A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 84

A shadow to the substance you must build on.

ROB. She will build substance on him, I trow; Who keeps a shrew against her will, had better let her go. [_Aside_.]

MAR. Madam, conceal your grief, and seem content; For, as it is, you must be rul'd per force: Dissemble, till convenient time may serve To think on this despite and Musgrave's love. [_Aside_.]

LACY. Tell me, my dear, wilt thou at length be pleas'd?

HON. As good be pleas'd, my lord, as not be eas'd; Yet though my former love did move me much, Think not amiss, the same love may be yours.

CAS. What! is it a match? nay then, since you agree, I cannot mend myself, for aught I see; And therefore 'tis as good to be content.

Come, lady, 'tis your lot to be my dame.

Lordings, adieu; G.o.d send you all good speed!

Some have their wives for pleasure, some for need.

LACY. Adieu, Castiliano: are we friends?

CAS. Yes, yes, my lord, there is no remedy.

ROB. No remedy, my masters, for a wife?

A note for young beginners: mark it well.

[_Exeunt_.

_Enter_ FORREST, CAPTAIN CLINTON, HARVEY.

FOR. Now, gallants, what imagine you of this?

Our noses are all slit; for Mariana, The Spanish doctor hath her to his wife, And Musgrave's hopes are dead for Honorea, For she is married to the Earl of Kent.

'Twill be good sport to see them when they rise.

If so they be not gotten up already.

CLIN. I say the devil go with them all for me.

The Spanish doctor marry Marian!

I think that slave was born to cross me still.

Had it not been last day before the earl, Upon my conscience, I had crack'd his crown, When first he ask'd the lady for his wife; Now he hath got her too, whom I desir'd.

Why, he'll away with her ere long to Spain, And keep her there to dispossess our hopes.

FOR. No, I can comfort you for that suppose:[449]

For yesterday he hir'd a dwelling-house, And here he means to tarry all this year; So long at least, whate'er he doth hereafter.

CLIN. A sudden plotform[450] comes into my mind, And this it is. Miles Forrest, thou and I Are partly well acquainted with the doctor.

Ralph Harvey shall along with us to him; Him we'll prefer for his apothecary?

Now, sir, when Ralph and he are once acquainted, His wife may often come unto his house, Either to see his garden, or such like: For, doubt not, women will have means enough, If they be willing, as I hope she will.

There may we meet her, and let each one plead: He that speeds best, why let him carry it.

FOR. I needs must laugh to think how all we three, In the contriving of this feat, agree: But, having got her, every man will strive How each may other of her love deprive.

CLIN. Tut, Forrest! love admits these friendly strifes; But say, how like you of my late device?

FOR. Surpa.s.sing well, but let's about it straight, Lest he before our coming be provided.

CLIN. Agreed.

[_Exeunt.

Enter_ MUSGRAVE _and_ MARIAN.

MUS. Tush, cousin! tell not me; but this device Was long ago concluded 'twixt you two, Which divers reasons move me to imagine: And therefore these are toys to blind my eyes, To make me think she only loved me, And yet is married to another man.

MAR. Why, cousin Musgrave, are your eyes so blind You cannot see the truth of that report?

Did you not know my lord was always bent, Whatever came, to wed her to the earl?

And have you not, besides, heard the device He us'd to marry her against her will?

Betray'd, poor soul, unto Earl Lacy's bed, She thought she held young Musgrave in her arms!

Her morning tears might testify her thoughts; Yet thou shalt see she loves thee more than him, And thou shalt taste the sweets of her delights.

Meantime, my house shall be thy mansion And thy abode, for thither will she come: Use thou that opportunity, and try Whether she lov'd thee, or did but dissemble.

MUS. If she continue kind to me hereafter, I shall imagine well of her and you.

_Enter_ CASTILIANO.

CAS. Now, dame, in talk! what gentleman is this?

MAR. My cousin Musgrave, husband, comes to see you.

CAS. Musgrave, now, on my faith, heartily welcome.

Give me thy hand, my cousin and my friend, My partner in the loss of Honorea; We two must needs be friends: our fortune's like: Marry, yet I am richer by a shrew.

MAR. 'Tis better to be a shrew, sir, than a sheep;[451]

You have no cause, I hope, yet to complain?

CAS. No, dame; for yet you know 'tis honeymoon.

What! we have scarcely settled our acquaintance.

MUS. I doubt not, cousin, but ye shall agree, For she is mild enough, if she be pleas'd.

CAS. So is the devil, they say[452] [_aside_]: yea, cousin, yea, My dear and I, I doubt not, shall agree.

_Enter_ ROBIN GOODFELLOW.

ROB. Sir, here be two or three gentlemen at the door Would gladly speak a word with your worship.

_Enter_ CLINTON, FORREST, HARVEY.

[CAS.] They need no bidding, methinks: they can come alone!

CLIN. G.o.d save you, Signior Castiliano.

CAS. O captain, _come sta_?[453] welcome all, my friends!

FOR. Sir, we are come to bid G.o.d give you joy, And see your house.