University of Virginia Library

Act. 1.

Scene 1.

Enter Alonso and Gaspar.
Alonso.
Art sure hee'l come?

Gasp.
I'm sure he promis'd me.
But Debtors words are like to whirl-winds, here
And ev'ry where when they should pay. This money
Is worse then bird-lime, or a Tertian Feaver,
And will stick close to their possession
That have it; specially to pay.

Alon.
Then thou
Beleev'st he will not come?

Gasp.
'Ts no point of Faith, Sir,
But I doe think so: send for him to Trucks,
To Passage, or Primero, and hee'l find
Ryals of eight, and Pistolets to play,
Or pawn his plate for't; but to pay your debt,
Tush! 'tis a trisle.

Alo.
What? six thousand Duccats?

Gas.
Faith! were it seven, the Hollanders (hee'l tell you)
This year surpris'd the Flota; and the ships
From th'Indies by the inauspitious blasts
Of the ill-boding North, are still kept off;
And then hee'l kisse away his hand in kindnesse,
With Beso las manos, criado de vuestra merced,
And for these terms expect forbearance.

Alo.
What
Shall I do then? I need my mony, and
Must have it immediatly.

Gas.
Faith get it then
Which way you can; For on my conscience
He will not pay you, 'lesse you fairly set
An Alguazill on's shoulders; clap him up,
And then ne're fear your money.

Alo.
That were base;
Unworthy in me, who have still profess'd
My self his friend, to be the first that should
Shipwrack his Credit, which ith' Cities eye
Shines bright; the chiefest glory of us Merchants
Is Alvarez: no! I do know him honest,
And sure hee'l pay; if not, the sum's not great,
I can forbear't.

Gas.
Six thousand Duccats is
A sum of money, many an honest man
Would wish his patrimony.

Alo.
Say it be,
It is too little to o'repoize the worth
Of Alvarez: For should I once begin,
His other Creditors by my example
Would lay their Actions on him, keep him fast
For ever comming forth.

Gas.
Faith! not much matter,
There let him lie, and keep the pavement warm,
Tell to the silent Walls how he hath wasted
His wealth in riot, and by Drabs contracted
A foul consumption both to corps and purse;
Make the dumb stones his Confessors, they'l melt
Perchance into contrition, and weep
To see him made their Captive.

Alo.
Thou'rt too cruell;
I must not be so, lest that Widows prayers
Whom he hath cherisht, should draw vengeance on me,
And Orphans tears shed for his loss, rise up
In swelling Cataracts to overwhelm me.

Gas.
Consult with reason, Sir: this childish pitie
Is an effeminate passion, shake it off:
Say he hath spent his own rich patrimony,
And others wealth in purchasing a Name
To his posterity; pray tell me Signior,
Will that Name pay his debts? Or will those men
That have been better for his wealth, afford
Him so much kindnesse; 'twere but gratitude
As to content you and an hundred more
He stands engag'd to: Let me rule you, give me
Leave, I'll arrest him in my own Name, so
You may passe blamelesse: pray you do, when others
Have seiz'd on all, you'l wish perchance you'd ta'ne
My foolish counsell.

Alo.
Hold your tongue, I will not
Injure my friend so, I'll first lose it; tell me
What Cash affords your Desk?

Gas.
Ten thousand Duccas.

Alo.
See it told out with expedition;
My daughter's to be married, and must have
That as a part of portion.

Gas.
Married, Cousin?
You'l not be so ignoble to infringe
Your promise to me?

Alo.
'Twas an ill one, better
Broken then kept.

Gas.
Did I for this, when you
Deplum'd of your Estate, to shun the frown
Of envious Fortune, was constrain'd to crosse
The surly Ocean, and so steere your flight
Into the Indies, with a little remnant
Of your left wealth, content your Creditors,
Bring up your daughter only upon hopes
To have her for my pains, as then you know
You did oblige your self, that now another
Must reap my harvest: Let me tell you, Sir,
It is not honest in you.

Alo.
How now Bastard?
Dare you be muttring? Is't not more then I
Am any way oblig'd to, to maintain
Thee in the fashion of a Gentleman,
Make thee my fellow, but thy tainted blood
Thinks to pollute mine? Urge me with a promise
Unjust as that was? You may passe, the doore
Stand open for you, and your Pasports writ,
Take your course, Bastard.

Gas.
You're my Fate, your tongue
Hath power to transform my thoughts, create
Anew my resolutions; I confesse
From you I have my meat; my life depends
On your beneficent Genius: I offend
Ev'n to damnation, should I be ingrate
In my respect to you: I've left my hopes,
Your promise Lethe now hath quite washt-out,
No print of it remains within my breast:
Joyn her in Flymeneall rites with whom,
And when you please; my worst desires shall be,
Heav'ns give her joy.

Alo.
Now thou art honest, Gaspar.
I see thou dost affect me, I'll provide
To solemnize thy nuptials with some One
To thy advancement.

Gas.
Sir, Your bounteous hand
(I know's) too liberall: may I crave his name
That must enjoy my Mistress?

Alo.
Balthasar!
Don Frederiques heire! But stay ! 's Varina's portion
Already told and ticketed?

Gas.
Yes, Sir, and set apart.

Enter Præpontio and Rubio.
Præ.
Save you Sir; or rather as we say in French, Bon jour:
Is my illustrious Mistress stirring yet?

Alo.

She none of the earliest risers: please you walk in and eat an
Olive, tast a cup of Alicant, and by that time she'l come.

Præ.

I thank you, Sir; but my stomack hath not yet digested the
erudities of my last nights Symbolum

Rub.

It might have done, I'm sure you fasted.

Gas.

And has not left picking his teeth yet.

Præ.

Yet if you please, my renowned Uncle, that must be, we will
vouchsafe to warm our palats with a jar of your Monturkie.

Rub.

He means to Fox himself, that he may have Rhethorick to
Court his Mistress: For, Facundi calices quem non fecere disertum, Full
Cups make men eloquent.

Præ.

My diminutive and defective knave, seal your lips.

Rub.

He's afeard I should cozen him of some of the Monturkie he
hopes for.

Alo.

How fares your Uncle?

Præ.

Well, very well; he hath sent my Mistress a copy of his countenance,
and here she comes.

Enter Varina.
Strike me not dead with those bright eyes, retort
Those splendent Sun-beams on your selfe, who only
Can bear such piercing clearnesse.

Gas.
Mark his postures, he'l kisse her shoo-strings.

Rub.

Nay, eat the Rushes she treads on: look how Pythagorically
he gapes? he's turn'd Astronomer!

Gas.

Have you measured the length of her physnomy, or taken the
height of her forehead yet?

Rub.

But Master, you must salute her.

Præ.

Divine, ambiguous, and transparent creature, I salute you with
this b—b—bus: my complements were not cut out according to the
garb of the time; but my words are sufficient interpreters of my internall
affections, and so sweet-heare I love you by this b—b—bus.

Var.

A little of this, Sir, is sufficient.

Præ.

Nay! thou shalt have thy belly full of it, my little Duck.

Gas.

I never heard of a belly full of kisses before.

Præ.

Lend me your hand to feed on!

Rub.

Beware, Mistress, he eat it not, he is sharp set I assure you, he
had nothing but an Eringo root and a clove of Garlick for his collation.

Ala.

Sir, Præpontio, My Necce deserves none of these complements.

Præ.

How, Sir? you are her Uncle, and so your tongue is privileged;
but if another had presum'd to speak so prophane a syllable upon her
merit, mark me, if thunder-thumping Jove had said it, mark me, I would
have pulled him by the fore-top, or lug'd him by the ears.

Alo.
I doubt not of your valour; but my businesse
Urges my hast.

Præ.
And so doth mine.

(He untrusses himself.)
Rub.
He's ready to bewray himselfe.

Alo.
Say, will your Uncle make her a Joynture?

Præ.

Will he? A man of your reverend complexion to demand that
question? Will he? He shall, in spite of his nose, old dotard! or else
I would, as we say in Italian, prove him, At stulti loco, that is to say,
wholly a fool: But he has done it already, Sir,

Look here, Sir.

(Pulls out a sealed parchment.)
Alo.
Why then we will contract you.
You are content, Varina, to have this Gentleman.

Var.
Since you command it.

Alo.
You'll use her kindly, Sir.

Præ.

Curse upon this magnificent corpse else; she shall have her
Moletto's in green Jackets to stoop to her, when she pleases to perfume
the aire with her odoriferous countenance; and her Negro's to
lay their heads for her to tread on.

Rub.

And if you, Master, be not able for night work, and so forth,
send for me, I can do that.

Alo.

Well, I'll trust you with her: Gaspar, let's go.

Præ.

Farewell.
Exeunt Alo. and Gasp.
Come Gentlewoman, me thinks I am as lusty as Nestor in his second
Age.

Rub.

You may believe him, Mistress.

Præ.

It seems to me that your beauty operates with my body, as the
Sun with the year; which makes the year throw off its russet mantle,
and becoming young, to take on its green coat: Now methinkes my
bones, frozen with Age, are dissolved, and distill into my Codpeece.

Rub.

These words are in you, as the Primrose in the midst of Winter,
but the Primrose stinketh not so bad as your breath.

Præ.

Now my former vigours return to my vitals; Atlas was
but a weak Boy, which could not scarce beare up that with his
Shoulders, which with my little finger I am able to sustain: Now
could I with a kick of my heele, strike a Lane through the Alps,
and so make an in-road for dusky Neptune, I tell thee my sweeting,
Adonis, when he was beloved of Venus, was not so beautifull as I am.
Troth thou art supereminently beautifull too: Jove would think it no
disparagement to be a Cuckow, a Swan, a Bull, or any thing, to enjoy
the beatitude of thy sweet society; Great Hercules would to
schoole, and learn to spin again for thy enjoyment. In briefe, Lady, I
love you.

Var.

In brief Sir, though my Uncle pleas to think me worthy of no better
a spouse then your ridiculous self, in serious terms I cannot affect
you; it is not the quaintness of your language that can charm me. If Cupid
have no more powerful darts then what drops from your tongue, he
can wound but little, Sir, it will argue your prudence to desist from this
your enterprise, for my part I had rather be of the society of Danaus
daughters, and torment me in the abissive Hogsheads, then be your bedfellow.
But we poore Orphans being shuffled out of our own estates,
must be disposed of at the pleasure of our Guardians, even to any one.
But, Sir, in short, I shall esteem more highly of a wise man in his shirt,
then of a foole in his richest Trappings: and for my own part, I cannot
love you.

Rub.

Never marry her then, Master: for if you doe, you may
chance be a kinsman to the great Turk, and blazon the Horns for your
Arms.

Præ.

You doe but jest, you speak not heartily?

Var.

You'l finde I am in earnest. Farewell, you know my resolution.

Exit.
Præ.

O Rubio, call her back.

Rub.

Will she come when I call her?

Præ.

Conjure her then.

Rub.

I am no Negromancer, I never studied the black Art in all my
life: But d'you hear Dona Varina I call you, I conjure you to come
unto my Master Don Præpontio. Sure, Master, she's no Devill, for if she
were, she would have risen at my conjuration.

Præ.

But what shall we doe to get her?

Rub.

Faith, Sir, you and I and half a dozen more good fellows will
rifle for her, you shall have Dice will run nothing but sixes.

Exeunt.

Scena secunda.

Enter Varina Sola.
This doting Don thinks that his years have made
Him wise, in fishing with a golden bait,
And doth presume his gold hath power so farre
For renovation of his aged Corps,
As had Medea's inchanting spels to Æson:
He thinks that womens aims are fixt on lands,
And that they frame their love on Silver-mines.
Treasure's no loadstone for a maids affection.
Alas! He doth mistake our Sex in this,
Though Gold be welcome to enrich our train,
Yet not so far as that we should neglect
The chief of all, the person of a man:
Should we permit the flowers of our youth
Thus to be nipt by Ages snowy Winter,
And so bereave our selves of all those joyes
Which Nature hath conferred on our Sex,
While blooming in our youth, for earth and dirt?
No! 'tis not so, this is my resolution;
Gold with a Man is good, but if I chuse,
I'll take the Man, and will the Gold refuse.

Exit.

Scena tertia.

Enter Roderiquez solus.
Vnhappy eye! which didst attract those beams,
To set my heart on fire! Unhappy eare!
Which didst with such a greedinesse suck in
The charmings of her lips! and then convey
Them through thy winding palace to my brain,
Which works and beats, as if the Cyclops held
Their Forge within my head: Unhappy man!
Thus to become a slave unto thy passion!
Confine these love-sick thoughts, or drive them out,
Lodge not such enemies within thy breast,
They'l be thy ruine! But (alas!) my power
Is transmigrated to anothers breast;
Yet would it were, so might I hope at length
My love might crowned be with good successe.
Dry up thy eyes.

Enter Chaves.
Cha.
Good morrow to you, Sir!
What passion hath surpriz'd you, that you seem
Another man? Eugenia's well, I hope.
Discover, friend, what strikes thee in these dumps;
Your eye betrayes you, somewhat is amisse,
Prithee what is't?

Rod.
Chaves, thou art my friend,
And 'twere a sin not to impart it to thee.
Here lately was a Lady, which my eye
No sooner did discover, but my heart
Was all involv'd in flames, a sudden ague
Seiz'd upon all my limbs, that to approach
Neerer, or speak I could not: in this extasie
I stood awhile unmoveable, till she
Quitted the place.

Cha.
What is she? ne're despair,
Have her thou shalt, though she were made of gold.

Rod.
Varina is her name, she's well endow'd
With all that Art or Nature can bestow;
That—

Cha.
Feed not thy self with these; prithee what is she?
Where lives she? Pray reveale it.

Rod.
Sir, her Father.
Was a rich Merchant of this famous Citie,
Who dying in the Indies, left this his Orphan
Sole heir to his estate; which he bequeath'd
Unto Alonza's care; he hath betroth'd her
Unto a foolish Lord, one Don Præpontio,
A man that hath more mony farre then wit!

Cha.
Expel these clouds of sorrow, wee'l make our wits
Outreach his wealth! Come! let us write a letter,
I'll have it safe convey'd; once get admittance,
And she's thine own.

Enter Varina.
Var.
Most sacred Goddesse, to whose sacred shrine
The greatest Kings, nay Jove himselfe hath bow'd,
Contain my passions, keep my sudden Love
Within the bounds of maiden modesty,
Sweet Roderiguez! now methinks I see
Majesty couched in thy serene brow,
Upon thy tongue enthroniz'd Eloquence
Within thy looks Cupid in's best array;
And when thou goest, the humble ground doth sinke,
As if submissive to thy stately Port;
But Stay! my Passions, stay; let's pawse awhile,
My affections must not leade me in a maze;
Discretion doth advise that Pallas rule,
And Cupid serve; she will me best direct
To my terrene Elysium, Pause awhile,
Listen to Judgments dictates; they are best.
The Carthaginian Princess lost her life,
And credit too by her too quick affection;
Phillis confiding in Demophoöns vowes
Did lay her Bridall pallet in the grave:
Repentance soone made Oenoës angry tongue
Condemn the rash credulity of her eares.
And so may I Varina, if I yeeld
To Passions hair-brain'd, wild instructions:
Then set a bay unto thy loves swift Current;
See his affections first, and if he prove
Loving to thee, Varina, do thou Love.
See, see the Object of my best respect;
Oh! did my heart enjoy that happinesse
As doth that Gentleman, whose subject ears
Such musick entertain, as hovering spheares
Yeild in their proper motions, his breath
Falls on his shoulders as doth Zephyrus
On Flora's party color'd vestments, ah!
Why doe I languish thus? I'll speake to him,
It is as fit for maids to court, as men;
If that the truth were rightly scann'd; but nicenesse
And Custome do forbid it; its no sinne
If well we weigh it in its proper ballance;
Then set the better foot before, and try,
(She goes forward, but flies back)
Oh! what exploit began I to attempt?
What, casting off the weed of modesty
To cloath my self with impudence? O fie!
Should it be said, Varina did disrobe
Her selfe of grace, and virgin-purity,
And turned masculine, to court a stranger?
No! back, base Cupid! thy Rhet'rick I scorn
Now in my second rumination, 't may be
That time will quench this burning Ætna in me,
Or heav'ns inspire him for to know my love:
Grant one of these ye Gods, and pitie me,
Afford your help in this extremitie.

Exit.
Cha.
Be it so, I'll send the letter.

Rod.
I hold the mission of a letter best,
One line, one sentence which premeditation,
Quickens, doth bear a greater prevalence
Then words extemporary can expect:
Words are like infants, whose unwelcome birth
(If premature) bring death unto their mother.

Cha.
Let it be so.—

Rod.
It shall be so, Apollo guide my pen,
And let thy Heliconian Fountains yeeld
Liquor unto it, that the thing I write
May there prevail, where rests my souls delight.

Exeunt.

Scena quarta.

Enter Chaves and Picarro drawing.
Pic.
Come, come Sir, draw, or by this hand and sword
I'll be your Priest.

Cha.
Sure you mistake, I am not
The man you look for.

Pic.
You shall find, my eyes
Have their true object: Coward, prate not, draw,
Lets view thy weapon.

Cha.
Sir, your habit speaks you
A man, and noble, I admire your judgment
Should be so rash to quarrel with me, who
Ne're injur'd you, and to my knowledge, till
This time, ne're saw you.

Pic.
All your Rhetorick
Shall not excuse your carcasse, turn and fight,
Or perish.

Cha.
Tell me why, and then you'll find
I am no Coward.

Pic.
Hear my reason, You
Have offred me an injury; I must not
Put up, while you do walk with that same nose;
Make hast and draw; Draw, or this slave shall beat
Courage into thee, Coward.

Cha.
Well, perforce
Since you will tempt a danger from my arm,
Receiv't.
(Picarro falls.
So now, I hope, you'l yeeld the cause
Made you so valiant.

Enter Mariana.
Mar.
Stay, for pitie save
Picarro's life, take mine, us you're a man,
Bridle your fury.

Cha.
Doe I dream? who speaks?

Mar.
A haplesse Virgin! let the prayers and tears
Of one that never sued before, redeem
His lifes dire forfeit: if you be so cruell,
That nought but blood will suit your anger, here
Sheath your bright weapon in my breast, my blood
Will sooner quench your irefull heat: kill me,
And let him live.

Cha.
Sure she has stoln from heav'n
An Angels utterance; had Ulysses heard
This Syren minurize, the mast had been
To weak to hold him; Orpheus might have learnt
New notes to fit's harp; had a salvage Scythe,
Or untam'd Gere, when manacled they drive
Whole flocks of men before them, on whole flesh
Death strait should riot, heard her speak, their fiercenesse
Would soon relent, they would forget the sweetnesse
Of their inhuman banquet, and let loose
Those they had markt fro slaughter.

Mar.
Pray you Sir.

Cha.
Historians truly may relate how stones
Follow'd Amphion to the Theban walls;
How lofty Ossa and Banchaia danc'd
At overhearing the Odrysian Lyre;
That Dolphins at Arions Harp grew tame,
And coucht their scaly backs to beare him out
Of Neptunes foamy surges; likely 'tis
And possible, since one Accent from her lips
Can work far greater miracles, I would raise
A man that long had bedrid lain; nay, were he
Witherd with feeble age, should she smile on him
He well might laugh at sage Medea's charms:
Tell Æson then, that her blest look had made him.
Fuller of youthfull vigours, then the force
Oh her inchanted hearbs infus'd into him.

Mar.
Then you wil save him?—

Cha.
Look, how dark sorrow's beautified? how comely
She's in her tears? they sit upon her cheeks
Like Erythræan pearls enchas'd on grounds
Of true Vermilion: Foolish Lapidaries!
What need you borrow of the frozen Zone
Congealed Ice? catch these drops, they're more pretious
Then most transparent Crystall; I would fain
Grant thy request, but that I should too soon
Be exil'd from that blessing which your presence
Fully affoords me; yet 'tis too unholy
That she should kneel, I'll raise her.

Mar.
Here I'll lie.
(He offers to raise her.)
Prostrate for ever, lesse you please to save
Picarro's forfeit life.

Cha.
How happy, Heav'ns!
Is he in being vanquished, to have
So fair a faver? would my life had been
Put at his mercy: For your sake I'll grant
Him life on this condition, That he tell
What made him be my enemy.

Mar.
This morning
If I mistake not, passing by our coach
As we were coming from our Vineyard, you
Pull'd up the Curtains, drawn before, to see
Who were within, which he in heat of blood,
Took as a wrong, and followed you.

Cha.
I'm sorry
I was discourteous.

Mar.
Come Picarro, Signior,
I am your worths true servant.

Exeunt Mar. and Picarro.
Enter Roderigues and Boy.
Rod.
How now Chaves?
What drawn so neer the Citie? pray heav'ns! my stay
Has not endanger'd you: met you with theeves?

Cha.
With one hath stoln my best of Jewels; Sir,
I am undone; lost friend for ever.

Rod.
Why?

Cha.
Look I not strangely o're I did? My looks—

Rod.
Why? What should aile you? Are you frighted, Sir?

Cha.
Doe not my eyes speak my hearts falshood? Ha!

Rod.
Chaves, dear friend, how fare you? Is all well?

Cha.
I prithee be my Priest, and sacrifice
My treacherous carcasse to Eugenia, doe it,
And when I yeeld the Ghost, I'll tell thee friend,
That I fare well: ne're stare on me, my life
Is a worse torture then the rack, or wheele,
Ixions plague is but a play-game to't.
Nor his that rolls the revoluble stone,
Nor that of proud Prometheus, on whose heart,
Th'insulting Vulture preyes.

Rod.
Alas! he raves!
What cursed Fiend tempts you to be thus desperate?

Cha.
Desperate? Kill me, let thy Rapier doe it,
Ne're muse upon it, I deserve to die:
Do justice on me.

Rod.
Tell me why, and then
Perchance I'll do it.

Cha.
Hear me then, Suppose
I had a beauteous sister, you Roderiguez
Should vow her service, proffer her your love,
Get my consent, her fathers, and her heart too,
And after fool both him and her, and me.
Should I not kill you, think you?

Rod.
Yes, I deserv'd it.

Cha.
Then here's my sword, I've done all this and more,
The vow's I made to your Eugenia's nothing,
A dream, an airy shadow, you are fool'd,
Your father's cousned by my hopes; 'tis true,
I love another.

Rod.
'Tis impossible;
Your fury makes you utter this.

Cha.
By the hopes
I have that thou wilt kill me, I have spoke
No more but truth, by all that's good I have not:
I love another.—
I stole her countenance, but she my heart.

Rod.
You're a treacherous man,
Base and unworthy, take your weapon back,
Defend your selfe.

Cha.
I will not, I confesse
I have deserv'd death, but it grieves me, that
By thy hands I must suffer; but my fate
Is irresistable: Dispatch me.

Rod.
Stay,
E're I doe kill thee, think how ominous
Thy crime is: young men will abhor thee, virgins
Hearing thy fault, will with their imprecations
Heap tortures on thee: Poore Eugenia! Sister!
I grieve for thee most: Are you ready?

Cha.
Yes!
Not to resist, but to be sacrific'd.

Rod.
I'll not become his Butcher: for the name
Of Friend, so often vow'd between us, holds
My arms, I cannot strike him; live to see
Heav'n work thy ruine: I'll not be thy priest
Farwell, false man, and look who e're thou wed,
Sheel' be a faithless strumpet to thy bed!

Cha.
Thou lyest, return, I'll fight:—
She, I now love, is one, thou oughtst not mention
Less on thy knees with reverence: one, whose looks
Would e'en allure a Hermit, who had spent
His years in solitude, to leave his Cell,
And heav'nly contemplations, to admire
Her perfect essence, dar'st thou prophecy
Her for a strumpet? wert thou arm'd with thunder
This arm should reach thee, Clouds of lightning shal not
Secure thee: Know Sir, she is one, whom Angels
Would to enjoy, desert their bliss, and vote
No less then adoration due unto
Her heav'nly vertues—

Rod.
Hee's past hopes! more sisters
I have, more friends so worthy as himself
I ne're can hope for: Sir, I pitty you
And can my service help you ought in gaining
Your Love, command it.

Cha.
Mean'st thou thus?

Rod.
You use not
To finde me faithless: not my sisters wrong
Shall make me prove disloyall: may I know her
Is your new Mistriss?

Cha.
There's my misery,
I know her not my self, but 'tis the same
Was in the Coach we overtook.

Rod.
Is't she?
That's Mariana, Daughter to Alonzo
The Indian Merchant, I am well acquainted
With Garspar, noble Chaves: he, who is
Her Fathers Cash-keeper, him wee'll use as means
To win her for you: Our Varina lives
In the same house: come! let's about it.

Cha.
Heav'ns prosper our designes, and may our fate
Make us in them, them in us fortunate.

Exeunt.

Scæna quinta.

Enter Varina Sola.
Those Sulphurous flames, which Ætna's fiery panch
Assidually into the air doth vomit,
Bear not such force as doth this Paphian fire:
Unconstant supposition never taught me
This instant lesson, but experience:
That poyson'd token in the Centaures blood,
Which made Alcides burn in living flames,
Had not such vigour, as these parching fires:
Which, while I fan with sighs, and think by groans
To puff them out; the more (alas) they flame:
If not extinguisht by some timely showers
My heart must turn an Æthiop: Come! sweet Boy!
Enter Boy
And sing à Lachrymæ unto my woes
A mournfull Lachryme, that from my eyes
Whole Seas of brinish liquor may arise
To drench this heat; I cannot now admire
That Cupids Father was the God of Fire.

Boy
sings.

Var.
Enough! this yeilds but nutrimental food
Unto my dumpish humours; go, begon,
Exit Boy
Poor soul! how art thou tortur'd in distraction,
And discompos'd in various resolutions:
Sometimes to speak is countenanc'd as good;
But modesty steps in, and checks my impudence:
Then silence is thought best, but that would wrong
That noble Person that deserves my Love:
Thus while I practise for to quench the fire,
I doe increase it, and it flames the higher.

Enter Thomaso (Chave's man)
Tho.
Save you, sweet Mistriss, th'noble Roderiguez
Desires but so much favour at your hands
As to peruse this his most humble missive.

Var.
He may command a greater thing then this.

(She reads it)
Tho.
I hope the Heavens do prosper our Atchievements;
Her countenance warrants a good acceptance.

Var.
You may for this time depart, and tell your Master,
That matters of such weight, desire some pawse:
Before we make an answer: Friend, too morrow
About this time you may expect it here:

Tho.
All humble thanks, sweet Lady: at that time
I shall attend your pleasure: all sweet happiness
That can be wisht, attend you.

Exit.
Var.
Friend! Farewell!
See how my storm is turn'd into a calm,
My clouded night into a sun-shine day,
My heart but now deprest almost to death,
Revives, and growes too ample for my breast,
My fears are banisht, and my joyes become
Redundant and superlative: to you
O heavens! my duty doth return her thanks!
And testifies it by her gratefull hands.
(holds them up to heaven.)
He, for whose sake I would exchange the world,
Now throwes himself a servant at my feet:
But let me guide me in my bliss, and wear
My fortunes wisely in a formall fashion:
I must not countenance his suit too soon,
But bridling up my Love with judgements reynes:
Keep at a distance, counterfeit my minde
To be so far estrang'd from Venus Court,
That 'twere as hard to make a Proselite,
As me a Souldier in the Paphian field:
Should I be prone and facile to his will,
In some few days my kindness would grow stale:
The shadow, when pursued doth fly, but turn
Your back, and it in duty followes you:
Should I concede too soon, and not deny,
I should infringe the custom of us maids,
Who in the things we most of all desire,
Must feigne neglect, or else a meer dislike:
Well then, how e're I'll play a maidens part,
And make me stubborn, though I breake my heart.

Exit.

Scæna Sexta.

Enter Gaspar, Mariana, Catalina.
Gasp.
Faith! you're a cunning Lover, I had thought
I had deserv'd more interest in your trust,
Then that you thus should steal your nuptials, and
Ne'r let me know on't, where's my gloves?

Mar.
Why Gaspar?
Why should'st thou think I should be married?

Gas.
Cause
I know 'tis truth; your Father has disclosed
The party to me.

Mar.
Party? prithee speak;
And do not rest; what's that thou prat'st of? husband?
And Hymenæan rites?

Gas.
As if you knew not!

Mar.
Not I truly.

Gas.
Nor shall you know it then for me, I might
Incurre much danger, should I be but seen
To kisse your hand thus, discourse with you, in brief
'Tis to the jealousest, most ignoble man
In all the City: so farewell, there's all
That I dare stay to tell you.

Cata.
Blesse you, Mistress.

Mar.
Cousin, good cousin, leave me not, before
You have explain'd this riddle, on my life
I'll not disclose you told me.

Gas.
May I trust you?
Mark then your fate, Your father hath decreed
You for Don Balthasar old Frederiques heire,
They are agreed.

Mar.
Save me Saints, I'd rather
Be wedded to a Leaper; one halfe bedrid,
Laden with gout, and all diseases, would not
Be halfe so odious to me: is't not he
That should have had Varina?

Gas.
Th'same.

Mar.
Sweet Gaspar,
Make some obstructions, and doe thou, sweet Jove,
Be an impediment to that decree.

Gas.
Cousin, alas! I have quite wearied him
With my petitions, but he's deafe as Nereus
Is to the shipwrackt Mariners, or rocks
Unto the bellowing surges of the Sea.

Mar.
Thou hast been always honest, Gaspar, and
A Friend, a Father to me: in this strait
I'll try thy love; advise which way I shall
Escape these nuptials; say, is't possible?

Gas.
I shall be proud to doe that office, Kings
Would glory in; to doe you service, Saints
Would sure desert their blisse: Do you but speak,
Breath but one accent from those lips, the winds
Will all contend, which shall be first made blest
With its conveyance; your sweet voyce can charm
The Syrens silent, force the Crocodile
To leave his feigned weeping; at your looks
Palms would renew their freshnesse; aged hearts
Grow young again, Scythians be mild; if ever
Rash Phaetons sisters had beheld those drops,
They never more would boast their Amber tears
To be more pretious.

Mar.
Push! you flatter me!
What means this ceremony?

Gas.
And had those creatures
Book-blinded men, that dream of other worlds,
Tell of Elysian blessings, known the joyes
Are in your love, they would have lost themselves,
As I have done, in contemplation
Of this surpassing happinesse, you blesse
With its enjoying.

Mar.
You are tedious, tell me
How to evade this mischiefe.

Gas.
Pradon me,
I'm in a labyrinth, subtler then the cave
That held the Cretan Minotaure; 'tis easier
To catch wild Boreas, make Neptune calm
When he most rageth, then to give your worth
Its just Encomiums. I'm so farre transported
With rumination on't beyond my selfe,
That I have quite forgot your first demand.

Mar.
Pray tell me Cousin, How may I delude
Balthasars nuptials?

Gas.
'Tis difficult,
There is but one way left, and that's to wed
Another, e're you come unto his bed.

Mar.
Faith! any body, honest Gaspar, bring
Some aged Lazar from the Hospitall,
Or towing Galliego, and I'll love
Him rather then the other, let me see
Whom thou wouldst wish me to.

Gas.
An honest man,
One I dare swear that loves you.

Mar.
Nominate him:
By all that's good, I'll love him.

Gas.
She's my own.
(aside.)
I'll take you at your word—
Behold the man, the true Idolater
Of thy perfections, one whose every thought
Is on thy vertues, how to give them reverence
Due to their merits.

Mar.
This is brave, proceed,
You're Courtly grown, what spirit has infus'd
This unaccustom'd phrase into you?

Gas.
Your
Love which hath power to give a dumb man utt'rance,
Make Ideots Orators to fill the world
With new inventions; consecrate this Age
Onely to Poets, whose immortall lines
May celebrate thy praises. Though thy Father
Could be so perjur'd after a thousand oaths,
To seek to rob me of my interest in thee,
Yet the known goodnesse of thy Nature tells me,
Thou'lt not be perjur'd too, I'm sure thou'lt love me.

Mar.
Reason good, base man!
Did all this painted processe tend to this?
Were Balthasar a man compos'd of vices,
Il'd sooner cast my self away on him,
Then on thy basenesse: Loving 'Coz. farewell!
You may go meditate to get a wife,
And ruminate on your most base desires
In the Grand-Placa. Walk, Sir.—

Exeunt Mar. and Cat.
Gas.
Is there no thunder left in heav'n? Has earth
Left all it's fear, it shakes not at the hearing
Of such inhuman perjuries, untill
It have a rupture vast enough to swallow
At once the world, that it may ne're produce
Again such treach'rous animals, as my fate,
My cursed fate torments me with: I am
A proper man, I've limbs enough because
I have a blemish in my blood, my Mistress
Rejects me; Thus should I in open Court
Sue for her as my wife: I have no means
To stand against her Father, and 'tis gold
That rules the Law now. Well! since all will be
Villains, why should I practise honesty?
I've brains as well as other men, my spirit
Tells me, there's means to right the wrong. Who's this?

Enter Roderiguez.
Rod.
Gaspar? the man I look't for.

Gas.
Don Roderiguez!
What drew you hither?

Rod.
Sir, my businesse is
Now with your selfe; Your Master has a daughter
I have a most deserving friend affects
Her dearly, wilt thou be a means to gain
Her favour for him?

Gas.
I did take you Sir,
T'have been a person of more reall worth
Then thus t'assay a servants loyalty;
Think you my Masters daughter shall become
A prostitute? If this be all your businesse,
I must not stay to hear it.

Rod.
Thou mistak'st,
I have no such intention, thou shalt raise
His daughter with a marriage to a man
Of noble Blood and Fortunes.

Gas.
But her Father,
Has promis'd her to one he will not break with.
You cannot have her.

Rod.
Hold! there's gold, thou shalt
(Gives him money.)
Perswade her love my friend, I know thou canst,
My honest Gaspar.—

Gas.
Sir,
I am a man whom stepdame Fortune made
To eat my bread in servitude, my Master
Is all the hopes I live by, and my trust
Hath gain'd me some respect above a servant;
Should I undoe his purpose, crosse this match,
For your sakes, I should win the execrations
Of all true servants; and perchance your selves
Seeing me false to him, would fear t'impose
Confidence in me: pray receive your gold,
I must not do it.

Rod.
Come! thou shalt, the man
Thou dost it for will raise thee farre beyond
Thy expectation, Gaspar.

Gas.
May I trust you?

Rod.
What needs these doubts?

Gas.
Then know my Mistress hates
The person whom her Father would bestow
Her on in marriage; would your friend, or you,
Or any one, there's in the Citie you may hire
To kill him, then admission will be easie.

Rod.
Most excellent! his name? he's seal'd for death.

Gas.
Balthazar, Frederiques heire, to morrow night
Your friend and you come to the window, and
Bring somthing that may please her, and ne're doubt
You shall have gentle audience.

Rod.
I'll about it.

Exit.
Gas.
Doe, on your shoulders I my selfe will rise
To quit my Masters monstrous perjuries.

Exit.