Part 19

_Leon._ Widow, guess why I come, I prethee do.

_Bacha._ I cannot Sir, unless you be pleas'd to make a mirth out of my rudeness: and that I hope your pity will not let ye, the subject is so Barren: Bite King, Bite, I'll let you play a while.

_Leon._ Now as I am an honest man, I'll tell thee truely, how many foot did I Jump yesterday _Timantus_?

_Tim._ Fourteen of your own, and some three fingers.

_Bacha._ This fellow lyes as lightly, as if hee were in cut Taffata. Alas good Almanack get thee to Bed, and tell what weather we shall have to morrow.

_Leon._ Widow I am come in short to be a Suiter.

_Bacha._ For whom?

_Leon._ Why by my troth, I come to wooe thee wench: And win thee for my self: Nay, look upon me: I have about me that will do it.

_Bac._ Now Heaven defend me, your Whore [you] shall never: I thank the Gods, I have a little left me to keep me warm, and honest: if your grace take not that, I seek no more.

_Leon._ I am so far from taking any thing, I'll add unto thee.

_Bach._ Such Additions may be for your ease Sir, Not my honestie: I am well in being single, good Sir seek another, I am no meat for money.

_Leon._ Shall I fight for thee? This sword shall cut his throat, that dars lay claim But to a Finger of thee, but to a look, I would See such a fellow.

_Bac._ It would be but a cold sight to you: This is the father of _S. George_ a foot-back, Can such dry mumming talk.

_Tim._ Before the gods, your grace lookes like _Æneas_.

_Bac._ He looks like his old father upon his back, Crying to get Aboord.

_Leon._ How shall I win thy love, I pray thee tell me? I'll marry thee if thou desirest that: That is an honest Course, I am in good earnest, and presently within this hour, [I] am mad for thee: prethee deny me not, For as I live I'll pine thee, but I'll have thee.

_Bacha._ Now he's in the Toyl, I'll hold him fast.

_Tima._ You do not know what 'tis to be a Queen, Go too you Maid, else what the old man falls short of, there's others can eech out, when you please to call on 'em.

_Bacha._ I understand you not, Love I adore thee, Sir, on my knees I give you hearty thanks, for so much Honoring your humble Hand-mayd above her birth: Far more her weak deservings, I dare not trust the Envious tongues of all that must repine at my unworthy rising. Beside, you have many fair ones in your Kingdome Born to such worth: O turn your self about And make a Noble choice.

_Leon._ If I do, let me famish: I will have thee, Or break up house, and boord here.

_Bac._ Sir, you may command an unwilling woman to obey ye: but heaven knows--

_Leon._ No more: these half a dozen kisses, and this Jewell, and every thing I have, and away with me, and clap it up; and have a boy by morning _Timantus_. let one be sent post for my son again: and for _Ismenus_, they are scarce twenty miles on their way yet, by that time we'll be married.

_Tima._ There shall Sir. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Tertii. Scæna Prima._

_Enter Dorialus, Agenor, Nisus._

_Nisus._ Is not this a fine marriage?

_Agenor._ Yes, yes, let it alone.

_Dor._ I, I, the King may marry whom's list, let's talk of other matters.

_Nis._ Is the _Prince_ coming home certainly?

_Dor._ Yes, yes, he was sent post for yesterday, lets make haste we'll see how his new Mother-in-law will entertain him.

_Nis._ Why well I warrant you: did you not mark how humbly she carried her self to us on her marriage day, acknowledging her own unworthiness, and that she would be our servant.

_Dor._ But mark what's done.

_Nis._ Regard not shew.

_Age._ O God! I knew her when I have been off'red her to be brought to my bed for five [pound]: whether it could have been perform'd or no, I know not.

_Nis._ Her Daughters a pretty Lady.

_Dor._ Yes: and having had but mean bringing up, it talks the pretilest and innocentliest, the Queen will be so angry to hear her betray her breeding by her language: but I am perswaded she's well dispos'd.

_Agenor._ I think better than her Mother.

_Nis._ Come, we stay too long. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Leucippus, and Ismenus._

_Isme._ How now man, strook dead with a tale?

_Leu._ No, but with a truth.

_Isme._ Stand [of] your self: can you endure blows, and shrink at words?

_Leu._ Thou knowst I have told thee all.

_Isme._ But that all's nothing to make you thus: your Sisters dead.

_Leu._ That's much, but not the most.

_Isme._ Why, for the other let her marry and hang, 'tis no purpos'd fault of yours: and if your Father will needs have your cast Whore, you shall shew the duty of a child better in being contented, and bidding much good doe his good old heart with her, than in repining thus at it; let her go: what, there are more wenches man, we'll have another.

_Leu._ O thou art vain, thou knowst I doe not love her: What shall I doe? I would my tongue had led me To any other thing, but blasphemy, So I had mist commending of this woman, Whom I must reverence now: she is my Mother, My sin _Ismenus_ has wrought all this ill: And I beseech thee, to be warn'd by me, And doe not lye, if any man should aske thee But _How thou dost_, or _What a clock 'tis now_. Be sure thou doe not lye, make no excuse For him that is most near thee: never let The most officious falsehood scape thy tongue, For they above (that are intirely truth) Will make that seed, which thou hast sown Of lyes, yield miseries a thousand fold Upon thine head, as they have done on mine.

_Enter Timantus._

_Tim._ Sir, your Highness is welcome home, the _Duke_ and _Queen_ will presently come forth to you.

_Leu._ I'll wait on them.

_Tima._ Worthy _Ismenus_, I pray you, have you sped in your wars?

_Isme._ This Rogue mocks me. Well _Timantus_, Pray how have you sped here at [home] at shovelboord?

_Tim._ Faith reasonable. How many Towns have you taken in this Summer?

_Isme._ How many Stags have you been at the death of this grass?

_Tima._ A number: 'Pray how is the Province settled?

_Isme._ Prethee how does the dun Nag?

_Tim._ I think you mock me my Lord.

_Isme._ Mock thee? Yes by my troth doe I: why what wouldst thou have me doe with thee? Art good for any thing else?

_Enter Leontius, Bacha, Dorialus, Agenor, Nisus, Telamon._

_Leu._ My good _Ismenus_, hold me by the wrist: And if thou see'st me fainting, wring me hard, For I shall swoon again else.-- [_Kneels._

_Leon._ Welcome my son; rise, I did send for thee Back from the province, by thy Mothers counsell, Thy good Mother here, who loves thee well: She would not let me venture all my joy Amongst my enemies: I thank thee for her, And none but thee, I took her on thy word.

_Leucip._ Pinch harder.

_Leon._ And she shall bid thee welcome: I have now Some near affairs, but I will drink a Health To thee anon: Come _Telamon_, [Ime] grown Lustier, I thank thee for't, since I marryed; I can stand now alone, why _Telamon_, And never stagger. [_Exit Leontius, Telamon._

_Bac._ Welcome most noble Sir, whose fame is come Hither before you: out alas you scorn me, And teach me what to doe.

_Leu._ No, you are my Mother.

_Bacha._ Far unworthy of that name God knows: But trust me, here before these Lords, I am no more but Nurse unto the _Duke_; Nor will I breed a faction in the State, It is too much for me that I am rais'd Unto his bed, and will remain the servant Of you that did it.

_Leu._ Madam I will serve you As shall become me. O dissembling woman! Whom I must reverence though. Take from thy Quiver, sure-aim'd _Apollo_; one of thy swift darts, Headed with thy consuming golden beams, And let it melt this body into mist, That none may find it.

_Bac._ Shall I beg my Lords This Room in private for the _Prince_ and me?

[_Exeunt all but Leu. and Bach._

_Leu._ What will she say now?

_Bach._ I must still enjoy him: Yet there is still left in me a spark of woman, That wishes he [w]ould move it, but he stands, As if he grew there with his eyes on earth, Sir, you and I when we were last together Kept not this distance as we were afraid Of blasting by our selves.

_Leu._ Madam 'tis true, Heaven pardon it.

_Bach._ Amen Sir. You may think that I have done you wrong in this strange marriage.

_Leu._ 'Tis past now.

_Bach._ But it was no fault of mine: The world had call'd me mad, had I refus'd The King: nor layd I any train to catch him, It was your own Oaths did it.

_Leu._ 'Tis a truth: that takes my sleep away, but Would to Heaven, if it had so been pleas'd, you had Refus'd him, though I had gratifi'd that courtesie With having you my self: But since 'tis thus, I doe beseech you that you will be honest From henceforth; and not abuse his credulous Age, Which you may easily doe. As for my self What I can say, you know alas too well Is ty'd within me, here it will sit like lead, But shall offend no other, it will pluck me Back from my ent'rance into any mirth, As if a servant came, and whisper'd with me Of some friends death, but I will bear my self, To you, with all the due obedience A son owes to a Mother: more than this, Is not in me, but I must leave the rest to the Just gods: who in their blessed time, When they have given me punishment enough, For my rash Sin, will mercifully find As unexpected means to ease my grief As they did now to bring it.

_Bac._ Grown so godly? this must not be. And I will be to you, no other than a natural Mother ought; And for my honesty, so you will swear Never to urge me, I shall keep it safe from any other.

_Leu._ Bless me I should urge you?

_Bacha._ Nay but swear then that I may be at peace, For I doe feel a weakness in my self, That can denie you nothing, if you tempt me, I shall embrace Sin as it were a friend, and run to meet it.

_Leu._ If you knew how far It were from me, you would not urge an Oath. But for your satisfaction, when I tempt you.

_Bac._ Swear not: I cannot move him, this sad talk Of things past help, does not become us well. Shall I send one for my _Musicians_, and we'll dance?

_Leu._ Dance Madam?

_Bac._ Yes, _Alavalta_.

_Leu._ I cannot dance Madam.

_Bac._ Then lets be merry.

_Leu._ I am as my _Fortunes_ bid me. Do not you see me sowr?

_Bac._ Yes. And why think you I smile?

_Leu._ I am so far from any joy my self, I cannot fancie a cause of mirth.

_Bac._ I'll tell you, we are alone:

_Leu._ Alone?

_Bac._ Yes.

_Leu._ 'Tis true: what then?

_Bac._ What then? you make my smiling now Break into laughter: what think you is to be done then?

_Leu._ We shou'd pray to Heaven for mercy.

_Bacha._ Pray? that were a way indeed To pass the time: but I will make you blush, To see a bashfull woman teach a man What we should doe alone: try again If you can find it out.

_Leu._ I dare not think I understand you.

_Bac._ I must teach you then; Come, kiss me.

_Leu._ Kiss you?

_Bac._ Yes, be not asham'd: You did it not your self, I will forgive you.

_Leuc._ Keep you displeas'd gods, the due respect I ought to bear unto this wicked woman, As she is now my Mother, Haste within me, Lest I add sins to sins, till no repentance will cure me.

_Bac._ Leave these melancholly moods, That I may swear thee welcome on thy Lipps A thousand times.

_Leuc._ Pray leave this wicked talk, You doe not know to what my Fathers wrong May urge me.

_Bac._ I'm careless, and doe weigh The world, my life, and all my after hopes Nothing without thy Love, mistake me not: Thy Love, as I have had it, free and open As wedlock is, within it self, what say you?

_Leu._ Nothing.

_Bac._ Pitty me, behold a Duchess Kneels for thy mercie, and I swear to you Though I should lye with you, it is no Lust, For it desires no change, I could with you Content my self; what answer will you give?

_Leuc._ They that can answer must be less amaz'd, Than I am now: you see my tears deliver My meaning to you.

_Bac._ Shall I be contem'd? thou art a beast, worse than a savage beast, To let a Lady kneel, to beg that thing Which a right man would offer.

_Leu._ 'Tis your will Heaven: but let me bear me like My self, how ever she does.

_Bac._ Were you made an _Eunuch_, since you went hence? Yet they have more desire than I can find in you: How fond was I to beg thy love! I'll force thee to my will Dost thou not know that I can make the King Dote as my list? yield quickly, or by Heaven I'll have thee kept in prison for my purpose, Where I will make thee serve my turn, and have thee fed With such meats as best shall fit my ends And not thy health, why dost not speak to me? And when thou dost displease me, and art grown Less able to perform; then I will have thee Kill'd and forgotten: Are you striken dumb?

_Leu._ All you have nam'd but making of me sin With you, you may command, but never that; Say what you will, I'll hear you as becomes me, If you speak, I will not follow your counsell, Neither will I tell the world to your disgrace, But give you the just honor That is due from me to my Father's wife.

_Bac._ Lord how full of wise formality you [are] grown Of late: but you were telling me You could have wisht that I had marry'd you, If you will swear so yet, I'll make away the King.

_Leuc._ You are a strumpet.

_Bacha._ Nay, I care not For all your Railings: They will Batter walls And take in Towns, as soon as trouble me: Tell him, I care not, I shall undoe you only, which is no matter.

_Leu._ I appeal to you still, and for ever, that are And cannot be other, Madam, I see 'tis in your power To work your will on him: And I desire you To lay what trains you will for my wish'd death, But suffer him to find his quiet grave In peace; Alas he never did you wrong, And farther I beseech you pardon me, For the ill word I gave you, for how ever You may deserve, it became not me To call you so, but passion urges me I know not whither: my heart break now, & ease me ever.

_Bacha._ Pray you get you hence With your goodly humor, I am weary of you extreamely:

_Leu._ Trust me, so am I of my self too: Madam, I'll take my leave; gods set all right.

_Bacha._ Amen, Sir, get you gon; Am I deny'd? it does not trouble me That I have mov'd, but that I am refus'd: I have lost my patience: I will make him know Lust is not Love, for Lust will find a mate While there are men, and so will I: and more

_Enter_ Timantus.

Than one, or twenty: yonder is _Timantus_, A fellow void of any worth, to raise himself, And therefore like to catch at any evil That will but pluck him up: him will I make Mine own: _Timantus_.

_Timantus._ Madam?

_Bac._ Thou know'st well Thou wert by chance, a means of this my raising: Brought the Duke to me, and though 'twere but chance I must reward thee.

_Tim._ I shall bend my service unto your Highness.

_Bacha._ But do it then entirely, and in every thing, And tell me, couldst thou now think that thing Thou wouldst not do for me?

_Timant._ No by my soul Madam.

_Bacha._ Then thou art right. Go to my Lodging, and I'll follow thee. [_Exit_ Timantus. With my instruction I do see already, This Prince that did but now contemn me, dead: Yet will I never speak an evil word Unto his Father of him, till I have won A belief, I love him, but I'll make His virtues his undoing, and my praises Shall be so many swords against his breast, Which once perform'd, I'll make _Urania_ My Daughter, the Kings heir, and plant my issue In this large Throne: nor shall it be withstood, They that begin in Lust, must end in Blood. [_Exit._

_Enter_ Dorialus, Agenor, Nisus.

_Doria._ We live to know a fine time, Gentl.

_Nis._ And a fine Duke, that through his doting age Suffers him to be a child again Under his Wives tuition.

_Agen._ All the Land holds in that tenor too: in womans service? sure we shall learn to spinn.

_Dor._ No, that's too honest: we shall have other Liberal Sciences taught us too soon; Lying, and flattering, those are the studies now: And Murther shortly I know, will be humanity, Gent. If we live here we must be knaves, believe it.

_Nisus._ I cannot tell my Lord _Dorialus_, though my Own nature hate it, if all determine to be knaves, I'll try what I can do upon my self: that's certain, I will not have my throat cut for my goodness, The virtue will not quit the pain.

_Age._ But pray you tell me, Why is the _Prince_, now ripe and full experient, Not made a dore in the State?

_Nis._ Because he is honest.

_Enter Timantus._

_Tim._ Goodness attend your Honors.

_Dor._ You must not be amongst us then.

_Tim._ The _Dutchess_, whose humble servant I am proud to be, would speak with you.

_Age._ Sir, we are pleas'd to wait: when is it?

_Tim._ An hour hence my good Lords, and so I leave my service.

_Dor._ This is one of her Ferrets that she bolts business out withall: this fellow, if he were well ript, has all the linings of a knave within him: how slye he looks!

_Nis._ Have we nothing about our cloaths that he may catch at?

_Agenor._ O my conscience, there's no treason in my dublet, if there be, my elbows will discover it, they are out.

_Dor._ Faith, and all the harm that I can find in mine is, that they are not pay'd for; let him make what he can of that, so he discharge that. Come, let's go. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Bach, Leontius, Tella._

_Bac._ And you shall find Sir what [a] blessing heaven gave you in such a son.

_Le._ Pray _gods_, I may, Let's walk & change our subject.

_Bac._ O Sir, can any thing come sweeter to you, or strike a deeper joy into your heart than your son's virtue?

_Leon._ I allow his virtues: but 'tis not handsome thus to feed my self with such moderate praises of mine own.

_Bac._ The subject of our comendations is it self grown so infinite in goodness, that all the glory we can lay upon it, though we should open volumes of his praises, is a mere modesty in his expression, and shews him lame still, like an ill wrought peece wanting proportion.

_Leo._ Yet still he is a man, and subject still to more inordinate vices, than our love can give him blessing.

_Bac._ Else he were a _god_: yet so near as he is, he comes to heaven, that we may see so far as flesh can point us things only worthy them, and only these in all his actions.

_Leon._ This is too much my Queen.

_Bach._ Had the _gods_ lov'd me; that my unworthy womb had bred this brave man.

_Leon._ Still you run wrong.

_Bach._ I would have liv'd upon the comfort of him; fed on his growing hopes.

_Leo._ This touches me.

_Bach._ I know no friends, nor Being, but his virtues.

_Le._ You have laid out words enough upon a subject.

_Bach._ But words cannot express him Sir: why what a shape Heaven has conceiv'd him in, oh Nature made him up!

_Leon._ I wonder _Dutchess_.

_Bach._ So you must: for less than admiration loses this godlike man.

_Leon._ Have you done with him?

_Bach._ Done with? O good gods what frailties thus pass by us without reverence!

_Leon._ I see no such perfection.

_Bac._ O dear Sir: you are a father, and those joys To you, speak in your heart, not in your tongue.

_Leo._ This leaves a tast behind it worse than physick.

_Bac[h]._ Then for all his wisdome, valour, Good fortune, and all those friends of honor, They are in him as free and natural, as passions In a Woman.

_Leon._ You make me blush at all these years To see how blindly you have flung your praises Upon a Boy, a very child, and worthless, Whilst I live, of these Honors.

_Bac._ I would not have my love Sir, make my tongue Shew me so much a woman: as to praise Or dispraise, where my will is, without reason, Or generall allowance of the people.

_Leon._ Allowance of the people, what allow they?

_Bac._ All, I have sed for truth, and they must do it, And doat upon him: love him, and admire him.

_Leon._ How's that?

_Bac._ For in this youth and noble forwardness All things are bound together that are kingly, A fitness to bear rule:

_Leon._ No more.

_Bac._ And Sovereignty not made to know command.

_Leon._ I have sed, no more.

_Bac._ I have done Sir, though unwilling, and pardon me.

_Leon._ I do, not a word more.

_Bac[h]._ I have gi'n thee poyson Of more infection than the Dragons tooth, Or the gross Air o'er heated.

_Leon. Timantus_ when saw you the Prince?

_Tim._ I left him now Sir.

_Leon._ Tell me truely, out of your free opinion without courting. How you like him.

_Tim._ How I like him?

_Leon._ Yes: for you in conversation may see more Than a Father.

_Bac._ It works.

_Timantus._ Your Grace has chosen out an ill observer.

_Leon._ Yes, I mean of his ill: you talk rightly.

_Tim._ But you take me wrong: All I know by him I dare deliver boldly: He is the storehouse And head of virtue; your great self excepted, That feeds the Kingdome.

_Leon._ These are flatteries: speak me his vices, there you do a service worth a Fathers thanks.

_Tim._ Sir, I cannot. If there be any, sure they are the times which I could wish less dangerous. But pardon me, I am too bold.

_Leon._ [You] are not, forward and open what these dangers are.

_Timan._ Nay, good Sir.

_Leon._ Nay, fall not off again, I will have all.

_Timan._ Alas Sir, what am I, you should believe My eyes or ears, so subtle to observe Faults in a State: all my main business Is service to your Grace, and necessaries For my poor life.

_Leon._ Do not displease me Sirrah, But that you know tell me, and presently.

_Timan._ Since your Grace will have it I'll speak it freely: Alwayes my obedience And love preserv'd unto the Prince.

_Leon._ Prethee to the matter.

_Tim._ For Sir, if you consider How like a Sun in all his great employments, How full of heat.

_Leon._ Make me understand what I desire.

_Tim._ And then at his return.

_Leon._ Do not anger me.

_Tim._ Then thus Sir: All mislike ye, As they would do the gods, if they did dwell with 'em.

_Leon._ What?

_Tim._ Talke and prate, as their ignorant rages Leads 'em without Alleageance or Religion. For Heavens sake have a care of your own person: I cannot tell, their wickedness may lead Farther than I dare think yet.

_Leo._ O base people.

_Tim._ Yet the Prince, for whom this is pretended may Persuade 'em, and no doubt will: virtue is ever watchfull, But be you still secur'd and comforted.

_Leon._ Heaven how have I offended, that this rod So heavy and unnaturall, should fall upon me When I am old and helpless.

_Tim._ Brave Gentl. that such a madding love should follow thee, to rob thee of a Father: All the Court is full of dangerous whispers.

_Leon._ I perceive it, and 'spight of all their strengths Will make my safety: I'll cut him shorter. I'll cut him shorter first, then let him rule.

_Bach._ What a foul Age is this, when Virtue is made a sword to smite the virtuous! Alas, alas:

_Leon._ I'll teach him to fly lower.