University of Virginia Library

SCENE 1.

Enter Paleologus, Crato, Cleobulus.
Pa.
Less Passion and more reason would do wel.

Cr.
It is not worth th'engaging passion
About a Probleme.

Pa.
Here's Cleobulus,
We will refer it to his Umpeerage,

Cr.
Agreed.

Pa.
We have long debated here,
Whether that married people in a State,
Prove better Members, or th'unmarried?

Cr.
Tyresias tasted of both sexes, you,
Of both estates, being now a widdower.
Lets hear your judgement.

Cl.
Lets hear your Arguments,
They'l be most careful to preserve the ship,

Pa.
Who therein have most store of goods imbarkt.

Cr.
Batchellours have an Adventure in the state,

Pa.
Yes, but a single share whilst married folk,
For present and for future are ingaged;
Persons posterity, selves, and succession.

Cr.
Marriage debates the valour of the soul,
We without any cautelous demurs,
Are proud to lose our lives for the publick good.
Whilst that you husbands warily do start.
An hundred fears from your own jealous minds
Leave a young widdow, she will quickly wed;
And bring some lusty gallant in my room,
My eldest son a ward scarse ten years old,
My greedy gardians will be bought and sold;
My younger chlldren unprovided for.
Such thoughts ungallant souls and spirits dull,
And make brave resolutions to recoyle.

Pa.
Recoyle, but to come forward with more strength.
And by your leave Sir, Batchelours do run,
With headlong hast on actions of Treason.
Whilst married men, reason and weigh the matter.
'Twill taynt my blood, undo my family,
And brand it with eternall infamy.
Such thoughts make loyall hearts, and spoile Treason,
And make bad resolutions to recoyle.

Cr.
All this Proves but a goodness negative,
That they do less harm, but to requite you,
What most inclines a Judge unto corruption,
His Lady wife must have a Diamond ring;
Or set of Pearl, her maid a silken gown,
Her Usher wants.

C.
Wit and a pair of Leggs.

(Aside.
Cr.
Some gold to game with, hence come postern dores.
And bribes in better language stiled presents,

Pa.
And I have known as corrupt Batchelours,
Who were portentous in their vain expences,
And then debase themselves again to recover.

Cr.
A narrow instance in some few generally.

Pa.
Mark who they were our Colledges have built.

Cl.
Mark who they are our Colledges have spilt,

(Aside.
Cr.
Housed the muses, furnish't Libraries;
Erected stately structures, founded schools,
Most men unmarried.
While your low thoughts nor dare nor can aspire,
Above the raising of a family.
The matching of your Daughters rich and high,
But maiden breasts ambitious are to wed,
Honour whilst living, and when dying make,
Fame their executor, and the world their heir.

Cr.
Now speak your judgement good Cleobulus,

Cl.
I am loath my verdict thus to interpose:
You now are friends.

Cr.
And never shall be foes,
For ought that you in this point shall determine.

Cl.
My judgements this married men generally,
Are less good, and less bad, then Batchelours.
But here comes those who in no estate,
Will e're do any good to th'Common Wealth.