The Dramatic Works of Ben Jonson, and Beaumont and Fletcher

comfort!

Teach him; he'll quickly learn. There's two hearts eas'd now.

Archas. You do me too much honour, Sir. Duke. No, Archas; [Speak truly.

But all I can, I will.-Can you love me? Hon. Yes, Sir, dearly. [this man?

Duke. Come hither, Viola; can you love Viola. I'll do the best I can, Sir.

Duke. Seal it, Burris.

We'll all to church together instantly;

And then a vie for boys! 53 Stay; bring Boroskie!

(Enter Boroskie.)

I had almost forgot that lump of mischief. There, Archas, take the enemy to honour, The knave to worth; do with him what thou wilt.

Archas. Then, to my sword again, you to

your prayers;

Wash off your villainies; you feel the burden. Bor. Forgive me ere I die, most honest Archas!

'Tis too much honour that I perish thus. Oh, strike my faults to kill them, that no

memory,
No black and blasted infamy, hereafter-
Archas. Come, are you ready?

Bor. Yes.
[way straight?
Archas. And truly penitent, to make your
Bor. Thus I wash off my sins.

Archas. Stand up, and live then,

And live an honest man; I scorn men's ruins. Take him again, Sir, try him; and believe This thing will be a perfect man.

Duke. I take him.

EPILOGUE.

THO' Something well assur'd, few here repent
Three hours of precious time, or money spent
On our endeavours, yet, not to rely
Too much upon our care and industry,
'Tis fit we should ask, but a modest way,
How you approve our action in the play?

If you vouchsafe to crown it with applause, It is your bounty, and you give us cause Hereafter with a general consent

To study, as becomes us, your content.

53 And then a vie for boys.] Vie and revie are terms at an old game at cards, formerly played at, called gleek. It seems to have been much like the present game brag. The manner in which it was played is described in The Compleat Gamester, or Instructions how to play at Billiards, Trucks, Bowls, and Chess, together with all manner of usual and most gentile games, either on cards or dice.' 2d edit. 1680.

RULE A WIFE AND HAVE

A WIFE.

The Commendatory Verses by Hills ascribe this Comedy solely to Fletcher; in the title of the first copy, Fletcher's name is mentioned, without Beaumont's; and the Prologue speaks

singly of the Poet.' The first edition was printed in 1640. Many years ago, some judicious alterations in the catastrophe of this Comedy were made by David Garrick, Esq.

THE PROLOGUE.

Pleasure attend ye! and about ye sit
The springs of mirth, fancy, delight and wit,
To stir ye up! Do not your looks let fall,
Nor to remembrance our late errors call,
Because this day we're Spaniards all again,"
The story of our play, and our Scene in Spain:
The errors too, do not for this cause hate;
Now we present their wit, and not their state.
Nor, ladies, be not angry, if you see,
A young fresh beauty, wanton, and too free,
Seek to abuse her husband; still 'tis Spain;
No such gross errors in your kingdom reign:
You're vestals all, and tho' we blow the fire,
We seldom make it flame up to desire;

Because this day we're Spaniards all again.] This part of the Prologue seems to refer to the ill success of some tragedy, founded on a Spanish story, which had then been presented to the publick.

Ware vestals all.] The context very evidently requires the change which Mr. Sympson first suggested here. Seward.

And good cloaths too; he's whole skinn'd, has no hurt yet;

[tainly Good promising hopes; I never yet heard cerOf any gentleman that saw him angry.

Perez. Preserve him; he'll conclude a peace
if need be.

Many as strong as he will go along with us,3
That swear as heartily as heart can wish,
Their mouths charg'd with six oaths at once,
and whole ones,
[mole-hills.

That make the drunken Dutch creep into
Juan. 'Tis true, such we must look for.
But, Michael Perez,
[heiress?
When heard you of donna Margarita, the great
Perez. I hear every hour of her, tho' I
never saw her;
[de Castro,
She is the main discourse. Noble don Juan
How happy were that man could catch this

wench up,

And live at ease! she's fair and young, and
wealthy,

Infinite wealthy, and as gracious too
In all her entertainments, as men report.
Juan. But she is proud, Sir, that I know
for certain,

And that comes seldom without wantonness:
He that shall marry her, must have a rare hand.
Perez. 'Would I were married; I would
[man

find that wisdom

With a light rein to rule my wife. If ever wo-
Of the most subtile mould went beyond me,
I'd give the boys leave to hoot me out o'th'
parish.

Serv. Sir,

Enter a Servant.

[with you. There be two gentlewomen attend to speak Juan. Wait on 'em in.

Perez. Are they two handsome women? Serv. They seem so, very handsome; but they're veil'd, Sir.

Perez. Thou put'st sugar in my mouth;

how it melts with me!

I love a sweet young wench.
Juan. Wait on them in, I say.

Perez. Don Juan!

[Exit Servant.

3 A strange goodly fellow.] The variation in the text was proposed by Theobald, and rejected by Seward.

Alferes. Ensign. Spanish.

5 Many as strong as he will go along with us.] Mr. Theobald for strong would substitute strange; and Mr. Seward, who alters the text to stout, says, I believe whoever fully considers the context, where strength of body had before been mentioned as joined with cowardice, will think with me, that stout either was or OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN the original.' This belief of what ought to have been betrays Mr. Seward into numberless arbitrary variations, though he seldom is ingenuous enough to mention them. We apprehend strong to be the right word, and to be used here ironically.

6 What shame have you then?] Mr. Theobald reads share, and the same change was suggested by an ingenious friend. But I see no reason for it. How will you be asham'd if you offer rudeness to women of virtue? Juan is a good character, and the sentiment very proper for him.

Seward.

The

May be they'd learn to raise the pike; I'm for 'em.

They're very modest; 'tis a fine preludium. Juan. With me, or with this gentleman, would you speak, lady? [Castro. Clara. With you, Sir, as I guess; Juan de Perez. Her curtain opens; she's a pretty gentlewoman. [fortune. Juan. I am the man, and shall be bound to I may do any service to your beauties.

Clara. Captain, I hear you're marching down to Flanders,

To serve the Catholick king.

Juan. I am, sweet lady.

Clara. I have a kinsman, and a noble friend, Employ'd in those wars; may be, Sir, you know him;

Don Campusano, captain of carbines,
To whom I would request your nobleness
To give this poor remembrance.

Juan. I shall do it ;

[Gives a letter.

I know the gentleman, a most worthy captain.
Clara. Something in private.
Juan. Step aside: I'll serve thee.

[Exeunt Juan and Clara. Perez. Prithee, let me see thy face. Estif. Sir, you must pardon me : Women of our sort, that maintain fair memories,'

And keep suspect off from their chastities,
Had need wear thicker veils

Perez. I am no blaster of a lady's beauty,
Nor bold intruder on her special favours;
I know how tender reputation is,
And with what guards it ought to be pre-
You may to me.
[serv'd, lady:
Estif. You must excuse ine, Signior;

I come not here to sell myself.

Perez. As I'm a gentleman!

By th' honour of a soldier!
Estif. I believe you;

I pray you be civil; I believe you'd see me,
And when you've seen me I believe you'll

like me;

But in a strange place, to a stranger too, As if I came on purpose to betray you! Indeed, I will not.

Perez. I shall love you dearly; And 'tis a sin to fling away

affection:

I have no mistress, no desire to honour
Any but you. Will not this oyster open?—
I know not, you have struck me with your
modesty-

[me

She will draw sure-so deep, and taken from All the desire I might bestow on othersQuickly, before they come!

Estif. Indeed, I dare not:

But, since I see you're so desirous, Sir, To view a poor face that can merit nothing your repentance

But

Perez. It must needs be excellent. [of me; Estif. And with what honesty you ask it When I am gone let your man follow me, And view what house I enter; thither come; For there I dare be bold to appear open, And, as I like your virtuous carriage then,

(Enter Juan, Clara, and Servant.) I shall be able to give welcome to you.—— Sh' hath done her business; I must take my leave, Sir.

Perez. I'll kiss your fair white hand, and thank you, lady:

My inan shall wait, and I shall be your servant. Sirrah, come near; hark!

Serv. I shall do it faithfully.

[Exit.

Juan. You will command me no more ser[dear Sir,

vices?

Clara. To be careful of your noble health, That I may ever honour you.

Juan. I thank you,

And kiss your hands. Wait on the ladies down there! [Exeunt ladies and Servant. Perez. You had the honour to see the face

The meaning may be, how will you be disgraced, if you offer gallantry, where it will not be accepted.'

7 Fair memories ] i. e. Fair characters.

I fear a fly. Both Mr. Theobald and Mr Sympson make a query about this. I suppose

We apprehend fly alludes to some common saying in the time of our Authors. It obviously implies a trick; musca, mosca, a fly.

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The Dramatic Works of Ben Jonson, and Beaumont and Fletcher, Volume 2