And what my heart durst never tell my tongue, Mont. Oh, my happiness! What wilt thou feel me still? art thou not weary Not suffer me to enjoy it; tane with this hand, Pet. You are sad, Sir; Be so no more: if you have been dejected, Mont. I was born to 't; And it shall out at once. Pet. Sir, you seem passionate; For mine own tongue must kill me: noble Lady, Was, ne'er to match with any, of what state Or birth soever, till before the contract Some one thing I impose her. Pet. She to do it? Mont. Or, if she fail me in my first demand, Pet. I am she, That beg to be imploy'd so: name a danger, Mont. And swear to this? [Kisses him. Pet. I vow it by my honor, my best hopes, Pet. I'll do it, as I am a Virgin; Lie it within mortality, I'll do it. Pet. I will: that which appears in you Pet. What soldier, what? Mont. love noble Valladaura; And at his soonest appointment marry him. Pet. Then I am lost. Miracle of Beauty. I remember,* There lived a Spanish Princess of our name, I rather think that she was Latona's brood, * A proud Spanish Princess relates this. THE ROYAL KING AND THE LOYAL SUBJECT. 99 THE ROYAL KING AND THE LOYAL SUBJECT. BY THOMAS HEYWOOD. Noble Traitor. A Persian History I read of late, how the great Sophy once In comes by chance an Eagle sousing by: Which when the Hawk espies, leaves her first game, A WOMAN KILL'D WITH KINDNESS: A TRAGEDY. Mr. Frankford discovers that his Wife has been unfaithful to him. I am as far from hoping such sweet grace, As Lucifer from heaven. To call you husband! Fran. Spare thou thy tears, for I will weep for thee, And keep thy countenance, for I'll blush for thee. Now, I protest, I think, 'tis I am tainted, For I am most asham'd; and 'tis more hard For me to look upon thy guilty face, Than on the sun's clear brow: what wouldst thou speak? Mrs. Fra. I would I had no tongue, no ears, no eyes, No apprehension, no capacity. When do you spurn me like a dog? when tread me Tho' I deserve a thousand thousand fold More than you can inflict: yet, once my husband, I am not worthy that I should prevail This granted, I am ready for my grave. Fran. My God, with patience arm me! rise, nay rise, And I'll debate with thee. Thou plaid'st the strumpet. Was it for want Wast thou not supply'd With every pleasure, fashion, and new toy; Nay even beyond my calling? Mrs. Fra. I was. Fran. Was it then disability in me? Or in thine eyes seem'd he a properer man? Fran. Did not I lodge thee in my bosom? Mrs. Fra. You did. Fran. I did indeed, witness my tears I did. Could have withheld thee from so lewd a fact, Mrs. Fra. In this one life I die ten thousand deaths. And thou shalt hear thy sentence presently. [Exit. He returns with CRANWELL his friend. She falls on her knees. Fran. My words are register'd in heaven already. With patience hear me. I'll not martyr thee, Nor mark thee for a strumpet; but with usage Of more humility torment thy soul, And kill thee even with kindness. Cran. Mr. Frankford. Fran. Good Mr. Cranwell.-Woman, hear thy judgment; Go make thee ready in thy best attire ; Take with thee all thy gowns, all thy apparel: Leave nothing that did ever call thee mistress, Or by whose sight, being left here in the house, I may remember such a woman was. Choose thee a bed and hangings for thy chamber; To carry all thy stuff within two hours; Choose which of all my servants thou lik'st best, Mrs. Fra. A mild sentence. Fran. But as thou hop'st for heaven, as thou believ'st |