THE PICTURE A TRAGAE comedy, As it was often presented with good allowance, at the Globe, and Blackfriars playhouses, by the king's Majesty's servants.  
Written by Philip Massinger.  
LONDON. Printed by I. N. for Thomas Walkley and are to be sold at his shop at the Eagle and Child in Britain's Burse. 1630.   

Dramatis personae. 
The Actors names.  Ladislaus King of hungary. 
Robert Benfield.  Eubulus an old counsellor. 
john Lewin,  Ferdinand General of the army. 
Richard Sharp.  Mathias a knight of Bohemia. 
joseph Taylor.  Ubaldo, 
Thomas Pollard.  Ricardo, 2. wild courtiers. 
Eylardt Swanstone.  Hilario, servant to Sophia. 
john Shanucke.  julio Baptista a great scholar. 
William Pen.  Honoria the Queen. 
john Tomson.  Acanthe a maid of honour. 
Alexander Goffe.  Sophia wife to Mathias. 
john Hunnieman.  Corisca, Sophia's Woman 
William Trig.  6. Masquers. 
 6. servants to the Queen Attendants. 
   

To my Honoured, and selected friends of the Noble society of the Inner Temple.  
IT may be objected, my not inscribing their names, or titles, to whom I dedicate this Poem, proceedeth either from my diffidence of their affection to me, or their unwillingness to be published the Patrons of a trifle. To such as shall make so strict an inquisition of me, I truly answer. The Play in the presentment found such a general approbation, that it gave me assurance of their favour to whose protection it is now sacred, and they have professed they so sincerely allow of it, and the maker, that they would have freely granted that in the publication, which for some reasons. I denied selfe one, and that is a main one: I had rather enjoy (as I have done) the real proofs of their friendship, than mountebank like boast their numbers in a Catalogue. Accept it noble gentlemen as a confirmation of his service who hath nothing else to assure you, and witness to the world how much he stands engaged for your so frequent bounties, and in your charitable opinion of me believe, that you now may, and shall ever command,  
Your servant Philip Massinger.   

To his worthy friend Mr. Philip Massinger, upon his tragicomedy styled, The Picture.  
ME things I here some busy Critic say  
Who's this that singly ushers on this Play?  
'Tis boldness I confess, and yet perchance  
It may be construed love, not arrogance.  
I do not here upon this leaf intrude  
By praising one, to wrong a multitude.  
Nor do I think that all are tied to be  
(Forced by my vote) in the same creed with me.  
Each man hath liberty to judge; free will,  
At his own pleasure to speak good, or ill.  
But yet your Muse already's known so well  
Her worth will hardly find an infidel.  
Here she hath drawn a picture, which shall lie  
Safe for all future times to practice by.  
whate'er shall follow are but Copies, some  
Preceding works were types of this to come.  
'Tis your own lively image, and sets forth  
When we are dust the beauty of your worth.  
He that shall dully read and not advance  
Ought that is here betrays his ignorance.  
Yet whosoever beyond desert commends  
Errs more by much then he that reprehends,  
For praise misplaced, and honour set upon  
A worthless subject is detraction.  
I cannot sin so here unless I went  
About, to style you only excellent.  
Apollo's gifts are not confined alone  
To your dispose, He hath more heirs than one,  
And such as do derive from his blessed hand  
A large inheritance in the poet's land  
As well as you, nor are you I assure  
myself so envious, but you can endure  
To hear their praise, whose worth long since was known  
And lustily to, preferred before your own.  
I know you would take it for an injury,  
(And 'tis a well becoming modesty)  
To be paralleled with Beaumont, or to hear  
Your name by some to partial friend write near  
unequaled jonson: being men whose fire  
At distance and with reverence you admired.  
Do so and you shall find your gain will be  
Much more by yielding them priority  
Then with a certainty of loss to hold  
A foolish competition; 'tis too bold.  
A task, and to be shunned, nor shall my praise  
With too much weight ruin, what it would raise.  
Thomas jay.   

THE PICTURE, A true Hungarian History.  

Actus primi,  

Scena prima.  Enter Mathias in armour, Sophia in a riding suit, Corisca, Hilario with other servants. Mathias. 
SInce we must part Sophia, to pass further  
Is not alone impertinent but dangerous.  
We are not distant from the Turkish camp  
Above five leagues, and who knows but some party  
Of his Timariots that scour the country  
May fall upon us, be now as thy name  
Truly interpreted hath ever spoke thee,  
Wise, and discreet, and to thy understanding  
Marry thy constant patience.  Sophia. 
Yow put me Sir,  
To the utmost trial of it.  Mathias, 
Nay Noah melting,  
Since the necessity that now separates us,  
We have long since disputed, and the reasons  
Forcing me to it, too oft washed in teats,  
I grant that you in birth were far above me,  
And great men my superiors rivals for you,  
But mutual consent of heart, as hands  
joined by true love hath made us one, and equal;  
Nor is it in me mere desire of fame,  
Or to be cried up by the public voice  
for a brave soldier that puts on my armour,  
Such airy tumors take not me you know  
How narrow our demeans are, and what's more  
Having as yet no charge of children on us  
We hardly can subsist.  Sophia. 
In you alone sir  
I have all abundance.  Mathias. 
For my mind's content  
In your own language I could answer you  
You have been an obedient wife, a right one,  
And to my power, though short of your desert  
I have been ever an indulgent husband.  
we have long enjoyed the sweets of love, and though  
Not to satisfy, or loathing, yet  
We must not live such dotards on our pleasures  
As still to hug them to the certain loss  
Of profit, and preferment, competent means  
Maintains a quiet bed, want breeds dissension  
Even in good women.  Sophia. 
Have you found in me sir  
Any distaste, or sign of discontent  
For want of what's superfivous?  Mathias, 
No Sophia.  
Nor shalt thou ever have cause to repent  
Thy constant course in goodness if heaven bless  
My honest undertakings; 'tis for thee  
That I turn soldier, and put forth dearest  
Upon this sea of action as a factor  
To trade for rich materials to adorn  
Thy noble parts, and show'em in full lustre.  
I blush that other ladies less in beauty  
And outward form, but in the harmony  
Of the souls ravishing music the same age  
Not to be named with thee, should so out shine thee  
In jewels, and variety of wardrobes,  
While you (to whose sweet innocence both Indies  
Compared are of no value) wanting these  
Pass unregarded.  Sophia. 
If I am so rich or  
In your opinion, why should you borrow  
Additions for me?  Mathias. 
Why? I should be censured  
Of ignorance possessing such a jewel  
Above all price, if I forbear to give it  
The best of ornaments. Therefore Sophia  
In few words know my pleasure and obey me,  
As you have ever done to your discretion,  
I leave the government of my family  
And our poor fortunes, and from these command  
Obedience to you as to myself,  
To the utmost of what's mine live plentifully,  
And ere the remnant of our store be spent,  
With my good sword I hope I shall reap for you  
A harvest in such full abundance, as  
Shall make a merry winter.  Sophia. 
Since you are not  
To be diverted Sir from what you purpose  
All arguments to stay you here are useless.  
Go when you please Sir, Eyes I charge you waste not  
One drop of sorrow, look you hoard all up  
Till in my widowed bed I call upon you,  
But then be sure you fail not. You blessed Angels  
Guardians of humane life, I at this instant  
Forbear t'invoke you, at our parting 'twere  
To personate devotion. My soul  
shall go along with you, and when you are  
Circled with death and honour seek and find you:  
And then I will not leave a Saint unsued to  
For your protection. To tell you what  
I will do in your absence, would show poorly,  
My actions shall speak me, 'twere to doubt you  
To beg I may here from you, where you are,  
You cannot live obscure nor shall one post  
By night, or day pass unexamined by me.  
If I dwell long upon your lips, consider  
After this feast the griping fast that follows  
And it will be excusable, pray turn from me.  
All that I can is spoken.  Exit Sophia. Mathias. 
Follow your mistress.  
Forbear your wishes for me, let me find'em  
At my return in your prompt will to serve her.  Hilario. 
For my part sir I will grow lean with study  
To make her merry.  Corisca. 
Though you are my Lord,  
Yet being her gentlewoman, by my place  
I may take my leave, your hand or if you please  
To have me fight so high, I'll not be coy  
But stand a tiptoe for't;  Mathias. 
O farewell girl.  Hilario. 
A kiss well begged Corisca,  Corisca. 
'twas my fee,  
Love how he melts! I cannot blame my Lady's  
Unwillingness to part with such marmalade lips.  
There will be scrambling for'em in the camp,  
And were it not for my honesty I could wish now  
I were his leaguer laundress I would find  
Soap of mine own, enough to wash his linen  
Or I would strain hard for't  Hilario. 
How the mammet twitters!  
Come, come my lady stays for us.  Corisca. 
Would I had been  
Her ladyship the last night.  Hilario. 
No more of that wench.  Exunt Hilario. Mathias. 
I am strangely troubled: yet why I should nourish  
A fury here, and with imagined food.  
Having no real grounds on which to raise,  
A buildings of suspicion, she was ever  
Or can be false hereafter I in this  
But foolishly inquire the knowledge of  
A future sorrow, which if I find out,  
My present ignorance were a cheap purchase  
Though with my loss of being, I have already  
Dealt with a friend of mine, a general scholar  
One deeply read in nature's hidden secrets,  
And though with much unwillingness have won him  
To do as much as Art can to resolve me  
My fate that follows to my wish, he's come.  Enter Baptista. 
julio Baptista, now I may affirm  
Your promise, and performance walk together.  
And therefore without circumstance to the point,  
Instruct me what I am.  Baptista. 
I could wish you had  
Made trial of my love some other way.  Mathias. 
Nay this is from the purpose.  Baptista. 
If you can,  
Proportion your desire to any mean  
I do pronounce you happy I have found  
By certain rules of Art your matchless wife  
Is to this present hour from all pollution  
Free and untainted.  Mathias. 
Good.  Baptista. 
In reason therefore  
You should fix here, and make no farther search  
Of what may fall hereafter.  Mathias. 
O Baptista  
'tis not in me to master so my passions,  
I must know farther, or you have made good  
But half your promise while my love stood by,  
Holding her upright, and my presence was  
A watch upon her; her desires being met to  
with equal ardour from me; what one proof  
Could she give of her constancy being untempted?  
But when I am absent, and my coming back  
Uncertain, and those wanton heats in women  
Not to be quenched by lawful means, and she  
The absolute disposer of herself,  
Without, control, or curb nay more invited  
By opportunity and all strong temptations  
If then she hold out.  Baptista. 
As no doubt she will,  Mathias. 
Those doubts must be made certainties Baptista  
By your assurance, or your boasted Art  
Deserves no admiration, how you trifle  
And play with my affliction? I am on  
The wrack till you confirm me.  Baptista. 
Sure Mathias.  
I am no God, nor can I dive into  
Her hidden thoughts, or know what her intents are  
That is denied to art, and kept concealed  
even from the devils themselves: they can but guess  
Out of long observation what is likely,  
But positively to foretell that this shall be  
You may conclude impossible, all I can  
I will do for you when you are distant from her  
A thousand leagues as if you then were with her  
You shall know truly when she is solicited,  
And how far wrought on.  Mathias. 
I desire no more.  Baptista. 
Take then this little model of Sophia  
With more than humane skill limned to the life  
Each line, and lineament of it in the drawing  
So punctually observed that had it motion  
In so much't were herself,  Mathias, 
It is indeed  
An admirable piece, but if it have not  
Some hidden virtue that I cannot guess at  
In what can it advantage me?  Baptista. 
I'll instruct you,  
Carry it still about you and as oft  
As you desire to know how she's affected  
With curious eyes peruse it while it keeps  
The figure it now has entire, and perfect  
She is not only innocent in fact  
But unattempted: but if once it vary  
From the true form, and what's now white, and red  
Incline to yellow rest most confident  
she's with all violence courted but unconquered  
But if it turn all black 'tis an assurance  
The fort by composition, or surprise  
Is forced or with her free consent surrendered.  Mathias. 
How much you have engaged me for this favour,  
The service of my whole life shall make good  Baptista. 
We will not part so, I'll along with you  
And it is needful with the rising Sun  
The armies meet yet ere the fight begun  
In spite of opposition I will place you  
In the head of the Hungarian general's troop  
And near his person.  Mathias. 
As my better Angel  
You shall direct and guide me.  Baptista. 
As we ride  
I'll tell you more.  Mathias. 
In all things I'll obey you.  Exeunt  

Actus primi scana secunda,  Enter Ubaldo, Ricardo. Ricardo. 
When came the post?  Vbaldo. 
The last night.  Ricardo. 
From the camp?  Vbaldo. 
Yes as 'tis said, and the letter writ and signed  
By the general Ferdinand  Ricardo. 
Nay then sans question  
It is of moment.  Vbaldo. 
It concerns the lives  
Of two great armies,  Ricardo. 
Was it cheerfully  
Received by the King?  Vbaldo. 
Yes, for being assured  
The armies were in view of one another  
Having proclaimed a public fast, and prayer  
For the good success, dispatched a gentleman  
Of his privy chamber to the general  
With absolute authority from him  
To try the fortune of a day.  Ricardo. 
No doubt then  
The General will come on and fight it bravely  
Heaven Prosper him, this military art  
I grant to be the noblest of professions  
And yet I thank my stars for't I was never  
Inclined to learn it, since this bubble honour,  
(Which is indeed the nothing soldiers fight for  
With the loss of limbs, or life) is in my judgement  
Too dear a purchase.  Vbaldo. 
Give me our Court-warfare,  
The danger is not great in the encounter  
Of a fair Mistress.  Ricardo. 
Fair and sound together  
Do very well Ubaldo. But such are  
With difficulty to be found out, and when they know  
Their value prized too high. By thy own report  
Thou wast at twelve a gamester, and since that  
Studied all kinds of females, from the night-trader  
I'the street with certain danger to thy pocket,  
To the great Lady in her Cabinet,  
That spent upon thee more in cullises  
To strengthen thy weak back, then would maintain  
twelve Flanders mares, and as many running horses:  
Besides Apothecaries and Chirurgeons bills  
Paid upon all occasions, and those frequent.  Vbaldo. 
You talk Ricardo, as if yet you were  
A novice in those mysteries.  Ricardo. 
By no means,  
My Doctor can assure the contrary,  
I lose no time. I have felt the pain and pleasure  
As he that is a gamester, and plays often  
Must sometimes be a looser.  Vbaldo. 
Wherefore then  
Do you envy me?  Ricardo. 
It grows not from my want,  
Nor thy abundance, but being as I am  
The likelier man, and of much more experience,  
My good parts, are my curtsies, there's no beauty  
But yields ere it be summoned, and as nature  
Had signed me the monopoly of maidenheads,  
There's none can buy till I have made my market,  
Satiety cloys me, as I live I would part with  
Half my estate, nay travail o'er the world  
To find that only Phoenix in my search  
That could hold out against me.  Vbaldo. 
Be not rapped so:  
You may spare that labour, as she is a woman  
What think you of the Queen?  Ricardo. 
I dare not aim at  
The petticoat royal, that is still excepted:  
Yet were she not my Kings, being the abstract  
Of all that's rare, or to be wished in woman,  
To write her in my catalogue, having enjoyed her  
I would venture my neck to a halter, but we talk of  
Impossibilities, as she hath a beauty  
Would make old Nestor young, such majesty  
Draws forth a sword of terror to defend it,  
As would fright Paris, though the Queen of love  
Vowed her best furtherance to him.  Vbaldo. 
Have you observed  
The gravity of her language mixed with sweetness?  Ricardo. 
Then at what distance she reserves herself  
When the King himself makes his approaches to her,  Vbaldo. 
As she were still a virgin, and his life  
But one continued wooing.  Ricardo. 
She well knows  
Her worth, and values it.  Vbaldo. 
And so far the King is  
Indulgent to her humours, that he forbears  
The duty of a husband, but when she calls for't.  Ricardo. 
All his imaginations and thoughts  
Are buried in her, the loud noise of war  
Cannot awake him.  Vbaldo. 
At this very instant.  
When both his life and Crown are at the stake,  
He only studies her content, and when  
She's pleased to show herself, music and masques  
Are with all care and cost provided for her.  Ricardo. 
This night she promised to appear.  Vbaldo. 
You may believe it by the diligence of the King  
As if he were her harbinger.  Enter Ladislaus, Eubulus, and attendants with perfumes. Ladislaus. 
These rooms  
Are not perfumed as we directed.  Eubulus. 
Not Sir,  
I know not what you would have, I am sure the smoke  
Cost treble the price of the whole week's provision  
Spent in your Majesty's kitchens.  Ladislaus. 
How! I scorn  
Thy gross comparison. When my Honoria  
Th'amazement of the present time, and envy  
Of all succeeding ages does descend  
To sanctify a place, and in her presence  
Makes it a Temple to me, can I be  
Too curious, much less prodigal to receive her?  
But that the splendour of her beams of beauty  
Hath struck thee blind?  Eubulus. 
As dotage hath done yond.  Ladislaus. 
Dotage, O blasphemy! is it in me  
To serve her to her merit? is she not  
The daughter of a King?  Eubulus. 
And you the son  
Of ours I take it, by what privilege else  
Do you reign over us? for my part I know not  
Where the disparity lies.  Ladislaus. 
Her birth old man,  
Old in the kingdom's service which protects thee,  
Is the least grace in her: and though her beauties  
Might make the thunderer a rival for her,  
They are but superficial ornaments  
And faintly speak her, from her heavenly mind  
Were all antiquity and fiction lost  
Our modern Poets could not in their fancy  
But fashion a Minerva far transcending  
Th'imagined one, whom Homer only dreamed of,  
But then add this, she's mine, mine Eubulus.  
And though she know one glance from her fair eyes  
Must make all gazers her idolaters,  
She is so sparing of their influence  
That to shun superstition in others,  
She shoots her powerful beams only at me.  
And can I then, whom she desires to hold  
Her Kingly captive above all the world,  
Whose Nations and Empires if she pleased  
She might command as slaves, but gladly pay  
The humble tribute of my love and service,  
Nay if I said of adoration to her  
I did not err?  Eubulus. 
Well, since you hug your fetters  
In love's name wear'em. You are a King, and that  
Concludes you wise. Your will a powerful reason,  
Which we that are foolish Subjects must not argue.  
And what in a mean man I should call folly,  
Is in your Majesty remarkable wisdom.  
But for me I subscribe.  Ladislaus. 
Do, and look up:  
Upon this wonder.  Loud music, Honoria in state under a Canopy, her train borne up by Silvia and Acanthe.. Ricardo. 
Wonder? it is more Sir.  Vbaldo. 
A rapture, an astonishment.  Ricardo. 
What think you Sir?  Eubulus. 
As the King thinks, that is the surest guard  
We Courtiers ever lie at. Was Prince ever  
So drowned in dotage? Without spectacles  
I can see a handsome woman, and she is so:  
But yet to admiration look not on her.  
Heaven how he fawns; and as it were his duty,  
With what assured gravity she receives it!  
Her hand again! O she at length vouchsafes  
Her Lip, and as he had sucked Nectar from it  
How he's exalted! Women in their natures  
Affect command, but this humility  
In a husband and a King marks her the way  
To absolute tyranny. So, juno's placed  
In jove's Tribunal, and like mercury  
Forgetting his own greatness, he attends  
For her employments. She prepares to speak,  
What Oracles shall we hear now?  Honoria. 
That you please Sir,  
With such assurances of love and favour,  
To grace your handmaid, but in being yours Sir,  
A matchless Queen, and one that knows herself so,  
Binds me in retribution to deserve  
The grace conferred upon me.  Ladislaus. 
You transcend  
In all things excellent, and it is my glory,  
Your worth weighed truly to depose myself  
From absolute command, surrendering up  
My will and faculties to your disposure:  
And here I vow, not for a day or year,  
But my whole life, which I wish long to serve you:  
That whatsoever I injustice may  
Exact from these my subjects, you from me  
May boldly challenge. And when you require it,  
In sign of my subjection, as your vassal,  
Thus I will pay my homage.  Honoria. 
O forbear Sir,  
Let not my Lips envy my Robe: on them  
Print your allegiance often. I desire  
No other fealty.  Ladislaus. 
Gracious Sovereign,  
Boundless in bounty!  Eubulus. 
Is not here fine fooling?  
He's questionless bewitched. would I were gelt  
So that would disenchant him. Though I forfeit  
My life for it I must speak. By your good leave sir,  
I have no suit to you, nor can you grant one  
Having no Power. You are like me a subject.  
Her more than serene Majesty being present.  
And I must tell you, 'tis ill manners in you,  
Having deposed yourself to keep your hat on,  
And not stand bare as we do, being no King,  
But a fellow subject with us. Gentlemen ushers  
It does belong to your place, see it reformed,  
He has given away his Crown, and cannot challenge  
The privilege of his bonnet.  Ladislaus. 
Do no tempt me.  Eubulus. 
Tempt you, in what? in following your example?  
If you are angry question me hereafter,  
As Ladislaus should do Eubulus  
On equal terms, you were of late my sovereign  
But weary of it, I now bend my knee  
To her divinity, and desire a boon  
From her more than magnificence.  Honoria. 
Take it freely.  
Nay be not moved, for our mirth' sake let us hear him,  Eubulus, 
'Tis but to ask a question, have you ne'er read  
The story of Semiramis and Ninus?  Honoria. 
Not as I remember.  Eubulus. 
I will then instruct you,  
And 'tis to the purpose, this Ninus was a King,  
And such an impotent loving King as this was  
But now he's none, this Ninus (pray you observe me)  
Doted on this Semiramis, a smith's wife,  
(I must confess there the comparison holds not,  
You are a king's daughter, yet under your correction  
Like her a woman) this Assyrian monarch  
(Of whom this is a pattern) to express  
His love, and service, seated her as you are,  
In his regal throne, and bound by oath his Nobles  
Forgetting all allegiance to himself  
One day to be her subjects, and to put  
In execution whatever she  
Pleased to impose upon 'em, pray you command him  
To minister the like to us and than  
You shall hear what followed.  Ladislaus. 
Well sir to your story.  Eubulus. 
You have no warrant, stand by, Let me know  
Your pleasure Goddess.  Honoria. 
Let this nod assure you.  Eubulus. 
Goddess like indeed, as I live a pretty Idol,  
She knowing her power wisely made use of it  
And fearing his inconstancy, and repentance  
Of what he had granted (as in reason Madam,  
you may do his) that he might never have  
Power to recall his grant, or question her  
For her short government, instantly gave order  
To have his head struck off.  Ladislaus. 
is't possible?  Eubulus. 
The story says so and commends her wisdom  
For making use of her authority:  
And it is worth your imitation Madam,  
He loves subjection, and you are no Queen  
Unless you make him feel the weight of it.  
You are more than all the world to him, and that,  
He may be foe to you, and not seek change,  
When his delights are sated, mew him up  
In some close prison, if you let him live  
(Which is no policy) and there diet him  
As you think fit to feed your appetite  
Since there ends his ambition.  Vbaldo. 
Devilish counsel.  Ricardo. 
The King's amazed.  Vbaldo. 
The Queen appears too full  
Of deep imaginations, Eubulus  
Hath put both to it.  Ricardo. 
Now she seems resolved  
I long to know the issue.  Honoria descends. Honoria. 
Give me leave,  
Dear sir to reprehend you for appearing  
Perplexed with what this old man out of envy  
Of your unequalled graces showered upon me,  
Hath in his fabulous story saucily  
Applied to me, sir that you only nourish  
One doubt Honoria dares abuse the power  
With which she is invested by your favour,  
Or that she ever can make use of it  
To the injury of you the great bestower,  
Takes from your judgement, it was your delight  
To seek to me with more obsequiousness,  
Than I desired. And stood it with my duty  
Not to receive what you were pleased to offer?  
I do but act the Part you put upon me,  
And though you make me Personate a Queen,  
And you my subject, when the play your pleasure  
Is at a period, I am what I was  
Before I entered, still your humble wife,  
And you my royal Sovereign.  Ricardo. 
Admirable!  Honoria. 
I have heard of Captains taken more with danger  
Than the rewards, and if in your approaches  
To those delights which are your own, and freely  
To heighten your desire, you make the passage  
Narrow and difficult, shall I prescribe you?  
Or blame your fondness? Or can that swell me  
Beyond my just proportion?  Vbaldo. 
Above wonder!  Ladislaus. 
Heaven make me thankful for such goodness.  Honoria. 
Now Sir,  
The state I took to satisfy your pleasure  
I change to this humility, and the oath  
You made to me of homage, I thus cancel,  
And seat you in your own.  Ladislaus. 
I am transported  
Beyond myself.  Honoria. 
And now to your wise Lordship,  
Am I proved a Semiramis? or hath  
My Ninus, as maliciously you made him,  
Cause to repent th'excess of favour to me,  
Which you call dotage?  Ladislaus. 
Answer wretch.  Eubulus. 
I dare Sir,  
And say however the event may plead  
In your defence, you had a guilty cause;  
Nor was it wisdom in you (I repeat it)  
To teach a Lady, humble in herself  
With the ridiculous dotage of a lover  
To be ambitious.  Honoria. 
Eubulus, I am so,  
'tis rooted in me, you mistake my temper.  
I do profess myself to be the most  
Ambitious of my sex, but not to hold  
Command over my Lord, such a proud torrent  
Would sink me in my wishes; not that I  
Am ignorant how much I can deserve  
And may with justice challenge.  Eubulus. 
This I looked for;  
After this seeming humble ebb I knew  
A gushing tide would follow.  Honoria. 
By my birth,  
And liberal gifts of nature, as of fortune,  
From you, as things beneath me, I expect  
What's due to majesty, in which I am  
A sharer with your sovereign.  Eubulus. 
Good again!  Honoria. 
And as I am most eminent in place,  
In all my actions I would appear so.  Ladislaus. 
You need not fear a rival.  Honoria. 
I hope not;  
And till I find one, I disdain to know  
What envy is.  Ladislaus. 
You are above it Madam.  Honoria. 
For beauty without art, discourse, and free  
From affectation, with what graces else  
Can in the wife and daughter of a King  
Be wished, I dare prefer myself.  Eubulus. 
As I  
Blush for you lady, trumpet your own praises?  
This spoken by the people had been heard  
With honour to you; does the court afford  
No oil-tongued parasite, that you are forced  
To be your own gross flatterer?  Ladislaus. 
be dumb,  
Thou spirit of contradiction.  Honoria. 
The wolf  
But barks against the Moon, and I contemn it.  
The mask you promised.  A horn. Enter a Post. Ladislaus. 
Let'em enter. How!  Eubulus. 
here's one, I fear unlooked for.  Ladislaus. 
From the Camp?  Post. 
The General victorious in your fortune,  
Kisses your hand in this Sir.  Ladislaus. 
That great Power,  
Who at his pleasure does dispose of battles,  
Be ever praised for't. Read sweet, and partake it:  
The Turk is vanquished, and with little loss  
Upon our part, in which our joy is doubled.  Eubulus. 
But let it not exalt you, bear it Sir  
With moderation, and pay what you owe for't.  Ladislaus. 
I understand thee Eubulus. I'll not now  
inquire particulars. Our delights deferred,  
With reverence to the Temples, there we'll tender  
Our Souls devotions to his dread might,  
Who edged our swords, and taught us how to fight.  Exeunt omnes.  
The end of the first Act.   

Actus secundi,  

Scaena prima.  Enter Hilario, Corisca. Hilario. 
YOu like my speech?  Corisca. 
Yes, if you give it action  
In the delivery.  Hilario. 
If? I pity you.  
I have played the fool before, this is not the first time,  
Nor shall be I hope the last.  Corisca. 
Nay I think so to.  Hila. 
And if I put her not out of her dumps with laughter,  
I'll make her howl for anger.  Corisca. 
Not too much  
Of that good fellow Hilario. Our sad Lady  
Hath drank too often of that bitter cup,  
A pleasant one must restore her. With what patience  
Would she endure to hear of the death of my Lord,  
That merely out of doubt he may miscarry  
Afflicts herself thus?  Hilario. 
umh, 'tis a question  
A widow only can resolve. There be some  
That in their husband's sicknesses have wept  
Their pottle of tears a day: but being once certain  
At midnight he was dead, have in the morning  
Dried up their handkerchers, and thought no more on't.  Corisca. 
Tush, she is none of that race, if her sorrow  
Be not true and perfect, I against my sex  
Will take my oath woman ne'er wept in earnest.  
She has made herself a prisoner to her chamber,  
Dark as a dungeon, in which no beam  
Of comfort enters. She admits no visits;  
Eats little, and her nightly music is  
Of sighs and groans tuned to such harmony  
Of feeling grief, that I against my nature  
Am made one of the consort. This hour only  
She takes the air, a custom every day  
She solemnly observes, with greedy hopes  
From some that pass by to receive assurance  
Of the success, and safety of her Lord:  
Now if that your device will take  Hilario. 
ne'er fear it:  
I am provided cap a poe, and have  
My properties in readiness.  Sophia within. 
Bring my veil there.  Corisca. 
Be gone, I hear her coming.  Hilario. 
If I do not  
Appear, and what's more, appear perfect, hiss me.  Exit Hilario. Enter Sophia. Sophia. 
I was flattered once I was a Star, but now  
Turned a prodigious meteor, and like one  
Hang in the air between my hopes, and fears,  
And every hour the little stuff burned out  
That yields a waning light to dying comfort,  
I do expect my fall and certain ruin.  
In wretched things more wretched is delay,  
And hope a parasite to me, being unmasked  
Appears more horrid than despair, and my  
Distraction worse than madness: e'en my prayers  
When with most zeal sent upward, are pulled down,  
With strong imaginary doubts and fears,  
And in their sudden precipice o'erwhelm me.  
Dreams, and fantastic! visions walk the round  
About my widowed bed, and every slumber  
Broken with loud alarms: can these be then  
But sad presages girl?  Corisca. 
You make 'em so,  
And antedate a loss shall ne'er fall on you.  
Such pure affection, such mutual love,  
A bed, and undefiled on either part,  
A whore without contention, in two bodies  
One will, and Soul like to the rod of concord,  
Kissing each other, cannot be short lived  
Or end in barrenness: if all these dear Madam  
(Sweet in your sadness) should produce no fruit,  
Or leave the age no models of yourselves,  
To witness to posterity what you were  
Succeeding times frighted with the example  
But hearing of your story, would instruct  
Their fairest issue to meet sensually,  
Like other creatures, and forbear to raise  
True love, or Himen's Altars.  Sophia. 
O Corisca,  
I know thy reasons are like to thy wishes,  
And they are built upon a weak foundation,  
To raise me comfort. Ten long days are past,  
Ten long days my Corisca, since my Lord  
Embarked himself upon a Sea of danger,  
In his dear care of me. And if his life  
Had not been shipwrecked on the rock of war,  
His tenderness of me (knowing how much  
I languish for his absence) had provided  
Some trusty friend from whom I might receive  
Assurance of his safety.  Corisca. 
Ill news Madam,  
Are swallow-winged, but what's good walks on crutches:  
With patience expect it, and ere long  
No doubt you shall hear from him.  A sowgelders horn blown. A Post. Sophia. 
Ha! What's that?  Corisca. 
The fool has got a sowgelder's horn  
As I take it Madam.  Sophia. 
It makes this way still,  
Nearer and nearer.  Corisca. 
From the Camp I hope.  Enter Hilario, with a long white hair and beard, in an antic armour, one with a horn before him. Sophia. 
The messenger appears, and in strange armour.  
Heaven if it be thy will!  Hilario. 
It is no boot  
To strive, our horses tired let's walk on foot,  
And that the Castle which is very near us,  
To give us entertainment may soon hear us,  
Blow lustily my Lad, and drawing nigh a,  
Ask for a Lady which is cleped Sophia.  Corisca. 
He names you Madam.  Hilario. 
For to her I bring,  
Thus clad in in arms, news of a pretty thing,  
By name Mathias.  Sophia. 
From my Lord? O Sir,  
I am Sophia, that Mathias wife.  
So may Mars favour you in all your battles,  
As you with speed unload me of the burden  
I labour under, till I am confirmed  
Both where, and how you left him.  Hilario. 
If thou art  
As I believe, the pigsney of his heart,  
Know he's in health, and what's more full of glee,  
And so much I was willled to say to thee.  Sophia. 
Have you no letters from him?  Hilario. 
No more words.  
In the Camp we use no pens, but write with swords  
Yet as I am enjoined, by word of mouth  
I will proclaim his deeds from North to South.  
But tremble not while I relate the wonder,  
Though my eyes like lightning shine, and my voice thunder.  Sophia. 
This is some counterfeit braggart.  Corisca. 
Hear him Madam.  Hila. 
The Rear marched first, which followed by the Van,  
And winged with the Battalia, no man  
Durst stay to shift a shirt or louse himself;  
Yet ere the armies joined, that hopeful else,  
Thy dear my dainty duckling, bold Mathias  
Advanced, and stared like Hercules or Golias.  
A hundred thousand Turks, it is no vaunt,  
Assailed him, every one a Termagant,  
But what did he then? with his keen edge spear  
He cut, and carbonado'em, here, and there,  
Lay legs and arms, and as 'tis said truly  
Of Bevis, some he quartered all in three.  Sophia. 
This is ridiculous.  Hilario. 
I must take breath  
Then like a Nightingale I'll sing his death;  Sophia. 
His death?  Hilario. 
I am out.  Corisca. 
Recover dunderhead.  Hilario. 
How he escaped I should have sung, not died  
For, though a knight, when I said so I lied  
Weary he was, and scarce could stand upright  
And looking round for some courageous Knight  
To rescue him, as one perplexed in woe  
He called to me, help, help Hilario,  
My valiant servant help.  Corisca. 
He has spoilt all.  Sophia. 
Are you the man of arms then? I'll make bold  
To take of your martial beard, you had fools hair  
Enough without it. Slave, how durst thou make  
Thy sport of what concerns me more than life,  
In such an antic fashion? am I grown  
Contemptible to those I feed? you minion  
Had a hand in it to, as it appears,  
Your petticoat serves for bases to this warrior.  Corisca. 
We did it for your mirth.  Hilario. 
For myself I hope,  
I have spoke like a soldier.  Sophia. 
Hence you rascal.  
I never but with reverence name my Lord  
And can I here it by thy tongue profaned  
And not correct thy folly? but you are  
Transformed, and turned Knight errant, take your course  
And wander where you please, for here I vow  
By my Lord's life (an oath I will not break)  
Till his return, or certainty of his safety,  
My doors are shut against thee.  Exit Sophia. Corisca. 
You have made  
A fine piece of work on't: how do you like the quality?  
You had a foolish itch to be an actor,  
And may stroll where you please.  Hilario. 
Will you buy my share?  Corisca. 
No certainly, I fear I have already  
Too much of mine own, I'll only as a damsel  
(As the books say) thus far help to disarm you,  
And so dear Don Quixote taking my leave,  
I leave you to your fortune.  Exit Corisca. Hilario. 
Have I swear  
My brains out for this quaint and rare invention,  
And am I thus rewarded? I could turn?  
Tragedian, and roar now, but that I fear  
'T would get me too great a stomach having no meat  
To pacify Colon, what will become of me?  
I cannot beg in armour, and steal I dare not:  
My end must be to stand in a corn field  
And fright away the crows for bread, and cheese,  
Or find some hollow tree in the high way,  
And there until my Lord return sell switches  
No more Hilario, but Dolorio now.  
I'll weep my eyes out, and be blind of purpose  
To move compassion, and so I vanish,  Exit Hilario.  

Actus secundi Scaena secunda.  Enter Eubulus, Ubaldo, Ricardo, and others. Eubulus. 
Are the gentlemen sent before as it was ordered  
By the king's direction to entertain  
The General?  Ricardo. 
Long since, they by this have met him,  
And given him the beinvenue.  Eubulus. 
I hope I need not  
Instruct you in your parts.  Vbaldo. 
How! us my Lord!  
Fear not, we know our distances and degrees  
To the very inch where we are to salute him.  Ricardo. 
The state were miserable if the Court had none  
Of her own breed, familiar with all garbs.  
Gracious in England, italy, Spain or France,  
With form, and punctuality to receive  
Stranger Ambassadors. For the General  
he's a mere native, and it matters not  
Which way we do accost him.  Vbaldo. 
'Tis great pity  
That such as sit at the helm provide no better  
For the training up of the Gentry. In my judgement  
An Academy erected, with large pensions  
To such as in a table could set down  
The congees, cringes, postures, methods, phrase,  
Proper to every Nation.  Ricardo. 
O it were  
An admirable piece of work!  Vbaldo. 
And yet rich fools  
Throw away their charity on Hospitals  
For beggars, and lame soldiers, and ne'er study  
The due regard to compliment and courtship,  
Matters of more import, and are indeed  
The glories of a Monarchy.  Eubulus. 
These no doubt  
Are state, points, gallants, I confess, but sure,  
Our court needs no aids this way, since it is  
A school of nothing else: there are some of you  
Whom I for bear to name, whose coining heads  
Are the mints of all new fashions, that have done  
More hurt to the Kingdom by superfluous bravery  
Which the foolish gentry imitate then a war  
Or a long famine, all the treasure by  
This foul excess, is got into the merchants,  
Embroiderers, silkman's, jewellers, tailor's hand,  
And the third part of the land to, the nobility  
Engrossing titles only.  Ricardo. 
My lord you are bitter.  Enter a servant. a trumpet, Ser. 
the General is alighted, and now entered.  Ricardo. 
Were he ten Generals I am prepared  
And know what I will do.  Eubulus. 
Pray you what Ricardo?  Ricardo. 
I'll fight at compliment with him.  Vbaldo. 
I'll charge home to.  Eubulus. 
And that's a desperate service if you come off well.  Enter Ferdinand, Mathias, Baptista, two captains. Ferdinand. 
Captain command the officers to keep  
The soldier as he marched in rank and file  
Till they hear farther from me.  Eubulus. 
here's one speaks  
In another key, this is no canting language  
Taught in your Academy.  Ferdinand. 
Nay I will present you  
To the King myself.  Mathias. 
A grace beyond my merit,  Ferdinand. 
You undervalue what I cannot set  
Too high a price on,  Eubulus. 
With a friend's true heart  
I gratulate your return.  Ferdinando. 
Next to the favour  
Of the great King I am happy in your friendship:  Vbaldo. 
By courtship, course on both sides,  Ferdinando. 
pray you receive  
This stranger to your knowledge, on my credit  
At all parts he deserves it.  Eubulus. 
Your report  
Is a strong assurance to me, sir most welcome  Mathias. 
This said by you, the reverence of your age  
Commands me to believe it.  Ricardo. 
this was pretty.  
But second me now, I cannot stoop too low  
To do your excellence that due observance  
Your fortune claims.  Eubulus. 
He ne'er thinks on his virtue.  Ricardo. 
For being, as you are, the soul of soldiers,  
And bulwark of Bellona,  Vbaldo. 
The protection  
Both of the court and King.  Ricardo. 
and the sole minion  
Of mighty Mars  Vbaldo. 
One that with justice may  
Increase the number of the worthies.  Eubulus. 
hoy day.  Ricardo. 
It being impossible in my arms to circle  
Such giant worth.  Vbaldo. 
At distance we presume  
To kiss your honoured gauntlet.  Eubulus. 
What reply now  
Can he make to this foppery?  Ferdinand. 
You have said  
Gallants, so much, and hitherto done so little,  
That't ill I learn to speak, and you to do  
I must take time to thank you.  Eubulus. 
As I live  
Answered as I could wish. How the fops gape now!  Ricardo. 
This was harsh, and scurvy.  Vbaldo. 
We will be revenged  
When he comes to court the ladies, and laugh at him.  Eubulus. 
Nay do your offices gentlemen, and conduct  
The General to the presence.  Ricardo. 
Keep your order.  Vbaldo. 
Make way for the General.  Exeunt omnes praeter Eubulum. Eubulus. 
What wise man  
That with judicious eyes looks one a soldier  
But must confess that fortune's swinge is more  
o'er that profession, than all kinds else  
Of life pursued by man, they in a state  
Are but as chirurgeons to wounded men  
Even desperate in their hopes, while pain and anguish  
Make them blaspheme, and call in vain for death;  
Their wives and children kiss the chirurgeons knees  
Promise him mountains, if his saving hand  
Restore the tortured wretch to former strength.  
But when grim death by AEsculapius art  
Is frighted from the house, and health appears  
In sanguine colours on the sick man's face,  
All is forgot, and asking his reward  
he's paid with curses, often receives wounds  
From him whose wounds he cured, so soldiers  
Though of more worth and use, meet the same fate,  
As it is too apparent. I have observed  
In one hue.  
When horrid Mars the touch of whose rough hand  
With Palsies shakes a kingdom, hath put on  
His dreadful Helmet, and with terror fills  
The place where he like an unwelcome guest  
Resolve to revel, how the Lords of her, like  
The tradesman, merchant, and litigious pleader  
(And such like scarabs bred i'th' dung of peace)  
In hope of their protection humbly offer  
Their daughters to their beds, heirs to their service,  
And wash with tears, their sweat their dust, their scars,  
But when those clouds of war that menaced  
A bloody deluge to th' affrighted state,  
Are by their breath dispersed, and over blown,  
And famine, blood, and death Bellona's pages  
Whipped from the quiet continent to Thrace  
Soldiers, that like the foolish hedge sparrow  
To their own ruin hatch this cuckoo peace,  
Are straight thought burdensome, Since want of means  
Growing from want of action breeds contempt,  
And that the worst of ills fall to their lot  
Their service with the danger soon forgot.  Enter a servant. Ser. 
The Queen, my Lord, hath made choice of this room  
To see the mask.  Eubulus. 
I'll be looker on  
My dancing days are passed.  Loud music as they pass, a song in the praise of war, Ubaldo, Ricardo, Ladislaus. Ferdin. and Honoria, Mathias, Silva, Acanthe, Baptista, and others. Ladislaus. 
This courtesy  
To a stranger My Honoria, keep fair rank  
With all your rarities, after your travail  
Look on our court delights, but first from your  
Relation, with erected ears I'll hear  
The music of your war which must be sweet  
Ending in victory.  Ferdinand 
Not to trouble  
Your majesties with description of a battle  
too full of horror for the place, and to  
Avoid particulars which I should deliver  
I must trench longer on your patience then  
My manner will give way to, in a word sir  
It was well fought on both sides, and almost  
With equal fortune, it continuing doubtful  
Upon whose tents plumed victory would take  
Her glorious stands, impatient of delay  
With the flower of our prime gentlemen I charged  
Their main Battalias, and with their assistance  
broke in, but when I was almost assured  
That they were routed, by a Stratagem  
Of the subtle Turk, who opening his gross body,  
And rallying up his troops on either side,  
I found myself so far engaged (for I  
Must not conceal my errors) that I knew not  
Which way with honour to come off.  Eubulus. 
I like  
A General that tells his faults, and is not  
Ambitious to engross unto himself  
All honour as some have, in which with justice  
They could not claim a share.  Ferdinand. 
Being thus hemmed in  
Their Scimitars raged among us, and my horse  
Killed under me, I every minute looked for  
An honourable end, and that was all  
My hope could fashion to me, circled thus  
With death and horror, as one sent from heaven  
This man of men with some choice horse that followed  
His brave example, did pursue the tract  
His sword cut for'em, and but that I see him,  
Already blush to hear what he being present,  
I know would wish unspoken, I should say sir  
By what he did, we boldly may believe  
All that is writ of Hector.  Mathias. 
General  
Pray spare these strange Hyperboles.  Eubulus. 
Do not blush  
To hear a truth, here are a pair of Monsieurs  
Had they been in your place would have run away  
And ne'er changed countenance.  Vbaldo. 
We have your good word still.  Eubulus. 
And shall while you deserve it.  Ladislaus. 
Silence, on.  Ferdinand. 
He as I said, like dreadful lightning thrown  
From Jupiter's shield dispersed the armed gyre  
With which I was environed horse and man,  
Shrunk under his strong arm more with his looks  
Frighted, the valiant fled with which encouraged  
My soldiers (like young eaglets praying under  
The wings of their fierce dame) as if from him  
They took both spirit, and fire bravely came on.  
By him I was remounted, and inspired  
With treble courage, and such as fled before  
Boldly made head again, and to confirm 'em  
It suddenly was apparent, that the fortune  
Of the day was ours, each soldier and commander  
Performed his part, but this was the great wheel  
By which the lesser moved, and all rewards  
And signs of honour, as the Civic garland,  
The mural wreath, the enemy's prime horse,  
With the general's sword, and armour (the old honours  
With which the Roman crown their several leaders)  
To him alone are proper.  Ladislaus. 
And they shall  
Deservedly fall on him, sit, 'tis our pleasure,  Ferdinand. 
Which I must serve, not argue,  Honoria. 
You are a stranger,  
But in your service for the King, a native.  
And though a free Queen, I am bound in duty  
To cherish virtue wheresoever I find it:  
This place is yours.  Mathias. 
It were presumption in me  
To sit so near you.  Honoria. 
Not having our warrant  Ladislaus. 
Let the masquers enter by the preparation  
'tis a French brawl, an apish imitation  
Of what you really perform in battle,  
And Pallas bound up in a little volume  Apollo 
with his lute attending on her  
Serve for the induction.  Song and dance: Enter the two Boys, one with his lute, the other like Pallas, A song in the praise of soldiers, especially being victorious: the song ended the King goes on. Song by Pallas. 

Though we contemplate to express  
The glory of your happiness,  
That by your powerful arm have been  
So true a victor, that no sin  
Could ever taint you with a blame  
To lessen your deserved fame.   

Or though we contend to set  
Your worth in the full height, or get  
Celestial singers (crowned with bays  
With flourishes to dress your praise)  
You know your conquest, but your story  
Lives in your triumphant glory.   Ladislaus. 
Our thanks to all  
To the banquet that's prepared to entertain'em,  
What would my best Honoria?  Honoria. 
May it please  
My King that I who by his suffrage ever  
Have had power to command, may now entreat  
An honour from him.  Ladislaus. 
Why should you desire  
What is your own, whate'er it be you are  
The mistress of it.  Honoria. 
I am happy in  
Your grant: my suit sir is, that your commanders  
Especially this stranger, may as I  
In my discretion shall think good, receive  
What's due to their deserts.  Ladislaus. 
What you determine  
Shall know no alteration.  Eubulus. 
The soldier  
Is like to have good usage when he depends  
Upon her pleasure? are all the men so bad  
That to give satisfaction we must  
A woman treasurer, heaven help all.  Honoria. 
With you sir  
I will begin, and as in my esteem  
You are most eminent expect to have,  
What's fit for me to give, and you to take;  
The favour in the quick dispatch being double  
Go fetch my casket, and with speed.  Exit Acanthe.. Eubulus. 
The Kingdom  
Is very bare of money: when rewards  
Issue from the queen's jewel house, give him gold  
And store, no question the gentleman wants it.  
Good Madam what shall he do with a hoop ring,  
And a spark of diamond in it, though you took it  Enter Acanthe.. 
For the greater honour from your majesty's finger,  
'Twill not increase the value. He must purchase  
Rich suits, the gay comparison of courtship,  
Revel, and feast, which the war ended is  
A soldier's glory, and 'tis fit that way  
Your bounty should provide for him  Honoria. 
You are rude,  
And by your narrow thoughts proportion mine.  
What I will do now, shall be worth the envy  
Of Cleopatra open it, see here  Honoria descends 
The Lapidares Idol gold is trash  
And a poor salary fit for grooms, wear these  
As studded stars in your armour, and make the Sun  
Look dim with jealousy of a greater light  
Than his beams guild the day with: when it is  
Exposed to view, call it Honoria's gift,  
The Queen Honoria's gift that loves a soldier,  
And to give ornament, and lustre to him  
Parts freely with her own, yet not to take  
From the magnificence of the King, I will  
Dispense his bounty to but as a page  
To wait on mine, for other tosses take  
A hundred thousand crowns, your hand dear sir,  
And this shall be thy warrant.  Takes of the king's signs. Eubulus. 
I perceive  
I was cheated in this woman now she is  
I th' girning vein to soldiers let her be proud  
And the King dote, so she go on, I care not  Honoria. 
This done, our pleasure is that all arrearages  
Be paid into the Captains, and their troops  
With a large donative to increase their Zeal  
For the service of the kingdom.  Eubulus. 
Better still,  
Let men of arms be used thus, if they do not  
Charge desperately upon the cannon's mouth  
Though the Devil roared, and fight like dragons, hang me.  
Now they may drink sack, but small beer, with a passport  
To beg with as they travail, and no money,  
Turns their red blood to buttermilk.  Honoria. 
Are you pleased sir  
With what I have done?  Ladislaus 
Yes, and thus confirm it,  
With this addition of mine own, you have sir  
From our loved Queen received some recompense  
For your life hazarded in the late action,  
And that we may follow her great example  
In cherishing valour without limit, ask  
What you from us can wish  Mathias. 
If it be true,  
Dread sir as 'tis affirmed, that every soil  
Where he is well, is to a valiant man  
His natural country, reason may assure me  
I should fix here, where blessings beyond hope  
From you the spring like rivers flow unto me.  
If wealth were my ambition, by the Queen  
I am made rich already, to the amazement  
Of all that see, or shall hereafter read  
The story of her bounty, if to spend  
The remnant of my life in deeds of arms  
No region is more fertile of good knights  
from whom my knowledge that way may be bettered  
Than this your war like Hungary; if favour,  
Or grace in court could take me by your grant  
Far far beyond my merit, I may make  
In yours a free election, but alas sir  
I am not mine own, but by my destiny  
(Which I cannot resist) forced to prefer  
My country's smoke before the glorious fire  
With which your bounties warm me all I ask sir  
Though I cannot be ignorant it must relish  
Of foul ingratitude is your gracious licence  
For my departure.  Ladislaus. 
Whether?  Mathias. 
To my own home fly  
My own poor home, which will at my return  
Grow rich by your magnificence, I am here  
But a body without a soul, and till I find it  
In the embraces of my constant wife, & to set of that constance  
In her beauty and matchless excellencies without a rival  
I am but half myself.  Honoria. 
And is she then  
So chaste, and fair as you infer?  Mathias. 
O Madam  
though it must argue weakness in a rich man  
To show his gold before an armed thief,  
And I in praising of my wife, but seed,  
The fire of lust in others to attempt her,  
Such is my full sailed confidence in her virtue  
Though in my absence She were now besieged  
By a strong army of lascivious wooers,  
And every one more expert in his art,  
Than those that tempted chaste Penelope,  
Though they raised batteries by Prodigal gifts,  
By amorous letters, vows made for her service  
With all the Engines wanton appetite  
Could mount to shake the fortress of her honour,  
Here, here is my assurance she holds out  kiss the picture. 
And is impregnable,  Honoria. 
What's that?  Mathias. 
Her fair figure.  Ladislaus. 
As I live an excellent face!  Honoria. 
You have seen a better.  Ladislaus. 
I ever except yours, nay frown not sweetest,  
The Cyprian Queen compared to you, in my  
Opinion is a Negro, as you ordered  
I'll see the soldier paid, and in my absence  
Pray you use your powerful arguments to stay  
This gentleman in our service.  Honoria. 
I will do  
My parts.  Ladislaus. 
On to the camp.  Exeunt Ladislaus, Ferdinand, Eubulus, Baptista, Captains. Honoria. 
I am full of thoughts.  
And something there is here I must give for me to  
Though yet an embryon, you signiors  
Have no business with the soldier, as I take it,  
You are for other warfare, quit the place,  
But be within call.  Ricardo. 
Employment on my life boy.  Vbaldo. 
If it lie in our road we are made forever.  Exeunt Ubaldo, Ricardo Honoria. 
You may perceive the King is no way tainted  
With the disease of jealousy, since he leaves me  
Thus private with you.  Mathias. 
It were in him Madam  
A sin unpardonable to distrust such pureness,  
Though I were an Adonis.  Honoria. 
I presume  
He neither does, nor dares: and yet the story  
Delivered of you by the General  
With your heroic courage (which sinks deeply  
Into a knowing woman's heart) besides  
Your promising presence might beget some scruple,  
In a meaner man, but more of this hereafter  
I'll take another Theme now and conjure you  
By the honours you have won, and by the love  
Sacred to your dear wife, to answer truly  
To what I shall demand.  Mathias. 
You need not use  
Charms to this purpose Madam.  Honoria. 
Tell me then  
Being yourself assured 'tis not in man  
To sully with one sport whiteness  
Of your wife's honour, if you have not since  
The gordian of your love was tide by marriage  
Played false with her?  Mathias. 
By the hopes of mercy never.  Honoria. 
It may be, not frequenting the converse  
Of handsome ladies, you were never tempted  
And so your faith's untried yet.  Mathias. 
Surely Madam,  
I am no woman hater, I have been,  
Received to the society of the best,  
And fairest of our climate, and have met with  
No common entertainment, yet ne'er felt  
The least heat that way,  Honoria. 
Strange; and do you think still  
The earth can show no beauty that can drench  
In Lethe all remembrance of the favour  
Your now bear to your own?  Mathias. 
Nature must find out  
Some other mould to fashion a new creature  
fairer than her Pandora, ere I prove  
Guilty or in my wishes, or my thoughts,  
To my Sophia.  Honoria. 
Sir consider better  
Not one in our whole sex?  Mathias. 
I am constant to  
My resolution.  Honoria. 
But dare you stand  
The opposition, and bind yourself  
By oath for the performance?  Mathias. 
My faith else  
Had but a weak foundation.  Honoria. 
I take hold  
Upon your promise, and enjoin your stay  
For one month here  Mathias. 
I am caught.  Honoria. 
And if I do not  
Produce a lady in that time that shall  
Make you confess your error I submit  
myself to any penalty you shall please  
T' impose upon me, in the mean space write  
To your chaste wife, acquaint her with your fortune  
The jewels that were mine you may send to her,  
For better confirmation, I'll provide you  
Of trusty messengers, but how far distant is she?  Mathias. 
A days hard riding.  Honoria. 
there's no retiring  
I'll bind you to your word.  Mathias. 
Well since there is,  
no way to shun it I will stand the hazard  
And instantly make ready my dispatch  
Till then, I'll leave your majesty.  Exit Mathias. Honoria. 
How I burst  
With envy that there lives besides myself  
One fair, and loyal woman, 'twas the end  
Of my ambition to be recorded  
The only wonder of the age, and shall I  
Give way to a competitor? nay more  
To add to my affliction the assurances  
That I placed in my beauty have deceived me  
I thought one amorous glance of mine could bring  
All hearts to my subjection, but this stranger  
Unmoved as rocks contemns me, but I cannot  
Sit down so with my honour, I will gain  
A double victory by working him  
To my desire, and taint her in her honour  
Or lose myself, I have read that sometimes poison  
Is useful, to supplant her I'll employ  
With any cost Ubaldo, and Ricardo  
Two noted courtiers of approved cunning  
In all the windings of lust's labyrinth,  
And in corrupting him I will out go  
Nero's Poppaea, if he shut his ears  
Against my Siren notes, I'll boldly swear  
Ulysses lives again, or that I have found  
A frozen Cynic, cold in spite of all  
Allurements, one, whom beauty cannot move  
Nor softest blandishments entice to love.  Exit Honoria  
The end of the second Act.   

Actus tertij,  

Scaena prima.  Enter Hilario. 
Thin, Thin, provision, I am dieted  
Like one set to watch hawks, and to keep me waking  
My croaking guts make a perpetual 'larum,  
Here I stand centinel, and though I fright  
Beggars from my Lady's gate, in hope to have  
A greater share I find my commons mend not.  
I looked this morning in my glass the river  
And there appeared a fish called a poor john  
Cut with a lenten face in my own likeness,  
And it seemed to speak and say Good-morrow x.  
No man comes this way but has a fling at me,  
A Chirurgeon passing by asked at what rate,  
I would sell myself, I answered for what use?  
To make said he a living Anatomy  
And set thee up in our hall, for thou art transparent  
Without dissection, and indeed he had reason,  
for I am scoured with this poor purge to nothing.  
They say that hunger dwells in the camp, but till  
My Lord returns, or certain tidings of him  
He will not part with me, but sorrows dry  
And I must drink howsoever.  Guide. 
That is her castle  Enter Ubaldo, and Ricardo, Guide. 
Upon my certain knowledge.  Vbaldo. 
Our horses held out  
To my desire: I am afire to be at it.  Ricardo. 
Take the jades for thy reward, before I part hence,  
I hope to be better carried, give me the Cabinet.  
So leave us now  Guide. 
Good fortune to you Gallants.  Exit Guide. Vbaldo. 
Being joint Agents in a design of trust to  
For the service of the Queen, and our own pleasure,  
Let us proceed with judgement.  Ricardo. 
If I take not  
This fort at the first assault, make mean eunuch,  
So I may have precedence.  Vbaldo. 
On no terms.  
We are both to play one prize he that works best  
I' the searching this mine shall carry it  
Without contention.  Ricardo. 
Make you your approaches  
As I directed  Vbaldo. 
I need no instruction  
I work not on your anvil, I'll give fire  
With my own linstock, if the powder be dank  
The Devil rend the touchhole. Who have we here?  
What skeleton's this?  Ricardo. 
A ghost! or the image of famine!  
Where dost thou dwell?  Hilario. 
Dwell sir? my dwelling is  
I'th' high way, that goodly house was once  
My habitation, but I am banished.  
And cannot be called home till news arrive  
Of the good knight Mathias.  Ricardo. 
If that will  
Restore thee thou art safe  Vbaldo. 
We come from him  
With presents to his Lady.  Hilario. 
But are you sure  
He is in health?  Ricardo. 
Never so well, conduct us  
To the lady.  Hilario. 
Though a poor snake I will leap  
Out of my skin for joy, break pitcher break,  
And wallet late my cupboard I bequeath thee  
To the next beggar, thou red herring swim  
To the red sea again me thinks I am already  
Knuckle deep in the flesh pots, and though waking, dream  
Of wine and plenty.  Ricardo. 
What's the misery  
Of this strange passion?  Hilario. 
My belly gentlemen,  
Will not give me leave to tell you, when I have brought you  
To my Lady's presence I am disenchanted,  
There you shall shall know all follow if I outstrip you  
know I run for my belly.  Vbaldo. 
A mad fellow.  Exeunt.  

Astus tertij, Scaena secunda.  Enter Sophia Corisca. Sophia. 
Do not again delude me.  Corisca. 
If I do, send me a grazing with my fellow Hilario,  
I stood as you commanded in the turret  
Observing all that passed by, a and even now  
I did discern a pair of Cavaliers  
For such their outside spoke them with their guide  
Dismounting from their horses, they said something  
To our hungry sentinel that made him caper  
And frisk i'th' air for joy, and to confirm this  
See Madam they in view.  Enter Hilario, Ubaldo, Ricardo. Hilario. 
News from my Lord?  
Tidings of joy, these are no counterfeits,  
But Knights indeed, dear Madam sign my pardon  
That I may feed again, and pick up my crumbs  
I have had a long fast of it,  Sophia. 
Eat, I forgive thee.  Hilario. 
O comfortable words; eat I forgive thee  
And if in this I do not soon obey you  
And ram in to the purpose billet me again  
I' the high way, butler and Cook be ready  
For I enter like a tyrant.  Exit Hilario. Vbaldo. 
Since mine eyes  
Were never happy in so sweet an object,  
Without injury I presume you are  
The lady of the house, and so salute you.  Ricardo. 
This letter with these jewels from your Lord  
Warrant my boldness Madam.  Vbaldo. 
in being a servant  
To such rare beauty you must needs deserve  
This courtesy from a stranger.  Ricardo. 
You are still  
Before hand with me, pretty one I descend  
To take the height of your lip, and if I miss  
In the altitude hereafter if you please  
I will make use of my Jacob's staff,  Sophia having in the interim red the letter and gend the Casket. Corisca. 
These gentlemen  
Have certainly had good breeding, as it appears  
By their neat kissing, they hit me so bat on the lips  
At the first sight.  Sophia. 
Heaven in thy mercy make me  
Thy thankful handmaid for this boundless blessing  
In thy goodness showered upon me.  Vbaldo. 
I do not like  
This simple devotion in her it is seldom  
Practised among my mistresses.  Ricardo. 
Or mine  
Would they kneel to I know not who for the possession  
Of such inestimable wealth before  
They thanked the bringers of it? the poor lady  
Does want instruction, but I'll be her tutor  
And read her another lesson.  Sophia. 
If I have  
Shown want of manners gentlemen in my shows  
To pay the thanks I owe you for your travail  
To do my Lord, and me (howe'er unworthy  
Of such a benefit) this noble favour  
Impute it in your clemency to the excess  
Of joy that over whelmed me.  Ricardo. 
She speaks well  Vbaldo. 
Polite, and courtly.  Sophia. 
And howe'er it may  
Increase th' offence to trouble you with more  
Demands touching my Lord, before I have  
Invited you to rest, such as the coarseness  
Of my poor house can offer, pray you conuine  
On my weak tenderness though I entreat  
To learn from you something he hath it may be  
In his letter left unmentioned.  Ricardo. 
I can only  
Give you assurance that he is in health,  
Graced by the King, and Queen  Vbaldo. 
And in the court  
With admiration looked on,  Ricardo. 
You must therefore  
Put off these widow's garments, and appear  
Like to yourself.  Vbaldo. 
And entertain all pleasures  
Your fortunes marks out for you.  Ricardo. 
There are other  
Particular privacies which on occasion  
I will deliver to you.  Sophia. 
You oblige me  
To your service ever.  Ricardo. 
Good! your service, mark that.  Sophia. 
In the mean time by your good acceptance make  
My rustic entertainment relish of  
The curiousness of the court.  Vbaldo. 
Your looks sweet Madam  
Cannot but make each dish a feast.  Sophia. 
It shall be  
Such in the freedom of my will to please you.  
I'll show you the way; this is to great an honour  
From such brave guests to me so mean an hostess.  Exeunt.  

Actus tertij, Scaena prima.  Enter Acanthe, two, four, or five with visards. Acanthe. 
You know your charge, give it action, and expect  
Rewards beyond your hopes.  1. 
If we but eye'em,  
They are ours I warrant you.  2. 
May we not ask why  
We are put upon this?  Acanthe. 
Let that stop your mouth,  
And learn more manners groom, 'tis upon the hour  
In which they use to walk here, when you have'em,  
In your power, with violence carry them to the place  
Where I appointed, there I will expect you,  
Be bold, and careful.  Exit Acanthe.. Enter Mathias and Baptista. 1. 
These are they.  2. 
Are you sure?  1. 
Am I sure I am myself?  2. 
Cease on him strongly, If he have but meant  
To draw his sword. 'tis ten to one we smart for't,  
Take all advantages.  Mathias. 
I cannot guess  
What her intents are, but her carriage was  
As I but now related.  Baptista. 
Your assurance  
In the constancy of your lady is the armour  
That must defend you, where's the picture?  Mathias, 
Here.  
And no way altered  Baptista. 
If she be not perfect,  
There is no truth in art.  Mathias. 
By this I hope  
She hath received my letters.  Baptista. 
Without question  
These courtiers are rank riders, when they are  
To visit a handsome lady.  Mathias. 
Lend me your ear.  
One piece of her entertainment will require  
Your dearest privacy.  1. 
Now they stand fair  
upon'em.  Mathias. 
villains.  1. 
Stop their mouths, we come not  
To try your valures, kill him if he offer,  
To open his mouth, we have you, 'tis in vain  
To make resistance, mount 'em and a way.  Exeunt.  

Actus tertij, Scaena quarta.  Enter servants with lights, Ladislaus, Ferdinand, Eubulus. Ladislaus. 
'Tis late go to your rest, but do not envy  
The happiness I draw near to.  Eubulus. 
If you enjoy it.  
The moderate way the sport yields I confess  
A pretty titillation, but too much oft  
will bring you on your knees, in my younger days  
I was myself a gamester, and I found  
By a sad experience, there is no such soker  
As a younger spongy wise, she keeps a thousand  
Horseleeches in her box, and the thieves will suck out  
Both blood, and marrow, I feel a kind of cramp  
In my joints when I think o''nt, but it may be Queens  
And such a Queen as yours is, has the art  Ferdinand. 
You take leave  
To talk my Lord.  Ladislaus. 
He may since he can do nothing  Eubu. 
If you spend this way too much of your royal stock  
Ere long we may be pew-fellows.  Ladislaus. 
The door shut,  
Knock gently, harder. So, here comes her woman,  
Take of my gown.  Enter Acanthe.. Acanthe. 
My Lord, the Queen by me  
This night desires your pardon,  Ladislanus. 
How Acanthe!  
I come by her appointment 'twas her grant  
The motion was her own  Acanthe. 
It may be sir  
But by her Doctors Since she is advised  
For her health sake to forbear.  Eubulus. 
I do not like  
This physical lechery, the old down right way  
Is worth a thousand out.  Ladislanus. 
prithee Acanthe.  
Meditate for me.  Eubulus. 
O the fiends of hell  
Would any man bribe his servant to make way  
To his own wife, if this be the court state  
Shame fall on such as use it.  Acanthe. 
By this jewel  
This night I dare not move her, but tomorrow  
I will watch all occasion  Ladislaus. 
Take this  
To be mindful of me  Exit Acanthe.. Eubulus. 
'slight, I though a king  
Might have took up any woman at the king's Price  
And must he buy his own at a dearer rate  
Than a stranger in a brothel?  Ladislaus. 
What is that  
You mutter sir?  Eubulus. 
No treason to your honour  
I'll speak it out though it anger you, if you pay for  
Your lawful pleasure in some kind great sir  
What do you make the Queen, cannot you clicket  
Without a fee? or when she has a suit for you to grant?  Ferdinando. 
O hold sir.  Ladislaus. 
Off with his head.  Eubu. 
Do when you please, you but blow out a taper  
That would light your understanding, and in care of't  
Is burnt down to the socket, be as you are sir  
An absolute monarch, it did show more Kinglike  
In those libidinous Caesars that compelled  
Matrons, and virgins of all ranks to bow  
Unto their ravenous lusts, and did admit  
Of more excuse than I can urge for you,  
Than slave yourself to th'imperious humour  
Of a proud beauty.  Ladislaus. 
Out of my sight.  Eubulus. 
I will sir  
Give way to your furious passion, but when reason  
Hath got the better of it I much hope  
The counsel that offends now, will deserve  
Your royal thanks, tranquillity of mind  
Stay with you sir. I do begin to doubt  
there's something more in the queen's strangeness, then  
Is yet disclosed, and I'll find it out  
Or lose myself in the search.  Ferdinand. 
Sure He is honest,  
And from your infancy hath truly served you  
Let that plead for him and impute this harshness  
To the forwardness of his age.  Ladislaus. 
I am much troubled  
And do begin to stagger, Ferdinand good night  
Tomorrow visit us, back to our own lodgings.  Exeunt.  

Actus tertij, Scaena quinta.  Enter Acanthe, the vizarded servants, Mathias, Baptista. Acanthe. 
You have done bravely, lock this in that room,  
There let him ruminate, I'll anon unhood him.  they carry of Baptista 
The other must stay here, as soon as I  
Have quit the peace give him the liberty,  
And use of his eyes, that done disperse yourselves  
As privately as you can, but on your lives  
No word of what hath passed.  Exit Acanthe.. 1. 
If I do, sell  
My tongue to a tripe wife, come unbind his arms,  
You are now at your own disposure and however  
We used you roughly, I hope you will find here  
Such entertainment, as will give you cause  
To thank us for the service, and so I leave you,  Exeunt servants. Mathias. 
If I am in a prison 'tis a neat one,  
What O edipus can resolve this riddle? Ha!  
I never gave just cause to any man  
Basely to plot against my life, but what is  
Become of my true friend? for him I suffer  
More than myself.  Acanthe. 
Remove that idle fear  
he's safe as you are.  Mathias. 
whosoe'er thou art  
For him I thank thee, I cannot imagine  
Where I should be, though I have read the table  
Or errant knighthood, stuffed, with the relations  
Of magical enchantments, yet I am not  
So sottishly credulous, to believe the devil  
Hath that way power, Ha? music!  Music above, a song of pleasure. 

The blushing rose and purple flower,  
Let grow too long are soonest blasted.  
Dainty fruits, though sweet, will sour  
And rot in ripeness, left untasted.  
Yet here is one more sweet than these  
The more you taste, the more she'll please.   

Beauty though enclosed with ice,  
Is A shadow chaste as rare,  
Then how much those sweets entice.  
That have issue full as fair,  
Earth cannot yield from all her powers  
One equal, for Dame Venus bowers.   
A song too, certainly be it he, or she  
That owes this voice, it hath not been acquainted  
With much affliction, whosoe'er you are  
That do inhabit here, if you have bodies  
And are not mere aerial forms appear  Enter Honoria. 
And make me know your end with me, most strange  
What have I conjured up? sure if this be,  
A spirit 'tis no damned one what a shape's here;  
Then with what majesty it moves. If Inno  
Were now to keep her state among the Gods,  
And Hercules to be made again her guest  
She could not put on a more glorious habit  
Though her handmaid Iris lent her various colours  
Or old Oceanus ravished from the deep  
All jewels shipwrecked in it, as you have  
Thus far made known yourself, if that your face  
Have not too much divinity about it  
For mortal eyes to gaze on, perfect what  
You have begun with wonder, and amazement  
To my astonished senses, how! the Queen!  kneels she pulls of her mask. Honoria. 
Rise sir, and hear my reasons in defence  
Of the rape for so you may conceive, which I  
By my instruments made upon you, you perhaps  
May think, what you have suffered for my lust  
Is a common practice with me, but I call  
Those ever shining lamps, and their great maker  
As witnesses of my innocence, I ne'er looked on  
A man but your best self, on whom I ever  
(Except the King) vouchsafed an eye of favour  Mathias. 
The King indeed, and only such a King  
Deserves your rarities Madam, and but he  
'Twere giant like ambition in any  
In his wishes only to presume to taste  
The nectar of your kisses; or to feed  
His appetite with that ambrosia, due  
And proper to a prince, and what bind mores  
A lawful husband, for myself great Queen  
I am a thing obscure, disfurnished of  
All merit, that can raise me higher than  
In my most humble thankfulness for your bounty  
To hazard my life for you, and that way  
I am most ambitious.  Honoria. 
I desire no more  
Than what you promise, if you dare expose  
Your life as you profess to do me service,  
How can it better be employed, then in  
Preserving mine? which only you can do.  
And must do with the danger of your own.  
A desperate danger to, if private men  
Can brook no rivals in what they affect  
But to the death pursue such as invade  
What law makes their inheritance, the King  
To whom you know I am dearer than his crown  
His health his eyes his after-hopes with all  
His present blessings must fall on that man  
Like dreadful lightning that is won by prayers,  
Threats, or rewards to stain his bed, or make  
His hoped for issue doubtful.  Mathias. 
If you aim  
At what I more than fear you do, the reasons  
Which you deliver should in judgement rather  
Deter me, then invite a grant, with my  
Assured ruin.  Honoria. 
True if that you were  
Of a cold temper one whom doubt, or fear,  
In the most horrid forms they could put on  
Might teach to be ingrateful, your denial  
To me, that have deserved so much, is more  
If it can have addition.  Mathias. 
I know not  
What your commands are.  Honoria. 
Have you fought so well  
Among armied men, yet cannot guess what lists  
You are to enter when you are in private  
With a willingly lady, one, that to enjoy  
Your company this night denied the King  
Access, to what's his own, if you will press me  
To speak in plainer language.  Mathias. 
Pray you forbear,  
I would I did not understand too much  
Already, by your words I am instructed  
To credit that, which not confirmed by you,  
Had bred suspicion in me of untruth  
Though an Angel had affirmed it, but suppose  
That cloyed with happiness (which is ever built  
On virtuous chastity, in the wantonness  
Of appetite, you desire to make trial  
Of the false delights proposed by vicious lust:  
Among ten thousand every way more able  
And apt to be wrought on, such as owe you  
Obedience being your subjects, why should you  
Make choice of me a stranger?  Honoria. 
Though yet reason  
Was ne'er admitted in the court of love,  
I'll yield you one unanswerable, as I urged  
In our last private conference, you have  
A pretty promising presence, but there are  
Many in limbs, and feature who may take  
That way the right hand file of you, besides  
Your May of youth is passed, and the blood spent  
By wounds, though bravely taken, render you  
Disabled for love's service, and that valour  
Set off with better fortune, which it may be  
Swells you above your bounds is not the hook  
That hath caught me good sir I need no champion  
With his sword to guard my honour, or my beauty,  
In both I can defend myself, and live  
My own protection.  Mathias. 
If these advocates  
The best that can plead for me, have no power?  
What can you find in me else, that may tempt you  
With irrecoverable loss unto yourself  
To be a gainer from me?  Honoria. 
You have Sir  
A jewel of such matchless worth and lustre,  
As does disdain comparison, and darkens  
All that is rare in other men, and that  
I must or win, or lessen.  Mathias. 
You heap more  
Amazement on me, what am I possessed of  
That you can covet? make me understand it,  
If it have a name?  Honoria. 
Yes an imagined one,  
But is in substance nothing, being a garment  
Worn out of fashion, and long since given over  
By the court and country, 'tis your loyalty,  
And constancy to your wife, 'tis that I dote on,  
And does deserve my envy, and that jewel  
Or by fair play, or foul, I must win from you.  Mathias. 
These are mere contraries, if you love me Madam  
For my constancy, why seek you to destroy it?  
In my keeping it preserve me worth your favour,  
Or if it be a jewel of that value,  
As you with laboured rhetoric would persuade me  
What can you stake against it?  Honoria. 
A queen's fame,  
And equal honour.  Mathias. 
So whoever wins  
Both shall be losers'.  Honoria. 
That is that I aim at  
Yet on the by I lay my youth, my beauty  
This moist palm, this soft lip, and those delights  
Darkness should only judge of, do you find'em  
Infectious in the trial, that you start  
As frighted with their touch?  Mathias. 
Is it in man  
To resist such strong temptations?  Honoria. 
He begins  
To waver.  Mathias. 
Madam as you are gracious  
Grant this short night's deliberation to me,  
And with the rising sum from me you shall  
Receive full satisfaction.  Honoria. 
Though extremes  
Hate all delay, I will deny you nothing,  
This key will bring you to your friend you are safe both  
And all things useful that could be prepared  
For one I love and honour wait upon you,  
Take counsel of your pillow, such a fortune  
(As with affections swiftest wings flies to you  
Will not be often tendered.  Exit Honoria. Mathias. 
How my blood  
Rebels! I now could call her back and yet  
there's something stays me, if the King had tendered  
Such favours to my wife 'tis to be doubted  
They had not been refused, but being a man  
I should not yield first, or prove an example  
For her defence of frailty, by this sans question  
She's tempted too, and here I may examine  look on the picture. 
How she holds out, she's still the same, the same  
Pure crystal rock of chastity perish all  
Allurements that may alter me, the snow  
Of her sweet coldness, hath extinguished quite  
The fire that but even now began to flame!  
And I by her confirmed, rewards, nor titles,  
Nor certain death from the refused Queen  
Shall shake my faith, since I resolve to be  
Loyal to her, as she is true to me.  Exit Mathias.  

Actus tertij, Scena secunda.  Enter Ubaldo, Ricardo. Vbaldo. 
What we spoke on the volley begins to work,  
We have laid a good foundation  Ricardo. 
Build it up  
Or else 'tis nothing, you have by lot the honour  
Of the first assault, but as it is conditioned  
Observe the time proportioned, I'll not part with  
My share in the achievement, when I whistle,  
Or hem fall off.  Enter Sophia. Vbaldo. 
She comes Stand by, I'll watch  
My opportunity.  Sophia. 
I find myself  
Strangely distracted with the various stories  
Now well, now ill, then doubtfully by my guests  
Delivered of my Lord: and like poor beggars  
That in their dreams find treasure, by reflection  
Of a wounded fancy, make it questionable  
Whither they sleep, or not; yet tickled with  
Such a fantastic hope of happiness,  
Wish they may never wake in some such measure,  
Incredulous of what I see, and touch  
As 'twere a fading apparition, I  
Am still perplexed, and troubled, and when most  
Confirmed 'tis true a curious jealousy  
To be assured, by what means, and from whom  
Such a mass of wealth, was first deserved, then gotten  
Cunningly steal into me, I have practised  
For my certain resolution with these courtiers  
Promising private conference to either,  
And at this hour, if in search of the truth  
I hear or say more, then becomes my virtue  
For give me my Mathias.  Vbaldo. 
Now I make in,  
Madam as you commanded I attend  
Your pleasure.  Sophia. 
I must thank you for the favour.  Vbaldo. 
I am no ghostly father, yet if you have  
Some scruples, touching your Lord, you would be resolved of  
I am prepared.  Sophia. 
But will you take your oath  
To answer truly?  Vbaldo. 
On the hem of your smock if you please  
A vow I dare not break it being a book  
I would gladly swear on.  Sophia. 
To spare sir that trouble  
I'll take your word which in a gentleman  
Should be of equal value, is my Lord then  
In such grace with the Queen?  Vbaldo. 
Yon should best know  
By what you have found from him, whether he can  
Deserve a grace or Noah.  Sophia. 
What grace do you mean?  Vbaldo. 
Tha special grace (if you'll have it)  
He laboured so hard for between a pair of sheets  
On your wedding night  
When your Ladyship lost you know what.  Sophia. 
Fie be more modest  
Or I must leave you.  Vbaldo. 
I would tell a truth  
As cleanly as I could, and yet the subject  
Makes me run out a little.  Sophia. 
You would put now  
A foolish jealousy in my head my Lord  
Hath gotten a new mistress.  Vbaldo. 
One? a hundred  
But under seal I speak it, I presume  
Upon your silence, it being for your profit,  
They talk of Hercules, back for fifty in a night  
'Twas well but yet to yours he was a piddler  
Such a soldier, and a courtier never came  
To Alba regalis, the ladies run mad for him,  
And there is such contention among 'em  
Who shall engross him wholly, that the like  
Was never hard of.  Sophia. 
Are they handsome women?  Vbal. 
Fie Noah course mammets, and what's worse they are old to  
Some fifty, some threescore, and they pay dear for't  
Believing, that he carries a powder in his breeches  
Will make 'em young again, and these suck shrewdly,  Ricardo. 
Sir I must fetch you off.  Whistles. Vbaldo. 
I could tell you wonders  
Of the cures he has done, but a business of import  
Calls me away, but that dispatched I will  
Be with you presently.  steps aside Sophia. 
There is something more  
In this then bare suspicion.  Ricardo. 
Save you lady  
Now you look like yourself! I have not looked on  
A lady more complete yet have scene a Madam  
Were a garment of this fashion, of the same stuff to,  
One just of your dimensions, sat the wind there boy.  Sophia. 
What lady sir?  Ricardo. 
Nay nothing, and methinks  
I should know this ruby very good? 'tis the same  
This chain of orient pearl, and this diamond to  
Have been worn before, but much good may they do you  
Strength to the gentleman's back he toiled hard for 'em,  
Before he get'em  Sophia. 
Why? how were they gotten?  Ubaldo hems. Ricardo. 
Not in the field with his sword upon my life  
He may thank his close stiletto, plague upon it  
Run the minutes so fast, pray you excuse my manners  
I left a letter in my chamber window,  
Which I would not have seen on any terms, fie on it  
Forgetful as I am, but I straight attend you  Ricardo steps aside. Sophia. 
This is strange his letters said these jewels were  
Presented him by the Queen, as a reward  
For his good service, and the trunks of clothes  
That followed them this last night, with haste made up  
By his direction.  Enter Ubaldo, Vbaldo. 
I was telling you  
Of wonders Madam.  Sophia. 
If you are so skilful  
Without premeditation answer me,  
Know you this gown, and these rich jewels?  Vbaldo. 
Heaven.  
How things will come out, but that I should offend you,  
And wrong my more than noble friend  
Your husband for we are sworn brothers, in the discovery  
Of his nearest secrets I could.  Sophia. 
By the hope of favour  
That you have from me out with it.  Vbaldo. 
'tis a a potent spell  
I cannot resist, why I will tell you Madam,  
And to how many several women you are  
Beholding for your bravery, this was  
The Wedding gown of Paulina a rich strumpet  
Worm but a day when she married old Gonzage,  
And left of trading.  Sophia. 
O my heart.  Vbaldo. 
This chain  
Of pearl was a great widows, that invited  
Your Lord to the mask, and the wether proving foul  
He lodged in her house all night, and merry they were,  
But how he came by it I know not.  Sophia 
Perjured man!  Vbaldo. 
This ring was Julietta's, a fine piece  
But very good at the sport, this diamond  
Was Madam Acanthes given him for a song  
pricked in a private arbour, as she said  
When the Queen asked for it, and she heard him sing to  
And danced to his hornpipe or there are liars abroad  
There are other toys about you  
The same way purchased but paralleled  
With these not worth the relation.  
You are happy in a husband never man  
Made better use of his strength, would you have him waste,  
His body away for nothing? If he holds out,  
there's not an embroidered petticoat in the court  
But shall be at your service.  Sophia. 
I commend him  
It is a thriving trade, but pray you leave me  
A little to myself.  Vbaldo. 
You may command  
Your servant madam, she stung unto the quick lad.  Ricardo. 
I did my part if this potion work not hang me  
Let her sleep as well as she can tonight, tomorrow  
we'll mount new batteries,  Vbaldo. 
And till then leave her?  Exeunt Ubaldo, Ricardo Sophia. 
You powers that take into your care, the guard  
Of innocence aid me, for I am a creature,  
So forfeited to despair, hope cannot fancy  
A ransom to redeem me, I begin  
To waver in my faith and mark it doubtful  
Whither the Saints that were canonised for  
Their holiness of life sinned not in secret.  
Since my Mathias is fall'n from his virtue  
In such an open fashion, could it be else  
That such a husband so devoted to me,  
So vowed to temperance, for lascivious hire  
Should prostitute himself to common harlots  
Old, and deformed to waste for this he left me?  
And in a feigned pretence for want of means  
To give me ornament? or to bring home  
Diseases to me? suppose these are false,  
And lustful goats if he were true and right  
Why stays he so long from me? being made rich  
And that the only reason why he left me.  
No he is lost; and shall I wear the spoils.  
And Salaries of lust? they cleave unto me  
Like Nessus poisoned shirt? no in my rage  
I'll tear 'em of, and from my body wash  
The venom with my tears, have I no spleen  
Nor anger of a woman? shall he build  
Upon my ruins and I unrevenged  
Deplore his falsehood? no? with the same trash  
For which he hath dishonoured me, I'll purchase  
A just revenge, I am not yet so much  
In debt to years, nor so misshaped that all  
Should fly from my Embraces, chastity  
Thou only art a name, and renounce thee,  
I am now a servant to voluptuousness,  
Wantons of all degrees and fashions welcome  
You shall be entertained, and if I stray  
Let him condemn himself, that lead the way.  Exit.  
The end of the third Act.   

Actus quarti,  

Scaena prima.  Enter Mathias, Baptista. Baptista. 
We are in a desperate strait, there's no evasion  
Nor hope left to come of, but by your yielding  
To the necessity, you must feign a grant  
To her violent passion, or  Mathias. 
What my Baptista?  Baptista. 
We are but dead else.  Mathias. 
Were the sword now heaved up,  
And my neck upon the block, I would not buy  
An hour's reprieve with the loss of faith and virtue  
To be made immortal here, art thou a scholar  
Nay almost without parallel, and yet fear  
To die which is inevitable you may urge  
The many years that by the course of nature  
We may travail in this tedious pilgrimage,  
And hold it as a blessing, as it is  
When innocence is our guide, yet know Baptista  
Our virtues are preserved before our years  
By the great judge to die untainted in  
Our fame, and reputation is the greatest  
And to lose that can we desire to live?  
Or shall I for a momentary pleasure  
Which soon comes to a period, to all times  
Have breach of faith and perjury remembered  
In a still living Epitath, no Baptist,  
Since my Sophia will go to her grave  
Unspotted in her faith, I'll follow her  
With equal loyalty, but look on this  
your own great work, your masterpiece, and then  
She being still the same teach me to alter.  
Ha! sure I do not sleep! or if I dream,  The picture altered, 
This is a terrible vision! I will clear  
My eyesight, perhaps melancholy makes me  
See that which is not.  Baptista. 
It is too apparent.  
I grieve to look upon't, besides the yellow  
That does assure she's tempted there are lines  
Of a dark colour, that disperse themselves  
o'er every miniature of her face, and those  
Confirm.  Mathias. 
She is turned whore.  Baptista. 
I must not say so.  
Yet as a friend to truth if you will have me  
Interpret it, in her consent, and wishes  
She's false but not in fact yet.  Mathias. 
Fact Baptista?  
Make not yourself a pandar to her looseness,  
In labouring to palliate what a vizard  
Of impudence cannot cover did ere woman  
In her will decline from chastity, but found means  
To give her hot lust fuel? it is more  
Impossible in nature for gross bodies  
Descending of themselves, to hang in the air,  
Or with my single arm to underprop  
A falling tower, nay in its violent course  
To stop the lightning then to stay a woman  
Hurried by two furies' lust and falsehood  
In her full carrier to wickedness.  Baptista. 
Pray you tempter  
The violence of your passion.  Mathias. 
In extremes  
Of this condition, can it be in man  
To use a moderation? I am thrown  
From a steep rock headlong into a gulf  
Of misery, and find myself past hope  
In the same moment that I apprehend  
That I am falling and this the figure of  
My Idol few hours since, while she continued  
In her perfection that was late a mirror  
In which I saw miraculous shapes of duty,  
Stayed manners with all excellency a husband  
Could wish in a chaste wife, is on the sudden  
Turned to a magical glass, and does present  
No thing but horns, and horror  Baptista. 
You may yet  
And 'tis the best foundation, build up comfort  
On your own goodness.  Mathias. 
Noah, that hath undone me  
For now I hold my temperance a sin  
Worse than excess, and what was vice a virtue,  
Have I refused a Queen, and such a Queen  
Whose ravishing beauties at the first sight had tempted  
A hermit from his beads, and changed his prayers  
To amorous Sonnets, to preserve my faith  
Inviolate to thee, with the hazard of  
My death with torture, since she could inflict  
No less for my contempt, and have I made  
Such a return from thee? I will not curse thee,  
Nor for thy falsehood rail against the sex  
'Tis poor, and common, I'll only with wise men  
Whisper unto myself, howe'er they seem  
Nor present, nor past times, nor the age to come  
Hath heretofore, can now, or ever shall  
Produce on constant woman.  Baptista. 
This is more  
Than the Satirists wrote against 'em.  Mathias. 
there's no language  
That can express the poison of these Aspics,  
These weeping crocodiles, and all to little  
That hath being said against 'em but I'll mould  
My thoughts into another form, and if  
She can outlive the report of what I have done  
This hand when next she comes within my reach  
Shall be her executioner.  Enter Honoria. Baptista. 
The Queen sir.  Honoria. 
Wait our command at distance, sir you have to  
Free liberty to depart.  Baptista. 
I know my manners  
And thank you for the favour.  Exit Baptista. Honoria. 
Have you taken  
Good rest in your new lodgings? I expect now  
Your resolute answer, but advise maturely  
Before I hear it,  Mathias. 
Let my actions Madam,  
For no words can dilate my joy in all  
You can command with cheerfulness to serve you,  
Assure your highness, and in sign of my  
Submission, and contrition for my error.  
My lips, that but the last night shunned the touch  
Of yours as poison, taught humility now  
Thus on your foot, and that too great an honour  
For such an undeserver seals my duty,  
A cloudy mist of ignorance equal to  
Cimmerian darkness, would not let me see then  
What now with adoration, and wonder  
With reverence I look up to: but those fogs  
Dispersed and scattered by the powerful beams  
With which yourself the Sun of all perfection,  
Vouchsafe to cure my blindness like a suppliant  
As low as I can kneel I humbly beg  
What you once pleased to tender.  Honoria. 
This is more  
Than I could hope, what find you so attractive  
Upon my face in so short time to make  
This sudden Metamorphosis? pray you rise;  
I for your late neglect thus sign your pardon.  
I now you kiss like a lover, and not as brothers  
Coldly salute their sisters.  Mathias. 
I am turned  
All spirit and fire.  Honoria. 
Yet to give some allay  
To this hot fervour 'twere good to remember  
The King, whose eyes and ears are everywhere  
With the danger to that follows, this discovered.  Mathias. 
Danger? a bugbear Madam let ride once  
Like Phaeton in the the Chariot of your favour,  
And I contemn love's thunder though the King  
In our embraces stood a looker on,  
His hangmen and with studied cruelty ready  
To drag me from your arms, it should not fright me  
From the enjoying that, a single life is  
Too poor a price for, O that now all vigour  
Of my youth were recollected for an hour  
That my desire might meet with yours and draw  
The envy of all men in the Encounter  
Upon my head, I should, but we lose time,  
Be gracious mighty Queen  Honoria. 
Pause yet a little  
The bounties of the King, and what weighs more  
Your boasted constancy to your matchless wife,  
Should not soon be shaken.  Mathias. 
The whole fabric  
When I but look on you, is in a moment  
o'er turned, and ruined, and as rivers lose  
Their names, when they are swallowed by the Ocean  
In you alone all faculties of my soul  
Are wholly taken up, my wife, and King  
At the best as things forgotten.  Honoria. 
Can this be?  
I have gained my end now.  Mathias. 
Wherefore stay you Madam?  Honoria. 
In my consideration what a nothing  
Man's constancy is.  Mathias. 
Your beauties make it so,  
In me sweet lady.  Honoria. 
And it is my glory:  
I could be coy now as you were, but I  
Am of a gentler temper, howsoever,  
And in a just return of what I have suffered  
In your disdain, with the same measure grant me  
Equal deliberation I ere long  
Will visit you again and when I next  
Appear, as conquered by it, slavelike wait  
On my triumphant beauty.  Exit Honoria. Mathias. 
What a change  
Is here beyond my fear but by thy falsehood  
Sophia not her beauty is it denied me  
To sin but in my wishes? what a frown  
In scorn at her departure she threw on me?  
I am both ways lost; storms of Contempt, and scorn  
Are ready to break on me, and all hope  
Of shelter doubtful I can neither be  
Disloyal, not yet honest, I stand guilty  
On either part, at the worst death will end all,  
And he must be my judge to right my wrong,  
Since I have loved too much and lived too long.  Exit Mathias.  

Actus quarti, Scena secunda.  Enter Sophia sola with a book and a note. Sophia. 
Nor custom nor example, nor vast numbers  
Of such as do offend make less the sin,  
For each particular crime a strict account  
Will be exacted, and that comfort which  
The damned pretend, fellows in misery,  
Takes nothing from their torments, every one  
Must suffer in himself the measure of  
His wickedness, if so, as I must grant  
It being unrefutable in reason,  
howe'er my Lord offend, it is no warrant  
For me to walk in his forbidden paths,  
What penance en can expiate my guilt  
For my consent (transported then with passion)  
To wantonness? the wounds I give my fame  
Cannot recover his and though I have fed  
These courtiers with promises and hopes  
I am yet in fact untainted and I trust  
My sorrow for it with my purity  
And love to goodness for itself, made powerful  
Though all they have alleged prove true or false,  
Will be such exorcisms as shall command  
This fury jealousy from me, what I have  
Determined touching them I am resolved  
To put in execution, Within there?  
Where are my noble guests?  Enter Hilario, Corisca, with other servants. Hilario. 
The elder Madam,  
Is drinking by himself to your ladyship's health  
In Muskadine and eggs and for a rasher  
To draw His liquour down he hath got a pie  
Of marrowbones, Potatoes and Eringos,  
With many such ingredients, and 'tis said  
He hath sent his man in post to the next town,  
For a pound of Ambergris, and half a peck  
Of fishes called Cantharides.  Corisca. 
The younger  
Prunes up himself as if this night he were  
To act a bridegroom's part, but to what purpose  
I am ignorance itself,  Sophia. 
Continue so.  gives a paper. 
Let those lodgings be prepared as this directs you,  
And fail not in a circumstance, as you  
Respect my favour.  1 servant. 
We have our instructions  2 servant. 
And punctually will follow 'em  Exeunt servants, Enter Vbaldo. Hilario. 
Here comes Madam  
The Lord Ubaldo.  Vbaldo. 
Pretty on, there's gold,  
To buy thee a new gown, and there's for thee,  
Grow fat, and fit for service, I am now  
As I should be at the height and able to  
Beget a giant, O my better Angel  
In this you show your wisdom when you pay  
The lecher in his own coin, shall you sit puling,  
Like a patient Grissell, and be laughed at? no  
This is a fair revenge, shall we to it?  Sophia. 
To what sir?  Vbaldo. 
The sport you promised.  Sophia. 
Could it be done with safety.  Vbaldo. 
I warrant you, I am sound as a bell, a tough  
Old blade, and steel to the back, as you shall find me  
In the trial on your anvil.  Sophia. 
So, but how sir  
Shall I satisfy your friend to whom by promise  
I am equally engaged?  Vbaldo. 
I must confess  
The more the merrier, but of all men living  
Take heed of him you may safer run upon  
The mouth of a cannon, when it is unlading  
And come off colder.  Sophia. 
How! is he not wholesome?  Vbaldo. 
Wholesome? I'll tell you for your good, he is  
A spital of diseases and indeed  
More loathsome and infections, the tub is  
His weekly bath; He hath not drank this seven year  
Before he came to your house, but compositions  
Of Sassafras, and Guacum, and dry mutton  
His daily portion; name what scratch soever  
Can be got by women and the Surgeons will resolve you  
At this time or at that Ricardo had it.  Sophia. 
Bless me from him.  Vbaldo. 
'Tis a good prayer Lady,  
It being a degree unto the pox.  
Only to mention him, if my tongue burn not hang me  
When I but named Ricardo.  Sophia. 
Sir this caution  
Must be rewarded.  Vbaldo. 
I hope I have marred his market.  
But when?  Sophia. 
Why presently follow my woman  
She knows where to conduct you, and will serve  
tonight for a page, let the waistcoat I appointed  
With the cambric shirt perfumed, and the rich cap  
Be brought into his chamber.  Vbaldo. 
Excellent Lady.  
And a candle too in the morning.  Corisca. 
I will fit you.  Exeunt Ubaldo & Cour Enter Ricardo. Sophia. 
So ho: on the scent here comes the other beagle.  Ricardo. 
Take purse and all  Hilario. 
If this company would come often.  
I should make a pretty term on't,  Sophia. 
For your sake  
I have put him off, he only begged a kiss  
I gave it and so parted.  Ricardo. 
I hope better  
He did not touch your lips?  Sophia. 
Yes I assure you.  
There was no danger in it.  Ricardo. 
No? eat presently  
These lozenges, of forty crowns an ounce,  
Or you are undone.  Sophia. 
What is the virtue of 'em.  Ricardo 
They are preservatives against stinking breath  
Rising from rotten lungs.  Sophia, 
If so your carriage  
Of such dear antidotes in my opinion  
May render yours suspected.  Ricardo. 
Fie no I use 'em  
When I talk with him I should be poisoned else.  
But I'll be free with you. He was once a creature  
It may be of Gods making, but long since  
He is turned to a druggist's shop, the spring and fall  
Hold all the year with him that he lives he owes  
To art not nature, she has given him over.  
He moves like the fairy King, on screws and wheels  
Made by his doctor's recipes, and yet still  
They are out of joint, and every day repairing  
He has a regiment of whores he keeps  
At his own charge in a lazar house but the best is  
There's not a rose among 'em: he's acquainted  
With the green water and the spitting pill  
Familiar to him, in a frosty morning  
You may thrust him in a pottle pot his bones  
Rattle in his Skin like beans tossed in a bladder  
If he but here a coach the fomentation  
The Friction with fumigation cannot save him  
From the chine evil in a word he is  
Not on disease but all, yet being my friend  
I will forbear his character, for I would not  
Wrong him in your opinion.  Sophia, 
The best is  
The virtues you bestow on him to me  
Are mysteries I know not but however  
I am at your service. Sirrah let it be your care  
T'unclothe the gentleman, and with speed, delay  
Takes from delight.  Ricardo. 
Good, there's my hat, sword, cloak,  
A vengeance on these buttons, off with my doublet  
I dare show my Skin, in the touch you will like it better  
prithee cut my codpiece point, and for this service  
When I leave them off they are thine.  Hilario. 
I'll take your word sir.  Ricardo. 
Dear lady stay not long.  Sophia. 
I may come too soon sir  Ricardo. 
No, no I am ready now,  Hilario. 
This is the way sir.  Exeunt Hilario, and Ricardo. Sophia. 
I was much too blame to credit their reports  
Touching my Lord that so traduce each other  
And with such virulent malice, though I presume  
They are bad enough, but I have studied for 'em  
A way for their recovery.  The noise of clapping a door, Ubaldo above in his shirt, Vbaldo. 
What dost thou mean wench?  
Why dost thou shut the door upon me? ha  
My clothes are ta'en away to! shall I starve here?  
Is this my lodging? I am sure the lady talked of  
A rich cap, a perfumed shirt, and a waistcoat  
But here is nothing but a little fresh straw,  
A petticoat for a coverlet and that torn to,  
And an old woman's biggin for a night cap,  Enter Corisca. 
Slight 'tis a prison, or a pigsty, ha!  
The windows grated with Iron I cannot force 'em  
And if I leap down here I break my neck  
I am betrayed, rogues villains let me out  
I am a Lord, and that's no common tittle,  
And shall I be used thus?  Sophia. 
Let him rave, he's fast  
I'll parley with him at leisure.  Ricardo entering with a great noise above, as fallen. Ricardo. 
zounds have you trap doors?  Sophia. 
The other birds i'th' cage too let him flutter.  Ricardo. 
Whither am I fall'n into Hell?  Vbaldo. 
Who makes that noise there?  
Help me if thou art a friend?  Ricardo. 
A friend? I am where  
I cannot help myself, let me see thy face.  Vbaldo. 
How Ricardo! prithee throw me  
Thy cloak, if thou canst to cover me I am almost  
Frozen to death.  Ricardo. 
My cloak, I have no breeches  
I am in my shirt as thou art, and here's nothing  
For myself but a clown's cast suit.  Vbaldo. 
We are both undone  
prithee roar a little, Madam.  Enter Hilario in Ricardo's suit. Ricardo. 
Lady of the house.  Vbaldo. 
Groomes of the chamber  Ricardo. 
Gentlewomen, milkmaids.  Vbaldo. 
Shall we be murdered?  Sophia. 
Noah but soundly punished  
To your deserts.  Ricardo. 
You are not in earnest Madam?  Sophia. 
Judge as you find, and feel it, and now here  
What I irrevocably purpose to you.  
Being received as guests into my house  
And with all it afforded entertained  
You have forgot all hospitable duties,  
And with the defamation of my Lord  
Wrought on my woman weakness in revenge  
Of his injuries, as you fashioned 'em to me,  
To yield my honour to your lawless lust.  Hilario. 
Mark that poor fellows.  Sophia. 
And so far you have  
Transgressed against the dignity of men  
(who should, bound to it by virtue, still defend  
Chaste ladies' honours) that it was your trade  
To make 'em in famous, but you are caught  
In your own toils like lustful beasts, and therefore  
Hope not to find the usage of men from me  
Such mercy you have forfeited, and shall suffer  
Like the most slavish women.  Vbaldo. 
How will you use us?  Sophia. 
Ease and excess in feeding made you wanton  
A pleurisy of ill blood you must let out.  
By labour, and spare diet, that way got to,  
Or perish for hunger, reach him up that distaff  
With the flax upon it, though no Omphale  
Nor you a second Hercules, as I take it  
As you spin well at my command, and please me  
Your wages in the coursest bread, and water,  
Shall be proportionable.  Vbaldo. 
I will starve first.  Sophia. 
That's as you please.  Ricardo. 
What will become of me now?  Sophia. 
You shall have gentler work I have oft observed  
You were proud to show the fineness of your hands,  
And softness of your fingers, you should reel well  
What he spins if you give your mind to it, as ill force you  
Deliver him his materials. Now you know  
Your penance fall to work, hunger will teach you  
And so as slaves to your lust, not me I leave you.  Exit Sophia. and servants. Vbaldo. 
I shall spin a fine thread out now  Ricardo. 
I cannot look  
On these devices but they put me in mind  
Of ropemakers.  Hilario. 
Fellow think of thy task  
Forget such vanities, my livery there  
Will serve thee to work in.  Ricardo. 
Let me have my clothes yet,  
I was bountiful to thee.  Hilario. 
They are past your wearing  
And mine by promise, as all these can witness  
You have no holidays coming, nor will I work  
While these, and this lasts and so when you please  
You may shut up your shop windows.  Exit Hilario. Vbaldo. 
I am faint  
And must lie down.  Ricardo. 
I am hungry to, and could  
O cursed women  Vbaldo. 
This comes of our whoring.  
But let us rest as well as we can tonight  
But not over sleep ourselves, lest we fast tomorrow.  They drew the curtains.  

Astus quarti, Scena tertij.  Enter Ladislaus, Honoria, Eubulus, Ferdinand, Acanthe, attendance. Honoria. 
Now you know all sir with the motives why  
I forced him to my lodging.  Ladislaus. 
I desire  
No more such trials Lady.  Honoria. 
I presume sir  
You do not doubt my chastity.  Ladislaus. 
I would not,  
But these are strange inducements.  Eubulus. 
By no means sir  
Why though he were with violence ceased upon,  
And still detained the man sir being no soldier  
Nor used to charge his pike when the breach is open  
There was no danger in't: you must conceive sir,  
Being religious, she Chose him for a Chaplain  
To read old homilies to her in the dark,  
she's bound to it by her Cannons.  Ladislaus. 
Still tormented  
With thy impertinence.  Honoria. 
By yourself dear sir.  
I was ambitious only to over throw  
His boasted constancy in his consent,  
But for fact I contemn him, I was never  
unchaste in thought, I laboured to give proof  
What power dwells in this beauty you admire so,  
And when you see how soon it hath transformed him,  
And with what superstition he adores it,  
Determine as you please.  Ladislaus. 
I will look on  
This pageant but.  Honoria. 
When you have seen and hard sir.  
The passages, which I myself discovered,  
And could have kept concealed had I meant basely  
judge as you please.  Ladislaus. 
well Ill observe the issue.  Eubulus. 
How had you took this General in your wife?  Ferdinand. 
As a strange curiosity, but Queens  
Are privileged above subjects, and 'tis fit sir.  Exeunt.  

Astus quarti, Scaena quarti.  Enter Mathias, Baptista. Baptista. 
You are much altered sir since the last night,  
When the Queen left you, and look cheerfully  
Your dulness quite blown over.  Mathias. 
I have seen a vision  
This morning makes it good, and never was  
In such security as at this instant,  
Fall what can fall, and when the Queen appears  
Whose shortest absence now is tedious to me,  
Observe th' encounter.  Enter Honoria, Ladislaus, Eubulus, Ferdinand Acanthe, with others above. Baptista. 
She already is  
Entered the lists.  Mathias. 
And I prepared to meet her.  Baptista. 
I know my duty.  Honoria. 
Not so you may stay now  
As a witness of our contract.  Baptista. 
I obey  
In all things Madam.  Honoria. 
where's that reverence,  
Or rather superstitious adoration,  
Which captive like to my triumphant beauty  
You paid last night? no humble knee? nor sign  
Or vassal duty? sure this is the foot  
To whose proud cover, and then happy in it,  
Your lips were glued; and that the neck then offered  
To witness your subjection to be trod on  
Your certain loss of life in the king's anger  
Was then to mean a price to buy my favour.  
And that false glow-worm fire of constancy  
To your wife, extinguished by a greater light  
Shot from our eyes; and that it may be (being  
too glorious to be looked on) hath deprived you  
O speech, and motion: but I will take off  
A little from the splendour, and descend  
From my own height, and in your lowness here you  
Plead as a suppliant.  Mathias. 
I do remember  
I once saw such a woman.  Honoria. 
How!  Mathias. 
And then  
She did appear a most magnificent Queen  
And what's more virtuous though somewhat darkened  
With pride and self opinion.  Eubulus. 
Call you this courtship?  Mathias. 
And she was happy in a royal husband,  
Whom envy could not tax, unless it were  
For his too much indulgence to her humours.  Eubulus. 
Pray you sir observe that touch, 'tis to the purpose  
I like the play the better for't.  Mathias. 
And she lived  
Worthy her birth, and fortune; you retain yet  
Some part of her angelical form, but when  
Envy to the beauty of another woman  
Inferior to hers, (one she never  
Had seen but in her picture) had dispersed  
Infection through her veins and loyalty  
Which a great Queen as she was should have nourished  
Grew odious to her  Honoria. 
I am thunder struck.  Mathias. 
And lust in all the bravery it could borrow  
From majesty, howe'er disguised had took  
Sure footing in the kingdom of her heart  
(The throne of chastity once,) how in a moment  
All that was gracious, great, and glorious in her  
And won upon all hearts, like seeming shadows  
Wanting true substance vanished.  Honoria. 
How his reasons  
Work on my Soul.  Mathias. 
Retire into yourself.  
Your own strengths Madam, strongly maned with virtue  
And be out as you were, and there's no offence.  
So base beneath the slavery, that men  
Impose on beasts, but I will gladly bow to.  
But as you play, and juggle with a stranger  
Varying your shapes like Thetis though the beauties  
Of all that are by poets' raptures Sainted  
Were now in you united, you should pass  
Pitied by me perhaps, but not regarded.  Eubulus. 
If this take not I am cheated.  Mathias. 
To slip once  
Is irrelevant, and excused by humane frailty,  
But to fall ever damnable we were both  
Guilty I grant in tendering our affection,  
But, as I hope you will do, I repented.  
When we are grown up to ripeness, our life is  
Like to this picture. While we run  
A constant race in goodness, it retains  
The just proportion. But the journeys being  
Tedious and sweet temptations in the way,  
That may in some degree divert us from  
The road that we put forth in, ere we end  
Our pilgrimage, it may like this turn yellow  
Or be with blackness clouded. But when we  
Find we have gone astray, and labour to  
Return unto our never failing guide  
Virtue, contrition with unfeigned feigned tears,  
The spots of vice washed off will soon restore it  
To the first pureness.  Honoria. 
I am disenchanted  
Mercy, O mercy heavens?  kneels Ladislaus. 
I am ravished with  
What I have seen and hard.  Ferdinand. 
Let us descend and here  
The rest below.  Eubulus. 
This hath fall'n out beyond  
My expectation.  they descend. Honoria. 
How have I wandered  
Out of the tract of piety and mystical  
By overweening pride, and flattery  
Of fawning sycophants (the bane of greatness)  
Could never meet till now a passenger  
That in his charity would set me right,  
Or stay me in my precipice to ruin.  
How ill have I returned your goodness to me?  
The horror in my thought oft turns me marble.  Enter the King and others, 
But if it may be yet prevented, O sir,  
What can I do to show my sorrow or  
With what brow ask your pardon?  Ladislaus. 
Pray you rise.  Honoria. 
Never, till you forgive me, and receive  
Unto your love, and favour a changed woman.  
My state, and pride turned to humility henceforth  
Shall wait on your commands, and my obedience  
Steered only by your will.  Ladislaus, 
And that will prove  
A second and a better marriage to me, all is forgot  Honoria. 
Sir I must not rise yet  
Till with a free confession of a crime,  
Unknown to you yet, and a following suit  
Which thus I beg be granted.  Ladislaus. 
I melt with you.  
'tis pardoned, and confirmed thus.  Honoria. 
Know then sir.  
In malice to this good knight's wife I practised  
Ubaldo, and Ricardo, to corrupt her.  Baptista. 
Thence grew the change of the picture.  Honoria. 
And how far  
They have prevailed I am ignorant now if you sir  
Or the honour of this good man, may be entreated  
To travail thither, it being but a day's journey  
To fetch 'em off,  Ladislaus. 
We will put on tonight.  Baptista. 
ay if you please your harbinger.  Ladislaus. 
I thank you.  
Let me embrace you in my arms, your service  
Done on the Turk compared with this weighs nothing.  Mathias. 
I am still your humble creature.  Ladislaus. 
My true friend  Ferdinand. 
And so you are bound to hold him.  Eubulus. 
Such a plant  
Imported to your Kingdom, and here grafted  
Would yield more fruit than all the idle weeds  
That suck up your reign of favour.  Ladislaus. 
In my will  
Ill not be wanting, prepare for our journey.  
In act be my Honoria now, not name,  
And to all after times preserve thy fame.  Exeunt, 
The end of the fourth Act.    

Actus quinti,  

Scaena prima.  Sophia, Corisca, Hilario. Sophia. 
Are they then so humble  Hilario. 
Hunger and hard labour  
Have tamed 'em Madam, at the first they bellowed  
Like stags ta'en in a toil and would not work  
For sullenness, but when they found without it  
There was no eating, and that to starve to death  
Was much against their stomachs, by degree  
Against their wills they fell to it.  Corisca. 
And now feed on  
The little pittance you allow with gladness  Hilario. 
I do remember that they stopped their noses  
At the sight of beef, and mutton as course feeding  
For their fine palates, but now their work being ended  
They leap at a barley crust and hold cheese parings  
With a spoonful of paled wine poured in their water,  
For festival excedings.  Corisca. 
When I examine  
My spinsters work he trembles like a prentice  
And takes a boy on the care when I spy faults  
And botches in his about, as a favour  
From a curst mistress.  Hilario. 
The other to reel well  
For his time, and if your ladyship would please.  
To see 'em for your sport, since they want airing  
It would do well in my judgement, you shall here  
Such a hungry dialogue from 'em.  Sophia. 
But suppose  
When they are out of prison they should grow  
Rebellious?  Hilario. 
Never fear't Ill undertake  
To lead 'em out by the nose with a course thread  
Of the one's spinning and make the other reel after  
And without grumbling, & when you are weary of  
Their company as easily return 'em.  Corisca 
Dear Madam it will help to drive away  
Your melancholy.  Sophia. 
Well on this assurance  
I am content, bring 'em hither.  Hilario. 
I will do it  
In stately Equipage.  Exit Hilario. Sophia. 
They have confessed then  
They were set on by the Queen to taint me in  
My loyalty to my Lord?  Corisca. 
'twas the main cause,  
That brought 'em hither.  Sophia. 
I am glad I know it  
And as I have begun before I end  
Ill at the height revenge it, let us step aside  
They come the objects so ridiculous  
In spite of my sad thoughts I cannot but  
Lend a forced smile to grace it.  Enter Hilario, Ubaldo spinning, Ricardo reeling. Hilario. 
Come away  
Work as you go, and lose no time 'tis precious  
You'll find it in your Commons.  Ricardo. 
commons call you it  
The word is proper I have grazed so long  
Upon your commons I am almost starved here  Hilario. 
Work harder and they shall be bettered  Vbaldo. 
bettered?  
worser they cannot be would I might lie  
Like a dog under her table and serve for a footstool  
So I might have my belly full of that  
Her Island cur refuses.  Hilario. 
How do you like  
Your airing? is it not a favour?  Ricardo. 
Yes  
Just such a one as you use to a brace of greyhounds  
When they are led out of their kennels to scumber  
But our case is ten times harder, we have nothing  
In our bellies to be vented, if you will be  
And honest yeoman phenterer, feed us first,  
And walk us after?  Hilario. 
Yeomen phenterer?  
Such another word to your Governor, and you go  
Supperless to bed for't.  Vbaldo. 
Nay even as you please.  
The comfortable names of breakfasts, dinners.  
Collations, supper, beverage, are words  
Worn out of our remembrance.  Ricardo. 
O for the steam  
Of meat in a cook's shop?  Vbaldo. 
I am so dry  
I have not spital enough to wet my fingers  
When I draw my flax from my distaff  Ricardo. 
Nor I strength  
To raise my hand to the top of my reeler. oh.  
I have the cramp all over me  Hilario. 
What do you think  
Were best to apply to it, a crampstone as I take it  
Were very useful.  Ricardo. 
Oh no more of stones  
We have been used too long like hawks already.  Vbaldo. 
We are not so high in our flesh now to need casting  
We will come to an empty fist.  Hilario. 
Nay that you shall not  
So ho birds, how the eyasses scratch, and scramble  
Take heed of a surfeit do not cast your gorges,  
This is more than I have commission for, be thankful.  Sophia. 
Were all that study the abuse of women  
Used thus, the city would not swarm with cuckolds  
Nor so many tradesmen break.  Corisca. 
Pray you appear now  
And mark the alteration.  Hilario. 
To your work  
My Lady is in presence, show your duties  
Exceeding well.  Sophia. 
How do your scholars profit?  Hilario. 
Hold up your heads demurely Prettily  
For young beginners.  
Corisca and will do well in time  
If they be kept in awe.  Ricardo. 
In awe I am sure  
I quake like an aspen leaf.  Vbaldo. 
no mercy Lady?  Ricardo. 
Nor intermission?  Sophia. 
Let me see your work.  
Fie upon't what a thread's here, a poor cobbler's wife  
Would make a finer to sow a clounes rent start up  
And here you reel as you were drunk,  Ricardo. 
I am sure it is not with wine  Sophia. 
O take head of wine  
Could water is far better for your healths  
Of which I am very tender, you had foul bodies  
And must continue in this physical diet  
Tell the cause of your disease be ta'en away  
For fear of a relapse and that is dangerous  
Yet I hope already that you are in some  
Degree recovered and that way to resolve me  
Answer me truly, nay what I propound  
Concerns both nearer, what would you now give  
If your means were in your hands to lie all night  
With a fresh and handsome lady?  Vbaldo. 
How a lady?  
O I am past it, hunger with her razor  
Hath made me an eunuch  Ricardo. 
for a mess of porridge  
well sopped with a bunch of radish and a carrot  
I would sell my bar on rye but for women. oh  
Noah more of women not a dote for a doxy  
After this hungry voyage.  Sophia. 
These are truly  
Good symptoms, let them not venture too much in the air  
Till they are weaker.  Ricardo. 
this is tyranny  Vbaldo. 
Scorn upon scorn  Sophia. 
You were so  
In your malicious intents to me  Enter a servant 
And therefore 'tis but justice what's the business?  Servant. 
My Lords great friend signior Baptista Madam  
Is newly lighted from his horse with certain  
Assurance of my Lords arrival.  Sophia. 
How  
And stand I trifling here, hence with the mongrels  
To there several kennels, there let them howl in private  
I'll be no farther troubled.  Exeunt Sophia and servant. Vbaldo. 
O that ever  
I saw this fury  Ricardo. 
Or looked one a woman  
But as a prodigy in nature  Hilario. 
Silence  
No more of this  Corisca. 
methinks you have no cause  
To repent your being here  Hilario 
have you not learned  
When your states are spent your several trades to live by and never charge the hospital?  Corisca. 
Work but tightly  
And we will not use a dish-clout in the house  
But of your spinning  Vbaldo 
O I would this hemp  
Were turned to a halter  Hilario 
Will you march  Ricardo. 
A soft one  
Good general I beseech you  Vbaldo. 
I can hardly  
Draw my legs after me  Hilario. 
For a crouch you may use  
Your distaff, a good wit makes use of all things.  Exeunt.  

Actus quinti, Scaena secunda.  Enter Sophia, Baptista. Sophia. 
Was he jealous of me?  Baptista. 
there's no perfect love  
Without some touch of't Madam.  Sophia. 
And my picture  
Made by your devilish art, a spy upon  
My actions? I never sat to be drawn,  
Nor had you sir commission for't,  Baptista. 
excuse me,  
At his earnest suit I did it.  Sophia. 
Very good,  
Was I grown so cheap in his opinion of me?  Baptista. 
The prosperous events that crowned his fortunes  
May qualify the offence.  Sophia. 
Rood the events  
The sanctuary fools and madmen flee to,  
when their rash and desperate undertakings thrive well  
But good, and wisemen are directed by  
Grave counsels, and with such deliberation  
Proceed in their affairs that chance had nothing  
To do with 'em, howsoe'er, take the pains sir  
To meet the honour in the King, and queen's  
Approaches to my house, that breaks upon me  
I will expect them with my best of care  Baptista. 
To entertain such royal guests.  Exit Baptista. Sophia. 
I know it  
Leave that to me sir what should move the Queen  
So given to ease and pleasure, as fame speaks her,  
To such a journey? or work on my Lord  
To doubt my loyalty? nay more to take  
For the resolution of his fears, a course  
That is by holy writ denied a christian?  
'Twas impious in him, and perhaps the welcome  
He hopes in my embraces may deceive  
His expectation the trumpets speak  
The king's arrival, help a woman's wit now,  
To make him know his fault and my just anger.  Exit Sophia.  

Actus quinti, scaena vltima.  Loud music, Enter Mathias, Eubulus, Ladislaus, Ferdinand, Honoria, Baptista, Acanthe, with attendants Eubulus. 
Your majesty must be weary.  Honoria. 
No my Lord  
A willing mind makes a hard journey easy  Mathias. 
Not love attended on by Hermes, was  
More welcome to the cottage of Philemon,  
And his poor Baucis, than your gracious self.  
Your matchless Queen, and all your royal train  
Are to your servant and his wife.  Laudislaus. 
Where is she?  Honoria. 
I long to see her as my now loud rival  Eubulus. 
And I to have a smach at her, 'tis a cordial  
To an old man, better than sack, and a tossed  
Before he goes to supper.  Mathias. 
Ha is my house turned  
To a wilderness? nor wife nor servants ready  
With all rites due to majesty to receive  
Such unexpected blessings? you assured me  
Of better preparation, hath not  
Th'excess of joy transported her beyond  
Her understanding?  Baptista. 
I now parted from her,  
And gave her your directions.  Mathias. 
How shall I beg  
Your majesty's patience? sure my family's drunk  
Or by some witch in envy of my glory  
A dead sleep thrown upon 'em.  Enter Hilario, and servants. 1 servant. 
Sir.  Mathias. 
But that  
The sacred presence of the King forbids it,  
My sword should make a massacre among you.  
Where is your mistress?  Hilario. 
First you are welcome home sir  
Then know she says she's sick sir, there's no notice  
Taken of my bravery.  Mathias. 
Sick at such a time!  
I cannot be though she were on her death bed,  
And her spirit even now departed here stand they  
Could call it back again, and in this honour  
Give her a second being, bring me to her,  
I know not what to urge, or how to redeem  
This mortgage of her manners.  Exeunt Mathias and Hilario. Eubulus. 
there's no climate  
On the world I think where one jade's trick or other  
Reigns not in women,  Ferdinand. 
You were ever bitter  
Against the Sex.  Ladislaus. 
This is very strange.  Honoria. 
Mean women  
Have their faults as well, as Queens.  Laudislaus. 
O she appears now.  Enter Mathias, Sophia. Mathi. 
The injury that you conceive I have done you  
Dispute hereafter, and in your perverseness  
Wrong not yourself, and me.  Sophia. 
I am pasted my childhood,  
And need no tutor  Mathias. 
This is the great King.  
To whom I am engaged till death for all  
I stand possessed of.  Sophia. 
My humble roof is proud sir.  
To be the canopy of so much greatness,  
Set off with goodness.  Ladislaus. 
My own praises flying  
In such pure air, as your sweet breath fair Lady  
Cannot but please me.  Mathias. 
This is the Queen of Queens,  
In her magnificence to me.  Sophia. 
In my duty  
I kiss her highness robe.  Honoria. 
You stoop too low  
To her whose lips would meet with yours.  Sophia. 
howe'er.  
It may appear preposterous in women  
So to encounter, 'tis your pleasure Madam  
And not my proud ambition, do you here sir.  
Without a magical picture in the touch,  
I find your print of close and wanton kisses  
On the queen's lips  Mathias. 
Upon your life be silent.  
And now salute these Lords.  Sophia. 
Since you'll have me  
You shall see I am experienced at the game  
And can play it tightly, you are a brave man sit  
And do deserve a free and hearty welcome  
Be this the prologue to it.  Eubulus. 
An old man's turn  
Is ever last in kissing, I have lips too  
However cold ones Madam.  Sophia. 
I will warm 'em.  
With the fire of mine.  Eubulus. 
And so she has I thank you.  
I shall sleep the better all night for't.  Mathias. 
You express  
The boldness of a wanton courtesan,  
And not a matron's modesty, take up,  
Or you are disgraced forever.  Sophia. 
How? with kissing  
Feelingly as you taught me? would you have me  
Turn my cheek to 'em, as proud ladies use  
To their inferiors, as if they intended  
Some business should be whispered in their ear  
And not a salutation, what I do  
I will do freely, now I am in the humour  
I'll fly at all, are there any more?  Mathias. 
Forbear.  
Or you will raise my anger to a height,  
That will descend in fury.  Sophia. 
Why? you know  
How to resolve yourself what my intents are,  
By the help of Mephistopheles, and your picture,  
Pray you look upon't again, I humbly thank  
The queen's great care of me, while you were absent.  
She knew how tedious 'twas for a young wife,  
And being for that time a kind of widow,  
To pass away her melancholy hours  
Without good company, and in charity therefore  
Provided for me, out of her own store  
She could the Lords Ubaldo, and Ricardo,  
Two principal courtiers for lady's service,  
To do me all good offices, and as such  
Employed by her, I hope I'have received,  
And entertained 'em, nor shall they depart  
Without the effect arising from the cause  
That brought 'em hither.  Mathias. 
Thou dost belie thyself,  
I know that in my absence thou were't honest,  
However now turned monster.  Sophia. 
The truth is  
We did not deal like you in speculations  
On cheating pictures; we knew shadows were  
No substances and actual performance  
The best assurance, I will bring 'em hither  
To make good in this presence so much for me.  
Some minute's space I beg your majesty's pardon  
You are moved now champ upon this bit a little  
Anon you shall have another, wait me Hilario.  Exeunt Sophia, & Hilario. Ladislaus. 
How now? turned statue sir?  Mathias. 
Fly, and fly quickly  
From this cursed habitation, or this Gorgon  
Will make you all as I am, in her tongue  
Millions of adders hiss, and every hair  
Upon her wicked head a snake more dreadful  
Than that Tisiphon, threw on Athamas,  
Which in his madness forced him to dismember  
His proper issue O that ever I  
Reposed my trust in magic, or believed  
Impossibilities, or that charms had power  Eubulus. 
These are the fruits  
Of marriage, and old bachelor, as I am,  
And what's more will continue so, is not troubled  
With these fine vagaries.  Ferdinand. 
Till you are resolved sir,  
Forsake not hope.  Baptista. 
Upon my life this is  
Dissimulation.  Ladislaus. 
And it suits not with  
Your fortitude and wisdom to be thus  
Transported with your passion.  Honoria. 
You were once  
Deceived in me sir as I was in you,  
Yet the deceit please both.  Mathias. 
She hath confessed all,  
What further proof should I ask?  Honoria. 
Yet remember  
The distance that is interposed between  
A woman's tongue, and her heart, and you must grant  
You build upon no certainties.  Euter Sophia, Corisca, Hilario, Ubaldo, & Ricardo, as before. Eubulus. 
What have we here?  Sophia. 
You must come on and show yourselves.  Vbaldo. 
The King!  Ricardo. 
And Queen too, would I were as far under the earth  
As I am above it.  Vbaldo. 
Some Poet will  
Prom this relation, or in verse, or prose,  
Or both together blended render us  
Ridiculous to all ages,  Ladislaus. 
I remember  
This face when it was in a better plight  
Are not you Ricardo  Honoria. 
And this thing I take it  
Was once Ubaldo.  Vbaldo. 
I am now I know not what.  Ricardo. 
We thank your majesty for employing us  
To this subtle Circe.  Eubulus. 
How my Lord? turned spinster.  
Do you work by the day or by the great?  Ferdinand. 
Is your Theorbo  
Turned to a distaff Signior, and your voice  
With which you chanted room for a lusty gallant  
Turned to the note of lacreymae?  Eubulus. 
Prithee tell me  
For I know thou art free, how often and to the purpose  
Have you been merry with this lady.  Ricardo. 
Never, never.  Ladislaus. 
Howsoever you should say so, for your credit  
Being the only court bull.  Vbaldo. 
O that ever  
I saw this kicking heifer,  Sophia. 
You see Madam  
How I have cured your servants, and what favours  
They with their rampant valour have won from me.  
You may as they are physicked, I presume  
Trust a fair virgin with 'em, they have learned  
Their several trades to live by, and paid nothing  
But cold, and hunger for 'em, and may now  
Set up for themselves for here I give 'em over,  
And now to you sir, why do you not again,  
Peruse your picture? and take the advice  
Of your learned consort? these are the men, or none  
That made you, as the Italian says a beco.  Mathias. 
I know not which way to entreat your pardon  
Nor am I worthy of it my Sophia,  
My best Sophia, here before the king,  
The Queen, these Lords, and all the lookers on  
I do renounce my error, and embrace you  
As the great example to all after times  
For such as would die chaste, and noble wives  
With reverence to imitate.  Sophia. 
Not so sir.  
I yet hold of, however I have purged  
My doubted innocence, the foul aspersions  
In your unmanly doubts cast on my honour  
Cannot so soon be washed of.  Eubulus. 
Shall we have  
More jiggobobs yet?  Sophia. 
When you went to the wars  
I set no spy upon you to observe  
which way you wandered, though our sex by nature  
Is subject to suspicions and fears,  
My confidence in your loyalty freed me from 'em.  
But to deal as you did 'gainst your religion  
With this enchanter to survey my actions  
Was more than woman's weakness, therefore know  
And 'tis my boon unto the King, I do  
Desire a separation from your bed  
For I will spend the remnant of my life  
In prayer, and meditation.  Mathias. 
O take pity  
Upon my weak condition, or I am  
More wretched in your innocence, then if  
I had found you guilty, have you shown a jewel  
Out of the cabinet of your rich mind  
To lock it up again? She turns away  
Will none speak for me? shame, and sin hath robbed me  
Of the use of my tongue.  Ladislaus. 
Since you have conquered Madam  
You wrong the glory of your victory  
If you use it not with mercy.  Ferdinand. 
Any penance  
You please to impose upon him I dare warrant  
He will gladly suffer.  Eubulus. 
Have I lived to see  
But on good woman, and shall we for a trifle  
Have her return nun? I will first pull down the cloister  
To the old sport again with a good luck to you  
'Tis not alone enough that you are good,  
We must have some of the breed of you, will you destroy  
The kind, and race of goodness? I am converted  
And ask your pardon Madam for my ill opinion  
Against the sex, and show me but two such more  
I'll marry yet, and love 'em.  Honoria. 
She that yet  
ne'er knew what 'twas to bend but to the King  
Thus beg remission for him.  Sophia. 
O dear Madam  
Wrong not your greatness so.  Omnes. 
We all are suitors.  Vbaldo. 
I do deserve to be hard among the rest.  Ricardo. 
And we have suffered for it  Sophia. 
I perceive  
there's no resistance but suppose I pardon  
What's past, who can secure me, He'll be free  
From jealousy hereafter.  Mathias. 
I will be  
My own security, go ride where you please,  
Feast, revel, banquet, and make choice with whom  
I'll set no watch upon you, and for proof, oft  
This cursed picture I surrender up  
To a consuming fire,  Baptista. 
As I abjure  
The practice of my art.  Sophia. 
Upon this terms.  
I am reconciled and for these that have paid  
The price of their folly, I desire your mercy.  Ladislaus. 
At your request they have it.  Vbaldo. 
Hang all trades now.  Ricardo. 
I will find a new one, and that is to live honest.  Hilario. 
These are my fees.  Vbaldo. 
Pray you take 'em with a mischief.  Ladislaus. 
So all ends in peace now  
And to all married men be this a caution.  
Which they should duly tender as their life  
Neither to dote too much nor doubt a wife.  Exeunt Omnes   
FINIS.