VALENTIUS

And I love one were she not honest, that's her only fault, she were a Paragon unparalleled, mingle all beauty that our Venice yields, and set her self aside, she would stand peerless, overshine them all, and dim the Artists cun ning. We must leave you Signior. Yes, but such a one no voluntary habit, nor sly drift with all accommodations that beseems, unblemished truth it self can bring to speech or give my thoughts ac cease. Vow your assistance to my purposes, and I a Traitor to my self reveal the treason of my mind. I, would she were not. What, my fretful Doctor? the only curer of mad folks; Know I my self? You know he's married. I would that I were hers. But setting all this pleasantness aside, in earnest Lo dowick I affect her so, no motive mean nor yet dire accident can change my steadfast will, I must enjoy her, or I must not live. You speak Like a friend. In any kind but this I never had: pardon me Lodo wick this doting loves bears such a jealous sway, the least suspicion puts us on the wrack, and breaks all chains of duty: You may persuade me to believe, but yet he that never saw a Vessel under sail, cannot imagine what the Seaman brooks, the Merchant sleeping on his downy Couch, never dreams what danger the bold Souldie r dures, and he that never felt the pangs of Hell, cannot report the torments: assure thee Lodowick so be satisfied, since I knew her, I have not known my self, so mighty is loves extremes. She troth plighted was to me, and had been mine, had not desire of pelf altered her friends, and I dare well vow she loved me once, what ere her mind be now. I had her oath. This fellow would keep a vild coil if he were a top ath' tiles. I want the means. I am yours, obedient as your hand. What's she. Not your self. I thank you Lady. You are too blame beshrew me. As I am a Gentleman you partly not so. Do not I know your woman? Oh deer Apollo, how art thou abused, Is there more? Sweet stinging Wasp, and well conceited Dove For beauty nice, entitled Queen of love Of me; Sir reverence; that doe's thee adore; Which art esteemed a good one and no more: Let reason rule thy Amazonian sist Let ladle rude be thrown at hady wist, So shall I love thee, take it for no fable Better then well, and more then I am able. The Authors name. Oh, lamentable complaint! Is this a Challenge? Will I live? Y faith I never herd the Like. 'Tis so. It's a sign you are offensive. No more good Signior: farewell. If you please: Have you herd the Like? They're kin to Burrs, they will not off with shaking. Now my Thomaso what I have to say: The chief occasion made me summon you, Is to entreat your knowledge and assistance In such a project, (as your self set by) and him that must Partake in the attempt, Venice in Italy Conceals the man that I durst credit. Defend that ever I should be such: Vallentius never had so foul a thought, To infect himself, and others. Thus, in brief, I love a woman; fairer Than her self never wore the Epethite: You have seen her sure, and know her: She's wife to Vanderman. That same only wight, is the most precious Beauty I adore, and would feign call mine own. By his name, no further; By that knowledge you understand his course. Listen then my purpose, The severe sir, whose high stretched phrases Galls the ears of Patience, and wisdom would fain shun, Bears such a jealous and observant eye Over the prey I aim at, all conference is debarred, And you may sooner whisper with the Saint Argos had charge of, than converse with her, Unseen, and unsuspected. But one, and this is it; Your self and Lodwicke (harken I beseech you) Shall to this skilful Vanderman present me As one distracted: nay smile anon, And with a kind of sober modesty, as if you list you can, Report some probable possibility, how And which way I God my ecstasy: Let me alone to make your words seem truth, And so possess my prating Mountebanke, That he shall say and swear I'm mad at least. If not passed all recovery. This, or none. In your opinion: why sir? Good gallants do not ride me, lest I gall you: I'll assure you I trot hard: why my brace of conceits, my wits; what does your abundance of wit run at waste: for shame, have you so poor a brain, and you my most exquisite ex cellent, for shame take off your spectacles and see better: are you such a dunce: are you so rare a Coxcomb, to deem I will appear always the same: are you the men you promised? will you be Master's of your words and oaths, tender your vowed assistances? Continue so: what shall redound upon this advent ture, falls upon my head, be it no shame to yours: only pre ferment and your smooth apologies. Tut, I have played Ajax, and performed the partly well, to make boast of imitation, better than he that Luncian writes of, who so digested what he played, that he run mad indeed. So well, as Aesop could discharge his Scene, where by he wone most laud. Mistrust not my behaviour, and if it prove not cor respondent to my word, think me and idle vanter, and no meet associate for you. There's no deferring weeks, nor days, this hour, this very evening does my fit begin. What else, what else? Remember gentlemen you fallen not upon the scandal of Ignorance: but in any case keep your countenances. Come then, and fortune friend us. You cannot blame me neither: For love himself undertook more for love; Had you been tangled in a Labyrinth more intricate Than held the Minataure, or have been By Enchantments bound to servitude, My life's adventure had my love expressed, And offered the release. It must not be denied, I'll maintaine't before the Synod, here's my witness: was't not well done of brave Caligulam to make his horse a Senator? deny't, deny't, would not a good horse show well among a term of Asses: would, what think you: give me another sword: Oh noble Hector, look, Achilles flies, and bloody Pyrrhus shrinks. What news, what news? Will Pluto keep his word, shall all extortioners, en grocers, usurers, be finely damned, of what kind soever? will he spare none? Let me see, let me see, the son of Panace, a sprightly Lad; Hercules, a lusty youth, a very lusty youth; Sampson, a tall young man, a very tall young man. I'll make thee proov't, I'll make thee proov't. Why greatest generals, that command whole Legi ons, and train, and keep in order every man, cannot keep in a woman. Hang them, they are nought all: Tell not me learned Ovidius Naso, what's your name. That bloody villain: Treason gentlemen, call up a Guard, the traitor's discovered: bind him sure, sure: are you took napping sirrah: Down with him, down with him, down. Now my sweet I have sent him off in post, Let us retire the while. Who in affection will not his wits prove, Was never loyal, nor did ever love. Tomaso, Lodwick. Not remember you, have not that bade opinion, do not think I can be one so false by this kiss. Once again and partly. A thousand take with thee. And kinder far then fair. I crave your pardon Gentlemen, as I live she is— Yes, shall we be merry? Gallants, shall we walk? I have a story for you: prithee Lodwick frown not, be a friend indeed, and see not my defects, I have a tale shall make you laugh anon, and will excuse my blame; prethe be thy self, be jocund man. Where shall we be? Come then, I'll make you laugh I swear. Now Signior, how do you feel you self? How Like you marriage? Well said, i'faith, thank him Lodwick. You may see what comes by marriage? Good morrow, good Arbaces. He? Upon my credit nothing. My life it's he? I was asking that. Did you not note his followers? Shall we trace them, firs? and leave our wonder: I dare gage my life, the knowledge will deserve the industry? Yes, and questioned me. Come, we will pursue him. Who have we here bound to the good behaviour? Fran ciscus! Something of badness shoot me instantly, but he does pierce me through. I thought him now in Milan, where he did traffic much. Will you accord with me, show that respect you once did tender him, and withal willingness strive to invent a means may do him ease. Let us petition to his rough adversary, and Like true Sup pliants in our own behalfs, draw mercy from Arbaces. About it then, and our intentions thrive. Manet Julio. Not thought, I durst have sworn him of a purer mettle and better temper far. Were he my father, should forget himself, and match this outrage, mercy quite forsake me if I would sue his pardon. Fair Phemone. She was my Lord, while some hard fate disjoined their mutual league, and burst the holy concord. Yes, they supped together: I love this fellow. By this light he supped with him indeed. You have been a stranger Signior; but I'm glad it's thus. This is a Monster of your making, Lodwicke, buy him a Capcase to hide up his horns in, for shame o'th' world. What, the Fool? By the bright Sun you wrong her: weep not fair one. Nay, enter, enter. When time and place shall serve, my wit shall thank you I am ever bound to you sweet Lady. How fare you, sir?