A WIFE FOR A MONTH; (continued 2)

Rugio. Curst on our sights, our fond credulities, A thousand curses on the Slave that cheated us, The damn'd Slave. Mar. We have e'n sham'd our service, Brought our best care and loyalties to nothing, 'Tis the most fearful poyson, the most potent, Heaven give him patience; Oh it works most strongly, And tears him, Lord. Rug. That we should be so stupid To trust the arrant'st Villain that e'r flatter'd, The bloodiest too, to believe a few soft words from him, And give way to his prepar'd tears. Within, Alphonso. Oh, Oh, Oh. Rug. Hark, Fryar Marco, hark, the poor Prince, that we should be such Block-heads, As to be taken with his drinking first! And never think what Antidotes are made for! Two wooden sculls we have, and we deserve to be hang'd for't; For certainly it will be laid to our charge; As certain too, it will dispatch him speedily, Which way to turn, or what to— Mar. Let's pray, Heavens hand is strong. Rug. The poyson's strong, you would say.

Would any thing—He comes, let's give him comfort. Alph. Give me more air, air, more air, blow, blow, Open thou Eastern Gate, and blow upon me, Distill thy cold dews, O thou icy Moon, And Rivers run through my afflicted spirit. I am all fire, fire, fire, the raging dog star Reigns in my bloud, Oh which way shall I turn me? Ætna, and all his flames burn in my head, Fling me into the Ocean or I perish; Dig, dig, dig, till the Springs fly up, The cold, cold Springs, that I may leap into 'em, And bathe my scorcht Limbs in their purling Pleasures. Or shoot me up into the higher Region, Where treasures of delicious Snow are nourisht, And Banquets of sweet Hail. Rug. Hold him fast Fryer, O how he burns! Alph. What will ye sacrifice me? Upon the Altar lay my willing body, And pile your Wood up, fling your holy incense; And as I turn me you shall see all flame, Consuming flame, stand off me, or you are ashes. Both. Most miserable wretches. Alph. Bring hither Charity And let me hug her, Fryer, they say she's cold, Infinite cold Devotion cannot warm her; Draw me a river of false lovers tears Clean through my breast, they are dull, cold, and forgetful, And will give ease, let Virgins sigh upon me, Forsaken souls, the sighs are precious, Let them all sigh: Oh hell, hell, hell, Oh horror. Mar. To bed, good Sir. Alph. My bed will burn about me, Like Phaeton, in all consuming flashes I am inclosed, let me fly, let me fly, give room; Betwixt the cold Bear, and the raging Lyon Lyes my safe way; O for a cake of Ice now, To clap unto my heart to comfort me; Decrepit Winter hang upon my shoulders, And let me wear thy frozen Isicles Like Jewels round about my head, to cool me; My eyes burn out, and sink into their sockets, And my infected brain like brimstone boils, I live in Hell, and several furies vex me; O carry me where no Sun ever shew'd yet A face of comfort, where the earth is Crystal, Never to be dissolv'd, where naught inhabits But night and cold, and nipping frosts, and winds That cut the stubborn rocks and make them shiver; Set me there friends. Rug. Hold fast, he must to bed, Fryer, what scalding sweats he has! Mar. He'll scald in Hell for't, that was the cause. Alph. Drink, drink, a world of drink, Fill all the cups and all the antick vessels, And borrow pots, let me have drink enough, Bring all the worthy drunkards of the time, The experienc'd drunkards, let me have them all, And let them drink their worst, I'le make them Ideots, I'le lye upon my Back and swallow Vessels; Have Rivers made of cooling Wine run through me, Not stay for this mans health, or this great Princes, But take an Ocean, and begin to all; Oh, oh. Mar. He cools a little, now away with him, And to his warm bed presently. Alph. No drink? no wind? no cooling air? Rug. You shall have any thing. His hot fit lessens, Heaven put in a hand now, And save his life; there's drink Sir in your chamber, And all cool things. Alph. Away, away, let's fly to 'em. [Exeunt.

Evan. To say you were impotent, I am asham'd on't, To make your self no man, to a fresh Maid too, A longing Maid, upon her wedding night also, To give her such a dor. Val. I prethee pardon me. Evan. Had you been drunk, 't had been excusable, Or like a Gentleman under the Surgions hands, And so not able, there had been some colour, But wretchedly to take a weakness to ye, A fearful weakness, to abuse your body, And let a lye work like a spell upon ye, A lye, to save your life. Val. Will you give me leave, sweet? Ev. You have taken too much leave, and too base leave too, To wrong your love; hast thou a noble spirit? And canst thou look up to the peoples loves, That call thee worthy, and not blush, Valerio? Canst thou behold me that thou hast betray'd thus, And no shame touch thee? Val. Shame attend the sinful, I know my innocence. Evan. Ne'r think to face it, that's a double weakness, And shews thee falser still; the King himself, Though he be wicked, and our Enemy, But juster than thou art, in pity of my injuries, Told me the truth. Val. What did he tell thee, Evanthe? Evan. That but to gain thy life a fortnight longer, Thy lov'd poor life, thou gav'st up all my duties. Val. I swear 'tis false; my life and death are equal, I have weigh'd 'em both, and find 'em but one fortune, But Kings are men, and live as men, and dye too, Have the affections men have, and their falsehoods; Indeed they have more power to make 'em good; The King's to blame, it was to save thy life Wench, Thy innocent life, that I forbore thy bed, For if I had toucht thee thou hadst dyed, he swore it. Evan. And was not I as worthy to dye nobly? To make a story for the time that follows, As he that married me? what weakness, Sir, Or disability do you see in me, Either in mind or body? to defraud me Of such an opportunity? Do you think I married you Only for pleasure, or content in lust? To lull you in my arms, and kiss you hourly? Was this my end? I might have been a Queen, Sir, If that had caught me, and have known all delicates; There's few that would have shun'd so fair an offer. O thou unfaithful fearful man, thou hast kill'd me, In saving me this way, thou hast destroy'd me, Rob'd me of that thy love can never give more; To be unable to save me? O misery! Had I been my Valerio, thou Evanthe, I would have lyen with thee under a Gallows, Though the Hangman had been my Hymen, and the furies With iron whips and forks, ready to torture me. I would have hug'd thee too, though Hell had gap'd at me; Save my life! that expected to dye bravely, That would have woo'd it too: Would I had married An Eunuch, that had truly no ability, Then such a fearful lyar, thou hast done me A scurvy courtesie, that has undone me. Val. I'le do no more, since you are so nobly fashion'd, Made up so strongly, I'le take my share with ye, Nay, dear, I'le learn of you. Evan. He weeps too tenderly; My anger's gone, good my Lord pardon me, And if I have offended, be more angry, It was a Womans flash, a sudden valour, That could not lye conceal'd. Val. I honour ye, by all the rites of holy marriage, And pleasures of chaste love, I wonder at ye, You appear the vision of a Heaven unto me, Stuck all with stars of honour shining clearly, And all the motions of your mind Celestial; Man is a lump of Earth, the best man spiritless, To such a woman; all our lives and actions But counterfeits in Arras to this vertue; Chide me again, you have so brave an anger, And flows so nobly from you, thus deliver'd, That I could suffer like a Child to hear ye, Nay make my self guilty of some faults to honour ye. Eva. I'le chide no more, you have rob'd me of my courage, And with a cunning patience checkt my impudence; Once more forgiveness? [She kneels. Val. Will this serve, Evanthe? [Kisses her. And this my love? Heavens mercy be upon us; But did he tell no more? Evan. Only this trifle: you set my woman on me, to betray me; 'Tis true, she did her best, a bad old woman, It stir'd me, Sir. Val. I cannot blame thee, Jewel. Evan. And me thought when your name was sounded that way— Val. He that will spare no fame, will spare no name, sweet; Though as I am a man, I am full of weakness, And may slip happily into some ignorance, Yet at my years to be a bawd, and cozen Mine own hopes with my Doctrine— Eva. I believe not, nor never shall; our time is out to morrow. Val. Let's be to night then full of fruitfulness, Now we are both of one mind, let's be happy, I am no more a wanting man, Evanthe, Thy warm embraces shall dissolve that impotence, And my cold lye shall vanish with thy kisses; You hours of night be long, as when Alcmena Lay by the lusty side of Jupiter; Keep back the day, and hide his golden beams, Where the chaste watchful morning may not find 'em; Old doting Tython hold Aurora fast, And though she blush the day-break from her cheeks, Conceal her still; thou heavy Wain stand firm, And stop the quicker revolutions; Or if the day must come, to spoil our happiness, Thou envious Sun peep not upon our pleasure, Thou that all Lovers curse, be far off from us.

Evan. Then let's to bed, and this night in all joyes And chaste delights— Cast. Stay, I must part ye both; It is the Kings command, who bids me tell ye, To morrow is your last hour. Val. I obey, Sir, In Heaven we shall meet, Captain, where King Frederick Dare not appear to part us. Cast. Mistake me not, though I am rough in doing of my Office, You shall find, Sir, you have a friend to honour ye. Val. I thank ye, Sir. Evan. Pray captain tell the King, They that are sad on Earth, in Heaven shall sing. [Exeunt.

Rug. Have you writ to the Captain of the Castle? Mar. Yes, and charged him Upon his souls health, that he be not cruel, Told him Valerio's worth among the people, And how it must be punisht in posterity, Though he scape now. Rug. But will not he, Fryer Marco, betray this to the King? Mar. Though he be stubborn, and of a rugged nature, yet he is honest, And honours much Valerio. Rug. How does Alphonso? For now me thinks my heart is light again, And pale fear fled. Mar. He is as well as I am; The Rogue against his will has sav'd his life, A desperate poison has re-cur'd the Prince. Rug. To me 'tis most miraculous. Mar. To me too, till I consider why it should do so, And now I have found it a most excellent Physick, It wrought upon the dull cold misty parts, That clog'd his soul, which was another poison, A desperate too, and found such matter there, And such abundance also to resist it, And wear away the dangerous heat it brought with it, The pure blood and the spirits scap'd untainted. Rug. 'Twas Heavens high hand, none of Sorano's pity. Mar. Most certain 'twas, had the malitious villain

Given him a cooling poison, he had paid him. Rug. The Captain of the Castle. Mar. O ye are welcome, how does your Prisoner? Cast. He must go for dead; But when I do a deed of so much villany, I'le have my skin pull'd o're mine ears, my Lord,

Though I am the Kings, I am none of his abuses; How does your Royal charge? that I might see once. Mar. I pray see now, you are a trusty Gentleman. Alph. Good Fathers, I thank Heaven, I feel no sickness. Cast. He speaks again. Alph. Nothing that bars the free use of my spirit, Me thinks the air's sweet to me, and company A thing I covet now, Castruchio. Cast. Sir, he speaks, and knows, for Heaven sake break my pate Lord, That I may be sure I sleep not. Alph. Thou wert honest, Ever among the rank of good men counted, I have been absent long out of the world, A dream I have lived, how does it look Castruchio? What wonders are abroad? Cast. I fling off duty to your dead Brother, for he is dead in goodness, And to the living hope of brave Alphonso, The noble heir of nature, and of honour, I fasten my Allegeance. Mar. Softly Captain, we dare not trust the Air with this blest secret, Good Sir, be close again, Heaven has restor'd ye, And by miraculous means, to your fair health, And made the instrument your enemies malice, Which does prognosticate your noble fortune; Let not our careless joy lose you again, Sir, Help to deliver ye to a further danger, I pray you pass in, and rest a while forgotten, For if your Brother come to know you are well again, And ready to inherit as your right, Before we have strength enough to assure your life, What will become of you? and what shall we Deserve in all opinions that are honest, For our loss of judgment, care, and loyalty? Rug. Dear Sir, pass in, Heaven has begun the work, And blest us all, let our indeavours follow, To preserve this blessing to our timely uses, And bring it to the noble end we aim at; Let our cares work now, and our eyes pick out An hour to shew ye safely to your Subjects, A secure hour. Alph. I am counsel'd; ye are faithful. Cast. Which hour shall not be long, as we shall handle it. Once more the tender of my duty. Alph. Thank ye. Cast. Keep you the Monastery. Rug. Strong enough I'le warrant ye. [Exeunt.

Pod. Who are all these that crowd about the Court, Fool? Those strange new faces? Fool. They are Suitors, Coxcomb, Dainty fine Suitors to the Widow Lady, Thou hadst best make one of 'em, thou wilt be hang'd as handsomly At the Months end, and as much joy follow'd, And 'twere to morrow; as many mourning Bawds for thee, And holy Nuns, whose vestal fire ne'r vanishes, In sackcloth Smocks, as if thou wert Heir apparent To all the impious Suburbs, and the sink-holes. Pod. Out you base Rogue. Fool. Why dost abuse thy self? Thou art to blame, I take thee for a Gentleman, But why does not thy Lord and Master marry her? Pod. Why, she is his Sister. Fool. 'Tis the better, Fool, He may make bold with his own flesh and blood, For o' my conscience there's none else will trust him; Then he may pleasure the King at a dead pinch too, Without a Mephestophilus, such as thou art, And ingross the Royal disease like a true Subject. Pod. Thou wilt be whipt. Fool. I am sure thou wilt be hang'd, I have lost a Ducket else, which I would be loth to venture Without certainty. They appear. [Suitors pass by. Pod. Why these are Rascals. Fool. They were meant to be so, does thy Master deserve better kindred? Pod. There's an old Lawyer, Trim'd up like a Gally Foist, what would he do with her? Fool. As Usurers do with their Gold, he would look on her, And read her over once a day, like a hard report, Feed his dull eye, and keep his fingers itching; For any thing else, she may appeal to a Parliament, Sub Pœna's and Post Kaes have spoil'd his Codpiece; There's a Physician too, older than he, And Gallen Gallinacius, but he has lost his spurs, He would be nibling too. Pod. I marked the man, if he be a man. Fool. H'as much ado to be so, Searcloths and Sirrups glew him close together, He would fall a pieces else; mending of she Patients, And then trying whether they be right or no In his own person, there's the honest care on't, Has mollifi'd the man; if he do marry her, And come but to warm him well at Cupids Bonfire, He will bulge so subtilly and suddenly, You may snatch him up by parcels, like a Sea Rack: Will your Worship go, and look upon the rest, Sir? And hear what they can say for themselves. Pod. I'le follow thee. [Exeunt.

Cam. You tell us wonders. Cast. But I tell you truths, they are both well. Men. Why are not we in Arms then? And all the Island given to know— Cast. Discreetly and privately it must be done, 'twill miss else, And prove our ruines; most of the noble Citizens Know it by me, and stay the hour to attend it, Prepare your hearts and friends, let their's be right too, And keep about the King to avoid suspicion;

When you shall hear the Castle Bell, take courage, And stand like men, away, the King is coming.

Fre. Now Captain, what have you done with your prisoner? Cast. He is dead, Sir, and his body flung into the Sea, To feed the fishes, 'twas your will, I take it, I did it from a strong Commission, And stood not to capitulate. Fred. 'Tis well done, And I shall love you for your faith. What anger Or sorrow did he utter at his end? Cast. Faith little, Sir, that I gave any ear to, He would have spoke, but I had no Commission To argue with him, so I flung him off; His Lady would have seen, but I lockt her up, For fear her womans tears should hinder us. Fred.. 'Twas trusty still. I wonder, my Sorano, We hear not from the Monastery; I believe They gave it not, or else it wrought not fully. Cast. Did you name the Monastery? Fred. Yes, I did Captain. Cast. I saw the Fryer this morning, and Lord Rugio, Bitterly weeping, and wringing of their hands, And all the holy men hung down their heads. Sara. 'Tis done I'le warrant ye. Cast. I ask'd the reason. Fred. What answer hadst thou? Cast. This in few words, Sir, Your Brother's dead, this morning he deceased, I was your servant, and I wept not, Sir, I knew 'twas for your good. Fred. It shall be for thine too, Captain, indeed it shall. O my Sorano, Now we shall live. Sor. I, now there's none to trouble ye. Fred. Captain, bring out the woman, and give way To any Suitor that shall come to marry her, Of what degree soever. Cast. It shall be done, Sir. [Exit Cast. Fre. O let me have a lusty Banquet after it,

I will be high and merry. Sor. There be some Lords That I could counsel ye to fling from Court, Sir, They pry into our actions, they are such The foolish people call their Countries honours, Honest brave things, and stile them with such Titles, As if they were the patterns of the Kingdom, Which makes them proud, and prone to look into us, And talk at random of our actions, They should be lovers of your commands, And followers of your will; bridles and curbs To the hard headed Commons that malign us, They come here to do honour to my Sister, To laugh at your severity, and fright us; If they had power, what would these men do? Do you hear, Sir, how privily they whisper? Fred. I shall silence 'em, And to their shames within this week Sorano, In the mean time have patience. Sor. How they jeer, and look upon me as I were a Monster! And talk and jeer! how I shall pull your plumes, Lords How I shall humble ye within these two daies! Your great names, nor your Country cannot save ye. Fred. Let in the Suitors. Yet submit, I'le pardon ye, You are half undone already, do not wind My anger to that height, it may consume ye,

And utterly destroy thee, fair Evanthe: yet I have mercy. Evan. Use it to your bawds, To me use cruelty, it best becomes ye, And shews more Kingly: I contemn your mercy, It is a cozening, and a bawdy mercy; Can any thing be hoped for, to relieve me? Or is it fit? I thank you for a pity, when you have kill'd my Lord. Fred. Who will have her? Evan. My tears are gone, My tears of love to my dear Valerio, But I have fill'd mine eyes again with anger; O were it but so powerful to consume ye. My tongue with curses I have arm'd against ye, With Maiden curses, that Heaven crowns with horrors, My heart set round with hate against thy tyranny; O would my hands could hold the fire of Heaven, Wrapt in the thunder that the Gods revenge with, That like stern Justice I might fling it on thee; Thou art a King of Monsters, not of men, And shortly thou wilt turn this Land to Devils. Fred. I'le make you one first, and a wretched Devil, Come who will have her? Law. I an't like your Majesty, I am a Lawyer, I can make her a Joynture of any mans Land in Naples, And she shall keep it too, I have a trick for it. Fool. Canst thou make her a Joynture of thine honesty? Or thy abili[t]y, thou lewd abridgment? Those are non suted and flung o're the bar. Phy. An't please your Majesty to give me leave, I dare accept her; and though old I seem, Lady, Like Æson, by my art I can renew youth and ability. Fool. In a powdering Tub Stew thy self tender again, like a Cock Chicken, The broth may be good, but the flesh is not fit for dogs sure. Capt. Lady, take me, and I'le maintain thine honour, I am a poor Captain, as poor people call me, Very poor people, for my Souldiers They are quartered in the outside of the City, Men of ability, to make good a high way; We have but two grand Enemies that oppose us, The Don Gout, and the Gallows. Fool. I believe ye, and both these you will bind her for a Jointure; Now Signior firk. Cut-purse. Madam, take me and be wise, I am rich and nimble, and those are rare in one man, Every mans pocket is my Treasury, And no man wears a Sute but fits me neatly; Cloaths you shall have, and wear the purest Linnen, I have a tribute out of every Shop, Lady, Meat you shall eat, I have my Caters out too, The best and lustiest, and drink good Wine, good Lady, Good quickening Wine, Wine that will make you caper. And at the worst— Fool. It is but capering short, Sir, You seldom stay for Agues or for Surfeits, A shaking fit of a whip sometimes o'retakes ye, Marry you dye most commonly of choakings, Obstructions of the halter are your ends ever; Pray leave your horn and your knife for her to live on. Eva. Poor wretched people, why do you wrong your selves? Though I fear'd death, I should fear you ten times more, You are every one a new death, and an odious, The earth will purifie corrupted bodies, You'll make us worse and stink eternally. Go home, go home and get good Nurses for you, Dream not of Wives. Fred. You shall have one of 'em, if they dare venture for ye. Evan. They are dead already, Crawling diseases that must creep into The next grave they find open, are these fit Husbands For her you have loved, Sir? though you hate me now, And hate me mortally, as I hate you, Your nobleness, in that you have done otherwise, And named Evanthe once as your poor Mistris, Might offer worthier choice. Fre. Speak, who dare take her for one moneth, and then dye? Phy. Dye, Sir? Fred. I, dye Sir, that's the condition. Phy. One moneth is too little For me to repent in for my former pleasure, To go still on, unless I were sure she would kill me, And kill me delicately before my day, Make it up a year, for by that time I must dye, My body will hold out no longer. Fred. No Sir, it must be but a moneth. Law. Then farewel Madam, This is like to be a great year of dissention Among good people, and I dare not lose it, There will [b]e money got. Capt. Bless your good Ladiship, there's nothing in the grave but bones and ashes, In Taverns there's good wine, and excellent wenches, And Surgeons while we live. Cutp. Adieu sweet Lady, Lay me when I am dead near a rich Alderman, I cannot pick his Purse, no, I'le no dying, Though I steal Linnen, I'le not steal my shrowd yet. All. Send ye a happy match. [Exeunt. Fool. And you all halters, you have deserved 'em richly. These do all Villanies, and mischiefs of all sorts, yet those they fear not, To flinch where a fair wench is at the stake. Evan. Come, your sentence, let me dye: you see, Sir, None of your valiant men dare venture on me, A Moneth's a dangerous thing.

Fred. Away with her, let her dye instantly. Evan. Will you then be willing To dye at the time prefixt? that I must know too, And know it beyond doubt. Fred. What if I did wench? Evan. On that condition if I had it certain, I would be your any thing, and you should injoy me, How ever in my nature I abhor you, Yet as I live I would be obedient to you; But when your time came how I should rejoyce, How then I should bestir my self to thank ye, To see your throat cut, how my heart would leap, Sir! I would dye with you, but first I would so torture ye, And cow you in your end, so despise you, For a weak and wretched coward, you must end sure; Still make ye fear, and shake, despised, still laugh at ye. Fred. Away with her, let her dye instantly. Cam. Stay, there's another, and a Gentleman, His habit shews no less, may be his business Is for this Ladies love. Fred. Say why ye come, Sir, and what you are. Val. I am descended nobly, a Prince by birth, and by my trade a Souldier, A Princes fellow, Abidos brought me forth, My Parents Duke Agenor, and fair Egla, My business hither to renew my love With a young noble spirit, call'd Valerio; Our first acquaintance was at Sea, in fight Against a Turkish man of War, a stout one, Where Lyon-like I saw him shew his valour, And as he had been made of compleat vertue, Spirit, and fire, no dregs of dull earth in him. Evan. Thou art a brave Gentleman, and bravely speakest him. Val. The Vessel dancing under him for joy, And the rough whistling winds becalm'd to view him; I saw the child of honour, for he was young, Deal such an Alms amongst the spightful Pagans, His towring sword flew like an eager Falkon, And round about his reach invade the Turks, He had intrencht himself in his dead quarries; The silver Crescents on the tops they carried Shrunk in their heads to see his rage so bloody, And from his fury suffered sad eclipses; The game of death was never plaid more nobly, The meager thief grew wanton in his mischiefs, And his shrunk hollow eyes smil'd on his ruines. Evan. Heaven keep this Gentleman from being a Suitor, For I shall ne'r deny him, he's so noble. Val. But what can last long? strength and spirit wasted, And fresh supplies flew on upon this Gentleman, Breathless and weary with oppression, And almost kill'd with killing, 'twas my chance In a tall Ship I had to view the fight; I set into him, entertain'd the Turk, And for an hour gave him so hot a breakfast, He clapt all linnen up he had to save him, And like a Lovers thought he fled our fury; There first I saw the man I lov'd, Valerio, There was acquainted, there my soul grew to him, And his to me, we were the twins of friendship. Evan. Fortune protect this man, or I shall ruine him. Val. I made this voyage to behold my friend, To warm my love anew at his affection; But since I landed, I have heard his fate: My Father's had not been to me more cruel, I have lamented too, and yet I keep The treasure of a few tears for you Lady, For by description you were his Evanthe. Evan. Can he weep that's a stranger to my story? And I stand still and look on? Sir, I thank ye; If noble spirits after their departure, Can know, and wish, certain his soul gives thanks too; There are your tears again, and when yours fail, Sir, Pray ye call to me, I have some store to lend ye. Your name? Val. Urbino. Evan. That I may remember, That little time I have to live, your friendships, My tongue shall study both. Fred. Do you come hither, only to tell this story, Prince Urbino? Val. My business now is, Sir, to woo this Lady. Evan. Blessing defend ye; do you know the danger? Val. Yes, and I fear it not, danger's my play-fellow, Since I was man 'thas been my best companion, I know your doom, 'tis for a Moneth you give her, And then his life you take that marries her. Fred. 'Tis true, nor can your being born a Prince, If you accept the offer, free you from it. Val. I not desire it, I have cast the worst, And even that worst to me is many blessings; I lov'd my friend, not measur'd out by time, Nor hired by circumstance of place and honour, But for his wealthy self and worth I lov'd him, His mind and noble mold he ever mov'd in, And wooe his friend because she was worthy of him, The only relique that he left behind, Sir; To give his ashes honour, Lady take me, And in me keep Valerio's love alive still, When I am gone, take those that shall succeed me, Heaven must want light, before you want a Husband, To raise up heirs of love and noble memory, To your unfortunate— Evan. Am I still hated? hast thou no end, O fate, of my affliction? Was I ordain'd to be a common Murdress? And of the best men too? Good Sir— Val. Peace Sweet, look on my hand. Evan. I do accept the Gentleman, I faint with joy. Fr. I stop it, none shall have her, convey this stranger hence. Val. I am no stranger—Hark to the bell, that rings, Hark, hark, proud Frederick, that was King of mischief, Hark, thou abhorred man, dost thou hear thy sentence? Does not this bell ring in thine ears thy ruine? Fred. What bell is this? Cam. The Castle bell: Stand sure, Sir, and move not, if you do you perish. Men. It rings your knell; Alphonso, King Alphonso. All. Alphonso, King Alphonso. Fred. I am betrai'd, lock fast the Palace. Cam. We have all the keys, Sir. And no door here shall shut without our Licence. Cle. Do you shake now, Lord Sorano? no new trick? Nor speedy poison to prevent this business? No bawdy meditation now to fly to? Fred. Treason, Treason, Treason. Cam. Yes, we hear ye,

And we have found the Traytor in your shape, Sir, We'll keep him fast too. Fred. Recover'd! then I am gone, The Sun of all my pomp is set and vanisht. Alp. Have you not forgot this face of mine, King Frederick? Brother, I am come to see you, and have brought A Banquet to be merry with your Grace; I pray sit down, I do beseech your Majesty, And eat, eat freely, Sir, why do you start? Have you no stomach to the meat I bring you? Dare you not taste? have ye no Antidotes? You need not fear; Sorano's a good Apothecary, Me thinks you look not well, some fresh wine for him, Some of the same he sent me by Sorano; I thank you for't, it sav'd my life, I am bound to ye, But how 'twill work on you—I hope your Lordship Will pledge him too, me thinks you look but scurvily, And would be put into a better colour, But I have a candi'd Toad for your Lordship. Sor. Would I had any thing that would dispatch me, So it were down, and I out of this fear once. Fred. Sir, Thus low as my duty now compells me, I do confess my unbounded sins, my errours, And feel within my soul the smarts already; Hide not the noble nature of a Brother, The pity of a friend, from my afflictions; Let me a while lament my misery, And cast the load off of my wantonness, Before I find your fury, then strike home, I do deserve the deepest blow of Justice, And then how willingly, O death, I'le meet thee! Alp. Rise, Madam, those sweet tears are potent speakers, And Brother live, but in the Monastery, Where I lived, with the self same silence too, I'le teach you to be good against your will, Brother, Your tongue has done much harm, that must be dumb now; The daily pilgrimage to my Fathers Tomb, Tears, sighs, and groans, you shall wear out your daies with, And true ones too, you shall perform dear Brother; Your diet shall be slender to inforce these; too light a penance, Sir. Fred. I do confess it. Alph. Sorano you shall— Sor. How he studies for it! Hanging's the least part of my penance certain. [Evanthe Kneels. Alph. What Lady's that that kneels? Cast. The chaste Evanthe. Alph. Sweet, your Petition? Evan. 'Tis for this bad man, Sir, Abominable bad, but yet my Brother. Alph. The bad man shall attend as bad a Master, And both shall be confin'd within the Monastery; His rank flesh shall be pull'd with daily fasting, But once a week he shall s[m]ell meat, he will surfeit else, And his immodest mind, compell'd to prayer; On the bare boards he shall lye, to remember The wantonness he did commit in beds; And drink fair water, that will ne'r inflame him; He sav'd my life, though he purpos'd to destroy me, For which I'le save his, though I make it miserable: Madam, at Court I shall desire your company, You are wise and vertuous, when you please to visit My Brother Frederick, you shall have our Licence, My dear best friend, Valerio. Val. Save Alphonso. Omn. Long live Alphonso, King of us, and Naples. Alph. Is this the Lady that the wonder goes on? Honour'd sweet Maid, here take her my Valerio, The King now gives her, she is thine own without fear: Brother, have you so much provision that is good? Not season'd by Sorano and his Cooks? That we may venture on with honest safety, We and our friends? Fred. All that I have is yours, Sir. Alph. Come then, let's in, and end this Nuptial, Then to our Coronation with all speed: My vertuous Maid, this day I'le be your Bride-man, And see you bedded to your own desires too; Beshrew me Lords, who is not merry hates me, Only Sorano shall not bear my cup: Come, now forget old pains and injuries, As I must do, and drown all in fair healths; That Kingdom's blessed, where the King begins His true love first, for there all loves are twins.

You are wellcome Gentlemen, and would our Feast Were so well season'd, to please every Guest; Ingenuous appetites, I hope we shall, And their examples may prevail in all. Our noble friend, who writ this, bid me say, He had rather dress, upon a Triumph day, My Lord Ma[y]ors Feast, and make him Sawces too, Sawce for each several mouth, nay further go, He had rather build up those invincible Pyes And Castle Custards that affright all eyes, Nay eat 'em all and their Artillery, Than dress for such a curious company One single dish; yet he has pleas'd ye too, And you've confest he knew well what to do; Be hungry as you were wont to be, and bring, Sharp stomachs to the stories he shall sing, And he dare yet, he saies, prepare a Table Shall make you say, well drest, and he well able.

We have your favours, Gentlemen, and you Have our indeavours, (dear Friends grudge not now,) There's none of you, but when you please can sell Many a lame Horse, and many a fair tale tell; Can put off many a Maid unto a friend, That was not so since th' action at Mile-end; Ours is a Virgin yet, and they that love Untainted flesh, we hope our friends will prove.