English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Co_. You are not the first sweet Ladie has been overthrowne at
Common Lawe.
_Sis_. Not by tenn thousand, Sir. Confest: but I have no mind to come to
issue with a Lawyer; when he should consider my cause at home, heele be
at _Westminster_, teaching men the Statutes. No, no, I wo'not marry a
Judge.
_Co_. Why, Lady?
_Sis_. They are casuall things and men that hold such strange opinions.
_Co_. Lady, you may be misinform'd: _Astraea_
Hath not quite left the earth, and the abuses
Of some which shame the calling are but like
Patches of beauty on the shape of lawe
To set the whitenes of.
_Sis_. Farewell, Sir:
You are in love with a barrd gown, not beauty;
If you will be my learned Counsell, leave it
--This yong thing is a foole or a fine fellow. [_Exit_.
_Co_. She kicks and flings out like a Colt unwayed;
Her witt's a better portion then her money;
I would not love her yet, and I could help it.--
My Uncle and his Mistres: Ile not hinder em.
[_Ex_.
[SCENE 3.]
_Enter Sir Francis and Ladie_.
_La_. It is no honour, Sir, if arm'd with so
Much eloquence you overcome a woman.
I blush to say I love you now too much;
I wish you would release what your sweet charmes
Won from my tongue; I shall repent my promise.
_Fra_. Make me not miserable after so much blessing.
Why, Madam, tis on honourable tearmes,
Since not upon the first attempt but after
A tedious seige in to your faire love you give up
What shall enrich us both. It were a sinne
To feare you can retract what both our lipps
Have seal'd, and loose a happines so neare
And so secure. Your husband holds his pleasure
Of early hunting constant, and when he
Pursues the tymerous hare to morrow morne,
_Cupid_ will waite to bring me to _Elizium_,
Your bed, where every kisse shall new create us.
_La_. You must be wise in your excuse, to quit
His importunitie.
_Fra_. Leave that to me:
I weare not worth the name of him that serv'd you
To loose my glorious hope for want of such
A thinne device. In your thought wish me prosper,
And I am fortifide against the power
Of fate to seperate us; and when thou art
Within the amorous circle of my armes,
We will make lawes to love; teach him new motion
Or chaine[247] him with the cordage of his haire,
Like a tame thing, to walke, and watch our pillow
And be our pleasures Centinell.
_La_. I see
My husband; tis not safe he should observe us:
Be wise and constant. [_Exit Lady_.
_Fra_. All that's sweet attend thee.
So I am sailing now to my owne _Indies_,
And see the happie Coast, too: How my wings
Doe spread to catch the wind which comes to court 'em,
And the green Sea, enamour'd on my barke,
Doth leap to see how _Cupid_ sitts at helme.
And steeres my soule to his new world.
_Enter Sir Richard and Engine_.
_Ri_. A monopolie say you
For Perriwigs?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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