A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 56

STAINES. What weapon?

SPEND. Single rapier.

STAINES. The time?

SPEND. To-morrow.

STAINES. The hour?

SPEND. 'Twixt nine and ten.

STAINES. 'Tis good; I shall expect you. Farewell.

SPEND. Farewell, sir. [_Exeunt omnes._

_Enter_ WILL RASH, LONGFIELD, _and_ JOYCE.

W. RASH. Why, I commend thee, girl; thou speak'st as thou think'st. Thy tongue and thy heart are relatives; and thou wert not my sister, I should at this time fall in love with thee.

JOYCE. You should not need, for, and you were not my brother, I should fall in love with you, for I love a proper man with my heart, and so does all the s.e.x of us, let my sister dissemble never so much. I am out of charity with these nice and squeamish tricks. We were born for men, and men for us; and we must together.

W. RASH. This same plain-dealing is a jewel in thee.

JOYCE. And let me enjoy that jewel, for I love plain-dealing with my heart.

W. RASH. Th' art a good wench, i' faith. I should never be ashamed to call thee sister, though thou shouldst marry a broom-man. But your lover, methinks, is over-tedious.

_Enter_ GERALDINE.

JOYCE. No, look ye, sir; could you wish a man to come better upon his cue?[183] Let us withdraw.

W. RASH. Close, close, for the prosecution of the plot, wench. See, he prepares.

JOYCE. Silence.

GERA. The sun is yet wrapp'd in Aurora's arms, And, lull'd with her delight, forgets us[184] creatures.

Awake, thou G.o.d of heat, I call thee up, and task[185] thee for thy slowness.

Point all thy beams through yonder flaring gla.s.s, And raise a beauty brighter than thyself. [_Music._ Musicians, give each instrument a tongue, To breathe sweet music in the ears of her To whom I send it as a messenger.

_Enter_ GERTRUDE _aloft_.

GERT. Sir, your music is so good, that I must say I like it: but the bringer so ill-welcome, that I could be content to lose it. If you played for money, there 'tis; if for love, here's none; if for goodwill, I thank you, and, when you will, you may be gone.

GERA. Leave me not entranc'd; sing not my death; Thy voice is able to make satyrs tame, And call rough winds to her obedience.

GERT. Sir, sir, our ears itch not for flattery.

Here you besiege my window, and[186] I dare not Put forth myself to take the gentle air, But you are in the fields, and volley out Your woes, your plaints, your loves, your injuries.

GERA. Since you have heard, and know them, give redress; True beauty never yet was merciless.

GERT. Sir, rest thus satisfied; my mind was never woman, never altered; nor shall it now begin: so fare you well.

[_Exit_ GERTRUDE.

W. RASH. 'Sfoot, she plays the terrible tyrannising Tamberlane over him.

This it is to turn Turk; from a most absolute, complete gentleman to a most absurd, ridiculous, and fond lover. [_Aside._]

LONG. O, when a woman knows the power and authority of her eye!----

[_Aside._]

JOYCE. Fie upon her! she's good for nothing then, no more than a jade that knows his own strength. The window is clasped; now, brother, pursue your project, and deliver your friend from the tyranny of my domineering sister. [_Aside._]

W. RASH. Do you hear, you drunkard in love? Come into us, and be ruled.

You would little think that the wench that talked so scurvily out of the window there is more enamoured on thee than thou on her. Nay, look you now: see if he turn not away, slighting our good counsel. I am no Christian if she do not sigh, whine, and grow sick for thee. Look you, sir: I will bring you in good witness against her.

JOYCE. Sir, you are My brother's friend, and I'll be plain with you.

You do not take the course to win my sister, But indirectly go about the bush; you come And fiddle here, and keep a coil in verse; Hold off your hat, and beg to kiss her hand; Which makes her proud.

But, to be short; in two lines, thus it is-- Who most doth love, must seem most to neglect it; For those that show most love, are least respected.

LONG. A good observation, by my faith.

W. RASH. Well, this instruction comes too late now.

Stand you close, and let me prosecute my invention.--[187]

Sister, O sister! wake, arise, sister.

_Enter_ GERTRUDE _above_.

GERT. How now, brother; why call you with such terror?

W. RASH. How can you sleep so sound, and hear such groans, So horrid and so tedious to the ear, that I Was frighted hither by the sound? O sister, Here lies a gentleman that lov'd you too dearly And himself too ill, as by his death appears.

I can report no farther without tears.

a.s.sist me now. [_Aside to_ LONGFIELD.

LONG. When he came first, death startled in his eyes; His hand had not forsook the dagger-hilt, But still he gave it strength, as if he fear'd He had not sent it home unto his heart.

GERT. Enough, enough!

If you will have me live, give him no name; Suspicion tells me 'tis my Geraldine: But be it whom it will, I'll come to him, To suffer death as resolute as he. [_Exit_ GERTRUDE.

W. RASH. Did not I tell you 'twould take?

Down, sir, down.[188]

GERA. I guess what you'd have me do.

LONG. O, for a little blood to besprinkle him!

W. RASH. No matter for blood, I'll not suffer her to come near him till the plot have ta'en his full height.