Talk'd in much fury, parted; when as soon
The lady vanish'd, after her the rest.
Aur. What follow'd?

Adur. My commission on mine error;"
In execution whereof I have proved

So punctually severe, that I renounce

All

memory, not to this one fault alone,
But to my other greater, and more irksome.
Now he, whoever owns a name, that construes
This repetition the report of fear,

Of falsehood, or imposture, let him tell me,
I give myself the lie, and I will clear

The injury, and man to man;-or, if

Such justice may prove doubtful, two to two,
Or three to three, or any way reprieve
The opinion of my forfeit, without blemish.

Aur. Who can you think I am? did you expect
So great a tameness as you find, Adurni,
That cast loud defiance? say-
you

Adur. I have robb'd you

Of rigour, Auria, by my strict self-penance,

For the presumption.

Aur. Sure, Italians hardly

Admit dispute in questions of this nature;
The trick is new.

Adur. I find my absolution,

By vows of change from all ignoble practice.

6 Aur. What follow'd?

Adur. My commission on mine error.] This drama is so carelessly printed, as almost to justify the suspicion of an error whenever the text, as in the present instance, appears singularly involved, and obscure: commission, (which is not readily explicable,) has here, perhaps, if we may judge from Adurni's two next speeches, usurped the place of contrition.

Aur, Why look ye, friend, I told you this be

fore;

You would not be persuaded :-let me think[Walks apart.

Aurel. You do not yet deny that you solicited The lady to ill purpose.

Adur. I have answer'd;

But it return'd much quiet to my mind,
Perplex'd with rare commotions.

Aur. That's the way;

It smooths all rubs.

Aurel. My lord?

Aur. Foh! I am thinking

You may talk forward.—If it take, 'tis clear;
And then-and then,-and so and so--

Adur. You labour

With curious engines, sure.

Aur. Fine ones! I take you

To be a man of credit; else-
Adur. Suspicion

Is needless, know me better.

Aur. Yet you must not

Part from me, sir.

Adur. For that, your pleasure.

Aur. "Come,

Fight for thy wife at home, my Auria !"-Yes,

We can fight, my Spinella, when thine honour Relies upon a champion.

Re-enter TRELCATIO.

Now?

Trel. My lord,

Castanna, with her sister, and Malfato
Are newly enter'd.

Aur. Be not loud; convey them

Into the gallery.-Aurelio, friend,
Adurni, lord, we three will sit in council,

And piece a hearty league, or scuffle shrewdly.

[Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE I.

A Room in the House of MARTINO.

Enter MARTINO, BENATZI, and LEVIDOLCHE.

Mart. Ruffian, out of my doors! thou com'st to rob me.

An officer! what, ho!-my house is haunted
By a lewd pack of thieves, of harlots, murderers,
Rogues, vagabonds! I foster a decoy here;
And she trowls on her ragged customer,
To cut my throat for pillage.

Lev. Good sir, hear me.

Ben. Hear or not hear,-let him rave his lungs out--whilst this woman hath abode under this roof, I will justify myself her bedfellow in despite of denial; in despite-those are my words. Mart. Monstrous!

Why, sirrah, do I keep a bawdy-house,

An hospital for pandars? Oh, thou monster, Thou she-confusion! are you grown so rampant,

That from a private wanton, thou proclaim'st

thyself

A baggage for all gamesters, lords or gentlemen, Strangers, or home-spun yeomen, foot-posts, pages,

Roarers, or hangmen? hey-dey! set up shop, And then cry "a market open; to't, and welcome!"

Lev. This is my husband.
Mart. Husband!

Ben. Husband natural, I have married her; andwhat's your verdict on the match, signor? Mart. Husband, and married her!

Lev. Indeed, 'tis truth.

Mart. A proper joining! give ye joy, great mistress;

Your fortunes are advanced, marry are they. What jointure is assured, pray? some three thousand

A-year in oaths and vermin? fair preferment! Was ever such a tatter'd rag of man's flesh, Patch'd up for copesmate to my niece's daughter! Lev. Sir, for my mother's name, forbear this

anger;

If I have yoked myself beneath your wishes,

Yet is my choice a lawful one: and I

Will live as truly chaste unto his bosom,
As e'er my faith hath bound me.

Mart. A sweet couple!

Ben. We are so for mine own part, however

my outside appear ungay, I have wrestled with

death, signior Martino, to preserve your sleeps, and such as you are, untroubled. A soldier is in peace a mockery, a very town-bull for laughter; unthrifts, and landed babies are prey curmudgeons lay their baits for. Let the wars rattle about your ears once, and the security of a soldier is right honourable amongst ye then; that day may shine again. So to my business.

Mart. A soldier! thou a soldier! I do believe
Thou'rt lowsy; that's a pretty sign I grant:-
A villainous poor banditti rather; one

Can man a quean, and cant, and pick a pocket,
Pad for a cloak, or hat, and, in the dark,
Pistol a straggler for a quarter-ducat.
A soldier! yes,-he looks as if he had not
The spirit of a herring, or a tumbler."

Ben. Let age and dotage rage together! Levidolche, thou art mine; on what conditions the world shall soon witness: yet since our hands join'd, I have not interessed my possession of thy bed; nor till I have accounted to thy injunction, do I mean: kiss me quick, and resolute, so!-adieu, signor!

Lev. Dear, for love's sake, stay.
Ben. Forbear entreaties.

[Exit.

7

"Away,

or a tumbler.] A species of hound. Jonson uses the word as synonymous with setting dog; setter, away; yet stay, my little tumbler."-vol. ii. p. 407. In the Gentleman's Recreation, where a full description of the animal's qualities will be found, he is said to be justly called a mongrel greyhound.