'll hearken to you Hip. Yes my Lord I make no doubt as I shall take the course Which she shall never know till it be acted And when she wakes to honor then she 'll thank me for 't I 'll imitate the pities of old Surgeons To this lost limb who ere they show their art Cast one asleep then cut the diseas'd part So out of love to her I pity most She shall not feel him going till he 's lost Then she 'll commend the cure Exit Duke The great cure 's past I count this done already his wrath 's sure And speaks an injury deep farewel Leantio This place will never hear thee murmur more Our noble Brother welcome Enter Lord Cardinal attended Card. Set those lights down Depart till you be called Duke There 's serious business Fixed in his look nay it enclines a little To the dark colour of a discontentment Brother what is 't commands your eye so powerfully Speak you seem lost Card. The thing I look on seems so To my eyes lost for ever Duke You look on me Card. What a grief 't is to a religious feeling To think a man should have a friend so goodly So wise so noble nay a Duke a Brother And all this certainly damn'd Duke How Card. 'T is no wonder If your great sin can do 't dare you look up For thinking of a veng'ance dare you sleep For fear of never waking but to death And dedicate unto a strumpets love The strength of your affections zeal and health Here you stand now can you assure your pleasures You shall once more enjoy her but once more Alas you cannot what a misery 't is then To be more certain of eternal death Then of a next embrace nay shall I shew you How more unfortunate you stand in sin Then the love private man all his offences Like inclos'd grounds keep but about himself And seldom stretch beyond his own souls bounds And when a man grows miserable 't is some comfort When he 's no further charg'd then with himself 'T is a sweet ease to wretchedness But great man Ev'ry sin thou commit'st shews like a flame Upon a Mountain 't is seen far about And with a big wind made of popular breath The sparkles flie through Cities Here one takes Another catches there and in short time Waste all to cinders But remember still What burnt the Valleys first came from the Hill Ev'ry offence draws his particular pain But 't is example proves the great mans bane The sins of mean men lie like scatter'd parcels Of an unperfect bill but when such fall Then comes example and that sums up all And this your reason grants if men of good lives Who by their vertuous actions stir up others To noble and religious imitation Receive the greater glory after death As sin must needs confess what may they feel In height of torments and in weight of veng'ance Not onely they themselves not doing well But sets a light up to shew men to Hell Duke If you have done I have no more sweet Brother Card. I know time spent in goodness is too tedious This had not been a moments space in Lust now How dare you venture on eternal pain That cannot bear a minuts reprehension Methinks you should endure to hear that talkt of Which you so strive to suffer Oh my Brother What were you if you were taken now My heart weeps blood to think on 't 't is a work Of infinite mercy you can never merit That yet you are not death-struck no not yet I dare not stay you long for fear you should not Have time enough allow'd you to repent in There 's but this Wall betwixt you and destruction When y' are at strongest and but poor thin clay Think upon 't Brother can you come so near it For a fair strumpets love and fall into A torment that knows neither end nor bottom For beauty but the deepness of a skin And that not of their own neither Is she a thing Whom sickness dare not visit or age look on Or death resist does the worm shun her grave If not as your soul knows it why should Lust Bring man to lasting pain for rotten dust Duke Brother of spotless honor let me weep The first of my repentance in thy bosome And shew the blest fruits of a thankful spirit And if I ere keep woman more unlawfully May I want penitence at my greatest need And wisemen know there is no barren place Threatens more famine then a dearth in grace Card. Why here 's a conversion is at this time Brother Sung for a Himn in Heaven and at this instant The powers of darkness groan makes all Hell sorry First I praise Heaven then in my work I glory Who 's there attends without Enter Servants Serv. My Lord Card. Take up those lights there was a thicker darkness When they came first The peace of a fair Soul Keep with my noble Brother Exit Cardinal c. Duke Joys be with you Sir She lies alone to night for 't and must still Though it be hard to conquer but I have vow'd Never to know her as a strumpet more And I must save my oath if Fury fail not Her husband dies to night or at the most Lives not to see the morning spent to morrow Then will I make her lawfully mine own Without this sin and horror Now I 'm chidden For what I shall enjoy then unforbidden And I 'll not freeze in Stoves 't is but a while Live like a hopeful Bridegroom chaste from flesh And pleasure then will seem new fair and fresh Exit Scaen 2. Enter Hippolito Hip: The morning so far wasted yet his baseness So impudent See if the very Sun do not blush at him Dare he do thus much and know me alive Put case one must be vitious as I know my self Monstrously guilty there 's a blinde time made for 't He might use onely that 't were conscionable Art silence closeness subtlety and darkness Are fit for such a business but there 's no pity To be bestow'd on an apparent sinner An impudent day-light Leacher the great zeal I bear to her advancement in this match With Lord Vincentio as the Duke has wrought it To the perpetual honor of our house Puts fire into my blood to purge the air Of this corruption fear it spread too far And poyson the whole hopes of this fair fortune I love her good so dearly that no Brother Shall venture farther for a Sisters glory Then I for her preferment Enter Leantio and a Page Lean. Once again I 'll see that glistring Whore shines like a Serpent Now the Court Sun 's upon her Page Page Anon Sir I 'll go in state too see the Coach be ready Lean. I 'll hurry away presently Hip. Yes you shall hurry And the Devil after you take that at setting forth Now and you 'll draw we are upon equal terms Sir Thou took'st advantage of my name in honor Upon my Sister I nev'r
if a privy search were made amongst 'em they should finde other manner of ware about 'em Cups Rings and Silver Spoons by 'r Lady Bracelets Pearl Neck-laces and Chains of Gold sometimes they are the wittiest theeves I 'll stay no longer but ev'n go look what I can steal now presently and so begin to bring my self acquainted with 'em Exit Lact. Nothing I fear so much as in this time Of my dull absence her first love the General Will wind himself into her affection By secret gifts and Letters there 's the mischief I have no enemy like him though my policy Dissembled him a welcome no mans hate Can stick more close unto a loath'd disease Then mine to him Enter Lord Cardinal L. Card. What ails this pretty Boy to weep so often Tell me the cause childe how his eyes stand full Beshrew you Nephew you 're too bitter to him He is so soft th' unkindness of a word Melts him into a woman 'lass poor Boy Thou shalt not serve him longer 't were great pity That thou shouldst wait upon an angry Master I have promis'd thee to one will make much of thee And hold thy weak youth in most deer respect Page Oh I beseech your Grace that I may serve No Master else L. Card. Thou shalt not Mine's a Mistress The greatest Mistress in all Milan Boy The Dutchess self Page Nor her nor any L. Card. Cease Boy Thou knowest not thine own happiness through fondness And therefore must be learn't go dry thine eyes Page This rather is the way to make 'em moister Exit Page L. Card. Now Nephew Nephew Lact. Oh y'have snatcht my spirit Sir From the divinest Meditation That ever made Soul happy L. Card. I am afraid I shall have as much toil to bring him on now As I had pains to keep her off from him I have thought it fit Nephew considering The present barrenness of our name and house The onely Famine of succeeding honor To move the ripeness of your time to marriage Lact. How Sir to marriage L. Card. Yes to a fruitful life We must not all be strict so generation Would lose her right thou' rt yong 't is my desire To see thee bestow'd happily in my life time Lact. Does your Grace well remember who I am When you speak this L. Card. Yes very perfectly Y' are a yong man full in the grace of life And made to do love credit proper handsome And for affection pregnant Lact. I beseech you Sir Take off your praises rather then bestow 'em Upon so frail a use alas you know Sir I know not what love is or what you speak of If woman be amongst it I shall swoun take her away For contemplation's sake most serious Uncle Name no such thing to me L. Card. Come come you 'r fond Prove but so strict and obstinate in age And you are well to pass There 's honest love Allow'd you now for recreation The years will come when all delights must leave you Stick close to Vertue then in the mean time There 's honorable joys to keep youth company And if death take you there dying no adulterer You 'r out of his eternal reach defie him List hither come to me and with great thankfulness Welcome thy Fortunes 't is the Dutchess loves thee Lact. The Dutchess L. Card. Dotes on thee Will die for thee Unless she may enjoy thee Lact. She must die then L. Card. How Lact. Alas do you think she ever means to do 't Sir I 'll sooner believe all a woman speaks Then that she 'll die for love She has a vow my Lord That will keep life in her L. Card. Believe me then That should have bounteous interest in thy Faith She 's thine and not her vows the more my sorrow My toil and my destruction Lact. My blood dances L. Card. And though that bashful Maiden vertue in thee That never held familiar league with woman Binds fast all pity to her heart that loves thee Let me prevail my counsel stands up to thee Embrace it as the fulness of thy Fortunes As if all blessings upon Earth were clos'd Within one happiness for such an other Whole life could never meet with go and present Your service and your love but on your hopes Do it religiously What need I doubt him Whom Chastity locks up Lact. Oh Envy hadst thou no other means to come by vertue But by such treachery The Dutchess love Thou wouldst be sure to aim it high enough Thou knew'st full well 't was no prevailing else Sir what your will commands mine shall fulfil I 'll teach my heart in all t' obey your will Enter Lords L. Card. A thing you shall not lose by Here come the Lords Go follow you the course that I advised you The comfort of thy presence is expected Away with speed to Court she languishes For one deer sight of thee For life's sake haste You lose my favor if you let her perish Lact. And art thou come brave Fortune the reward Of neat hypocrisie that ever book't it Or turn'd up transitory white o' th' eye After the Feminine rapture Dutchess and I Were a fit match can be deny'd of no man The best dissembler lights on the best woman 'T were sin to part us Exit L. Card. You Lights of State Truths Friends much honored Lords Faithful admirers of our Dutchess vertues And firm Believers it appears as plain As knowledge to the eyes of industry That neither private motion which holds counsel Often with womans frailty and her blood Nor publick sight the lightning of temptations Which from the eye strikes sparks into the bosom And sets whole hearts on fire hath power to raise A heat in her 'bove that which feeds chaste life And gives that cherishing means she 's the same still And seems so seriously imploy'd in soul As if she could not tend to cast an eye Upon deserts so low as those in man It merits famous memory I confess Yet many times when I behold her youth And think upon the lost hopes of posterity Succession and the royal fruits of Beauty All by the rashness of one vow made desperate It goes so near my heart I feel it painful And wakes me into pity oftentimes When others sleep unmov'd 1 Lord I speak it faithfully For 't is poor fame to boast of a disease Your Grace has not endured that pain alone T' has been a grief of mine but where 's the remedy L. Card. True there your Lordship spake enough in little There 's nothing to be hoped for but repulses She 's not to seek for armor against love That has bid battel to his powers so long He that should try her now had need come strong And with more force then his own Arguments Or he may part disgrac'd being put to flight That Soldier 's tough has been in seven years fight Her vow 's invincible for you must grant this If those desires train'd up in flesh and blood To war continually 'gainst
dull sight have I how long I pray Sir Hip. Since I first saw you Neece and left Bologna Neece And could you deal so unkindly with my heart To keep it up so long hid from my pitty Alas how shall I trust your love hereafter Have we past through so many arguments And miss'd of that still the most needful one Walk'd out whole nights together in discourses And the main point forgot We are too blame both This is an obstinate wilful forgetfulness And faulty on both parts Let 's lose no time now Begin good Uncle you that feel 't what is it Hip. You of all creatures Neece must never hear on 't 'T is not a thing ordain'd for you to know Neece Not I Sir all my joys that word cuts off You made profession once you lov'd me best 'T was but profession Hip. Yes I do 't too truly And fear I shall be chid for 't Know the worst then I love thee dearlier then an Uncle can Neece Why so you ever said and I believ'd it Hip. So simple is the goodness of her thoughts They understand not yet th' unhallowed language Of a near sinner I must yet be forced Though blushes be my venture to come nearer As a man love's his wife so love I thee Neece What 's that Methought I heard ill news come toward me Which commonly we understand too soon Then over-quick at hearing I 'll prevent it Though my joys fare the harder welcome it It shall nev'r come so near mine ear again Farewel all friendly solaces and discourses I 'll learn to live without ye for your dangers Are greater then your comforts what 's become Of truth in love if such we cannot trust When blood that should be love is mix'd with lust Exit Hip. The worst can be but death and let it come He that lives joyless ev'ry day 's his doom Exit Scaen. 3. Enter Leantio alone Lean. Methinks I 'm ev'n as dull now at departure As men observe great Gallants the next day After a Revels you shall see 'em look Much of my fashion if you mark 'em well 'T is ev'n a second Hell to part from pleasure When man has got a smack on 't As many holidays Coming together makes your poor heads idle A great while after and are said to stick Fast in their fingers ends ev'n so does game In a new married couple for the time It spoils all thrift and indeed lies a Bed To invent all the new ways for great expences Brancha and Mother above See and she be not got on purpose now Into the Window to look after me I have no power to go now and I should be hang'd Farewel all business I desire no more Then I see yonder let the goods at Key Look to themselves why should I toil my youth out It is but begging two or three year sooner And stay with her continually is 't a match O fie what a Religion have I leap'd into Get out again for shame the man loves best When his care 's most that shows his zeal to love Fondness is but the Idiot to Affection That plays at Hot-cockles with rich Merchants wives Good to make sport withal when the Chest 's full And the long Ware house cracks 'T is time of day For us to be more wise 't is early with us And if they lose the morning of their affairs They commonly lose the best part of the day Those that are wealthy and have got enough 'T is after Sun-set with 'em they may rest Grow fat with ease banket and toy and play When such as I enter the heat o' th' day And I 'll do 't cheerfully Bran. I perceive Sir Y' are not gone yet I have good hope you 'll stay now Lean. Farewel I must not Bran. Come come pray return To morrow adding but a little care more Will dispatch all as well believe me 't will Sir Lean. I could well wish my self where you would have me But love that 's wanton must be rul'd a while By that that 's careful or all goes to ruine As fitting is a Government in Love As in a Kingdom where 't is all meer Lust 'T is like an insurrection in the people That rais'd in Self-wil wars against all Reason But Love that is respective for increase Is like a good King that keeps all in peace Once more farewel Bran. But this one night I prethee Lean. Alas I 'm in for twenty if I stay And then for forty more I have such luck to flesh I never bought a horse but he bore double If I stay any longer I shall turn An everlasting spend-thrift as you love To be maintain'd well do not call me again For then I shall not care which end goes forward Again farewel to thee Exit Bran. Since it must farewel too Moth. 'Faith daughter y' are too blame you take the course To make him an ill husband troth you do And that disease is catching I can tell you I and soon taken by a yongmans blood And that with little urging Nay fie see now What cause have you to weep would I had no more That have liv'd threescore years there were a cause And 't were well thought on trust me y' are too blame His absence cannot last five days at utmost Why should those tears be fetch'd forth cannot love Be ev'n as well express'd in a good look But it must see her face still in a Fountain It shows like a Country Maid dressing her head By a dish of water Come 't is an old custom To weep for love Enter two or three Boys and a Citizen or two with an Apprentice Boys Now they come now they come 2. The Duke 3. The State Cit. How near Boy 1 Boy I' th' next street Sir hard at hand Cit. You sirra get a standing for your Mistress The best in all the City Apprent. I hav 't for her Sir 'T was a thing I provided for her over night 'T is ready at her pleasure Cit. Fetch her to 't then away Sir Bran. What 's the meaning of this hurry Can you tell Mother Moth. What a memory Have I I see by that years come upon me Why 't is a yearly custom and solemnity Religiously observ'd by th' Duke and State To St. Marks Temple the fifteenth of April See if my dull brains had not quite forgot it 'T was happily question'd of thee I had gone down else Sat like a drone below and never thought on 't I would not to be ten years yonger again That you had lost the sight now you shall see Our Duke a goodly Gentleman of his years Bran. Is he old then Moth. About some fifty five Bran. That 's no great age in man he 's then at best For wisdom and for judgment Moth. The Lord Cardinal His noble Brother there 's a comly Gentleman And greater in devotion then in blood Bran. He 's worthy to be mark'd Moth. You shall behold All our cheif states of Florence you came fortunately
Against this solemn day Bran. I hope so always Musick Moth. I hear 'em near us now do you stand easily Bran. Exceeding well good Mother Moth. Take this stool Bran. I need it not I thank you Moth. Use your will then Enter in great solemnity six Knights bare-headed then two Cardinals and then the Lord Cardinal then the Duke after him the States of Florence by two and two with varity of Musick and Song Exit Moth. How like you Daughter Bran. 'T is a Noble State Methinks my soul could dwell upon the reverence Of such a solemn and most worthy custom Did not the Duke look up me-thought he saw us Moth. That 's ev'ry one's conceit that sees a Duke If he look stedfastly he looks strait at them When he perhaps good careful Gentleman Never mindes any but the look he casts Is at his own intentions and his object Onely the publick good Bran. Most likely so Moth. Come come we 'll end this Argument below Exeunt Act. 2. Scaen. 1. Enter Hippolito and Lady Livia the Widow Liv. A Strange affection Brother when I think on 't I wonder how thou cam'st by 't Hip. Ev'n as easily As man comes by destruction which oft-times He wears in his own bosom Liv. Is the world So populous in Women and Creation So prodigal in Beauty and so various Yet do's love turn thy point to thine own blood 'T is somewhat too unkindly must thy eye Dwell evilly on the fairness of thy kinred And seek not where it should it is confin'd Now in a narrower prison then was made for 't It is allow'd a stranger and where bounty Is made the great mans honor 't is ill husbandry To spare and servants shall have small thanks for 't So he Heavens bounty seems to scorn and mock That spares free means and spends of his own stock Hip. Never was mans misery so soon sow'd up Counting how truly Liv. Nay I love you so That I shall venture much to keep a change from you So fearful as this grief will bring upon you Faith it even kills me when I see you faint Under a reprehension and I 'll leave it Though I know nothing can be better for you Prethee sweet Brother let not passion waste The goodness of thy time and of thy fortune Thou keep'st the treasure of that life I love As dearly as mine own and if you think My former words too bitter which were ministred By truth and zeal 't is but a hazarding Of grace and vertue and I can bring forth As pleasant Fruits as Sensualitie wishes In all her teeming longings This I can do Hip. Oh nothing that can make my wishes perfect Liv. I would that love of yours were pawn'd to 't Brother And as soon lost that way as I could win Sir I could give as shreud a lift to Chastity As any she that wears a tongue in Florence Sh 'ad need be a good horse-woman and sit fast Whom my strong argument could not fling at last Prethee take courage man though I should counsel Another to despair yet I am pitiful To thy afflictions and will venture hard I will not name for what 't is not handsom Finde you the proof and praise me Hip. Then I fear me I shall not praise you in haste Liv. This is the comfort You are not the first Brother has attempted Things more forbidden then this seems to be I 'll minister all Cordials now to you Because I 'll cheer you up Sir Hip. I am past hope Liv. Love thou shalt see me do a strange cure then As e'r was wrought on a disease so mortal And near akin to shame when shall you see her Hip. Never in comfort more Liv. Y' are so impatient too Hip. Will you believe death sh' has forsworn my company And seal'd it with a blush Liv. So I perceive All lies upon my hands then well the more glory When the works finish'd How now Sir the news Enter Servant Serv. Madam your Neece the vertuous Isabela Is lighted now to see you Liv. That 's great fortune Sir your Stars bless you simple lead her in Exit Servant Hip. What 's this to me Liv. Your absence gentle Brother I must bestir my wits for you Hip. I to great purpose Exit Hippolito Liv. Beshrew you would I lov'd you not so well I 'll go to Bed and leave this deed undone I am the fondest where I once affect The carefull'st of their healths and of their ease forsooth That I look still but slenderly to mine own I take a course to pity him so much now That I have none left for modesty and my self This 't is to grow so liberal y'have few sisters That love their Brothers ease 'bove their own honesties But if you question my affections That will be found my fault Neece your love 's welcome Alas what draws that paleness to thy cheeks This inforc'd marriage towards Enter Isabella the Neece Isab. It helps good Aunt Amongst some other griefs but those I 'll keep Lock'd up in modest silence for they 'r sorrows Would shame the Tongue more then they grieve the thought Liv. Indeed the Ward is simple Isab. Simple that were well Why one might make good shift with such a husband But he 's a fool entail'd he halts down-right in 't Liv. And knowing this I hope 't is at your choice To take or refuse Neece Isab. You see it is not I loath him more then beauty can hate death Or age her spightful neighbor Liv. Let 's appear then Isab. How can I being born with that obedience That must submit unto a fathers will If he command I must of force consent Liv. Alas poor soul be not offended prethee If I set by the name of Neece a while And bring in pity in a stranger fashion It lies here in this Brest would cross this match Isab. How cross it Aunt Liv. I and give thee more liberty Then thou hast reason yet to apprehend Isab. Sweet Aunt in goodness keep not hid from me What may befriend my life Liv. Yes yes I must When I return to reputation And think upon the solemn Vow I made To your dead Mother my most loving Sister As long as I have her memory 'twixt mine eye lids Look for no pity now Isab. Kinde sweet dear Aunt Liv. No 't was a secret I have took special care of Delivered by your Mother on her death bed That 's nine years now and I 'll not part from 't yet Though nev'r was fitter time nor greater cause for 't Isab. As you desire the praises of a Virgin Liv. Good sorrow I would do thee any kindness Not wronging Secrecy or Reputation Isab. Neither of which as I have hope of frûitness Shall receive wrong from me Liv. Nay 't would be your own wrong As much as any 's should it come to that once Isab. I need no better means to work perswasion then Liv. Let it suffice you may refuse this fool Or you may take him as you
thing Every one sees not you can witness that Widow Moth. And that 's worth sight indeed Madam Bran. Kinde Lady I fear I came to be a trouble to you Liv. Oh nothing less forsooth Bran. And to this courteous Gentleman That wears a kindness in his Brest so noble And bounteous to the welcome of a stranger Guard If you but give acceptance to my service You do the greatest grace and honor to me That curtesie can merit Bran. I were too blame else And out of fashion much I pray you lead Sir Liv. After a game or two w' are for you Gentle folks Guard We wish no better seconds in Society Then your discourses Madam and your partners there Moth. I thank your praise I listen'd to you Sir Though when you spoke there came a paltry Rook Full in my way and choaks up all my game Exit Guardiano Brancha Liv. Alas poor Widow I shall be too hard for thee Moth. Y' are cunning at the game I 'll be sworn Madam Liv. It will be found so ere I give you over She that can place her man well Moth. As you do Madam Liv. As I shall Wench can never lose her game Nay nay the black King 's mine Moth. Cry you mercy Madam Liv. And this my Queen Moth. I see 't now Liv. Here 's a Duke Will strike a sure stroke for the game anon Your pawn cannot come back to relieve it self Moth. I know that Madam Liv. You play well the whilst How she belies her skill I hold two duckats I give you Check and Mate to your white King Simplicity it self your Saintish King there Moth. Well ere now Lady I have seen the fall of Subtilty Jest on Liv. I but Simplicitie receives two for one Moth. What remedy but patience Enter above Guardiano and Brancha Bran. Trust me Sir Mine eye nev'r met with fairer Ornaments Guard Nay livelier I 'm perswaded neither Florence Nor Venice can produce Bran. Sir my opinion Takes your part highly Guard There 's a better peece Yet then all these Duke above Bran. Not possible Sir Guard Believe it You 'll say so when you see 't Turn but your eye now Y' are upon 't presently Exit Bran. Oh Sir Duke He 's gone Beauty Pish look not after him He 's but a vapor That when the Sun appears is seen no more Bran. Oh treachery to honor Duke Prethee tremble not I feel thy brest shake like a Turtle panting Under a loving hand that makes much on 't Why art so fearful as I 'm friend to brightness There 's nothing but respect and honor near thee You know me you have seen me here 's a heart Can witness I have seen thee Bran. The more 's my danger Duke The more 's thy happiness Pish strive not Sweet This strength were excellent employ'd in love now But here 's 't is spent amiss strive not to seek Thy liberty and keep me still in prison Y faith you shall not out till I 'm releast now We 'll be both freed together or stay still by 't So is captivity pleasant Bran. Oh my Lord Duke I am not here in vain have but the leisure To think on that and thou 'lt be soon resolv'd The lifting of thy voice is but like one That does exalt his enemy who proving high Lays all the plots to confound him that rais'd him Take warning I beseech thee thou seem'st to me A creature so compos'd of gentleness And delicate meekness such as bless the faces Of figures that are drawn for Goddesses And makes Art proud to look upon her work I should be sorry the least force should lay An unkinde touch upon thee Bran. Oh my extremity My Lord what seek you Duke Love Bran. 'T is gone already I have a husband Duke That 's a single comfort Take a friend to him Bran. That 's a double mischeif Or else there 's no Religion Duke Do not tremble At fears of thine own making Bran. Nor great Lord Make me not bold with death and deeds of ruine Because they fear not you me they must fright Then am I best in health Should thunder speak And none regard it it had lost the name And were as good be still I 'm not like those That take their soundest sleeps in greatest tempests Then wake I most the weather fearfullest And call for strength to vertue Duke Sure I think Thou know'st the way to please me I affect A passionate pleading 'bove an easie yeilding But never pitied any they deserve none That will not pity me I can command Think upon that yet if thou truly knewest The infinite pleasure my affection takes In gentle fair entreatings when loves businesses Are carried curteously 'twixt heart and heart You 'ld make more haste to please me Bran. Why should you seek Sir To take away that you can never give Duke But I give better in exchange wealth honor She that is fortunate in a Dukes favor Lights on a Tree that bears all womens wishes If your own Mother saw you pluck fruit there She would commend your wit and praise the time Of your Nativity take hold of glory Do not I know y'have cast away your life Upon necessities means meerly doubtful To keep you in indifferent health and fashion A thing I heard too lately and soon pitied And can you be so much your Beauties enemy To kiss away a moneth or two in wedlock And weep whole years in wants for ever after Come play the wife wench and provide for ever Let storms come when they list they finde thee shelter'd Should any doubt arise let nothing trouble thee Put trust in our love for the managing Of all to thy hearts peace We 'll walk together And shew a thankful joy for both our fortunes Exit above Liv. Did not I say my Duke would fetch you over Widow Moth. I think you spoke in earnest when you said it Madam Liv. And my black King makes all the haste he can too Moth. Well Madam we may meet with him in time yet Liv. I have given thee blinde mate twice Moth. You may see Madam My eyes begin to fail Liv. I 'll swear they do Wench Enter Guardiano Guard I can but smile as often as I think on 't How prettily the poor fool was beguild How unexpectedly it 's a witty age Never were finer snares for womens honesties Then are devis'd in these days no Spiders web Made of a daintier thred then are now practis'd To catch loves flesh-flie by the silver wing Yet to prepare her stomach by degrees To Cupids feast because I saw 't was quezy I shew'd her naked pictures by the way A bit to stay the appetite Well Advancement I venture hard to finde thee if thou com'st With a greater title set upon thy Crest I 'll take that first cross patiently and wait Until some other comes greater then that I 'll endure all Liv. The game 's ev'n at the best now you may see Widow How all things draw to an end Moth.
Ev'n so do I Madam Liv. I pray take some of your neighbors along with you Moth. They must be those are almost twice your years then If they be chose fit matches for my time Madam Liv. Has not my Duke bestir'd himself Moth. Yes faith Madam h 'as done me all the mischief in this Game Liv. H 'as shew'd himself in 's kinde Moth. In 's kinde call you it I may swear that Liv. Yes faith and keep your oath Guard Hark list there 's some body coming down 't is she Enter Brancha Bran. Now bless me from a blasting I saw that now Fearful for any womans eye to look on Infectious mists and mill-dews hang at 's eyes The weather of a doomsday dwells upon him Yet since mine honor 's Leprous who should I Preserve that fair that caus'd the Leprosie Come poyson all at once Thou in whose baseness The bane of Vertue broods I 'm bound in Soul Eternally to curse thy smooth brow'd treachery That wore the fair vail of a friendly welcome And I a stranger think upon 't 't is worth it Murders pil'd up upon a guilty spirit At his last breath will not lie heavier Then this betraying Act upon thy Conscience Beware of offring the first-fruits to sin His weight is deadly who commits with strumpets After they have been abas'd and made for use If they offend to th' death as wise men know How much more they then that first make 'em so I give thee that to feed on I 'm made bold now I thank thy treachery sin and I 'm acquainted No couple greater and I 'm like that great one Who making politick use of a base villain He likes the Treason well but hates the Traytor So I hate thee slave Guard Well so the Duke love me I fare not much amiss then two great Feasts Do seldom come together in one day We must not look for 'em Bran. What at it still Mother Moth. You see we sit by 't are you so soon return'd Liv. So lively and so chearful a good sign that Moth. You have not seen all since sure Bran. That have I Mother The Monument and all I 'm so beholding To this kinde honest curteous Gentleman You 'ld little think it Mother show'd me all Had me from place to place so fashionably The kindness of some people how 't exceeds 'Faith I have seen that I little thought to see I' th' morning when I rose Moth. Nay so I told you Before you saw 't it would prove worth your sight I give you great thanks for my daughter Sir And all your kindness towards her Guard O good Widow Much good may do her forty weeks hence y'faith Enter Servant Liv. Now Sir Serv. May 't please you Madam to walk in Supper 's upon the Table Liv. Yes we come Wilt please you Gentlewoman Bran. Thanks vertuous Lady Y' are a damn'd Baud I 'll follow you forsooth Pray take my Mother in an old Ass go with you This Gentleman and I vow not to part Liv. Then get you both before Bran. There lies his art Exeunt Liv. Widow I 'll follow you is 't so Damn'd Baud Are you so bitter 'T is but want of use Her tender modesty is Sea-sick a little Being not accustom'd to the breaking billow Of Womans wavering Faith blown with temptations 'T is but a qualm of honor 't will away A little bitter for the time but lasts not Sin tastes at the first draught like Worm-wood Water But drunk again 't is Nectar ever after Exit Act. 3. Scaen. 1. Enter Mother Moth. I Would my Son would either keep at home Or I were in my grave she was but one day abroad but ever since She 's grown so cutted there 's no speaking to her Whether the sight of great chear at my Ladies And such mean fare at home work discontent in her I know not but I 'm sure she 's strangely alter'd I 'll nev'r keep daughter-in-law i' th' house with me Again if I had an hundred When read I of any That agreed long together but she and her mother Fell out in the first quarter nay sometime A grudging of a scolding the first week by 'r Lady So takes the new disease methinks in my house I 'm weary of my part there 's nothing likes her I know not how to please her here a-late And here she comes Enter Brancha Bran: This is the strangest house For all defects as ever Gentlewoman Made shift withal to pass away her love in Why is there not a Cushion-cloth of Drawn work Or some fair Cut-work pin'd up in my Bed-chamber A silver and gilt-casting Bottle hung by 't Nay since I am content to be so kinde to you To spare you for a silver Bason and Ewre Which one of my fashion looks for of duty She 's never offered under where she sleeps Moth. She talks of things here my whole state 's not worth Bran. Never a green silk quilt is there i' th' house Mother To cast upon my Bed Moth. No by troth is there Nor orange tawny neither Bran. Here 's a house For a yong Gentlewoman to be got with childe in Moth. Yes simple though you make it there has been three Got in a year in 't since you move me to 't And all as sweet fac'd children and as lovely As you 'll be Mother of I will not spare you What cannot children be begot think you Without gilt casting Bottles Yes and as sweet ones The Millers daughter brings forth as white boys As she that bathes her self with Milk and Bean flower 'T is an old saying One may keep good cheer In a mean house so may true love affect After the rate of Princes in a Cottage Bran. Troth you speak wondrous well for your old house here 'T will shortly fall down at your feet to thank you Or stoop when you go to Bed like a good childe To ask you blessing Must I live in want Because my fortune matcht me with your Son Wives do not give away themselves to husbands To the end to be quite cast away they look To be the better us'd and tender'd rather Highlier respected and maintain'd the richer They 're well rewarded else for the free gift Of their whole life to a husband I ask less now Then what I had at home when I was a Maid And at my Fathers house kept short of that Which a wife knows she must have nay and will Will Mother if she be not a fool born And report went of me that I could wrangle For what I wanted when I was two hours old And by that copy this Land still I hold You hear me Mother Exit Moth. I too plain methinks And were I somewhat deafer when you spake 'T were nev'r awhit the worse for my quietness 'T is the most sudden'st strangest alteration And the most subtilest that ev'r wit at threescore Was puzzled to finde out I know no cause for 't but She 's no more like the Gentlewoman at first Then
conflict in my Brest This tedious War 'twixt two Affections Crown me with victory and my heart 's at peace Enter Hippolito and Guardiano like Shepherds Hip. Make me that happy man thou mighty Goddess Guard But I live most in hope if truest love Merit the greatest comfort Isab. I love both With such an even and fair affection I know not which to speak for which to wish for Till thou great Arbitress 'twixt lovers hearts By thy auspicious Grace design the man Which pitty I implore Both We all implore it Isab. And after sighs contritions truest odors Livia descends like Juno I offer to thy powerful Deity This precious Incense may it ascend peacefully And if it keep true touch my good Aunt Juno 'T will try your immortality er 't be long I fear you 'll never get so nigh Heaven again When you 're once down Liv. Though you and your affections Seem all as dark to our illustrious brightness As nights inheritance Hell we pitty you And your requests are granted You ask signs They shall be given you we 'll be gracious to you He of those twain which we determine for you Loves Arrows shall wound twice the later wound Betokens love in age for so are all Whose love continues firmly all their life time Twice wounded at their marriage else affection Dies when youth ends This favor overcomes me Now for a sign of wealth and golden days Bright-ey'd Prosperity which all couples love I and makes love take that Our Brother Jove Never denies us of his burning treasure T' express bounty Duke She falls down upon 't What 's the conceit of that Fab. As over-joy'd be like Too much prosperity overjoyes us all And she has her lapful it seems my Lord Duke This swerves a little from the Argument though Look you my Lords Guard All 's fast now comes my part to toll him hither Then with a stamp given he 's dispatch'd as cunningly Hip. Stark dead Oh treachery cruelly made away how 's that Fab. Look there 's one of the Lovers dropt away too Duke Why sure this plot 's drawn false here 's no such thing Liv. Oh I am sick to th' death let me down quickly This fume is deadly Oh 't' has poyson'd me My subtilty is sped her art h 'as quitted me My own ambition pulls me down to ruine Hip. Nay then I kiss thy cold lips and applaud This thy revenge in death Fab. Look Juno's down too Cupids shoot What makes she there her pride should keep aloft She was wont to scorn the Earth in other shows Methinks her Peacocks Feathers are much pull'd Hip. Oh death runs through my blood in a wilde flame too Plague of those Cupids some lay hold on 'em Let 'em not 'scape they have spoil'd me the shaft 's deadly Duke I have lost my self in this quite Hip. My great Lords we are all confounded Duke How Hip. Dead and I worse Fab. Dead my Girl dead I hope My Sister Juno has not serv'd me so Hip. Lust and forgetfulness has been amongst us And we are brought to nothing Some blest Charity Lend me the speeding Pitty of his Sword To quench this fire in blood Leantio's death Has brought all this upon us now I taste it And made us lay plots to confound each other The event so proves it and mans understanding Is riper at his fall then all his life time She in a madness for her lovers death Reveal'd a fearful Lust in our near bloods For which I am punish'd dreadfully and unlook'd for Prov'd her own ruine too Veng'ance met Vengeance Like a set match as if the plague of sin Had been agreed to meet here altogether But how her fawning partner fell I reach not Unless caught by some spring of his own setting For on my pain he never dream'd of dying The plot was all his own and he had cunning Enough to save himself but 't is the property Of guilty deeds to draw your wisemen downward Therefore the wonder ceases Oh this torment Duke Our Guard below there Enter a Lord with a Guard Lord My Lord Hip. Run and meet death then And cut off time and pain Lord Behold my Lord h 'as run his Brest upon a weapons point Duke Upon the first night of our nuptial honors Destruction play her triumph and great mischiefs Mask in expected pleasures 't is prodigious They 're things most fearfully ominous I like 'em not Remove these ruin'd bodies from our eyes Bran. Not yet no change when falls he to the Earth Lord Please but your Excellence to peruse that Paper Which is a brief confession from the heart Of him that fell first ere his soul departed And there the darkness of these deeds speaks plainly 'T is the full scope the manner and intent His Ward that ignorantly let him down Fear put to present flight at the voice of him Bran. Nor yet Duke Read read for I am lost in sight and strength L. Card. My noble Brother Bran. Oh the curse of wretchedness My deadly hand is faln upon my Lord Destruction take me to thee give me way The pains and plagues of a lost soul upon him That hinders me a moment Duke My heart swells bigger yet help here break 't ope My brest flies open next Bran. Oh with the poyson That was prepar'd for thee thee Cardinal 'T was meant for thee L. Card. Poor Prince Bran. Accursed Error Give me thy last breath thou infected bosome And wrap two spirits in one poyson'd vapor Thus thus reward thy murderer and turn death Into a parting kiss My soul stands ready at my lips Ev'n vext to stay one minute after thee L. Card. The greatest sorrow and astonishment That ever struck the general peace of Florence Dwells in this hour Bran. So my desires are satisfied I feel deaths power within me Thou hast prevail'd in something cursed poyson Though thy cheif force was spent in my Lords bosom But my deformity in spirit 's more foul A blemish'd face best fits a leprous soul What make I here these are all strangers to me Not known but by their malice now th' art gone Nor do I seek their pities Card. O restrain Her ignorant wilful hand Bran. Now do 't is done Leantio Now I feel the breach of marriage At my heart-breaking Oh the deadly snares That Women set for Women without pity Either to soul or honor Learn by me To know your foes In this belief I die Like our own Sex we have no Enemy no Enemy Lord See my Lord What shift sh 'as made to be her own destruction Bran. Pride Greatness Honors Beauty Youth Ambition You must all down together there 's no help for 't Yet this my gladness is that I remove Tasting the same death in a cup of love L. Card. Sin what thou art these ruines show too piteously Two Kings on one Throne cannot sit together But one must needs down for his Titles wrong So where lust raigns that Prince cannot raign long Exeunt FINIS