Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

CORNELIUS

in The Two Merry Milkmaids, or The Best Words Wear the Garland — Cumber, John (?)

Metadata

PlayThe Two Merry Milkmaids, or The Best Words Wear the Garland
AuthorCumber, John (?)
Year (catalogued)1620
First performance1619
Decade1620s
GenreComedy
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyRed Bull (Revels) Company (first)
Theaterbefore the Court;
Speech prefix(es)Cor.
Words561
Characters2872
Typicality0.36 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA17460
BritDrama no.1896
ClusterCluster 17 — Intriguers & schemers

Important excerpts

No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).

Full speech

No, believe it Sir, they are taken up for the Dukes own tooth. Why the Duke passing by, cast his eye upon them, and with it, I believe, his fancy: for upon some consideration, he sent back, to give command, they should be brought hither to my Lords House. I, this will be good, stand aside, & give 'he law. Well said Innocence, thou art at home, and playest within doors, the to there is more open. And may be so when he has done with them, That's my comfort. She's the better descended of the two. What'le all this come to? What whirl's this? But what is this intended for trow; a Pastoral, or a Comedy? It's best so, when the Tongue may forfeit the Head: I have a coned Speech already; Long live the Duchess. You shall see he will be drunk with Wine As well as with Love. Questionless, by this time; they were at To have and to hold when I left'hem. Look you, here come the Feathers, the inseparable Coxcombs of the Court. Oh for and Informer—Capital Treason. Pray Heaven the Duke be in his right senses, He talks all Raptures, studied Poetry. What's that? To require you, That breath were better kept, to cool your Porridge. If he continue as he begins, I'll give my Wife the Breeches; for Women will reign, that's certain. It is the maddest world, the report goes she hud lie with on for a Nosegay. Why a Garland let it be, she had been better wone it with some other dance then the old one: but she has hard measure me thinks, not to be allowed and Advocate; for alas, what can a woman say for her self in such a case? Yes, if he have a feeling of the business. Out of the clouds I think, For no man dares own it. So could not I without a rug Gown. But that you justify ir so vehemently, I should not a believed it: Lost again. Where's he that asked that question? The invisible voice is come again, Yes Sir. Why if yowl walk our way, we will guard you. How now Carolus, how do's my Lord? What a Pox is that to the purpose, has he made his will. Let him bestow it upon his friends, we can live without it. They say but be it spoken in private that a Rat hants him, is it so? thou canst tell. Well, lets hear what hast thou herd. And I herd mine at the Apothecaries. Here's a Leash of us Sir. By this Air, Earth, Fire and Water too, not I: zbloud I get no more then you, and why should I then? Why, what can I help it. (you. And so may Sfoot he shifts his Room, I'll not be seen. Will there be such Revels say you. Private, why there are gone out Proclamations, that whosoever can by device, or any quick conceits de light the Duchess, he shall have correspondent to his quality and Annual stipend beside the favour of the Duke for ever. It's a better hearing then the old Jealousy's. Whats your Lord confined to his house i'the country. And how find you your new Lord. Is not the Poet amongst them. May I not under your protection, Behold the sports. Why I thank you.

Plot summary

Plot — The Two Merry Milkmaids, or The Best Words Wear the Garland
Bernard sneaks into his tutor Landoff’s study, reads his magic books, and attempts to conjure up the devil. The spirit who appears is in fact Landoff himself in disguise: he has been trying to. find out why his pupil is melancholy, and left his study door unlocked so that the prospect of magic might cause him to reveal the answer. It does: Bernard wants to go home because he has fallen for a local girl, Julia, but has not yet plucked up the courage to tel her. Dorilus tries to court the proud, ambitious Dorigen, but she has her sights set on becoming a duchess. On - hearing that the Duke is coming to the area, she and Julia dress up as milkmaids and go to see him. The Duke is attracted by Dorigen’s flirtatious manner, and he grants her a boon. She asks that he make her father an earl, and, once that is done, she points out that there is no impediment of rank preventing him from 1619 marrying her. He does so, but Dorilus persists in his attentions after the wedding. She promises to reciprocate if he fulfils an impossible task: to bring her a garland containing every species of flower, which will remain fresh so long as he is constant in his love. Landoff, still posing as a spirit, agrees to fetch him the blooms, and Dorilus gladly signs away his estate to Bernard by way of payment. Presented with the garland, Dorigen is disconcerted to realize that she will have to keep her side of the bargain. She confesses to the Duke, who seems unconcerned at the prospect of her adultery, but sets Raymond to spy on her. Dorilus refuses to press his claim on Dorigen, but Raymond reports that adultery has occurred: he has become infatuated with Julia and thinks his chances will be enhanced by the fall of Dorigen. Dorigen is imprisoned for treasonable adultery and her family expelled from the court; she is to be allowed no advocate to speak for her at her trial. Dorilus procures an invisibility ring from Landoff, supplied by a genuine spirit, and intervenes in the trial after Dorigen refuses to defend herself. The Duke accepts that his disembodied voice was sent by providence to exonerate an innocent woman, and Dorigen is freed. However, Raymond persuades him to change his mind, and Dorigen is taken back to prison. Dorilus loses the invisibility ring, but it is found by Frederick, Dorigen’s foolish brother, who puts it on and is surprised to find that everyone ignores him. He witnesses Raymond attempting to seduce Julia with the promise of Dorigen’s freedom; although she…