Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife | Page 7

come this way, Of a lusty body, is
his mind so tame?
Altea:
Pray ye question him, and if you find him not Fit for your purpose,
shake him off, there's no harm Done.
Margarita:
Can you love a young Lady? How he blushes!
Altea:
Leave twirling of your hat, and hold your head up, And speak to'th'
Lady.
Leon:
Yes, I think I can, I must be taught, I know not what it means Madam.
Margarita:
You shall be taught, and can you when she pleases Go ride abroad, and
stay a week or two? You shall have men and horses to attend ye, And

mony in your purse.
Leon:
Yes I love riding, And when I am from home I am so merry.
Margarita:
Be as merry as you will: can you as handsomely When you are sent for
back, come with obedience, And doe your dutie to the Lady loves you?
Leon:
Yes sure, I shall.
Margarita:
And when you see her friends here, Or noble kinsmen, can you
entertain Their servants in the Celler, and be busied, And hold your
peace, what e're you see or hear of?
Leon:
'Twere fit I were hang'd else.
Margarita:
Let me try your kisses, How the fool shakes, I will not eat ye Sir, 186]
Beshrew my heart he kisses wondrous manly, Can ye doe any thing
else?
Leon:
Indeed I know not; But if your Ladiship will please to instruct me, Sure
I shall learn.
Margarita:
You shall then be instructed: If I should be this Lady that affects ye,

Nay say I marry ye?
Altea:
Hark to the Lady.
Margarita:
What mony have ye?
Leon:
None Madam, nor friends, I wou'd doe any thing to serve your
Ladiship.
Margarita:
You must not look to be my Mr Sir, Nor talk i'th' house as though you
wore the breeches, No, nor command in any thing.
Leon:
I will not, Alas I am not able, I have no wit Madam.
Margarita:
Nor do not labour to arrive at any, 'Twill spoil your head, I take ye
upon charity, And like a Servant ye must be unto me, As I behold your
duty I shall love ye, And as you observe me, I may chance lye with ye,
Can you mark these?
Leon:
Yes indeed forsooth.
Margarita:
There is one thing, That if I take ye in I put ye from me, Utterly from
me, you must not be sawcy, No, nor at any time familiar with me,

Scarce know me, when I call ye not.
Leon:
I will not, alas I never knew my self sufficiently.
Margarita:
Nor must not now.
Leon:
I'le be a Dog to please ye.
Margarita:
Indeed you must fetch and carry as I appoint ye.
Leon:
I were to blame else.
Margarita:
Kiss me again; a strong fellow, There is a vigor in his lips: if you see
me Kiss any other, twenty in an hour Sir, You must not start, nor be
offended.
Leon:
No, if you kiss a thousand I shall be contented, It will the better teach
me how to please ye. 187]
Altea:
I told ye Madam.
Margarita:

'Tis the man I wisht for; the less you speak.
Leon:
I'le never speak again Madam, But when you charge me, then I'le speak
softly 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,