THE
English Moor,
OR THE
MOCK-MARRIAGE.
A Comædy as it was often acted
with general applauſe, by her Maje-
ſties Servants.
Innocens permitte jocos cur ludere nobis
Non liceat?—— —— ——
LONDON,
Printed by J. T. for A. C.and Henry Broom, and are
to be ſold at the Gun in Ivie-Lane, 1658:
[A1r]
[A1v]
Prologue.
MOſt noble, fair and curteous, to ye all
Welcome and thanks we give, that you would call
And viſit your poor ſervants, that have been
So long and pitileſs unheard, unſeen.
Welcome, you’l ſay your money that does do,
(Diſſembling is a fault) we ſay ſo too.
And your long abſence was no fault of your,
But our ſad fate to be ſo long obſcure.
Jove and the Muſes grant, and all good Men,
We feel not that extremity again:
The thought of which yet chills us with a fear
That we have bought our liberty too dear:
For ſhould we fall into a new reſtraint,
Our hearts muſt break that did before but faint.
You noble, great and good ones, that vouchſafe
To ſee a Comedy, and ſometimes laugh
Or ſmile at wit and harmeleſs mirth, As thus
ye have begun to grace and ſuccour us;
Be further pleas’d (to hold us ſtill upright,
For our relief, and for your own delight)
To move for us to thoſe high powers whom we
ſubmit unto in all humility,
For our proceeding, and we’le make it good
To utter nothing may be underſtood
Offenſive to the ſtate, manners or time,
We will as well look to our necks as climb.
You hear our ſute, obtain it if you may;
Then find us money and we’le find you play.
A 2[r]
Drammatis Perſonæ.
Meanwell.
Raſhley. | } | Two old Gentlemen and friends, ſup-
poſed to have been kill’d in a Duel. |
| Arthur, Meanwels Son, in love with Lucy. |
| Theophilus, Raſhleys Son, in love with Milicent. |
| Quickſands, an old Uſurer. |
| Teſty, an old angry Juſtice. |
| Winloſe, a decayed Gentleman. |
Vincent.
Edmund. | } | Two gallants undone by Quickſands. |
| Nath. Banelaſs, a Wencher. |
| Hoſt. Drawer. |
| Ralph, Meanwels ſervant. |
| Arnold, Raſhleys ſervant. |
| Buzard, Quickſands ſervant. |
| Dionifia, Meanwels daughter. |
| Lucy, Raſhleys daughter. |
| Milicent, Teſtys Neece. |
| Phillis, Winloſe daughter. |
| Madge, Quickſands ſervant. |
The Scene London.
[A2v]PROLOGUE.
T H E
ENGLISH-MOOR
or the
Mock-Marriage.
Act. I. Scene I.
Arthur. Dionyſia.
Ar.DEar Siſter, bear with me.
What! ſuffer you to pine, and peak away
In your unnatural melancholy fits;
Which have already turn’d your purer blood
Into a toad-pool dye. I am aſham’d
(Upon my life) almoſt to call you brother
But nature has her ſwing in me. I muſt.
Therefore I crave you (as you are my brother)
To ſhake this dull and muddy humor off,
By viſiting the ſtreets, and quit your chamber,
Which is a ſickneſs to you.
Di.I can ſay, O my brother too, to ſhew you
How it becomes you. I have the ſame cauſe
Equally with your ſelf, to ſpend my life
In ſollitary mourning; and would do it,
Could it make good our loſs: My honor’d Father!
A 3[r]A
The Engliſh-Moor.
A tear has ſcap’d me there: But that’s by th’by,
And more of anger ’gainſt his enemy,
And his for ever curs’d poſterity,
That rob’d us of a Father, then of ſorrow
For what we know is unrecoverable.
But to ſit grieving over his Memory
In a reſolved ſilence, as you do;
Killing your own blood while a vein holds any
Proceeding from the fleſh, that drew out his,
Is meerly idle. Mingle then your grief
With thought of brave revenge: And do it not
In private Meditation in your Chamber;
But bear it out till it proceed to Action.
Ar.By powring blood on blood?
Of high revenge, with baſe unmanly blood;
By ſtopping of our Fathers cureleſs wounds
(Which ſtill bleed freſh in our vex’d memories)
With the proud fleſh of him that butcher’d ours.
Ar.We know he lives not that has ſlain our Father:
Or, if he lives, tis where I cannot reach him
:
He nere ſaw Engliſh harbour ſince his ſword
Unfortunately had the better of my father.
Ar.Good ſiſter cool thy paſſion
That my ſlain father had. Have you no part of’t?
Muſt I now play the Man, whilſt you inherit
Onely my Mothers puling diſpoſition?
Ar.I know thy drift, good ſiſter
Dioniſia,
Is not unto revenge, or blood; but to ſtir up
Some motion in me, to prevent the danger
A ſad retiredneſs may bring upon me.
Di.Bee’t as you think it, ſo you will abroad;
And make the houſe no longer dark with ſighing.
Ent. Rafe.
[A3v]Now
or the Mock-Marriage.
Now Sir the newes with you?
Ra.Newes worth your hearing,
Meerly to laugh at: Good for nothing elſe.
Di.Is the old Ruffian tane, and hang’d, that ſlew
My Father; or his ſon Brain-battered; or
His Daughter made a proſtitute to ſhame?
Ar.How mercileſs are your wiſhes!
But as I was hankring at an ordinary,
In queſt of a new Maſter (for this, here,
Will never laſt to a new livory
’Leſs he were merrier) I heard the braveſt noiſe
Of Laughter at a wicked accident
Of Marriage, that was chopt up this Morning.
Di.What marriage? Quickly.
Has married fair Miſtriſs
Millicent?
Di.Theophilus (I can name him, though his father
Was fatal unto mine) was ſure to her.
Ra.Yes, but without a Prieſt. She has ſlipt his hold,
And is made faſt enough unto another,
For which fine Mr.
The. ſo whines and chafes,
And hangs the head! More then he would do
For’s father, were he hanged, as you did wiſh
For laughing newes eene now. Ther’s ſport for you.
Di.It does me good to hear of any croſs
That may torment their family. I wiſh
Joy to the man that did beguile him of her
Ar.But who has married her?
Ra.Thence ſprings the jeſt. Old Mr.
Quickſands, Sir,
The bottomleſs devourer of young Gentlemen;
He that has liv’d, till paſt three-ſcore, a batcheler,
By three-ſcore i’the hundred; he that has
Undone by Mortgages and under-buyings
So many Gentlemen, that they all deſpair’d
A 4[r]Of
The Engliſh-Moor,
Ar.But where’s your Jeſt?
Ra.The Jeſt is, that they now have found that means
(As they ſuppoſe) by making of him Cuckold.
They are laying their heads together in every corner,
Contriving of his horns, and drinking healths
To the ſucceſs. And there were ſport for you now,
Di.That’s nobly ſaid. Take courage with you Brother.
Ar.And yet me thinks I know not how to look
The wide world in the face, thus on the ſudden
I would fain get abroad, yet be unknown.
Ra.For that Sir (look you) I have here, by chance,
A falſe beard which I borrowed, with a purpoſe
To ha’ worn’t and put a jeſt upon your ſadneſs.
Ar.Does it do well with me?
Ar. puts on
Ra.You’l never have
the beard.
One of your own ſo good: you look like
Hector.
Ar.Go fetch my ſword and follow me.
Di.Be ſure you carry a ſtrict eye o’re his actions,
And bring me a true account.
Ra.I warrant you Miſtriſs.
Di.Do, and I’le love thee everlaſtingly.
Why, now you are my brother.
Ar.Farewel Siſter.
Exit Ar. Ra.
Di.I hope he has ſome ſtratagem a foot
In our revenge to make his honour good:
lt is not grief can quit a fathers blood.
Exit.
ACT I. SCENE 2.
Nathaniel. Phillis.
Nat.Prithee be and anſwered, and hang off o’me,
I ha’ no more to ſay to you in the way
[A4v]You
or the Mock-Marriage.
In that way which you wot on, wanton Sir,
But to be honeſt, and to marry me.
You have done too much the tother way already.
Nat.I wiſh you were more thankful, Mrs.
Phillis,
To one has taught you a trade to live upon:
You are not th’firſt by twenty I have taught it
That thrive well i’the world.
Such teachers in the world; and ſo few
Reformers, that the world is grown ſo full
Of female frailties, the poor Harlotries
Can ſcarce already live by one another,
And yet you would have me thruſt in among ’em.
Nat.I do not urge you. Take what courſe you pleaſe,
But look not after me: I am not mark’d
For Matrimony, I thank my ſtars.
Phi.Should I run evil courſes, you are the cauſe;
And may in time, curſe your own act in it:
You’l find th’ undoing of an honeſt Maid
Your heavieſt ſin upon your bed of ſickneſs;
Twill coſt your ſoul the deepeſt groan it fetches;
And in that hope I leave you.
Exit.
Marry thee quoth a
! That’s wiſe work indeed!
If we ſhould marry every Wench we lie with,
’Twere after fix a week with ſome of us.
(Marry love forbid) when two is enough to hang one.
Vin.Nat, we have ſought diligently, for fear
Enter Vin-
The news that is abroad ſhould flie before us.
cent and
Nat.What news? What flying fame do you
Edmond.
Ed.News that makes all the Gallants i’ the Town
Fly out o’ their little wits: They are ſo eager
Upon the joy. I mean ſuch youthful Gallants
As have, or ſold, or mortgag’d; or been cheated
[A5r]By
The Engliſh-Moor.
By the grave patron of Arch-coſonage,
Whoſe ſad miſfortune we are come to ſing:
Shall I need to name him to thee?
Nat.Who, the old Raſcal
Quickſands? ſpeak good
Vince,
What! has he hangd himſelf? ſpeak quickly prithe.
Vin.Worſe, worſe by half man. Durſt thou hear a news
Whoſe mirth will hazzard cracking of a rib?
Nat.I, and’t be two. Here’s hoopes enough beſides
To hold my drink in. Pray thee ſpeak; what miſchief
Ed.I pray thee gueſs again.
Nat.Has ſomebody over-reach’d him in his way
Of damnable extortion; and he cut his throat,
Vin.Ten times worſe then that too.
Nat.Is he then hoiſted into the Star-Chamber
For his notorious practiſes? or into
The high Commiſſion for his blacker arts?
Nat.Pax, keep it to your ſelf then,
If you can think it be too good for me.
Why did you ſet me a longing? you cry worſe
And ten times worſe; and know as well as I,
The worſe it is to him, the better wel-come
Ever to me: And yet you tell me nothing.
Vin.He has married a young wife.
Ed.We bring you no comfort, we.
Nat.Nere go fine ſport, Ha, ha, ha. What is ſhe?
Would he had my wench, was here eene now,
What is ſhe he has married? quickly prithe.
Vin.One much too good for him.
Ed.The beauteous
Millicent.
Driven by the tempeſt of her Uncles will,
Is like a pinnace forc’d againſt the Rock.
Nat.But he will never ſplit her, that’s the beſt on’t.
[A5v]I
Or the Mock-marriage.
I hope ſhe’le break his heart firſt. Gentlemen,
I thank you for your news; and know what I
Ed.And take us with you. What will you go do?
Nat.That which we can all at once. Do not hold me.
Vin.We came to caſt a plot w’ye.
Nat.Caſt a pudding—How long ha’they been mar-
Ed.But this morning.
(ried?
Nat.You’l ha’me come too late.
Ne’re go ’tis a ſhame he was not Cuckolded
Vin.That had been a fine firſt courſe
At a wedding feaſt indeed. A little patience.
Nat.Pray let me take my courſe ’fore ſupper yet.
Ed.The buſineſs ’longs to us as much as you,
He has wrong’d us all alike. He has cozened us
Nat.He has made me ſo poor
That my poor whore eene now claim’d marriage of me.
Vin.The caſe is ours. His wrongs are common to us,
So ſhall his wiſe be, can we purchaſe her:
Did we bring you the news for you to run
And prevent us do you think?
Nat.Pardon my zeal good Gentlemen; which onely
Conſidered but the fitneſs of the Act,
And that ’tis more then time ’twere done ifaith.
Enter The-
Ed.And ſee here comes a fourth man that
ophilus &
More on her part, then we upon the Bridegrooms.
Vin.He’s very ſowre and ſad. ’Tis crept upon him
By this untoward accident.
(match;
Nat.’Twould anger any man to be nos’d of ſuch a
But Ile remove his ſorrow—
Gentle
Theophilus, you are well met,
Your ſorrow is familiar with us all
In the large loſs of your betrothed love;
[A6r]But
The Engliſh-Moor,
But, ſir, be comforted: you have our pitty
And our revenge to eaſe you. Tis decreed
Her husband ſhall be inſtantly a Cuckold.
The.Moſt ſinfully thou lyeſt; and all that give
Breath to that foul opinion.
Draw and
Nat.What do you mean.
fight.
The.Give me that thought from you; nay, from you all,
The.Ile have that thought out firſt.
Nat.I ſay he does deſerve to be a Cuckold;
Let him be what he will, a pox upon him.
The.What’s that to ill in her?
I ſtand upon that point. Mans evil merit’s
No warrant for a womans diſhoneſty.
I ſay had ſhee a man forty degrees
Beneath his undeſervings, twere more poſſible
For him to deceive her with a good Life,
Then ſhee him with a wicked.
But then I ſay again, The more’s the pitty.
The.Do and undoe.
He hurts
Nat.Zookes now your bitch has bit me,
him.
I ſay he will be one, he ſhall be one;
Ent. Ar.
Il’e make him one myſelf.
in his falſe
Ed.Vin. And weel both help him.
(Murder.beard he
Arn.Why here’s trim ſtuff. Help ho, Murder,
ſides with Theoph.
Art.This is oppreſſion gentlemen; an unmanly one.
Theoph.
Nat.What devils this rais’d? fall off, tis an ill buſi-
Ext. Nat.
Arn.Have you no hurt Sir.
(neſs.
Vin. Ed.
Arn.By your favour, I will ſee.
Arnold ſearches
Art.What fortune’s this,
Theoph.
I fought ’gainſt friends to ſave mine enemy,
[A6v]But
or the Mock-Mariage.
But I hope neither know me. I deſire
To reſt hid to my friends for my offence to them,
And to mine enemy, till I make him dearer.
Exit.
The.I told thee there was none.
Arn.I’m glad it proves ſo.
The.But wher’s the Gentleman?
Arn.Do you not know him ſir?
The.Not I, tis the firſt time that ere I ſaw him,
To my remembrance; yet he fought for me.
Beſhrew thy idler care that made me loſe him,
What ſhould he be that ſo could fight for me,
Yet care not for my company? beſhrew thy heart.
Why ſhould he uſe me thus? I ſhall be ſick to think on’t.
I’m made beholding now to I know not whom;
And I’m the worſt to ſue or ſeek to a man—
Arn.That ſcurvy, between proud and baſhful quality,
You are famous for, as tother toy that haunts you.
Arn.Why, to be deadly angry, ſir,
On leaſt occaſion, and friends as quickly.
Hot and cold in a breath: you are angry now
With him that fought for you I warrant you.
The.In troth I am, and friends with them I fought with;
He us’d me peeviſhly to leave me ſo,
Arn.So tis that I told you.
The.But did you mark th’humanity of my Gentlemen,
Cauſe ſhee’s diſpos’d by her ſelf willed uncle
On that unworthy
Quickſands (Devil take him
)
They thought twould ſound like muſick in my ears
To hear her diſgrace ſung; when her fair honour
Is all I have to love, now ſhee’s took from me:
And that they’d go about to rob me of.
Heaven grant me patience. O my ſlaughter’d father!
I am thy ſon, and know by thy infirmity.
Arn.Me thinks, Sir, his example ſhould allay you:
[A7r]Impa-
The Engliſh-Moor,
Impatience was his ruine.
Thieves daily hang’d for Robberies; yet ſome
Go on ſtill in the practice! What a fine
Is ſet upon the head of foul Adultery,
And yet our neighbours Wives can hardly ſcape us
!
There’s Lawes againſt extortion, and ſad penalties
Yet great mens hands ha’their fore-fathers itch!
Priſons are fill’d with Banckrupts; yet we ſee
How crafty Merchants often wrong their credits,
And
Lond’ners flie to live at
Amſterdam!
Nothing can baniſh Nature: That’s the Moral.
Arn.It was indeed your Fathers known infirmity,
And ever incident to the nobleſt Natures.
But of your Father, is there yet no hope
The.No, certainly he’s ſlain.
Arn.I have not heard a ſtory of more wonder;
That two ſuch men, of ſuch eſtates and years,
Having liv’d alwayes friends and neighbours nearly,
Should at the laſt fall out ſo mortally
On a poor caſt at bowles! Where waſt they fought?
The.It is uncertain. All we heard of ’em
Was, they rode forth (’tis now a whole year paſt)
Singly to end their quarrel: But to what
Part of the kingdom, or the world they took,
We can by no inquiry find or hear
Of either of them. Sure they croſt the Seas,
Arn.You ſpeak poor comfort Sir.
The.I ſpeak as my heart finds. She’s gone for ever too;
Her hearts deſire be with her.
Arn.Now he’s there again.
The.Then my poor Siſters ſickneſs; that torments me,
Never in health ſince our dear Father left us.
[A7v]Arn.
Or the Mock-marriage.
The.How ſhall I do to ſee theſe men again?
I ſhall not be at reſt till I be friends with’em.
Arn.Why here’s the noble nature ſtill. ’Twil
The.I’le ſeek’em out.
Nathaniel always lov’d me.
Exit.
Arn.Here’s an unſettled humor. In theſe fits
Hel’e nere be mad, nor ever well in’s wits.
Exit.
ACT I. SCENE 3.
Teſty. Quickſands. Millicent.
Teſ.Go to I ſay, go to; as y’re my Neece,
And hope t’inherit any thing that’s mine:
Shake off this Maiden peeviſhneſs. Do you whimper
Upon your wedding day? Or, do you think
You are not married yet? Did you not ſay
I
Millicent take
Mandevill? A ha!
Was it not ſo? Did not I give you too?
I that have bred you from the cradle up
To a fit growth to match with his fair years;
And far more fair eſtate.
Mil.I, there’s the Match—
Teſ.Love him I charge you.
Teſ.You will endeavour’t! Is’t no further yet?
Stand from her, Nephew
! I’le ſo ſwinge her. Ha!
Quick.Let me intreat your patience. She’s my wife Sir.
Teſ.Dandle her in her humour, do; and ſpoyle her.
Quick.’Tis but her modeſty.
Teſ.Her ſullen doggedneſs,
I’le baſte it out of her. You do not know her
Quick.I ſhall, Sir, before morning
Better I doubt not. Come we ſhall agree.
Teſ.You will endeavour’t! Come I’le ſee it done.
[A8r]Marry
The Engliſh-Moor.
Marry a man firſt, and then endeavour
To love him will you? Ha! Is it but ſo?
I’le ſee you love him preſently. So to bed.
I’le ſee it done. And cauſe you are ſo nice
(To bed I ſay) there I will ſee more done
Then I will ſpeak. Tell me of your endeavour!
Quick.Be not ſo rough and ſtiffe with her, good Uncle,
I know my ſupple tender dealing will
Get more upon her love then all your chidings.
Teſ.Such tender dealers ſpoyle young Brides; and get
Nothing of ſtubborneſs. Down with her I ſay
Now in her wedding ſheets
: She will be naught elſe.
Mil.Conſtrue more charitably, I beſeech you,
Teſ.’Tis your ſullenneſs;
Would you have brided it ſo lumpiſhly
With your ſpruce younker, that fine ſilken beggar,
Whoſe Land lies in your Husbands counting houſe,
Quick.Indeed the better half; nor without hope
To have the reſt as he may want my money.
(him,
Teſ.Would you have whin’d and pul’d, had you had
To bedward think you? yet to ſpeak the truth,
And that wherein ſhe has vext me a thouſand times,
I never ſaw her laugh, nor heard her ſing
In all my life: yet ſhe could both, I have heard,
Mil.It has been ’mong Maidens then.
But honour’d Sir (I know what I will do)
To let you ſee and hear, ſince you deſire
To have me ſhew a cheerfulneſs unto
My reverend Husband. Look you Sir, I’le kiſs him,
Clap him, and ſtroke him: Ha, my Joe, ha, ha, ha, &c.
[A8v]Teſ.
or the Mock-Mariage.
Quick.She’l make me bluſh anon I think.
Mil.I’le ſing him ſongs too.
Mil.That I will chick, old ſongs and over old ones,
Old as thy reverend ſelf, my Chick a bird.
Quic.She cals me chick and bird: The common names
With wives that Cuckold their old cravend huſbands.
Mil.
(Shee ſings)
She made him a bed of the thiſtle down ſoft,
Shee laid herſelf under to bear him a loft,
And ever ſhe ſung ſweet turn thee to me,
Wee’l make the new bed cry Jiggy Joggy.
Teſ.What impudence is this.
Beyond it now as it was to’t.
(Shee ſings)
Go to bed ſweet heart I’le come to thee,
Make thy bed fine and ſoft I’le lig with thee. Ha, ha, ha.
Quic.Is this your baſhful Neece.
Teſ.What canſt thou mean by this? dos this become thee?
Mil.Pray do not beat me o’my wedding night, but tell me
How this and half a dozen chopping Children may
Become an old mans wife ſome five years hence.
Teſ.Is’t poſſible thou canſt do thus?
Mil.Let women judge. Tis very poſſible
That a young luſty wife may have ſix Children
By one at once in five years, Sir, and by
One Father too. Ile make him young enough
Quic.Shee’l make a youth of me.
Mil.
(She ſings)
There was a Lady lov’d a ſwine. Honey, quoth ſhe,
And wilt thou be true love mine. Hoogh, quoth he.
B[1r]Teſ.
The Engliſh-Moor.
Teſ.Do you hear gentlewoman; are you i’your wits?
Mil.Yes, and my own houſe I hope. I pray be civil,
Shall we to bed, Sir, ſupperleſs? you need
No ſtirring meats, it ſeems. I’m glad on’t.
Come, biddy, come away, will you ſee Uncle
How I will love him i’bed? come away.
Quic.My edge is taken off: this impudence
Of hers, has outfac’d my concupiſence.
Daſht all quite out o’Countenance! what a beaſt
Was I to marry? Rather, what a beaſt
Am I to be? * How now! O horrible.
A ſowgelders
Teſ.What hidious noiſe is this.
horn blown.
Buz.I cannot help it.
Ent . Buzzard.
While I went forth for the half pint of Sack
To make your prodigal poſſet; and the maid
(Watching the Milk, for running ore) forgot
To ſhut the door, they all ruſh’d in.
Quic.What they, what all?
Buz.Vizarded people, Sir, and odly ſhap’d.
You’l ſee anon. Their tuning o’their pipes,
And ſwear they’ll gi’ye a willy nilly dance
Before you go to bed, tho’you ſtole your Marriage.
Quic.Outragious Royſters.
Teſ.Call and raiſe the ſtreet.
Mil.That were to let in violence indeed.
Theſe are ſome merry harmeleſs friends I warrant.
I knew I could not be ſo ill belov’d
Among the batchelers, but ſome would find
Way to congratulate our honoured Marriage.
Quic.What, with horn muſick?
Teſ.A new kind of flouriſh.
Quic.Tis a flat conſpiracy.
This is your baſhful modeſt whimpring Neece.
Teſ.Then let’em in. If they wrong us to night,
The Law tomorrow ſhall afford us right.
[B1v]Pray
or the Mock-Mariage.
Pray let’s reſolveto seet. Here comes their Prologue.
floriſh,
Mer.At a late Parliment held by the Gods,
Ent. Mercury.
Cupid and
Hymen fell at bitter ods
Upon an argument; wherein each did try
T’advance his own ’bove tothers deity,
Out of this queſtion, which might happier prove
Love without Marriage, or Marriage without love.
By the effects the tryal muſt be made:
So each from others Office drew his aid;
Cupid no more of
Hymens matches fram’d;
Nor
Hymen married thoſe that love inflam’d.
Now mark, the ſad effects this ſtrife begot,
Cupid his fiery darts and arrows ſhot
As thick as ere he did; and equal hearts
He wounds with equal love. But
Hymen parts
Their forward hands (alas!) and joyneth none
But thoſe which his new match-Maker brings on,
(Old greedy
Avarice: who by his ſpells,
In breaſts of Parents and of guardians dwells,
That force their tendelings to loathed beds;
Which uncouth Policie to ſorrow leads
Thouſands a thouſand wayes, of which the leaſt
Is this with which we celebrate your
Teſ.A ſpecial drove of horn beaſts
Enter four Maſquers
Mer.Theſe few are thought enough
with horns on their
(to ſhew how more their heads
heads: a Stag, a
Would appear horrible, the town hath
Ram, and Goat, a
(ſtore.
an Ox followed by
The firſt’s a Lawyer, who by ſtrife
four perſons, a Cour-
(prevail’d
tier, a Captain, a
To wed a wife, that was by love in-
Schollar, and a But-
Unto that Courtier, who had the hap
Soon after to adorn him with that cap.
The next a country cormorant, whoſe great wealth,
B 2[r]By
The Engliſh-Moor.
By a bad fathers will, obtain’d by ſtealth
That valiant Souldiers Miſtreſs: for which matter
The Enginier his ſconſe with Rams did batter.
This an old Goatiſh Uſurer, that muſt
Needs buy a wretches daughter to his luſt;
Doated, and married her without a groat,
That Herald gave this creſt unto his coat.
And that’s the Citizen, ſo broadly pated,
Which this mad Butcher, cuckold-antidated.
Now by this dance let huſband that doth wed
Bride from her proper love to loathed bed
Obſerve his fortune. Muſick ſtrike aloud
They dance to mu-
The cuckolds joy, with merry pipe & crowd.
ſick of Cornets
& Violins
Exit. Maſquers.
The Daunce.
Teſ.How now! all vaniſht! The devil take the hidmoſt.
Qui.The foremoſt I ſay; and lay him a block
For all the reſt to break their necks upon.
Teſ.Who are they? Can you gueſſe.
Some of my husbands friends perhaps, that came
To warn him of his fortune.
Mil.Lock the doors after’em, and let us to bed;
And lock our ſelves up, chick, ſafe from all danger.
Qui.We will to bed chick, ſince you’l have it ſo.
This key ſhall be your guard: And here’s another
Shall ſecure me. My houſe has ſtore of beds in’t.
I bring you not to an unfurniſht dwelling.
Mil.Be not afraid to lie with me, good man,
Ile ſo reſtore thee ’gain with Cawdels and Cock-broths,
So cuckle the up to-morrow thou ſhalt ſee – – – –
Mil.Thou haſt good ſtore of gold, and ſhalt not want it
In Culliſes: in every broth Ile boil
[B2v]An
or the Mock-Marriage.
Teſ.I am quite out of wits; and yet Ile counſel
Thee, Nephew. Heark thee.
They whiſper.
Buz.Tis like to be mad counſel.
Mil.But will you not lie with me then?
Teſ.No marry ſhall he not.
Nephew, You ſhall not, till ſhee bride it modeſtly.
Tis now too late, but Ile ſo rattle her up to morrow.
Buz.Tis too late now, and yet he’l do’t to morrow! good!
Teſ.Will you to your lodging?
Mil.Where be my bride-maids?
Teſ.They wait you in your chamber.
Buz.The devil o’maid’s i’this but my fellow
Madg the
Kitching maid, and
Malkin the Cat, or batchelor but my
ſelf, and an old Fox, that my maſter has kept a prentiſhip
Mil.Where be the maids, I ſay; and Batchelors
To diſappoint my huſband.
Mil.I mean, to take your points. But you have none.
O thrifty age! My Bridegroom is ſo wiſe,
In ſtead of points, to hazzard hooks and eyes.
Buz.Shee means the eyes in’s head, Ile hang elſe.
My Maſter is like to make a blind match here.
Teſ.Take up the lights, ſirrah.
Qui.I hope ſhe talks ſo idly, but for want
Of ſleep; and ſleep ſhe ſhall for me to night.
Teſ.And well ſaid Nephew. Will you to your chamber,
Mil.Hey ho, to bed, to bed, to bed.
No Bride ſo glad – – – – to keep her Maiden-head.
Exeunt omnes.
A 3 [i.e. B3r]ACT.2.
