friend let that suffice Isab. I le be a miracle for loue a woman dyes Offers to stab her selfe Gn. Hold madame these are soule killing passions I de rather wrong my friend then you your selfe Isab. Loue me or else by Ioue death 's but delaid My vow is fixt in heauen feare shall not moue me My life is death vvith tortures 'lesse you loue me Gnia. Giue me some respite and I will resolue you Isab. My heart denies it My bloud is violent now or else neuer Loue me and like loues Queene I le fall before thee Inticing daliance from thee vvith my smiles And steale thy heart vvith my delicious kisses I le study Art in loue that in a rupture Thy soule shall taste pleasures excelling nature Loue me both Art and nature in large recompence Shall be profuse in rauishing thy sense Gni. You haue preuail'd I am yours from all the world Thy wit and beauty haue entranc'd my soule I long for daliance my bloud burnes like fire Hels paine on earth is to delay desire Isab. I kisse thee for that breath this day you hunt In midst of all your sports leaue you Rogero Returne to me whose life rests in thy sight Where pleasure shall make Nectar our delight Gniac. I condescend to what thy vvill implores me He that but now neglected thee adores thee Enter Rogero Anna Doctor But see here comes my friend feare makes him tremble Isab. Women are witles that cannot dissemble Now I am sicke againe where 's my Lord Rogero His loue and my health 's vanish'd both together Guid. Wrong not thy friend deare friend in thy extreames Here 's a profound Hipocrates my deare To minister to thee the spirit of health Isab. Your sight to me my Lord excels all Phisicke I am better farre my Loue then when you left me Your friend was comfortable to me at the last 'T was but a fit my Lord and now 't is past Are all things ready sir Anna Yes Madame the house is fit Gnia. Desire in women is the life of wit Exeunt Omnes Enter ABIGAL and THAIS at seuerall doores Abig. O partner I am with childe of laughter and none but you can be my Mid-wife was there euer such a game at Noddy Thais Our Husbands thinke they are fore-men of the Iurie they hold the Hereticke point of Predestination and sure they are borne to be hanged Abig. They are like to proue men of iudgement but not for killing of him that 's yet aliue and well recouered Thais As soone as my man saw the Watch come vp All his spirit was downe Abig, But though they haue made vs good sport in speech They did hinder vs of good sport in action O wench imagination is strong in pleasure Thais That 's true for the opinion my Good-man had of enioying you made him doe wonders A. Why shold weake man that is so soone satisfied desire variety Thais Their answere is to feede on Phesants continually would breede a loathing Abigall Then if vve seeke for strange flesh that haue stomackes at will 't is pardonable Thais I if men had any feeling of it but they iudge vs by themselues Abig. Well we vvill bring them to the Gallowes and then like kinde virgins begge their liues and after liue at our pleasures and this bridle shall still reyne them Thais Faith if vve were disposed we might seeme as safe As if we had the broad seale to warrant it But that nights worke vvill sticke by me this forty weekes Come shall we goe visit the discontented Lady Lentulus Whom the Lord Mendosa has confest to his Chirurgion He vvould haue rob'd I thought great men would but Haue rob'd the poore yet he the rich Abig. He thought that the richer purchase though vvith the worse conscience but vvee 'll to comfort her and then goe heare our Husbands lamentations They say mine has compiled an vngodly volume of Satyres against women and cals his booke The Snarle Thais But he 's in hope his booke will saue him Ab. God defend that it should or any that snarle in that fashion Tha. Well wench if I could be metamorphosed into thy shape I should haue my husband pliant to me in his life And soone rid of him for being weary vvith his continuall motion He 'de dye of a consumption Abig. Make much of him for all our wanton prize Follow the Prouerbe Merry be and wise Exeunt Enter ISABELLA ANNA and Seruants Isab. Time that devour'st all mortalitie Runne swiftly these few houres And bring Guiaca on thy aged shoulders That I may clip the rarest modell of creation Doe this gentle Time And I vvill curle thine aged siluer locke And dally vvith thee in delicious pleasure Medea-like I will renew thy youth But if thy frozen steps delay my loue I le poyson thee with murder curse thy pathes And make thee know a time of infamy Anna giue watch and bring me certaine notice When Count Guiaca doth approach my house An. Madame I goe I am kept for pleasure though I neuer taste it For 't is the vshers office still to couer His Ladyes priuate meetings with her Louer Exit Isab. Desire thou quenchlesse flame that burn'st our soules Cease to torment me The dewe of pleasure shall put out thy fire And quite consume thee with satietie Lust shall be cool'd with lust wherein I le proue The life of loue is onely sau'd by loue Enter Anna An. Madame hee 's comming Isab. Thou blessed Mercurie Prepare a banquet fit to please the Gods Let Sphaere-like Musicke breathe delicious tones Into our mortall eares perfume the house With odoriferous sents sweeter then Myrrhe Or all the Spices in Panchaia His sight and touching wee will recreate That his fiue Senses shall be fiue-fold happy His breath like Roses casts out sweete perfume Time now with pleasure shall it selfe consume Enter Gniaca in his hunting weedes How like Adonis in his hunting weedes Lookes this same Goddesse tempter And art thou come this kisse entrance thy soule Gods I doe not enuy you for know this Way 's here on earth compleate excels you blisse I le not change this nights pleasure vvith you all Gniac. Thou creature made by Loue compos'd of pleasure That mak'st true vse of thy creation In thee both vvit and beauty's resident Delightfull pleasure vnpeer'd excellence This is the fate fixt fast vnto thy birth That thou alone shouldst be mans heauen on earth If I alone may but enioy thy loue I le not change earthly ioy to be heauens Ioue For though that vvomen haters now are common They all shall know earths ioy consists in woman Isab. My loue was dotage till I loued thee For thy soule truely tastes our petulance Conditions Louer Cupids Intelligencer That makes man vnderstand what pleasure is These are fit attributes vnto thy knowledge For womens beautie o'er men beare that rule Our power commands the rich the vvise the foole Though scorne growes big in man in growth stature Yet vvomen are the
THE INSATIATE Countesse A TRAGEDIE Acted at VVhite-Fryers Written By Iohn Marston LONDON Printed by T. S. for Thomas Archer and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head-Pallace neere the Royall-Exchange 1613 THE INSATIATE Countesse The Countesse of Sweuia discouered sitting at a Table couered with blacke on which stands two blacke Tapers lighted she in mourning Enter ROBERTO Count of Cypres GVIDO Count of Arsena and Signior MIZALDVS Mizaldus WHat should we doe in this Countesses darke hole She 's sullenly retyred as the Turtle Euery day has beene a blacke day with her since her husband dyed and what should wee vnruly members make here Guid. As melancholy night masques vp heauens face So doth the Evening-starre present her selfe Vnto the carefull Shepheards gladsome eyes By which vnto the folde he leades his flocke Mizald. Zounds what a sheepish beginning is here 't is said true Loue is simple and it may well hold and thou art a simple louer Rober. See how yond Starre like beauty in a cloud Illumines darknesse and beguiles the Moone Of all her glory in the firmament Mizal. Well said man i' the Moone Was euer such Astronomers Marry I feare none of these will fall into the right Ditch Robert Madame Count Ha Anna what are my doores vnbarr'd Miz. I le assure you the way into your Ladiship is open Rob. And God defend that any prophane hand Should offer sacriledge to such a Saint Louely Isabella by this dutious kisse That drawes part of my Soule along with it Had I but thought my rude intrusion Had wak'd the Doue-like spleene harbour'd within you Life and my first borne should not satisfie Such a transgression worthy of a checke But that Immortals wincke at my offence Makes me presume more boldly I am come To raise you from this so infernall sadnesse Isab. My Lord of Cypres doe not mocke my griefe Teares are as due a Tribute to the dead As feare to God and duty vnto Kings Loue to the Iust or hate vnto the Wicked Rober. Surcease Beleeue it is a wrong vnto the Gods They saile against the winde that waile the dead And since his heart hath wrestled with deaths pangs From whose sterne Caue none tracts a backward path Leaue to lament this necessary change And thanke the Gods for they can giue as good Isab. I waile his losse Sinke him tenne cubites deeper I may not feare his resurrection I will be sworne vpon the holy Writ I morne thus feruent cause he di'd no sooner Hee buried me aliue And mued mee vp like Cretan Dedalus And with wall-ey'd Ielousie kept me from hope Of any waxen wings to flye to pleasure But now his soule her Argos eyes hath clo'sd And I am free as ayre You of my sexe In the first flow of youth vse you the sweets Due to your proper beauties ere the ebbe And long waine of vnwelcome change shall come Faire women play she 's chaste whom none will haue Here is a man of a most milde aspect Temperate effeminate and worthy loue One that with burning ardor hath pursued me A donatiue he hath of euery God Apollo gaue him lockes Ioue his high front The God of Eloquence his flowing speech The feminine Deities strowed all their bounties And beautie on his face that eye was Iuno's Those lips were his that wonne the golden Ball That virgin-blush Diana's here they meete As in a sacred Synod My Lords I must intreate A while your wisht forbearance Omnes We obey you Lady Exit Guido and Mizald Ma. Rob. Is. My Lord with you I haue some conference I pray my Lord doe you woo euery Lady In this phrase you doe me Rob. Fairest till now Loue was an Infant in my Oratory Isab. And kisse thus too Rob. I nee'r was so kist leaue thus to please Flames into flames seas thou pour'st into seas Isab. Pray frowne my Lord let me see how many wiues You 'll haue Heigh-ho you 'll bury me I see Rob. In the Swans downe and tombe thee in mine armes Isab. Then folkes shall pray in vaine to send me rest Away you 're such another medling Lord Rob. By heauen my loue 's as chaste as thou art faire And both exceede comparison by this kisse That crownes me Monarch of another world Superiour to the first faire thou shalt see As vnto heauen my loue so vnto thee Isab. Alas poore creatures when we are once o' the falling hand A man may easily come ouer vs It is as hard for vs to hide our loue As to shut sinne from the Creators eyes I faith my Lord I had a Months minde vnto you As tedious as a full rip'd Maidenhead And Count of Cypres thinke my loue as pure As the first opening of the bloomes in May Your vertues man nay let me not blush to say so And see for your sake thus I leaue to sorrow Beginne this subtile coniuration with mee And as this Taper due vnto the dead I here extinguish so my late dead Lord I put out euer from my memory That his remembrance may not wrong our loue Puts out the Taper As bold-fac'd women when they wed another Banquet their husbands with their dead loues heads Rob. And as I sacrifice this to his Ghost With this expire all corrupt thoughts of youth That fame-insatiate Diuell Iealousie And all the sparkes that may bring vnto flame Hate betwixt man and wife or breed defame Enter MIZALDVS and MENDOSA Guid. Marry Amen I say Madame are you that were in for all day now come to be in for all night How now Count Arsena Miz. Faith Signior not vnlike the condemn'd malefactor That heares his iudgement openly pronounc'd But I ascribe to Fate Ioy swell your loue Cypres and Willow grace my drooping crest Rober. We doe entend our Hymeneall rights With the next rising Sunne Count Cypres Next to our Bride the welcomst to our feast Count Ars. Saneta Maria what thinkst thou of this change A Players passion I le beleeue hereafter And in a Tragicke Sceane weepe for olde Priam When fell reuenging Pirrhus with supposde And artificiall wounds mangles his breast And thinke it a more worthy act to me Then trust a female mourning ore her loue Naught that is done of woman shall me please Natures step-children rather her desire Miz. Learne of a well composed Epigram A womans loue and thus 't was sung vnto vs The Tapers that stood on her husbands hearse Isabell' aduances to a second bed Is it not wondrous strange for to rehearse Shee should so soone forget her husband dead One houre for if the husbands life once fade Both loue and husband in one graue are laid But we forget our selues I am for the marriage Of Signior Claridiana and the fine Mris Abigall Count Ars. I for his arch-foes wedding Signior Rogero and the spruce Mris Thais but see the solemne rites are ended and from their seuerall Temples they are come Mizal. A quarrell on my life Enter at one doore Signior CLARIDIANA ABIGAL his wife the
To be the Furies sister Thinke of me Amb. Ha ha ha Mend. How now Lady does the toy take you as they say Abig. No my Lord nor doe we take your toy as they say This is a childes birth that must not be deliuered before a man Though your Lordship might be a Mid-wife for your chinne Mend. Some bawdy riddle is 't not you long til 't be night Thais No my Lord womens longing comes after their marriage night Sister see you be constant now Abig. Why dost thinke I le make my Husband a Cuckold O here they come Enter at seuerall doores Count Ars. with CLARIDIANA GVIDO with ROGERO at another doore MENDOSA meetes them Mend. Signior Rogero are you yet qualified Rogero Yes does any man thinke I le goe like a sheepe to the slaughter Hands off my Lord your Lordship may chance come vnder my hands If you doe I shall shew my selfe a Citizen and reuenge basely Clarid. I thinke if I were receiuing the holy Sacrament His sight would make me gnash my teeth terribly But there 's the beauty without parallel To Abigall In whom the Graces and the Vertues meete In her aspect milde Honour sits and smiles And who lookes there were it the sauage Beare But would deriue new nature from her eyes But to be reconcil'd simply for him Were mankinde to be lost againe I de let it And a new heape of stones should stocke the world In heauen and earth this power beauty hath It inflames Temp'rance and temp'rates Wrath What ere thou art mine art thou wise or chaste I shall set hard vpon thy marriage vow And write reuenge high in thy Husbands brow In a strange Character You may beginne sir Mend. Signior Claridiana I hope Signior Rogero Thus employed me about a good office 'T were worthy Ciceroes tongue a famous Oration now But friendship that is mutually embraced of the Gods And is Ioues Vsher to each sacred Sinod Without the which hee could not raigne in heauen That over-goes my admiration shall not vnder-goe my censure These hot flames of rage that else will be As fire midst your nuptiall Iolitie Burning the edge off from the present Ioy And keepe you wake to terror Clarid. I haue not yet swallowed the Rhimatrix nor the Onocentaure the Rimocheros was monstrous Arsen. Sir be you of the more flexible nature and confesse an error Clarid. I must the Gods of loue command And that bright Starre her eye that guides my fate Signior Rogero ioy then Signior Rogero Rog. Signior sir O Diuell Thais Good Husband shew your selfe a temp'rate man Your mother was a woman I dare sweare No Tyger got you nor no Beare was riuall In your conception you seeme like the issue The Painters limbe leaping from Enuies mouth That deuoures all hee meetes Rog. Had the last or the least Syllable Of this more then immortall eloquence Commenc'd to mee when rage had beene so high Within my bloud that it ore-topt my soule Like to the Lyon when he heares the sound Of Dian's Bowe-string in some shady wood I should haue coucht my lowly limbe on earth And held my silence a proud sacrifice Clarid. Slaue I will fight with thee at any oddes Or name an instrument fit for destruction That ne'er was made to make away a man I le meete thee on the ridges of the Alpes Or some inhospitable wildernesse Starke naked at push-of-pike or keene Curt'laxe At Turkish Sickle Babilonian Sawe The auncient Hookes of great Cadwalleder Or any other heathen inuention Thais O God blesse the man Lent Counsell him good my Lord Mend. Our tongues are weary and he desperate He does refuse to heare What shall we doe Clarid. I am not mad I can heare I can see I can feele But a wise rage in man wrongs past compare Should be well nourisht as his vertues are I de haue it knowne vnto each valiant sp'rit He wrongs no man that to himselfe does right Catzo I ha' done Signior Rogero I ha' done Arsen. By heauen this voluntary reconsilation made Freely and of it selfe argues vnfaign'd And vertuous knot of loue So sirs embrace Rog. Sir by the conscience of a Catholike man And by our mother Church that bindes And doth attone in amitie with God The soules of men that they with men be one I tread into the center all the thoughts Of ill in mee toward you and memory Of what from you might ought disparage mee Wishing vnfaignedly it may sincke low And as vntimely births want power to grow Mend. Christianly said Signior what would you haue more Clar. And so I sweare you 're honest Onocentaure Arsen. Nay see now fie vpon your turbulent spirit Did he doo 't in this forme Clar. If you thinke not this sufficient you shall commaund mee to be reconcil'd in another forme as a Rhimatrix or a Rimocheros Mend. S'blood what will you doe Clar. Well giue mee your hands first I am friends with you i'faith thereupon I embrace you kisse your Wife and God giue vs ioy To Thais Thais You meane me and my husband Clar. You take the meaning better then the speech Lady Roger. The like wish I but ne'er can be the like And therefore wish I thee Clar. By this bright light that is deriu'd from thee Thais So sir you make me a very light creature Clar. But that thou art a blessed Angell sent Downe from the Gods t' attone mortall men I would haue thought deedes beyond all mens thoughts And executed more vpon his corps Oh let him thanke the beautie of this eye And not his resolute sword or destinie Arsen. What saist thou Mizaldus come applaud this Iubile A day these hundred yeeres before not truely knowne To these diuided factions Clar. No nor this day had it beene falsely borne But that I meane to sound it with his horne Miz. I lik'd the former iarre better then they shew'd like men and Souldiers now like Cowards and Leachers Arsen. Well said Mizaldus thou art like the Base Violl in a Consort let the other Instrument wish and delight in your highest sense thou art still grumbling Clar. Nay sweet receiue it Giues it Abigall And in it my heart And when thou read'st a mouing syllable Thinke that my soule was Secretary to 't It is your loue and not the odious wish Of my reuenge in stiling him a Cuckold Makes mee presume thus farre then reade it faire My passion 's ample as your beauties are Abig. Well sir we will not sticke with you Arsena And Gentlemen since it hath hapt so fortunately I doe entreat wee may all meete to morrow In some Heroick Masque to grace the Nuptials Of the most noble Countesse of Sweuia Mend. Who does the young Count marry Arsen. O sir who but the very heire of all her sexe That beares the Palme of beautie from 'em all Others compar'd to her shew like faint Starres To the full Moone of wonder in her face The Lady Isabella the late Widow To the deceast and noble Vicount Hermut Mend.
Law you there widow there 's one of the last edition Whose Husband yet retaines in his colde truncke Some little ayring of his noble guest Yet she a fresh Bride as the month of May Lent Well my Lord I am none of these That haue my second Husband bespoke My doore shall be a testimonie of it And but these noble Marriages encite me My much abstracted presence should haue shew'd it If you come to me harke in your eare my Lord Looke your Ladder of ropes be strong For I shall tie you to your Tackling Arsen. Gentlemen your answere to the Masque Omnes Your Honour leades wee 'll follow Rogero Signior Claridiana Clarid. I attend you sir Exeunt omnes Manet Clarid. Abigall You 'll be constant Clar. Aboue the Adamant the Goates bloud shall not breake me Yet shallow fooles and plainer morall men That vnderstand not vvhat they vndertake Fall in their owne snares or come short of vengeance No let the Sunne view vvith an open face And afterward shrinke in his blushing cheekes Asham'd and cursing of the fixt decree That makes his light bawd to the crimes of men When I haue ended what I now deuise Appolloes Oracle shall sweare me vvise Strumpet his wife branch my false-seeming friend And make him foster what my hate begot A bastard that when age and sicknesse seaze him Shall be a cor'siue to his griping heart I le write to her for what her modestie Will not permit nor my adulterate forcing That blushlesse Herauld shall not feare to tell Rogero shall know yet that his foe 's a man And what is more a true Italian Exit Finis Actus primi Actus secundi Scaena prima Enter ROBERTO Lord Cardinall ISABELLA Lady LENTVLVS ABIGAL and THAIS Lights Roberto MY graue Lord Cardinall we congratulate And zealously doe entertaine your loue That from your high and diuine contemplation You haue vouchsafde to consumate a day Due to our Nuptials O may this knot you knit This indiuiduall Gordiant graspe of hands In sight of God so fairely entermixt Neuer be seuer'd as heauen smiles at it By all the Darts shot by infernall Ioue Angels of grace Amen Amen say to 't Faire Lady Widow and my worthy Mistresse Doe you keepe silence for a wager Thais Doe you aske a woman that question my Lord When shee inforcedly pursues what she 's forbidden I thinke if I had beene tyed to silence I should haue beene worthy the Cucking-stoole ere this time Rob. You shall not be my Orator Lady that pleades thus for your selfe Ser. My Lord the Masquers are at hand Rob. Giue them kinde entertainment Some worthy friends of mine my Lord vnknowne to mee too lauish of their loues Bring their owne welcome in a solemne Masque Abigall I am glad there 's Noble-men i' the Masque With our Husbands to ouer-rule them They had sham'd vs all else Thais Why for why I pray Ab. Why marry they had come in with some Citie shew else Hyred a few Tinsell coates at the Vizard-makers which would ha' made them looke for all world like Bakers in their linnen bases and mealy vizzards new come from bolting I saw a shew once at the Marriage of a Magnificero's daughter presented by Time which Time vvas an olde bald thing a seruant 't was the best man hee was a Dyer and came in likenesse of the Raine-bow in all manner of colours to shew his Art but the Raine-bow smelt of vrine so wee were all afraid the property was chang'd and look'd for a shower Then came in after him one that it seem'd fear'd no colours a Grocer that had trim'd vp himselfe handsomely hee vvas Iustice and shew'd reasons why And I thinke this Grocer I meane this Iustice had borrowed a weather-beaten Ballance from some Iustice of a Conduit both vvhich Scales were replenisht vvith the choise of his Ware And the more liberally to shew his nature He gaue euery woman in the roome her handfull Thais O great act of Iustice vvell and my Husband come cleanly off with this hee shall ne'er betray his weakenesse more but confesse himselfe a Citizen hereafter and acknowledge their wit for alas they come short Enter in the Masque the Count of Arsena MENDOSA CLARIDIANA Torch-bearers They deliuer the shields to their seuerall Mistresses that is to say MENDOSA to the Lady LENTVLVS CLARIDIANA to ABIGAL to ISABELLA GVIDO Count of Arsena to THAIS ROGERO Isab. Good my Lord be my expositer To the Cardinall Card. The Sunne setting a man pointing at it The Motto Senso 〈…〉 Calarem Faire Bride some seruant of yours that here imitates To haue felt the heate of Loue bred in your brightnesse But setting thus from him by marriage He onely here acknowledgeth your power And must expect beames of a morrow Sunne Lent Lord Bridegroome will you enterprete me Rober. A sable Shield the word Vidua spes What the forlorne hope in blacke despairing Lady Lentulus is this the badge of all your Sutors Lent I by my troth my Lord if they come to me Rob. I could giue it another interpretation Me thinkes this Louer has learn'd of women to deale by contraries if so then here he sayes the Widow is his onely hope Lent No good my Lord let the first stand Rober. Inquire of him and hee le resolue the doubt Abig. What 's here a Ship sailing nigh her hauen With good ware belike 't is well ballast Thais O your this deuice smels of the Marchant What 's your ships name I pray The forlorne Hope Abigall No The Merchant Royall Thais And why not Aduenturer Abig. You see no likelihood of that would it not faine be in the hauen The word Vt tangerem Portum Marry for ought I know God grant it What 's there Thais Mine's an Azure shield marry what else I should tell thee more then I vnderstand but the vvord is Aut precio aut precibus Abigall I I some Common-counsell deuice They take the women and dance the first change Mend. Faire widow how like you this change Lent I chang'd too lately to like any Mend. O your husband you weare his memory like a Deaths-head For heauens loue thinke of mee as of the man Whose dancing dayes you see are not yet done Lent Yet you sinke apace sir Mend. The fault 's in my Vpholsterer Lady Roger. Thou shalt as soone finde Truth telling a lye Vertue a Bawd Honestie a Courtier As me turn'd recreant to thy least designe Loue makes me speake and hee makes loue diuine Thais Would Loue could make you so but t' is his guise To let vs surfet ere hee ope our eyes Abig. You graspe my hand too hard ifaith faire sir Holding her by the hand Clar. Not as you graspe my hart vnwilling wanton Were but my breast bare and Anatomized Thou shouldst behold there how thou tortur'st it And as Appelles limb'd the Queene of Loue In her right hand grasping a heart in flames So may I thee fairer but crueller Abig. Well sir your vizor giues you colour
the mourner goes That is bereft of what his soule desir'd As I to bed I to my nuptiall bed The heauen on earth so to thought slaughters went The pale Andromeda bedew'd with teares When euery minute she expected gripes of a fell monster And in vaine bewail'd the act of her creation Sullen Night that look'st with suncke eyes on my nuptiall bed With ne'er a Starre that smiles vpon the end Mend thy slacke pace and lend the malecontent The hoping louer and the wishing Bride Beames that too long thou shadowest or if not In spight of thy fixt front when my loath'd Mate Shall struggle in due pleasure for his right I le think 't my loue and die in that delight Exit Enter at seuerall doores ABIGAL and THAIS Abig. Thais you 're an earely riser I haue that to shew will make your hayre stand on-end Thais Well Lady and I haue that to shew you will bring your courage downe What would you say and I would name a partie saw your Husband court kisse nay almost goe through for the hole Abig. How how what would I say nay by this light what would I not doe If euer Amazon fought better or more at the face then I le doe let me neuer be thought a new married vvife Come vnmasque her 't is some admirable creature vvhose beautie you neede not paint I warrant you 't is done to your hand Thais Would any vvoman but I be abused to her face Prethee reade the contents Know'st thou the Character Abig. 'T is my Husbands hand and a Loue-Letter But for the contents I finde none in it Has the lustfull monster All backe and belly-starv'd me thus What defect does he see in mee I le be sworne wench I am of as pliant and yeelding body to him e'en vvhich way hee vvill hee may turne mee as hee list himselfe What and dedicate to thee I marry here 's a stile so high as a man cannot helpe a Dog o'er it He was wont to write to me in the Citie phrase My good Abigall here 's Astonishment of nature vnparaleld excelency and most vnequal raritie of creation Three such wordes will turne any honest woman in the world whore for a woman is neuer wonne till shee know not vvhat to answere and beshrew me if I vnderstand any of these you are the partie I perceiue and here 's a white sheete that your husband has promist me to do penance in you must not thinke to dance the shaking of the sheetes alone though there be not such rare phrases in 't t is more to the matter a legible hand but for the dash or the hee and as short bawdy Parenthesis as euer you saw to the purpose hee has not left out a pricke I warrant you wherein he has promist to doe me any good but the Law 's in mine owne hand Thais I euer thought by his red beard hee would proue a Iudas here am I bought and solde hee makes much of me indeede Well wench we were best wisely in time seeke for preuention I should be loath to take drinke and die on 't as I am afraid I shall that hee will lye with thee Abig. To be short sweete hart I le be true to thee though a lyer to my Husband I haue signed your Husbands bill like a Wood cocke as hee is held perswaded him since nought but my loue can asswage his violent passions hee should enioy like a priuate friend the pleasures of my bed I tolde him my Husband was to goe to Mawrano to day to renew a Farme hee has and in the meane time hee might be tenant at will to vse mine this false fire has so tooke with him that he 's rauisht afore hee come I haue had stones on him all red dost know this Thais I too vvell it blushes for his Mr Points to the ring Abigall Now my Husband will be hawking about thee anon And thou canst meete him closely Thais By my faith I would be loath in the darke and hee knew mee Abig. I meane thus the same occasion will serue him too they are birds of a feather and vvill flye together I vvarrant thee wench appoint him to come say that thy Husband 's gone for Mawrano and tell mee anone if thou mad'st not his heart-bloud spring for ioy in his face Thais I conceiue you not all this while Abig. Then th' art a barren woman and no meruaile if thy Husband loue thee not the houre for both to come is sixe a dark time fit for purblinde louers and vvith cleanly conuayance by the niglers our maids they shall be translated into our Bed-chambers Your Husband into mine and mine into yours Thais But you meane they shall come in at the backe-dores Abig. Who our Husbands nay and they come not in at the fore-dores there will be no pleasure in 't But we two will climbe ouer our garden-Pales and come in that vvay the chastest that are in Venice vvill stray for a good turne and thus vvittily vvill wee be bestowed you into my house to your husband and I into your house to my husband and I vvarrant thee before a month come to an end they 'll cracke louder of this nights-lodging then the Bed-steads Thais All is if our Maids keepe secret Abig. Mine is a Maid I le be sworne shee has kept her secrets hitherto Thais Troath and I neuer had any Sea-captaine borded in my house Abig. Goe to then and the better to auoid suspition Thus wee must insist they must come vp darkling recreate themselues with their delight an houre or two and after a million of kisses or so Thais But is my husband content to come darkling Abig. What not to saue mine honour hee that vvill runne through fire as hee has profest will by the heate of his loue grope in the darke I warrant him he shall saue mine honour Thais I am afraid my voyce vvill discouer mee Abig. Why then you 're best say nothing and take it thus quietly when your husband comes Thais I but you know a vvoman cannot chuse but speake in these cases Abig. Bite in your neather-lip and I vvarrant you Or make as if you were vvhiffing Tobacco Or puich like me Gods-so I heare thy Husband Exit Thais Farewell vvise-woman Enter MIZALDVS Mizal. Now gins my vengeance mount high in my lust 'T is a rare creature shee 'll do 't i'faith And I am arm'd at all points A rare whiblin To be reueng'd and yet gaine pleasure in 't One height aboue reuenge yet vvhat a slaue am I Are there not younger Brothers enough but vve must Branch one another oh but mine 's reuenge And who on that does dreame Must be a Tyrant euer in extreame O my Wife Thais get my Breakefast ready I must into the Country to a Farme I haue Some two miles off and as I thinke Shall not come home to night Iaques Iaques Get my Vessell ready to row me downe the Riuer Prethee make haste Sweet girle Exit Mizal Thais So
and out-wept The clouds in that same o'er-passionate moode When they drown'd all the world yet now forsakes me Women your eyes shed glances like the Sunne Now shines your brightnesse now your light is done On the sweetest Flowers you shine 't is but by chance And on the basest Weede you 'll waste a glance Your beames once lost can neuer more be found Vnlesse we waite vntill your course runne round And take you at fist hand Since I cannot Enioy the noble title of a man But after-ages as our vertues are Buryed whilst we are liuing will sound out My infamie and her degenerate shame Yet in my life I le smother 't if I may And like a dead man to the world bequeath These houses of vanitie Mils and Lands Take what you will I will not keepe among you Seruants And welcome some religious Monasterie A true sworne Beads-man I le hereafter be And wake the morning cocke with holy prayers Ser. Good my Lord noble Master Rob. Disswade me not my will shall be my King I thanke thee Wife a faire change thou hast giuen I leaue thy lust to woo the Loue of Heauen Exit cum seruis Guid. This is conuersion is 't not as good as might haue beene He turnes religious vpon his Wiues turning Curtezan This is iust like some of our gallant Prodigals When they haue consum'd their Patrimonies wrongfully They turne Capuchins for deuotion Exit Finis Actus secundi Actus tertij Scaena prima CLARIDIANA and ROGERO being in a readinesse are receiued in at one anothers houses by their Maids Then Enter MENDOSA with a Page to the Lady LENTVLVS Window Mendosa NIght like a solemne Mourner frownes on earth Enuying that Day should force her doffe her roabes Or Phoebus chase away her Melancholy Heauens eyes looke faintly through her sable masque And siluer Cinthia hyes her in her Sphaere Scorning to grace blacke nights solemnitie Be vnpropitious Night to villaine thoughts But let thy Diamonds shine on vertuous loue This is the lower house of high-built heauen Where my chaste Phaebe sits inthron'd 'mong thoughts So purely good brings her to heauen on earth Such power hath soules in contemplation Sing boy though night yet like the mornings Larke Musicke playes A soule that 's cleare is light though heauen be darke The Lady LENTVLVS at her window Lent Who speakes in Musicke to vs Mend. Sweet 't is I Boy leaue me and to bed Exit Page Lent I thanke you for your Musicke now good-night Men. Leaue not the World yet Queene of Chastitie Keepe promise with thy Loue Endimion And let mee meete thee there on Latmus top 'T is I whose vertuous hopes are firmely fixt On the fruition of thy chaste vow'd loue Lent My Lord your honor made me promise your ascent into my house since my vow barr'd my doores By some wits engine made for theft and lust Yet for your Honour and my humble fame Checke your blouds passions and returne deare Lord Suspition is a Dogge that still doth bite Without a cause this act giues foode to Enuy Swolne big it bursts and poysons our cleare flames Men. Enuy is stinglesse when she lookes on thee Lent Enuy is blinde my Lord and cannot see Men. If you breake promise faire you breake my hart Lent Then come Yet stay Ascend Yet let vs part I feare yet know not what I feare Your Loue 's precious yet mine Honor 's deare Mend. If I doe staine thy Honor with foule lust May Thunder strike me to shew Ioue is iust Lent Then come my Lord on earth your vow is giuen This aide I le lend you He throwes vp a ladder of cords which she makes fast to some part of the window he asends and at top fals M. Thus I mount my heauen Receiue me sweete Lent O me vnhappy wretch How fares your Honour speake Fate-crost Lord If life retaine his seate within you speake Else like that Sestian Dame that saw her Loue Cast by the frowning billowes on the sands And leane death swolne big with the Hellespont In bleake Leanders body like his Loue Come I to thee one graue shall serue vs both Mend. Stay miracle of women yet I breathe Though death be enter'd in this Tower of flesh Hee is not conquerour my heart stands out And yeelds to thee scorning his tyranny Lent My doores are vow'd shut and I cannot helpe you Your wounds are mortall wounded is mine Honour If there the Towne-guard finde you Vnhappy Dame Reliefe is periur'd my vow kept shame What hellish Destinie did twist my fate Mend. Rest ceaze thine eye-lids be not passionate Sweet sleepe secure I le remoue my selfe That Viper Enuy shall not spot thy fame I le take that poyson with me my soules rest For like a Serpent I le creepe on my breast Lent Thou more then man loue-wounded ioy and griefe fight in my bloud Thy wounds and constancie Are both so strong none can haue victory Mend. Darken the world earths-Queene get thee to bed The earth is light while those two Starres are spread Their splendor will betray me to mens eyes Vaile thy bright face for if thou longer stay Phoebus will rise to thee and make night day Lent To part and leaue you hurt my soule doth feare Mend. To part from hence I cannot you being there Lent Wee 'll moue together then Fate Loue controules And as we part so bodies part from soules Mend. Mine is the earth thine the refined fire I am mortall thou diuine then soule mount higher Lent Why then take comfort sweet I le see'ou to morrow Exit Men. My wounds are nothing thy losse breedes my sorrow See now 't is darke Support your Master legges a little further Faint not bolde heart with anguish of my wound Try further yet can bloud weigh downe my soule Desire is vaine without abilitie He staggars on and then fals downe Thus fals a Monarch if Fate push at him Enter a Captaine and the Watch Capt. Come on my hearts we are the Cities securitie I le giue you your charge and then like Courtiers euery man spye out let no man in my company be afraid to speake to a Cloake lined with Veluet nor tremble at the sound of a gingling Spurre 1 Watch. May I neuer be counted a cock of the game if I feare Spurres but be gelded like a Capon for the preseruing of my voyce Cap. I le haue none of my Band refraine to search a veneriall house though his Wifes sister be a lodger there nor take two shillings of the Bawd to saue the Gentlemens credits that are aloft and so like voluntary Pandars leaue them to the shame of all Halbardiers 2. Nay for the Wenches wee 'll tickle them that 's flat Cap. If you meete a Sheuoiliero that 's in the grosse phrase a Knight that swaggers in the streete and being taken has no money in his Purse to pay for his fees it shall be a part of your duty to entreate me to let him goe 1. O meruailous
rarest workes in nature Gnia. I doe confesse the truth and must admire That women can command rare mans desire Isab. Cease admiration sit to Cupids feast The preparation to Papheon daliance Harmonious Musicke breathe thy siluer Ayres To stirre vp appetite to Venus banquet That breath of pleasure that entrances soules Making that instant happinesse a heauen In the true taste of loues deliciousnesse Gniac. Thy vvordes are able to stirre cold desire Into his flesh that lyes entomb'd in Ice Hauing lost the feeling vse of warmth in bloud Then how much more in me whose youthfull veynes Like a proud Riuer ouer-flow their bounds Pleasures Ambrosia or loues nourisher I long for priuacie come let vs in 'T is custome and not reason makes loue sinne Isab. I le leade the way to Venus Paradise Where thou shalt taste that fruit that made man wise Exit Isab. Gnia. Sing notes of pleasure to elate our bloud Why should heauen frowne on ioyes that doe vs good I come Isabella keeper of loues treasure To force thy bloud to lust and rauish pleasure Exit After some short Song enter ISABELLA and GNIACA againe she hanging about his necke laciviously Gniac. Still I am thy captiue yet thy thoughts are free To be Loues bond-man is true libertie I haue swomme in seas of pleasure without ground Ventrous desire past depth it selfe hath drownd Such skill has beauties Art in a true louer That dead desire to life it can recouer Thus beauty our desire can soone aduance Then straight againe kill it with daliance Diuinest women your enchanting breaths Giue Louers many lifes and many deaths Isab. May thy desire to me for euer last Not dye by surfet on my delicates And as I tye this Iewell about thy necke So may I tie thy constant loue to mine Neuer to seeke weaking varietie That greedy curse of mans and womans hell Where nought but shame and loath'd diseases dwell Gniac. You counsell well deare learne it then For change is giuen more to you then men Isab. My faith to thee like rockes shall neuer moue The Sunne shall change his course ere I my loue Enter Anna Anna Madame the Count Rogero knockes Isab. Deare Loue into my chamber till I send My hate from sight Gniac. Lust makes me wrong my friend Exit Gniaca Isab. Anna stand here and entertaine Lord Rogero I from my window straight will giue him answere The Serpents vvit to woman rest in me By that man fell then vvhy not he by me Fain'd sighes and teares dropt from a womans eye Blindes man of reason strikes his knowledge dumbe Wit armes a vvoman Count Rogero come Exit Isabella Anna My office still is vnder yet in time Vshers proue Masters degrees makes vs climbe Guido knockes Who knockes is 't you my noble Lord Enter GVIDO in his hunting weedes Guid. Came my friend hither Count Guiaca An. No my good Lord Guid. Where 's my Isabella An. In her Chamber Guid. Good I le visit her An. The chamber 's lockt my Lord shee will be priuate Guid. Lockt against me my sawcy mallapert An. Be patient good my Lord shee 'll giue you answere Guid. Isabella life of loue speake 't is I that cals Isab. at her window Isab. I must desire your Lordship pardon me Guid. Lordship what 's this Isabella art thou blinde Isab. My Lord my lust was blinde but now my soule 's cleare sighted And sees the spots that did corrupt my flesh Those tokens sent from hell brought by desire The messenger of euerlasting death Anna My Lady 's in her Pulpit now shee 'll preach Guid. Is not thy Lady mad in veritie I alwayes Tooke her for a Puritane and now shee shewes it Isab. Mocke not Repentance Prophanation Brings mortals laughing to damnation Beleeue it Lord Isabella's ill past life Like gold refin'd shall make a perfect Wife I stand on firme ground now before on Ice We know not vertue till wee taste of vice Guid. Doe you heare dissimulation woman sinner Isab. Leaue my house good my Lord and for my part I looke for a most vvisht reconciliation Betwixt my selfe and my most wronged Husband Tempt not contrition then religious Lord Guid. Indeede I vvas one of your familie once But doe not I know these are but braine-trickes And where the Diuell has the Fee-simple he will keep possession And will you halt before me that your selfe has made a criple Isab. Nay then you wrong me and disdained Lord I paid thee for thy pleasures vendible Whose mercenary flesh I bought with coyne I vvill diuulge thy basenesse 'lesse vvith speede Thou leaue my house and my societie Guid. Already turn'd apostate but now all pure Now damn'd your faith is and loues endure Like dewe vpon the grasse when pleasures Sunne Shines on your vertues all your vertue 's done I le leaue thy house and thee goe get thee in Thou gaudy childe of pride and nurse of sinne Isab. Raile not on me my Lord for if you doe My hot desire of vengeance shall strike wonder Reuenge in woman fals like dreadfull thunder Exit Anna Your Lordship will command me no further seruice Guid. I thanke thee for thy vvatchfull seruice past Thy vsher-like attendance on the Staires Being true signes of thy Humilitie Anna I hope I did discharge my place with care Guid. Vshers should haue much vvit but little haire Thou hast of both sufficient prethee leaue mee If thou hast an honest Lady commend me to her But shee is none Exit Anna manet Guido Farewell thou priuate strumpet worse then common Man were on earth an Angell but for woman That seauen-fold branch of hell from them doth grow Pride Lust and Murder they raise from below With all their fellow sinnes Women were made Of blood without soules vvhen their beauties fade And their lust's past auarice or bawdry Makes them still lou'd then they buy venerie Bribing damnation and hire brothell slaues Shame 's their executors Infamie their graues Your painting vvill wipe off vvhich Art did hide And shew your vgly shape in spite of pride Farewell Isabella poore in soule and fame I leaue thee rich in nothing but in shame Then soulelesse women know whose faiths are hollow Your lust being quench'd a bloudy act must follow Exit Finis Actus tertij Actus quarti Scaena prima Enter the Duke of Amago the Captaine and the rest of the Watch with the Senators Duke IVstice that makes Princes like the Gods drawes vs vnto the Senate That with vnpartiall ballance wee may poyse The crimes and innocence of all offenders Our presence can chase bribery from Lawes He best can iudge that heares himselfe the cause 1 Senat. True mighty Duke it best becomes our places To haue our light from you the Sonne of Vertue Subiect Authoritie for gaine loue or feare Oft quits the guilty and condemnes the cleare Duke The Land and people's mine the crimes being knowne I must redresse my subiects wrong's mine owne Call for the two suspected for the murder Of Mendosa
Making her lust her God heau'n her delights Swell not proud heart I le quench thy griefe in blood Desire in woman cannot be withstood Guiaca I le be thy champion sweet gainst all the world Name but the villaine that defames thee thus Isab. Dare thy hand execute whom my tongue condemnes Then art thou truely valiant mine for euer But if thou fain'st hate must our true loue seuer Guiaca By my dead fathers soule my mothers vertues And by my knight hood and gentilitie I le be reueng'd On all the Authors of your Obloquie Name him Isab. Rogero Guiaca Ha Isab. What does his name affright thee coward Lord Be mad Isabella curse on thy reuenge This Lord was knighted for his fathers worth Not for his owne Farewell thou periur'd man I le leaue you all You all conspire to worke mine honors fall Guia. Stay my Isabella were he my fathers sonne Composed of me he dies Delight still keepe with thee goe in Isabella Thou art iust Reuenge to me is sweeter now then lust Enter GVIDO they see one another and draw and make a passe then enter ANNA Anna What meane you Nobles will you kill each other Ambo Hold Guido Thou shame to friendship what intends thy hate Guiaca Loue Armes my hand makes my soule valiant Isabellas wrongs now sits vpon my sword To fall more heauie to thy cowards head Then thunderbolts vpon Ioues rifted Oakes Deny thy scandall or defend thy life Guido What hath thy faith and and reason left thee both That thou art onely flesh without a soule Hast thou no feeling of thy selfe and me Blind rage that will not let thee see thy selfe Guiaca I come not to dispute but execute And thus comes death Another passe Guido And thus I breake thy dart her 's at thy whores face Guiaca 'T is mist here 's at thy heart stay let vs breath Guido Let reason gouerne rage yet let vs leaue Although most wrong be mine I can forgiue In this attempt thy shame will euer liue Guiaca Thou hast wrong'd the Phenix of all women rarest She that 's most wise most louing chaste and fairest Guid. Thou dotest vpon a diuell not a woman That ha's bewitcht thee with her Sorcerie And drown'd thy soule in leathy faculties Her vselesse lust has benumb'd thy knowledge Thy intelectuall powers obliuion smothers That thou art nothing but forgetfulnesse Guiaca What 's this to my Isabella my sinnes mine owne Her faults were none vntill thou madest 'em knowne Guido Leaue her and leaue thy shame where first thou found'st it Else liue a bondslaue to diseased lust Deuour'd in her gulfe-like appetite And infamy shall write thy Epitaph Thy memory leaues nothing but thy crimes A scandall to thy name in future times Guia. Put vp your weapon I dare here you further Insatiat lust is Sire still to murther Guido Beleeue it friend if her heart bloud were vext Though you kill me new pleasure makes you next She lou'd me deerer then she loues you now Shee 'll nere be faithfull has twice broke her vow This curse pursues femall Adulterie They 'l swimme through blood for sinnes varietie Their pleasure like a sea groundlesse and wide A womans lust was neuer satisfied Guia. Feare whispers in my brest I haue a soule That blushes red for tending bloudy facts Forgiue me friend if I can be forgiuen Thy counsell is the path leades me to heauen Guid. I doe embrace thy reconciled loue Guiaca That death or danger now shall ne'er remoue Goe tell thy Insaciate Countesse Anna We haue escap't the snares of her false Loue Vowing for euer to abandon her Guid. You haue heard our Resolution pray be gone Anna My office euer rested at your pleasure I was the Indian yet you had the treasure My faction often sweates and oft takes cold Then gilde true diligence o'er with gold Guia. Thy speech deseru's it there 's gold giues her gold Be honest now and not loues Noddy Turn'd vp and plaid on whil'st thou keep'st the stock Prethe formally let 's ha thy absence Anna Lords farewell Exit Anna Guido T is Whores and Panders that makes earth like hell Guiaca Now I am got out of lusts Laborinth I will to Venice for a certaine time To recreate my much abused spirits And then reuisit Pani and my friend Guido I le bring you on your way but must returne Lust is like Aetna and will euer burne Yet now desire is quench't flam'd once in height Till man knowes hell he neuer has firme faith Exeunt Ambo Enter Isabella rauing and Anna Isabella Out scritch-Owle messenger of my reuenges death Thou do'st belye Guiaca 't is not so Anna Vpon mine honestie they are vnited Isabella Thy honestie thou vassaile to my pleasure take that Strike her Darst thou controule me when I say no Art not my footestoole did not I create thee And made thee gentle being borne a begger Thou hast beene my womans Pandar for a crowne And dost thou stand vpon thy honestie Anna I am what you please Madame Yet 't is so Isab. Slaue I will slit thy tongue lesse thou say no Anna No no no Madame Isabella I haue my humour though they now be false Faint-hearted coward get thee from my sight When villaine hast and come not nere me Anna Madame I run her sight like death doth feare me Ex. Isabella Perfidious cowards staine of Nobilitie Venecians and be reconcil'd with words O that I had Guiaca once more here Within this prison made of flesh and bone I 'de not trust Thunder with my fell reuenge But mine owne hands should doe the dire exploit And fame should Chronicle a womans acts My rage respects the persons not the facts There place and worths hath power to defame me Meane hate is stinglesse and does onely name me I not regard it 't is high bloud that swels Giue me reuenge and damne me into hels Enter Don Sago a Coronell with a band of Souldiers and a Lieutenant A gallant Spaniard I will heare him speake Griefe must be speechlesse ere the heart can breake Sago Lieutenant let good Discipline be vs'd In quartring of our Troops within the Citie Not seperated into many streetes That shewes weake loue but not sound policie Diuision in small numbers makes all weake Forces vnited are the nerues of warre Mother and nurse of obseruation Whose rare ingenious spright fils all the world By looking on it selfe with piercing eyes Will looke through strangers imbecilities Therefore be carefull Lieft. All shall be ordred fitting your command For these three gifts which makes a Souldiour rare Is loue and dutie with a valiant care Exiunt Lieft. Souldiors Sago What rarietie of women feeds my sight And leades my sences in a maze of wonder Sees her Bellona thou wert my mistris till I saw that shape But now my sword I le consecrate to her Leaue Mars and become Cupids Martialist Beauty can turne the rugged face of warre And make him smile vpon delightfull peace Courting her smoothly like a
femallist I grow a slaue vnto my potent loue Whose power change hearts make our fate remoue Isabella Reuenge not Pleasure now ore-rules my blood Rage shall drown faint loue in a crimson flood And were he caught I 'de make him murders hand Sago Me thinkes 't were ioy to die at her command I le speake to heare her speech whose powerfull breath Is able to infuse life into death Isabella He comes to speake hee 's mine by loue he is mine Sago Lady thinke bold intrusion curtesie T is but imagination alters them Then 't is your thoughts not I that doe offend Isabella Sir your intrusion yet 's but curtesie Vnlesse your future humor alter it Sago Why then Diuinest woman know my soule Is dedicated to thy shrine of beauty To pray for mercy and repent the wrongs Done against loue and femall puritie Thou abstract drawne from natures empty store-house I am thy slaue command my sword my heart The soule is tri'd best by the bodies smart Isabella You are a stranger to this land and me What madnesse i st for me to trust you then To cosen women is a trade 'mongst men Smooth promises faint passions with a lye Deceiues our sex of fame and chastitie What danger durst you hazard for my loue Sago Perils that that neuer mortall durst approue I le double all the workes of Hercules Expose my selfe in combat 'gainst an Hoste Meete danger in a place of certaine death Yet neuer shrinke or giue way to my Fate Bare-brested meete the murderous Tartars dart Or any fatall Engine made for death Such power ha's loue and beauty from your eyes He that dies resolute does neuer die 'T is feare giues death his strength which I resisted Death is but emptie Aire the Fates haue twisted Isab. Dare you reuenge my quarrell 'gainst a foe Sago Then aske me if I dare embrace you thus Or kisse your hand or gaze on your bright eye Where Cupid dances on those globes of loue Feare is my vassall when I frowne he flyes A hundred times in life a coward dies Isabella I not suspect your valor but your will Sago To gaine your loue my fathers bloud I 'le spill Isab. Many haue sworne the like yet broke their vow Sago My whole endeuour to your wish shall bow I am your plague to scourge your enemies Isabella Performe your promise and enioy your pleasure Spend my loues Dowry that is womens treasure But if thy resolution dread the triall I le tell the world a Spaniard was disloyall Sago Relate your griefe I long to heare their names Whose bastard spirits thy true worth defames I 'le wash thy scandall off when their hearts bleeds Valour makes difference betwixt words and deeds Tell thy fames poison blood shall wash thee white Isab. My spotlesse honor is a slaue to spite These are the monsters Venice doth bring forth Whose emptie soules are banckrupt of true worth False Count Guido treacherous Guiaca Countesse of Gazia and of rich Massino Then if thou beest a Knight help the opprest Through danger safetie comes through trouble rest And so my loue Sago Ignoble villens their best bloud shall proue Reuenge fals heauy that is rais'd by loue Isab. Thinke what reproch is to a womans name Honor'd by birth by marriage and by beautie Be God on earth and reuenge innocence O worthy Spaniard on my knees I begge Forget the persons thinke on their offence Sago By the white soule of honour by heau'ns Ioue They die if their death can attaine your loue Isab. Thus will I clip thy waste embrace thee thus Thus dally with thy haire and kisse thee thus Our Pleasures Pothean-like in sundry shapes Shall with varietie stirre daliance Sago I am immortall O diuinest creature Thou do'st excell the Gods in wit and feature False Counts you die reuenge now shakes his rods Beautie condemnes you stronger then the Gods Isab. Come Mars of louers Vulcan is not here Make vengeance like my bed quite voide of feare Sago My sences are intranst and in this slumber I taste heau'ns ioyes but cannot count the number Ex. Ambo Enter LADY LENTVLVS ABIGALL and THAIS Abigal Well Madame you see the destinie that followes marriage Our husbands are quiet now and must suffer the law Thais If my husband had beene worth the begging some Courtier would haue had him he might be beg'd well inough for he knowes not his owne wife from another Lady Lent O you 'r a couple of trusty wenches to deceiue your husbands thus Abig. If wee had not deceiu'd them thus we had been Trust wenches Thais Our husbands will be hang'd because they thinke themselu's Cuckolds Abig. If all true Cuckolds were of that minde the hangman would be the richest occupation and more wealthie widdowes then there be yonger brothers to marry them Thais The Marchant venturers would be a very small companie Abag. 'T is twelue to one of that how euer the rest scape I shall feare a massacre Thais If my husband hereafter for his wealth chance to be dub'd I 'le haue him cal'd the Knight of the supposed home Abag. Faith and it sounds well Lady Come madcaps leaue iesting and let 's deliuer them out of their earthly purgation you are the spirits that torment them but my loue and Lord kinde Mendosa will loose his life to preserue mine honor not for hate to others Abig. By my troth if I had beene his iudge I should haue hang'd him for hauing no more wit I speake as I thinke for I would not be hang'd for ne'er a man vnder the heau'ns Thais Faith I thinke I should for my Husband I doe not hold the opinion of the Philosopher that writes we loue them best that we inioy first for I protest I loue my husband better then any that did know me before Abig. So doe I yet life and pleasure are two sweet things to a woman Lady He that 's willing to die to saue mine honor I 'le die to saue his Abig. Tut beleeue it who that list wee loue a liuely man I grant you But to maintaine that life I 'le ne're consent to die This is a rule I still will keepe in brest Loue well thy husband wench but thy selfe best Thais I haue followed your counsell hetherto and meane to doe still Lady Come we neglect our businesse 't is no iesting To morrow they are executed leasse we reprieue them Wee be their destinies to cast their fate Let 's all goe Abig. I feare not to come late Exeunt Enter DON SAGO SOLVS with a case of Pistols Sago Day was my night and night must be my day The sunne shin'd on my pleasure with my loue And darknesse must lend aide to my reuenge The stage of heau'n is hung with solemne black A time best fitting to Act Tragedies The nights great Queene that maiden gouernesse Musters black clouds to hide her from the world Afraide to looke on my bold enterprise Curs'd creatures messengers of death possesse the world Night-Rauens scritch-owles and