GWALTER

Look you so strange my hearts, to see our limbs Thus suited in a Hunter's livery? O 'tis a lovely habit, when green youth Like to the flowery blossom of the spring, Conforms his outward habit to his mind, Look how yond one-eyed wagoner of heaven, Hath by his horses fiery winged hoofes, Burst open the melancholy Jail of Night, And with his gilded beams cunning Alchemy, Turned all these clouds to gold, who (with the winds) Upon their misty shoulders bring in day: Then sally not this morning with foul looks, But teach your Jocund spirits to ply the Chase, For hunting is a sport for Emperor's. Nay come Mario your opinion too, He'd need of ten men's wit that goes to woe. How much your iudgmens err: who gets a wife Must Like a huntsman beat untrodden paths, To gain the flying presence of his love. Look how the yelping beagles spend their mouths So Lovers do their sighs: and as the deer, Outstrips the active hound, & oft turns back To note the angry visage of her foe, Who greedy to possess so sweet a pray, Never gives over till he cease on her, So fares it with coy dams, who great with scorn Show the care-pined hearts, that sue to them Yet on that feigned slight, (Love conquering them) They cast and eye of longing back again, As who would say, be not dismayed with frowns, For though our tongues speak no: our hearts found Or if not so, before theile miss their lovers, Their sweet breathes shall perfume the Amorous air yea, And brave them still to run in beauty's Chase: Then can you blame me to be hunter Like, When I must get a wife: but be content, So yo'ule engage your faith by oath to us, Your wills shall answer mine, my liking yours, And that no wrinkle on your cheeks shall ride. This day the Marquess vows to choose a bride. Brother be advised, The importunity of you and these, Thrusts my free thoughts into the yoke of love, To groan under the load of marriage, Since then you throw this burden on my youth Swear to me whom soever my fancy choose, Of what dissent, beauty or birth she be, Her you shall Like and love as you love me. Your protestations please me Jollily, Lets ring a hunter's peal, and in the ears Of our swift forest, Citizens proclaim, Defiance to their lightness: our sports done, The Venison that we kill shall feast our bride, If she prove bade, isle cast all blame on you, But if sweet peace succeed this amorous strife, I'll say my wit was best to choose a wife. Exeunt, And what wish you fair Maid? And isle requite that welcome if I live, Griselda suppose a man should love you dearly, As I know some that do, would you agree To quittance true affection with the Like. Nay then you jest, women have eagles eyes, To pry even to the heart, and why not you? Come, we stand fairly, freely speak your mind, For by my birth, he whom thy choice shall bless, Shall be thy husband. A single life? this cunning cannot serve, Do not I know you love her I have herd? Your passion spent for her your sighs for her, Mario to the wonder of her beauty, Compiled a Sonnet. You did entreat me to entreat her father, That you might have his daughter to his wife. Both of you turned Apostates in love, Nay then I'll play the crier: once, twice, thrice, Speak or she's gone else: no since 'twill not be, Since you are not for her, yet she's for me. Faith no more but this: By loves most wondrous Metamorphosis, To turn this Maid into your Brother's wife, Nay sweet heart look not strange I do not jest, But to thine ears mine Amorous thoughts impart, Gualter protests he loves Thee with his heart, Griselda that shall suffice, I count thee worthy: old Janicola, Art thou content that I shall be thy Son? Tush tush talk not of worth, in honest terms Tell me if I shall have her? for by heaven Unless your free consent allow my choice, To win ten kingdoms I'll not call her mine. Whats thy Sons name? I'll have both your consents: I tell you Lords, I have wooed the virgin long, o many and hour, Have I been glad to steal from all your eyes, To come disguised to her: I swear to you, Beauty first made me love, and virtue woe, I loved her lowliness, but when I tried What virtues were intempled in her breast, My chased heart swore that she should be my bride Say Father, must I be forsworn or no? Laureo whats your opinion? What says fair Griselda now? I'll gild that poverty and make it shine, With beams of dignity: this base attire, These Ladies shall tear of, and deck thy beauty In robes of honour, that the world may say, Virtue and beauty was my bride to day. No more Mario then it does disgrace The Sun to shine on me. She's rich: for virtue beautifies her face. The world still looks a squint, & I deride His purblind judgement; Griselda is my Bride, Janicola, and Laureo : father, brother, You and your Son graced with our royal favour, Shall live to outwear time in happiness. Tell me my love what pleasant fellow is this? Whats his name, Why dost thou tremble so? we are all thy friends Janicola bring him to Court with thee. I pray thee do, I'll have thee live at court, Griselda I Like thy men simplicity, Still shall he be thy servant Babulo, Griselda thy mistress, now shall be my wife Why shouldst thou think, I will make her rich Griselda I take delight to bear him talk. I do remember it and for thy pains, A golden recompense isle give to Thee. Griselda this merry fellow shall be mine, But we forget our selves, the day grows old. Come Lords cheer up your looks & with fair smiles, Grace our intended nuptials: time may come, When all commanding love your hearts subdue, The Marquess may perform as much for you. Exeunt. Furio. Thy faith I oft have tried, thy faith I credits For I have found it solid as the rock: No babbling echo sits upon thy lips, For silence even in speech, does seal them up, Wilt thou be trusty Furio to thy Lord? It is enough, those words I will, Yields sweeter music then the gilded sounds, Which chatting parrats long tongued sycophants, Send from the organs of their siren voice, Griselda my wife thou seest bear in her womb, The joy of marriage: Furio I protest, My love to her is as the heat to fire, Her love to Me as beauty to the Sun, (Inseparable adjuncts) in one word, So dearly love I Griselda, that my life Shall end, when she does end to be my wife. Yet is my bosom burned up with desires, To try my Grissils patience, I'll put on A wrinkled forehead, and turn both mine eyes, Into two balls of fire, and clasp my hand Like to a mace of Iron, to threaten death. But Furio when that hand lifts up to strike, It shall fly open to embrace my love, Yet Griselda must not know this: all my words, Shall smack of wormwood, all my deeds of gall, My tongue shall jar, my heart be musical, Yet Griselda must not know this? Furio My trial is thy secrecy, Yonder she comes: on goes this mask of frowns, Tell her I am angry: men men try your wives, Love that abides sharp tempests, sweetly thrives. Away away, I am not beholding to your love for this, Woman I love thee not, thine eyes to mine Are eyes of Basilisks, they murder me. Talk not of love I hate thee more the ̄ poison That sticks upon the airs infected wings, Exhaled up by the hight breath of the Sun, 'Tis for thy sake that speckled infamy, Sits Like a screechowl on my honoured breast, To make my subjects stare and mock at me, They swear theyle never bend their awful knees, To the base issue of the beggar womb, 'Tis for thy sake they curse me, rail at me, Thinkest thou then I can love thee (o my soul) Why didst thou build this mountain of my shame, Why lie my joys buried in Grissills name? Call not me gracious Lord, See woman here hangs up thine ancestry, The monuments of thy nobility, This is thy russet gentry, coat, and crest Thy earthen honours I will never hide, Because this bridle shall pull in thy pride. Spite of my soul sheele triumph over me. Cast down my glove again, Stoop you for it, for I will have you stoop, And kneel even to the meanest groom I keep. Furio how slovenly thou goest attired? Quickly I charge you, O strange o admiral patience, I fear when Grissills bones sleep in her graven, The world a second Griselda never will have, Now get you in. Didst thou not here her sighs, did not one frown Contract her beauteous forehead. Did not one drop fall down from ̄ sorrows eyes, To blame my heart for these her injuries? Furio that isle try, My voice may yet overtake her: Griselda, Griselda? Woman I called thee not, I said this slave was Like to Griselda, Griselda, And must you therefore come to torture me? Nay stay here's a companion fit for you, Thou vexest me, so does this villain to, But ere the Sun to his highest throne ascend, My indignation in his death shall end. Thank her. I have not true power, To wound Thee with denial, o my Griselda, How dearly should I love thee, Yea die to do thee good, but that my subjects Upbraid me with thy birth, and call it base. And grieve to see thy Father and thy Brother Heau'de up to dignities. O Furio now isle boast that I have found, And Angel upon earth: she shall be crowned The empress of all women. Lepido? Mario ? what was she that passed by you? Call her not virtuous, For I abhor her, did not her swollen eyes Look read with hate or scorn? did she not curse My name or Furio's name? For he and I railed at her, spit at her, I'll burst her heart with sorrow, for I grieve To see you grieve that I have wronged my state, By loving one whose baseness now I hate. Come faster if you can forbear Mario, 'Tis but her office: what she does to Me, She Shall perform to any of you three, I'll drink Now serve Mario, then serve Lepido : And as you bow to me, so bend to them. Hence, hence dare you control the ̄ whom I grace Come not within my sighed. Furio? Watch her where she goes, And mark how in her looks this tryeall shows. Mario, Lepido, I loath this Griselda, As sick men loath the bitterest potion Which the Physicians hand holds out to them, For Gods sake frown upon her when she smiles, For Gods sake smile for joy to see her frown, For Gods sake scorn her, call her beggars brat, Torment her with your looks, your words your deeds, My heart sha'l leap for joy, that her heart bleeds, Wilt thou do this Mario ? I know you must, so Lepido must you 'Tis well; but counsel me whats best to do, How shall I please my subjects? do but speak, I'll do it though Grissills heart in sunder break. O rare, o profound wisdom, deer Marry, It forthwith shall be done, they shall not stay, Though I may win by them a Kingdoms sway, Exit Will they not go? Away with them, expel them from our Court, Base wretches, is it wrong to ask mine own? Think you that my affection to my wife, Is greater then my love to public weal? Do not my people murmur every hour, That I have raised you up to dignities? Do not lewd Minstrels in their ribald runes, Scofe at her birth, and descant on her dower? I did, and from the bounty of my heart, I robbed my wardrobe of all precious robes, That she might shine in beauty Like the Sun, And in exchange, I hung this russet gown, And this poor pitcher for a monument, Amongst my costliest Jems: see here they hang, Griselda look here, this gown is unlike to this? you have forgotten these rags, this water pot. Yes, you are proud of these your rich attires. Well, get you on, partly briefly with your father. See them without the Palace Furio. Hence with that fool, Mario driven him hence, I, I, the memory of that mirth does kill me, She is with child you see, her travail passed, I am determined she shall leave the Court, And live again with old Janicola. Do I indeed? Dear friends it shall be done, I'll have you two Rumour that presently, to the wide ears Of that newes-louing-beast the multitude, Go tell them for their sakes this shall be done. Begone then: o these times, these impious times, How swift is mischief? with what nimble feet Does envy gallop to do injury? They both confess my Grissils innocence, They both admire her wondrous patience, Yet in their malice and to flatter me, Headlong they run to this impiety. O whats this world, but a confused throng Of fools and mad men, crowding in a thrust To shoulder out the wise, trip down the joust. But I will try by self experience, And shun the vulgar sentence of the base, If I find Griselda strong in patience, These flatterers shall be wounded with disgrace, And while verse lives, the fame shall never die, Of Grissils patience, and her constancy. Exit. Lo cousin here they be: are ye here Gen tlemen? And Julia you too? then I'll call your eyes, To testify, that to Sir Meredith, I do deliver here four sealed bonds: Coze have a care to them, it much behooves you, For Gentlemen, within this parchment lies, Five thousand Ducats payable to him, Just fourteen days before next Penticoast, Coze it concerns you, therefore keep them safe. Hurt you? what harm or good reap you thereby? True cozen & she's a virtuous gentlewoman. To tame her? that I'll teach you presently, You had no sooner spoke the word of Taming, But mine eye met a speedy remedy, See cozen here's a plot where Osiers grow, The ground belongs to old Janicula (My Grissils father) come Sir Meredith, Take out your knife cut three and so will I, So, keep yours cozen let them be safe laid up, These three (thus wound together) I'll preserve. You shall not take such counsel from my lips, How now Mario? what news brings thee hither in such quick haste? Take that for thy pains, Not for the joy that I conceive thereby, For Griselda is not gracious in the eye Of those that love me, therefore I must hate Those that do make my life unfortunate. And thats my children: must I not Mario? Thou bowest thy knee, well, well I know thy mind, Virtue in villains can no succour find, A son and daughter? I by them will prove, My Grissils patience better, and her love: Come Julia, come Onophrio, coze farewell, Reserve those wandes, these three I'll bear away, When I require them back, then will I show How easily a man may tame a shrew. Exeunt. Did she not see thee when thou tookest it up? Give me this blessed burden, pretty fool With what and amiable look it sleeps, And in that slumber how it sweetly smiles, And in that smile how my heart leaps for joy: Furio I'll turn this circle to a cradle, To rock my deer babe: A great Roman Lord, Taught his young Son to ride a Hodby-horse. Then why should I think scorn to dandle mine: Furio behold it well, to whom is't Like? Thou dost but flatter me, here comes Mario, I know Mario will not flatter me, Mario, thy opinion, view this child, Does not his lips, his nose, his forehead, And every other partly resemble mine? And yet me thinks I am not half so brown. Furio, play thou the nurse, handle it softly. Mario step to Griselda she's a sleep, Her white hand is the pillar to those cares, Which I ungently lodg'e within her head, Steal thou the other child and bring it hither, If Griselda be awake and strive with thee, Bring it perforce, nor let her know what hand, Hath robbed her of this other, haste Mario. Run flattery, because I did blaspheme and call it brown, This Parrasite cried (Like and Echo) brown. I know 'tis fair, I know 'tis wondrous fair, Dear pretty infant let me with a kiss, Take that dishonour off, which the foul breath Of a profane slave, laid upon thy cheeks; Had but I said my boy's a Blackamoor, He would have damned himself and so have swore. Give her her child Mario and yet stay, Furio hold thou them both, Griselda forbear, You are but nurse to them they are not thine. If they could speak, what think you they would say? Obey it then in silence: shall not I Bestow what is mine own, as likes me best? Deliver me these brats: come press me down, With weighty infamy: here is aloade Of shame, of speckled shame: Oh God how heavy And armefull of dishonour is? heeres two, Griselda for this isle thank none else but you, Which way so ere I turn I meet a face, That makes my cheeks blush at mine own disgrace. This way or this way, never shall mine eye Look thus, or thus: but (o me) presently, (Take them for Gods sake Furio ) presently I shall spend childish tears: true tears indeed, That thus I wrong my babes and make her bleed, Go Griselda get you in. Tell her thou must provide a nurse for them Comes she not back Mario ? Tush, tush, it cannot be but sheele return, I know her bosom bears no marble heart, I know, a tender Mother cannot partly, With such a patient soul, from such sweet souls, She stands and watches sure, and sure the weeps, To see my seeming flinty breast, Mario Withdraw with me: Furio stay thou here still, If she return, seem childish, and deny To let her kiss or touch them. Exeunt To chide & curse thy Lord thou hast more need Poor babes I weep to see what wrong I do. And so does mine: sweet sounds this discord makes. My cheeks do glow with shame to here her speak, Should I not weep for joy my heart would break, And yet a little more I'll stretch my trial. Mario, Lepido? You shall be witness of this open wrong, I gave strait charge, she should not touch these brats, Yet has she tempted with lascivious tears, The heart of Furio, see she dandles them, Take that child from her: stay, stay, isle commend, That pity in thee which I'll reprepend. Dare you thus contradict our strait command But heeres a trusty groom, out hypocrite, I shall do Justice wrong to let Thee breath, For disobeying me. Tempt me not Syren, since you are so loving, Hold you take both your children, get you gone, Derobe her of these rich abiliments, Take down her hat, her pitcher and her gown, And as she came to me in beggary, So driven her to her father's. Vex me not good Mario if you woe me, (Or if you shed one tear) to pity her, Or if by any drift you succour her, You lose my favour everlastingly, You must be villains theres no remedy, Mario, Lepido, you two shall help, To bear her children home. Thou bearest too much indeed. Driven her hence Lepido. Shee'll triumph over me do what I can. Disrobe her presently. O Griselda in large Characters of gold, Thy virtuous sacred fame shall be enroulde, Tell me thy judgement Furio of my wife? There's gold. Provide them Nurse's. Away, though I dare trust thy secrecy, Yet will I follow thee in some disguise, And try thy faith, and Grissils constancy: If thou abide unblemished, then I swear, A have found two wonders that are seldom rise, A trusty servant, and a patient wife. Exit. How now my hearts, what's the matter? Take them from him perforce, Are these his children? Two sweet Ducks, and is this his wife? The Marquess is a tyrant and does worng. Stay sirrah take thy purse. Poor soul her grief burns inward, yet her tongue Is loath to give it freedom: I do wrong, O Griselda I do wrong thee and, lament, That for my sake thou feelest this languishment. I came to try a servant and a wife, Both have I proved true, that purse of gold I brought, And let if fallen of purpose to relieve her, Well may I give her gold that so much grieve her, As I came in by stealth, so I'll away, Joy has a tongue, but knows not what to say. Exit. You see Sir Owen we are soon invited, Where is your wife the Lady Gwenthian? Why Farnese what's the matter? Sir Owen Meredith is all this true? O my deer Griselda, how much different Art thou to this cursed spirit here, I say My Grissils virtues shine Sir Meredith. And Cozen Gwenthian come I'll have you friends, This dinner shall be saved, and all shall say, 'Tis done, because 'tis Gwenthians fasting day. I'll see the peace kept sure, do what he can, I doubt his wife will prove the better man. Exit. Furio High thee to old Janicola's, Charge him, his daughter Grissil, and his Son To come to Court, to do such office, Of duty to our marriage, as shall Like Our state to lay upon them. Tut tut, isle have my will and tame her pride, I'll make her be a servant to my bride, Julia I'll bridle her. Sister correct that error, come Sir owen, Is not this better music then your brawls? Julia and Gentlemen these are the news, Brought on the wings of hast and happiness, By trusty Lepido our endeared brother, Is hard at hand who in his company, Brings my fair second choice a worthy bride, Attended by the States of Pavia, She's daughter to the Duke of Brandenburgh, Now shall no subjects envious soul repine, And call her base whom now I will make mine, None shall upbraid me now, (as they have done) That I will slay a daughter and a Son, Grissils two babes are dead, and killed by scorn, But that fair issue that shall now be born Shall make a satisfaction of all wrongs. Come gentlemen we will go meet this train, Let every one put on a smiling brow, Sir Owen I will have your company, And your's fair cozen: well remembered to, Bring your three wands Sir Owen to the Court, Though Gwenthyan look with a smoother eye, I'll teach you how to win the sovereignty. We play the unthrifts in consuming time, Though your cursed wife make some afraid to woe Yet I'll woe once more and be married to. Lords as you love our State, affect our loves, Like of your own content, respect your lives, Urge us no further, Gwalter is resolved, To marry the half heir of Brandenburgh, My brother Pau with no small expense, Hath brought the Princess out of Germany. Together with Prince Gwalter her young brother, Now they are come, learn of the rising Sun, Scatter the cloudy mists of discontent, As he disperceth vapours with his beams. Griselda is patient Madame, be you pleased. You shall anon good Cozen Meredith. Furio are Griselda and the other come? Are they employed according to our charge? How does her brother take it? How her Father? How her self? Furio, go call out Griselda from the Bride. What meanest thou fellow to cast down thy load? What fellow is this? Take him away into the Posters lodge, Griselda Take you his load and bear it in. Whats that that villain prates so? Sirrah take you his coals, Griselda depart, Return but bear that first, Stay you Janicola, I have herd you sing, What grief can in your aged bosom lie? Janicola here is a bridal song, Play you the Lark to greet my blessed sun, Griselda are you returned? play you the morning, To lead forth Gratiana my bright bride Go in and wait on her Janicola. Sing Hymeneus himmes, Music I say. Exit. Griselda. Art thou as glad in soul as in thy song? Salute my beauteous love. Bring me a crown of gold to crown my love, A wreathe of willow for despised Griselda. Griselda place you this crown upon her head, Put these embroidered slippers on her feet. 'Tis well, deliver me your wedding ring, Circle-her finger with it, now stand by, Art thou content with all? My Bride is Crowned, now tell me all of you, Which of you ever saw my love before? What is her name, her birth, place, or estate, You all hear this, and all think this? Some that are great put robes on Parasites, Mario, Lepido come you two hither, Are not you richly clad? have I done so? Graceless, have done, Truth, seldom dwells in a still talking tongue, Furio bring Laureo from the Porters lodge, Take in Janicola, and cloth them both In rich abiliments, they shall awhile Be flattered with false Fortune's wanton smiles. How do you Like my Bride? You flatter me. What strife is there, what aileth Laureo ? Cloth old Janicola in rich attire, Do you repine, nay then isle vex you more, Griselda I will receive this second wife From none but from thy hands: come give her Me, Griselda dost thou deliver me this maid, As and untainted flower which I shall keep, Despite of envies canker, till the rust, Of all consuming death finish her lilfe? What says Janicola ? Griselda hold fast the right hand of my bride, Thou wearest a willow wreathe and she a crown, True bride take thou the crown and she the wreathe, Peace peace, thou Siccophant Grissil receive Large interests for thy love and sufferance. Thou gavest me this fair maid, I in exchange, Return thee her: and this young Gentleman Thy Son and daughter kiss with patience, And breath thy virtuous spirit into their souls. Why stands my wronged Grissil thus amazed? Arise flatterers get you gone, Exeunt Lep. Ma. Your souls are made of black confusion. Father Janicola. Who stands thus sad, what brother Laureo ? Our pardon and our love circle thee round, Lets all to banquet, mirth our cares confound. Furio where be the wands that I bound up? I wreathed them then sir Owen, and you see They still continue so, wreathe you these three. But cozen these you see did gently bow, I tried my Grissils patience when it green, Like a young Over, and I moulded it Like wax to all impressions: married men That long to tame their wives must curb them in, Before they need a bridle, then they'll prove All Grissils full of patience, full of love, Yet that old trial must be tempered so, Least seeking to tame them they master you. But you Sir Owen giving her the head, As you gave liberty to those three wandes, Shee'll break as those do if you bend her now, And then you're passed all help, for if you strive, You'll gain as gamesters do that seldom thrive. Our joys are complete, forward to our feast, Patience hath wone the prize and now is blessed. Since Julia of the maids, and Gwenthian Of froward wives, entreat a kind applaud, See Griselda among all this multitude, Who will be friend to gentle patience? See where my Griselda, and her father is, Me thinks for beauty shining through those weeds, Seems Like a bright star in the sullen night. How lovely poverty dwells on her back, Did but the proud world note her as I do, She would cast off rich robes, forswear rich state, To cloth them in such poor abiliments, Father good fortune ever bless thine age. Were but Grissils birth, As worthy as her form, she might be held A fit companion for the greatest state. Father ani ola whats he that speaks This is no time to hold dispute with scholars Tell me in faith old man what dost thou think, Because the Marquess visits thee so oft? I say there is: come Lords stand by my side, Nay brother you are sped and have a wife, Then give us leave that are all Bachelors, Now Grissil, eye us well and give your verdict, Which of us three you hold the properest man, What intends your grafted? I my Lord write sonnets? My Lord I swear she never shall be my bride, I hope sheele swear so too being thus denied, This mean choice, will distain your nobleness Farewell simplicity, partly of my shame farewell, Now Lady what say you of their exile? I am glad you are so patient, get you in, Exit Gr. Thy Like will never be, never hath been. Mario, Lepido ? The hand of poverty held down your states, As it did Grissils, and as her I raised, To shine in greatness sphere, so did mine eye, Through gilded beams of your births, therefore me thinks Your soul should sympathise, and you should know, Wht passion in my Grissils bosom flow, Faith tell me your opinions of my wife? Would, would, why this is pleasing harmony. Yet once more will I try her, presently I'll have Thee go to old Janicola's, And take her children from her, breed some doubt, (By speeches) in her, that her eyes shall never Behold them more: bear them to Pavia, Commend us to our brother, say from us, That we desire him with all kind respect, To nurse the infants, and withal conceal, Their parentage from any mortal ear, I charge thee on thy life reveal not this, I charge thee on thy life, be Like thy name, (When thou comest to her) rough and furious. A pretty soul, sirrah thou wilt be hanged for this. Beat him, but first take these two from his arms, I am a basket maker, and I swear I'll die before he bear away the babes. I would not for ten world's but hear my Grissil. Welcome good cozen Gwenthian, will you please Go in, and lend your presence to my bride? And I will keep my promise, wreathe your wands Thou wouldst wish so, knewest thou for what I come Brother of Pavia behold this virgin, Mario Lepido is she not fair? Look here thy shoes are both untied, Griselda kneel you and tie them. Now, whats the matter? Away with her I say. Then Fu. stand thou forth, Lords in his breast A loyal servants true soul does rest, Furio shall be appareled in a robe. Why are not you then nipped? you still seem fresh As if adversities cold Izie hand, Had never laid his fingers on your heart.