SCENE VI.

_An Altar prepar'd. Solemn Musick_.

_Enter Governour_, Verdugo, _Courtiers, Ladies, &c_.

Gov. _This to devotion sacred be,_ _This to the Kings prosperity,_ _This to the Queen, and Chastity._ [Musick.

Ver. _These Oblations first we bring_ _To purge our selves: These to the King._ _To love, and beautie these: now sing._ [Musick.

Ladies. _Holy Altar, daign to take_ _These for our selves: For the Kings sake_ _And honour these: These sacred lye_ _To Vertue, Love, and Modesty,_ _Our wishes to Eternity._ [Musick.

_Enter_ Pedro, _and_ Roderigo.

Ped. _For our selves first, thus we bend,_ _Forgive us heaven, and be our friend._

Rod. _And happy fortune to us send._

Ped. _To the King, honour, and all Joy,_ _Long, and happy from annoy._

Rod. _Prosperous be all his dayes_ _Every new hour, a new praise._

Ped. _Every minute thus be seen,_

Both. _And thousand honours Crown the Queen._ [Musick.

_Enter_ Alphonso, Curio, Seberto.

_Seb._ Come to the Altar: let us do our duties.

_Alph._ I have almost forgot a Church.

_Cur._ Kneel reverently.

Alph. _For my lost wits (let me see)_ _First I pray: and secondly_ _To be at home again, and free,_ _And if I travel more, hang me._ _For the King, and for the Queen,_ _That they may be wise, and seen_ _Never in the Mad-mans Inne._ _For my Daughter, I would pray_ _But she has made a holy-day,_ _And needs not my devotion now_ _Let her take her own course, Heaven,_ _Whether it be odd, or even,_ [Musick.

_Enter_ Alinda, _and_ Juletta, _like Shepheards_.

_And if that please not, take her you._

_Seb._ A short, and sweet Meditation: what are these here?

_Alin._ Hale to this sacred place.

_Jul._ They are all here, Madam: No violence dare touch here; be secure: My Bilbo Master too: how got he loose again? How lamentably he looks! he has had discipline. I dare not let him know my pranks.

_Seb._ 'Tis she sure.

_Cur._ 'Tis certainly.

_Ped._ Ha! do I dazel?

_Rod._ 'Tis the fair _Alinda_.

_Gov._ What wonder stand these strangers in?

_Rod._ Her woman by her. The same Sir, as I live.

_Alph._ I had a Daughter, With such a face once: such eyes and nose too, Ha, let me see, 'tis wondrous like _Alinda_, Their devotion ended, I'le mark 'em and nearer. And she had a Filly that waited on her, Just with such a favour: Do they keep Goats now?

Alin. _Thus we kneel, and thus we pray_ _A happy honour to this day,_ _Thus our Sacrifice we bring_ _Ever happy to the King._

Jul. _These of Purple, Damask green_ _Sacred to the vertuous Queen_ _Here we hang._

Alin. _As these are now_ _Her glories ever spring, and show._ _These for our selves: our hopes, and loves,_ _Full of pinks, and Ladies gloves,_ _Of hearts-ease too, which we would fain_ _As we labour for, attain;_ _Hear me Heaven, and as I bend,_ _Full of hope, some comfort send._

Jul. _Hear her: hear her: if there be_ [Musick. _A spotless Sweetness, this is she._

_Ped._ Now _Roderigo_ stand.

_Rod._ He that divides ye Divides my life too.

_Gov. Pedro_, Noble _Pedro_, Do not you know your friend?

_Ped._ I know, and honour ye.

_Gov._ Lady this leave I'le crave, pray be not angry, I will not long divide you: how happy, _Pedro_, Would all the court be now, might they behold thee? Might they but see you thus, and thus embrace you? The King will be a joyfull man believe it, Most joyfull, _Pedro_.

_Ped._ I am his humble Servant. Nay, good Sir, speak your will, I see you wonder, one easie word from you--

_Alph._ I dare say nothing; My tongue's a new tongue Sir, and knows his tither, Let her do what she please, I dare do nothing, I have been damn'd for doing, will the King know him? That fellow there, will he respect and honour him? He has been look'd upon they say: will he own him?

_Gov._ Yes certainly and grace him, ever honour him, Restore him every way, he has much lamented him.

_Alp._ Is't your will too? this is the last time of asking.

_Rod._ I am sure, none else shall touch her, none else enjoy her. If this, and this hold.

_Al._ You had best begin the game then, I have no title in her, Pray take her, and dispatch her, and commend me to her, And let me get me home, and hope I am sober: Kiss, kiss, it must be thus: stand up _Alinda_, I am the more child, and more need of blessing. Ye had a waiting woman, one _Juletta_, A pretty desperate thing, just such another As this sweet Lady; we call'd her nimble chaps. I pray is this the party?

_Jul._ No indeed Sir, She is at home; I am a little Foot-Boy, That walk a nights, and fright old Gentlemen; Make 'em lose Hats and Cloaks.

_Alph._ And Horses too.

_Jul._ Sometimes I do Sir, teach 'em the way through ditches; how to break their worships shins, and noses Against old broken Stiles, and Stumps.

_Alph._ A fine art. I feel it in my bones yet.

_Jul._ I am a Drum Sir, A Drum at mid-night, ran tan tan tan tan Sir, Do you take me for _Juletta_? I am a Page Sir, That brought a letter from the Duke of _Medina_ To have one senior _Alphonso_, just such another As your old worship, worm'd for running mad Sir. Alas, you are mistaken.

_Alph._ Thou art the Devil, And so thou hast used me.

_Jul._ I am any thing, An old woman, that tells fortunes.

_Rod._ Ha.

_Jul._ And frights good people, And sends them to _Segovia_ for their fortunes: I am strange airs, and excellent sweet voyces. I am any thing, to do her good, believe me; She now recovered, and her wishes crown'd I am _Juletta_ again, pray Sir forgive me,

_Alph._ I dare not do otherwise, for fear thou should'st still follow me, Prethee be forgiven, and I prethee forgive me too: And if any of you will marry her.

_Jul._ No I beseech you Sir; My Mistress is my husband, with her I'le dwell still, And when you play any more pranks you know where to have me.

_Ped._ You know him Sir.

_Gov._ Know him, and much lament him: The King's incens'd much, much Sir, I can assure you.

_Ped._ Noble Governour.

_Gov._ But since he is your friend, and now appears, In honour of this day and love to you Sir: I'le try the power I have, to the pinch I'le put it; Here's my hand _Roderigo_, I'le set you fair again.

_Rod._ And here's mine, to be true, and full of service.

_Gov._ Your people too, shall have their general pardons, We'l have all peace and love.

_Rod._ All shall pray for you.

_Gov._ To my house now, and suite you to your worths; Off with these weeds, and appear glorious: Then to the Priest, that shall attend us here, And this be stil'd Loves new and happy year.

_Rod._ The Kings and Queens, two noble honours meet, To grace this day, two true loves at their feet.

_Alph._ Well well, since wedding will come after wooing, Give me some Rose-Mary, and let's be going. [_Exeunt._

THE CAPTAIN. A COMEDY.

* * * * *

Persons Represented in the Play.

Julio, _a noble Gentleman, in Love with_ Lelia.

Angelo, _a Gentleman, friend to_ Juli[o].

Lodovico, } _two Cowardly Gulls_. Piso, }

Frederick, _a Gentleman, Brother to_ Frank.

Jacomo, _an angry Captain, a Woman-hater_.

Fabritio, _a merry Souldier, friend to_ Jacomo.

Lelia's _Father, an old poor Gentleman_.

_Host._

_Vintner._

_Drawers._

_Servants_.

_WOMEN._

Frank, _Sister to_ Frederick, _a Lady passionately in love with_ Jacomo.

Cl[o]ra, _Sister to_ Fabritio, _a witty companion to_ Frank.

Lelia, _a cunning wanton Widow_.

_Waiting-woman._

_Maid Servants._

* * * * *

_The Scene_ Venice, Spain.

* * * * *

The principal Actors were,

_Richard Burbadge._ _Henry Condel._ _William Ostler._ _Alexander Cooke._

_Actus Primus. Scena Prima._

_Enter_ Lodovico, _and_ Piso.

_Lodovico._ The truth is, _Piso_, so she be a woman And rich and wholsome, let her be of what Condition and Complexion it please, She shall please me I am sure; Those men are fools That make their eyes their choosers, not their needs.

_Piso._ Me thinks I would have her honest too, and handsom.

_Lod._ Yes if I could have both, but since they are Wishes so near impossibilities, Let me have that that may be.

_Piso._ If it were so, I hope your conscience would not be so nice To start at such a blessing.

_Lod._ No believe me, I do not think I should.

_Piso._ But thou would'st be I do not doubt upon the least suspicion Unmercifully jealous.

_Lod._ No I should not, For I believe those mad that seek vexations. A Wife, though she be honest, is a trouble, Had I a Wife as fair as _Hellen_ was That drew so many Cuckolds to her cause, These eyes should see another in my Saddle Ere I believe my beast would carry double.

_Piso._ So should not I by'our Lady, and I think My patience (by your leave) as good as yours, Report would stir me mainly, I am sure on't.

_Lod._ Report? You are unwise; report is nothing; For if there were a truth in what men talk, I mean of this kind, this part of the world I am sure would be no more call'd _Christendom_.

_Piso._ What then?

_Lod._ Why _Cuckoldom_, for we should lose Our old faiths clean, and hold their new opinions: If talk could make me sweat, before I would marry I'd tie a surer knot, and hang my self; I tell thee there was never woman yet, (Nor never hope there shall be) though a Saint, But she has been a subject to mens tongues, And in the worse sense: and that desperate Husband, That dares give up his peace, and follow humours (Which he shall find too busie, if he seek 'em) Besides the forcing of himself an Ass He dyes in chains, eating himself with anger.

_Piso._ Having these Antidotes against opinion I would marry any one; an arrant Whore.

_Lod._ Thou dost not feel the nature of this Physick Which I prescribe not to beget diseases, But where they are, to stop them.

_Piso._ I conceive ye: What thinkest thou, thy way, of the widow _Lelia_?

_Lod._ Faith thou hast found out one I must confess Would stagger my best patience: From that woman As I would bless my self from plagues and surfeits, From Men of war at Sea, from storms, and quicksands, From hearing Treason and concealing it, From daring of a Madman, or a Drunkard, From Heresie, ill Wine, and stumbling post Horse; So would I pray each morning, and each night (And if I said each hour, I should not lye) To be delivered of all these in one, The woman thou hast named.

_Enter_ Julio, Angelo, _and Father_.

_Piso._ Thou hast set her in a pretty Litany.

_Ang._ Pray take my counsel.

_Jul._ When I am my self I'le hear you any way; love me though thus As thou art honest, which I dare not be Lest I despise my self. Farewel. [_Exit_ Julio.

_Piso._ Do you hear my friend: Sir, are you not a setter, For the fair widow here of famous memory?

_Fa._ Ha? am I taken for a Bawd? Oh Heaven! To mine own child too? misery, I thank thee That keepst me from their knowledge: Sir, believe me I understand ye not.

_Lod._ You love plain dealing. Are you not parcel Bawd? confess your Function, It may be we would use it.

_Fa._ Were she worse, As I fear strangely she is ill enough, I would not hear this tamely.

_Piso._ Here's a shilling To strike good luck withal.

_Fa._ Here's a Sword, Sir, To strike a Knave withal, thou lyest, and basely, Be what thou wilt.

_Ang._ Why how now Gentlemen?

_Fa._ You are many: I shall meet you, Sir, again, And make you understand, y'have wrong'd a Woman Compar'd with whom thy Mother was a sinner. Farewel. [_Exit_ Father.

_Piso._ He has amazed me.

_Ang._ With a blow? By'r Lady 'twas a sound one; are ye good At taking knocks? I shall know you hereafter: You were to blame to tempt a man so far Before you knew him certain: h'as not hurt ye?

_Piso._ No I think.

_Lod._ We were to blame indeed to go so far, For men may be mistaken: if he had swinged us H'had serv'd us right: Beshrew my heart, I think, We have done the Gentlewoman as much wrong too, For hang me if I know her In my particular.

_Piso._ Nor I; this 'tis to credit Mens idle tongues; I warrant they have said As much by our two Mothers.

_Lod._ Like enough.

_Ang._ I see a beating now and then does more Move and stir up a mans contrition Than a sharp Sermon, here _probatum est_.

_Enter_ Frederick, _and Servant_.

_Ser._ What shall I tell your Sister?

_Fred._ Tell her this, Till she be better conversation'd And leave her walking by her self, and whining To her old melancholy Lute, I'le keep As far from her as the Gallows. [_Exit Servant._

_Ang._ Who's that, _Frederick_?

_Fred._ Yes marry is't. O _Angelo_ how dost thou?

_Ang._ Save you Sir, how does my Mistris?

_Fred._ She is in love I think, but not with you I can assure you: saw ye _Fabritio_?

_Ang._ Is he come over?

_Fred._ Yes a week ago: Shall we dine?

_Ang._ I cannot.

_Fred._ Prethee do.

_Ang._ Believe me I have business.

_Fred._ Have you too, Gentlemen?

_Piso._ No Sir.

_Fred._ Why then let's dine together.

_Lod._ With all my heart.

_Fred._ Go then: Farewel good _Angelo_, Commend me to your friend.

_Ang._ I will. [_Exeunt._