Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife | Page 8

ye a man.
[]
Michael Perez:
The Rogue speaks heartily, Her good will colours in her cheeks, I am born to love her, I must be gentler to these tender natures, A Souldiers rude harsh words befit not Ladies, Nor must we talk to them as we talk to Our Officers, I'le give her way, for 'tis for me she Works now, I am husband, heir, and all she has.
[Enter Margarita, Estifania, Leon, Altea, and Ladies.]
Who are these, what flanting things, a woman Of rare presence! excellent fair, this is too big For a bawdy house, too open seated too.
Estifania:
My Husband, Lady.
Margarita:
You have gain'd a proper man.
Michael Perez:
What e're I am, I am your servant Lady. [kisses.
Estifania:
Sir, be rul'd now, And I shall make ye rich, this is my cousin, That Gentleman dotes on her, even to death, see how he observes her.
Michael Perez:
She is a goodly woman.
Estifania:
She is a mirrour, But she is poor, she were for a Princes side else, This house she has brought him too as to her own, And presuming upon me, and upon my courtesie. Conceive me short, he knows not but she is wealthy, Or if he did know otherwise, 'twere all one, He is so far gone.
Michael Perez:
Forward, she has a rare face.
Estifania:
This we must carry with discretion Husband, And yield unto her for four daies.
Michael Perez:
Yield our house up, our goods and wealth?
Estifania:
All this is but in seeming, To milk the lover on, do you see this writing, 200l a year when they are married Has she sealed to for our good; the time's unfit now, I'le shew it you to morrow.
Michael Perez:
All the house?
Estifania:
All, all, and we'l remove too, to confirm him, They'l into th' country suddenly again After they are matcht, and then she'l open to him. 191]
Michael Perez:
The whole possession wife? look what you doe, A part o'th' house.
Estifania:
No, no, they shall have all, And take their pleasure too, 'tis for our 'vantage. Why, what's four daies? had you a Sister Sir, A Niece or Mistris that required this courtesie, And should I make a scruple to do you good?
Michael Perez:
If easily it would come back.
Estifania:
I swear Sir, As easily as it came on, is't not pity To let such a Gentlewoman for a little help-- You give away no house.
Michael Perez:
Clear but that question.
Estifania:
I'le put the writings into your hand.
Michael Perez:
Well then.
Estifania:
And you shall keep them safe.
Michael Perez:
I am satisfied; wou'd I had the wench so too.
Estifania:
When she has married him, So infinite his love is linkt unto her, You, I, or any one that helps at this pinch May have Heaven knows what.
Michael Perez:
I'le remove the goods straight, And take some poor house by, 'tis but for four days.
Estifania:
I have a poor old friend; there we'l be.
Michael Perez:
'Tis well then.
Estifania:
Goe handsom off, and leave the house clear.
Michael Perez:
Well.
Estifania:
That little stuff we'l use shall follow after; And a boy to guide ye, peace and we are made both.
Margarita:
Come, let's goe in, are all the rooms kept sweet wench?
Estifania:
They are sweet and neat. [Exit Perez.
Margarita:
Why where's your Husband?
Estifania:
Gone Madam. When you come to your own he must give place Lady.
Margarita:
Well, send you joy, you would not let me know't, Yet I shall not forget ye.
Estifania:
Thank your Ladyship. [Exeunt.

192] Actus Tertius

Scena Prima.
[Enter Margarita, Altea, and Boy.]
Altea:
Are you at ease now, is your heart at rest, Now you have got a shadow, an umbrella To keep the scorching worlds opinion From your fair credit.
Margarita:
I am at peace Altea, If he continue but the same he shews, And be a master of that ignorance He outwardly professes, I am happy, The pleasure I shall live in and the freedom Without the squint-eye of the law upon me, Or prating liberty of tongues, that envy.
Altea:
You are a made woman.
Margarita:
But if he should prove now A crafty and dissembling kind of Husband, One read in knavery, and brought up in the art Of villany conceal'd.
Altea:
My life, an innocent.
Margarita:
That's it I aim at, That's it I hope too, then I am sure I rule him, For innocents are like obedient Children Brought up under a hard Mother-in-law, a cruel, Who being not us'd to break-fasts and collations, When they have course bread offer'd 'em, are thankfull, And take it for a favour too. Are the rooms Made ready to entertain my friends? I long to dance now And to be wanton; let me have a song, is the great couch up The Duke of Medina sent?
Altea:
'Tis up and ready.
Margarita:
And day-beds in all chambers?
Altea:
In all Lady, Your house is nothing now but various pleasures, The Gallants begin to gaze too.
Margarita:
Let 'em gaze on, I was brought up a Courtier, high and happy, And company is my delight, and courtship, 193] And handsom servants at my will: where's my good husband, Where does he wait?
Altea:
He knows his distance Madam,