RULE A WIFE AND HAVE A WIFE. The Commendatory Verses by Hills ascribe this Comedy solely to Fletcher; in the title of the first copy, Fletcher's name is mentioned, without Beaumont's; and the Prologue speaks singly of the Poet.' The first edition was printed in 1640. Many years ago, some judicious alterations in the catastrophe of this Comedy were made by David Garrick, Esq. THE PROLOGUE. I Pleasure attend ye! and about ye sit Take no example neither to begin, A cruel scene did never lady please. Some drunk, some mad: We mean not you,' you're free; We tax no further than our comedy; You are our friends; sit noble then, and see! Because this day we're Spaniards all again.] This part of the Prologue seems to refer to the ill success of some tragedy, founded on a Spanish story, which had then been presented to the publick. Ware vestals all.] The context very evidently requires the change which Mr. Sympson first suggested here. Seward. ACT I. 1 son, And what a giant's promise it protesteth! He blushes like a girl, and answers little, one, And good cloaths too; he's whole skinn'd, has no hurt yet; [tainly Good promising hopes; I never yet heard cerOf any gentleman that saw him angry. Perez. Preserve him; he'll conclude a peace Many as strong as he will go along with us,5 That make the drunken Dutch creep into She is the main discourse. Noble don Juan wench up, And live at ease! she's fair and young, and Infinite wealthy, and as gracious too And that comes seldom without wantonness: 3 A strange goodly fellow.] The variation in the text was proposed by Theobald, and sejected by Seward. + Alferes. Ensign. Spanish. R. 3 Many as strong as he will go along with us.] Mr. Theobald for strong would substitute strange; and Mr. Seward, who alters the text to stout, says, I believe whoever fully considers the context, where strength of body had before been mentioned as joined with cowardice, will think with me, that stout either was or oUGHT TO HAVE BEEN the original.' This belief of what ought to have been betrays Mr. Seward into numberless arbitrary variations, though he seldom is ingenuous enough to mention them.-We apprehend strong to be the right word, and to be used here ironically. 6 What shame have you then?] Mr. Theobald reads share, and the same change was suggested by an ingenious friend. But I see no reason for it. How will you be asham'd if you offer rudeness to women of virtue? Juan is a good character, and the sentiment very proper for him. Seward. The They're very modest; 'tis a fine preludium. Juan. With me, or with this gentleman, would you speak, lady? [Castro. Clara. With you, Sir, as I guess; Juan de Perez. Her curtain opens; she's a pretty gentlewoman. [fortune. Juan. I am the man, and shall be bound to I may do any service to your beauties. Clara. Captain, I hear you're marching down to Flanders, To serve the Catholick king. Juan. I am, sweet lady. Clara. I have a kinsman, and a noble friend, Employ'd in those wars; may be, Sir, you know him; Don Campusano, captain of carbines, Juan. I shall do it; [Gives a letter. I know the gentleman, a most worthy captain. Clara. Something in private. Juan. Step aside: I'll serve thee. [Exeunt Juan and Clara. Perez. Prithee, let me see thy face. Estif. Sir, you must pardon me : Women of our sort, that maintain fair memories,7 And keep suspect off from their chastities, Perez. I am no blaster of a lady's beauty, I come not here to sell myself. Perez. As I'm a gentleman! By th' honour of a soldier! Estif. I believe you; I pray you 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, Perez. I shall love you dearly; And 'tis a sin to fling away affection: [me She will draw sure-so deep, and taken from All the desire I might bestow on others-Quickly, before they come! Estif. Indeed, I dare not: But, since I see you're so desirous, Sir, To view a poor face that can merit nothing But your repentance— Perez. It must needs be excellent. [of me; Estif. And with what honesty you ask it When I am gone let your man follow me, And view what house I enter; thither come; For there I dare be bold to appear open, And, as I like your virtuous carriage then, (Enter Juan, Clara, and Servant.) I shall be able to give welcome to you.—~~ Sh' hath done her business; I must take my leave, Sir. Perez. I'll kiss your fair white hand, and thank you, lady: My man shall wait, and I shall be your servant. Sirrah, come near; hark! Serv. I shall do it faithfully. [Exit. Juan. You will command me no more services? [dear Sir, Clara. To be careful of your noble health, That I may ever honour you. Juan. I thank you, The meaning may be, how will you be disgraced, if you offer gallantry, where it will 'not be accepted.' 1 Fair memories.] i. e. Fair characters. I fear a fly. Both Mr. Theobald and Mr Sympson make a query about this. I suppose it a metaphor taken from fishing with flies. We apprehend fly alludes to some common saying in the time of our Authers. It obviously implies a trick; musca, mosca, a fly. Serve bravely for a billet to support me. Alon. Dost thou count it base to suffer? Suffer abundantly? 'tis the crown of honour, You think it nothing to lie twenty days Under a surgeon's hands, that has no mercy. Sanc. As thou hast done, I'm sure. But I perceive now Why you desire to stay; the Orient heiress, Alon. I would I had her. [too! Sanc. And marry suddenly, as report goes She fears her youth will not hold out, Alonzo. Alon. I would I had the sheathing on't. Sanc. They say too She has a greedy eye, that must be fed Alon. Would she were mine! I'd cater for her well enough. But, Sanchio, There be too many great men that adore her; Princes, and princes' fellows, that claim pri[marriage; vilege. Sanc. Yet those stand off i' th' way of To be tied to a man's pleasure is a second la[town. bour. Alon. Sh' has bought a brave house here in Sanc. I've heard so. Alon. If she convert it now to pious uses, And bid poor gentlemen welcome! Sanc. When comes she to it? Alon. Within these two days; she's i' th' country yet, And keeps the noblest house! Sanc. Then there's some hope of her. Wilt thou go my way? Alon. No, no, I must leave you, And repair to an old gentlewoman That has credit with her, that can speak a good word. Sanc. Sendi hee good fortune! but make thy body sound first. And hereabouts I lost her. Stay! that's she, "Tis very she. She makes me a low court'sy. Let me note the place; the street I well remember. She's in again. Certain some noble lady: [Exit Estif. How happy should I be if she love my master! A wondrous goodly house; here are brave lodgings, And I shall sleep now like an emperor, And eat abundantly. I thank my fortune! I'll back with speed, and bring him happy tidings. [Exit. Enter three old Ladies. 1 Lady. What should it mean, that in such haste we're sent for? [business 2 Lady. Belike the lady Margaret has some She'd break to us in private. 3 Lady. It should seem so. "Tis a good lady, and a wise young lady. 2 Lady. And virtuous enough too, I war rant ye, For a young woman of her years: 'Tis pity To load her tender age with too much virtue. 3 Lady. 'Tis more sometimes than we can well away with.? Enter Altea. Altea. Good morrow, ladies! 1 Lady. How does the sweet young beauty, She's very well; she sent for you thus suddenly 2 Lady. She does well and wisely, To ask the counsel of the ancient'st, madam; Our years have run thro' many things she Allca. She would fain marry. [knows not. 1 Lady. 'Tis a proper calling, And well beseeras her years. Who would she yoke with? [come in, Altea. That's left to argue on. I pray Well away with.] This mode of expression needs no explanation; we shall only observe, that it is frequently to be found in our ancient writers. In the Second Part of Henry IV. act iii. scene ii. Shallow says, she could never away with me.' And among The orders thought meete by her majestie to be executed throughout the counties of this realme, in such townes, villages, and other places, as are or may be hereafter infected with the plague, for the stay of further increase of the same,' B. L. 4to. printed by Barker, is a receipt for women with child, or such as be delicate and tender, and cannot away with taking medicines.' R. |