The bond-man an antient storie. As it hath been often acted with good allowance, at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane: by the most excellent princesse, the Lady Elizabeth her Seruants. By Phillip Massinger.

ACTVS II. SCAENA I.

Archidamus, Timagoras, Leosthenes with Gorgits, Pisander.

Archid.

So, so, 'tis well, how doe I looke?

Pisander.

Most sprightfully.

Archid.

I shrinke not in the shoulders, though I am olde, I am tough, steele to the backe, I haue not wasted My stocke of strength in Feather-beds: heer's an arme too, There's stuffe in't, and I hope will vse a Sword As well as any beardlesse Boy of you all.

Timag.

I am glad to see you, Sir, so well prepar'd, To indure the trauaile of the warre.

Archid.

Goe too sirra, I shall indure, when some of you keepe your Cabins, For all your flaunting Feathers, nay Leosthenes You are welcome too, all friends, and fellowes now.

Leost.

Your seruant Sir.

Archid.

Pish, leaue these Complements, They stincke in a Souldiers mouth, I could be merry, For now my Gowne's off, farewell Grauitie, And must be bolde to put a question to you, Without offence, I hope.

Leost.

Sir, what you please.

Archid.

And you will answer truely?

Timagor.

On our words, Sir.

Archid.

Goe too, then, I presume you will confesse, That you are two notorious Whore-maisters. Nay spare your blushing, I haue beene wilde my selfe, A snatch, or so, for Physicke, does no harme; Nay, it is physicke, if vs'd moderately, But to lye at racke, and manger,

Leost.

Say we grant this, For if we should deny it, you'l not beleeue vs, What will you inferre vpon it?

Archid.

What you'l groane for, I feare, when you come to the test. Old Stories tell vs There is a Moneth cal'd October; which brings in Colde weather, there are trenches too, 'tis rumor'd In which to stand all night to the knees in water, In Gallants breeds the tooth-ach, there's a sport too Nam'd lying Perdi••••, (doe you marke me) tis a game, Which you must learne to play at: now in these seasons, And choyse varietie of Exercises, (Nay I come to you) and fasts not for Deuotion, Your rambling hunt-smocke, feeles strange altorations, And in a Frosty morning, lookes as if He could with ease creepe in a pottle Pot In stead of his Mistris placket, then he Curses The time he spent in midnight visitations; And findes what he superfluously parted with, To be reported good, at length, and well breath'd, But if retriu'd into his backe againe,

Enter Diphilus, and Cleora.

Would keepe him warmer then a Scarlet wast-coate, Or an Armour linde with Furre. O welcome, welcome, You haue cut off my discourse, but I will perfit My lecture in the Campe.

Diphil.

Come, we are stay'd for, The General's a fire for a remoue, And longs to be in action.

Archid.

Tis my wish too, We must part, nay to teares, my best Cleora, I shall melt too, and that were ominous. Millions of blessings on thee, all that's mine, I giue vp to thy charge, and sirra, looke You, with that care and reuerence obserue her Which you would pay to me, a kisse, farewell Girle.

Diphil.

Peace wayte vpon you, faire one.

Exeunt Archid. Diphil. Pisander.

Timag.

Twere impertinence To wish you to be carefull of your Honour,

That euer keepe in pay a Guard about you Of faithfull vertues: Farewell friend, I leaue you To wipe our kisses off, I know that Louers Part with more circumstance and ceremony, Which I giue way to.

Exit Timagoras.

Leost.

Tis a noble fauour, For which, I euer owe you, we are alone, But how I should begin, or in what language Speake the vnwilling word, of parting from you, I am yet to learne.

Cleora.

And still continue ignorant, For I must be most cruell to my selfe, If I should teach you.

Leost.

Yet it must be spoken, Or you will chide my slacknesse, you haue fir'd me With the heate of noble action, to deserue you, And the least sparke of honour, that tooke life From your sweet breath, still fam'd by it, and cherish'd, Must Mount vp in a glorious flame, or I Am much vnworthy.

Cleora.

May it not burne heere, And as a Sea-marke, serue to guide true Louers, (Toss'd on the Ocean of luxurious wishes) Safe from the rockes of Lust into the harbour, Of pure affection? rising vp an example, Which after-times shall witnesse, to our glory, First tooke from vs beginning.

Leost.

Tis a happinesse, My duty to my Countrey, and mine Honour Cannot consent too, besides, adde to these, It was your pleasure, fortifide by perswasion, And strength of reason, for the generall good, That I should goe.

Cleora.

Alas, I then was wittie To pleade against my selfe, and mine eye fix'd, Vpon the hill of Honour, ne're descended To looke into the vayle of certaine dangers, Through which, you were to cut your passage to it.

Leost.

Ile stay at home then.

Cleora.

No, that must not be, For so to serue my own ends, and to gaine A petty wreath my selfe; I rob you of A certaine triumph, which must fall vpon you, Or Vertue's turn'd a hand-maide to blinde Fortune: How is my soule deuided! to confirme you, In the opinion of the world, most worthy To be belou'd, (with me you are at the heigth, And can aduance no further) I must send you To Court the Goddesse of sterne Warre, who if Shee see you with my eies, will ne're returne you, But grow enamour'd of you.

Leost.

Sweet, take comfort, And what I offer you, you must vouchsafe me, Or I am wretched; all the dangers, that I can incounter in the War, and trifles; My enemies abroad to be contemn'd; The dreadfull foes, that haue the power to hurt me, I leaue at home with you.

Cleor.

With mee?

Leost.

Nay, in you, On euery part about you, they are arm'd To fight against me.

Cleora.

Where?

Leost.

Ther's no perfection That you are Mistris of, but musters vp A Legion against me, and all sworne To my destruction.

Cleora.

This is strange!

Leost.

But true, sweet, Excesse of loue can worke such miracles. Vpon this Iuory fore-head are intrench'd Ten thousand riuals, and these Sunnes command, Supplies from all the world, on paine to forfeit Their comfortable beames; these Rubie lips, A rich Exchecquer to assure their pay; This hand, Sibillas golden bough to guard them Through Hell, and horror, to the Elizian Springs;

Which who'll not venter for? and should I name Such as the vertues of your minde inuite, Their numbers would be infinite.

Cleora.

Can you thinke, I may be tempted?

Leost.

You were neuer prou'd. For me I haue conuers'd with you no farther, Then would become a Brother. I ne're tun'd Loose Notes to your chaste eares; or brought rich Presents For my Artillery, to batter downe, The fortresse of your honour, nor endeuour'd To make your blood runne high at solemne Feasts With Viands, that prouoke; (the speeding Philtres) I work'd no Baudes to tempt you; neuer practis'd The cunning, and corrupting Arts they studie, That wander in the wilde Maze of desire; Honest simplicitie, and Truth were all The Agents I imployd, and when I came To see you, it was with that reuerence, As I beheld the Altars of the gods; And loue, that came along with me, was taught To leaue his Arrowes, and his Torch behinde, Quench'd in my feare to giue offence.

Cleora.

And 'twas That modesty that tooke me, and preserues me, Like a fresh Rose, in mine owne naturall sweetnesse; Which sulli'd with the touch of impute hands, Loose both sent and beauty.

Leost.

But, Cleora, When I am absent, as I must goe from you, (such is the cruelty of my fate) and leaue you Vnguarded, to the violent assaults Of loose temptations; when the memory Of my so many yeares of Loue, and seruice, Is lost in other obiects; when you are courted By such as keepe a Catalogue of their Conquests, Wonne vpon credulous Virgins; when nor Father Is here to owe you; Brother to aduise you;

Nor your poore seruant by, to keepe such off, By lust instructed how to vndermine, And blow your chastity vp; when your weake senses At once assaulted, shall conspire against you; And play the traytors to your soule, your vertue: How can you stand? 'faith though you fall, and I The iudge, before whom you then stood accus'd, I should acquit you.

Cleora.

Will you then confirme, That loue, and iealousie, though of different natures, Must of necessity be twins? the younger, Created onely to defeate the elder, And spoyle him of his Birth-right: 'tis not well. But being to part, I will not chide, I will not, Nor with one sillable, or teare expresse, How deeply I am wounded with the arrowes Of your distrust: but when that you shall heare At your returne, how I haue borne my selfe, And what an auftere penance I take on me, To satisfie your doubts: when like a Vestall I shew you to your shame, the fire still burning, Committed to my charge by true affection, The people ioyning with you in the wonder. When by the glorious splendor of my suffrings, The prying eies of iealousie are strucke blinde, The Monster too that feeds on feares, eu'n staru'd For want of seeming matter to accuse me, Expect Leosthenes, a sharpe reproofe From my iust anger.

Leost.

What will you doe?

Cleora.

Obey mee, Or from this minute you are a stranger to me. And doe it without reply: all seeing Sunne, Thou witnesse of my innocence, thus I close Mine eies against thy comfortable light, Till the returne of this distrustfull man. Now binde 'em sure, nay doo't, if vncompeld. I loose this knot, vntill the hands that made it

Be pleas'd to vntie it, may consuming plagues Fall heauy on me, pray you guide me to your lips, This kisse, when you come backe shall be a Virgin To bid you welcome: Nay, I haue not done yet. I will continue dumbe, and you once gone, No Accent shall come from me: now to my chamber, My Tombe, if you miscarry: there I'le spend My houres in silent mourning, and thus much Shall be reported of me to my glory, And you confesse it, whither I liue or die, My Chastity triumphs ouer your iealousie.

ACTVS II. SCAENA II.

Asotus, Gracculo.

Asot.

You slaue, you Dogge, downe Curre.

Gracc.

Hold, good young Master, For pitties sake.

Asot.

Now am I in my kingdome. Who saies I am not valiant? I begin To frowne againe, quake villaine.

Grac.

So I doe, Sir, Your lookes are Agues to me.

Asot.

Are they so Sir, 'Slight, if I had them at this bey, that flout me, And say I looke like a sheepe, and an Asse, I would make 'em Feele, that I am a Lyon.

Gracc.

Doe not rore, Sir, As you are a valiant beast: but doe you know Why you vse me thus?

Asot.

I'le beat thee a little more, Then study for a reason, O I haue it, One brake a iest on me, and then I swore Because I durst not strike him, when I came home That I would breake thy head.

Grac.

Plague on his mirth, I am sure I mourne for't.

Asot.

Remember too, I charge you

To teach my Horse good manners; yet this morning, As I rode to take the ayre, th'untutor'd Iade Threw me, and kic'kd me.

Grac.

I thanke him for't.

Asot.

What's that?

Grac.

I say, Sir, I'le teach him to hold his heeles, If you will rule your fingers.

Asot.

I'le thinke vpon't.

Grac.

I am bruisde to ielly; better be a dogge, Then slaue to a Foole or Coward.

Asot.

Heere's my Mother,

Enter Corisca and Zanthia.

Shee is chastising too: How braue we liue! That haue our slaues to beat, to keepe vs in breath, When we want exercise.

Corisca.

Carelesse Harlotrie,

Striking her.

Looke too't, if a Curle fall, or winde, or Sunne, Take my Complexion off, I will not leaue One haire vpon thine head.

Grac.

Here's a second show Of the Family of pride.

Corisca.

Fie on these warres, I am staru'd for want of action, not a gamester left To keepe a woman play; if this world last A little longer with vs, Ladyes must studie Some new found Mistery, to coole one another, Wee shall burne to Cinders else; I haue heard there haue beene Such Arts in a long vacation; would they were Reueal'd to mee: they haue made my Doctor too Phisitian to the Army, he was vs'de To serue the turne at a pinch: but I am now Quite vnprouided.

Asot.

My Mother in law is sure At her deuotion.

Corisc.

There are none but our slaues left, Nor are they to be trusted; some great women (Which I could name) in a dearth of Visitants, Rather then be idle, haue beene glad to play At small game, but I am so queasie stomack't,

And from my youth haue beene so vsde to Dainties, I cannot taste such grosse meate; some that are hungrie Draw on their shoomakers, and take a fall From such as mend Mats in their Galleries; Or when a Taylor settles a Petticoate on, Take measure of his Bodkin: fie vpon't, 'Tis base; for my part, I could rather lie with A Gallants breeches, and conceaue vpon 'em, Then stoope so low.

Asot.

Faire Madam, and my Mother.

Corisca.

Leaue the last out, it smells rancke of the Countrie, And shewes course breeding, your true Courtier knowes not His Neece, or Sister from another woman, If she be apt and cunning. I could tempt now This foole, but he will be so long a working. Then hee's my Husbands Sonne; the fitter to Supply his wants, I haue the way already. I'le trie, if it will take; when were you with Your Mistris, faire Cleora.

Asot.

Two daies sithence, But shee's so coy forsooth, that ere I can Speake a pen'd speech I haue bought, and studied for her, Her woman calls her away.

Corisc.

Here's a dull thing, But better taught I hope, send of your man.

Asot.

Sirra, be gone.

Grac.

This is the first good turne, She euer did me.

Exit Gracculo.

Corisc.

We'le haue a Scaene of mirth, I must not haue you sham'd for want of practise. I stand here for Cleora, and doe you heare Minion, (That you may tell her, what her woman should do) Repeat the lesson ouer, that I taught you, When my young Lord came to visit me, if you misse In a Syllable or posture!

Zant.

I am perfect.

Asot.

Would I were so: I feare I shall be out.

Corisc.

If you are, I'le helpe you in. Thus I walke musing:

You are to enter, and as you passe by, Salute my woman, be but bold enough, You'le speed I warrant you; begin.

Asot.

Haue at it. 'Saue thee sweet heart. A kisse.

Zant.

Venus forbid, Sir, I should presume to taste your honours lips Before my Lady.

Corisc.

This is well on both parts.

Asot.

How does thy Lady?

Zant.

Happy in your Lordship, As oft as she thinkes on you.

Corisc.

Very good, This Wench will learne in time.

Asot.

Does she thinke of me?

Zant.

O Sir, and speakes the best of you, admires Your wit, your clothes, discourse; and sweares, but that You are not forward enough for a Lord, you were The most compleat, and absolute man: I'le shew Your Lordship a Secret.

Asot.

Not of thine owne?

Zant.

O no, Sir, 'Tis of my Lady, but vpon your honour, You must conceale it.

Asot.

By all meanes.

Zanthia.

Some times I lie with my Ladie, as the lastnight I did, Shee could not say her prayers, for thinking of you, Nay, she talked of you in her sleepe, and sigh'd out, O sweet Asotus, sure thou art so backward, That I must rauish thee, and in that feruor She tooke me in her armes, threw me vpon her, Kis'd me, and hug'd me, and then wak'd, and wept; Because 'twas but a dreame.

Corisc.

This will bring him on, Or hee's a blocke. A good Girle!

Asot.

I am mad, Till I am at it.

Zant.

Be not put off, Sir, With away, I dare not; fie you are immodest, My Brother's vp, my Father will heare, shoot home, Sir, You cannot misse the marke.

Asot.

There's for thy counsaile. This is the fairest interlude, if it proue earnest, I shall wish I were a Player.

Corisc.

Now my turne comes. I am exceeding sicke, pray you send my Page For young Asotus, I cannot liue without him, Pray him to visit me, yet when hee's present, I must be strange to him.

Asot.

Not so: you are caught. Loe whom you wish, behold Asotus here!

Corisc.

You wait well, Minion, shortly I shall not speake My thoughts in my priuate Chamber, but they must Lie open to discouery.

Asot.

'Slid shee's angry.

Zant.

No, no, Sir, she but seemes so. To her againe.

Asot.

Lady, I would descend to kisse your hand, But that 'tis glou'd, and Ciuit makes me sicke; And to presume to taste your lipps not safe, Your woman by:

Corisc.

I hope shee's no obseruer, Of whom I grace.

Zant. Lookes on a Booke, kisses her.

Asot.

She's at her booke, O rare!

Corisc.

A kisse for entertainement is sufficient: Too much of one dish cloyes me.

Asotus.

I would serue in The second course, but still I feare your woman.

Corisc.

You are very cautelous.

Zanthia seemes to sleepe.

Asotus.

'Slight shee's asleepe! 'Tis pitty, these instructions are not printed: They would sell well to Chamber-maides, 'tis no time now To play with my good fortune, and your fauour, Yet to be taken, as they say: a scout To giue the signall when the enemie comes,

Exit Zanthia.

Were now worth gold: Shee's gone to watch.

A wayter so trayn'd vp were worth a million, To a wanton Citie Madam.

Corisc.

You are growne conceited.

Asotas.

You teach me; Lady, now your Cabinet.

Corisc.

You speake, as it were yours.

Asotas.

When we are there, Ile show you my best euidence.

Corisc.

Holde, you forget, I onely play Cleora's part.

Asotas.

No matter, Now we haue begun, let's end the act.

Corisc.

Forbeare, Sir, Your Fathers wife?

Asotas.

Why, being his Heyre, I am bound, Since he can make no satisfaction to you, To see his debts payd.

Enter Zanthia running.

Zanthia.

Madame, my Lord.

Corisc.

Fall off, I must trifle with the time too; Hell confound it.

Asotas.

Plague on his toothlesse chaps, he cannot do't Himselfe, yet hinders such as haue good stomacks.

Enter Cleon.

Cleon.

Where are you, Wife? I faine would goe abroad, But cannot finde my Slaues, that beare my Litter: I am tyr'd, your shoulder, Sonne; nay sweet, thy hand too, A turne or two in the Garden, and then to Supper, And so to Bed.

Asotas.

Neuer to rise, I hope, more.

Exeunt.

ACTVS II. SCAENA III.

Pisander, Poliphron, bringing forth a Table.

Pisander.

'Twill take, I warrant thee.

Poliphron.

You may doe your pleasure: But, in my judgement, better to make vse of The present opportunitie.

Pisander.

No more.

Enter Cimbrio, Gracculo, and Slaues.

Poliphron.

I am silenc'd.

Pisander.

More wine, pray thee drinke hard, friend,

And when we are hot, what euer I propound, Second with vehemency: men of your wordes, all welcome, Slaues vse no ceremonie, sit downe, heer's a health,

Poliphron.

Let it runne round, fill euery man his Glasse.

Gracc.

We looke for no wayters; this is Wine.

Pisander.

The better, Strong, lusty wine: drinke deepe, this juyce will make vs As free as our Lords.

Drinkes.

Gracc.

But if they finde, we taste it, We are all damn'd to the quarry, during life, Without hope of redemption.

Pisander.

Pish, for that Wee'l talke anon: another rowse, we loose time,

Drinkes.

When our lowe blood's wound vp a little higher, Ile offer my designe; nay, we are colde yet, These Glasses containe nothing; doe me right,

Takes the Bottle.

As e're you hope for liberty. 'Tis done brauely, How doe you feele your selues now?

Cimbrio.

I begin To haue strange Conundrums in my head.

Gracc.

And I, To loath base water: I would be hang'd in peace now, For one moneth of such Holy-dayes.

Pisander.

An age, Boyes, And yet defie the Whip, if you are men, Or dare belieue, you haue soules.

Cimbrio.

We are no Broakers:

Gracc.

Nor Whores, whose markes are out of their mouthes, they haue none, They hardly can get salt enough to keep 'em From stinking aboue ground.

Pisander.

Our Lords are no Gods?

Gracc.

They are Diuels to vs, I am sure.

Pisander.

But subject to Colde, hunger, and diseases.

Gracc.

In abundance. Your Lord, that feeles no ach in his chine at twentie, Forfeits his priuiledge, how should their Chyrurgion build else, Or ride on their Foot-cloathes?

Pisander.

Equall nature fashion'd vs All in one molde: The Beare serues not the Beare, Nor the Wolfe, the Wolfe; 'twas ods of strength in tyrants, That pluck'd the first linke from the Golden chayne With which that thing of things bound in the world. Why then, since we are taught, by their examples, To loue our Libertie, if not Command, Should the strong serue the weake, the faire deform'd ones? Or such as know the cause of thinges, pay tribute To ignorant fooles? All's but the outward glosse And politicke forme, that does distinguish vs. Cymbrio, thou art a strong man; if in place Of carrying burthens, thou hadst beene trayn'd vp In Martiall discipline, thou mightst haue prou'd A Generall, fit to lead and fight for Sicilie, As fortunate as Timolcon.

Cymbrio.

A little fighting Will serue a Generals turne.

Pisander.

Thou, Gracculo, Hast fluencie of Language, quicke conceite, And I thinke, couer'd with a Senators robe, Formally set on the Bench, thou wouldst appeare As braue a Senator.

Gracc.

Would I had Lands, Or money to buy a place; and if I did not Sleepe on the Bench, with the drowsiest of'em, play with my Chayne, Looke on my Watch, when my guts chym'd twelue, and weare A state Beard, with my Barbers helpe, rancke with 'em, In their most choyce peculiar guifts; degrade me And put me to drinke Water againe, which (now I haue tasted Wine) were poyson.

Pisander.

'Tis spoke nobly, And like a Gown-man, none of these, I thinke too, But would proue good Burgers.

Gracc.

Hum: the fooles are modest, I know their insides: Here's an ill-fac'd fellow, (But that will not be seene in a darke Shop,) If he did not in a moneth, learne to out-sweare,

In the selling of his Wares, the cunningest Tradesman In Syracusa, I haue no skill; Here's another, Obserue but what a cousening looke he has, (Hold vp thy head, man) if for drawing Gallants Into mortgages for Commodities, cheating Heyres With your new counterfeit Gold thred, and gumm'd Veluets, He does not transcend all that went before him, Call in his patent; passe the rest, they'l all make Sufficient Becos, and with their brow-antlets Beare vp the Cap of maintenance.

Pisander.

Is 't not pitty then, Men of such eminent vertues, should be Slaues?

Cimbrio.

Our fortune.

Pisander.

Tis your folly, daring men Commaund, and make their fates. Say, at this instant, I mark'd you out a way to Libertie; Possest you of those blessings, our proud Lords So long haue surfetted in; and what is sweetest, Arme you with power, by strong hand to reuenge Your stripes, your vnregarded toyle, the pride, The insolencie, of such as tread vpon Your patient suffrings; fill your famish'd mouthes, With the fat and plentie of the Land; redeeme you From the darke vale of Seruitude, and seate you Vpon a hill of happinesse; what would you doe To purchase this and more?

Gracc.

Doe any thing, To burne a Church or two, and dance by the light on't Were but a May-game.

Poliphron.

I haue a Father liuing, But if the cutting of his throat could worke this, He should excuse me.

Cimbrio.

'Slight, I would cut mine owne, Rather then misse it, so I might but haue A taste on't, ere I dye.

Pisander.

Be resolute men, You shall runne no such hazard, nor groane vnder The burthen of such crying sinnes.

Cimbrio.

The meanes?

Gracculo.

I feele a womans longing.

Poliphron.

Doe not torment vs With expectation.

Pisander.

Thus then, our proud Masters; And all the able Freemen of the Citie Are gone vnto the warres,

Poliphron.

Obserue but that.

Pisander,

Old men, and such as can make no resistance, Are onely left at home.

Gracculo.

And the proud young foole My Master: If this take, I'le hamper him.

Pisander.

Their Arsenall, their Treasure's in our power, If we haue hearts to sease 'em, if our Lords fall In the present action, the whole countrie's ours; Say they returne victorious, we haue meanes To keepe the Towne against them: at the worst To make our owne conditions: now if you dare fall on their Daughters, and their wiues, break vp Their Iron Chests, banquet on their rich Beds, And carue your selues of all delights and pleasures You haue beene barr'd from, with one voyce cry with me, Libertie, Libertie.

All.

Libertie, Libertie.

Pisander.

Goe then, and take possession; vse all freedome, But shed no blood: so this is well begun, But not to be commended, til't be done.

Exeunt omnes.