MOMFORD

I do assure you not Sir, not yet, nor yet, my deep, and studious friend, not yet musical Clarence. Far, far from bold, for thou hast known me long Almost These twenty years, and half those years Hast been my bedfellow; long time before This unseen thing, this thing of nought indeed Or Atom called, my Lordship shinde in me, And yet thou makest thy sell e as little bold To take such kindness, as becomes the Age And truth of our indissolable love As our acquaintance sprung but yesterday Such is thy gentle and too tender Spirit. Oh hark you Sir, this waiwarde mood of yours must syfted be, or rather rooted out, yowl no more music Sir? Begun my Master's then to bed, to bed. Oh Sir, and why so I pray? Well Sir for these reasons I may be the heart why may you be the liver now?. Nay nay be not too suspicious of my iudgeme ̄ to, in you I beseech you: ashamed friend? if your love over come not that shame, a shame take that love I say. Come sir why may you be the li er? Lover? Now I prithee let me leap out of my skin for joy why thou will not now revive the sociable mirth of thy sweet disposition? wilt thou shine in the world a new? and make those that have fleighted thy love, with the Austerity of thy knowledge, dote on the again with thy commanding haft of their humours? And y faith is my Sour friend to all worldly desires overtaken with the heart of the world? Love I shall be monstrous proud now, to hear she's every way a most rare woman that I know thy spirit, & judge meant hath chosen, is she wise? is she noble? is she capa ble of thy virtues? will she kiss this forehead with judi ciall lips? where somuch judgement & virtue deserves it? Come brother Twinn, be short I charge you, & name me the woman. Why so, so, so, you are a worthy friend are you not to conce le this love-mine in your head, and would not open it to your heart, now beshrew my heart, if my heart dance not for joy though my he es do not, & they do not, because I will not set that at my heals that my friends set at his heart, what? friend and Nephew? both nephewis a far inferior title to friend I confess, but I will prefer the backwards (as many friends do) & leave their friends worse then they found them, Hold thy doubt friend, never fear any woman, unless thy self be made of straw, or some such dry matter, and she of lightning, Audacity pros pers above probability in all worldhe matters, dost not thou know that Fortune governs them without order, and therefore reason the mother of order is none of her counsel, why should a man desiring to aspire and unreasonable creature which is a woman? seek her fruition by reasonable means, because thy self binds upon reason, wilt thou look for congruity in a woe man? why? there is not one woman amongst one thou sand, but will speak false Latin, and break Priscians head, attempt nothing that you may with great reason doubt of, and out of doubt you shall obtain nothing, I tell thee friend the enmine to confidence of strong spirits is the only which-craft of this world, Spirits wrestling with spirits, as bodies? with bodies? this were enough to make the hope well, if she were one of these painted communities, that are ravished with Coaches, and upper hands, and brave men of dirt: but thou knowest friend she's a good scholar, and Like enough to, bite at the rightest reason, and reason evermore And optima hortetur: to Like that which is best, not that which is bravest, or rightest, or greatest, and so consequently worst, But prove what she can, we will turn her, and wind her, and make her so pliant that we will draw her through a wedding ring y faith. I'll warrant thee friend. Marry enter mistress Winnifred even here I pray thee, from the Lady E genia, do you hear friend? Let me feel? does not thy heart pant apace, by my heart well laboured Cupid, the field is yours sir God, and upon a very honourable composition, I am sent for now I am sure, and must even truss and to her: witty mistress Winnifred, nay come near woman I am sure this Gentleman thinks his chamber the sweeter for your deer presence. What rude Mistress Winnifred? nay faith you shall come to him, and kiss him, for his kindness. Oh Winnifred, a man may know by the m r ket folks how the market goes. To go to it Winnifred, nay to ride to it y faith. Yowl not believe it till you are then a horse back, will you? Stop, stop fair Winnifred, would you have audience so soon, there were no state in that y faith; this fair gentlewoman sir. Had three Suitors at once. Now Sir make my tale short I will do that which she did not; uz. leave out the two first, the third coming the third night for his turn. Oh stay a little sweet Winnifred, help me but to my points again, and have with you. Oh witty Winnifred? for that left, take thy pass port, and tell thy Ladies thou leftest me with my hose about my heals. She cannot abide to hear of her three Sui ; but is not this very fit my sweet Clarence? Thou my rare Niece cannot sleep without me; but forthy company sake, she shall to night; and in the morning I will visit her early; when do thou but stand in that place, and thou may to chance hear, (but art sure to see) in what subtle, and farfetched manner I'll solicit her about thee. Witty Mistress Wynnefred, where is your I pray? Then Sh'as done it seems, for here she comes to save me that labour, away wenches, get you hence wenches. I never ood abide a maid in my life Niece, but either I draw away the maid, or the maidenhead with a wet finger. I know few mend in this world Madam, For the worse the better thought on, the better the worse spoken on ever amongst women. Gods my life, She abuses her best uncle; ne ver trust me if it were not a good revenge to help her to the lose of her widowhead. Nay it but a whole revenge Niece, but such a revenge as would more then observe the true rule of a revenge. Oh rare Niece, you may see, what 'tis to be a a scholar now, Learning in a woman is Like weight in gold, or Luster in Diamonds, which in no other Stone is so rich or refulgent Why alas Niece, you're so smeard with this willful-widows three-years black weed, that I never come to you, but I dream of Courses, and Sepul chres, and Epitaths, all the night after, and therefore a Due deer Niece. Three hours? nay Niece, if I dance atten dance three hours (alone in her chamber) with and La die so near alide to me, I am very idle Isaiah, marry with such and other; I would dance, one, two, three, four, and five, though it cost me ten shillings; and now I am in, have at it, my head must devise something while my feet are piddling thus, that may bring her to some fit consi deration of my friend, who indeed is only a great schol ler and all his honours, and riches lie in his mind. Why, well, very well Niece, & so is my friend Clarence well too, & then is there a worthy gentleman well as any is in England I can tell you. And 'tis pity but he should do well, and he shall be well too, if all my wealth will make him well. I, and I could tell you a thing would make your Ladyship very dancitiue, or else it were very dunsatiue i'faith. Oh how the skipping of this Christmas block of ours moves the blockhead heart of a woman, & indeed any thing that pleases the foolish eye which presently runs with a lying tale of Excellence to the mind. Well, farewell sweet Niece I must needs take my leave in earnest. I will see you again within these two or three days a my word Niece. Say then deer Niece, be short utter your mind quickly now. Dance, what dance? hitherto your daun cers legs bow forsooth, and Caper, and Jerk, and Firk, and dandle the body above them, as it were their great child, though the special Jerker be above this place I hope, here lies that shudd fetch a perfect woman over the Coals i'faith. No matter, no matter But let me see a pass S g prosperous forehead of and exceeding happy di sta ̄ ce betwixt the eye brows; a cle lightning eye; a temperate and eshe blood in both the cheeks; excel lent m arks, most excellent marks of good fortune. Yes N ce but the state of these things at this instant must be specially observed, and these out ward signs being now in this clear elevation, show your oubled mind is in and excellent power, to pre far them to act forth then a little deer N ce. The Creses here are excellent good; The propor ion of the chin good; the little aptness of it to stick out; good. And the wart above it most excee ding good. Never trust me, if all things be not answer rabble to the predictio ̄ of a most divine fortune towards her; vow if she have the grace to apprehend it in the neck; the all. Nay then it must instantly forth. This kind con juration even fires it out of me; and (to be short) gather all your Judgement together, for here it comes. Niece; Clarence Clarence, rather my Soul then my rye ̄ worser Clarence of too substantial a worth, to have any figures cast a bout him, (notwithstanding, no other woman with Empires could stir his affections) is with your virtue most extremely in love; and without your requital dead. And with it am sh ll owned this golden distich through the world of you both. No illo melior quisquam nec amantior aequi Vir fu to, aut illam reverentior ullam Dearum. Oh peace good Lady, I come not to ravish you to any Thy g. But now I see how you accept my more cion: I perceive (how upon true trial) you esteem me. Have I rid all this C cuite to levy the powers of your Judgement, that I might not prove their strength too suddenly with so violent a charge: And do they fight it out in white blood. And show me their hearts in the soft Crystal of tears Her sensual powers are up i'faith, I have thrust her soul quite from her Tribunal. This is her Sedes vam cans when her sub ects are privileged to libel against her, and her friends. But weeps my kind Niece for the wounds of my friendship? and I touched in friendship for wishing my friend doubled in her singular happi ness? In whose Judgement? Which is a fools boult. Nihil a virtute nec a viritate remotius quam Vulgaris opi : But my deer Niece, it is most true that your honour and good name ten dreaded they are the species of truth are worthily two essential parts of you; But as they consist only in airy titles and corrupteble blood (whose bitterness sanitas et non nobilitas efficit ) and care not how many base and exe crable acts they commit, they touch you no more then they touch nitie. And yet shall no nobility you have in either, be impaired neither. Respect him not so; for as he is a gentleman he is noble; as he is wealthily furnished with true know ledge, he is rich and therein adorned with the exa test compliments belonging to everlasting nobleness. Then is it not substantial knowledge (as it is in him) but verbal and fantastical for Om a in illam ille. complexutenet. To make you joint partners with him in all things, and there is but a little partial difference be betwixt you, that hinders that universal jointure: The bigness of this ci cle held too near our eye keeps it from ̄ the whole Sphere of he Sun but; could we sustain it indifferently betwixt and it, it would then without check of one beam appear in his fullness. I have more then done Lady, and had rather have suffered and alteration of my being then of your Judgement; but (deer niece) for your own honour sake repair it instantly. See here comes the Ladies; make and A prill day one dear love and be suddenly cheer full God save you more then fair Ladies, I am glad your come, for my business will have me gone pre sently. No remedy sweet Beauties, for which rude ne e I lay my hands thus low for your pardons: Niece? Men's estquae sola qui S. Sola facit Claros meant emque honoribus ornat Excellent; excellent; come I'll tell thee all. Fie for shame. I never herd of such and antedame. Do women bring no help of soul to men? Why friend they either are men's souls themselves Or the most witty Imitatrix S of them Or prettiest sweet apes of human Souls, That ever Nature framed; as I will prove. For first they be Substantiae lucidae And p rer then men's bodies Like their souls, Which men's harsh hairs both of their breast & chin Occasioned by their grose and uder heat Plainly demonstrates: Then Like souls they do, Movere corpora, for no power on earth Moves a men body, as a woman does! Then do they Dare formas corpori Or add fair forms to men, as their souls do: For but for women, who wood care for forms? I vow I never wood wash face, nor hands Nor care how ragged, or flouenlie I went Were't not for women, who of all men's pomps Are the true final causes: Then they make Men in their Seeds imortall Like their Souls That else wood perish in a span of time. O they be Soulelike-Creatures, and my Niece The Soul of twenty rare Souls styled in one. O are you come Sir, welcome to my Niece As I may say at midnight gentle friend What have you wrott I pray? Indeed the way to believe is to love And the right way to love is to believe, This I will carry now with pen and In ke For her to use in answer, see, sweet friend She shall not stay to call, but while the steel Of her affection is made soft and hot, I'll strike and take occasion by the brow. Blessed is the wooing thats not long a doing. I but sweet Lord, there is a principle in the Poli itians physic, at not your meat upon other men's trenchers, & beware of surfeits of your own cost many good companions cannot abide to eat meat at home you know. And how my noble Niece now, and her fair Lady Fears? Hark you madam, the sweet gale of one Clarences breath, with this his paper ail blows me hither. Kind bosom do thou take it then. Let it all then, or cast it avua e you were best, that every body may discover your love suits, do; theres somebody near if you note it, and how have you spent the time since dinner nobles? Read it niece. I bear you on my back to hear you; and how play the Ladies sir Cuthbert, what men do they play best withal, with knights or rooks? T'is pity their board is no broader, and that some men called gulls are not added to their game I have brought her a little Gre ke, to help me out withal, and she's so coy of her learning for sooth she makes it strange: Lords, and Ladies, I invite you all to supper to night, and you shall not deny me. And now what says mine own deer niece i'faith? Come, come, I know you have been a'the bel lie side. Not so niece, but careless of your poor un kle. What will you have my friend and I pe is, do you thirst our bloods? If you have our bloods beware our ghosts I can tell you, come will you write? i'faith dame, then I must be your secretary I see, heres the letter, come, do you dictate and I'll write. But you will be advised I trust. Secretary's are of counsel with their countesses, thus it begins. Suffer him to love, that suffers not loving, what answer you to that? He answers you for that presently, his love is without passion, and therefore free from alteration, for Pa you know is in Alterationem lab he loves you in his soul he tells you, wherein there is no passion, say dame what answer you. Why? very well, isle answer for you. I by my faith shall you. Always put in with advice of your secretary, niece, come, what answer you? Do so Niece, and leave the amid for him self a gods name, what is your answer? Why v ry good, there it is, and will requited your love; say you so? He writes and she dic ates. Beshrowe my fingers but you shall; what, you may promise to requite his love, and yet not promise him marriage I hope; well, and will requite your love. Well hold of your hand good madam till it shood come on, I'll be ready for it anon, I warrant you now forth; my Love is without passion, and therefore free from alteration, what answer you to that madam? I am Content with that, and here it is; but in heart. Hold of your hand yet I say, I do embrace and repay it, Alas Niece this is nothing, is't any thing to a bodily marriage, to say you love a ma ̄ in Soul if your hearts agree and your bodies meet not? simple marriarge rites, now let us forth: he is in the way to felicity, and desires your hand. Very good, may not any woman say this now. Conclude now sweet Niece. Charitably concluded, though far short of that oue I wood have shown to any friend of yours Niece I swear to you, your hand now, andlet this lit tle stay his appetite. What needs that madam, you remember it I am sure. Thanks gentle Niece, now isle read it. That you shall see strait, I cannot but suffer you to love if you do love and will requite your love. Interrupt me no more, your love being men toll needs no bodily requital , but in heart I embrace & repay it; my hand shall always sign the way to felicity, and my self knit with you in the bands of marriage e ver walk with you, in it, and so God prosper our jour ney: By my life but it is Niece. Do you use to set your hand to that which is not your deed, your hand is at it Niece, and if there be any law in England, you shall perform it too: Have patience Niece, for what so ere I say Only the laws of faith, and thy free love Shall join my friend and thee, or nought at all, By my friends love, and by this kiss it shall. Indeed deer love his wile was something Like And then 'tis no unheard-of recherie That was enacted in a gods Eye, Acconti S wort j love feared not Diana Before whom he contriu'de this sweet deceit A las poor gentleman I must tell you now He's extreme sick, and was so when he writ Though he did charge me not to tell you so; And for the world he cannot come abroad. I do not tell you he is sick with love; Or if he be 'tis wilful passion. Which he does choose to suffer for your sake And cood restrain his sufferance with a thought, Upon my life he will not trouble you; And therefore worthy niece fail not to come. 'Tis performed: for were my friend well and cood comfort me; I wood not now entreat your come pany, but one of you I must have, or I die, o such a friend is worth a monarchy. How now my friend does not the knowing beams That through thy continued ̄ mon sense glau ̄ ce through thy eyes To read that letter, through thine eyes retire And warm thy heart with a triumphant fire? My Lord I feel a Triple happiness Mix in oh e soul, which proves how eminent Things endless are above things temporal, That are in bodies needfully confined; I cannot suffer their dementions pierced Where my immortal partly admits expansure Even to the comprehension of two more Commixed substantially with her mere self. As how my strange, and riddle speaking friend? Said Like my friend, and that I may not wrong Thy full perfections with and emptier grace, Then that which show presents to thy conceits, In working thee a with e worse then she seems; e tell thee plain a secret which I know. My niece does use to paint herself with white Whose cheeks are naturally mixed with red Either because she thinks pale-looks moves most: Or of and answerable nice affect To other of her modest qualities; Because she wood not with the outward blaze Of tempting beauty tangle wanton eyes; And so be troubled with their tromperies: Which as thou wilt. I make it known That thy free comment may examine it, As willinger to tell truth of my nee e, Then in the least degree to wrong my friend. But our most Court received Poets says That painting is pure chastities abator. What paradox dost thou defend in this And yet through thy clear arguments I see Thy speech is far exempt from flattery, And how illiterate custom grossly erres? Almost in all traditions she prefers. Since then the doubt I put thee of my niece, Checks not thy doubtless love, forth my deer friend, And to all force to those impressions, That now have carved her fantasy with love, I have invited her to supper here. And told her thou art most extreameli sick. Which thou shalt counterfeit with all thy skill, Practice a little, love will teach it thee, And then shall doctor Versey the physician, Come to thee while her self is in my house. With whom as thou conferest of thy disease, I'll bring my niece with all the Lords and Ladies. Within your hearing under feigned pretext, To show the pictures that hang ere thy chamber, Where when thou hearst my voice, know she is there. And therefore speak that which may stir her thoughts, And make her fly into thy opened arms. Ladies whom true worth cannot move to ruth True lovers must deceue to show their truth Where is Sir Gyles Goosecap here? Come forward knight t'is you that the La die admire at working a mine honour. What a Jest it is, to hear how seriously he strives to make his foolish kinsmans answers wise ones. The monster Caucasus my Lord? Cauca S is a mountain; Cacus you mean. Why, I hope madam there be other things to Court Ladies withal beside voices. Light and attend him to him presently. Exceeding sick. Thanks gentle Lady, but my friend is loath To trouble Ladies since he cannot quit them. With any thing he hath that they respect. How now young dame? what so Daintily inspired This speech hath silver hairs, and reverence asks And sooner shall have duty done of me Then any pomp in temporal Empery. Alas my noble Lord he is not rich, Nor titles hath, nor in his tender cheeks The standing lake of Impudence corrupts, Hath nought in all the world, nor nought wood have, To grace him in the prostituted light. But if a man wood consort with a Soul Where all men Sea of gall and bitterness Is quite evaporate with holy flames, And in whose powers a Dovelike Innocence Fosters her own deserts, and life and death, Runs hand in hand before them: All the Skies Clear and transparent to her piercing eyes, Then wood my friend be something, but till then A Cipher, nothing, or the worst of men. Are you come from your necessary business Sir Gyles? we talk of the visiting of my sick friend Clarence. Oh! the younger brother eldest, while you live Sir Gyles. Well come sweet Lords, & Ladies, let us spend The time till suppertime with some such sights As my Po e house is furnished withal Pictures and Jewels; of which implements It may be I have ome will please you much. Who's there? I, my Lord. Bring hither the key of the gallery, me thought I herd the Doctor and my friend. Peace then a while my Lord We will be bold to evesdroppe; For I know My friend is as respective in his chamber And by himself, of any thing he does As in a Critic Synods curious eyes Following therein Pyth goras golden rule. Maximè omnium psum reverere. Come Lords away, lets not presume too much Of a good nature, not for all I have Wood I have him take knowledge of the wrong I ru ely off r him: come then isle show A few are Jewels to your honoured eyes, And then pre to you with a common supper. Yes mar is it Sir Gyles if you will. Villains where are your Ladies, seek them Out; hence, home you monsters, nad still keep you there Exevut Page . Where le city keeps, in her in constant Sphere, A uva e you pr jous villains, what a plague, Of varried tortures is a woman's heart? How Like a peacocks tail with different lights, They differ from them selves; the very air Alters the aspen humours of their bloods. Now excellent good, now superexcellent bad. Some excellent good, some? but one of all: Wood any ignorant baby serve her friend, Such and uncivil partly? Sblood what is learning? And artificial cobweb to catch flies, And nourish Spiders, cood she cut my throat, W with her departure I had been her calf, And made a dish at supper for my guests Of her kind charge, I am beholding to her, Puff, is there not a feather in this ire A man may challenge for her? what? a feather? So easy to be seen; so apt to trace; In the weak flight of her unconstant wings? A mote man at the most, that with the sun, Is only seen, yet with his radiant eye, we cannot single so from other motes, To say this mote is she, passion of death, She wrongs me passed a death, come come my friend, Is mine, she not her own, and theres and end. Zounes to supper? what a do r is this? A sweet plague on you all, you witty rogues have you no pity in your villainous jests, but run a man quite from his fifteen wits? Now all heavens choir of Angels sing Amen, And bless the S true born with their bliss, And Niece though you have me in this, I'll uncle you yet in and other thing, And quite deceive your expectation. For where you think you have contracted hearts With a poor gentleman, he is sole heir To all my arledome, which to you and yours I freely, and for ever here bequeathe; Call forth the Lords, sweet Ladies let them see This sudden and most welcome Novelty; But rye you mercy Niece, perhaps your modesty Will not have them partake this sudden match. Said Like my Niece, and worthy of my friend. The ̄ knights isle knit your happy nuptial knots, I know the Ladies minds better then you; Though my rare Niece hath chosen for virtue only, Yet some more wise then some, they choose for both Virtue, and wealth. Take wealth, & virtue both amongst you then, They love you knights exreamely, and Sir : I give the changed a st Hippolita to you Sir Gyles this Lady; Well remembered a mine honour Sir Gyles: Well I will read it. Three things there be which thou shouldst only crave, Thou Pomroy, or thou apple of mine eye; Three things there be, which thou shouldst long to have, And for which three, each modest dame wood , Three things there be, that shood thine anger suage, And English mastiff, and a fine french page. Keep it Lady then, And take the only knight of mortal men. All comforts crown you all; & you Captain For merry form sake let the Willow crown; A wreathe of willow bring us hither strait. Now will we con ecrate our ready supper To honoured Hymen as his nuptial rite, In form whereof first dance fair Lords and Ladies And after sing, so we will sing and dance, And to the skies our virtuous joys advance. Now to the song, and do this garland grace. Still here Lordings? good companions i'faith, I see you come not for vittles. Thats pretty sir Cuthbert; you have begun I know Niece, forth I command you. A ay with these same horse fair alligations, will you answer the l r? Will prove the better madam, doubt it not And to allay the billows of your blood, Raised with my motion bold and opposite Dear niece sup with me, and refresh your spirits: I have invited your companions With the two guests that dinde with you to day, And will send for the old Lord Furnifall The Captain, and his mates and (though at night) We will be merry as the morning Lark. Hence with this book & now Mou sieur Clarence, methinks plain & prose friendship would do excellent well betwixt us comethus Sir, or rather thus, come Sir 'tis time I trow that we both lived Like one body, thus, a worser that both our sides were sli , and Concorporate with Organs fit to effect and individual passage even for out very thoughts; suppose we were one body now, and I charge you believe it; where of I am the heart, and you the liver. My Lords, take witness of and absolute wonder, A marriage made for virtue, only virtue, My friend, and my deer niece are man and wife. Nor yet, thou sole divider of my Lordship. Faith where I must be again presently. I can not stay long with you my deer Niece. No more did you Winnifred you enterferde with them all in . Mine own deer nephew?