"Twas all in vain, when they first lov'd, themselves, Widow's Vow. Lord Cardinal. Increase of health and a redoubled courage Your vow is charge enough, believe me 'tis, Madam; Duch. Religious Sir, You heard the last words of my dying Lord. Duch. May I entreat Your goodness but to speak 'em over to me, Lord Card. What's your meaning In this, most virtuous Madam? Duch. 'Tis a courtesy I stand in need of, Sir, at this time especially; Lord Card. I wonder; yet I'll spare to question farther; You shall have your desire. A blessing come along with it. Lord Card. [repeats] "You see, my Lords, what all earth's glory is, Rightly defined in me, uncertain breath: "A dream of threescore years to the long sleeper, "To most not half the time. Beware ambition; "Good purposes begun, be what you seem, “"Twould come more calm than an evening's peace, "Unto the man, that ever should enjoy thee. Duch. "My lov'd Lord, "Let your confirır'd opinion of my life, 66 66 My love, my faithful love, seal an assurance Of quiet to your spirit, that no forgetfulness "Can cast a sleep so deadly on my senses, "To draw my affections to a second liking." Lord Card. "It has ever been the promise, and the spring "Of my great love to thee. For, once to marry Is honorable in woman, and her ignorance "Stands for a virtue, coming new and fresh ; "I here expect a work of thy great faith: Duch. "Then here I vow, never Lord Card. Why, Madam Duch. I can go no further. Lord Card. What, have you forgot your vow? Lord Card. Your vow? that cannot be; it follows now, Just where I left. Duch. My frailty gets before it; Lord Card. What ail you, Madam? NO WIT LIKE A WOMAN'S. A COMEDY. BY THOMAS MIDDLETON. Virtuous Poverty. 'Life, had he not his answer? what strango impudence Governs in man, when lust is lord of him! Thinks he me mad? 'cause I have no monies on earth, That I'll go forfeit my estate in heaven, And live eternal beggar? he shall pardon me; That's my soul's jointure; I'll starve ore I sell that. -husband, Comfort. Wake, wake, and let not patience keep theo poor, Wipe the salt dew from off thy careful eyes, Good and Ill Fortune. O my blessing! I feel a hand of mercy lift me up Out of a world of waters, and now sets me And scarce can feed himself: the streams of fortune, To lift his arm to his posterities' blessing. For till some happy means relieve his state, There he must stick and bide the wrath of fate. Parting in Amity. Let our Parting Be full as charitable as our meeting was; And nuptial strites, may not feed fat with ours. Meeting with a Wife supposed Dead. I cannot make thy welcome rich enough Mother's Forgiveness. Moth. Why do your words start back ↑ are they afraid Of her that ever lov'd them? Philip. I have a suit to you, Madam. Moth. You have told me that already; pray, what is 't? I shall be abler, then command and use it. Philip. Provide forgiveness then, for that's the want To set my pleasures free; while you lay captive. You use me like a stranger: pray, stand up. Philip. Rather fall flat: I shall deserve yet worse. Than when you did the wrong you ask'd it for: And since you have prepar'd me to forgive you. Pray let me know for what; the first fault's nothing. Philip. Here comes the wrong then that drives home the rest. I saw a face at Antwerp, that drew me From conscience and obedience; in that fray I lost my heart, I must needs lose my way. And that yourself was dead.-You see the wrong. I forgive theo As freely as thou didst it. For alas, This may be call'd good dealing, to some parts That love and youth plays daily among sons. THE WITCH A TRAGI-COMEDY. BY THOMAS MIDDLETON. HECATE, and the other Witches, at their Charms. Hec. Titty and Tiffin, Suckin And Pidgen, Liard and Robin! |