to approve And he loves most that gives a loose to love Cleo. Silvio here Sil. Hah yonder she's Sees her And now my passion knows no bounds nor laws Cleonte come come satisfie my flame Runs to her and takes hâ—r passionately by the â—and These private shades are ours no jealous eye Can interrupt our heaven of joy Cleo. What mean you do you know I am your sister Silv. Oh that accursed name why should it check me He pauses Would thou hadst rather been some mis-begotten Monster That might have startled nature at thy birth Or if the powers above would have thee fair Why wert thou born my sister Oh if thou wouldst preserve thy soul and mine Fly from this place and me make haste away A strange wild Monster is broke in upon thee A thing that was a man but now as mad As raging Love can make him Fly me or thou art lost for ever Cleo. Remember Silviâ— that you are my brother And can you hurt your Sister Weeps Sil. Shouldst thou repeat those tyes a thousand times 'T will not redeem thee from the fate that threatens thee Be gone whilst so much vertue does remain about me To wish thee out of danger Cleo. Sure Silvio this is but to try my vertue Weeps still Sil. No look on my eyes Cleonte and thou shalt see them flame with a strange wicked fire Looks wildly on her Yet do not look thy eyes increase it Alas Turns away and hides his eyes And I shall still forget I am thy brother Go go whilst I have power to take my eyes away For if they turn again it will be fatal Cleo. Pray hear me Sir Sil. Oh do not speak thy voice has charms As tempting as thy face but whilst thou art silent and unseen Perhaps my madness may be moderate For as it is the best effects of it Will prompt me on to kill thee Cleo. To kill me Sil. Yes for shouldst thou live adorn'd with so much beauty So much my passion is above my reason In some such fit as does possess me now I should commit a rape a rape upon thee Therefore be gone and do not tempt despair That merciless rude thing but save thy honour And thy life Cleo. I will obey you Sir Goes into the Garden Sil. She 's gone and now Walks and talks in stopping my hot fit abates she is my â—ister that is my Fathers Daughter but what if his Wife deceiv'd him or perhaps which is the likelier thing my Mother play'd the false one for 't was her trade to do so and I 'm not son to Ambrosio Oh that she were in being to confess this truth for sure 't is trâ—th then I might love and might enjoy Cleonte injoy Cleonte In transport Oh that thought what fire it kindles in my veins and now my cold fit 's gone I 'l after her Offers to go bâ—t starts and returns no let me pause a while For in this ague of my love and fear Both the extreams are mortal Goes into the Garden Enter Ambrosio and Marcel Amb. I 'm reconcil'd to you since your Brother Silvio would have it so Mar. My blood flows to my face to hear him nam'd Amb. Let there be no more differences between you But Silvio has of late been discontent keeps home and shuns the conversation which youth delights in goes not to Court as he was wont Prethee Marcel learn thou the cause of it Mar. I do believe I shall my Lord too soon Aside Amb. I 'm now going to my Villa and shall not return till night by the way I mean to visit your wife that was design'd to be the rich Flavia and see if I can again reconcile her to you for your neglect has been great and her anger is just Mar. I rather wish it should continue Sir for I have yet no inclinations to marry Amb. No more I 'l have it so if I can Mar. I 'm silent Sir Exeunt Ambrosio and Marcel Enter as from out of the Garden Cleonte Clarinda Francisca Dormida from amongst the trees sadly Silvio who starts at sight of them Cleo. I am satisfi'd you knew not of my Brothers being in the Garden To Franc. Sil. Clarinda with my sister and in our house she 's very fair and yet how dull and blasted all her Beautys seem when they approach the fair Cleontes I cannot shun a tedious compliment to see the fair Clarinda Goes to Clarinda here is a happiness beyond my hope I 'm glad to see her kind to the sister who always treated the Brother with so much scorn and rigour Clar. Silvio sure I 'm betray'd Aside He talks to her Enter Marcel and is amaz'd Mar. Hah Silvio with Clarinda in our house Oh daring villain to make this place a sanctuary To all thy lusts and treachery Now I 'm convinc'd 't was he that wounded me And he that fled last night with that false woman Cleonte goes to Marcel Sil. You need not fear me now fair maid I 'm disarm'd of all my dangerous love Mar. It was by his contrivance that she came To Cleonte do not excuse him but send her quickly from you lesâ— you become as infamous as she Cleo. Oh how I hate her now I know my Brother Silviâ— loves her Mar. How every gesture shows his passion whilst she seems pleas'd to hear to him I can indure no more Cleo. What will you do She goes to them Mar. Nothing dear Sister But if I can be wise and angry too Aside For 't is not safe t'attack him in the Garden How now Silvio under the name of Brother I see you dare too much Snatches away his Sister and Clarinda Sil. What mean you by this rude address Marcel Mar. I 'l tell you Sir anon Go get you in To the women who go in Sil. Well Sir your business now Mar. It is not safe to tell you here though I have hardly patience to stay till thou meet me in St. Peters Grove Sil. I will not fail you Sir an hour hence Goes in after them Mar. I dare not in this rage return to upbraid Clarinda lest I do things that mis-become man Goes out The end of the third ACT. ACT IV. SCENE I. House of Carlo After a noise of Musick without Enter Haunce drest as Alonzo was follow'd by Gload in Masquerade Hau. HOld hold I do not like the salutation I receive from all I meet in this house Glo. Why Sir methinks they are very familiar scabs all Hau. Salerimente they all salute me as they were my old acquaintance Your servant Myn heer Haunce crys one your servant Monsieur Haunce crys another Enter Servant Ser. Your servant Sir you come now indeed like a Bridegroom all beset with dance and fiddle Hau. Bridegroom ha ha ha dost hear Gload 't is true â—aith But how the Divel came he to know it man hah Ser. My Master Sir was just as king for you he longs to speak with you Hau. Ha ha with me Sir why ha ha who the
't Mar. This is that Silvio that Noble Youth my Brother whom thou hast often heard me name Alon. An excellant character for an enemy Noble and Brother for shame put up your swords and I 'l be judge betweeen ye Mar. The case is soon decided I will not tâ—ll you with how tedious a courtship I won the heart as I thought of a young beauty in this Town And yâ—â—terday receiv'd a Billet from her to wait on her at night to receive the râ—compence of all my pains and sufferings In this extasie of joy I show'd him the paper and he getting thither before me robb'd me of my prize Sil. I am so pleas'd at this mistake of thine I can forgive it freely Mar. Not content with this most treacherosly hid in the shades of night he met me in the Hall of this false woman and stabb'd me which did secure his flight with her and would'st thou have me put this injury up Alon. Faith you must and your sword too Unless you mean to keep it drawn on me 'T was I that wounded you i' th' dark and it was I That robb'd you of Clarinda Mar. Thou Alon. I am I so unlikely a man to do such a feat Mar. How dare you Sir do this Alon. I dare do any thing but break my word as thou hast basely done with me But I am now in haste and should be glad to know where to meet you anon Mar. I 'l wait on you at the fartheâ— side of this Grove by the River Alon. I will not fail you Exit Alonzo Mar. Come Sir till I can better prove you are my Rival I will believe you are my friend and brother Sil. When thou shalt know my miserable story Thou wilt believe and pity me Go out Enter again Hippolyta from 〈◊〉 of the wood Hip. I wonder this Cavalier stays so long Pray heaven he meâ—â— Antonio Enter Alonzo Your Servant Sir Alon. The Cavalier to whom you sent me Sir Will wait upon you here Hip. I humbly thank you Sir and should be glad to know how I might pay my gratitude Alon. My duty ends not here I have a sword to serve you Hip. You shame me with this generosity but Sir I hope my own will be sufficient in so good a cause Alon. Though you are young I question not your bravery But I must beg to stay and see fair play And offer you my service when you 've done Hip. The enemy appears Sir and since you are so good I beg you would retire behind those trees for if he see us both since he is single he will suspect some treachery Alon. You 've reason Sir and I 'l obey you Goes aside Enter Antonio reading a paper SIR I Desire you to meet me in St. Peters Grove with your sword in your hand about an hour hence you will guess my business when you know my name to be Alonzo Alon. How 's that Aside Ant. I wish't had been another enemy Since from the justice of his cause I fear An ill success would I had seen Hippolyta That e'er I dy'd I might have had her pardon This conscience 't is ominous Sin ne'er appears in any horrid shape 'Till it approaches death Goeâ— forward seâ—s Hippolyta who justles him in passing by he stops and looks Hip. You seem Sir to be he whom I expect Ant. I 'm call'd Antonio Sir Hip. And I Alonzo the rest we need not ask For thou art well acquainted with my injuries And I with thy perfidiousness Draws Ant. I know of none you have receiv'd from me If on Hippolyta's account you fight She lov'd me and believ'd and what dull Lover Would have refus'd a Maid so easilâ— gain'â— Hip. Ah Traytor by how basâ— a way Thou wouldst evade thy fate Didst thou not know she was my wiâ—e by promise Did not Marcel Ambrosio all consenâ— To make her mine as soon as I arriv'd Alon. Who the Divel's thaâ— young Bully that takes my name and my concerns upon him Aside Hip. But why should I expect a truth from thee Who after so much time so many vows So many tears despairs and sighâ— at last Didst gain a credit with this easie fool Then left her to her shames and her despairs Come Sir Or I shall talk my self to calmness Aside Ant. I 'm ready Sir to justifie the deed They offer to fight Alonzo steps forth Alon. Hold hold fair thief that robb'st me of my name And wouldst my honour too Puts her by If thou hast wrong'd the fair Hippolyta To Antonio No man but I has right to do her justice Or you are both my Rivalâ— tell me which Which of you is it I must kill or both I am Alonzo who dares love Hippolyta Hip. Let not your friendship Sir proceed so far To take my name to take my quarrel on you Alon. In this dispute none 's more concern'd than I And I will keep my ground in such a cause Though all the Rivals that her beauty makes me Were arm'd to take my life away Ant. Come Sir I care not which of you's Alonzo They go to fight she holds Alonzo Hip. This gallantry's too much brave stranger Antonio hurt him not I am the wrong'd Alonzo And this a perfect stranger to the business Who seeing me appear less man than he And unacquainted with my deeds abroad Iâ— Bounty takes my name and quarrel on him Alon. Take heed young man and keep thy vertue in Lest thus misguided it become a crime But thou he says hast wrong'd Hippolytâ— To Antonio And I am he must punish it Hip. Sure it is he indeed For such a miracle my brother render'd him Aside Hold hold thou wonder of thy sex They fight Alon. Stand by I shall be angry with thee else And that will be unsafe As Alonzo fights with one haâ—d he keeps her off with t'other she presses still forward on Antonio with her sword indeavouring to keep 〈◊〉 Alonzo Enter to them Marcel Mar. Sure I heard the noise of swords this way Draws Hah two against one courage Sir To Antonio They fight all four Marcel with Hippolyta whom he wounds and Alonzo with Antonio who is disarm'd Hip. Good Heaven how just thou art Mar. What dost thou faint already Hah the pretty talking youth I saw but now Runs to her and holds her up Alas how dost thou Hip. Well since thy hand has wounded me Ant. My life is yours nor would I ask the gift But to repair my injuries to Hippolyta Alon. I give it thee Gives him his sword Mar. How Antonio What unkind hand has rob'd me of the justice Of killing thee Alon. His that was once thy friend Marcel Mar. Oh dost thou know my shame Turns away Alon. I know thou are false to friendship And therefore do demand mine back again thou 'st us'd it scurvily Mar. Thou know'st too much to think I 've injur'd thee Alon. Not injur'd me who was it promis'd me Hippolyta Who his alliance and his friendship too And who has
is infinitely far from wise that will bestow one moments private meditation on such things And as for Comedie the finest folks you meet with there are still unfitter for your imitation for though within a leaf or two of the Prologue you are told that they are people of Wit good Hâ—mour good Manners and all that yet if the Authors did not kindly add their proper names you 'd never know them by their characters for whatsoe'er's the matter it hath happen'd so spightfully in several Playes which haâ—e been prettie well receiv'd of late that evâ—n thâ—se persons that were meant to be the ingenious Censors of the Play have either prov'd the most debauch'd or most unâ—ittie people in the Companie nor is this error very lamentable since as I take it Comedie was never meant either for a converting or confirming Ordinance In short I think a Play the best divertisement that wise men have but I do also think them nothing so who do discourse as formallie about the rules of it as if 't were the grand affair of humane life This being my opinion of Plays I studied only to make this as entertaining as I could which whether I have been successful in my gentle Reader you may for your shilling judge To â—ell you my thoughts of it were to little purpose for were they very ill you may be sure I would not have expâ—s'd it nor did I so till I had first consulted most of those who have a reputation for judgement of this kind who were at least so civil if not kind to it as did incourage me to venture it upon the Stage and in the Press Nor did I take their single word for it but us'd their reasons as a confirmation of my own Indeed that day 't was Acted first there comes me into the Pit a long lither phlegmatick â—hite ill-favour'd wretched Fop an officer in Masquerade newly transported with a Scarfe Feather out of France a sorry Animal that has nought else to shield it from the uttermost contempt of all mankind but that respect which â—e afford to Rats and Toads which though we do not well allow to live yet wheâ— considered as a part of Gods Creation we make honourable mention of them A thing Reader but no more of such a Smelt This thing I tell ye opening that which serves it for a mouth out issued such a noise as this to those that sate about it that they were to expect a woful Play God damn him for it was a womans Now how this came about I am not sure but I suppose he brought it piping hot from some who had with him the reputation of a villanous Wit for Creatures of his size of sence talk without all imagination such scraps as they pick up from other folks I would not for a world be taken arguing with such a propertie as this but if I thought there were a man of any tolerable parts who could upon mature deliberation distingâ—sh well his right-hand from his left and justly state the difference between the number of sixteen and two yet had this prejudice upon him I would take a little pains to make him know how much he errs For waving the examination â—hy women having equal education with men were not as capable of knowledge of whatever sort as well as they I 'l only say as I have touch'd before that Plays have no great room for that which is mens great advantage over women that is Learning We all well know that the immortal Shakespears Playes who was not guilty of much more of this than often falls to womens share have better pleas'd the World than Johnsons works though by the way 't is said that Benjamin was no such Rabbi neither for I am inform'd his Learning was but Grammer high sufficient indeed to rob poor Salust of his best Orations and it hath been observ'd that they are apt to admire him most confoundedly who have just such a scantling of itâ— as he had and I have seen a man the most severe of Johnsons Sect sit with his Hat remov'd less than a hairs breadth from one sullen posture for almost three hours at the Alâ—hymist who at that excellent Play of Harry the Fourth which yet I hope is far enough from Farce hath very hardly kept his Doublet whole but affectation hath always had a greater share both in the actions and discourse of men than truth and judgement have and for our Modern ones except our most unimitable Laureat I dare to say I know of none that write at such a formidable rate but that a woman may well hope to reach their greatâ—st hights Then for their musty rules of Vnity and God knows what besides if they meant any thing they are enough intelligable and as practible by a woman but really methinks they that disturb their heads with any other rules of Playes besides the making them pleasant and avoiding of scurrility might much better be imploy'd in studying how to improve mens too too imperfect knowledge of that ancient English Game which hight long Laurence And if Comedy should be the Picture of ridiculous mankind I wonder any one should think it such a sturdy task whilst we are furnish'd with such precious Originals as him I lately told you of if at least that Character do not dwindle into Farce and so become too mean an entertainment for thâ—se persons who are us'd to think Reader I have a complaint or two to make to you and I have done Know then this Play was hugely injur'd in the Acting for 't was done so imperfectly as never any was before which did more harm to this than it could have done to any of another sort the Plot being busie though I think not intricate and so requiring a continual attention which being inâ—errupted by the intolerable negligence of some that acted in it must needs much spoil the beauty on 't My Dutch Lover spoke but little of what I intended for him but supply'd it with a deal of idle stuff which I was wholly unacquainted with till I had heard it first from him so that Iack pudding ever us'd to do which though I knew before I gave him yet the part because I knew him so acceptable to most o' th' lighter â—eriwigs about the Town and he indeed did vex me so I could almost be angry 〈◊〉 Yet but Reader you remember I suppose a fusty piece of Latine that has past from hand to hand this thousand years they say and how much longer I can't tell in favour of the dead I intended him a habit much more notably ridiculous which ifâ— it can ever be important was so here for many of the Scenes in the three last Acts depended upon the mistakes of the Colonel for Haunce which the ill-favour'd likeness of their Habits is suppos'd to cause Lastly my Epilogue was promis'd me by a Person who had surely made it good if any but he failing of his word deputed one who has made
it as you see and to make out your penyworth you have it here The Prologue is by misfortune lost Now Reader I have eas'd my mind of all I had to say and so sans farther complyment Adieu The Actors Names AMâ—rosio A Nobleman of Spain Marcel His Son Silvio Supposed bastard Son to Ambrosio Antonio A German that has debauch'd Hippolyta Alonzo A Flaunders Colonel contracted to Hippolyta and newly arrived at Madrid Lovis His friend Carlo Father to Lovis and Euphemia Haunce van Ezel A Dutch Fop contracted to Euphemia newly arrived at Madrid Gload His Cash-keeper Pedro An old servant to Alonzo Euphemia In love with Alonzo Daughters to Ambrosio Hippolyta In love with Antonio Cleonte In love with Silvio Clarinda Sister unknown to Alonzo in love with Marcel Dormida Her Governess Francisca Woman to Cleonte Two Maids to Euphemia Olinda Dorice The Scene Madrid THE Dutch Lover ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Alonzo and Lovis in travelling habits attended by Pedro and Gload Lov. DEar Alonzo I shall love a Church the better this month for giving me a sight of thee whom I so little expected in this part of the World and less in so sanctifi'd a place What affair could be powerful enough to draw thee from the kind obliging Ladies of Bâ—abant Alon. First the sudden orders of my Prince Don Iohn and next a fair Lady Lov. A Lady can any of this Country relish with a man that has been us'd to the freedom of those of Bruxels from whence I suppose you are now arriv'd Alon. This morning landed from such a storm as set us all to making vows of conversion upon good conditions and that indeed brought me to Church Lov. In that very storm I landed too but with less senâ—e of danger than you being diverted with a pleasant fellow that came along with me and who is defign'd to marry a sister of mine against my will And now I think of him Gload where hast thou left this Master of thine Glo. At the Inne Sir in as lamentable a pickle as if he were still in the storm recruiting his emptyed stomach with Brandy and railing against all women-kind for your sisters sake who has made him undertake this voyage Lov. Well I 'l come to him go home before Exit Gload Alon. Prethee what thing is this Lov. Why 't is the Cashier to this Squire I spoke of a man of business and as wise as his Master but the graver Coxcomb of the two But this Lady Alonzo who is this Lady thou speak'st of shall not I know her we were wont to divide the spoils of Beauty as well as those of war between us Alon. O but this is no such prise thou wouldst hardly share this with the danger there 's Matrimony in the case Lov. Nay then keep her to thy self only let me know who 't is that can debauch thee to that scandalous way of life is she fair will she recompence the folly Alon. Faith I know not I never saw her yet but 't is the sister of Marcell whom we both knew last Summer in Flandens and where he and I contracted such a friendship that without other consideration he promis'd me Hippolyta for that 's his sisters name Lov. But wo't thou really marry her Alon. I consider my advantage in being allied to so considerable a man as Ambrosio her father I being now so unhappy as not to know my Birth or Parents Lov. I have often heard of some such thing but durst not ask the truth of it Alon. 'T is so all that I know of myself is that a Spanish Souldier who brought me up in the Army dying confest I was not his son which till then I believed and aâ— the age of twelve left me to shift for my self the fortune he inricht me with was his Horse and Arms with a few documents how to use them as I had seen him do with good success This servant and a Crucifix of value Poiâ—tâ— to Pedro. And from one degreâ— to another I arriv'd to what you knew me Colonel of the Princes Regiment and the glory of his favour Lov. Honour is the Child of Vertue and finds an owner every where Alon. Oh Sir you are a Courtier and have much the odds of a Souldier in parlies of this nature But hither I am come Lov. To be undone faith thou lookst ill uponâ—t Alon. I confess I am not altogether so brisk as I should have been upon another occasion you know Lovis I have been us'd to Christian liberty and hate this formal courtship Pox on 't wou'd 't were over Lov. Where all parties are agreed there 's little need of that and the Ladies of Spain whatever gravity they assume are as ready as any you ever met withal Alon. But there 's a damn'd custom that does not at all agree with men so frank and gay as thou and I there 's a deal of danger in the atchievement which some say hightens the pleasure but I am of another opinion Ped. Sir there is a female in a vail has follow'd us ever since we came from Church Alon. Some amorous adventure See she Enter Olinda advances Prethee retire there may be danger in it Pâ—ts Lovis back Lov. Oh then I must by no means leave you Lovis â—dvances Olin. Which of these two shall I chuse She look on both Sir you appear a stranger To Lovis Alon. We are both so Lady Olin. I shall spoil all and bring She looks again on both the wrong Sir you should be a Cavalier that Alon. Would gladly obey your orders Lov. Nay I find 't is all one to you which you chuse so you have one of us but would not both do better Olin. No Sir my commission's but to one Alon. Fix and proceed then let me be the man Olin. What shall I do they are both well Aside but I 'l e'en chuse as 't were for my self and hang me if I know which that shall be Looks on both Sir there is a Lady of quality and beauty who guessing you to be men of honour has sent me to one of you Alon. Me I am sure Lov. Me me he 's ingag'd already Alon. That 's foul play Lovis Olin. Well I must have but one and therefore I 'l wink and chuse Lov. I 'l not trust blind fortune Alon. Prethee Lovis let thee and I agree upon the matter and I find the Lady will be reasonable cross or pile who shall go Lov. Go Sir whither Alon. To the Lady that Lov. Sent for neither of us that I can hear of yet Olin. You will not hear me out but I 'l end the difference by chusing you Sir and if you 'l follow me To Alonzo at a distance I will conduct you where this Lady is Alon. Fair guide march on I 'l follow thee Offers to go Lov. You are not mad Sir 't is some abuse and dangerous Pulls him back Alon. Be not envious of my happiness Forbear a wench for fear of