MEDICE

My patience can digest your scoffs my Lord. I care not to proclaim it to the world: I can nor write, nor read; and what of that? I can both see and hear, as well as you. My lord, away with these scholastic wits, Lay the invention of your speech on me, And the performance too; isle play my part, that you shall say, Nature yields more then Art. Unlearned? I cry you mercy sir; unlearned? What; think you lord; we think not of attire? Can we not make us ready at this age? Not unto me. Nay, fallen not out my Lords. No, pray my Lord Let none partake with us. My Lord; your son. Peace. How can I? Yes, and I will speak, and perhaps speak so, As you shall never mend: I can I know. Goddess, fair god , for no less, no less. Swounds they have put me out. No, thank your onne my Lord. Here, fill it Page, for this my worthy love Oh how I could embrace this good old widow. Oh my sweet widow, thou dost make me proud. Beshrew my life, But 'tis a leg indeed, a goodly limb. Oh that your Niece Were of as mild a spirit as your self. Mass so me think; how coy she's to the duke? I lay my life she haz some younger love. Gods me, who should it be? Well said good widow, much good do thy heart So; now what if it be? And do I pray; for it is passing Like; And there is Strozza, a sly Counselor To the young boy: Oh I would give a limb, To have their knavery limmed and painted out. They stand upon their wits and paper learning: Give me a fellow with a natural wit, That can make wit of no wit; and wade through Great things with nothing, when their wits stick fast, Oh they be scurvy Lords. I, and why not? Perhaps one does as much for you at home. What pick you ou of that? Thou art my trusty S ruant and thou k owst, I have been ever bountiful Lord to thee, As still I will be: be thou thankful then, And do me now a service of import. To morrow then the Duke intends to hunt, Where Strozza my despiteful enemy, Will give attendance busy in the chase, Wherein (as if by chance, when others shoot At the wild Boar) do thou discharge at him, And with and arrow, cleave his canckerd heart. Be secret then. And thou to me shalt be the dearest of men. Not I Mad , come no ng ou. Now take thy time. I warrant you my Lord, t'is to that end: And I believe he wrongs you in your love. Children presuming on their parents kindness, Care not what unkind actions they commit Against their quiet: And were I as you, I would affright my son from these bold parts, And father him as I found his deserts. We soon shall see, For I have made Madam Corteza search With picklocks, all the Ladies Cabynets About Earl Lassos house; and f here be Traffic of love, betwixt any one of them, And you ̄ r suspected son; will soon appear, In some sign of their amorous merchandise; See where she comes, loaded with & paper . What father, would believe he had a son So full of treachery to his innocent state? And yet my Lord, this letter hues no meeting, But a desire to meet. You must not be too confident my Lord, Or in your daughter or in them that guard her. The Prince is pol ike, and envies his Father: And though to for himself, nor any good Intended to your daughter, yet because He knows would kill his father, he would seek her. Swounds my Lord, rise, lets endure no more. What says your Highness? Can you endure these injuries any more? My Lord, no mean but death or banishment, Can be fit penance for him: if you mean Enjoy the pleasure of your love your self. T'is princely said my Lord— Sicophant, I will have thy l fe. And so thou dost; and I return all note Of infamy or baseness on thy throat: Damn me my Lord, if I be not a Lord. What my Lord, Will your grace cast away and innocent life? Recall your word my Lord. Let me good my Lord, And I'll confess what you accuse me of; Wonders indeed, and full of damned deserts. No my Noble Lord, My true name is Mendice. Of no Country, I, But born upon the See S, my mother passing Betwixt Za to and Venice. I was never christened, But being brought up with beggars called Mendice. My lord when I was young, being able limbed, A Captain of the Gipsies entertained me, And many years I lived a lose life with them: At last I was so favoured, that they made me The King of Gipsies; and being told my fortune By and old Sorceress, that I should be great In some great Princes love, I took the treasure Which all our company of Gipsies had In many years, by several stealths collected, And lea king them in wars, I lived abroad, With no less show then now: and my last wrong I did to Noblesse, was in this high Court. I did my Lord, for which, foe heavens love pardon. I'll run and hide me from the sighed of heaven. Come Lady, fit you here: Page, fill some Sack, I am to work upon this aged Dame, To glean from her, if there be any cause (In loving others) of her Nieces coins To the most gracious love suit of the Duke: Here noble Lady, this is healthful drink After our supper. Too old, thats nothing, Come pledge me wench, for I am dry again, And strait will charge your widowhood fresh i'faith: Why thats well done. Oh, it will warm your blood: if you should sip, TO would make you heart burned. Gods my life, Strozza hath Euesdropt here, and overheard us. Oh save my life my Lord.