Ignoramus a comedy as it was several times acted with extraordinary applause before the Majesty of King James : with a supplement which, out of respect to the students of the common law, was hitherto wanting / written in Latine by R. Ruggles ... ; and translated into English by R. C. ...

The Eleventh SCENE of the Fifth ACT.

The ARGUMENT.

Enter Cupes, and Cola, with the Victualler, and Wenches of plea∣sure, Polla comes among them, and Cupes being afraid of her, doth hide himself under the Gown of his Confessour Cola; where lying close and undiscovered, he heareth her, amongst other things, confessing that Cola commonly doth lie with her; Cupes, in a great passion cometh forth; and both of them, being very bad livers, they presently pardon one another, and reconcile themselves into a perfect friendship.

The Victualler, Cupes, Cola, Wenches, and Pola.

Victu.

I Have procured you Wenches, but at no easie rate I dare assure you.

Cup.

Well — there's the Money I promi••ed you, Let Supper be served in suddenly and handsomely; In the mean time let these Beauties delight us with some merry and stirring Song.

Victual.

What you command shall be suddenly sent in.

Exit Victualler.

Cup.

Now my sweet Friends, what fine new Songs have you?

Col.

Let us hear 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Dea•• Loves, Be not too modest; I will absolve you every one of you.

Poll.

It was told me just now that my husband was here with a Company of Whores. If I can find him, Ile make him the most miserable Creature living.

Cup.

I am utterly undone if she discovers me. Confessor, I pray give me leave to hid•• my self a little while under your Gown till she be gone.

Col.

Doe, and if she asks me for you, I will say I saw you not.

Poll.

Oh, Have I found you! you are those bold delicate whores that do so corrupt my husband. Be gone, you filthy stinking Ware; Be gone.

Exeunt Wenches.

Col.

I will take this Book into my hand, as if I were full of Contemplation.

Poll.

I see his Companion, he is not far off himself I am con∣fident; Cola! why Brother Cola, why Cola I say, What are you grown deaf with a pox to you? Lay by your book, and look on me, and answer me.

Col.

Be gone I pray, and interrupt me not, I am now in a deep meditation upon my Lent-Sermons.

Poll.

Come hither I pray; I must needs speak with you.

Col.

In troth I am not at leisure, I pray excuse me; One of my best Meditations had almost quite slipped out of my memory.

Poll.

You shall not stay a jot.

Col.

Disturbe me not now, I beseech you.

Poll.

But tell me then, where is my good husband?

Col.

He is not here you see, but wheresoever he is, he is reli∣giously covered with a Friars Hood.

Poll.

What is he still in a Friars habit exorcising the wives of other men? — could I but catch him at it — but 'tis no matter, I will een let him alone, and pay him home with the same coyn. Brother, if you love me, let us go in together.

Col.

I am now extreamely busie; but what should I do within?

Poll.

Why you shall exorcise me in the same manner as he doth exorcise other women; I desire to be even with him; It will be a sweet Revenge.

Col.

O harbour not so evil a thought?

Pol.

An evil thought! you told me heretofore▪ It was a Case of Conscience.

Col.

Fy! what Case of Conscience? Hold your tongue.

Pol.

Have you not often told me, that if the Husband lay with another Woman, it was lawful for his wife to lie with another Man; you give the very same law to Titius as you did unto Sem∣pronius.

Col.

Did I? when?

Poll.

Why do you dissemble so? the last time you lay with me; you know I speak the Truth.

Col.

Hold your peace for shame, I never lay with you; Oh, oh, oh.

Cupes pincheth him by the Legs.

Poll.

What's the matter?

Col.

I know not what a Divel it is. A Flea I think stings me under my Gown.

Poll.

There is another Flea that stingeth me under my Coats; prethee let's go in.

Cup.

Let us go in; Nay stay you impu∣dence;

Cupes starteth from under the Friars Gown.

I now come out as from the Trojan Horse, Jam capta es Troja & Trojae vastator Achilles, Now thou art taken and fair Troy brought under; and thou Achilles that brave Troy didst plunder.

Poll.

O strange! How came you hither?

Cup.

O Polla, O Cola, What do the Fleas sting you? O two most shamelesse Creatures!

Poll.

Believe me Husband, All that I said was in Jest.

Col.

Yes on my credit, 'twas all in Jest.

Cup.

Do you so jest with a pox to you? Ah Polla, I did here conceal my self on purpose to take you.

Poll.

Nay▪ being conscious of your own guilt, you here did hide your self; Cupes I know it very well▪

Cup.

Be it so! let us shake hands then Polla? we are quit.

Col.

Cum sitis similes, pares{que} vita, Vxor pessima, pessimus maritus, Miror tam malè convenire vobis

Since both resemble, and are like in life, A quicked Husband, and as bad a wife, 'Tis strange, betwixt you should be so much strife.

Or

Since like in face, as in your lives you be, A wicked wife, a husband bad as she, I wonder much you do no more agree.

Poll.

But now my Cupes, for the time to come we shfll agree better.

Cup.

Sai'st thou so? let us seal it with a Kisse.

Col.

For the time to come, Live together in Love and Union.

Cup.

Yes, brother Cola, and without your Benedictions, and Cases of Conscience; In all other considerations I shall deport my self unto you as a Friend.

Col.

My dear Polla go before, I will follow you immedi∣ately.

Col.

Come! Let us now go to our Wenches.

Poll.

Husband, Ile go home, unlesse you have any businesse for me.

Exit Polla.

Cup.

Come Cola, Let us go; Although you are a very Knave, yet I know you love me.

Col.

At the very heart of me.