RULE A WIFE AND HAVE A WIFE.

ACT I.

SCENE 1.-A Chamber.

Enter PEREZ and JUAN DE CASTRO, R.

Per. (R.) Are your companies full, colonel?
Juan. (c.) No, not yet, sir:

Nor will not be this month yet, as I reckon.
How rises your command?

Per. We pick up still,

And as our moneys hold out, we have men come,
About that time I think we shall be full too :

Many young gallants go.

Juan. And unexperienced:

There's one Don Leon, a strange goodly fellow,
Commended to me from some noble friends,

For my alferes.

Per. I've heard of him, and that he hath served before,

too.

Juan. But no harm done, nor ever 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;

never yet heard certainly

Of any gentleman that saw him angry.

Per. Preserve him, he'll conclude a peace if need

be;

Many as stout as he will go along with us,

That swear as valiantly as heart can wish,

Their mouths charged with six oaths at once, and whole

ones,

That make the drunken Dutch creep into mole-hills. Juan. 'Tis true, such we must look for: but, Michael

Perez,

When heard you of Donna Margarita, the great heiress? Per. I hear every hour of her, though I ne'er 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's fair and young, and wealthy, Infinite wealthy, and as gracious too

In all her entertainments, as men report.

Juan. But she is proud, sir, that I own for certain, And that comes seldom without wantonness;

He, that shall marry her, must have a rare hand.

Per. Would I were married! I would find that wis

dom

With a light reign to rule my wife. If e'er woman
Of the most subtle mould went beyond me,
I'd give boys leave to hoot me out o' the parish.

Enter Vasco, L.

Vasco. (L.) Sir, there be two gentlewomen attend to speak with you.

Juan. Wait on them in.

Per. Are they two handsome women?

Vasco. They seem so, very handsome; but they're veil'd, sir.

Per. Thou put'st sugar in my mouth; how it melts

with me!

I love a sweet young wench.

Juan. Wait on them in, I say.

Per. Don Juan, hem! hem!

Juan. Michael! how you burnish!

[Exit VASCO, L.

Will not this soldier's heat out of your bones yet?

Per. There be two.

Juan. Say honest, what shame have you then?

Per. I would fain see that;

I've been in the Indies twice, and have seen strange things;

But for two honest women ;-one I read of once.

Juan. Pr'ythee, be modest.

Per. I'll be any thing.

Enter VASCO, DONNA CLARA, and ESTIFANIA, veiled, L. Juan. You're welcome, ladies.

Per. (R.) Both hooded! I like 'em well, though; They come not for advice in law, sure, hither: They're very modest; 'tis a fine preludium.

Juan. With me, or with this gentleman, would you speak, lady?

Cla. With you, sir, as I guess, Juan de Castro. Per. Her curtain opens; she is a pretty gentlewoman. [Goes round to her.]

Juan. I am the man, and shall be bound to fortune, I may do any service to your beauties.

Cla. Captain, I hear you're marching down to Flanders,

To serve the Catholic King.

Juan. I am, sweet lady.

Cla. I have a kinsman, and a noble friend,

Employ'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.

Juan. I shall do it;

{Gives a letter.

I know the gentleman, a most worthy captain,
Cla. Something in private.

Juan. Step aside : I'll serve thee.

[Exeunt JUAN and CLARA, R.

Per. Pr'ythee, let me see thy face
Estif. Sir, you must pardon me ;

Women of our sort, that maintain fair memories,
And keep suspect off from their chastities,
Had need wear thicker veils.

Per. I am no blaster of a lady's beauty,
Nor bold intruder on her special favours;
I know how tender reputation is,

And with what guards it ought to be preserved,
Lady you may to me.

Estif. You must excuse me, signior; I come

Not here to sell myself.

Per. As I'm a gentleman! by the honour of a soldier!

Estif. I believe you.

I pray be civil; I believe you'd see me,

And, when you've seen me, I believe you'll like me; But in a strange place, to a stranger, too,

As if I came on purpose to betray you!

Indeed I will not.

Per, I shall love you dearly,

And 'tis a sin to fling away affection;
I have no mistress, no desire to honour

Any but you.—

I know not, you have struck me with your modesty

That you have taken from me

All the desire I might bestow on others.

Quickly, before they come !

Estif. Indeed, I dare not;

But since I see you are so desirous, sir,

To view a poor face, that can merit nothing
But your repentance-

Per. It must needs be excellent.

Estif. And with what honesty you ask it of me,
When I am gone, let your man follow me,
And view what house I enter: thither come;
For there I dare be bold to appear open :
As I like your virtuous carriage, then
I shall be able to give welcome to you.

Re-enter JUAN and CLARA, R.

She 'th done her business; I must take my leave, sir. Per. I'll kiss your fair white hand, and thank you! lady.

My man shall wait, and I shall be your servant;
Sirrah, come near, hark.

[PEREZ whispers Vasco.
Juan. You will command me no more services?
Cla. To be careful of your noble health, dear sir,
That I may ever honour you.

Juan. I thank you,

And kiss your hands. Wait on the ladies down there. Vasco. I'll do it faithfully. [Exit, L.-LADIES follow. Per. You had the honour to see the face that came to

you?

Juan. And 'twas a fair one; what was yours, Don Michael?

Per. Mine was i' th' eclipse, and had a cloud drawn over it.

But I believe well, and I hope 'tis handsome.
She had a hand would stir a holy hermit.
Juan. You know none of them?

Per. No.

Juan. Then I do, captain.

But I'll say nothing till I see the proof on't;

Sit close, Don Perez, or your worship's caught.
Per. Were those she brought love-letters?

Juan. A packet to a kinsman now in Flanders.

Yours was very modest, methought.

Per. Some young unmanaged thing;

But I may live to see.

Juan. 'Tis worth experience;

Let's walk abroad and view our companies. [Exeunt, L.

SCENE II.-A Street.

Enter ESTIFANIA, R., who walks across the Stage, and exit.

Enter VASCO, R.

Vasco. 'Tis this or that house, or I've lost my aim; They're both fair buildings,—she walk'd plaguy fast. Re-enter ESTIFANIA, L.; she courtesies, and exit, D. F. And hereabouts I lost her; stay, that's she, 'Tis very she—she makes me a low court'sy; Ma'am, your most obedient humble servant. Let me note the place, the street I well remember. [Exit, R.

SCENE III.-A Chamber in Margarita's Country House.

Enter VICTORIA and ISABEL, L.

Isab. What should it mean, that in such haste we're sent for?

Vict. Belike the Lady Margaret has some business, She'd break to us in private.

Isab. It should seem so.

"Tis a good lady, and a wise young lady.

Vict. And virtuous enough, too, that I warrant ye, For a young woman of her years; 'tis a pity

To load her tender age with too much virtue.

Vict. Morrow, my good madam.

Isab. How does the sweet young beauty, Lady Margaret?

Vict. Has she slept well after her walk last night? Isab. Are her dreams gentle to her mind?

Alt. All's well,

She's very well; she sent for you thus suddenly,

To give her counsel in a business

That much concerns her.

Viet. She does well and wisely.
Alt. She would fain marry.
Isab. 'Tis a proper calling,

B