this I le goe for sustenance and O you powers If euer true repentance wan acceptance O shew it Albert now and let him saue His wronged beauty from vntimely graue Exit Albert Ma. Sure some thing spake or els my feebled sence Hath lost the vse of its due property VVhich is more likely then that in this place The voice of humane creature should be heard This is farre distant from the pathes of men Nothing breaths here but wilde and rauening beasts VVith ayry monsters whose shaddowing wings doe seeme To taste a vale of death in wicked liuers VVhich I liue dreadlesse of and euery hower Striue to meete death who still vnkinde auoids me But that now gentle famine doth begin For to giue end to my calamities See here is caru'd vpon this trees smooth barke Lines knit in verse a chaunce farre vnexpected Assist me breath a little to vnfold what they include I that haue writ these lines am one whose sinne The Writing Is more then grieuous for know that I haue beene A breaker of my faith with one whose brest Was all compos'd of truth but I digrest And fled them brats of his deare friendships loue Clasping to falshood did a vilane proue As thus shall be exprest my worthy friend Lou'd a faire beauty who did condiscend In dearest affection to his vertuous will He then a night appointed to fulfill Hymens blest-rites and to conuey away His loues faire person to which peerelesse pray I was acquainted made and when the hower Of her escape drew on then lust did power Inraged appetite through all my veines And base desires in me let loose the reines To my licentious will and that blacke night When my friend should haue had his chast delight I fain'd his presence and by her thought him Rob'd that faire virgin of her honors Iem For which most heynous crime vpon each tree I write this story that mens eyes may see None but a damn'd one would haue done like me Is Albert then become so penitent As in these desarts to deplore his facts Which his vnfain'd repentance seemes to cleere How good man is when he laments his ill VVho would not pardon now that mans misdeeds Whose griefes bewaile them thus could I now liue I 'de remit thy fault with Carracus But death no longer will afford repreeue Of my aboundant woes wrong'd Carracus farewell Liue and forgiue thy wrongs for the repentance Of him that caus'd them so deserues from thee And since my eyes do witnesse Alberts griefe I pardon Albert in my wrongs the chiefe Enter Albert like a Hermit Alb. How pardon me O sound Angelicall But see shee faints O heauens now shew your power That these distilled waters made in griefe May ad some comfort to affliction Looke vp faire youth and see a remedy Ma. O who disturbs me I was hand in hand VValking with death vnto the house of rest Al. Let death walke by himselfe if a want company There 's many thousands boy whose aged yeeres Haue tane a surfet of earths vanities They will goe with him when he please to call To drinke my boy thy pleasing tender youth Cannot deserue to dye no it is for vs VVhose yeeres are laden by our often sinnes Singing the last part of our blest repentance Are fit for death and none but such as we Death ought to claime for when a snatcheth youth It shewes him but a tyrant but when age Then is a iust and not compos'd of rage How fares my lad Ma. Like one imbracing death with all his parts Reaching at life but with one little finger His minde so firmely knit vnto the first That vnto him the latter seemes to be VVhat may be pointed at but not possest Al. O but thou shalt possesse it If thou didst feare thy death but as I doe Thou wouldst take pitty though not of thy selfe Yet of my aged yeeres trust me my boy Tha 'st strucke such deepe compassion in my breast That all the moisture which prolongs my life VVill from my eyes gush forth if now thou leau'st me Ma. But can we liue here in this desart wood If not I le die for other places seeme Like tortures to my griefes may I liue here Alb. I thou shalt liue with me and I will I tell thee Such strang occurrents of my fore-past life That all thy young sprung griefes shall seeme but sparkes To the great fire of my calamities Then I le liue onely with you for to heare If any humane woes can be like mine Yet since my being in this darkesome desart I haue read on trees most lamentable stories Alb. T is true indeed there 's one within these woods VVhose name is Albert a man so full of sorrow That one each tree he passeth by he earues Such dolefull lines for his rash follies past That who so reades them and not drown'd in teares Must haue a heart fram'd forth of Addamant Ma. And can you helpe to the sight of him Alb. I when thou wilt bele often come to me And at my Caue sit a whole winters night Recounting of his stories I tell thee boy Had he offended more then did that man VVho stole the fire from heauen his contrition VVould appease all the gods and quite reuert Their wrath to mercy but come my pretty boy VVele to my Caue and after some repose Relate the sequell of each others woes Exeunt Enter Carracus Ca. What a way haue I come yet I know not whither The ayers so cold this winter season I 'me sure a foole would any but an asse Leaue a warme matted chamber and a bed To run thus in the cold and which is more To seeke a woman a slight thing cald woman Creatures with curious nature fram'd as I suppose For rent receauers to her treasury And why I thinke so now I le giue you instance Most men doe know that natures selfe hath made them Most profitable members then if so By often trading in the common wealth They needs must be inricht why very good To whom ought beauty then repaie this gaine VVhich shee by natures gift hath profited But vnto nature why all this I graunt VVhy then they shall no more be called woman For I will stile them thus scorning their leaue Those that for nature doe much rent receaue This is a wood sure and as I haue read In woods are Eccho's which will answere men To euery question which they do propound Echo Echo Echo Ca. O are you there haue at ye then ifaith Echo canst tell me whether men or women Are for the most part damb'd Echo most part damb'd Ca. Of both indeed how true this Echo speakes Echo now tel me if mongst 1000. women There be one chaste or none Echo none Ca. Why so I thinke better and better still Now further Echo in a world of men Is there one faithfull to his friend or no Echo no Ca. Thou speak'st most true for I haue found it so Who sayd thou wast a woman
Atlas be it so I le ene goe write this rime ouer my beds head Undone by folly fortune lend me more Canst thou and wilt not pox on such a where And so I le set vp my rest but see Atlas here 's a little of that that dambs Lawyers take it in part of a further recompence Atlas No pray keepe it I am conceited of your better fortunes and therefore will stay out that expectation Ha. Why if you will you may but the surmounting of my fortunes is as much to be doubted as he whose estate lies in the lotterie desperate At. But nere despaire sfoote why should not you liue aswel as a thousand others that were change of taffety whose meanes were neuer anything Ha. Yes cheating theft and pandarising or may be flattery I haue maintained some of them my selfe but come hast aught to breakefast At. Yes there 's the fagg end of a leg of mutton Ha. There cānot be a sweeter dish it has Cost mony the dressing At. At the barbours you meane Exeunt Enter Albert solus At. This is the greene and this the chamberwindow and see appointed light stands in the casement the ladder of ropes set orderly yet he that should ascend slow in his hast is not at yet come hether We rt any friend that liues but Carracus I 'de trie the blisse which this fine time presents Appoint to carry hence so rare an heire And be so slacke sfoote a doth moue my patience Would any man that is not voide of sence Not haue watcht night by night for such a prise Her beautie 's so attractiue that by heauen My heart halfe graunts to doe my friend a wrong Forgoe these thoughts for Albert be not slaue To thy effection doe not falsifie Thy faith to him whose onely friendships worth A world of women hee is such a one Thou canst not liue without his good A is and was euer as thine owne harts blood Sfoot see shee beckens me for Carracus Maria beckens him in the window Shall my base purity cause me neglect This present happinesse I will obteyne it Spight of my tymerous Conscience I am in person Habit and all so like to Carracus It may be acted and neere called in question Ma. cals Hist Carracus ascend All is as cleere as in our hearts we wisht Alb. Nay if I goe not now I might be gelded ifaith Albert ascends and being on the top of the ladder puts outs the candle Ma. O loue why doe soe Alb. I heard the steps of some comming this way Did you not heare Albert passe by as yet Ma. Nor any Creature passe this way this howre Alb. Then hee intends iust at the breake of day To lend his trusty helpe to our departure T is yet two howres time thether till when le ts rest For that our speedy flight will not yeeld any Ma. But I feare we possessing of each others presence shall ouerslip the time will your friend call Alb. Iust at the instant feare not of his Care Ma. Come then deere Carracus thou now shalt rest Vpon that bed where fancy oft hath thought thee Which kindnesse vntill now I nere did graunt thee Nor would I now but that thy loyall faith I haue so often tride euen now Seeing thee come to that most honored end Through all the dangers which blacke night presents For to conuey me hence and marry me Alb. If I doe not doe so then hate me euer Ma. I doe beleeue thee and will hate thee neuer Exeunt Enter Carracus How pleasing are the steps we louers make When in the paths of our content wee pace To meet our longings what happinesse it is Man to loue But oh what greater blisse To loue and be beloued O what one vertue Ere raignd in me that I should be inricht With all Earths good at once I haue a friend Selected by the heauens as a gift To make me happy whilst I liue one earth A man so rare of goodnesse firme of faith That Earths Content must vanish in his death Then for my loue and mistris of my soule A maid of rich endowments beautified With all the vertues nature could bestow Vpon mortality who this happy night Will make me gainer of her heauenly selfe And see how suddenly I haue attaind To the abode of my desired wishes This is the greene how darke the night appeares I cannot heare the tread of my true friend Albert hist Albert hee s not come as yet Nor is th appointed light set in the window What if I call Maria it may be Shee feard to set a light and onely harkeneth To heare my steps and yet I dare not call Least I betray my selfe and that my voice Thinking to enter in the eares of her Be of some other heard no I will stay Vntill the comming of my deare friend Albert But now thinke Carracus what the end will be Of this thou dost determine thou art come Hether to Rob a father of that wealth That soly lengthens his now drooping yeares His vertuous daughter and all of that sex left To make him happy in his aged dayes The losse of her may cause him to dispaire Transport his nere decaying sence to frenzie Or to some such abhorred inconuenience Whereto fraile age is subiect I do too il in this And must not thinke but that a fathers plaint Wil moue the Heauens to power forth misery Vpon the head of disobediency Yet reason tels vs parents are oreseene VVhen with two strict a reine they do hold in Their childs affections and controule that loue VVhich the high powers deuine inspires them with VVhen in their shallowest iudgements they may know Affection crost brings misery and woe But whilst I run contemplating on this I softly pace to my desired blisse I le goe into the next field where my friend Told me the horses were in readinesse Exit Albert descending from Maria Ma. But do not stay what if you finde not Albert Alb. I le then retourne alone to fetch you hence Ma. If you should now deceaue me hauing gain'd what you men seeke for Alb. Sooner I le deceaue my soule and so I feare I haue Ma. At your first call I will descend Alb. Till when this touch of lips be the true pleadge of Carracus constant true deuoted loue Ma. Be sure you stay not long farewell I cannot lend an eare to heare you part Exit Ma. Alb. But you did lend a hand vnto my entrance He descends How haue I wrong'd my friend my faith full friend Robd him of what 's more precious then his blood His earthly heauen th' unspotted honor Of his soule-ioying Mistres the fruition of whose bed I yet am warme of whilst deere Carracus Wanders this cold night through th' unsheltering field Seeking me treacherous man yet no man neither Though in an outward shew of such appearance But am a Diuel indeed for so this deed Of wronged loue and friendship rightly makes me I may compare my friend to one that 's
need to doe Yet wealth without that may liue more content Then wits enioyers can debard of wealth All pray for wealth but I nere hard yet Of anie but one that ere praid for wit Hee s counted wife enough in these vaine times That hath but meanes enough to we are gay clothes And be an outside of humanitie what matters it a pin How indiscreet so ere a natur all be So that his wealth be great that 's it doth cause VVisdome in these daies so giue fooles applause And when gay folly speakes how vaine so ere VVisdome must silent sit and speech forbear We. Then wisdome will sit as mure as learning among many Courtiers but father I partlie suspect that Carracus hath got my sister Fa. With Childe I feare ere this We. Berlady and that may be true but whether a has or no it s al one if you please I le take her from vnder his nose in spight on s teeth and aske him no leaue Fa. That were to headstrong sonne wee le rather leaue them to the will of heauen To fall or prosper and though young Carracus Be but a gentleman of small reuennews Yet lie deserues my daughter for his vertues And had I though shee could not be withdrawne From th' affecting of him I had ere this Made them both happy by my free consent VVhich now I wish I had graunted and still pray If any haue her it may be Carracus We. Troth and I wish so too for in my minde hee s a gent. of a good house and speakes true lattine Fa. To morrow sonne you shall ride to his house And there enquier of your sisters being But as you tender me and your owne good Vse no rough language sauouring of distast Or any vnciuil tearmes We. Why doe ye take me for a mid-wife Fa. But tell young Carracus these words from me That if he hath with safegard of her honor Espousd my daughter that I then forgiue His rash offence and will accept of him In all the fatherly loue I owe a childe We. I am sure my sister will be glad to heare it and I cannot blame her for shee le then inioy that with quietnesse which many a wench in these dayes does scratch for Fa. Come sonne I le wright to Carracus that my owne hand may witnesse how much I stand affected to his worth Exeunt Enter Haddid in his gay apparel making him ready and with him Lightfoote Had. By this light Coze this suite does rarely the taylor that made it may happe to be saued an t be but for his good workes I thinke I shall be proud of em and so I was neuer yet of any clothes Li. How not of your Clothes why then you were neuer proud of any thing for therein chiefly consisteth pride for you neuer saw pride pictured but in gay attire Ha. True but in my opinion pride might as well be portraied in any other shape as to seeme to be an affector of gallantry being the causes thereof are so seuerall and diuers as some are proud of their strength although that pride cost them the losse of a limbe or two by ouer-daring likewise some are proud of their humor although in that humor they be often knockt for being so some are proud of their drinke although that liquid operation cause them to weare a night cap 3. weeks after some are proud of their good parts although they neuer put them to better vses then the enioying of a common strumpets company and are only made proud by the fauor of a waiting woman others are proud Li. Nay I preethee Coze enough of pride but when do you entend to go yonder to Couetousnesse the Vsurer that we may see how neere your plot wil take for the releasing of your mortgag'd lands Ha. Why now presently and if I do not accomplish my proiects to a wished end I wish my fortunes may be like some scraping tradesman that neuer embraceth true pleasure till he be threescore and ten Li. But say Hogs daughter on whom all your hopes depend by this be betrothed to some other Ha. VVhy say shee were nay more maried to another I would be neare the further of them effecting of my intents no Coze I partly know her inward disposition and did I but only know her to be woman kind I thinke it were sufficient Li. Sufficient for what Had. VVhy to obtaine a graunt of the best thing shee had Chastity Man t is not here as t is with you in the Countrey not to be had without fathers and mothers good will no the City is a place of more traffique where each one learnes by example of their elders to make the most of their owne either for profit or pleasure Li. T is but your misbeleeuing thoughts makes you surmise so if women were so kind how haps you had not by their factors kept your selfe out of the clawes of pouerty Had. O but Coze Can a ship saile without water had I had but such a suite as this to set my selfe a floate I would not haue fear'd sincking but come no more of need now to the Vsurer and though all hopes do faile a man can want no liuing So long as sweet desire reignes in women Li. But then your selfe must able be in giuing Exeunt Enter Albert solus Conscience thou horror vnto wicked men VVhen wilt thou cease thy all afflicted wrath And set my soule free from the laborinth Of thy tormenting terror O but it fits not Should I desire redresse or wish for comfort That haue committed an act so inhumane Able to fill shames spatious Chronicle Who but a damn'd one could haue done like me Robd my deere friend in a short moments time Of his loues high pri'zd Iem of Chastity That which so many yeeres himselfe hath staid for How often hath he as he lay in bed Sweetly discourst to me of his Maria And with what pleasing passions a did suffer Loues gentle war-siege then he would relate How he first came vnto her faire eyes view How long it was ere shee could brooke affection And then how constant shee did still abide I then at this would ioy as if my brest Had simpathi'zd in equall happinesse With my true friend but now when ioy should be VVho but a damn'd one would haue done like me He hath been married now at least a moneth In all which time I haue not once behold him This is his house I le call to know his health but will not see him My lookes would then betray me for should he aske My cause of seeming sadnesse or the like I could not but reueale and so pourd on VVorse vnto id which breeds confusion He knocks Enter Seruingman Ser. To what intent d ee knocke sir Al. Because I wold be heard sir is the Mr. of this house within Ser. Yes marry is a sir would you speake with him Alb. My businesse is not so troublesome Is a in health with his late espoused wife Ser. Both are
not be so long as a Lords can stand her in any stead come you shall with me to my Lord and father whose warrants wee will haue for the apprehending of all suspitious liues and though the labour be infinite you must consider your losse is so Hog Come I le doe any thing to gaine my golde Pe. Till which be had my fare will be but cold Exeunt Enter Haddit Rob. Lightfoote and Priest Had. Now Mr. Parson we will no further trouble you and for the tying of our true loue knot here 's a small amends Prie. T is more then due sir yet I le take it all Should kindnesse be dispis'd good will would fall Vnto a lower ebbe should we detest The gratefull giuers gift Verissimo est Had. It 's true indeed good morrow honest Parson Pe. Yet if you please sir Iohn will backe surrender The ouerplus of what you now did tender Ha. O by no meanes I pree thee friend good-morrow Li Why if you please Sir Iohn to me restore The ouerplus I le giue it to the poore Pe. O pardon sir for by our worships leaue We ought to giue from whence we doe receaue Had. VVhy then to me sir Iohn Pri. To all a kinde good morrow Exit Priest Ha. A most fine Vicar there was no other meanes to be rid of him but why are you so sad Rebecka Re. To thinke in what estate my father is VVhen he beholds that he is meerely guld Had. Nay be not grieu'd for that which should rather giue you cause of content for 't will be a meanes to make him abandon his auarice and saue a soule almost incurable but now to our owne affaires this marriage of ours must not yet be known least it breed suspition we will bring you Rebeck a vnto Atlas his house whil'st we two goe vnto the old Lord Welthies hauing some acquaintance with his sonne in law Carracus who I vnderstand is there where no question but we shall finde your father proclaiming his losse thether you shall come some what after vs as it were to seeke him where I doubt not but so to order the matter that I will receaue you as my wife from his own hands Re. May it so happy proue Li. Amen say I for should our last tricke be knowne great Cressus shade would haue a coniured time on t Had. T is true his Castle of Addamant would scarce holde him but come this will be good cause for laughter hereafter Then we le relate how this great bird was puld Of his rich fethers and most finely guld Exeunt Enter old Lo. Welthy with Car. Ma. and Albert Lo. More welcome Carrucus then friendly truce To a besieged Citty all distrest How early this glad morning are you come To make me happy for pardon of your offence I 'ue giuen a blessing which may heauen confirme In trebble manner on your vertuous liues And may our liues and duty daily striue To be found worthy of that louing fauour Which from your reuerent age we now receaue Without desert or merrit Enter young Wel. Hogge Peter We. Roome for a desirer of Iustice what my sister Maria Who thought to haue met you here Ma. You may see brother vnlook't for guests proofe often troublesome We. Well but is your husband there any quieter then a was Ca. Sir I must desire you to forget all iniuries if in not being my selfe I offered you any Alb. I le see that peace concluded We. Which I agree to for patience is a vertue father Hogge Ho. Was it you sonne that cride so loud for iustice We. Yes marry was it and this the party to whome it appertaines Ho. O my most honored lord I am vndone rob'd this black night of all the wealth and treasure which these many yeeres I haue howerly labored for Lo. And who are those haue done this outrage to you Ho. Oh knew I that I then my lord were happy Lo. Come you for Iustice then not knowing 'gainst whom the course of Iustice should extend it selfe Nor yet suspect you none Ho. None but the diuell We. I thought a was a Cheater ere since I heard two or three Templers sweare at dice the last Christmas that the diuel had got all Enter Haddit and Lightfoote Ha. My kinde acquaintance Ioy to thy good successe Ca. Noble and free-borne Haddit welcome Li. Mr. Hogge good-day Ho. For I haue had a bad night on 't Li. Sicknesse is incident to age what be the writings ready to be sealed wee intreated last day Ho. Yes I thinke they are would the Scriuiner were paid for the making them Li. A shal be so though I doote my selfe is the mony put vp as I appointed Ho. Yes t is put vp confusion cease the receiuers Li. Heauen blesse vs all what meane you sir Ho. O sir I was robb'd this night of all I had My daughter to is lost and I vndone Li. Marry God forbid after what manner I pray Ho. O to recount sir will breede more ruth Then did the tale of that high Troian Duke To the sad fated Carthagenian Queene Ha. What exclamations that Li. What you will grieue at Coze Your worshipfull friend M. Hogge is robb'd Ha. Rob'd by whom or how Li. O there 's the griefe a knowes not whome to suspect Ha. The feare of hell oretake them whatsoere they be but where 's your daughter I hope she is safe Enter Re Ho. Thankes heauen I see shee 's now so where hast thou been my girle Re. Alas sir carried by amazemēt I know not where pursu'd by the robbers forc't to fly as mad affright through al the City streets to seek redresse but that lay fast asleepe in all mens houses nor would lend an eare to the distrest Ha. O heauy accident but see you grieue too much Being your daughter 's found for th' other losse Since t is the will of heauen to giue and take Value it as nothing you haue yet sufficient To liue in blest content had you no more But my small mortgage for your daughter here Whom I haue euer lov'd in deer'st affection If so you please so much to fauour me I will accept her spight of pouerty And make her iointure of some store of land Which by the losse of a good aged friend Late fell to me what i st a match or no Ho. It is Then I le haue witnesse on 't my lord and gent Please you draw neere to be here witnesses To a wisht contract twixt this maid and I Omnes We all are willing Ho. Then in the presence of you all I giue my daughter freely to this gent. as wife and to shew how much I stand affected to him for dowry with her I doe backe restore his mortgag'd lands and for their loues I vowe euer hereafter to detest renounce loath and abhorre all slauish auarice Which doth ascend from hell sent by the diuell To be 'mongst men the actor of all euill Om. A blest conuersion Lo. A good far vnexpected and now gentlemen I do enuite you all to feast with me This happy day that we may altogether Applaud his good successe and let this day be spent In sports and shewes with gladsome merriment Come blest conuerted man wee le lead the way As vnto heauen I hope we shall Ho. Heauen graunt we may Ca. Come my Maria and repentent friend Wee three haue tasted worst of misery Which now adde ioy to our felicity Ha. We three are happy wee haue gain'd much wealth And though we haue done it by a tricke of stealth Yet all I trust are pleas'd and will our ill acquite Since it hath sau'd a soule was hells by right We. To follow after then our lot doth fall Now rime it Peter Pe. A good night to all Exeunt omnes FINIS EPILOGVE NOW expectation hath at full receiued What we late promised if in ought we haue pleased T is all vve sought to accomplish and much more Then our vveake merrit dares to attribute Vnto it selfe till you vouchsafe to dayne In your kinde censure so to gratifie Our triuiall labours If it hath pleased the iudiciall eare Wee haue our Authors wish and void of feare Dare ignorant men to shew their worst of hate It not detracts but adds vnto that state Where desert florisheth Wee le rest applouded in their derogation Though with an hisse they crowne that confirmation For this our Author saith i ft proue distastfull He onely grieues you spent two houres so wast-full But if it like and you affect his pen You may commaund it when you please agen