When heard you of Donna Margaritta, the great heiress? Mich. I hear every hour of her, though I ne'er She is the main discourse. Noble Don Juan de How happy were that man could catch this wench up, And live at ease! She's fair, and young, and wealthy, Infinite wealthy, and as gracious, too, In all her entertainments, as men report. And that comes seldom without wantonness : With a light rein to rule my wife. If e'er woman, Juan. I am, sweet lady. Cla. I have a kinsman, and a noble friend, Employed in those wars; may be, sir, you know him; Don Campusano, captain of carbines, I know the gentleman, a most worthy captain. [Exeunt JUAN and CLARA, Mich. I am no blaster of a lady's beauty, Estif. You must excuse me, signior, I come Ser. Sir, there be two gentlewomen attend to Not here to sell myself. speak with you. Juan. Wait on them in. Mich. Are they two handsome women? Ser. They seem so, very handsome! but they're veiled, sir. Mich. Thou puttest sugar in my mouth. How it melts with me! I love a sweet young wench. Mich. As I am a gentleman; by the honour of a soldier! Estif. I believe you; I pray be civil: I believe you'd see me, And when you've seen me, I believe you'll like me; But in a strange place, to a stranger, too, Juan. Wait on them in, I say. [Exit Servant. Indeed I will not. Juan. Michael, how you burnish? Will not this soldier's heat out of your bones yet? Juan. Say honest, what shame have you, then? I've been in the Indies twice, and have seen But for two honest women :-one I read of once. Mich. I'll be any thing. Mich. I shall love you dearly, I know not, you have struck me with your mo- So deep, and taken from me All the desire, I might bestow on others- Estif. Indeed, I dare not. Enter Servant, DONNA CLARA and ESTIFANIA, But your repentance veiled. Juan. You're welcome, ladies. Mich. Both hooded! I like them well though: Cla. With you, sir, as I guess, Juan de Castro. Juan. I am the man, and shall be bound to fortune, I may do any service to your beauties. Cla. Captain, I hear you're marching down to To serve the Catholic king. Mich. It must needs be excellent. Estif. And with what honesty you ask it of Alt. Good-morrow, ladies. 1 Lady. How does the sweet young beauty, lady Margaret? 2 Lady. Has she slept well after her walk last night? 1 Lady. Are her dreams gentle to her mind? Alt. All's well, She's very well: she sent for you thus suddenly, 2 Lady. She does well and wisely, To ask the counsel of the ancientest. Madam, Our years have run through many things she knows not. Alt. She would fain marry. 1 Lady. 'Tis a proper calling, And well beseems her years. Who should she yoke with? Alt. That is left to argue on. I pray, come in And break your fast; drink a good cup or two, To strengthen your understandings, then she'll tell ye. 2 Lady. And good wine breeds good counsel; we'll yield to ye. [Exeunt. Juan. That was no foolish part, I'll bear you | A spirit of more fury than this fire-drake. Juan. Take heed of the Hollanders, your ships may leak else. Caca. I scorn the Hollanders, they are my drunkards. Alon. Put up your gold, sir, I will borrow it else. Caca. I am satisfied you shall not. Leon. I see he's hasty, and I would give him For your strict carriage, when you saw me first. Estif. You appear to be so honest and so civil, Without a blush, sir, I dare bid you welcome. Per. Poor, do you call it? There's nothing that I cast mine eyes upon, Estif. 'Tis but a little, Come out, I know thee; meet mine anger in- Only for present use; I've more and richer, stantly! Leon. I never wronged ye. Caca. Thou hast wronged mine honour, Thou look'st upon my mistress thrice laciviously; I'll make it good. Juan. Do not heat yourself, you will surfeit. Caca. Thou want'st my money, too, with a pair of base bones, In whom there was no truth, for which I beat thee, When need shail call, or friends compel me use I beat thee much; now I will hurt thee danger-I ously. This shall provoke thee. [He strikes. Alon. You struck too low, by a foot, sir. Juan. You must get a ladder, when you would beat this fellow. Leon. I cannot chuse but kick again; pray, pardon me. Caca. Hadst thou not asked my pardon, I had killed thee. I leave thee, as a thing despised; baso las manos a vostra Signora. [Exit CACA. Alon. You have escaped by miracle; there is not, in all Spain, it; The suits you see of all the upper chambers, I think, I have, besides, as fair as Seville, Per. Now, if she be not married, I have some hopes. Are you a maid? Estif. You make me blush to answer; ever was accounted so to this hour, And that's the reason, that I live retired, sir. Per. Then would I counsel you to marry presently, [Aside. (If I can get her, I am made for ever) For every year you lose, you lose a beauty. A husband now, an honest, careful husband, Were such a comfort. Will you walk above stairs? Estif. This place will fit our talk; 'tis fitter far, sir; Above, there are day-beds, and such temptations I dare not trust, sir. Per. She is excellent wise withal, too. Estif. You named a husband; I am not so Nor tied unto a virgin's solitariness, Rich, and a soldier, for so I've vowed he shall be, Per. He were base else. There's comfort ministered in the word, soldier. How sweetly should I live! Estif. I'm not so ignorant, But that I know well how to be commanded, If spent by my direction. To please my husband, I hold it as indifferent in my duty, To be his maid in the kitchen, or his cook, I am a soldier, and a bachelor, lady; And such a wife as you I could love infinitely. ACT II. Mar. Those I'll allow him; [Exeunt. They are for my credit. Does he understand But little? Alt. Very little. Mar. 'Tis the better. Have not the wars bred him up to anger? Alt. No, he won't quarrel with a dog that bites him; Let him be drunk or sober, he's one silence. For that's a soldier's god? Alt. Honour's a thing too subtle for his wisdom; If honour lie in eating, he's right honourable. Mar. I'd have him so. Go, find me out this man, and let me see him. Alt. He shall attend your ladyship. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A street. Enter JUAN, ALONSO, and PEREZ. Alas! I am a fellow of no reckoning, I am an ass, a bashful fool. Pr'ythee, colonel, How do thy companies fill now? Juan. You're merry, sir; You intend a safer war at home, belike, now? Per. I do not think I shall fight much this A man of a comely countenance. Pray ye, come year, colonel; I find myself given to my ease a little. I care not, if I sell my foolish company; Alon. How it angers me, This fellow, at first sight, should win a lady, A rich young wench sumed -And I, that have con this way. Is his mind so tame? Mar. You shall be taught. And can you, when she pleases, Go ride abroad, and stay a week or two? Leon. Yes, I love riding; And when I am from home, I am so merry! Mar. Be as merry as you will. Can you as handsomely, When you are sent for back, come with obedience, And do your duty to the lady loves you? Mar. And when you see her friends here, Ser. My mistress, sir, is sick, because you're And hold your peace, whate'er you see or hear? absent. Leon. 'Twere fit I were hanged else. Mar. Come, salute me. |