University of Virginia Library

Actus Quartus:

Enter Votarius wt h Anselmus Lady.
Votar.
pry forgiue me madame, come thow shalt

Wif
yfaith twas straingely donne sir

Vot
I confess it

Wif
is that ynoughe to help it sir, tis easie
to drawe a ladies honor in suspision
but not so soone recouerd and confirmd
to the first faith agen from whence you brought it,
yor wit was fetcht owt abowt other busines
or such forgetfullnes had neuer ceazd you

Vot.
twas but an over flowinge, a Spring tide
in my affection, raisd by to much loue
and thats the worst wordes you can giue it madame,

Wife
Iealous of mee

Votar.
[life] y'oud a sworne yor self Madame
had you bin in my bodie, and chaingde cases;
To see a fellowe wt h a guiltie pace
glide throughe the roome his face three quarters nighted
as if a deed of darknes had hvnge on him

Wife
I tell you twice, twas my bold womans frend
hell take her ympudence

Votar.
why I haue donne Madame

Wif
y'aue donne to late sir,—who shall do the rest now?
Confest me yeilding, was thy waie to free?
why didst thow long to be restrainde? pray speak sir

Vot.
A man can̄ot coozen you of the synne of weaknes,
or borrow it of a woman for one howre
but how hees wonderd at, wher, search yor liues
wee shall nere finde it from you,—we can suffer you
to plaie awaie yor daies in Idlenes
and hide yor imperfections wt h our loues
(or the most part of you would appere strainge creatures)
and now tis but our chaunce to make an offer
and snatche at ffollie, rvnnynge, yet to see
how ernest y'are against vs, as if we had robd you
of the best guifte yor naturall mother left you;

Wife
tis worth a kisse yfaith, and thow shalt haate
were ther not one more left for my lordes supper;
and now sir I'ue bethought my self,—

Vot.
thats happie

Wife
you saie wee're weake, but the best witts on you all
are gladd of our advice for ought I see
and hardlie thriue wt hout vs,

Votar.
I'le saie so too
to giue you encoragement and advaunce yor vertues
tis not good all waies to keep downe a woman,

Wife
well sir, since y'aue begun to make my lord
a doubtfull man of me, keep on that course
and plye his faith still wt h that poore belief
that Ime enclyninge vnto wantonnes
take heed you passe no furder now,

Vota
why doest thincke
ile be twice madd together in one Moone?
that were to much for any ffreemans sonne
after his fathers funerall,

Wife
well, then thus sir
vpholding still the same as being imboldned
by some loose glaunce of myne, you shall attempt
(after y'aue plac'te my lord in some neer closet)
to thrust yor self into my chamber rudely
as if the game went forward to yor thinckinge
then leaue the rest to me, Ile so reward thee
wt h bitternes of wordes, but pry thee pardon em,
my lord shall sweare me into honestie
ynoughe to serue his mynde all his life after,
nay for a need, I'le drawe some rapier forth
that shall come neer my hand as twere by chaunce
and set a liuelie face vpon my rage,
but feare thow nothinge, I too deerlie loue thee
to let harme touch thee

Votar
o it likes me rarelie
Ile chuse a pretious tyme for't—
Exit Votarius

Wife
Go thy waies Ime gladd I had it for thee

Enter Leonela.
madame my lorde entreates yor companie

Wife
Sha yee

Leo
Sha yee my lorde entreates yor Companie.

Wife.
what noe?
are ye so short heeld

Leo
I am as my betters are then

Wif
how cam you by such impudence alate minion
y'are not content to entertaine yor play fellow
in yor owne chamber closely, wc h I thinck
is large allowaunce for a ladies woman,
thers many a good [knightes] MENS daughter is in service
and cannot get such fauour of her mistres
but what she has by stealth, she and the Chamber maid
are glad of one betwene em, and must you
giue such bold freedome to yor long-nosde fellowe
that euery roome must take a tast of him?

Leo.
does that offend yor ladiship?

Wife
how thinck you for sooth?

Leo.
then he shall doo't agen?

Wife
what

Leo
and agen madame,
so often till it pleaze yor ladiship
and when you like it he shall doote no more

Wife
whats this?

Leo.
I know no difference vertuous madame
but in loue all haue pryvilidge alike

Wife
y'are a bould Queane

Leo
and are not you my mistres?

Wife
this well yfaithe

Leo
you spare not yor owne flesh no more then I
hell take me and I spare you,

Wife
o the wronges
that ladies do their honors when they make
their slaues familier wt h their weaknesses
thei'r euer thus rewarded for that deed,
they stand in feare eene of the groomes they feed;
I must be forc't to speak my woman faire now
and be first frendes wt h her, nay all to litle,
she may vndoo me at her pleasure ells
she knowes the waye so well, my self not better,
my wanton follie made a key for her
to all the priuat treasure of my harte
shee may doe what she list; Come Leonela
I am not angrie wt h thee

Leo.
pish

Wife
faith I am not

Leo
why what care I and you be

Wife
pry thee forgiue me

Leo
I haue nothing to saie to you,

Wife
Come thow shalt were this Iewell for my sake
a kisse and frendes, weel neuer quarrell more

Leo.
nay chuse you faith, the best is and you doe
you know whoole haue the worst on't

Wife
true my self

Leo.
litle thinckes shee, I haue set her forth allreadie
I please my lord, yet keep her in awe too

Wife
one thinge I had forgot, I pry thee wench
steale to Votarius closelie, and remember him
to weare some pryvie armour then about him,
that I may faine a furie wt hout feare,

Leo.
Armour, when madame?

Wife
See now, I chide thee
when I least thought vpon thee, thowr't my best hand
I cannot be wt hout thee,—thus then sirrah
to beat awaie suspition from the thoughtes
of ruder listninge servauntes abowt howse,
I haue advizde Votarius at fit tyme
boldlie to force his waie into my chamber
the admittaunce being denide him, and the passage
kept strickt by thee my necessarie woman,
(la ther I should ha mist thy help agen)
at wc h attempt, ile take occation
to dissemble such an anger, that the world
shall euer after sweare vs to their thoughtes
as cleere and free from any fleshly knowledge
are neerest kindred are, or ought to be
or what can more express it, if that failde

Leo.
you know I'me allwaies at yor service madame,
but why some pryvie Armour

Wife
Marry sweet hart
the best is yet forgotten, thow shalt hang
a weopen in some corner of the chamber,
yonder or ther

Leo.
or any wher, why yfaith madame
do you thinck Ime to lerne now to hange a weopen?
as much as I'me vncapable of what followes
I'ue all yor mynde wt hout booke, thinck it donne madame;

Wife
thanckes my good wench, Ile neuer call thee worse—
Exit Wife

Enter Belarius.
Leo.
faith y'are like to ha'te agen, and you doe, madame,

Bel.
what art alone?

Leo
Cuds me what make you here sir
yor a bold long nosde fellowe

Bel.
how

Leo
so my ladie saies
faith shee and I haue had a bowt for you sir
but shee got nothinge by'te

Bel.
did not I say still, thow woldst be too adventurous

Leo
nere a whit sir;—I made her glad to seek my frendship first

Bel.
by my faith that showde well, if you come, off
so braue a Conqueress toot agen and spare not,
I know not wc h waie you should get more honour

Leo.
she trustes me now to cast a mist forsooth
before the servauntes eyes, I must remember
Votarius to come once wt h priuie armour
into her chamber, when wt h a fainde fury
and rapier drawne, wc h I must lay a purpose
ready for her dissemblaunce, she will seme
t'act wonders for her Iuglinge honestie

Bel.
I wish no riper vengeance canst conceiue me?
Votarius is my enēmye

Leo.
thats stale newes sir

Bel.
marke what I saye to thee, forget of purpose
that pryvie armour, do not bless his sowle
wt h so much warnynge, nor his hated bodie
wt h such sure safetie, here express thy loue,
laye some impoysond weopen next her hand
that in that playe he may be lost for euer,
I'de haue him kept no longer, awaie wt h him,
one touch will set him flyinge let him goe,

Leo.
bribe me but wt h a kisse it shalbe so

Exiunt.
Enter Tirant wondrous discontedly:/ Nobles afarr of.
2 Noble.
My lord

Tyr.
be gon or neuer see life more
ile send thee farr ynoughe from Court; Memphonius
wher's hee nowe,

Memph.
euer at yor highnes service

Tyr.
how dar'st thow be so neere, when we haue threatend
death to thy fellowe? haue we lost our power?
or thow thy feare? leaue vs, in tyme of grace,
twill be to late anon

Memph.
I thinck tis soe wt h thee allready

Tirant.
Dead and I so healthfull?
thers no equallitie in this, Staie,

Mem.
Sir.

Ty.
wher is that fellow brought the first report to vs

Mem.
he waites wt hout.

Ty.
I charge thee giue Comaund
that he be executed speedilie, as thow't stand firme thy self,

Mem.
now by my faith
his tongue has helpt his neck to a sweet bargaine—
Exit Memph.

Tyr.
her owne faire hand so cruell did she chuse
destruction before mee? was I no better
how much am I exalted to my face?
and wher I would be grac'te, how litle worthye?
ther's few kinges knowe how ritche they are in goodnes,
or what estate they haue in grace and vertue,
ther is so much deceit in glosers tongues
the truthe is taken from vs, we knowe nothinge
but what is for their purpose, that's our stint
we are allowde no more,—o wretched greatnes!
ile cause a Sessions for my flatterers
and haue em all hangd vp.—Tis donne to late
o shees distroide, maried to death and silence
wc h nothinge can divorce, Riches, nor lawes
nor all the violence that this frame can raise,
I'ue lost the comfort of her sight for euer,
I cannot call this, life, that flames wt hin me
but euerlasting torment lighted vp
to shew my sowle her beggery —A new Ioye
is come to visit me in spight of death
Enter Soldiers.
it takes me of that sodaine, Ime ashamde
of my provision, but a frend will beare,—wt hin ther

1 Soldier.
Sir

2 Sold.
my lord

Ty.

the men I wisht for for secrecy and imployemt
goe giue order that Gouianus be releast

4 Sol.

releast sir.

Ty.

set free and then I trust he will flie the kingdome
& neuer know my purpose—run sir you
bring me the keyes of the Cathedrall.

(Marginal note)

Ty.
the men I wisht for
for secrecy and imployemt;—Run Atranius
bringe me the keyes of the Cathedrall straight

1 Sould
are you so holie now, do you curse all daie
and goe to praie at midnighte?—

Exit.
Tyr.
prouide you sirs close lanthornes and a pickax
awaie be speedie

2 Soul
Lanthornes and a pickax?
[life] does he meane to bury himself aliue tro?

Tyr.
death nor the marble prison my loue sleepes in
shall keep her bodie lockt vp frō myne armes
I must not be so coozned; thoughe her life
was lyke a widdowes state made ore in pollecy
to defeat me and my to confident heart
twas a most cruell wisdome to her self
as much to me that lou'd her,—what returnd?

Enter. 1 Sould.
here be the keyes my lord

Tyr.
I thanck thy speed
here comes the rest full furnisht, follow me
and wealth shall followe you—

Exit
1 Sould.
wealth, by this lighte
we goe to rob a church I hold my life
the mony will nere thriue, thats a sure sawe
what's got from Grace, is euer spent in lawe—

Exunt

what straunge fitts growe vpon him heere alate
his sowle has got a verie dreadfull leader
what shoulde he make in the cathedrall now
the hower so deep in nighte, all his intentes
are contrarie to man, in spirrit or blood
he waxes heavie in his noble myndes,
his moodes are such, they cannot beare the waight,
nor will not longe, if ther be truth in whispers
the honorable father of the State
noble Heluetius, all the lordes agree
by some close pollicie shortlie to set free

(Marginal note)

Enter the Tirant agen at a farder dore, which opened, bringes hym to the Toombe wher the Lady lies buried; The Toombe here discouered ritchly set forthe;
Tyr.
Softlie, softlie
lets giue this place, the peace that it requires
the vaultes een chide our stepps wt h murmering sownds
for making bould so late,—it must be donne

1 Sold.
I feare nothinge but the whoorish ghost of a queane,
I kept once, she swore she would so haunt me I should
neuer praie in quiet for her, and I haue kept my self
from Churche this fiftene yeare to prevent her,

Ty.
the monument wooes me, I must rvnne and kisse it,
now trust me if the teares do not een stand
vpon the marble, what slowe springes haue I?
twas weepinge to it self before I came,
how pittie strikes een throughe inscensible thinges
and makes them shame our dullnes;
Thow howse of scilence, and the Calmes of rest
after tempestious life, I clayme of thee
a mistres one of the most beautious sleepers
that euer laye so colde, not yet due to thee
by naturall death, but cruellie forc't hether
many a [faire] yeare before the world could spare her;
we misse her mongst the glories of our Courte
when they be numbred vp; All thy still strength
thow grey-eyde Monument shall not keep her from vs;
Strike villaine, thoe the eccho raile vs all
into ridiculous deafnes; pierce the Iawes
of this cold ponderous creature

2 Sold.
Sir

Tyr.
why strikst thow not

2 Sold.
I shall not hold the axe fast Im'e afrayd Sr .

Tyr.
o shame of men, a soldier, and so [limber?]/[FEARFFULL?]

2 Sold
tis owt of my elament to be in a churche sir
giue me the open field and turne me loose sir,

Tyr
true, then thow hast roome ynoughe to run awaie
take thow the Axe from him

1 Sold.
I beseech yor grace
twill come to a worse hand, youle finde vs all
of one mynde for the church I can assure you sir,

Tyr.
nor thow?

3 Sold.
I loue not to disquiet ghostes
of any people lyving, [thats my humour sir ]

Tyr.
o slaues of one opinion, giue mee't from thee
thow man made out of Fear

2 Sold.
by my faithe
Ime glad I'me rid on't,—I that was nere before in Cathedrall
and haue the battring of a ladies tombe
ly hard vpon my conscience at first comynge
I should get much by that; it shalbe a worninge to me
ile nere come here agen;

Tyr.
no, wilt not yeild?
art thow so loath to part from her?

1 Sold.
[life] what meanes he
has he no feeling wt h him, by this light if I be not afraide
to staie any longer, Ime a [Stone Cutter] UILLAYN, very feare will
goe ny to turne me of some religion or other, and so make me
forfeit my lieftennantship.

Tyr.
o haue we got the mastrie helpe you vassailes
freeze you in idlenes and can see vs sweat

2 Sold
we sweat wt h feare as much as worke can make vs

Tyr.
remoue the stone that I maie see my mistres,
setto yor handes you villaines, and that nymblie
or the same Ax shall make you all flie open

All.
o good my lord

Tyr.
I must not be delaid

1 Sol.
this is ten thowsand tymes worse then entring vpon a Breach
tis the first stone that euer I took of
from any ladie, marrie I haue brought em manie
faire diamondes, Saphires, Rubies;

Tyr.
o blest obiect
I neuer shalbe weary to behold thee
I cold eternallie stand thus and see thee,
why tis not possible death should looke so faire,
life is not more illustrious when health smiles on't,
shees only pale, the coloure of the Courte
and most attractiue, mistresses most striue for't
and their lascyvious servauntes best affect it,
[wher be thease lazie handes agen?]/[LAY TO YOR HANDS AGEN]

All.
my lord.

Tyr.
take vp her bodie

1 Sol.
how my lord

Tyr.
her bodie?

1 Sol.
shees dead my lord

Tyr.
true, if she were aliue
such slaues as you should not come neer to touch her,
doote and wt h all best reverence, place her here

1 Sol.
not only sir wt h reverence, but wt h feare
you shall haue more then yor owne asking once,
I am afraid of nothinge but sheele rise
at the first Iogg and saue vs all a labour

2 Sol.
then we were best take her vp, and neuer touch her?

1 Sol.
[life,] how can that be, does feare make thee mad
I'ue tooke vp many a woman in my daies
but neuer wt h less pleasure I protest

Tyr
o the moone rises; what reflection
is throwne about this sanctified buildinge
een in a twincklinge, how the monuments glister
as if Deathes pallaces were all massie syluer
and scornd the name of marble, art thow cowld?
I haue no faith in't yet I belieue none,
madame; tis I sweet ladie, pry thee speake
tis thy loue calles on thee, thy king thy servaunt,
No not a word, all prisoners to pale scilence,
ile proue a kisse.

1 Sold
heres fine chill venerie
twould make a pandars heeles ake, Ile be sworne
all my teeth chatter in my head to seet

Tyrant
[Bi'th masse] thow'rt colde indeed, beshrew thee for't,
vnkinde to thine owne blood? heard hearted ladie,
what iniurie hast thow offerd to the youthe
and pleasure of thy daies refuse the Courte
and steale to this hard lodginge, was that wisdome?
o I could chide thee wt h myne eye brym full;
and weep out my forgiuenes when I ha donne,
nothing hurt thee but want of womans Councell,
hadst thow but askt th'opynion of [most]/[MANY] ladies
thowd'st neuer come to this they would haue told thee
how deere a treasure life and youth had bin,
tis that they feare to loose, the verie name
can make more gawdie tremblers in a mynute
then Heauen, or Syn, or hell, those are last thought on,
And wher gotst thow such boldnes from the rest
of all thy tymerous Sex, to doo a deed here
vpon thy self, would plunge the worldes best soldier
and make him twice bethinck him, and agen
and yet giue ouer: Since thy life has left me
ile claspe the bodie for the spirrit that dwelt in't
and loue the howse still for the mistris sake,
Thow art myne now spight of distruction
and Gouianus; and I will possess thee
I once read of a Herod whose affection
pursued a virgins loue, as I did thine
whoe for the hate she owd him kilde her self
(as thow to rashlie didst,) wt hout all pittie:
yet he preserud her bodie dead in honie
and kept her longe after her funerall:
but ile vnlock the treasure howse of arte
wt h keys of gould and bestowe all on thee;
here slaues receiue her humbly from our armes,
vpon your knees you villaines, alls to litle
if you should sweep the pauement wt h yor lippes

1 Sold
what straunge Broomes he inventes,

Ty.
so reuerentlie
beare her before vs gentlie to our pallace
place you the stone agen wher first we found it,

Exiunt Manet I Sol.
1 Sol.
[life,] must this on now to deceaue all Com̄ers
and couer emptines; tis for all the world
like a great Cittie-Pye brought to a table
wher ther be many handes that laie about
the liddes shutt close when all the meates pickt out,
yet standes to make a showe and cozen people—

Exit
Enter Gouianus in black, a booke in his hand, his page carying a Torche before hym.
Gouianus.
Allreadie myne eyes melts, the monument
no sooner stood before it, but a teare
ran swiftlie from me—to express her dutie,
Temple of Honor I salute thee earlie
the tyme that my griefes rise, Chamber of peace
wher wounded vertue sleepes lockt from the world,
I bringe to be acquainted wt h thy silence
sorrowes that loue no noyze, they dwell all inward,
wher Truthe and loue in euerie man should dwell;
Be readie boy giue me the straine agen
twill showe well heere, whil'st in my griefes devotion
at euery rest myne eye lets fall a beade
to keep the nomber perfect;

Gouianus kneeles at the Toomb wrondrous passionatly, His Page singes.
[Page.]
The songe.

Gouianus.
Thow art an honest boye, tis donne like one
that has a feelinge of his masters passions
and the vnmatched worth of his dead mistris,
thy better yeares shall finde me good to thee
when vnderstandinge ripens in thy sowle
wt h trulie makes the man and not longe Tyme;
prythee wt h drawe a litle and attend me
at Cloyster doore

Page
it shalbe donne my lord

Goui
Eternall maid of honor, whose chaste bodie
lyes heere lyke vertues closse and hidden seed
to springe forth glorious to eternitye
at the euerlastinge haruest,

With in.
I am not here

Goui.
whats that? whoe is not here I'me forc't to question it;
some idle sowndes the beaten vaults sende forth

On a sodayne in a kinde of Noyse like a Wynde, the dores clattering, the Toombstone flies open, and a great light appeares in the midst of the Toombe; His Lady as went owt, standing iust before hym all in white, Stuck with Iewells and a great crucifex on her brest.
Goui.
Mercy looke to mee, Faythe I flie to thee
keep a strong watche about me, (now thy frendship;)
o neuer came astonishmt and feare
so pleasinge to mankinde, I take delight
to haue my brest shake, and my haire stand stif,
if this be horrour let it neuer die:
Came all the paines of hell in that shape to me
I should endure em smylinge; keep me still
in terror I beseech thee, Ide not chainge
this feuour for felicytie of man
or all the pleasures of ten thowsand Ages

Lady.
deere lord, I come to tell you all my wronges

Goui.
wellcome, who wronges the spirrit of my loue
thow art aboue the iniuries of blood
they cannot reach thee now, what dares offend thee?
no life that has the waight of flesh vppon't
and treads as I doe, can now wronge my mistris?

Lady.
the peace that death allow'es me is not myne
the monument is robd, behold I'me gon
my bodie taken vp.

Goui
tis gon indeed
what villaine dares so fearefullie rvn in debt
to black eternitie?

Lady.
he that dares do more the Tyrant

Goui
All the miseries belowe
reward his bouldnes

Lady
I am now at Courte
in his owne priuat chamber, ther he woes me
and plies his suite to me wt h as serious paines
as if the short flame of mortalitie
were lighted vp agen in my cold brest,
foldes me wt hin his armes and often sets
a sinfull kisse vpon my scenceles lip,
weepes when he sees the palenes of my cheeke,
and will send priuatlie for a hand of Arte
that may dissemble life vpon my face
to please his lustfull eye.

Goui
o pittious wronges,
inhumane Iniuries wt hout grace or mercy

Lady.
I leaue em to thy thought, deerest of men
my rest is lost, thow must restor't agen

Goui
o flye me not so soone

Lady.
farwell true lord—
Exit Lady.

Goui.
I cannot spare thee yet,—ile make my self
ouer to death too, and weele walke together
lyke loving spirrits, I pry thee lets doe soe,
shees snatcht awaie by fate and I talke sicklie
I must dispatche this busines vpon earth
before I take that iornie, ile to my brother for his aide or cowncell;
So wrongd; o heav'ne put armour on my spirrit
her bodie I will place in her first rest
or in th'attempt lock death into my brest—

Exit.