favorites of mine in Court, there stands but a small matter between
me and it, if your ability be such to lay down the present summ,
out of the love I bear you, before any other man, it shall be
confirmed yours.
_Mont._ I have heard you often speak of such a thing; If it be
assur'd to you I will gladly deal in it: that portion I have, I
would not hazard upon one course, for I see the most certain is
incertain.
_La-p._ Having money Sir, you could not light upon men that could
give better direction; there is at this time a friend of mine upon
the Seas; to be plain with you, he is a pyrate, that hath wrote
to me to work his fredom, and by this Gentlemans means, whose
acquaintance is not small at Court; we have the word of a worthy
man for it, only there is some money to be suddainly disburst, and
if your happiness be such to make it up you shall receive treble
gain by it, and good assurance for it.
_Mont._ Gentlemen, out of the weakness of my estate you seem (to
have some knowledge of my brest) that wou'd if it were possible
advance my declined fortunes, to satisfie all men of whom I have
had credit, and I know no way better than these which you propose;
I have some money ready under my command, some part of it is
already promis'd, but the remainder is yours to such uses as are
propounded.
_Lav._ Appoint some certain place of meeting, for these affaires
require expedition.
_Mount._ I will make it my present business: at twelve, I am to
meet _Mallicorne_, the Marchant at the Pallace, you know him Sir,
about some negotiation of the same nature, there I will be ready to
tender you that money, upon such conditions as we shall conclude of.
_Lav._ The care of it be yours, so much as the affair concerns you.
_Mont._ Your caution is effectuall, and till then I take my leave.
_Lav._ Good Mr _Montague_. [_Exit._
_W[i]thin a clamor, down with their weapons._
_Enter Longavile, and Dubois, their swords drawn,
servants and others between them._
_Ser._ Nay Gentlemen what mean you? pray be quiet, have some
respect unto the house.
_Long._ A treacherous slave.
_Du._ Thou dost revile thy self base _Longavile_.
_Long._ I say thou art a villain, and a corrupt one, that hast some
seven years fed on thy masters trencher, yet never bredst good
blood towards him: for if thou hadst, thou'dst have a sounder heart.
_Du._ So Sir, you can use your tongue something nimbler than your
sword.
_Long._ Wou'd you cou'd use your tongue well of your Master, friend
you might have better imployment for your sword.
_Du._ I say again, and I will speak it loud and often, that
_Orleans_ is a noble Gentleman with whom _Amiens_ is too light to
poyse the scale.
_Long._ He is the weaker for taking of a prayse out of thy mouth.
_Du._ This hand shall seal his merit at thy heart.
_Lav._ Part them my masters, part them.
_Ser._ Part them Sir, why do you not part them, you stand by with
your sword in your hand, and cry part 'em.
_Lav._ Why you must know my friend my cloaths are better than
yours, and in a good suit, I do never use to part any body.
_La-p._ And it is discretion.
_Lav._ I marry is it Captain.
_Long. Dubois_ though this place priviledge thee, know where
next we meet, the blood which at thy heart flows drops at thy feet.
_Enter Amience in haste, his sword drawn._
_Du._ I would not spend it better than in this quarrell, and on
such a hazard.
_Ami._ What uprore's this, must my name here be question'd in
Tavern brawls, and by affected Ruffins?
_Lav._ Not we indeed Sir.
_Du._ Fear cannot make me shrink out of your fury, though you were
greater than your name doth make you, I am one, and the opposer; if
your swoln rage have ought in malice to inforce express it.
_Ami._ I seek thee not, nor shalt thou ever gain
That credit, which a blow from me wou'd give thee,
By my ---- I more detest that fellow
Which took my part than thee, that he durst offer
To take my honor in his feeble armes,
And spend it in a drinking room; which way went he?
_Lav._ That way Sir, I wou'd you wou'd after; for I do fear we
shall have some more scuffling.
_Ami._ [I]'ll follow him, and if my speed o'er take him, I shall
ill thank him, for his forwardness. [_Exit._
_Lav._ I am glad he's gone, for I doe not love to see a sword drawn
in the hand of a man that lookes so furious, there's no jesting
with edge tooles, how say you Captain?
_Cap._ I say 'tis better jesting than to be in earnest with them.
_Enter Orleance._
_Orl._ How now? what's the difference? they say there have bin
swords drawn, and in my quarrell: let me know that man, whose love
is so sincere to spend his blood for my sake, I will bounteously
requite him.
_Lav._ We were all of your side, but there he stands begun it.
_Orl._ What's thy name?
_Dub. Duboyes._
_Orl._ Give me thy hand, [thou] hast received no hurt?
_Dub._ Not any, nor were this body stuck full of wounds, I should
not count them hurts, being taken in so honorable a cause as the
defence of my most worthy Lord.
_Orl._ The dedication of thy love to me requires my ample bounty,
thou art mine, for I do find thee made unto my purposes: Mounsieur
_Laverdine_, pardon my neglect I not observed you, and how runs
rumour?
_Lav._ Why, it runs my Lord like a foot-man without a cloak, to
show that what's once rumour'd it cannot be hid.
_Or[l]._ And what say the rable, am not I the subject of their talk?
_Lav._ Troth my Lord the common mouth speaks foul words.
_Orl._ Of me, for turning away my wife, do they not?
_Lav._ Faith the men do a little murmure at it and say, 'tis an ill
president in so great a man, marry the women they rayl out right.
_Orl._ Out upon them rampallions. I'll keep my self safe enough out
of their fingers, but what say my pritty jolly composed gallants
that censure every thing more desperate than it is dangerous; what
say they?
_Lav._ Marry they are laying wagers, what death you shall die; one
offers to lay five hundred pounds; And yet he had but a groat about
him, & that was in two twopences too to any man that wou'd make
it up a shilling; that you were kil'd with a Pistoll charg'd with
white Powder; another offerd to pawn his soul for five shillings,
and yet no body wou'd take him, that you were stab'd to death, and
shou'd die with more wounds than _Cæsar_.
_Orl._ And who shou'd be the Butchers that shou'd do it? _Montague_
and his associates?
_Lav._ So 'tis conjectured.
_La-p._ And believe it, sweet Prince, it is to be feared, and
therefore prevented.
_Orl._ By turning his purpose on himself, were not that the way?
_Lav._ The most direct path for your safety. For where doth danger
sit more furious than in a desperate man?
_La-p._ And being you have declined his means, you have increast
his malice.
_Lav._ Besides the generall report that steems in every mans
breath, and stains you all over with infamy, that Time the devourer
of all things cannot eat out.
_La-p._ I, for that former familiarity, which he had with your Lady.
_Lav._ Men speak it as boldly as words of compliment; good morrow,
good even, or [God] save you Sir, are not more usuall; if the word
cuckold had been written upon your forehead in great Capitall
Letters, it could not have been dilated with more confidence.
_Orl._ He shall not sleep another night, I will have his blood,
though it be required at my hands again.
_Lav._ Your Lordship may, and without hazarding your own person;
here's a Gentleman in whose looks I see a resolution to perform it.
_Dub._ Let his Lordship give me but his honorable word for my life,
I'll kill him as he walks.
_Lav._ Or pistoll him as he sits at meat.
_La-p._ Or at game.
_Lav._ Or as he is drinking.
_Dub._ Any way.
_Orl._ Wou't thou? call what is mine thine own, thy reputation
shall not be brought in question for it, much less thy life; it
shall be nam'd a deed of valour in thee, not murder: Farewell.
[_Exit._
_Dub._ I need no more encouragement, it is a work I will persuade
my self that I was born to.
_Laver._ And you may persuade your self too that you shall be sav'd
by it, being that it is for his honorable Lordship.
_Dub._ But you must yield me means, how, when and where.
_Lav._ That shall be our tasks;
Nay more, we will be agents with thee:
This hour we are to meet him, on the receipt of certain moneys,
Which indeed we purpose honestly to cheat him of,
And that's the main cause I wou'd have him slain,
Who works with safety makes a double gain. [_Exeunt._
_Enter Longaville, Amiens following him._
_Ami._ Stay Sir, I have took some pains to overtake you.--Your name
is _Longaville_.
_Long._ I have the word of many honest men for't, I crave your
Lordships pardon, your sudden apprehension on my steps made me to
frame an answer unwitting and unworthy your respect.
_Ami._ Doe you know me?
_Long._ Yes, my Lord.
_Ami._ I know not you; nor am I well pleased to make this time, as
the affair now stands, the induction of your acquaintance; you are
a fighting fellow.
_Long._ How my Lord?
_Ami._ I think I too much grace you; rather you are a fellow
dares not fight, but spit and puffe and make a noyse, whilst your
trembling hand draws out your Sword, to lay it upon andirons,
stools or tables, rather than on a man.
_Long._ Your honor may best speak this; yet ---- with little
safety, if I thought it serious.
_Ami._ Come, you are a verie braggart, and you have given me cause
to tell you so: what weakness have you ever seen in me to prompt
your self, that I could need you help; or what other reason[s]
could induce you to it? you never yet had a meals meat from my
Table, nor as I remember from my Wardrop any cast Suit.
_Lon._ 'Tis true, I never durst yet have such a servile spirit,
to be the minion of a full swoln Lord; but alwaies did detest
such slavery: a meals meat, or a cast Suit? I wou'd first eat the
stones, and from such rags the dunghils doe afford, pick me a
garment.
_Ami._ I have mistook the man, his resolute spirit
Proclaimes him generous, he has a noble heart
As free to utter good deeds as to act them;
For had he not been right, and of one piece,
He would have crumpled, curled, and struck himself
Out of the shape of man into a shaddow.
But prethee tell me, if no such fawning hope
Did lead thee on to hazard life for my sake;
What was it that incited thee?
Tell me; speak it without the imputation of a Sycophant.
_Long._ Your own desert, and with it was joyn'd the unfained
friendship that I judged you ever held unto my former Lord.
_Ami._ The noble _Montague_?
_Long._ Yes, the noble and much injured _Montague_.
_Ami._ To such a man as thou art, my heart shall be
A Casket: I will lock thee up there,
And esteem thee as a faithfull friend,
The richest Jewell that a man enjoyes;
And being thou didst follow once my friend,
And in thy heart still dost, not with his fortunes casting him off,
Thou shalt go hand in hand with me, and share
As well in my ability as love; 'tis not my end
To gain men for my use, but a true friend. [_Exeunt._
_Enter Duboys._
_Dub._ There's no such thriving way to live in grace,
As to have no sence of it; his back nor belly
Shall not want warming that can practise me mischief;
I walk now with a full purse, grow high and wanton,
Prune and briske my self in the bright shine
Of his good Lordships favours; and for what virtue?
For fashioning my self a murderer.
O noble _Montague_, to whom I owe my heart,
With all my best thoughts, though my tongue have promis'd
To exceed the malice of thy destiny,
Never in time of all my service knew I
Such a sin tempt thy bounty; those that did feed
Upon thy charge had merit or else need.
_Enter Laverdine, and La-poope, with disguises._
_Lav. Duboys_, most prosperously met.
_Dub._ How now? will he come this way?
_La._ This way, immediately; therefore thy assistance, dear
_Duboys_.
_Dub._ What have you cheated him of the money you spoke of?
_Lav._ Fough, as easily as a silly Countrey wench of her
maydenhead; we had it in a twinkling.
_Dub._ 'Tis well Captain, let me help you, you must be our leader
in this action.
_La-p._ Tut, fear not, I'll warrant you if my Sword hold, we'll
make no sweating sickness of it.
_Dub._ Why that's well said, but let's retire a little, that we may
come on the more bravely; this way, this way. [_Exeunt._
_Enter Montague in the hands of three Officers, and three
Creditors._
_1 Cre._ Officers look to him, and be sure you take good security
before he part from you.
_Mont._ Why but my friends, you take a strange course with me; the
sums I owe you are rather forgetfulness, they are so slight, than
want of will or honesty to pay you.
_1 Cred._ I Sir, it may be so; but we must be paid, and we will be
paid before you scape: we have wife and children, and a charge, and
you are going down the wind, as a man may say; and therefore it
behooves us to look to't in time.
_2 Cred._ Your cloak here wou'd satisfie me, mine's not above a
three pound matter, besides the arrest.
_3 Cred._ 'Faith and mine is much about that matter too; your
Girdle and Hangers, and your Beaver, shall be sufficient bail for't.
_1 Cred._ If you have ever a plain black sute at home, this Silken
one, with your Silke-stockings, Garters, and Roses shall pacifie me
too; for I take no delight, if I have a sufficient pawn, to cast
any Gentleman in prison; therefore 'tis but an untrussing matter:
and you are free, we are no unreasonable creatures you see; for
mine own part, I protest I am loth to put you to any trouble for
security.
_Mont._ Is there no more of you? he wou'd next demand my skin.
_1 Cred._ No Sir, here's no more of us, nor do any of us demand
your skin, we know not what to do with it: but it may be if you
ow'd your Glover any money, he knew what use to make of it.
_Mont._ Ye dregs of baseness, vultures amongst men,
That tyre upon the hearts of generous spirits.
_1 Cred._ You do us wrong Sir, we tyre no generous spirits, we tyre
nothing but our hackneys.
_Enter Mallicorne._
_Mont._ But here comes one made of another piece;
A man well meriting that free born name
Of Citizen; welcome my deliverer, I am falen
Into the hands of blood-hounds, that for a sum
Lesser than their honesties, which is nothing,
Wou'd tear me out of my skin.
_Mal._ Why Sir, what's the matter?
_1 Cre._ Why Sir the matter is, that we must have our money, which
if we cannot have, we'll satisfie our selves with his carcass,
and be payd that wayes: you had as good Sir, not have been so
peremptory. Officer, hold fast.
_1 Offi._ The strenuous fist of vengeance now is clutcht; therefore
fear nothing.
_Mal._ What may be the debt in gross?
_Mont._ Some forty Crowns, nay rather not so much, 'tis quickly
cast.
_Mal._ 'Tis strange to me, that your estate shou'd have so low an
ebb, to stick at such sleight sums: why my friends, you are too
strict in your accounts, and call too sudden on this Gentleman, he
has hopes left yet to pay you all.
_1 Cred._ Hopes? I marry; bid him pay his friends with hopes,
and pay us with currant Coyn: I knew a gallant once that fed his
creditors still with hopes, and bid 'em they shou'd fear nothing,
for he had 'em tyed in a string; and trust me so he had indeed, for
at last he and all his hopes hopt in a halter.
_Mont._ Good Sir, with what speed you may, free me out of the
company of these slaves, that have nothing but their names to show
'em men.
_Mal._ What wou'd you wish me do Sir? I protest I ha' not the
present sum (small as it is) to lay down for you; and for giving my
word, my friends no later than yesternight made me take bread and
eat it, that I shou'd not do it for any man breathing i'th' world;
therefore I pray hold me excused.
_Mont._ You do not speak this seriously?
_Mal._ As ever I said my prayers, I protest to you.
_Mont._ What may I think of this?
_Mal._ Troth Sir thought is free for any man; we abuse our betters
in it, I have done it my self.
_Mont._ Trust me, this speech of yours doth much amaze me; pray
leave this language, and out of that same sum you lately did
receive of me, lay down as much as may discharge me.
_Mal._ You are a merry man Sir, and I am glad you take your crosses
so temperately; fare you well Sir, and yet I have something more
to say to ye, a word in your ear I pray; to be plain with you I did
lay this plot to arrest you to enjoy this money I have of yours,
with the more safety. I am a fool to tel[l] you this now; but in
good faith I could not keep it in. And the money wou'd a done me
little good else. An honest Citizen cannot wholly enjoy his own
wife for you, they grow old before they have true use of them,
which is a lamentable thing, and truely much hardens the hearts of
us Citizens against you: I can say no more, but am heartily sorry
for your heaviness, and so I take my leave. [_Exit Mallycorne._
_1 Cred._ Officers take hold on him again, for Mounsier
_Mallycorne_ will do nothing for him I perceive.
_Enter Duboys, Lapoope, and Laverdine._
_Dub._ Nay come my masters, leave dancing of the old measures, and
let's assault him bravely.
_Lav._ By no means; for it goes against my stomach to kill a man in
an unjust quarrell.
_La-p._ It must needs be a clog to a mans conscience all his life
time.
_Lav._ It must indeed Captain: besides doe ye not see he has gotten
a guard of friends about him, as if he had some knowledge of our
purpose?
_Dub._ Had he a guard of Devils, as I think them little better, my
Sword should doe the message that it came for.
_Lav._ If you will be so desperate, the blood lie upon your own
neck, for we'll not meddle in't.
_Duboys runs upon Montague, and strugling yields him his Sword;
the Officers draw, Laverdine and La-poope in the scuffling
retire, Montague chaseth them off the Stage, himself
wounded._
_Dub._ I am your friend and servant.
Struggle with me and take my Sword;
Noble Sir, make your way, you have slain an Officer.
_Mont._ Some one of them has certainly
Requited me; for I doe lose much blood.
_1 Offic._ Udsprecious, we have lost a brother, pursue the
Gentleman.
_2 Offic._ I'll not meddle with him: you see what comes on't;
besides I know he will be hang'd ere he be taken.
_1 Offic._ I tell thee yeoman he must be taken ere he be hanged; he
is hurt in the guts, run afore therefore and know how his wife will
rate his Sawsages a pound.
_3 Offic._ Stay brother, I may live, for surely I find I'm but hurt
in the leg, a dangerous kick on the shin-bone. [_Exeunt._
_Actus Tertius. Scæna Prima._
_Enter Madam Lamira, Madam le Orleans, Veramour._
_Lam._ You see Lady
What harmless sports ou[r] Countrey life affords;
And though you meet not here with City dainties,
Or Courtly entertainment, what you have
Is free and hearty.
_L. Orl._ Madam, I find here
What is a stranger to the Court, content,
And receive curtesies done for themselves,
Without an expectation of return,
Which binds me to your service.
_Lam._ Oh your love;
My homely house built more for use than shew
Observes the Golden mean equally distant
From glittering pomp, and sordid avarice;
For Maskes, we will observe the works of nature,
And in the place of visitation, read:
Our Physick shall be wholsome walks, our viands,
Nourishing, not provoking: for I find
Pleasures are tortures that leave stings behind.
_L. Orl._ You have a great estate.
_Lam._ A competency
Sufficient to maintain me and my rank,
Nor am I, I thank Heaven, so Courtly bred
As to imploy the utmost of my Rents
In paying Tailors for phantastick Robes;
Or rather than be second in the fashion,
Eat out my Officers and my Revenues
With grating usury; my back shall not
Be the base on which your soothing Citizen
Erects his Summer-houses; nor on th' other side
Will I be so penuriously wise,
As to make money (that's my slave) my Idoll,
Which yet to wrong, merits as much reproof,
As to abuse our servant.
_L. Orl._ Yet with your pardon
I think you want the Crown of all contentment.
_Lam._ In what good Madam?
_L. Orl._ In a worthy husband.
_Lam._ ---- It is strange the galley-slave should praise
His Oar, or stroaks; or you, that have made shipwrack
Of all delight upon this Rock, cal'd marriage,
Should sing _Encomions_ on't.
_L. Orl._ Madam, though one fall
From his horse and break his neck, will you
Conclude from that it is unfit to ride?
Or must it follow, because _Orleans_
My Lord's pleased to make his passionate triall
Of my suspected patience, that my brother,
(Were he not so, I might say, worthy _Amiens_)
Will imitate his ills, that cannot fancy
What's truely Noble in him?
_Lam._ I must grant
There's as much worth in him as can be lookt for
From a young Lord, but not enough to make
Me change my golden liberty and consent
To be a servant to it, as wives are
To the Imperious humors of their Lords:
Me thinks I'm well, I rise and goe to bed
When I think fit, eat what my appetite
Desires without controle, my servants study
Is my contentment, and to make me merry
Their farthest ayms; my sleeps are enquired after,
My rising up saluted with respect:
Command and liberty now wait upon
My Virgin state; what would I more; change all,
And for a husband? no; these freedoms die,
In which they live with my Virginity;
'Tis in their choice that's rich to be a wife,
But not being yoakt to chuse the single life.
_Ver._ Madam.
_Lam._ How like you the Countrey?
_Ver._ I like the ayr of it well Madam, and the rather because,
as on _Irish_ Timber your Spider will not make his web, so for
ought I see yet your Cheater, Pander, and Informer being in their
dispositions too foggy for this piercing climate, shun it, and
chose rather to walk in mists in the City.
_Lam._ Who did you serve first boy?
_Ver._ A rich Merchants widow, and was by her preferred to a young
Court-Lady.
_L. Orl._ And what difference found you in their service?
_Ver._ Very much: for look how much my old City Madam gave to
her young visitants, so much my Lady received from her hoary
Court-servants.
_Lam._ And what made you to leave her?
_Ver._ My father (Madam) had a desire to have me a tall-man, took
me from thence.
_Lam._ Well, I perceive you inherit the wag, from your father.
_Ver._ Doves beget Doves; and Eagles, Eagles, Madam: A Citizen
here, tho left never so rich, seldome at the best proves a
Gentleman: the son of an Advocate, tho dub'd like his father, will
shew a relish of his descent, and the fathers thriving practice,
as I have heard: she that of a Chambermayd is metamorphosed into
a Madam, will yet remember how oft her daughter by her mother
ventured to lie upon the rushes before she could get in that which
makes many Ladyes.
_L. Orl._ But what think you of your late Master?
_Ver._ Oh Madam-- [_Sighs._
_Lam._ Why doe you sigh? you are sorry that you left him,
He made a wanton of you.
_Ver._ Not for that:
Or if he did, for that my youth must love him.
Oh pardon me, if I say liberty
Is bondage, if compar'd with his kind service;
And but to have power now to speak his worth
To its desert; I should be well content
To be an old man when his praise were ended:
And yet, if at this instant you were pleased,
I should begin, the livery of age
Would take his lodging upon this head
Ere I should bring it to a period.
In brief he is a man (for [God] forbid
That I should ever live to say he was
Of such a shape as would make one beloved,
That never had good thought;) and to his body
He hath a mind of such a constant temper
In which virtues throng to have a room:
Yet 'gainst this noble Gentleman, this _Montague_,
For in that name I comprehend all goodness,
Wrong, and the wrested law, false witnesses,
And envy sent from hell, have rose in Armes,
And though not pierc'd, batter'd his honor'd shield.
What shall I say? I hope you will forgive me,
That if you were but pleas'd to love,
I know no _Juno_ worthy such a _Jove_.
_Enter Charlot with a letter._
_Lam._ 'Tis well yet that I have the second place
In your affection: From whence?
_Charl._ From the Lord _Amiens_, Madam.
_Lam._ 'Tis wellcome, though it bear his usual language:
I thought so much, his love-suit speaks his health.
What's he that brought it?
_Charl._ A Gentleman of good rank, it seems.
_Lam._ Where is he?
_Charl._ Receiving entertainment in your house
Sorting with his degree.
_Lam._ 'Tis well.
_Charl._ He waits your Ladyships pleasure.
_Lam._ He shall not wait long:
I'll leave you for a while; nay stay you boy,
Attend the Lady. [_Exeunt Lam. Charl._
_Vir._ Would I might live once
To wait on my poor Master.
_L. Orl._ That's a good boy:
This thankfulness looks lovely on thy forehead,
And in it, as a book, me thinks I read
Instructions for my self, that am his debtor,
And wou'd do much that I might be so happy
To repair that which to our grief is ruin'd.
_Vir._ It were a work a King might glory in,
If he saw with my eyes: If you please Madam,
For sure to me you seem unapt to walk,
To sit, although the churlish Birds deny
To give us musick in this grove, where they
Are prodigall to others: I'll strain my voyce
For a sad Song, the place is safe and private.
_L. Orl._ 'Twas my desire; begin good _Viramour_.