COMEDY.

Persons Represented in the Play.

Dinant, a Gentleman that formerly loved, and still pretended to love Lamira.

Cleremont, a merry Gentleman, his Friend.

Champernell, a lame old Gentleman, Husband to Lamira.

Vertaign, a Noble-man, and a Judge.

Beaupre, Son to Vertaign.

Verdone, Nephew to Champernell.

Monsieur La Writt, a wrangling Advocate, or the Little Lawyer.

Sampson, a foolish Advocate, Kinsman to Vertaign.

Provost.

Gentlemen.

Clients.

Servants.

WOMEN.

Lamira, Wife to Champernell, and Daughter to Vertaign.

Anabell, Niece to Champernell.

Old Lady, Nurse to Lamira.

Charlotte, Waiting Gentlewoman to Lamira.

The Scene France.

The principal Actors were,

Joseph Taylor.

John Lowin.

John Underwood.

Robert Benfield.

Nicholas Toolie.

William Egleston.

Richard Sharpe.

Thomas Holcomb.

Actus Primus. Scena Prima. Actus Secundus. Scena Prima. Actus Tertius. Scena Prima. Actus Quartus. Scena Prima. Actus Quintus. Scena Prima. Prologue. Epilogue. APPENDIX

[Pg 374]

Actus Primus. Scena Prima.

Enter Dinant, a[n]d Cleremont.

Din. Disswade me not. Clere. It will breed a brawl. Din. I care not, I wear a Sword. Cler. And wear discretion with it, Or cast it off, let that direct your arm, 'Tis madness else, not valour, and more base Than to receive a wrong. Din. Why would you have me Sit down with a disgrace, and thank the doer? We are not Stoicks, and that passive courage Is only now commendable in Lackies, Peasants, and Tradesmen, not in men of rank And qualitie, as I am. Cler. Do not cherish That daring vice, for which the whole age suffers. The blood of our bold youth, that heretofore Was spent in honourable action, Or to defend, or to enlarge the Kingdom, For the honour of our Country, and our Prince, Pours it self out with prodigal expence Upon our Mothers lap, the Earth that bred us For every trifle; and these private Duells, Which had their first original from the Fr[enc]h (And for which, to this day, we are justly censured) Are banisht from all civil Governments: Scarce three in Venice, in as many years; In Florence, they are rarer, and in all The fair Dominions of the Spanish King,

They are never heard of: Nay, those neighbour Countries, Which gladly imitate our other follies, And come at a dear rate to buy them of us, Begin now to detest them. Din. Will you end yet— Cler. And I have heard that some of our late Kings, For the lie, wearing of a Mistris favour, [Pg 375]A cheat at Cards or Dice, and such like causes, Have lost as many gallant Gentlemen, As might have met the great Turk in the field With confidence of a glorious Victorie, And shall we then— Din. No more, for shame no more, Are you become a Patron too? 'tis a new one, No more on't, burn't, give it to some Orator, To help him to enlarge his exercise, With such a one it might do well, and profit The Curat of the Parish, but for Cleremont, The bold, and undertaking Cleremont, To talk thus to his friend, his friend that knows him, Dinant that knows his Cleremont, is absurd, And meer Apocrypha. Cler. Why, what know you of me? Din. Why if thou hast forgot thy self, I'le tell thee, And not look back, to speak of what thou wert At fifteen, for at those years I have heard

Thou wast flesh'd, and enter'd bravely. Cler. Well Sir, well. Din. But yesterday, thou wast the common second, Of all that only knew thee, thou hadst bills Set up on every post, to give thee notice Where any difference was, and who were parties; And as to save the charges of the Law Poor men seek arbitrators, thou wert chosen By such as knew thee not, to compound quarrels: But thou wert so delighted with the sport, That if there were no just cause, thou wouldst make one, Or be engag'd thy self: This goodly calling Thou hast followed five and twenty years, and studied The Criticismes of contentions, and art thou In so few hours transform'd? certain this night Thou hast had strange dreams, or rather visions. Clere. Yes, Sir, I have seen fools, and fighters, chain'd together, And the Fighters had the upper hand, and whipt first, The poor Sots laughing at 'em. What I have been It skils not, what I will be is resolv'd on. [Pg 376]Din. Why then you'l fight no more? Cler. Such is my purpose. Din. On no occasion? Cler. There you stagger me. Some kind of wrongs there are which flesh and blood

Cannot endure. Din. Thou wouldst not willingly Live a protested coward, or be call'd one? Cler. Words are but words. Din. Nor wouldst thou take a blow? Cler. Not from my friend, though drunk, and from an enemy I think much less. Din. There's some hope of thee left then, Wouldst thou hear me behind my back disgrac'd? Cler. Do you think I am a rogue? they that should do it Had better been born dumb. Din. Or in thy presence See me o'recharg'd with odds? Cler. I'd fall my self first. Din. Would'st thou endure thy Mistris be taken from thee, And thou sit quiet? Cler. There you touch my honour, No French-man can endure that. Di[n]. Pl—— upon thee, Why dost thou talk of Peace then? that dar'st suffer Nothing, or in thy self, or in thy friend That is unmanly? Cler. That I grant, I cannot: But I'le not quarrel with this Gentleman For wearing stammel Breeches, or this Gamester For playing a thousand pounds, that owes me nothing; For this mans taking up a common Wench In raggs, and lowsie, then maintaining her Caroach'd in cloth of Tissue, nor five hundred

Of such like toyes, that at no part concern me; Marry, where my honour, or my friend is questioned, I have a Sword, and I think I may use it To the cutting of a Rascals throat, or so, Like a good Christian. Din. Thou art of a fine Religion, [Pg 377]And rather than we'l make a Schism in friendship I will be of it: But to be serious, Thou art acquainted with my tedious love-suit To fair Lamira? Cler. Too well Sir, and remember Your presents, courtship, that's too good a name, Your slave-like services, your morning musique; Your walking three hours in the rain at midnight, To see her at her window, sometimes laugh'd at, Sometimes admitted, and vouchsaf'd to kiss Her glove, her skirt, nay, I have heard, her slippers, How then you triumph'd? Here was love forsooth. Din. These follies I deny not, Such a contemptible thing my dotage made me, But my reward for this— Cler. As you deserv'd, For he that makes a goddess of a Puppet, Merits no other recompence. Din. This day friend, For thou art so— Cler. I am no flatterer. Din. This proud, ingratefull she, is married to Lame Champernel.

Cler. I know him, he has been As tall a Sea-man, and has thriv'd as well by't, The loss of a legg and an arm deducted, as any That ever put from Marseilles: you are tame, Pl—— on't, it mads me; if it were my case, I should kill all the family. Din. Yet but now You did preach patience. Cler. I then came from confession, And 'twas enjoyn'd me three hours for a penance, To be a peaceable man, and to talk like one, But now, all else being pardon'd, I begin On a new Tally, Foot do any thing, I'le second you. Din. I would not willingly Make red, my yet white conscience, yet I purpose [Pg 378]In the open street, as they come from the Temple, (For this way they must pass,) to speak my wrongs, And do it boldly. [Musick playes. Cler. Were thy tongue a Cannon, I would stand by thee, boy, they come, upon 'em. Din. Observe a little first. Cler. This is fine fidling.

Enter Vertaign, Champernel, Lamira, Nurse, Beaupre, Verdone. An Epithalamium.

Din. Stand by, for I'le be heard. Verta. This is strange rudeness. Din. 'Tis courtship, ballanced with injuries, You all look pale with guilt, but I will dy Your cheeks with blushes, if in your sear'd veins There yet remain so much of honest blood To make the colour; first to ye my Lord, The Father of this Bride, whom you have sent Alive into her grave. Champ. How? to her grave? Dina. Be patient Sir, I'le speak of you anon You that allow'd me liberal access, To make my way with service, and approv'd of My birth, my person, years, and no base fortune: You that are rich, and but in this held wise too, [Pg 379]That as a Father should have look'd upon Your Daughter in a husband, and aim'd more At what her youth, and heat of blood requir'd In lawfull pleasures, than the parting from Your Crowns to pay her dowr: you that already Have one foot in the grave, yet study profit, As if you were assur'd to live here ever; What poor end had you, in this choice? in what Deserve I your contempt? my house, and honours At all parts equal yours, my fame as fair,

And not to praise my self, the City ranks me In the first file of her most hopefull Gentry: But Champernel is rich, and needs a nurse, And not your gold: and add to that, he's old too, His whole estate in likelihood to descend Upon your Family; Here was providence, I grant, but in a Nobleman base thrift: No Merchants, nay, no Pirats, sell for Bondmen Their Country-men, but you, a Gentleman, To save a little gold, have sold your Daughter To worse than slaverie. Cler. This was spoke home indeed. Beau. Sir, I shall take some other time to tell you, That this harsh language was delivered to An old man, but my Father. Din. At your pleasure. Cler. Proceed in your design, let me alone, To answer him, or any man. Verd. You presume Too much upon your name, but may be couzen'd. Din. But for you, most unmindfull of my service, For now I may upbraid you, and with honour, Since all is lost, and yet I am a gainer, In being deliver'd from a torment in you, For such you must have been, you to whom nature Gave with a liberal hand most excellent form, Your education, language, and discourse,

And judgement to distinguish, when you shall With feeling sorrow understand how wretched And miserable you have made your self, [Pg 380]And but your self have nothing to accuse, Can you with hope from any beg compassion? But you will say, you serv'd your Fathers pleasure, Forgetting that unjust commands of Parents Are not to be obey'd, or that you are rich, And that to wealth all pleasure else are servants, Yet but consider, how this wealth was purchas'd, 'Twill trouble the possession. Champ. You Sir know I got it, and with honour. Din. But from whom? Remember that, and how: you'l come indeed To houses bravely furnish'd, but demanding Where it was bought, this Souldier will not lie, But answer truly, this rich cloth of Arras I made my prize in such a Ship, this Plate Was my share in another; these fair Jewels, Coming a shore, I got in such a Village, The Maid, or Matron kill'd, from whom they were ravish'd, The Wines you drink are guilty too, for this, This Candie Wine, three Merchants were undone, These Suckets break as many more: in brief,

All you shall wear, or touch, or see, is purchas'd By lawless force, and you but revel in The tears, and grones of such as were the owners. Champ. 'Tis false, most basely false. Verta. Let losers talk. Din. Lastly, those joyes, those best of joyes, which Hymen Freely bestows on such, that come to tye The sacred knot be blesses, won unto it By equal love, and mutual affection, Not blindly led with the desire of riches, Most miserable you shall never taste of. This Marriage night you'l meet a Widows bed, Or failing of those pleasures all Brides look for, Sin in your wish it were so. Champ. Thou art a Villain, A base, malitious slanderer. Cler. Strike him. Din. No, he is not worth a blow. [Pg 381]Champ. O that I had thee In some close vault, that only would yield room To me to use my Sword, to thee no hope To run away, I would make thee on thy knees, Bite out the tongue that wrong'd me. Verta. Pray you have patience. Lamira. This day I am to be your Soveraign, Let me command you. Champ. I am lost with rage, And know not what I am my self, nor you:

Away, dare such as you, that love the smoke Of peace more than the fire of glorious War, And like unprofitable drones, feed on Your grandsires labours, that, as I am now, Were gathering Bees, and fill'd their Hive, this Country With brave triumphant spoils, censure our actions? You object my prizes to me, had you seen The horrour of a Sea-fight, with what danger I made them mine; the fire I fearless fought in, And quench'd it in mine enemies blood, which straight Like oyle pour'd out on't, made it burn anew; My Deck blown up, with noise enough to mock The lowdest thunder, and the desperate fools That Boorded me, sent, to defie the tempests That were against me, to the angrie Sea, Frighted with men thrown o're; no victory, But in despight of the four Elements, The Fire, the Air, the Sea, and sands hid in it To be atchiev'd, you would confess poor men, (Though hopeless, such an honourable way To get or wealth, or honour) in your selves He that through all these dreadfull passages Pursued and overtook them, unaffrighted, Deserves reward, and not to have it stil'd

By the base name of theft. Din. This is the Courtship, That you must look for, Madam. Cler. 'Twill do well, When nothing can be done, to spend the night with: Your tongue is sound good Lord, and I could wish [Pg 382]For this young Ladyes sake this leg, this arm, And there is something else, I will not name, (Though 'tis the only thing that must content her) Had the same vigour. Champ. You shall buy these scoffs With your best blood: help me once noble anger, (Nay stir not, I alone must right my self) And with one leg transport me, to correct These scandalous praters: O that noble wounds [Falls. Should hinder just revenge! D'ye jear me too? I got these, not as you do, your diseases In Brothels, or with riotous abuse Of wine in Taverns; I have one leg shot, One arm disabled, and am honour'd more, By losing them, as I did, in the face Of a brave enemy, than if they were As when I put to Sea; you are French-men only, In that you have been laied, and cur'd, goe to: You mock my leg, but every bone about you, Makes you good Almanack-makers, to foretell What weather we shall have.

Din. Put up your Sword. Cler. Or turn it to a Crutch, there't may b[e] usefull, And live on the relation to your Wife Of what a brave man you were once. Din. And tell her, What a fine vertue 'tis in a young Lady To give an old man pap. Cler. Or hire a Surgeon To teach her to roul up your broken limbs. Din. To make a Pultess, and endure the scent Of oils, and nasty Plasters. Verta. Fie Sir, fie, You that have stood all dangers of all kinds, to Yield to a Rivalls scoffe? Lamira. Shed tears upon Your Wedding day? this is unmanly Gentlemen. Champ. They are tears of anger: O that I should live To play the woman thus! All powerfull heaven, Restore me, but one hour, that strength again, [Pg 383]That I had once, to chastise in these men Their folies, and ill manners, and that done, When you please, I'le yield up the fort of life, And do it gladly. Cler. We ha' the better of him, We ha' made him cry. Verdo. You shall have satisfaction. And I will do it nobly, or disclaim me. Beaup. I say no more, you have a Brother, Sister, This is your wedding day, we are in the street,

And howsoever they forget their honour, 'Tis fit I lose not mine, by their example. Vert. If there be Laws in Paris, look to answer This insolent affront. Cler. You that live by them, Study 'em for heavens sake; for my part I know not Nor care not what they are. Is the[re] ought else That you would say; Din. Nothing, I have my ends. Lamira weeps, I have said too much I fear; So dearly once I lov'd her, that I cannot Endure to see her tears. [Exeunt Dinant, and Cleremont. Champ. See you perform it, And do it like my Nephew. Verdo. If I fail in't Ne'r know me more, Cousin Beaupre. Champ. Repent not What thou hast done, my life, thou shalt not find I am decrepit; in my love and service, I will be young, and constant, and believe me, For thou shalt find it true, in scorn of all The scandals these rude men have thrown upon me I'le meet thy pleasures with a young mans ardour, And in all circumstances of a Husband, Perform my part. Lamira. Good Sir, I am your servant, And 'tis too late now, if I did repent, (Which as I am a virgin yet, I do not)

To undoe the knot, that by the Church is tyed. Only I would beseech ye, as you have [Pg 384]A good opinion of me, and my vertues, For so you have pleas'd to stile my innocent weakness, That what hath pass'd be[t]ween Dinant and me, Or what now in your hearing he hath spoken, Beget not doubts, or fears. Champ. I apprehend you, You think I will be jealous; as I live Thou art mistaken sweet; and to confirm it Discourse with whom thou wilt, ride where thou wilt, Feast whom thou wilt, as often as thou wilt, For I will have no other guards upon thee Than thine own thoughts. Lamira. I'le use this liberty With moderation Sir. Beaup. I am resolv'd. Steal off, I'le follow you. Champ. Come Sir, you droop; Till you find cause, which I shall never give, Dislike not of your Son in Law. Verta. Sir, you teach me The language I should use; I am most happy In being so near you. [Exeunt Verdone, and Beaupre. Lamira. O my fears! good nurse Follow my Brother unobserv'd, and learn Which way he takes. Nurs. I will be carefull Madam. [Exit Nurse. Champ. Between us complements are superfluous,

On Gentlemen, th' affront we have met here We'l think upon hereafter, 'twere unfit To cherish any thought to breed unrest, Or to our selves, or to our Nuptial feast. [Exeunt.

Enter Dinant, and Cleremont.

Cler. We shall have sport, ne'r fear't. Din. What sport I prethee? Cler. Why we must fight, I know it, and I long for't, It was apparent in the fiery eye Of young Verdone, Beaupre look'd pale and shook too, Familiar signs of anger. They are both brave fellows Tri'd and approv'd, and I am proud to encounter [Pg 385]With men, from whom no honour can be lost; They will play up to a man, and set him off. When e're I go to the field, heaven keep me from The meeting of an unflesh'd youth or, Coward, The first, to get a name, comes on too hot, The Coward is so swift in giving ground, There is no overtaking him without A hunting Nag, well breath'd too. Din. All this while, You ne'r think on the danger. Cler. Why 'tis no more Than meeting of a dozen friends at Supper, And drinking hard; mischief comes there unlook'd for, I am sure as suddain, and strikes home as often, For this we are prepar'd. Din. Lamira Loves Her Brother Beaupre dearly. Cler. What of that? Din. And should he call me to account for what But now I spake, nor can I with mine honour

Recant my words, that little hope is left me, E're to enjoy what (next to Heaven) I long for, Is taken from me. Cer. Why what can you hope for, She being now married? Din. Oh my Cleremont, To you all secrets of my heart lye open, And I rest most secure that whatsoe're I lock up there, is as a private thought, And will no farther wrong me. I am a French-man, And for the greater part we are born Courtiers, She is a woman, and however yet, No heat of service had the power to melt Her frozen Chastity, time and opportunitie May work her to my ends, I confess ill ones, And yet I must pursue 'em: now her marriage, In probabilitie, will no way hurt, But rather help me. Cler. Sits the wind there? pray you tell me How far off dwells your love from lust? [Pg 386]Din. Too near, But prethee chide me not. Cler. Not I, goe on boy, I have faults my self, and will not reprehend A crime I am not free from: for her Marriage, I do esteem it (and most batchellors are Of my opinion) as a fair protection, To play the wanton without loss of honour. Din. Would she make use of't so, I were most happy.

Cler. No more of this. Judge now, Whether I have the gift of prophecie.

Enter Beaupre, and Verdone.