 | The English Moor, or The Mock-Marriage |  |
Scene. 2.
Quick-sands. Testy. Millicent.Qui.
Here was a good night, and good morrow to
Given by a crew of Devils.
Tes.
'Twas her plot,
And let her smart for't.
Mil.
Smart, Sir, did you say?
I think 'twas smart enough for a young Bride
To be made lye alone, and gnaw the sheets
Upon her wedding.
Tes.
Rare impudence!
Mil.
But for your satisfaction, as I hope
To gain your favour as you are my Uncle,
I know not any acter in this business.
Ent. Buz. with a paper.
Buz.
Sir, her's a letter thrown into the entry.
Quick reads it.
Tes.
It is some villanous libel then I warrant.
Sawst thou not who convai'd it in?
Buz.
Not I. I onely found it, Sr.
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Pray read it you. Not my own house free from 'em!
The devil ow'd me a spight; and when he has plow'd
An old mans lust up, he sits grinning at him.
Nay, I that have so many gallant enemies
On fire, to do me mischief, or disgrace;
That I must provide tinder for their sparks!
The very thought bears weight enough to sink me.
Mil.
May I be worthy, Sir, to know your trouble?
Qui.
Do you know your self?
Mil.
Am I your trouble then?
Qui.
Tis sworn and written in that letter there
Thou shalt be wicked. Hundreds have tane oaths
To make thee false, and me a horned Monster.
Mil.
And does that trouble you?
Tes.
Does it not you?
Mil.
A dream has done much more. Pray, Sir, your patience,
And now I will be serious, and endeavour
To mend your faith in me. Is't in their power
To destroy vertue, think you; or do you
Suppose me false already; tis perhaps
Their plot to drive you into that opinion.
And so to make you cast me out amongst 'em:
You may do so upon the words of strangers;
And if they tell you all, your gold is counterfeit,
Throw that out after me.
Tes.
Now shee speaks woman.
Mil.
But since these men pretend, and you suppose 'em
To be my friends, that carry this presumption
Over my will, Ile take charge of my self,
And do fair justice, both on them and you:
My honour is my own; and i'm no more
Yours yet, on whom my Uncle has bestowed me,
Then all the worlds (the ceremony off)
And will remain so, free from them and you;
Who, by the false light of their wild-fire flashes
Have slighted and deprav'd me and your bride bed;
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And they their petulant folly.
Tes.
This sounds well.
Mil.
Both they and you trench on my Peace and Honor;
Dearer then beauty, pleasure wealth and fortune;
I would stand under the fall of my estate
Most chearefully, and sing: For there be wayes
To raise up fortunes ruines, were her towers
Shattered in pieces, and the glorious ball
Shee stands on cleft asunder: But for Peace
Once ruin'd, there's no reparation;
If Honour fall, which is the soul of life,
Tis like the damned, it nere lifts the head
Up to the light again.
Tes.
Neece, thou hast won mee;
And Nephew, she's to good for you. I charge you
Give her her will: Ile have her home again else.
Qui.
I know not what I can deny her now.
Mil.
I ask but this, that you will give me leave
To keep a vow I made, which was last night
Because you flighted me.
Tes.
Stay there a little.
I'le lay the price of twenty Maidenheads
Now, as the market goes, you get not hers
This seav'night.
Mil.
My vow is for a moneth; and for so long
I crave your faithful promise not to attempt me.
In the meantime because I will be quit
With my trim, forward Gentlemen, and secure you
From their assaults; let it be given out,
That you have sent me down into the countrey
Or back unto my Uncles; whither you please.
Quic.
Or, tarry, tarry—stay, stay here a while.
Mil.
So I intend, Sir, Ile not leave your house,
But be lock'd up in some convenient room
Not to be seen by any, but your selfe:
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In some disguise, (if it were possible)
Free from the least suspition of your servants.
Tes.
What needs all this?
Do we not live in a well govern'd City?
And have not I authority? Ile take
The care and guard of you and of your house
'Gainst all outragious attempts; and clap
Those Goatish Roarers up, fast as they come.
Quic.
I understand her drift, Sir, and applaud
Her quaint devise. Twill put 'em to more trouble,
And more expence in doubtful search of her,
The best way to undo 'em is to foil 'em
At their own weapons. Tis not to be thought
The'l seek, by violence to force her from me,
But wit; In which wee'l overcome 'em.
Tes.
Agree on't twixt your selves. I see y'are friends
I'le leave you to your selves.
Heark hither Neece.—Now I dare trust you with him
He is in yeares, tis true. But hear'st thou girl
Old Foxes are best blades.
Mil.
I'm sure they stink most.
Tes.
Good keeping makes him bright and young again.
Mil.
But for how long.
Tes.
A year or two perhaps.
Then, when he dies, his wealth makes thee a Countess.
Mil.
You speak much comfort, Sir.
Tes.
That's my good Girl.
And Nephew, Love her, I find she deserves it;
Be as benevolent to her as you can;
Shew your good will at least. You do not know
How the good will of an old man may work
In a young wife. I must now take my journey
Down to my countrey house. At your moneths end
Ile visit you again. No ceremony
Joy and content be with you.
Quic., Mil.
And a good journey to you.
Exit Test.
30
You are content you say to be lock'd up
Or put in some disguise, and have it said
Y'are gone unto your Uncles. I have heard
Of some Bridegrooms, that shortly after Marriage
Have gone to see their Uncles, seldom Brides.
I have thought of another course.
Mil.
Be't any way.
Quic.
What if it were given out y'are run away
Out of a detestation of your match?
Mil.
'Twould pull a blot upon my reputation.
Quic.
When they consider my unworthiness
'Twill give it credit. They'l commend you for it.
Mil.
You speak well for your self.
Quic.
I speak as they'l speak.
Mil.
Well; let it be so then: I am content.
Quic.
Wee'l put this instantly in act. The rest,
As for disguise, or privacy in my house,
You'll leave to me.
Mil.
All, Sir, to your dispose,
Provided still you urge not to infringe
My vow concerning my virginity.
Quic.
Tis the least thing I think on,
I will not offer at it till your time.
Mil.
Why here's a happiness in a husband now.
exeunt.
| The English Moor, or The Mock-Marriage | |