El. Lo. I think the sign's in Gemini, here's such coupling. Wel. Sir Roger, what will you take to lie from your sweetheart to-night? Rog. Not the best benefice in your worship's gift, sir! Wel. A whoreson, how he swells! Yo. Lo. How many times to-night, Sir Roger? El. Lo. Come, pr'ythee, be not angry; 'tis a day Sir Roger, you shall have the van, and lead the way. 'Would every dogged wench had such a day! [Exeunt omnes. given wholly to our mirth. THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. COUNT CLODIO, Governor, and a dishonourable pursuer of ZENOCIA. MANUEL DU Sosa, Governor of Lisbon, and Brother to GUIOMAR. ARNOLDO, a Gentleman contracted to ZENOCIA. DUARTE, Son to GUIOMAR, a Gentleman well qualified, but vain-glorious. ALONZO, a young Portugueze Gentleman, enemy to DUARTE. LEOPOLD, a Sea Captain, enamoured of HIPPOLYTA. SCENE, ZABULON, a Jew, Servant to HIPPOLYTA. JAQUES, Servant to SULPITIA. ZENOCIA, Mistress to ARNOLDO, and a chaste Wife. GUIOMAR, a virtuous Lady, Mother to DUARTE. HIPPOLYTA, a rich Lady, wantonly in love with An NOLDO. SULPITIA, a Bawd, Mistress of the Male-Stews. Doctor, Chirurgeon, Officers, Guard, Page, Bravo, Knaves of the Male-Stews, Servants. DURING THE FIRST ACT, A TOWN IN ITALY; FOR THE REMAINDER, LISBON. So free this work is, gentlemen, from offence PROLOGUE. ! Will be starved here; for Envy shall not find And prettily esteem'd of; but take heed then, Take heed, dear brother, of a stranger fortune Than e'er you felt yet: Fortune my foe's a friend to it. Arn. 'Tis true, I love, dearly and truly love, A noble, virtuous, and most beauteous maid; And am beloved again. Rut. That's too much, o' conscience! To love all these, would run me out o' my wits. Arn. Pr'ythee, give ear. I am to marry her, Rut. Dispatch it, then, and I'll go call the piper. Arn. But, oh, the wicked Custom of this Country! The barbarous, most inhuman, damned Custom ! Rut. 'Tis true, to marry is [the most inhuman, Damn'd] custom in the world; for, look you, brother, Would any man stand plucking for the ace of hearts, With one pack of cards, all days on's life? Now to bethink yourself of new advice, Yet, my sweet child, so much your youth and goodness, The beauty of your soul, and saint-like modesty, Have won upon his wild mind, so much charm'd him, That, all power laid aside, what law allows him, Zen. I have consider'd. Char. The blessedness that this breeds too, consider: Besides your father's honour, your own peace, Zen. Good father, Zen. And, 'till he fling me off, as undeserving, Which I confess I am of such a blessing, But would be loth to find it so Arn. Oh, never, [Coming forward. Never, my happy mistress, never, never! When your poor servant lives but in your favour, One foot i' th' grave, the other shall not linger. What sacrifice of thanks, what age of service, What danger of more dreadful look than death, What willing martyrdom to crown me constant, May merit such a goodness, such a sweetness? A love so nobly great no power can ruin ! Most blessed maid, go on: The gods that gave this, This pure unspotted love, the child of Heaven, In their own goodness must preserve and save it, And raise you a reward beyond our recompence. Zen. I ask but, you a pure maid to possess, And then they have crown'd my wishes: If I fall then, Go seek some better love; mine will debase you. Rut. A pretty innocent fool! Well, governor, Though I think well of your Custom, and could wish myself For this night in your place, heartily wish it ; Yet if you play not fair play, and above-board too, I have a foolish gin here-[Laying his hand upon his sword.] I say no more: I'll tell you what, and if your honour's guts are not enchanted Arn. Ishould now chide you, sir, for so declining The goodness and the grace you have ever shew'd And your own virtue too, in seeking rashly [me, To violate that love Heaven has appointed, To wrest your daughter's thoughts, part that affection That both our hearts have tied, and seek to give it Rut. To a wild fellow that would worry her; Is a meer stoick to this fellow, a grave philosopher; [means, Any man would desire to have her, and by any At any rate too, yet that this common hangman, That hath whipt off the heads of a thousand maids already, That he should glean the harvest, sticks in my stomach ! Or for myself, that have a reputation, One that has cut up more young tender lamb-piesChar. What I spake, gentlemen, was mere compulsion, No father's free-will; nor did I touch your person With any edge of spite, or strain your loves With any base or hired persuasions. Witness these tears, how well I wish'd your for tunes! [Exit. Rut. There's some grace in thee yet. -You are То marry this count, lady? [determined Zen. Marry him, Rutilio? Rut. Marry him, and lie with him, I mean. If you be a true gentleman, you dare not; Rut. A better choice; And, lay his horns by, a handsomer bed-fellow; A cooler, o' my conscience. Arn. Pray let me ask you; And my dear mistress, be not angry with me (Not that I wish it so, but say it were so,) Zen. Who made you witty, to undo yourself, sir? -- And, make the case thus desp'rate,—she must die else; D'ye think I would give way, or count this honest? Be not deceived; these eyes should never see you more, This tongue forget to name you, and this heart Rule, and admit no rivals. The purest springs, You are so heav'nly good, no man can reach you. Take heed o'clapping spurs to such free cattle. Arn. We must bethink us suddenly and constantly, And wisely too; we expect no common danger. The devil pick his bones that dies a coward! Enter CLODIO and Guard. I'll jog along with you.-Here comes the stallion: Of what he hopes to act! Pox on your kidneys! company Of rogues and panders wait upon his lewdness!Plague of your chaps! you ha' more handsome bits Than a hundred honester men, and more deservHow the dog leers! [ing. Clod. [To ARNOLDO.] You need not now be jealous; I speak at distance to your wife; but, when the priest has done, We shall grow nearer then, and more familiar. Rut. [Aside.] I'll watch you for that trick, baboon; I'll smoke you. The rogue sweats, as if he had eaten grains; he If I do come to the basting of you———— [broils! Arn. Your lordship May happily speak this to fright a stranger; To make her mine; and most undoubtedly And you sir, clear the place; but leave her here. Clod. That anon, Arnoldo; This is but talk. Rut. Shall we go off? Arn. By any means: The modesty that maids are ever born with, Clod. Do you see nothing in me? Nothing to catch your eyes, nothing of wonder, The common mould of men come short, and want in ? Do you read no future fortune for yourself here? To have him honour you, all women aim at? Look, and be wise; you have a favour offer'd you I may be brought, as you may handle it, Zen. 'Faith, sir, 'twill not shew handsome; Clod. Learn then, and be perfect. Zen. I do beseech your honour pardon me, And take some skilful one can hold you play; I am a fool. Clod. I tell thee, maid, I love thee; Let that word make thee happy; so far love thee, Zen. I am afraid |