James Shirley

“ Although it goe from other men like drops
Of their life bloud, we lose with the alacrity,
Wee drinke a cup of sacke, or kisse a Mistris,
No money is considerable with a gamster,
They have soules more spacious than Kings, did two
Gamsters divide the Empire of the world
Theyd make one throw for't all, and he that lost
Be no more melancholy, then to have plai'd for
A mornings draught, vexe a rich soule for dirt,
The quiet of whose every thought is worth
A Province. Are. But when Dice have consumd all,
Your patience will not pawne for as much more. ”

“ In your stable to have met on honorable termes.
Lor. What new beautie? You acquaint your selves
With none but wonders. Sent. Tis too low a miracle.
Lor. Twill require a strong faith. Secr. Your bloud.
Lor. If you be innocent preserve your fame least this Decoy
Madam betray it to your repentance.
By what name is she knowne?
Sent. Aske Alexander, he knowes her? Alex. Whom?
Sent. The Lady Celestina.
Lor. He has a vast knowledge of Ladies, las poore Alexander!
When dost thou meane thy body shall lie fallow?
Al. When there is mercy in a petticote,
I must turne pilgrime for some breath. ”

“ I hope you'le dine with us.
Al. I came a purpose.
Are. And where were you last night? Al. I Madam? where
I slept not, it had beene sin where so much
Delight and beauty was to keepe me waking,
There is a Lady Madam will be worth
Your free societie, my conversation
Nere knew so elegant and brave a soule,
With most incomparable flesh and bloud,
So spirited, so Courtly speakes the Languages,
Sings, Dances, playes o'th Lute to admiration,
Is faire and paints not, games too, keepes a table,
And talkes most witty Satyre, has a wit
Of a cleane Mercury.
Lit. Is shee married? Al. No. ”

“ You came from kissing Celestina. Bor. I
Feele her yet warme upon my lip, she is
Most excellent company, I did not thinke
There was that sweetnesse in her sexe, I must
Acknowledge twas thy cure to disinchant me
From a dull husband to an active lover,
With such a Lady, I could spend more yeeres,
Than since my birth my glasse hath run soft minutes,
And yet be young, her presence has a spell
To keepe off age, she has an eye would strike
Fire through an adamant. Are. ”

“ Should not have noble bloud. Lor. You shall returne
My complement in a letter to my Lady
Aretina, favour me with a little patience,
Shew her that chamber. De. Ile attend your Lordship. Ex.
Lor. Write, Madam where your honour is in danger,
My love must not be silent. Enter Sentlove and Kickshaw.
Sentlove and Kickshaw! Kic. Your Lordship's busie.
Lor. Writing a letter, nay it shanot barre
Any discourse. Sec.——Silent.
Lo. Though I be no Physitian, I may prevent a feaver in your bloud,
And where have you spent the mornings conversation? ”

“ Give me a living mistresse, with but halfe
The beauty of Celestina, come my Lord,
Tis pitty that a Lord of so much flesh
Should waste upon a ghost, when they are living
Can give you a more honourable consumption.
Sen. Why doe you meane my Lord to live an Infidell? ”

“ Of wise men not contemptible, she ha's
Mourned out her yeare too for the honest Knight
That had compassion of her youth, and dy'd
So timely, such a widow is not common,
And now she shines more fresh and tempting
Then any naturall Virgin.
Are. Whats her name?
Al. Shee was Christened Celestina, by her husband
The Lady Bellamour, this Ring was hers.
Bor. You borrowed it to coppie out the Posie.
Al. Are they not pretty Rubies? twas a grace
She was pleasd to shew me, that I might have one
Made of the same fashion, for I love
All prettie formes. Are. And is she glorious? ”

“ These words to my new cloathes, and fighting sword.
Are. Nephew Fredricke! Fr. Little gentleman,
This an affront both to my bloud and person,
I am a gentleman of as tall a birth
As any boast nobility, though my clothes
Smell o'the lampe, my coate is honourable,
Right honourable, full, of or, and argent,
A little gentleman! Bor. Coze you must be patient,
My Lady meant you no dishonour, and
You must remember shee's a woman.
Fre. Is she a woman, thats another matter,
Dee heare, my uncle tells me what you are.
Cel. So sir. Fr. You cald me little gentleman. Cel. I did sir. ”

“ And seeme to let all spring from your owne freedome.
Ale. This all? We can defame her, if you please
My friend shall call her whore or any thing,
And never be endangerd to a duell. Are. How's that?
Al. He can endure a cudgelling, and no man
Will fight after so faire a satisfaction,
But leave us to our Art, and doe not limit us.
Are. They are here, begin not till I whisper you.
Enter Sir Thomas, Celestina, Marcana, Isabella. ”

“ Alexander, you looke bright o the suddaine,
Another spirit's in your eye.
Al. Not mine Madam,
Onely a summons to meete a friend.
Ar. What friend? Lit. By this Jewell, I know her not!
Ar. Tis a she friend, Ile follow gentlemen,
We may have a game at Sant before you goe.
Al. I shall attend you Madam. Li. Tis our duty.
Are. I blush while I converse with my owne thoughts,
Some strange fate governes me, but I must on,
The wayes are cast already, and we thrive
When our sinne feares no eye nor perspective. Exit. ”

“ Her cause, would Celestina but consent,
What a fraile thing is man, it is not worth
Our glory to be chaste, while we deny
Mirth and converse with women, he is good
That dares the tempter, yet corrects his bloud. Exit.
Celestina, Mariana, Isabella.
Cel. I have told you all my knowledge since he is pleasd
To invite himselfe he shall be entertaind,
And you shall be my witnesses. Mar. Who comes with him? ”

“ My cheeke to palenesse, what you meane by this?
I am not troubled with the hickup gentlemen,
You should bestow this fright upon me. Lit. Then
Pride and ill memory goe together. Cel. How sir?
Al. The gentleman on whom you exercise
Your thin wit, was a nephew to the Lady
Whose guest you are, and though her modesty
Looke calme on the abuse of one so neare
Her bloud, the affront was impious. Lit. I am asham'd on't,
You an ingenious Lady, and well mannerd?
Ile teach a Beare as much civility. ”

“ When next you finde rebellion in your bloud,
May all within ten mile o'th court turne honest. Exit.
Lor. I doe not finde that pronenesse since the faire
Bella Maria died, my bloud is cold,
Nor is there beautie enough surviving
To highten me to wantonnesse, who waites?
And what said my Lady? Enter Hairecut.
Ha. The silent language of her face my Lord
Was not so pleasant, as it shewd upon
Her entrance. Lor. Would any man that meetes
This Lady take her for a bawde. Ha. ”

“ With Susan, that you wish'd your selfe a rivall
With the two wicked elders. Al. You thinke this
Is wit now, come you are— Cel. What I beseech you?
Your character will be full of salt and satyre,
No doubt, what am I? Al. Why you are a woman.
Cel. And that's at least a bow wide of you knowledge.
Al. Wo'd be thought hansome, and might passe i'th country
Vpon a market day, but miserably
Forfeit to pride and fashions, that if heaven
Were a new gowne, you'd not stay in't a fortnight.
Cel. It must be miserably out of fashion then,
Have I no sinne but pride? Al. Hast any vertue? ”

“ Tis the bounty
Of your sweet disposition Madam, make me
Your servant lady by her faire example,
To favour me—I never knew one turne
Her cheeke to a gentleman that came to kisse her
But sha'd a stinking breath, your servant gentlemen,
Will Sentlove how ist? Cel. I am sorry Coze
To accuse you, we in nothing more betray
Our selves to censure of ridiculous pride,
Then answering a faire salute too rudely,
Oh it shewes ill upon a gentlewoman
Not to returne the modest lip, if she
Would have the world beleeve, her breath is not
Offensive. Bor. Madam, I have businesse
With you. Sent. ”

“ Her phlegme would quench a furnace, and her breath
Would dampe a musket bullet. De. Have you sir
Considerd. Alex. What? De. My proposition,
Canst love? Alex. I could have done, whom doe you meane?
I know you are pleased, but to make sport. De. Thou art not
So dull of soule as thou appearst. Alex. This is
But some device, my granam has some tricke in't:
Yes I can love. De. But canst thou affect me.
Al. Although to reverence so grave a matron
Were an ambitious word in me; yet since
You give me boldnesse, I doe love you. De. Then
Thou art my owne. Al. Has she no cloven foote? ”

“ Eyes shoote more amorous enterchange. Are. Ist so?
Lit. He weares her favor with ore pride. Ar. Her favor?
Lit. A feather that he ravish'd from her fan.
Lit. And is so full of courtship, which she smiles on.
Are. Tis well. Lit. And praises her beyond all poetry.
Are. I'me glad he has so much wit. Lit. Not jealous!
Are. This secures me, what would make other Ladies pale
With jealousie, gives but a licence to my wandrings,
Let him now taxe me if he dare——and yet
Her beauti's worth my envie, and I wish
Revenge upon it, not because he loves,
But that it shines above my owne. Enter Alex. ”

“ Cel. You must not goe, before you both have done
Me honour to accept an entertainment,
Where I have power, on those termes I me your guest.
Bor. You grace us Madam. Are. Already
I feele a cure upon my soule, and promise
My after life to vertue, pardon heaven,
My shame yet hid from the worlds eye.
De. Sweet Madam. Enter Decoy.
Ar. Not for the world be seene here, we are lost,
Ile visite you at home; but not to practise
What she expects, my counsell may recover her.
Enter Alexander. ”

“ Thinke me but worth your favour, J wo'd creepe
Vpon my knees to honour you and for every
Minute you lend to my reward, ile pay
A yeare of serviceable tribute. Are. You
Can complement. Lit. Thus still she puts me off,
Vnlesse J speake the downe right word, she'le never
Vnderstand me, a man would thinke that creeping
Vpon one's knees Were English to a Lady. Enter Alex.
Ale. How ist Iacke? Pleasures attend you Madam,
How does my plant of honour? Are. Who is this?
Al. Tis Alexander. Are. Rich and glorious!
Lit. Tis Alexander the great. Ale. And my Bucephalus
Waites at the doore. Are. ”

“ Is. Tis a becomming fortitude. Cel. My starres
Are yet kinde to me, for in a happy minute
Be't spoke, I'me not in love, and men shall never
Make my heart leane with sighing, nor with teares
Draw on my eyes the infamie of spectacles,
Tis the chiefe principle to keepe your heart
Vnder your owne obedience, jeast, but love not,
I say my prayers yet, can weare good clothes,
And onely satisfie my tailor for em.
I wonot lose my priviledge.
Ma. And yet they say your entertainments are,
Give me your pardon Madam, to proclaime
Your selfe a widow, and to get a husband. ”

“ Of flesh your mistresse carried to the grave,
There are no women in the world, all eyes
And tongue and lippes are buried in her coffin.
Lor. Why doe you thinke your selves competent Judges,
Of beauty gentlemen? Both. What should hinder us? ”

“ Cel. You may be master of the Colledge sir
For ought I know. Lit. What Colledge? Of the Beares.
Cel. Have you a plot upon me? Dee possesse
Your wits, or know me gentlemen. Enter Bornewell.
Bor. How's this?
Al. Know you? yes we doe know you to an atome.
Li. Madam we know, what stuffe your soule is made on.
Cel. But doe not barke so like a mastive, pray,
Sure they are mad, let your braines stand awhile
And settle gentlemen, you know not me,
What am I? Lit. Tha'rt a puppet, a thing made
Of clothes and painting, and not halfe so hansome
As that which plaid Susanna in the faire. ”

“ You doe me honour. Al. It becomes our service.
Are. What newes abroade? you hold precious intelligence.
Lit. All tongues are so much busie with your praise,
They have not time to frame other discourse,
Will please you Madam? tast a Sugerplum.
Bor. What do's the Goldsmith thinke the Pearle is worth
You borrowed of my Lady? Al. Tis a rich one. ”

“ That I would love you. Cel. Why? I thinke as much
As you have paid away in honest debts
This seven yeare, tis a pretty impudence,
But cannot make me angry. Lit. Is there any
Man that will cast away his limbes upon her?
Al. You doe not sing so well as I imagind,
Nor dance, you reele in your coranto, and pinch
Your petticoate too hard, y'ave no good eare
Toth' musicke, and incline too much one shoulder,
As you were dancing on the rope, and falling,
You speake abominable French, and make
A courtsey like a Dairie maide, not mad?
Lit. Doe we not sting her hansomely. Bor. A conspiracie. ”

“ Your bloud to the desire of any femall
Delight, I know your Aunt wonot deny
Any of her chambermaides to practise on,
She loves you but too well. Fr. I know not how
I may be for that exercise, farewell Aristotle,
Prethee commend me to the Library
At Westminster, my bones I bequeath thither,
And to the learned wormes that meane to visit 'em,
I will compose my selfe, I beginne to thinke
I have lost time indeed, come to the wineseller. Exit.
Enter Celestina, Mardana, Isabella.
Ma. But shall we not Madam expose our selves
To censure for this freedome. Cel. ”

“ So neare the Primitive making, they retaine
A sence of nothing but the earth, their braines
And barren heads standing as much in want
Of plowing as their ground, to heare a fellow
Make himselfe merry and his horse with whisteling
Sellingers round, to observe with what solemnitie
They keepe their Wakes, and throw for pewter Candlestickes,
How they become the Morris, whith whose bells
They ring all into Whitson Ales, and sweate,
Through twenty Scarffes and Napkins, till the Hobbyhorse
Tire, and the maide Marrian dissolv'd to a gelly,
Be kept for spoone meate. ”

“ Yes sir, and when tis drawne, she will be hang'd
Next the French Cardinall in the dining roome,
But when she heares you'r come, she will dismisse
The Belgicke gentleman to entertaine
Your worship. Fr. Change of aire has made you witty.
Bo. Your Tutor gives you a hansome character
Fredericke, and is sorry your Aunts pleasure
Commands you from your studies, but I hope
You have no quarrell to the liberall arts,
Learning is an addition beyond
Nobilitie of birth, honour of bloud
Without the ornament of knowledge is
A glorious ignorance. ”

“ If that appeare, she's for my turne, a Lady
Whom nature has prepar'd for the careere,
And Cupid at my elbow, I put forward,
You have this very line, Aunt.
Are. The boy's franticke.
Fre. You have a Couch or Palate, I can shut
The Chamber doore, enrich a stranger when
Your Nephew's comming into play. Are. No more.
Fre. Are you so coy to your owne flesh and bloud? ”