FORESTE

I must not be so rude as to believe That you (my Lord) can your affections set; Upon a Maid, so humble in her birth As she you name, for regard of honour Do not mock the sister of your servant. Young Lord, disclaim that thought! Hear I Promulgate, you my Patron are; You found me in estate so poor, so low, That you were feign to stoop to lift me up, You are the Dukes Creature! who dotes by Art, Who in his love, and kindness, Method keeps: He holds thus his Arms, in fearful care Not to bruise you with his deer embracements, And what is she whose Virgin blood disdains To quench your lawful fire? or whom the Duke's Would not procure to climb your Marriage be Upon her Knees? And shall I then (Like to the treacherous Moon) strive to eclip The Sun that gives me light? Shall I consent That she, that tumbled in a Womb with me, Shall give your Issue birth? The royal Duke Would thank me for such charity. My Lord Though you are wise, you are but young. Sir t'is already joined unto my Creed For I would eat your Heart, should it contrive A way in thought, how to cheat my Sister Of her pure Chastity. I love you so That I with care suppose; She not deserves To be your Wife, and so esteem of her That she is much too good, to be your Whore. In this new Argument, I am too bold, You know my duty well. The Dukes abroad Though but the birth of day. Go Sir! In health, and ease. He bad me tell your Grace It was a deed of charity to think Him worthy of this same great employment. And this letter he humbly recommends To your perusal. You may with charity. Signior Castruchio, as I take you. Signior. I need a comment to your words. Sir my abilities are most pregnant When I find I may be profitable To any Courtiers joust, and modest suit. I pray what sense carries the inscription? Trust me and Engine of importance great. But now, what would the Enginere himself? Keep it. Good sir keep it. A monopoly Why sir the commonwealth hath been so crushed, With th'insulting Charter of such Parents, That now the very word defiles the cause. I had thought you Signior would have engaged My industry in such a suit as might Noway disparedg though it did enrich; How ever not abuse the public weal. I did expect you would begin to rail. Good troubled Soul! I knew you well before. You are the only Man, whose wealthy Muse Does furnish all the Fiddlers in the State With worser sp'rate Ballads, and invective Songs. Libels of such weak fa cy and composure That we do all esteem it greater wrong To-have our Names extant in such paltry Rhyme Then in the slanderous sense. You, you must be a Satirist forsooth, Calumniate by instinct and inspiration. As if joust Heaven would borrow Gall of you, Wherewith to write our faults. (Oh strict account!) Your Gall, which in the Pen so overflows, That still it blots, where in inscribs. You imitate the property of Dogs, Who bark and snarl most at him they know not For else among all those you scandalise Why named you me? (almost a stranger to your Eye) My Ancestors that built no Monument For their fame's to dwell in; You also bring Into the knowledge of the critic World. Why I could never see thee yet but dru ke: Which makes thy Verses reel and stagger so. A pretty Cur! dare it bite as well as bark! How now sir, your Mathematical thrusts! Then have at you—Yield me thy Sword, or else thou diest. I have no joy to set a liberty A Soul so unprepared. And as thou art My Enemy, I take a full revenge, By suffering thy corrupted blood to dwell. And taint within that veins. W'are discovered— Take thy sword Now get thee home and rail vpon't, Because would fight no better. Which I desire to know. Alas my Father! The times are more observant to your Tribe. It is the method now that your deserts Needs not to usher but succeed reward. The Treatise (written lately) to confute, The desperate sect in Mantua, calls it you The Author? There your preferment safely takes root. Believe me (ghostly Father) I will choose The fittest time to woke in your behalf. My Lord is come, where's my Sister. My good Lord, The proverb will persuade you: To be bold, with wha S your own. Your title's strong, bo to the house, and me. Cease that noise, 'tis troublesome: Obey him, if the music not deserve Your strict attention: You must blame your self. Whither sir? Why then look there, the voice was hers, go sir And take what else you would enforce from my possession. Stay Sir—If she consent but to abuse The property of motion in such kind As may exalt her person but on such Above this height: I am her enemy For evermore. Consider what you do. She brings no portion but humility, If her first payment fail: who dares assure The future debt? Pray look into her lap: You'll find she comes not from the East enriched With Diamonds, bright wealth: whose wanton worth Unskilful fancy prizes not from use But from the idolatrous doting of the eye. Her chaste obedience is all her dowry. Oh bitter speech! it cuts my very soul To think that fortune should create us two Mere patterns of your charity. Now; I'll leave you to your selves. My gracious Lord. They are so please your Grace. Both in his words and looks: for when he herd the English-Leiger had opposed his Treaty Concerning trassique with the Florentine, His anger straight dismissed the Argument, And seized upon the Nation, nay railed Against the Leiger too, whose opposition, Might be chidden as too nice a Virtue, But could not be accused as a vice, 'Tis known indeed the French do take a prides, In the emphasis of sudden anger, As if alacrity in ill did make, The fault look handsomely, and dulness add Deformity to sin. Swelled with uncharitable pride: such as Admits no style of Neighbour; as if grown Above the use of friendship. They seem to call Those mighty Ilanders nearest their soil, Poor borderers to their Continent. Such, Whose thin numbers, have in bloody battle, Made their multitudes their impediments, Worn their Ensigns, instead of gaudy Skarfes. Your Grace deals justly in your praise. They (have Spirits: but they all are useless made, By forward and affectate violence. He that spends his fury, and his strength I'th' first charge, must not hope to make's retreat, So nobly, as the modest Combarant, Whose onset slowly moves: as careful not Outride his skill. Their valour is t'attempt. Not to perform. T'is a giddy Nation; And never serious but in trifles. Io my Sister. Sir pardon the permission, Or frown, and leave your creature more obscure Then when you owned him first. Now is the time To show your charity Divine. Preserve What you have made. T'is strange that his dislike is fled so soon. Affection is become a Parasite; Strives to please, whom it cannot benefit. Is his violence so soon tired? survey The Register of your own deeds. Speak Sir, Have you so engrossed his ears, as if their Organ, were yours, not his. Confined they to Your own tongue: and so worser prived the sorrowful, The grieved in heart, of and easy audience? Have those who wear eternals Livery Bought their wages of you? Or have they found Bold, and skilful flattery, more helps Advam cement; then deep and modest Learning? Hath the desolate Wid owe scared mercy From your eyes, with her old ruined beauty, (For grief was never amorous) or hath The torn Beggar too soon dismissed your charity Because not giddy enough to delight Wantonness. Then if our great Master withdraw his love; The weight of sufferance cannot bruise you; For the whole world will share i'th burden. Sir. Shall the gray head, the old Soldier. That tries misfortune by his constancy In sufferance; ffronts the winter's rage; While his blood is frozen into Coral, His sins into Wire: whole Vallor thinks To wear Chained shot, as bracelets on his Loins. Shall his preferment be intercepted? Shall he now trail a Pike under a Boy, Whose experience is younger then his face? Princes letters are c e per far then those Which Scriven rs put to sale. If such Pigmies, Apes in doublets, procure command oth' Camp, Let the Cranes wage war again. No opposition Is too weak to ruinate.—Go young Lord, The Duke is ill accompanied, if on y With his own thoughts. Discover more. Perhaps His discontent concerns not you. Signior Lothario! Boracho too. Thou art and honest fellow. Whats here? My Pedigree? Some saucy knave Hath counseled him, to this affront. What he, I must know th'originall proiector. Lay hold upon those fools. Lay all hold on him. No matter, let him go. Convey that fool, Unto the Porters Lodge. Must you away to night. The Sun will fail ye, ere you reach Lucca. Take heed, suspicion is the Favourite Of Time, and Nature, it takes a sudden grouth: And gathers in the breast, Like Balls of suow, In snow; until the weight make it deny To be removed: then melts at leisure too. Why then consider thus. You go to Lucca, There to congratulate the sat approach Of the Popes Legate; He hath been there a week; And why he was not visited ere this Or why upon such strict, and short summons. Your self must now be sent; quite puzzles me. Actions rare, and sudden, do commonly Proceed from fierce necessity: or else From some oblique design: which is ashamed, To show it self i'th' public Road. Thus thy years do riddle grief away; Making sorrow swift, because it's mortal. Let me wait, on your Lordship to your horse, And at your better leisure read this same. I'll tell you as we go, who brought it me. Oh Sir, t'is error of unskilful love To be too constant in her charity To all. But I have grounds more relative To make me jealous of the truth: and I Believe you with my heart: and yet t'is strange. Does this Castruchio think his haggard fate Can triumph over mine? because in lust The Devil did instruct his industry: Dares he attempt my life? Come hither Love. Signefie in secret When was the royal Lecher here disguised? What did he send thee last? when must you quench The Cyprian fire: hah! you may tell me all, For I'll not blab. Alas, I'm more silent Then my Grandsire in his Tomb. A subtle Pimp, I, A Pander learned in the art. Tell me Chuck? Why nothing, I: yet 'tis enough I feel The wrong, If ignorant, I suffer twice. And therefore let me know my Enemy. The little worm, when trod upon; will turn His Head, to look upon his Murderer. And hath my Spleen no Eyes: Is the revenge Of Man less curious then a Worms.—She weeps, Oh Luinna, the sacred knot's untied. Thou hast defiled and stained the vestal Sheets, Thy Breast shall be no more my Pillow. Oh new horror! such brazen impudence, Would make a Negro blush. Come glow jous who e, Acquaint me with your tricks. Who! when, where, how For beside the Jewel which he gave thee: I have proofs, that will even dam my sister; And convince thee too. Still constant in thy perjury. Mercy Were tamen sle then. Thou shalt die Like and heroyique Whore: a Martyr To thy concealed lover. Appear ho! Here my she goat! These men are full and fresh; But if they cannot tire you out: I will Procure you some of larger Thighs; that feed On the unctious Lhasis, and the Persian-Crab. Or bring the riotous Horse, and the Town Bull To drowned you in the act. Take her aside, And agree who shall begin. Mark, did not I suspect, she would begin Her Charms again. Away with her. Be nimble then: and tell me punctual truth, For my revenge is honest, and would not Willingly mistake, when it shall strike. What think you sir? Still me thinks that Jewel which he gave her, Procured the same requital that my Sister made. But let it pass. I do conjure you both, (As y'haue been Soldiers) to keep your Tongues, A safe distance from your Ears, Let not words Disperse what you have herd. T'is external Reputation that keeps some Men from sin. Our faults once known, we do neglect to mend: Since Reputation suffers still: for that Admits of help, but it is never cured. And so the fatal jars tween Man, and Wife, If secret kept, dissension falls asleep. But if once known to Fame; Fame talks so loud She waketh it again. Your silence Signiors, Shall challenge much from my requital. I will deserve you for my friends. Rise— You must be cleared by a stricter trial: till when I do neglect the large Charter Of Husbands over their Wives: and command you As a Judge offendor. Hence, and become My Prisoner in your Closet. Take heed, No curiosity in fear make you, To pry in my designs. But where's the rigled Hag; the incestuous lump Of heat? where is she, speak? How, a rape! oh weak, and immodest shift, Were Aretine alive; or had I brought A Crew of Midwives here: whose obscene art Might warrant the distinction good; Although the cause did blush, to own effect; Yet thy appeal might stand: but here are none. If compulsion does insist, until Enforcement breed delight, we cannot say, The female suffers. Acceptance at the last, Disparageth the not consenting at the first: Calls her worser niall, her unskilfulness; And not a virtuous frost i'th' blood. Come, fit thee down.—Or if you mean to pray, Kneel, and be nimble in devotion. That art to die. Blessed speech! thou shalt prescribe my gesture And my Phrase. I there's the point. The giddy multitude Have neither skill, nor leisure to c nuince Supposition, with Arguments of strength And charity. Their quick censure, brings such Eff ct, as Spectacles, when used in hast; Which then oe rather aggravate the shape: Then gium distinction of the form. Who, who, Would live to be and Argument for them? Why is't not apt, and pregnant to your sense, It should be so? Her beauty'gins to wither. She distils Like to a Rose. Oh could I separate The blood defiled from what is pure: I would Shed that; then restrain the current, know! (Unskilful Nature) If operation Should long subsist in such gross mixture: Men, Would be Devils here they lived in Hell. Ecstasy! through weakness in expense of blood! Dear sister! Disturb not your last Minutes. How! would you enter Heaven; with fetters on Your Soul? clogged with these mortal Limbs. Fit down, Expire in peace. Sweet Soul! these, are but mistakes of weak ness. Fit still. I bring no negative reply. Thy worth shall shine in such a Character: That being dead; he needs must woo thy Ghost. That Astrologer; who spys thee first Within a Star: must not find thee billeted Near to Venus. Such error in his Act; Would make me wreathe his Body into Cords. And with prolix strength draw the dull Caitiff, Through his slender Optic. A Convulsion in her Arteries! Hark! As she ascends, the Spheres do welcome her, With their own Music.—Her Soul is gone! Hah? whither is it gone? Oh vast suspense! Madness succeeds inquiry. Fools of Nature! What Ancestor (that died long since) hath brought Us news of his abided! or told us how They use him in the other world? Oh this Wild mystery so much concerns Man: That we would willingly dismiss suspense With Eyesight not with consequence. For he that sees through Faith, but flatters doubt. Faith's a Perspective; through whose narrow lane; Little things (far of) seem so much too great, Too near: that what was first unknown is more Estranged from knowledge, then it was before. Yet by the rules of lawful notion: It Goes well with her: for she was ever given To prayer: superstitious in humility: And even unthrifty in her charity. She held her Virtues in such high extremes, That her Divinity was troublesome. Grew from a Saint, a holy Cynic. Sleep here: A sacri ice to thy wronged Lord: Till I (Thy Pries't) become and Executioner To him; who was thy cruel Ravisher. Leave here the Light, and go to Bed. Break open the door, break open the door. Hah! who counsels so unlawfully? I pray come hither Sir.—Do you dislike Yes, in the noblest strain: she was defiled. The royal Goat (the Duke ) hath ravished her: And I (that never could admit excuse In points of honour) (where ever suspicion Suffices to condemn) did summon up My memory: wherein the kind effects, Of your best love to us are registered. And finding you betrayed in your own Fort! I slit her Wrist- aines, and gave perpetual Liberty, to her polluted Blood. Had she included all propinquity Of blood; which lawful Marriage keepeth known, Or promiscuous Copulation, makes Intricate: this bore word (Honour) had been Enough, to-have divorced her from my mercy. Sweet Lord; do not mistake your Servant: Whose kindness thinks his own Sister (when defiled) Was to base for your use. Sir, cool your spleen! take breath awhile: And hear me speak. Come—Let me die (as she) a sacrifice To thee my Patron. Oh my deer Lord! where did I lose your heart? I am overcome at these expressions. I cannot weep much: yet my Eyes are moist. Oh my unskilful gratitude! what dire Mistake, confounds our properties! I killed A Sister, to secure a Friend. Was ill, It not the right way. A true Roman now, Would walk aside, and with his own Sword Dismiss his own Soul: and not permit Moisture in youthful Eyes, thus to disgrace The strength of elder love. I cannot weep, But our divinity supplies us with Discreeter ways, to make affection known; Enough. I will prefix but one short Hour, To think vpon't. Here sir. Sheath your good sword, Till revenge prove ripe. And I conjure By all my Sisters love to follow me: In whose behalf, your justice may employ It self. Which done, you shall behold my Heart Without a Perspective. If it concerns her; by whom thou dost Conjure my service, I'm bound to follow thee. What hoa! Come Minion, come along with us. You walk Unto the Barte. If trial find thee false; Thou shalt be scattered into Atoms Now set the reflex at liberty: Here let me beg your tarriance: Till I Resolve a doubt that most concerns my Heart. My actions are confined: Upon, not in The Bed? Gilded confounds all order, and makes, Our rest unnatural. Mistress, stand you there. I am not so unthrifty of time To join replies, unto demands, I must Deprive you of your Soul. I know to were a profane curiosity In me, to question the prerogatives Of a free Prince. For Ignorance, and a dull, Easy faith; must flatter bondage still. Or Liberty (eldest Child of Nature) Confounds predominance, by suing for Equality amongst the Sons of Men: And so revokes a Chaos. Enough false Sir. Warm not the air with words. Be still, or I conclude you in a trice, And now requite the Leisure, I permit For prayer: by a true reply to what I shall demand. Look on your opposite. Did you ever make her and Adulteress? Speak truth, so come your Soul to Heaven. Oh Sir? Take heed the Perjurer hath little hope On the last day, to hide himself i'th' Crowd. He is a sinner much too eminent. But what meant that Jewel which you gave her; And which she concealed; till its own lustre Did betray it? I know Luinna, thou art merciful: Forgive me gentle Girl. It was the first Bargain we did make i'th' Church, to Share In sufferance. Behold (young Lord) the cruel Ravisher. Whom Time himself shall never parallel, Though he survey his old Records, and scratch His reverend Head to waken memory. My heart swells. I'm full of grief, and danger. Some Iron Hoops to help my Ribs, or I shall burst. For my own partly, I will annihilate My self: for should I live, I should grow mad. But I am bound to care for you (my Lord) Take heed! I know the tricks of Majesty. They think they cannot be secure after Doing ill; but by doing worse: that is, By killing quite, whom erst they did but wound. Lucio, composed of such and humble love: That to secure his Master's feet, would spread. And scatter all his Limbs, for him to walk upon. Make hast Luinna. What noise is that? The Duke my Sovereign sla e, and Lucio Bleeding at his feet. Villain take this thrust At my own prejudice. Some comfort yet remains: in that I am, Proscribed to share in thy fate, though it be bade. I lose much blood. Oh trivial fortitude, False Sinews, do you begin to shrink? Nay let us join Hands.—We do forgive Each other, and the World. The Like mercy May Heaven bestow on us. There his heartstrings broke. Lucio (my Patron) Already Chapf lne to: that sighed deserves a Tear: Though I should stab my Eyes to warrant it. I have not breath enough to comfort thee. With words, mercy Heaven. A good day attend my ghostly Father! Does this your tarriance here discover ought, You would with me? What throngs of great impediments besiege The virtuous mind? so thick in multitude, They jostle one another as they come. Hath Vice a charter God, that none must rise But such, who of the Devils faction are? The way to honour is not evermore The way to Hell: a virtuous Man may climb. Let the flatterer fell his Lies, else where It is unthrifty merchandise to change My gold for breath. Of all Antagonists Most charity I find in envious men. For they do sooner hurt themselves, then hurt Or me, or him, that raised me up. And envious man is made of thoughts. To ruminate much does melt the brain, And make the heart grow lean. Such men as these: That in opposing waste their proper strengths: That sacrifice themselves in silly hope, To butcher us; save Revenge a labour, And die to make experiment of Wrath. Let Fame discourse aloud until she want And Antidote: I am not scared with noise. Here I dismiss my fears. If I can swell (Unpoisoned by those helps, which Heaven forbids) Found love of ease, shall near my soul dehort: Maugre all flattery, envy, or report. I was assured before. This is the time, In which I shall oblige posterity Or fallen (my wench) by flattering error. Hast thou to my sister counsel given? Instructions safe! whereby her actions May warrant her promotion well deserved. And I, Will join to make offence seem virtuous. Now interchange your souls. Where passion is So found, it cannot well be counterfeit. Each unbusied Angel, hear me speak! Oh send, send down unto this youthful pair Celestial heat. Such serious love as makes A business of delight; Instruct her soul To practice duty in the humble strain. And furnish him with and acceptance prompt. Make her fruitful as the Vine; which grows Crooked with the weight of its own increase. So blessed in their Issue, that when time Shall think them fit to taste the privilege Of Death: they shall not needs a Monument Yet dwell as chief i'th' memory of Fame. Since you have shared the Dukes prerogative, And by his love, held opposition. At such great advantage. did you ever slight With cheap regard, those of high, and Noble birth? In nice trial, or evidence of Law, Hath Custom (which only gives us hope Of certainty in Justice) been traduced By your obscure help? Why me sweet Patron: this is enough Of danger, since none is merited. What hoa? Luinna! Wife! Stay, I'm of too easy, too soft a Soul. My Heartstrings (sure) are made of silk: and it's A subtle whore, she knows it well enough. But come, be brief. Charm me not with storys Of my former love between us. I see thee as thou art, and thou appearest Like and entire, proportionable Boil. Why speakest thou not? Oh my heart! shall my industry, and Hope's Find this perjod? My sufferance is tired. It is and old inconstancy in Fate, Soon to erect, and soon to ruinate. This is your Dirge, Why, what's the matter Sir? I cannot tell, why thou (my Girl) shouldst joy In my advancement thus. Honour, and place Bring sullen thoughts with them: business of such A ragged quality, as takes away The amorous garb: those soft wanton touches, Wherewith the youthful flatterer betrays The weaker side to Actium: whose effects More weakness brings. I shall no leisure have To comfort thee with smiles: when t'is assigned That I must venture for a Boy: will be In haste. My business will not suffer me To stay, and make a prologue to the act, To kiss, or simper invitation. I would have her wear her growing Fortune's, In a handsome fashion: Do but observe The unpolished garb of City dams: of those Whom athers purse-strings hoyfe up to honour. How they do suck their Chins into their Necks. Simper with unskilful leuetie: and trip On their wanton Toes; Like Kibe heel'd-Fayries. The Devils dam shows Like a vestal Nun To them: more powerful in humility. Instruct my Sister, gentle wife.— 'Tis. I. Dismiss that trisle hence, and shut The door. Nay t'is often seen. Amongst the several Creatures of a Prince, Such instruments as these most profit reap. Employments noble do requite themselves, And honour pays, the great of heart: who lose But Time in service which is the Bodies wealth. Your friend stays. If you please appear with him From thence, at my summons: I shall discover more. Why she that Gossips with the Devils Dam, The subtle Bawd, your Woman. Oh Sister! Corsa kneels. I have herd all.—Nay do not work distinction thus. Kneel not to me; you are my Patrons wife. But yet where obligation is endeared; There Injury condemns it self. Can you Surui e a wrong so eminent: a wrong Committed' gainst your Husband, and my Patron? Ceremonious form, does oft, so long Delay our journey; till it prove too late To reach our home. T'is a long way to Heaven. We must make hast. Nay, if your courage fail Before it comes unto the test: I shall Prepare to be unkind. Grim, black fancy Could you endure to see your Lord; defiled, Polluted as you are? That kind Patron To all our family; whose constant love Is warranted by Time; that best can judge Of constancy. Who took you to his bed; Upon conditions cheap, and dangerous To his own estate. Come, stretch down your Arm: and permit this Scarf To fastne it to the Chair. Then veil your Eyes. We must not trust a Woman's valour so— Dismiss your Servants, and you shall know all. The torture's passed. Thy wrist wains are cut, Here In this Basin bleed: till dryness make them curl Like Lute-strings in the fire— My Lord! Whither so fast (sweet Lord!) Looks he so strangely on ye? is it you? what do you mean By this uncivil visitation!