CICELY

Would! what silken butterfly's yonder! She looks not Like one that had kept her self warm all night at the Brick-kils: yet silk petticoats many times are glad with worse lodging. Should I salute you so, 'twould bring my wit in question. Pray you what are you? It seems you are a kind Country Gentlewoman, that have bestowed your Maidenhead on your Father's sir vingman, and are come up to have a Citizen fodder your brok n beware. The policy is grown stale: 'twould hardly take ever since the Ballad cursed the Carrier that brought her oh town. The to, is angry, it would feign counterfeit some thing: perhaps to insinuate her self, and make me her a gent. But you are deceived my pretty morfell of wanton ness; my self and my Milkpail are both honest: I have no disguised tone of Come, or three penny thrip to cloak a procure see. I am not the Blades intelligence whither Frank or Moll remove their lodgings to escape the Constables search and Bridewell. I will to my Cows, and leave you to the fate of the morning: despair not of a customer; but be sure I catch you not napping; for if I do, I have less mere cy then Prentices at Shrovetide. I hate hedge-coupling worse then fasting at Christmas, or a Puritans long Grace over short Commons. Why let but and honest in Middlesex) find you not guilty of any thing that may make compassion deaf — las, she sownes; Po e gen tlewoman, be comforted. Should she miscarry, I were in danger, having no witness to purge the suspicion of being her murderess. Would! what said she? Worthgood! I have herd my Father often speak that name, and sighs after it. Alas, she is dead; her breath scarce moves. Nay that's as hard to tell, as the success of my danger. She named one Worthgood. Dead as a herring Sir. No robbing the dead Slip. I hope you're satisfied: but to what end this change should serve, I would feign be instructed. Now out upon't. Had I no better and opinion of your honesty, then of your wit (both which smell all toga there of the country) I would againe-leave you to seek out your own dang r. You have gentle-side me with your cloth ; and you are handsome enough in mine: for though I am but a milke-wench, I ever loved neatness. Now you shall personate my maid, and wait upon me to London; I'll person nate you, and if any thing ise from the mistake, we'll turn it to the best use. If I find not out your sweetheart, let me never be counted a Prophetess: and I am sure I have before told weather from the turning up of my Cows tail. In this disguise I'll meet the Gallant courts me every morning at Tottenham-Court, and found the depth of his pretended honest meaning. My condition is to low to win upon his desires to marry me: and the other thing without it, he shall never have. My father's man. Be you confident. Keep counsel sirrah you had best; and if my fa there ask for me, tell him I will not be lost long. So fare you well. Exeunt. Fear you nothing, but put on confidence. Clothes have not altered My person nor condition. I am still Plain Ciceley and your handmaid. This exchange Proceeds but f om and honest merriment: And when you understand the story right, You'll make a fair constant unction. Your promises Are much too large. My too unworthy service Cannot deserve to be commanded by you. Gallant I'll try you. I shall strain modesty, you excusing it. Come maid. A sweet young Gentleman. Is this your sweetheart maid? Your Aunt or Cousin? Will you make one sir? But you can move sir? Can my chased thoughts within their spotless circuit Retain a good opinion of this gentleman, Who gives free scope to his libidinous will In actions that stain conscience? He hath courted Almost beyond resistance, (had not goodness Preserved me white) to ully me with lust; And failing offered marriage. I must not trust. Beside, mine eye hath seen And object that delights it; and desire Begins to burn my bosom with new flames I yet never felt. It's and ambitious love, And must be checked. Why? sure my Birth's more noble: My spirit argues it, which never yet Harboured a common thought; but all above The lowness of my fortune. How now Mistress? Is he your Brother? Fear not to be discovered: I have plots To circumvent him, and prepare his temper For mild impressions. Enter Tapster. Prithee Friend show us a private room. For a retirement. We thank you Mistress. Why should you fear the execution Of my desires? why are women subject To that disease? or else hath nature chosen it To show the difference? I was meant a man sure; For I have Masculine resolutions, Which no deluding spirits can abuse With their misguiding; nor imperfect moonlight Mock with false shadows. Danger frights not me. You have a soldier sweetheart, And no more courage! what a raze of Cowards Would spring from that loves joining? for Physicians Say women have most right in the conception. Were but our causes changed (our cases are) I'de tell this brother a l; and if his love From a pretence of care denied me aid, I'de school him soundly. Come, come, you shall, tell Your Brother that I love him. Your Brother Mistress. If my beauty can (Which ha been slattered or a taking one) Win upon his desires, I'll soon work him To what you please. Nay, rather then the project Should fail of a success, he shall enjoy me; But fairly. Why gentlewoman, Disparage not my low condition. Perhaps misfortune meant it not my birth; That might be noble as your own, though boasted From th'heraulds Catalogue of dead Ancestors. My father oft hath told me when my fingers Pressed the Cows dugs, and from their fullness drew Abundance of white streams, that Nature meant not These limbs for labour. But this may appear The flattery of my self. If you'll preserve your self From a discovery, you must counterfeit Some other passion; or cloth these in mirth. What would you have sir? You sure mistake me sir. Have I found you gallant? I am dearer Sir; that's my maids rate. The truth is I have my Maidenhead yet, and have bargained with a gentleman below for it. I love to be as good as my word. Sure sir hee'd kill you if he knew of your attempt. That's he sir. Knock. Your City-borne coward never make's fortunate whoremaster. Best hide your self in this sir. Fear it not sir, but be sure you lie still. Open the door maid; and do you hear? get the key of the trunk. What's in me To grant, you shall command. Not in this place. But if you please— whisper. Worthy Sir, Such is the difference betwixt your birth and fortune, And my condition (whose in eriour aim Dam e not be leveled higher then it's equality) Makes (cowards policy,) fear, to be th'excuse Of my delay. For were you satisfied With that which you call pleasure; and satiety Had taken the edge off, what's in me can when New appe item, and revive a dying love? Your estima ion branded with the infamy Of a base choice: taunts from the mouth of envy: Aspersions to beget a killing jealousi . And when you shall re l ct— Pardon me sir; that re's ground of circumstance To built a faith on, that your desires end Is my enjoying for your sense pleasure. N to the conv rse which love instructs the soul in. But I must search you thoroughly. You're noble sir; and now I will unmask This false complexion of and hypocrite, Which hitherto deluded your opinion But with a show of virtue. The truth is My inclination's wanton; and Thy day I meant to make a sale of that, for which You have so fairly bid: my Maidenhead. You see I'm fitted or it. The gentleman that left me, is the Merchant. A price is likewise set upon the beware. The time and place of interchange appointed. The means: a porter in that trunk must carry me Unto his chamber: You seem troubled Sir At the relation. Troth sir, I must confess Your person likes me better, and the love You have professed deserves my gratitude. Meet you this porter, and compel him with you; You shall enjoy me first, and afterwards When I set up the trade be still more welcome. Be sure sir; My Tutor in the Art left me instructions To take the fairest offer. That as your liking pleases. When you are weary, I'll but beg your bounty For a new wardrobe to set up with. Be you confident; I cannot be diverted from my purpose: The end's too pleasant, Pray prepare your self; The time draws on. And farewell base desires. May thy soul lust Make thee still credulous, till abuse and shame Teach thee amendment. What and Orator Is Sin? that paints it self with golden words Of pleasure and delight; as if the soul Had it's eternal being and full powers But for the senses satisfaction: And their enjoying it Creations end. Now to our Comedy. Would fast asleep! This fits our purpose. Lock it fast. He's armed against mischances. Give it the Porter, I must withdraw. Exit. Now Mistress, what think you of it? Have I not taken a course to punish lust? At least wise with disgrace. Though custom calls Those actions only honest, that are glorious In publiqu same; yet sometime to dissemble And ill that's not intended, when the end Hath cl e ed it to opinion, it attains The greater praise. Pray sir, speak and mean civilly; you'll not be welcome else. Good gentleman, he is jealous, and would cir cumvent her. Good gentleman, he's troubled. You seem disturbed sir. Ay me, what have you done sir? help, help. Good gentlewoman she faints. Help, help. With leave I would relate the accident to satisfy Your curious love; which makes you doubt that ill Never stained a thought in her: and for my self, My life's untouched by envy. By no means father. My part's not ended yet. But it'll turn To a sad Tragedy, if I enjoy not This worthy gentleman. You have shaped Needless apology to excuse a gilded, When none appears. I owe much to your virtue It does command my thoughts. Sir, it's a noble resolution, Pure love's a virtue Nature only teaches; And's born with generous Spirits that distinguish The object truly; sleighting those respects That work on grosser minds. Sir, I could answer you With your own words: for I presume your thoughts Are noble Like your self; unmix with slatt'ry, Courtships infection; and the poisonous breath That many times does make pure love suspected Whither it be found or plastered to deceive Our credulous weakness, till it hath pos est us With some foul leprosy. Your handmaid yields To what agrees with honour; if the meanness Of her condition may presume to call Her honest c dit so. Would not you deliberate Those acts are lasting, and concern the being Of all your after life? And here are witnesses. I am your Niece. Let h S lf satisfy, f passion hath not made you too uncapable. I still thought it By and instinct. Still let me call you Father; Whose love deserves it for my preservation, And after being. If you'll have my Maidenhead, A Husbands leave is light. A maid at your years, and so near London; where the tate of one at 15. is as rate a a light wenches conversion. Never and early walking gallant to take you up this morning! The Park here hath fine conveniences: or Totenham Court's close by: 'Tis suspected that fine City Ladies give away fine things to Court Lords for a Country Banquet there.