 | The Andrian Woman |  |
Scen. 1.
Enter Charinus at one doore; Pamphilus and Dauus at another.Cha.
May't be beleeu'd? or may it once be talk'd on?
That any should be so selfe-wild peruerse,
As to take pleasure in anothers harmes?
Or thinke his owne gaine sweeter, if procur'd
By others disaduantage? oh good God!
Is this a brood of men? Men let them be,
Worst are they of the generation.
They shew a little tricksey modestie,
Not to denie a craued curtesie!
But when performance comes, they then declare
(Nature will shew it selfe) what men they are.
They are asham'd a little, but in triall
Their temper bursteth forth to flat deniall.
Then shall you heare their shamelesse Oratorie—
Pray who are you? are what at least to me.
Why yeeld my loue to you? good sir attend,
I am vnto my selfe the neerest friend.
Touch them with faith and troth, they blush no whit:
So that when no constraint inforceth it,
They make some scruple; when it comes to th'pinch,
Then at the proofe your hollow friend doth flinch.
But what's my best course? shall I to him streight,
And with him this his wrong expostulate?
And ply him with harsh tearmes? but some may say,
What good shall I procure my selfe that way?
Yes much: I shall both chafe him, and giue ease
To my grieu'd heart.
Pam.
Charinus, 'lesse God please
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Against my will vndone vnwarily.
Cha.
Vnwarily: is that word now thought on?
Y'haue broke your promisd faith.
Pam.
As how, I pray?
Cha.
Seeke you againe with faire words to abuse me?
Pam.
What meanes this?
Cha.
After I said I lou'd her,
You must needes like her too. Oh me accurst,
That scantled out your dealing by mine owne!
Pam.
You are mistaken.
Cha.
Seem'd your content not full,
Vnlesse you fool'd, and with false hope traind on
A wretched louer? much good doe ye; take her.
Pam.
I take her? oh I perceiue thou knowst not.
In what a gulfe of miserie I am plung'd:
What pecke of troubles this my torturer
Hath brought me to, by harkning to his counsell.
Cha.
No marle: he takes his president from you.
Pam.
You would not say this, if you fully knew
Or me, or her I'ue set my fancie on.
Cha.
Yes, I doe know; you were at hot high words
Late with your father; and haue angred him,
Because he cannot make you marrie her.
Pam.
Nay, which discouers thou lesse knowst my griefe,
This mariage neuer was prepar'd for me:
Nor did now any force me to a wife.
Cha.
I know't your owne will forc'd you.
Pam.
Tarrie, yet thou knowst not all.
Cha.
I know thou'lt marrie her.
Pam.
Why doe you thus torment me? heare but this
He neuer ceased to be vrgent on me,
That I should tell my father I would marrie:
To intreat, perswade, till he had drawne me to it.
Cha.
What man did this.
Pam.
This Dauus.
Cha.
Dauus?
Pam.
Dauus brings all things out of square.
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What the inducement?
Pam.
I nothing know, except this one thing onely,
That I well see the Gods are much displeased
With me, for listning to him.
Cha.
Did you thus Dauus?
Dau.
I did.
Cha.
Ha, what saist thou caitife?
The gods giue thee a death suting thy doings
Sirrha, but tell me; say that all his foes
Had laid their heads together for a plot
To yoake him to a wife, what stratagem
Could they haue fram'd more speeding then this was?
Dau.
I am deceiu'd, but faint not.
Cha.
I, I know't.
Dau.
It thriu'd not this way, weele attempt some other.
Vnlesse you iudge because at first we sped not,
There's no meanes left vs to salue vp the mischiefe.
Pam.
Nay more, I well beleeue if thou watch for it,
Of one thoult make me out a double marriage.
Dau.
I (Pamphilus) by reason of my bondage
Owe you thus much: to doe, goe, night and day
To indeauour all I may, with my liues hazard;
For your aduantage: it is yet your part
To beare with me, if things come crosse my hopes:
My plots faile; yet I vse all carefulnesse:
Your selfe else frame things wiselier, discharge me.
Pam.
I craue thou leaue me in that state thou foūdst me;
Dau.
I will.
Pam.
But't must be streight.
Dau.
How now! hist, stay.
Glyceriums doore did creake.
Pam.
That's nought to thee.
Dau.
I am a forging.
Pam.
How, is't now to forge.
Dau.
But I will giu't you fashion'd presently.
| The Andrian Woman | |