The spirit of peace? We shall have wars by the ounce then. [CACAFOGO speaks without. Oh, here's another pumpion; The cramm'd son of a starv'd usurer, Cacafogo: Both their brains butter'd, cannot make two spoonfuls. Enter CACAFOGO. Caca. My father's dead: I am a man of war too, Monies, demesnes; I've ships at sea too, captains. Juan. Take heed o'the Hollanders; your ships may leak else. Caca. I scorn the Hollanders, they are my drunkards. Alon. Put up your gold, sir, I will borrow it else. Come out, I know thee, meet mine anger instantly. Caca. Thou'st wrong'd mine honour, Thou look'dst upon my mistress thrice lasciviously, I'll make it good. Juan. Do not heat yourself, you will surfeit. Caca. Thou won'st my money too, with a pair of base bones, In whom there was no truth, for which I beat thee, me. Caca. Had'st thou not ask'd my pardon, I had kill'd thee: Seignoria. I leave thee as a thing despis'd busò las manos à vostra [Fait CACAFOGO. Alon. You've 'scap'd by miracle, there is not in all Spain, A spirit of more fury than this fire-drake. Leon. I see he's hasty, and I'd give him leave To beat me soundly if he'd take my bond. Juan. What shall I do with this fellow? He will infect the camp with cowardice, If he go with thee. Juan. About some week hence, sir, If I can hit upon no abler officer, You shall hear from me.. Leon. I desire no better. SCENE V. [Exeunt. A Chamber in MARGARITA's Town House. Enter ESTIFANIA and PEREZ. Per. You've made me now too bountiful amends, lady, For Estif. You appear to me so honest, and so civil, Without a blush, sir, I dare bid you welcome. Per. Now let me ask your name? Estif. 'Tis Estifania, the heir of this poor place. There's nothing that I cast my eyes upon, But shows both rich and admirable; all the rooms The gardens, orchards, every thing so curious. Estif. 'Tis but little, Only for present use; I've more and richer, When need shall call, or friends compel me use it; I think I have besides, as fair as Seville, Or any town in Spain can parallel. Per. Now, if she be not married, I have some hopes. Are you a maid? Estif. You make me blush to answer : I ever was accounted so to this hour, And that's the reason that I live retir'd, sir. Per. Then wou'd I counsel you to marry presently, For every year you lose, you lose a beauty; A husband now, an honest careful husband, Per. She's excellent wise withal too. Estif. You nam'd a husband, I am not so strict, sir, Nor tied unto a virgin's solitariness, But if an honest, and a noble one, Rich, and a soldier, for so I've vow'd he shall be, Were offer'd me, I think, I should accept him; But above all he must love. Per. He were base else. There's comfort minister'd in the word soldier ; Estif. I'm not so ignorant, But that I know well how to be commanded, To be his maid i'the kitchen, or his cook, Per. Sweet, rich, and provident, now fortune stick to me; I am a soldier, and a bachelor, lady; And such a wife as you I could love infinitely; you take me. I'm young you see, able I'd have you think too, As rich clothes too as any he bears arms, lady. Per. Pray do so. I'll have a priest o' the sudden. Per. I'll hang or drown first, But I must say, there was something, when I saw you Per. I'll stir it better e'er you sleep, sweet lady. Estif. You have the art to cozen me. [Exeunt. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. An Apartment in MARGARITA's Country House, Enter MARGARITA, VICTORIA, ISABEL, and ALTEA. Your years require it, and 'tis necessary. Vict. But might not all this be, and keep ye single! You take away variety in marriage, Th' abundance of the pleasure you are barr'd then; Is't not abundance that you aim at ? Mar. Yes, why was I made a woman ? Isab. And ev'ry day a new? Mar. Why fair and young, but to use it? Vict. You're still i'th' right, why wou'd you marry then? Alt. Because a husband stops all doubts in this point. Isab. What husband mean ye? Alt. A husband of an easy faith, a fool, Made by her wealth, and moulded to her pleasure; One, though he see himself become a monster, Shall hold the door, and entertain the maker. |