143 MORE DISSEMBLERS BESIDES WOMEN: A COMEDY. BY THOMAS MIDDLETON. Death. -when the heart's above, the body walks here But like an idle servingman below, Gaping and waiting for his master's coming. That stays here for a friend: when death comes, then Loving a Woman. of all the frenzies That follow flesh and blood, The most ridiculous is to fawn on women; I'd rather meet There's no excuse for that: 'tis such a madness, Widow's Vow. Lord Cardinal. Increase of health and a redoubled courage To chastity's great soldier: what, so sad, Madam? Too much to afflict yourself with ancient sorrow Is not so strictly for your strength required: Your vow is charge enough, believe me 'tis, Madam; You need no weightier task. Duch. Religious Sir, You heard the last words of my dying Lord. Your goodness but to speak 'em over to me, Lord Card. What's your meaning In this, most virtuous Madam ? Duch. 'Tis a courtesy I stand in need of, Sir, at this time especially; You shall have your desire. Duch. I thank you, Sir: A blessing come along with it. 66 Lord Card. [repeats] "You see, my Lords, what all earth's glory is, Rightly defined in me, uncertain breath : "A dream of threescore years to the long sleeper, "To most not half the time. Beware ambition; "Heaven is not reach'd with pride, but with submission. "And you Lord Cardinal labor to perfect "Good purposes begun, be what you seem, "Stedfast and uncorrupt, your actions noble, "Your goodness simple, without gain or art; "And not in vesture holier than in heart. "But 'tis a pain more than the pangs of death "To think that we must part, fellows of life."Thou richness of my joys, kind and dear Princess, "Death had no sting, but for our separation; ""Twould come more calm than an evening's peace, “That brings on rest to labours: Thou art so precious, "I should depart in everlasting envy Duch. 66 My lov'd Lord, "Let your confirm'd opinion of my life, 66 My love, my faithful love, seal an assurance "Of quiet to your spirit, that no forgetfulness "Can cast a sleep so deadly on my senses, "To draw my affections to a second liking." Lord Card. It has ever been the promise, and the spring 66 "Of my great love to thee. For, once to marry "Is honorable in woman, and her ignorance "Stands for a virtue, coming new and fresh ; "But second marriage shews desires in flesh; "Thence lust, and heat, and common custom grows : "But she's part virgin, who but one man knows. "I here expect a work of thy great faith : "At my last parting I can crave no more; "And with thy vow, I rest myself for ever; My soul and it shall fly to heaven together: "Seal to my spirit that quiet satisfaction, "And I go hence in peace." 66 Duch. 66 Then here I vow, never Lord Card. Why, Madam Duch. I can go no further. Lord Card. What, have you forgot your vow? Lord Card. Your vow? that cannot be; it follows now, Just where I left. Duch. My frailty gets before it ; Lord Card. What ail you, Madam ? VOL. I. H 'Life, had he not his answer? what strange impudence Governs in man, when lust is lord of him! Thinks he me mad? 'cause I have no monies on earth, And live eternal beggar? he shall pardon me : -husband, Comfort. Wake, wake, and let not patience keep thee poor, Good and Ill Fortune. O my blessing! And scarce can feed himself: the streams of fortune, 'Gainst which he tugs in vain, still beat him down, And will not suffer him (past hand to mouth) To lift his arm to his posterities' blessing. I see a careful sweat run in a ring About his temples, but all will not do : For till some happy means relieve his state, There he must stick and bide the wrath of fate. Parting in Amity. Let our Parting Be full as charitable as our meeting was; That the pale envious world, glad of the food And nuptial strifes, may not feed fat with ours. O my reviving joy! thy quickening presence I cannot make thy welcome rich enough MOTHER'S Forgiveness. Moth. Why do your words start back? are they afraid Of her that ever lov'd them? Philip. I have a suit to you, Madam. Moth. You have told me that already; pray, what [is 't? If't be so great, my present state refuse it, My conscience feels. O, my wild youth has led me You use me like a stranger: pray, stand up. Philip. Rather fall flat: I shall deserve yet worse. Moth. Whate'er your faults are, esteem me still a friend; Or else you wrong me more in asking pardon I saw a face at Antwerp, that quite drew me |