The Project Gutenberg eBook of Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (6 of 10):, by Francis Beaumont; John Fletcher.

Phil. Where is mine Host, did not he see him neither?

Die. Not I, i'faith Sir.

Phil. Nor the muleter?

Inc. Nay he is past seeing, unless it be in's sleep,
By this time; all his visions were the pots,
Three hours since Sir.

Phil. Which way should she take?
Nay, look you now; do you all stand still? good Heaven
You might have lighted on him, now this instant?
For loves sake see[k] him out, who ever find him
I will reward his fortune as his diligence;
Get all the Town to help, that will be hir'd,
Their pains I'll turn to annual holiday,
If it shall chance, but one bring word of her,
Pray you about it.

Inc. Her Sir? who do you mean?

Phil. (I had forgot my self) the Page I meant
That came along with us.

Die. He you gave the clothes too?

Phil. I ga' the clothes to; Rascal?

Die. Nay good Sir.

Phi. Why dost thou mention or upbraid my courtesies
Slave?

Die. For your honor Sir.

Phi. Wretch; I was honor'd,
That she would wear 'em (he, I would say) 's death?
Go, get, and find 'em out, or never see me,
I shall betray my love e'r I possess it,
Some Star direct me, or ill Planet strike me. [Exit Phil.

Inc. Best to divide.

Die. I'll this way.

Inc. And I this.

Die. I, as you, find him for a Real.

Inc. 'Tis done.

Die. My course is now directly to some Pie-house
I know the Pages compass.

Inc. I think rather
The smock-side o'th' Town, the surer harbor
At his years to put in.

Die. If I do find
The hungry haunt, I take him by the teeth now.

Inc. I by the tail, yet I as you.

Die. No more. [E]xeunt.

Phi. Dear Leocadia, where canst thou be fled
Thus like a spirit hence? and in a moment?
What cloud can hide thee from my following search
If yet thou art a body? sure she hath not
Tane any house? she did too late leave one
Where all humanity of a place receiv'd her,
And would, (if she had staid) have help'd to right
The wrong her fortune did her; yet she must
Be [inter'd] somewhere, or be found, no street,
Lane, passage, corner, turn, hath scap'd enquiry:
If her despair had ravish'd her to air
She could not yet be ratified so
But some of us should meet her? though their eyes
Perhaps be leaden, and might turn; mine would
Strike out a lightning for her, and divide
A mist as thick as ever darkness was,
Nay see her through a quarry; they do lye,
Lye grosly that say love is blind; by him,
And heaven they lye; he has a sight can pierce
Through Ivory, as cleer as it were horn,
And reach his object.

Inc. Sir, he's found, he's found.

Phi. Ha? where? But reach that happy Note again
And let it relish truth, thou art an Angel.

Inc. He's here; fast by Sir, calling for a Boat
To go aboard the Gallies.

Phi. Where, where; hold thee. [Exit.

Inc. He might ha' kept this now, I had nought to shew for't,
If he had had the wit t' have gone from's word,
These direct men, they are no men of fashion,
Talk what you will, this is a very smelt. [Exit.

Leo. Upon your Art Sir, and your faith to assist it
Shall I believe you then his wound's not mortal?

Surg. Sir, 'tis not worth your question; less your fear.

Leo. You doe restore me Sir, I pray you accept
This small remembrance of a fathers thanks
For so assur'd a benefit.

Surg. Excuse me.

Leo. Sir, I can spare it, and must not believe
But that your fortune may receiv't, except
You'ld ha' me think you live not by your practice.

Sur. I crave your pardon Sir; you teach me manners.

Leo. I crave your love and friendship, and require
As I have made now, both my self and business
A portion of your care, you will but bring me
Under the person of a call'd assistant
To his next opening, where I may but see him,
And utter a few words to him in private,
And you will merit me; for I am loth
Since here I have not to appear my self,
Or to be known unto the Governor,
Or make a tumult of my purpose.

Surg. Neither
I hope will be your need Sir; I shall bring you
Both there, and off again without the hazard. [Exeunt.

Ph. Will you not hear me!

Leo. I have heard so much
Will keep me deaf for ever; No, Mark-antonio
After thy sentence, I may hear no more,
Thou hast pronounc'd me dead.

Phi. Appeal to reason,
She will reprieve you from the power of grief,
Which rules but in her absence; Hear me say
A soveraign message from her, which in duty,
And love to your own safety, you ought hear:
Why do you strive so? whither would you flie?
You cannot wrest your self away from care
You may from counsel; you may shift your place
But not your person; and another Clyme
Makes you no other.

Leo. Oh.

Phi. For passions sake,
(Which I do serve, honor, and love in you)
If you will sigh, sigh here; If you would vary
A sigh to tears, or out-cry, do it here.
No shade, no desart, darkness, nor the grave
Shall be more equal to your thoughts than I,
Only but hear me speak.

Leo. What would you say?

Phi. That which shall raise your heart, or pull down mine,
Quiet your passion, or provoke mine own;
We must have both one balsome, or one wound,
For know (lov'd fair) since the first providence
Made me your rescue, I have read you through,
And with a wondring pity look'd on you,
I have observ'd the method of your blood,
And waited on it even with sympathy
Of a like Red, and Paleness in mine own;
I knew which blush was angers, which was loves,
Which was the eye of sorrow, which of truth:
And could distinguish honor from disdain
In every change: and you are worth my study;
I saw your voluntary misery
Sustain'd in travel: A disguis'd Maid
Wearied with seeking: and with finding lost,
Neglected, where you hop'd most, or put by;
I saw it, and have laid it to my heart,
And though it were my Sister which was righted,
Yet being by your wrong, I put off nature,
Could not be glad, where I [was] bound to triumph;
My care for you, so drown'd respect of her;
Nor did I only apprehend your bonds,
But studied your release: and for that day
Have I made up a ransom, brought [you] health
Preservative 'gainst chance, or injury
Please you apply it to the grief; my self.

Leo. Humph.

Phi. Nay, do not think me less than such a cure,
Antonio was not; And 'tis possible
Philippo may succeed: My bloud and house
Are as deep rooted: and as fairly spread,
As Mark-antonio['s], and in that, all seek,
Fortune hath given him no precedency:
As for our thanks to Nature I may burn
Incense as much as he; I ever durst
Walk with Antonio by the self-same light
At any feast, or triumph, and ne'r car'd
Which side my Lady or her woman took
In their survey; I durst have told my tale too
Though his discourse new ended.

Leo. My repulse.

Phil. Let not that torture you, w[h]ich makes me happy
Nor think that conscience (fair) which is no shame
'Twas no repulse, [I] was your Dowry rather:
For then methought a thousand graces met
To make you lovely, and ten thousand stories
Of constant virtue, which you then out-reach'd,
In one example did proclaim you rich:
Nor do I think you wretched, or disgrac'd,
After this suffering, and do therefore take
Advantage of your need; but rather know
You are the charge and business of those powers,
Who, like best Tutors, do inflict hard tasks
Upon great Natures, and of noblest hopes;
Read trivial Lessons, and halfe lines to sluggs;
They that live long, and never feel mischance,
Spend more than halfe their age in ignorance.

Leo. 'Tis well you think so.

Phi. You shall think so too,
You shall sweet Leocadia, and do so.

Leo. Good Sir no more; you have too fair a shape
To play so foul a part in, as the Tempter:
Say that I [could] make peace with fortune, who,
Who should absolve me of my vow yet; ha?
My Contract made?

Phi. Your Contract?

Leo. Yes, my Contract,
Am I not his? his wife?

Phi. Sweet, nothing less.

Leo. I have no name then?

Phi. Truly then you have not;
How can you be his wife, who was before
Anothers Husband?

Leo. Oh, though he dispence
With his faith given, I cannot with mine.

Phi. You do mistake (cleer soul) his precontract
Doth annul yours, and you have giv'n no faith
That ties you in Religion, or humanity,
You rather sin against that greater precept,
To covet what's anothers; Sweet, you do
Believe me, who dare not urge dishonest things,
Remove that scruple therefore, and but take
Your dangers now, into your judgements skale
And weigh them with your safeties: Think but whither
Now you can goe: what you can do to live?
How near you ha' barr'd all Ports [to] your own succor,
Except this one that I here open: Love
Should you be left alone, you were a prey
To the wild lust of any, who would look
Upon this shape like a temptation
And think you want the man you personate
Would not regard this shift, which love put on
As virtue forc'd, but covet it like vice;
So should you live the slander of each Sex,
And be the child of error and of shame,
And which is worse, even Mark-antonie
Would be call'd just, to turn a wanderer off,
And Fame report you worthy his contempt;
Where if you make new choice, and settle here
There is no further tumult in this flood,
Each current keeps his course, and all suspitions
Shall return honors: Came you forth a Maid?
Go home a Wife? alone? and in disguise?
Go home a waited Leocadia:
Go home, and by the vir[t]ue of that charm
Transform all mischiefs, as you are transform'd;
Turn your offended Fathers wrath to wonder,
A[n]d all his loud grief to a silent welcome:
Unfold the Riddles you have made, what say you?

Now is the time; delay is but despair,
If you be chang'd, let a kiss tell me so.

Leo. I am: but how, I rather feel than know.

Sanc. Come Sir; you are welcome now to Barcelona,
Take off my hood.

Phi. Who be these? stay, let's view 'em?

Alph. 'Twas a long journey: are you not weary Sir?

Sanc. Weary? I could have rid it in mine Armour.

Leo. Alas!

Phi. What ail you dear?

Leo. It is my Father.

Phi. Your Father: which?

Leo. He that is carried: oh
Let us make hence.

Phi. For loves sake: good my heart.

Leo. Into some house before he see me.

Phi. Dear,
Be not thus frighted.

Leo. Oh his wrath is tempest.

Phi. Sweet, take your spirit to you, and stay, be't he,
He cannot know you in this habit, and me
I'm sure he less knows, for he never saw me.

Alph. Ha? who is that? my Son Philippo?

Phi. Sir.

Alph. Why, what make you here? Is this Salamanca?
And that your study? ha? nay stay him too,
We'll see him by his leave.

Serv. You must not strive Sir.

Alph. No, no, come near.

Sanc. My Daughter: Leocadia?

Alph. How Sir, your Daughter?

Sanc. Yes Sir, and as sure
As that's your Son: Come hither: what now? run
Out o' your sex? breech'd? was't not enough
At once to leave thy Father, and thine honor,
Unless th' hadst quit thy self too.

Phi. Sir, what fault
She can be urg'd of, I must take on me
The guilt and punishment.

Sanc. You must Sir: how
If you shall not, though you must? I deal not
With boys Sir; I, you have a Father here
Shall do me right.

Alph. Thou art not mad Philippo?
Art thou Mark-antonie? Son to Leonardo?
Our business is to them.

Sanc. No, no, no, no.
I'll ha' the business now; with you, none else,
Pray you let's speak, in private: (carry me to him)
Your Son's the ravisher Sir, and here I find him:
I hope you'll give me cause to think you noble,
And do me right, with your sword Sir, as becomes
One gentleman of honor to another;
All this is fair Sir: here's the Sea fast by,
Upon the sands, we will determine
'Tis that I call you to; let's make no daies on't,
I'll lead your way; to the sea-side Rascals.

Phil. Sir
I would beseech your stay; he may not follow you.

San. No, turn, I'll kill him here then: Slaves, Rogues, Bloks.
Why do you not bear me to him? ha' you been
Acquainted with my motions, loggs, so long
And yet not know to time 'em.

Phi. Were you Sir
Not impotent.

Alph. Hold you your peace Boy.

Sanc. Impotent,
'Death, I'll cut his throat first, and then his Fathers.

Alph. You must provide you then a sharper Razor
Than is your tongue, for I not fear your sword.

Sanc. 'Heart bear me to either of 'em.

Phi. Pray Sir your patience.

Alph. My curse light on thee if thou stay him.

Phi. Hold.

Gov. Why, what's the matter, Gentlemen, what tumult
Is this you raise i'th' street? before my door?
Know you what 'tis to draw a weapon here?

Sanc. Yes, and to use it (bear me up to him, Rogues)
Thus, at a Traitors heart.

Alph. Truer than thine.

Gov. Strike, strike; Some of the people disarm 'em,
Kill 'em if they resist.

Phi. Nay generous Sir
Let not your courtesie turn fury now.

Gov. Lay hold upon 'em, take away their weapons,
I will be worth an answer, e'r we part.

Phi. 'Tis the Governor Sir.

Alph. I yield my self.

Sanch. My Sword? what thinkst thou of me? pray thee tell me.

1 Attend. As of a Gentleman.

Sanch. No more?

1 Attend. Of worth,
And quality.

Sanch. And I should quit my sword
There were small worth or quality in that friend;
Pray thee learn thou more worth and quality
Than to demand it.

Gov. Force it I say.

1 Attend. The Governor
You hear, commands.

Sanch. The Governr shall pardon me.

Phi. How, Leocadia gone again? [Exit Phi.

Sanch. He shall friend
I' th' point of honor; by his leave, so tell him,
His person and authority I acknowledge,
And do submit me to it; but my Sword,
He shall excuse me, were he fifteen Governors;
That and I dwell together, and must yet
Till my hands part, assure him.

Gov. I say force it.

Sanch. Stay, hear me. Hast thou ever read Caranza?
Understandst thou honor, Noble Governor?

Gov. For that we'll have more fit dispute.

Sanch. Your name Sir?

Gov. You shall know that too: but on colder terms,
Your blood and brain are now too hot to take it.

Sanch. Force my Sword from me? this is an affront.

Gov. Bring 'em away.

Sanch. You'll do me reparation. [Exeunt.

Phi. I have for ever lost her, and am lost,
And worthily: my lameness hath undone me;
She's gone hence, asham'd of me: yet I seek her.
Will she be ever found to me again,
Whom she saw stand so poorly, and dare nothing
In her defence, here? when I should have drawn
This Sword out like a Meteor, and have shot it
In both our Parents eies, and left 'em blind
Unto their impotent angers? Oh I am worthy
On whom this loss and scorn should light to death
Without the pity that should wish me better,
Either alive, or in my Epitaph.

Leo. Well Son, your Father is too near himself
And hath too much of nature to put off
Any affection that belongs to you,
I could have only wish'd you had acquainted
Her Father, whom it equally concerns,
Though y'had presum'd on me: it might have open'd
An easier gate, and path to both our joyes:
For though I am none of those flinty Fathers
That when their children do but natural things,
Turn rock and offence straight: yet Mark-antonio,
All are not of my quarry.

Mar. 'Tis my fear Sir;
And if hereafter I should e'r abuse
So great a piety, it were my malice.

Atten. We must intreat you Gentlemen to take
Another room, the Governor is coming
Here, on some business.

Mar. We will give him way.

Sanch. I will have right Sir on you; that believe,
If there be any Marshals Court in Spain.

Gov. For that Sir we shall talk.

Sanch. —— Do not slight me,
Though I am without a Sword.

Gov. Keep to your Chair Sir.

Sanch. —— Let me fall, and hurle my chair! (slaves) at him.

Gov. You are the more temper'd man Sir: let me intreat
Of you the manner how this brawl fell out.

Alph. Fell out? I know not how: nor do I care much:
But here we came Sir to this Town together,
Both in one business, and one wrong, engag'd,
To seek one Leonardo, an old Genoese,
I ha' said enough there; would you more? false father
Of a false son, call'd Mark-antonio,
Who had stole both our Daughters; and which Father
Conspiring with his Son in treachery,
It seem'd, to flie our satisfaction,
Was, as we heard, come private to this Town
Here to take ship for Italy.

Leo. You heard
More than was true then: by the fear, or falshood,
And though I thought not to reveal my self
(Pardon my manners in't to you) for some
Important reasons; yet being thus character'd
And challeng'd, know I dare appear, and doe
To who dares threaten.

Mar. I say he is not worthy
The name of man, or any honest preface,
That dares report or credit such a slander.
Do you Sir say it?

Alph. I doe say it.

Gov. Hold.
Is this your father Signior Mark-antonio?
You have ill requited me thus to conceal him
From him would honor him, and do him service.

Leon. 'Twas not his fault Sir.

Eug. Where's my Lord?

Gov. Sweet-heart.

Eug. Know you these Gentlemen? they are all the fathers
Unto our friends.

Gov. So it appears my Dove.

Sanch. Sir, I say nothing: I do want a Sword.
And till I have a Sword I will say nothing.

Eug. Good Sir, command these Gentlemen their Arms;
Entreat 'em as your friends, not as your prisoners.
Where be their Swords?

Gov. Restore each man his weapon.

Sanch. It seems thou hast not read Caranza, fellow
I must have reparation of honor,
As well as this: I find that wounded.

Gov. Sir,
I did not know your quality, if I had
'Tis like I should have done you more respects.

Sanch. It is sufficient, by Caranza's rule.

Eug. I know it is Sir.

Sanch. Have you read Caranza Lady?

Eug. If you mean him that writ upon the Duel,
He was my kinsman.

Sanch. Lady, then you know
By the right noble writings of your kinsman,
My honor is as dear to me, as the Kings.

Eug. 'Tis very true Sir.

Sanch. Therefore [I] must crave
Leave to go on now with my first dependance.

Eug. What ha' you more?

Gov. None here good Signior.

Sanch. I will, refer me to Caranza still.

Eug. Nay love, I prethee let me manage this.
With whom is't Sir?

Sanch. With that false man Alphonso.

Eug. Why he has th' advantage Sir, in legs.

Sanch. But I
In truth, in hand and heart, and a good Sword.

Eug. But how if he will not stand you Sir?

Alph. For that,
Make it no question Lady, I will stick
My feet in earth down by him, where he dare.

Sanch. O would thou wouldst.

Alph. I'll do't.

Sanch. Let me kiss him.
I fear thou wilt not yet.

Eug. Why Gentlemen,
If you'll proceed according to Caranza,
Methinks an easier way, were [two] good chairs,
So you would be content Sir, to be bound,
'Cause he is lame? I'll fit you with like weapons,
Pistols and Ponyards, and ev'n end it. If
The difference between you be so mortal,
It cannot be tane up.

Sanch. Tane up? take off
This head first.

Alph. Come bind me in a chair.

Eug. Yes, do.

Gait. What mean you, Dove.

Eug. Let me alone,
And set 'em at their distance: when you ha' done
Lend me two Ponyards; I'll have Pistols ready
Quickly. [Exit.

Phi. She is not here Mark-antonio,
Saw you not Leocadia?

Mar. Not I brother.

Phi. Brother let's speak with you; you were false unto her.

Mar. I was, but have ask'd pardon: why do you urge it?

Phi. You were not worthy of her.

Mar. May be I was not;
But 'tis not well, you tell me so.

Phi. My Sister
Is not so fair.

Mar. It skils not.

Phi. Nor so virtuous.

Mar. Yes, she must be as virtuous.

Phi. I would fain—

Mar. What brother?

Phi. Strike you.

Mar. I shall not bear strokes,
Though I do these strange words.

Phi. Will you not kill me?

Mar. For what good brother?

Phi. Why, for speaking well
Of Leocadia.

Mar. No indeed.

Phi. Nor ill
Of Theodosia?

Mar. Neither.

Phi. Fare you well then.

Eug. Nay, you shall have as noble seconds too
As ever Duelists had; give 'em their weapons:
Now St. Jago.

Sanch. Are they charg'd?

Eug. Charg'd Sir?
I warrant you.

Alph. Would they were well discharg'd.

Sanch. I like a Sword much better I confess.

Eug. Nay, wherefore stay you? shall I mend your mark?
Strike one another, thorough these?

Phi. My love.

Alph. My Theodosia.

Sanch. I ha' not the heart.

Alph. Nor I.

Eug. Why here is a dependence ended.
Unbind that Gentleman; come take here to you
Your Sons and Daughters, and be friends. A feast
Waits you within, is better than your fray:
Lovers, take you your own, and all forbear
Under my roof, either to blush or fear.
My love, what say you? could Caranza himself
Carry a business better?

Gov. It is well:
All are content I hope, and we well eas'd.
If they for whom we have done all this be pleas'd. [Exeunt.

To this place Gentlemen, full many a day
We have bid ye welcome; and to many a Play:
And those whose angry souls were not diseas'd
With Law, or lending Money, we have pleas'd;
And make no doubt to do again. This night
No mighty matter, nor no light,
We must intreat you look for: A good tale,
Told in two hours, we will not fail
If we be perfect, to rehearse ye: New
I am sure it is, and handsome; but how true
Let them dispute that writ it. Ten to one
We please the Women, and I would know that man
Follows not their example? If ye mean
To know the Play well, travel with the Scene.
For it lies upon the Road; if we chance tire,
As ye are good men, leave us not i'th' mire,
Another bait may mend us: If you grow
A little gall'd or weary; cry but hoa,
And we'll stay for ye. When our journey ends
Every mans Pot I hope, and all part friends.

Scæna Secunda.

Scæna Tertia.

Scæna Quarta.

Prologue.

THE
DOUBLE MARRIAGE.