Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10

Pio. To s[a]y, Sir, I will wait upon your Lord,
Were not to understand my self.

Bob. To say Sir,
You will do any thing but wait upon him,
Were not to understand my Lord.

Pio. I'll meet him
Some half hour hence, and doubt not but to render
His Son a man again: the cure is easie,
I have done divers.

Bob. Women do ye mean, Sir?

Pio. Cures I do mean, Sir: be there but one spark
Of fire remaining in him unextinct,
With my discourse I'll blow it to a flame;
And with my practice into action:
I have had one so full of childish fear,
And womanish-hearted sent to my advice,
He durst not draw a knife to cut his meat.

Bob. And how Sir, did you help him?

Pio. Sir, I kept him
Seven daies in a dark room by a Candle-light,
A plenteous Table spread with all good meats,
Before his eyes, a Case of keen broad Knives,
Upon the board, and he so watch'd he might not
Touch the least modicum, unless he cut it:
And thus I brought him first to draw a knife.

Bob. Good.

Pio. Then for ten daies did I diet him
Only with burnt Pork, Sir, and gammons of Bacon;
A pill of Caveary now and then,
Which breeds choler adust you know.

Bob. 'Tis true.

Pio. And to purge phlegmatick humor, and cold crudities;
In all that time he drank me Aqua-fortis,
And nothing else but—

Bo[b]. Aqua-vitæ Signior,
For Aqua-fortis poisons.

Pio. Aqua-fortis
I say again: what's one man's poison, Signior,
Is anothers meat or drink.

Bob. Your patience, Sir;
By your good patience, h' had a huge cold stomach.

Pio. I fir'd it: and gave him then three sweats
In the Artillery-yard three drilling daies:
And now he'll shoot a Gun, and draw a Sword,
And fight with any man in Christendom.

Bob. A receipt for a coward: I'll be bold, Sir,
To write your good prescription.

Pio. Sir, hereafter
You shall, and underneath it put probatum:
Is your chain right?

Bob. 'Tis both right and just Sir;
For though I am a Steward, I did get it
With no mans wrong.

Pio. You are witty.

Bob. So, so.
Could you not cure one Sir, of being too rash
And over-daring? there now's my disease:
Fool-hardy as they say, for that in sooth,
I am.

Pio. Most easily.

Bob. How?

Pio. To make you drunk, Sir,
With small Beer once a day, and beat you twice,
Till you be bruis'd all over: if that help not,
Knock out your brains.

Bob. This is strong Physick Signior,
And never will agree with my weak body:
I find the medicine worse than the malady,
And therefore will remain fool-hardy still:
You'll come, Sir?

Pio. As I am a Gentleman.

Bob. A man o' th' Sword should never break his word.

Pio. I'll overtake you: I have only, Sir
A complimental visitation
To offer to a Mistriss lodg'd here by.

Bob. A Gentlewoman?

Pio. Yes Sir.

Bob. Fair, and comely?

Pio. Oh Sir, the Paragon, the Non-paril
Of Sevil, the most wealthy Mine of Spain,
For beauty, and perfection.

Bob. Say you so?
Might not a man entreat a c[u]rtesie,
To walk along with you Signior, to peruse
This dainty Mine, though not to dig in't Signior?
Hauh—I hope you'll not denie me, being a stranger;
Though I am a Steward, I am flesh and blood,
And frail as other men.

Pio. Sir, blow your nose:
I dare not for the world: no, she is kept
By a great Don, Vitelli.

Bob. How?

Pio. 'Tis true.

Bob. See, things will veer about: this Don Vitelli
Am I to seek now, to deliver Letters
From my young Mistriss Clara: and I tell you,
Under the Rose, because you are a stranger,
And my special friend, I doubt there is
A little foolish love betwixt the parties,
Unknown unto my Lord.

Pio. Happy discovery:
My fruit begins to ripen: hark you Sir,
I would not wish you now, to give those Letters:
But home, and ope this to Madona Clara,
Which when I come I'll justifie, and relate
More amply, and particularly.

Bob. I approve
Your counsel, and will practise it: bazilos manos:
Here's two chewres chewr'd: when wisdom is imploy'd
'Tis ever thus: your more acquaintance, Signior:
I say not better, least you think, I thought not
Yours good enough. [Exit.

Enter Alguazier.

Pio. Your servant excellent Steward.
Would all the Dons in Spain had no more brains,
Here comes the Alguazier: dieu vous guard Monsieur.
Is my Cuz stirring yet?

Alg. Your Cuz (good cosin?)
A whore is like a fool, a kin to all
The gallants in the Town: Your [C]uz, good Signior,
Is gone abroad; Sir, with her other Cosin,
My Lord Vitelli: since when there hath been
Some dozen Cosins here to enquire for her.

Pio. She's greatly ally'd Sir.

Alg. Marry is she, Sir,
Come of a lusty kindred: the truth is,
I must connive no more: no more admittance
Must I consent to; my good Lord has threatned me,
And you must pardon.

Pio. Out upon thee man,
Turn honest in thine age? one foot i'th' grave?
Thou shalt not wrong thy self so, for a million:
Look, thou three-headed Cerberus (for wit
I mean) here is one sop, and two, and three,
For every chop a bit.

Alg. I marry Sir:
Well, the poor heart loves you but too well.
We have been talking on you 'faith this hour:
Where, what I said, goe too: she loves your valour;
Oh, and your Musick most abominably:
She is within Sir, and alone: what mean you?

Pio. That is your Sergeants side, I take it Sir;
Now I endure your Constables much better;
There is less danger in't: for one you know
Is a tame harmless monster in the light,
The Sergeant salvage both by day, and night.

Alg. I'll call her to you for that.

Pio. No, I will charm her.

Enter Malroda.

Alg. She's come.

Pio. My Spirit.

Mal. Oh my Sweet,
Leap hearts to lips, and in our kisses meet.

SONG.

Pio. Turn, turn thy beauteous face away.
How pale and sickly looks the day,
In emulation of thy brighter beams!
Oh envious light, fli, flie, begone,
Come night, and piece two breasts as one;
When what love does, we will repeat in dreams.
Yet (thy eyes open) who can day hence fright,
Let but their Lids fall, and it will be night.

Alg. Well, I will leave you to your fortitude;
And you to temperance: ah, ye pretty pair,
'Twere sin to sunder you. Lovers being alone
Make one of two, and day and [n]ight all one.
But fall not out, I charge you, keep the peace;
You know my place else. [Exit.

Mal. No, you will not marry:
You are a Courtier, and can sing (my Love)
And want no Mistrisses: but yet I care not,
I'll love you still; and when I am dead for you,
Then you'll believe my truth.

Pio. You kill me (fair)
It is my lesson that you speak: have I
In any circumstance deserv'd this doubt?
I am not like your false and perjur'd Don
That here maintains you, and has vow'd his faith,
And yet attempts in way of marriage
A Lady not far off.

Mal. How's that?

Pio. 'Tis so:
And therefore Mistriss, now the time is come
You may demand his promise; and I swear
To marry you with speed.

Mal. And with that Gold
Which Don Vitelli gives, you'll walk some voyage
And leave me to my Trade; and laugh, and brag,
How you o'er-reach'd a whore, and gull'd a Lord.

Pio. You anger me extreamly: fare you well.
What should I say to be believ'd? expose me
To any hazard; or like jealous Juno
(Th' incensed step-mother of Hercules)
Design me labours most impossible,
I'll doe 'em, or die in 'em; so at last
You will believe me.

Mal. Come, we are friends: I do,
I am thine, walk in: my Lord has sent me outsides,
But thou shall have 'em, the colours are too sad:

Pio. 'Faith Mistriss, I want clothes indeed.

Mal. I have
Some Gold too, for my servant.

Pio. And I have
A better mettal for my Mistriss. [Exeunt.

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Vitelli and Alguazier, at several doors.

Alg. Undone—wit now or never help me: my Master
He will cut my throat, I am a dead Constable;
And he'll not be hang'd neither, there's the grief:
The party, Sir, is here.

Vit. What?

Alg. He was here;
I cry your Lordship mercy: but I ratled him;
I told him here was no companions
For such debauch'd, and poor condition'd fellows;
I bid him venture not so desperately
The cropping of his ears, slitting his nose,
Or being gelt.

Vit. 'Twas well done.

Alg. Please your honor,
I told him there were Stews, and then at last
Swore three or four great oaths she was remov'd,
Which I did think I might, in conscience,
Being for your Lordship.

Vit. What became of him?

Alg. Faith Sir, he went away with a flea in's ear,
Like a poor cur, clapping his trundle tail
Betwixt his legs.—A chi ha, a chi ha, a chi ha—now luck.

Enter Malroda and Piorato.

Mal. 'Tis he, do as I told thee: Bless thee Signior.
Oh, my dear Lord.

Vit. Malroda, what alone?

Mal. She never is alone, that is accompanied
With noble thoughts, my Lord; and mine are such,
Being only of your Lordship.

Vit. Pretty Lass.

Mal. Oh my good Lord, my Picture's done: but 'faith
It is not like; nay, this way Sir, the light
Strikes best upon it here.

Pio. Excellent wench. [Exit.

Alg. I am glad the danger's over. [Exit.

Vit. 'Tis wondrous like,
But that Art cannot counterfeit what Nature
Could make but once.

Mal. All's clear; another tune
You must hear from me now: Vitelli, thou'rt
A most perfidious and a perjur'd man,
As ever did usurp Nobility.

Vit. What meanst thou Mal?

Mal. Leave your betraying smiles,
And change the tunes of your inticing tongues
To penitential prayers; for I am great
In labour, even with anger, big with child
Of womans rage, bigger than when my womb
Was pregnant by thee: go seducer, flie
Out of the world, let me the last wretch be
Dishonored by thee: touch me not, I loath
My very heart, because thou lay'st there long;
A woman's well help'd up, that's confident
In e'er a glittering outside on you all:
Would I had honestly been match'd to some
Poor Countrey-swain, e'er known the vanity
Of Court: peace then had been my portion,
Nor had been cozen'd by an hours pomp
To be a whore unto my dying day.

Vit. Oh the uncomfortable waies such women have,
Their different speech and meaning, no assurance
In what they say or do: Dissemblers
Even in their prayers, as if the weeping Greek
That flatter'd Troy a-fire, had been their Adam;
Lyers, as if their mother had been made
Only of all the falshood of the man,
Dispos'd into that rib: Do I know this,
And more: nay, all that can concern this Sex,
With the true end of my creation?
Can I with rational discourse sometimes
Advance my spirit into Heaven, before
'T has shook hands with my body, and yet blindly
Suffer my filthy flesh to master it,
With sight of such fair frail beguiling objects?
When I am absent, easily I resolve
Ne'er more to entertain those strong desires
That triumph o'er me, even to actual sin;
Yet when I meet again those sorcerers eies,
Their beams my hardest resolutions thaw,
As if that cakes of Ice and July met,
And her sighs powerful as the violent North,
Like a light feather twirl me round about
And leave me in mine own low state again.
What ayl'st thou? prethee weep not: Oh, those tears
If they were true, and rightly spent, would raise
A flow'ry spring i'th' midst of January:
Celestial Ministers with Chrystal cups
Would stoop to save 'em for immortal drink:
But from this passion; why all this?

Mal. Do ye ask?
You are marrying: having made me unfit
For any man, you leave me fit for all:
Porters must be my burthens now, to live,
And fitting me your self for Carts, and Beadles,
You leave me to 'em: And who of all the world
But the virago, your great Arch-foes daughter?
But on: I care not, this poor rush: 'twill breed
An excellent Comedy: ha, ha: 't makes me laugh:
I cannot choose: the best is, some report
It is a match for fear, not love o' your side.

Vit. Why how the devil knows she, that I saw
This Lady? are all whores, piec'd with some witch?
I will be merry, 'faith 'tis true, sweet heart,
I am to marry?

Mal. Are you? you base Lord,
By —— I'll pistol thee.

Vit. A roaring whore?
Take heed, there's a Correction-house hard by:
You ha' learn'd this o' your swordman, that I warn'd you of,
Your Fencers, and your drunkards: but whereas
You upbraid me with oaths, why I must tell you
I ne'er promis'd you marriage, nor have vow'd,
But said I lov'd you, long as you remain'd
The woman I expected, or you swore,
And how you have fail'd of that (sweet-heart) you know.
You fain would shew your power, but fare you well,
I'll keep no more faith with an infidel.

Mal. Nor I my bosome for a Turk: d' ye hear?
Goe, and the devil take me, if ever
I see you more: I was too true.

Vit. Come, pish:
That devil take the falsest of us two.

Mal. Amen.

Vit. You are an ill Clark; and curse your self:
Madness transports you: I confess, I drew you
Unto my Will: but you must know that must not
Make me doat on the habit of my sin.
I will, to settle you to your content,
Be master of my word: and yet he ly'd
That told you I was marrying, but in thought:
But will you slave me to your tyranny
So cruelly I shall not dare to look
Or speak to other women? make me not
Your smock's Monopolie: come, let's be friends:
Look, here's a Jewel for thee: I will come
At night, and—

Mal. What 'yfaith: you shall not, Sir.

Vit. 'Faith, and troth, and verily, but I will.

Mal. Half drunk, to make a noise, and rail?

Vit. No, no,
Sober, and dieted for the nonce: I am thine,
I have won the day.

Mal. The night (though) shall be mine. [Exeunt.

Scæna Quarta.

Enter Clara, and Bobadilla with Letters.

Cla. What said he, sirrah?

Bob. Little, or nothing: faith I saw him not,
Nor will not: he doth love a strumpet, Mistriss,
Nay, keeps her spitefully, under the Constables nose,
It shall be justified by the Gentleman
Your brothers Master that is now within
A practising: there are your Letters: come
You shall not cast your self away, while I live,
Nor will I venture my Right worshipful place
In such a business—here's your Mother, down:
And he that loves you: another 'gates fellow, I wish,
If you had any grace.

Enter Eugenia and Sayavedra.

Cla. Well rogue.

Bob. I'll in, to see Don Lucio manage, he'll make
A pretty piece of flesh, I promise you,
He does already handle his weapon finely. [Exit.

Eug. She knows your love, Sir, and the full allowance
Her Father and my self approve it with,
And I must tell you, I much hope it hath
Wrought some impression by her alteration;
She sighs, and saies, forsooth, and cries heigh-ho,
She'll take ill words o' th' Steward, and the Servants,
Yet answer affably, and modestly:
Things Sir, not usual with her: there she is,
Change some few words.

Say. Madam, I am bound t'ye;
How now, fair Mistriss, working?

Cla. Yes forsooth,
Learning to live another day.

Say. That needs not.

Cla. No forsooth: by my truly but it does,
We kn[o]w not what we may come to.

Eug. 'Tis strange.

Say. Come, I ha begg'd leave for you to play.

Cla. Forsooth
'Tis ill for a fair Lady to be idle.

Say. She had better be well-busied, I know that.
Turtle: me thinks you mourn, shall I sit by you?

Cla. If you be weary, Sir, you had best be gone
(I work not a true stitch) now you're my mate.

Say. If I be so, I must do more than side you.

Cla. Ev'n what you will, but tread me.

Say. Shall we bill?

Cla. Oh no, forsooth.

Say. Being so fair, my Clara,
Why d'ye delight in Black-work?

Cla. Oh White Sir,
The fairest Ladies like the blackest men:
I ever lov'd the colour: all black things
Are least subject to change.

Say. Why, I do love
A black thing too: and the most beauteous faces
Have oftnest of them: as the blackest eyes,
Jet-arched brows, such hair: I'll kiss your hand.

Cla. 'Twill hinder me my work Sir: and my Mother
Will chide me, if I do not do my taske.

Say. Your Mother, nor your Father shall chide: you
Might have a prettier taske, would you be rul'd,
And look with open eyes.

Cla. I stare upon you:
And broadly see you, a wondrous proper man,
Yet 'twere a greater taske for me to love you
Than I shall ever work Sir, in seven year,
—O' this stitching, I had rather feel
Two, than sow one:—this rogue h' as given me a stitch good faith sir: I shall prick you.
Clean cross my heart:

Say. In gooder faith, I would prick you againe.

Cla.] Now you grow troublesome: pish, the man is foolish.

Say. Pray wear these trifles.

Cla. Neither you, nor trifles,
You are a trifle, wear your self, Sir, out,
And here no more trifle the time away.

Say. Come; you're deceiv'd in me, I will not wake,
Nor fast, nor dye for you.

Cla. Goose, be not you deceiv'd,
I cannot like, nor love, nor live with you,
Nor fast, nor watch, nor pray for you.

Eug. Her old fit.

Say. Sure this is not the way, nay, I will break
Your melancholly.

Cla. I shall break your pate then,
Away, you sanguine scabbard.

Eug. Out upon thee
Thou'lt break my heart, I am sure.

Enter Alvarez, Piorato, Lucio, and Bobadilla.

Say. She's not yet tame.

Alv. On Sir; put home: or I shall goad you here
With this old Fox of mine, that will bite better:
Oh, the brave age is gone; in my young daies
A Chevalier would stock a needle[s] point
Three times together: strait i' th' hams?
Or shall I give ye new Garters?

Bob. Faith old Master.
There's little hope: the linnen sure was danck
He was begot in, he's so faint, and cold: [2 Torches ready.
Ev'n send him to Toledo, there to study,
For he will never fadge with these Toledos;
Bear ye up your point there; pick his teeth: Oh base.

Pio. Fie: you are the most untoward Scholar: bear
Your body gracefully: what a posture's there?
You lie too open-breasted.

Luc. Oh!

Pio. You'ld never
Make a good States-man:

Luc. Pray no more.
I hope to breathe in peace, and therefore need not
The practise of these dangerous qualities,
I do not mean to live by't; for I trust
You'll leave me better able.

Alv. Not a Button:
Let's goe get us a new heir.

Eug. I by my troth: your daughter's as untoward.

Alv. I will break thee bone by bone, and bake thee,
E'r I'll ha' such a wooden Son to inherit:
Take him a good knock; see how that will work.

Pio. Now, for your life Signior:

Luc. Oh: alas, I am kill'd
My eye is out: look Father: Zancho:
I'll play the fool no more thus, that I will not.

Cla. 'Heart: ne'r a rogue in Spain shall wrong my brother
Whilst I can hold a sword.

Pio. Hold Madam, Madam.

Alv. Clara.

Eug. Daughter.

Bo[b]. Mistress.

Pio. Bradamante.
Hold, hold I pray.

Alv. The devil's in her, o'the other side sure,
There's Gold for you: they have chang'd what ye calt's:
Will no cure help? well I have one experiment,
And if that fail, I'll hang him, then here's an end on't.
Come you along with me: and you Sir: [Exeunt. Alv. Eug. Luc. Bob.

Bob. Now are you going to drowning.

Say. I'll ev'n along with ye: she's too great a Lady
For me, and would prove more then my match. [Exit.

Cla. You'r he spoke of Vitelli to the Stewerd:

Pio. Yes, and I thank you, you have beat me for't.

Cla. But are you sure you do not wrong him?

Pio. Sure?
So sure, that if you please venture your self
I'll shew you him, and his Cokatrice together,
And you shall hear 'em talk.

Cla. Will you? by —— Sir
You shall endear me ever: and I ask
You mercy.

Pio. You were somewhat boystrous.

Cla. There's Gold to make you amends: and for this pains,
I'll gratifie you farther: I'll but masque me
And walk along with ye: faith let's make a night on't. [Exit.

Scæna Quinta.

Enter Alguazier, Pachieco, Mendoza, Metaldi, Lazarillo.

Alg. Come on my brave water-Spaniels, you that hunt Ducks in the night: and hide more knavery under your gownes than your betters: observe my precepts, and edifie by my doctrine: at yond corner will I set you; if drunkards molest the street, and fall to brabling, knock you down the malefactors, and take you up their cloaks and hats, and bring them to me: they are lawful prisoners, and must be ransom'd ere they receive liberty: what else you are to execute upon occasion, you sufficiently know, and therefore I abbreviate my Lecture.

Met. We are wise enough, and warm enough.

Men. Vice this night shall be apprehended.

Pach. The terror of rug-gownes shall be known: and our bil[s]
Discharge us of after recknings.

Laz. I will do any thing, so I may eat.

Pach. Lazarillo, We will spend no more; now we are
grown worse, we will live better: let us follow our calling
faithfully.

Alg. Away, then the Common-wealth is our Mistress: and who
Would serve a common Mistress, but to gain by her? [Exeunt.

Actus Quartus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Vitelli, Lamorall, Genevora, Anastro, and two Pages with lights.

Lam. I pray you see the Masque, my Lord.

Ana. 'Tis early night yet.

Gen. O if it be so late, take me along:
I would not give advantage to ill tongues
To tax my being here, without your presence
To be my warrant.

Vit. You might spare this, Sister,
Knowing with whom I leave you; one that is
By your allowance, and his choice, your Servant,
And may my councel and perswasion work it,
Your husband speedily: For your entertainment
My thanks; I will not rob you of the means
To do your Mistriss some acceptable service
In waiting on her to my house.

Gen. My Lord.

Vit. As you respect me, without farther trouble
Retire, and fast those pleasures prepar'd for you,
And leave me to my own ways.

Lam. When you please Sir. [Exeunt.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Malroda, and Alguazier.

Mal. You'll leave my Chamber?

Alg. Let us but bill once,
My Dove, my Sparrow, and I, with my office
Will be thy slaves for ever.

Mal. Are you so hot?

Alg. But tast the difference of a man in place,
You'l find that when authority pricks him forward,
Your Don, nor yet your Diego comes not near him
To do a Lady right: no men pay dearer
For their stoln sweets, than we: three minutes trading
Affords to any [si]nner a protection
For three years after: think on that, I burn;
But one drop of your bounty.

Mal. Hence you Rogue,
Am I fit for you? is't not grace sufficient
To have your staff, a bolt to bar the door
Where a Don enters, but that you'l presume
To be his taster?

Alg. Is no more respect
Due to [t]his rod of justice?

Mal. Do you dispute?
Good Doctor of the Dungeon, not a word more,
—If you do, my Lord Vitelli knows it.

Alg. Why I am big enough to answer him,
Or any man.

Mal. 'Tis well. [Vitelli within.

Vit. Malroda.

Alg. How?

Mal. You know the voice, and now crowch like a Cur,
Tane worrying sheep: I now could have you guelded
For a Bawd rampant: but on this submission
For once I spare you.

Alg. I will be reveng'd—
My honorable Lord.

Enter Vitel.

Vit. There's for thy care.

Alg. I am mad, stark mad: proud Pagan scorn her host?
I would I were but valiant enough to kick her,

Enter Piorato, and Clara above.

I'l[d] wish no manhood else.

Mal. What's that?

Alg. I am gone. [Exit.

Pio. You see I have kept my word.

Cla. But in this object
Hardly deserv'd my thanks.

Pio. Is there ought else
You will command me?

Cla. Only your sword
Which I must have: nay willingly I yet know
To force it, and to use it.

Pio. 'Tis yours Lady.

Cla. I ask no other guard.

Pio. If so I leave you:
And now, if that the Constable keep his word,
A poorer man may chance to gull a Lord. [Exit.

Mal. By this good —— you shall not.

Vit. By this ——
I must, and will, Malroda; What do you make
A stranger of me?

Mal. I'll be so to you,
And you shall find it.

Vit. These are your old arts
T'endear the game you know I come to hunt for,
Which I have born too coldly.

Mal. Do so still,
For if I heat you, hang me.

Vit. If you do not
I know who'll starve for't: why, thou shame of women,
Whose folly, or whose impudence is greater
Is doubtful to determine; this to me
That know thee for a whore.

Mal. And made me one,
Remember that.

Vit. Why should I but grow wise
And tye that bounty up, which nor discretion
Nor honor can give way to; thou wouldst be
A Bawd e're twenty, and within a Month
A barefoot, lowzie, and diseased whore,
And shift thy lodgings oftner than a rogue
That's whipt from post to post.

Mal. Pish: all our Colledge
Know you can rail well in this kind.

Cla. For me
He never spake so well.

Vit. I have maintain'd thee
The envy of great fortunes, made thee shine
As if thy name were glorious: stuck thee full
Of jewels, as the firmament of Stars,
And in it made thee so remarkable
That it grew questionable, whether virtue poor,
Or vice so set forth as it is in thee,
Were even by modesties self to be preferr'd,
And am I thus repaid?

Mal. You are still my debtor;
Can this (though true) be weigh'd with my lost honor,
Much less my faith? I have liv'd private to you,
And but for you, had ne'r known what lust was,
Nor what the sorrow for't.

Vit. 'Tis false.

Mal. 'Tis true,
But how return'd by you, thy whole life being
But one continued act of lust, and Shipwrack
Of womens chastities.

Vit. But that I know
That she that dares be damn'd, dares any thing,
I should admire thy tempting me: but presume not
On the power you think you hold o're my affections,
It will deceive you: yield, and presently
Or by the inflamed blood, which thou must quench
I'll make a forcible entry.

Mal. Touch me not:
You know I have a throat, —— if you do
I will cry out a rape, or sheath this here,
Ere I'll be kept, and us'd for Julip-water
T'allay the heat which lushious meats and wine
And not desire hath rais'd.

Vit. A desperate devil,
My blood commands my reason; I must take
Some milder way.

Mal. I hope (dear Don) I fit you.
The night is mine, although the day was yours
You are not fasting now: this speeding trick
Which I would as a principle leave to all,
That make their maintenance out of their own Indies,
As I do now; my good old mother taught me,
Daughter, quoth she, contest not with your lover
His stomach being empty; let wine heat him,
And then you may command him: 'tis a sure one:
His looks shew he is coming.

Vit. Come this needs not,
Especially to me: you know how dear
I ever have esteemed you.

Cla. Lost again.

Vit. That any sight of yours, hath power to change
My strongest resolution, and one tear
Sufficient to command a pardon from me,
For any wrong from you, which all mankind
Should kneel in vain for.

Mal. Pray you pardon those
That need your favor, or desire it.

Vit. Prethee.
Be better temper'd: I'll pay as a forfeit
For my rash anger, this purse fil'd with Gold.
Thou shalt have servants, gowns, attires, what not?
Only continue mine.

Mal. 'Twas this I fish'd for.

Vit. Look on me, and receive it.

Mal. Well, you know
My gentle nature, and take pride t'abuse it:
You see a trifle pleases me, we are friends;
This kiss, and this confirms it.

Cla. With my ruine.

Mal. I'll have this diamond, and this pearl.

Vit. They are yours.

Mal. But will you not, when you have what you came for,
Take them from me to morrow? 'tis a fashion
Your Lords of late have us'd.

Vit. But I'll not follow.

Cla. That any man at such a rate as this
Should pay for his repentance.

Vit. Shall we to bed now?

Mal. Instantly, Sweet; yet now I think on't better
There's something first that in a word or two
I must acquaint you with.

Cla. Can I cry ay me,
To this against my self? I'll break this match,
Or make it stronger with my blood. [Descends.

Enter Alguazier, Piorato, Pacchieco, Metaldi, Mendoza, Lazarillo, &c.