Three new playes; viz. The [brace] bashful lover, Guardian, Very woman. As they have been often acted at the private-house in Black-Friers, by His late Majesties Servants, with great applause. / Written by Philip Massenger, Gent. Never printed before.
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Title
Three new playes; viz. The [brace] bashful lover, Guardian, Very woman. As they have been often acted at the private-house in Black-Friers, by His late Majesties Servants, with great applause. / Written by Philip Massenger, Gent. Never printed before.
Author
Massinger, Philip, 1583-1640.
Publication
London, :: Printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Prince's Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard.,
1655.
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"Three new playes; viz. The [brace] bashful lover, Guardian, Very woman. As they have been often acted at the private-house in Black-Friers, by His late Majesties Servants, with great applause. / Written by Philip Massenger, Gent. Never printed before." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A50093.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 16, 2024.
Pages
Act. I. Scaen. I.
Enter Gateazzo and Julio.
Jul.
I Dare not cross you sir, but I would gladly(Provided you allow it) render youMy personal attendance.
Gal.
You shall betterDischarge the duty of an honest servant,In following my instructions which you haveReceiv'd already, then in questioningWhat my intents are, or upon what motivesMy stay's resolv'd in Mantua: Believe me,
descriptionPage 2
That servant overdoes, that's too officious;And in presuming to direct your master,You argue him of weakness, and your selfOf arrogance and impertinence.
Jul.
I have done sir; but what my ends are
Gal.
Honest ones, I know it:I have my bills of exchange, and all provisionsEntrusted to you; you have shewn your selfJust and discreet, what would you more? and yetTo satisfie in some part your curious care,Hear this, and leave me: I desire to beObscur'd; and as I have demean'd my selfThese six moneths past in Mantua, I'll continueUnnoted and unknown, and at the bestAppear no more then a Gentleman, and a stranger,That travails for his pleasure:
Jul.
With your pardon, This hardly will hold weight, though I should swear it,With your noble friends and brother.
Gal.
You may tell'em,Since you will be my Tutor, there's a rumor(Almost cry'd up into a certainty)Of wars with Florence, and that I am determin'dTo see the service: Whatere I went forth,(Heaven prospering my intents) I would come homeA Soldier, and a good one.
Jul.
Should you getA Captains place, nay Colonels, 'twould add littleTo what you are; few of your rank will followThat dangerous profession
Gal.
'Tis the noblest, and Monarchs honor'd in it:But no more on my displeasure.
Jul.
Saints and Angels guard you.
Exit.
Gal.
A war indeed is threatned, nay expectedFrom Florence; but it is 'gainst me alreadyProclaim'd in Mantua: I find it here,
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No forein, but intestine war: I haveDefied my self, in giving up my reasonA slave to passion, and am led captiveBefore the battel's fought; I fainted whenI only saw mine enemy, and yieldedBefore that I was charg'd: And though defeated,I dare not sue for mercy; like IxionI look on Juno, feel my heart turn cindersWith an invisible fire: And yet should sheDaign to appear cloth'd in a various cloud,The majesty of the substance is so facred,I durst not clasp the shadow: I behold herWith adoration, feast my eye, while allMy other senses starve; and oft frequentingThe place which she makes happy with her presence,I never yet had power with tongue or penTo move her to compassion, or make knownWhat 'tis I languish for; yet I must gaze still,Though it increase my flame: however IMuch more then fear I am observ'd and censur'dFor bold intrusion.
Walks sadly
Enter Beatrix and Ascanio.
Bea.
Know you, boy, that Gentleman?
Asc.
Who, Monsieur Melancholy? hath not yourHonor Marked him before?
Bea.
I have seen him often waitAbout the Princess lodgings, but ne'r ghess'dWhat his designs were.
Asc.
No? what a sigh he breath'd now!Many such will blow up the roof; on my small creditThere's gunpowder in 'em.
Bea.
How Crack! gunpowder?He's flesh and blood, and devils only carry
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Such roaring stuff about 'em: you cannot proveHe is or Spirit or Conjurer.
Asc.
That I grant; but he's a Lover, and that's as bad; their sighsAre like petards, and blow all up:
Bea.
A Lover! I have been in love my self, but never found yetThat it could work such strange effects.
Asc.
True, Madam,In women it cannot; for when they miss th'enjoyingOf their full wishes, all their sighs and heigh-hoesAt the worst breed timpanies, and these are cur'd tooWith a kiss or two of their Saint, when he appearsBetween a pair of sheets: but with us menThe case is otherwise.
Bea.
You will be breech'd, boy,For your physical maxims: But how are you assur'dHe is a Lover?
Asc.
Who, I? I know with whom too,But that is to be whisper'd.
Whispers
Bea.
How? the Princess! th'unparallel'd Matilda!Some proof of it; I'll pay for my intelligence.
Gives him gold.
Asc.
Let me kissYour Honors hand; 'twas ever fair, but nowBeyond comparison.
Bea.
I ghess the reason;A giving hand is still fair to the receiver.
Asc.
Your Ladiship's in the right: but to the pur∣pose,He is my Client, and pays his fees as dulyAs ever Usurer did in a bad causeTo his man of law; and yet I get, and take 'emBoth easily and honestly: All the serviceI do him, is to give him notice whenAnd where the Princess will appear; and thatI hope's no treason: If you miss him when
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She goes to the Vesper or the Mattins, hang me;Or when she takes the air, be sure to find himNear her coach; at her going forth, or coming back:But if she walk, he's ravisht; I have seen him smel outHer footing like a Lime-hound, and knows itFrom all the rest of her train.
Bea.
Yet I ne'r saw him present her a petition,
Asc.
Nore'r shall: He only sees her, sighs, and sacrificesA tear or two; then vanishes.
Bea.
'Tis most strange:What a sad aspect he wears! but I'll make use of't.The Princess is much troubled with the threatsThat come from Florence; I will bring her to him,The novelty may afford her sport, and helpTo purge deep melancholy. Boy, can you stayYour Client here for the third part of an hour?I have some ends in't.
Asc.
Stay him, Madam; fear not:The present receipt of a round sum of crowns,And that will draw most Gallants from their prayers,Cannot drag him from me.
Bea.
See you do.
Asc.
Ne'r doubt me,I'll put him out of his dream. Good morrow Signior.
Gal.
My little friend, good morrow: Hath the PrincessSlept well to night?
Asc.
I hear not from her womenOne murmur to the contrary.
Gal.
Heaven be prais'd for't:Does she go to Church this morning?
Asc.
Troth I know not; I keep no key of her de∣votion, Signior.
Gal.
Goes she abroad? pray tell me.
Asc.
'Tis thought ratherShe is resolv'd to keep her chamber.
Gal.
Ay me!
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Asca.
Why do you sigh? If that you have a businessTo be dispatch'd in Court, shew ready mony,You shall find those that will prefer it for you.
Gal.
Business! can any man have business, butTo see her, then admire her, and pray for her,She being compos'd of goodness? For my self,I find it a degree of happinessBut to be near her; and I think I payA strict religious vow, when I behold her,And that's all my ambition.
Asca.
I believe you:Yet she being absent, you may spend some hoursWith profit and delight too. After dinnerThe Duke gives audience to a rough Ambassador,Whom yet I never saw, nor heard his title,Imploy'd from Florence: I'll help you to a placeWhere you shall see and hear all.
Gal.
Tis not worth my observation.
Asca.
What think you ofAn excellent Comedy to be presentedFor his entertainment? He that penn'd it, isThe Poet of the time; and all the Ladies(I mean the amorous and learned ones)Except the Princess, will be there to grace it.
Gal.
What's that to me? without her all is no∣thing,The light that shines in Court, Cimerian darkness:I will to bed agen, and there contemplateOn her perfections.
Enter Matilda, Beatrix, and two Women.
Asca.
Stay sir! see the Princess,Beyond our hopes.
Gal.
Take that, as Moors salute
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The rising Sun with joyful superstition:I could fall down and worship. O my heart!
aside
Like Phoebe breaking through an envious cloud,Or something which no simile can express,She shews to me; a reverend fear, but blendedWith wonder and amazement, does possess me;Now glut thy self, my famish'd eye.
Bea.
That's he, an't please your Excellence.
1 Wo.
Observe his posture,But with a quarter-look.
2 Wo.
Your eye fix'd on him, will breed astonish∣ment.
Matil.
A comely Gentleman! I would not que∣stion your relation, Lady,Yet faintly can believe it: How he eyes me!Will he not speak?
Bea.
Your Excellence hath depriv'd himOf speech and motion.
Mat.
'Tis most strange.
Asc.
These fits are usual with him.
Mat.
Is it not, Ascanio,A personated folly? or he a statue?If it be, it is a master-piece; for manI cannot think him.
Bea.
For your sport vouchsafe him a little con∣ference.
Mat.
In compassion rather:For should he love me as you say (though hopeless)It should not be return'd with scorn; that wereAn inhumanity, which my birth nor honorCould priviledge, were they greater. Now I perceiveHe has life and motion in him; to whom, Lady,Pays he that duty?
Galeaz. bowing, offers to go off.
Bea.
Sans doubt to your self.
Mat.
And whither goes he now?
Asc.
To his private lodging,
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But to what end I know not; this is allI ever noted in him.
Mat.
Call him back: In pitty I stand bound to counsel him,Howe'r I am denied, though I were willingTo ease his sufferings.
Asc.
Signior, the Princess commands you to attend her.
Gal.
How? the Princess! am I betraid?
Asc.
What a lump of flesh is this?You are betraid, sir, to a better fortuneThen you durst ever hope for: What a TantalusDo you make your self? the flying fruit stays for you,And the water that you long'd for, rising upAbove your lip, do you refuse to taste it?Move faster, sluggish Camel, or I will thrustThis goad in your breech: Had I such a promising beard,I should need the reins, not spurs.
Mat.
You may come nearer;Why do you shake, sir? If I flatter notMy self, there's no deformity about me,Nor any part so monstrous to begetAn ague in you.
Gal.
It proceeds not, Madam, from guilt, but re∣verence.
Mat.
I believe you sir; have you a suit to me?
Gal.
Your Excellence is wondrous fair.
Mat.
I thank your good opinion.
Gal.
And I beseech you that I may have licence To kneel to you.
Mat.
A suit I cannot cross.
Gal.
I humbly thank your Excellence.
Mat.
But what,As you are prostrate on your knee before me,Is your petition?
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Gal.
I have none, great Princess,
Mat.
Do you kneel for nothing?
Gal.
Yes, I have a suit;But such a one, as if denied, will kill me.
Mat.
Take comfort; it must be of some strange nature,Unfitting you to ask, or me to grant,If I refuse it.
Gal.
It is, Madam, —
Mat.
Out with't.
Gal.
That I may not offend you, this is all,When I presume to look on you.
Asc.
A flat Eunuch! to look on her? I should desire my self.To move a little further.
Mat.
Only that?
Gal.
And I beseech you, Madam, to believeI never did yet with a wanton eyeOr cherish one lascivious wish beyond it.
Bea.
You'll never make good Courtier, or beIn grace with Ladies.
1 Woman.
Or us Waiting-Women, if that be yourNil ultra.
2 Woman.
He's no Gentleman, on my virginity it is apparent:My Tailor has more boldness, nay my shoo-makerWill fumble a little further, he could not haveThe length of my foot else.
Mat.
Only to look on me? ends your ambition there?
Gal.
It does, great Lady,And that confin'd too, and at fitting distance:The Fly that plays too neer the flame, burns in it.As I behold the sun, the stars, the Temples,I look upon you, and wish'twere no sin,Should I adore you.
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Mat.
Come, there's somthing more in't;And since that you will make a Goddess of me,As such a one, I'll tell you, I desire notThe meanest Altar rais'd up to mine honorTo be pull'd down; I can accept from you(Be your condition nere so far beneath me)One grain of incense with devotion offer'd,Beyond all perfumes or Sabean spicesBy one that proudly thinks he merits in it:I know you love me.
Gal.
Next to heaven, Madam,And with as pure a zeal. That we beholdWith th'eyes of contemplation, but canArrive no nearer to it in this life;But when that is divorc'd, my soul shall serve yours,And witness my affection.
Mat.
Pray you rise, but wait my further pleasure.
Enter Farneze and Uberti.
Far.
I'll present you,And give you proof I am your friend, a true one;And in my pleading for you, teach the ageThat cals erroniously Friendship but a name,It is a substance. Madam, I am boldTo trench so far upon your privacie,As to desire my friend (Let not that wrong him,For he's a worthy one) may have the honorTo kiss your hand.
Mat.
His own worth challengeth a greater favor.
Far.
Your acknowledgmentConfirms it, Madam: If you look on himAs he's built up a man, without additionOf fortunes liberal favors, wealth or titles,He doth deserve no usual entertainment.
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But as he is a Prince, and for your serviceHath left fair Parma (that acknowledgesNo other Lord) and uncompell'd exposesHis person to the dangers of war,Ready to break in storms upon our heads;In noble thankfulness you may vouchsafe himNeerer respect, and such grace as may nourish,Not kill his amorous hopes.
Mat.
Cozen, you know I am not the disposer of my self,The Duke my father challengeth that power:Yet thus much I dare promise; Prince UbertiShall find the seed of service that he sowsFals not on barren ground.
Uber.
For this high favorI am your creature, and profess I owe youWhatever I call mine.
They walk
Gal.
This great Lord isA Suitor to the Princess.
Asca.
True, he is so:
Ga.
Fame gives him out too for a brave Comander
Asca.
And in it does him but deserved right;The Duke hath made him General of his horseOn that assurance.
Gal.
And the Lord Farneze pleads for him, as it seems.
Asca.
'Tis too apparent:And this consider'd, give me leave to askWhat hope have you sir?
Gal.
I may still look on her,Howe'r he wear the garland.
Asca.
A thin diet, and will not feed you fat, sir.
Uber.
I rejoice, rare Princess, that you are not to be wonBy Carpet-courtship, but the sword: with thisSteel-pen I'll write on Florence helm, how muchI can, and dare do for you.
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Mat.
'Tis not question'd,Some private business of mine own dispos'd of,I'll meet you in the presence.
Vber.
Ever your servant.
Ex. Vber. Farne.
Mat.
Now sir to you: You have observ'd, I doubt not,(For Lovers are sharp. sighted) to what purposeThis Prince sollicites me; and yet I am notSo taken with his worth, but that I canVouchsafe you further parle. The first commandThat I'll impose upon you, is to hearAnd follow my good councel: I am notOffended that you love me: persist in it,But love me vertuously, such love may spur youTo noble undertakings, which atchiev'd,Will raise you into name, preferment, honor:For all which, though you ne'r enjoy my person,(For that's impossible) you are indebtedTo your high aims; visit me when you please,I do allow it, nor will blush to own you,(So you confine your self to what you promise)As my vertuous servant.
Bea.
Farewel sir, you haveAn unexpected Cordial.
Asc.
May it work well.
Exeunt. manet Gal.
Gal.
Your love, yes, so she said, may spur you toBrave undertakings: Adding this, You mayVisit me when you please. Is this allowed me,And any act within the power of manImpossible to be effected? no,I will break through all oppositions thatMay stop me in my full carier to honor;And borrowing strength to do, from her high favor,Add somthing to Alcides greatest labor.
Exit.
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Enter Gonzaga, Vberti, Farneze, Manfroy, Attendants.
Gon.
This is your place, and were it in our power,You should have greater honor, Prince of Parma:The rest know theirs; let some attend with careOn the Ambassador, and let my DaughterBe present at his audience. Reach a chair,We'll do all fit respects; and pray you put onYour milder looks; you are in a place where frownsAre no prevailing agents.
Enter (at one door) Alonzo and Attendants: Matilda, Beatrix, Ascanio, Galeazo, and Waiting-women (at the other.)
Asc:
I have seenMore then a wolf, a Gorgon:
[Swouns]
Gon.
What's the matter?
Mat.
A Page of mine is faln into a swoun,Look to him carefully.
Gon.
Now when you please, the cause that brought you hither?
Alon.
The protractionOf my dispatch forgotten, from LorenzoThe Tuscan Duke, thus much to you GonzagaThe Duke of Mantua: By me his nephewHe does salute you fairly, and intreats(A word not suitable to his power and greatness)You would consent to tender that, which heUnwillingly must force, if contradicted.Ambition, in a private man a vice,Is in a Prince the vertue.
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Gonza.
To the purpose; these ambages are im∣pertinent.
Alon.
He demandsThe fair Matilda (for I dare not takeFrom her perfections) in a noble way;And in creating her the comfort ofHis royal bed, to raise her to a heightHer flattering hopes could not aspire, where sheWith wonder shall be gaz'd upon, and liveThe envy of her sex.
Gonza.
Suppose this granted.
Uber.
Or if denied, what follows?
Alon.
Present war, with all extremities the Con∣queror canInflict upon the vanquish'd.
Uber.
Grant me licenceTo answer this defiance: What intelligenceHolds your proud Master with the will of Heaven,That ere th'uncertain Dye of War be thrown,He dares assure himself the victory?Are his unjust invading Arms of fire?Or those we put on in defence of right,Like chaff to be consum'd in the encounter?I look on your dimensions, and find notMine own of lesser size; the blood that fillsMy veins, as hot as yours; my sword as sharp,My nerves of equal strength, my heart as good,And confident we have the better cause,Why should we fear the trial?
Far.
You presume you are superior in numbers; weLay hold upon the surest anchor, vertue;Which when the tempest of the war roars loudest,Must prove a strong protection.
Gonza.
Two main reasons (seconding those you have already heard)Gives us encouragement: The duty that
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I owe my mother Country, and the loveDescending to my daughter. For the first,Should I betray her liberty, I deserv'dTo have my name with infamy raz'd fromThe catalogue of good Princes: And I shouldUnnaturally forget I am a father,If like a Tartar, or for fear or profit,I should consign her as a bondwomanTo be dispos'd of at anothers pleasure,Her own consent or favor never su'd for,And mine by force exacted. No, Alonzo,She is my only child, my heir; and ifA fathers eyes deceive me not, the handOf prodigal nature hath given so much to her,As in the former ages Kings would rise upIn her defence, and makes her cause their quarrel:Nor can she, if that any spark remainTo kindle a desire to be possestOf such a beauty, in our time want swordsTo guard it safe from violence.
Gal.
I must speak, or I shall burst; now to be silent, wereA kind of blasphemy. If such purity,Such innocence, an abstract of perfection,The soul of beauty, vertue, in a word,A Temple of things sacred, should groan underThe burthen of opprestion, we mightAccuse the Saints, and tax the Powers above usOf negligence or injustice. Pardon, sir,A strangers boldness, and in your mercy call itTrue zeal, not rudeness: In a cause like this,The Husbandman would change his ploughing-ironsTo weapons of defence, and leave the earthUntill'd, although a general dearth should follow:The Student would forswear his book; the LawyerPut off his thriving gown, and without pay
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Conclude this case is to be fought, not pleaded:The women will turn Amazons, as their sexIn her were wrong'd; and boys write down their namesI'th' muster-book for soldiers.
Gonza.
Take my hand;Whatev'r you are, I thank you: how are you call'd?
Gal.
Hortensio, a Millanoise.
Gonza.
I wish Mantua had many such. My LordAmbassador,Some privacie if you please: Manfroy, you mayPartake it, and advise us.
They go aside.
Uber.
Do you know, friend,What this man is, or of what country?
Far.
Neither.
Uber.
I'll question him my self; what are you sir?
Gal.
A Gentleman.
Uber.
But if there be gradationIn Gentry, as the Heralds say, you haveBeen overbold in the presence of your betters.
Gal.
My betters, sir?
Uber.
Your betters! as I take it, you are no Prince.
Gal.
'Tis fortunes gift you were born one:I have not heard that glorious title crowns youAs a reward of vertue; it may beThe first of your house deserv'd it, yet his meritsYou can but faintly call your own.
Mat.
Well answer'd.
Uber.
You come up to me.
Gal.
I would not turn my backIf you were the Duke of Florence, though you charg'd meI'th' head of our troops.
Uber.
Tell me in gentler language,(Your passionate speech induces me to think so)Do you love the Princess?
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Gal.
Were you mine enemy,Your foot upon my breast, sword at my throat,Even then I would profess it. The ascentTo th'height of honor, is by arts or arms:And if such an unequall'd prize might fallOn him that did deserve best in defenceOf this rare Princess, in the day of battailI should lead you a way would make your GreatnessSweat drops of blood to follow.
Uber.
Can your ExcellenceHear this without rebuke from one unknown?Is he a Rival for a Prince?
Mat.
My Lord, you take that liberty I never gave you:In justice you should give encouragementTo him or any man that freely offersHis life to do me service, not deter him;I give no suffrage to it: Grant he loves me,As he professes, how are you wrong'd in it?Would you have all men hate me but your self?No more of this I pray you: If this GentlemanFight for my freedom, in a fit proportionTo his desert and quality, I canAnd will reward him, yet give you no causeOf jealousie or envy.
Gal.
Heavenly Lady!
Gonz.
No peace, but on such poor and base con∣ditions?We will not buy it at that rate: ReturnThis answer to your Master: Though we wish'dTo hold fair quarter with him, on such termsAs honor would give way to, we are notSo thunder-struck with the loud voice of war,As to acknowledg him our Lord beforeHis sword hath made us Vassals: we long sinceHave had intelligence of the unjust gripeHe purpos'd to lay on us; neither are we
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So unprovided as you think, my Lord,He shall not need to seek us, we will meet himAnd prove the fortune of a day, perhapsSooner then he expects.
Alon.
And find repentance when 'tis too late.Farewell.
[Exit with Farneze.]
Gonza.
No, my Matilda,We must not part so: Beasts and birds of preyTo their last gasp defend their brood; and FlorenceOver thy fathers breast shall march up to thee,Before he force affection: The armsThat thou must put on for us and thy self,Are prayers and pure devotion, which willBe heard, Matilda. Mansroy, to your trustWe do give up the City, and my daughter;On both keep a strong guard: No tears, they are ominous.O my Octavio, my try'd OctavioIn all my dangers! now I want thy service,In passion recompenc'd with banishment.Error of Princes, who hate vertue whenShe's present with us, and in vain admire herWhen she is absent! 'Tis too late to think on't:The wish'd for time is come, Princely Uberti,To shew your valour; Friends being to do, not talk.All rhetorick is fruitless, only this,Fate cannot rob you of deserv'd applause,Whether you win or lose in such a cause.
Exeunt.
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