English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Ele_. Yes, but the horrour of
So foule a deed shall never: there's layd up
Eternity of wrath in hell for lust:
Oh, 'tis the devill's exercise! _Henrico_,
You are a man, a man whom I have layd up
Nearest my heart: in you 'twill be a sin
To threaten heaven & dare that Justice throw
Downe Thunder at you. Come, I know you doe
But try my vertue, whether I be proofe
Against anothers Battery: for these teares--
_Hen_. Nay, then I see you needs will try my strength:
My bloud's on fire, I boyle with expectation
To meete the pleasure and I will.
[_He forces her in_.
_Ele_. Helpe, helpe!
_Enter Buzzano_.
_Buz_. Helpe? what nightingale was that? did one cry out for helpe?
there's no Christian soule in the house but they two & my selfe; and
'twas not mine, I know by the smallnes of the voice; twas some woman
cryde out, & therefore can be none but my young Lady,--it was she as
sure as I am hungry; he's with her. But why, having one man did she cry
out for more? oh, our _Spanish_ ovens are not heated with one Bavyn.[23]
Well, I must say nothing; my young Cocke has bene treading. Ile tread
softly & see what they doe:--but, see!
_Enter Henrico & Eleonora, loose haired and weeping_.
_Hen_. What doe you looke after?
_Buz_. Why, sir, I looke after a voyce that appeard to me even now,
crying "helpe,"--a very small one.
_Hen_. If what thou seest or heard'st be ever muttered by thee
Though in thy sleep, villaine, Ile pistol thee.
_Buz_. Hum, it will not be safe to dreame of a knave shortly. Are you so
good at a gun? if you use this too often your birding piece will scarce
carry a yard levell.
_Hen_. Come, dresse your hayre up & be wise at last:
No more, I have done.
_Buz_. So I thinke in my conscience,--he hath done with her.
_Hen_. If you can be so simple to proclaime it,
I can be impudent.
_Ele_. Yet dar'st thou live? & doe I live to see
Myselfe the shame of weomen? have I not
Wept teares enough to drowne me? then let fire
Enthrone it selfe within me & beget
Prodigious Cometts, that with flaming haires
May threaten danger to thee!
_Hen_. Nay, nay, nay, if you be so hott Ile brave you: like wine that's
burnt you must be set light by, & then you'le come to a temper.
[_Exit_.
_Ele_. Oh, helpe me out of hell!
_Buz_. Sh'has bene at Barleybreake.[24]--Madam I must say nothing:
--there is a Pistol and so forth:--but if you have occasion to use me,
try mee; if I doe not prove an honester man to you then my Master,
would my Cod piece point were broake. I know what I know, and yet Ile
tell no tales;--but if ever I come to speake once--I say nothing.
_Ele_. Oh that I could not breath! how can I have
A Joy in life whose honour's in the Grave!
[_Exeunt_.
(SCENE 3.)
_Enter Pike with his sword in his hand, a Cloake in his Arme_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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