you be not you mistaken I am not what I was I 'm strangely alter'd From the wild garbe and can discourse most gravely Of any thing but old and toothless women Do not you think it fit she should be burn'd fir That lives within an Hospitall till the roof Consume to dust and no more left for covering Than is kept up in one continued Cobweb Through which the birds may see her when she creeps Under a spiders canopie what think you Speak your own conscience Car. A young wife will cure This angry heat of blood You are most welcome Command my house and if you can affect My Daughter for whose love as my Son here Prepares me you took this paines I shall Make equall propositions I knew Your Father well Don Roderigo who Gave up his life with honor 'gainst the Moores Once more y' are welcome Son Luys shew The way to your Sister and bid her entertain Your friend with all the love her modesty And my commands may prompt her to Alber. You much oblige my services Lu. Remember Don Conditions if my Sister and you join Your coppiholds I have a life must be Maintain'd till the old man dye hang his pension 'T wo'not keep me in salads I 'le conduct you Exe. Alb. Luys Car. I like his person well and his calm gesture Speakes for his other composition The estate is competent my Daughter is Obedient which rich Parents call a blessing Whose wisdom is to advance their name and fortunes Enter Don Ramyres My Son is all my studie now My noble Don Ramyres you look cheerfull Ramy. 'T is a good omen I ha' buisness w' ee Such as cannot despair your entertaiment You have a Daughter Car. I would you had one I should be willing to translate a Son And by his mariage be most proud to call Your Daughter mine Ramy. You are next a Prophet Signior And but the Sexes differ speak my thoughts T is harmony on both fides to be short For let our gravities not waste time and breath In our affaires give the Young leave to court And spin out dayes in amorous circumstance My Son Fernando I need not call him Heir His birth concludes it I would commend To fair Jacinta 't can be no dishonour To your Family to mix with mine Car. T is an addition Will add a luster rather to our blood Ramy. T is my affection to you Daughter which confirm'd By observation of her virtue makes Me wish this tye between 'em I may safely Expect you will assure a portion that His Fortunes will deserve who must enjoy What I possess unless you disaffect His person or decline his education Which hath not spar'd my coffers to advance him In the best form of Gentleman Car. I want Abilities of tongue to answer this Your freedome and the bounty of your nature Towards my Daughter and so far am from Exception to Fernando there 's no Cavalliero In Spain I wish to thrive so well in her opinion Ramy. T will be his encouragement If he entrench upon no others interest I mean not to except how well he can Deserve her nobly from a Rivall if Her heart be not contracted this were to Engage 'em both to loss of Peace and Honor Perhaps betray a Life Car. You argue nobly She is yet Mistris of her thoughts and free While her Obedience doth keep in trust Her heart till I direct it which shall be To love and choose your Son to live within it Have I said home Ramy. You have When they have met We may conclude the Doury and confirm Our mutuall assurances till then farewel Exit Car. I like this well Ramyres has A fortune for a Grande Don Alberto Must now excuse me if my vote preferre Fernando whom my Daughter must accept Or forfeit me The new guest is not warm In his access and sha'not feel with what Soft art and subtle wayes I steer her passion Yet were Alberto's state ten Maravides Above Ramyre's I should place him first Fame is an empty noise Virtue a word There 's not a Jew will lend two Ducate on He is return'd I must prepare Jacinta Exit Enter Ramyres and Fernando Fer. I hope my past life hath not sir so ill Deserv'd you should be jealous of my duty When you command although in things of this High nature man being nothing more concern'd Next the divine considerations Than in the choyce of her that must divide The joyes and sufferings of his life a Son May modestly insist upon the privilege That Love by his great charter hath conferr'd On every heart not to be forc'd yet I Freely resign my will and what men call Affection to that object you present me Ramyr. Apply your self then to Don Carlo's daughter Shee 's young fair rich and virtuous and I 've had Full treatie with her Father who expects Your visit Fer. Young fair rich and virtuous Four excellencies seldom met in one She cannot sure want servants that commands Under so many titles I could wish So much I have ambition to be thought Obedient sir she were but one of those Ramy. She is all and one Fer. My duty were not less If I forgave my self a happiness To perfect your comands sir I am ready To try my fortune Ramy. There is no fear of thy repulse and when Thou dost confirm her gain'd to thy affection My greatest act and care of life is over Go on and prosper Exit Fer. He is passionate And like the fury of the winds more loud By opposition such a providence May be mine one day when I am a Father And he for whose advance my cares are meant Like me may with a fair and formall shew Disguise his thoughts too yet I am to blame For my affection to a dream a thing With which my eyes only converst to hazard A Fathers love and the rich peace it brings Enter Francisco I 'l uncreate the face I dote upon And be my self or what my brother Now Francisco you met my father Fran. Yes and he Lookes as some newes had much exalted him You are not so merry in the face what Is 't Ferd. Nothing Fran. You held no controversies with him Ferd. no Fran. I cannot guess he was angry by his smiles How did you part Ferd. exceding kindly Fran. What changes your complexion Ferd. Th' art deceived Pre'the' how do men look that are in love Fran. Why as they did before what alteration Have you observ'd in me Ferd. You have then a Mistris And thrive upon her favours but thou art My brother I' deliver thee a secret I was at St. Sebastians last Sunday At Vespers Fran. Is it a secret that you went to church You need not blush to tell your ghostly Father Ferd. I pre'thee leave thy impertinence there I saw So sweet a face so harmless so intent Upon her prayers it frosted my devotion To gaze on her till by degrees I took Her fair Idea through my covetous eye Into my heart
THE BROTHERS A COMEDIE AS It was Acted at the private House IN BLACK FRYERS WRITTEN By JAMES SHIRLEY Never Printed before LONDON Printed for Humphrey Robinson at the Three Pigeons and Humphrey Moseley at the Prince Armes in St. Paul's Church-yard 1652 To his truly Noble Friend THO STANLEY Esq SIR The Memory and Contemplation of good Offices received which by their own nature and impulsion have inclined other men to bee active in their returnes have not wrought me into so much boldness For when I considered my obligation to your favors I was still deterred by their greatness and number For in my poverty I had thoughts not without Ambition to reach them with some merit but when I was studying to proportion my gratitude I fell much lower than when I was the object of your mercy The way to releeve my self is no more to look at what you have confer'd but on the bestower for I have now learn'd to separate you from your benefits and to convey my self into your pardon by the exercise of your Charity Thus in place of cancelling my former debts I put your vertue to a new disbursment Witness this Composition which after its birth had in my thoughts a dedication to your name although it but now took the boldness to wear it in the forehead both as an Ornament and preserver You were pleas'd to grace it with your fair opinion when it was represented and though it appear not in that naturall Dress of the Scene nor so powerfull as when it had the soul of action yet your smile upon it now will give it second animation by which I shall derive after so long a silence a Confirmation of my happiness in being still received Sir Your most humble Servant JAMES SHIRLEY THE BROTHERS ACT I. Enter Francisco Jacinta Felisarda Francisco I Take my leave Jacinta and cannot wish you More happiness than you possess Jacin. You must Dissemble or it is within your wishes To make your self Francisco mine which would be A fair addition to me in my faith Of that most noble love you have profest Fran. When you but dare to own me I am past The fear of any destiny that can Enter Don Carlos and Servant Divide us but your Father Your own virtue Be still your guard I do not like this watch Upon our meeting pretty Felisarda Exit Car. Tel Signior Francisco I would speak with him I do not like his frequent visites though His birth and generous parts deserve to march With men of honorable name I am Without ambition to sacrifise My daughter to his pension for life Enter Francisco Fran. Your pleasure sir Car. Hath hitherto Francisco Been to affect you in the list of those I held my freinds Fra. I hope no forfeit made By me hath lost that good opinion You plac'd upon me Car. I cannot tell How you may be transported with desires Above my thoughts t' allow I would not have My silence and the free access y' have had To my house which still is open to wise guests Betray me or my Daughter to the mirth And talk of men i' th' Plassa My estate Doth walk upon sound Feet and though I make No exception to your blood or person sir The portion I have fixt upon Jacinta Beside the wealth her liberall Aunt bequeath'd her Is more than your thin Younger brother's fortune Should lay a siege or hope to I am plain Fr. And something passionate if I understand you Without a cause I am a gentleman With as much sense of honor as the proudest Don that doth ride on 's foot cloth and can drop Gold to the numerous minutes of his age And let me not be lost for want of that Deserves not to be nam'd to fill the ballance Against true honour let me tell you sir Virtue and blood are weigh'd against themselves You cannot know the price of these when either Scale is not poiz'd with things of the same nature Car. Y' are very right and therefore I do weigh My Daughters wealth against your fortunes sir I take it they are things in the same specie And find it easie to distinguish yours Can hold small competition and by A consequence that Fathers use t' infeire As little hope to equall in affections Sir I must tell you I esteem Jacinta Fit every way to meet your Elder Brother Whose Birth will intrest him so much in that Full fortune which your Father now is Lord of Your expectations may prompt you look Without much curiositie for a Bride Fran. I shall believe thy soul is made of Atomes That placeth so much happiness in Dust aside Sir I can quit your Jealousie my thoughts Levell beneath your Daughter and shall be Happie if you consent I may devote My applications to Felisarda your Neece Car. Is it my Neece I ask your pardon Nay then be welcome and t' encourage you Although her Father a poor Gentleman My brother by the malice of the sea And winds have lost what might have rank'd him even With some that ride upon their reverend mules I 'l find a portion for her if you strike Affectionate heartes and joy to call you Nephew Pray be not angry that I take a care To place my own where I may see it answerd With State as well as Family Fran. You shew A provident Father I shall not then B' indanger'd to your scruple if I address My services to her whose humble fortune In the relation to your blood and nobleness Is wealth enough to me Car. I wish it prosper Fra. You have much honor'd me Exit Car. That scruple 's vanish'd These are considerings with which Parents must Timely prevent the folly and the fall Of Children apt to lose themselves in shadowes And gaudy apparitions Enter Servant Ser. Your Son Is come from Salamanca Sir Car. I hope Philosophy hath by this time tam'd his wildness I have been carefull not to feed his riots Hee 's welcome my next studie is to choose A wise for him Servant With him a Gentleman That seems of noble quality Enter Luys and Alberto Luys Your blessing Next vvhich 't vvil be a happiness if you Embrace this noble Gentleman Don Alberto To whose affection I have been engag'd Alber. Our studies grew together and our loves Car. You do an honour to us Lu. If he thrive Upon his fair intents fir to my Sister Whose character he ha's took delight to hear From me sometimes it will enlarge our honor Car. He has improved in language his estate Lu. Six thousand ducats fir per Annum clear In his possession beside The legacie of a Granam when she dyes That ha's outliv'd 6. cats within their family Car. This tasts again of the old humor hee 's Not setled yet Lu. Your pardon fir I cannot With any patience think of an old woman They are agues to my nature she that lives To three score is a witch and fit for fuell By the Civill law I hope my mother's well Sir I beseech
dote upon him Brother This is a conjuration may do much Lu. Well said Thou art my Sister this good nature shews it And now I 'le tell thee I ha' promis'd him As much as mariage comes too and I lose My honor if my Don receive the canvas He ha's a good estate and I have borrow'd Considerable monies of him Sister Peeces of eight and transitory Ducats Ja. Which must be paid Lu. Not if you marry him Conditions have been thought on Ja. How conditions Lu. And some revenew was convenient To do things like a Gentleman I may Tell you my Father is a litle costive Purse-bound his pension cannot find me tooth-picks I must live till he dye 't is fit you know Alberto ha's an Exchequer which upon Thy smiles will still be open Ja. Very good Then you upon the matter have sold me to him To find you spending money Lu. No not sold W' are at no certain price summes have been lent In expectation or so and may again Ja. You deserve Brother I should hate you now Lu. 'T is all one to me so you love him For my part I defire but my expences Ja. What if another man supply your wants Upon the same conditions of my love Lu. I am indifferent so I have my charges My necessary wine and women paid for Love where you please your self I am but one I would not see him want that 's all because My Father is not yet resolv'd about His going to heaven Ja. Well sir for Don Alberto You shall be his advocate no more and there 's A Fee to bribe your silence in his cause Lu. Why thank you sister will you dye a virgin Ja. Why do yo ask Lu. I would speak for somebody tell me but whom You have a mind to and I 'le plead for him And if he be a Don he will consider it You may give me what you will besides Ja. When I Resolve You shall be acquainted Lu. But d' ee hear Untill you do resolve I would lose no time 'T is good keeping a freind and a warm client You may look lovingly upon Alberto And let him hope at all adventures in Two moneths you may be otherwise provided And he may hang himself i' th meane time Some favours now and then to the poor Gentleman Will doe him good and me no hurt besides You 'l please my Father in 't whose vote is for him And that 's a thing materiall I am To meet with Don Alberto and some Gentlemen I will preserve his confidence and tell him I ha' talkd with thee Have you any more Of this complexion cause I know not what Occasions I may have to keep my credit With men of mark and honour vvhere I am going You are my Fathers darling and command His yellovv Ingots tother Doblon D'oro Ja. So I may bring a rent-charge upon my self Lu. The tother drop of orient mercie come Ja. You care not vvhat accounts I give my Father Lu. Thou hast tvventy vvayes to cosen him vvedge it Into the next Bill he vvears Spectacles And loves to read Item for pious uses Can it be less to help a brother vvell said Ja. Let not this feed your riot Luys By no means I am for no Carthusians to day Enter Carlos Fernando Francisco and Felisarda Farevvell dear Sister vvho is that Ja. My Father Lu. I cannot indure that old mans company Exit Car. I am past complement and must acknovvledge Your fair intentions honor us she is no Goddess Of beauty Sir but let me without pride Boast my self blest Fernando in her virtues And that which crowns em all obedience Jacinta Entertain this Gentleman With all becoming thoughts of Love his merit Out of no rash but mature judgement hath Prevaild with me to name him to the first And noblest place within your heart Ferd. Untill this hour I never had the considence More than to think of love and hide a flame That almost hath consum'd me You may think It worth a smile and that I flourish To shew my vanity of wit or language But when you understand that I bring hither No young affection but a love took in Long since at my ambitious eye it may Beget your gentle thought or will to cure me Jac. Pardon me if the more you strive to print A truth on this short story of your passion The more I find my self inclin'd to wonder Since you seem to inferre You took in the Disease at sight of me I cannot be So ignorant as not to have receiv'd Your Name and Character but never knew Before when you did grace us with a visit And how then at such distance you contracted A danger so consuming is above My knowledge not my pittie if you could Direct me to the cure with Virgin honor Car. So so I leave you to the amorous Dialogue Presume you have my voice Jac. Sir with your pardon You lead me to a Wilderness and take Your self away that should be guide do you Engage me to affect this Don Fernando In earnest Car. Yes Jac. You did direct my love To Don Alberto Car. I dispence with that Command you may by fair degrees and honor Quit his addresses and dispose your self Mistris and Bride to Don Ramyres heir Felis. It does not thus become you sir to mock A Virgin never injur'd you he is Your elder Brother I am here beneath The levell of his thoughts i' th' nature of A servant to my Cosen and depend Upon my Uncles charity Fran. May I be Curst in my own affections if I Delude thee though to atchieve our best desires We seem to dissemble thus before Don Carlos This is a secret yet to poor Jacinta Car. You have my will obey it Ja. Hath Francisco broken his faith already Car. May you both joy where you have plac'd your loves You apply close Francisco Exit Fran. With your good favour I fairly hope Ford. Your Father 's gone Jacinta Ja. I should be Equally pleas'd if you would leave me too Felis. This is a change Ja. Unkind Francisco hear me Fran. T is my meaning Brother I ha' prepard Your story there with Felisarda lose No time Ferd. Jacinta clear your thoughts agen And pardon that I took a shape to fright you I shall not grieve to see Francisco prosper And merit all your favours since my hopes Must thrive or have their Funerall here Ja. Are we So blest Francisco th' ast a noble Brother Ferd. I may suppose my Brother Felisarda Hath made it now no secret that I love you And since our stars have so contriv'd that we Have means to assist our mutuall ambitions Do not you make their influence unprofitable T is the first boldness I ere tooke to visit you Although my eyes have often with delight And satisfaction to my heart observ'd you Felis. You seem a noble Gentleman and can take But litle glory to undo a Maid Whose Fortunes cannot bring you any triumph Ferd. How mean you fairest Felis. Not to be
from my heart He hath pronounc'd me heir to all his curses Does this fright thee Francisco thou hast cause To dance in soul for this t is only I Must lose and mourn thou shalt have all I am Degraded from my birth while he affects Thy forward youth and only calls thee Son Son of his active spirit and applauds Thy progress with Jacinta in whose smiles Thou maist see all thy wishes waiting for thee Whilst poor Fernando for her sake must stand An excommunicate from every blessing A thing that dare not give my self a name But flung into the Worlds necessities Untill in time with wonder of my wants I turn a ragged statue on whose forehead Each clown may carve his motto Fran. Will it call His blessing back if you can quit your love To Felisarda she is now a stranger To her Unkles house I met one of his servants Who told me on some Jealous apprehension Don Carlos had discharg'd and banish'd her Ferd. He could not be so barbarous Fran. You know her Fathers Poverty Ferd. And her Wealth of Virtue Fran. It is worth your Counsell To examin what you may preserve if wisely You could perswade your heart to love some nother Ferd. What was 't Francisco said Fran. Whose equall Birth And Virtues may invite a noble change Ferd. Do not you love Jacinta Fran. Most religiously Ferd. If you can but contrive your hearts at distance And in contempt of honor and your faith Sacred to Heaven and love disclaim your Mistris I may be happy yet what say I know Jacinta's Wise and when she understands How much it will advance her charity Fra. Our case is not the same with your's good brother Wee have been long acquainted to contract Affections if I understand your loves Are young and had no time for growth Ferd. Do not wound me T is false by Love it self thou hast deserv'd I should forget thee now dost thou consider Love that doth make all harmony in our soul And seated in that noblest place of life The heart with things that are the slaves of time And that like common seedes thrown into Earth It must have leisure to corrupt and after Much expectation rise to name and vigor Love is not like the child that grows and gets By slow degrees perfection but created Like the first man at full strength the first minute It makes a noble choice and gains from time To be call'd only constant not increas'd Preserve thy own affections and think mine Noble as they I shall suspect thy love To me else prethee leave me Fran. I 'l obey And study how to serve you Exit Enter Felisarda Ferd. Ha t is Felisarda Felis. Turnd out like one that had been false where shall Poor Felisarda wander were it not To ask a Fathers blessing I would visit Some Wilderness e'r thus present my self His burden and his sorrow Enter Pedro Ped. Had you no relation to Jacinta pretty one Felis. I was her servant Ped. Come you shall be my Mistris they have us'd Thee scurvily I will provide thee a lodging Felis. I shall not use your bounty sir for that Ped. Thou art a hansom Dona here 's a Pistolet Meet me i' th' evening wot Felis. Where and for what Ped. The where at thy own choice the what thy honor Felis. You are not noble Ped. Don Pedro will Embrace thy buxom body Ferd. You must unhand this Virgin Felis. For goodness Sir Add not your anger to my sufferings Unhappy Felisarda Ped. Is she a friend of yours Signior Ferd. She is not for your sinfull knowledge Don Ped. Baser los manos adios Signiora Diabolo My blood is high and hot unless I marry timely I must seek out a Female Julip Exit Felis. Don Carlo's fear of you was my first error But I accept my banishment and shall Humble my self to my poor Fathers Fortune You will be sir dishonour'd to be seen Wich such a walking mistry Ferd. Thy Unkle Hath plaid the Tyrant with thee but lose not Thy vertuous courage how our stories meet And challenge kindred in affliction Oh Felisarda I do suffer too And for thy sake thou shalt know more til I Salute thee at thy Fathers house preserve Good thoughts of thy Fernando and accept This litle Gold no bribe against thy honor Felis. My best return must be my Prayers Exit Ferd. Farewell T is not impossible my Father may Retract his cruelty and by time and some Discreet wayes yet be wrought to like what now His passion wo'not let him see her virtue How many Seas are met to wrastle here Exit Enter Jacinta and Alberto Iac. I love you sir so well that I could wish You were a Witch Alb. A Witch your reason Lady Ja. Then t were within the circle of your art By some device to rid me of Don Pedro Or if you could by any spell but get My Father disaffect him Alber. A Witch that 's a way about I were best cut his Throat a little Jac. You 're much beholding to my Brother sir He still commends you such an Advocate Deserves his fee Alb. Unles my cause succeed He has been feed too much your Brother Lady Preserves a noble friendship if I were sure You would be mine Jacinta I could tarry Till your Father dye Iac. But how can you procure Don Pedro to have patience so long Whom my Father pleads for and prefers Alber. There ther 's the mischief I must poison him One Fig sends him to Erebus t is in Your power and wit to spin out time I may Invent a means for his conveyance Ha! Enter Carlos Estefania Luys Ia. The Lady Estefania Car. Welcome again This is an honour to us where 's Iacinta Salute this noble Lady Ha Luys Hast thou prevail'd already Luys I 'm i' th' way you see She has not been observ'd they say to walk So freely with some men that boast more favour Enter Pedro Ped. What makes the Lady Estefania here I like not their converse this day is ominous Exit Car. Was 't not the Count Don Pedro that retird VVhat object here displeas'd him Alber. Ha ha didst see the Don Car. Preserve your mirth I must be satisfied Exit Luys I 'l lay a thousand Ducats that my costive Don has been tampering with my VViddow I Observ'd when I by chance let fall discourse How much he was an amorous servant to Iacinta she chang'd her colour and did make Such business how my Sister did affect him That I may guess though I make use on 't otherwise To the old man to keep the pulses of His Purse in play she came to examin chiefly How matters here proceeded well if she love him Alber. Shee is thy Mistris Luys My Mistris yes but any man shall mary her Alb. How Luys She is a Widdovv Don consider that Has buried one vvas thought a Hercules Tvvo cubits taller and a man that cut Three Inches deeper in the say than I consider that too She may be