The malcontent. By Iohn Marston. 1604

Actus quartus (Book 5)

Scena prima.

Enter Maleuole and Maquarelle, at seuerall doores opposite, singing.

Mal.

The Dutchman for a drunkard,

Maq.

The Dane for golden lockes:

Mal.

The Irishman for vsquebath,

Maq

The Frenchman for the ( )

Mal.

O thou art a blessed creature, had I a modest wo∣man to conceale, I would put her to thy custodie, for no reasonable creature would euer suspect her to be in thy company: ha, thou art a melodious Maquarelle, thou picture of a woman and substance of a beast, and how dost thou think a this transformation of state now?

Maq.

Verie verie well, for we women alwaies note, the falling of the one, is the rising of the other: some must be fat, some must be leane, some must be fooles, and some must be Lords: some must be knaues, and some must bee

officers, some must be beggars, some must be Kni•…•…▪ some must be cuck olds, and some must be citizens: as for example, I haue two court dogs, most fawning curres▪ •…•…he one calde Watch, thother Ca•…•…h: now I, like Ladie Fortune, somtimes loue this dog▪ somtimes rouse that dog, somtimes fauour Watch, most commonly fancie Catch: Now that dogge which I fauour I feede▪ and h•…•…es so rauenous, that what I giue he neuer chawes it, gulpes it dow•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 without any relish of what he haz, but with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…∣pectation of what he shal haue: the other dogge▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Mal.

No more dogge, soote Maquarelle no more dog•…•… and what hope hast thou of the Dutches Maria, will she stoope to the Dukes luer, wil she come, thinkst?

Maq.

Let me see wheres •…•…he signe now? ha ye e•…•…e a cal∣lender, wheres the signe tro•…•… you?

Mal.

Sign? why, is there any moment in that?

Maq.

O beleeue me a most secret power, looke yee a Caldean, or an Assyrian, I am sure t'was a most sweete Iew •…•…ould me, court any woman in the right signe, you shal not misse, but you must take he•…•… in the right veine then: As when the signe is in Pisces, a fishmo•…•…gers wife is verie so∣tiable: in Cancer, a pr•…•…cisians wife is verie flexible: in Ca∣pricorne, a Marchants wife hardly holdes out: in Libra, a Lawyers wife is very tractable, especially, if her husband be at the tearme: onely, in Scorpio •…•…s ve•…•…ie dangerous medling, haz the Duke sent any jewell, anie rich stones?

Enter Captaine.

Mal.

I, I thinke those are the best signes, to take a Lady in: by your fauor signeur: I must discourse with the Lady Maria, Altofronts Dutches: I must enter for the Duke.

Cap.

Shee heere shall guie you enterveiw, I receaued the guardshippe of this Ci•…•…adell from the good Al•…•…front, and for his vse Ile keep't, til I am of •…•…o vse.

Mal.

Wil•…•… thou, O heauen that a christian should be found in a buffeierkin, Captaine conscience? I loue thee

Capt•…•…e.

Exit Captaine.

wee attend, and what hope hast thou of this Dutches 〈◊〉〈◊〉?

Maq.

Twill goe hard, she was a could creature euer, she hated munkies, fooles, ieasters, and gentlemen vshers extreamely: she had the vilde tricke on't, not onely to bee truely modestly honourable in her owne consci∣enc•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shee would avoide the least wanton carri∣a•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might incurre suspect, as God blesse me, she 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brought bed pressing out of fashion: I could •…•…arce get a fine, for the lease of a Ladies fauour once in a fortnight.

Mal.

Now in the name of immodesty, how many mai∣den-heads hast thou brought to the block?

Maq.

Let me see: heauen forgiue vs our misdeedes, heeres the Dutches.

SCENA SECVNDA.

Enter Meria and Captaine.

Mal.

God blesse thee Lady,

Mar.

out of thy company:

Mal.

We haue brought thee tender of a husband,

Mar:

I hope I haue one already.

M•…•…q.

Nay, by mine honour madam, as good hee nere a husband, as a banisht husband, hees in an other world now, Ile tell y•…•… Lady, I haue heard of a sect that maintained, when the husband was asleepe, the wife might lawfully entertaine another man: for then her husband was as dead, much more when he is banished.

Mar.

Vnhonest creature:

Maq.

Pish, honesty is but an art to seeme so: pray yee whats honesty? whats constancie? but fables fained, odde old fools chat deuisde by ielous fooles, to wrong our liberty.

Mal.

Mully, he that loues thee is a Duke, Mendozo, he will maintaine thee royally, loue the ardently, defend thee powerfully, marrie thee sumptuously, and keepe thee in

despight of Rosciclere, or Donzell dell Phebe•…•… theres •…•…wels, if thou wilt, so, if not, so.

Mar:

Captaine, for Gods loue saue poore wretchednesse, From tyranny of lustfull insolence: Inforce me in the deepest dungeon dwell Rather then heere, heere round about is hell. O my dear'st Altofront where ere thou breath, Let my soule sinke into the shades beneath: Before I staine thine honour, tis thou hast, And long as I can die▪ I will liue chaste.

Mal.

Gainst him that can enforce how vaine is strife?

Mar.

She that can be enforc'd haz nere a knife. She that through force her limbes with lust enroules, Wants Cleopatraes aspes and Portiaes coales. God amend you.

Exit with Captaine.

Mal:

Now the feare of the Diuell for euer go with thee. Maquerelle, I tell thee I haue found an honest woman, faith I perceiue when all is done, there is of women as of all o∣ther things: some good, most bad, some saintes, some sin∣ners: for as now adaies no Courtier but haz his mistris, no Captaine but haz his cockatrice, no Cuckold but haz his hornes, and no foole but haz his f•…•…ther: even so no woman but haz her weaknesse and feather too, no sex but haz his: I can hunt the letter no furder: O God how loathsome this toying is to me, that a Duke should be for•…•…d to foole it: well, Stultorūplena sunt omnia, better play the foole Lord, then be the foole Lord: now, wheres your slightes Madam Maquarelle?

Maq.

Why, are yee ignorant that tis sed, a squemish affected nicenes is naturall to women, and that the excuse of their yeelding, is onely forsooth the difficult obtaining, you must put her too'•…•…, women are flaxe, and will fire in a moment.

Mal.

Why was the flax put into thy mouth, and yet thou? thou set fire? thou enflame her.

Maq.

Mary, but Ile tell yee now, you were too ho•…•…▪

Mal.

The fitter to haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the flaxwoman.

Maq.

You were too boisterous 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ for indeede.

M•…•….

〈◊〉〈◊〉, thou art a weake pandres, now I se•…•…. •…•…ner earthes fire heauen it selfe shall waste, Then all with he•…•… c•…•…n mel•…•… a minde that's chaste.

Go thou the Dukes lime-twigge, Ile make the Duke turne thee out of thine office, what not get one touch of hope, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at such advantage.

〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Now a my con•…•…, now I thinke in my discre∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did not take her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…e •…•…ght signe, the blood was not in the true veine, sure.

Exit.

SCENA TERTIA.

Enter Prepasso and Ferrand, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with lightes, Celso and Equato, Mendozo in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Bilioso and Guerrino.: Ex•…•…nt all sa•…•…g: M•…•…uole.

Men.

On on, leaue vs, leaue vs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where is the hermit▪

Mal.

With Duke Pietro, with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pietro.

Men.

Is he dead? is he poysoned▪

Mal.

Dead as the Duke is.

Men.

Good, excellent, he will not 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ se•…•…renes liues in secrecy▪ cōme liether▪ come liether.

Mal.

Thou hast a certaine strong villa•…•… sent about thee, my nature cannot indu•…•…e.

Men.

Sent man? what returnes Maria? what answer to our sute?

Mal.

Colde▪ frostie, she is obstinate.

〈◊〉〈◊〉▪

Then shees but dead •…•…is resolute, she dies: Black deede onely through black deedes safely flies▪

Mal.

Pew, per sc•…•…ra semper sceleribus tutum est •…•…ter.

Men.

What ar•…•… a scholler? art a polititian? sure thou a•…•…te an arrand knaue.

Mal.

Wh•…•… I? I h•…•… bene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an vnder sherife, man.

Men.

Canst •…•…hou impoys•…•…▪ canst thou impoyson?

Mal:

Excellently▪ no Iew▪ Potecary, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 better: look ye, here's a box, whom wouldst thou impoison, here's a box, which opened, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ne vp in condites, tho∣row which the braine purge•…•… it selfe, doth instantly for 12. houres space, bind vp al shew of life in a deep sensles sleep:

heres another, which being opened vnder the sleeper•…•… nose, ch•…•…aks all the pores of life, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him sodainely.

Enter 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Men.

Ile try experiments, tis good not to be decoued▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so, Catzo:

Who would feare that ma destroy, death hath no teeth, nor t•…•…ng,* 1.1 And he thats great▪ to him one slaues sham•…•…, Murder, fame and wrong▪ Celzo•…•…

Cell:

My honored Lord.

Men.

The good Maleuole, that plain-tongued 〈◊〉〈◊〉, is dead on sodaine wondrou•…•… strangely, he held in o•…•…r e∣steem good place,

Celso, see him buried, see him buried.

Cels:

I shall obserue y•…•…e.

Men.

And Celso, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 let it be thy care to night To haue some pretty shew▪ •…•…o solemnize Our high instalment, some musike, maskery: Weele giue f•…•…re ent•…•…taine vnto Maria The Dutchesse to the banishd Altofront: Thou shalt conduct her from the Citadell Vnto the Pallace, thinke on some maskery.

Cel:

Of what shape, sweete Lorde,

Men.

Why shape? why any quicke done fiction, As some brau•…•… spirites of the Gen•…•… Dukes, To come out of Elizium forsooth, Led in by Mercury to gratulate

Our happy fortune, some such any thing, some farre •…•…et tricke, good for Ladies, some stale toy or other, no matter so't be of our deuising.

Do thou prepar't, tis but for fashion sake, Feare not, it shal be grac'd man, it shall take.

Cel:

All seruice.

Men:

All thankes, our hand shal not be •…•…lose to thee: farewel Now is my trechery secure, nor can we fall: Mischiefe that pr•…•…spers men do vertue call, Ile trust no man, he that by trickes▪go•…•…s wreathes, Keepes them with •…•…le, no man se•…•…ely breathes, Out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rankes the Crowde will m•…•…tter foole: Who cannot beare with spi•…•…e he cannot rule:

The chi•…•…st 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for a man of flat•…•…, Is to liue senslesse of a strengthlesse hate.

Exit Mendozo.

Mal.

Death of the damn'd thiefe, Ile make one i'the maske, thou shalt ha some

Br•…•…ue spirites of the antique Dukes.

Cel:

My Lord, what strange di•…•…sion?

Mal.

Most happy, deere 〈◊〉〈◊〉, poi•…•… with an empty* 1.2 box▪ Ile giue thee all anone: my Lady comes to court, there is •…•… •…•…rle of fate comes tumbling on▪ the Castles captaine stands for me, the people pray for me, and the great leader of the iust stands for me: then courage Celso.

For n•…•… disastrous chance can euer m•…•…e him, That leaueth nothing but a God aboue him.

Exeunt.

Enter Prepasso and Bilioso, two Pages, before them Maquar: Beanche, and Emilia.

Bil:

Make roome there, roome for the ladies: why gen∣tlemen, wil not ye suffer the ladies to be entr•…•…d in the great chamber? why gallants? and you sir, to droppe your Torch where the beauties must sit too.

Pre.

And theres a great fellow playes the knaue, why dost not strike him?

Bil:

Let him play the knaue a Gods name, thinkst thou I haue no more wit then to strike a great fellow, the musike, more lights, reueling, scaffolds: do you heare? let there be othes enow ready at the doore, sweare out the diuel himself. Lets leaue the Ladies, and goe see if the Lords be ready for them.

All saue the Ladie•…•… depart.

Maq.

And by my troth Beauties, why do you not put you into the fashion, this is a stale cu•…•…▪ you must come in fa∣shion: looke ye, you must be all felt, fealt and feather, a fealt vpon your head: looke ye, these •…•…ing things are iustly out of request now: and doe yee heare? you must weare falling bands, you must come into the falling fashion: there is such a deale a pinning these ruffes, when the sine cleane fall is woorth all: and agen▪ if you should chance to take a nap in the afternoone, your falling ba•…•… requires no poting sticke to recouer his forme: beheue 〈◊〉〈◊〉, no fashion to the falling band I say.

Bean.

And is not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 S. Andrew Iaqu•…•… •…•… gallant fellow now?

Maq.

By my maiden-head la, honour and hee agrees aswell together, as a satten sute and wollen stockings.

Emil.

But, is not Marshall Make-roome my seruant in reversion, a proper gentleman?

Maq.

Yes in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as he had his office, as in truth he hath all things in reversion: hee haz his Mistris in reversi∣on, his cloathes in reversion, his wit in reversion, & indeed•…•…, is a suter to me for my dogge in reversion: but in good ve∣ritie la, hee is as proper a gentleman in reversion as: and indeede, as fine a man as may be, hauing a red beard and a paire of warpt legges,

Bean.

But I faith I am most monstrously in loue with count Quidlibet in Quodlibet, is he not a pretty dapper windle gallant?

Maq.

He is even one of the most busy •…•…ingerd lords, he will put the beauties to the squeake most hiddeously.

Bil.

Roome, make a lane there, the Duke is entring: stand handsomely for beauties sake, take vp the Ladies there. So, cornets, cornets.

SCENA QVARTA.

Enter Prepasso ioynes to Bilioso▪ two pages with lightes, Fer∣rard, Mendozo, at the other dore two pages with lights, and the Captaine leading in Maria, the Duke meetes Maria, a•…•… closeth with her, the rest fall backe.

Men.

Madam, with gentle eare receiue my suite, A kingdomes safety should o're pa•…•…ze slight rites, Marriage is meerely Natures policy: Then since vnlesse our royall beds be ioynd, Danger and ciuill tumul•…•… frights the sta•…•…e, Be wise as you are faire, giue way to fa•…•….

Mar:

What wouldst thou, thou affliction to our house? Thou euer diuell, twas th•…•… that banishedst my truely noble Lord.

Men▪

I?

Mar:

I, by th•…•… plo•…•…e •…•…hy •…•…hy blac•…•… •…•…agems, Twelue Moons haue suffred change since I be held

The lou•…•…d presence of my de•…•…st Lord. O thou faire worse than death, he partes but soule From a weake body, but thou soule from soule Disseuerst, that which Gods owne hand did kni•…•…. Thou scant of honor, full of di•…•…elish wi•…•….

Men:

Weele checke your too intemperate Iauishnes, I I can, and will.

Mar:

What canst?

Men:

Go to, in banishment thy husband dies.

Mar:

He euer is at home thats euer wise.

Men.

Youst neuer meete more •…•…eason should Loue controule,

Mar.

Not meete?

She that de•…•…re loues, her loue's still in her soule.

Men.

You are but a woman Lady, you must yeelde.

Mar:

O saue me thou innated bashfulnes, Thou onely ornament of womans modestie.

Men:

Modesty? Death Ile torment thee,

Mar:

Do, vrge all torments, all afflictions trie, Ile die, my Lords, as long as I can die.

Men:

Thou obstinate, thou shalt die: captaine, that La∣dies life is forfeited to Iustice, we haue examined her,

And we do finde, she hath impoisoned The re•…•…erend Hermite, therefore we command Se•…•…rest custody. Nay, if youle dooes no good, Youst dooes no harme, a tyrants peace is blood.

Mar▪

O thou art mercifull, O gratious diuell, Rather by much let me condemned be, For seeming murder than be •…•…amn'd for thee. Ile mourne no more, come girt my browes with floures, Reuell and daunce, soule, now thy wish thou hast, Die like a Bride, poore heart thou shalt die chaste.

Enter Aurelia in mo•…•…rning habit.

Life is a frost of could felicitie,

Aur.

And death the thaw of all our vanitie. Wast not an honest Priest that wrote so?

Men.

Who? let her in.

Bili.

Forbeare.

P•…•….

Forbear•…•….

Aur.

Alas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where.

Sad misery, dispight your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doores▪ Will enter euen in court.

Vnt•…•… Mari•…•….

Bili.

Peace.

Aur.

I ha done; one word, take heede, I ha done.

Enter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wi•…•… lo•…•… d•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Mer.

Cilleman Merc•…•…, the God of ghostes, From glomie shades that spread the lower coastes, Calles fower high famed Genoa Dukes to come, And make this presence their 〈◊〉〈◊〉: To passe away this high triumphall night, With song and daunces, courts more soft delight.

Aur.

Are you God of ghostes, I haue a sute depending in hell betwixt me and my conscience, I would •…•…aine haue thee helpe me to an advocate.

Bil.

Mercurie shalbe your lawier Lady,

Aur.

Nay faith, Mercurie haz too good a face to be a right lawier.

Pre.

Peace, forbeare: Mercurie presents the ma•…•…ke.

Cornets: The song to the Cornets, which playing the mask enters.

Enter Maleuole, Pietro, Ferneze, and Celso in white robes, with Dukes Crownes vpon lawrell, wreathes, pistolets and short swordes vnder thier roabes.

Men.

Celso, Celso, court Maria for our loue Lady, be gratious, yet grace.

Mar.

With me Sir?

Mal.

Yes more loued then my breath:* 1.3 With you Ile dance.

Mar.

Why then you dance with death, But come Sir, I was nere more apt for mirth. Death giues eternitie a glorious breath•…•… O, to die honourd, who would feare to die.

Mal:

They die in feare who liue in villanie.

Men.

Yes, beleeue him Ladie, and be rulde by him.

Pietro,

Madam with me?* 1.4

Aur.

Wouldst then be miserable?

Pietro,

I neede not wish.

Aur.

O, yet forbeare my hand, away, fly, fly,

O seeke not her that onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to •…•…y.

Pietro,

Poore loued soule.

Aur.

What, wouldst court miserie?

Pietro,

Yes.

Aur.

Sheele come too soone O my gree•…•…'d heart.

Pietro

Lady ha done, ha, doone. Come downe lets dance, be once from sorrow free.

Aur.

Art a sad man?

Pietro,

Yes sweete.

Aur.

Then weele agree.

Ferneze takes Maquerelle, and Celso Beanche: then the cornets sownd the measure, on change, and rest.

Fer:

Beleeue it Lady, shal I sweare, let me inioy you in* 1.5 priuate, and Ile marrie you by my soule.

Bean.

I had rather you would sweare by your body: I think that would proue the more regarded othe with you.

Fer.

Ile sweare by them both, to please you.

Bea.

O▪ dam them not both, to please me, for Gods sake.

Eer.

Faith swete creature let me inioy you to night, and Ile marry you to morrow fortnight, by my troth lo.

Maq.

On his •…•…roth lo, beleeue him not, that kinde of cunnicatching is as stale as fir Oliuer Anchoues perfumde ierkin: promise of matrimony by a yoong Gallant, to bring a virgin Lady into a fooles paradise: make her a great woman, and then cast her off: tis as common as naturall to a Courtier, as jelosie to a Citizen, gluttony to a Puritan, wisdome to an Alderman, pride to a Tayler, or an empty to one of these sixepenny damnations: of his troth lo, be∣leeue him not, traps to catch polecats.

Mal.

Keepe your face constant, let no suddaine passion speake in your eies.* 1.6

Mar.

O my Altofront.

Pietro

A tyrants jelosies are verie nimble, you receiue it all.* 1.7

Aur.

My heart though not my knees doth v•…•…bly fall, Lo as the earth to thee.

Pietro.

Peace, next change, no words.

Mar.

〈1 line〉〈1 line〉

Cornets so•…•…nde the measure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪

Men.

Maleuole▪

They enuiron Mendozo •…•…∣ding their Pistolls on him.

Mal.

No.

Men.

Altofront, Duke Lorenzo Fer•…•…, hah?

All,

Duke 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Duke Altofront.

Cornets, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Men.

Are we surprizde? what strange delusions •…•…cke Our sences, do I dreame? or haue I dream•…•… This two daies space? where am I?

They 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon Mendozo.

Mal.

Where an arch villaine i•…•….

Men.

O lend me breath to liue til I am fit to dy. For peace with heauen, for your owne soules sake Vouchsafe me life.

Pietro.

Ignoble villaine, whome neither h•…•…en nor hell, goodnesse of God or man could once make good.

Mal.

Base trecherour wretch, what grace •…•…anst thou expect, That hast growne impudent in gracelesnesse.

Men.

O life!

Mal.

Slaue, take thy life. Wert thou defenced through blood and woundes, The sternest horror of a ciuill fight, Would I atcheeue thee, but prostrat at my feete, I scorne to hurt thee, tis the heart of slaues That daines to triumph ou•…•…r peasants 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For such thou art since 〈◊〉〈◊〉 d•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 A man mong •…•…ouarkes, but a glorious so•…•…le▪* 1.8 You are ioyd spirits, wi•…•…e your long •…•…et 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Maleuole kickes o•…•…t Mendozo.

Hence with this man: an Eagle takes not flies. You to your vowes to Pietro & Aureli•…•…, and thou vnto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. You to my worst friend I would 〈◊〉〈◊〉 giue: Thou art a perfect olde knau•…•… all pleased liue▪ You two vnto my breast, thou to my heart▪ And as for me I heere assume my right, To which I hope all's pleasd: to all god night.

Cornets a florish. Exeunt. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Finis.

Notes

• * 1.1

  eems to poi∣•…•…n Maleuole.
• * 1.2

  Starts vp and speakes.
• * 1.3

  •…•…aleuole taks •…•…s wife to •…•…unce.
• * 1.4

  •…•…etro takes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wife Au∣•…•…ia to dance
• * 1.5

  To Beanch•…•….
• * 1.6

  To Maria.
• * 1.7

  To Aurelia.
• * 1.8

  To Pietro and Aur•…•…lia. To Mendozo To Maquerel: To Bilioso. To Celso and the Captaine: To Maria.