I did discharge the trust imposed upon me, Bell. "Tis with truth acknowledged. Cham. The love I then bore to you, and desire What, from a true heart, I shall now deliver, Bell. When you speak, Whate'er the subject be, I gladly hear. Cham. To tell you of the greatness of your state, And from what noble stock you are derived, Were but impertinence, and a common theme, Since you well know both. What I am to speak of, Touches you nearer; therefore, give me leave To say, that, howsoever your great bounties, Continual feasting, princely entertainments, May gain you the opinion of some few Of a brave generous spirit, (the best harvest That you can hope for from such costly seed,) You cannot yet, amongst the multitude, (Since, next unto the princes of the blood, The eyes of all are fix'd on you,) but give Some wounds, which will not close without a scar, To your fair reputation, and good name; In suffering such a crew of riotous gallants, Not of the best repute, to be so frequent Both in your house and presence; this, 'tis rumour'd, Little agrees with the curiousness of honour, Or modesty of a maid. Bell. Not to dwell long Upon my answer, I must thank your goodness, Cham. Take heed, madam. That [world's] opinion, which you slight, confirms This lady for immodest, and proclaims Another for a modest; whereas the first Ne'er knew what loose thoughts were, and the Bell. I dare not argue: [praised second Bell. Pardon me, sir; and do not think I scorn Your grave advice, which I have ever followed, Though not pleased in it. Would you have me match with wealth? I need it Cham. If you resolve, then, In . And live cont Bell. What proof Should I give of my continence, if I lived So mew'd up, might have died as they were born, I am in this to conquer, that I will Feed high, and take and give free entertainment, Yet every burning shot he made at me, Meeting with my chaste thoughts, should lose their ardour; Which when I have o'ercome, malicious men Cham. May you prosper In this great undertaking! I'll not use Bell. Whate'er it be, 'Tis granted. Cham. It is only to accept A present from me. Bell. Call you this a suit? Cham. Come in, Calista. Enter BEAUPKE, disguised as a Moorish Slave. Phil. Here they come. Ladies. All happiness to your majesty ! Courtiers. And victory sit ever on your sword! But wherefore come you in divided troops, Their servants' guardship, or the servants, slighted, Part with their splendour. What's the cause? from whence Proceeds this alteration? Peri. I am troubled The chevaliers of France were truly lords of, And which your grandsires really did possess, At no part you inherit. Bell. Ere they durst Presume to offer service to a lady, [Aside. In person they perform'd some gallant acts The fame of which prepared them gracious hearing, Ere they made their approaches: what coy she, Though great in birth, not to be parallel'd [then, For nature's liberal bounties, both set off With fortune's trappings, wealth; but, with delight, Gladly acknowledged such a man her servant, To whose heroic courage, and deep wisdom, The flourishing commonwealth, and thankful king, Confess'd themselves for debtors? Whereas, now, If you have travelled Italy, and brought home Some remnants of the language, and can set Your faces in some strange and ne'er-seen posture, Dance a lavolta, and be rude and saucy; Protest, and swear, and damn, (for these are acts That most think grace them,) and then view yourIn the deceiving mirror of self-love, You do conclude there hardly is a woman That can be worthy of you. [selves Mont. We would grant We are not equal to our ancestors In noble undertakings, if we thought, In us a free confession would persuade you, Not to deny your own most wilful errors: And where you tax us for unservice, lady, I never knew a soldier yet, that could Arrive into your favour: we may suffer The winter's frost, and scorching summer's heat, When the hot lion's breath singeth the fields, To seek out victory; yet, at our return, Though honour'd in our manly wounds, well taken, You say they do deform us, and the loss Of much blood that way, renders us unfit To please you in your chambers. Clarin. I must speak A little in the general cause: Your beauties Are charms that do enchant so Knowing that we are fastened in your toils; Char. No reply This is a cause we will determine of, And France shall boast I am a prince of love. Complain in parliament; there's safe trading, And then I will not cry, St. Dennis for me! pupil ; And, when she finds she is of all forsaken, Clarin. May I ne'er prosper But you are three of the most fainting spirits, To talk of progress laundresses, punks, and beggars; The wife of some rich tradesman with three teeth, And twice so many hairs:-truck with old ladies, That nature hath given o'er, that owe their doctors For an artificial life, that are so frozen, That a sound plague cannot thaw them; but A velvet petticoat up, or to commit I am only confident to win the lady You dare not look on, and now, in the height [toys, It being known all is mine, peruse my writings, To such a friend, lend this ten thousand crowns, That pleased me in my youth, but now grown stale. If, out of her own lands, I do assign her Peri. Talk'st thou in thy sleep? Clarin. A little elevated With the assurance of my future fortune : Why do you stare and grin? I know this must be, And I will lay three thousand crowns, within A month I will effect this. Mont. How ! Clarin. Give proof I have enjoyed fair Bellisant, evident proof I have pluck'd her virgin rose, so long preserved, And loathing to thy person, thou wouldst not Of mountebanks, that to vent their drugs and oils, So spaniel-like affected, and thy dotage That way I'll once more feast thee. Of all men I ever saw yet, in my settled judgment, Thou art the ugliest creature; and when trimm'd up To the height, as thou imagin'st, in mine eyes, A leper with a clap-dish, (to give notice Cler. You look on me Leon. Then thy dunghill mind, Suitable to the outside, never yet Produced one gentle thought, knowing her want Thy courtship, as absurd as any zany's, Though full of bombast phrase, never brought matter Worthy the laughing at, much less the hearing. A fork'd-tongued adder, than meet thy embraces, Cler. Now you have spent The utmost of your spleen, I would not say [ever My entrance by your most severe commands, Leon. Two months hence I'll have The Cler. Stay, best madam, I am growing to a period. Leon. Pray you do ; I here shall take a nap else, 'tis so pleasing. You once did swear was musical; you have met too Made me presume, and with some amorous force, Leon. Dar'st thou think That this offence can ever find à pardon, Cler. But you most cruel, That, in your studied purpose of revenge, Offences of foul shape, by holy writ From doing me right, that you disdain to hear me. Leon. Now I may catch him in my long-wish'd toils; My hate help me to work it! [Aside.]-To what purpose, Poor and pale spirited man, should I expect Cler, Witness, heaven, All blessings hoped by good men, and all tortures To do whatever you please to command, May I endure more sharp and lingering torments Leon. You are caught, Most miserable fool, but fit to be so ;- And not a penance; else, on the next tree, Leon. What cannot be recall'd. To row for seven years in the Turkish gallies? Or a common bagnio? that's a trifle too! |