The Scornful Lady - Beaumont Francis

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Lo. You wrong me much.

      La. Louder yet.

      El. Lo. You know your least word is of force to make me seek out dangers, move me not with toyes: but in this banishment, I must take leave to say, you are unjust: was one kiss forc't from you in publick by me so unpardonable? Why all the hours of day and night have seen us kiss.

      La. 'Tis true, and so you told the company that heard me chide.

      Elder Lov. Your own eyes were not dearer to you than I.

      Lady. And so you told 'em.

      Elder Lo. I did, yet no sign of disgrace need to have stain'd your cheek: you your self knew your pure and simple heart to be most unspotted, and free from the least baseness.

      Lady. I did: But if a Maids heart doth but once think that she is suspected, her own face will write her guilty.

      Elder Lo. But where lay this disgrace? The world that knew us, knew our resolutions well: And could it be hop'd that I should give away my freedom; and venture a perpetual bondage with one I never kist? or could I in strict wisdom take too much love upon me, from her that chose me for her Husband?

      Lady. Believe me; if my Wedding-smock were on,

      Were the Gloves bought and given, the Licence come,

      Were the Rosemary-branches dipt, and all

      The Hipochrist and Cakes eat and drunk off,

      Were these two armes incompast with the hands

      Of Bachelors to lead me to the Church,

      Were my feet in the door, were I John, said,

      If John should boast a favour done by me,

      I would not wed that year: And you I hope,

      When you have spent this year commodiously,

      In atchieving Languages, will at your return

      Acknowledge me more coy of parting with mine eyes,

      Than such a friend: More talk I hold not now

      If you dare go.

      Elder Lo. I dare, you know: First let me kiss.

      Lady. Farewel sweet Servant, your task perform'd, On a new ground as a beginning Sutor, I shall be apt to hear you.

      Elder Lo. Farewel cruel Mistres. [Exit Lady.

      Enter Young Loveless, and Savil.

      Young Lo. Brother you'l hazard the losing your tide to Gravesend: you have a long half mile by Land to Greenewich?

      Elder Lo. I go: but Brother, what yet unheard of course to live, doth your imagination flatter you with? Your ordinary means are devour'd.

      Young Lo. Course? why Horse-coursing I think. Consume no time in this: I have no Estate to be mended by meditation: he that busies himself about my fortunes may properly be said to busie himself about nothing.

      Elder Lo. Yet some course you must take, which for my satisfaction resolve and open; if you will shape none, I must inform you that that man but perswades himself he means to live, that imagines not the means.

      Young Lo. Why live upon others, as others have lived upon me.

      Elder Lo. I apprehend not that: you have fed others, and consequently dispos'd of 'em: and the same measure must you expect from your maintainers, which will be too heavy an alteration for you to bear.

      Young Lo. Why I'le purse; if that raise me not, I'le bet at Bowling-alleyes, or man Whores; I would fain live by others: but I'le live whilst I am unhang'd, and after the thought's taken.

      Elder Love. I see you are ty'd to no particular imploiment then?

      Young Lo. Faith I may choose my course: they say nature brings forth none but she provides for them: I'le try her liberality.

      Elder Lo. Well, to keep your feet out of base and dangerous paths, I have resolved you shall live as Master of my House. It shall be your care Savil to see him fed and cloathed, not according to his present Estate, but to his birth and former fortunes.

      Young Lo. If it be refer'd to him, if I be not found in Carnation Jearsie-stockins, blew devils breeches, with the gards down, and my pocket i'th' sleeves, I'le n'er look you i'th' face again.

      Sa. A comelier wear I wuss it is than those dangling slops.

      Elder Lo. To keep you readie to do him all service peaceably, and him to command you reasonably, I leave these further directions in writing, which at your best leasure together open and read.

      Enter Younglove to them with a Jewell.

      Abig. Sir, my Mistress commends her love to you in this token, and these words; it is a Jewell (she sayes) which as a favour from her she would request you to wear till your years travel be performed: which once expired, she will hastily expect your happy return.

      Elder Lo. Return my service with such thanks, as she may imagine the heart of a suddenly over-joyed man would willingly utter, and you I hope I shall with slender arguments perswade to wear this Diamond, that when my Mistris shall through my long absence, and the approach of new Suitors, offer to forget me; you may cast your eye down to your finger, and remember and speak of me: She will hear thee better than those allied by birth to her; as we see many men much swayed by the Grooms of their Chambers, not that they have a greater part of their love or opinion on them, than on others, but for that they know their secrets.

      Abi. O' my credit I swear, I think 'twas made for me: Fear no other Suitors.

      Elder Love. I shall not need to teach you how to discredit their beginning, you know how to take exception at their shirts at washing, or to make the maids swear they found plasters in their beds.

      Abi. I know, I know, and do not you fear the Suitors.

      Elder Lo. Farewell, be mindfull, and be happie; the night calls me.

      [Exeunt omnes praeter Younglove.

      Abi. The Gods of the Winds befriend you Sir; a constant and a liberal Lover thou art, more such God send us.

      Enter Welford.

      Wel. Let'em not stand still, we have rid.

      Abi. A suitor I know by his riding hard, I'le not be seen.

      Wel. A prettie Hall this, no Servant in't? I would look freshly.

      Abi. You have delivered your errand to me then: there's no danger in a hansome young fellow: I'le shew my self.

      Wel. Lady, may it please you to bestow upon a stranger the ordinary grace of salutation: Are you the Lady of this house?

      Abi. Sir, I am worthily proud to be a Servant of hers.

      Wel. Lady, I should be as proud to be a Servant of yours, did not my so late acquaintance make me despair.

      Abi. Sir, it is not so hard to atchieve, but nature may bring it about.

      Wel. For these comfortable words, I remain your glad Debtor. Is your Lady at home?

      Abi. She is no stragler Sir.

      Wel. May her occasions admit me to speak with her?

      Abi. If you come in the way of a Suitor, No.

      Wel. I know your affable vertue will be moved to perswade her, that a Gentleman benighted and strayed, offers to be bound to her for a nights lodging.

      Abi. I will commend this message to her; but if you aim at her body, you will be deluded: other women of the household of good carriage and government; upon any of which if you can cast your affection, they will perhaps be found as faithfull and not so coy. [Exit Younglove.

      Wel. What a skin full of lust is this? I thought I had come a wooing, and I am the courted

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