English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600; Heywood, Thomas, approximately 1574-1641
Wise-woman.
That is the gentleman [_pointing to_ Boyster],--accept him, Luce;
and you the like of her--nay, I’ll make it good. This gentleman
married you visarded, you him disguised, mistaking him for Chartley,
which none but my boy Jack was privy to: after she changed her habit
with him, as you with Jack; and you in Mistress Luce’s habit--
Luce.
May I believe you, mother?
Wise-woman.
This be your token.
Boyster.
Her that I married, I wrung twice by the finger.
Luce.
Of that token, my hand was sensible.
Boyster.
And ere the clamorous and loud noise begun,
I whispered to her thus-- [_Whispers_.
Luce.
You are the man.
Boyster.
Thanks, grannam; what thou promised thou hast done.
Luce’s Father.
And, leaving him, I take you for my son.
Young Chartley.
Two gone! then where’s the third? This makes me mad.
Where is my wife, then? for a wife I had.
Wise-woman.
Not see thy wife? Come hither, Jack, my boy.
Nay, take him to thee, and with him all joy.
Old Chartley.
Well art thou served to be a general scorn
To all thy blood: and, if not for our sakes,
For thy soul’s health and credit of the world,
Have some regard to me--to me thy father.
Young Chartley.
Enough, sir: if I should say I would become a new man, you would not
take my word; if I should swear I would amend my life, you would not
take mine oath; if I should bind myself to become an honest man, you
would scarce take my bond.
Old Chartley.
I should do none of these.
Young Chartley.
Then see, sir: when to all your judgments I see me past grace, do I
lay hold of grace, and here begin to retire myself. This woman hath
lent me a glass, in which I see all my imperfections, at which my
conscience doth more blush inwardly than my face outwardly; and now
I dare confidently undertake for myself I am honest.
2nd Luce.
Then I dare confidently undertake to help you to a wife who desires
to have an honest man or none. Look on me well: simple though I
stand here, I am your wife. Blush not at your folly, man. Perhaps I
have more in me than you expect from me.
Young Chartley.
Knavery and riot, both which are now to me foreign.
2nd Luce.
You and I have been better acquainted, and yet search me not too
far, lest you shame me; look on me well--nay better, better
yet;--I’ll assure you I left off a petticoat when I put on these
breeches. What say you now? [_She scatters her hair_.
Young Chartley.
First love, and best beloved!
2nd Luce.
Let me be both or neither.
Wise-woman.
[_Aside_.] My boy turned girl! I hope she’ll keep my counsel. From
henceforth I’ll never entertain any servant but I’ll have her
searched.
Old Chartley.
Her love hath drawn her hither after him.--
My loving daughter, welcome! thou hast run
A happy course to see my son thus changed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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