To doubt me more: why am not I so too then? Cup. Marry, thus, good Madam. There was in company a foul-mouth'd villain Stay, stay, Who should I liken him to that you have seen? He comes so near one that I would not match him with, Faith, just o' the Colonel's pitch: he's ne'er the worse man; Usurers have been compar'd to magistrates, But they all prove ne'er the worse men for that. Cap. This rude fellow, A shame to all humanity and manners, Breathes from the rottenness of his gall and malice, La. Mine, my honor, Sir? Cap. The Colonel soon enrag'd (as he's all touchwood) Appoints the field; my wrath could not be heard, ར Now what's the friendly fear that fights within me, A cause that were unjust in our defence, And so to lose him everlastingly, In that dark depth where all bad quarrels sink Never to rise again, what pity 'twere, First to die here, and never to die there! La. Why what's the quarrel, speak, Sir, that should raise Such fearful doubt, my honor bearing part on't? The words, what e'er they were Cap. Son of a whore. La. Thou liest: And And were my love ten thousand times more to thee, So thou shouldst feel my anger. Dost thou call That quarrel doubtful? where are all my merits? [Strikes him.] Not one stand up to tell this man his error? Thou might'st as well call the Sun's truth in question, Cap. Now blessings crown you for 't; It is the joyfull'st blow that ere flesh felt. La. Nay, stay, stay, Sir; thou art not left so soon : This is no question to be slighted off, And at your pleasure closed up fair again, As though you'd never touch'd it, no; honor doubted, More than a common smart, being of thy making. For nothing else looks toward thee. Tell me, pray, With this vile thought? which of my prayers or wishes? Many thou ow'st me for. This seven year hast thou known me A widow, only married to my vow; That's no small witness of my faith and love To him that in life was thy honour'd father: And live I now to know that good mistrusted? Cap. No, it shall appear that my belief is chearful; For never was a mother's reputation Noblier defended; 'tis my joy and pride I have a firmness to bestow upon it. To crave forgiveness of you. I will earn it first. La. What's all this, Sir? Cap Cap. My joy's beyond expression: I do but think how wretched I had been, Cap. Mine? think me not so miserable, Which is but one of virtue's easiest wonders. Cap. Yes, he's the man, The man of injury, reproach, and slander, La. The Colonel do 't! that's strange. Cap. The villain did it : That's not so strange. Your blessing, and your leave Cap. Not go? were death Sent now to summon me to my eternity, I'd put him off an hour: why, the whole world Has not chains strong enough to bind me from it: The strongest is my Reverence for you, Which if you force upon me in this case, I must be forc'd to break it. La. Stay, I say. Cap. In any thing command me but in this, Madam. La. You'll never hear me more then. Cap. How! La. Come back, I say! You may well think there's cause, I call so often. Cap. Cap. Ha? cause? what cause? La. So much, you must not go. La. I know a reason for 't; Which I could wish you'd yield to, and not know: Cap. Why, I desire To know no other than the cause I have, Nor should you wish it, if you take your injury; For one more great I know the world includes not. La. Yes; one that makes this nothing:-yet be ruled, And if you understand not, seek no farther. Cap. I must, for this is nothing. La. Then take all; And if amongst it you receive that secret That will offend you, though you condemn me, Yet blame yourself a little, for perhaps I would have made my reputation sound Upon another's hazard with less pity; Cap. How, La. I dare not: 'Twas your own seeking, this. Cap. If you mean evilly, I cannot understand you, nor for all the riches La. Would you never might! Cap. Why, your goodness, that I joy to fight for. Why, shall I dare to think it a thing possible, La. Oh, fearfully; As much as you come to. Cap. Oh silence cover me; I've felt a deadlier wound than man can give me. La. I was betray'd to a most sinful hour By By a corrupted soul I put in trust once, Cap. Where is she? let me pay her. Cup. Nay then, she has all her wages. False? do not say't; for honor's goodness do not; Deserv'd you at your best; when youth and merit La. That heaps my guiltiness. Cap. O were you so unhappy to be false I never shall have use of valour more. you hoard up That was so injurious to the faith of wedlock? I should be dead: for all my life's work's ended. ́ The noble resolution of my friends; [Exit lady. Enter two Friends of Captain Ager's. That were more vile. They're here. Kill me, my shame. I am not for the fellowship of honor. 1. Friend. Captain, fie, come, Sir: we've been seeking for you Very late to-day; this was not wont to be, Your enemy's in the field. K Cup. |