THE PILGRIM.
Reading edition
A COMEDY.
Persons Represented in the Play.
Governour, of Segovia.
Verdugo, a Captain under him.
Alphonso, an old angry Gentleman.
Curio, } two Gentlemen, friends to Alphonso.
Seberto, }
Pedro, the Pilgrim, a noble Gentleman, Servant to Alinda.
An old Pilgrim.
Lopes, } two Out-laws under Roderigo.
Jaques, }
Roderigo, rival to Pedro, Captain of the Out-laws.
A Gentleman, of the Country.
Courtiers.
Porter.
Master & } of the Mad folks.
Keepers, }
3 Gentlemen.
4 Peasants.
A Scholar, }
A Parson, } Madmen.
An English-man, }
Jenkin, }
Fool.
WOMEN.
Alinda, Daughter to Alphonso, Pedro's Lady.
Juletta, Alinda's Maid, a witty Lass.
Ladies.
The Scene Spain.
The principal Actors were,
Joseph Taylor.
Nicholas Toolie.
Robert Benfield.
John Thompson.
John Lowin.
John Underwood.
George Birch.
James Horn.
Actus Primus. Scena Prima.
Enter Alphonso, Curio, and Seberto.
Curio Signior Alphonso, ye are too rugged to her, Believe too full of harshness. Alph. Yes, it seems so. Seb. A Father of so sweet a child, so happy, Fye, Sir, so excellent in all endowments, In blessedness of beauty, such a mirror. Alph. She is a fool, away. Seb. Can ye be angry? Can any wind blow rough, upon a blossom So fair, and tender? Can a Fathers nature, A noble Fathers too? Alp. All this is but prating: Let her be rul'd; let her observe my humour, With my eyes let her see; with my ears listen; I am her Father: I begot her, bred her, And I will make her— Cur. No doubt ye may compel her, But what a mischievous, unhappy fortune May wait upon this will of yours, as commonly Such forcings ever end in hates and ruines. Alph. Is't not a man I wish her to? a strong man? What can she have? what could she have? a Gentleman? A young man? and an able man? a rich man? A handsome man? a valiant man? do you mark me? None of your pieced-companions, your pin'd-Gallants, That flie to fitters, with every flaw of weather: None of your impt bravadoes: what can she ask more? Is not a metal'd man fit for a woman? A strong chin'd-man? I'le not be fool'd, nor flurted. Seb. I grant ye Roderigo is all these, And a brave Gentleman: must it therefore follow Upon necessity she must doat upon him? Will ye allow no liberty in choosing? Cur. Alas she is tender yet. Alp. Enough, enough, enough, Sir: She is malleable: she'll endure the hammer, And why not that strong workman that strikes deepest? Let me know that! she is fifteen, with the vantage, And if she be not ready now for marriage— Seb. You know he is a banish'd man: an Out-law; And how he lives: his nature rough, and bloody By customary Rapines: now, her sweet humour That is as easie as a calm, and peaceful, All her affections, like the dews on Roses, Fair as the flowers themselves: as sweet and gentle: How would you have these meet? Alp. A bed, a bed, Sir: Let her be the fairest Rose, and the sweetest, Yet I know this fair Rose must have her prickles: I grant ye Roderigo is an out-Law. An easie composition calls him in again, He is a valiant man, and he is a rich man, And loves the fool: a little rough by custom: She'l like him ten times better. She'l doat upon him, If ere they come to grapling, run mad for him; But there is another in the wind, some Castrel That hovers over her, and dares her daily, Some flickring slave. Cur. I dare not think so poorly. Alp. Something there is, and must be: but I shall scent it And hunt it narrowly. Seb. I never saw her yet Make offer at the least glance of affection, But still so modest, wise— Alp. They are wise to gull us. There was a fellow, old Ferando's son, I must confess handsome, but my enemy, And the whole family I hate: young Pedro, That fellow I have seen her gaze upon, And turn, and gaze again, and make such offers, As if she would shoot her eyes like Meteors at him: But that cause stands removed. Cur. You need not doubt him, For long since as 'twas thought on a griev'd Conscience, He left his Father, and his Friends: more pity: For truth reports he was a noble Gentleman. Alp. Let him be what he will: he was a beggar, And there I'le leave him. Seb. The more the Court must answer; But certainly I think, though she might favour him, And love his goodness, as he was an honest man: She never with loose eyes stuck on his person. Alp. She is so full of Conscience too, and charity, And outward holiness, she will undo me: Relieves more Beggars, than an Hospital;
Enter Alinda, and Juletta.
And all poor Rogues, that can but say their prayers, And tune their pipes to Lamentations, She thinks she is bound to dance to: good morrow to you, And that's as ye deserve too: you know my mind, And study to observe it: do it cheerfully, And readily, and home. Alin. I shall obey ye. But, noble Sir. Alp. Come, come, away with your flatteries, And your fine phrases. Cur. Pray ye be gentle to her. Alp. I know 'em; and know your feats: if you will find me Noble and loving, seek me in your duty, You know I am too indulgent. Seb. Alas, poor Lady. Alp. To your devotions: I take no good thing from you. Come Gentlemen; leave pitying, and moaning of her And praising of her vertues: and her whim-whams, It makes her proud, and sturdy. Seb. Cur. Good hours wait on ye. [Exeunt. Alin. I thank ye, Gentlemen: I want such comforts: I would thank you too Father: but your cruelty Hath almost made me senseless of my duty, Yet still I must know: would I had known nothing. What Poor attend my charity to day, wench? Jul. Of all sorts, Madam; your open handed bounty Make's 'em flock every hour: some worth your pity, But others that have made a trade of begging. Alin. Wench, if they ask it truly, I must give it: It takes away the holy use of charity To examine wants. Jul. I would you would be merry: A cheerful giving hand, as I think, Madam, Requires a heart as chearful. Alin. Alas Juletta, What is there to be merry at? what joy now, Unless we fool our own afflictions, And make them shew ridiculous? Jul. Sure, Madam, You could not seem thus serious, if you were married, Thus sad, and full of thoughts. Alin. Married? to whom, wench? Thou thinkst if there be a young handsome fellow, As those are plentiful, our cares are quenched then. Jul. Madam, I think a lusty handsome fellow If he be kind, and loving, and a right one, Is even as good a Pill, to purge this melancholy, As ever Galen gave, I am sure more natural: And merrier for the heart, than Wine and Saffron: Madam, wanton youth is such a Cataplasme. Alin. Who has been thy Tutor, Wench? Jul. Even my own thoughts, Lady: For though I be bar'd the liberty of talking, Yet I can think unhappily, and as near the mark, Madam, 'Faith, marry, and be merry. Alin. Who will have me? Who will be troubled with a pettish Girl? It may be proud, and to that vice expenceful? Who can assure himself, I shall live honest? Jul. Let every man take his fortune. Alin. And o' my Conscience If once I grow to breeding, a whole Kingdom Will not contain my stock. Jul. The more the merrier: 'Tis brave to be a mother of new Nations. Alin. Why, I should bury a hundred Husbands. Jul. 'Tis no matter! As long as ye leave sufficient men to stock ye. Alin. Is this thy mirth? are these the joyes of marriage? Away light-headed fool; are these contentments? If I could find a man— Jul. You may a thousand. Alin. Meer men I know I may: and there a Woman Has liberty, (at least she'l venture for it) To be a monster and become the time too; But to enjoy a man, from whose example (As from a compass) we may steer our fortunes, Our actions, and our age; and safe arrive at A memory that shall become our ashes, Such things are few, and far to seek; to find one That can but rightly mannage the wild beast, Woman, And sweetly govern with her. But no more of this, Wench, 'Tis not for thy discourse: Let's in, and see What poor afflicted wait our charity. [Exeunt.