Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife | Page 6

I'le none such, I'le have a lusty man,
honour will cloy me..br
Altea:
'Tis fit ye should Lady; And to that end, with search and wit and labour,
I have found one out, a right one and a perfect, He is made as strong as
brass, is of brave years too, And doughty of complexion.
Margarita:
Is he a Gentleman?
Altea:
Yes and a souldier, as gentle as you would wish him, A good fellow,
wears good cloaths.
Margarita:

Those I'le allow him, They are for my credit, does he understand But
little?
Altea:
Very little. 183]
Margarita:
'Tis the better, Have not the wars bred him up to anger?
Alonzo:
No, he will not quarrel with a dog that bites hi[m], Let him be drunk or
sober, is one silence.
Margarita:
H'as no capacity what honor is? For that's the Souldiers god.
Altea:
Honour's a thing too subtil for his wisdom, If honour lye in eating, he is
right honourable.
Margarita:
Is he so goodly a man do you say?
Altea:
As you shall see Lady, But to all this is but a trunk.
Margarita:
I would have him so, I shall adde branches to him to adorn him, Goe,
find me out this man, and let me see him, If he be that motion that you
tell me of, And make no more noise, I shall entertain him, Let him be
here.

Altea:
He shall attend your Ladiship. [Exeunt.
[Enter Juan, Alonzo, and Perez.]
Juan de Castro:
Why thou art not married indeed?
Michael Perez:
No, no, pray think so, Alas I am a fellow of no reckoning, Not worth a
Ladies eye.
Alonzo:
Wou'dst thou steal a fortune, And make none of all thy friends
acquainted with it, Nor bid us to thy wedding?
Michael Perez:
No indeed, There was no wisdom in't, to bid an Artist, An old seducer
to a femal banquet, I can cut up my pye without your instructions.
Juan de Castro:
Was it the wench i'th' veil?
Michael Perez:
Basto 'twas she, The prettiest Rogue that e're you look'd upon, The
lovingst thief.
Juan de Castro:
And is she rich withal too?
Michael Perez:

A mine, a mine, there is no end of wealth Coronel, I am an asse, a
bashfull fool, prethee Coronel, How do thy compa[ni]es fill now?
Juan de Castro:
You are merry Sir, 184] You intend a safer war at home belike now.
Michael Perez:
I do not think I shall fight much this year Coronel, I find my self given
to my ease a little, I care not if I sell my foolish company, They are
things of hazard.
Alonzo:
How it angers me, This fellow at first fight should win a Lady, A rich
young wench, and I that have consum'd My time and art in searching
out their subtleties, Like a fool'd Alchymist blow up my hopes still?
When shall we come to thy house and be freely merry?
Michael Perez:
When I have manag'd her a little more, I have an house to entertain an
army.
Alonzo:
If thy wife be fair, thou wilt have few less Come to thee.
Michael Perez:
But where they'l get entertainment is the point Signior. I beat no Drum.
Alonzo:
You need none but her taber, May be I'le march after a month or two,
To get me a fresh stomach. I find Coronel A wantonness in wealth,
methinks I agree not with, 'Tis such a trouble to be married too, And
have a thousand things of great importance, Jewels and plates, and

fooleries molest me, To have a mans brains whimsied with his wealth:
Before I walk'd contentedly.
[Enter Servant.]
Servant:
My Mistris Sir is sick, because you are absent, She mourns and will not
eat.
Michael Perez:
Alas my Jewel, Come I'le goe with thee, Gentlemen your fair leaves,
You see I am ti'd a little to my yoke, Pray pardon me, would ye had
both such loving wives.
Juan de Castro:
I thank ye [Exit Perez, Servant.
For your old boots, never be blank Alonzo, Because this fellow has
outstript thy fortune, Tell me ten daies hence what he is, and how The
gracious state of matrimony stands with him, Come, let's to dinner,
when Margarita comes 185] We'l visit both, it may be then your
fortune.
[Exeunt.
[Enter Margarita, Altea, and Ladies.]
Margarita:
Is he come?
Altea:
Yes Madam, h'as been here this half hour, I have question'd him of all
that you can ask him, And find him as fit as you had made the man, He
will make the goodliest shadow for iniquity.

Margarita:
Have ye searcht him Ladies?
Omnes:
Is a man at all points, a likely man.
Margarita:
Call him in Altea. [Exit Lady.
[Enter Leon, Altea.]
A man of a good presence, pray ye