Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife | Page 4

was no truth, for which I beat thee, I beat thee much, now I will hurt thee dangerously. This shall provoke thee.
[He strikes.
Alonzo:
You struck too low by a foot Sir.
Juan de Castro:
You must get a ladder when you would beat This fellow.
Leon:
I cannot chuse but kick again, pray pardon me.
Cacafogo:
Had'st thou not ask'd my pardon, I had kill'd thee, I leave thee as a thing despis'd, assoles manus a vostra siniare a Maistre.
[Exit Cacafogo.
Alonzo:
You have scap'd by miracle, there is not in all Spain, A spirit of more fury than this fire drake.
Leon:
I see he is hasty, and I would give him leave 179] To beat me soundly if he would take my bond.
Juan de Castro:
What shall I do with this fellow?
Alonzo:
Turn him off, He will infect the camp with cowardise, If he goe with thee.
Juan de Castro:
About some week hence Sir, If I can hit upon no abler officer, You shall hear from me.
Leon:
I desire no better. [Exit.
[Enter Estifania, and Perez.]
Michael Perez:
You have made me now too bountifull 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 cou'd now chide ye, but it shall be thus, No other anger ever touch your sweetness.
Estifania:
You appear to me so honest, and so civil, Without a blush Sir, I dare bid ye welcom.
Michael Perez:
Now let me ask your name.
Estifania:
'Tis Estifanie, the heir of this poor place.
Michael 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?
Estifania:
'Tis but little, Only for present use, I have more and richer, When need shall call, or friends compel me use it, The sutes you see of all the upper chamber, Are those that commonly adorn the house, I think I have besides, as fair, as civil, As any town in Spain can parallel.
Michael Perez:
Now if she be not married, I have some hopes. Are you a maid?
Estifania:
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.
Michael Perez:
Then would I counsel you to marry presently, 180] (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 ye walk above stairs?
Estifania:
This place will fit our talk, 'tis fitter far Sir, Above there are day-beds, and such temptations I dare not trust Sir.
Michael Perez:
She is excellent wise withal too.
Estifania:
You nam'd a husband, I am not so strict Sir, Nor ti'd unto a Virgins solitariness, But if an honest, and a noble one, Rich, and a souldier, for so I have vowed he shall be, Were offer'd me, I think I should accept him, But above all he must love.
Michael Perez:
He were base else, There's comfort ministred in the word souldier, How sweetly should I live!
Estifania:
I am not so ignorant, but that I know well, How to be commanded, And how again to make my self obey'd Sir, I waste but little, I have gather'd much, My rial not the less worth, when 'tis spent, If spent by my direction, to please my Husband, I hold it as indifferent in my duty, To be his maid i'th' kitchen, or his Cook, As in the Hall to know my self the Mistris.
Michael Perez:
Sweet, rich, and provident, now fortune stick To me; I am a Souldier, and a bachelour, Lady, And such a wife as you, I cou'd love infinitely, They that use many words, some are deceitfull, I long to be a Husband, and a good one, For 'tis most certain I shall make a president For all that follow me to love their Ladies, I am young you see, able I would have you think too, If't please you know, try me before you take me. 'Tis true I shall not meet in equal wealth With ye, but Jewels, Chains, such as the war Has given me, a thousand Duckets I dare Presume on in ready gold, now as your Care may handle it, as rich cloths too, as 181] Any he bears arms Lady.
Estifania:
You are a true gentleman, and fair, I see by ye, And such a man I had rather take.
Michael Perez:
Pray do so, I'le have a Priest o'th' sudden.
Estifania:
And as suddenly you will repent too.
Michael Perez:
I'le be hang'd or drown'd first, By this and this, and this kiss.
Estifania:
You are a Flatterer, But I must say there was something when I saw you First, in that most noble face, that stirr'd my fancy.
Michael Perez:
I'le stir it better