 | The Bride |  |
The third Scene.
To them Maligo and Rhenish.Good.
Senior Maligo a most welcome guest.
Mal.
Your Servant Senior.
Good.
And Mr. Rhenish.
Rav.
The Spanish and Dutch Merchants! send there be no wars
at the wedding.
Rhen.
Wee come to witnesse your solemnityes.
Good.
Welcome Mr. Rhenish: and since you are come so early
lets spend the time in conference about the wines we lately
spake of.
Exeunt. Theo and Raven remayning.
Rav.
Cousin y'are sad. Would I might know the reason,
I'le helpe to put it from you.
The.
Cousin Raven,
Since love, not blood, hath made you weare that title,
Though 'tis a secret I would gladly hide,
To you I will impart it. Sent with gifts
To the faire maid that this day must be Bride
To the old man, my treacherous eyes conveigh'd
Flames to my heart from hers: which being fixt
Upon me, shot their magick influence
Of love with such a violence, that I tooke
Th'impression e're my bosome was prepar'd
And temper'd for it.
Rav.
This may be a ground
For me to work on.
The.
Duty now and honesty
To their unwilling prison: though her eye,
Look, gesture; and at parting when I tooke
Her hand to kisse it: then she held mine hard:
For all these invitations to their liberty
I durst not free them; but conceal'd even that
Perhaps she wisht to know.
Rav.
How can you doubt it?
They were all signalls that you should assault,
And shee would yeeld 'Tis but a modest custom
For men to wooe. 'Tis womens only pride
To have men court them, not to be deny'd.
Indeed it was your fault.
The.
My vertue rather.
Should I like the ingratefull serpent, sting
The bosome that hath warm'd me into life?
Desire shall burst me first. Yet I must tell you,
I am resolv'd to give my passions
This satisfaction. When the bridall ceremonies
Have had their consummation, I will travaile
And leave the cause behind. You may reveale it
When I am gone. I shall be prais'd or pittied,
For none can blame me.
Rav.
None! Yes all that heare it.
Who will not tax your indiscretion,
And want of knowing what belongs to man,
That will deny your selfe that right, perhaps
None but your selfe can challenge. we are warranted
To be indulgent to our selves so farre
As worke our own contents by any meanes
Conscience or law calls just. Then if the time
Prevent it not, try your successe: be suddain:
Steale her away and marry her.
The.
Tempt me not
Out of my passion into one more dangerous.
'Twere but a just correction if I kild thee;
That would instruct me to an act of error,
Repentance could scarce win a pardon for.
My counsail's worth a better fee. Perhaps
You feare some trechery in me. Clere your understanding,
I'le prove you ought to do it, and I to ayde you.
You are his foster sonne, and I his kinsman.
You he intends his heire, and yet he must not
Neglect me altogether. When they are married
Sshe'l find one to get Children.
The.
Thou art base
In thy suspect of her; and but for peace
(To which this day ought to be consecrate)
It should be punish't.
Rav.
Y'are too violent.
Be calme, and understand demonstrative reason,
Children being borne, then are you disinherited.
When marrying her ther's an estate will follow
Worth thousands: For shee is the only child
Her parents ever had.
The.
And why should you
Advise to this, and ayde it?
Rav.
What more police
Could I be guilty of? When his displeasure
Hath cast you of (for that way sure hee'l punish
The injury) stand not I faire to be
Possest of what you loose, the old mans favor?
Were you the only object of my hate,
The good I do my self would make the act
Shew of sufficient malice: but my love
Guiding me to't—
| The Bride | |