The Works of John Marston. Volume 2

The English Dramatists

JOHN MARSTON

VOLUME THE SECOND

THE WORKS OF JOHN MARSTON

EDITED BY

A. H. BULLEN, B.A.

IN THREE VOLUMES

VOLUME THE SECOND

LONDON JOHN C. NIMMO 14, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND, W.C. MDCCCLXXXVII

_Two hundred copies of this Edition on Laid paper, medium 8vo, have been printed,_ viz., _120 for the English Market and 80 for America. Each copy numbered as issued._

_No. 30_

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

PAGE

THE DUTCH COURTEZAN 1

THE FAWN 105

THE WONDER OF WOMEN; OR, THE TRAGEDY OF SOPHONISBA 231

WHAT YOU WILL 317

THE DUTCH COURTEZAN.

_The Dutch Courtezan. As it was playd in the Blacke-Friars, by the Children of her Maiesties Reuels. Written By Iohn Marston. At London, Printed by T. P. for Iohn Hodgets, and are to be sould at his shop in Paules Church-yard._ 1605. 4to.

STORY OF THE PLAY.

Young Freevill, being about to marry Beatrice, daughter to Sir Hubert Subboys, determines to break his connection with Franceschina, the Dutch Courtezan. He introduces to Franceschina his friend Malheureux. This gentleman, who had hitherto led a strict life, is violently inflamed with passion at first sight of Franceschina. She promises to gratify his passion on one condition,--that he kills Freevill. As proof that the deed has been accomplished, he is to bring her a ring that had been presented to Freevill by Beatrice. Malheureux discloses the plot to Freevill, who undertakes to help him out of his difficulty. At a masque given in honour of the approaching marriage, Malheureux pretends to pick a quarrel with Freevill, and retires with him as though to fight a duel. Freevill is to lie hid at the house of a jeweller, while Malheureux posts with the ring to Franceschina. She hastens to communicate the news to Freevill's father and Beatrice, Freevill accompanying her in the disguise of a pander. Thereupon old Freevill and Sir Hubert Subboys, attended by officers, proceed to Franceschina's lodging, conceal themselves behind the curtain, and await the arrival of Malheureux, who comes at the hour appointed by Franceschina. They hear from his own lips a confession of the murder, arrest him, and lead him away to prison. Malheureux protests his innocence, but, as Freevill has not been near the jeweller's house, his protestations are disregarded and the day for his execution is fixed. At the last moment Freevill presents himself and begs forgiveness for the device that he had adopted in order to cure his friend's passion. Franceschina is condemned to "the whip and jail;" and all ends happily.

The play is enlivened by an underplot, which deals with the various tricks played by a clever knave called Cocledemoy on a vintner of Cheap, Master Mulligrub.

PROLOGUE.

Slight hasty labours in this easy play Present not what you would, but what we may: For this vouchsafe to know,--the only end Of our now study is, not to offend. Yet think not but, like others, rail we could (Best art presents not what it can but should); And if our pen in this seem over-slight, We strive not to instruct, but to delight. As for some few, we know of purpose here To tax and scout, know firm art cannot fear 10 Vain rage; only the highest grace we pray Is, you'll not tax until you judge our play. Think, and then speak: 'tis rashness, and not wit, To speak what is in passion, and not judgment fit. Sit then with fair expectance, and survey Nothing but passionate man in his slight play, Who hath this only ill, to some deem'd worst-- A modest diffidence, and self-mistrust.

_Fabulæ Argumentum._

The difference betwixt the love of a courtezan and a wife is the full scope of the play, which, intermixed with the deceits of a witty city jester, fills up the comedy.

_DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._

Sir LIONEL FREEVILL, } _two old knights_. Sir HUBERT SUBBOYS, } Young FREEVILL, Sir LIONEL'S _son_. MALHEUREUX, Young FREEVILL'S _unhappy friend_. TYSEFEW, _a blunt gallant_. CAQUETEUR, _a prattling gull_. COCLEDEMOY, _a knavishly witty City Companion_. MASTER MULLIGRUB, _a vintner_. MASTER BURNISH, _a goldsmith_. LIONEL, _his man_. HOLIFERNES REINSCURE, _a barbers boy_.

BEATRICE, } _Sir Hubert's daughters_. CRISPINELLA, } PUTIFER, _their nurse_. MISTRESS MULLIGRUB. FRANCESCHINA, _a Dutch Courtezan_. MARY FAUGH, _an old woman_. _Three Watchmen_; _Pages_; _Officers_.

SCENE--LONDON.

THE DUTCH COURTEZAN.[1]

ACT I.

SCENE I.

_A Street._

_Enter three Pages, with lights._ MULLIGRUB, FREEVILL, MALHEUREUX, TYSEFEW, _and_ CAQUETEUR.

_Free._ Nay, comfort, my good host Shark; my good Mulligrub.

_Mal._ Advance thy snout; do not suffer thy sorrowful nose to drop on thy Spanish[2] leather jerkin, most hardly-honest Mulligrub.

_Free._ What, cogging Cocledemoy is run away with a neast[3] of goblets? True, what then? they will be hammered out well enough, I warrant you.

_Mul._ Sure, some wise man would find them out presently. 10

_Free._ Yes, sure, if we could find out some wise man presently.

_Mal._ How was the plate lost? how did it vanish?

_Free._ In most sincere prose, thus: that man of much money, some wit, but less honesty, cogging Cocledemoy, comes this night late into mine hostess Mulligrub's tavern here; calls for a room; the house being full, Cocledemoy consorted with his movable chattel, his instrument of fornication, the bawd Mrs. Mary Faugh, are imparlour'd next the street; good poultry was their food, blackbird, lark, woodcock; and mine host here comes in, cries "God bless you!" and departs. A blind harper enters, craves audience, uncaseth, plays; the drawer, for female privateness' sake, is nodded out, who knowing that whosoever will hit the mark of profit must, like those that shoot in stone-bows,[4] wink with one eye, grows blind o' the right side, and departs. 27

_Caq._ He shall answer for that winking with one eye at the last day.

_Mal._ Let him have day[5] till then, and he will wink with both his eyes.

_Free._ Cocledemoy, perceiving none in the room but the blind harper (whose eyes Heaven had shut up from beholding wickedness), unclasps a casement to the street very patiently, pockets up three bowls unnaturally, thrusts his wench forth the window, and himself most preposterously, with his heels forward, follows: the unseeing harper plays on, bids the empty dishes and the treacherous candles much good do them. The drawer returns, but, out alas! not only the birds, but also the neast of goblets, were flown away. Laments are raised---- 42

_Tys._ Which did not pierce the heavens.

_Free._ The drawers moan, mine host doth cry, the bowls are gone.

_Mul._ _Hic finis Priami!_

_Mal._ Nay, be not jaw-fall'n, my most sharking Mulligrub.

_Free._ 'Tis your just affliction; remember the sins of the cellar, and repent, repent! 50

_Mul._ I am not jaw-fall'n, but I will hang the coney-catching Cocledemoy; and there's an end of't.

[_Exit._

_Caq._ Is it a right stone? it shows well by candle-light.

_Free._ So do many things that are counterfeit, but I assure you this is a right diamond.

_Caq._ Might I borrow it of you? it will not a little grace my finger in visitation of my mistress.

_Free._ Why, use it, most sweet Caqueteur, use it.

_Caq._ Thanks, good sir; 'tis grown high night: gentles, rest to you. [_Exit._

_Tys._ A torch! Sound wench, soft sleep, and sanguine dreams to you both. On, boy! 62

_Free._ Let me bid you good rest.

_Mal._ Not so, trust me, I must bring my friend home: I dare not give you up to your own company; I fear the warmth of wine and youth will draw you to some common house of lascivious entertainment.

_Free._ Most necessary buildings, Malheureux; ever since my intention of marriage, I do pray for their continuance. 70

_Mal._ Loved sir, your reason?

_Free._ Marry, lest my house should be made one. I would have married men love the stews as Englishmen loved the Low Countries: wish war should be maintain'd there, lest it should come home to their own doors. What, [not] suffer a man to have a hole to put his head in, though he go to the pillory for it! Youth and appetite are above the club of Hercules.

_Mal._ This lust is a most deadly sin, sure.

_Free._ Nay, 'tis a most lively sin, sure. 80

_Mal._ Well, I am sure, 'tis one of the head sins.

_Free._ Nay, I am sure it is one of the middle sins.

_Mal._ Pity 'tis grown a most daily vice.

_Free._ But a more nightly vice, I assure you.

_Mal._ Well, 'tis a sin.

_Free._ Ay, or else few men would wish to go to heaven: and, not to disguise with my friend, I am now going the way of all flesh.

_Mal._ Not to a courtezan?

_Free._ A courteous one. 90

_Mal._ What, to a sinner?

_Free._ A very publican.

_Mal._ Dear, my loved friend, let me be full with you: Know, sir, the strongest argument that speaks Against the soul's eternity is lust, That wise man's folly, and the fool's wisdom: But to grow wild in loose lasciviousness, Given up to heat and sensual appetite, Nay, to expose your health and strength and name, Your precious time, and with that time the hope