University of Virginia Library

Actus: 2:d u s .

Enter the ladye of Gouianus, wt h a Servaunt.
La.
Whats he would speake wt h me.

Lady.

who ist would speake wt h vs

Ser.

my l. yor father

Lad.

my father pray make hast, he waites to long
intreat him hether in dispight of all
the tirauntes cruelties, we haue got that frendship
een of the guard that he has plac'te about vs,
my l and I haue free access together
as much as I would aske of libertie
theile trust vs largely now, and keep sometymes
3. howers from vs, a rare curtesie
in Iailors children; some myld newes I hope
comes wt h my father &cs.

(Marginal note)

Ser.
my lord yor father.

La.
my father? pray make hast, he waites to long,
Enter Heluetius
entreat him hether, some milde newes I hope
comes wt h my father, no, his lookes are sadd
ther is some furder tyranny,—let it fall
our constant suffringes shall amaze it,

Hel.
Rise
I will not bless thee,—thy obedience
is after custome as most ritche men praye
whose Sainct is only Fashion and Vayneglory,
so tis wt h thee in thy dissembled dutie,
ther is no religion in't, no reverent loue,
only for fashion, and the praise of men;

La
why should you thinck so sir;

Hel.
thinck? [you come to late] [if you]
[if you seeke ther for me,] I knowte and see't,
ile sooner giue my blessing to a drunkerd
whome the ridiculous power of wine, makes humble
as foolish vse makes thee,—base spirrited girle
that canst not thinck aboue disgrace and beggarie,
when Glorie is set for thee and thy seed
advauncement for thy father, beside ioye
able to make a latter springe in me
in this my fowrescore som̄er, and renew me
wt h a reuersion yet of heat and youthe?
but the deiection of thy mynde and spirrit
makes me thy father guiltie of a fault
that drawes thy birth in question, and een wronges
thy mother in her ashes being at peace
wt h heavne and man, had not her life and vertues
bin seales vnto her faithe, I should thinck thee now
the worke of some hirde servaunt some howse Tailor
and no one part of my endeuour in thee.
had I neglected greatnes or not rather
pursued allmost to my eternall hazard,
thow'd'st nere bin a lordes daughter,

La:
had I bene
a shepheardes, I'de bin happier and more peacefull

Hel.
thy very seed will curse thee in thy Age
when they shall heere the story of thy weaknes,
how in thy youthe thy fortunes tenderd thee
a kingdome for thy servaunt wc h thow left's
baselie to serue thy self, what doest thow in this
but meerly cozen thy posteritie
of roialtie and succession, and thy self
of dignity present

Lady:
Sr, yor kinge did well
mongst all his nobles to pick out yor selfe
and send you wt h thease wordes, his pollytick grace
knew what he did, for well he might ymagin
none ells should haue bin heard, the'id had their answere
before the question had bin half waie thoroughe,
but deerest sir, I owe to you a reuerence
a debt wc h both begins and endes wt h life
neuer till then dischargde tis so long lastinge,
yet could you be more pretious then a father
wc h next a husband is the ritchest treasure
mortalitie can show vs, you should pardon me
(and yet confess too that you found me kinde)
to heare yor wordes, thoughe I wt hstood yor minde;

Helu:
say you so daughter, troth I thanck you kindlie,
I am in hope to rise well by yor meanes
or you to raise yor self, wee'r both beholding to you;
well, since I cannot win you, I com̄end you
I praise yor constancie and pardon you;
take Gouianus to you, make the most of him
pick out yor husband ther, so you'le but graunt me
one light request that followes

La:
heaven forbid ells sir;

Hel:
giue me the chusing of yor frend, that's all;

La.
how sir? my frend?—a light request indeed
somewhat to light sir either for my wearinge
or yor owne grauitie, and you looke on't well,

Hel.
push, talke like a [Courtier] WOMAN guirle, not like a foole
thow know'st the end of greatnes, and hast witt
aboue the flight of twentie fetherd mistresses
[that glister in the Svnne of Princes fauours,]
[Thow hast discourse in thee, fit for a kinges fellowship]
[a princelie cariadge and astonishinge presence,]
[what shoulde a husband doe wt h all this goodnes]
[alas one end an't is to much for him,]
[nor is it fit a subiect should be Master]
[of such a Iewell; tis in the kinges power]
[to take it for the forfeit,—but I come]
[to beare thee gentlie to his bed of honoures]
[all force forgotten], the KING Comendes him to thee
wt h more then the humilitie of a servaunte
that since thow wilt not yeild to be his Queene
be yet his mistres, he shalbe content
wt h that or nothinge, he shall aske no more,
and wt h what easines that is performd
most of yor weemen knowe, having a husband
that kindnes costes thee nothinge, y'aue that in
all ouer and aboue to yor first bargaine,
and thats a braue advauntage for a woman
if she be wise, as I suspect not thee,
And having youthe, and beautie, and a husband
thow'st all the wish of woman, take thy tyme then,
make thy best market;

La:
Can you assure me sir
whether my father spake this? or some spirrit
of evill wishing that has for a tyme
hirde his voice of him, to beguile me that waye
presumynge on his power and my obedience
I'de gladlie knowe, that I might frame my answer
accordinge to the speaker,

Helu.
how now baggage?
am I in question wt h thee? does thy scorne cast
so thick an ignoraunce before thine eyes
that I am forgotten too? whoe ist speakes to thee
but I thy ffather.

Enter Gouianus discharging a Pistoll.
Go:
the more monstrous hee
ar't downe but wt h the bare voice of my furie?
vp auntient synner thow'rt but mockt wt h death
I mist thee purposelie, thanck this deere creature,
[o hadst thow bin any thinge beside her father]
[I'de made a fearfull separation on thee,]
[I would haue sent thy sowle to a darker prison]
[then any made of claye, and thy dead bodie]
[as a token to the lustfull kinge thy master.]
[Art thow strook downe so soone wt h the short sownd]
[of this small earthen instrument and doest thow]
[so litle feare th'æternall noise of hell ]
[whats shee, does she not beare thy daughters name]
[how stirrs thy blood sir? is ther a dead feelinge]
[of all thinges fatherlie and honest in thee?]
[Say thow coldst be content for greatnes sake]
[to end the last act of thy life in Pandarisme]
[(as you perhapps will saie yor betters doe)]
[must it needes follow that vnmanly synne]
[can worke vpon the weaknes of no woman]
[but hers, whose name and honor Naturall loue]
[bidds thee preserue more charily then eysight]
[health or thy scences, Can promotions thirst]
[make such a father? turne a graue old lord]
[to a white-headed Squier? make him so base]
[to buy his honours wt h his daughters sowle]
[and the perpetuall shamynge of his blood?]
[hast thow the leisure, (thow forgetfull man)]
[to thinck vpon advauncemt at thease yeares?]
[what wouldst thow doe wt h greatnes, dost thow hope]
[to fraye death wt ht, or hast thow that conceit]
[that honour will restore thy youthe agen,]
[thow art but mockt (ould fellow) tis not soe]
[thy hopes abuse thee, followe thine owne busines]
[and list not to the Syrens of the world,]
Alas thow hadst more need kneele at an Altar
then to a chaire of state,
and serch thy conscience for thy synnes of youthe
that's worke enoughe for age, it needes no greater
thow'rt cald wt hin, thy very eyes looke inward
to teach thy thoughtes the waie, and thy affections;
But miserable notes that Conscience singes
that cannot truly praye, for flatteringe Kinges

Helu.
This was well searcht indeed and wt hout favouringe
blessing reward thee, such a wound as myne
did need a pittiles surgion,—[smarte on sowle]
[thow't feele the less hereafter: Sir I thanck you,]
[I euer sawe my life in a falce glasse]
[vntill this frendly howre, wt h what faire faces]
[my Synnes would looke on me, but now truthe showes em]
[how lothesome and how monstrous are their formes;]
be you my kinge and Master, still, henceforward
my knee shall know no other earthlie Lord,
well may I spend this life to do you service
that setts my sowle in her eternall [waie]/[PATHE/]

Goui
Rise, rise Heluetius

Hel.
ile see both yor handes
set to my pardon first

Goui.
myne shall bringe hers

La:
now sir I honour you for yor goodnes chieflie
y'are my most worthy father you speake like him
the first voice was not his, my ioye and reuerence
stryue wc h should be most seene, let our handes sir
raise you from earth thus hie; and maye it proue
the first asscent of your ymortall risinge
neuer to fall agen;

Hel.
a springe of blessinges
keep euer wt h thee, and the fruite, thy lords

Goui
I ha lost an enēmye and haue found a father.

Exiunt
Enter Votarius sadly.
Votar.
Alls gon, thers nothing but the prodigall left
I haue plaide awaie my sowle, at one short game
wher eene the wynner loses,—
pursueing synne how often did I shvn thee?
how swift art thow afoote, beyond mans goodnes
wc h has a lazie pase, so was I Catchte
a curse vpon the Cause,—man in thease daies
is not content to haue his ladie honest
and so rest pleazd wt h her wt hout more toile,
but he must haue her tride forsooth, and tempted
and when she proues a Queane then he lies quiet,
like one that has a watche of curious makinge,
thinckinge to be more cvn̄ynge then the workeman
neuer giues ouer tampringe wt h the wheeles
till either springe be weakned, ballance bowde
or some wrong pin put in, and so spoiles all;
how I could curse my self most busines ells
delight in the dispatche, thats the best grace toot,
only this worke of blinde repented lust
hanges shame and sadnes on his masters cheeke,
Enter Wife
yet wisemen take no warninge—nor can I now
her very sighte strikes my repentaunce backward
it cannot stand against her,—Chamber thoughtes
and wordes that haue sport in em, thei'r for ladies

Wyfe
my best and deerest servaunt

Votar.
worthiest mistres.
Enter Leonela.
madame

Wif
whoes that? my woman shees my self,
proceed sir.

Leo.
not if you loue yor honour Madame
I came to giue you warninge my lordes com̄e,

Votar.
how?

Wif
my lord.

[Wife]
Alas poore vessells, how this tempest tosses em

Leo.
their dryuen both asunder in a twincklinge,
downe goes the sailes heare, and the maine mast yonder,
here rides a barke wt h better fortune yet
I feare no tossinge come what weather will,
I haue a trick to hold owt water still;

Votar.
his very name shootes like a feaver throughe me
now hott now cold, wc h cheek shall I turne toward him
for feare he should read guiltynes in my lookes?
I would he would keep from home like a wise man
tis no place for him now, I would not see him
of any frend aliue it is not fitt
we two should come together, we haue abusde
each other mightilie, he vsde me ill
to imploy me thus, and I ha vsde him worse
Enter Anselmus.
Ime to much even wt h him;—yonders a sight on him

Wif.
My lou'd and honourd lord.—most wellcome sir

Leo.
oh thers a kisse—my thinckes my lord might tast
dissymulation ranck in't, if he had witt,
he takes but of the breath of his frendes lip
a second kisse is hers, but that shee keepes
for her first frend,—wee weemen haue no cvn̄ynge

Wife
you parted straungelie from me

Ansel.
thats forgotten?
Votarius? I make speed to be in thine armes

Vot
you neuer come to soone sir

Ans.
how goes busines

Vot.
pray thinck vpon some other subiect sir
what newes at Court?

Ans.
pish answer me,

Vot.
Alas sir would you haue me worke by wonders
to strike fire owt of yce, y'are a straunge lord sir,
put me to possible thinges and finde em fynisht
at yor returne to me, I can saie no more

Ans.
I see by this thow didst not try her throughlie

Vot
how sir not throughlie, by this light he liues not
that could make triall of a woman better

An.
I feare thow wast to slack

Vot.
good faith you wronge me sir
she neuer found it soe

Ansel.
then I'ue a Iewell.
And nothing shalbe thought to pretious for her,
I maye advaunce my forhead and boast purelie,
me thinckes I see her worth wt h cleere eyes now
o when a mans opynion is at peace
tis a fine life to marrie no states like it;
my worthy ladie freelie I confess
to thy wrongde heart, my passion had alate
put rudnes on me, wc h I now put of
I will no more seme so vnfashionable
for pleasure and the chamber of a ladie

Wife
I'me glad your chaingd so well sir,

Votar.
thanck him self for't—

Exunt wife and Anselmus.
Leo.
this comes like phisick when the parties dead,
flowes kindnes now, when tis so ill deserud
this is the fortune still, well for this trick
ile saue my husband and his frend a labour
ile neuer marry as long as I'me honest
for comonlie Queanes haue the kindest husbandes;

Exit Leonela manet Votarius
Votar.
I do not like his company now, tis irksome
his eye offendes me, mee thinckes tis not kindlie
wee two should liue together in one howse
and tis impossible to remoue me hence
I must not giue waye first, she is my mistres
and thats a degree kinder then a wife,
weemen are allwayes better to their frendes
then to their husbandes, and more true to them,
then let the worst giue place, whom shee'as least need on
he that can best be sparde, and that's her husband;
I do not like his ouerbouldnes wt h her
hees to famylier wt h the face I loue,
I feare the sicknes of affection
I feele a grudging on't, I shall grow iealous
eene of that pleasure wc h she has by lawe
Enter Bellarius passing ouer the Stage.
I shall go so neere wt h her;—ha, whats hee?
[life,] tis Belarius my ranck enem̄ie
myne eye snatcht so much sight of him, whats his busines:
[my ey catcht so much knowledge]
his face half darkned stealing throughe the howse
wt h a whore masters pace—I like it not;
This lady wilbe serud like a great woman
wt h more Attendants I perceiue then one
she has her shifte of frendes. My enemie one?
doe we both shvnne each others companie
in all assemblies publique, at all meetinges?
and drinck to one another in one mistres;
my very thought's my poison, tis hye tyme
to seeke for help, wher is our head phisition?
a docter of my makinge and that lechers
o woman when thow once leau'st to be good
thow car'st not who standes next thee, euery synne
is a companion for thee, for thy once crackt honestie
is like the breaking of whole monye
it neuer comes to good but wastes awaie

Enter Anselmus
An.
Votarius

Vota.
ha.

Ans.
we misse you sir wt hin

Vot.
I mist you more wt hout—would you had come sooner sir

An.
why whats the busines?

Vot.
you should ha seene a fellow
A comon bawdy howse ferrit one Bellarius
steale throughe this roome, his whoorish barren face
three quarters mufled, he is somewher hidd
about the howse sir

An.
wc h waie tooke the villaine
that mariadge ffellon, one that robbes the mynde
twenty tymes worse then any hywaie striker,
speake wc h waie took hee

Vot.
marry my lord I thinck
let me see wc h waie wast now? vp yo'n staires

An.
the waye to chambringe, did not I saie still
all thy temptations were to fainte and lazie
thow didst not plaie em home—

Vot.
to tell you true sir
I found her yeilding ere I left her last
and waueringe in her faith

An.
did not I thincke so

Vot.
that makes me suspect him

An.
why partiall man?
couldst thow hide this from me, so deerlie sought for,
and rather waste thy pittie vpon her,
thow'rt not so kinde as my hart praisde thee to me harke

Vo
tis his footinge certaine

An.
are you chamberd
ile fetch you from aloft
Exit Anselmus.

Vot
he takes my worke
and toiles to bringe me eaze, this vse ile make on him
his care shall watch to keep all straunge theeues owt
whiles I famillierlie goe in and rob him
like one that knowes the howse;
But how has rashnes and my iealowsie vsde me;
out of my vengeance to myne enemye
confest her yeildinge, I haue lockt my self
from myne owne libertie wt h that key, revenge
does no man good, but to his greater harme;
Suspect and malice like a mingled Cup
made me soone droncke, I knew not what I spoke
Enter Anselmus: a dagger in his hand wt h Leonela.
and that maye get me pardon.—

[Exit]
Leo
why my lord.

An.
Confesse thow misticall Pandaress—run Votarius
to the back gate, the guiltie slaue leapt out
Exit Votarius
and scapte me so, this Strompet lockt him vp
in her owne Chamber,

Leo
hold my lord: I mighte
he is my husband sir

An.
o sowle of Cvnnynge
came that arch-subtiltie from thy ladies Councell
or thine owne sodaine crafte, confess to me
how oft thow hast bin a bawde to their close actions
or all thy light goes owt

Leo.
my lord belieue me,
In troth I loue a man to well my self
to bringe him to my mistris

Ans.
leaue thy sportinge
or my next offer makes thy heart weep blood

Leo.
o spare that strength my l. and ile reveale
a Secret that concernes you, for this does not

Ans.
back back my furie then
it shall not touch thy brest, speake freelie what ist?

Leo.
Votarius and my ladie are falce gamsters,
they vse foule plaie my lord

Ans.
thow lyest

Leo.
reward me then
for all together, if it proue not soe
ile neuer bestowe tyme to aske yor pittie,

Ans.
Votarius and thy ladie t'will aske daies
ere it be setled in belief,—So rise
goe get thee to thy Chamber,—

Exit./
Leo.
A pox on you,
you hinderd me of better busines—thanck you
has fraid a secret from me, would he were whipt,
faith from a woman a thinges quicklie slipt;—

Exit.
Enter the Tyrant with Sophonirus Memphonius and other Nobles.
A florish
Tyr.
My ioyes haue all falce hartes, ther's nothing true to me
thats either kinde or pleasaunt, I'me hardlie dealt wt hall,
I must not miss her, I want her sight to longe,
wher's this ould fellowe

Sopho.
here's one my lord, of threescore and seaventeene

Ty.
push, that ould limber asse putts in his head still
Heluetius wher is he?

Enter Heluetius
Mem.
not yet returnd my lord

Ty.
yor lordship lies
here comes the kingdomes father, who amongst you
dares saie, this worthy man has not made speed
I would faine here that fellowe

Soph.
ile not be hee
I like the standing of my head to well
to haue it mended.

Ty.
thy sight quickens me
I finde a better health when thow art present
then all tymes ells can bringe me is the Answer
as pleasinge as thy self?

Helu.
of what my lord

Tyr.
of what fy no he did not saie so did he

Soph.
o no my lord, not hee spoke no such word,
ile saye as he would ha'ate, for ide be loath
to haue my bodie vsde like butchers meat

Tyr.
when comes she to our bed

Hel.
who my lord

Tyr.
heark you heard that plaine amongst you

Soph.
o my lord, as plaine as my wiues tongue
that drownds a Sauce bell,
let me alone to laye about for honour
ile shifte for one

Tyr.
when comes the ladie sir
that Gouianus keepes?

Hel.
why thats my daughter

Ty.
oh is it so? haue you vnlockt yor memorie?
what saies she to vs;

Hel.
nothinge,

Ty
how thow temp'st vs?
what didst thow saie to her being sent from vs,

Hel.
more then was honest, yet it was but litle,

Ty
how cruellie thow workst vpon our patience
havinge advauntage cause thow art her father,
but be not bolde to farr, if dutie leaue thee
respect will fall from vs.

Hel.
haue I kept life
so longe till it lookes white vpon my head
bin threescore yeares a Courtier, and a flatterer
not aboue threescore howres, wc h tymes repented
amongst my greatest follies; and am I at thease daies
fit for no place, but bawde to myne owne flesh:
[youle preferr all yor old Courtiers to good services]
[if yor lust keep but hot some twenty winters]
[we are like to haue a vertuous world of wiues]
[daughters and sisters, besides kinseweemen]
[and Coozen germans remou'de vp and downe]
[wher ere you please to haue em ] Are white haires
a Colour fit for Pandars, and flesh brokers,
wc h are the honourd ornaments of age,
to wc h eene kinges owe reuerence as thei'r men
and greater in their goodnes, then their greatnes,
[And must I take my paie all in base monie?]
[I was a lord borne set by all Court grace?]
[and am I thrust now to a Squiers place?]

Ty.
how comes the moone to chaunge so in this man
that was at full but now in all performaunce
and swifter then [my]/[OR] wishes? I beshrew that vertue
that busied her self wt h him, [she might haue found]
[some other worke, the man was fit for me]
[before she spoilde him,]—[she has wrongd my hart in't]
[and marde me a good workeman],—Now his Art fails him
what makes the man at Court? this is no place
for fellowes of no partes, he liues not here
that puts himself from action when we need him,—
I take of all thy honor s and bestowe em,
on any of this ranck that will deserue em,

Soph.
my lord thats I, troble yor grace no furder
ile vndertake to bringe her to yor bedd
wt h som̄e ten wordes, marry th'eir spetiall charmes
no ladie can wt hstand em, a witche taught me em,
If you doubt me, ile leaue my wife in pawne
for my true loialtie, and yor maiestie
may passe awaie the tyme till I returne
I haue a care in all thinges

Ty.
that maie thriue best
wc h the least hope lookes after, but how euer
force shall help Nature, ile be to sure now,
thy willingnes may be fortunate, we imploye thee

Sopho.
then ile goe fetch my wife, and take my Iornie

Ty.
Staie we require no pledge, we thinck thee honest

Soph.
troth the wurse luck for me; we had both bin made by'te
it was the waie to make my wife great too

Ty.
Ile teach the to be wide and straunge [with]/[to] me
[thow't feele thy self light shortlie,] Ile not leaue thee
a title to put on, but the bare name
that men must call thee by, and know thee miserable,

Helu.
tis miserable kinge to be of thy makinge
and leaue a better workeman, if thy honors
onlie keep life in basenes, take em to thee,
and giue em to the hungrie, ther's one gapes

Soph.
one that will swallowe you sir, for that iest
and all yor titles after,

Hel.
the devill follow em
ther's roome ynoughe for him too.—leaue me thow kinge
as poore as Truthe (the [gentlewoman]/[MISTRES] I now serue)
and neuer will forsake her for her playnes,
that shall not alter me

Tyr.
no, our Guard wt hin ther

Enter Guard
my lord

Ty.
beare that ould fellow to or Castle prisoner
giue charge he be kept close.

Hel.
Close prisoner?
why my heart thanckes thee, I shall haue more tyme
and libertie to vertue in one howre
then all those threescore yeares I was a Courtier,
so by imprisonmt I sustaine great losse
heavne opens to that man, the world keepes close,—

Exit.
Soph.
but ile not goe to prison to trie that,
giue me the open world, ther's a good aire,

Ty.
I would faine send death after him, but I dare not
he knowes I dare not, that would giue iust cawse
of her vnkindnes everlastinge to me,
his life may thanck his daughter:—Sophonirus
heare take this Iewell beare it as a token
to our hearts Sainct, twill doe thy wordes no harme
speech may do much, but wealths a greater charme
then any made of wordes, and to be sure
if one or both should faile, I prouide farder,
Call forth those resolute fellowes, whome our Clemencie
sau'de from a death of shame in tyme of warr
for field offences, giue em charge from vs
they arme them selues wt h speed, beset the howse
of Gouianus rownd, that if thow failst,
or stayst beyond the tyme thow leau'st wt h them
they may wt h violence break in them selues
and ceaze [on] her for our vse.—

Exiunt
Soph.
the'ir not so sawcye
Manet Sophonirus—
to ceaze [on] her for their owne I hope,
as ther ar many knaues will begin first
and bringe their lordes the bottome, I haue bin serud so
a hundred tymes my self, by a scurvy page
that I kept once, but my wife lou'de him,
and I could not helpe it.—

A florish
Exit.