Part 26

_Gab._ The sight of this old Gentleman, _Maria_, Pulls to my mine eyes again the living Picture Of _Perolot_ his virtuous Son, my first Love, That dy'd at _Orleance_.

_Mar._ You have felt both fortunes, And in extreams, poor Lady; for young _Perolot_, Being every way unable to maintain you, Durst not make known his love to Friend or Father: My Lord _Lavall_, being powerful, and you poor, Will not acknowledge you.

_Gab._ No more: Let's in wench: There let my Lute speak my Laments, they have t[ir]ed me. [_Exeunt._

_Enter two Courtiers._

_1 Court._ I grant, the Duke is wondrous provident In his now planting for succession, I know his care as honourable in the choice too. _Marines_ fair virtuous daughter; but what's all this? To what end excellent arrives this travel, When he that bears the main roof is so rotten?

_2 Court._ You have hit it now indeed: For if Fame lye not He is untemperate.

_1 Court._ You express him poorly, Too gentle Sir: the most deboist and barbarous; Believe it, the most void of all humanity, Howe'r his cunning, cloak it to his Uncle, And those his pride depends upon.

_[2] Court._ I have heard too, Given excessively to drink.

_1 Court._ Most certain, And in that drink most dangerous: I speak these things To one I know loves truth, and dares not wrong her.

_2 Court._ You may speak on.

_1 Court._ Uncertain as the Sea, Sir, Proud and deceitful as his sins Great Master; His appetite to Women (for there he carries His main Sail spread) so boundles, and abominably, That but to have her name by that tongue spoken, Poisons the virtue of the purest Virgin.

_2 Cour._ I am sorry for young _Gabriella_ then, A Maid reputed, ever of fair carriage, For he has been noted visiting.

_1 Court._ She is gone then, Or any else, that promises, or power, Gifts, or his guilful vows can work upon, But these are but poor parcels.

_2 Court._ 'Tis great pity.

_1 Court._ Nor want these sins a chief Saint to befriend 'em, The Devil follows him; and for a truth, Sir, Appears in visible figure often to him, At which time he's possest with sudden trances, Cold deadly sweats, and griping of the conscience, Tormented strangely, as they say.

_2 Court._ Heaven turn him: This marriage-day mayst thou well curse, fair _Hellen_. But let's go view the ceremony.

_1 Court._ I'll walk with you. [_Exeunt._

[_Musick._

_Enter_ Gabriella, _and_ Maria _above_. _And_ Laval, _Bride, States in solemnity as to marriage; and pass over_; viz. Duke, Marine, Longaville.

_Mar._ I hear 'em come.

_Gab._ Would I might never hear more.

_Mar._ I told you still: but you were so incredulous. See, there they kiss.

_Gab._ Adders be your embraces. The poison of a rotten heart, oh _Hellen_! Blast thee as I have been; just such a flattery, With that same cunning face, that smile upon't, Oh mark it _Marie_, mark it seriously, That Master smile caught me.

_Mar._ There's the old Duke, and _Marine_ her Father.

_Gab._ Oh!

_Mar._ There _Longaville_-- The Ladies now.

_Gab._ Oh, [I] am murder'd, _Marie_. Beast, most inconstant beast.

_Mar._ There.

_Gab._ There I am not; No more I am not there: Hear me, oh Heaven! And all you powers of Justice bow down to me; But you of pity dye. I am abus'd, She that depended on your Providence, She is abus'd: your honor is abus'd. That noble piece ye made, and call'd it man, Is turn'd to Devil: all the world's abus'd: Give me a womans Will, provok'd to mischief, A two-edg'd heart; my suffering thoughts to wild-fires, And my embraces to a timeless grave turn.

_Mar._ Here I'll step in, for 'tis an act of merit.

_Gab._ I am too big to utter more.

_Mar._ Take time then. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ Gentille _and_ Casta.

_Gent._ This solitary life at home undoes thee, Obscures thy beauty first, which should prefer thee; Next fills thee full of sad thoughts, which thy years Must not arrive at yet, they choak thy sweetness; Follow the time, my Girl, and it will bring thee Even to the fellowship of the noblest women, _Hellen_ her self, to whom I would prefer thee, And under whom this poor and private carriage, Which I am only able yet to reach at, Being cast off, and all thy sweets at lustre, Will take thee as a fair friend, and prefer thee.

_Casta._ Good Sir, be not so cruel as to seek To kill that sweet content y'have bred me to: Have I not here enough to thank Heaven for? The free air uncorrupted with new flattery. The water that I touch, unbrib'd with odours To make me sweet to others: the pure fire Not smothered up, and choak'd with lustful incense To make my bloud sweat; but burning clear and high, Tells me my mind must flame up so to Heaven. What should I do at Court, wear rich apparel? Methinks these are as warm: And for your state, Sir, Wealthy enough; Is it you would have me proud, And like a Pageant, stuck up for amazements? Teach not your child to tread that path, for fear (Sir) Your dry bones after death, groan in your grave The miseries that follow.

_Gent._ Excellent _Casta_.

_Casta._ When shall I pray again? (a Courtier) Or when I do, to what God? what new body And new face must I make me, with new manners? For I must be no more my self. Whose Mistriss Must I be first? with whose sin-offering season'd? And when I am grown so great and glorious With prostitution of my burning beauties, That great Lords kneel, and Princes beg for favours, Do you think I'll be your Daughter, a poor Gentlemans, Or know you for my father?

_Enter_ Lavall.

_Gent._ My best _Casta_. Oh my most virtuous child! Heaven reigns within thee; Take thine own choice, sweet child, and live a Saint still. The Lord _Lavall_, stand by wench.

_Lav. Gabriella_, She cannot, nor she dares not make it known, My greatness crushes her, when e'er she offers: Why should I fear her then?

_Gent._ Come, let's pass on wench.

_Lav. Gentille_, come hither: who's that Gentlewoman?

_Gent._ A child of mine, Sir, who observing custome, Is going to the Monastery to her Prayers.

_Lav._ A fair one, a most sweet one; fitter far To beautifie a Court, than make a Votarist. Go on, fair Beauty, and in your Orizons Remember me: will ye, fair sweet?

_Casta._ Most humbly. [_Exeunt._

_Lav._ An admirable Beauty: how it fires me!

_Enter a Spirit._

But she's too full of grace, and I too wicked. I feel my wonted fit: Defend me, goodness. Oh! it grows colder still, and stiffer on me, My hair stands up, my sinews shake and shrink; Help me good Heaven, and good thoughts dwell within me. Oh get thee gone, thou evil evil spirit, Haunt me no more, I charge thee.

_Spir._ Yes _Lavall_: Thou art my vassal, and the slave to mischief, I blast thee with new sin: pursue thy pleasure; _Casta_ is rare and sweet, a blowing Beauty; Set thy desires a fire, and never quench 'em Till thou enjoy'st her; make her all thy Heaven, And all thy joy, for she is all true happiness: Thou art powerful, use command; if that prevail not, Force her: I'll be thy friend.

_Lav._ Oh help me, help me.

_Spir._ Her virtue, like a spell, sinks me to darkness. [_Exit._

_Enter_ Gentille _and_ Casta.

_Gent._ He's here still. How is't, noble Lord? me thinks, Sir, You look a little wildly. Is it that way? Is't her you stare on so? I have spy'd your fire, Sir, Bu[t] dare not stay the flaming. Come.

_Lav._ Sweet [c]reature, Excellent Beauty, do me but the happiness To be your humblest servant. Oh fair eyes, Oh blessed, Blessed Sweetness, Divine Virgin!

_Casta._ Oh good my Lord, retire into your honor: You're spoken good and virtuous, plac'd [at] Helme To govern others from mischances: from example Of such fair Chronicles as great ones are, We do, or sure we should direct our lives. I know y'are full of worth, a school of virtue Daily instructing us that live below ye, I make no doubt, dwells there.

_Lav._ I cannot answer, She has struck me dumb with wonder.

_Casta._ Goodness guide ye. [_Exeunt._

_Lav._ She's gone, and with her all [l]ight, and has left me Dark as my black desires. Oh devil lust, How dost thou hug my bloud, and whisper to me, There is no day again, no time, no living, Without this lusty Beauty break upon me! Let me collect my self, I strive like billows, Beaten against a rock, and fall a fool still. I must enjoy her, and I will: from this hour My thoughts, and all my bus'ness shall be nothing.

_Enter_ Maria.

My eating, and my sleeping, but her beauty, And how to work it.

_Mar._ Health to my Lord _Lavall_. Nay good Sir, do not turn with such displeasure; I come not to afflict your new born pleasures; My honour'd Mistriss, neither let that vex ye, For nothing is intended, but safe to you.

_Lav._ What of your Mistriss? I am full of bus'ness.

_Mar._ I will be short, my Lord; she, loving Lady, Considering the unequal tie between ye, And how your ruine with the Duke lay on it, As also the most noble match now made, By me sends back all links of marriage, All Holy Vows, and Rights of Ceremony, All promises, oaths, tears, and all such pawns You left in hostage: only her love she cannot, For that still follows ye, but not to hurt ye; And still beholds ye Sir, but not to shame ye: In recompence of which, this is her suit, Sir, Her poor and last petition, but to grant her, When weary nights have cloyed ye up with kisses, (As such must come) the honor of a Mistriss, The honor but to let her see those eyes, (Those eyes she doats on, more than gods do goodness) And but to kiss you only: with this prayer, (a prayer only to awake your pity) And on her knees she made it, that this night You'ld bless her with your company at supper.

_Lav._ I like this well, and now I think on't better, I'll make a present use from this occasion.

_Mar._ Nay, good my Lord, be not so cruel to her Because she has been yours.

_Lav._ And to mine own end A rare way I will work.

_Mar._ Can love for ever, The Love of her (my Lord) so perish in ye? As ye desire in your desires to prosper. What gallant under Heaven, but _Anjou_'s Heir then Can brag so fair a Wife, and sweet a Mistriss? Good noble Lord.

_Lav._ Ye mis-apply me, _Mary_, Nor do I want true pity to your Lady: Pity and love tell me, too much I have wrong'd her To dare to see her more: yet if her sweetness Can entertain a Mediation, And it must be a great one that can cure me; My love again, as far as honor bids me, My service and my self--

_Mar._ That's nobly spoken.

_Lav._ Shall hourly see her; want shall never know her; Nor where she has bestow'd her love, repent her.

_Mar._ Now whither drives he?

_Lav._ I have heard _Maria_, That no two women in the world more lov'd, Then thy good Mistriss, and _Gentille_'s fair Daughter.

_Mar._ What may this mean? you have heard a truth, my Lord: But since the secret Love betwixt you two, My Mistriss durst not entertain such friendship; _Casta_ is quick, and of a piercing judgement, And quickly will find out a flaw.

_Lav._ Hold _Marie_: Shrink not, 'tis good gold, wench: prepare a Banquet, And get that _Casta_ thither; for she's a creature So full of forcible Divine perswasion, And so unwearied ever with good offic[e], And she shall cure my ill cause to my Mistriss, And make all errors up.

_Mar._ I'll doe my best, Sir: But she's too fearful, coy, and scrupulous, To leave her Fathers house so late; and bashful At any mans appearance, that I fear, Sir; 'Twill prove impossible.

_Lav._ There's more gold, _Marie_, And fain thy Mistriss wondrous sick to death, wench.

_Mar._ I have ye in the wind now, and I'll pay ye.

_Lav._ She cannot chuse but come; 'tis charity, The chief of her profession: undertake this, And I am there at night; if not, I leave ye.

_Mar._ I will not loose this offer, though it fall out Clean cross to that we cast, I'll undertake it, I will, my Lord; she shall be there.

_Lav._ By ----?

_Mar._ By ---- she shall.

_Lav._ Let it be something late then. For being seen, now force or favour wins her. My spirits are grown dull, strong wine, and store, Shall set 'em up again, and make me fit To draw home at the enterprize I aim at. [_Exit._

_Ma._ Go thy wa[ies] false Lord, if thou hold'st, thou pay'st The price of all thy lusts. Thou shalt be there Thou modest Maid, if I have any working, And yet thy honor safe; for which this thief I know has set this meeting: but I'll watch him.

_Enter_ Per[o]lot.

_Per. Maria._

_Mar._ Are mine eyes mine own? or bless me, Am I deluded with a flying shadow?

_Per._ Why do you start so from me?

_Mar._ It speaks sensibly, And shews a living body: yet I am fearful.

_Per._ Give me your hand, good _Maria_.

_Mar._ He feels warm too.

_Per._ And next your [l]ips.

_Mar._ He kisses perfectly. Nay, and the Devil be n[o] worse: you are _Perolot_.

_Per._ I was, and sure I should be: Can a small distance, And ten short moneths take from your memory The figure of your friend, that you stand wondring? Be not amaz'd, I am the self-same _Per[o]lot_, Living, and well; Son to _Gentille_, and Brother To virtuous _Casta_; to your beauteous Mistriss, The long since poor betroth'd, and still vow'd servant.

_Mar._ Nay, sure he lives. My Lord _Lavall_, your Master, Brought news long since to your much mourning Mistriss, Ye dy'd at _Orleance_; bound her with an oath too, To keep it secret from your aged Father, Lest it should rack his heart.

_Per._ A pretty secret To try my Mistriss Love, and make my welcome From travel of more worth; from whence, Heaven be thanked, My business for the Duke dispatch'd to th' purpose, And all my money spent, I am come home, wench. How does my Mistriss? for I have not yet seen Any, nor will I, till I do her service.

_Mar._ But did the Lord _Laval_ know of your love, Sir, before he went?

_Per._ Yes, by much more force he got it, But none else knew; upon his promise too And honor to conceal it faithfully Till my return; to further which, he told me, My business being ended, from the Duke He would procure a pension for my service, Able to make my Mistriss a fit Husband.

_Mar._ But are you sure of this?

_Per._ Sure as my sight, wench.

_Mar._ Then is your Lord a base dissembling villain, A Devil Lord, the damn'd Lord of all lewdness, And has betraid ye, and undone my Mistriss, My poor sweet Mistriss: oh that leacher Lord, Who, poor soul, since was married.

_Per._ To whom, _Maria_?

_Mar._ To that unlucky Lord, a ---- upon him; Whose hot horse-appetite being allaid once With her chaste joyes, married again, scarce cool'd, The Torches yet not out the yellow _Hymen_ Lighted about the bed, the Songs yet sounding, _Marine_'s young noble Daughter _Helena_, Whose mischief stands at door next. Oh that recreant!

_Per._ Oh villain! Oh most unmanly falshood! Nay then I see, my Letters were betraid too. Oh, I am full of this, great with his mischiefs, Loaden and burst: Come, lead me to my Lady.

_Mar._ I cannot, Sir, _Lavall_ keeps her conceal'd, Besides, her griefs are such, she will see no man.

_Per._ I must, and will go to her: I will see her: There be my friend, or this shall be thy furthest.

_Mar._ Hold, and I'll help thee: but first ye shall swear to me, As you are true and gentle, as ye hate This beastly and base Lord, where I shall place ye, (Which shall be within sight) till I discharge ye, What-e'er you see or hear, to make no motion.

_Per._ I do by ----

_Mar._ Stay here about the house then, Till it be later; yet the time's not perfect: There at the back door I'll attend you truly.

_Per._ Oh monstrous, monstrous beastly villain. [_Exit._

_Mar._ How cross this falls, and from all expectation! And what the end shall be, Heaven only yet knows: Only I wish, and hope. But I forget still, _Casta_ must be the bait, or all miscarries. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ Gentille _with a Torch_, Shalloon _above_.

_Gent._ Holla, _Shaloon_.

_Shal._ Who's there?

_Gent._ A word from the Duke, Sir.

_Shal._ Your pleasure.

_Gent._ Tell your Lord he must to Court strait.

_Shal._ He is ill at ease: and prays he may be pardon'd The occasions of this night.

_Gent._ Belike he is drunk then: He must away; the Duke and his fair Lady, The beauteous _Helena_, are now at _Cent_. Of whom she has such fortune in her carding, The Duke has lost a thousand Crowns, and swears, He will not go to bed, till by _Lavall_ The Tide of loss be turn'd again. Awake him, For 'tis the pleasure of the Duke he must rise.

_Sha._ Having so strict command (Sir) to the contrary, I dare not do it: I beseech your pardon.

_Gent._ Are you sure he is there?

_Sha._ Yes.

_Gen._ And asleep?

_Sha._ I think so.

_Gen._ And are you sure you will not tell him, _Shalon_?

_Sha._ Yes, very sure.

_Gen._ Then I am sure, I will. Open, or I must force.

_Sha._ Pray ye stay, he is not, Nor will not be this night. You may excuse it.

_Gent._ I knew he was gone about some womans labour. As good a neighbor, though I say it, and as comfortable: Many such more we need _Shaloon_. Alas, poor Lady, Thou art like to lie cross-legg'd to night. Good Monsieur, I will excuse your Master for this once, Sir, Because sometimes I have lov'd a wench my self too.

_Sha._ 'Tis a good hearing, Sir.

_Gent._ But for your lye, _Shaloon_, If I had you here, it should be no good hearing. For your pate I would pummel.

_Sha._ A fair good night, Sir.

_Gent._ Good night, thou noble Knight, Sir _Pandarus_. My heart is cold o'th' suddain, and a strange dulness Possesses all my body: thy Will be done Heaven. [_Exit._

_Enter_ Gabriella _and_ Casta: _and_ Maria _with a Taper_.

_Casta._ 'Faith Friend, I was even going to my bed, When your Maid told me of your sudden sickness: But from my grave (so truly I love you) I think your name would raise me: ye look ill Since last I saw ye, much decay'd in colour: Yet I thank Heaven, I find no such great danger As your Maid frighted me withal: take courage And give your sickness course: some grief you have got That feeds within upon your tender spirits, And wanting open way to vent it self, Murders your mind, and choaks up all your sweetness.

_Gab._ It was my Maids fault; worthy friend, to trouble ye, So late, upon so light a cause: yet since I have ye Oh my dear _Casta_.

_Casta._ Out with it, God's name.

_Gab._ The Closset of my heart, I will lock here, wench,

[Laval _knocks within_.

And things shall make ye tremble. Who's that knocks there?

_Mar._ 'Tis _Lavall_.

_Gab._ Sit you still. Let him in. I am resolv'd, and all you wronged women, You noble spirits, that as I have suffer'd Under this glorious beast-insulting man, Lend me your causes, then your cruelties, For I must put on madness above women.

_Cast._ Why do you look so ghastly?

_Gab._ Peace; no harm, Deer.

_Enter_ Lavall.

_Lav._ There, take my cloak and sword: Where is this Banquet?

_Mar._ In the next room.

_Casta._ How came he here? Heaven bless me.

_Lav._ Give me some Wine wench; fill it full, and sprightly.

_Gab._ Sit still, and be not fearful.

_Lav._ Till my veins swell, And my strong sinews stretch like that brave _Centaur_, That at the Table snatch'd the Bride away In spight of _Hercules_.

_Casta._ I am betraid.

_Lav._ Nay, start not Lady; 'tis for you that I come, And for your beauty: 'tis for you, _Lavall_ Honors this night; to you, the sacred shrine I humbly bow, offering my vows and prayers; To you I live.

_Gab._ In with the powder quickly: So, that and the Wine will rock ye.

[_Lav._ Here, to the health] Of the most beauteous and divine, fair _Casta_, The star of sweetness.

_Gab._ Fear him not, I'll die first. And who shall pledge ye?

_Lav._ Thou shalt, thou tann'd Gipsey: And worship to that brightness give, cold _Tartar_. By ---- ye shall not stir; ye are my Mistris, The glory of my love, the great adventure, The Mistris of my heart, and she my whore.

_Gab._ Thou ly'st, base, beastly Lord; drunker then anger, Thou sowsed Lord, got by a surfeit, thou lyest basely. Nay, stir not: I dare tell thee so. Sit you still. If I be whore, it is in marrying thee, That art so absolute and full a villain, No Sacrament can save that piece tied to thee. How often hast thou woo'd in those flatteries, Almost those very words, my constancie? What goddess have I not been, or what goodness What star that is of any name in Heaven, Or brightness? which of all the virtues (But drunkenness, and drabbing, thy two morals) Have not I reach'd to? what Spring was ever sweeter? What _Scythian_ snow so white? what crystal chaster? Is not thy new wife now the same too? Hang thee, Base Bigamist, thou honor of ill women.

_Casta._ How's this? O! Heaven defend me.

_Gab._ Thou salt-itch, For whom no cure but ever burning brimstone Can be imagin'd.

_Lav._ Ha, ha, ha.

_Gab._ Dost thou laugh, thou breaker Of all law, all religion, of all faith Thou Soule contemner?

_Lav._ Peace, thou paltry woman: And sit by me, Sweet.

_Gab._ By the Devil?

_Lav._ Come, And lull me with delights.

_Gab._ It works amain now.

_Lav._ Give me such kisses as the Queen of shadows Gave to the sleeping boy she stole on _Latmus_; Look round about in snakie wreathes close folded, Those rosie arms about my neck, O! _Venus_.

_Gab._ Fear not, I say.

_Lav._ Thou admirable sweetness, Distill thy blessings like those silver drops, That falling on fair grounds, rise all in roses: Shoot me a thousand darts from those fair eyes, And through my heart transfix 'em all, I'll stand 'em. Send me a thousand smiles, and presently I'll catch 'em in mine eyes, and by Love's power Turn 'em to _Cupids_ all, and fling 'em on thee, How high she looks, and heavenly! More wine for me.

_Ga._ Give him more wine, and good friend be not fearful.

_Lav._ Here on my knee, thou Goddess of delights, This lustie grape I offer to thy Beauties; See how it leaps to view that perfect redness That dwels upon thy lips: now, how it blushes To be outblush'd. Oh! let me feed my fancie, And as I hold the purple god in one hand Dancing about the bri[m] and proudly swelling, Deck'd in the pride of nature young, and blowing; So let me take fair _Semele_ in the other, And sing the loves of gods, then drink, their Nectar's Not yet desir'd.

_Casta._ Oh!

_Lav._ Then like lustie _Tarquin_ Turn'd into flames with _Lucrece_ coy denyals, His blood and spirit equally ambitious, I force thee for my own.

_Casta._ O help me Justice: Help me, my Chastitie.

_Lav._ Now I am bravely quarried. [_Perolot above._

_Per._ 'Tis my Sister.

_Gab._ No, bawdy slave, no Treacher, she is not carried.