Playes written by the thrice noble, illustrious and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

THE SECOND PART

ACT I.

Scene 1.

Enter the Lady Bashfulls Chamber-maid, and Mrs. Reformer her woman.

REformer.

This dumb Lower is the most diligent'st servant that ever was, and methinks my Lady is somewhat more confi∣dent than she was; for she will sit and read whilst he sits by.

Maid.

Doth she read to him?

Reformer.

No, she reads to herself.

Maid.

There comes abundance of Gallants to visit my Lady every day, and they have all one answer, that is, she is not willing to receive visits, and they all go civilly away, unless Sir Humphry Bold and he rails horri∣bly.

Reformer.

I have received from several Gentlemen, above 20. Letters a day, and as fast as they come, she makes me burn them.

Maid.

But she reads them first.

Reformer.

No, I read them to her.

Maid.

And doth she answer all those Letters?

Reformer.

She never answered one in her life, and I dare swear, she never will.

The Lady Bashfull calls, as within another Room.

Reformer.

Madam!—

Exeunt.

Scene 2.

Enter the Lord Singularity, and Affectionata.

Lord Singularity,

Affectionata. Hast thou forgiven me my fault of doubting of thy vertue, so much as to put it to a Tryal.

Affectionata.

My Noble Lord, have you forgiven my facility and wavering, faith that could so easily, and in so short a time believe you could be wicked, although you did accuse your self.

Lord Singularity.

Nay Affectionata, I did not accuse my self, though I did try thee.

Affectionata.

Then I have committed a treble fault through my mistake, which requires a treble forgiveness.

Lord Singularity.

Thou art so vertuous, thou canst not commit a fault, and therefore needs no forgiveness.

Exeunt.

Scene 3.

Enter the Lady VVagtail, and Sir Humphry Bold.

SIr Humpry Bold.

Madam, You have been pleased to profess a friendship to me, and I shall desire you will do a friendly part for me.

Lady Wagtail.

Any thing that lyes in my power, good Sir Humphry Bold.

Sir Humphry Bold.

Then pray, Madam, speak to the Lady Bashfull in my behalf, that I may be her Husband.

Lady Wagtail.

I will Sir Humphry, but she is bashfull, yet I was there Ye∣sterday, and she entertained me indifferently well, but seemed to be wonderfull coy; but howsoever I will do my poor indeavour, Sir Humphry.

Sir Humphry Bold.

Pray do, Madam.

Exeunt.

Scene. 4.

Enter Affectionata, walking in a melancholly posture; his Hat pulled over his brows, and his arms inter-folded; To himentens the Lord Singularity.

LOrd Singularity

My Affectionata, Why walks thou so melancholly?

He pulls of his Hat to his Lord, and Bows.

Affectionata.

The cause is not that I lye under an aspersion, by reason I lye not under a crime; But truly, my Lord, I am troubled that I am threatened to be tormented, for I would not willingly indure pain, though I could wil∣lingly receive death; but as for the aspersions, I am no wayes concerned; for I make no question, but my honest life, my just actions, and the truth of my words, will so clear me at the last, as I shall appear as innocent to the World, as Angels doth in Heaven.

Lord Singularity.

Comfort your self, for I will rather suffer death, than you shall suffer pain.

Affectionata.

Heaven defend you, my Lord, whatsoever I suffer,

Ex.

Scene 5.

Enter the Lady VVagtail, and Mistriss Reformer.

LAdy Wagtail.

Pray Mistriss Reformer, be Sir Humphry Bold's friend to thy Lady, and I protest to thee, he shall be thy friend, as long as he and you live, and I do not see any reason your Lady should refuse him; for he is both as proper and stout a man, as any is living this day in the Land.

Reformer.

Indeed Madam, I dare not mention it to my Lady, for she is so adverse against marriage, as she takes those for her enemies as doth but men∣tion it.

Lady Wagtail.

Then surely she is not a woman, for there is none of the ef∣seminate Sex, but takes it for a disgrace to live an old maid, and rather than dye one, they will marry any man that will have them; and the very fear of not marrying, is so terrible to them, as whilst they are so young, as they are not fit to make wives, they will miserably cast away themselves to the first that makes a proffer, although they be poor, base or mean, rather than venture to try out their fortunes.

Reformer.

But my Lady is not of that humour.

Lady Wagtail.

Come, come, I know thou canst perswade thy Lady if thou wouldst, and if you will, Sir Humphry Bold will give thee 500 l. to buy thee a Husband, for thou hast lived too long a maid I faith.

Reformer.

I am not a maid, Madam, I am a widow.

Lady Wagtail.

What, a musty widow!

Reformer.

I know not whether I am musty, but I am a widow.

Lady Wagtail.

Let mee tell thee, that it is as great a disgrace to live a wi∣dow, as an old maid; wherefore take thee 500 l. to get thee a second Hus∣band.

Reformer.

Truly I would not sell my Lady for all the World, much less, for 500 l. neither would I marry again, if I were young, and might have my choyce.

Lady Wagtail.

Lord bless me, and send me out of this house, least it should infect me; for let me tell thee, were my Husband dead to morrow, I would marry the day after his Funeral, if I could get any man to marry me, and so I would serve 20. Husbands one after another.

Reformer.

Your best way were to have 20. Husbands at one time, so that your Ladyship might not be a day without.

Lady Wagtail.

O fie! If women might have twenty Husbands, they would have no room for courtly Servants; but prithy help Sir Humphry Bold, and take his offer, and let me speak with the Lady my self.

Reformer.

That your Ladyship cannot at this time, for my Lady is not well.

Lady Wagtail.

Then pray remember my most humble service, and tell her, I will come to morrow, and if she be sick, I will talk her well.

Lady Wagtail Ex.

Reformer alone.

Reformer.

Dead you would talk her, for thou hast an endless tongue; Oh! what man is so miserable that is her Husband.

Reformer Exit.

Scene 6.

Enter two or three Commanders.

1. COmmander.

It is reported that our Generals Page hath behaved him∣self so handsomly, spoke so wittily, defended his cause so prudently, declared his innocence so clearly, and carried his business so wisely, as the Ve∣netian States have not only quitted him freely, but doth applaud him wonder∣fully, extolls him highly, and offers him any satisfaction for the injurie and disgrace that hath been done him; but he only desires, that the man that had accused him, which man, was one of the Generals men, should be pardoned, and not punished.

2. Commander.

I hope our General is well pleased, that his beloved boy is not only cleared, but applauded.

1. Commander.

O! He doth nothing but imbrace him, and kiss him, as if he were his only son, yet he did gently chide him that he asked pardon for his accusers; for said he, if all false accusers should be pardoned, no honest man would escape free form censure.

3. Commander.

But I hear the States have given order to our General to meet the Turkes again, for it is reported by intelligences that they have re∣cruited into a numerous body.

2. Commander.

Faith I think the Turkes are like the tale of the Gyant, that when his head was cut off there rise two in the place.

1. Commander.

I think they are like the vegetable that is named three∣fold, the more it is cut the faster it growes.

3. Commander.

I would the Devil had them for me.

2. Commander.

We do what we can to send them to Hell; but whether they will quit thee, I cannot tell.

Exeunt.

Scene. 7.

Enter the Lord General, and Affectionata.

LOrd Singularity.

My Affectionata I wonder you could suffer an accusati∣on so patiently knowing you were accused falsly.

Affectionata.

The clearnesse of my innocency needed not the fury of a vio∣lent passion to defend it, neither could passion have rectified an injury.

Lord Singularity.

Tis true, yet passion is apt to rise in defence of innocen∣cy, and honour.

Affectionata.

And many times passion (my Lord) destroye; the life in striving to maintaine the truth, and defend the innocent; but I find a passio∣nate sorrow that your Lordship must go to indanger your life in the warrs again.

Lord Singularity.

The warrs is pastime to me, for I hate idlenesse, and no imployment pleases me better than fighting, so it be in a good cause, but you shall stay.

Affectionata.

Why my Lord, are you weary of my service?

Lord Singul.

Know I am carefull of thy safety, thy rest and peace, for shouldst thou not come near danger, yet the very tragical aspect will terrefie thee to death, thou art of so tender a nature, so soft and sweet a dispo∣sition.

Affectionata.

Truly my Lord, if you leave me behind you, the very fear of your life will kill me, where if your Lordyship will let me go, love will give me courage.

Lord Singul.

Then let me tell you, you must not go, for I have adopted you my Son, and I have setled all my Estate upon thee, where, if I am killed, you shall be my Heir, for I had rather vertue should inherit my Estate than birth, yet I charge thee take my Name upon thee, as well as my Estate unto thee.

Affectionata.

My noble Lord, I should be prouder to bear your name, than to be Master of the whole World, but I shall never be so base to keep my self in safety, in hope of your Estate, wherefore must intreat your leave to go with you.

Lord Singul.

I will not give you leave, but command you to the contrary, which is to stay.

Affectionata.

I cannot obey you in this, for love will force me to run after you.

Lord Singul.

I will have you lash'd, if you offer to go.

Affectionata.

Stripes cannot stay me!

Lord Singul.

I will have you tyed, and kept by force.

fectionata.

By Heaven, my Lord, i'l tear my flesh, and break my bones to get lose, and if I have not legs to run, i'l creep thorough the Earth like worms, for though I shall move but slowly, yet it will be a satisfaction to my soul, that I am travelling after you,

Lord Singularity.

Affectionata, You anger me very much.

Affectionata.

Indeed my Lord, you grieve me more than I can anger you.

Affectionata weeps.

Lord Singularity.

What, do you crie! and yet desire to be a souldier?

Affectionata.

A valiant heart, my Lord, may have a weeping eye to keep it company.

Lord Singularity.

If no perswasion can stay you, you must go along with me.

Affectionata bows, as giving his Lord thanks.

Exeunt.

Scene 8.

Enter the Lady VVagtail, the Lady Amorous, Sir Humphry Bold, Sir Timothy Compliment, to the Lady Bashfull, who hangs down her head, as out of countenance.

LAdy Wagtail.

Faith Lady Bashfull, we will have you abroad to Balls and publick meetings, to learn you a confident behaviour, and a bold speech; Fie! You must not be bashfull.

Lady Amorous.

Our visiting her sometimes, hath made her so, as she is not altogether so bashfull as she was.

Enter Sir Serious Dumb, who bows first to the Lady Bashfull, then to the rest of the Company, and then goeth behind the Lady Bashfull, and stands close by Mistriss Reformer.

Lady Amorous.

Surely Sir Serious Dumb is a domestick servant here, he stands and waits as one.

He bows with an acknowledging face.

Sir Humphry Bold.

If she wil entertain such servants as he, she is not so modest as she appears. Lady, perchance if I had come privately alone, I had been entertained with more freedom, and not have had my suit denied, and my person neglected with scorn, and he received with respect.

Sir Serious Dumb comes and gives him a box on the eare, they both draw their swords, all the women runs away squeeking, only the Lady Bashfull stayes, and runs betwixt their swords, and parts them; Sir Timothy Compliment looks on as affraid to stir.

Lady Bashfull.

For Heaven sake! fight not here, to affright me with your quarrels.

Sir Humphry Bold.

I will have his heart-bloud.

Lady Bashfull.

Good Sir Serious Dumb, and Sir Humphry Bold, leave off fighting.

Sir Serious Dumb draws back.

Lady Bashfull.

Pray Sir Humphry Bold, give me your sword, that I may be sure you will not fight.

Sir Humphry Bold.

What, yield my sword up! I will dye first.

Enter the Ladies again.

All speak at one time, who is kill'd, who is kill'd.

Sir Humphry Bold presses towards Sir Serious Dumb.

Lady Bashfull.

Good Ladies, hold Sir Humphry Bold, and I will try to per∣swade Sir Serious Dumb.

They hold Sir Humphry Bold.

Lady Wagtail.

What, you shall not stir, I am sure you will not oppose us women.

Lady Bashfull.

Noble Sir, to give me an assurance you will not fight, give me your sword.

Sir Serious Dumb kisses the bilt of his sword, then gives it her.

Sir Humphry Bold gets lose from the Ladies, and goeth to assault Sir Serious Dumb; He being an armed, the Lady Bashfull seeing him, steps betwixt them, and with Sir Serious Dumb's sword, strikes at Sir Humphry Bold, and strikes his sword out of his hand.

Lady Bashfull.

What, are you not ashamed to assault an unarmed man.

Sir Humphry Bold runs to take up his sword, she also runs and sets her foot upon it.

Lady Bashfull.

Let the sword alone, for it is my prize; and by Heaven, if you touch it, I will run you thorough with this sword in my hand.

Sir Humphry Bold runs, and catcheth Sir Timothy Compliments sword, and offers to make a thrust at Sir Serious Dumb, who puts the sword by, and beats it down with one hand, and with the other strikes it aside, then closes with him, and being skillfull at Wrestling, trips up his heels, then gets upon him,* 1.1 and having both his hands at liberty, wrings out Sir Humphry Bold's sword out of his hand, then ariseth and gives the sword to the right owner, who all the time trembled for fear, and never durst strive to part them.

Sir Humphry Bold.

Hell take me, but I will be revenged: Lady, I hope you will give me my sword again.

Lady Bashfull.

Never to fight against a woman, but my victorious spoils, I will deliver to this gallant Gentleman, who delivered up his life and honour into my hand, when he gave me his sword, and I indangered the loss of both by taking it, for which my gratitude hath nothing to return him but my self and fortunes, if he please to accept of that and me.

Sir Serious Dumb bows with a respect, and kisses her hand.

Lady Bashfull.

Sir, I wish my person were more beautifull than it is, for your sake, and my fortune greater, with more certainty of continuance, as neither being subject to time or accident, but this certainly I will promise you, which is, my chaste and honest life; Now Sir, pray take these two swords,* 1.2 this was yours, fear gave me confidence, this I won, love gave me courage.

Sir Serious Dumb leads out his Mistriss.

Exit.

Sir Humphry Bold.

I will be revenged.

Omnes Exeunt.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The women in the mean time squeeks.
• * 1.2

  Gives him the two swords.