victualls which they charg'd me to buy no ordinary fare no more it shall and therefore I haue cast it thus First and foremost wee will haue yes downe it shall we will haue a Gammon of Bacon roasted and stufft with Oysters And sixe Black-Puddings to bee serued vp in Sorrell-sops A pickell'd shoulder of Mutton and a surloyne of Beefe in White-broth so much for the first course Now for the second we will haue a Cherry-Tart cut into Rashers and broyled A Custard Carbonado'd on the coales A liue Eele swimming in clowted Creame And sixe Sheepes-heads baked with the hornes peerâ—â—gout of the pasty-crust The morrall is because it is a wedding dinner Enter Stroza with another Lord. Stro. The ioyfull day 's to morrow Passe this plunge And we are made for euer Clowne What my old Polititian hee that vndermin'd my old Lady and my yong Mistris now that I could find but one stratagem to blow him vp I would tosse him I would blanket him i' th Ayre and make him cut an Italian caper in the Clouds These Polititians can doe more execution with a pen in their studies then a good Souldier with his sword in the field but he hath spi'd mee Stro. Thee friend I should haue knowne Clowne And you too I should haue knowne but whether for a friend or no ther 's the question Stro. Thou seru'st the Generall Sforsa Clow. I confesse it but whether you haue seru'd him well or no there hangs a Tale. Stro. How doth thy noble Lady faire Lauretta They haue left Millaine long reside they here Neere to the City Florence Clow. Some three miles off here in the Forrest not halfe an houres riding Stro. I pray thee recommend me to them both And say It shall goe hard with mine affaires But I le find season'd houres to visit them Clow. You shall not want directions to find the place come when you will you shall be most heartily poyson'd Stro. Tell them The newes that they are well Is wondrous pleasing to me and that power I haue in Millaine is reseru'd for them To worke them into grace I can but smile To see how close I haue plotted thier exile Now businesse calls me hence farewell Exit Clow. And behang'd Monsieur Stroza whose description My Muse hath included in these few lines Stroza Thy Head is of a compely Block And would shew well crown'd with the combe of Cock His Face an Inne his Brow a sluttish Roome His Nose the Chamberlaine his Beard the Broome Or like New-market Heath that makes theeues rich In which his Mouth stands iust like Deuills-ditch And so farewell to your worship graue Mounsieur Stroza For I must about my market Exeunt Actus Quartus A Dumbe shew Enter at one doore the Duke of Millaine Iulia Stroza and a Bishop At the other doore the Duke of Florens the Prince and Mounsieur with attendants Then the Bishop takes thier hands and makes signes to marry them and then the Prince speakes Prince Stay till we be resolu'd Florens What meanes our sonne Princ. Not to be gull'd by the best Prince in Europe Much lesse by Millaine Millaine Sir be plaine with vs. Prin. I much suspect that Ladies Chastity Millaine Hers. Prin. I haue said Stroza Ther 's Worme-wood Millaine I came in termes of Honour Brought with me all my comforts here on earth My daughter to bestow her on thy son Poore Lady innocently comming forsaking all Father and Countrey to betake her selfe Vnto his bosome and is she for all this Branded with shame Stro. Who can acuse her speake what probabilities What ground the place the meanes the season how Shee did become corrupt Prince Sir so we haue heard Stro. Produce the witnesse and behould I stand The Champion for her honour and will auerre Her Chaste aboue degree infinitely honest Oh Prince what can you ground such iniury Vpon vaine heare-say Speake for your selfe take spirit Iulia. Apart to herselfe Came we thus farre to be thus wrong'd Stro. Was the slaue neuer Christen'd hath hee no name Iulia. Haue you sent for me to accuse me heere In this stange Clime It is not Princely done Prince O Heauen how am I perplext Floren. Sonne Sonne you wrong Your selfe and me too to accuse a Lady Of such high birth and fame vnlesse you confesse Your selfe to haue err'd you needs must forfeit vs. Moun. My Lord yeeld to your father lest you draw His wrath vpon you Prince Well since I must I will Your pardon Royall Father Yours faire Princesse And yours great Duke If I shall find my self truely to haue err'd I shall confesse your chastity much iniur'd Iulia Submission is to me full recompence Milla. My daughters honour Stro. Doe not stand off my Lord If she be wrong'd shee 's not much behind-hand Milla. Oh let me alone Stroza Flor. Nay good Brother Accept him as your Sonne Milla. My hearts no closet for reuenge t is done Prin. Now heare my protestations I receiue This Ladies hand on these Conditions If you my Lord her father or her selfe Know her selfe faulty Oh confesse it here Before the Ceremonies fasten on me for if hereafter I find you once corrupted by this right hand My future hopes my Fathers royalty And all the honours due vnto our house He haue as many liues and heads for it As he hath Manners Castles Liues and Towres It shall be worthy to be bookt in Chronicles Of all strange tongues And therefore beautious Lady As you esteeme a Prince his name or honour That you l be a Mecenas vnto vertue If in the least of these you guilty be Pull backe your hand Stro. What if you find her chaste Prin. If chaste she shall be dearer farre to me Then my owne soule I will respect her honour Equall with that of my great Ancestours All this I vow as I am Prince and vertuous Stro. Then ioyne their hands Prin. Shee 's mine Set forwards then Exeunt all but Stroza Stro. All goes not well This iugling will be found Then where am I then would I were safe in Millaine Here Matchiuell th'wast hatcht Could not the same Planet inspire this pate of mine with some Rare stratagem worthy a lasting Character No 't will not be my braine is at a non-plus For I am dull Enter Millaine Milla. Stroza Stro. My Lord. Milla. Oh now or neuer Stroza Stro. I am turn'd Foole Asse Iddeott Are they married Milla. Yes and the Prince after the Ceremonie Imbrac'd her louingly Stro. But the hell is That they must lie together ther 's the Deuill Milla. And then Stro. And then we are disgrac'd and sham'd Milla. Canst thou not help't man Stro. Why you would make A man midwife woo'd you I haue no skill Milla. Stroza awake th' art drowsie Stro. Peace interrupt me not I ha'te so to reuenge mee vpon her Whom most I hate To Strumpet her 't were braue Milla. Counsell aduise me Stro. You le make me mad my Lord And in this sweet reuenge I am not onely
to bring me to the Buttery hatch and neuer make me drinke Prince Sirrah conduct those Ladies to the Lodge And tell the Keeper we haue stor'd for him A better fortune you shall heare further from vs You vsher them Hunt Come Ladies will you walke Clow. How now sawce-boxe know your manners was not I Gentleman vsher before you came Am not I hee that did the bottle bring Come Ladies follow me Exit Clowne with Ladies with Huntsman Moun. Your purpose Sir is to loue this Lady And hazard all your hopes Prince Oh gentle Friend Why was I borne high but to raise their hopes That are deiected so much for my bounty Moun. But for your loue Prince It is with no intent To make the Maide my wife because I know Her fortunes cannot equall mine Moun. Then 't were more dishonorable To strumpet her Prince Still thou mistak'st mine Is honourable loue and built on vertue Nor would I for the Emperours Diademe Corrupt her whom I loue Moun. Braue Prince I 'me glad That ere I kept thy Company Prince Come Mounsieur night steales on not many yeares Shall passe me but I purpose to reuisite This my new Mistresse my auspicious fate To thee my happy loue I consecrate Exeunt A Dumbe show Enter the Duke of Milleinâ— a Midwife with a young Childe and after them Stroza the Duke shewes the Childe to Stroza hee takes it then the Duke sweares them both to secrecy vpon his Sword and exit with the Midwife then Stroza goes to hide it and Parma dogs him when hee hath laid the Childe in a Corner he departs in haste and Parma takes up the Childe and speakes Par. Thou shouldst be mind and durst I for my Head Euen in the open Court I 'de challenge thee But I haue so incenst th' offended Duke And layd such heauy spots vpon her head I cannot doo 't wiht safety methinkes this Child Doth looke me in the face as if 't would call Me Father and but this suspected Stroza Stuft my too credulous eares with iealousies For thee sweete Babe I 'le sweare that if not all Part of my blood runnes in thy tender veynes For those few drops I will not see the perish Be it for her sake whom once I lou'd And shall doe euer Oh iniurious Stroza I now begin to feare for this sweete Babe Hath in his face no bastardy but shewes A Princely semblance but Stroza and the Duke This will I keepe as charie as her honour The which I prize aboue the Vniuerse Though she were forc't to be unnaturall I 'le take to me this Infants pupillage Nor yet resolu'd till I a way haue found To make that perfect which is yet vnsound Exit Explicit Actus Secundus Enter Milleine with Lords and Iulia. Milleine Forbeare my Lords for a few priuate words Faire Daughter wee 'le not chide you farther now Nor adde vnto your blushes by our rude Reproofes your faults are couered with these your sighes Since all your fire of lust is quencht in ashes Iul. Durst I presume my Lord to know Whither you have send my sonne Mil. I 'le not haue it question'd I striue to salue thy honour and thou seek'st To publish thy disgrace my study is Where I may picke thee out a noble Husband To shadow these dishonours and keepe thee From the like scandall Iul. Whom but Parmaes Prince Mil. Oh name him not thou strumpet Iul. I haue done Mil. There 's a Prince of noble hopes and fortunes The Prince of Florence what if I sent to him About a speedy Marriage for I feare Delay may breed strange doubts Iul. Since I haue lost the name of Child I am a seruant now and must obey Enter Stroza and Lords Mil. Stroza Str. Your eare my Lord 't is done Mil. Laid out Str. To safety as I hope Mil. What and suspectlesse Str. Vnlesse the silent Groue of Trees should blabe There is no feare of scandall mantled close I left the sucking Babe where the next passenger Must finde it needes and so it hapned for Some two yeares after Passing that way to know where 't was become 'T was gone and by some courteous hand I hope Remou'd to gentle fosterage Mil. My excellent friend For this wee 'le bosome thee your counsel Stroza Our Daughter 's growne to yeares and we intend To picke her out a Husband in whose issue Her name may flourish and her honours liue All Lords Most carefully deuis'd Mil. But where my Lords May we prouide a match to equall her 1 Lord Ferrara hath a faire and hopefull Heire 2 Lord And so hath Mantua 3 Lord How do you prize the Noble Florentine 1 Lord In fame no whit inferiour 2 Lord But in state Many degrees excelling aime no further Sir if that may be accepted Duke To Florence then wee 'le streight dispatch Embassadours Stroza bee 't your care to mannage this high businesse Oh to see How Parents loue descends and how soe're The Children proue vngratefull and vnkinde Though they deride we weepe our poore eyes blinde Excum Enter Clowne gallant and the Huntiman Clow. Nay nay the case is alter'd with mee since you saw me last I was neuer in any hope to purchase any other suite then that I wore yesterday but now I can say Ecce signum the case is alter'd Now euery begger comes vpon me with good Gentleman good Gentleman when yesterday Gentlemen would haue shun'd the way for feare I should haue begg'd of them Then comes another vpon mee with good your Worship good your Worship then doe I double my fyles and cast him a 〈◊〉 two pence Hunt Sirrah thou may st thanke the Prince for this Clow. Tnou say'st true for he hath chang'd our woodden Dishes to Si uer Coblets goodly large Arras that neuer yet deseru'd hanging he hath caus'd to be hang'd round about the Chamber My Lady and Mistresse now my Lady and Mistresse lyes ouer head and cares in Downe and Feathers well if they be rui'd by me I would haue them to keepe their beds Hunt Why wouldst thou haue them lye a bed all day Clow. Oh dull ignorant I meane knowing how hard they haue bin lodg'd in the Forrest I would not haue them sell away their beds and lie vpon the boords Hunt Oh now I vnderstand you sir. Clow Ey ey thou may'st get much vnderstanding by keeping my company But Sir does not the new Gowne the Prince sent my Mistresse become her most incomparably Hunt 'T is true 't is strange to see how Apparrell makes or maries Clow. Right for yeasterday thou wouldst haue taken me for a very Clowne a very Clowne and now to see to see Enter Mother and the young Lady gallant Wife Sirrah Clow. Madam Lau. To see if the Tayler that made your Gowne hath put ne're an Mâ—vnâ—er your Girdle there belongs more to beaten Sâ—tin then sirrah Lau. What thinke you Mother of the Prince his bounty His venue and perfection Wife He 's a mirrour and deserues a name
Amongst the famous Worthies Lau. Hâ—ighâ—e Wife Why sigh you Lau. Pray tell me one thing Mother when you were Of my yeares and first lou'd how did you feele Your selfe Wife Loue Daughter Clow. Shee talkes Now if shee should be enuamored of my comely shape for I haue as they say such a foolish yong and relenting heart I should neuer say her nay I should neuer weare off this stand further off Lau. Stand farther off sir. Clow. No I 'le assure your Ladiship 't is beaten Sattin Lau. Then take your Sattin farther Clow. Your Ladiship hath coniur'd me and I will auoide Satan Lau. Had you not sometimes musings sometimes extasies VVhen some delicate aboue other VVas present Wife I aduise you curbe your sence in time Or you will bring your selfe into the way Of much dishonour Lau. And speake you by experience Mother then I doe begin to feare lest that his shape Should tempt me or his bounty worke aboue My strength and patience pray Mother leaue vs neuer Lest that without your Company my loue Contending with my weakenesse should in time Get of the vpper hand Wife For this I loue thee Enter Clowne running Clow. So hoe Mistris Madam yonder is the Prince and two or three Gentlemen come riding vpon the goodliest Horses that euer I set my eyes vpon and the Princes Horse did no sooner see me but he weeighed and wagg'd his tayle now I thinking he had done it to take acquaintance of me said againe to him Gramery Horse so I left them and came to tell your Ladiship Lau. Goe see them stabled my soule leapt within me To heare the Prince but named Enter Prince and Mounsieur Prince Now my faire Friend Lau. Your hand-mayd mighty Prince Prince Looke Mounsieur Can she be lesse then Noble nay deserues she Thus habited to be tearm'd lesse then Royall What thinkst thou Mounsieur Moun. Faith my Lord I neuer loue a woman for her habite When sir I loue I 'le fee my lone starke naked Prince Right courteous Lady Our bounty is too sparing for your worth Yet such as 't is accept it Wife Royall Sir 'T is beyond hope or merit Prince I prithee Mounsieur A little comp ement with that old Lady Whilst I conferre with her Moun. I thanke you Sir See you would make me a sir Panderus Hee talkes with the old Lady Yet farre as I can see you I will trust you Sweete Lady how long is 't nay keepe that hand Since those fierce warres 'twixt Florence and great Millaine Nay that hand still Prince And haue you ne're a loue then Lau. Yes my Lord I should belye my owne thoughts to deny And say I had none Prince Pray acquaint me with him And for thy sake I 'le giue him state and Honours And make him great in Florence Is he of birth Lau. A mighty Duke-domes Heire Prince How now my Lauretta I prithee sweete where liues he Lau. In his Countrey Prince Honour me so much As let me know him Lau. In that your Grace must pardon me Prince Must then I will Is he of presence sweete Lau. As like your Grace as one Prince to another Prince Honour me so much then as let me know him Lau. In that excuse me Sir Prince Thee loue I will In all things wherefore study you Lau. Why my Lord I was euen wishing you a mighty harme But pardon me 't was out euen vnawares Prince Harme there 's none can come from thee Lauretta Thou art all goodnesse nay confesse it sweete Lau. I was wishing with my selfe that you were poore Oh pardon me my Lord a poore a poore man Prince Why my Lauretta Lau. Sir because that little I haue Might doe you good I would you had No money nay no meanes but I speake idly Pray pardon me my Lord. Prince By all my hopes I haue in Florence would thou wert a Dutchesse That I might court thee vpon equall tearmes Or that I were of low deiected fortunes To ranke with thee in Birth for to enioy Thy beauty were a greater Dowre then Florence Great Duke-dome Enter Clowne Clow. Oh my Lord my Lord Are you close at it and you too crabbed Age and you the there 's Rods in pisse for some of you Prince Now sir the newes Clow. Oh my Lord there 's a Nobleman come from the Court to speake with you Prince Mounsieur vpon my life 't is some Embassadour Moun. Good Sir make haste lest I be challeng'd for you Prince No worthy Friend for me thou shalt not suffer At our best leasur'd houres we meane to visite you Now giue me leaue to take a short fare-well Exeunt Prince and Mounsieur Lau. Your pleasure is your owne To part from him I am rent quite asunder Clow. And you can but keepe your leggs close Let him rend any thing else and spare not Exeunt Enter Florence and Lords with Stroza Embassadour Flo. Speake the true Tenor of your Embassie Str. If Florence prize the Duke of Millaines loue His indear'd Amity If he haue minde To mixe with him in conâ—anguinity To strengthen both your Realmes he make the proiect To your faire Treaty that your hopefull Heire Shall with the princeise Iulia his faire Daughter Be ioyn'd in Marriage her large Dowre shall be A spacious Duke-dome after his decease But which my Lord counts most is a faire League 'Twixt your diuided Duke-domes Florence We doe conceite you But for the Dowre you craue Str. Ten thousand Crownes By th'yeare Flo. 'T is granted onely our Sonnes consent Is wanting but see here he wisht for comes Enter Prince and Mounsicur Prince Mounsieur what are those Moun. Embassadours my Lord. Prince Whence are these Lords Duke From Millaine Prince Their businesse Royall Sir Flo. About a match Which if you't please we highly shall applaud They offer you a faire and vertuous Princesse Vnto your bed Prince Vnto my bed my Lord I am not so affraide of spirits Sir But I can lye alone without a bed-fellow Flo. 'T is the faire Princesse Iulia you must Marry Prince Marry my Lord Flo. I marry must you Sir Or you diuorce your selfe from our deare loue Prince But is she faire Stro. As euer Hellen was Prince What and as Charte Stroza It were not Princely in you Royall Sir To question such a Princesse Chastity I could haue instanc'd Lucrece Prince Would you had For both were rauisht Moun. How 's this my Lord They offer loue and beauty which being both So freely offer'd doe deserue acceptance Stroza Your answere Sir Prince That I am yours The States and if you please So to dispose me hers what ere she be Come friend I must impart my Loue this newes Or it will rend my heart Exit Prince Stroza I shall returne this answere Florens Faithfully As we intend it But you first shall taste The bounty of our Court with royall Presents Both to the Duke your master and the Princesse It done prepare we for this great solemnity Of Hymeneall Iubilies Fixt is
Assoone as ere the Prince was fast asleepe That shee should rise and giue place to our daughter Stro. Doubt you not that what iealous already Milla. How long she stayes I faine would be a bed Pray heauen shee doe not fail By him asleepe and so forget her selfe Stro. Heer 's in my heart a violent Feauer still Nor shall I find my selfe in my true temper Vntill this brunt bee past Milla. What not yet had she with Parma beene a bed so long It would haue more perplext mee Enter Lauretta Stro. See here shee is The newes Lauret The Prince is fast all done Milla. Step in her place Nay when and counterfeit sleepe presently Stro. Away to bed my Lord You to the Forrest I 'le to my Coach all 's well Exeunt Stroza and the Duke Lauret And for my part it was not much amisse Because my Lord the Prince had such content Which caus'd him giue his Charter to my hand The full assurance of faire Iulia's dowre Day gins to breake and I must to the Lodge Oh what a griefe it was to leaue the Prince But leaue those thoughts These Gifts to me assign'd Are nothing worth the Iem I left behind Exit Enter Prince and Mounsieur with a Torch Moun. What doe you not like your bed-fellow my Lord That you are vp so soone Prin. Oh friend was neuer man blest with a Bride So chast I 'me fearce my selfe till this be knowne To my faire Forrest friend Lett 's mount away The nights quite spent and now begins the day Enter Mother and Clowne Wife And what was it you said sirra Clow. Marry I would intreat your Lady-ship to turne away My fellow Ierom for I thinke hee 's No true man Wife No true man Why Clo. Marry we were both in the Tauerne together tother day Wife And hee stole some Plate Clo. No Madam but there stood at our elbow a pottle Pot Wife And hee stole the Pot Clo. No Madam but he stole the wine in the Pot and drunke it off And made himselfe so drunke hee be-pist himselfe Your Ladyship could not be better be-pist in a Summers-day Enter Prince and Mounsieur Prin. Good morrow Lady Wher 's your daughter pray Wife Shee tooke so little rest last night my Lord I thinke shee is scarce well Prin. Pray may wee see her Wife My Lord you may Shee 's drawne out vpon a Bed Song HEnce with Passion Sighes and Teares Desasters Sorrowes Cares and Feares See My Loue my Loue appeares That thought himselfe exil'd Whence might all these loud Ioyes grow Whence might Myrth and Banquet's flow But that hee 's come hee 's come I know Faire Fortune thou hast smil'd 2 Giue to these blind windowes Eyes Daze the Stars and mocke the Skies And let vs two vs two devise To lavish our best Treasures Crowne our Wishes with Content Meet our Soules in sweet consent And let this night this night bee spent In all aboundant pleasvres Prince Oh good morrow Lady I come to tell you newes Lauret They are wellcome to me my Lord. Prin. You know the Princesse Iulia was suppos'd to bee Adulterate Lauret So we haue heard it rumor'd Prin. Oh but faire friend she was indeed bely'd And I this morning rose from her chast bed But wherefore sweete cast you that blushing smile But you haue broak promise with me For you told me That the same day and houre I took my Bride You should Inioy a Princely Husband Lauret Trew My Lord I did Prin. And are you married then Lauret And lay with him last night Prin. Is hee oft fortunes Lauret That you may soone coniecture by this gift Prin. What haue you then some tokens that were his Lauret Some few my Lord amongst the rest this diamond Hee put vpon my finger Prin. You amaze mee Yet Rings may bee alike If then your husband Bee of such state and fortunes What dowre are you allotted Lauret Sir ten thousand crownes by th' yeere Prin. I gaue no more vnto my Iulia. But where is the security you haue For the performance of it Lauret See here My Lord Sir Is not that sufficient for a dowry Prin. This is the Indenture that I gaue to Iulia Preethee Lauretta but resolue me true How came you by this Charter Lauret Pardon great Prince for all that loue you spake To Iulia you whisper'd in my eare Shee is vnchast which lest you should haue found Her father sent mee here fiue hundred crownes By Stroza but neither his gold nor all His sly temptations could one whit mooue mee Onely the loue I euer bare your honour Made me not prise my owne No lust full appetite Made me attempt such an ambitious practise As to aspire vnto your bed my Lord. Prin. Rise d ee not weepe Oh I am strangely rapt Into deepe strange confusion Moun. Millaine should know were it my case my Lord A better Prince then hee should not wrong me Prin. I haue bethought already how to be are mee This Charter and this Ring faire Loue keepe you And when I send for you you shall repaire Vnto the Court This all I shall inioyne you Lauret Great Sir I shall Prin. Come Mounsieur now 't is cast Reuenge neere rules so it be found at last Exeunt omnes Enter the two Dukes with Iulia Stroza and attendants Milla. Who saw the Prince last Is 't a custome with him To rise thus early Floren. Sir hee neuer sleepes Longer then th'day nor keepes his bed by Sunne 'T is not the lone of the fairest Lady liues Can make him leaue his morning exercise Iulia He neuer exercis'd with me I 'm sure I might haue layne as safe free and vntoucht By any Lady liuing Enter the Prince and Mounsi Prince Pardon Lords I haue stay'd you long your blessing royall Father My custome is euer to rise before A womans houre Now heare me speake my Lords I 'm married to a Lady whose chaste honour Reports and false Suggestions did inforce me To call in publike question but that we leaue Vnto our last nights rest Stro. True my good Lord But did you find me faulty Prin. I doe protest my Lords I bosom'd with As true and chaste a Virgin as ere lodg'd Within a Princes armes All this I vow As I am Royall Str. All 's well my Lord 〈◊〉 All 's excellent Stroza 〈◊〉 Now for aâ—ends and publike satisfaction For the foule wrong I did her questioning Her Vertue I le confirme her dowre and that Before I eate Sweet Lady reach the Charter I gaue you last night 'fore you were full mine Iulia I receiu'd none Sir Prin. Sweet will you tel mee that With which you did receiue a Ring the Duke My father gaue me Iulia When Prince Last night Iulia Where Prince In your Bed Iulia 'T was in my dreame then Prince Being broad awake Stro. I like not this I smell a Rat. Milla. Stroza I feare too Stro. Brazen fore-head Wilt Thou leaue now 'T is true my Lord. You did Receiue them
A Pleasant Comedy called A MAYDEN-HEAD WELL LOST As it hath beene publickly Acted at the Cocke-pit in Drury-lane with much Applause By her Maiesties Seruants Written by THOMAS HEYVVOOD Aut predessesolent aut delectare LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes for Iohn Iackson and Francis Church and are to be sold at the Kings Armes in Cheape-side 1634. To the Reader COurteous Reader of what sexe soeuer let not the Title of this Play any way deterre thee from the perusall thereof For there is nothing herein contained which doth deuiate either from Modesty or good Manners For though the Argument be drawne from a Mayden-head lost yet to be well lost cleares it from all aspersion Neither can this be drawne within the Criticall censure of that most horrible Histriomastix whose vncharitable doome hauing damned all such to the flames of Hell hath it selfe already suffered a most remarkeable fire here vpon Earth This hath beene frequently and publickly Acted without exception and I presume may be freely read without distaste and of all in generall excepting such whose prepared palats disgusting all Poems of this nature are poysoned with the bitter iuice of that Coloquintida and Hemlocke which can neither relish the peace of the Church nor Common-weale Nothing remaineth further to be said but read charitably and then censure without preiudice By him who hath beene euer studious of thy fauour Thomas Heywood Dramatis Personae The Duke of Florence The Prince of Florence Mounsieur the Tutor to the Prince The Widdow of the Generall Sforsa Their Daughter Lauretta The Clowne their Seruant A Huntsman A Lord of Florence The Duke of Millaine The Prince of Parma Iulia Daughter to Millain Stroza Secretary to the Duke A Souldier of Sforza'es Three maimed Souldiers A Lord of Millaine Attendants Other Lords c. The Prologue PRologues to Playes in vse and common are As Vshers to Great Ladies Both walke bare And comely both conducting Beauty they And wee appeare to vsher in our Play Yet be their faces foule or featur'd well Be they hard-fauoured or in lookes excell Yet being Vsher he owes no lesse duty Vnto the most deformed then the choise Beautie It is our case we vsher Acts and Scenes Some honest and yet some may proue like Queanes Loose and base stuffe yet that is not our fault We walke before but not like Panders hault Before such cripled ware Th' Acts we present We hope are Virgins drawne for your content Vnto this Stage Maides gratefull are to Men Our Scenes being such like such accept them then A MAYDEN-HEAD VVELL LOST Actus primus Scena prima Enter Iulia and Strazo Iulia. THat shee should doo 't Stroza Shee Iul. May we build vpon 't Str. As on a base of Marble I haue seene Strange passages of loue loose enterchanges Of hands and eyes betwixt her and the Prince Madama looke too 't Iul. What hope hath he in one So meanly bred or shee t' obtaine a Prince Of such discent and linnage Str. What but this That you must vndergoe the name of wife And she to intercept the sweetes of loue Due to your bed Iul. To be his strumpet Stroza Str. Madame a woman may guesse vnhappily Iul. Thou shouldst be honest Stroza Str. Yes many should Be what they are not but I alwayes was And euer will be one that 's still my selfe Iul. The Generall Sforsaes daughter is 't not she Str. Is that yet questioned as if the chaste Court Had saue her selfe one so degenerate So dissolutely wanton so profuse In prostitution too so impudent And blushlesse in her proud ambitious aime As if no man could her intemperance please Saue him whom Heauen hath destin'd to your bed Iul. I neuer saw them yet familiar Str. Ha ha as if they 'd send for you to see 't To witnesse what they most striue to conceale Be guld be branded ' lasto me all 's nothing I shall ne're smart for 't what is 't to me If being a Bride you haue a widdowed fortune If being married you must throw your selfe Vpon a desolate bed and in your armes Claspe nought but Ayre whilst his armes full of pleasure Borrow'd from a stolne beauty shall this grieue Or trouble me breake my sleepes make me starte At midnight vp and fill the house with clamours Shall this bring strange brats to be bred and brought Vp at my fire and call me Dad No this Concernes not me more then my loue to you To your high Soueraignty Iul. I now repent Too late since I too lauishly haue giuen him The vtmost he could aske and stretcht my honour Beyond all lawfull bounds of modesty Hee 's couetous of others and neglects His owne but I will part those their stolne pleasures And crosse those lustfull sports they haue in chase Not be the pillow to my owne disgrace Exit Str. The game 's on foote and there 's an easie path To my reuenge this beauteous Millanois Vnto th' Duke sole heire still courted crau'd And by the Parma Prince sollicited Which I still study how to breake and cast Aspersions betwixt both of strange dislike But wherein hath the other innocent Mayde So iniur'd me that I should scandall her Her Father is the Generall to the Duke For when I studdied to be rais'd by Armes And purchase me high eminence in Campe He crost my fortunes and return'd me home A Cashierd Captaine for which iniury I scandall all his meanes vnto the Duke And to the Princesse all his daughters vertues I labour to inuert and bring them both Into disgracefull hatred Enter Prince Parma Par. Stroza Str. My Lord Par. Saw you the Princesse Str. Iulia Par. She Str. I haue my Lord of late no eare of hers Nor she a tongue of mine the time hath bin Till soothing Sycophantsand Court Parasites Supplanted me Par. I haue the power with her To bring thee into grace Str. Haue you the power To keepe your selfe in doe you smile my Lord Par. I tell thee Stroza I haue that interest In Iulias bosome that the proudest Prince In Italy cannot supplant me thence Str. Sir Ino way question it but haue I not knowne A Prince hath bin repulst and meanest persons Bosom'd the Prince would once haue lookt vpon me When small intreaty would haue gain'd an eye An eare a tongue to speake yea and a heart To thinke I could be secret Par. What meanes Stroza Str. But 't is the fate of all mortality Man cannot long be happy but my passion Will make me turne blab I shall out with all Par. Whence comes this 't is suspicious and I must be Inquisitiue to know 't Str. A Iest my Lord I 'le tell you a good Iest. Par. Prithee let 's heare it Str. What will you say if at your meeting next With this faire Princesse shee begins to raue To raile vpon you to exclaime on your Inconstancy and call the innocent name Of some chaste Maide in question whom perhaps You neuer ey'd my Lord. Par. What of all this Str. What
but to excuse her owne I 'le not say what Put off the purpos'd Contract and my Lord Come come I know you haue a pregnant wit Par. We parted last with all the kindest greeting Louers could adde fare-well with but should this change Suite thy report I should be forc't to thinke That which cuen Oracles themselues could neuer Force me to that she is Str. All women are not Sincerely constant but obserue my Lord. Enter Iulia the Generals Wife and Lauretta her Daughter Iul. Minion is 't you there 's for you know your owne Str. Obseru'd you that my Lord Inlia meets her and strikes her then speakes Lau. Why did you strike me Madame Iul. Strumpet why Dare you contest with vs Lau. Who dare with Princesse subiects must forbeare Each step I treade I 'le water with a teare Exeunt Mother and Lauretta weeping Str. I spy a storme a comming I le to shelter Exit Stro. Par. Your meaning Madame Iul. Did it Sir with yours But correspond it would be bad indeede Par. VVhy did you strike that Lady Iul. Cause you should pitty her Par. Small cause for blowes Iul. I strucke her publickly Par. You giue her blowes in priuate Par. Stroza still Iul. Goe periurd and dispose thy false allurements 'Mongst them that will beleeue thee thou hast lost Thy credit here for euer Par. I shall finde Faith else-where then Iul. Eye spread thy snares To catch poore innocent Maides and hauing tane them In the like pit-fall with their shipwrackt honours Make seasure of their liues Par. Iniurious Lady All thou canst touch my Honour with I cast On thee and henceforth I will flye thee as A Basaliske I haue found the change of lust Your loose inconstancy which is as plaine To me as were it writ vpon thy brow You shall not cast me off I hate thy sight And from this houre I will abiure thee quite Exit Parma Iul. I le call him backe if Stroza be no villaine He is not worth my clamour What was that startled Within me Oh I am dishonoured Perpetually for he hath left behinde That pledge of his acquaintance that will for euer Cleaue to my blood in scandall I must now Sue send and craue and what before I scorn'd By prayers to grant submissiuely implore Exit Iulia. A flourish Enter the Duke of Millenie the Generals wife and deliuers apetition with Stroza Lauretta and attendants Duke Lady your suite Wife So please your Grace peruse it It is included there Duk. Our generals Wife Duk. We know you Lady and your beauteous Daughter Nay you shall spare your knee Str. More plot for mee My brain 's in labour and must be deliuered Of some new mischeife Duk. You petition heere For Men and Money I making a free relation Of all your Husbands fortunes how supplyes Haue beene delay'd and what extremities He hath indurd at Naples dreadfull Seige We know them all and withall doe acknowledge All plentious blessings by the power of Heauen By him wee doe obtaine and by his valour Lady we greue he hath beene so neglected Wife O Roiall Sir you still were Gratious But twixt your Vertues and his Merits there Hath beene some interception that hath stopt The current of your fauours Duk. All which shal bee remou'd and hee appeare Henceforth a bright starre in our courtly spheare Str. But no such Comet here shall daze my sight Whilst I a Cloud am to Eclips that light Exit Stroza Duk. We sent out our Commissions two Monthes since For Men and Money nor was 't our intent It should bee thus delayd though we are Prince We onely can command to Execute T is not in vs but in our Officers We vnderstand that by their negligence He has beene put to much extremity Of Dearth and Famine many a stormy night Beene forc'd to roofe himselfe i' th open field Nay more then this much of his owne reuenue He hath expended all to pay his Souldiers Yet Reuerend Madame but forget what 's past Though late wee le quit his merit at the last Enter Iulia and Stroza whispering Wife Your Highnesse is most Royall Stro. Her Father shall be in the Campe releiu'd She grac'd in Court how will she braue you then If suffer this take all why the meanest Lady Would neuer brooke an equall you a Princesse And can you brooke a base competitor Iulia It shall not we are fixt and stand immou'd And will be swaid by no hand Duk. Iulia Iulia. A Sutor to that Lady Royall Father Before she be a widdow that you are So priuate in discourse Duk. O you mistake For shee the sutor is and hath obtain'd Iulia. I 'm glad I haue found you in the giuing vaine Will you grant me one boone to Duk. Question not To hast your Marriage with the former Prince Or at the least the contract is 't not that Iulia. Say t were my Lord Duk. It could not be denide But speake thy suite Iulia. To haue this modest Gentlewoman Banisht the Court Wife My Daughter Royall princesse Show vs some cause I beg it Iulia. Lady though You be i' th begging vaine I am not now In the giuing will you leaue vs Lauretta Wherein O Heauen Haue I deseru'd your wrath that you should thus Persue me I haue searcht indeed beyond My vnderstanding but yet cannot finde Wherein I haue offended by my chastity Iulia. How chastitiy A thing long sought 'mongst Captains wiues and daughters Yet hardly can bee found Duk. Faier Lady yeild Vnto my daughters spleen her rage blowne 'ore Feare not I le make your peace as for your suite Touching your husband that will I secure Iul. Haste Stroza vnto the Prince his chamber Giue him this letter it concernes my honor My state my life all that I can call good Depends vpon the safe deliuery Of these few broken Letters Str. Maddam t is done Exit Iul. VVhat stayes she to out-face me Lau. Madam I yeeld VVay to your spleene not knowing whence it growes Bearing your words more heauy then your blowes Wife Small hope there is to see the Father righted VVhen the child is thus wrong'd Enter a Souldier and Stroza Soul Must speake with the Duke Str. Must fellow stay your howre and dance attendance Vntill the Duke 's at leisure Soul I le doe neither I come in haste with newes Str. VVhy then keepe out sir. Soul Ha Milksop know percullist gates Though kept with Pikes Muskets could nere kepe me out And dost thou thinke to shut me out with VVainscot Duk. VVhat 's he Soul A Souldier Duk. VVhence Soul The Campe Duk. The newes Soul A mighty losse a glorious victory Duke But which the greater Soul T is vncertaine Sir But will you heare the best or bad newes first Duke Cheere me with conquest first that being arm'd With thy best newes we better may endure What sounds more fatall Soul Heare me then my Lord We sack't the Citty after nine Moneths siege Furnisht with store of all warres furniture Our neuer
I could find in my heart to goe with you but for one thing Wife What 's that Clow. Because you are too liberall a Mistresse and that 's a fault seldome found among Ladies For looke you vse o giue away all and I am all that is left and I am affraide when you come into a strange Countrey you 'le giue away me too so that I shall neuer liue to be my owne man Wife Tush feare it not Clow. Why then I 'le goe with you inspite of your teeth Wife Leaue Milleine then to Florence be our guide Heauen when man failes must for our helpe prouide Exeūt Actus Secundus Scena prima Enter Parma reading a Letter after him Iulia. Par. This Letter came from you 't is your Character Iul. That hand in Contract you so long haue had Should not seeme strange to you now Par. You are with-childe So doth your Letter say what change your face Iu. My blushes must speake for me Par. And this Childe You would bestow on me y are very liberall Lady You giue me more then I did meane to aske Iu. And yet but what 's your owne Sir I am serious And it will ill become your Oathes and Vowes To iest at my vndoeing Par. You would say Rather your doing Iu. In doing thus you should vndoe me quite Par. What doe you weepe that late did rayle in clamor Your thunders turnd to showres It is most strange Iu. You haue dishonoured me and by your flattery Haue rob'd me of my chaste Virginity Yet ere I yeelded we were man and wife Sauing the Churches outward Ceremony Par. But Lady you that would be wonne by me To such an act of lust would soone consent Vnto another Iu. Can this be found in man Par. This Strozas language moues me and I intend To try what patience constancy and loue There can be found in woman why do you weepe You are not hungry for your bellie's full Lady be rul'd by me take the aduice A Doctor gaue a Gentleman of ate That sent to him to know whether Tobacco Were good for him or no My friend quoth he If thou didst neuer loue it neuer take it If thou didst euer loue it neuer leaue it So I to thee if thou wert as thou hast Beene alwayes honest I could wish thee still So to continue but being a broken Lady Your onely way 's to make vse of your Talent Farewell I 'le to my Countrey Exit Parma Iu. Oh miserable Let me but reckon vp ten thousand ills My loosenesse hath committed the aspersion And scandalous reputation of my Childe My Father too 't must come vnto his care Oh Enter Milleine Duke Iulia. Iu. Away Duke Come hither but one word Iu. That all those blacke occurrents should conspire And end in my disgrace Duke Ha! what 's the businesse Iu. If all men were such I should be sorry that a man begot me Although he were my father Duke Iulia how 's that Iul. Oh Sir you come to know whether Tobacco be good for you or no I le tell you if you neuer tooke it neuer take it then or it you euer vs'd it take it still Nay I 'me an excellent Philistian growne of late I tell you Duke What meane these strange Anagrams I am thy Father and I loue thee sweete Iul. Loue me thou dost not Duke VVhy thou doest know I doe Iul. I say thou doest not lay no wager with me For if thou dost there will be two to one On my side against thee Duke Ha! I am thy Father Why Iulia Iu. How my Father then doe one thing For me your Daughter Duke One thing any thing Ey all things Iu. Instantly then draw your sword And pierce me to the heart Duke I loue thee not so ill To be the Author of thy death Iu. Nor I my selfe so well as to desire A longer life if you be then my Father Punish a sinne that hath disgrac't your Daughter Scandald your blood and poyson'd it with mud Duke Be plaine with vs. Iu. See I am strumpeted A bastard issue growes within my wombe Duke VVhose fact Iu. Prince Parmaes Duke Stroza Str. My Lord. Duke Search out Prince Parma bring the Traytour backe againe Dead or aliue Str. My Lord he is a Prince Duke No matter for his head shall be the ransome Of this foule Treason When I say begon But as for thee base and degenerate Iul. Doe shew your selfe a Prince let her no longer Liue that hath thus disgrac't your Royall Blood Duke Nature preuailes ' boue honour her offence Merits my vengeance but the name of Childe Abates my Swords keene edge yet Royalty Take th'vpper hand of pitty kill the strumpet And be renown'd for Iustice. Iul. Strike I 'le stand Duke How easie could I period all my care Could I her kill and yet her Infant spare A double Murder I must needes commit To ruine that which neuer offended yet Oh Heauen in this I your assistance craue Punish the faulter and the innocent saue Iul. You are not true to your owne honour Father To let me longer liue Duke Oh Iulia Iulia Thou hast ouerwhelm'd vpon my aged head Mountaines of griefe t' oppresse me to my graue Is Parma found Str. My Lord hee 's priuately Fled from the Court Duke Then flye thou after villaine Str. Sir are you madde Duke What 's to be done Alacke I cannot change a father and a Prince Into a euiell Hang-man tell me Iulia Is thy guilt yet but priuate to thy selfe Iul. It is my Lord. Duke Conceale it then wee 'le study To salue thy honour and to keepe thy loosenesse From all the world conceal'd compresse thy griefe And I will study how to shadow mine Wipe from thy cheekes these teares oh cursed Age When Children 'gainst their Parents all things dare Yet Fathers still proue Fathers in their care Exeunt Enter Mother Lauretta and Clowne Moth. Oh misery beyond comparison When saue the Heauens we haue no roofe at all To shelter vs. Clow. That word all Stickes more in my stomacke then my victuals can For indeede wee can get none to eate now I told you you were so prodiga'l we should pinch for 't Wife What place may wee call this what Clime what Prouince Clow. Why this is the Duke-dome of Florence and this is the Forrest where the hard-hearted Duke hunts many a Hart and there 's no Deere so deare to him but hee 'le kill it as goodly a large place to starue in as your Ladiship can desire to see in a Summers day Wife Yet here since no man knowes vs no man can Deride our misery better dye staru'd Then basely begge Clow. How better starue then begge all the Ladies of Florence shal neuer make me of that beleefe I had rather beg a thousand times then starue once doe you scorne begging Your betters doe not no Madam get me a Snap-sacke I 'le to Florence I 'le make all the high wayes ring of me with for the Lords sake I haue