joyes of your
As much for me, faire Lady will you write
Me in your thoughts, if I desire to be
A servant to your vertue, will you not
Frowne on me then?
Iu.
Never in Noble waies;
No virgin shall more honour you.
Lo.
By thy cure
I am now my selfe, yet dare call nothing mine,
Till I be perfect blest in being thine.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
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