English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Pike_. What an arrogant rascall's this!--Sir, I thought my thankes
herein had chiefly appertaind to the humanity of the Governour, & that
your especiall care had bene in providing these necessary shackles to
keepe me from running into further danger: these I tooke to be the
strong bonds of your frendship.
_Jay_. Sir, I hope they fitt you as well as if they had bene made for
you. Oh, I am so much your servant that I doe wish 'em stronger for your
sake.
_Pike_. 'Tis overwell as it is, sir.
_Jay_. You are most curteous. [_Exit_.
_Pike_. A precious rogue! If the Jaylors be so pregnant what is the
hangman, troe? By the time my misery hath brought me to climbe to his
acquaintance I shall find a frend to the last gaspe. What's here? a
Lady? are the weomen so cruell here to insult ore Captive wretches.
_Enter Catelyna & Jaylor_.
_Cat_. Is this the English prisoner?
_Jay_. Yes, madam.
_Cat_. Trust me, a goodly person.
_Pike_. She eyes me wistly; sure she comes not to instruct her selfe in
the art of painting by the patternes of my face!
_Cat_. Sir, shall I speake with you?
_Pike_. Yes, Lady, so you will not mock mee.
_Cat_. Indeed I cannot, but must needs acknowledge
Myselfe beholding to you.
_Pike_. This I must beare; I will doe soe & call't my sweet affliction.
_Cat_. Will you heare me, sir? I am the Lady--
_Pike_. Yes, I doe heare you say you are the Lady; but let me tell you,
madam, that Ladyes, though they should have tenderest sence of honour &
all vertuous goodnesse, & so resemble Goddesses as well in soule as
feature, doe often prove dissemblers & in their seemely breasts beare
cruelty & mischiefe. If you be one of those, oh, be converted; returne
from whence you came & know 'tis irreligious, nay divelish to tread &
triumph over misery.
_Cat_. How well he speakes, yet in the sence bewraying
A sence distracted: sure his captivity,
His wounds, & hard entreaty make him franticke!
Pray heare me, sir, & in two words Ile tell you
Enough to win beleeife: I am the Lady
Of the Knight vanquished by you, _Don John_.
_Pike_. Y'have said enough, indeed: pitty of heaven,
What new invented cruelty is this!
Was't not enough that by his ruthlesse basenes
I had these wounds inflicted, but I must
Be tortured with his wifes uniust reioycings!
'Twas well his politicke feare, which durst not come
To glory in his handy worke himselfe,
Could send your priviledg'd Ladyship.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2 — John Shaqi
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