Part 26

_Vio._ For [gods] sake, urge your faults no more, but mend, All the forgiveness I can make you, is, To love you, which I will do, and desire Nothing but love again, which if I have not Yet I will love you still.

_Rich._ Oh Women, that some one of you will take, An everlasting pen into your hands: And grave in paper which the writ shall make, More lasting than the marble Monuments, Your matchless virtues to posterities: Which the defective race of envious man, Strive to conceal.

_Vio._ Methinks I would not now for any thing, But you had mist me, I have made a story, Will serve to waste many a winters fire When we are old, I'll [tell] my daughters then, The miseries their Mother had in love: And say, my girls be wiser, yet I would not Have had more wit my self, take up those Jewels, For I think I hear my fellows coming.

_Enter the Milk-maids with their pails._

_Madge._ How dost thou now?

_Vio._ Why, very well I thank you, 'tis late, shall I haste home?

_Nan._ I prethee we shall be shent soundly.

_Madge._ Why does that railing man goe with us?

_Vio._ I prethee speak well of him, on my word, He's an honest man.

_Nan._ There was never any so one's complexion, a Gentleman? I'de be asham'd to have such a foul mouth. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Mother_, Alexander, Andrugio, _and his man_ Rowland.

_Moth._ How now _Alexander_, what Gentleman is this?

_Alex._ Indeed forsooth I know not, I found him at the market full of woe, crying a lost daughter, and telling all her tokens to the people; and what you wot? by all subscription in the world, it should be our new Maid _Melvia_, one would little think it, therefore I was bold to tell him of her Mistriss.

_Moth._ _Melvia?_ It cannot be, fool, alas you know she is a poor wench, and I took her in upon mere charity.

_And._ So seem'd my daughter when she went away, as she had made her self.

_Moth._ What stature was your child of, Sir?

_And._ Not high, and of a brown complexion, Her Hair aborn, a round face, which some friends that flattered me, would say 'twould be a good one.

_Alex._ This is still _Melvia_, Mistriss, that's the truth on't.

_Moth._ It may be so, I'll promise you.

_Alex._ Well, goe thy ways, the flower of our Town, for a hand and a foot, I shall never see thy fellow.

_Moth._ But had she not such toyes, as Bracelets, Rings, and Jewels?

_And._ She was something bold indeed, to take such things that night she left me.

_Moth._ Then belike she run away?

_And._ Though she be one I love, I dare not lye, she did indeed.

_Moth._ What think you of this Jewel?

_And._ Yes, this was one of them, and this was mine, you have made me a new man, I thank you for it.

_Moth._ Nay, and she be given to filching, there is your Jewel, I am clear on't: but by your leave, Sir, you shall answer me for what is lost since she came hither, I can tell you, there lye things scattering in every place about the house.

_Alex._ As I am virtuous, I have the lyingst old Gentlewoman to my Mistriss, and the most malicious, the devil a good word will she give a servant, that's her old rule; and God be thanked, they'll give her as few, there is perfect love on both sides, it yearns my heart to [heare] the wench misconstrued, a careful soul she is, I'll be sworn for her, and when she's gone, let them say what they will, they may cast their caps at such another.

_And._ What you have lost by her, with all my heart I'll see you double paid for, you have say'd With your kind pity, two that must not live Unless it be to thank you; take this Jewel, This strikes off none of her offences, Mistriss, Would I might see her.

_Moth._ _Alexander_, run, and bid her make haste home, she's at the milking Close; but tell her not by any means who's here, I know she'll be too fearful.

_Alex._ Well, we'll have a posset yet at parting, that's my comfort, and one round, or else I'll lose my Will. [_Exit._

_And._ You shall find _Silvio_, _Uberto_, and _Pedro_ enquiring for the Wench at the next Town, tell them she is found, and where I am, and with the favor of this Gentlewoman, desire them to come hither.

_Moth._ I pray do, they shall be all welcome. [_Exit Serv._

_Enter Justice,_ Curio, _and_ Mark.

_Just._ By your leave forsooth, you shall see me find the parties by a slight.

_Moth._ Who's that, Mr. Justice? how do you, Sir?

_Just._ Why, very well, and busie, where's your Son?

_Moth._ He's within, Sir.

_Just._ Hum, and how does the young woman my Cosin, that came down with him.

_Moth._ She's above, as a woman in her case may be.

_Just._ You have confest it? then sirrah call in the Officers: she's no Cosin of mine; a mere trick to discover all.

_Moth._ To discover? what?

_Enter_ Mark _and Officers_.

_Just._ You shall know that anon: I think [you] have overreached you; oh welcome, enter the house, and by virtue of my warrant which you have there, seize upon the bodily persons of those whose names are there written, to wit, one _Mercury_, and the wife of one _Antonio_.

_Moth._ For what.

_Just._ Away I say, This Gentleman shall certifie you for what. [_Ex. Officer._

_Moth._ He can accuse my Son of nothing, he came from travel but within these two days.

_Just._ There hangs a tale.

_Moth._ I should be sorry this should fall out at any time: but especially now Sir; will you favour me so much, as to let me know of what you accuse him?

_Cur._ Upon suspition of murther.

_Moth._ Murther? I defie thee.

_Cur._ I pray God he may prove himself innocent.

_Just._ Fie, say not so, you shew your self to be no good Common-wealths man: for the more are hang'd the better 'tis for the Common-wealth.

_Moth._ By this rule you were best hang your self.

_Just._ I forgive your honest mirth ever: Oh welcome, welcome _Mark_.

_Enter_ Mark _and Officers, with_ Mercury _and the Wife_.

Your Pen, Ink, and Paper, to take their examinations.

_Mer._ Why do you pull me so? I'll go alone.

_Just._ Let them stand, let them stand quietly, whilst they are examin'd?

_Wife._ What will you examine us of?

_Just._ Of _Antonio's_ murther.

_Mer._ Why, he was my friend.

_Wife._ He was my Husband.

_Just._ The more shame for you both; _Mark_, your Pen and Ink.

_Moth._ Pray God all be well, I never knew any of these travellers come to good; I beseech you, Sir, be favourable to my Son.

_Just._ Gentlewoman, hold you content, I would it were come to that!

_Mer._ For gods sake mother, why kneel you to such a pig-brib'd fellow? he has surfeited of Geese, and they have put him into a fit of Justice; let him do his worst.

_Just._ Is your paper ready?

_Mark._ I am ready, Sir.

_Enter_ Antonio.

_Just._ Accuse them, Sir, I command thee to lay down accusations against these persons, in behalf of the State, and first look upon the parties to be accus'd, and deliver your name.

_Cur._ My name is _Curio_, my murthered kinsman If he were living now, I should not know him, 'Tis so long since we saw one another.

_Ant._ My Cosin _Curio_?

_Cur._ But thus much from the mouths of his servants, and others, whose examinations I have in writing about me, I can accuse them of; this _Mercury_, the last night, but this last, lay in _Antonio's_ house, and in the night he rose, raising _Antonio_, where privately they were in talk an hour, to what end I know not: but of likelyhood, finding _Antonio's_ house not a fit place to murder him in, he suffered him to go to bed again, but in the morning early, he train'd him I think forth, after which time he never saw his home; his cloaths were found near the place where _Mercury_ was, and the people at first denyed they saw him: but at last he made a friv[o]lous tale, that there he shifted himself into a Footmans habit: but in short, the next hour this woman went to _Mercury_, and in her Coach they posted hither; true accusations, I have no more, and I will make none.

_Just._ No more? we need no more, sirrah, be drawing their Mittimus before we hear their answer. What say you Sir? are you guilty of this murther?

_Mer._ No Sir.

_Just._ Whether you are or no, confess, it will be the better for you.

_Mer._ If I were guilty, your Rhetorick could not fetch it forth: but though I am innocent, I confess, that if I were a stander by, these circ[u]mstances urg'd, which are true, would make me doubtless believe the accused parties, to be guilty.

_Just._ Write down, that he being a stander by; for so you see he is, doth doubtlesly believe the accused parties, which is himself to be guilty.

_Mer._ I say no such thing.

_Just._ Write it down I say, we'll try that.

_Mer._ I care not what you write, pray God you did not kill him for my love, though I am free from this, we both deserve--

_Wife._ Govern your tongue I pray you, all is well, my Husband lives, I know it, and I see him.

_Just._ They whisper, sever them quickly I say, Officers, why do you let them prompt one another, Gentlewoman, what say you to this, are not you guilty?

_Wife._ No, as I hope for mercy.

_Just._ But are not those circumstances true, that this Gentleman hath so shortly and methodically deliver'd?

_Wife._ They are, and what you do with me, I care not, Since he is dead, in whom was all my care: You knew him not.

_Just._ No, an't been better for you too, and you had never known him.

_Wife._ Why then you did not know the worlds chief joy, His face so manly as it had been made, To fright the world, yet he so sweetly temper'd; That he would make himself a natural fool, To do a noble kind[n]ess for a friend. He was a man whose name I'll not out-live, Longer than heaven, whose Will must be obey'd; Will have me do.

_Ant._ And I will quit thy kindness.

_Just._ Before me, she has made the tears stand in mine eyes, but I must be austere, Gentlewoman; you must confess this murder.

_Wife._ I cannot, Sir, I did it not, but I desire to see those examinations which this Gentleman acknowledges to have about him, for but late last night I receiv'd Letters from the City, yet I heard of no confession, then.

_Just._ You shall see them time enough I warrant you, but Letters you say you had, where are those Letters?

_Wife._ Sir, they are gone.

_Just._ Gone? whither are they gone? How have you dispos'd of 'em?

_Wife._ Why Sir, they are for womens matters, and so I use 'em.

_Just._ Who writ 'em?

_Wife._ A man of mine.

_Just._ Who brought 'em?

_Wife._ A Post.

_Just._ A Post? there is some great haste sure, aha, where is that Post?

_Wife._ Sir, there he stands..

_Just._ Does he so? bring hither that Post, I am afraid that Post will prove a knave; come hither Post, what? what can you say concerning the murder of _Antonio_?

_Ant._ What's that to you?

_Just._ Oh Post, you have no answer ready, have you? I'll have one from you.

_Ant._ You shall have no more from me than you have; you examine an honest Gentleman and Gentlewoman here, 'tis pitty such fools as you should be i'th Commission.

_Just._ Say you so Post, take away that Post, whip him and bring him again quickly, I'll hamper you Post.

_Mer._ 'Tis _Antonio_, I know him now as well; what an irregular fool is this!

_Ant._ Whip me? hold off.

_Wife._ Oh good Sir whip him, by his murmuring he should know something of my Husbands death; that may quit me, for gods sake fetch't out.

_Just._ Whip him I say.

_Ant._ Who is't dares whip me now?

_Wife._ Oh my lov'd Husband.

_Mer._ My most worthy friend? where have you been so long?

_Ant._ I cannot speak for joy.

_Just._ Why, what's the matter now, and shall not Law then have her course?

_Andra._ It shall h[a]ve no other course than it has I think.

_Just._ It shall have other course before I go, or I'll beat my brains, and I say it was not honestly done of him to discover himself before the parties accus'd were executed, that Law might have had her course, for then the kingdom flourishes.

_Ant._ But such a wife as thou, had never any man, and such a friend as he, believe me wife, shall never be [a] good wife, love my friend, friend love my wife, hark friend.

_Just._ _Mark_, if we can have nothing to do, you shall swear the peace of some body.

_Mark._ Yes Sir.

_Ant._ By my troth I am sorry my wife is so obstinate, sooth, if I could yet do thee any good, I wou'd, faith I wou'd.

_Mer._ I thank you Sir, I have lost that passion.

_Ant._ Cosin _Curio_, you and I must be better acquainted.

_Cur._ It is my wish, Sir.

_Ant._ I should not have known you neither, 'tis so long since we saw, we were but children then: but you have shew'd your self an honest man to me.

_Cur._ I would be ever so.

_Enter_ Richardo _and_ Viola.

_Moth._ Look you, who's there.

_And._ Say nothing to me, for thy peace is made.

_Rich._ Sir, I can nothing say, But that you are her Father, you can both Not only pardon, when you have a wrong, But love where you have most injury.

_Just._ I think I shall hear of no hanging this year, there's A Tinker and a Whore yet, the Cryer said, that rob'd her, and are in prison, I hope they shall be hang'd.

_And._ No truly Sir, they have broke prison.

_Just._ 'Tis no matter, then [t]he Jaylor shall be hang'd.

_And._ You are deceiv'd in that too, Sir, 'twas known to be against his will, and he hath got his pardon, I think for nothing, but if it doth cost him any thing, I'll pay it.

_Just._ _Mark_, up with your papers, away.

_Mer._ Oh you shall stay dinner, I have a couple of brawling neighbors, that I'll assure you will not agree, and you shall have the hearing of their matter.

_Just._ With all my heart.

_Mer._ Go, Gentlemen, go in.

_Rich._ Oh _Viola_, that no succeeding age, Might loose the memory of what thou wert, But such an overswayed Sex is yours, That all the virtuous actions you can do, Are but as men will call them; and I swear, 'Tis my belief, that women want but ways; To praise their deeds, but men want deeds to praise. [_Exeunt omnes._

EPILOGUE.

_'Tis ended, but my hopes and fears begin, Nor can it be imputed as a sin In me to wish it favour, if this night, To the Judicious it hath giv'n delight. I have my ends, and may such for their grace, Vouchsaf'd to this, find theirs in every place._

APPENDIX.

_In the following references to the text the lines are numbered from the top of the page, including titles, acts, stage directions, &c., but not, of course, the headline or mere 'rules.' Where, as in the lists of Persons Represented, there are double columns, the right-hand column is numbered after the left._

It has not been thought necessary to record the correction of every turned letter nor the substitution of marks of interrogation for marks of exclamation and _vice versa_. Full-stops have been silently inserted at the ends of speeches and each fresh speaker has been given the dignity of a fresh line: in the double-columned folio the speeches are frequently run on. Misprints in the Quartos and the First Folio are recorded when they appear to be interesting. A word or two from the printed text is attached to the variants recorded below in cases where the variant, by itself, would not be sufficiently clear. Altered punctuation is shown, usually, by printing the old punctuation between the preceding and following words.

#A#=First folio. #B#=Second folio.

THE WOMANS PRIZE.

p. #1#, ll. 5-29. _Not in_ A

p. #3#, l. 13. B] _Mar._ l. 36. B] breeches out of fear,

p. #5#, l. 27. B] _Rom_.

p. #6#, l. 6. A] Fox and _Moroso_

p. #7#, l. 26. A] have I

p. #8#, l. 5. A] up rowse l. 7. A] o' th longs

p. #10#, l. 38. B] Wonting

p. #11#, l. 19. A] 'Cheere l. 35. B] _Jap._

p. #12#, l. 22. A] home at

p. #14#, l. 13. A] Spinala's

p. #15#, l. 20. B] saying from l. 23. B] list, lie l. 29. B] as' tfol wols l. 34. B] Bug-words

p. #16#, l. 28. B] accept l. 32. A] i'ld

p. #18#, l. 20. B] _Mar._

p. #19#, l. 2. A] all thy l. 23. a] Jewry

p. #20#, l. 1. A _and_ B] shall believe l. 9. B] speed? l. 18. B] so.

p. #21#, l. 13. B] you

p. #22#, l. 3. B] Stranger, than

p. #23#, l. 26. A _omits_] is

p. #24#, l. 8. B] him. l. 10. B] it;

p. #25#, l. 14. A _omits_] _Mor._

p. #26#, l. 36. B] selves

p. #27#, l. 26. B _omits_] most l. 27. B] Coughs.

p. #28#, l. 10. A] doe th'em l. 21. A] Found

p. #29#, l. 32. B] _Bow._ l. 35. A] _Row_. Thou hast heard I am sure of Esculapius. So were etc.

p. #30#, l. 14. B] _Row._ Thou l. 19. B] be l. 34. B] _Raw._ l. 39. B _omits_] doe

p. #32#, l. 33. B] aad

p. #33#, l. 5. B] Godheads l. 40. A _repeats here_ ll. 16-25 _on_ p. 29, _with the following alterations_]

_Enter three mayds, at severall doors._ goes the businesse

p. #34#, l. 1. B] _Tertia._

p. #35#, l. 8. B] Heaven l. 16. B] the Kingdom ll. 22-36. _Not in_ A

p. #36#, ll. 3, 4. A _omits_] _Citizens and Countrey women._

p. #37#, l. 14. B _omits_] then l. 22. A] I lie l. 40. A _and_ B] Plackets.

p. #38#, l. 1. B] Dary ll. 30, 31. _Not in_ B

p. #39#, l. 5. A _and_ B] importun'd. l. 24. B] down the l. 29. B] commanded

p. #40#, l. 1. B] _Petro._ l. 17. B] Mistresses

p. #41#, l. 4. B] _Tro._

p. #42#, l. 35. A _and_ B] leave.

p. #43#, l. 15. B] _Jac._ l. 31. B] Payers

p. #44#, l. 7. B] _Jac._ l. 10. A] Bagget l. 12. A] a sober l. 31. A] _Cinque-pace_ Dame tosse and Butter, had he Bob too?

p. #45#, l. 33. B] pains

p. #46#, l. 34. A] plush, perfum'd, and purffle B] purffle, l. 38. B] hangings.

p. #47#, l. 31. A _omits_] you l. 36. A] built

p. #50#, l. 7. A] love too l. 31. A] there's no gewgaws

p. #51#, l. 33. B] Woman.

p. #53#, l. 23. A] Heaven

p. #56#, l. 14. A _omits_] a

p. #57#, l. 5. A] dunhill l. 8. B] two l. 33. A] get dozen

p. #58#, l. 1. B] would l. 6. B] Eeel

p. #61#, l. 24. A] these

p. #62#, l. 34. B] Maid l. 39. B _omits bracket_ l. 40. A] dogge-latch

p. #66#, l. 11. B] pounds

p. #67#, l. 34. B] _Exunt_

p. #68#, l. 6. B _omits_] feare

p. #69#, l. 18. A] by-lowes l. 19. A] can hate l. 26. A _omits_] my

p. #70#, l. 7. B _omits_] again

p. #71#, l. 8. B] Woman. l. 24. B] 'cut

p. #72#, l. 26. B] signs.

p. #73#, l. 6. B] _Petrn_. l. 29. A] morall

p. #75#, l. 15. A] new adventure l. 16. A] us nothing

p. #76#, l. 9. B] _Catayana_

p. #78#, l. 4. A] Ha's

p. #79#, l. 34. B _omits_], you

p. #80#, l. 1. B] pettish l. 23. B. _omits_] God

p. #81#, l. 33. A _omits_] _Exeunt_

p. #83#, l. 4. B] come, exceed

p. #85#, l. 28. B] Fadding l. 31. A] seagly

p. #86#, l. 12. B] same. l. 37. A] had his

p. #89#, l. 6. A] home since, since ye l. 15. A] thy bread l. 16. A] thy teeth l. 33. B] _Petro_ l. 36. B _omits_] done

p. #90#, l. 2. B] _M_or

THE ISLAND PRINCESS.

p. #91#, ll. 3-42. _Omitted in_ A

p. #92#, l. 7. B] find. l. 12. B] surprize. l. 24. B] tightly

p. #93#, l. 35. B _omits_] weares

p. #94#, l. 23. B] since

p. #95#, l. 14. A] 'is a

p. #98#, l. 18. A] a tenant

p. #100#, l. 24. B] And ll. 28, 29. B _omits stage direction_

p. #101#, l. 5. A] Let my

p. #103#, l. 9. A] There they should lye as miseries l. 13. B] will

p. #104#, l. 2. B] this l. 14. A] accept your prisoner

p. #105#, l. 31. A] Clod with

p. #107#, l. 20. A _omits_] and

p. #108#, l. 31. B _omits_] her

p. #109#, l. 1. A] holds my

p. #110#, l. 10. B] men do to

p. #111#, l. 6. B] begun l. 30. A _omits one_] that

p. #113#, l. 35. B] Merchans

p. #114#, l. 33. B] _Then._

p. #116#, l. 34. B] Body, oh me

p. #117#, l. 2. B] rhese

p. #118#, l. 37. B] preparation?

p. #122#, l. 17. B] Princess

p. #123#, l. A _omits_] him l. 33. B] woman

p. #124#, l. 23. B] Aud

p. #125#, l. 5. A] you

p. #126#, l. 8. B] kinsman. l. 14. A] wert

p. #127#, l. 2. B] dare l. 24. B] followers. l. 37. A] have you

p. #128#, l. 8. A] Princesse l. 13. B] _Pyu._ l. 20. B] Love these l. 28. A] feates

p. #129#, l. 32. B] enconragement

p. #130#, l. 25. B] _Pen._

p. #131#, l. 13. A] Is love l. 33. A] And be but to make cleane his sword: coward

p. #132#, l. 23. A _omits_] _and_

p. #135#, l. 8. A] Princesse

p. #136#, l. 28. B] hope no night

p. #138#, l. 40. A] complaine, me

p. #143#, l. 30. A] And then

p. #144#, l. 12. A _omits_] is l. 20. A] Now I

p. #145#, l. 35. A] toward

p. #146#, l. 27. B] Island

p. #147#, l. 1. B] dance. l. 20. A] Plow

p. #148#, l. 16. A] And may l. 33. B] endeavour;

p. #149#, l. 12. A] hide in iniquities l. 18. A _omits_] _and_

p. #150#, l. 30. A] _Emanuel_--not--

p. #151#, l. 12. B] Armusia.

p. #152#, l. 6. A] with'm l. 10. B] honourably l. 27. B] him [_full point supplied_]

p. #153#, l. 1. A] wils

p. #154#, l. 1. A] you

p. #155#, l. 7. B] knowledge; l. 8. B] swellings, A] maine aire l. 16. A] doe performe

p. #157#, l. 25. A] bound to?

p. #158#, l. 2. A] plague 'a l. 26. A] stinch

p. #159#, l. 10. B] Nations

p. #160#, l. 31. B _omits_] for 't;

p. #161#, l. 32. B _omits the second_] ye

p. #162#, l. 8. B] you

p. #163#, l. 31. A _omits_] a

p. #164#, l. 18. B] you

p. #165#, l. 11. A] his arrant

p. #168#, l. 25. B] thakful l. 26. B] Dios

p. #170#, l. 17. B] Princesses

There is an edition of _The Island Princess_ in the British Museum (161. c. 70) dated 1669, 'As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal by His Majesties Servants. With the Alterations and New Additional Scenes. Licensed May 31. 1669. Roger L'Estrange.' It does not appear to be desirable to record here more than the following readings from a collation kindly made by Mrs Arnold Glover:

p. #92#, l. 22. pleasures

p. #96#, l. 6. alone as a mask

p. #103#, l. 27. _Dias_ could

p. #104#, l. 21. your countrey

p. #105#, l. 31. Clad

p. #106#, l. 34. next to nothing

p. #108#, l. 18. thou wish her

p. #116#, to p. #117#, l. 15. _Re-written_

p. #117#, l. 29. without courage l. 35. boyish brains out

p. #140#, l. 24. to tax

pp. #164, 165#. _Re-written_ _A prologue and an epilogue are added_

THE NOBLE GENTLEMAN.

p. #171#, ll. 3-28. _Not in_ A _The Prologue is printed at the end of the play_ l. 13. B] Lougueville

p. #172#, l. 2. B] aud l. 31. B] ro

p. #173#, l. 8. A] you be l. 16. A] preacht l. 30. A] travaile

p. #174#, l. 8. A] lights ... makes

p. #175#, l. 38. B] worthy

p. #176#, l. 19. B] upbraid l. 39. A _omits_] a

p. #177#, l. 26. A] not, in

p. #178#, l. 20. B] he l. 25. A] looks

p. #179#, l. 2. B] _Mousieur_

p. #184#, l. 1. A] mine still, when l. 15. A] trojan purple

p. #185#, l. 11. A _omits_] _Scaena Prima._

p. #186#, ll. 18, 19. A] contented her, When you first married her; a

p. #187#, l. 1. B] mighty l. 3. B _omits_] up

p. #189#, l. 5. A _omits the second_] the

p. #196#, l. 23. A _omits_] answer

p. #198#, l. 5. A] do your

p. #199#, l. 4. B _omits_] are l. 17. A _omits_] _Scaena Prima._

p. #200#, l. 24. A] for me