Part 28

_Jul._ I dare thy worst, Plot what thou canst, my piety shall guard him Against thy malice. Leave my house and quickly, Thou wilt infect these innocent walls. By virtue I will inform him of thy bloody purpose, And turn it on thine own accursed head; Believ't I will. [_Exit Juliana._

_Mart._ But 'tis not in thy power To hinder what I have decreed against him. I'll set my self to sale, and live a strumpet; Forget my birth, my father, and his honor, Rather then want an instrument to help me In my revenge. The Captain of the guard; Blest opportunity courts me.

_Enter_ Ronvere.

_Ron._ Sad and troubled? How brave her anger shews! how it sets off Her natural beauty! under what happy star Was _Virolet_ born, to be belov'd and sought to, By two incomparable women? noblest Lady, I have heard your wrongs and pitty them: and if The service of my life could give me hope To gain your favor, I should be most proud To be commanded.

_Mart._ 'Tis in you, my Lord, To make me your glad servant.

_Ron._ Name the means.

_Mar._ 'Tis not preferment, Jewels, Gold, or Courtship. He that desires to reap the harvest of My youth and beauty, must begin in blood, And right my wrongs.

_Ron._ I apprehend you Madam, And rest assured 'tis done; I am provided Of instruments to fit you: To the King, I'll instantly present you; if I fail, He shall make good your ayms: he's less then man, That to atchieve your favor, would not do Deeds, fiends would fear to put their agents to. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ Virolet _Reading._

Vir. _Quod invitus facis, non est scelus._ 'Tis an _axiome_, Now whether willingly I have departed With that I lov'd: with that, above her life Lov'd me again, crownd me a happy husband, Was full of children: her afflictions, That I begot, that when our age must perish, And all our painted frailties turn'd to ashes, Then shall they stand and prop[a]gate our honors. Whether this done, and taking to protection A new strange beauty, it was a useful one: How to my lust? if it be so, I am sinful; And guilty of that crime I would fling from me. Was there not in it this fair course of virtue? This pious course, to save my friends, my Countrey, That even then had put on a mourning garment, And wept the desolation of her children? Her noblest children? Did not she thrust me on, And to my duty clapt the spur of honor? Was there a way, without this woman, left me To bring 'em off? the marrying of this woman? If not, why am I stung thus? why tormented? Or had there been a wild desire joyn'd with it, How easily, both these, and all their beauties Might I have made mine own! why am I toucht thus, Having perform'd the great redemption, Both of my friends and family? fairly done it? Without base and lascivious ends; O Heaven, Why am I still at War thus? why this a mischief, That honesty and honor had propounded, I, and absolv'd my tender will, and chid me, Nay then unwillingly flung me on?

_Enter_ Juliana _and the Boy._

_Boy._ He's here Madam; This is the melancholly walk he lives in, And chooses ever to increase his sadness.

_Jul._ Stand by.

_Vir._ 'Tis she: how I shake now and tremble! The virtues of that mind are torments to me.

_Jul._ Sir, if my hated face shall stir your anger, Or this forbidden path I tread in vex you; My love, and fair obedience left behind me, Your pardon asked, I shall return and bless you.

_Vir._ Pray stay a little, I delight to see you; May not we yet, though fortune have divided us, And set an envious stop between our pleasures, Look thus one at another? sigh and weep thus? And read in one anothers eyes, the Legends, And wonders of our old loves? be not fearful, Though you be now a Saint, I may adore you: May I not take this hand, and on it sacrifice The sorrows of my heart? white seal of virtue.

_Jul._ My Lord, you wrong your wedlock.

_Vir._ Were she here, And with her all severe eyes to behold us, We might do this; I might name _Juliana_, And to the reverence of that name, bow thus: I might sigh _Juliana_ she was mine once; But I too weak a guard for that great treasure---- And whilst she has a name, believe me Lady, This broken heart shall never want a sorrow.

_Jul._ Forget her sir, your honor now commands you You are anothers, keep those griefs for her, She richly can reward 'em. I would have spoken with you.

_Vir._ What is your will? for nothing you can ask, So full of goodness are your words and meanings, Must be denied: speak boldly.

_Jul._ I thank you sir. I come not To beg, or flatter, only to be believ'd, That I desire: for I shall tell a story, So far from seeming truth, yet a most true one; So horrible in nature, and so horrid; So beyond wickedness, that when you hear it, It must appear the practice of another, The cast and malice of some one you have wrong'd much, And me, you may imagine me accuse too, Unless you call to mind my daily sufferings; The infinite obedience I have born you, That hates all name and nature of revenge. My love, that nothing but my death can sever, Rather than hers I speak of.

_Vir. Juliana_, To make a doubt of what you shall deliver, After my full experience of your virtues, Were to distrust a providence; to think you can lie, Or being wrong'd, seek after foul repairings, To forge a Creed against my faith.

_Jul._ I must do so, for it concerns your life Sir; And if that word may stir you, hear and prosper: I should be dumb else, were not you at stake here.

_Vir._ What new friend have I found, that dares deliver This loaden trunk from his afflictions? What pittying hand, of all that feels my miseries, Brings such a benefit?

_Jul._ Be wise and manly, And with your honor fall, when Heaven shall call you, Not by a hellish mischief.

_Vir._ Speak my blest one, How weak and poor I am, now she is from me!

_Jul._ Your wife.

_Viro._ How's that?

_Jul._ Your wife.

_Vir._ Be tender of her, I shall believe else----

_Jul._ I must be true; your ear, sir; For 'tis so horrible, if the ayr catch it, Into a thousand plagues, a thousand monsters, It will disperse it self, and fright resistance. [_Whispers._

_Viro._ She seek my life with you? make you her agent? Another love? O speak but truth.

_Jul._ Be patient, Dear as I love you, else I leave you wretched.

_Vir._ Forward, 'tis well, it shall be welcome to me; I have liv'd too long, numbred too many days, Yet never found the benefit of living; Now when I come to reap it with my service, And hunt for that my youth and honor aims at, The Sun sets on my fortune red and bloody, And everlasting night begins to close me, 'Tis time to dye.

_Enter_ Martia _and_ Ronvere.

_Jul._ She comes her self.

_Ron._ Believe Lady, And on this Angel hand, your servant seals it, You shall be Mistriss of your whole desires, And what ye shall command.

_Mart._ Ha mynion, My precious Dame, are you there? nay go forward, Make your complaints, and pour out your fain'd pitties, Slave, like to him you serve: I am the same still, And what I purpose, let the world take witness, Shall be so finisht, and to such example, Spite of your poor preventions, my dear Gentleman, My honorable man, are you there too? You and your hot desire? your mercy Sir, I had forgot your greatness.

_Jul._ 'Tis not well Lady.

_Mart._ Lord, how I hate this fellow now; how desperately My stomach stands against him; this base fellow, This gelded fool!

_Jul._ Did you never hear of modesty?

_Mart._ Yes, when I heard of you and so believ'd it, Thou bloodless, brainless fool.

_Vir._ How?

_Mart._ Thou despised fool, Thou only sign of man, how I contemn thee! Thou woven worthy in a piece of Arras, Fit only to enjoy a wall; thou beast Beaten to use; Have I preserv'd a beauty, A youth, a love, to have my wishes blasted? My dotings, and the joys I came to offer, Must they be lost, and sleighted by a dormouse?

_J[u]l._ Use more respect; and woman, 'twill become you; At least, less tongue.

_Mart._ I'll use all violence, Let him look for't.

_Jul._ Dare you stain those beauties, Those heavenly stamps, that raise men up to wonder, With harsh and crooked motions? are you she That overdid all ages, with your honor; And in a little hour dare loose this triumph? Is not this man your husband?

_Mart._ He's my halter; Which (having sued my pardon) I fling off thus, And with him all I brought him, but my anger; Which I will nourish to the desolation, Not only of his folly, but his friends, And his whole name.

_Vir._ 'Tis well, I have deserved it. And if I were a woman, I would rail too.

_Mart._ Nature nere promised thee a thing so noble. Take back your love, your vow, I give it freely; I poorly scorn it; graze now where you please: That that the dulness of thy soul neglected, Kings sue for now. And mark me, _Virolet_, Thou image of a man, observe my words well. At such a bloody rate I'll sell this beauty, This handsomness thou scornst and flingst away, Thy proud ungrateful life shall shake at: take your house, The petty things you left me give another; And last, take home your trinket: fare you well, Sir.

_Ron._ You have spoke like your self; Y'are a brave Lady. [_Exeunt_ Ronvere _and_ Martia.

_Jul._ Why do you smile, Sir?

_Vir._ O my _Juliana_, The happiness this womans scorn has given me, Makes me a man again; proclaims it self, In such a general joy, through all my miseries, That now methinks--

_Jul._ Look to your self dear Sir, And trifle not with danger that attends you; Be joyful when y'are free.

_Vir._ Did you not hear her? She gave me back my vow, my love, my freedom; I am free, free as air; and though to morrow Her bloody will meet with my life, and sink it, And in her execution tear me piecemeal: Yet have I time once more to meet my wishes, Once more to embrace my best, my noblest, truest; And time that's warranted.

_Jul._ Good Sir, forbear it: Though I confess, equal with your desires My wishes rise, as covetous of your love, And to as warm alarums spur my will to: Yet pardon me, the Seal o'th' Church dividing us, And hanging like a threatning flame between us, We must not meet, I dare not.

_Vir._ That poor disjoynting That only strong necessity thrust on you, Not crime, nor studied cause of mine: how sweetly, And nobly I will bind again and cherish; How I will recompence one dear imbrace now, One free affection! how I burn to meet it! Look now upon me.

_Jul._ I behold you willingly, And willingly would yield, but for my credit. The love you first had was preserv'd with honor, The last shall not cry whore; you shall not purchase From me a pleasure, that have equally Lov'd your fair fame as you, at such a rate: Your honesty and virtue must be bankrupt, If I had lov'd your lust, and not your lustre; The glorious lustre of your matchless goodness, I would compel you now to be!--forgive me, Forgive me Sir, how fondly still I love you! Yet nobly too; make the way straight before me, And let but holy _Hymen_ once more guide me, Under the Ax upon the Rack again, Even in the bed of all afflictions, Where nothing sings our Nuptials but dire sorrows, With all my youth and pleasure I'll imbrace you, Make Tyranny and death stand still affrighted, And at our meeting souls amaze our mischiefs; Till when, high heaven defend you, and peace guide you. Be wise and manly, make your fate your own, By being master of a providence, That may controle it.

_Vir._ Stay a little with me, My thoughts have chid themselves: may I not kiss you? Upon my truth I am honest.

_Jul._ I believe ye; But yet what that may raise in both our fancies, What issues such warm parents breed.

_Vir._ I obey you, And take my leave as from the Saint that keeps me. I will be right again, and once more happy In thy unimitable love.

_Jul._ I'll pray for ye, And when you fall I have not long to follow. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ Sesse, Master, Boteswain, _and_ Gunner, _at one door,_ Martia _and_ Ronvere, _at another._

_Ses._ Now we have got free credit with the Captain.

_Mast._ Soft, soft, he's here again: Is not that Lady-- Or have I lost mine eyes? a salt rhume seizes 'em; But I should know that face.

_Bots._ Make him not madder, Let him forget the woman; steer a lar-board.

_Mast._ He will not kill her.

_Bots._ Any thing he meets; He's like a Hornet now, he hums, and buzzes; Nothing but blood and horror.

_Mast._ I would save the Lady, For such another Lady.

_Bots._ There's the point; And you know there want women of her mettle.

_Mast._ 'Tis true, they bring such children now, Such demilancies, Their fathers socks will make them Christning clothes.

_Gun._ No more, they view us.

_Ses._ You shall play a while, And sun your self in this felicity, You shall you glorious whore, I know you still. But I shall pick an hour when most securely-- I say no more.

_Ron._ Do you see those? those are they Shall act your will; come hither my good fellows: You are now the Kings. Are they not goodly fellows?

_Mart._ They have bone enough, if they have stout heart to it.

_Mast._ Still the old wench.

_Sess._ Pray Captain, let me ask you What Noble Lady's that? 'tis a rude question, But I desire to know.

_Ron._ She is for the King, Sir; Let that suffice for answer.

_Sess._ Is she so Sir? In good time may she curse it. Must I breed hackneys for his grace?

_Ron._ What wouldst thou do To merit such a Ladies favor?

_Sess._ Any thing.

_Ron._ That can supply thy wants, and raise thy fortunes?

_Ses._ Let her command, and see what I dare execute. I keep my conscience here; if any man Oppose her will, and she would have him humbled, Whole families between her and her wishes--

_Mast._ We have seen bleeding throats sir, Cities sackt; And infants stuck upon their pikes.

_Botes._ Houses a fire, and handsome mothers weeping.

_Ses._ Which we have heaped upon the pile like sacrifices. Churches and Altars, Priests and all devotions, Tumbled together into one rude _Chaos_.

_Gun._ We know no fear Sir, but want of imployment.

_Sess._ Nor other faith but what our purses preach. To gain our ends we can do any thing, And turn our souls into a thousand figures; But when we come to do--

_Mart._ I like these fellows.

_Ron._ Be ready and wait here within this hour I'll shew you to the King, and he shall like ye: And if you can devise some entertainment To fill his mirth, such as your Countrey uses, Present it, and I'll see it grac'd. After this _Comicke Scene_ we shall imploy you, For one must dye.

_Sess._ What is he sir? speak boldly, For we dare boldly do.

_Ron._ This Ladies husband; His name is _Virolet_.

_Sess._ We shall dispatch it. [_Exit_ Martia, Ronvere. O damned, damned thing: a base whore first: And then a murtherer, I'll look to you.

_Bots._ Can she be grown so strange?

_Ses._ She has an itch; I'll scratch you my dear daughter, I'll so claw you; I'll curry your hot hide; married and honour'd? And turn those holy blessings into brothels? Your beauty into blood? I'll hunt your hotness. I'll hunt you like a train.

_Mast._ We did all pitty her.

_Ses._ Hang her, she is not worth mans memory; She's false and base, and let her fright all stories. Well, though thou beest mine enemy, I'll right thee, And right thee Nobly.

_Bots._ Faith sir, since she must go, Let's spare as few as may be.

_Ses._ We'll take all, And like a torrent sweep the slaves before us. You dare endure the worst?

_Mast._ You know our hearts sir, And they shall bleed the last, ere we start from ye.

_Gun._ We can but dye, and ere we come to that, We shall pick out some few examples for us.

_Ses._ Then wait the first occasion, and like _Curtius_, I'll leap the gulph before you, fearless leap it: Then follow me like men, and if our virtues May buoy our Countrey up, and set her shining In her first state; our fair revenges taken, We have our noble ends or else our ashes. [_Exeunt._

_Actus V. Scæna Prima._

_Enter_ Ascanio, _and_ Martia _above._

_Mart._ As you are noble, keep me from discovery, And let me only run a strangers fortune; For when the King shall find I am his daughter He ever holds most ominous, and hates most: With what eyes can he look, how entertain me, But with his fears and cruelties?

_Asc._ I have found you, Suspect not, I am bound to what you like best, What you intend, I dare not be so curious To question now, and what you are, lies hid here.

_Enter_ Ferrand _and_ Ronvere _above._

The King comes, make your fortune, I shall joy in't.

_Ron._ All things are ready sir to make you merry, And such a King, you shall behold him now.

_Fer._ I long for't, For I have need of mirth.

_Ron._ The Lady sir.

_Fer._ Now as I am a King, a sprightly beauty, A goodly sweet aspect! my thanks _Ronvere_, My best thanks; on your lips I seal your wishes, Be what you can; imagine mine, and happy. And now sit down and smile; come my _Ascanio_; And let this Monarch enter.

_Enter_ Sess. _and_ Mr. B[o]tsw. Gunner, _and_ Saylors.

_Ronv._ These are the _Switzers_: I told your grace of.

_Fer._ Goodly promising fellows, With faces to keep fools in awe, I like 'em; Go guard the presence well, and do your duties, To morrow I shall take a farther view:

_Sess._ You shall Sir, Or I shall loose my will; how the whore's mounted! How she sits thron'd! thou blasing muddy meteor, That frightest the under world with lustful flashes, How I shall dash thy flames! away, no word more.

[_Ex._ Sess. _and his company._ Florish Cor.

_Enter_ Villio, Castruchio, Doctor, _and a Guard._

_Fer._ Now, here he comes in glory; be merry Masters, A Banquet too? [_meat conveyed away._

_Ron._ O, he must sit in State Sir!

_Asca._ How rarely he is usher'd! can he think now He is a King indeed?

_Ron._ Mark but his countenance.

_Cast._ Let me have pleasures infinite, and to the height, And women in abundance, many women,

_Enter Ladies._

I will disport my grace, Stand there and long for me. What have ye brought me here? is this a Feast Fit for a Prince? a mighty Prince? are these things, These preparations, ha?

_Doct._ May it please your grace?

_Cast._ It does not please my grace: where are the Marchpanes, The Custards double royal, and the subtilties? Why, what weak things are you to serve a Prince thus? Where be the delicates oth' earth and ayr? The hidden secrets of the Sea? am I a plow-man, You pop me up with porridge? hang the Cooks.

_Fer._ O most Kingly: What a Majestick anger!

_Cast._ Give me some wine.

_Asca._ He cools agen now.

_Cast._ Fool where are my Players? Let me have all in pomp; let 'em play some love matter, To make the Ladies itch, I'll be with you anon Ladies; You black eyes, I'll be with you. Give me some wine I say, And let me have a Masque of Cuckolds enter: Of mine own Cuckolds, And let them come in, peeping and rejoycing Just as I kiss their wives, and somewhat glorying. Some wine I say, then for an excellent night-piece, To shew my glory to my loves, and minions, I will have some great Castle burnt.

_Vil._ Hark you brother: If that be to please these Ladies, ten to one The fire first takes upon your own, look to that; Then you may shew a night piece.

_Cast._ Where's this wine? Why shall I choak? do ye long all to be tortur'd?

_Doct._ Here Sir.

_Cast._ Why, what is this? why Doctor.

_Doct._ Wine and water Sir. 'Tis Soveraign for your heat, you must endure it.

_Vil._ Most excellent to cool your night-piece Sir.

_Doct._ You are of a high and cholerick complexion, And you must have allayes.

_Cast._ Shall I have no sheere wine then?

_Doct._ Not for a world: I tender your dear life Sir; And he is no faithful subject--

_Vil._ No, by no means: Of this you may drink, and never hang, nor quarter, Nor never whip the fool, this liquors merciful.

_Cast._ I will sit down and eat then: Kings when th' are hungry, May eat I hope?

_Doct._ Yes, but they eat discreetly.

_Cast._ Come, tast this dish, and cut me liberally; I like sauce well.

_Doct._ Fie 'tis too hot Sir: Too deeply season'd with the spice, away wi'th't, You must acquaint your stomach with those dyets Are temperately nourishing.

_Cast._ But pray stay Doctor, And let me have my meat again.

_Doct._ By no means: I have a charge concerns my life.

_Cast._ No meat neither; Do Kings never eat Doctor?

_Doct._ Very little Sir. And that too very choice.

_Vil._ Your King never sleeps Brother, He must not sleep, his cares still keep him waking. Now he that eats and drinks much is a dormouse; The third part of a wafer is a weeks diet.

_Cast._ Appoint me something then.

_Doct._ There.

_Cast._ This I feel good, But it melts too suddainly; yet, how, that gone too! Ye are not mad! I charge you. [_take away._

_Doct._ For your health Sir, A little quickens nature, much depresses.

_Cast._ Eat nothing for my health? that's a new dyet, Let me have something, something has some savor. Why thou uncourteous Doctor, shall I hang thee?

_Doct._ 'Tis better Sir than I should let you surfeit, My death were nothing.

_Vil._ To loose a King, were terrible.

_Cast._ Nay, then I'll carve my self, I'll stay no ceremonies. This is a Patridge Pye, I am sure that's nourishing, Or _Galen_ is an Ass: 'tis rarely season'd: Ha Doctor have I hit right? a mark a mark there? [_take away._

_Vil._ What ails thy grace?

_Cast._ Retriv those Patridges. Or as I am a King--

_Doct._ Pray Sir be patient, They are flowen too far.

_Vil._ These are breath'd pyes an't please you, And your hawkes are such Buzards.

_Cast._ A King and have nothing, Nor can have nothing!

_Vil._ What think you of pudding? A pudding Royal?

_Cast._ To be royally starv'd, Whip me this fool to death; he is a blockhead.

_Vil._ Let 'em think they whip me, as we think you a King: 'Twill be enough.