Fifty comedies and tragedies written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Gentlemen ; all in one volume, published by the authors original copies, the songs to each play being added.

Scaena Tertia.

Enter Alvarez, Clara.

Alv.

Where lost we Syavedra?

Cla.

He was met Ent'ring the City by some Gentlemen Kinsmen, as he said of his own, with whom For compliment sake (for so I think he term'd it) He was compell'd to stay: though I much wonder A man that knows to do, and has done well In the head of his troop, when the bold foe charg'd home, Can learn so sodainly to abuse his time In apish entertainment: for my part (By all the glorious rewards of war) I had rather meet ten enemies in the field All sworn to fetch my head, than be brought on To change an hours discourse with one of these Smooth City-fools, or Tissue-Cavaliers, The only Gallants, as they wisely think, To get a Jewel, or a wanton Kiss From a Court-lip, though painted.

Alv.

My Love Clara, (For Lucio is a name thou must forget With Lucio's bold behaviour) though thy breeding I' th' Camp, may plead something in the excuse Of thy rough manners, custom having chang'd, Though not thy Sex, the softnest of thy nature, And fortune (then a cruel stepdame to thee) Impos'd upon thy tender sweetness, burthens Of hunger, cold, wounds, want, such as would crack The sinews of a man, not born a Soldier: Yet now she smiles, and like a natural mother Looks gently on thee, Clara, entertain Her proffer'd bounties with a willing bosom; Thou shalt no more have need to use thy sword;

Thy beauty (which even Belgia hath not alter'd) Shall be a stronger guard, to keep my Clara, Than that has been, (though never us'd but nobly) And know thus much.

Cla.

Sir, I know only that It stands not with my duty to gain-say you, In any thing: I must, and will put on What fashion you think best: though I could wish I were what I appear.

Alv.

Endeavour rather

Musick.

To be what you are, Clara entring here, As you were born, a woman.

Enter Eugenia, Lucio, Servants.

Eug.

Let choice Musick In the best voice that e'er touch'd humane ear, For joy hath ti'd my tongue up, speak your welcome.

Alv.

My soul (for thou giv'st new life to my spirit) Myriads of joyes, though short in number of Thy virtues, fall on thee; Oh my Eugenia, Th' assurance that I do embrace thee, makes My twenty years of ••orrow but a dream, And by the Nectar, which I take from these, I feel my age restor'd, and like old Aeson Grow young again.

Eug.

My Lord, long wish'd for welcome, 'Tis a sweet briefness, yet in that short word All pleasures which I may call mine, begin, And may they long increase, before they find A second period: let mine eies now surfeit On this so wish'd for object, and my lips Yet modestly pay back the parting kiss You trusted with them, when you fled from Sevil, With little Clara my sweet daughter: lives she? Yet I could chide my self, having you here For being so covetous of all joyes at once, T' enquire for her, you being alone, to me My Clara, Lucio, my Lord, my self, Nay more than all the world.

Alv.

As you, to me are

Eug.

Sit down, and let me feed upon the story Of your past dangers, now you are here in safety It will give rellish, and fresh appetite To my delights, if such delights can cloy me. Yet do not Alvarez, let me first yield you Account of my life in your absence, and Make you acquainted how I have preserv'd The Jewel left lock'd up in my womb, When you, in being forc'd to leave your Countrey, Suffer'd a civil death.

Within clashing swords

Alv.

Doe my Eugenia, 'Tis that I most desire to hear,

Eug.

Then know.

Sayavedra within,

Alv.

What noise is that?

Saya.

If you are noble enemies,

Vitelli within.

Oppress me not with odds, but kill me fairly,

Vit.

Stand off, I am too many of my self.

Enter Bobadilla.

Bob.

Murther, murther, murther, your friend my Lord, Don Sayavedra is set upon in the streets, by your enemies Vitelli, and his Faction: I am almost kill'd with looking on them.

Alv.

I'll free him, or fall with him: draw thy sword And follow me.

Clar.

Fortune, I give thee thanks For this occasion once more to use it.

Bob.

Nay, hold not me Madam; if I do any hurt, hang me

Exit.

Luc.

Oh I am dead with fear! let's flie into Your Closet, Mother.

Eug.

No hour of my life Secure of danger? heav'n be merciful, Or now at once dispach me.

Enter Vitelli, pursued by Alvarez, and Sayavedra, Clara beating of Anastro.

Cla.

Follow him Leave me to keep these of.

Alv.

Assault my friend So near my house?

Vit.

Nor in it will spare thee, Though 'twere a Temple: and I'll make it one, I being the Priest, and thou the sacrifice, I'll offer to my Uncle.

Alv.

Haste thou to him, And say I sent thee:

Cla.

'Twas put bravely by, And that: and yet comes on, and boldly rare, In the wars, where emulation and example Joyn to increase the courage, and make less The danger; valour, and true resolution Never appear'd so lovely, brave again: Sure he is more than man, and i•• he fall; The best of virtue, fortitude would dye with him: And can I suffer it? forgive me duty, So I love valour, as I will protect it Against my Father, and redeem it, though 'Tis forfeited by one I hate.

Vit.

Come on, All is not lost yet: You shall buy me dearer Before you have me: keep off.

Cla.

Fear me not, Thy worth has took me prisoner, and my sword For this time knows thee only for a friend, And to all else I turn the point of it.

Say.

Defend your Fathers enemy?

Alv.

Art thou mad?

Cla.

Are you men rather? shall that valour, which Begot you lawful honor in the wars, Prove now the Parent of an infamous Bastard So foul, yet so long liv'd, as murther will Be to your shames? have each of you, alone With your own dangers only, purchas'd glory From multitudes of enemies, not allowing Those nearest to you, to have part in it, And do you now joyn, and lend mutual help Against a single opposite? hath the mercy Of the great King, but newly wash'd away The blood, that with the forfeit of your life Cleav'd to your name, and family like an ulcer, In this again to set a deeper dye Upon your infamy: you'll say he is your foe, And by his rashness call'd on his own ruin; Remember yet, he was first wrong'd, and honor Spurr'd him to what he did, and next the place Where now he is: your house, which by the laws Of hospitable duty should protect him; Have you been twenty years a stranger to it, To make your entrance now in blood? or think you Your countrey-man, a true born Spaniard, will be An offering fit, to please the genius of it? No, in this I'll presume to teach my Father, And this first Act of disobedience shall Confirm I am most dutiful.

Alv.

I am pleas'd With what I dare not give allowance to; Unnatural wretch, what wilt thou do?

Cla.

Set free A noble enemy: come not on, by— You pass to him, through me: the way is open: Farewel: when next I meet you, do not look for A friend, but a vow'd foe; I see you worthy, And therefore now preserve you, for the honor Of my sword only:

Vit.

Were this man a friend, How would he win me, that being my vow'd foe

Deserves so well? I thank you for my life; ••ut how I shall deserve it, give me leave Hereafter to consider.

Exit.

Alv.

Quit thy fear, All danger is blown over: I have Letters To the Governor, in the Kings name, to secure us, From such attempts hereafter: yet we need not, That have such strong Guards of our own, dread others; And to increase thy comfort, know, this young man Whom with such fervent earnestness you eye, ••s not what he appears, but such a one As thou with joy wilt bless, thy Daughter Clara.

Eug.

A thousand blessings in that word.

Alv.

The reason Why I have bred her up thus, at more leasure I will impart unto you, wonder not At what you have seen her do, it being the least Of many great and valiant undertakings She hath made good with honor.

Eug.

I'll return The joy I have in her, with one as great To you my Alvarez: you, in a man, Have given to me a Daughter: in a Woman, I give to you a Son, this was the pledge You left here with me, whom I have brought up Different from what he was, as you did Clara, And with the like success; as she appears Alter'd by custom, more than Woman, he Transform'd by his soft life, as less than man.

Alv.

Fortune, in this gives ample satisfaction For all our sorrows past.

Luc.

My dearest Sister.

Cla.

Kind Brother.

Alv.

Now our mutual care must be Imploy'd to help wrong'd nature, to recover Her right in either of them, lost by custom: To you I give my Clara, and receive My Lucio to my charge: and we'll contend With loving industry, who soonest can Turn this man woman, or this woman man.

Exeunt.