Chapter XIX: Act V: , Scene I

_Enter_ VOTARIUS, _with_ ANSELMUS.

VOT. You shall stand here, my lord, unseen,
And hear all; do I deal now like a right
Friend with you?

ANS. Like a most faithful.

VOT. You shall have her mind, e'en as it comes to me,
Though I undo her by't; your friendship, sir,
Is the sweet mistress that I only serve;
I prize the roughness of a man's embrace
Before the soft lips of a hundred ladies.

ANS. And that's an honest mind of thee.

VOT. Lock yourself, sir,
Into that closet, and be sure none see you.
Trust not a creature; we'll have all round clear,
E'en as the heart affords it.

ANS. 'Tis a match, sir. [_Exit._

VOT. Troth, he says true then, 'tis a match indeed.
He does not know the strength of his own words;
For, if he did, there were no masering on him.
He's cleft the pin in two with a blind man's eyes;
Though I shoot wide, I'll cosen him of the game.[473] [_Exit._

_Enter_ LEONELLA _above in a gallery, with her lover_
BELLARIUS.

LEO. Dost thou see thine enemy walk?

BEL. I would I did not.

LEO. Prythee, rest quiet, man; I have fee'd one for him,
A trusty catchpole, too, that will be sure of him;
Thou know'st this gallery? well, 'tis at thy use now,
'T 'as been at mine full often; thou may'st sit
Like a most private gallant in yon corner
For all the play, and ne'er be seen thyself.

BEL. Therefore I chose it.

LEO. Thou shalt see my lady
Play her part naturally--more to the life
Than she's aware on.

BEL. Then must I be pleased.
Thou'rt one of the actors: thou'lt be miss'd anon.

LEO. Alas! a woman's action's always ready;
Yet I'll down, now I think on't.

BEL. Do: 'tis time, i' faith. [LEONELLA _descends_.

ANS. I know not yet, where I should plant belief:
I am so strangely toss'd between two tales.
I'm told by my wife's woman the deed's done,
And in Votarius' tongue 'tis yet to come.
The castle is but upon yielding yet,
'Tis not deliver'd up. Well, we shall find
The mystery shortly; I will entertain
The patience of a prisoner i' th' meantime. [_Locks himself in._

_Enter_ ANSELMUS' _Lady, with_ LEONELLA.

WIFE. Is all set ready, wench?

LEO. Push! madam! all.

WIFE. Tell not me so; she lives not for a lady,
That has less peace than I.

LEO. Nay, good sweet madam.
You would not think how much this passion alters you;
It drinks up all the beauty of your cheek.
I promise you, madam, you have lost much blood.

WIFE. Let it draw death upon me, for till then
I shall be mistress of no true content:
Who could endure hourly temptation,
And bear it as I do?

LEO. Nay, that's most certain:
Unless it were myself again: I can do't,
I suffer the like daily; you should complain, madam.

WIFE. Which way, were that wisdom? prythee, wench, to whom?

LEO. To him that makes all whole again--my lord.
To one that, if he be a kind, good husband,
Will let you bear no more than you are able.

WIFE. Thou know'st not what thou speakest; why, my lord's he
That gives him the house's freedom, all his boldness--
Keeps him o' purpose here to war with me.

LEO. Now I hold wiser of my lord than so:
He knows the world; he would not be so idle.

WIFE. I speak sad truth to thee; I am not private
In mine own chamber, such his impudence is:
Nay, my repenting-time is scarce bless'd from him--
He will offend my prayers.

LEO. Out upon him!
I believe, madam, he's of no religion.

WIFE. He serves my lord, and that's enough for him:
And preys upon poor ladies like myself--
There's all the gentleman's devotion.

LEO. Marry, the devil of hell give him his blessing!

WIFE. Pray, watch the door, and suffer none to trouble us,
Unless it be my lord.

LEO. 'Twas finely spoke, that!
My lord indeed is the most trouble to her.
Now must I show a piece of service here:
How do I spend my days? shall I never
Get higher than a lady's doorkeeper?
I must be married (as my lady is) first,
And then my maid may do as much for me.

[_Aside._

WIFE. O miserable time! except my lord
Do wake in honourable pity to me,
And rid this vicious gamester from his house.
Whom I have check'd so often: here I vow
I'll imitate my noble sister's fate,
Late mistress to the worthy Govianus,
And cast away my life, as she did hers.

_Enter_ VOTARIUS _to the door within_.

LEO. Back, you're too forward, sir! there's no coming for you.

VOT. How, Mistress Len, my lady's smock-woman,
Am I no further in your duty yet?

LEO. Duty! look for't of them you keep under, sir.

VOT. You'll let me in?

LEO. Who would you speak withal?

VOT. Why, the best lady you make courtesy to.

LEO. She will not speak with you.

VOT. Have you her mind?
I scorn to take her answer of her broker.

LEO. Madam?

WIFE. What's there? How now, sir, what's your business?
We see your boldness plain.

VOT. I came to see you, madam.

WIFE. Farewell, then! though 'twas impudence too much,
When I was private.

VOT. Madam!

WIFE. He was born
To beggar all my patience.

VOT. I'm bold
Still to prefer my love; your woman hears me not.

WIFE. Where's modesty and honour? Have I not thrice
Answer'd thy lust?

LEO. By'r lady, I think oft'ner. [_Aside._

WIFE. And darest thou yet look with temptation on us?
Since nothing will prevail, come, death--come, vengeance--
I will forget the weakness of my kind,
And force thee from my chamber.

[_She thrusts at_ VOTARIUS _with the sword_.

VOT. How now, lady!
'Ud's life, you prick me, madam!

WIFE. Prythee, peace!
I will not hurt thee; will you yet be gone, sir?

LEO. He's upon going, I think.

VOT. Madam, you deal false with me; O, I feel it;
You're a most treacherous lady! this thy glory!
My breast is all a-fire! O-- [_Dies._

LEO. Ha, ha, ha!

ANS. Ha! I believe her constancy too late,
Confirm'd e'en in the blood of my best friend;
Take thou my vengeance, thou bold, pernicious strumpet,

[_Kills_ LEONELLA.

_Enter_ BELLARTUS.

That durst accuse thy virtuous lady falsely!

BEL. O deadly poison after a sweet banquet!
What make I here? I had forgot my part;[474]
I am an actor too, and never thought on't,
The blackness of this season cannot miss me.
Sirrah, you lord!

WIFE. Is he there? welcome, ruin!

BEL. There is a life due to me in that bosom
For this poor gentlewoman.

ANS. And art thou then receiver!
I'll pay thee largely, slave, for thy last 'scape.

[_They make a dangerous pass at one another,_
_the lady purposely runs between them, and_
_is killed_.

WIFE. I come, Votarius!

ANS. Hold, if manhood guide thee!
O, what has fury done now?

BEL. What has it done now?
Why, kill'd an honourable whore, that's all.

ANS. Villain! I'll seal that lie upon thy heart.
A constant lady---- [_He kneels at his wife's side._

BEL. ----to the devil, as could be!
Must I prick you forward; either up
Or, sir, I'll take my chance; thou couldst kill her
Without repenting, that deserv'd more pity;
And spend'st thy time and tears upon a quean.

ANS. Slave!

BEL. That was deceiv'd once in her own deceit,
[_They fight: both are mortally wounded._
As I am now; the poison I prepar'd
Upon that weapon for mine enemy's bosom,
Is bold to take acquaintance of my blood too,
And serves us both to make up death withal.

ANS. I ask no more of destiny, but to fall
Close by the chaste side of my virtuous mistress;
If all the treasure of my weeping strength
Be left so wealthy but to purchase that,
I have the dear wish of a great man's spirit,
Yet favour me, O, yet--I thank thee, fate,
I expire cheerfully, and give death a smile.

[ANSELMUS _dies_.

BEL. O rage! I pity now mine enemy's flesh.

_Enter_ GOVIANUS, _with Servants_.

GOV. Where should he be?

1ST SER. My lady, sir, will tell you.
She's in her chamber here.

2D SER. O my lord!

GOV. Peace--my honourable brother--madam--all?
So many dreadful deeds, and not one tongue
Left to proclaim 'em.

BEL. Yes, here, if a voice
Some minutes' long may satisfy your ear,
I have that time allowed it.

GOV. 'Tis enough,
Bestow it quickly, ere death snatch it from thee.

BEL. That lord, your brother, made his friend Votarius
To tempt his lady; she was won to lust,
The act reveal'd here by her serving-woman;
But that wise close adultress, stor'd with art
To prey upon the weakness of that lord,
Dissembled a, great rage upon her love,
And indeed kill'd him, which so won her husband,
He slew this right discoverer in his fury,
Who (being my mistress) I was mov'd in haste
To take some pains with him, and he's paid me for it.
As for the cunning lady, I commend her;
She perform'd that which never woman tried:
She ran upon our weapons, and so died.
Now you have all, I hope I shall sleep quiet. [_Dies._

ANS. O thunder! that awakes me e'en from death,
And makes me curse my confidence with cold lips;
I feel his words in flames about my soul,
He's more than kill'd me.

GOV. Brother!

ANS. I repent the smile
That I bestow'd on destiny? O whore!
I fling thee thus from my believing breast
With all the strength I have; my rage is great,
Although my veins grow beggars; now I sue
To die far from thee; may we never meet.
Were my soul bid to joy's eternal banquet,
And were assur'd to find thee there a guest,
I'd sup with torments, and refuse that feast.
O thou beguiler of man's easy trust!
The serpent's wisdom is in women's lust. [_Dies._

GOV. Is death so long a-coming to mankind,
It must be met half-way? O cruel speed!
There's few men pay their debts before their day;
If they be ready at their time, 'tis well--
And but a few that are so. What strange haste
Was made among these people! My heart weeps for't.
Go, bear those bodies to a place more comely.
Brother, I came for thy advice; but I
Find thee so ill a councillor to thyself,
That I repent my pains, and depart sighing.
The body of my love is still at court:
I am not well to think on't; the poor spirit
Was with me once again about it, troth;
And I can put it off no more for shame,
Though I desire to have it haunt me still,
And never to give over, 'tis so pleasing.
I must to court, I've plighted my faith to't;
'T has open'd me the way to the revenge.
Tyrant, I'll run thee on a dangerous shelf,
Though I be forc'd to fly this land myself. [_Exit._

SCENE II.

_Enter_ TYRANT, _with Attendants_.

TYR. In vain my spirit wrastles with my blood:
Affection will be mistress here on earth.
The house is hers: the soul is but a tenant.
I have task'd myself but with the abstinence
Of one poor hour, yet cannot conquer that.
I cannot keep from sight of her so long;
I starve mine eye too much: go, bring her forth,
As we have caus'd her body to be deck'd
In all the glorious riches of our palace;
Our mind has felt a famine for the time;
All comfort has been dear and scarce with us.
The times are alter'd since--strike on, sweet harmony!

_Enter_ SOLDIERS, _with the_ LADY.

[_Music playing._

A braver world comes towards us.

[_They bring the body in a chair, dressed up in_
_black velvet, which sets out the paleness of_
_the hands and face; and a fair chain of_
_pearl across the breast, and the crucifix_
_above it; he stands silent awhile, letting the_
_music play, beckoning the soldiers that_
_bring her in to make obeisance to her, and_
_he himself makes a low honour to the body,_
_and kisses the hand._

_A Song._

_O, what is beauty that's so much adored?_
_A flattering glass that cosens her beholders,_
_One night of death makes it look pale and horrid,_
_The dainty preservd flesh how soon it moulders,_
_To love it living it bewitcheth many,_
_But after life is seldom heard of any_.

1ST SOL. By this hand, mere idolatry; I make courtesy
To my damnation: I have learnt so much,
Though I could never know the meaning yet
Of all my Latin prayers, nor ne'er sought for't.

TYR. How pleasing art thou to us even in death!
I love thee yet above all women living;
I can see nothing to be mended in thee,
But the too constant paleness of thy cheek.
I'd give the kingdom but to purchase there
The breadth of a red rose in natural colours,
And think it the best bargain that ever king made yet,
But fate's my hindrance;
And I must only rest content with art,
And that I'll have in spite on't. Is he come, sir?

2D SOL. Who, my lord?

TYR. Dull! The fellow that we sent
For a picture-drawer;
A lady's forenoon tutor; is he come, sir?

1ST SOL. Not yet return'd, my lord.

TYR. The fool, belike,
Makes his choice carefully, for so we charg'd him,
To fit our close deeds with some private hand.
It is no shame for thee, most silent mistress,
To stand in need of art, when youth
And all thy warm friends have forsook thee!
Women alive are glad to seek her friendship,
To make up the fair number of their graces,
Or else the reckoning would fall short sometimes,
And servants would look out for better wages.

_Enter_ 3D SOLDIER, _with_ GOVIANUS _disguised_.

2D SOL. He's come, my lord.

TYR. Depart then: is that he?

3D SOL. The privatest I could get, my lord.

GOV. [_Aside._] O heaven! marry patience to my spirit!
Give me a sober fury, I beseech thee:
A rage that may not overcharge my blood,
And do myself most hurt! 'tis strange to me
To see thee here at court, and gone from hence.
Didst thou make haste to leave the world for this?
O, who dares play with destiny but he
That wears security so thick upon him,
The thought of death and hell cannot pierce through?

TYR. 'Twas circumspectly carried: leave us, go!
Be nearer, sir: thou'rt much commended to us.

GOV. It is the hand, my lord, commends the workman.

TYR. Thou speak'st both modesty and truth in that:
We need that art that thou art master of.

GOV. My king is master both of that and me.

TYR. Look on yon face, and tell me what it wants.

GOV. Which? that, sir?

TYR. That! what wants it?

GOV. Troth, my lord,
Some thousand years' sleep and a marble pillow.

TYR. What's that? observe it still: all the best arts
Have the most fools and drunkards to their master.
Thy apprehension has too gross a film
To be employed at court; what colour wants she?

GOV. By my troth, all, sir; T see none she has,
Nor none she cares for.

TYR. I am overmatch'd here. [_Aside._

GOV. A lower chamber, with less noise, were kindlier
For her, poor woman, whatsoe'er she was.

TYR. But how, if we be pleas'd to have it thus,
And thou well-hired to do what we command?
Is not your work for money I

GOV. Yes, my lord:
I would not trust but few, an' I could choose.

TYR. Let but thy art hide death upon her face,
That now looks fearfully on us, and strive
To give our eye delight in that pale part,
Which draws so many pities from these springs,
And thy reward for't shall outlast thy end,
And reach to thy friend's fortunes and his friend.

GOV. Say you so, my lord? I'll work out my heart then,
But I'll show art enough.

TYR. About it, then:
I never wish'd so seriously for health
After long sickness.

GOV. [_Aside._] A religious trembling shakes me by the hand,
And bids me put by such unhallow'd business,
But revenge calls for't, and it must go forward,
'Tis time the spirit of my love took rest;
Poor soul! 'tis weary, much abus'd and toil'd.

[GOVIANUS _paints the face of the body_.

TYR. Could I now send for one to renew heat
Within her bosom, that were a fine workman!
I should but too much love him; but, alas!
'Tis as impossible for living fire to take
Hold there, as for dead ashes to burn back again
Into those hard, tough bodies, whence they tell.
Life is removed from her now, as the warmth
Of the bright sun from us, when it makes winter,
And kills with unkind coldness; so is't yonder.
An everlasting frost hangs now upon her,
And in such a season men will force
A heat into their bloods with exercise,
In spite of extreme weather. So shall we
By art force beauty on yon lady's face,
Though death sit frowning on't a storm of hail,
To beat it off--our pleasure shall prevail.

GOV. My lord!

TYR. Hast done so soon?

GOV. That's as your grace
Gives approbation.

TYR. O, she lives again!
She'll presently speak to me, keep her up!
I'll have her swoon no more, there's treachery in't;
Does she not feel warmer to thee?

GOV. Very little, sir.

TYR. The heat wants cherishing then: our arms and lips
Shall labour life into her. Wake, sweet mistress!
'Tis I that call thee at the door of life. [_Kisses the body._] Ha!
I talk so long to death, I'm sick myself:
Methinks an evil scent still follows me.

GOV. Maybe, 'tis nothing but the colour, sir,
That I laid on.

TYR. Is that so strong?

GOV. Yes, faith, sir,
'Twas the best poison I could get for money.

[_Throws off his disguise._

TYR. Govianus!

GOV. O thou sacrilegious villain!
Thou thief of rest, robber of monuments!
Cannot the body, after funeral,
Sleep in the grave for thee? must it be rais'd
Only to please the wickedness of thine eye?
Do all things end with death, and not thy lust?
Hast thou devis'd a new way to damnation,
More dreadful than the soul of any sin
Did ever pass yet between earth and hell?
Dost strive to be particularly plagu'd
Above all ghosts beside?
Thou scorn'st a partner in thy torments too!

TYR. What fury gave thee boldness to attempt
This deed, for which I'll doom thee with a death
Beyond the extremest tortures?

GOV. I smile at thee.
Draw all the deaths that ever mankind suffer'd
Unto one head to help thine own invention,
And make my end as rare as this thy sin,
And full as fearful to the eyes of women,
My spirit shall fly singing to his lodging,
In midst of that rough weather. Doom me, tyrant!
Had I fear'd death, I'd never appear'd noble,
To seal this act upon me, which e'en honours me,
Unto my mistress' spirit: it loves me for't.
I told my heart 'twould prove destruction to't,
Who (hearing 'twas for her) charg'd me to do't.

_Enter the_ GHOST, _in the same form as the body in_
_the chair_.

TYR. Thy glories shall be shorten'd, who's within there?
[_He sees the_ GHOST.
I call'd not thee, thou enemy to firmness,
Mortality's earthquake!

GOV. Welcome to mine eyes,
As is the dayspring from the morning's womb
Unto that wretch, whose nights are tedious!
As liberty to captives, health to labourers,
And life still to old people never weary on't,
So welcome art thou to me! The deed's done,
Thou queen of spirits! he has his end upon him:
Thy body shall return to rise again,
For thy abuser falls, and has no power
To vex thee farther.

GHOST. My truest love!
Live ever-honoured here, and bless'd above,

TYR. O, if there be a hell for flesh and spirit,
'Tis built within this bosom--

_Enter_ NOBLES.

My lords, treason!

GOV. Now, death, I'm for thee; welcome!

TYR. Your king's poison'd!

MEM. The King of heaven be prais'd for it!

TYR. Lay hold on him--
On Govianus!

MEM. E'en with the best loves
And truest hearts that ever subjects owed.

TYR. How's that? I charge you all, lay hands on him.

MEM. Look you, my lord, your will shall be obey'd:
Here comes another, we'll have his hand too.

_Enter_ HELVETIUS.

HEL. You shall have both mine, if that work go forward,
Beside my voice and knee.

TYR. Helvetius!
Then my destruction was confirm'd amongst 'em;
Premeditation wrought it. O my torments!

ALL. Live Govianus long our virtuous king! [_Flourish._

TYR. That thunder strikes me dead.

GOV. I cannot better
Reward my joys than with astonish'd silence;
For all the wealth of words is not of power
To make up thanks for you, my honoured lords:
I'm like a man pluck'd up from many waters,
That never look'd for help, and am here placed
Upon this cheerful mountain, where prosperity
Shoots forth her richest beam.

MEM. Long-injured lord!
The tyranny of his actions grew so weighty,
His life so vicious--

HEL. To which this is witness,
Monster in sin!--this, the disquieted body
Of my too resolute child in honour's war.

MEM. That he became as hateful to our minds--

HEL. As death's unwelcome to a house of riches,
Or what can more express it.

GOV. Well, he's gone,
And all the kingdom's evils perish with him!
And since the body of that virtuous lady
Is taken from her rest, in memory
Of her admired mistress, 'tis our will
It receive honour dead, as it took part
With us in all afflictions when it lived;
Here place her in this throne, crown her our queen,[475]
The first and last that ever we make ours.
Her constancy strikes so much firmness in us.
That honour done, let her be solemnly borne
Unto the house of peace, from whence she came,
As queen of silence.

[_The spirit here enters again, and slays to go out_
_with the body, as it were attending it_.

O welcome, bless'd spirit!
Thou need'st not mistrust me, I have a care
As jealous as thine own: we'll see it done,
And not believe report; our zeal is such,
We cannot reverence chastity too much.
Lead on! I would those ladies that fill honour's rooms
Might all be borne so virtuous to their tombs!

[_Solemn music plays them out._

FOOTNOTES:

[473] [Should we not read _prize_, to rhyme with _eyes_?]

[474] The MS. has _hart_.

[475] A similar instance of posthumous coronation is mentioned in Camoëns' "Lusiad," canto iii.

ENGLISHMEN FOR MY MONEY;

OR,

A WOMAN WILL HAVE HER WILL.

_EDITIONS._

English-Men for my Money: Or, A Woman will have her Will.
Imprinted at London by W. White, dwelling in Cow-Lane. 1616.
4o. Woodcut on title.

English-Men for my Money: Or, A Pleasant Comedy Called, A Woman
will have her Will. As it hath beene divers times Acted with
great Applause. London. Printed by I. N. and are to be sold
by Hugh Perry ... 1626. 4o.

A Pleasant Comedie Called, A Woman will have her Will. London,
Printed by A. M. and are to be sold by Richard Thrale ...
1631. 4o.

[PREFACE TO THE FORMER EDITION.][476]

This old comedy appears to have been extremely popular, and it was three times printed; in 1616, 1626, and 1631; the oldest copy is, as usual, the most correct, but in the following reprint all three have been collated.

It is ascertained from Henslowe's Diary to have been the production of a dramatic poet of the name of William Haughton, who generally wrote in conjunction with Thomas Dekker, Henry Chettle, John Day, and others, but in this instance he was alone concerned. It is entered by Henslowe under the date of February 1597-8, and he calls it (as the performance was no doubt named when it was then first acted), "A Woman will have her Will." When it was printed in 1616, it seems to have been thought that "Englishmen for my Money" would be more attractive, and "A Woman will have her Will" was sunk into the second title; it therefore runs thus: "Englishmen for my Money, or a pleasant comedy called A Woman will have her Will." [But in the third edition the first part of the title was withdrawn.]

No biographical particulars of William Haughton are known, but that in 1599 he was confined in the Clink in Southwark for debt; and on the 10th March of that year Henslowe advanced ten shillings to enable him to obtain his liberty.

This play is full of comic characters and situations, and the dialogue is generally well sustained. Haughton was probably young, when he produced it, and in Henslowe's Diary he is not unfrequently termed "Young Haughton." His versification was neither very free nor very flowing, and it partakes in some degree of the monotony that distinguished most of the old dramatists who preceded Shakespeare. The old copies are not divided into acts and scenes.

FOOTNOTES:

[476] Included in the small series called "The Old English Drama," 1830, 3 vols. 12o.

THE ACTORS' NAMES

PISARO, _a Portingal_.
LAURENTIA, }
MARINA, } _his Daughters_.
MATHEA, }
ANTHONY, _a Schoolmaster to them_.
HARVEY, }
HEIGHAM, } _Suitors to Pisaro's daughters_.
WALGRAVE, }
DELION, _a Frenchman_. }
ALVARO, _an Italian._ } _also Suitors to them,_.
VANDAL, _a Dutchman_. }
FRISCO, _a Clown; Pisaro's man_.
TOWERSON, _a Merchant_.
BALSARO.
BROWN, _a Clothier_.
_A Post, Bellman, Merchants, and Strangers._

_Scene, London._

ENGLISHMEN FOR MY MONEY;

OR
A WOMAN WILL HAVE HER WILL.