The workes of Beniamin Ionson

Act V. Scene II.

HAVGHTY, DAVPHINE, CENTAVRE, MA∣VIS, CLERIMONT.

I Assure you, sir DAVPHINE, it is the price and estimation of your ver∣tue onely, that hath embarqu'd me to this aduenture, and I could not but make out to tell you so; nor can I repent me of the act, since it is alwayes an argument of some vertue in our selues, that we loue and affect it so in others.

DAV.

Your ladiship sets too high a price, on my weakenesse.

HAV.

Sir, I can distinguish gemmes from peebles—

DAV.

(Are you so skilfull in stones?)

HAV.

And, howsoeuer I may suffer in such a iudgement as yours, by admitting equality of ranke, or societie, with CENTAVRE, or MAVIS—

DAV.

You doe not, madame, I perceiue they are your mere foiles.

HAV.

Then are you a friend to truth, sir. It makes mee loue you the more. It is not the outward, but the inward man that I affect. They are not apprehensiue of an eminent perfection, but loue flat, and dully.

CEN.

Where are you, my lady HAVGHTY?

HAV.

I come presently, CENTAVRE. My chamber, sir, my Page shall show you; and TRVSTY, my woman, shall be euer awake for you: you need not feare to communicate anything with her, for shee is a FIDELIA. I pray you weare this iewell for my sake, sir DAVPHINE. Where's MAVIS, CENTAVRE?

CEN.

Within, madame, a writing. I'll follow you presently. I'll but speake a word with sir DAVPHINE.

DAVP.

With me, madame?

CEN.

Good sir DAVPHINE, doe not trust HAVGHTY, nor make any credit to her, what euer you doe besides. Sir DAVPHINE, I giue you this caution, shee is a perfect courtier, and loues no body, but for her vses: and for her vses, shee loues all. Besides, her physitians giue her out to be none o' the clearest, whether she pay 'hem or no, heau'n knowes: and she's aboue fiftie too, and pargets! See her in a fore-noone. Here comes MA∣VIS, a worse face then shee! you would not like this, by candle-light. If you'll come to my chamber one o' these mornings early, or late in an eue∣ning, I'll tell you more. Where's HAVGHTY, MAVIS?

MAV.

Within, CENTAVRE.

CEN.

What ha' you, there?

MAV.

An Italian riddle for sir DAVPHINE, (you shall not see it yfaith, CENTAVRE.) Good sir DAVPHINE, solue it for mee. I'll call for it anon.

CLE.

How now, DAVPHINE? how do'st thou quit thy selfe of these females?

DAVP.

'S light, they haunt me like fayries, and giue me iewells here, I cannot be rid of 'hem.

CLE.

O, you must not tell, though.

DAVP.

Masse, I forgot that: I was neuer so assaulted. One loues for vertue, and bribes me with this. Another loues me with caution, and so would possesse me. A third brings me a riddle here, and all are iealous: and raile each at other.

CLE.

A riddle? pray' le' me see 't? Sir DAVPHINE, I chose this way of intimation for priuacie. The ladies here, I know, haue both hope, and purpose, to make a collegiate and seruant of you. If I might be so honor'd, as to appeare at any end of so noble a worke, I would enter into a fame of taking physique to¦morrow, and continue it foure or fiue dayes, or longer, for your visitation. MA∣VIS. By my faith, a subtle one! Call you this a reiddle? What's their plaine dealing, trow?

DAVP.

We lack TRVE-WIT, to tell vs that.

CLE.

We lack him for somewhat else too: his Knights reformados are wound vp as high, and insolent, as euer they were.

DAVP.

You iest.

CLE.

No drunkards, either with wine or vanitie, euer confess'd such stories of themselues. I would not giue a flies leg, in ballance against all the womens reputations here, if they could bee but thought to speake

truth: and, for the bride, they haue made their affidauit against her di∣rectly—

DAVP.

What, that they haue lyen with her?

CLE.

Yes, and tell times, and circumstances, with the cause why, and the place where. I had almost brought 'hem to affirme that they had done it, to day.

DAVP.

Not both of 'hem.

CLE.

Yes faith: with a sooth or two more I had effected it. They would ha' set it downe vnder their hands.

DAVP.

Why, they will be our sport, I see, still! whether we will, or no.