Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10

Del. Fix here, and rest a while your Sail-stretch'd wings
That have out-stript the winds: the eye of Heaven
Durst not behold your speed, but hid it self
Behind the grossest clouds; and the pale Moon
Pluckt in her silver horns, trembling for fear
That my strong Spells should force her from her Sphere;
Such is the power of Art.

Dru. Good Aunt, where are we?

Del. Look down, Drusilla, on these lofty Towers,
These spacious streets, where every private house
Appears a Palace to receive a King:
The site, the wealth, the beauty of the place,
Will soon inform thee 'tis imperious Rome,
Rome, the great Mistris of the conquer'd world.

Dru. But without Diocles, it is to me
Like any wilderness we have pass'd o're:
Shall I not see him?

Del. Yes, and in full glory,
And glut thy greedy eyes with looking on
His prosperous success: Contain thy self;
For though all things beneath us are transparent,
The sharpest sighted, were he Eagle-ey'd,
Cannot discover us: nor will we hang
Idle Spectators to behold his triumph:

Enter Diocles, Maximinian, Guard, Aper, Senators, Geta, Officers, with Litter.

But when occasion shall present it self,
Do something to add to it. See, he comes.

Dru. How god-like he appears! with such a grace
The Giants that attempted to scale Heaven,
When they lay dead on the Phlegrean plain,
Mars did appear to Jove.

Del. Forbear.

Dio. Look on this,
And when with horrour thou hast view'd thy deed,
(Thy most accursed deed) be thine own judge,
And see (thy guilt consider'd) if thou canst
Perswade thy self (whom thou stand'st bound to hate)
To hope or plead for mercy.

Aper. I confess
My life's a burden to me.

Dio. Thou art like thy name,
A cruel Boar, whose snout hath rooted up
The fruitfull Vineyard of the common-wealth:
I long have hunted for thee, and since now
Thou art in the Toyl, it is in vain to hope
Thou ever shalt break out: thou dost deserve
The Hangmans hook, or to be punished
More majorum, whipt with rods to death,
Or any way, that were more terrible.
Yet, since my future fate depends upon thee,
Thus, to ful[fi]ll great Delphia's Prophecie,
Aper (thou fatal Boar) receive the honour [Kills Aper.
To fall by Diocles hand. Shine clear, my Stars,
That usher'd me to taste this common air
In my entrance to the world, and give applause
To this great work. [Musick.

Del. Strike Musick from the Spheres.

Dru. O now you honour me.

Dio. Ha! in the Air!

All. Miraculous.

Max. This shews the gods approve
The Person, and the Act: then if the Senate
(For in their eyes I read the Souldiers love)
Think Diocles worthy to supply the place
Of dead Numerianus, as he stands
His Heir, in his revenge, with one consent
Salute him Emperour.

Senat. Long live Diocles:
Augustus, Pater Patriæ, and all Titles,
That are peculiar only to the Cæsars,
We gladly throw upon him.

Guard. We confirm it,
And will defend his honour with our Swords
Against the world: raise him to the Tribunal.

1 Sen. Fetch the Imperial Robes: and as a sign
We give him absolute power of life and death,
Bind this Sword to his side.

2 Sen. Omit no Ceremony
That may be for his honour. SONG.

Max. Still the gods
Express that they are pleas'd with this election.

Geta. My Master is an Emperour, and I feel
A Senators Itch upon me: would I could hire
These fine invisible Fidlers to play to me
At my instalment.

Dio. I embrace your loves,
And hope the honours that you heap upon me,
Shall be with strength supported. It shall be
My studie to appear another Atlas,
To stand firm underneath this heaven of Empire,
And bear it boldly. I desire no Titles,
But as I shall deserve 'em. I will keep
The name I had, being a private man,
Only with some small difference; I will add
To Diocles but two short syllables,
And be called Dioclesianus.

Geta. That is fine:
I'le follow the fashion; and when I am a Senator,
I will be no more plain Geta, but be call'd
Lord Getianus.

Dru. He ne'er thinks of me,
Nor of your favour.

Enter Niger.

Del. If he dares prove false,
These glories shall be to him as a dream,
Or an inchanted banquet.

Niger. From Charinus,
From great Charinus, who with joy hath heard
Of your proceedings, and confirms your honours:
He, with his beauteous Sister, fair Aurelia,
Are come in person, like themselves attended
To gratulate your fortune. [Loud Musick.

Enter Charinus, Aurelia, Attendants.

Dio. For thy news,
Be thou in France Pro-consul: let us meet
The Emperour with all honour, and embrace him.

Dru. O Aunt, I fear this Princess doth eclipse
Th' opinion of my beauty, though I were
My self to be the judge.

Del. Rely on me.

Char. 'Tis vertue, and not birth that makes us noble:
Great actions speak great minds, and such should govern;
And you are grac't with both. Thus, as a Brother,
A fellow, and Co-partner in the Empire,
I do embrace you: may we live so far
From difference, or emulous Competition,
That all the world may say, Although two Bodies,
We have one Mind.

Aur. When I look on the Trunk
Of dear Numerianus, I should wash
His wounds with tears, and pay a Sisters sorrow
To his sad fate: but since he lives again
In your most brave Revenge, I bow to you,
As to a power that gave him second life,
And will make good my promise. If you find
That there is worth in me that may deserve you,
And that in being your wife, I shall not bring
Disquiet and dishonour to your Bed,
Although my youth and fortune should require
Both to be su'd and sought to, here I yield
My self at your devotion.

Dio. O you gods,
Teach me how to be thankful: you have pour'd
All blessings on me, that ambitious man
Could ever fancie: till this happy minute,
I ne're saw beauty, or believ'd there could be
Perfection in a woman. I shall live
To serve and honour you: upon my knees
I thus receive you; and, so you vouchsafe it,
This day I am doubly married; to the Empire,
And your best-self.

Del. False and perfidious villain.—

Dru. Let me fall headlong on him: O my stars!
This I foresaw and fear'd.

Cha. Call forth a Flamen
This knot shall now be ti'd.

Del. But I will loose it,
If Art or Hell have any strength.

Enter a Flamen, Thunder, and Lightning.

Cha. Prodigious!

Max. How soon the day's orecast!

Fla. The Signs are fatal:
Juno smiles not upon this Match, and shews too
She has her thunder.

Dio. Can there be a stop
In my full fortune?

Cha. We are too violent,
And I repent the haste: we first should pay
Our latest duty to the dead, and then
Proceed discreetly. Let's take up the body,
And when we have plac'd his ashes in his Urn,
We'll try the gods again, for wise men say,
Marriage and Obsequies do not suit one day. [Senate Exit.

Del. So, 'tis deferr'd yet, in despite of falshood:
Comfort Drusilla, for he shall be thine,
Or wish, in vain, he were not. I will punish [Ascend.
His perjury to the height. Mount up, my birds;
Some Rites I am to perform to Hecate,
To perfect my designs; which once perform'd,
He shall be made obedient to thy Call,
Or in his ruine I will bury all. [Ascends throne.

Actus Tertius. Scena Prima.

Enter Maximinian, (solus.)

Max. What powerful Star shin'd at this mans Nativity?
And bless'd his homely Cradle with full glory?
What throngs of people press and buz about him,
And with their humming flatteries sing him Cæsar?
Sing him aloud, and grow hoarse with saluting him?
How the fierce-minded Souldier steals in to him,
Adores and courts his honour? at his devotion
Their lives, their vertues, and their fortunes laying?
Charinus sues, the Emperour intreats him,
And as a brighter flame, takes his beams from him.
The bless'd and bright Aurelia, she doats on him,
And, as the god of Love, burns incense to him.
All eyes live on him. Yet I am still Maximinian,
Still the same poor and wretched thing, his servant.
What have I got by this? where lies my glory?
How am I rais'd and honour'd? I have gone as far
To woo this purblind honour, and have pass'd
As many dangerous Expeditions,
As noble, and as high; nay, in his destinie
(Whilst 'twas unknown) have run as many hazards,
And done as much; sweat thorow as many perils;
Only the Hang-man of Volutius Aper
(Which I mistook) has made him Emperour,
And me his slave.

Enter Delphia, and Drusilla.

Del. Stand still; he cannot see us,
Till I please: mark him well, this discontentment
I have forc'd into him, for thy cause, Drusilla.

Max. Can the gods see this;
See it with justice, and confer their blessings
On him, that never flung one grain of incense
Upon their Altars? never bow'd his knee yet;
And I that have march'd foot by foot, struck equally,
And whilst he was a gleaning, have been praying,
Contemning his base covetous—

Del. Now we'll be open.

Max. Bless me, and with all reverence.

Del. Stand up, Son,
And wonder not at thy ungratefull Uncle:
I know thy thoughts, and I appear to ease 'em.

Max. O Mother, did I stand the tenth part to ye
Engag'd and fetter'd, as mine Uncle does,
How would I serve, how would I fall before ye!
The poorer powers we worship.

Del. Peace, and flatter not;
Necessitie and anger draws this from ye;
Of both which I will quit ye: For your Uncle
I spoke this honour, and it fell upon him;
Fell, to his full content: he has forgot me,
For all my care; forgot me, and his vow too:
As if a dream had vanish'd, so h'as lost me,
And I him: let him now stand fast. Come hither;
My care is now on you.

Max. O blessed Mother!

Del. Stand still, and let me work. So now, Maximinian,
Go, and appear in Court, and eye Aurelia:
Believe, what I have done, concerns ye highly.
Stand in her view, make your addresses to her:
She is the Stair of honour. I'le say no more,
But Fortune is your servant: go.

Max. With reverence;—
All this as holy truths. [Exit.

Del. Believe, and prosper.

Dru. Yet all this cures not me; but as much credit,
As much belief from Dioclesian.

Enter Geta, Lictors, and Suitors, (with Petitions.)

Del. Be not dejected; I have warn'd ye often:
The proudest thoughts he has, I'le humble. Who's this?
O 'tis the fool and knave grown a grave Officer:
Here's hot and high preferment.

Get. What's your Bill?
For Gravel for the Appian way, and Pills?
Is the way rheumatick?

1 Suitor. 'Tis Piles, and't please you.

Get. Remove me those Piles to Port Esquiline,
Fitter the place, my friend: you shall be paid.

1 Suitor. I thank your worship.

Get. Thank me when ye have it;
Thank me another way, ye are an Asse else.
I know my office: you are for the streets, Sir.
Lord, how ye throng! that knave has eaten Garlick;
Whip him, and bring him back.

3 Suitor. I beseech your Worship;
Here's an old reckoning for the dung and dirt, Sir.

Get. It stinks like thee: away. Yet let him tarry,
His Bill shall quit his Breath. Give your Petitions
In seemly sort, and keep your hat off, decently.
For scowring the water-courses thorow the Cities?
A fine periphrasis of a kennel-raker.
Did ye scour all, my friend? ye had some business:
Who shall scour you? you are to be paid, I take it,
When Surgeons swear you have perform'd your office.

4 Suit. Your Worship's merry.

Get. We must be sometimes wittie,
To nick a knave; 'tis as useful as our gravitie.
I'le take no more Petitions; I am pester'd;
Give me some rest.

4 Suit. I have brought the gold (and't please ye)
About the Place ye promised.

Get. See him enter'd.
How does your Daughter?

4 Suit. Better your worship thinks of her.

Get. This is with the least. But let me see your Daughter.
'Tis a good forward maid; I'le joyn her with ye.
I do beseech ye, leave me.

Lictor. Ye see the Edile's busie.

Get. And look to your places, or I'le make ye smoke else.
Sirrah, I drank a cup of wine at your house yesterday;
A good smart wine.

Lictor. Send him the piece, he likes it.

Get. And ate the best wild Boar at that same Farmers.

2 Su. I have half left yet: your worship shall command it.

Get. A bit will serve: give me some rest: gods help me.
How shall I labour when I am a Senator?

Del. 'Tis a fit place indeed. 'Save your Mastership;
Do you know us, Sir?

Get. These women are still troublesom.
There be houses providing for such wretched women,
And some small Rents, to set ye a spinning.

Dru. Sir,
We are no Spinsters; nor, if you look upon us,
So wretched as you take us.

Del. Does your Mightiness
That is a great destroyer of your Memorie,
Yet understand our faces?

Get. 'Prethee keep off, woman;
It is not fit I should know every creature.
Although I have been familiar with thee heretofore,
I must not know thee now: my place neglects thee.
Yet, because I daign a glimpse of your remembrances,
Give me your Suits, and wait me a month hence.

Del. Our Suits are, Sir, to see the Emperour,
The Emperour Dioclesian, to speak to him,
And not to wait on you. We have told you all, Sir.

Get. I laugh at your simplicitie, poor women:
See the Emperour? why you are deceiv'd: now
The Emperour appears but once in seven years,
And then he shines not on such weeds as you are.
Forward, and keep your State, and keep beggers from me.

Drus. Here is a prettie youth. [Exeunt.

Enter Diocles.

Del. He shall be prettie,
Or I will want my will, since ye are so high, Sir:
I'le raise ye higher, or my art shall fail me.
Stand close, he comes.

Dio. How am I cross'd and tortur'd!
My most wish'd happiness, my lovely Mistris,
That must make good my hopes, and link my greatness,
Yet sever'd from mine arms! Tell me, high heaven,
How have I sinn'd, that you should speak in thunder,
In horrid thunder, when my heart was ready
To leap into her breast? the Priest was ready?
The joyful virgins and the young men ready?
When Hymen stood with all his flames about him
Blessing the bed? the house with full joy sweating?
And expectation, like the Roman Eagle,
Took stand, and call'd all eyes? It was your honour;
And e're you give it full, do you destroy it?
Or was there some dire Star? some Devil that did it?
Some sad malignant Angel to mine honour?
With you I dare not rage.

Del. With me thou canst not,
Though it was I. Nay, look not pale and frighted;
I'le fright thee more. With me thou canst not quarrel;
I rais'd the thunder, to rebuke thy falshood:
Look here, to her thy falshood. Now be angry,
And be as great in evil as in Empire.

Dio. Bless me, ye Powers.

Del. Thou hast full need of blessing.
'Twas I, that at thy great Inauguration,
Hung in the air unseen: 'twas I that honour'd thee
With various Musicks, and sweet sounding airs:
'Twas I inspir'd the Souldiers heart with wonder,
And made him throw himself, with love and duty,
Low at thy feet: 'twas I that fix'd him to thee,
But why did I all this? To keep thy honestie,
Thy vow and faith; that once forgot and slighted
Aurelia in regard, the Marriage ready,
The Priest and all the Ceremonies present,
'Twas I that thundred loud; 'twas I that threatned;
'Twas I that cast a dark face over heaven,
And smote ye all with terrour.

Dru. Yet consider,
As ye are noble, as I have deserv'd ye;
For yet ye are free: if neither faith nor promise,
The deeds of elder times may be remembred,
Let these new-dropping tears; for I still love ye,
These hands held up to heaven.

Dio. I must not pity ye;
'Tis not wise in me.

Del. How? not wise?

Dio. Nor honourable.
A Princess is my Love, and doats upon me:
A fair and lovely Princess is my Mistris.
I am an Emperour: consider, Prophetess,
Now my embraces are for Queens and Princesses,
For Ladies of high mark, for divine beauties:
To look so low as this cheap common sweetness,
Would speak me base, my names and glories nothing.
I grant I made a vow; what was I then?
As she is now, of no sort, (hope made me promise)
But now I am; to keep this vow, were monstrous,
A madness, and a low inglorious fondness.

Del. Take heed, proud man.

Drus. Princes may love with Titles,
But I with Truth.

Del. Take heed; here stands thy destinie;
Thy Fate here follows.

Dio. Thou doating Sorceress,
Wouldst have me love this thing, that is not worthy
To kneel unto my Saint? to kiss her shadow?
Great Princes are her slaves; selected beauties
Bow at her beck: the mighty Persian's Daughter
(Bright as the breaking East, as mid-day glorious)
Waits her commands, and grows proud in her pleasures.
I'le see her honour'd: some Match I shall think of,
That shall advance ye both; mean time I'll favour ye. [Exit.

Del. Mean time I'le haunt thee. Cry not (wench) be confident,
E're long, thou shalt more pity him (observe me)
And pity him in truth, than now thou seek'st him:
My art and I are yet companions. Come, Girl. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Enter Geta, Lictors.

Get. I am too merciful, I find it, friends,
Of too soft a nature to be an Officer;
I bear too much remorse.

1 Lict. 'Tis your own fault, Sir;
For look you, one so newly warm in Office
Should lay about him blindfold, like true Justice,
Hit where it will: the more ye whip and hang, Sir,
(Though without cause; let that declare it self afterward)
The more ye are admired.

Get. I think I shall be.—

2 Lict. Your worship is a man of a spare body,
And prone to anger.

Get. Nay, I will be angry,
And, the best is, I need not shew my reason.

2 Lict. You need not, Sir, your place is without reason;
And what you want in growth and full proportion,
Make up in rule and rigour.

Get. A rare Counsellor;
Instruct me further. Is it fit, my friends,
The Emperour my Master Dioclesian
Should now remember or the times or manners
That call'd him plain down Diocles?

1 Lict. He must not,
It stands not with his Royaltie.

Get. I grant ye,
I being then the Edile Getianus,
A man of place, and Judge, is it held requisite
I should commit to my consideration
Those Rascals of removed and ragged hours,
That with unreverend mouths call'd me Slave Geta?

2 Lict. You must forget their names; your honour bids ye.

Get. I do forget; but I'le hang their natures:
I will ascend my place, which is of Justice;
And mercy, I forget thee.

Suitor. A rare Magistrate!
Another Solon sure.

Get. Bring out the offenders.

1 Lict. There are none yet, Sir, but no doubt there will be.
But if you please touch some things of those natures.

Get. And am I ready, and mine anger too?
The melancholy of a Magistrate upon me,
And no offenders to execute my fury?
Ha? no offenders, knaves?

1 Lict. There are knaves indeed, Sir,
But we hope shortly to have 'em for your worship.

Get. No men to hang or whip? are you good officers,
That provide no fuel for a Judges fury?
In this place something must be done; this Chair, I tell ye,
When I sit down, must savour of Severitie:
Therefore I warn ye all, bring me lewd people,
Or likely to be lewd; twigs must be cropt too:
Let me have evil persons in abundance,
Or make 'em evil; 'tis all one, do but say so,
That I may have fit matter for a Magistrate;
And let me work. If I sit empty once more,
And lose my longing, as I am true Edile,
And as I hope to rectifie my Countrie,
You are those scabs I will scratch off from the Commonwealth,
You are these Rascals of the State I treat of,
And you shall find and feel.—

2 Lict. You shall have many,
Many notorious people.

Get. Let 'em be people,
And take ye notorious to your selves. Mark me, my Lictors,
And you, the rest of my Officials;
If I be angry, as my place will ask it,
And want fit matter to dispose my Authoritie,
I'le hang a hundred of ye: I'le not stay longer,
Nor enquire no further into your offences:
It is sufficient that I find no Criminals,
And therefore I must make some: if I cannot,
Suffer my self; for so runs my Commission.

Suitor. An admirable, zealous and true Justice.

1 Lict. I cannot hold: if there be any people,
Of what degree soever, or what qualitie,
That would behold the wonderful works of Justice
In a new Officer, a man conceal'd yet,
Let him repair, and see, and hear, and wonder
At the most wise and gracious Getianus.

Enter Delphia, and Drusilla.

Get. This qualifies a little. What are these?

Del. You shall not mourn still: times of recreation,
To allay this sadness, must be sought. What's here?
A superstitious flock of sensless people
Worshipping a sign in Office?

Get. Lay hold on her,
And hold her fast,
She'll slip thorow your fingers like an Eel else;
I know her tricks: hold her, I say, and bind her,
Or hang her first, and then I'le tell her wherefore.

Del. What have I done?

Get. Thou hast done enough to undo thee;
Thou hast pressed to the Emperours presence without my warrant,
I being his key and image.

Del. You are an image indeed,
And of the coursest stuff, and the worst making
That e're I look'd on yet: I'le make as good an image of an Asse.

Get. Besides, thou art a woman of a lewd life.

Del. I am no whore, Sir, nor no common fame
Has yet proclaim'd me to the people, vitious.

Get. Thou art to me a damnable lewd woman,
Which is as much as all the people swore it;
I know thou art a keeper of tame Devils:
And whereas great and grave men of my place
Can by the Laws be allow'd but one apiece,
For their own services and recreations;
Thou, like a traiterous quean, keepst twenty devils;
Twenty in ordinary.

Del. Pray ye, Sir, be pacified,
If that be all: and if ye want a servant,
You shall have one of mine shall serve for nothing,
Faithful, and diligent, and a wise Devil too;
Think for what end.

Get. Let her alone, 'tis useful;
We men of business must use speedie servants:
Let me see your family.

Del. Think but one, he is ready.

Get. A Devil for intelligence? No, no,
He will lye beyond all travellers. A State-Devil?
Neither; he will undo me at mine own weapon.
For execution? he will hang me too.
I would have a handsom, pleasant and a fine she-devil,
To entertain the Ladies that come to me;
A travell'd Devil too, that speaks the tongues,
And a neat carving Devil. [Musick.

Enter a she-devil.

Del. Be not fearful.

Get. A prettie brown devil i'faith; may I not kiss her?

Del. Yes, and embrace her too; she is your servant.
Fear not; her lips are cool enough.

Get. She is marvellous well mounted; what's her name?

Del. Lucifera.

Get. Come hither, Lucifera. and kiss me.

Del. Let her sit on your knee.

Get. The Chair turns: hey-boys:
Pleasant i'faith, and a fine facetious Devil. [Dance.

Del. She would whisper in your ear, and tell ye wonders.

Get. Come; what's her name?

Del. Lucifera.

Get. Come, Lucie, come, speak thy mind. I am certain burnt to ashes. [Exeunt.
I have a kind of Glasse-house in my cod-piece.
Are these the flames of State? I am rosted over,
Over, and over-rosted. Is this Office?
The pleasure of authoritie? I'le no more on't,
Till I can punish Devils too; I'le quit it.
Some other Trade now, and some course less dangerous,
Or certainly I'le tyle again for two pence. [Exit.

SCENE III.

Enter Charinus, Aurelia, Cassana, Ambassadours, Attendants.

Aur. Never dispute with me; you cannot have her:
Nor name the greatness of your King; I scorn him:
Your knees to me are nothing; should he bow too,
It were his dutie, and my power to slight him.

Cha. She is her woman; never sue to me;
And in her power to render her, or keep her;
And she, my Sister, not to be compell'd,
Nor have her own snatch'd from her.

Amb. We desire not,
But for what ransom she shall please to think of;
Jewels, or Towns, or Provinces.

Aur. No ransom,
No, not your Kings own head, his crown upon it,
And all the low subjections of his people.

Amb. Fair Princes should have tender thoughts.

Aur. Is she too good
To wait upon the mighty Emperours Sister?
What Princess of that sweetness, or that excellence,
Sprung from the proudest, and the mightiest Monarchs,
But may be highly blest to be my servant?

Cas. 'Tis most true, mighty Lady.

Aur. Has my fair usage
Made you so much despise me and your fortune,
That ye grow weary of my entertainments?
Henceforward, as ye are, I will command ye,
And as you were ordain'd my prisoner,
My slave, and one I may dispose of any way,
No more my fair Companion: tell your King so:
And if he had more Sisters, I would have 'em,
And use 'em as I please. You have your answer.

Amb. We must take some other way: force must compel it. [Ex.

Enter Maximinian.

Max. Now if thou beest a Prophetess, and canst do
Things of that wonder that thy tongue delivers,
Canst raise me too: I shall be bound to speak thee:
I half believe, confirm the other to me,
And Monuments to all succeeding Ages,
Of thee, and of thy piety.—Now she eyes me.
Now work great power of art: she moves unto me:
How sweet, how fair, and lovely her aspects are!
Her eyes like bright Eoan flames shoot thorow me.

Aur. O my fair friend, where have you been?

Max. What am I?
What does she take me for? work still, work strongly.

Aur. Where have you fled, my loves and my embraces?

Max. I am beyond my wits.

Aur. Can one poor Thunder,
Whose causes are as common as his noises,
Make ye defer your lawful and free pleasures?
Strike terrour to a Souldiers heart, a Monarchs?
Thorow all the fires of angry heaven, thorow tempests
That sing of nothing but destruction,
Even underneath the bolt of Jove, then ready,
And aiming dreadfully, I would seek you,
And flie into your arms.

Max. I shall be mighty,
And (which I never knew yet) I am goodly;
For certain, a most handsom man.

Cha. Fie, Sister,
What a forgetful weakness is this in ye?
What a light presence? these are words and offers
Due only to your husband Dioclesian;
This free behaviour only his.

Aur. 'Tis strange
That only empty names compel affections:
This man, ye see, give him what name or title,
Let it be ne're so poor, ne're so despis'd, Brother,
This lovely man.—

Max. Though I be hang'd, I'le forward:
For, certain, I am excellent, and knew not.

Aur. This rare and sweet young man, see how he looks, Sir.

Max. I'le justle hard, dear Uncle.

Aur. This thing, I say,
Let him be what he will, or bear what fortune,
This most unequall'd man, this spring of beauty
Deserves the bed of Juno.

Cha. You are not mad.

Max. I hope she be; I am sure I am little better.

Aur. O fair, sweet man!

Cha. For shame refrain this impudence.

Max. Would I had her alone, that I might seal this blessing:
Sure, sure she should not beg: if this continue,
As I hope, Heaven, it will; Uncle, I'le nick ye,
I'le nick ye, by this life. Some would fear killing
In the pursuit now of so rare a venture;