The springs of mirth, fancy, delight, and wit,
To stir ye up! Do not your looks let fall,
Nor to remembrance our late errors call,
Because this day we're Spaniards all again,
The story of our play, and our scene Spain :
The errors too, do not for this cause hate;
Now we present their wit, and not their state.
Nor, ladies, be not angry, if you see

A young fresh beauty, wanton, and too free,
Seek to abuse her husband; still 'tis Spain;
No such gross errors in your kingdom reign:
You're vestals all, and tho' we blow the fire,
We seldom make it flame up to desire;

Take no example neither to begin,
For some by precedent delight to sin;
Nor blame the poet if he slipt aside
Sometimes lasciviously, if not too wide.

But hold your fans close, and then smile at ease;
A cruel scene did never lady please.

Nor, gentlemen, pray be not you displeas'd,
Tho' we present some men fool'd, some diseas'd,
Some drunk, some mad: We mean not you, you're

SCENE I.-VALLADOLID. The Lodgings of JUAN DE CASTRO.

Enter JUAN DE CASTRO, and MICHAEL PEREZ.
Perez. Are your companies full, colonel?
Juan. No, not yet, sir;

Nor will not be this month yet, as I reckon.
How rises your command?

Perez. We pick up still,

And, as our monies hold out, we have men come : About that time I think we shall be full too. Many young gallants go.

Juan. And unexperienced :

The wars are dainty dreams to young hot spirits;
Time and experience will allay those visions.
We have strange things to fill our numbers:
There's one Don Leon, a strange goodly fellow,
Recommended to me from some noble friends,
For my Alferez; had you but seen his person,
And what a giant's promise it protesteth!

Perez. I've heard of him, and that he hath serv'd before too.

Juan. But no harm done, nor never meant, Don Michael,

That came to my ears yet. Ask him a question, He blushes like a girl, and answers little,

To the point less; he wears a sword, a good one. And good clothes too; he's whole-skin'd, nas no hurt yet;

Good promising hopes; I never yet heard certainly

Of any gentleman that saw him angry.

Perez. Preserve him; he'll conclude a peace if need be.

Many as strong as he will go along with us,
That swear as valiantly as heart can wish,
Their mouths charged with six oaths at once, and
whole ones,

That make the drunken Dutch creep into molehills.

[things;

I've been i' th' Indies twice, and have seen strange
But, two honest women !- -One I read of once.

Juan. Pr'ythee, be modest.
Perez. I'll be anything!

Enter Servant, CLARA, and ESTIFANIA, veiled.
Juan. You're welcome, ladies.

Perez. Both hooded! I like 'em well tho'. They come not for advice in law sure hither! May be they'd learn to raise the pike: I'm for 'em.

They're very modest; 'tis a fine preludium. [Aside. Juan. With me, or with this gentleman, would you speak, lady?

Clara. With you, sir, as I guess; Juan de Castro. [Unveils,

Perez. Her curtain opens; she's a pretty gentlewoman.

Juan. I am the man, and shall be bound to I may do any service to your beauties. [fortune, Clara. Captain, I hear you're marching down to To serve the Catholic king.

Juan. I am, sweet lady.

[Flanders,

Clara. I have a kinsman, and a noble friend, Employ'd in those wars; may be, sir, you know Don Campusano, captain of carbines, [him; To whom I would request your nobleness To give this poor remembrance. [Gives a letter.

Juan. I shall do it ;

I know the gentleman, a most worthy captain.
Clara. Something in private.
Juan. Step aside: I'll serve thee.

[Exeunt JUAN and Clara.
Perez. Pr'ythee, let me see thy face.
Estif. Sir, you must pardon me :
Women of our sort, that maintain fair memories,
And keep suspect off from their chastities,
Had need wear thicker veils.

Perez. I am no blaster of a lady's beauty,
Nor bold intruder on her special favours;
I know how tender reputation is,

And with what guards it ought to be preserv'd, lady;
You may to me.

Estif. You must excuse me, signior;
I come not here to sell myself.
Peres. As I'm a gentleman!
By th' honour of a soldier !

Estif. I believe you;

I pray you be civil; I believe you'd see me,
And, when you've seen me, I believe you'll like
But in a strange place, to a stranger too,
As if I came on purpose to betray you!
Indeed, I will not.

[me;

Perez. I shall love you dearly; And 'tis a sin to fling away affection : I have no mistress, no desire to honour Any but you. Will not this oyster open? [Aside. I know not, you have struck me with your modesty

She will draw sure-[Aside.]—so deep, and taken from me

All the desire I might bestow on others——
Quickly, before they come !

Estif. Indeed, I dare not :

But, since I see you're so desirous, sir,

To view a poor face that can merit nothing
But your repentance――

Perez. It must needs be excellent.

Estif. And with what honesty you ask it of me; When I am gone let your man follow me, And view what house I enter; thither come; For there I dare be bold to appear open, And, as I like your virtuous carriage, then I shall be able to give welcome to you——

Enter JUAN, CLARA, and Servant.

She hath done her business; I must take my leave, sir.

Perez. I'll kiss your fair white hand, and thank you, lady:

My man shall wait, and I shall be your servant.Sirrah, come near; hark!

Serv. I shall do it faithfully. Juan. You will command me no more services? Clara. To be careful of your noble health, dear That I may ever honour you.

[Whispers. [Exit.

[sir,

Juan. I thank you,

And kiss your hands.-Wait on the ladies down there! [Exeunt Ladies and Servant. Perez. You had the honour to see the face that came to you?

Juan. And 'twas a fair one; what was yours, Don Michael?

Perez. Mine was i' th' eclipse, and had a cloud

drawn over it;

But, I believe, well, and I hope 'tis handsome; She had a hand would stir a holy hermit.

Juan. You know none of 'em?

Sanc. What, are you for the wars, Alonzo?
Alon. It may be ay,

It may be no; e'en as the humour takes me.
If I find peace among the female creatures,
And easy entertainment, I'll stay at home;
I'm not so far oblig'd yet to long marches
And mouldy biscuits, to run mad for honour.
When you're all gone, I have my choice before me.
Sanc. Of which hospital thou'lt sweat in. Wilt
Leave whoring?
[thou never
Alon. There is less danger in't than gunning,
Sanchio :

Tho' we be shot sometimes, the shot's not mortal;
Besides, it breaks no limbs.

Sanc. But it disables 'em; dost thou see how thou pull'st

Thy legs after thee, as they hung by points?

Alon. Better to pull 'em thus, than walk on wooden ones;

Serve bravely for a billet to support me.

Sanc. Fie, fie! 'tis base.

Alon. Dost thou count it base to suffer?
Suffer abundantly? 'tis the crown of honour.
You think it nothing to lie twenty days
Under a surgeon's hands, that has no mercy.
Sanc. As thou hast done, I'm sure.
But I per-
ceive now

Why you desire to stay; the Orient heiress,
The Margarita, sir!

Alon. I would I had her.

Sanc. They say she'll marry.

Alon. Yes, I think she will.

Sanc. And marry suddenly, as report goes, too!
She fears her youth will not hold out, Alonzo.
Alon. I would I had the sheathing on't.
Sanc. They say too

She has a greedy eye, that must be fed
With more than one man's meat.

Alon. 'Would she were mine!

I'd cater for her well enough. But, Sanchio, There be too many great men that adore her; Princes, and princes' fellows, that claim privilege. Sanc. Yet those stand off i' th' way of marriage; To be tied to a man's pleasure is a second labour. Alon. She has bought a brave house here in town. Sanc. I've heard so.

Alon. If she convert it now to pious uses,

And bid poor gentlemen welcome!

Sanc. When comes she to it?

Alon. Within these two days; she's i' th'

country yet,

And keeps the noblest house!

SCENE III.-The same.

Enter a Servant of MICHAEL Perez.

Serv. 'Tis this or that house, or I've lost my aim;

They're both fair buildings. She walk'd plaguy fast;

Enter ESTIFANIA.

And hereabouts I lost her.-Stay! that's she,
'Tis very she. She makes me a low court'sy.
Let me note the place; the street I will remember.
She's in again. Certain some noble lady:

[Exit ESTIFANIA into a house.
How happy should I be if she love my master!
A wondrous goodly house; here are brave lodgings,
And I shall sleep now like an emperor,
And eat abundantly. I thank my fortune!
I'll back with speed, and bring him happy tidings.

[Exil.

Juan. Have you seen any service?

Leon. Yes.

Juan. Where?

Leon. Everywhere.

Juan. What office bore you?

Leon. None; I was not worthy.

Juan. What captains know you?
Leon. None; they were above me.

Juan. Were you ne'er hurt?

Leon. Not that I well remember,

But once I stole a hen, and then they beat me. 'Pray ask me no long questions; I've an ill memory.

Juan. This is an ass.-Did you ne'er draw your sword yet?

Leon. Not to do any harm, I thank Heav'n for't. Juan. Nor ne'er ta'en prisoner?

Leon. No, I run away,

For I had ne'er no money to redeem me.

Juan. Can you endure a drum?

Leon. It makes my head ache.

Juan. Are you not valiant when you're drunk?

Leon. I think not;

But I am loving, sir.

Juan. What a lump is this man !

Was your father wise?

Leon. Too wise for me, I'm sure;

For he gave all he had to my younger brother.

Juan. That was no foolish part, I'll bear you

Canst thou lie with a woman?

Leon. I think I could make shift, sir;

But I am bashful.

Juan. In the night?

Leon. I know not;

[witness.

Darkness indeed may do some good upon me.
Juan. Why art thou sent to me to be my officer,
Ay, and commended too, when thou dar'st not
fight?

Leon. There be more officers of my opinion,
Or I am cozen'd, sir; men that talk more too.
Juan. How wilt thou 'scape a bullet?
Leon. Why, by chance;

They aim at honourable men; alas, I'm none, sir.
Juan. This fellow has some doubts in's talk,
He cannot be all fool.-
[that strike me;

Cac. My father's dead; I am a man of war too. Monies, demesnes; I've ships at sea too, captains. Juan. Take heed o' th' Hollanders; your ships

may leak else.

Cac. I scorn the Hollanders; they are my drunkards.

Alon. Put up your gold, sir; I will borrow it else.

Cac. I'm satisfied, you shall not.-Come out; I know thee;

Meet mine anger instantly!

Leon. I never wrong'd you.

Cac. Thou hast 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. Cac. Thou won'st my money too, with a pair of base bones,

In whom there was no truth; for which I beat thee, I beat thee much; now I will hurt thee danger

ously;

This shali provoke thee.

[He strikes him. Alon. You struck too low by a foot, sir. Juan. You must get a ladder when you'd beat this fellow.

Leon. I cannot chuse but kick again; pray pardon me! Kicks him. Cac. Had'st thou not ask'd my pardon, I had kill'd thee.

I leave thee as a thing despis'd! Beso las manos a [Exit.

vuestra sennoria!

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?
Alon. Turn him off:

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.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-A splendid Apartment in MARGARITA'S Town House.

Enter ESTIFANIA and PEREZ.

Perez. You've made me now too bountiful

amends, lady,

For your strict carriage when you saw me first.
These beauties were not meant to be conceal'd;
It was a wrong to hide so sweet an object;
I could now chide you, but it shall be thus.
[Kisses her.

No other anger ever touch your sweetness!
Estif. You appear to me so honest and so civil,
Without a blush, sir, I dare bid you welcome.
Perez. Now let me ask your name.

Estif. 'Tis Estifania :

The heir of this poor place.

Perez. Poor, do you call it?

There's nothing that I cast mine eyes upon,

But shews both rich and admirable; all the rooms

Are hung as if a princess were to dwell here;

The gardens, orchards, every thing so curious!
Is all that plate your own, too?

Estif. "Tis but little,

Only for present use; I've more and richer,
When need shall call, or friends compel me use it.
The suits you see of all the upper chambers
Are those that commonly adorn the house:
I think I have, besides, as fair as Sevil,
Or any town in Spain can parallel.

Perez. [Aside.] Now if she be not married, I Are you a maid? [have some hopes.

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.

Perez. Then would I counsel you to marry presently,

[Aside.

-If I can get her, I am made for ever-
For every year you lose, you lose a beauty;
A husband now, an honest careful husband,
Were such a comfort! Will you walk above stairs?
Estif. This place will fit our talk; 'tis fitter far,
sir;

Above there are day-beds, and such temptations
I dare not trust, sir.—

Perez. She's excellent wise withal too. [Aside. Estif. You nam'd a husband; I am not so strict, Nor tied unto a virgin's solitariness, But if an honest, and a noble one,

[sir,

I hold it as indifferent in my duty,

To be his maid i'. th' kitchen, or his cook,
As in the hall to know myself the mistress.
Perez. Sweet, rich, and provident! now fortune
stick to me !-
[Aside.

I am a soldier, and a bachelor, lady;
And such a wife as you I could love infinitely;
They that use many words, some are deceitful :
I long to be a husband, and a good one;
For 'tis most certain I shall make a precedent
For all that follow me to love their ladies.
I'm young, you see, able I'd have you think too;
If't please you know, try me, before you take me.
'Tis true, I shall not meet an equal wealth
With you; but jewels, chains, such as the war
Has giv'n me, a thousand ducats I dare presume

Perez. I'll be hang'd or drown'd first, By this, and this, and this kiss!

Estif. You're a flatterer;

[Kisses her.

the Villa of MARGARITA.

Enter MARGARITA, two Ladies, and ALTEA.

Marg. Sit down, and give me your opinions

seriously.

1 Lady. You say you have a mind to marry, lady?

Marg. 'Tis true, I have, for to preserve my credit; Yet not so much for that as for my state, ladies; Conceive me right, there lies the main o' th' quesCredit I can redeem, money will imp it; [tion: But when my money's gone, when the law shall Seize that, and for incontinency strip me of all? 1 Lady. D'ye find your body so malicious that way?

Marg. I find it as all bodies are that are young and lusty,

Lazy, and high fed; I desire my pleasure,
And pleasure I must have.

2 Lady. 'Tis fit you should have;

Your years require it, and 'tis necessary,
As necessary as meat to a young lady;

Sleep cannot nourish more.

1 Lady. But might not all this be, and keep you You take away variety in marriage,

[single?

Is't not abundance that you aim at ?
Marg. Yes;

Why was I made a woman?

2 Lady. And ev'ry day a new?

Marg. Why fair and young, but to use it?

1 Lady. You're still i' th' right; why should you marry then? Altea. Because a husband stops all doubts in And clears all passages. [this point,

2 Lady. What husband mean ye? Altea. 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.

2 Lady. You grant there may be such a man. 1 Lady. Yes, marry ;

But how to bring 'em to this rare perfection? 2 Lady. They must be chosen so; things of no Nor outward honesty.

Marg. No, 'tis no matter;

I care not what they are, so they be lusty.

[honour,

2 Lady. Methinks now, a rich lawyer; some

such fellow,

That carries credit and a face of awe,

But lies with nothing but his clients' business.