Loves Cure, or the Martial Maid (continued 2)

Gen. Nay you are rude; pray you forbear, you offer now More than the breeding of a Gentleman Can give you warrant for. Luc. 'Tis but to kiss you, And think not I'll receive that for a favour Which was enjoyn'd me for a pennance, Lady. Gen. You have met a gentle confessor, and for once (So then you will rest satisfied) I vouchsafe it. Luc. Rest satisfied with a kiss? why can a man Desire more from a woman? is there any Pleasure beyond it? may I never live If I know what it is. Gen. Sweet Innocence. Luc. What strange new motions do I feel? my veins Burn with an unknown fire: in every part I suffer alteration: I am poyson'd, Yet languish with desire again to tast it, So sweetly it works on me. Gen. I ne'r saw A lovely man, till now. Luc. How can this be? She is a woman, as my mother is, And her I have kiss'd often, and brought off My lips unscortch'd; yours are more lovely, Lady, And so should be less hurtful: pray you vouchsafe Your hand to quench the heat tane from your Lip, Perhaps that may restore me. Gen. Willingly. Luc. The flame increases: if to touch you, burn thus, What would more strict embraces do? I know not, And yet methinks to die so, were to ascend To heaven, through Paradise. Gen. I am wounded too, Though modesty forbids that I should speak What ignorance makes him bold in: why do you fix Your eyes so strongly on me? Luc. Pray you stand still, There is nothing else, that is worth the looking on: I could adore you, Lady. Gen. Can you love me? Luc. To wait on you, in your chamber, and but touch What you, by wearing it, have made divine, Were such a happiness. I am resolved, I'll sell my liberty to you for this glove, And write my self your slave.

Gen. On easier terms, Receive it as a friend. Lam. How! giving favor! I'll have it with his heart. Gen. What will you do? Luc. As you are merciful, take my life rather. Gen. Will you depart with't so? Lam. Do's that grieve you? Gen. I know not: but even now you appear valiant. Luc. 'Twas to preserve my father: in his cause I could be so again. Gen. Not in your own? Kneel to thy Rival and thine enemy? Away unworthy creature, I begin To hate my self, for giving entrance to A good opinion of thee: for thy torment, If my poor beauty be of any power, Mayst thou doat on it desperately: but never Presume to hope for grace, till thou recover And wear the favor that was ravish'd from thee. Lam. He wears my head too then. Gen. Poor fool, farewell. [Exit. Luc. My womanish soul, which hitherto hath govern'd This coward flesh, I feel departing from me; And in me by her beauty is inspir'd A new, and masculine one: instructing me What's fit to do or suffer; powerful love That hast with loud, and yet a pleasing thunder Rous'd sleeping manhood in me, thy new creature, Perfect thy work so that I may make known Nature (though long kept back) will have her own. [Exeunt.

Lam. CAn it be possible, that in six short hours The subject still the same, so many habits Should be remov'd? or this new Lucio, he That yesternight was baffeld and disgrac'd, And thank'd the man that did it, that then kneeld And blubber'd like a woman, should now dare On terms of honor seek reparation For what he then appear'd not capable of? Luc. Such miracles, men that dare do injuries Live to their shames to see, and for punishment And scourge to their proud follies. Lam. Prethee leave me: Had I my Page, or foot-man here to flesh thee, I durst the better hear thee. Luc. This scorn needs not: And offer such no more. Lam. Why say I should, You'll not be angry? Luc. Indeed I think I shall, Would you vouchsafe to shew your self a Captain, And lead a little farther, to some place That's less frequented. Lam. He looks pale. Luc. If not, Make use of this. Lam. There's anger in his eyes too: His gesture, voyce, behaviour, all new fashion'd; Well, if it does endure in act the triall Of what in show it promises to make good, Ulysses Cyclops, Io's transformation, Eurydice fetch from Hell, with all the rest Of Ovids Fables, I'll put in your Creed; And for proof, all incredible things may be, Write down that Lucio, the coward Lucio, The womanish Lucio fought. Luc. And Lamorall, The still imploy'd great duellist Lamorall, Took his life from him. Lam. 'Twill not come to that sure: Methinks the only drawing of my Sword Should fright that confidence. Luc. It confirms it rather. To make which good, know you stand now oppos'd By one that is your Rival, one that wishes Your name and title greater, to raise his; The wrong you did, less pardonable than it is, But your strength to defend it, more than ever It was when justice friended it. The Lady For whom we now contend, Genevora Of more desert, (if such incomparable beauty Could suffer an addition) your love To Don Vitelli multipli'd, and your hate Against my father and his house increas'd; And lastly, that the Glove which you there wear, To my dishonour, (which I must force from you) Were dearer to you than your life. Lam. You'l find It is, and so I'll guard it: Luc. All these must meet then With the black infamy, to be foyl'd by one That's not allowd a man: to help your valor, That falling by your hand, I may, or dye, Or win in this one single opposition My Mistriss, and such honor as I may Inrich my fathers Arms with. Lam. 'Tis said Nobly; My life with them are at the stake. Luc. At all then. [Fight. Lam. She's yours, this and my life too follow your fortune, And give not only back that part, the looser Scorns to accept of— Luc. What's that? Lam. My poor life, Which do not leave me as a farther torment, Having dispoil'd me of my Sword, mine honor, Hope of my Ladies grace, fame, and all else That made it worth the keeping. Luc. I take back No more from you, than what you forc'd from me; And with a worser title: yet think not That I'll dispute this, as made insolent By my success, but as one equal with you, If so you will accept me; that new courage, Or call it fortune if you please, that is Conferr'd upon me by the only sight Of fair Genevora, was not bestow'd on me To bloody purposes: nor did her command Deprive me of the happiness to see her But till I did redeem her favor from you; Which only I rejoyce in, and share with you In all you suffer else. Lam. This curtesie Wounds deeper than your Sword can, or mine own; Pray you make use of either, and dispatch me. Luc. The barbarous Turk is satisfied with spoil; And shall I, being possest of what I came for, Prove the more Infidel? Lam. You were better be so, Than publish my disgrace, as 'tis [t]he custom, And which I must expect. Luc. Judge better on me: I have no tongue to trumpet mine own praise To your dishonor: 'tis a bastard courage That seeks a name out that way, no true born one; Pray you be comforted, for by all goodness But to her virtuous self, the best part of it, I never will discover on what terms I came by these: which yet I take not from you, But leave you in exchange of them, mine own, With the desire of being a friend; which if You will not grant me, but on farther trial Of manhood in me, seek me when you please, (And though I might refuse it with mine honor) Win them again, and wear them: so good morrow. [Exit. Lam. I ne'r knew what true valor was till now; And have gain'd more by this disgrace, than all The honors I have won: they made me proud, Presumptuous of my fortune; a mere beast, Fashion'd by them, only to dare and do: Yielding no reasons for my wilful actions But what I stuck on my Swords point, presuming It was the best Revenew. How unequal Wrongs well maintain'd makes us to others, which Ending with shame teach us to know our selves, I will think more on't.

Vit. Lamorall. Lam. My Lord? Vit. I came to seek you. Lam. And unwillingly; You ne'r found me t[i]ll now: your pleasure Sir? Vit. That which will please thee friend: thy vowd love to me Shall now be put in action: means is offer'd To use thy good Sword for me; that which still Thou wearst, as if it were a part of thee. Where is it? Lam. 'Tis chang'd for one more fortunate: Pray you enquire not how. Vit. Why, I ne'r thought That there was musick in't, but ascribe The fortune of it to the arm. Lam. Which is grown weaker too. I am not (in a word) Worthy your friendship: I am one new vanquish'd, Yet shame to tell by whom. Vit. But I'll tell thee 'Gainst whom thou art to fight, and there redeem Thy honor lost, if there be any such: The King, by my long suit, at length is pleas'd That Alvarez and my self, with eithers Second, Shall end the difference between our houses, Which he accepts of, I make choice of thee; And where you speak of a disgrace, the means To blot it out, by such a publick trial Of thy approved valor, will revive Thy antient courage. If you imbrace it do; If not, I'll seek some other. Lam. As I am You may command me. Vit. Spoke like that true friend That loves not only for his private end. [Exeunt.

Gen. This from Madona Clara? Bob. Yes, an't please you. Gen. Alvarez daughter? Bob. The same, Lady. Gen. She, That sav'd my brothers life? Bob. You are still in the right, She wil'd me wait your walking forth: and knowing How necessary a discreet wise man Was in a business of such weight, she pleas'd To think on me: it may be in my face Your Ladyship, not acquainted with my wisdom, Finds no such matter: what I am, I am; Thought's free, and think you what you please. Gen. 'Tis strange. Bob. That I should be wise, Madam? Gen. No, thou art so; There's for thy pains: and prethee tell thy Lady I will not fail to meet her: I'll receive Thy thanks and duty in thy present absence: Farewell, farewell, I say, now thou art wise. [Exit Bob. She writes here, she hath something to impart That may concern my brothers life; I know not, But general fame does give her out so worthy, That I dare not suspect her: yet wish Lucio,

Were Master of her mind: but fie upon't; Why do I think on him? see, I am punish'd for it, In his unlook'd for presence: Now I must Endure another tedious piece of Courtship, Would make one forswear curtesie. Luc. Gracious Madam, The sorrow paid for your just anger towards me Arising from my weakness, I presume To press into your presence, and despair not An easie pardon. Gen. He speaks sence: oh strange. Luc. And yet believe, that no desire of mine, Though all are too strong in me, had the power For their delight, to force me to infringe What you commanded, it being in your part To [l]essen your great rigor when you please, And mine to suffer with an humble patience What you'l impose upon it. Gen. Courtly too. Luc. Yet hath the poor, and contemn'd Lucio, Madam, (Made able only by his hope to serve you) Recover'd what with violence, not justice, Was taken from him: and here at your feet With these, he could have laid the conquer'd head Of Lamorall ('tis all I say of him) For rudely touching that, which as a relique I ever would have worship'd, since 'twas yours. Gen. Valiant, and every thing a Lady could Wish in her servant. Luc. All that's good in me, That h[e]avenly love, the opposite to base lust, Which would have all men worthy, hath created; Which being by your beams of beauty form'd, Cherish as your own creature. Gen. I am gone Too far now to dissemble: rise, or sure I must kneel with you too: let this one kiss Speak the rest for me: 'tis too much I do, And yet, if chastity would, I could wish more. Luc. In overjoying me, you are grown sad; What is it Madam? by —— There's nothing that's within my nerves (and yet Favour'd by you, I should as much as man) But when you please, now or on all occasions You can think of hereafter, but you may Dispose of at your pleasure. Gen. If you break That oath again, you loose me. Yet so well I love you, I shall never put you to't; And yet forget it not: rest satisfied With that you have receiv'd now: there are eyes May be upon us, till the difference Between our friends are ended: I would not Be seen so private with you. Luc. I obey you. Gen. But let me hear oft from you, and remember I am Vitellies Sister. Luc. What's that Madam? Gen. Nay nothing, fare you well: who feels loves fire, Would ever ask to have means to desire. [Exeunt.

Assist. Are they come in? H[e]r. Yes. Assist. Read the Proclamation, That all the people here assembled may Have satisfaction, what the Kings dear love, In care of the Republick, hath ordained; Attend with silence: read aloud.

'Save the King. [Drums within. Say. Hark their Drums speak their insatiate thirst Of blood, and stop their ears 'gainst pious peace, Who gently whispering, implores their friendship! Assist. Kings nor authority can master fate; Admit 'em then, and blood extinguish hate.

Say. Stay, yet be pleas'd to think, and let not daring Wherein men now adaies exceed even beasts, And think themselves not men else, so transport you Beyond the bounds of Christianity: Lord Alvarez, Vitelli, Gentlemen, No Town in Spain, from our Metropolis Unto the rudest hovel, but is great With your assured valors daily proofs: Oh will you then, for a superfluous fame, A sound of honor, which in these times, all Like hereticks profess (with obstinacy) But most erroneously venture your souls, 'Tis a hard task, through a Sea of blood To sail, and land at Heaven? Vit. I hope not If justice be my Pilot: but my Lord, You know, if argument, or time, or love, Could reconcile, long since we had shook hands; I dare protest, your breath cools not a vein In any one of us, but blows the fire Which nought but blood reciprocal can quench. Alv. Vitelli, thou sayst bravely, and sayst right, And I will kill thee for't, I love thee so. Vit. Ha, ha, old man: upon thy death I'll build A story (with this arm) for thy old wife To tell thy daughter Clara seven years hence As she sits weeping by a winters fire, How such a time Vitelli slew her husband With the same Sword his daughter favor'd him, And lives, and wears it yet: Come Lamorall, Redeem thy self. Lam. Lucio, Genevora Shall on this Sword receive thy bleeding heart, For my presented hat, laid at her feet. Luc. Thou talk'st well Lamorall, but 'tis thy head That I will carry to her to thy hat: Fie Father, I do cool too much. Alv. Oh boy: Thy fathers true Son: Beat Drums,—and so good morrow to your Lordship.

Say. Brave resolutions. Anast. Brave, and Spanish right. Gen. Lucio. Cla. Vitelli. Eug. Alvarez. Alv. How the devil Got these Cats into th'gutter? my pusse too? Eug. Hear us. Gen. We must be heard. Cla. We will be heard Vitelli, look, see Clara on her knees Imploring thy compassion: Heaven, how sternly They dart their emulous eyes, as if each scorn'd To be behind the other in a look! Mother, death needs no Sword here: oh my Sister (Fate fain would have it so) persuade, entreat, A Ladies tears are silent Orators (Or should be so at least) to move beyond The honest tongu'd-Rhetorician: Why will you fight? why do's an uncles death Twenty year old, exceed your love to me But twenty days? whose forc'd cause, and fair manner You could not understand, only have heard. Custom, that wrought so cunningly on nature In me, that I forgot my sex, and knew not Whether my body female were, or male, You did unweave, and had the power to charm A new creation in me, made me fear To think on those deeds I did perpetrate, How little power though you allow to me That cannot with my sighs, my tears, my prayers Move you from your own loss, if you should gain. Vit. I must forget you Clara, 'till I have Redeem'd my unkles blood, that brands my face Like a pestiferous Carbuncle: I am blind To what you do: deaf to your cries: and Marble To all impulsive exorations. When [o]n this point, I have perch'd thy fathers soul, I'll tender thee this bloody reeking hand Drawn forth the bowels of that murtherer: If thou canst love me then, I'll marry thee, And for thy father lost, get thee a Son; On no condition else. Assist. Most barbarous. Say. Savage. Anast. Irreligious. Gen. Oh Lucio! Be thou merciful: thou bear'st fewer years, Art lately wean'd from soft eff[e]minacy, A maidens manners, and a maidens heart Are neighbors still to thee: be then more mild, Proceed not to this combat; be'st thou desperate Of thine own life? yet (dearest) pitty mine Thy valour's not thine own, I gave it thee, These eyes begot it, this tongue bred it up, This breast would lodge it: do not use my gifts To mine own ruine: I have made thee rich, Be not so thankless, to undo me for't. Luc. Mistriss, you know I do not wear a vein. I would not rip for you, to do you service: Life's but a word, a shadow, a melting dream, Compar'd to essential, and eternal honor. Why, would you have me value it beyond Your b[r]other: if I first cast down my sword May all my body here, be made one wound, And yet my soul not find heaven thorough it. Alv. You would be catter-walling too, but peace, Go, get you home, and provide dinner for Your Son, and me: wee'll be exceeding merry: Oh Lucio, I will have thee cock of all The proud Vitellies that do live in Spain: Fie, we shall take cold: hunch:——I am hoarse Already. Lam. How your Sister whets my spleen! I could eat Lucio now: Gen. Vitelli, Brother, Ev'n for your Fathers soul, your uncles blood, As you do love my life: but last, and most As you respect your own Honor, and Fame, Throw down your sword; he is most valiant That herein yields first. Vit. Peace, you fool. Cla. Why Lucio, Do thou begin; 'tis no disparagement: He's elder, and thy better, and thy valor Is in his infancy. Gen. Or pay it me, To whom thou ow'st it: Oh, that constant time Would but go back a week, then Lucio Thou would'st not dare to fight. Eug. Lucio, thy Mother, Thy Mother begs it: throw thy sword down first. Alv. I'll throw his head down after then. Gen. Lamorall. You have often swore you'ld be commanded by me. Lam. Never to this: your spight, and scorn Genevora, Has lost all power in me: Gen. Your hearing for six words. Ass. Say. An. Strange obstinacy! Al. Vit. Lu. Lam. We'll stay no longer. Cla. Then by thy oath Vitelli, Thy dreadfu[l] oath, thou wouldst return that Sword When I should ask it, give it to me, now, This instant I require it. Gen. By thy vow, As dreadful Lucio, to obey my will In any one thing I would watch to challenge, I charge thee not to strike a stroak: now he Of our two brothers that loves perjury Best, and dares first be damn'd, infringe his vow. Say. Excellent Ladies. Vit. Pish, you tyrannize. Luc. We did equivocate. Alv. On. Cla. Then Lucio, So well I love my husband, for he is so, (Wanting but ceremony) that I pray His vengeful sword may fall upon thy head Succesfully for false-hood to his Sister. Gen. I likewise pray (Vitelli) Lucio's sword (Who equally is my husband as thou hers) May find thy false heart, that durst gage thy faith, And durst not keep it. Assist. Are you men, or stone. Alv. Men, and we'll prove it with our swords: Eug. Your hearing for six words, and we have done, Zancho come forth—we'll fight our challenge too: Now speak your resolutions.

Gen. These they are, The first blow given betwixt you, sheathes these swords In one anothers bosomes. Eug. And rogue, look You at that instant do discharge that Pistol Into my breast: if you start back, or quake, I'll stick you like a Pig. Alv. —Hold, you are mad. Gen. This we said: and by our hope of bliss This we will do: speak your intents. Cla. Gen. Strike. Eug. Shoot. A[l]. Vit. L[u]. La. Hold, hold: all friends. Assist. Come down. Alv. These devilish women Can make men friends and enemies when they list. Say. A gallant undertaking and a happy; Why this is noble in you: and will be A welcomer present to our Master Philip Than the return from his Indies.

Cla. Father, your blessing. Alv. Take her: if ye bring not Betwixt you, boys that will find out new worlds, And win 'em too, I'm a false Prophet. Vit. Brother. There is a Sister, long divided streams Mix now at length, by fate.

Assist. Nay, you s[h]all dine with me: and afterward I'll with ye to the King: But first, I will Dispatch the Castles business, that this day May be compleat. Bring forth the malefactors.

You Alguazier, the Ringleader of these Poor fellows, are degraded from your office, You must return all stolen goods you receiv'd, And watch a twelve month without any pay: This, if you fail of, (all your goods confiscate) You are to be whipt, and sent into the Gallies. Alg. I like all, but restoring that Catholique Doctrine. I do dislike: Learn all ye officers By this to live uprightly (if you can.) [Exit. Assist. You Cobler, to t[r]anslate your manners new, Are doom'd to th' Cloisters of the Mendicants, With this your brother, botcher, there for nothing To cobble, and heel hose for the poor Friers, Till they allow you pennance for sufficient, And your amendment; then you shall be freed, And may set up again. Pach. Mendoza, come, Our souls have trode awry in all mens sight, We'll underlay 'em, till they go upright. [Exe. Pach. and Mend. Assist. Smith, in those shackles you for your hard heart Must lie by th' heels a year. Met. I have shod your horse, my Lord. [Exit. Assist. Away: for you, my hungry white-loaf'd face, You must to th' Gallies, where you shall be sure To have no more bits, than you shall have blows. Laz. Well, though herrings want, I shall have rowes. Assist. Signior, you have prevented us, and punish'd Your selfe severelier than we would have done. You have married a whore: may she prove honest. Pio. 'Tis better, my Lord, than to marry an honest woman, That may prove a whore. Vit. 'Tis a hansome wench: and thou canst keep her tame I'll send you what I promis'd. Pio. Joy to your Lordships. Alv. He[re] may all Ladies learn, to make of foes The perfect'st friends: and not the perfect'st foes Of dearest friends, as some do now a daies. Vit. Behold the power of love, to nature lost By custome irrecoverably, past the hope Of friends restoring, Love hath here retriv'd To her own habit, made her blush to see Her so long monstrous Metamorphoses, May strange affairs never have worse success. [Exeunt.

OUr Author fears there are some Rebel hearts, Whose dulness doth oppose loves piercing darts; Such will be apt to say there wanted wit, The language low, very few Scænes are writ With spirit and life; such odd things as these He cares not for, nor ever means to please; For if your selves a Mistriss or loves friends, Are lik'd with this smooth Play he hath his ends.