English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Eug_. What but in hart?
_Mom_. Hold off your hand yet I say;--_I doe embrace, and repay it_.
_Eug_. You may write, uncle, but if you get my hand to it--
_Mom_. Alas Neece, this is nothing, ist anything to a bodily marriage,
to say you love a man in soule, if your harts agree, and your bodies meet
not? simple marriage rites, now let us foorth: he is in the way to
felicity, and desires your hand.
_Eug_. _My hand shall alwaies signe the way to felicity_.
_Mom_. Very good; may not any woman say this now. Conclude now, sweet
Neece.
_Eug_. _And so God prosper your journey_.
_Mom_. Charitably concluded, though farre short of that love I wood have
showen to any friend of yours, Neece, I sweare to you. Your hand now,
and let this little stay his appetite.
_Eug_. Read what you have writ my Lord.
_Mom_. What needs that, Madam? you remember it, I am sure.
_Eug_. Well if it want sense in the Composition, let my secretary be
blam'd for't; thers my hand.
_Mom_. Thanks, gentle Neece; now ile reade it.
_Eug_. Why now, more then before I pray?
_Mom_. That you shall see straite.--_I cannot but suffer you to love if
you doe love, and will requite your love_.
_Eug_. Remember that requitall was of your owne putting in, but it shall
be after my fashion, I warrant ye.
_Mom_. Interrupt me no more.--_Your love being mentall needs no bodily
requitall, but in hart I embrace, and repay it; my hand shall alwaies
signe the way to felicity, and my selfe knit with you in the bands of
marriage ever walke with you, in it, and so God prosper our journey:
Eugenia_.
_Eug_. Gods me life, tis not thus I hope.
_Mom_. By my life but it is, Neece.
_Eug_. By my life but tis none of my deed then.
_Mom_. Doe you use to set your hand to that which is not your deed; your
hand is at it, Neece, and if there be any law in England, you shall
performe it too.
_Eug_. Why? this is plaine dishonoured deceit.
Does all your truest kindnes end in law?
_Mom_. Have patience Neece, for what so ere I say,
Onely the lawes of faith, and thy free love
Shall joyne my friend and thee, or naught at all.
By my friends love, and by this kisse it shall.
_Eug_. Why, thus did false _Acontius_ snare _Cydippe_.
_Mom_. Indeed, deere love, his wile was something like,
And then tis no unheard of treachery,
That was enacted in a goddes Eye:
_Acontius_ worthy love feard not _Diana_
Before whom he contriv'd this sweet deceite.
_Eug_. Well there you have my hand, but ile be sworne
I never did thing so against my will.
_Mom_. T'will prove the better, Madam, doubt it not.
And to allay the billows of your bloud,
Rais'd with my motion bold and opposite,
Deere Neece, suppe with me, and refresh your spirites:
I have invited your companions,
With the two guests that din'd with you to daie,
And will send for the old Lord _Furnifall_,
The Captaine, and his mates, and (tho at night)
We will be merry as the morning _Larke_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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