The Spanish Curate A Comedy   By: John Fletcher (1579-1625)

A COMEDY.

Persons Represented in the Play.

Don Henrique, an uxorious Lord, cruel to his Brother .

Don Jamie, younger Brother to Don Henrique.

Bartolus, a covetous Lawyer Husband to Amaranta.

Leandro, a Gentleman who wantonly loves the Lawyers Wife .

Angelo, } Three Gentlemen Friend[s] Milanes,} to Leandro. Arsenio,}

Ascanio, Son to Don Henrique.

Octavio, supposed Husband to Jacintha.

Lopez, the Spanish Curate.

Diego, his Sexton .

Assistant, which we call a Judge .

Algazeirs, whom we call Serjeants .

4 Parishioners.

Apparitor.

Singers.

Servants.

WOMEN .

Violante, supposed Wife to Don Henrique.

Jacintha, formerly contracted to Don Henrique.

Amaranta, Wife to Bartolus.

A Woman Moor, Servant to Amaranta.

The Scene Spain.

The principal Actors were,

Joseph Taylor. } {William Eglestone. John Lowin. } {Thomas Polard. Nicholas Toolie.} {Robert Benfeild.

Actus primus. Scena prima.

Enter Angelo, Milanes, and Arsenio.

Arsenio.

Leandro paid all.

Mil .

'Tis his usual custom, And requisite he should: he has now put off The Funeral black, (your rich heir wears with joy, When he pretends to weep for his dead Father) Your gathering Sires, so long heap muck together, That their kind Sons, to rid them of their care, Wish them in Heaven; or if they take a taste Of Purgatory by the way, it matters not, Provided they remove hence; what is befaln To his Father, in the other world, I ask not; I am sure his prayer is heard: would I could use one For mine, in the same method.

Ars .

Fie upon thee. This is prophane.

Mil .

Good Doctor, do not school me For a fault you are not free from: On my life Were all Heirs in Corduba , put to their Oaths, They would confess with me, 'tis a sound Tenet: I am sure Leandro do's.

Ars .

He is th'owner Of a fair Estate.

Mil .

And fairly he deserves it, He's a Royal Fellow: yet observes a mean In all his courses, careful too on whom He showers his bounties: he that's liberal To all alike, may do a good by chance, But never out of Judgment: This invites The prime men of the City to frequent All places he resorts to, and are happy In his sweet Converse.

Ars.

Don Jamie the Brother To the Grandee Don Henrique , appears much taken With his behaviour.

Mil .

There is something more in't: He needs his Purse, and knows how to make use on't. 'Tis now in fashion for your Don , that's poor, To vow all Leagues of friendship with a Merchant That can supply his wants, and howsoe're Don Jamie's noble born, his elder Brother Don Henrique rich, and his Revenues long since Encreas'd by marrying with a wealthy Heir Call'd, Madam Vi[o]lante , he yet holds A hard hand o're Jamie , allowing him A bare annuity only.

Ars .

Yet 'tis said He hath no child, and by the Laws of Spain If he die without issue, Don Jamie Inherits his Estate.

Mil .