RINALDO

CAn one self cause, in subjects so a Like As you two are, produce effect so unlike? One Like the Tu le, all in mournesull strains, Wailing his Fortune's? Th'other Like the Lark Mounting the sky in shrill and cheerful notes, Chanting his joys aspired, and both for love: In one, love raises by his violent heat, Moist vapours from the heart into the eyes, From whence they drown his breast in daily showers; In th'other, his divided power infuseth Only a temperate and most kindly warmth, That gives life to those fruits of wit and virtue, Which the unkind hand of and uncivil father, Had almost nipped in the delightsome blossom. I dare swear, If joust desert in love measured reward, Your fortune should exceed Valerios far: For I am witness (being your Bed fellow) Both to the daily and the nightly service, You do unto the worser ty of love, In vows, sighs, tears, and solitary watches, He never serves him with such sacrifice, Yet hath his Bow and shafts at his command: Loves service is much Like our humorous Lords; Where Minions carry more then S ruitors, The bold and careless servant still obtains: The modest and respective, nothing gains; You never see your love, unless in dreams, He, Hymen puts in whole possession: What different stars reigned when your loves were born, He forced to wear the Willow, you the horn? But brother, are you not ashamed to make Your self a slave to the base Lord of love, Be God of Fancy, and of Beauty born? And what is Beauty? a mere Quintessence, Whose life is not in being, but in seeming; And therefore is not to all eyes the same, But Like a cozening picture, which one way Shows Like a Crow, another Like a Swan: And upon what ground is this Beauty drawn? Upon a Woman, a most brittle creature, And would to God (for my partly) that were all. You know I did, and was beloved again, And that of such a Dame, as all men deemed Honoured, and made me happy in her favours, Exceeding fair she was not; and yet fair In that she never studied to be say r Then Nature made her; Beauty cost her nothing, Her virtues were so rare, they would have made And Aethyop beautiful: At least, so thought By such as stood aloof, and did observe her With credulous eyes? But what they were indeed I'll spare to blaze, because I loved her once, Only I found her S , for her sake I vow eternal wars against their whole sex, Inconstant shuttlecocks, loving fools, and ; Men rich in dirt, and titles sooner won With the most vile, then the most virtuous: Found true to none: if one amongst whole hundred Chance to be chaste, she is so proud withal, Way ward and rude, that one of unchaste life, Is ostentimes approved, a worthier wife: Undressed, sl is, nasty, to their husbands, Sponged up, adorned, and painted to their lovers: All day in cease less uproar with their households, If all the night their husbands have not pleased them, Like hounds, most kind, being beaten and abused, Like wolves, most cruel, being kindelyest used. Are you in that vain too Valerio? It fitter you should be about your charge, How Blow and Cart goes foe ward: I have known Your joys were all imployde in husbandry, Your study was how many loads of hay A meadow of so many acres yielded; How many Oxen such a close would at? And is your rural service now converted From Pan to Cupid? and from beasts to women? Oh if your father knew this, what a lecture Of bitter castigation he would read you? And me thinks 'tis my heaven that I am passed it, And should the wretched Machevilian, The covetous knight your father see this sighed Lusty Valerio. I'll bear thee witness, thou canst skill oh dice, Cards, tennis, wenching, dancing, and what not? And this is something more then husbandry: Th'art known in Ordinaries, and Tobacco shops, Trusted in Taverns and in vaulting houses, And this is something more then husbandry: Yet all this while, thy father apprehends thee For the most tame and thrifty Groom in Europe. Know it? alas Sir where can he bestow This poor Gentlewoman he hath made his wife, But his inquisitive father will hear of it? Who, Like the dragon to th'esperean fruit, Is to his haunts? slight hence, the old knight comes. He shrunk not sir, his business called him hence. I saw not him, I was in serious speech About a secret business with my brother. Well sir, lest silence breed unjust suspect, I'll tell a secret I am sworn to keep, And crave your honoured assistance in it. This sir, it your son. Thereon depends the secret I must utter: That gentle woman hath my brother married. Faith sir, a gentlewoman: But her vnusering dowry must be told Out of her beauty. That was the motion sir, I was entreating Your son to make to him, because I know He is well spoken, and may much prevail In satisfying my father, who much loves him, Both for his wisdom and his husbandry. Oh sir, had you herd, What thrifty discipline he gave my brother, For making choice without my father's knowledge, And without riches, you would have admired him. That in the choice of wives men must respect The chief wife, riches, that in every course A men chief Loadstar should shine out of riches, Love nothing heartily in this world but riches; Cast off all friends, all studies, all delights, All honesty, and religion for riches: And many such, which wisdom sure he learned Of his experient father; yet my brother, So sooths his rash affection, and presumest So highly on my father's gentle nature, That he's resolved to bring her home to him, And Like enough he will. What a difference Does it self, betwixt him and you? Had your son used you thus? But dice and wenching. Wenches? I besworne he never smelled a wenches breath Yet, but me thinks it fit you sought him out a wife. Sfoot hold him to one, your son such a sheep? Well sir, though for my thriftless brother's sake, I little care how my wronged takes it, Yet for my father's quiet, if your self Would join hands with your wife and towards Son, I should deserve it some way. See my father, since you are resolute not to move him Sir, In any case conceal the secret Absconditse, By way of and atonement let me pray you will. Thanks Sir. He cannot hold. God save you Sir. And was extremely moved My Brother knows it well, and is resolved To trail a Pike in Field, rather then bide The more feared push of my vexed Father's fury. So I told him But to a desperate mind all breath S lost, Well sir to turn our heads to salve your licence, Since you have used the matter so unwisely, That now your father has discerned your humour, In your too careless usage in his house, Your wife must come from his house to Antonio , And he, to entertain her must be told She is not wife to his son, but to you: Which news will make his simple wit triumph Over your father; and your father thinking He still is gulled, will still account him simple: Come sir, prepare your villainous wit to feign A kind submission to your father's fury, And we shall see what hearty policy, He will discover, in his feigned Anger, To blind Antonios eyes, and make him think, He thinks her heartily to be your wife. Gone, they were far gone here. Nothing more true, enough can witness it. And therefore when he comes to learn the truth, (As certainly for all these sly disguises, Time will strip Truth into her nakedness) Thou hast good plea against him to confess, The honoured Actium, and to claim his pardon. He has much faith the while, That swore a thing, so quite against his heart: Well see you repair, To Gratiana daily, and enjoy her In her true kind; and now we must expect The resolute, and ridiculous divorce, Cornelio hath sued against his wedlock. It is too true, and thou shalt answer it, For setting such debate betwixt man and wife: See, we shall see the solemn manner of it. Brother I read, that Egypt heretofore, Had Temples of the riches frame on earth; Much Like this goodly edifice of women, With Alabaster pillars were those Temples, Upheld and beautified, and so are women: Most curiously glazed, and so are women; Cunningly painted too, and so are women; In outside wondrous heavenly, so are women: But when a stranger viewed those phanes within, In stead of Gods and Goddesses, he should find A painted fowl, a fury, or a serpent, And such celestial inner parts have women. Whose that calls? what Sir Gostanzo? How fares your Knighthood Sir? All this I told him Sir but what says he I know my Father will not be reclaymde, Heel think that if he with ke at this offence, Will open doors to any villainy: I'll dare to fell to pawn, and run all riot, To laugh at all his patience, and consume All he hath purchased to and honoured purpose, In maintenance of a wenton Whirligig, Worth nothing more then she wears on her back. I told him so; but better far (said he) One branch should utterly be lopped away, Then the whole Tree of all his raze should perish: And for his wants, better young want, then eld. I thank you sir, I'll try what I can do, Although I fear e I shall strive in vain. Thanks r, so I will See, this old politic dissembling Knight, Now he perceiu S y Father so affectionate, And that my brother may herea live By him and his, with equal use of either, He will put on a face of hollow friendship. But this will prove and excellent ground to so The seed of oh amongst v ; go seek Valerio and my brother, and tell them Such news of their affairs, as they'le admire. Down on your ; poor lovers reverence learning Mark what cause Flows from my depth of knowledge to your lou , To make you needle and bl e me while you live. Mark then, ect your ears: you know what horror Would fly on your love from your father's frowns, If he should know it. And your sister here (My brother's sweet heart) knows aswell what Would seize his powers for her, if he should know My brother wooed her, or that she loved him, Is not this true? speak all. It is as true that now you meet by stealth In depth of midnight, kissing out at grates, Climb over walls. And all this reform. Well sir, you shall have all means To live in one house, eat and drink together, Meet and kiss your fills. I, and your frowning father know all this. Nay he shall know it, and desire it too, W lcome my Brother to him, and your wife, Entreating both to come and dwell with him. Is not this strange 'Tis in this head shall work it: Therefore hear; Brother this Lady you must call your wife, For I have told her sweet hearts Father here That e is your wife; and because my Father (Who now b ves it) must b quieted Before you see him, you must live a while As husband to her, in his Father's house Valerio here's a simple mean for you To lie at rack and manger with your wedlock And brother, for your self to meet as freely. With this your long desired and barred love. Peace, be ruled by me, And you shall see to what a perfect shape e bring this rude Plo , which blind Chance (the Ape Of Cou worser advice) hath brought forth blind. Valerio, can your heat of love forbear Before your Father, and allow my Brother To use some kindness to your wife before him Come, you must not touch her. No nor now, Because you are so soon to practice it For I must bring them to him presently. Take her Fortunio; go, hence man and wife, We will attend you rarely with fixed faces. Valerio keep your continued aunce, and conseaue Your Father in your forged sheepishnes, Who thinks thou darest not look upon a Wench, Nor knowest at which end to begin to kiss her. Fortunio, keep your countenance: See sir here The poor young married couple, which you pleased To send for to your house. In deed a Courtier makes his lips go far, As he does all things else. So, are they gone? Now tell me brave Valerio Have I not won the wreathe from all your wits, Brought thee enjoy the most desired presence Of thy deer love at home? and with one labour My brother enjoy thy sister, where It had been her undoing to-have him seen, And make thy father crave what he abhors: T'entreate my brother home enjoy his daughter, Command thee kiss thy wench, chide for not kissing, And woe ke all this out of a Machevil A miserable Politician? I think the Like was never played before Well, evening crowns the day, Persever to the end, my wit hath put Blind Fortune in a string into your hand, Use it discreetly, keep it from your Father, Or you may bid all your good days good night. Well sir, now to vary The pleasures oh our wits, thou knowest Valerio Here is the new turned Gentleman's fair wife, That keeps thy wife and sister company; With whom the amorous Courtier Do to Is far e in love, and of whom her sour husband Is passing , puts on Eagles eyes To into her carriage. Shall we see. If he be now from home, and visit her. See, see, the prisoner comes. Go too youth, walk not too boldly, if the Sir giant's meet you; You may have swaggering work your belly full. Zoons, a plot laid to gull thee. Could thy wit think the voice was worth the hearing? This was the Courtiers and the Cuckolds project. I fear I interrupt your privacy. No longer, sir? Repent the then so soon your favour to her, And to my brother? What's the matter? Perhaps a little comple ent or so. You should have schooled him for' . Let me then school him; foot, isle rattle him up Alas, sir, whither? You know, my father is incensed so much, Heel not receive her. The care's the less then, he has still his longing, To himself. To be with this Gulls daughter. T'roth, sir, isle tell you what a sudden toy comes in my head; what think you if I brought her home to my father's house? Nay, you hear not all: I mean, with use of some device or other. Marry sir, to say, She is your sons wife, married passed your knowledge. Nay, as for that I will pretend she was even then your sons wife, But feigned by me to be Fortunioes, Only to try how he would take the matter. Would it not do well? Nay, good sir, Tell me unfeignedly, do you liked indeed. And do you think Heel swallow down the Gudgeon? Especially your sons: what would he be, If you should not restrain him by good counsel Well, sir, & isle not be long after you. Exit Ghost. Heaven, heaven, I see these Politicians (Out of blind Fortune's hands) are our most fools. 'Tis she that gives the lustre to their wits, Still plodding at traditional devices: But take um out of them to present actions, A man may grope and tickle um Like a Trowt, And take um from their close deer holes, as fat As a Physician; and as giddy-headed, As if be miracle heaven had taken from them, Even that which commonly belongs to fools. Well, now let's note what black ball of debate, Valerio S wit hath cast betwixt Cornelio, And the enamoured Courtier; I believe His wife and he will partly: his jealousy Hath ever watched occasion of divorce, And now Valerioes villainy will present it. See, here comes the twyn-Courtier his companio ̄ . Why? what news? With all my heart, I consecrate my wit To the wished comfort of distressed Ladies. Marry, sir, by a singular instinct, given naturally to all you married men, that if your wives play legerdeheele, though you be a hundred miles off, yet you shall be sure instantly to find it in your foreheads. On with thy speech boy. Forth, my brave Curio. Gods my life, Corn . What, Dariotto here? Foot, darest thou come near C oes house? I know not what he ails; but I would wish you To keep out of the reach of his sharp horns: For by this hand heel gore you. Nay, that he knows, And swears withal, that wheresoever he meets you, Heel mark you for a marker of men's wines. Foot, he comes. Hold, Darioto, hold. Diuorst nay good Cor . Out of France at least. Would such a scratch as this hazards a men head? But I pray you Sir what are the presumptions on which you would built this divorce? Heaven send my speed be equal with my hast. Slight, I would all were well. What a dull slave was I to be thus gulled. 'Tis very good Sir, Perhaps my friend, or I, before we partly, May make even with you. I pray you have patience Sir. Nay Sir, lets not have A new infliction, set on and old fault: He did confess his fault upon his knees, You pardned it, and swore it from your heart. Silence my Masters, now here all are pleased, Only but Cornelio: who lacks but persuasion To reconcile himself to his fair wife: Good Sir will you (of all men our best speaker) Persuade him to receive her into grace? Then you must pardon him, indeed Sir. I'll go fetch her strait: And this iestthriue, it'll make us princely sport: But you must keep our counsel, second all, Which to make likely, you must needs sometime Give your son leave (as if you knew it not) To steal and see her at my father's house. Indeed 'tis a worshipful name. Come on I say, Your Father with submission will be calmed; come on; down a your knees: You thought not so last day, when you offered he A twelve months board for one nights lodging with her. Excellent sir, you have done Like your self: What would you more Valerio? Come sir, come you in, and celebrate your joys. Y'aue got a learned Notary Signior Cornelio. Arres ed? I am sorry with my heart, It is a matter may import me much, May not our bail suffice to free him think you? I know his Father will be m ou'd passed . Where is the place? Well sir, go on I pray. Fortune the great commandress of the world Hath diverse ways to advance her followers: To some she gives honour without deserving, To other some deserving without honour, Some wit, some w alth: and some wit without wealth: Some wealth without wit, some, nor wit nor wealth But good smock-faces: or some qualities, by nature without judgement, with the which They live in sensual acceptation, And make show only, without touch of substance; My fortune is to win renown by Gulling, Gostanzo, Darioto, and Cornelio: All which suppose in all their different kinds, Their wits entire, and in themselves no piece, All at one blow; my helmet yet unbruised, I have unhorsed, laid flat on earth for Gulls; Now in what taking poor Cornelio is, Betwixt his large divorce, and no divorce, I long to see, and what he will resolve: I lay my life he cannot chew his meat, And looks much Like and Ap had swallowed pills, And all this comes of bootless jealousy: And see where bootless ieal ousie appeates. Enter Cornel. I'll board him straight; how now Cornelio? Are you resolved on the divorce or no? Yes, what of that?