Lady LENTVLVS with Rosemary as from Church At the other doore Signior ROGERO and THAIS his wife MENDOSA FOSCARII Nephew to the Duke from the Bridall they see one another and draw Count Arsena and others step betweene them Clarid. Good my Lord detaine me not I will tilt at him Rogero Remember Sir this is your wedding day And that triumph belongs onely to your wife Rogero If you be noble let me cut off his head Clarid. Remember o' the other side you haue a maiden-head of your owne to cut off Rog. I le make my marriage day like to the bloudy bridal Alcides by the fierie Centaurs had Thais Husband deare Husband Rog. Away with these catterwallers Come on sir Clarid. Thou sonne of a Iew Guid. Alas poore wench thy husband's circumcis'd Clarid. Begot when thy fathers face was toward th' East To shew that thou would'st proue a Caterpiller His Messias shall not saue thee from me I le send thee to him in collops Arsen. O fry not in choler so Sir Roger. Mountebancke with thy Pedanticall action Rimatrix Buglors Rhimocers Mend. Gentlemen I coniure you By the vertues of men Rog. Shall any broken Quacksaluers Bastard oppose him to mee in my Nuptials No but I le shew him better mettall then ere the Gallemawfrey his father vsed Thou scumme of his melting pots that wert christned in a Crusoile vvith Mercuries water to shew thou would'st proue a stinging Aspis for all thou spitst is Aqua fortis and thy breath is a compound of poysons stillatory if I get within thee hadst thou the scaly hyde of a Crocodile as thou art partly of his nature I would leaue thee as bare as an Anatomy at the second veiwing Clarid. Thou Iew of the Tribe of Gad that sure there were none here but thou and I would'st teach mee the Art of breathing thou wouldst runne like a Dromidarie Clar. Thou that art the tal'st man of Christendome when thou art alone if thou dost maintaine this to my face I le make thee skip like an Ounce Mend. Nay good sir be you still Roger. Let the Quacksaluers sonne be still His father was still and still and still againe Clarid. By the Almighty I le study Negromancy but I le be reueng'd Arsen. Gentlemen leaue these dissentions Signior Rogero you are a man of worth Clarid. True all the Citie points at him for a Knaue Arsen. You are of like reputation Signior Claridiana The hatred twixt your Grandsires first beganne Impute it to the folly of that age These your dissentions may erect a faction Like to the Capulets and Montagues Mend. Put it to equall arbitration choose your friends The Senators will thinke 'em happy in 't Miz. I le ne'er embrace the smoake of a Furnace the quintessence of minerall or simples or as I may say more learnedly nor the spirit of Quickesiluer Clarid. Nor I such a Centaure halfe a man halfe an Asse and all a Iew Arsen. Nay then wee will be Constables and force a quiet Exeunt all the Men Manet Lent Thais Abig. and Mend. Gentlemen keepe 'em asunder and helpe to perswade 'em Mend. Well Ladyes your Husbands behave 'em as lustily on their wedding dayes as ere I heard any Nay Lady widow you and I must haue a falling you 're of Signior Mizaldus faction and I am your vowed enemie from the bodkin to the pincase Harke in your eare Abigall Well Thais O you 're a cunning caruer we two that any time these fourteene yeeres haue called sisters brought and bred vp together that haue tolde one another all our wanton dreames talkt all night-long of youngmen and spent many an idle houre fasted vpon the stones on S. Agnes night together practised all the petulant amorousnesses that delights young Maides yet haue you conceal'd not onely the marriage but the man and well you might deceiue mee for I le be sworne you neuer dream'd of him and it stands against all reason you should enioy him you neuer dream'd of Thais Is not all this the same in you Did you euer manifest your Sweet-harts nose that I might nose him by 't commended his calfe or his neather-lip apparant signes that you were not in loue or wisely couered it Haue you euer said such a man goes vpright or has a better gate then any of the rest as indeed since he is proued a Magnifico I thought thou wouldst haue put it into my hands what ere ' thad beene Abig. Well wench wee haue crosse fates our Husbands such inueterate foes and we such entire friends but the best is we are neighbours and our backe Arbors may afford visitation freely prethee let vs maintaine our familiaritie still whatsoeuer thy husband doe vnto thee as I am afraid he will crosse it i' the nicke Thais Faith you little one If I please him in one thing he shall please mee in all that 's certaine Who shall I haue to keepe my counsell if I misse thee who shall teach mee to vse the bridle when the reynes are in mine owne hand what to long for when to take Physicke where to be melancholy why we two are one anothers grounds without which would be no Musicke Abig. Well said wench and the Pricke-song wee vse shall be our husbands Thais I will long for Swines-flesh o' the first childe Abig. Wilt'ou little Iew And I to kisse thy husband Vpon the least belly-ake This will mad 'em Thais I kisse thee wench for that and with it confirme our friendship Mend. By these sweet lips Widow Lady Lent Good my Lord learne to sweare by roate Your birth and fortune makes my braine suppose That like a man heated with wines and lust Shee that is next your obiect is your mate Till the foule water haue quencht out the fire You the Dukes kinsman tell me I am young Faire rich and vertuous I my selfe will flatter My selfe till you are gone that are more faire More rich more vertuous and more debonaire All which are ladders to an higher reach Who drinkes a puddle that may taste a spring Who kisse a Subiect that may hugge a King Mend. Yes the Cammell alwayes drinkes in puddle water And as for huggings reade Antiquities Faith Madame I le bord thee one of these dayes Lady I but ne'er bed mee my Lord my vow is firme Since God hath called mee to this noble state Much to my griefe of vertuous Widow-hood No man shall euer come within my gates Mend. Wilt thou ram vp thy porch-hold O widow I perceiue You 're ignorant of the Louers legerdemane There is a fellow that by Magicke will assist To murther Princes inuisible I can command his spirit Or what say you to a fine scaling Ladder of ropes I can tell you I am a mad wag-halter But by the vertue I see seated in you And by the worthy fame is blazond of you By little Cupid that is mighty nam'd And can command my looser follies downe I loue and must enioy yet with such limits As one that knowes inforced marriage
Law you there widow there 's one of the last edition Whose Husband yet retaines in his colde truncke Some little ayring of his noble guest Yet she a fresh Bride as the month of May Lent Well my Lord I am none of these That haue my second Husband bespoke My doore shall be a testimonie of it And but these noble Marriages encite me My much abstracted presence should haue shew'd it If you come to me harke in your eare my Lord Looke your Ladder of ropes be strong For I shall tie you to your Tackling Arsen. Gentlemen your answere to the Masque Omnes Your Honour leades wee 'll follow Rogero Signior Claridiana Clarid. I attend you sir Exeunt omnes Manet Clarid. Abigall You 'll be constant Clar. Aboue the Adamant the Goates bloud shall not breake me Yet shallow fooles and plainer morall men That vnderstand not vvhat they vndertake Fall in their owne snares or come short of vengeance No let the Sunne view vvith an open face And afterward shrinke in his blushing cheekes Asham'd and cursing of the fixt decree That makes his light bawd to the crimes of men When I haue ended what I now deuise Appolloes Oracle shall sweare me vvise Strumpet his wife branch my false-seeming friend And make him foster what my hate begot A bastard that when age and sicknesse seaze him Shall be a cor'siue to his griping heart I le write to her for what her modestie Will not permit nor my adulterate forcing That blushlesse Herauld shall not feare to tell Rogero shall know yet that his foe 's a man And what is more a true Italian Exit Finis Actus primi Actus secundi Scaena prima Enter ROBERTO Lord Cardinall ISABELLA Lady LENTVLVS ABIGAL and THAIS Lights Roberto MY graue Lord Cardinall we congratulate And zealously doe entertaine your loue That from your high and diuine contemplation You haue vouchsafde to consumate a day Due to our Nuptials O may this knot you knit This indiuiduall Gordiant graspe of hands In sight of God so fairely entermixt Neuer be seuer'd as heauen smiles at it By all the Darts shot by infernall Ioue Angels of grace Amen Amen say to 't Faire Lady Widow and my worthy Mistresse Doe you keepe silence for a wager Thais Doe you aske a woman that question my Lord When shee inforcedly pursues what she 's forbidden I thinke if I had beene tyed to silence I should haue beene worthy the Cucking-stoole ere this time Rob. You shall not be my Orator Lady that pleades thus for your selfe Ser. My Lord the Masquers are at hand Rob. Giue them kinde entertainment Some worthy friends of mine my Lord vnknowne to mee too lauish of their loues Bring their owne welcome in a solemne Masque Abigall I am glad there 's Noble-men i' the Masque With our Husbands to ouer-rule them They had sham'd vs all else Thais Why for why I pray Ab. Why marry they had come in with some Citie shew else Hyred a few Tinsell coates at the Vizard-makers which would ha' made them looke for all world like Bakers in their linnen bases and mealy vizzards new come from bolting I saw a shew once at the Marriage of a Magnificero's daughter presented by Time which Time vvas an olde bald thing a seruant 't was the best man hee was a Dyer and came in likenesse of the Raine-bow in all manner of colours to shew his Art but the Raine-bow smelt of vrine so wee were all afraid the property was chang'd and look'd for a shower Then came in after him one that it seem'd fear'd no colours a Grocer that had trim'd vp himselfe handsomely hee vvas Iustice and shew'd reasons why And I thinke this Grocer I meane this Iustice had borrowed a weather-beaten Ballance from some Iustice of a Conduit both vvhich Scales were replenisht vvith the choise of his Ware And the more liberally to shew his nature He gaue euery woman in the roome her handfull Thais O great act of Iustice vvell and my Husband come cleanly off with this hee shall ne'er betray his weakenesse more but confesse himselfe a Citizen hereafter and acknowledge their wit for alas they come short Enter in the Masque the Count of Arsena MENDOSA CLARIDIANA Torch-bearers They deliuer the shields to their seuerall Mistresses that is to say MENDOSA to the Lady LENTVLVS CLARIDIANA to ABIGAL to ISABELLA GVIDO Count of Arsena to THAIS ROGERO Isab. Good my Lord be my expositer To the Cardinall Card. The Sunne setting a man pointing at it The Motto Senso 〈…〉 Calarem Faire Bride some seruant of yours that here imitates To haue felt the heate of Loue bred in your brightnesse But setting thus from him by marriage He onely here acknowledgeth your power And must expect beames of a morrow Sunne Lent Lord Bridegroome will you enterprete me Rober. A sable Shield the word Vidua spes What the forlorne hope in blacke despairing Lady Lentulus is this the badge of all your Sutors Lent I by my troth my Lord if they come to me Rob. I could giue it another interpretation Me thinkes this Louer has learn'd of women to deale by contraries if so then here he sayes the Widow is his onely hope Lent No good my Lord let the first stand Rober. Inquire of him and hee le resolue the doubt Abig. What 's here a Ship sailing nigh her hauen With good ware belike 't is well ballast Thais O your this deuice smels of the Marchant What 's your ships name I pray The forlorne Hope Abigall No The Merchant Royall Thais And why not Aduenturer Abig. You see no likelihood of that would it not faine be in the hauen The word Vt tangerem Portum Marry for ought I know God grant it What 's there Thais Mine's an Azure shield marry what else I should tell thee more then I vnderstand but the vvord is Aut precio aut precibus Abigall I I some Common-counsell deuice They take the women and dance the first change Mend. Faire widow how like you this change Lent I chang'd too lately to like any Mend. O your husband you weare his memory like a Deaths-head For heauens loue thinke of mee as of the man Whose dancing dayes you see are not yet done Lent Yet you sinke apace sir Mend. The fault 's in my Vpholsterer Lady Roger. Thou shalt as soone finde Truth telling a lye Vertue a Bawd Honestie a Courtier As me turn'd recreant to thy least designe Loue makes me speake and hee makes loue diuine Thais Would Loue could make you so but t' is his guise To let vs surfet ere hee ope our eyes Abig. You graspe my hand too hard ifaith faire sir Holding her by the hand Clar. Not as you graspe my hart vnwilling wanton Were but my breast bare and Anatomized Thou shouldst behold there how thou tortur'st it And as Appelles limb'd the Queene of Loue In her right hand grasping a heart in flames So may I thee fairer but crueller Abig. Well sir your vizor giues you colour
for what you say Clar. Grace me to weare this fauour 't is a Iemme That vailes to your eyes though not to th' Eagles And in exchange giue me one word of comfort Abig. I marry I like this wooer well Hee 'll win 's pleasure out o' the stones The second change Isabella fals in loue with Rogero when the changers speak Is. Change is no robbery yet in this change Thou rob'st me of my hart sure Cupid's here Disguis'd like a pretty Torch-bearer And makes his brand a Torch that with more sleight He may intrap weake women here the sparkes Fly as in Etna from his Fathers Anuile O powerfull Boy my heart 's on fire and vnto mine eyes The raging flames ascend like to two Beacons Summoning my strongest powers but all too late The Conquerour already opes the gate I will not aske his name Abig. You dare put it into my hands Mend. Zounds doe you thinke I will not Abig. Then thus to morrow you 'll be secret seruant Mend. All that I doe I le doe in secret Ab. My husband goes to Mawrano to renew the Farme he has Men. Well what time goes the Iakes-farmer Abig. He shall not be long out but you shall put in I warrant you Haue a care that you stand iust i' the nicke about sixe a clocke in the euening my Maide shall conduct you vp to saue mine honor you must come vp darkling and to auoid suspition Mend. Zounds hudwinck'd and if you 'll open all sweet Lady Abig. But if you faile to doo 't Mend. The Sunne shall faile the day first Abig. Tye this ring fast you may be sure to know You 'll brag of this now you haue brought me to the bay Mend. Poxe o'th is Masque would 't were done I might To my Apothecaries for some stirring meates Tha. Me thinkes sir you should blush e'en through your vizor I haue scarce patience to dance out the rest Robert The worse my fate that plowes a marble quarry Primaleon yet thy Image was more kinde Although thy loue not halfe so true as mine Dance they that list I saile against the winde Thais Nay sir betray not your infirmities You 'll make my Husband iealous by and by We will thinke of you and that presently Guid. The Spheares ne'er danc'd vnto a better tune Sound Musicke there Isab. 'T was Musicke that he spake The third change ended Ladies fall off Rob. Gallants I thanke you and Beginne a health to your Mistresses 3. or 4. Faire thankes sir Bridegroome Isab. He speakes not to this pledge has he no Mistresse Would I might chose one for him but 't may be Rogero dances a Laualto or a Galliard in the midst of it falleth into the Brides lap but straight leapes vp and danceth it out Hee doth adore a brighter Starre then wee Rob. Sit Ladies sit you haue had standing long Men. Blesse the man sprit'ly and nobly done Thais What is your Ladiship hurt Isab. O no an easie fall Was I not deepe enough thou God of lust But I must further wade I am his now As sure as Iuno's Ioues Hymen take flight And see not me 't is not my wedding night Exit Isabella Card. The Brides departed discontent it seemes Rob. Wee 'll after her Gallants vnmasque I pray And taste a homely banquet we entreate Exit Rob. Card. and Lights Clarid. Candidi Ernigos I beseech thee Men. Come Widow I le be bold to put you in My Lord will you haue a sociate Exit Thais Rog. Good gentlemen if I haue any interest in you Lent Abig. Let me depart vnknowne 't is a disgrace Of an eternall memory Mend. What the fall my Lord as common a thing as can be the stiffest man in Italy may fall betweene a womans legs Clar. Would I had chang'd places with you my Lord would it had beene my hap Rog. What Cuckold laid his hornes in my way Signior Claridiana you were by the Lady vvhen I fell Doe you thinke I hurt her Clar. You could not her my Lord betweene the legs Rog. What vvas 't I fell vvithall Mend. A crosse point my Lord Rog. Crosse-point indeede vvell if you loue me let me hence vnknowne The silence yours the disgrace mine owne Ex. Clar. Mend. Enter ISABELLA with a gilt Goblet and meetes ROGERO Isab. Sir if Wine were Nectar I le beginne a health To her that were most gracious in your eye Yet daigne as simply 't is the gift of Bacchus To giue her pledge that drinkes this God of Wine Cannot inflame me more to appetite Though he be co-supreme with mightie Loue Then thy faire shape Rog. Zounds she comes to deride me Isab. That kisse shall serue To be a pledge although my lips should starue No tricke to get that vizor from his face Rog. I vvill steale hence and so conceale disgrace Isab. Sir haue you left nought behinde Rog. Yes Lady but the Fates will not permit As Iems once lost are seldome or neuer found I should conuay it vvith me Sweete Good-night Shee bends to mee there 's my fall againe Exit Isab. He 's gone that lightning that a vvhile doth strike Our eyes with amaz'd brightnesse and on a sudden Leaues vs in prisoned darknesse Lust thou art hie My smiles may well come from the Skye Anna Anna Enter ANNA Anna Madame did you call Isab. Follow yond stranger prethee learne his name Wee may hereafter thanke him How I doate Exit Anna Is hee not a God That can command what other men would winne With the hard'st aduantage I must haue him Or shadow-like follow his fleeting steps Were I as Daphne and he followed chase Though I reiected young Appolloes loue And like a Dreame beguile his wandring steps Should he pursue me through the neighbouring groue Each Cowslip stalke should trip a willing fall Till hee were mine who till then am his thrall Nor will I blush since worthy is my chance 'T is said that Venus with a Satyre slept And how much short came she of my faire aime Then Queene of Loue a president I le be To teach faire women learne to loue of mee Speake Musicke what 's his name Enter ANNA Anna Madame It was the worthy Count Massino Isab. Blest be thy tongue the worthy Count indeede The worthiest of the Worthies Trusty Anna Hast thou pack'd vp those Monies Plate and Iewels I gaue direction for Anna Yes Madame I haue trust vp them that many A proper man has beene trust vp for Isab. I thanke thee take the wings of night Beloued Secretary and poste with them to Sweuia There furnish vp some stately Pallace Worthy to entertaine the King of Loue Prepare it for my comming and my Loues Ere Phoebus Steedes once more vnharnest be Or ere he sport with his beloued Thetis The siluer-footed Goddesse of the Sea Wee will set forward Flye like the Northern winde Or swifter Anna fleete like to my minde An. I am iust of your minde Madame I am gone Exit An. Isab. So to the house of Death
kill him druncke Medina O shamelesse woman Isab. Thou shouldest or in the embraces of his lust It might haue beene a womans vengeance Yet I thanke thee Sago and would not wish him liuing Were my life instant ransome Card. O Madame in your soule haue charitie Isab. Ther 's money for the poore Giues him money Card. O Lady this is but a branch of charitie An ostentation or a liberall pride Let me instruct your soule for that I feare Within the painted sepulcher of flesh Lies in a dead consumption good Madame read giues a booke Isab. You put me to my booke my Lord will not that saue me Card. Yes Madame in the euerlasting world Sago Amen Amen Isab. While thou wert my seruant thou hast euer said Amen to all my wishes witnesse this spectacle Wher 's my Lord Medina Medina Here Isabella What would you Isab. May we not be reprieu'd Medina Mine honors past you may not Isab. No t is my honor past Medina Thine honors past indeed Isab. Then ther 's no hope of absolute remission Medina For that your holy Confessor will tell you Be dead to this world for I sweare you dye Were you my fathers daughter Isab. Can you doe nothing my Lord Cardinall Card. More then the world sweet Lady help to saue What hand of man wants power to destroy Isab. You 'r all for this world then why not I Were you in health and youth like me my Lord Although you merited the crowne of life And stood in state of grace assur'd of it Yet in this fearefull separation Old as you are e'ne till your latest gaspe You 'd craue the help of the Phisition And wish your dayes lengthn'd one summer longer Though all be griefe labour and misery Yet none will part with it that I can see Medina Vp to the scaffold with her 't is late Isab. Better late then neuer my good Lord you thinke You vse square dealing Medina's mighty Duke Tyrant of France sent hither by the diuell She ascends the Scaffold Medina The fitter to meete you Card. Peace Good my Lord in death doe not prouoke her Isab. Seruant low as my destiny I kneele to thee To Sago Honouring in death thy manly loyaltie And what so e'er become of my poore soule The ioyes of both worlds euermore be thine Commend me to the Noble Count Guiaca That should haue shared thy valour and my hatred Tell him I pray his pardon and Medina art yet inspir'd from heau'n Shew thy Creators Image be like him Father of mercy Medina Head's man doe thine office Isab. Now God lay all thy sinnes vpon thy head And sinke thee with them to infernall darknesse Thou teacher of the furies cruelty Card O Madame teach your selfe a better prayer This is your latest hower Isab. He is mine enemie his sight torments me I shall not die in quiet Med. I 'le be gone off with her head there Exit Isab. Tak'st thou delight to torture misery Such mercie finde thou in the day of doome Sould. My Lord here is a holy Frier desires Enter Roberto Count of Cipres in Friers weeds To haue some conference with the prisoners Roberto It is in priuate what I haue to say With fauour of your father-hood Card. Frier in Gods name welcome Roberto ascends to Isabella Rob. Lady it seemes your eye is stil the same Forgetfull of what most it should behold Doe not you know me then Isab. Holy Sir so farre you are gone from my memorie I must take truce with time ere I can know you Robert Beare record all you blessed Saints in heau'n I come not to torment thee in thy death For of himselfe hee 's terrible enough But call to minde a Ladie like your selfe And thinke how ill in such a beauteous soule Vpon the instant morrow of her nuptials Apostasie and vilde reuolt would shew With all imagine that she had a Lord Iealous the Aire should rauish her chaste lookes Doating like the creator in his models Who viewes them euery minute and with care Mixt in his feare of their obedience to him Suppose he sung through famous Italy More common then the looser songs of Petrarch To euery seuerall Zanies instrument And he poore wretch hoping some better sate Might call her back from her Adulterate purpose Liues in obscure and almost vnknowne life Till hearing that she is condemn'd to die For he once lou'd her lends his pined corps Motion to bring him to her stage of honour Where drown'd in woe at her so dismall chance He claspes her thus he fals into a trance Isab. O my offended Lord lift vp your eyes But yet auert them from my loathed sight Had I with you inioyed the lawfull pleasure To which belongs nor feare nor publike shame I might haue liu'd in honour died in fame Your pardon on my faultring knees I begge Which shall confirme more peace vnto my death Then all the graue instructions of the Church Roberto Pardon belongs vnto my holy weeds Freely thou hast it farewell my Isabella Let thy death ransome thy soule O die a rare example The kisse thou gau'st me in the church here take As I leaue thee so thou the world forsake Exit Roberto Clarid. Rare accident ill welcome noble Lord Madame your executioner desires you to forgiue him Isab. Yes and giue him too what must I doe my friend Executioner Madame onely tie vp your haire Isabella O these golden nets That haue insnar'd so many wanton youthes Not one but ha's beene held a thred of life And superstitiously depended on Now to the block we must vaile what else Executioner Madame I must intreat you blind your eyes Isabella I haue liued too long in darknesse my friend And yet mine eies with their majesticque light Haue got new Muses in a Poets spright They haue beene more gazed at then the God of Day Their brightnes neuer could be flattered Yet thou command'st a fixed cloud of Lawne To Ecclipse eternally these minutes of light What else Executioner Now Madame al 's done And when you please I 'le execute my office Isabella We will be for thee straight Giue me your blessing my Lord Cardinall Lord I am well prepar'd Murder and lust downe with my ashes sinke But like ingratefull seede perish in earth That you may neuer spring against my soule Like weedes to choake it in the heauenly haruest I fall to rise mount to thy maker spirit Leaue here thy body death ha's her demerit Strike Cardin. An host of Angels be thy conuey hence Medina To funerall with her body and this Lords None here I hope can taxe vs of iniustice She died deseruedly and may like fate Attend all women so insatiate Exeunt omnes Enter AMAGO the Duke the Watch and Senators Duke I am amazed at this maze of wonder Wherein no thred or clue presents it selfe To winde vs from the obscure passages What saies my Nephew Watch. Still resolute my Lord and doth confesse the theft Duke Wee 'll vse him like a fellon cut him
THE INSATIATE Countesse A TRAGEDIE Acted at VVhite-Fryers Written By Iohn Marston LONDON Printed by T. S. for Thomas Archer and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head-Pallace neere the Royall-Exchange 1613 THE INSATIATE Countesse The Countesse of Sweuia discouered sitting at a Table couered with blacke on which stands two blacke Tapers lighted she in mourning Enter ROBERTO Count of Cypres GVIDO Count of Arsena and Signior MIZALDVS Mizaldus WHat should we doe in this Countesses darke hole She 's sullenly retyred as the Turtle Euery day has beene a blacke day with her since her husband dyed and what should wee vnruly members make here Guid. As melancholy night masques vp heauens face So doth the Evening-starre present her selfe Vnto the carefull Shepheards gladsome eyes By which vnto the folde he leades his flocke Mizald. Zounds what a sheepish beginning is here 't is said true Loue is simple and it may well hold and thou art a simple louer Rober. See how yond Starre like beauty in a cloud Illumines darknesse and beguiles the Moone Of all her glory in the firmament Mizal. Well said man i' the Moone Was euer such Astronomers Marry I feare none of these will fall into the right Ditch Robert Madame Count Ha Anna what are my doores vnbarr'd Miz. I le assure you the way into your Ladiship is open Rob. And God defend that any prophane hand Should offer sacriledge to such a Saint Louely Isabella by this dutious kisse That drawes part of my Soule along with it Had I but thought my rude intrusion Had wak'd the Doue-like spleene harbour'd within you Life and my first borne should not satisfie Such a transgression worthy of a checke But that Immortals wincke at my offence Makes me presume more boldly I am come To raise you from this so infernall sadnesse Isab. My Lord of Cypres doe not mocke my griefe Teares are as due a Tribute to the dead As feare to God and duty vnto Kings Loue to the Iust or hate vnto the Wicked Rober. Surcease Beleeue it is a wrong vnto the Gods They saile against the winde that waile the dead And since his heart hath wrestled with deaths pangs From whose sterne Caue none tracts a backward path Leaue to lament this necessary change And thanke the Gods for they can giue as good Isab. I waile his losse Sinke him tenne cubites deeper I may not feare his resurrection I will be sworne vpon the holy Writ I morne thus feruent cause he di'd no sooner Hee buried me aliue And mued mee vp like Cretan Dedalus And with wall-ey'd Ielousie kept me from hope Of any waxen wings to flye to pleasure But now his soule her Argos eyes hath clo'sd And I am free as ayre You of my sexe In the first flow of youth vse you the sweets Due to your proper beauties ere the ebbe And long waine of vnwelcome change shall come Faire women play she 's chaste whom none will haue Here is a man of a most milde aspect Temperate effeminate and worthy loue One that with burning ardor hath pursued me A donatiue he hath of euery God Apollo gaue him lockes Ioue his high front The God of Eloquence his flowing speech The feminine Deities strowed all their bounties And beautie on his face that eye was Iuno's Those lips were his that wonne the golden Ball That virgin-blush Diana's here they meete As in a sacred Synod My Lords I must intreate A while your wisht forbearance Omnes We obey you Lady Exit Guido and Mizald Ma. Rob. Is. My Lord with you I haue some conference I pray my Lord doe you woo euery Lady In this phrase you doe me Rob. Fairest till now Loue was an Infant in my Oratory Isab. And kisse thus too Rob. I nee'r was so kist leaue thus to please Flames into flames seas thou pour'st into seas Isab. Pray frowne my Lord let me see how many wiues You 'll haue Heigh-ho you 'll bury me I see Rob. In the Swans downe and tombe thee in mine armes Isab. Then folkes shall pray in vaine to send me rest Away you 're such another medling Lord Rob. By heauen my loue 's as chaste as thou art faire And both exceede comparison by this kisse That crownes me Monarch of another world Superiour to the first faire thou shalt see As vnto heauen my loue so vnto thee Isab. Alas poore creatures when we are once o' the falling hand A man may easily come ouer vs It is as hard for vs to hide our loue As to shut sinne from the Creators eyes I faith my Lord I had a Months minde vnto you As tedious as a full rip'd Maidenhead And Count of Cypres thinke my loue as pure As the first opening of the bloomes in May Your vertues man nay let me not blush to say so And see for your sake thus I leaue to sorrow Beginne this subtile coniuration with mee And as this Taper due vnto the dead I here extinguish so my late dead Lord I put out euer from my memory That his remembrance may not wrong our loue Puts out the Taper As bold-fac'd women when they wed another Banquet their husbands with their dead loues heads Rob. And as I sacrifice this to his Ghost With this expire all corrupt thoughts of youth That fame-insatiate Diuell Iealousie And all the sparkes that may bring vnto flame Hate betwixt man and wife or breed defame Enter MIZALDVS and MENDOSA Guid. Marry Amen I say Madame are you that were in for all day now come to be in for all night How now Count Arsena Miz. Faith Signior not vnlike the condemn'd malefactor That heares his iudgement openly pronounc'd But I ascribe to Fate Ioy swell your loue Cypres and Willow grace my drooping crest Rober. We doe entend our Hymeneall rights With the next rising Sunne Count Cypres Next to our Bride the welcomst to our feast Count Ars. Saneta Maria what thinkst thou of this change A Players passion I le beleeue hereafter And in a Tragicke Sceane weepe for olde Priam When fell reuenging Pirrhus with supposde And artificiall wounds mangles his breast And thinke it a more worthy act to me Then trust a female mourning ore her loue Naught that is done of woman shall me please Natures step-children rather her desire Miz. Learne of a well composed Epigram A womans loue and thus 't was sung vnto vs The Tapers that stood on her husbands hearse Isabell' aduances to a second bed Is it not wondrous strange for to rehearse Shee should so soone forget her husband dead One houre for if the husbands life once fade Both loue and husband in one graue are laid But we forget our selues I am for the marriage Of Signior Claridiana and the fine Mris Abigall Count Ars. I for his arch-foes wedding Signior Rogero and the spruce Mris Thais but see the solemne rites are ended and from their seuerall Temples they are come Mizal. A quarrell on my life Enter at one doore Signior CLARIDIANA ABIGAL his wife the
and out-wept The clouds in that same o'er-passionate moode When they drown'd all the world yet now forsakes me Women your eyes shed glances like the Sunne Now shines your brightnesse now your light is done On the sweetest Flowers you shine 't is but by chance And on the basest Weede you 'll waste a glance Your beames once lost can neuer more be found Vnlesse we waite vntill your course runne round And take you at fist hand Since I cannot Enioy the noble title of a man But after-ages as our vertues are Buryed whilst we are liuing will sound out My infamie and her degenerate shame Yet in my life I le smother 't if I may And like a dead man to the world bequeath These houses of vanitie Mils and Lands Take what you will I will not keepe among you Seruants And welcome some religious Monasterie A true sworne Beads-man I le hereafter be And wake the morning cocke with holy prayers Ser. Good my Lord noble Master Rob. Disswade me not my will shall be my King I thanke thee Wife a faire change thou hast giuen I leaue thy lust to woo the Loue of Heauen Exit cum seruis Guid. This is conuersion is 't not as good as might haue beene He turnes religious vpon his Wiues turning Curtezan This is iust like some of our gallant Prodigals When they haue consum'd their Patrimonies wrongfully They turne Capuchins for deuotion Exit Finis Actus secundi Actus tertij Scaena prima CLARIDIANA and ROGERO being in a readinesse are receiued in at one anothers houses by their Maids Then Enter MENDOSA with a Page to the Lady LENTVLVS Window Mendosa NIght like a solemne Mourner frownes on earth Enuying that Day should force her doffe her roabes Or Phoebus chase away her Melancholy Heauens eyes looke faintly through her sable masque And siluer Cinthia hyes her in her Sphaere Scorning to grace blacke nights solemnitie Be vnpropitious Night to villaine thoughts But let thy Diamonds shine on vertuous loue This is the lower house of high-built heauen Where my chaste Phaebe sits inthron'd 'mong thoughts So purely good brings her to heauen on earth Such power hath soules in contemplation Sing boy though night yet like the mornings Larke Musicke playes A soule that 's cleare is light though heauen be darke The Lady LENTVLVS at her window Lent Who speakes in Musicke to vs Mend. Sweet 't is I Boy leaue me and to bed Exit Page Lent I thanke you for your Musicke now good-night Men. Leaue not the World yet Queene of Chastitie Keepe promise with thy Loue Endimion And let mee meete thee there on Latmus top 'T is I whose vertuous hopes are firmely fixt On the fruition of thy chaste vow'd loue Lent My Lord your honor made me promise your ascent into my house since my vow barr'd my doores By some wits engine made for theft and lust Yet for your Honour and my humble fame Checke your blouds passions and returne deare Lord Suspition is a Dogge that still doth bite Without a cause this act giues foode to Enuy Swolne big it bursts and poysons our cleare flames Men. Enuy is stinglesse when she lookes on thee Lent Enuy is blinde my Lord and cannot see Men. If you breake promise faire you breake my hart Lent Then come Yet stay Ascend Yet let vs part I feare yet know not what I feare Your Loue 's precious yet mine Honor 's deare Mend. If I doe staine thy Honor with foule lust May Thunder strike me to shew Ioue is iust Lent Then come my Lord on earth your vow is giuen This aide I le lend you He throwes vp a ladder of cords which she makes fast to some part of the window he asends and at top fals M. Thus I mount my heauen Receiue me sweete Lent O me vnhappy wretch How fares your Honour speake Fate-crost Lord If life retaine his seate within you speake Else like that Sestian Dame that saw her Loue Cast by the frowning billowes on the sands And leane death swolne big with the Hellespont In bleake Leanders body like his Loue Come I to thee one graue shall serue vs both Mend. Stay miracle of women yet I breathe Though death be enter'd in this Tower of flesh Hee is not conquerour my heart stands out And yeelds to thee scorning his tyranny Lent My doores are vow'd shut and I cannot helpe you Your wounds are mortall wounded is mine Honour If there the Towne-guard finde you Vnhappy Dame Reliefe is periur'd my vow kept shame What hellish Destinie did twist my fate Mend. Rest ceaze thine eye-lids be not passionate Sweet sleepe secure I le remoue my selfe That Viper Enuy shall not spot thy fame I le take that poyson with me my soules rest For like a Serpent I le creepe on my breast Lent Thou more then man loue-wounded ioy and griefe fight in my bloud Thy wounds and constancie Are both so strong none can haue victory Mend. Darken the world earths-Queene get thee to bed The earth is light while those two Starres are spread Their splendor will betray me to mens eyes Vaile thy bright face for if thou longer stay Phoebus will rise to thee and make night day Lent To part and leaue you hurt my soule doth feare Mend. To part from hence I cannot you being there Lent Wee 'll moue together then Fate Loue controules And as we part so bodies part from soules Mend. Mine is the earth thine the refined fire I am mortall thou diuine then soule mount higher Lent Why then take comfort sweet I le see'ou to morrow Exit Men. My wounds are nothing thy losse breedes my sorrow See now 't is darke Support your Master legges a little further Faint not bolde heart with anguish of my wound Try further yet can bloud weigh downe my soule Desire is vaine without abilitie He staggars on and then fals downe Thus fals a Monarch if Fate push at him Enter a Captaine and the Watch Capt. Come on my hearts we are the Cities securitie I le giue you your charge and then like Courtiers euery man spye out let no man in my company be afraid to speake to a Cloake lined with Veluet nor tremble at the sound of a gingling Spurre 1 Watch. May I neuer be counted a cock of the game if I feare Spurres but be gelded like a Capon for the preseruing of my voyce Cap. I le haue none of my Band refraine to search a veneriall house though his Wifes sister be a lodger there nor take two shillings of the Bawd to saue the Gentlemens credits that are aloft and so like voluntary Pandars leaue them to the shame of all Halbardiers 2. Nay for the Wenches wee 'll tickle them that 's flat Cap. If you meete a Sheuoiliero that 's in the grosse phrase a Knight that swaggers in the streete and being taken has no money in his Purse to pay for his fees it shall be a part of your duty to entreate me to let him goe 1. O meruailous