Part 18

_Ami._ Come, you are a verie braggart, and you have given me cause to tell you so: what weakness have you ever seen in me to prompt your self, that I could need you help; or what other reason[s] could induce you to it? you never yet had a meals meat from my Table, nor as I remember from my Wardrop any cast Suit.

_Lon._ 'Tis true, I never durst yet have such a servile spirit, to be the minion of a full swoln Lord; but alwaies did detest such slavery: a meals meat, or a cast Suit? I wou'd first eat the stones, and from such rags the dunghils doe afford, pick me a garment.

_Ami._ I have mistook the man, his resolute spirit Proclaimes him generous, he has a noble heart As free to utter good deeds as to act them; For had he not been right, and of one piece, He would have crumpled, curled, and struck himself Out of the shape of man into a shaddow. But prethee tell me, if no such fawning hope Did lead thee on to hazard life for my sake; What was it that incited thee? Tell me; speak it without the imputation of a Sycophant.

_Long._ Your own desert, and with it was joyn'd the unfained friendship that I judged you ever held unto my former Lord.

_Ami._ The noble _Montague_?

_Long._ Yes, the noble and much injured _Montague_.

_Ami._ To such a man as thou art, my heart shall be A Casket: I will lock thee up there, And esteem thee as a faithfull friend, The richest Jewell that a man enjoyes; And being thou didst follow once my friend, And in thy heart still dost, not with his fortunes casting him off, Thou shalt go hand in hand with me, and share As well in my ability as love; 'tis not my end To gain men for my use, but a true friend. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Duboys._

_Dub._ There's no such thriving way to live in grace, As to have no sence of it; his back nor belly Shall not want warming that can practise me mischief; I walk now with a full purse, grow high and wanton, Prune and briske my self in the bright shine Of his good Lordships favours; and for what virtue? For fashioning my self a murderer. O noble _Montague_, to whom I owe my heart, With all my best thoughts, though my tongue have promis'd To exceed the malice of thy destiny, Never in time of all my service knew I Such a sin tempt thy bounty; those that did feed Upon thy charge had merit or else need.

_Enter Laverdine, and La-poope, with disguises._

_Lav. Duboys_, most prosperously met.

_Dub._ How now? will he come this way?

_La._ This way, immediately; therefore thy assistance, dear _Duboys_.

_Dub._ What have you cheated him of the money you spoke of?

_Lav._ Fough, as easily as a silly Countrey wench of her maydenhead; we had it in a twinkling.

_Dub._ 'Tis well Captain, let me help you, you must be our leader in this action.

_La-p._ Tut, fear not, I'll warrant you if my Sword hold, we'll make no sweating sickness of it.

_Dub._ Why that's well said, but let's retire a little, that we may come on the more bravely; this way, this way. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Montague in the hands of three Officers, and three Creditors._

_1 Cre._ Officers look to him, and be sure you take good security before he part from you.

_Mont._ Why but my friends, you take a strange course with me; the sums I owe you are rather forgetfulness, they are so slight, than want of will or honesty to pay you.

_1 Cred._ I Sir, it may be so; but we must be paid, and we will be paid before you scape: we have wife and children, and a charge, and you are going down the wind, as a man may say; and therefore it behooves us to look to't in time.

_2 Cred._ Your cloak here wou'd satisfie me, mine's not above a three pound matter, besides the arrest.

_3 Cred._ 'Faith and mine is much about that matter too; your Girdle and Hangers, and your Beaver, shall be sufficient bail for't.

_1 Cred._ If you have ever a plain black sute at home, this Silken one, with your Silke-stockings, Garters, and Roses shall pacifie me too; for I take no delight, if I have a sufficient pawn, to cast any Gentleman in prison; therefore 'tis but an untrussing matter: and you are free, we are no unreasonable creatures you see; for mine own part, I protest I am loth to put you to any trouble for security.

_Mont._ Is there no more of you? he wou'd next demand my skin.

_1 Cred._ No Sir, here's no more of us, nor do any of us demand your skin, we know not what to do with it: but it may be if you ow'd your Glover any money, he knew what use to make of it.

_Mont._ Ye dregs of baseness, vultures amongst men, That tyre upon the hearts of generous spirits.

_1 Cred._ You do us wrong Sir, we tyre no generous spirits, we tyre nothing but our hackneys.

_Enter Mallicorne._

_Mont._ But here comes one made of another piece; A man well meriting that free born name Of Citizen; welcome my deliverer, I am falen Into the hands of blood-hounds, that for a sum Lesser than their honesties, which is nothing, Wou'd tear me out of my skin.

_Mal._ Why Sir, what's the matter?

_1 Cre._ Why Sir the matter is, that we must have our money, which if we cannot have, we'll satisfie our selves with his carcass, and be payd that wayes: you had as good Sir, not have been so peremptory. Officer, hold fast.

_1 Offi._ The strenuous fist of vengeance now is clutcht; therefore fear nothing.

_Mal._ What may be the debt in gross?

_Mont._ Some forty Crowns, nay rather not so much, 'tis quickly cast.

_Mal._ 'Tis strange to me, that your estate shou'd have so low an ebb, to stick at such sleight sums: why my friends, you are too strict in your accounts, and call too sudden on this Gentleman, he has hopes left yet to pay you all.

_1 Cred._ Hopes? I marry; bid him pay his friends with hopes, and pay us with currant Coyn: I knew a gallant once that fed his creditors still with hopes, and bid 'em they shou'd fear nothing, for he had 'em tyed in a string; and trust me so he had indeed, for at last he and all his hopes hopt in a halter.

_Mont._ Good Sir, with what speed you may, free me out of the company of these slaves, that have nothing but their names to show 'em men.

_Mal._ What wou'd you wish me do Sir? I protest I ha' not the present sum (small as it is) to lay down for you; and for giving my word, my friends no later than yesternight made me take bread and eat it, that I shou'd not do it for any man breathing i'th' world; therefore I pray hold me excused.

_Mont._ You do not speak this seriously?

_Mal._ As ever I said my prayers, I protest to you.

_Mont._ What may I think of this?

_Mal._ Troth Sir thought is free for any man; we abuse our betters in it, I have done it my self.

_Mont._ Trust me, this speech of yours doth much amaze me; pray leave this language, and out of that same sum you lately did receive of me, lay down as much as may discharge me.

_Mal._ You are a merry man Sir, and I am glad you take your crosses so temperately; fare you well Sir, and yet I have something more to say to ye, a word in your ear I pray; to be plain with you I did lay this plot to arrest you to enjoy this money I have of yours, with the more safety. I am a fool to tel[l] you this now; but in good faith I could not keep it in. And the money wou'd a done me little good else. An honest Citizen cannot wholly enjoy his own wife for you, they grow old before they have true use of them, which is a lamentable thing, and truely much hardens the hearts of us Citizens against you: I can say no more, but am heartily sorry for your heaviness, and so I take my leave. [_Exit Mallycorne._

_1 Cred._ Officers take hold on him again, for Mounsier _Mallycorne_ will do nothing for him I perceive.

_Enter Duboys, Lapoope, and Laverdine._

_Dub._ Nay come my masters, leave dancing of the old measures, and let's assault him bravely.

_Lav._ By no means; for it goes against my stomach to kill a man in an unjust quarrell.

_La-p._ It must needs be a clog to a mans conscience all his life time.

_Lav._ It must indeed Captain: besides doe ye not see he has gotten a guard of friends about him, as if he had some knowledge of our purpose?

_Dub._ Had he a guard of Devils, as I think them little better, my Sword should doe the message that it came for.

_Lav._ If you will be so desperate, the blood lie upon your own neck, for we'll not meddle in't.

_Duboys runs upon Montague, and strugling yields him his Sword; the Officers draw, Laverdine and La-poope in the scuffling retire, Montague chaseth them off the Stage, himself wounded._

_Dub._ I am your friend and servant. Struggle with me and take my Sword; Noble Sir, make your way, you have slain an Officer.

_Mont._ Some one of them has certainly Requited me; for I doe lose much blood.

_1 Offic._ Udsprecious, we have lost a brother, pursue the Gentleman.

_2 Offic._ I'll not meddle with him: you see what comes on't; besides I know he will be hang'd ere he be taken.

_1 Offic._ I tell thee yeoman he must be taken ere he be hanged; he is hurt in the guts, run afore therefore and know how his wife will rate his Sawsages a pound.

_3 Offic._ Stay brother, I may live, for surely I find I'm but hurt in the leg, a dangerous kick on the shin-bone. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Tertius. Scæna Prima._

_Enter Madam Lamira, Madam le Orleans, Veramour._

_Lam._ You see Lady What harmless sports ou[r] Countrey life affords; And though you meet not here with City dainties, Or Courtly entertainment, what you have Is free and hearty.

_L. Orl._ Madam, I find here What is a stranger to the Court, content, And receive curtesies done for themselves, Without an expectation of return, Which binds me to your service.

_Lam._ Oh your love; My homely house built more for use than shew Observes the Golden mean equally distant From glittering pomp, and sordid avarice; For Maskes, we will observe the works of nature, And in the place of visitation, read: Our Physick shall be wholsome walks, our viands, Nourishing, not provoking: for I find Pleasures are tortures that leave stings behind.

_L. Orl._ You have a great estate.

_Lam._ A competency Sufficient to maintain me and my rank, Nor am I, I thank Heaven, so Courtly bred As to imploy the utmost of my Rents In paying Tailors for phantastick Robes; Or rather than be second in the fashion, Eat out my Officers and my Revenues With grating usury; my back shall not Be the base on which your soothing Citizen Erects his Summer-houses; nor on th' other side Will I be so penuriously wise, As to make money (that's my slave) my Idoll, Which yet to wrong, merits as much reproof, As to abuse our servant.

_L. Orl._ Yet with your pardon I think you want the Crown of all contentment.

_Lam._ In what good Madam?

_L. Orl._ In a worthy husband.

_Lam._ ---- It is strange the galley-slave should praise His Oar, or stroaks; or you, that have made shipwrack Of all delight upon this Rock, cal'd marriage, Should sing _Encomions_ on't.

_L. Orl._ Madam, though one fall From his horse and break his neck, will you Conclude from that it is unfit to ride? Or must it follow, because _Orleans_ My Lord's pleased to make his passionate triall Of my suspected patience, that my brother, (Were he not so, I might say, worthy _Amiens_) Will imitate his ills, that cannot fancy What's truely Noble in him?

_Lam._ I must grant There's as much worth in him as can be lookt for From a young Lord, but not enough to make Me change my golden liberty and consent To be a servant to it, as wives are To the Imperious humors of their Lords: Me thinks I'm well, I rise and goe to bed When I think fit, eat what my appetite Desires without controle, my servants study Is my contentment, and to make me merry Their farthest ayms; my sleeps are enquired after, My rising up saluted with respect: Command and liberty now wait upon My Virgin state; what would I more; change all, And for a husband? no; these freedoms die, In which they live with my Virginity; 'Tis in their choice that's rich to be a wife, But not being yoakt to chuse the single life.

_Ver._ Madam.

_Lam._ How like you the Countrey?

_Ver._ I like the ayr of it well Madam, and the rather because, as on _Irish_ Timber your Spider will not make his web, so for ought I see yet your Cheater, Pander, and Informer being in their dispositions too foggy for this piercing climate, shun it, and chose rather to walk in mists in the City.

_Lam._ Who did you serve first boy?

_Ver._ A rich Merchants widow, and was by her preferred to a young Court-Lady.

_L. Orl._ And what difference found you in their service?

_Ver._ Very much: for look how much my old City Madam gave to her young visitants, so much my Lady received from her hoary Court-servants.

_Lam._ And what made you to leave her?

_Ver._ My father (Madam) had a desire to have me a tall-man, took me from thence.

_Lam._ Well, I perceive you inherit the wag, from your father.

_Ver._ Doves beget Doves; and Eagles, Eagles, Madam: A Citizen here, tho left never so rich, seldome at the best proves a Gentleman: the son of an Advocate, tho dub'd like his father, will shew a relish of his descent, and the fathers thriving practice, as I have heard: she that of a Chambermayd is metamorphosed into a Madam, will yet remember how oft her daughter by her mother ventured to lie upon the rushes before she could get in that which makes many Ladyes.

_L. Orl._ But what think you of your late Master?

_Ver._ Oh Madam-- [_Sighs._

_Lam._ Why doe you sigh? you are sorry that you left him, He made a wanton of you.

_Ver._ Not for that: Or if he did, for that my youth must love him. Oh pardon me, if I say liberty Is bondage, if compar'd with his kind service; And but to have power now to speak his worth To its desert; I should be well content To be an old man when his praise were ended: And yet, if at this instant you were pleased, I should begin, the livery of age Would take his lodging upon this head Ere I should bring it to a period. In brief he is a man (for [God] forbid That I should ever live to say he was Of such a shape as would make one beloved, That never had good thought;) and to his body He hath a mind of such a constant temper In which virtues throng to have a room: Yet 'gainst this noble Gentleman, this _Montague_, For in that name I comprehend all goodness, Wrong, and the wrested law, false witnesses, And envy sent from hell, have rose in Armes, And though not pierc'd, batter'd his honor'd shield. What shall I say? I hope you will forgive me, That if you were but pleas'd to love, I know no _Juno_ worthy such a _Jove_.

_Enter Charlot with a letter._

_Lam._ 'Tis well yet that I have the second place In your affection: From whence?

_Charl._ From the Lord _Amiens_, Madam.

_Lam._ 'Tis wellcome, though it bear his usual language: I thought so much, his love-suit speaks his health. What's he that brought it?

_Charl._ A Gentleman of good rank, it seems.

_Lam._ Where is he?

_Charl._ Receiving entertainment in your house Sorting with his degree.

_Lam._ 'Tis well.

_Charl._ He waits your Ladyships pleasure.

_Lam._ He shall not wait long: I'll leave you for a while; nay stay you boy, Attend the Lady. [_Exeunt Lam. Charl._

_Vir._ Would I might live once To wait on my poor Master.

_L. Orl._ That's a good boy: This thankfulness looks lovely on thy forehead, And in it, as a book, me thinks I read Instructions for my self, that am his debtor, And wou'd do much that I might be so happy To repair that which to our grief is ruin'd.

_Vir._ It were a work a King might glory in, If he saw with my eyes: If you please Madam, For sure to me you seem unapt to walk, To sit, although the churlish Birds deny To give us musick in this grove, where they Are prodigall to others: I'll strain my voyce For a sad Song, the place is safe and private.

_L. Orl._ 'Twas my desire; begin good _Viramour_.

_Musick, a Song, at the end of it enter Montague,_ _fainting, his Sword drawn._

_L. Orl._ What's he _Viramour_?

_Vir._ A goodly personage.

_Mont._ Am I yet safe? or is my flight a dream? My wounds and hunger tell me that I wake: Whither have my fears born me? no matter where, Who hath no place to goe to, cannot err: What shall I do? cunning calamity! That others gross wits uses to refine, When I most need it duls the edg of mine.

_L. Orl._ Is not this _Montagues_ voyce?

_Vir._ My Masters? fie.

_Mont._ What sound was that, 'pish, Fear makes the wretch think every leaf oth' Jury: What course to live, 'beg? better men have done it, But in another kind: steal? _Alexander_ Though stil'd a Conqueror, was a proud thief, Though he rob'd with an Army; fie how idle These meditations are: though thou art worse Than sorrows tongue can speak thee, thou art still, Or shouldst be, honest _Montague_.

_L. Orl._ 'Tis too true.

_Vir._ 'Tis he: what villains hands did this? oh that my flesh Were Balm; in faith Sir, I would pluck it off As readily as this; pray you accept My will to do you service: I have heard The Mouse once sav'd the Lyon in his need, As the poor Scarab spild the Eagles seed.

_L. Orl._ How do you?

_Mont._ As a forsaken man.

_L. Orl._ Do not say so, take comfort, For your misfortunes have been kind in this, To cast you on a hospitable shoar, Where dwels a Lady--

_Vir._ She to whom, good Master, You prefer'd me.

_L. Orl._ In whose house, whatsoere Your dangers are, I'll undertake your safety.

_Mont._ I fear that I am pursued, and doubt that I, In my defence have kild an Officer.

_Vir._ Is that all? there's no law under the Sun But will I hope confess, one drop of blood Shed from this arme is recompence enough Though you had cut the throats of all the Catchpoles In _France_, nay in the world.

_Mont._ I would be loth To be a burthen, or feed like a drone On the industrious labor of a Bee, And baser far I hold it to owe for The bread I eat, what's not in me to pay; Then since my full fortunes are declin'd, To their low ebb I'll fashion my high mind. It was no shame to _Hecuba_, to serve When Troy was fir'd: if't be in your power To be a means to make her entertainment, And far from that I was; but to supply My want with habit fit for him that serves, I shall owe much to you.

_L. Orl._ Leave that care to me.

_Vir._ Good Sir, lean on my shoulder; help good Madam: oh that I were a horse for half an hour, that I might carry you home on my back: I hope you w[i]ll love me still?

_Mont._ Thou dost deserve it boy, that I should live To be thus troublesome.

_L. Orl._ Good Sir, 'tis none.

_Vir._ Trouble? most willingly I would be chang'd Like _Apuleius_, weare his Asses ears, Provided I might still this burthen bear.

_L. Orl._ 'Tis a kind boy.

_Mont._ I find true proof of it. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Amiens, and Longeville, with a Paper._

_Ami._ You'll carry it.

_Long._ As I live although my packet were like _Bellerophon's_, what have you seen in me or my behavior since your favors so plentifully showr'd upon my wants, that may beget distrust of my p[er]formance?

_Ami._ Nay, be not angry, if I entertained But the least scruple of your love, or courage, I would make choyce of one which my estate Should do me right in this, nor can you blame me If in a matter of such consequence I am so importunate.

_Long._ Good my Lord let me prevent your farther conjurations To rayse my spirit, I know this is a challenge To be delivered unto _Orlean[c]e_ hand, And that my undertaking ends not there, But I must be your second, and in that Not alone search your enemy, measure weapons, But stand in all your hazards, as our blouds Ran in the self-same veins, in which if I Better not your opinion, as a limb That's putrifi'd and useless, cut me off, And underneath the Gallows bury it.

_Ami._ At full you understand me, and in this Bind me, and what's mine to you and yours, I will not so much wrong you as to add One syllable more, let it suffice I leave My honor to your guard: and in that prove, You hold the first place in my heart and love. [_Ex. Ami._

_Long._ The first place in a Lords affection? very good; and how long doth that last? perhaps the changing of some three shirts in the Tennis-Court; well, it were very necessary that an order were taken (if it were possible,) that younger brothers might have more wit, or more money: for now, however the fool hath long been put upon him that inherits, his revenue hath bought him a spunge, and wip't off the imputation, and for the understanding of the younger, let him get as much Rhetorick as he can, to grace his language.

_Enter_ Dubois.

They will see, he shall have gloss little enough to set out his Bark; stand _Dubois_, look about, 's all safe?

_Dub._ Approach not near me but with reverence Lawrel and adorations, I have done more than deserves a hundred thanks.

_Long._ How now, what's the matter?

_Dub._ With this hand, only aided by this brain, Without an _Orpheus_ Harp redeem'd from Hells Three headed Porter, our _Euridice_.

_Long._ Nay, prethee speak sence, this is like the stale bragart in a Play.

_Dub._ Then in plain Prose thus, and with as little action as thou canst desire, the three headed Porter, were three unexorable Catch-poles, out of whose jaws without the help of _Orpheus_ Harp, bait or bribe; for those two strings make the Musick, that molifies those flinty furies, I rescued our _Euridice_, I mean my old Master _Montague_.

_Long._ And is this all? a poor rescue; I thought thou hadst revers'd the judgement for his overthrow in his sute, or wrought upon his adversary _Orleance_, taken the shape of a Ghost, frighted his mind into distraction, and for the appeasing of his conscience, forc'd him to make restitution of _Montague's_ Lands, or such like rescue; S'light I would have hired _Acrocheture_ for two _Cardekues_, to have done so much with his whip.

_Dub._ You wood Sir, and yet 'tis more than three on their foot-cloaths durst do for a sworn Brother, in a Coach.

_Long._ Besides, what proof's of it? for ought I know, this may be a trick, I had rather have him a prisoner, where I might visit him, and do him service, than not at all, or I know not where.

_Dub._ Well Sir, the end will shew it, what's that, a challenge?

_Long._ Yes, where's _Orleance_? though we fight in jest, he must meet with _Amiens_ in earnest,--fall off, we are discovered; my horse _garson_; ha!

_Dub._ Were it not in a house, and in his presence, To whom I owe all duty--

_Long._ What would it do? prate as it does? but be as far from striking, as he that owes it _Orleance_.

_Dub._ How?