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E'en in their prayers, as if the weeping Greek
That flatter'd Troy a-fire, had been their
Adam;

Liars, 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 Heav'n, before
It has shook hands with my body, and yet
Suffer my filthy flesh to master it, [blindly
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, e'en to actual sin;
Yet when I meet again those sorcerer's eyes,
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 ail'st thou? Prithee, weep not!—Oh,
those tears,

[raise

If they were true, and rightly spent, would
A flowery 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?
Malr. D'you ask?

You're marrying! having made me unfit
For any man, you leave me fit for all:
Porters must be my burdens now, to live;
And fitting me yourself for carts and beadles,
You leave me to 'em! And who, of all the
world,

But the virago, your great arch-foe's daughter?
But on! I care not, this poor rush! "Twill
breed
[laugh;

An excellent comedy; ha! ha! It makes me
I cannot chuse. 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
[witch?

saw

This lady? are all whores piec'd with some I will be merry.-'Faith, 'tis true, sweetheart,

I am to marry

Malr. Are you? You base lord!

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you

[self:

Vit. You're an ill clerk, and curse yourMadness transports you. I confess, I drew [not Unto my will; but you must know that must Make me dote on the habit of my sin: I will, to settle you to your content, Be master of my word. And yet he lied, 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 monopoly. Come, let's be friends!

Look, here's a jewel for thee: I will come At night, aud

Malr. What? I'faith you shall not, sir. Vit. I'faith and troth, and verily, but I will.

[rail?

Malr. Half-drunk, to make a noise, and Vit. No, no;

Sober, and dieted for th' nonce. I'm thine! I've won the day.

Malr. The night, tho', shall he mine.

SCENE IV.

Enter Clara and Bobadilla.

Clara. What said he, sirrah?

[Exeunt.

[not,

Bob. Little or nothing. Faith, I saw him Nor will not: He doth love a strumpet, mistress, [stable's nose: Nay, keeps her spitefully, under the conIt shall be justified by the gentleman, Your brother's master, that is now within A-practising. There are your letters! Come, You shall not cast yourself away, while I live; Nor will I venture my right-worshipful place In such a business. Here's vour mother (down!) flow-I wish,

If

And he that loves you; another 'gates felyou had any graceClara. Well, rogue!

Bob. I'll in,

To see don Lucio manage: He will make
A pretty piece of flesh, I promise you;
He does already handle's weapon finely. [Exit.
Enter Eugenia and Syavedra.

Eug. She knows your love, sir, and the
full allowance

Her father and myself approve it with;
And I must tell you, I much bope it hath
Wrought some impression by her alteration:
She sighs, and says forsooth, and cries heigh-ho!
She'll take ill words o' th' steward, and the
Yet answer affably, and modestly; [servants,
Things, sir, not usual with her. There she is;
Change some few words.

Syav. Madam, I am bound t'you.
How now, fair mistress? working?

D

Clara.

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Syav. That needs not. Clara. No, forsooth? by my truly, but it We know not what we may come to. Eug. 'Tis strange!

[play.

Syav. Come, I've begg'd leave for you to
Clara. Forsooth,

'Tis ill for a fair lady to be idle. [that.
Syav. Sh' had better be well busied, I know
Turtle, methinks you mourn; shall I sit by
you?
[gone;

Clara. If you be weary, sir, y' had best be I work not a true stitch, now you're my mate. Syav. If I be so, I must do inore then side you26.

Clura. Ev'n what you will, but tread me.
Syav. Shall we bill?

Clara. Oh, no, forsooth.

Syav. Being so fair, my Clara,
Why d'you delight in black-work?
Clara. Oh, white sir,

The fairest ladies like the blackest men:
I ever lov'd the colour; all black things
Are least subject to change.

Syav. Why, I do love

[faces

A black thing too; and the most beauteous Have oftnest of them; as the blackest eyes, Jet-arched brows, such hair. I'll kiss your hand. [my mother

Clara. Twill hinder me iny work, sir; and Will chide me if I do not do my task.

Syav. Your mother, nor your father shall chide.-You [rul'd,

Might have a prettier task, would you be And look with open eyes.

Clara. I stare upon you,

And broadly see you; a wondrous proper man! Yet 'twere a greater task for me to love you, Than I shall ever work, sir, in seven year. Plague o' this stitching! I had rather feel Two, than sow one.-This rogue has given me a stitch [shall prick you! Clean cross my heart. Good faith, sir, I Syav. In gooder faith, I would prick you again! [the man's foolish!

Clara. Now you grow troublesome! Pish, Syav. Pray wear these trifles. Clara. Neither you, nor trifles: You are a trifle; wear yourself, sir, out, And here no more trifle the time away. Syav. Come, you're deceiv'd in me; I will Nor fast, nor die for you. [not wake, Clara. 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!

[will break

Syav. Sure, this is not the way.- -Nay, I

Your melancholy

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

26

Eug. Out upon

thee!

Thou'lt break my heart, I'm sure.

Enter Alvarez, Piorato, Lucio, and Bobadilla.

Syar. She's not yet tame.

[you here Alv. On, sir! put home! or I shall goad With this old fox of mine, that will bite better. Oh, the brave age is gone! In my young days A chevalier would stock2 a needle's point Three times together strait i' th' hams; or Give you new garters? [shall I

Bob. Faith, old master, there Is little hope; the linen sure was dank He was begot in, he's so faint and cold! Ev'n send him to Toledo, there to study; For he will never fadge with these Toledos. Bear y' up your point there, pick his teeth! Oh, base!

[-Bear Pio. Fy! you're the most untoward scholar! Your body gracefully; what a posture's there! You lie too open-breasted.

Lucio. Oh!

Pio. You would

Never make a good statesman.

Lucio. Pray no more!

[need not I hope to breathe in peace, and therefore The practice of these dang'rous qualities: I do not mean to live by't, for I trust You'll leave me better able.

Alv. Not a button!

Eugenia, let's go get us a new heir.

Eug. Ay, by my troth, your daughter's as untoward. [thee, ere

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

Pio. Now for your life, signor!
Lucio. Oh, alas, I'm kill'd!

My eye is out! Look, father! Zancho!
I'll play the fool no more thus, that I will not.
Clara. 'Heart, ne'er a rogue in Spain shall
wrong my brother,

Whilst I can hold a sword.

Pio. Hold, madam, madam!
Alv. Clara!
Eug. Daughter!
Bob. Mistress!
Pio. Bradamante!
Hold, hold, I pray.

[sure!

Alv. The devil's in her, o' th' other side There's gold for you. They have chang'd what-ye-cal't's. [ment, Will no cure help? Well, I have one experiAnd if that fail, I'll hang him; there's an end

on't.

Come you along with me! and you, sir! Bob. Now are you going to drowning. [Exeunt Alv. Eug. Lucio, and Bob. Syav. I'll e'en along with ye; she's too great a lady,

--I must do more then, side you.] We should certainly read, I must do more than side you.

27 Stock a needle's point.] Seward would read strike for stock; and Sympson, stick.

For

For me, and would prove more than my match.

[Exit. Cara. You're he, spoke of Vitelli to the steward? [me for't.

Pio. Yes; and, I thank you, you have beat Clara. But are you sure you do not wrong Pio. Sure? [him? So sure, that if you please venture yourself, I'll shew you him and his cockatrice together, And you shall hear 'em talk.

Clara. Will you? By Heaven, sir, You shall endear me ever; and I ask You mercy!

Pio. You were somewhat boisterous. Clara. There's gold to make y' amends; and for this pains, I'll gratify you further. And walk along w'ye. night on't!

I'll but mask me, Faith, let's make a [Exeunt.

SCENE V.

Enter Alguazier, Pachieco, Mendoza, Metaldi, and Lazurillo.

Alg. Come on, my brave water-spaniels!

Vou

That hunt ducks in the night, and hide more knavery

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ACT IV.

SCENE I.

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Ana. Tis early night yet.

Gen. Oh, 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, [vant,

By your allowance, and his choice, your ser-
And, may my counsel and persuasion_work
it,
[ment
Your husband speedily--For your entertain-
My thanks! I will not rob you of the means
To do your mistress some acceptable service,
In waiting on her to my house.

Gen. My lord

Vit. As you respect me, without further

trouble

Retire, and taste those pleasures prepar'd And leave me to my own ways.

Lam. When you please, sir.

SCENE II.

My dove, my sparrow, and I, with my
Will be thy slaves for ever.
Malr. Are you so hot?

[office,

Alg. But taste the difference of a man in place: [forward, You'll find that, when authority pricks him Your don, nor yet your Diego, comes not near him,

To do a lady right! No men pay dearer
For their stol'n sweets than we; three mi-
nutes' trading

Affords to any sinner a protection,
For three years after; think on that. I burn!
But one drop of your bounty-

Malr. 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'll presume
To be his taster?

Alg. Is no more respect
Due to this rod of justice?

Malr. Do you dispute?

[more!

Good doctor of the dungeon, not a word Pox! if you do, my lord Vitelli knows it. Alg. Why, I am big enough to answer him,

[for you,

Or any man.

[Exeunt.

Enter Malroda and Alguazier.

Malr. You'll leave my chamber?

Alg. Let us but bill once,

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As if thy name were glorious; stuck thee full
Of jewels, as the firmament of stars;
And in it made thee so remarkable, [poor,
That it grew questionable whether Virtue
Or Vice so set forth as it is in thee,
Were ev'n by Modesty's self to be preferr❜d:
And am I thus repaid?

Malr. You're still my debtor! [honour,
Can this, tho' true, be weigh'd with my lest
Much less my faith? I have liv'd private to
you,
[was,

And but for you had ne'er known what lust
Nor what the sorrow for't.

[her!

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But how return'd by you? thy whole life be-
But one continued act of lust, and shipwreck
Of women's chastities.

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Malr. By this good kiss, you shall not.
Vit. By this kiss,

I must, and will, Malroda! What, d'you
A stranger of me?

Mair. I'll be so to you,

And you shall find it.

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

Malr. 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!

Malr. And made me one;
Remember that!

Vit. Why, should I but grow wise,
And tie that bounty up, which nor discretion
Nor honour can give way to, thou wouldst be
A bawd ere twenty; and, within a month,
A barefoot, lowsy, and diseased whore,
And shift thy lodgings oftner than a rogue
That's whipt from post to post.

Malr. Pish! all our college

Know you can rail well in this kind.

Clara. 'Fore me,

He never spake so well!

Vit. I have maintain'd thee

[shine

The envy of great fortunes; made thee

Vit. But that I know

That she that dares be damn'd dares any
I should admire thy tempting me; but pre-

sume not

[affections; O' th' power you think you hold o'er my It will deceive you! Yield, and presently, Or by the inflamed blood, which thou must I'd make a forcible entry.

[quench, [you do,

Malr. Touch me not!
You know I have a throat: by Heaven, if
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 luscious meats and
And not desire, hath rais'd.

Vit. A desp'rate devil!

[wine,

My blood commands my reason; I must take
Some milder way.

Malr. I hope, dear don, I fit you:
The night is mine, altho' 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 beat him,
And then you may command him : 'tis a sure
His looks shew he is coming.
[one!

Vit. Come, this needs not,
Especially to me: you know how dear
I ever have esteem'd you-
Clara. Lost again!

[to change
Vit. That any sigh 28 of yours liath power
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.

Malr. Pray you pardon those
That need your favour, or desire it.
Vit. Prithee

Be better temper'd: I'll pay, as a forfeit
For iny rash anger, this purse fill'd with gold.

Thou shalt have servants, gowns, attires
Only continue mine.

28 That any sight of yours.] Amended from Sympson's conjecture.

[what not?

Malr.

Malr. 'Twas this I fish'd for.
Vit. Look on me, and receive it.
Mulr. Well, you know

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

Clara. With my ruin!

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

Vit. They're your's.

Malr. But will you not, when you have what you came for, [shion Take them from me to-morrow? 'Tis a faYour lords of late have us'd.

Vit. But I'll not follow.

Clara. That any man at such a rate as this
Should pay for his repentance!
Vit. Shall we to-bed now?

Malr. Instantly, sweet. Yet, now I think
on't better,

There's something first, that in a word or two
I must acquaint you with.

Clara. Can I cry aim 29

To this, against myself? I'll break this match,
Or make it stronger with my blood!

[Descends.

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For you, my fine neat harpies, stretch your
And prove yourselves true night-birds.

Pach. Take my word

For me and all the rest.

Laz. If there be meat

Or any banquet stirring, you shall see
How I'll bestow myself.

Alg. When they are drawn, [on.
Rush in upon 'em; all' fair prize you light
I must away: your officer may give way [it.
To th' knav'ry of his watch, but must not see
You all know where to find me. [Exit.
Met. There look for us.
Vit. Who's that?

Malr. My Piorato? Welcome, welcome!
Faith, had you not come when you did, my
Had done I know not what to me. [lord
Vit. I'm gull'd!
[at!

First cheated of my jewels, and then laugh'd
Sirrah, what makes you here?

Pio. A business brings me,

More lawful than your own.
Vit. How's that, you slave?

[a whore,

Malr. He's such, that would continue her Whom he would make a wife of!

Vit. I'll tread upon
The face you doat on, strumpet!

Enter Clara.

Puch. Keep the peace there!
Vit. A plot upon my life too?
Met. Down with him!

Clara. Shew your old valour, and learn
from a woman!

One eagle has a world of odds against
A flight of daws, as these are.
Pio. Get you off;

I'll follow instantly.

Pach. Run for inore help there!

[Exeunt all but Vit. and Clara.

Vit. Loss of my gold, and jewels, and the
wench too,

Afflicts me not so much as the having Clara
The witness of my weakness.
Clara. He turns from me!

And

yet I

may urge merit; since his life Is made my second gift.

Vit. May I ne'er prosper
If I know how to thank her!
Clara. Sir, your pardon

For pressing thus, beyond a virgin's bounds,
Upon your privacies; and let my being
Like to a man, as you are, be tl' excuse
Of my soliciting that from you, which shall
Be granted on my part, altho' desir'd [not
By any other. Sir, you understand me;
And 'twould shew nobly in you, to prevent
From me a further boldness, which I must
Proceed in, if you prove not merciful,
Tho' with my loss of blushes and good name.
Vit. Madam, I know your will, and would
be thankful,

If it were possible I could affect
The daughter of au enemy.

Clara. That fair false one,

[sued.

Whom with fond dotage you have long pur-
Had such a father; she to whom you pay
Dearer for your dishonour, than all titles
Ambitious men hunt for are worth.
Vit. 'Tis truth.

[exchange
Clara. Yet with her, as a friend, you still
Health for diseases, and, to your disgrace,
Nourish the rivals to your present pleasures,
At your own charge; us'd as a property
To give a safe protection to her lust,
Yet share in nothing but the shame of it.

Vit. Grant all this so, to take you for a
wife

Were greater hazard; for should I offend you
(As 'tis not easy still to please a woman),
You're of so great a spirit, that I must learn
To wear your petticoat, for you will have
My breeches from me.

Clara. Rather from this hour

I here abjure all actions of a man,
And will esteem it happiness from you
To suffer like a woman. Love, true love,
Hath made a search within me, and expell'd

29 Can I cry ayme.] See note 71 on the False One.

All

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