A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 91

Never since wedlock tied her to the earl, Have I saluted her; although report Is blaz'd abroad of her inconstancy.

This is her evening walk, and here will I Attend her coming forth, and greet her fairly.

LACY. See, Dunstan, how their youth doth blind our age!

Thou dost deceive thyself and bringest me To see my proper shame and infamy.

_Enter_ HONOREA.

But here she comes: my hope, my fear, my love.

DUN. Here comes the unstain'd honour of thy bed.

Thy ears shall hear her virtuous, chaste replies, And make thy heart confess thou dost her wrong.

HON. Now modest love hath banish'd wanton thoughts, And alter'd me from that I was before, To that chaste life I ought to entertain.

My heart is tied to that strict form of life, That I joy only to be Lacy's wife.

LACY. G.o.d fill thy mind with these chaste, virtuous thoughts!

MUS. O, now I see her, I am half asham'd Of so long absence, of neglect of speech.

My dearest lady, patroness of beauty, Let thy poor servant make his true excuse!

HON. Musgrave, I easily take your excuse, Accusing my fond self for what is pa.s.s'd.

MUS. Long time we wanted opportunity; But now the forelock of well-wishing time Hath bless'd us both, that here without suspect We may renew the tenor of our loves.

LACY. O Dunstan, how she smiles to hear him speak!

HON. No, child of fortune and inconstancy, Thou shalt not train me, or induce my love To loose desires or dishonoured thoughts.

'Tis G.o.d's own work that struck a deep remorse Into my tainted heart for my pa.s.s'd folly.

MUS. O, thou confound'st me! Speak as thou wert won't, Like Love herself, my lovely Honorea.

HON. Why, how now, Musgrave! what esteem'st thou me, That thou provokest me, that first denied me?

I will not yield you reasons why I may not, More than your own. You told me why you would not.

MUS. By heavens, by thee, my saint, my happiness!

No torture shall control my heart in this, To teach my tongue deny to call thee love.

HON. Well, in regard that in my maiden-days I lov'd thee well, now let me counsel thee.

Reclaim these idle humours; know thyself; Remember me, and think upon my lord; And let these thoughts bring forth those chaste effects, Which may declare thy change unto the world: And this a.s.sure thee--whilst I breathe this air, Earl Lacy's honour I will ne'er impair.

[_Exit_ HONOREA.

DUN. Now your eyes see that which your heart believ'd not.

LACY. 'Tis a miracle beyond the reach Of my capacity! I could weep for joy, Would but my tears express how much I love her!

Men may surmise amiss in jealousy, Of those that live in untouch'd honesty.

MUS. Is she departed? and do I conceive This height of grief, and do no violence Unto myself? Said she I denied her?

Far be it from my heart to think that thought.

All ye that, as I do, have felt this smart, Ye know how burthensome 'tis at my heart.

Hereafter never will I prosecute This former motion, my unlawful suit; But, since she is Earl Lacy's virtuous wife, I'll live a private, pensive, single life.

[_Exit_ MUSGRAVE.

DUN. G.o.d doth dispose all at his blessed will; And he hath chang'd their minds from bad to good, That we, which see't, may learn to mend ourselves.

LACY. I'll reconcile myself to Musgrave's love: I will recant my false suspicion, And humbly make my true submission.

[_Exeunt_.

_Enter_ MARIAN, _chafing_.

MAR. Say'st thou thou'lt make the house too hot for me?

I'll soon abroad, and cool me in the air.

I'll teach him never scorn to drink his health Whom I do love. He thinks to overcrow me With words and blows; but he is in the wrong, Begin he when he dares! O, he's too hot And angry to live long with Marian.

But I'll not long be subject to his rage: Here 'tis shall rid him of his hateful life, And bless me with the style of widowhood.

'Twas Harvey's work to temper it so well: The strongest poison that he could devise.

_Enter_ CLINTON.

I have been too long subject to the slave; But now I'll cast off that detested yoke.

CLIN. Musgrave, I see, is reconcil'd to th'earl; For now I met him walking with Lord Lacy.

Sure, this is Marian's plot, and there she stands.

What, love, alone!

MAR. Ay, captain, much disturb'd About the frantic doctor's jealousy; Who, though he seem'd content when thou wast there, He after fell reviling thee and me; Robb'd me of all my jewels; locks his plate In his own trunk; and let's me only live To bear the idle t.i.tle of his wife.

CLIN. Fair Marian, by a soldier's loyal faith, If my employment any way may help To set thee free from this captivity, Use me in any sort: command my sword; I'll do't, as soon as thou shalt speak the word.

MAR. Now, by my true love, which I wish to thee, I conjure thee with resolution To slay that monster! Do not fail to do it!

For, if thou dost, I would I had not spoke it.

CLIN. Now try me; and, when next we hap to meet, The doctor lies stone dead at Clinton's feet.

MAR. Nay, now I see thou lov'st me.

CLIN. Say no more.

If thou dost loathe him, he shall die therefore.

MAR. To-morrow morning will he early rise To see Earl Lacy: meet him in the cloister, And make that place revenge his sanctuary.

This night will I break open all the trunks, Rifle his caskets, rob him of his gold; And all the doctor's treasure shall be thine.

If thou miscarry, yet this drink shall do it.

_Enter_ CASTILIANO.

CAS. My wife's impatience hath left me alone, And made my servant run, I know not whither.

MAR. Peace! here is our eyesore. Clinton, leave us now.

CLIN. Nay, now occasion smiles, and I will do it.