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 First SCENE.

The ARGUMENT.

MR. Munly an Alderman of London espoused one Dorothy a Gentlewoman of Burdeaux to whose trust be dying left two Daughters, Katherin, and Isabell which he had by a former VVife; Mr. Manly being dead Theodorus takes to VVife his Relict, by whom at one birth he had two Children Anthonio and Anthonine, so like unto one another that they could not be distinguished but onely by a little Mole on the right Cheek of Anthonine; an •• Agreement was made betwixt Theodore, and Dorothy to marry the two Daugh∣ters, to their two Sons, Katharine to Anthonine, and Isabell to An∣thonio. Isabell being brought up by a Nurse at Dertford was af∣terwards

stollen away by a certain Moor named Urtado; Theodo∣rus leaving his Wife together with Anthonine and Catharine at London doth sayl with his Son Anthonio unto Burdeaux.

Theodorus stooping now under the burden of Age relates this story to his Son Anthonio whom he is sending to London to bring from thence his Mother and the rest of the Family with him; he (being detained by the Love of Rosabell) doth pretend causes of delay. His Father is importunate with him to be gone, from whom, after much solicitation, he hardly obtaines the short liberty of one or two hours stay.

Enter Theodorus and Anthonio.

Theo.

And wilt thou be obedient then my son?

Ant.

Sir, you are my Father, what you please command!

The.

Well said my Son, then first know what it is, and of what mo∣ment it is that I would have you do; I do believe you heretofore have heard though but obscurely how that a London Merchant did buy of me here at Burdeaux great store of good Wine for a round sum of Money, but payed nothing at the present, he entred into bonds & seal'd them, but never did discharge them; trust not at all my Son, it is a high point of wisedome, I hope you understand me.

Ant.

Sir, I do, will you be pleased to proceed.

The.

This London Merchant forbearing his bonds the payment, I repaired to London to demand my Mony, where being fed & flat∣terd with delays I grew familiarly acquainted with a widow of my own Country, whose name is Dorothy; she then did live in London, and was there Married to a rich Knight and Alderman of that City, whose name was Mally, no, it was Manley. He not long af∣ter his Marriage did take her with him to his own habitation in London, and falling into an irrecoverable sicknesse he made her sole Executress, & departed this world. He had no children by her, but two by a former Wife, and both of them of an extraordinary beauty, the eldest Daughters name was Katharine, and the young∣est Isabell. These two, with a considerable Dowry for them, he on his Death bed left to the care and charge of Dorothy (although their step-mother) who was to provide them Husbands when they arrived to the years of Marriage; they did exceed in Wealth but excelled more in Vertue and in Beauty, what shall I say, I loved the Widow well, I loved her intirely, a long time I courted

her, a long time she denied me, at the last I obtain'd her good will & married her: the year being almost expired she was delivered at one Birth, of two children: you Anthonio are one of them, & Antho∣nine the other, and both so like, that one could not be known from the other, neither I, nor your Mother could distinguish be∣twixt you, were it not for a little Mole which Anthonine had in his right Cheek. Six years afterwards returning hither into my own Countrey I took you along with me, and left Anthonine with his Mother at London. Since that time full fifteen years are expired; for as we travelled hither through France, the War being very hot betwixt the French and English, we were taken by the Ene∣my, and but six months are passed since a peace being on both sides concluded we were permitted to have our liberty; no sooner was I a free Man, but every day I resolved with my self to go to London to see my Dorothy, but being detained by wrang∣ling suits of Law, I remain here still whether I will or not, and am still here likely to remain, O the Lernaean Race of bold Pragmatick men who immortaly do sow divisions amongst mor∣tality, and perpetually make one suit to beget another. Where∣fore fly suits at Law, a lean Arbitration is b••••ter then a fat Judge∣ment. Remember what I speak unto you.

Sir, I do.

Theo.

I therefore do much desire, whiles I may, to see your Mother, and your brother, and his new Wife your Sister.

Ant.

They say he hath Married Katharine.

Theo.

'Tis right, for I and my wife had long agoe determined to give the two Daughters of Mr. Manley by his former wife unto you, and to your brother, and when you were but little ones you were contracted to one another, Katharine to Anthonine, and Isabell to you; but Isabell poor Girle that was to be Married to you is lost, she was brought up at Detford near unto the River of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where being but four years of age, whither she was drowned, or whether she and her Nurse were both carryed away by force it is uncertain, but she hath been now missing these nine∣teen years.

Ant.

Father did you ever see the other sister Katharine?

Theo.

Never, Her Grand-mother brought her up in Devon∣shire which is distant many Miles from London; but Son, do you

know what it is I would have you doe.

Ant.

No Sir, but if it be that which I suspect I am utterly un∣done.

Theo.

It is this, I would have you immediately set sayl for London to bring hither to Burdeaux your Mother, Brother, and the rest of the Family along with you.

Ant.

I am undone, for in the mean time I shall loose my Love.

Theo.

Behold this letter, your Mother hath sent me word that she will come over her self with all the speed she could, and that immediately she would dispatch your brother Anthonine to me; imagine with your self what a happinesse it will be to you to en∣joy the Kisse of your Mother and the Embraces of your Brother. What ayles you? why are your Eyes so sad, and your Brows so full of wrinkles? are you not well?

Ant.

To speak the truth Sir—this tis to love.—

Theo.

What! are you in love?

Ant.

With the Land Sir, the rough Sea and I shall never agree, I shall hardly fall in love with it.

Theo.

Do you make a sport of my commands, and pretend excuses, I plainly do observe it; you must and shall be gone immediately.

Ant.

Immediately Sir.

Theo.

I Sir immediately, will you not obey me?

Ant.

It is my duty, but I pray sir give me some little space to consider of it.

Theo.

This is fine? is it not? when the Father commandeth, the Son must ask time and space to consider of it, I am ashamed of you.

Ant.

Sir I will readily perform your commands—But—

Theo.

But what?

Ant.

I most humbly crave of you that you will vouchsafe me the space of six or seven dayes to prepare my self, and to give a farwel to my Friends.

Theo.

Let not that trouble you, I will do that businesse for you, and as for your journey all things are already in a readinesse, I have hired a Ship, I have payed for it there is nothing wanting.

Ant.

Sir, England ••ying Northwards I shall be wind bound; for the wind being now in the South blows directly upon the North point.

Theod.

It is so much the more advantageous to you, and should invite you to make so much the more hast, for you have a wind according unto wish to conduct you speedily into England. Have you any thing else to offer to me?

Antho.

Do you not hear Sir, how the wind is angry with the sea? do you not see how, the clouded sky doth threaten Tem∣pests?

Theod.

Are you in your right sense, or do you dream being broad awake? the gentle southwind blows in a calm and an un∣clouded air: I know not what you mean, you do not well to dally with me; you must aboard, and that immediately, I begin to be very angry with you.

Antho.

What immediately! ah my dear Rozabella!

Theod.

What are you weeping? God forbid! what ailes the young man?

Antho.

Why—Is it such a wonder Sir, if the anger of an in∣dulgent Father hath drawn fears from a dutiful and an obedient Son.

Theo.

If it be so, 'tis well; why do you make any further delays?

Antho.

Sir, I only beseech thus much of you, as to grant me but so little time as to restore to my friends those things of theirs which for the present are in my Custody.

Theod.

So little time, how little do you mean?

Antho.

Four hours, or more.

'Tis two more then can be granted, the ship is already under sayl, and the sea-men do expect you.

Antho.

Then g••ve me two hours.

Theod.

I will grant you two, In the mean time I will go in, and finish, and seal my letters to be sent to Dorothy, and tell out your money, but you must be a good husband of it; for the many suits at law have been very chargeable to me. We must be always giving to these suck-purses the lawyers, always, alwayes; Gold can doe more then Right.

Exit Theod.