The Scornful Lady Part 11

_Elder Lo._ You had a Servant that your peevishness Injoined to Travel.

_Lady._ Such a one I have Still, and shall be griev'd 'twere otherwise.

_El. Lo._ Then have your asking, and be griev'd he's dead; How you will answer for his worth, I know not, But this I am sure, either he, or you, or both Were stark mad, else he might have liv'd To have given a stronger testimony to th' world Of what he might have been. He was a man I knew but in his evening, ten Suns after, Forc'd by a Tyrant storm our beaten Bark Bulg'd under us; in which sad parting blow, He call'd upon his Saint, but not for life, On you unhappy Woman, and whilest all Sought to preserve their Souls, he desperately Imbrac'd a Wave, crying to all that saw it, If any live, go to my Fate that forc'd me To this untimely end, and make her happy: His name was _Loveless_: And I scap't the storm, And now you have my business.

_Lady._ 'Tis too much.

Would I had been that storm, he had not perisht.

If you'l rail now I will forgive you Sir.

Or if you'l call in more, if any more Come from this ruine, I shall justly suffer What they can say, I do confess my self A guiltie cause in this. I would say more, But grief is grown too great to be delivered.

_Elder Lo._ I like this well: these women are strange things.

'Tis somewhat of the latest now to weep, You should have wept when he was going from you, And chain'd him with those tears at home.

_La._ Would you had told me then so, these two arms had been his Sea.

_Elder Lo._ Trust me you move me much: but say he lived, these were forgotten things again.

_Lady._ I, say you so? Sure I should know that voice: this is knavery.

I'le fit you for it. Were he living Sir, I would perswade you to be charitable, I, and confess we are not all so ill as your opinion holds us.

O my friend, what penance shall I pull upon my fault, upon my most unworthy self for this?

_Elder Lo._ Leave to love others, 'twas some jealousie That turn'd him desperate.

_Lady._ I'le be with you straight: are you wrung there?

_Elder Lo._ This works amain upon her.

_Lady._ I do confess there is a Gentleman Has born me long good will.

_Elder Lo._ I do not like that.

_Lady._ And vow'd a thousand services to me; to me, regardless of him: But since Fate, that no power can withstand, has taken from me my first, and best love, and to weep away my youth is a mere folly, I will shew you what I determine sir: you shall know all: Call M. _Welford_ there: That Gentleman I mean to make the model of my Fortunes, and in his chast imbraces keep alive the memory of my lost lovely _Loveless_: he is somewhat like him too.

_Elder Lo._ Then you can love.

_Lady._ Yes certainly Sir?

Though it please you to think me hard and cruel, I hope I shall perswade you otherwise.

_Elder Lo._ I have made my self a fine fool.

_Enter_ Welford.

_Wel._ Would you have spoke with me Madam?

_Lady._ Yes M. _Welford_, and I ask your pardon before this Gentleman for being froward: this kiss, and henceforth more affection.

_Elder Lo._ So, 'tis better I were drown'd indeed.

_Wel._ This is a sudden pa.s.sion, G.o.d hold it.

This fellow out of his fear sure has Perswaded her. I'le give him a new suit on't.

_La._ A parting kiss, and good Sir, let me pray you To wait me in the Gallerie.

_Wel._ I am in another world, Madam where you please. [_Exit_ Welford.

_Elder Lo._ I will to Sea, and 't shall goe hard but I'le be drown'd indeed.

_La._ Now Sir you see I am no such hard creature, But time may win me.

_Elder Lo._ You have forgot your lost Love.

_La._ Alas Sir, what would you have me do? I cannot call him back again with sorrow; I'le love this man as dearly, and beshrow me I'le keep him far enough from Sea, and 'twas told me, now I remember me, by an old wise woman, that my first Love should be drown'd, and see 'tis come about.

_Elder Lo._ I would she had told you your second should be hang'd too, and let that come about: but this is very strange.

_La._ Faith Sir, consider all, and then I know you'le be of my mind: if weeping would redeem him, I would weep still.

_Elder Lo._ But say that I were _Loveless_, And scap'd the storm, how would you answer this?

_Lady._ Why for that Gentleman I would leave all the world.

_Elder Lo._ This young thing too?

_Lady._ That young thing too, Or any young thing else: why, I would lose my state.

_Elder Lo._ Why then he lives still, I am he, your _Loveless_.

_Lady._ Alas I knew it Sir, and for that purpose prepared this Pageant: get you to your task. And leave these Players tricks, or I shall leave you, indeed I shall. Travel, or know me not.

_Elder Lo._ Will you then marry?

_Lady._ I will not promise, take your choice. Farewell.

_Elder Lo._ There is no other Purgatorie but a Woman.

I must doe something. [_Exit_ Loveless.

_Enter_ Welford.

_Wel._ Mistress I am bold.

_Lady._ You are indeed.

_Wel._ You so overjoyed me Lady.

_Lady._ Take heed you surfeit not, pray fast and welcom.

_Wel._ By this light you love me extreamly.