 | The Example |  |
1
Actus. 1.
Enter Sir Solitary Plott.Sol.
Dormant, why Dormant, thou eternall sleeper!
Who would be troubled with these lethargies about him?
Dormant, are you come Dreamer.
Enter Dormant.
Dor.
Would I were so happie, ther's lesse noyse
in a Steeple upon a Coronation, oh sleepe, sleepe, though it were
a dead one, would be comfortable; your worship might please
to let my fellow Oldrat watch, as well as I.
Sol.
Oldrat? that fellow is a drone.
Dor.
Hee has slept this halfe hower, on the Iron Chest, would
I were in my grave to take an nappe, Death would doe me a
courtesie, I should be at rest, and heare no noyse of Dormant.
Sol.
Ha? Whats the matter?
Dor.
Nothing but a yawne sir, I doe all that I can to keepe
my selfe waking.
Sol.
Tis done consideratelie, this heavie dulnesse,
2
Dor.
Shall I wake my fellow Oldrat, he is refresht
Sol.
Doe, but returne you with him, I have businesse with both.
Dor.
To heare us joyne in our opinion, of what's a clocke, they
talke of Endimion, now could I sleepe three lives.
Exit.
Sol.
When other men measure the howers with sleepe,
Careles of what they are, and whom they trust,
Exposing their condition to danger
Of plotts, I wake, and wiselie thinke prevention,
Night was not made to snore in, but so calme
For our imaginations, to be stirring
About the world, this subtle world, this world
Of plotts, and closse conspiracie, there is
No faith in man, nor woman, wher's this Dormant?
Enter Dormant, and Oldrat.
Dor.
Here is the sleepie vermine.
Sol.
Oh come hither; surra, wher's your Ladie?
Ol.
Out all this night at play sir,
Sol.
All night, ther's some plot, but I am safe
At home, your gaming Ladies are strange Whirligigs,
But while she plaies, and revells with the gallants,
Here I am cabled up, above their shott,
And see in my imagination all there plotts,
Nay, we are the quietest couple, never meet,
No, not a bed, there may be plotts in that,
This part o'th house is mine, and here I walke
And see the soule, the verie soule o'th world.
Old.
It has bin Daie this two howers.
Sol.
Then tis time for me to goe to bed.
Dor.
Would my hower were come once.
Sol.
Keepe out daie light, and set up a fresh taper,
Dor.
By that time we have din'd, he'le have slept his first sleepe.
Old.
And after supper call for his breake-fast.
Sol.
Yo're sure 'tis morning?
Dor.
As sure as I am sleepie—
Sol.
And that your Ladies not come in?
Old.
As sure as I have the Key.
Sol.
Is my Neece readie?
3
Two howers agoe sir.
Sol.
So earlie? there may bee a plott in that, say
Her uncle would speake with her, I use every morning,
Before I goe to bed, to give her counsell,
In her husbands absence, shee is young, and hansome,
And there be plotts ith world. Dormant, come hither.
What Gentlemen doe frequentlie come hither?
Who does visit her most?
Dor.
My Ladie sir?
Sol.
My Neece Iacintha sirra, for my wife
I will let her alone of purpose yet,
To minde her game, shuffle, and cut, and dice,
And daunce the brawles, they cannot cosen me.
Say my intelligence, who does visit most
My Kins-woman?
Dor.
The gay Lords often with her.
Sol.
Who?
Do.
He that comes everie morning like S. George.
Sol.
Ha!
Dor.
I do not saie to mount her, the Lord—
Sol.
Fitzatersce.
Dor.
The same, sir hee's the most bountifull Gentleman and
makes us all soe praie for him.
Sol.
More plotts, he has a vast estate, and though
Fame speake him noble, I suspect he loves her.
He has my Nephews Land in morgage too.
A mere device, I fadome it, come hither,
Let not the arras heare us, saie what pranke
Of mischeife, has he done, he should be bountifull
To thee? on what suspition canst deserve it?
Come be ingenious, and confesse.
Dor.
Who I be ingenious? alas you are deceived.
Sol.
Be free, this grome conspires.
Dor.
Doe I looke like one that would be ingenious?
Knocking at the Gate.
Sol.
What noyse is that? more plotts, let me enter,
They are sawcie with my dores, tis well they are
All hart of Oake, and sound to endure the Knocking.
Dor.
I heare my Ladies foot-man call the Porter.
Sol.
I'le keepe no Gate that will be knockt o'this fashon
4
To have a kinde of a wheele; or turning Engine
Advanc'd before my dore, and admit none
Without a Ticket.
Enter Oldrat.
Old.
My Lady is come sir,
Sol.
Is shee alone?
Old.
The Gentleman that complements with my Lady,
And is here halfe an howre before my Lord still—
Sol.
Master Confident?
Old.
The same, he manns her Ladiship, and she is comming
this way through the Gallery.
Sol.
Was ever such an impudence? she wonot carry
Him to her Chamber? new Plotts, obscure me hangings.
Enter Master Confident, and Lady Plott.
Con.
I shall report how much his Lordship owes
For this most noble favour,
La.
Hee deserues,
By many bounties ever to command me,
And I must thanke your paines, but in my Chamber,
We may discourse more freely.
Con.
You much honour me.
Exeunt.
Sol.
Bountie, and Lordships, and discourse in Chambers?
This fellow is a rascall, new new Plotts,
Dor.
If your worship meane to lie with her Ladiship—
Sol.
By noe meanes.
How happie am I, that we keepe severall quarters,
Some husband would torment himselfe with watching,
Skrue his Nose in at a Key-hole, or in some crannie
Wedge his long eare, let 'em alone, it makes,
It makes, and my lascivious Gamster finde his plotts discovered,
All his wit, gleand from Italian Sonetts? and loose rimes;
His bouncing, and his braves shall not disguise
His hart from me, I see't, I see't allready,
And laugh that I am alone, and have my humor.
Oh, tis my Neece, away and dresse my Pillow.
Exit. Ser.
Enter Lady Peregrine.
La.
Good morrow sir.
5
Morrow? 'tis now my bedd time.
La.
You were pleas'd,
To send for me.
Sol.
I did deare Neece.
Before I goe to sleepe, I must commend
Advices to thee, 'tis part of my devotion,
In breife, because the Day comes fast upon me,
Have a great care you be not seene too publicke,
Your Chamber's spacious enough to walke in,
Ther's danger in scociety, and the World
Is full of plotts,
La.
What plotts?
Sol.
I know not, but
Be solitarie as I am, and be safe.
Your husbands debt's have made him quit his Countrie,
He was an unthrift, nay I spare him not
Although he were my kins-man, 'twas ill done,
Whose plott so ere it were, to loose your Joynture,
Times are necessitous, but while he drills
His men abroad, take heed you meete not hotter
Service at home, there be fine Lords ith World,
And Gentlemen that runne, and carry messages,
And Pages, that bring Jewells, and can whisper
The baudy poesies, and soe-forth.
La.
You are not; Jealous of mee
Sol.
Nor of my wife, I lie
Alone discreetlie, let my Madam plaie,
Sit up a nights and gamboll,
La.
And dee love her?
Sol.
At distance, as becomes a polliticke man,
That would not sell his state to buy an heire,
Our lookes so seldome doe converse, that if
We should engender at the eyes, she wod
Not teeme so often as an Elephant, fooles diet with
There wives and be in danger of provocatives
To friske, and mount the table, precious pastime!
Come thou art happie; that thy husbands absence
Hath given thee occasion to be solitarie,
Trust not the aire abroad by my example,
6
La.
Good morrow.
I thanke you for your counsell but it needs not,
I pittie the condition of this Gentleman,
That makes his life a penance to seeme wise,
He talkes of plotts, and is the greatest enemie
To himselfe with his vaine feares, but why do I
Discourse of miserie without my selfe,
That carrie in my bosome everie minute,
All that can make a woman miserable?
Thought of my husband wounds me, yet I cannot
Be suffered to injoy it, like a Deere
I am chas'd by forraine Hunters, and not left
To thinke what crueltie at home persues me.
Enter her woman and a Page.
You might have knowne my pleasure in good manners,
Ere you admitted anie.
Wo.
Tis but a Page Madam, the poore child
Wants yeeres to offend.
Exit.
La.
He serves the Lord Fitzamereus
Beshrew your diligence.
Pa.
Who commends to your
Faire hand these Jewells Madam.
La.
I preethe carrie 'em backe, their insid's poyson,
Pa.
I would not be corrupted with the one,
To betraie tother so, they cannot fright
When you examine, if you knew his Lordship
Soe well, as I would wish, you would accept
And cherish these presentments, y'are the first
Ladie within my observation,
That has tooke time, to aske her conscience
The meaning of a Jewell, sent by a Lord,
A yong and hansome Lord too; 'tis a thing
At Court, is not in fashion, and 'twere pittie
One with so good a face, should be the presedent,
Of such superfluous modestie.
La.
Does your Lord
Instruct you thus?
Pa.
We take it of our selves,
7
To understand their office, you may be confident,
My Lord meanes honorably, and as becomes
A Gentleman of high bloud, he will visite
Your Lady-ship.
La.
I shall not neede, returne him then my thankes,
By messenger.
Pag.
I apprehend.
And wish you a morning faire as your owne beautie,
My humblest dutie.
Exit.
La.
How blacke sinne doth scatter
Her seede betimes, and every ground is fruitfull.
Enter Confident, and waiting woman.
Con.
Has shee the Paper?
Pa.
And the jewell too.
Wo.
I know sheele chide me, but his Lordships
Bounty commands I should bee serviseable.
Con.
Away and wantonnesse inspire me, Lady.
La.
More rude intrusions?
Exit Page, and wom.
Con.
Patience noble Madam,
The message that I bring, is more calme and gentle
Then the coole winde, that breathes upon the Flowers
Soft kisses in the Spring, the woollen feete
Of time doe move with a lesse noyse, then mine
Beneath this happy Roofe, vouchsafe your eare,
And words shall meete your sense, and Court it with
Swifter delight then apprehension
Knows how to reach, and when I have let fall
Love, which doth make all language rich, and told you
His name that gives his life up in my breath,
To be made blest by being yours, you'le wish
I were all voyce, and to that harmony,
Chaine your owne soule for ever.
La.
What doe you meane
By this strange language? pray bee cleerer, sir,
If you direct it to my understanding.
VVhat is your businesse?
Con.
I have tol'd you, Madam.
Love.
8
What love I beseech you sir?
Con.
A love that doth include in his owne flame
What Poets made but fiction in the gods,
When Earthlie beauties tempted them from Heaven,
A fire which from the bosome of loves preist
Shoots up religion and a sacrifice
To what his soule adores, a glorious love,
And love of you.
La.
Of me? it will concerne
That I should know him.
Con.
Had his person bin
A stranger, so much worth, and fame preferrs him
To every noble knowledge, that you cannot
Be ignorant, what wonder of mankinde
I point at, hath report brought to your eare
I'th stacke of men, one that hath had the praise
Of wit, of valour, bountie, a faire presence,
A tongue to inchant heaven? these waite one him,
As he, to be your servant: he is a man
(What pittie it is I cannot call him more)
The pride, and darling both of warre, and peace,
The Lord of many Worlds.
La.
How sir! I He may be bountifull indeed then.
Con.
With your pardon,
Shall we allow to everie common man
A little world, and not thinke him worth manie,
Who hath the price of thousands in himselfe?
La.
What miracle is this?
Co.
He is a man
Soe full of all, that thought, or love can be
Ambitious of, that nothing can defame him,
But shee alone that hath in her owne frame
Of woman, all that ever praised the sex,
And these are all your owne, make him so too,
And from your loves, the decay'd world shall hope
To see a face of Demi-gods.
La.
I finde not
By all these markes of honour and of goodnesse
9
Co.
Can there be anie beside my Lord?
La.
Your Lord may be
Besides himselfe after soe great a Character.
Co.
The Lord Fitzavarice.
La.
Cry mercie sir,
I know him, and you might with halfe the expence
Of so much wit in blanke verse, have exprest
His purpose, and himselfe, I thanke him hartelie,
But am not so much worth, pray tell him so.
Con.
Ladie, I doe not use to thrive so ill
In my love-undertakings.
La.
I'st your Trade?
It seemes so, by your prompt and elegant way,
Are you soliciter generall for other's,
In love, ti'd by your place, never to move
Conditions for your selfe? he is but a Lord
Whose fame you have advanc'd thus.
Con.
You'r right, Lady.
La.
And I was never taught, that witt or handsomenesse
are assur'd by patent, dee thinke this Lord
May not finde his peeres?
Con.
No question, Madam.
La.
This would well be a double Knave.
Con.
There may be Gentlemen,
That owe no high and mightie titles, Madam.
La.
As gracious with a Lady;
Con.
And as active;
La.
With wit, with valour, bountie, a faire presence,
And tongue to inchant heaven.
Con.
As I would wish,
I onely was ambitions to enjoy her
After my Lord, if once shee were corrupted:
Venus send me good lucke, and I be
His taster, but hee's here.
Enter Lord Fitzauarice.
Trust mee an other time.
La.
Hast prevail'd?
10
I have taken off the impossibilitie,
Or shee deceives me much: To her your selfe,
I'le take my opportunitie.
Exit.
Lo.
Still Melancholie?
What dee meane Lady?
La.
I have kept a Jewell for your Lordship.
Lo.
Will shee come too't allready?
La.
And because
I would not be held guiltie of ingratitude,
Not furnish'd with a gift worth your acceptance,
I must present your owne agen.
Lo.
Why this
I sent you, Madam, doe not so dishonour mee,
I have plenty of these trifles sha't have more,
Richer and brighter to attend thy beautie,
Here they will shine in their owne place.
La.
I dare not accept of any, they are dangerous.
Lo.
They are not poyson'd.
La.
Yes more killing then
The teeth of Serpents, or the Vipers blood,
Without a charme, they had ere this undone me.
Lo.
Pray make your sense familiar to me.
La.
Can you seeme ignorant, by whose direction
They were sent hither, oh my Lord, but thinke,
What honour you can gaine out of my ruines.
Why doe you still persue me with this heate
Of sensuall fame, and send these tempters to me,
After so many vowes, to keepe my faith,
And name unstain'd?
Lo.
Still in these foolish humors?
What did you marrie for?
La.
To enjoy my husband.
Lo.
Enjoy him in his absence then by proxie.
La.
VVhen he is absent from my hart, may
Consent to be as blacke, as you would make me;
But while he hath a constant dwelling here,
I must loose both at once, if I forsake him.
Oh thinke upon your selfe my Lord, and make
11
By our selves acquir'd, is richer, then what blood,
And birth can throw upon us, send noe more
Agents to plead your shame, their errand is
So foule, it must infect 'em, to be false,
Even to your selfe, my husband is abroad
To farre from home.
Lo.
Hee's fighting i'th low-Countries,
By his example you may Skirmish here,
A litle, if you please, I doe not wish him
Return'd, although I have his land in mortgage,
If you would bee lesse cruell, you may pay
His debt in other propertie, and cancell
The payment in due time.
La.
I'le heare no more.
You have a stayned soule.
Exit.
Lo.
I doe love this Ladie,
As Gentlemen now call love, and that extremelie.
Shee is all nunns flesh about her, but has the Divell
No tricke to thaw her chastitie? I must have
Some way to enjoy her body for my credit,
The world takes notice I have courted her,
And if I mount her not, I loose my honour.
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