Part 2 / Act 2 — SCENE IV.

An apartment in the Castle.

Enter Aurelia’s Father, Governor, Aurelia, and Andrugio disguised.

Gov. I like him passing well.

Fath. He’s a tall fellow.

And. A couple of tall^[894] wits. [Aside.]—I’ve seen some service, sir.

582Gov. Nay, so it seems by thy discourse, good fellow.

And. Good fellow?^[895] calls me thief familiarly.—

[Aside.

I could shew many marks of resolution,

But modesty could wish 'em rather hidden:

I fetch’d home three-and-twenty wounds together

In one set battle, where I was defeated

At the same time of the third part of my nose;

But meeting with a skilful surgeon,

Took order for my snuffling.

Gov. And a nose

Well heal’d is counted a good cure in these days;

It saves many a man’s honesty, which else

Is quickly drawn into suspicion.

This night shall bring you acquainted with your charge;

In the meantime you and your valour’s welcome:

Would w’had more store of you, although they come

With fewer marks about 'em!

Fath. So wish I, sir. [Exeunt Father and Governor.

And. I was about to call her, and she stays

Of her own gift, as if she knew my mind;

Certain she knows me not, not possible. [Aside.

Aur. What if I left my token and my letter

With this strange fellow, so to be convey’d

Without suspicion to Lactantio’s servant?

Not so, I’ll trust no freshman with such secrets;

His ignorance may mistake, and give’t to one

That may belong to th’ general, for I know

He sets some spies about me; but all he gets

Shall not be worth his pains. I would Lactantio

Would seek some means to free me from this place;

583’Tis prisonment enough to be a maid,

But to be mew’d up too, that case is hard,

As if a toy were kept by a double guard.

[Aside, and going.

And. Away she steals again, not minding me:

'Twas not at me she offer’d. [Aside.]—Hark you, gentlewoman.

Aur. With me, sir?

And. I could call you by your name,

But gentle’s the best attribute to woman.

Aur. Andrugio? O, as welcome to my lips

As morning-dew to roses! my first love!

And. Why, have you more then?

Aur. What a word was there!

More than thyself what woman could desire,

If reason had a part of her creation?

For loving you, you see, sir, I’m a prisoner,

There’s all the cause they have against me, sir;

A happy persecution I so count on’t:

If any thing be done to me for your sake,

’Tis pleasing to me.

And. Are you not abus’d,

Either through force or by your own consent?

Hold you your honour perfect and unstain’d?

Are you the same still that at my departure

My honest thoughts maintain’d you to my heart?

Aur. The same most just.

And. Swear’t.

Aur. By my hope of fruitfulness,

Love, and agreement, the three joys of marriage!

And. I am confirm’d; and in requital on’t,

Ere long expect your freedom.

Aur. O, you flatter me!

It is a wrong to make a wretch too happy,

So suddenly upon affliction;

Beshrew me, if I be not sick upon’t!

584’Tis like a surfeit after a great feast:

My freedom, said you?

And. Does’t o’ercome you so?

Aur. Temptation never overcame a sinner

More pleasingly than this sweet news my heart:

Here’s secret joy can witness, I am proud on’t.

And. Violence I will not use; I come a friend;

'Twere madness to force that which wit can end.

Aur. Most virtuously deliver’d!

And. Thou’rt in raptures.

Aur. My love, my love!

And. Most virtuously deliver’d!

Spoke like the sister of a puritan midwife!

Will you embrace the means that I have thought on

With all the speed you can?

Aur. Sir, any thing;

You cannot name 't too dangerous or too homely.

And. Fie, [fie], you overact your happiness;

You drive slight things to wonders.

Aur. Blame me not, sir;

You know not my affection.

And. Will you hear me?

There are a sect of pilfering juggling people

The vulgar tongue call gipsies.

Aur. True, the same, sir;

I saw the like this morning. Say no more, sir;

I apprehend you fully.

And. What, you do not?

Aur. No? hark you, sir. [Whispers.

And. Now by this light ’tis true!

Sure if you prove as quick as your conceit,^[896]

You’ll be an excellent breeder.

Aur. I should do reason by the mother’s side, sir,

If fortune do her part in a good getter.

585And. That’s not to do now, sweet, the man stands near thee.

Aur. Long may he stand most fortunately, sir,

Whom her kind goodness has appointed for me.

And. A while I’ll take my leave t’ avoid suspicion.

Aur. I do commend your course: good sir, forget me not.

And. All comforts sooner.

Aur. Liberty is sweet, sir.

And. I know there’s nothing sweeter, next to love,

But health itself, which is the prince of life.

Aur. Your knowledge raise you, sir!

And. Farewell till evening. [Exit.

Aur. And after that, farewell, sweet sir, for ever.

A good kind gentleman to serve our turn with,

But not for lasting; I have chose a stuff

Will wear out two of him, and one finer too:

I like not him that has two mistresses,

War and his sweetheart; he can ne’er please both:

And war’s a soaker, she’s no friend to us;

Turns a man home sometimes to his mistress

Some forty ounces poorer than he went;

All his discourse out of the Book of Surgery,

Cere-cloth and salve, and lies you all in tents,^[897]

Like your camp-vict’lers: out upon’t! I smile

To think how I have fitted him with an office:

His love takes pains to bring our loves together,

Much like your man that labours to get treasure,

To keep his wife high for another’s pleasure. [Exit.

586