THE GENTLEMAN USHER. A COMEDY [PUBLISHED 1606]. BY G. CHAPMAN Vincentio, a Prince, (to gain him over to his interest in a loveaffair) gulls Bassiolo, a formal Gentleman Usher to a Great Lord, with commendations of his wise house-ordering at a great Entertainment. Vinc. -besides, good Sir, your Show did shew so well- Vinc. O Sir, believe it, "Twas the best fashion'd and well-order'd thing, That ever eye beheld: and therewithal, So, and in such conformance, with rare grace Vinc. But shall I tell you plainly my conceit, Bass. Aye, good my Lord. Vinc. You note my Simile ? Bass. Drawn from the turn-spit Even as in that quaint engine you have seen That made him shew so glorious and divine. If Bass. I cannot tell, my Lord; but I should know, any such there were. Vinc. Should know, quoth you? 1 Turn. I warrant, you know well. Well, some there be, Are made the wasteful food of them they feed.— The same Bassiolo described. [Act iii., Sc. 1.1] Lord's Daughter. -his place is great; for he is not only My father's Usher, but the world's beside, Because he goes before it all in folly.2 [Act iv., Sc. 1, p. 305.] THE BASTARD. A TRAGEDY [PUBLISHED 1652]. AUTHOR UNKNOWN [ATTRIBUTED TO COSMO MANUCHE] Lover's Frown. Roderiguez. Thy uncle, Love, holds still a jealous eye On all my actions; and I am advised,3 That his suspicious ears Are still behind the hangings; that the servants Have from him in command to watch who visits.* And that, like old December, I should look With an unpleasant and contracted brow. Varina. What, canst thou change thy heart, my dear, that Of flesh thou gav'st me, into adamant, Or rigid marble? canst thou frown on me? Rod. You do mistake me, sweet, I mean not so To change my heart; I'll change my countenance, But keep my heart as loyal as before. Var. In truth I cannot credit it, that thou Canst cast a frown on me; I prithee, try. Rod. Then thus: [heart (He tries, and cannot; they smile on each other.) 1 [Ed. 1873, vol. i.] 2[For other extracts from Chapman see note to page 83.] *["Yourself or Mariana, 'twill be best."] Var. I prithee, sweet, betake thyself to school; This lesson thou must learn; in faith thou art out. Rod. Well, I must learn, and practise it, or we Shall blast our budding hopes. Var. Come, try again. Rod. But if I try, and prove a good proficient; If I do act my part discretely, you Must take it as a play, not as a truth; Think it a formal, not a real frown. Var. I shall Rod. Then thus: i'faith, minion, I'll look to thee. (She swoons.) Why, how now, sweet!-I did mistrust thy weakness: Now I have learn'd my part, you are to seek. Var. 'Faith, 'twas my weakness; when I did perceive A cloud of rage condensed on thy brow, My heart began to melt.▬ [Act iii., Sc. 1.1] LOVE TRICKS. A COMEDY [PUBLISHED 1631]. BY JAMES SHIRLEY Passionate Courtship. Infortunio. I must have other answer, for I love you. Selina. Must! but I don't see any necessity that I must love you. I do confess you are A proper man. Inf. O do not mock, Selina; let not excellence, Yet look into my heart; there you shall see Sel. But who can see this breast you boast of so? [Ed. of 1652. For other extracts see Appendix, p. 583.] To make a search into its hidden'st passage. In depth of winter, may when summer comes And you shall see it spring, and shoot forth leaves And pay your love with fruit when harvest comes.1 Inf. Mistake me not, Selina, for I say My heart is cold, not love. Sel. And yet your love is from your heart, I'll warrant. My heart is cold in your displeasures only, And yet my love is fervent; for your eye, Casting out beams, maintains the flame it burns in. My heart is not mine own, 'tis yours, you have it ; In danger to be frozen? blame not it, Sel. Well, Sir; I know you have rhetoric, but I Inf. O stay, and think awhile; I cannot relish My so long love-devotions, which I've paid As to an altar, stay a little longer, And let me count the riches I shall lose By one poor airy word: first give me back Within your love; play not the tyrant with me.2 1 [Four lines omitted.] [Works, 1833, vol. i.] [Act i., Sc. 1.3] 2[For other extracts from Shirley see note to page 393.] A WOMAN'S A WEATHERCOCK. A COMEDY [PUB LISHED 1612]. BY NATHANIEL FIELD [1587-1633] False Mistress. SCUDMORE alone; having a letter in his hand from Bellafront assuring him of her faith. Scud. If what I feel I could express in words, Had wanted cunning to o'er-come thy goodness; The whole creation-1 Who's there?—come in Nevill (entering). What up already, Scudmore ?2 Nev. What's this? a letter! sure it is not so Scud. By heav'n, you must excuse me. Come, I know Nev. Not for the world, my friend. Scud. Nay, Sir, neither must you Depart in anger from this friendly hand. I swear I love you better than all men, Equally with all virtue in the world: Yet this would be a key to lead you to A prize of that importance— Nev. Worthy friend, I leave you not in anger,-what d'ye mean ?— Nor am I of that inquisitive nature framed, To thirst to know your private businesses. Why, they concern not me: if they be ill, And dangerous, 'twould grieve me much to know them; Nor would I do your love so gross a wrong, To covet to participate affairs 1["The white original creation" omitted.] 2[Line omitted.] |