Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)   By: John Fletcher (1579-1625)

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: