 | The Bride |  |
The fifth Act.
The first Scene.
Goodlove, Ferret, Mr s. Ferret, and Horten.Good.
Sir we are troublesome: the accident
Hath made a subject for your charity
As well as for your art; and neither shall
Be unrewarded. But may I presume
Hee'l need no other surgeon?
Hor.
Doubt it not sir.
The wound's but slight; were it more dangerous,
The simples that I have apply'd would cure it
Acording to the first intention
As surgeons call it.
M. Fer.
Truly sir my neighbour is very skilfull; he cured
my little shock of the mange so perfectly, that it hath fam'd him
through the neighbourhood for an excellent dog-leech.
Hor.
I ow much to your commendation Mr s Ferret.
M. Fe.
Truly neighbour 'tis not so much worth.
Good.
I dare be sworne it is not.
I dare not with much confidence rely
Upon this mans endeavours. Would I had
A surgeon here, whose judgement and experience
Might give me further satisfaction.
Is the French gentleman dispos'd of safely?
I have confin'd him to a chamber sir,
A too delightfull prison. He may feast
His eyes with rarities.
Good.
I think you are
Owner of more then all the towne besides.
Hor.
'Tis my affected riches.
Good.
I have some
You shall command sir.
Hor.
I'le have gratitude,
And something to exchange. This accident
May bring me in a purchase.
M. Fe.
Pray' neighbour let's see the late giants boot, and the
dwarfes shoe.
Good.
Prettie extremes no doubt.
M. Fe.
Extremes sir! me thinks their differences should make
a very good meane. Suppose the one was a great drinker or
wencher; the other must needs be a little one. What the one
wasted in boots the other sav's in shoes. But I'le in to the wounded
gentleman, and help to talke away his paine.
Hor.
By no meanes: sleepe would give him more ease, and
prevent a distraction; which he seemes to occasion some feare of
by his often digressions and interruptions of discourse.
Good.
Indeed sir I am troubled when I weigh
The accident and circumstances of it.
Nor can we urge him to give satisfaction
With any positive truth, but all his answers
Are carelesse and imperfect; many times
The second contradicts the first: and then
Hee'l name Theophilus, as if he were
The mischiefes worker. But of all kind friends
Your strange relations have begot most wonder.
The roarers, and Theophilus brave act;
My cosins not revealing my intents;
The maide left with the Merchants, and the Monsieurs
Stealing away, then found with my hurt kinsman,
What to conclude from these—
The second Scene.
To them a Servant hastely.Hor.
The news! what meanes your haste?
Ser.
Alasse sir you are rob'd.
Hor.
How's that?
Ser.
The French gallant sir which you lockt in the chamber,
is run away with your Remoras and Torpedos skins; and we
know not what besides.
Hor.
Persue him. I'd not loose those rarities
For halfe my state. Alasse sir they are valuable
'Bove any thing I own besides.
M. Fe.
Hath Monsieur given you the slip as he gave us? He
may chance be catcht in a halter for it.
Good.
Be patient sir, and with your best endeavor
Restore my cosin to his former safety,
I'le recompence your losse with things more valuable.
I have large trees of corall, and Zibetas
Both of strange form and colour; I expect
Some living Ermines.
Hor.
Would I had them, they
Should pacifie me quickly.
Good.
Sure that french man
Is guilty of the fact: why should he fly else?
If by your servants industry that Monsieur
May be brought back againe, 'twill be of consequence.
Something perhaps may be concluded from
A strict examination of him.
Hor.
I'le employ all the servants I have about it.
M. Fe.
They shall have my husbands authority with them;
wee'l make you a warrant.
Exeunt. Good. rema.
Good.
How various are th'events that may depend
Upon one action, yet the end propos'd
Not follow the intention! Accidents
Will interpose themselves; like those rash men
By some tumultuous difference, where perhaps
Their busie curiosity begets
New quarrells with new issues. I go on
From one consideration to another,
Yet can determin nothing.
The third Scene.
To him Father, Mother and Servant.Your arrivall
Will be of use sir.
Fat.
Else my paines were fruitlesse.
Chance brought us hither, for what ends I know not.
But understanding you were here, I come
To aske a daughter from you.
Good.
I from you
Must have a wounded reputation cur'd,
It bleeds worse then my kinsman, whom your sonne
And daughter are by circumstance suspected
To have attempted.
Fat.
My sonne sayd you sir?
I heare that sonne of mine must be your heire;
And I have heard what plots and circumventions
You us'd to catch me: so you have sir finely.
My states mine owne still, though my daughter's lost.
Good.
And pray' sir keep it; doubt not but 'twill find
Some gratefull heire, that will preserve the memory
Of such a benefit, with witty libells
Upon your glorious life.
Fat.
Your scorn is well sir;
And well becomes that supercilious gravity,
Hath aw'd the citty long, and frighted Rats
Into the Counter.
Good.
You are very free sir.
Yet these are not the Cittyes liberties.
If you can give faire satisfaction
For what concernes you, doe; and let not passion
Kindle a new flame. I am calme; have quencht
My spleene that late was fired.
Fat.
I acknowledge
I heare your kinsman's wounded, and there is
A supposition by my daughters sweet heart.
But how farre this concernes me, be your selfe
The judge. Sir I have suffer'd in my fame already
Too much, to have more added by suspition
Of being accessary to an act
Of such vile nature; and your self may sooner
Prove guilty, if the circumstance be weigh'd
You have made him your heire.
Good.
My intention
Had done it; neither did it want the forme
Of law for confirmation: but 'twas when
I was too partiall in affection: now
I am resolv'd to satisfie that error
With severe justice.
Fat.
You'l revoke your act!
Good.
Hands stain'd with bloud shall never have the power
To make a distribution of that wealth
Heaven hath blest my faire endeavours with.
Should he be prov'd a murderer (for though
My cosin dye not, his intent was such)
Revenge would waite on all his actions;
And even his charity when he gave almes
Would to his conscience so present the fact
In bloudy characters, that his best deeds
Would loose their merit.
Fat.
I am hard put to it.
But sir suppose your kinsman did attempt
Some practice upon him; ther's circumstance
To make it probable. Suppose your cosin
Repining at it that you should preferre
Adoption before naturall succession,
Defending so himselfe made the act lawfull.
Good.
From your suppose I raise a supposition,
That he to cleere himselfe of after troubles
Which might arise by any kinsmans claime,
Attempted this prevention by some others
If not himselfe: which yet we cannot urge
My kinsman to discover.
Fat.
There are plots
In these proceedings. Might I sir be witnesse
To an examination of your kinsman?
The knowledge of the truth is of some consequence
And doth concerne us.
Good.
If he may endure
Discourse without his danger.
The fourth Scene
To them Servant, Plaster, and then Ferret, Mr s. Ferret, and Horten.Serv.
Her's M
r. Plaster, the learned Surgeon, that speakes
nothing but Latine, because either he would not be understood,
or not contradicted.
Good.
He is welcome.
Hor.
There is no need sir of his trouble: the gentleman is past
danger.
Plast.
Are you a surgeon sir?
M. Fe.
A simple one sir; one I meane that useth no compounds.
Plas.
If you are rationall as well as empericall, and that you
practice secundum artem 'tis well.
Hor.
I dare secure his safety.
You may erre sir. He hath a wound; and where there is continuitatis
divortium, you must consider whether it came per
contusionem, punctionem, or how; and whether a nerve, tendon, ligament
or artery be in danger. The parts likewise whether it be
in principalibus vel minus principalibus. Then the adjuncts; whether
there be fractura or dislocatio; for these make it vulnus compositum.
Good.
Pray sir what is that?
Plas.
It is sir copiosa sanguinis inter cutem diffusio; which many
times causeth a dangerous apostema
Good.
You have satisfied very well sir.
Plas.
Perhaps you have applyed some Montebankes medicine
which you believe will cure secundum primam intentionem.
Good.
Pray' sir how is that?
Plas.
That is sine suppuratione vel cicatrice. We that worke according
to art begin with alteratione substantiæ in pus: for ex
corruptione unius fit generatio alterius. And then—
Good.
You have said enough sir more then we understand.
Pray' sir give him leave to see my cosin and his wound: his judgment
being a professor may confirme us.
The fifth Scene.
To them Raven.Hor.
He is here sir.
Rav.
The Brides Father and a surgeon! what new devise is
towards?
Fat. and Serv. whisper.
Hor.
I'le apply but one Emplastrum consolidans more: I
think that's a terme of art.
Exit. ser.
Plas.
I come not to be jeer'd.
Good.
To be rewarded; accept of this sir.
gives him mony.
Plas.
My thankfullnesse. This is more then my practice would
have deserv'd; for to say truth though I can out face it with talking,
though I am neither parson nor vicar yet my cures serve to
mayntaine sextons.
Exit.
Hor.
The wound was very slight sir.
M. Fe.
Indeed Mr. Raven you escapt a scouring in your belly:
if you had miscarried, the Monsieur for all the seperation betwixt
his doublet and breeches should have trust for't, but that
he is run away.
Rav.
Escap't I'm glad of that: it shall be usefull.
Being past danger cosin, we would gladly
Be satisfied who 'twas that did attempt
This mischiefe on you: you have hitherto
Seem'd as unwilling he should be discover'd.
If 'twere Theophilus, all diligence
Shall be employ'd to find him, that he may
Pay law her due: his flight makes it suspitious.
Rav.
Good sir forbeare that trouble.
If he be fled with his faire Mistresse, 'tis
A discreet policy to shun the danger,
Her parents anger might bring on him. 'Twas
The French man wounded me.
Good.
On what occasion?
Rav.
None sir that I know: I provok't him not;
Unlesse he meant to rob me.
Fat.
Will you sir
Justifie this on oath?
Fathers Servant returnes.
Rav.
Were there necessity:
'Tis otherwise sufficient I have said it.
Fat.
Bring in the Monsieur.
Hor.
How sir! is he taken!
Fat.
Yes sir; with many trinckets that were yours.
Hor.
I am restor'd to my first state.
Fat.
We met him:
Aud for some reason you shall know anon
Brought him back with us.
Rav.
I am still discover'd.
The sixth Scene.
To them Kick-shaw.Fat.
'Tis needfull sir this man should be committed,
That being accus'd he may be soone produc't
Upon occasion.
Kick.
Me have no for to kill de man: de teefes have mine,
True; me take de jenteluman from de dushman and de Spaniard:
dat hurt de man, almost kill me but dat me beg pardon.
Rav.
I have lighted upon it.
Unto you all I do submit my selfe,
And what I shall discover. I confesse
I may seem not to merit a beliefe
That have already feign'd so many untruths:
But the officiousnesse of them consider'd
I hope you'l credit this. It was my cosin
Theophilus, that hurt me: But I know not
Whether 'twere chance or malice for this gentleman
Attempting rape upon your daughter sir,
I drew a pointlesse weapon I had got;
My cosins suddaine apprehention
Perhaps mad him suspect me: and not knowing
I meant a rescue of the gentlewoman
(Whose voice I heard, but could not through the mist
Discern her person) made his rash hand wound me;
Which for his sake I joy is not prov'd morrall,
Nor will I hope.
Fat.
I doe beleeve all this
For certaine truth. But why should you accuse
Another then?
Rav.
I did presume this man
Unknowne to any here was fled, nor would
Returne to take a punishment: and being
A stranger was not capable of shame.
Now my concealing who the actor was
Neither his danger nor disgrace would follow.
God.
Nephew I do admire thy love to him
So ill deserves it, and I now consider
What an injustice my election was.
Henceforth thou art mine heire. I will employ
A numerous search to find him that he may
Be punisht for his fact.
Rav.
By no meanes sir:
Call him not back; my wound may yet have danger;
And if he should returne to pay his life
Fat.
But he shall
To make you give the law a satisfaction
For all your villanies. Come forth my sonne,
For so he is sir.
The last Scene.
To them Theophilus and Bride.Theo.
Humbly thus I beg
Theo. kneeles
Your pardon sir
Good.
Pray' aske your father blessing:
Y'have got one now.
Fat.
He hath sir, and shall keep him
His faire desert won my conversion;
And chang'd me from intents of punishing
To an indulgent favourer. This hath been
A villaine to his life, and to his fortunes;
Whetted by envy to such practises
As merrit death when you shall heare the passages.
A man that's guilty; that from foule intents
Proceeded to an act would flye for safety:
Instead of which Theophilus repair'd
To me, that then was laboring with revenge.
First offers restitution of my daughter;
Then passing on from declaration
To declaration, made to confident
By his sweet innocence, he satisfi'd
Mine anger, and gave peace unto my passions
Nor was I patient to defer their joyes
(Which likewise are myne own but got them married
This evening with a dispensation for it
Before we came to you. Where by the way
We met this Monsieur, and enforc't him back:
Whom straight his feares betrayd to a discovery
Of what he was; no gentleman, but Kick-shaw
Ser.
Monsieur Kick-shaw: we want plate Monsieur.
Kick.
Now me sall be hang agen.
Hor.
And I want Jewells Monsieur.
Kick.
Jewells! me have noting but two tree bable. Pray'
vat be dis?
Puls the things out of his pockets.
Hor.
A bable call you it? This gentlemen is the horne of an
Æthiopian Rhinoceros.
Kick.
An dis!
Hor.
The Taleon of a Birde in terra australi incognita, which
the inhabitants call their great god Ruc, that preyes upon Elephants,
and will not be gorged under two or three in a morning
This stone of a strange forme and colour was brought by the
learned traveller of Odcombe from the great Mogull.
M. Fe.
How sir! One of the great mogul's stones,
Fat.
Good sir forbeare a little. Now he's mine
I'le own him and the rather if you will
Disclaime all interest in him. For your kinsman
Some wise and powerfull authority
Must force truth from him.
M. Fe.
My husbands authority sir is both wise and powerfull
Rav.
'Tis not in all my stock of cunning now
To hold out longer. Shame will be the end
Of all my undertakings.
Good.
Cosin your looks are strange, and seeme as if
They would betray your thoughts. If you have guilt,
Let it not presse your conscience with a weight
Will sinck it into horror.
Rav.
I have much sir.
Nor will there need another testimony
For confirmation of what I shall utter.
He that with griefe doth publish his own shame,
Speakes from truths records.
Good.
What may this preface meane?
Rav.
You had a sonne, whose birth depriv'd his mother
Of life; and what bestow'd a joy upon you
Rob'd you of one.
Good.
Why dost review a griefe
Rav.
And have him still: enjoy him in Theophilus.
The.
Was this the knowledge of my selfe he spake of,
That liv'd but in him selfe?
Good.
I feare his wound,
And a distraction.
Rav.
Heare me sir and then
You will have faith. The child you did dispose
To be nurst by my mother, I being then
An infant likewise. She knowing by law
That I was capable of your estate
Your heire being once remov'd, soone plots
To make the childe away; attemps, but fainting
In th'execution left it in the feilds;
A formall buriall strengthning the report
That it was dead. By providence directed
You found and bred it up, and this is he.
My dying mother did reveale it to me
With teares of penitence, and an injunction
I should discover it: which my avarice
And envy would not suffer me, but tempted
My soule to those black practices, which now
Cease with my shame and my repentance.
Good.
Joyes
Good, embraceth Theo. kneeling.
Have fill'd me to the danger of a surfet.
Welcome to life; I have a new begot thee.
How often have I wisht in these embraces
The thing I did embrace but knew it not.
Cosin I hope your sorrow is not feign'd
That it may merrit pardon, and preserve me
A loving Uncle.
The.
I forgive you Cosin,
You have at length in this discovery
Given large satisfaction.
Rav.
I'le remove
All cause of after jealousy.
Fat.
We by these
Good. and Fat. embrace.
Are reconciled for ever.
But her's dilinquent must be punished.
Good.
He shall be pardon'd too upon condition
He will no more play the impostor thus,
To weare the habit of a gentleman
Having such vile conditions; o disgracing
His noble nation; making all suspected.
I'le likewise adde something unto your storehouse.
And though 'tis late lets have a wedding feast:
To which pray' welcome every loving guest.
| The Bride | |