A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 86

'Tis so, no doubt; I read it in her brow.

Lord Lacy shall with all my heart enjoy Fair Honorea: Marian is mine; Who, though she be a shrew, yet is she honest.

So is not Honorea, for even now, Walking within my garden all alone, She came with Musgrave, stealing closely by, And follows him, that seeks to fly from her.

I spied this all unseen, and left them there.

But sure my dame hath some conceit thereof, And therefore she is thus angry, honest soul!

Well, I'll straight hence unto my Lord of Kent, And warn him watch his wife from these close meetings.

Well, Marian, thou liv'st yet free from blame.

Let ladies go; thou art the devil's dame.

[_Exit_ CASTILIANO.

_Enter the_ DEVIL, _like_ MUSGRAVE, _with_ HONOREA.

MUS. No, lady; let thy modest, virtuous life Be always joined with thy comely shape, For l.u.s.t eclipseth nature's ornament.

HON. Young heady boy, think'st thou thou shalt recall Thy long-made love, which thou so oft hast sworn, Making my maiden thoughts to doat on thee?

MUS. With patience hear me, and, if what I say Shall jump with reason,[456] then you'll pardon me.

The time hath been when my soul's liberty Vow'd servitude unto that heavenly face, Whilst both had equal liberty of choice; But since the holy bond of marriage Hath left me single, you a wedded wife, Let me not be the third unlawfully To do Earl Lacy so foul injury.

But now at last--

HON. I would that last Might be thy last, thou monster of all men!

MUS. Hear me with patience.

HON. Cease: I'll hear no more!

'Tis my affection, and not reason, speaks: Then, Musgrave, turn the hardness of thy heart, And now at least incline thy love to mine.

MUS. Nay, now I see thou wilt not be reclaim'd.

Go and bestow this hot love on the earl; Let not these loose affects thus scandalise Your fair report. Go home, and learn to live As chaste as Lucrece, madam. So I leave you.

[_She pulleth him back_.

HON. O, stay a little while, and hear my tongue Speak my heart's words, which cannot choose but tell thee, I hate the earl, only because I love thee. [_Exit_ MUSGRAVE.

Musgrave, return! hear, Honorea speaks!

Disdain hath left him wings to fly from me!

Sweet love, lend me thy wings to overtake him, For I can stay him with kind dalliance!

All this is but the blindness of my fancy.

Recall thyself: let not thy honour bleed With the foul wounds of infamy and shame.

My proper home shall call me home again, Where my dear lord bewails, as much as I, His too much love to her that loves not him.

Let none hereafter fix her maiden love Too firm on any, lest she feel with me Musgrave's revolt and his inconstancy.

[_Exit_.

_Enter_ FORREST, _with_ MARIAN.

FOR. Tut, I'll remember thee, and straight return: But here's the doctor.

MAR. Where? Forrest, farewell!

I would not have him see me for a world.

FOR. Why? he is not here. Well, now I see you fear him.

MAR. Marry, beshrew thee for thy false alarm!

I fear him? no, I neither fear nor love him.

FOR. But where's my lady? She is gone home before, And I must follow after. Marian, farewell.

MAR. I shall expect your coming.

FOR. Presently; And nearest thou, Marian? nay, it shall be so--

[_He whispers in her ear_.

MAR. O Lord, sir, you are wed, I warrant you: We'll laugh, be merry, and, it may be, kiss; But if you look for more, you aim amiss.

FOR. Go to, go to! we'll talk of this anon.

[_Exit_ FORREST.

MAR. Well, go thy way, for the true-heartedst man That liveth, and as full of honesty, And yet as wanton as a pretty lamb.

He'll come again, for he hath lov'd me long, And so have many more besides himself; But I was coy and proud, as maids are wont, Meaning to match beyond my mean estate: Yet I have favour'd youths and youthful sports, Although I durst not venture on the main; But now it will not be so soon espied.

Maids cannot, but a wife a fault may hide.

_Enter_ NAN.

What, Nan!

NAN. Anon, forsooth.

MAR. Come hither, maid.

Here, take my keys, and fetch the galley-pot; Bring a fair napkin and some fruit-dishes.

Despatch, and make all ready presently; Miles Forrest will come straight to drink with me.

NAN. I will, forsooth. [_Exit_ NAN.

MAR. Why am I young, but to enjoy my years?

Why am I fair, but that I should be lov'd?

And why should I be lov'd, and not love others?

Tut, she is a fool that her affection smothers: 'Twas not for love I was the doctor's wife, Nor did he love me, when he first was mine.

Tush, tush, this _wife_ is but an idle name!

I purpose now to try another game.

Art thou return'd so soon? O, 'tis well done.

_Enter_ NAN _with the banquet_.

And hear'st thou, Nan? when Forrest shall return, If any happen to inquire for me, Whether't be Captain Clinton or Ralph Harvey, Call presently, and say, thy master's come; So I'll send Forrest o'er the garden pale.

NAN. I will, forsooth.

MAR. Meantime, stay thou and make our banquet ready.

I'll to my closet, and be here again, Before Miles Forrest shall come visit me.