Pet. I vow it by my honor, my best hopes, Pet. I'll do it, as I am a Virgin; Lie it within mortality, I'll do it. Mont. You shall Pet. I will that which appears in you Pet. What soldier, what? Mont. love noble Valladaura; And at his soonest appointment marry him. Pet. Then I am lost. Miracle of Beauty. I remember,* There lived a Spanish Princess of our name, I rather think that she was Latona's brood, * A proud Spanish Princess relates this. THE ROYAL KING AND THE LOYAL SUBJECT. 99 THE ROYAL KING AND THE LOYAL SUBJECT. BY THOMAS HEYWOOD. Noble Traitor. A Persian History I read of late, how the great Sophy once In comes by chance an Eagle sousing by: Which when the Hawk espies, leaves her first game, A WOMAN KILL'D WITH KINDNESS: A TRAGEDY. Mr. Frankford discovers that his Wife has been unfaithful to him. * Mrs. Fra. O by what words, what title, or what name Shall I entreat your pardon? Pardon! oh! I am as far from hoping such sweet grace, As Lucifer from heaven. To call you husband! Fran. Spare thou thy tears, for I will weep for thee, And keep thy countenance, for I'll blush for thee. Now, I protest, I think, 'tis I am tainted, For I am most asham'd; and 'tis more hard For me to look upon thy guilty face, Than on the sun's clear brow: what wouldst thou speak? Mrs. Fra. I would I had no tongue, no ears, no eyes, No apprehension, no capacity. When do you spurn me like a dog? when tread me Tho' I deserve a thousand thousand fold More than you can inflict: yet, once my husband, This granted, I am ready for my grave. Fran. My God, with patience arm me! rise, nay rise, And I'll debate with thee. Thou plaid'st the strumpet. Was it for want Wast thou not supply'd With every pleasure, fashion, and new toy; Nay even beyond my calling? Mrs. Fra. I was. Fran. Was it then disability in me? Or in thine eyes seem'd he a properer man? Fran. Did not I lodge thee in my bosom? Mrs. Fra. You did. Fran. I did indeed, witness my tears I did. Could have withheld thee from so lewd a fact, Mrs. Fra. In this one life I die ten thousand deaths. And thou shalt hear thy sentence presently. [Exit. He returns with CRANWELL his friend. She falls on her knees. Fran. My words are register'd in heaven already. With patience hear me. I'll not martyr thee, Nor mark thee for a strumpet; but with usage Of more humility torment thy soul, And kill thee even with kindness. Cran. Mr. Frankford. Fran. Good Mr. Cranwell.-Woman, hear thy judgment; Go make thee ready in thy best attire ; Take with thee all thy gowns, all thy apparel: Leave nothing that did ever call thee mistress, Or by whose sight, being left here in the house, To carry all thy stuff within two hours; No longer will I limit thee my sight. Choose which of all my servants thou lik'st best, Mrs. Fra. A mild sentence. Fran. But as thou hop'st for heaven, as thou believ'st 1 Thy name's recorded in the book of life, Mrs. Fra. How full my heart is, in mine eyes appears; What wants in words, I will supply in tears. Fran. Come, take your coach, your stuff; all must along: Servants and all make ready, all be gone. It was thy hand cut two hearts out of one. CRANWELL, FRANKFORD, and NICHOLAS, a Servant. Cran. Why do you search each room about your house, Now that you have dispatch'd your wife away? Fran. O sir, to see that nothing may be left My thoughts are all in hell; to avoid which torment, Nic. Here's her lute flung in a corner. Fran. Her lute? Oh God! upon this instrument Her fingers have ran quick division, Swifter than that which now divides our hearts. (Now mute and dumb for her disastrous chance) |