Bussy D'Ambois and The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois Part 36

Strange crosse in nature, purest virgine shame Lies in the bloud as l.u.s.t lyes; and together Many times mixe too; and in none more shamefull 35 Then in the shamefac't. Who can then distinguish Twixt their affections; or tell when hee meetes With one not common? Yet, as worthiest poets Shunne common and plebeian formes of speech, Every illiberall and affected phrase, 40 To clothe their matter, and together tye Matter and forme with art and decencie; So worthiest women should shunne vulgar guises, And though they cannot but flye out for change, Yet modestie, the matter of their lives, 45 Be it adulterate, should be painted true With modest out-parts; what they should doe still Grac'd with good show, though deedes be ne'er so ill.

_Tamy._ That is so farre from all yee seeke of us That (though your selves be common as the ayre) 50 We must not take the ayre, wee must not fit Our actions to our owne affections: But as geometricians (you still say) Teach that no lines, nor superficies, Doe move themselves, but still accompanie 55 The motions of their bodies; so poore wives Must not pursue, nor have their owne affections, But to their husbands earnests, and their jests, To their austerities of lookes, and laughters, (Though ne'er so foolish and injurious) 60 Like parasites and slaves, fit their disposures.

_Mont._ I usde thee as my soule, to move and rule me.

_Tamy._ So said you, when you woo'd. So souldiers tortur'd With tedious sieges of some wel-wall'd towne, Propound conditions of most large contents, 65 Freedome of lawes, all former government; But having once set foote within the wals, And got the reynes of power into their hands, Then doe they tyrannize at their owne rude swindges, Seaze all their goods, their liberties, and lives, 70 And make advantage, and their l.u.s.ts, their lawes.

_Mont._ But love me, and performe a wifes part yet, With all my love before, I sweare forgivenesse.

_Tamy._ Forgivenesse! that grace you should seeke of mee: These tortur'd fingers and these stab'd-through armes 75 Keepe that law in their wounds yet un.o.bserv'd, And ever shall.

_Mont._ Remember their deserts.

_Tam._ Those with faire warnings might have beene reform'd, Not these unmanly rages. You have heard The fiction of the north winde and the sunne, 80 Both working on a traveller, and contending Which had most power to take his cloake from him: Which when the winde attempted, hee roar'd out Outragious blasts at him to force it off, That wrapt it closer on: when the calme sunne 85 (The winde once leaving) charg'd him with still beames, Quiet and fervent, and therein was constant, Which made him cast off both his cloake and coate; Like whom should men doe. If yee wish your wives Should leave dislik'd things, seeke it not with rage, 90 For that enrages; what yee give, yee have: But use calme warnings, and kinde manly meanes, And that in wives most prost.i.tute will winne Not onely sure amends, but make us wives Better then those that ne'er led faultie lives. 95

_Enter a Souldier._

_Soldier._ My lord.

_Mont._ How now; would any speake with me?

_Sold._ I, sir.

_Mont._ Perverse, and traiterous miscreant!

Where are your other fellowes of my guard?

Have I not told you I will speake with none But Lord Renel?

_Sold._ And it is hee that stayes you. 100

_Mont._ O, is it he? Tis well: attend him in. [_Exit Soldier._]

I must be vigilant; the Furies haunt mee.

Doe you heare, dame?

_Enter Renel, with the Souldier._

_Renel [aside, to the Soldier]._ Be true now, for your ladies injur'd sake, Whose bountie you have so much cause to honour: 105 For her respect is chiefe in this designe, And therefore serve it; call out of the way All your confederate fellowes of his guard, Till Monsieur Baligny be enter'd here.

_Sold._ Upon your honour, my lord shall be free 110 From any hurt, you say?

_Ren._ Free as my selfe. Watch then, and cleare his entrie.

_Sold._ I will not faile, my lord. _Exit Souldier._

_Ren._ G.o.d save your lords.h.i.+p!

_Mont._ My n.o.blest Lord Renel! past all men welcome!

Wife, welcome his lords.h.i.+p. _Osculatur._

_Ren._ [_to Tam._] I much joy 115 In your returne here.

_Tamy._ You doe more then I.

_Mont._ Shee's pa.s.sionate still, to thinke we ever parted By my too sterne injurious jelousie.

_Ren._ Tis well your lords.h.i.+p will confesse your errour In so good time yet.

_Enter Baligny, with a challenge._

_Mont._ Death! who have wee here? 120 Ho! Guard! Villaines!

_Baligny._ Why exclaime you so?

_Mont._ Negligent trayters! Murther, murther, murther!

_Bal._ Y'are mad. Had mine entent beene so, like yours, It had beene done ere this.

_Ren._ Sir, your intent, And action too, was rude to enter thus. 125

_Bal._ Y'are a decaid lord to tell me of rudenesse, As much decaid in manners as in meanes.

_Ren._ You talke of manners, that thus rudely thrust Upon a man that's busie with his wife!

_Bal._ And kept your lords.h.i.+p then the dore?

_Ren._ The dore! 130

_Mont._ Sweet lord, forbeare. Show, show your purpose, sir, To move such bold feete into others roofes.

_Bal._ This is my purpose, sir; from Clermont D'Ambois I bring this challenge.

_Mont._ Challenge! Ile touch none.

_Bal._ Ile leave it here then.

_Ren._ Thou shall leave thy life first. 135

_Mont._ Murther, murther!

_Ren._ Retire, my lord; get off.

_They all fight and Bal[igny] drives in Mont[surry]._ Hold, or thy death shall hold thee. Hence, my lord!

_Bal._ There lye the chalenge. _Exit Mon[tsurry]._

_Ren._ Was not this well handled?

_Bal._ n.o.bly, my lord. All thankes. _Exit Bal[igny]._

_Tamy._ Ile make him reade it.

_Exit Tamy[ra]._