I am going now, I have done my meditations,
My heart's almost at peace.
At these hours? sure some thief, some murtherer;
Rise, ho! rise all, I am betray'd.
O giddy thing! he has met some opposition,
And kill'd; I am confounded, lost for ever.
Enter Dorilaus.
Enter Malfort, Clarinda, and Servants.
I will not bid you thank my valour for't;
Gone at the Garden door; there were a dozen,
And bravely arm'd, I saw 'em.
Close by my ear; another had a huge Sword,
Flourish'd it thus; but at the point I met him,
But the Rogue taking me to be your Lordship,
(As sure your Name is terrible, and we
Not much unlike in the dark) roar'd out aloud,
'Tis the kill-Crow, Dorilaus, and away
They ran as they had flown; now you must love me,
Or fear me for my Courage, Wench.
O lying Rogue, Lisander stumbled, Madam,
At the Stairs-head, and in the fall the shot went off;
Was gone before they rose.
What pranks would they have plaid! how came the door open?
Took Durindana in my hand; and like
Orlando, issu'd forth.
Take leave of her, there 'twill be worth the taking;
Here 'tis but a cold Ceremony, ere long
We'll find Lisander, or we have ill-fortune.
My name writ on the door, they dare not enter. [Exeunt.
Enter Clarange, Fryar with a letter.
For though I grant my Lidian a Scholar,
As far as fits a Gentleman, he hath studied
Humanity, and in that he is a Master;
Civility of manners, Courtship, Arms;
But never aim'd at (as I could perceive)
The deep points of Divinity.
Devotion to be real, no way tainted
With ostentation, or hyp[ocr]isie,
The cankers of Religion; his Sermon
So full of gravity, and with such sweetness
Deliver'd, that it drew the admiration
Of all the hearers on him; his own Letters
To you, which witness he will leave the World,
And these to fair Olinda, his late Mistriss,
In which he hath with all the moving language
That ever express'd Rhetorick, solicited
The Lady to forget him, and make you
Blessed in her embraces, may remove
All scrupulous doubts.
I know not what to think of 't.
His solitary Cell, he pen'd a Ditty,
His long, and last farewel to Love and Women,
So feelingly, that I confess however
It stands not with my order to be taken
With such poetical Raptures; I was mov'd,
And strangely with it.
My Novice too can sing it, if you please
To give him hearing.
For I am full of melancholy thoughts,
Against which I have heard with reason Musick
To be the speediest cure, 'pray you apply it.
A Song by the Novice.
I am free again;
Thou dull Disease of bloud, and idle hours;
Bewitching pain,
Flye to the Fools that sigh away their time,
My nobler love to Heaven doth climb,
And there behold Beauty still young,
That Time can ne'r corrupt, nor Death destroy;
Immortal sweetness by fair Angels sung,
And honour'd by Eternity and Joy:
There lives my love, thither my hopes aspire,
Fond love declines, this heavenly [love] grows higher.
It is a Heavenly Hymn, no ditty Father,
It passes through my ears unto my soul,
And works divinely on it; give me leave
A little to consider; shall I be
Outdone in all things? nor good of my self,
Nor by example? shall my loose hope still,
The viands of a fond affection, feed me
As I were a sensual beast? spiritual food
Refus'd by my sick palat? 'tis resolv'd.
How far off Father, doth this new made Hermit
Make his abode?
I hope your piety will not deny me
Your aids to further 'em?
You would some time, for reasons I will shew you,
Defer delivery of Lidians Letters
To fair Olinda.
You shall direct me; something I will do,
A new born zeal, and friendship prompts me to. [Ex.
Enter Dorilaus, Cleander, Chamberlain, Table, Tapers, and three stools.
We must be stirring early.
You told me of? 'thas been my custom ever
To parley with mine host.
And such a one I know you love to laugh with;
Go call your Master up.
I'le fetch him up my self.
He is fast in's grave, he has been dead these three weeks.
And discourse worse.
Mine honest merry Host; will you to bed yet?
Or lay it by your Master.
Your Hostesses in Innes should be blith things,
Pretty, and young to draw in passengers;
She'l never fill her beds well, if she be not beauteous.
Enter Chamberlain, with wine.
That will mistake sometimes a Gentleman
For her good man; well done; here's to Lisander.
We'l trouble thee no farther; to your Son. [Ex. Cham.
This wine drinks merrier still, O for mine Host now,
Were he alive again, and well dispos'd,
I would so claw his pate.
The rarest, and the roundest, of his friends,
His quarrels, and his guests, and they are the best bauds too,
Take 'em in that tune.
'Tis at the door I think.
To fright mens sleeps, have we ne're a pispot ready?
Touch a lute rarely, and as rarely sing too,
A brave still mean.
To see him rise and Fiddle—Hark, a Song.
A SONG.
Sit close, and draw the Table nigher;
Be merry, and drink wine that's old,
A hearty medicine 'gainst a cold.
Your bed of wanton down's the best,
Where you shall tumble to your rest;
I could wish you wenches too,
But I am dead and cannot do;
Call for the best the house may ring,
Sack, White, and Claret let them bring,
And drink apace while breath you have,
You'l find but cold drink in the grave;
Plover, Partridge for your dinner,
And a Capon for the sinner,
You shall find ready when you are up,
And your horse shall have his sup:
Welcom welcom shall flye round,
And I shall smile though under ground.
Enter Host.
My brave old guest most welcom.
To tell us you were dead, come sit down by us,
We thank ye for your Song.
I have been dead these three weeks.
Shall he come out on's coffin to bear us company,
And we not bid him welcom? come mine Host,
Mine honest Host, here's to ye.
'Thas been my duty living, now my farewel;
I fear ye are not us'd accordingly.
How ever we are us'd.
And then I go to peace.
In holy ground, for now I lye unhallowed,
By the clarks fault; let my new grave be made
Amongst good fellows, that have died before me,
And merry Hostes of my kind.
That in afflictions wander now.
They shall return in peace.
Answer me softly, some hours before my death,
To give me warning?
But if I can, so much alive I lov'd ye,
I will appear again, adieu. [Exit.
For the most part fatal.
Find credit, the light breaks apace, let's lie down
And take some little rest, an hour or two,
Then do mine host's desire, and so return,
I do believe him.
Enter Calista, and Clarinda.
The doors look'd to now in your Masters absence?
Your care, and diligence amongst the Servants?
More than thou ought'st I am sure, why dost thou blush?
I understand ye not: she has spied Leon, [Aside.
Shame of his want of caution.
I have no cause that I find yet.
What bed-fellow had ye? none of the maids came near ye.
And wore a sword; and sure I keep no Amazons;
Wench do not lye, 'twill but proclaim thee guilty;
Lyes hide our sins like nets; like perspectives,
They draw offences nearer still, and greater:
Come, tell the truth.
To have these doubts of me; how have I liv'd, Madam?
And which of all my careful services deserves these shames?
This impudence becomes thee worse than lying.
I thought ye had liv'd well, and I was proud of't;
But you are pleas'd to abuse my thoughts; who was't?
Honest repentance yet will make the fault less.
Nay, then have at ye; I shall rub that sore, Madam,
(Since ye provoke me) will but vex your Ladyship;
Let me alone.
The peace of your own conscience ask no farther;
Walk in, and let me alone.
Never admire, 'tis easie to be done, Madam,
And usual too, a proper man I lay with;
Why should you vex at that? young as Lisander,
And able too; I grudge not at your pleasure,
Why should you stir at mine? I steal none from ye.
That may command.
I know it does, why would ye urge me Lady?
Why would ye be so curious to compel me?
I nam'd Lisander as my president,
The rule I err'd by, you love him, I know it,
I grudg'd not at it, but am pleas'd it is so;
And by my care and diligence you enjoy'd him,
Shall I for keeping counsel, have no comfort?
Will you have all your self? ingross all pleasure
Are ye so hard hearted? why do ye blush now, Madam?
Who lay with you t'other night?
I wonder ye dare touch me in this point, Madam?
Stir her against ye in whose hand your life lies?
More than your life, your honour? what smug Amazon
Was that I brought you? that maid had ne're a petticoat?
And I mistrust my self, though I am honest
For giving her the Helm, thou knowest, Clarinda,
(Ev'n in thy conscience) I was ever vertuous;
As far from lust in meeting with Lisander,
As the pure wind in welcoming the morning;
In all the co[n]versation I had with him,
As free, and innocent, as yon fair Heaven;
Didst not thou perswade me too?
And now you are perswaded I'le make use on't.
The nobleness and beauty of his person,
Beside the mighty benefits I am bound to,
Is this sufficient warrant for thy weakness?
If I had been a whore, and crav'd thy counsel
In the conveyance of my fault and faithfulness,
Thy secrecie, and truth in hiding of it;
Is it thy justice to repay me thus?
To be the Master sinner to compel me?
And build thy lusts security on mine honour?
Prevention, Madam, is the nail I knock'd at,
And I have hit it home, and so I'le hold it,
And you must pardon me, and be silent too,
And suffer what ye see, and suffer patiently;
I shall do worse else.
Truth will not suffer me to be abus'd thus.
A poor weak tongue she has, and that is hoarse too
With pleading at the bars, none understand[s] her,
Or if you had her, what can she say for ye?
Must she not swear he came at midnight to ye,
The door left open, and your husband cozen'd
With a feign'd sickness?
What I will testifie is that shall vex ye;
Trust not a guilty rage with likelihoods,
And on apparent proof, take heed of that, Madam;
If you were innocent (as it may be ye are)
I do not know, I leave it to your conscience,
It were the weakest and the poorest part of ye,
Men being so willing to believe the worst,
So open eyed in this age to all infamie,
To put your fame in this weak bark to the venture.
Into what box of evils have I lock'd thee!
Yet rather than be thus outbrav'd, and by
My drudg, my footstool, one that sued to be so;
Perish both life, and honour. Devil thus
I dare thy worst, defie thee, spit at thee,
And in my vertuous rage, thus trample on thee;
Awe me thy Mistris, whore, to be thy baud?
Out of my house, proclaim all that thou knowest,
Or malice can invent, fetch jealousie
From Hell, and like a furie breath it in
The bosom of my Lord; and to thy utmost
Blast my fair fame, yet thou shalt feel with horror
To thy sear'd conscience, my truth is built
On such a firm base, that if e're it can
Be forc'd, or undermin'd by thy base scandals,
Heaven keeps no guard on innocence. [Exit.
In my own hopes forsaken, and must fall
The greatest torment to a guilty woman
Without revenge, till I can fashion it
I must submit, at least appear as if
I did repent, and would offend no farther.
Monsieur Beronte my Lords Brother is
Oblig'd unto me for a private favour;
'Tis he must mediate for me; but when time
And opportunity bids me strike, my wreak
Shall pour it self on her nice chastitie
Like to a torrent, deeds, not words shall speak me. [Exit.
Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.
Enter Alcidon, and Beronte, severally.
Acquainted with the cause, if you love vertue,
In danger not secure; I have no time
For circumstance, instruct me if Lisander
Be in your Brothers house?
(Without offence I speak it) there's no place
In which he is more honour'd, or more safe,
Than with his friend Cleander.
I grant it true, but as it now stands with him,
I can give reason to make satisfaction
For what I speak; you cannot but remember
The ancient difference between Lisander
And Cloridon, a man in grace at Court?
Upon Lisanders life, for a fall given to Cloridon
'Fore the King, as they encountred at a solemn tilting.
In brief, a challenge was brought to Lisander
By one Chrysant[h]es; and as far as valour
Would give him leave, declin'd by bold Lisander:
But peace refus'd, and braves on braves heap'd on him,
Alone he met the opposites, ending the quarrel
With both their lives.
Hath set a price upon Lisanders head,
As a reward to any man that brings it
Alive, or dead; to gain this, every where
He is pursu'd, and laid for; and the friendship
Between him and your noble Brother known,
His house in reason cannot pass unsearcht,
And that's the principal cause that drew me hither,
To hasten his remove, if he had chosen
This Castle for his sanctuary.
And you most welcom; this night pray you take
A lodging with us; and at my intreaty
Conceal this from my Brother, he is grown
Exceeding sad of late; and the hard fortune
Of one he values at so high a rate,
Will much encrease his melancholy.
Enter Cleander, with a Book.
Is most uncertain: if so, every hour
We should prepare us for the journey, which
Is not to be put off, I must submit
To the divine decree, not argue it,
And chearfully I welcom it: I have
Dispos'd of my estate, confess'd my sins,
And have remission from my Ghost[l]y Father,
Being at peace too here: the apparition
Proceeded not from fancy, Dorilaus
Saw it, and heard it with me, it made answer
To our demands, and promis'd, if 'twere not
Deny'd to him by fate, he would forewarn me
Of my approaching end, I feel no symptome
Of sickness, yet I know not how a dulness
Invades me all over. Ha?
Enter Host.
To keep my promise; and as far as spirits
Are sensible of sorrow for the living,
I grieve to be the messenger to tell you,
E're many hours pass, you must resolve
To fill a grave.
But my prediction is too sure; prepare
To make your peace with heaven. So farewel Sir. [Ex.
Like a pale coward: my sad doom pronounc'd
By this aerial voice, as in a glass
Shews me my death in its most dreadfull shape.
What rampire can my humane frailty raise
Against the assault of fate? I do begin
To fear my self, my inward strengths forsake me,
I must call out for help. Within there? haste,
And break in to my rescue.
Servants, and Clarinda, at several doors.
My loyall breast between you and all hazard.
To all my thanks. Encompass'd thus with friends
How can I fear? and yet I do, I am wounded,
Mortally wounded: nay it is within,
I am hurt in my minde: One word—
Of my dead Host appear'd, and told me, that
This night I should be with him: did you not meet it?
It went out at that door.
Of your imagination: can you think
Mine Host would not as well have spoke to me now,
As he did in the Inn? these waking dreams
Not alone trouble you, but strike a strange
Distraction in your Family: see the tears
Of my poor Daughter, fair Olinda's sadness,
Your Brothers, and your friends grief, servants sorrow.
Good Son bear up, you have many years to live
A comfort to us all: let's in to supper;
Ghosts never walk till after mid-night, if
I may believe my Grannam. We will wash
These thoughts away with Wine, spight of Hobgoblins.
And all the rest, forgive me, I'le endeavour
To be merry with you.
Into my service: but take especial care
You fall no further.
When you shall find fit time to call me to it,
I will make good what I have said.
Somewhat revives me; but his sight would cure me.
How ever let's to supper.
And Lidian were here too, as they should be,
If wishes cou'd prevail.
Enter Leon.
Discharg'd her Ladies service, and what burthen
I then have drawn upon me is apparent,
The crop she reapt from her attendance was
Her best Revenue, and my principal means
Clarinda's bounty, though I labour'd hard for't,
A younger Brother's fortune: must I now
Have soure sawce after sweet meats? and be driv'n
To leavie half a Crown a week, besides
Clouts, Sope, and Candles, for my heir Apparent,
If she prove, as she swears she is with child;
Such as live this way, find like me, though wenching
Hath a fair face, there's a Dragon in the tail of't
That stings to th' quick. I must skulk here, until
I am resolv'd: how my heart pants between
My hopes and fears! she's come; are we in the Port?
If not, let's sink together.
Enter Clarinda.