Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife | Page 7

too.
Margarita:
Get me a Priest, I'le wed him instantly, But when you are married Sir, you must wait Upon me, and see you observe my laws.
Leon:
Else you shall hang me.
Margarita:
I'le give ye better clothes when you deserve 'em, Come in, and serve for witness.
Omnes:
We shall Madam.
Margarita:
And then away toth' city presently, I'le to my new house and new company.
Leon:
A thousand crowns are thine, and I am a made man.
Altea:
Do not break out too soon.
Leon:
I know my time wench. [Exeunt.
[Enter Clara, and Estifania with a paper.]
Clara:
What, have you caught him?
Estifania:
Yes.
Clara:
And do you find him A man of those hopes that you aim'd at?
Estifania:
Yes too, And the most kind man, and the ablest also To give a wife content, he is sound as old wine, And to his soundness rises on the pallat, And there's the man; find him rich too Clara.
Clara:
Hast thou married him?
Estifania:
What dost thou think I fish without a bait wench? I bob for fools? he is mine own, I have him, I told thee what would tickle him like a trout, And as I cast it so I caught him daintily, And all he has I have 'stowed at my devotion.
Clara:
Does thy Lady know this? she is coming now to town, Now to live here in this house.
Estifania:
Let her come, She shall be welcom, I am prepar'd for her, She is mad sure if she be angry at my fortune, For what I have made bold.
Clara:
Dost thou not love him? 188]
Estifania:
Yes, intirely well, As long as there he staies and looks no farther Into my ends, but when he doubts, I hate him, And that wise hate will teach me how to cozen him: How to decline their wives, and curb their manners, To put a stern and strong reyn to their natures, And holds he is an Asse not worth acquaintance, That cannot mould a Devil to obedience, I owe him a good turn for these opinions, And as I find his temper I may pay him,
[Enter Perez.]
O here he is, now you shall see a kind man.
Michael Perez:
My Estifania, shall we to dinner lamb? I know thou stay'st for me.
Estifania:
I cannot eat else.
Michael Perez:
I never enter but me thinks a Paradise Appears about me.
Estifania:
You are welcom to it Sir.
Michael Perez:
I think I have the sweetest seat in Spain wench, Me thinks the richest too, we'l eat i'th' garden In one o'th' arbours, there 'tis cool and pleasant, And have our wine cold in the running fountain. Who's that?
Estifania:
A friend of mine Sir.
Michael Perez:
Of what breeding?
Estifania:
A Gentlewoman Sir.
Michael Perez:
What business has she? Is she a learned woman i'th' Mathematicks, Can she tell fortunes?
Estifania:
More than I know Sir.
Michael Perez:
Or has she e're a letter from a kinswoman, That must be delivered in my absence wife, Or comes she from the Doctor to salute ye, And learn your health? she looks not like a confessor.
Estifania:
What need all this, why are you troubled Sir? What do you suspect, she cannot cuckold ye, She is a woman Sir, a very woman.
Michael Perez:
Your very woman may do very well Sir Toward the matter, for though she cannot perform it 189] In her own person, she may do it by Proxie, Your rarest jugglers work still by conspiracy.
Estifania:
Cry ye mercy husband, you are jealous then, And happily suspect me.
Michael Perez:
No indeed wife.
Estifania:
Me thinks you should not till you have more cause And clearer too: I am sure you have heard say husband, A woman forced will free her self through Iron, A happy, calm, and good wife discontented May be taught tricks.
Michael Perez:
No, no, I do but jest with ye.
Estifania:
To morrow friend I'le see you.
Clara:
I shall leave ye Till then, and pray all may goe sweetly with ye.
[Exit.
Estifania:
Why where's this girle, whose at the door? [Knock.
Michael Perez:
Who knocks there? Is't for the King ye come, you knock so boisterously? Look to the door.
[Enter Maid.]
Maid:
My Lady, as I live Mistris, my Ladie's come, She's at the door, I peept through, and I saw her, And a stately company of Ladies with her.
Estifania:
This was a week too soon, but I must meet with her, And set a new wheel going, and a subtile one, Must blind this mighty Mars, or I am ruin'd.
Michael Perez:
What are they at door?
Estifania:
Such my Michael As you may bless the day they enter'd there, Such for our good.
Michael Perez:
'Tis well.
Estifania:
Nay, 'twill be better If you will let me but dispose the business, And be a stranger to it, and not disturb me, What have I now to do but to advance your fortune?
Michael Perez:
Doe, I dare trust thee, I am asham'd I am angry, I find thee a wise young wife.
Estifania:
I'le wise your worship Before I leave ye, pray ye walk by and say nothing, Only salute them, and leave the rest to me Sir, 190] I was born to make