The wild-goose chase a comedie as it hath been acted with singular applause at the Black-Friers : being the noble, last, and onely remaines of those incomparable drammatists, Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Gent. : retriv'd for the publick delight of all the ingenious and private benefit of John Lowin and Joseph Taylor, servants to His late Majestie / by a person of honour.

Scaen. 2.

Enter Mirabel, Nantolet, La castre.

La Cast.

Will ye be wilful then?

Mir.

'Pray, sir, your pardon, For I must Travel: lie lazy here; Bound to a Wife; Chain'd to her subtleties, Her humors, and her wills, which are meer Fetters; To have her today pleas'd, to morrow peevish, The third day mad, the fourth rebellious; You see, before they are married, what Moriscoes,

What Masques, and Mummeries they put upon us, To be ty'd here, and suffer their Lavalto's?

Nan.

'Tis your own seeking.

Mir.

Yes, to get my freedom; Were they as I could wish 'em.

la-Cast.

Fools, and Meacocks, To endure what you think fit to put upon 'em: Come, change your minde.

Mir.

Not before I have chang'd air (Father) When I know women worthy of my company, I will return again and wait upon 'em; Till then (dear Sir) I'll amble all the world over, And run all hazards, misery, and poverty,

Enter Pinac & Bellure.

So I escape the dangerous Bay of Matrimony.

Pi.

Are ye resolv'd?

Mir.

Yes certain; I will out again.

Pi.

We are for ye, sir; we are your sevants once more; Once more we'll seek our fortune in strange Countries; Ours is too scornful for us.

Bel.

Is there ne'er a Land That ye have read, or head of, (for I care not how far it be, Nor under what Pestiferous Star it lies) A happy Kingdom, where there are no Women? Nor have been ever? Nor no mention Of any such lewd Things, with lewder qualities? For thether would I Travel; where 'tis Fellony To confess he had a Mother: a Mistris, Treason?

la-Cast.

Are you for Travel too?

Bel.

For any thing; For living in the Moon, and stopping hedges, E'er I stay here to be abus'd, and baffell'd.

Nant.

Why did ye not break your minds to me? They are my daughters; And sure I think I should have that command over 'em? To see 'em well bestow'd: I know ye are Gentlemen, Men of fair Parts and States; I know your Parents; And had ye told me of your fair Affections: Make but one Tryal more; and let me second ye.

Bel.

No I'll make Hob-nailes first, and mend old Kettles: Can ye lend me an Armor of high proof, to appear in, And two or three field pieces to defend me? The Kings Guard are meer Pigmeys.

Nant.

They will not eat ye.

Bel.

Yes, and you too, and twenty fatter Monsieurs, If their high stomacks hold: They came with Chopping-knives, To cut me into Rands, and Surloyns, and so powder me. Come, shall we go?

Nant.

You cannot be so discurteous (If ye intend to go) as not to visit 'em, And take your leaves.

Mir.

That we dare do, and civilly, And thank 'em too.

Pi.

Yes, sir, we know that honesty.

Bel.

I'll come i'th Rear, forty foot off, I'll assure ye, With a good Gun in my hand; I'll no more Amazous, I mean, no more of their frights; I'll make my three legs, Kiss my hand twice; and if I smell no danger; If the enterview be clear, may be I'll speak to her; I'll ware a privy coat too; and behind me, To make those parts secure, a Bandog.

la-Cast.

You are a merry Gentleman.

Bel.

A wary Gentleman; I do assure ye, I Have been warn'd, and must be arm'd.

la-Cast.

Well, Son, These are your hasty thoughts, when I see you are bent to it, Then I'll beleeve, and joyn with ye; So we'll leave ye: There's a Trick will make ye stay.

Nant.

I hope so.

Exeunt.

Mir.

We have won immortal Fame now, if we leave 'em.

Pi.

You have, but we have lost.

Mir.

Pinac, Thou art cozen'd; I know they Love ye; and to gain ye handsomly, Not to be thought to yeeld, they would give millions; Their Fathers willingness, that must needs shew ye.

Pi.

If I thought so.

Mir.

Ye shall be hang'd, ye Recreant, Would ye turn Renegado no?

Bel.

No lets away, Boyes, Out of the Air, and tumult of their Villanies; Though I were married to that Grashopper, And had her fast by th' legs I should think she would cozen me.

Fac.

Monsieur Mirabel, I take it?

Enter a young Factor.

Mir.

Y'are ith' right, sir.

Fac.

I am come to seek ye, sir; I have been at your Fathers, And understanding you were here.

Mir.

Ye are welcome: May I crave your name?

Fac.

Fosse, Sir, and your servant; That you may know me better; I am Factor To your old Merchant, Leverdure.

Mir.

How do's he?

Fac.

Well, sir, I hope: he is now at Orleance, About some business.

Mir.

You are once more welcom. Your Master's a right honest man; and one I am much beholding too, and must very shortly Trouble his love again.

Fac.

You may be bold, sir.

Mir.

Your business if you please now?

Fac.

This it is, sir. I know ye well remember in your Travel A Genoa Merchant.

Mir.

I remember many.

Fac.

But this man, sir, particularly; your own benefit Must needs imprint him in ye: one Alberto;

A Gentleman you sav'd from being Murther'd A little from Bollonia, I was then myself in Italie, and supplide ye, Though happely, you have forgot me now.

Mir.

No, I remember ye, And that Alberto too: a noble Gentleman: More to remember, were to thanck myself, Sir. What of that Gentleman?

Fac.

He is dead:

Mir.

I am sorry.

Fac.

But on his death bed, leaving to his Sister. All that he had beside some Certaine Jewells, Which with a Ceremony, he bequeathd to you, In gratefull memory: he commanded strictly His Sister, as she lov'd him and his peace, To see those Jewells safe, and true deliverd; And with them, his last Love. She, as tender To observe this wil, not trusting friend, nor Servant, With such a weight, is come her self to Paris And at my Masters House.

Mir.

You tell me a wonder.

Fac.

I tell ye a truth, Sir: She is young, and handsom, And well attended: of much State, and Riches; So loving, and obedient to her Brother; That on my Conscience, if he had given her also, She would most willingly have made her tender.

Mir.

May not I see her?

Fac.

She desires it hartily.

Mir.

And presently?

Fac.

She is now about some Business, Passing Accompts of some few debts here owing, And buying Jewells of a Merchant,

Mir.

Is she wealthie.

Fac.

I would ye had her, Sir, at all adventure. Her Brother had, a main State.

Mir.

And faire too?

Fac.

The prime of all those parts of Italie, For Beautie, and for Curtesie.

Mir.

I must needs see her.

Fac.

'Tis all her Business, Sir. Ye may now see her, But to morrow will be fitter for your visitation; For she is not yet prepared.

Mir.

Onely, her 〈…〉〈…〉ight, Sir. And when you shall think fit for further visit.

Fac.

Sir, ye may see her; and Ile wayt your Coming.

Mir.

And Ile be with ye instantly: I know the house, Mean time, my love, and thanks, Sir.

Fac.

Your poore Servant

—Exit.

Pi.

Thou hast the strangest Luck: What was that Alberto?

Mir.

An honest noble Marchant, 'twas my chance To rescue from some Rogues had almost slain him; And he in kindness to remember this.

Bel.

Now we shall have you: For all your protestations, and your forwardness, Finde out strange Fortunes in this Ladies eyes, And new entirements to put off your journey; And who shall have honor then?

Mir.

No, no, never fear it: I must needs see her, to receive my Legacy.

Bel.

If it be tide up in her smock, Heaven help thee: May not we see too?

Mir.

Yes, afore we go: I must be known my self e'er I be able To make thou welcom: wouldst thou see more women? I thought you had been out of love with all:

Bel.

I may be, I finde that with the least encouragement: Yet I desire to see whether all Countries Are naturally possess'd with the same spirits; For if they be, I'll take a Monastery, And never Travel; for I had rather be a Frier, And live mewed up, then be a fool, and flouted:

Mir.

Well, well, I'll meet ye anon; then tell you more, Boys; How e'er, stand prepar'd, prest for our journey; For certain, we shall go, I think, when I have seen her. And view'd her well.

Pi.

Go, go, and we'll wait for ye; Your fortune directs ours.

Bel.

You shall finde us ith' Tavern, Lamenting in Sack and Suger for our losses; If she be right Italian, and want servants, You may prefer the properest man. How I could worry a woman now?

Pi:

Come, come, leave prating; Ye may have enough to do, without this boasting

Exeunt.