Fellows are able to outface Truth and make her fly the Dukedom Bug. Nay you must not enter there Cla. VVhat do they mean I begin to fear them For certainly they are extreamly drunk Furfante without fooling where 's my Lady Fur. Thou sawcy impudence Bug. I wonder Madam that you don't discharge him Cla. Tho' Furfante plays the Rogue th' other Seems a sober Gentleman Fur. That 's not your way Sirrah get y'out of my Doors Bug. How the Boy stares do you not hear your Lady Cla. I hear a sawcy Coxcomb Cicco within Cic. Furfante Arabella Furfante Fur. My Master comes what shall we do This Boy will ruine us he seems to threaten Bug. Let me alone to charm him I 'le make Him believe the Devil walks above ground Enter Cicco Cic. Are none of my Knaves within Or is my Daughter deaf Furfante Fur. Your pleasure Sir Speaks with his Male-side towards him Cic. Did you not hear me call Fur. I was so taken up with grief for my young Mistress Cic. VVhy what of her Fur. Alas poor Gentlewoman she has wept her Eyes out Cic. VVept for what Fur. Her Lover Signior Honorio who shou'd have made Her a VVoman with her own consent Sir Cic. 'Sdeath what of him Fur. VVhy Sir he has disappointed her expectation He is not come according to promise and She poor Bride sits yonâ—â—â— blubbering Her Eyes out Cic. Foolish Girl 't is early he 'll come fear not Fur. 'T is rather growing late Sir Cic. 'T is breakfast time with thee Fur. That 's a season I never was acquainted with Since I knew your VVorship but if you please 'T is dinner time Cic. How Rogue are we not newly up Fur. You may take your ease but we under Officers Of the Family rose six hours ago Signior Buggio has been here these three hours Cic. How Signior Buggio here Furâ—ante 〈…〉 Clara. Bug. Your Servant Signior Cic. Y' are welcom Sir 't is late it seems I wonder the Bridegroom comes not Bug. 'T is past twelve half an hour Cic. He 's mad too damnably mad or drunk VVhy I am but newly up Bug. That 's no nows to me Sir we have Ply'd you these four hours with hot Cloaths Till at last you began ro groan and we Believ'd it but a deep sleep Cic. Did I appear so insensible Bug. As if y 'had been an Alabaster Figure for your own Tomb. Cic. 'T is strange I feel my self well and lusty Bug. I 'me sure we pinch'd you till our Fingers Ak'd and pull'd you by the Nose till the Gristle crack'd and made us fear the Bridg-fall yet all this while we saw No sign of life Cic. No sign of life how my heart fails me Bug. He looks as if he 'd faint with imagination Cic. Nay I find I was very ill Bug. I never saw a Man nearer's grave and live Cic. I believe it for my heart akes yet I feel A' strange pricking Hem a hem But Where 's my Daughter Bug. There 's a second affiction too the poor Soul 's undone Cic. Undone the Gods forbid Bug. In her honour Sir Honorio's gone to travel Cla. My Wit shall teach me silence Cic. Base Villain to forsake my Daughter thus And cheat my good opinion of his worth But 't is not Germany nor all the World Can hide his shame tho' it secures him Bng. It may prove false all are not truths we hear Cic. However Sir he can't be true to me Nor to my Child the hour 's long since past He promis'd to be here and make her his Fur. He 's rarely wrought there is no Policy Comparable to lying and therefore I 'le lye And tell lyes in this corner abundantly That is counterfeit a Passion for my dear Honorio Cic. Poor Girl thy Passion made a better choice Than my too avaricious care Gaxbato's love Might have made thee more happy Cla. This makes for Arabella Cic. But Poverty 's no Virtue doubting Fool. Bug. And blind Coxcomb to boot Cic. 'T is good Since Manners are uncertain we make sure Of Gold a Mineral that will endure Cla. How small a time can age be generous But 't is not strange old Men are near the Grave And therefore care not how much earth they have Bug. Your Daughter 's full of grief you wou'd do well To comfort her Cic. If I cou'd find her this Rogue Furfante's Still out o th' way and I dare not call for fear Of discovering my imperfections Bug. Sir you forget your Daughter sits younder The most forlorn Cic. I see her well enough but she 's a counterfeit Bug. The liker her Father Cic. And tho' she seigns a grief loves secretly Garbato Fur. I may cry my Eyes out for him a loving Father I have whines Cic. Arabella Fur. Sir Cic. So I 'le follow the voice it came from Yonder Corner she 's not here Furfante removes Bug. How the blind Man 's puzled Cic. Why Arabella Fur. Your pleasure Sir Cic. My Ears â—have fail'd she 's at th' other end I 'le call her to me and save my credit yet Must I call twenty times why come you not Furfante goes to him with his Female side towards him and Cicco feels him Bug. Sure this Man has suffered a mutation of Sense his Eyes feel and his fingers see Cla. These Rogues make sport able to kill the Weeping Philosopher with laughter Cic. Poor Arabella come forget him Child Fur. No sooner forc'd my heart t' obedience Sir Begin to love him but I must lose him oh ho. Cic. This is not altogether counterfeit For she has alter'd much her voice with grieving As your obedience did first force your love To this inconstant Man so my commands Do now require a change forget him Girl Cla. This will be happy news to Arabella Cou'd I but find her out I shall go near it Exit Cic. My Arabella what still blubbering Fur. Good sweet honey Mistress you 'l so grieve my Mr. Cic. That Villain was here all this while I shall requite him Fuâ—fante Speaks this with his Mans side towards him Fur. Sir Cic. VVhere stands my Daughter now Fur. Alas she 's gone weeping to her Chamber Cic. There let her tâ—ars discharge her grief But Rogue I shall make you more diligent Come lead me in pulls him by th' ears Fur. Oh pray sweet good Sir Exeunt Bug. These lyes were carrâ—ed off with Gallantry The Management dilates my spleen but I 'le not leave him thus he 's so excellent A Subject for my brains to work on Exit Scena Quinta Amante Aman. My Clara's gone and I must never more Expect to see those beauteous Eyes ageâ— Nor from the rays of her Divinity Receive one comfortable beam Enter Clara. Cla. 'T is Amante I 'le listen nearer Aman. She 's gone for ever and I've nothing left But her poor Aiery name to doâ—e upon Cou'd Heaven be so mercilâ—ss as to punish VVith such severity one ship of Love Yet sure 't is just since I did falsifie
likewise a desire to live By assuring me of Clara's recovery Con. Wretched Constantia thou art never thought on Cla. Y 'had best retire Sir th' air is cold And may offend your wounds Hon. I thank your care Signior Amante come we 'll now be Friends Since eithers blood has made too large amends For all past injuries Aman. Here take my hand And with 't a heart devoted to your service If you in any thing be disobey'd Impute the fault to love and not t' Amante Con. In ev'ry Truce of love I still must be Like one exempt we are not to agree Exeunt ACTUS V. SCENA I. Riccamare Garbato Arabella Gar. MAy we give credit to this happiness Or do you only tempt us with a bliss To try how soon we 'll credit what we wish Ara. It seems unlikely yet â—'de 〈◊〉 believe Ric. What do you take me for a Fabler Niece I did expect another kind of thanks Ara. Good Uncle be not angry we thank you Gar. Our thanks but shame us Sir there 's none but you Cou'd have oblig'd so much Ric. I did introth compassionate your loves And that compassion urg'd me to assist you What pains I took and how I press'd my Brother By pray'rs entreaties and some slender reasons Before I cou'd prevail is not material It is enough I compass'd my design He 'll seem for the present enrag'd at the Match And afterwards receive you into Grace Which in effect's as good as a consent Gar. Y' have done a charity becomes a Saint Now Arabella you have no excuse Your duty being safe Ara. My blushes do consent yet I wou'd fain Be blest before the Nuptial Rights Ric. By th' Priest you may but Niece it is in vain T' expect your Father 's yet Gar. Be satisfy'd I hope we sha'not long Be barr'd that happiness Ric. Not six hours I dare pass my word Ara. If I transgress it is upon your soore Ric. Make haste to Church and here make all things sure Gar. Never went Lovers to that sacred place With a more innocent and pure flame Exâ—unt Ric. My Plot succeeds thus far to my own wish This Match must disinherit her for certain And then stand I our houses Candidate I 'le â—eek my Brother and so aggravate His Daughters Crime that his misgovern'd rage May hear no reason nor admit excuse But like a Bedlam furiously before She makes defence may turn her out of dore Exit Scena Secunda Strega Furfante Sanco Streg From Signior Cicco say'st thou honest Friend Fur. Yes forsooth he 's my Master and a very proper Gentleman Though I say it Streg Very likely and he 'd have leave to visit me is 't not so Fur. To kiss your hand and vow himself your adorer Streg O fine he 'll make a Saint of me Fur. He may for she has preserv'd her Carcass Ninety years beyond the course of Nature and Kept it by a Miracle from stinking aside Streg Of what profession is thy Master Friend Fur. A Courtier forsooth he has a good estate of His own which he daily improves by a kind of Facility he has to beg any thing that comes In his way Streg Belike then he 's a very thriving Gentleman Fur. A most resistless Courtier for he never designs Any thing but he obtains it by his importunity Sanc. Have courage Mistress there 's life in a Muscle if this Be not another sweet-heart ne're trust a livery Prophet Streg A sweet-heart the word warms at heart Like a Cup of Muskad ne commend me to thy Master Heartily and tell him thaâ— he shall be heartily heartily Welcome with all my heart heartily Fur. A very hearty commendation Exit Streg What dost thou think Sanco Sanc. That your capering days are not done yet you talk Of your decays and deformities but if you have the grace To keep them to your self you 'll pass well enough In a croud I warrant you Streg Be like I had best change my Method and make No more discoveries of my imperfections Sanc. They 'll discover themselves fast enough never fear it Alas forsooth you were born in a plain dealing Age When Men meant honestly and Virgins were proud To shew a handsome Leg but now no dissimulation No life Every deformity is conceal'd and every Perfection set off to advantage Streg As how good honest Sanco Sanco Marry thus a good Eye sparkles through a Vizard Mask whil'st the bad features and worse complexion Lies conceal'd good features are illustrated with Counterfeit complexions and good complexions heightned With black Patches Streg Thou art much improv'd Sanco Sanc. I have not altogether lost my time in your Worships service Streg Nay thou art a shrew'd clung pated Fellow I 'le say that for thee Sanc. I do pick and glean now and then some small Crums and fragments of knowledg out of my continual Observation Streg Marry and 't is very discreetly done Sanco when I am marri'd thou shalt instruct me in the Customs and fashions of the present Age for belike A Wife is quite another thing than what 't was in my days Sanc. Marry is it Mistress for then they stay'd at home To entertain their honest Neighbours now they Gad abroad to be entertain'd by their Wild Gallants Then they took a Pride to be thought modest now 'T is theirâ— glory to be thought Modish the World 's Turn'd upside down Streg Dost think I shall ever learn to endure this fashion Sanc. A little use will make it as familiar to you as Taking of Fees to an old covetous Lawyer or Killing to an unskilful Physitian Streg Then belike I may be brought to a Modish Lady agen Sanc. As modish as if y 'had travail'd to Paris for Your Cloaths or to London for a confident behaviour Streg And they say your London Ladies are courtly indeed Sanco But here comes the Gentleman Entor Cicco Furfante and Buggio Sanc. Observe him warily Mistress and seem the whilst To speak to me my observaâ—ion learn't that Trick of a Country Parson who spoke to the Congregation and fix'd his Eyes the whilst on a Handsome VVench Cic. Is she not a Miracle of Nature what an Eye 's there Bug. Brighter than the Ottoman Diamond it fills the Room with luster Fur. And him with darkness Bug. Then for a Lip Cic. I observe that too the Ruby thence receive its tincture Oh but the pretty Mole Bug. Where Sir I see none Cic. A pox on 't I must be prating still before My time and shame my self Bug. I can't find that Mole tho' I have survey'd Her face most critically Cic. I mean the form of her face Nature form'd Hers and Venus's in one Mould Streg How he extols me Sanco by my holy dame I have not been so complemented these forty years Sanc. I 'me persâ—aded that your â—ace like fashions laid by Twenty years begins to grow a la mode Streg A very pretty observation Sanc. Old folks they say are twice Children and you have Been old enough
for that Proverb these twenty Years so that by observation you shou'd be much about your prime Streg And that may very well be Sanc. I believe your Sciatica is nothing but the Rickets And your ach in the Jaws breeding of teeth which your Artificial ones hinder from cutting Streg Then belike I may renew my youth agen I am resolv'd to fling away these rotten Teeth And cut my Gums with munching loaf Sugar Sanc. You wou'd do well to buy a Corral Streg That is not so good but I 'le eat store of Rabbits Brains to make me tooth more easily Cic. I can observe no longer for I discern such Excellence I can't contain my self I must speak to her Fur. If he cou'd find her out but I 'le assist him Cic. Fair Strega and therefore the more fair because Strega do not disdain the humble flame which spouts Bug. Which blazes Cio VVhich blazes from a young Lovers heart Streg I never was addicted much to scorn Bug. Now is the rest of his pen'd speech lost and Our Lover in a brown study how to proceed Cic. If not to scorn I hope to love Bug. VVell urg'd old Man how e'â—e extempore Streg Belike Love is a very comfortable thing But it will require debate if you please We 'll walk in and confer notes Cic. You cannot more oblige me Exeunt Fur. His speech had like to have ruin'd all Bug. He wou'd not be perswaded otherwise Come le ts in and share the mirth Fur. My old Maâ—ter cannot move without me Exeunt Scena Tertia Honorio Constantia Hon. VVith what a strange and yet mysterious art Love has intangled and engag'd each heart Yours to Amante to fair Clara his Hers unto me what a strange Maze is this Mine was intangled too but since got free By a rash vow dislikes that liberty Because it cruelly prevents thy peace And renders me unable to release Amante from his flame by wedding Clara. Con. Ah that you wou'd but so befriend my loveâ— Hon. I dare not think you wish a happiness That I must purchase with so great a Crime Con. I wou'd not have you sin yet I 'de fain be Eas'd of this load of Love and misery But is there no expedient no just art To break a Vow which else must break my heart Not only mine but loving Clara's too And that I 'me confident won't much please you Hon. Not in the least for I at present find Such an indifferency to Arabella That I had rather oblige Clara's love And make Amante capable of thine VVou'd my rash vow permit it Con. It is not better to dispense one Oath Than kill a Mistress and a Sister both VVhen by two Sins you equally are prest It is a Virtue sure to chuse the least Hon. But I perceive no such Dilâ—mma here I may preserve my Vow and you your lives Enter Clara. But Clara comes I date not trust my self Lest my Compassion shou'd destroy my Virtue Exit Honoâ— Scena quarta Cla. I fear your Rhetorick prevails but little To perswade his lover since he avoids my presence Con. 'T is altogether hopeless he 's so constant To that curs'd vow there 's no removing him Cla. We must find some evasion some reservation Con. But where my Clara you still cherish hope Thougâ— you have nought in Prospect but despair Cla. That 's the last passion love shou'd entertain Weigh but discreetly this perplexive vow And the evasion won't seem difficult It was if I remember it but rightly Never to speak of love to Woman more Con. It was what shadow of hope can you derive from thence Cla. A certain joy if nothing else obstruct my happiness Con. Find an evasion for that curst resolve And I 'le assure your marriage Cla. Why let him keep his Vow religiously And never speak of love to me or any I 'le understand his signs if he 'll consent The Priest shall make us one Besides Constantia He may write his love that 's not within his Oath Con. How dull was I not to discern it sooner 'T is evident plain as the light that shines I 'le straight convince him of it Exit As Clara follows Amante Enters takes her by the hand and stops her Scena Quinta Aman. Though y' are still so cruel and deaf to all my vows Yet lend an ear to my sad sufferings Cla. The Lady that went hence suffers much more For you than you can do for me Aman. Alas I pitty her Cla. I pity you But pitty more your base inconstancy Aman. Impute that crime to love and beauty Madam Since they conspir'd to betray my heart To one far more deserving now 't is fixt Cla. Like to an exhalation for a moment Aman. For ever Madam Cla. VVhat hope of constancy can there be found In love of which inconstancy's the ground What truth when both alike must be untrue You in your change and I in loving you Exit Aman. She has struck me dumb yet will not give me time To answer or extenuate my Crime Or if she had I cou'd make small defence Guilt can but ill dispose with innocence But I 'le reform and though I cannot gain Her love her good opinion I 'le obtain Then let her know tho' once I went astray Her brave reproofs has set me in the way Exit Scena Sexta Garbato Arabella Gar. ' â—is a strange solitary house this None But an Old Woman to bid us welcome Ara. I do'nt like my Uncles absence neither Gar. That seems suspicious too But I applaud However the design since it obtain'd me such a happiness Ara. I must applaud it too since 't is my fate Repentance after Marriage comes too late Enter Riccamare Cicco Strega Buggio and Furfante But here my Father comes I fear too soon Gar. Your Uncle with him too nay thâ—n we 're safe Ric. What are you sencelâ—ss Sir she has married a Beggar Cic. And I a Mine 't were a hard case if I cou'd not Afford one Portion set your heart at rest â—'me resolv'd to make this Day a Jubilee And I 'le begin with my Daughter first call her Furfante that I may forgive her Ric. Forgive her is he possest Fur. Wâ—y Sir she 's by you Cic. How strangely I forget my self oh love Love how thou distractest youth Arabella Gar. To him in this humour and get a blessing Ara I hope you are as ready to forgive as you were wont That I disobey'd you in my choice I must confess but 't was not till the choice You made abandon'd me that very Minute You design'd me his VVife Cic. Thou had'st more VVit I see than thy old Father I do forgive thee Girl and hope thy Husband VVill make that out in love he wants in fortune Ric. How riches alters some Mens tempers Oh! I cou'd curse Gar. My love I hope has been unquestionable And by so many Acts confirm'd it needs No farther proof let it suffice I married On a bare promise of your favour Sir for
THE Amorous Old-vvoman OR 'T is VVell if it Take A COMEDY ACTED By His MAJESTIES Servants WRITTEN By a Person of Honour LONDON Printed for Simon Neale at the three Pidgeons in Bedford street in Covent-Garden MDCLXXIV PROLOGUE Spoken by Major Mohun POets in Prologues to cajole the Age Have spent such stocks of Wit upon the Stage That 't is become the hardest par to'th' Play They 've said so much there 's little left to say Yet Criticks you new Miracles attend As if Wits Treasurie cou'd know no end Like cruel Landlords who do never weigh Hard times or dammage when 't is Quarter day With eager expectation you destrain For VVits Excise upon our Poets brain And for a Prologue you old custom cite They writ with ease who first began to write All fancies then were fresh all â—heams were new Wit 's ransack'd now from China to Peru. Nay here at home all fancies are as stale Some flatter some intreat and others rail And this last Method we must needs confess Has of all others met the most success But our new Poet dares not take this Course He wou'd intreat but not your likings force For if your Charity don't help him out He does protest he then must turn Bankrupt Not with design as knavish Bankers do For he 'l not break and then compound with you But fairly to you his whole interest quit And give you up the forfeit of his itâ— A second PROLOGVE intended but not spoken HE who comes hither with design to hiss And with a bum revers'd to whisper Miss To kemb a Peruke or to show gay Cloaths Or to vent antique Non-sence with new Oaths Our Poet welcomes as the Muses Friend For he 'll by Irony each Play commend Next him we welcome â—â—ch who briskly dine At Lockets at Giraus or Shattiline Swell'd with Pottage and the Burgundian Grape They hither come to take a kindly Nap In these our Poet don't conceive much harm For they pay well and keep our Benches warm And tho' scarce half awake some Plays they damn They do 't by whole-sale not by Ounce and Dram. But when fierce Criticks get them in their Clutch They 're crueller than the Tyrannick Dutch And with more Art do dislocate each Scene Than in Amboyna they the limbs of Men They rack each line and ev'ry word unknit As if they 'd find a way to cramp all Wit They 're the Terrour of all adventures here The very objects of their hate and fear And like rude Common-wealths they stillare knit 'Gainst English Playes the Monarchies of Wit Th' invade Poetick licence and still rail At Plays to which in duty they shou'd vail Yet still th' infest this Coast to Fâ—â—h for Iests To suppliment their VVits at City Feasts Thus much for Criticks To the more generous Wit Our Poet frankly does cach Scene submit And begs your kind Alliance to engage Those Hogen Interlopers of the Stage Dramatis Personae Honorio in Love with Arabella Mr. Lydal Amante in Love with Clara. Mr. Beeston Garbato in Love with Arabella Mr. Eastland Cicco a blind Senator that pretends to see Mr. Perin Riccamare his Brother in Love with Riches Mr. Coysh â—uggio a Fellow that delights in Romancing Mr. Chapman Furfante Servant to Cicco Mr. Powel Sanco-panco Servant to Strega Mr. Shirly Women Actors Constantia Sister to Honorio Mrs. Cox Arabella Daughter to Cicco Mrs. Iames. Clara in Love with Honorio called also Infortunio Mrs. Boutel Strega an old Rich deformed Lady Mrs. Corey The Scene Pisa. THE Amorous Old-vvoman OR 'T is VVell if it Take ACTUS I. SCENA I. Amante and Honorio meeting Aman. SIgnior Honorio Hon. Signior Amante You are the Man I wish'd to meet Aman. Then we 're both pleas'd I 've worn out my Feet with seeking you Hon. And I my Patience Aman. I thought you better stor'd Hon. You have most reason to believe so Signior Aman. I cannot apprehend you Hon. I shall explain my self I understand You have been a liberal detractor Sir Both of my honour and my Sisters fame And as a Gentleman expect fair satisfaction Aman. Ha ha ha you are dispos'd to droll Italians seldom understand that Language Hon. You speak French Teach your Sword the Dialect And don't mistake my injuries for jests Aman Tho' I have alwayes made it my chief care Neither to offer nor receive a wrong And am as far from injuries to you As English Subjects from oppressive Laws Yet custom does so cruelly impose Upon the Laws of Honour the must give Satisfaction to the Capricio of each jealous brain Hon. I am no common Duellist nor make a living From the price of blood My temper In your refusal of my Sisters Love After such long address was too much shewn But then her tears did conquer my resentments Which fresher injuries have inflam'd a-new And if not false to Honour as to Love You will this Night those injuries repair Or take his Life whose fame you did not spare Aman. 'T were not amiss I knew particulars The why and wherefore I must draw my Sword For I 'me not so in love with the French garb T' expose my skin to pinking for the Mode Hon. You shall Setting a part your late inconstancy which I am Bound to pardon byâ— an Oath receive in short My other injuries y' have given out thereby To justifie your levity my Sister was unchast And that the reason you forsook her Love That I being conscious of my Sisters guilt Durst not confirm 't to th' world by my revenge Aman. Let me but know the inventor of these lyes These Hell-bred lyes that I may punish him For I am more than equally concern'd Hon. You must excuse me Siâ— I swore concealment Aman. Then give me leave to say you are unjust Tho' love which all want Power to resist Compell'd my stubborn heart to feel a second flame â—et â— was ne're so little generous so destitute Of Honour or of Man-hood as to asperse a Lady I once lov'd Hon. Words are no balsom for the wounds of Honour I hope you 'l meet me in Pantalonies Grove Aman. To vindicate her Fame I will but ne're To justifie so black a Calumny Hon. Y' are a Coward then that wants a Soul To own the injuries your malice vents Aman. A Coward Lend me your patience Gods 'T is all too little to allay the flame That word has kindled here Oh how it rages Now y' have given my anger a just Theam You shall soon know to whom the Coward 's due Expect me about Six Hon. I shall attend you with a second Exit Honorio Aman. Tho' he pretends fresh wrongs 't is evident He seeks to punish my inconstancy A cause my Sword wou'd have defended weakly Had not his fury given 't an argument Too warrantable to admit dispute As to the justice of 't a Coward It is a Title of such Infamy Methinks his life is slender satisfaction And yet when I consider him my Friend Methinks that
even score Besides it is as little as I can do In satisfaction for my wrongs to you Con. This is a relique of some kindness yet But once your love and vowes did promise more I now must study to forget both them and you Farewel for ever Exit Aman. She 's passionate Gar. Sh 'as reason for 't her injuries wou'd vex The strongest Patience of that Noble Sex Exeunt Scena Quarta Honorio at a Window Hon. Sister Constantia Sister sure she 's deaf Or some infectious Vapour makes her mad To lock me up thus Curse of her design My honour 's wounded to Eternity But how the Devil she shou'd come to hear Of our appointment is beyond my brains Or reason to conceive Hell take her care She kills my honour to preserve my life And who can say she han't destroy'd her own And made me fast to play at loose her self Unto its Center I will sift her heart Level a Prospect to her very soul But I will know her thoughts her hidden thoughts I 've made a passage through three locks already This is beyond my skill or strength to force Enter Clara as Infortunio 'T is almost Night I 'le call on yonder Boy Cla. This certainly must be Honorio's House Hon. Youth kind Youth Cla. 'T is he Pray what 's your pleasure Hon. Good Youth step to the adjacent street And fetch a Smith my Family are gone To th' festival and lock'd me in Cla. 'T will be a kindness to my self For I have business with you Hon. Prithee dear Boy dispatch I long to hear it Cla. I 'le bring you straight your freedom Exit Honorio shuts the Window Scena Quinta Furfante Cicco Cic. Arabella not come home and night Eur. VVhen is't other with him the Sun Is half an hour high Sir Cic. Yes yes I think it be he peeps up towards the sky Fur. He peakes into the Element Like an Astrologer that picks out Good Stars for others and unlucky ones For himself Cic. No no the Sun is not so high Fur. You might swear it cou'd you see the Candles Cic. 'T is just a quarter high or there about Fur. You are more than three quarters blind Cic. But that 's Night in a manner Fur. Blindness is alwayes Night in a manner Cic. What 's that you say Sirrah of good Manners Fur. Not I Sir I had never any to talk of Cic. Nay you 're a sawcy Knave did Arabella Take any body with her Fur. No Sir â—he was loth to promote the Cook-maid And my Livery was sick of a Rupture Cic. Did she say nothing Fur. She were not a Woman then she told me all Her Wedding Intrigues but her tongue went So merrily and my memory was such a Jade We cou'd not keep pace Cic. If she be gone about her marriage necessaries She won't be long come let 's about her Preparations here at home Fur. We are like to have wonderful doings and much Sobriety our Wine will come up in Physical Viols and we shall drink it out of Acorns Cic. Are the provisions come Fur. Yes Sir Coleworts in abundance Lettice Anchovies And Mushroomes the Feast will make a rare Grand Salade Cic. No flesh Varlet Fur. A pair of Pidgeons half a dozen of Laâ—â—s a Monstrous Quaile and as much Butchers meat As a pair of Mice yoak'd to a Peascod can Conveniently draw Cic. You think y' are in England to clog your stomach With Buttock Beef Fur. Wou'd mine were a Porter upon condition It bore no worse a burthen Cic. Be content Rascal thou shaâ—â— swefeit on Macharoni and Vermicelli Fur. A Pox of your Minestras give me Beef Exeunt Scena Sexta Constantla Con. Just like a Felon by his guilt pursu'd I 've trac'd the Streets for every little noise Begets new terrors and my erring fancy Frames out of nothing objects to affright me But soft I hear some footing Enter Clara. Cla. 'T is very late for ev'ry one 's a Bed Except some Lovers who do serenade Their Mistresses no Smith can I prevail with They tell me that â—tis time to rest but I Can meet with no such season Con. This Youth is as timorous as I. Cla. That ' voice shou'd be Constantias Con. He nam'd me I am â—ost Cla. Madam Constantia Con. Protect me sacred Innocence I know you not What are you Cla. A Friend and yet unknown Con. I do not coveâ— new acquaintances Cla. Fear not I was desired by Honorio Lock'd up through some mistake of his Domesticks 'To fetch a Smith Con. I hope you have sent none I have the Keyes Cla. I han't for surfeited with this days Feast They went I think all drunk to bed sooner At least than usually Con. I shall perform their Office Cla. Nay I must attend you Con. Excuse â—our self the trouble and my modesty The Guilt of being seen with you so late Cla. I am too young for such a jealousie Besides I have a message to your Brother Con. Dâ—â—eâ— it till the Morning now 't is late Cla. It does require a more quick dispatch Con. I cannot shift him off what shall I do 'T were madness to return to stay here worse I 'le then rely upon my Virtues force Exeunt ACTUS III. SCENA I. Honorio Constantia Clara Hon. SIster I le â—anvafs your affair at leasure And as you â—atisfie my doubts Conclude your guilt or innocence Con. My Virtue Sir dare suffer any Test. Exit Hon. I do both wish and hope it now thy message Cla. Y' are to resolve me a short question first Hon. Willingly proceed Cla. Do you entirely love fair Arabella Hon. Do I love honour life or health she 's more Commands my soul governs my heart Cla. She that has all the power you confess Has sent you a Command Hon. Which I 'le obey more joyfully than Slaves Receive their liberties speak thy command Cla. 'T is to leave loving her Hon. Cease to Iove her I tell thee cruel youth I must first cease to live Cla. Behold the â—ruth of men did you not say She sway'd your heart yet see if you 'l obey Hon. You must distinguish Boy if she by love As that 's her only Title sway my heart I am no longer bound to an obedience Than whil'st her high commands suit with that love But when she waves that right and bids it cease I justly disobey her hate not her For if a Monarch shou'd command me kill him VVere 't not in me a Treason to obey Surely it were nor can my Inconstancy 'Cause she commands it a Iess Treason be Cla. He argues cunningly But you 'l appear A double Traytor both to her and love If you obey not for on this command Depends her love and life Hon. I understand you not explain your self Cla. Sir I shall both explain my self and her Love gives her to Garbato she 'd have you Cease your false claim and let him have his due Hon. My answer Boy shall be as home and brief Her duty makes heâ—
The readiest way 's to wed thee to Honorio For when in thee his amorous hopes are dead He 'll soon return to th' Love from whence he fled Exeunt Scena Quinta Enter Honorio Hon. It shou'd be Clara yet she 's too discreet To trust her modesty to that disguise Yet she 's a Woman and moreover loves And few are known Lovers and wise at once It must be she and I the easie fool That gave her credir she might feign the message And make false use of Arabella's Name If so I 'me lost to her and to her Father My honour and my love destroy'd at once One I may yet reprieve Enter Amante But see Amante that wound of fame gives No Precedency to lesser quarrells then whil'st draws I prefer my honour Love take thou a Sepulcher Aman. Sure he intends some mischief to himself Tho' I wou'd dye I 'le lend a helping Arm To save his life hold brave Honorio hold Let that reason which I want vanquish Thy Passion kill not thy self Hon. I do not find an inclination to it Tho' life before was irksom since I discern A fitter subject for my Enmity Aman. I scarcely understand you Hon. I shall explain my self I drew to make your yield me satisfaction For that dear honour which my Sisters fears Compell'd me lose when I fail'd meeting you To justifie the injurious words I gave you Aman. Those Injuries Honorio are forgot Hon. I can't forgive my Honour such a blot In you 't is noble to forgive in me Shou'd I accept as great an Infamy Honour takes nothing when she 's in arrear Lest what 's meant kindness be miscall'd a fear Therefore Amante if you can afford Me any favour let it be your Sword Aman. As a Present take it I dare rely Your honour 's too great security For me to doubt or shou'd you take this life ' Twou'd ease my grief and finish all my strife Hon. My hand is furnish'd Sir but if you 'll part More nobly with it present it to my heart Aman. I 'de rather wound my own and by one blow Destroy that Friend whom you wou'd make your foe Hon. If Friend unto my same you must confess What I affirm'd was true and ask my pardon Aman. If nothing less Sir can appease your rage Than owning my self Coward Honorio Must excuse me tho' I promis'd Constantia To bear an injury beyond mans patience Fame never shall report a VVomans tears Destroy'd Amante's honour I 'de give my life if live wou'd satisfie But dare not Friendship with dishonour buy Hon. Then draw Aman. I do and in as just a cause draws As Power when she Executes by Laws Hon. Stay to shew I don't delight in blood I 'le only urge my Sister might Return her love and make but good her claim I 'le own you by a Friends and Brothers name Aman. I can't alas consent in Clara's grave Where e're it is I have intomb'd my heart Hon. But what if she be still alive Aman. I 'le love her till she be dispos'd of to another Hon. It must be Clara wandring for my sake aside In that disguise if so it lyes in me To marrry her and that may set him free But then my Arabella she may prove Still undispos'd my first and dearest Love I 'le never hazard thee I am resolv'd Aman. To fight Hon. Or basely be deny'd Aman. You sha'not find a Coward they fight Hon. I believe It Come on Aman. So you have drawn the first blood Hon. I see I have shall we put up Aman. No Sir I can as little put up this As you your Sisters injury the Coward Sticks here still they â—ight So we 're on even terms what say you now Hon. My Sister 's unreveng'd Aman. I do renounce that quarrel as unjust And will at any time implore her pardon As I have often done Sir you shall see I can be noble in inconstancy As for The other slanders I pronounce them And their Author false Hon. These are but words Aman. You shall have deeds to testifie I am no Coward Nor asperser of a Ladies fame fight Enter Clara Constantia and run between them Cla. Hold oh hold your hands Con. Imploy your Swords on us for that wou'd be A greater kindness than severitie It wou'd destroy our grief as well as lives Which in your dangers cruelly survives Hon. Good Sister give us way pushes her away Cla. Madam be resolute we 'll rather fall As Martyrs to prevent their Funeral Con. They shan't constrain us to a misery If they will fight let us agree to dye Cla. I am content Con. Prepare thy Ponyard then And in our courage let us vie with them they hold their daggers ready to strike Aman. Hold you have unarm'd me quite Hon. And conquer'd me Cla. Then we may triumph in our Victory Con. Triumph alas what comfort can we find Preserving Lovers to be still unkind Cla. Preserv'd them no Constantia they bleed and faint away Con. 'T is too true what 's to be done they fall down Each drop Amante sheds draws from my heart A flood nor is my soul much less concern'd For my dear Brother oh my misery Nature and Love do equally contend VVhom shall I save my Brother or my Friend Cla. Madam be comforted this sacred stone Has a choice Virtue to stop bleeding wounds And send the blood back to th' distressed heart I 'le try it on Honorio she applys it Hon. Oh ho. Cla. See he revives Con. But poor Amante labours still beneath the Pangs of death oh lend it here Cla. Then will your Brother faint Con. Why let him perish rather than Amante Cla. Honorio perish ah how can you be So cruel in your foolish charity To save a Man so false and let a Brother Dye so good as my Honorio Con. Not thine but Arabella's Clara. Hon. That sound was most Divine Dear Arabella Aman. What Angels voice pronounc'd fair Clara's name Con. A Wretch you once did love Open your Eyes and you at once may see Your cruel Clara and kind Constancy Aman. That beauteous form is she then in disguise Cla. Believe her not she only us'd this art To make your blood return into your heart I 'me but her Brother Sir Aman. Then tell me where She lives if dead shew me her Sepulc're Cla. Within a day I 'le shew her you ailve Aman. I 'le strive to live upon that hope Con. They begin both to give good signs of a Recovery Cla. This wound seems almost clos'd Apply the Stone to him there can't be found In Art or Natures Treasury so good A stenching Medicine for a stream of blood Hon. It seems to me miraculous I find It strengthens both the body and the mind How fares Amante Aman. Better to see my Friend so near his health Hon. I am now in Amity with all the World and find I praise the Gods a sweet recess from love Aman. My thanks kind Youth thou dost not only give Me life but
her Own Merits without least assurance of Any Portion which the fair Estate newly â—aln to me by an Uncles death might Justly challenge Ric. He 's rich too a Curse on my design they 're Both ways crost in advantage and revenge Fur. How th' old Man câ—urts him now before Forgiveness was a savour Signior Buggio Your Cake's Dough. Bug. I find I ing a very unprofitable calling Fur. It may be one day pay'd Sir with a basting Bug. Then will I make you my Receiver Cic. May the Heavens pour down blessing on you She shall not want a Portion Gar. Uncle I thank you for your kind design My Father will no doubt declare you his Heir Ric. Oh they may laugh that win Gar. Y'have lost your fortunes both wayes in a Wife and an Inheritance Ric. Yet I 'le not cry for the matter except It be my Nieces pardon Ara. Alas you never injur'd me Ric. In thought I did for I design'd thy ruine And cannot find an apter recompence For having sought to disinherit thee Than by th' addition for my poor fortune I here adopt you mine and when I dye What I possess is yours Both. You are too Noble Streg If she be yours Sir I must salute her Cic. Do so good Wife whilst I give directions For th' invitation of our VVedding Guests Ara. My duty shou'd have thrown me at your feet For your dear blessing Madam had I known Y'â—ad been my Fathers choice Streg How prettily she prattles Sanco Sanc. She call'd you Madam too in the Court dialect Streg Dialect prithee Sanco make me understand These fine words Sanc. I 'le buy you a Dictionary forsooth and that Shall teach you Streg A very pretty Word prithee let me have it Cic. Be sure none be forgotten Fur. I 'le table them exactly Cic. Prithee Buggio do thou assist him Bug. I shall Sir Pray one Word whispers Cic. You mean my Daughter but she 's Dispos'd you see but I 've a Niece a rich One for you Fur. Ha ha ha he has paid him in his own coyn Lye for lye Cic. Now let us in to entertain our Guests This ought to be a double marriage feast Exeunt Scena Septima Honorio Amante Hon. I must avow 't is highly generous But now such actions are not in request I know your love to Clara and suspect it A cunning Stratagem to sift my heart Am. Your thoughts of me Honorio are too mean 'T is true I have been faulty in my Love And made by beauty a too easie Conquest But I have fortify'd my heart with Virtue Both against Clara's and all other Charms Except these first which in Constantia Surprized and made a Conquest of my Love Hon. Let me adore thee Friend This noble Act Will canonize inconstancy and make 't a Virtue Am. I wish Constantia receive it so Hon. She ' â— be but too much joy'd and so will Clara For the kind resolve I 've made on her behalf See they appear to share the happiness Am. Turn not aside your face for I 'me become Loves penitent y' have wrought a perfect cure And by your reproof my inconstancy taught My Love steddy Virtue Cla. I rejoyce in 't And shall be proud to perfect the good work By joyning you to fair Constantia Am. Your Virtue shall dispose me Cla. Here Constantia receive a convert to your Love Nay Neither blush nor doubt he 's proof I warrant you Hon. Against the World Am. No beauty now but yours has power to charm me Hon. May the Gods still encrease your happiness Con. I dare believe you My Joyes now are perfect And so shall thine be Clara lend's thy hand I here Dispose thee to Honorio Love him he 's a Gentleman deserves it Cla. Y' are my Noblest Parent and have given me A fresh life of happiness Hon. Now all is as it shou'd be but methinks Constantia you presum'd too much to dispose Clara without her own consent Cla. She knew my heart had done it long before Hon. Then nought remains but that we lead to Church And there confirm our joyes by sacred Rites Love Joyns our hearts but 't is the Church Unites Aman. I must implore Constantia's pardon first For my so long revolt Con. Y' are to me in your return more welcome Than Reprieves to Malefactors that despair of life Hon. Say no more I dare assure your pardon Love still Prepares our Joyes with bitterness to make us Relish them with more delight By inconstancy deluded hopes and fears The wish'd fruition he at length endears Am. Y' are strangely merciful Enter Buggio Furfante Hon. But who are these Am. Sure one is Buggio Hon. That fatal cause of all our difference Am. He is not worth this heat let 's observe him Fur. Thou art so whimsical I tell thee I 'le abuse My Master no longer Thoâ— he be blind my Mistress has one eye Bug. Do me this kindness then say I have lost my memory Fur. Do you think I 'le tell a lye Bug. 'T is not the first Fur. Not by a thousand But to tell a lye without Design or profit goes against my conscience Bug. I must bribe the Rascal for now Honorio and Amante are friends I perceive a basting coming Towards meâ— unless I can maintain a loss Of memory come Furfante prithee be honest Fur. Yes and tell a lie gratis I thank you heartily Bug. Come here 's a Crown Fur. VVell it is for love of thee and this Hon. VVe heat nothing prithee let 's advance I must be upon that Rascals bones Am. Stay his Companion makes towards us Fur. Signior Cicco lately married to the rich VVidow Strega desires all your Companies at his Wedding supper Hon. Marryed sure this is coupling time why we Are going to perform that Ceremony and then We 'll wait upon him Am. It falls out happily since we are so unprovided For the solemnity Con. They 'll be a rare Comedy of Mirth Cla. Rather a Masquerade by their odd antique dress Hon. Oâ— a French Farce for th' extravagancy of Their humours the old man conceales his Infirmities and â—he takes a Pride in Manifesting hers Am. This is a strange Fellow he 'll neither know me Nor you nor â—â—ny injury he did us Hon. I shall revive his memory Am. Be patient dear Honorio your anger here Is thrown away Fur. I can assure you Sir he has lost his Memory above these ten years Hon. How Slave will you help t' outface us too Did not I â—ee him within these too days And speak with him this is an impudence Beyond Imagination Fur. If y' had seen him within this hour he can no More remember you than the moment he was born Am. Nay prithee Honorio Bug. Pray be not angry Gentlemen I have travelled Far it may be I had the honour of your Acquaintance in Peru Cattai Mascar or Mexico Or some Clime more remote I have a brief head And a short memory Fur. A very short head Sir he can't remember that He