Two new playes ... written by Tho. Middleton, Gent.

Scaen 3.

Enter in great state the Duke and Brancha, richly attir'd, with Lords, Cardinals, Ladies, and other Attendants, they pass solemnly over: Enter L Cardinal in a rage, seeming to break off the Cere∣mony.

L. Card.

Cease, cease; Religious Honors done to sin, Disparage Vertues reverence, and will pull

Heavens thunder upon Florence; holy Ceremonies Were made for sacred uses, not for sinful. Are these the fruits of your Repentance Brother? Better it had been you had never sorrow'd, Then to abuse the benefit, and return To worse then where sin left you. Vow'd you then never to keep Strumpet more, And are you now so swift in your desires, To knit your honors, and your life fast to her! Is not sin sure enough to wretched man, But he must bind himself in chains to't? Worse! Must marriage, that immaculate robe of honor, That renders Vertue glorious, fair, and fruitful To her great Master, be now made the Garment Of Leprousie and Foulness? is this Penitence To sanctifie hot Lust? what is it otherways Then worship done to Devils? is this the best Amends that sin can make after her riots? As if a Drunkard, to appease Heavens wrath, Should offer up his surfeit for a Sacrifice: If that be comly, then Lust's offerings are On Wedlocks sacred Altar.

Duke.

Here y'are bitter Without cause Brother: what I vow'd I keep, As safe as you your Conscience, and this needs not; I taste more wrath in't, then I do Religion; And envy more then goodness; the path now I tread, is honest, leads to lawful love, Which vertue in her strictness would not check: I vow'd no more to keep a sensual woman: 'Tis done, I mean to make a lawful wife of her.

L. Card.

He that taught you that craft, Call him not Master long, he will undo you. Grow not too cunning for your soul good Bro∣ther, Is it enough to use adulterous thefts,

And then take sanctuary in marriage? I grant, so long as an offender keeps Close in a priviledged Temple, his life's safe; But if he ever venture to come out, And so be taken, then he surely dies for't: So now y'are safe; but when you leave this body, Mans onely priviledg'd Temple upon Earth, In which the guilty soul takes sanctuary, Then you'll perceive what wrongs chaste vows en∣dure, When Lust usurps the Bed that should be pure.

Bran.

Sir, I have read you over all this while In silence, and I finde great knowledge in you, And severe learning, yet 'mongst all your vertues I see not charity written, which some call The first-born of Religion, and I wonder I cannot see't in yours▪ Believe it Sir, There is no vertue can be sooner miss'd, Or later welcom'd; it begins the rest, And sets 'em all in order; Heaven and Angels Take great delight in a converted sinner. Why should you then a Servant and Professor, Differ so much from them? If ev'ry woman That commits evil, should be therefore kept Back in desires of goodness, how should vertue Be known and honor'd? From a man that's blinde, To take a burning Taper, 'tis no wrong, He never misses it: But to take light From one that see's, that's injury and spight. Pray whether is Religion better serv'd, When lives that are licentious are made honest, Then when they still run through a sinful blood. 'Tis nothing Vertues Temples to deface; But build the ruines, there's a work of Grace.

Duke.

I kiss thee for that spirit; thou hast prais'd thy wit

A modest way: On, on there.

Hoboys.

L. Card.

Lust is bold, And will have veng'ance speak, er't be controld.

Exeunt.