RULE A WIFE, AND HAVE A WIFE ***

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170] Rule a Wife, and have a Wife

The works of Beaumont and Fletcher, edited by A.R. Walker

Actus Primus

Scena Prima

[Enter _Juan de Castro_, and _Michael Perez_.]

Michael Perez:

Are your Companies full, Colonel?

Juan de Castro:

No, not yet, Sir: Nor will not be this month yet, as I reckon; How rises your Command?

Michael Perez:

We pick up still, and as our monies hold out, We have men come, about that time I think We shall be full too, many young Gallants go.

Juan de Castro:

And unexperienced, The Wars are dainty dreams to young hot spirits, Time and Experience will allay those Visions, We have strange things to fill our numbers, There's one _Don Leon_, a strange goodly fellow, Recommended to me from some noble Friends, For my _Alferes_, had you but seen his Person, And what a Giants promise it protesteth.

Michael Perez:

I have heard of him, and that he hath serv'd before too.

Juan de Castro:

But no harm done, nor never meant, _Don Michael_, That came to my ears yet, ask him a question, He blushes like a Girl, and answers little, To the point less, he wears a Sword, a good one, And good Cloaths too, he is whole skin'd, has no hurt yet, Good promising hopes, I never yet heard certainly Of any Gentleman that saw him angry.

Michael Perez:

Preserve him, he'll conclude a peace if need be, Many as strong as he will go along with us, That swear as valiantly as heart can wish, Their mouths charg'd with six oaths at once, and whole ones, That make the drunken Dutch creep into Mole-hills. 171]

Juan de Castro:

'Tis true, such we must look for: but _Mich. Perez_, When heard you of _Donna Margarita_, the great Heiress?

Michael Perez:

I hear every hour of her, though I never saw her, She is the main discourse: noble _Don Juan de Castro_, How happy were that man could catch this Wench up, And live at ease! she is fair, and young, and wealthy, Infinite wealthy, and as gracious too In all her entertainments, as men report.

Juan de Castro:

But she is proud, Sir, that I know for certain, And that comes seldome without wantonness, He that shall marry her, must have a rare hand.

Michael Perez:

Would I were married, I would find that Wisdom, With a light rein to rule my Wife: if ever Woman Of the most subtile mould went beyond me, I would give the Boys leave to whoot me out o'th' Parish.

[Enter a Servant.]

Servant:

Sir, there be two Gentlewomen attend to speak With you.

Juan de Castro:

Wait on 'em in.

Michael Perez:

Are they two handsome Women?

Servant:

They seem so, very handsom, but they are vail'd, Sir.

Michael Perez:

Thou put'st sugar in my mouth, how it melts with me! I love a sweet young Wench.

Juan de Castro:

Wait on them in I say. [Exit Servant.

Michael Perez:

_Don Juan._

Juan de Castro:

How you itch, _Michael_! how you burnish! Will not this Souldiers heat out of your bones yet, Do your Eyes glow now?

Michael Perez:

There be two.

Juan de Castro:

Say honest, what shame have you then?

Michael Perez:

I would fain see that, I have been in the Indies twice, and have seen strange things, But two honest Women;--one I read of once.

Juan de Castro:

Prithee be modest.

Michael Perez:

I'll be any thing.

[Enter _Servant_, _Donna Clara_, and _Estifania_ vail'd.]

Juan de Castro:

You are welcome Ladies.

Michael Perez:

Both hooded, I like 'em well though, 172] They come not for advice in Law sure hither; May be they would learn to raise the Pike, I am for 'em: they are very modest, 'tis a fine Preludium.

Juan de Castro:

With me, or with this Gentleman, Would you speak, Lady?

Clara:

With you, Sir, as I guess, _Juan de Castro_.

Michael Perez:

Her Curtain opens, she is a pretty Gentlewoman.

Juan de Castro:

I am the Man, and shall be bound to Fortune, I may do any service to your Beauties.

Clara:

Captain, I hear you are marching down to _Flanders_, To serve the Catholick King.

Juan de Castro:

I am sweet Lady.

Clara:

I have a Kinsman, and a noble Friend, Imploy'd in those Wars, may be, Sir, you know him, _Don Campusano_ Captain of _Carbines_, To whom I would request your Nobleness, To give this poor Remembrance.

[A Letter.

Juan de Castro:

I shall do it, I know the Gentleman, a most worthy Captain.

Clara:

Something in private.

Juan de Castro:

Step aside: I'll serve thee. [Ex. _Juan_, and _Clara_.

Michael Perez:

Prithee let me see thy face.

Estifania:

Sir,