Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife | Page 8

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 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