Chapter VIII: Part 8

_Mont._ 'Tis true _Duboys_: but if the law disables me no more
For Noble actions, than good purposes,
I'll practice how to exercise the worth
Commended to us by our ancestors;
The poor neglected soldier shall command
Me from a Ladies Courtship, and the form
I'll study shall no more be taught me by
The Taylor, but the Scholar; that expence
Which hitherto has been to entertain
Th' intemperate pride and pleasure of the taste
Shall fill my Table more to satisfie,
And less to surfeit.
What an honest work it would be; when we find
A Virgin in her poverty, and youth
Inclining to be tempted, to imploy
As much perswasion, and as much expence
To keep her upright, as men use to do upon her falling.

_Dub._ 'Tis charity that many Maids will be unthankful for,
And some will rather take it for a wrong,
To buy 'em out of their inheritance,
The thing that they were born to.

_Enter_ Longueville.

_Mont. Longueville_, thou bringst a chearful promise in thy face.
There stands no pale report upon thy cheek,
To give me fear or knowledge of my loss, 'tis red and lively.
How proceeds my suit?

_Long._ That's with leave, Sir, a labour that to those of _Hercules_,
May add another; or (at least) be call'd
An imitation of his burning shirt:
For 'twas a pain of that [un]merciful
Perplexity, to shoulder through the throng
Of people that attended your success:
My sweaty linnen fixt upon my skin,
Still as they pull'd me, took that with it; 'twas
A fear I should have left my flesh among 'em:
Yet I was patient, for (methought) the toil
Might be an emblem of the difficult
And weary passage to get out of Law.
And to make up the dear similitude,
When I was forth seeking my handkerchief
To wipe my sweat off, I did find a cause
To make me sweat more, for my Purse was lost
Among their fingers.

_Dub._ There 'twas rather found.

_Long._ By them.

_Dub._ I mean so.

_Mont._ Well, I will restore
Thy damage to thee: how proceeds my suit?

_L[o]ng._ Like one at Brokers; I think forfeited.
Your promising Counsel at the first
Put strongly forward with a labour'd speed,
And such a violence of pleading, that
His Fee in Sugar-candy scarce will make
His throat a satisfaction for the hurt
He did it, and he carried the whole cause
Before him, with so clear a passage, that
The people in the favour of your side
Cried _Montague, Montague_: in the spight of him
That cryed out silence, and began to laugh
Your adversaries advocate to scorn:
Who like a cunning Footman set me forth
With such a temperate easie kind of course
To put him into exercise of strength,
And follow'd his advantages so close,
That when your hot mouth'd pleader thought h' had won,
Before he reacht it, he was out of breath,
And then the other stript him.

_Mont._ So all is lost.

_Long._ But how I know not; for, (methought) I stood
Confounded with the clamour of the Court,
Like one embark'd upon a storm at Sea,
Where the tempestuous noise of Thunder mixt
With roaring of the billows, and the thick,
Imperfect language of the Sea-men, takes
His understanding and his safety both
Together from him.

_Mont._ Thou dost bring ill news.

_Long._ Of what I was unwilling to have been
The first reporter.

_Mont._ Didst observe no more?

_Long._ At least no better.

_Mont._ Then th'art not inform'd
So well as I am; I can tell thee that
Will please thee, for when all else left my cause,
My very adversaries took my part.

_Long._ --Whosoever told you that, abused you.

_Mont._ Credit me, he took my part
When all forsook me.

_Long._ Took it from you.

_Mont._ Yes I mean so, and I think he had just cause
To take it, when the verdict gave it him.

_Dub._ His Spirit would ha' sunk him, e'r he could
Have carried an ill fortune of this weight so lightly.

_Mont._ Nothing is a misery, unless our weakness apprehend it so;
We cannot be more faithful to our selves
In any thing that's manly, than to make
Ill fortune as contemptible to us
As it makes us to others.

_Enter Lawyers._

_Long._ Here come they
Whose very countenances will tell you how
Contemptible it is to others.

_Mont._ Sir?

_Long._ The Sir of Knighthood may be given him, e'r
They hear you now?

_Mont._ Good Sir but a word.

_Dub._ How soon the loss of wealth makes any man
Grow out of knowledge.

_Long._ Let me see, I pray, Sir,
Never stood you upon the Pillory?

_1 Law._ The Pillory?

_Long._ Oh now I know you did not.
Y'ave ears, I thought ye had lost 'em; pray observe,
Here's one that once was gracious in your eyes.

_1 Law._ Oh my Lord, have an eye upon him.

_Long._ But ha' you ne'er a Counsel to redeem
His Land yet from the judgement?

_2 Law._ None but this, a Writ of error to remove the cause.

_Long._ No more of error, we have been in that too much already.

_2 Law._ If you will reverse the judgement, you must trust to that
delay.

_Long._ Delay? indeed he's like to trust to that,
With you has any dealing.

_2 Law._ E'r the Law proceeds to an _Habere facias possessionem_.

_Dub._ That's a language Sir, I understand not.

_Long._ Th'art a very strange unthankful fellow to have taken Fees
of such a liberal measure, and then give a man hard words for's
money.

_1 Law._ If men will hazard their salvations,
What should I say? I've other business.

_Mont._ Y'are i'th' right;
That's it you should say, now prosperity has left me.

_Enter two Creditors._

_1 Cred._ Have an eye upon him; if
We lose him now, he's gone for ever; stay
And dog him: I'll go fetch the Officers.

_Long._ Dog him you Bloud-hound: by this point thou shalt more
safely dog an angry Lion, than attempt him.

_Mont._ What's the matter?

_Long._ Do but stir to fetch a Serjeant; and besides your loss
Of labour, I'll have you beaten, till
Those casement in your faces be false lights.

_Dub._ Falser than those you sell by.

_Mont._ Who gave you Commission to abuse my friends thus?

_Lon._ Sir, are those your friends that would betray you?

_Mont._ 'Tis to save themselves rather than betray me.

_1 Cred._ Your Lordship makes a just construction of it.

_2 Cred._ All our desire is but to get our own.

_Long._ Your wives desires and yours do differ then.

_Mont._ So far as my ability will go
You shall have satisfaction _Longeville_.

_Long._ And leave your self neglected; every man
Is first a debtor to his own demands, being honest.

_Mont._ As I take it, Sir, I did
Not entertain you for my Counselor.

_Long._ Counsel's the office of a servant,
When the master falls upon a danger; as
Defence is; never threaten with your eyes,
They are no cockatrices; do you hear?
Talk with [a] Girdler, or [a] Mill'ner,
He can inform you of a kind of men
That first undid the profit of those trades
By bringing up the form of carrying
Their _Morglays_ in their hands: with some of those
A man may make himself a priviledge
To ask a question at the prison gates
Without your good permission.

_2 Cred._ By your leave.

_Mont._ Stay Sir, what one example since the time
That first you put your hat off to me, have
You noted in me to encourage you
To this presumption? by the justice now
Of thine own rule, I should begin with thee,
I should turn thee away ungratified
For all thy former kindness, forget
Thou ever didst me any service: 'tis not fear
Of being arrested, makes me thus incline
To satisfy you; for you see by him,
I lost not all defences with my state;
The curses of a man to whom I am
Beholding terrify me more, than all
The violence he can pursue me with.
_Duboys_, I did prepare me for the worst;
These two small Cabinets do comprehend
The sum of all the wealth that it hath pleased
Adversity to leave me, one as rich
As th'other, both in Jewels; take thou this,
And as the Order put within it shall
Direct thee, distribute it half between
Those Creditors, and th' other half among
My servants: for (Sir) they are my Creditors
As well as you are, they have trusted me
With their advancement: if the value fail,
To please you all, my first increase of means
Shall offer you a fuller payment; be content
To leave me something, and imagine that
You put a new beginner into credit.

_Cred._ So prosper our own blessings, as we wish you to
your merit.

_Mont._ Are you[r] silences of discontent, or of sorrow?

_Dub._ Sir, we would not leave you.

_Long._ Do but suffer us to follow you, and what our present
means, or industries hereafter can provide, shall serve you.

_Mont._ Oh desire me not to live
To such a baseness, as to be maintained
By those that serve me; pray begone, I will
Defend your honesties to any man
That shall report you have forsaken me;
I pray begone. [_Exeunt Servants and Creditors._
Why, dost thou weep my boy,
Because I do not bid thee go to[o]?

_Ver._ No, I weep (my Lord) because I would not go;
I fear you will command me.

_Mont._ No my child,
I will not; that would discommend th' intent
Of all my other actions: thou art yet
Unable to advise thy self a course,
Should I put thee to seek it; after that
I must excuse, or at the least forgive
Any [un]charitable deed that can be done against my self.

_Ver._ Every day (my Lord) I tarry with you, I'll account
A day of blessing to me; for I shall
Have so much less time left me of my life
When I am from you: and if misery
Befall you (which I hope so good a man
Was never born to) I will take my part,
And make my willingness increase my strength
To bear it. In the Winter I will spare
Mine own cloth[e]s from my self to cover you;
And in the Summer, carry some of yours
To ease you: I'll doe any thing I can.

_Mont._ Why, thou art able to make misery
Ashamed of hurting, when thy weakness can
Both bear it, and despise it: Come my boy
I will provide some better way for thee
Than this thou speakst of: 'tis the comfort that
[Ill] fortune has undone me into the fashion:
For now in this age most men do begin,
To keep but one boy, that kept many men. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Orleans, a Servant, his Lady following._

_Orl._ Where is she? call her.

_Lady._ I attend you Sir.

_Orl._ Your friend sweet Madam.

_Lady._ What friend, good my Lord?

_Orl._ Your _Montague_, Madam, he will shortly want
Those Courtly graces that you love him for;
The means wherewith he purchased this, and this;
And all his own provisions to the least
Proportion of his feeding, or his clothes,
Came out of that inheritance of land
Which he unjustly lived on: but the law
Has given me right in't, and possession; now
Thou shalt perceive his bravery vanish, as
This Jewell does from thee now, and these Pearls
To him that owes 'em.

_Lady._ Ye are the owner Sir of every thing that does belong to me.

_Orl._ No, not of him, sweet Lady.

_Lady._ O good [God]!

_Orl._ But in a while your mind will change, and be
As ready to disclaim him; when his wants
And miseries have perish'd his good face,
And taken off the sweetness that has made
Him pleasing in a womans understanding.

_La._ O Heaven, how gratious had Creation been
To women, who are born without defence,
If to our hearts there had been doors through which
Our husbands might have lookt into our thoughts,
And made themselves undoubtfull.

_Orl._ Made 'em mad.

_La._ With honest women.

_Orl._ Thou dost still pretend
A title to that virtue: prethee let
Thy honesty speak freelie to me now.
Thou know'st that _Montague_, of whose Land
I [a]m the master, did affect thee first,
And should have had thee, if the strength of friends
Had not prevail'd above thine own consent.
I have undone him; tell me how thou dost
Consider his ill fortune and my good.

_La._ I'll tell you justly his undoing is
An argument for pity and for tears
In all their dispositions that have known
The honor and the goodness of his life:
Yet that addition of prosperity,
Which you have got by't, no indifferent man
Will malice or repine at, if the Law
Be not abused in't; howsoever since
You have the upper fortune of him, 'twill
Be some dishonor to you to bear your self
With any pride or glory over him.

_Orl._ This may be truely spoken, but in thee
It is not honest.

_La._ Yes, so honest, that I care not if the chast _Penelope_
Were now alive to hear me.

_Enter Amiens._

_Orl._ Who comes there?

_La._ My brother.

_Am._ Save ye.

_Orl._ Now Sir, you have heard of prosperous _Montague_.

_Am._ No Sir, I have heard of _Montague_,
But of your prosperity.

_Orl._ Is he distracted.

_Am._ He does bear his loss with such a noble strength
Of patience that,
Had fortune eyes to see him, she would weep
For having hurt him, and pretending that
Shee did it but for triall of his worth:
Hereafter ever love him.

_Orl._ I perceive you love him, and because (I must confess)
He does deserve that though for some respects,
I have not given him that acknowledgement,
Yet in mine honor I did still conclude to use him nobly.

_Am._ Sir, that will become your reputation and make me
grow proud of your alliance.

_Orl._ I did reserve the doing of this friendship till I had
His fortunes at my mercy, that the world
May tell him 'tis a willing courtesie.

_La._ This change will make me happy.

_Orl._ 'Tis a change; thou shalt behold it: then observe me when
That _Montague_ had possession of my Land,
I was his rivall, and at last obtain'd
This Lady who, by promise of her own
Affection to him, should ha' bin his wife;
I had her, and withheld her like a pawn,
Till now my Land is rend'red to me again,
And since it is so, you shall see I have
The conscience not to keep her--give him her-- [_draws._

For by the faithfull temper of my sword, she shall not tarry with
me.

_Am._ Give me way-- [_draws._
Thou most unworthy man--give me way;
Or by the wrong he does the Innocent,
I'll end thy misery and his wickedness, together.

_Lady._ Stay and let me justifie
My husband in that, I have wrong'd his bed. [_Exeunt Am. Orl._

_Enter Orleans in amazement, the servants following him._

Never--all shames that can afflict me fall
Upon me if I ever wrong'd you;

_Orl._ Didst thou not confess it;

_La._ 'Twas to save your blood from shedding, that has
Turn'd my brothers edge;
He that beholds our thoughts as plainely as
Our faces, knowes it, I did never hurt
My honesty but by accusing it.

_Orl._ Womens consents are sooner credited
Than their denials: and I'll never trust
Her body that prefers any defence
Before the safety of her honor--here

_Enter Servant._

Show forth that stranger--give me not a word.
Thou seest a danger readie to be tempted.

_La._ Cast that upon me rather than my shame,
And as I am now dying I will vow
That I am honest.

_Orl._ Put her out of dores; but that I fear my land
May go again to _Montague_, I would kill thee, I am loth,
To make a beggar of him that way; or else--
Go now you have the liberty of flesh,
And you may put it to a double use,
One for your pleasure, th'other to maintain
Your wellbeloved, he will want. [_Exit Lady._
In such a charitable exercise
The virtue will excuse you for the vice. [_Exit Orleans._

_Enter Amiens drawn, Montague, Veramor meeting._

_Mont._ What means your Lordship?

_Ver._ For the love of [God].

_Am._ Thou hast advantage of me, cast away this buckler.

_Mont._ So he is Sir, for he lives
With one that is undone--avoyd us boy.

_Ver._ I'll first avoid my safety,
Your Rapier shall be button'd with my head, before it touch
my Master.

_Am. Montague?_

_Mont._ Sir.

_Am._ You know my sister?

_Mont._ Yes Sir.

_Am._ For a whore?

_Mont._ You lye, and shall lie lower if you dare abuse her honor.

_Enter Lady._

_La._ I am honest.

_Am._ Honest!

_La._ Upon my faith I am.

_Am._ What did then p[e]rsuade thee to condemn thy self?

_La._ Your safety.

_Am._ I had rather be expos'd
To danger, than dishonor; th'ast betray'd
The reputation of my familie
More basely by the falseness of that word,
Than if thou hadst delivered me asleep
Into the hands of base enemies.
Relief will never make thee sensible
Of thy disgraces; let thy wants compell thee to it. [_Exit._

_La._ O I am a miserable woman.

_Mont._ Why Madam? are you utterly without means to relieve you?

_La._ I have nothing Sir, unless by changing of these cloaths for
worse, and then at last the worst for nakedness.

_Mont._ Stand off boy, nakedness would be a change
To please us Madam, to delight us both.

_La._ What nakedness Sir?

_Mont._ Why the nakedness of body Madam, we were Lovers once.

_La._ Never dishonest Lovers.

_Mont._ Honestie has no allowance now to give our selves.

_La._ Nor you allowance against honestie.

_Mont._ I'll send my Boy hence, opportunitie
Shall be our servant, come and meet me first
With kisses like a stranger at the door,
And then invite me nearer to receive
A more familiar inward wellcome; where,
Instead of tapers made of Virgins wax
Th'increasing flames of our desires shall light
Us to a banquet: and before the taste
Be dull with satisfaction, I'll prepare
A nourishment compos'd of every thing
That bears a naturall friendship to the blood,
And that shall set another edge upon 't,
Or else between the courses of the feast
We'll dallie out an exercise of time,
That ever as one appetite expires another may succeed it.

_La._ O my Lord, how has your nature lost her worthiness!
When our affections had their liberty,
Our kisses met as temperatelie as
The hands of sisters, or of brothers, that
Our bloods were then as moving; then you were
So noble, that I durst have trusted your
Embraces in an opportunity
Silent enough to serve a ravisher,
And yet come from you--undishonor'd--how
You think me altered, that you promise your
Attempt success I know not; but were all
The sweet temptations that deceive us set
On this side, and [on] that side all the waiters,
These neither should p[e]rsuade me, nor these force.

_Mont._ Then misery may waste your body.

_Lady._ Yes, but lust shall never.

_Mont._ I have found you still as uncorupted as I left you first
Continue so; and I will serve you with
As much devotion as my word, my hand
Or purse can show you; and to justifie
That promise, here is half the wealth I have,
Take it, you owe me nothing, till you fall
From virtue, which the better to protect
I have bethought me of a present means:
Give me the Letter; this commends my Boy
Into the service of a Lady, whose
Free goodness you have bin acquainted with, _Lamira_.

_Lady._ Sir I know her.

_Mont._ Then believe her entertainment will be noble to you;
My boy shall bring you thither: and relate
Your manner of misfortune if your own
Report needs any witness: so I kiss your hand good Lady.

_Lady._ Sir, I know not how to promise, but I cannot be unthankfull.

_Mont._ All that you can implore in thankfulness
Be yours, to make you the more prosperous.
Farwell my boy,--I am not yet oppress'd. [_Exit Lady Vere._
Having the power to helpe one that's distress'd. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Secundi. Scæna Prima._

_Enter Longaville and Dubois._

_Long._ What shall we do now: swords are out of use,
And words are out of credit.

_Dub._ We must serve.

_L[o]ng._ The means to get a service will first spend
Our purses; and except we can allow
Our selves an entertainment, service will
Neglect us; now 'tis grown into a doubt
Whether the Mr. or the servants gives the countenance.

_Dub._ Then fall in with Mistresses.

_Long._ They keep more servants now (indeed) than men,
But yet the age is grown so populous
Of those attendants, that the women are
Grown full too.

_Dub._ What shall we propound our selves?

_Long._ I'll think on't.

_Dub._ Do; Old occupations have too many setters up to
prosper, some uncommon trade would thrive now.

_Long._ Wee'll e'en make up some half a dozen proper men.
And should not we get more
Than all your female sinners?

_Dub._ If the house be seated as it should be privately.

_Long._ I, but that would make a multitude of witches.

_Dub._ Witches? how prethee?

_Long._ Thus the bauds would all turn witches to revenge
Themselves upon us, and the women that
Come to us, for disguises must wear beards,
And that's they say, a token of a witch.

_Dub._ What shall we then do.

_Long._ We must study on't
With more consideration; stay _Duboyes_
Are not the Lord of _Orleans_ and the Lord
Of _Amiens_ enemies?

_Dub._ Yes, what of that.

_Long._ Methinks the factions of two such great men.
Should give a promise of advancement now
To us that want it.

_Dub._ Let the plot be thine, and in the enterprize I'll second thee.

_Long._ I have it, we will first set down our selves
The Method of a quarrell; and make choyce
Of some frequented Tavern; or such a place
Of common notice, to perform it in
By way of undertaking to maintain
The severall honors of those enemies.
Thou for the Lord of _Orleans_; I for _Amiens_.

_Dub._ I like the project, and I think 'twill take
The better, since their difference first did rise
From his occasion whom we followed once.

_Long._ We cannot hope less after the report,
Than entertainment or gratuity,
Yet those are ends, I do not aim at most;
Great spirits that are needy, and will thrive,
Must labour whiles such troubles are alive. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Laverdine and La-poope._

_La-p._ Slander is sharper than the sword. I have fed this three
dayes upon leaf _Tobacco_, for want of other Victuals.

_Lav._ You have liv'd the honester Captain; but be not so dejected,
but hold up thy head, and meat will sooner fall i'thy mouth.

_La-p._ I care not so much for meat, so I had but good liquor, for
which my guts croak like so many Frogs for rain.

_Lav._ It seems, you are troubled with the wind-Collick, Captain,
swallow a bullet: 'tis present remedy I'll assure you.

_La-p._ A bullet? I'll tell you Sir, my panch is nothing but a pile
of bullets; when I was in any service I stood between my Generall
and the shot, like a mud-wall; I am all lead, from the crown of the
head to the soal of the foot, not a sound bone about me.

_La[v]._ It seems you have bin in terrible hot service Captain.

_La-p._ It has ever bin the fate of the low Country wars to spoil
many a man, I ha' not bin the first nor shall not be the last: but
I'll tell you Sir, (hunger has brought it in to mind) I served once
at the Siege of _Braste_, 'tis memorable to this day, where we were
in great distress for victuals, whole troops fainted more for want
of food then for blood, and died, yet we were resolved to stand it
out; I my self was but then Gentleman of a Company, and had as much
need as any man, and indeed I had perished had not a miraculous
providence preserved me.

_Lav._ As how good Captain?

_La-p._ Marry Sir, e'en as I was fainting and falling down for want
of sustenance, the enemy made a shot at me, and struck me full ith'
paunch with a penny loaf.

_Lav._ Instead of a bullet!

_La-p._ In stead of a bullet.

_Lav._ That was miraculous indeed; and that loaf sustained you.

_La-p._ Nourished me or I had famished with the rest.

_Lav._ You have done worthy acts being a soldier, and now you shall
give me leave to requite your tale, and to acquaint you with the
most notorious deeds that I have done being a Courtier. I protest
Captain I will lie no more than you have done.

_La-p._ I can indure no lies.

_Lav._ I know you cannot Captain, therefore I'll only tell you
of strange things: I did once a deed of charity for it self; I
assisted a poor widow in a sute, and obtained it, yet I protest I
took not a penny for my labor.

_La-p._ 'Tis no such strange thing.

_Lav._ By _Mars_ Captain, but it is, and a very strange thing too
in a Courtier, it may take the upper hand of your penny loaf for a
miracle. I could ha' told you how many Ladyes have languished for
my love, and how I was once sollicited by the mother, the daughter,
and grand-mother; out of the least of which I might have digg'd
my self a fortune; they were all great Ladyes, for two of them
were so big I could hardly embrace them: but I was sluggish in
my rising courses, and therefore let them pass; what means I had
is spent upon such as had the wit to cheat me; That wealth being
gone, I have only bought experience with it, with a strong hope
to cheat others; but see here comes the much declined _Montague_,
who had all the Manor houses, which were the body of his estate,
overthrowen by a great wind.

_Enter Montague, Mallicorne._

_La-p._ How by a great wind? was he not overthrown by law?

_Lav._ Yes, marry was he: but there was terrible puffing and
blowing before he was overthrown, if you observ'd, and believe it
Captain, there's no wind so dangerous to a building as a lawyers
breath.

_La-p._ What's he with him?

_Lav._ An eminent Citizen, Mounsier _Mallicorne_, let's stand a
side and listen their design.

_Mal._ Sir, profit is the Crown of labor, it is the life, the soul
of the industrious Merchant, in it he makes his paradise, and for
it neglects Wife, Children, Friends, Parents, nay all the world,
and delivers up himself to the violence of storms, and to be tos'd
into unknown ayrs; as there is no faculty so perillous, so there's
none so worthy profitable.

_Mont._ Sir, I am very well possest of it, and what of my poore
fortunes remaines, I would gladly hazard upon the Sea: it cannot
deal worse with me than the Land, though it sink or throw it in
the hands of Pirats. I have yet five hundred pounds left, and your
honest and worthy acquaintance may make me a young Merchant; th'one
moity of what I have I would gladly adventure.

_Mal._ How adventure? you shall hazard nothing: you shall only joyn
with me in certain commodities that are safe arrived unto the Key;
you shall neither be in doubt of danger nor dammage; But so much
money disburst, so much receive; Sir, I would have you conceive I
pursue it not for any good your money will do me, but meerly out of
mine own freeness and courtesie to pleasure you.

_Mont._ I can believe no less, and you express a noble nature,
seeking to build up a man so ruin'd as my self.

_Lav._ Captain here is subject for us to work upon if we have wit;
you hear that there is money yet left, and it is going to be layd
out in Rattels, Bels, Hobby-Horses, brown paper, or some such like
sale commodities; now it would do better in our purses, upon our
backs in good Gold-lace, and Scarlat, and then we might pursue
our projects, and our devices towards my Lady _Annabella_; go to,
there's a conceit newly landed, heark I stand in good reputation
with him, and therefore may the better cheat him: Captain, take a
few instructions from me.

_Mont._ What monies I have is at your disposing, and upon twelve I
will meet you at the Pallace with it.

_Mal._ I will there expect you, and so I take my leave. [_Exit._

_Lav._ You apprehend me?

_La-p._ Why do ye think I am a dunce?

_Lav._ Not a dunce Captain, but you might give me leave to misdoubt
that pregnancy in a Soldier, which is proper and hereditary to a
Courtier; but prosecute it, I will both second, and give credit
to it. Good Mounsier _Montague_, I would your whole revenues lay
within the circuit of mine armes, that I might as easily bestow, or
restore it unto you as my curtesie.

_La-p._ My zealous wishes Sir, do accompany his for your good
fortunes.

_Lav._ Believe it Sir, our affection towards you is a strong band
of friendship.

_Mont._ To which I shall most willingly seal. But believe me
Gentlemen in a broken estate, the bond of friendship oft is
forfeited, but that it is your free and ingenuous nature to renew
it.

_Lav._ Sir, I will amply extend my self to your use, and am very
zealously afflicted as not one of your least friends for your
crooked fate; But let it not seise you with any dejection, you have
as I hear a sufficient competency left, which well disposed may
erect you as high in the worlds account as ever.

_Mont._ I cannot live to hope it, much less injoy it, nor is it any
part of my endeavor; my study is to render every man his own, and
to contain my self within the limits of a Gentleman.

_Lav._ I have the grant of an Office given me by some noble
favorites of mine in Court, there stands but a small matter between
me and it, if your ability be such to lay down the present summ,
out of the love I bear you, before any other man, it shall be
confirmed yours.

_Mont._ I have heard you often speak of such a thing; If it be
assur'd to you I will gladly deal in it: that portion I have, I
would not hazard upon one course, for I see the most certain is
incertain.

_La-p._ Having money Sir, you could not light upon men that could
give better direction; there is at this time a friend of mine upon
the Seas; to be plain with you, he is a pyrate, that hath wrote
to me to work his fredom, and by this Gentlemans means, whose
acquaintance is not small at Court; we have the word of a worthy
man for it, only there is some money to be suddainly disburst, and
if your happiness be such to make it up you shall receive treble
gain by it, and good assurance for it.

_Mont._ Gentlemen, out of the weakness of my estate you seem (to
have some knowledge of my brest) that wou'd if it were possible
advance my declined fortunes, to satisfie all men of whom I have
had credit, and I know no way better than these which you propose;
I have some money ready under my command, some part of it is
already promis'd, but the remainder is yours to such uses as are
propounded.

_Lav._ Appoint some certain place of meeting, for these affaires
require expedition.

_Mount._ I will make it my present business: at twelve, I am to
meet _Mallicorne_, the Marchant at the Pallace, you know him Sir,
about some negotiation of the same nature, there I will be ready to
tender you that money, upon such conditions as we shall conclude of.

_Lav._ The care of it be yours, so much as the affair concerns you.

_Mont._ Your caution is effectuall, and till then I take my leave.

_Lav._ Good Mr _Montague_. [_Exit._

_W[i]thin a clamor, down with their weapons._

_Enter Longavile, and Dubois, their swords drawn,
servants and others between them._

_Ser._ Nay Gentlemen what mean you? pray be quiet, have some
respect unto the house.

_Long._ A treacherous slave.

_Du._ Thou dost revile thy self base _Longavile_.

_Long._ I say thou art a villain, and a corrupt one, that hast some
seven years fed on thy masters trencher, yet never bredst good
blood towards him: for if thou hadst, thou'dst have a sounder heart.

_Du._ So Sir, you can use your tongue something nimbler than your
sword.

_Long._ Wou'd you cou'd use your tongue well of your Master, friend
you might have better imployment for your sword.

_Du._ I say again, and I will speak it loud and often, that
_Orleans_ is a noble Gentleman with whom _Amiens_ is too light to
poyse the scale.

_Long._ He is the weaker for taking of a prayse out of thy mouth.

_Du._ This hand shall seal his merit at thy heart.

_Lav._ Part them my masters, part them.

_Ser._ Part them Sir, why do you not part them, you stand by with
your sword in your hand, and cry part 'em.

_Lav._ Why you must know my friend my cloaths are better than
yours, and in a good suit, I do never use to part any body.

_La-p._ And it is discretion.

_Lav._ I marry is it Captain.

_Long. Dubois_ though this place priviledge thee, know where
next we meet, the blood which at thy heart flows drops at thy feet.

_Enter Amience in haste, his sword drawn._

_Du._ I would not spend it better than in this quarrell, and on
such a hazard.

_Ami._ What uprore's this, must my name here be question'd in
Tavern brawls, and by affected Ruffins?

_Lav._ Not we indeed Sir.

_Du._ Fear cannot make me shrink out of your fury, though you were
greater than your name doth make you, I am one, and the opposer; if
your swoln rage have ought in malice to inforce express it.

_Ami._ I seek thee not, nor shalt thou ever gain
That credit, which a blow from me wou'd give thee,
By my ---- I more detest that fellow
Which took my part than thee, that he durst offer
To take my honor in his feeble armes,
And spend it in a drinking room; which way went he?

_Lav._ That way Sir, I wou'd you wou'd after; for I do fear we
shall have some more scuffling.

_Ami._ [I]'ll follow him, and if my speed o'er take him, I shall
ill thank him, for his forwardness. [_Exit._

_Lav._ I am glad he's gone, for I doe not love to see a sword drawn
in the hand of a man that lookes so furious, there's no jesting
with edge tooles, how say you Captain?

_Cap._ I say 'tis better jesting than to be in earnest with them.

_Enter Orleance._

_Orl._ How now? what's the difference? they say there have bin
swords drawn, and in my quarrell: let me know that man, whose love
is so sincere to spend his blood for my sake, I will bounteously
requite him.

_Lav._ We were all of your side, but there he stands begun it.

_Orl._ What's thy name?

_Dub. Duboyes._

_Orl._ Give me thy hand, [thou] hast received no hurt?

_Dub._ Not any, nor were this body stuck full of wounds, I should
not count them hurts, being taken in so honorable a cause as the
defence of my most worthy Lord.

_Orl._ The dedication of thy love to me requires my ample bounty,
thou art mine, for I do find thee made unto my purposes: Mounsieur
_Laverdine_, pardon my neglect I not observed you, and how runs
rumour?

_Lav._ Why, it runs my Lord like a foot-man without a cloak, to
show that what's once rumour'd it cannot be hid.

_Or[l]._ And what say the rable, am not I the subject of their talk?

_Lav._ Troth my Lord the common mouth speaks foul words.

_Orl._ Of me, for turning away my wife, do they not?

_Lav._ Faith the men do a little murmure at it and say, 'tis an ill
president in so great a man, marry the women they rayl out right.

_Orl._ Out upon them rampallions. I'll keep my self safe enough out
of their fingers, but what say my pritty jolly composed gallants
that censure every thing more desperate than it is dangerous; what
say they?

_Lav._ Marry they are laying wagers, what death you shall die; one
offers to lay five hundred pounds; And yet he had but a groat about
him, & that was in two twopences too to any man that wou'd make
it up a shilling; that you were kil'd with a Pistoll charg'd with
white Powder; another offerd to pawn his soul for five shillings,
and yet no body wou'd take him, that you were stab'd to death, and
shou'd die with more wounds than _Cæsar_.

_Orl._ And who shou'd be the Butchers that shou'd do it? _Montague_
and his associates?

_Lav._ So 'tis conjectured.

_La-p._ And believe it, sweet Prince, it is to be feared, and
therefore prevented.

_Orl._ By turning his purpose on himself, were not that the way?

_Lav._ The most direct path for your safety. For where doth danger
sit more furious than in a desperate man?

_La-p._ And being you have declined his means, you have increast
his malice.

_Lav._ Besides the generall report that steems in every mans
breath, and stains you all over with infamy, that Time the devourer
of all things cannot eat out.

_La-p._ I, for that former familiarity, which he had with your Lady.

_Lav._ Men speak it as boldly as words of compliment; good morrow,
good even, or [God] save you Sir, are not more usuall; if the word
cuckold had been written upon your forehead in great Capitall
Letters, it could not have been dilated with more confidence.

_Orl._ He shall not sleep another night, I will have his blood,
though it be required at my hands again.

_Lav._ Your Lordship may, and without hazarding your own person;
here's a Gentleman in whose looks I see a resolution to perform it.

_Dub._ Let his Lordship give me but his honorable word for my life,
I'll kill him as he walks.

_Lav._ Or pistoll him as he sits at meat.

_La-p._ Or at game.

_Lav._ Or as he is drinking.

_Dub._ Any way.

_Orl._ Wou't thou? call what is mine thine own, thy reputation
shall not be brought in question for it, much less thy life; it
shall be nam'd a deed of valour in thee, not murder: Farewell.
[_Exit._

_Dub._ I need no more encouragement, it is a work I will persuade
my self that I was born to.

_Laver._ And you may persuade your self too that you shall be sav'd
by it, being that it is for his honorable Lordship.

_Dub._ But you must yield me means, how, when and where.

_Lav._ That shall be our tasks;
Nay more, we will be agents with thee:
This hour we are to meet him, on the receipt of certain moneys,
Which indeed we purpose honestly to cheat him of,
And that's the main cause I wou'd have him slain,
Who works with safety makes a double gain. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Longaville, Amiens following him._

_Ami._ Stay Sir, I have took some pains to overtake you.--Your name
is _Longaville_.

_Long._ I have the word of many honest men for't, I crave your
Lordships pardon, your sudden apprehension on my steps made me to
frame an answer unwitting and unworthy your respect.

_Ami._ Doe you know me?

_Long._ Yes, my Lord.

_Ami._ I know not you; nor am I well pleased to make this time, as
the affair now stands, the induction of your acquaintance; you are
a fighting fellow.

_Long._ How my Lord?

_Ami._ I think I too much grace you; rather you are a fellow
dares not fight, but spit and puffe and make a noyse, whilst your
trembling hand draws out your Sword, to lay it upon andirons,
stools or tables, rather than on a man.

_Long._ Your honor may best speak this; yet ---- with little
safety, if I thought it serious.

_Ami._ Come, you are a verie braggart, and you have given me cause
to tell you so: what weakness have you ever seen in me to prompt
your self, that I could need you help; or what other reason[s]
could induce you to it? you never yet had a meals meat from my
Table, nor as I remember from my Wardrop any cast Suit.

_Lon._ 'Tis true, I never durst yet have such a servile spirit,
to be the minion of a full swoln Lord; but alwaies did detest
such slavery: a meals meat, or a cast Suit? I wou'd first eat the
stones, and from such rags the dunghils doe afford, pick me a
garment.

_Ami._ I have mistook the man, his resolute spirit
Proclaimes him generous, he has a noble heart
As free to utter good deeds as to act them;
For had he not been right, and of one piece,
He would have crumpled, curled, and struck himself
Out of the shape of man into a shaddow.
But prethee tell me, if no such fawning hope
Did lead thee on to hazard life for my sake;
What was it that incited thee?
Tell me; speak it without the imputation of a Sycophant.

_Long._ Your own desert, and with it was joyn'd the unfained
friendship that I judged you ever held unto my former Lord.

_Ami._ The noble _Montague_?

_Long._ Yes, the noble and much injured _Montague_.

_Ami._ To such a man as thou art, my heart shall be
A Casket: I will lock thee up there,
And esteem thee as a faithfull friend,
The richest Jewell that a man enjoyes;
And being thou didst follow once my friend,
And in thy heart still dost, not with his fortunes casting him off,
Thou shalt go hand in hand with me, and share
As well in my ability as love; 'tis not my end
To gain men for my use, but a true friend. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Duboys._

_Dub._ There's no such thriving way to live in grace,
As to have no sence of it; his back nor belly
Shall not want warming that can practise me mischief;
I walk now with a full purse, grow high and wanton,
Prune and briske my self in the bright shine
Of his good Lordships favours; and for what virtue?
For fashioning my self a murderer.
O noble _Montague_, to whom I owe my heart,
With all my best thoughts, though my tongue have promis'd
To exceed the malice of thy destiny,
Never in time of all my service knew I
Such a sin tempt thy bounty; those that did feed
Upon thy charge had merit or else need.

_Enter Laverdine, and La-poope, with disguises._

_Lav. Duboys_, most prosperously met.

_Dub._ How now? will he come this way?

_La._ This way, immediately; therefore thy assistance, dear
_Duboys_.

_Dub._ What have you cheated him of the money you spoke of?

_Lav._ Fough, as easily as a silly Countrey wench of her
maydenhead; we had it in a twinkling.

_Dub._ 'Tis well Captain, let me help you, you must be our leader
in this action.

_La-p._ Tut, fear not, I'll warrant you if my Sword hold, we'll
make no sweating sickness of it.

_Dub._ Why that's well said, but let's retire a little, that we may
come on the more bravely; this way, this way. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Montague in the hands of three Officers, and three
Creditors._

_1 Cre._ Officers look to him, and be sure you take good security
before he part from you.

_Mont._ Why but my friends, you take a strange course with me; the
sums I owe you are rather forgetfulness, they are so slight, than
want of will or honesty to pay you.

_1 Cred._ I Sir, it may be so; but we must be paid, and we will be
paid before you scape: we have wife and children, and a charge, and
you are going down the wind, as a man may say; and therefore it
behooves us to look to't in time.

_2 Cred._ Your cloak here wou'd satisfie me, mine's not above a
three pound matter, besides the arrest.

_3 Cred._ 'Faith and mine is much about that matter too; your
Girdle and Hangers, and your Beaver, shall be sufficient bail for't.

_1 Cred._ If you have ever a plain black sute at home, this Silken
one, with your Silke-stockings, Garters, and Roses shall pacifie me
too; for I take no delight, if I have a sufficient pawn, to cast
any Gentleman in prison; therefore 'tis but an untrussing matter:
and you are free, we are no unreasonable creatures you see; for
mine own part, I protest I am loth to put you to any trouble for
security.

_Mont._ Is there no more of you? he wou'd next demand my skin.

_1 Cred._ No Sir, here's no more of us, nor do any of us demand
your skin, we know not what to do with it: but it may be if you
ow'd your Glover any money, he knew what use to make of it.

_Mont._ Ye dregs of baseness, vultures amongst men,
That tyre upon the hearts of generous spirits.

_1 Cred._ You do us wrong Sir, we tyre no generous spirits, we tyre
nothing but our hackneys.

_Enter Mallicorne._

_Mont._ But here comes one made of another piece;
A man well meriting that free born name
Of Citizen; welcome my deliverer, I am falen
Into the hands of blood-hounds, that for a sum
Lesser than their honesties, which is nothing,
Wou'd tear me out of my skin.

_Mal._ Why Sir, what's the matter?

_1 Cre._ Why Sir the matter is, that we must have our money, which
if we cannot have, we'll satisfie our selves with his carcass,
and be payd that wayes: you had as good Sir, not have been so
peremptory. Officer, hold fast.

_1 Offi._ The strenuous fist of vengeance now is clutcht; therefore
fear nothing.

_Mal._ What may be the debt in gross?

_Mont._ Some forty Crowns, nay rather not so much, 'tis quickly
cast.

_Mal._ 'Tis strange to me, that your estate shou'd have so low an
ebb, to stick at such sleight sums: why my friends, you are too
strict in your accounts, and call too sudden on this Gentleman, he
has hopes left yet to pay you all.

_1 Cred._ Hopes? I marry; bid him pay his friends with hopes,
and pay us with currant Coyn: I knew a gallant once that fed his
creditors still with hopes, and bid 'em they shou'd fear nothing,
for he had 'em tyed in a string; and trust me so he had indeed, for
at last he and all his hopes hopt in a halter.

_Mont._ Good Sir, with what speed you may, free me out of the
company of these slaves, that have nothing but their names to show
'em men.

_Mal._ What wou'd you wish me do Sir? I protest I ha' not the
present sum (small as it is) to lay down for you; and for giving my
word, my friends no later than yesternight made me take bread and
eat it, that I shou'd not do it for any man breathing i'th' world;
therefore I pray hold me excused.

_Mont._ You do not speak this seriously?

_Mal._ As ever I said my prayers, I protest to you.

_Mont._ What may I think of this?

_Mal._ Troth Sir thought is free for any man; we abuse our betters
in it, I have done it my self.

_Mont._ Trust me, this speech of yours doth much amaze me; pray
leave this language, and out of that same sum you lately did
receive of me, lay down as much as may discharge me.

_Mal._ You are a merry man Sir, and I am glad you take your crosses
so temperately; fare you well Sir, and yet I have something more
to say to ye, a word in your ear I pray; to be plain with you I did
lay this plot to arrest you to enjoy this money I have of yours,
with the more safety. I am a fool to tel[l] you this now; but in
good faith I could not keep it in. And the money wou'd a done me
little good else. An honest Citizen cannot wholly enjoy his own
wife for you, they grow old before they have true use of them,
which is a lamentable thing, and truely much hardens the hearts of
us Citizens against you: I can say no more, but am heartily sorry
for your heaviness, and so I take my leave. [_Exit Mallycorne._

_1 Cred._ Officers take hold on him again, for Mounsier
_Mallycorne_ will do nothing for him I perceive.

_Enter Duboys, Lapoope, and Laverdine._

_Dub._ Nay come my masters, leave dancing of the old measures, and
let's assault him bravely.

_Lav._ By no means; for it goes against my stomach to kill a man in
an unjust quarrell.

_La-p._ It must needs be a clog to a mans conscience all his life
time.

_Lav._ It must indeed Captain: besides doe ye not see he has gotten
a guard of friends about him, as if he had some knowledge of our
purpose?

_Dub._ Had he a guard of Devils, as I think them little better, my
Sword should doe the message that it came for.

_Lav._ If you will be so desperate, the blood lie upon your own
neck, for we'll not meddle in't.

_Duboys runs upon Montague, and strugling yields him his Sword;
the Officers draw, Laverdine and La-poope in the scuffling
retire, Montague chaseth them off the Stage, himself
wounded._

_Dub._ I am your friend and servant.
Struggle with me and take my Sword;
Noble Sir, make your way, you have slain an Officer.

_Mont._ Some one of them has certainly
Requited me; for I doe lose much blood.

_1 Offic._ Udsprecious, we have lost a brother, pursue the
Gentleman.

_2 Offic._ I'll not meddle with him: you see what comes on't;
besides I know he will be hang'd ere he be taken.

_1 Offic._ I tell thee yeoman he must be taken ere he be hanged; he
is hurt in the guts, run afore therefore and know how his wife will
rate his Sawsages a pound.

_3 Offic._ Stay brother, I may live, for surely I find I'm but hurt
in the leg, a dangerous kick on the shin-bone. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Tertius. Scæna Prima._

_Enter Madam Lamira, Madam le Orleans, Veramour._

_Lam._ You see Lady
What harmless sports ou[r] Countrey life affords;
And though you meet not here with City dainties,
Or Courtly entertainment, what you have
Is free and hearty.

_L. Orl._ Madam, I find here
What is a stranger to the Court, content,
And receive curtesies done for themselves,
Without an expectation of return,
Which binds me to your service.

_Lam._ Oh your love;
My homely house built more for use than shew
Observes the Golden mean equally distant
From glittering pomp, and sordid avarice;
For Maskes, we will observe the works of nature,
And in the place of visitation, read:
Our Physick shall be wholsome walks, our viands,
Nourishing, not provoking: for I find
Pleasures are tortures that leave stings behind.

_L. Orl._ You have a great estate.

_Lam._ A competency
Sufficient to maintain me and my rank,
Nor am I, I thank Heaven, so Courtly bred
As to imploy the utmost of my Rents
In paying Tailors for phantastick Robes;
Or rather than be second in the fashion,
Eat out my Officers and my Revenues
With grating usury; my back shall not
Be the base on which your soothing Citizen
Erects his Summer-houses; nor on th' other side
Will I be so penuriously wise,
As to make money (that's my slave) my Idoll,
Which yet to wrong, merits as much reproof,
As to abuse our servant.

_L. Orl._ Yet with your pardon
I think you want the Crown of all contentment.

_Lam._ In what good Madam?

_L. Orl._ In a worthy husband.

_Lam._ ---- It is strange the galley-slave should praise
His Oar, or stroaks; or you, that have made shipwrack
Of all delight upon this Rock, cal'd marriage,
Should sing _Encomions_ on't.

_L. Orl._ Madam, though one fall
From his horse and break his neck, will you
Conclude from that it is unfit to ride?
Or must it follow, because _Orleans_
My Lord's pleased to make his passionate triall
Of my suspected patience, that my brother,
(Were he not so, I might say, worthy _Amiens_)
Will imitate his ills, that cannot fancy
What's truely Noble in him?