THEOPHILUS

pray sir construe it the expression of my duty. To your love Were I possessed of many selves I owe them. That love hath caused this passion out of fear Your reputation in the act will suffer Rumor is apt to prey upon occasion: And if the rude mouths of the multitude Catch hold on a report, they'll multiply it; And make it. grow to scandal. You and old man Will marry a young woman. Pray Sir, do not Flatter your weakness, and decay of strength. Your age begins to grow to a disease: And can you then express such youthful appetite Without being censured? Your welfare sir to me Is and inheritance above any state Fortune can bless me with. Which to preserve My knees should grow fast to some hallowed pavement, Till mine own dissolution, and no thoughts Busy my mind but prayers. Sir consider The difference betwixt your disabilite, And her so hopeful fruitfullness. to increase And propagate was the best end of marriage. TO en if the means be wanting, the end cannot Be perfected: and some in scruple stick not To call it sin. Why that would make even your ashes infamous. And tempt the idle gazers on't to scratch Libels upon your Marble. 'Twould be construed That she in youthful heat longing for what Your cold defects denied her, had enjoyed me To lustful satisfaction, when she should Have warmed your bed, and after married me To prevent farther rumor. Nay sir more. Hath she not settled her desire already Upon some one of more proportioned years? 'Twere rare if such a beauty of that growth, Should have her maiden thoughts untouched with the appetite Of what instinct does teach, though she were barred Even all converse, so much as not to know The difference of a sex. To me they will not relish; But Like those pills which and unwilling patient Doubting their virtue takes, and turns the medicine Into a worse disease. Observe you sir this fellow! one that ought To be kicked into manners how he taunts you? It'll be the streets discourse, the conduits lecture: And not and idle tongue but will abuse. Your reverend name, which hitherto hath awed the unbridled rabble. Cousin Raven, Since love, not blood, hath made you wear that title, Though it's a secret I would gladly hide, To you I will impart it. Sent with gifts To the fair maid that this day must be Bride To the old man, my treacherous eyes conveyed Flames to my heart from hers: which being fixed Upon me, shot their magic influence Of love with such a violence, that I took the impression ever my bosom was prepared And tempered for it. Duty now and honesty Fought with my passion, and enforced them back To their unwilling prison: though her eye, Look, gesture; and at parting when I took Her hand to kiss it: then she held mine hard: For all these invitations to their liberty I durst not free them; but concealed even that Perhaps she wished to know. My virtue rather. Should I Like the ingrateful serpent, sting The bosom that hath warmed me into life? Desire shall burst me first. Yet I must tell you, I am resolved to give my passion This satisfaction. When the bridal ceremonies Have had their consummation, I will travail And leave the cause behind. You may reveal it When I am gone. I shall be praised or pitied, For none can blame me. Tempt me not Out oh my passion into one more dangerous. 'Twere but a just correction if I killed thee; That would instruct me to and act of error, Repentance could scarce win a pardon for. Thou art base In thy suspect of her; and but for peace (To which this day ought to be consecrate) It should be punished. And why should you Advice to this, and aid it? It's well I am prevented; My rashness else had executed justice Upon thy gilded. Forbear to tempt me farther. Thy friendship's but the shadow of a true one Darest urge such counsel, goodness cannot choose but blush at. I better shall express Her entertainment in my pious wishes, Then any compliment I will be ready To pay you my best duty. Goodlove and Raven whisper. Let me with reverence swear Offers to kiss her hand By this white hand— How shall I Interpret this? how hard she clasped my hand, And pressed my lips? as wishing their conjunction Might be eternal. Tears with her last words fell: And in their filent oratory taught me To know my self more wretched by the knowledge Of what should make me happy. Willing to what good Cousin? I shall be tempted to neglect that duty I would not rashly violate, to possess All that my with h can covet. The Master of the house! We would desire the use of a room. We expect a frieind; Till he comes this may serve. The fullness of my joys Happening so sudden ere I was prepared To taste them with and appetite, hath bred A surfeit in me. That word parents. Makes me reflecton my ingratitude: Being greater far then infamous records Did ever punish; and Like pleasant dreams My joys are changed to nothing. Can there be greater? Ingratitude's a monster. Shall I then Repay that man with injury, that gave My almost starved life warmth, and made me breathe Though to be miserable Why should I be taxed With such defect? Know then I dare deserve you By any enterprise that may be credible. Invention cannot fancy and employment I would not manage to confirm my love Worthy your best opinion, only this My conscience frights me from. Presently. Stay. Puls back bride. I mean not you. Why should those pearls be wasted, Till they enrich my funeral? Distraction Hurries my thoughts, and hindereth them from ordering Any resolve. Have I proceeded hitherto? And shall I now give back? The infamy Sticks on my name already; and the stain Thrown on it by the black mouthed multitude For being in grateful, by bore satisfaction Cannot be washed away. Her virtue likewise will be suspected. I must therefore on Since reason prompts me to it. Love shall excuse The act, and my neglect of other dues. Sweet I am now resolved. To consummate our wishes. How's this? why will you now Change your intent that seemed so resolute? It'll make us be the subject of discourse, And libeling ballads; every goships feast Will make mirth from our shame. Stay: I have fooled my self Into a maze of errors, and do want M' instructive partly to guide me. All my faculties Of soul are puzzled, and at every turning. Do mate themselves with doubts. Why should you feign This cruelty to kill me, when my joys Were almost strengthened in the life you gave them, So far as not to fear a new relapse? Having corrected all the accidents Of my diseased love, will you now desist To make a perfect cure? Are you resolved then To send me back to my first misery? And anew make me wretched? Is my want of that Only suspected by you? Hear me first, And then farewell. May I be cursed beyond Recovery by my penitence; let heaven Never make me master of a wish that may Include my least good, if I marry you— Until your parents free consent, And the good liking of that injured man Allow it public ceremony That might give A new occasion for your cruel wit To tax me with new weakness. Know I can Be man as well as lover; and am fixed In my resolve, beyond the power of change By any passion. Did you dissemble? Could she who through her eyes conveyed her heart, And the assurance of her best desires When other means were filenst; sh e that taugh My equal passion to interpret looks, Tears, smiles, and read in those dumb characters Her soul, dissemble? or with any counterfeit Disturb his joy that only from her truth Derives it true possession? Jealousy May then be warranted, since it's a virtue Noble and masculine when justly grounded. Was not your love dissembled? meant you not To make a property of these proceedings For some ends of your own? Dispose your self A ur will guides you; it'll but make my life Somewhat more tedious wanting your society: Beside whom I renounce all woman kind. Dissolve not with those tears my passive heart That weeps within me. They will almost tempt me To worse then sacrilege. Anon we will Consult and practice something. My cousin Raven! pray direct him to us. When he comes. Be not so cloudy sweet; our sun of joy May shine at full, and clear those dusky mists; Obscure it for a season. Welcome Cousin Unto our exp ctation. Cousin the news? how go matters? It's and act indeed Drawer ers wit with e and Exit. Deserves reproach You're very pleasant Cousin. Some men jealousy. Would soon interpret it to be but scorn. What you intend it— You have my dearest cousin Given large testimony of your love; Requital must be studied. But for this You have advised to, a quite different course Is here resolved on, and my owe hath sealed it. I st return to labour a consent F om those I have so wronged; which if denied me, I never must enjoy, what I desire Above my self. Had they been Such as it spoke them, we might well have stayed And yielded to them. We had only seemed Compelled to what we from . What fellow's this? More! I suspect some rudeness. Pray Cofin call the Master of the house. My purse? You a e foul mouthed She is none of your pleasure Ladies, it's a wrong dire ction of your base thoughts. Forbear your rudeness; if you must be wicked. Let your temptations be directed where The sin is grown to custom. Her chaste ears Never received such sounds. Advantage may do much; but I would wish you Desist, and be more civil: it's not the odds else Shall fright me from attempting to correct you. You cowards, gainst and unarmed man! Then arm me Justice. Theo. throws his cloak on the others point; gets with in him and takes away his sword. Thy life! I scorn it: it's too base to pay A satisfaction; she must be redeemed At a far higher rate. Exit. Sir if your house be a place privileged For such abuses, it must be informed of, That law may punish it. But for these shadows, Mockshapes of valour; were it not for staining My innocent hands, I would compel your souls Black as they are to give me satisfaction As you expire them. If I were confident of safety. But you must give me leave being one that can Command my self and passion. This with me Serves as and instrument of peace, and may Fright and intended mischief from me. Good sir Retain their weapons as you'll answer it At your own peril. You properties of men, made up of rags And outside only, shoot your threats at those That fear the bubbles. Think not here to triumph As over your easy gulls, that must redeem Their safeties from the danger of your furies, By battering down with the engine of their purse Some sconch your drunken valour in a tavern Hath built with sack. Be gone, for fear you urge me To more impatience: Yet my charity Affords you this good counsel. The world's full Of brave employments for men capable. Y'have persons, but want minds for actions That might ennoble you. Honour attends On war; you only call your selves by names Of Captains and Lieutenants here where peace Is most secure, but when your drunken quarrels Disturb her. Go to wars, and save the City The chargeable repairing of their prisons. Why so sad Coz? What think you on? Mischief! against whom? pray impart it then. I do begin weighing the circumstance To be possessed With a suspect of his sincerity. He's surely treacherous; and perhaps occasioned The late attempt upon me, so to have Removed the bar he fears might shut him out From and inheritance I never coveted. I must not be too credulous. What's the reason You are so cloudy Cousin? In your eyes Me thinks I read sad thoughts; your merry mischief Promised more lightsomnesse. Does that concern your plot? Safe! which way mean you Cousin? No great matter: There were and end of misery. You needs not Be much solicitous to prevent my danger; Since on my death depends the assurance Of and estate to you. When you enjoy it, If my cold ashes might be capable Of such expressions, they should dance for joy Fortune had so rewarded you, that merit Above her flatter : which she but practised When I was interposed by great r accident Then ever yet made learned error give her The profane attributes of a deity. Had I fallen (As ten to one I might, had not the cause Given me the greater ods.) Had you contrived it— I hope you are not guilty, That catch the uncertain meaning of my words Ever they are perfected; and preinterpret Thoughts that had never being! I may then Justly have doubts. For innocence unmoved At a false accusation, does the more Confirm it self; and gilded is best discovered By its own fears. Your own impatience May serve for one. This house you sent us to For ought I know a Brothel. You are noted For one that surfeits in the pleasant sin: And he that without scruple dares pursue it, Dares without scruple do or be consenting To any mischief from whose execution The means may be derived that will maintain His lust and riot. It must be By that fear only. Cousin I never brought My doubts to such a positive conclusion, But that they might be changed to better truth By your least satisfaction. If you have Designed ought for our good, and that my judgement Gives it allowance , no suspicion shall Hinder the execution. I am not capable Of a new doubt, unless your doubts beget it. Then pray impart your counsel. Cousin to express How far I am from fear of any treachery You might be guilty of; what you advice to Shall be put into instant act. This key Will lead you where my husbandry hath stored Something from honest gain, without least wronging The old men trust; I pray convey it hither Where we'll expect you. Without their accusation I submit My self to the law. And if you have direction To use your power, let it acquit this gentlewoman From the ensuing scandal, I'll be patient With any punishment the just revenge Of those I have so wronged can lay upon me. Heaven hath forbid it, and my penitence Restores her back. I do hear words that must be scanned and construed. Amazement hath possessed me wholly. Why then would you pretending love conceal it? And mock my fears with such diversity Of dangerous accidents, you brought upon them? How I shall determine, And reconcile these differences to truth Is hard. Be firm my resolution: I will be satisfi worser, and yet prevent The danger that is her. My Cousin Raven Is certainly a villain. You have been sir The con fortablest messenger of pardon That ere engaged a man; and if you please To be the instrument of farther good, You'll find us grateful. pray take this gentlewoman to your care, While I go back to make acknowledgemen Of the great benefits are done me. Shall she be your charge? Let's on; I will return to our full joys; I go but to prepare them. And find out The meaning of these riddles. The Merchant's? were they not? What Gentlewoman should that be they asked for? That's strange; if love will brook no rivals, lust should Being the more raging passion. How common? The missed is great: have we not lost our way? We might ever this have God to the waters side Though we had trod a labyrinth. Raven draws and runs at Theophilus, and he tur ning back wounds Rav. Would! what devil moved thee to attempt it. I cannot give Utterance unto my thoughts; the narrow passage Is choked up with a multitude, that strive Which should first issue forth. How fruitless envy Brings on its own destruction! Innocence Is proof against all the battery of malice: And he that's armed with't needs not fear to encounter The most severe tribunal. Though I am Guiltless to heaven, yet I shall appear Foul to opinion wanting testimony; And the act makes me the laws; I am no more The subject of my conscience, which by judgement Must be determined. Can I not prevent it? Flight may procure my safety. It'll bring on A greater danger, and cause supposition That I am guilty by the circumstance Of mine own fears. Horrors on both sides round me. Hath my cross fortune found new instruments To draw more mischiefs on me! By the voice (A woman's weakly uttered, as if fainting Under some violence) it's near this hedge. I'll aid her, though my ruin lay in ambush With twenty murderers. My dearest! Villain thy end's upon thee. How camest thou hither sweet? Monsieur stir not; I have employment for you May win your pardon. This; Justice made this her instrument. He was A villain to me, and betrayed my life To all those dangers which I overcame By the causes strength. And lastly his intents To murder me, have brought upon himself This punishment as endue. Did you bid me fly To shun the end's before me? sure ther's difference Betwixt meritorious acts, and acts of shame. I was but justice executioner. His crime deserved death, and he had fair trial By evidence: see here this pointless weapon; If providence had not ordained it so. As he so I had fallen; but innocent. Should I then fly? and by my fears beget A worse suspicion? No: I'll meet the event. And though I now were circled with the terrors Of racks and tortures; gibbets; executioners; And all the palsying apprehensions That ever made a malefactor tremble, Armed as I am, I would encounter all With a fixed confidence. Just causes never Did yet miscarry; or if any have 'Twas to the greater glory of the cause. And Monsieur it's your imposition To watch this corpse, and give to passengers What answers you have wit or language for. If I fly, and so Provide for't, will you with me? Let's go then Exeunt. Was this the knowledge of my self he spoke of, That lived but in him self? I forgive you Cousin, You have at length in this discovery Given large satisfaction. My sun of joy's eclipsed, and all the Hope's My fancy painted, by this accident Are blotted out. How have I merited Of heaven thus to be punished! But I must not Tax providence with and injustice to me, That have deserved worse curses for neglect Of my religious duties. Only he, My foster Father to possess those sweets Love promised my inheritance! Were't another, I'ld from his rude hands snatch her in the Church, Before the powerful words should knit that knot Nothing but death dissolves. Humbly thus I beg Theo. kneels Your pardon sir Then pray return; But not to your disgrace; all shall be thrown Upon my gilded. And though my love (unstained With the least blemish of impure affection) Gave the act allowance, I'll belie my self, And say I did enforce you; which the law May punish with my life. I'll give it up, To end the affliction of my soul, divided betwixt love to you, and duty to that man I have so wronged.