The guardian, a comedie acted before Prince Charls, His Highness at Trinity-Colledg in Cambridge, upon the twelfth of March, 1641

Cowley, Abraham, 1618-1667.

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Act. 5.

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Act. 5. Scaen. 13.

To them, Aurelia.

Aur.

Here, Sir.

Bla.

Here, Sir? Why do you make your husband lead your maid in thus?

Aur.

My husband, Sir? what's that?

Bla.

Why, huswife is not Mr. Truman your husband?

Aur.

No, by my troth, Sir, I thank God.

Tru. p.

These are fine tricks; delicate, dainty tricks. Sirrah, how durst you Sir∣rah?—and for your minion—marry come up, marry a Chamber-maid? Well, Cap∣tain, this was your plotting. You said in∣deed you'd make a Iethron o' me: y' ha' don't indeed; I thank you, Captain Blade, 'tis well. Out o' my sight, Sir, with your minion there, I say out o' my sight. Ha! am I fool'd thus? I shall make some repent it, I hold a groate on't.

Bla.

D'ye hear, Mr. Truman—

Tru. p.

Yes, Sir, I do hear; and I will not hear if it please me, Sir; but some body shall hear o' this Captain. But, Captain, you're deceived, this is not a lawful mar∣riage.

Luc.
Pray, hear me all; for I shall tell those things
That will appease your wrath, and move your wonder.
I've married Truman, and I will enjoy him,
And he will love me, I am sure he will;
For I am Lucia, the much injure'd Lucia.

Omn.

Ha!

Luc.

The habit of a servant I put on,

That I might finde who 'twas I ought to pardon,

For all the wrongs done to me. I have found it,

Cosen, you know I have, and I forgive 'um.

Aur.
Then all my plots are spoil'd. Par∣don me, Cousin:
And, Mr. Truman, know you have a wife
That is as pure and innocent as the thoughts
Of dying Saints? 'Twas I that with the veile
Deceiv'd you in the Prison; it was I,
Who in that veile contracted my self to Puny.
Forgive me both; I do confess I've wrong'd you,
But Heav'n has seen you righted.

Tru. f.
O this blest hour!
What shall I say? I know thou art all good∣ness,
But canst thou pardon, Lucia, that great sin,
That high and mighty sin which I have done
In doubting of thy faith? I fear thou canst not.

Luc.

I do desire no more then that I may,

Deserve your better opinion, Sir, hereafter.

And uncle for your poyson—

Bla.
Speak no more of it,
I do confess it, Neece; and shall most wil∣lingly
Surrender up the charge of your Estate.
It hath pleas'd Heav'n to restore me mine own
By marriage with this Widow.

Tru. p.

Ha, ha, ha! To see how things are come about! I thought Dick would not Page [unnumbered] be such a fool as to marry one that he knew not. He knew her well enough, I'll war∣rant you. How do you, Captain? I was somewhat rash: I'm an old man, alas.

Bla.

Cutter, and M. Dogrel, you that sneak there;

You're precious witnesses. But no more o' that.

You have been to blame, Aurelia. But 'tis past.

We want your husband here: Where's Puny?

Pun.

(I'll venture out amongst 'um.)

Enter Puny.

Nay ne'er laugh at me; I know I look like a door without hinges. A pox upon you, Dogrel; are you there?

Bla.

What? my son Iohn? d'ye know this Gentlewoman?

Aur.

D'ye know this piece of gold, Sir, which you broke?

Pun.

Hum? Yes 'faith, 'tis the same: thou art my Cynthia, wench, my Endymion: we'll be married presently. O for a witty Parson to marry us two Wi•s!

Dog.

Slife, one, two, three, i'faith four matches here at one time! What accursed fortune•s this! there's three feasts lost: they'll dine all together.

Pun

I will not kiss thee, my little maga∣zine, till I have washt my face Ha, M. Do∣grel, hast thou got no Spouse too?

Dog.

The thrice three Sisters are my wives.

Pun.

Well, because thou art a Poet, and my Jews-trump and I are Wits, thou shalt eat and drink at my pavilion always.

Aur.

You shall ha' wine and serge. D'ye remember, Dogrel?

Dog.

Thank you: but I'll ne'er lye for you again.

Bla.

Come, let's all in to dinner.

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