Enter DON JUAN DE CASTRO and MICHAEL Mich. ARE your companies full, colonel? Nor will not be this month yet, as I reckon. Mich. 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. And inexperienced. The wars are dainty dreams to young hot spirits; Mich. I've heard of him, and that he hath served before, too. Juan. But no harm done, nor ever meant, Don When heard you of Donna Margaritta, the great heiress? Mich. I hear every hour of her, though I ne'er She is the main discourse. Noble Don Juan de 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. And that comes seldom without wantonness : With a light rein to rule my wife. If e'er woman, Enter Servant. Juan. I am, sweet lady. Cla. I have a kinsman, and a noble friend, Employed in those wars; may be, sir, you know him; Don Campusano, captain of carbines, I know the gentleman, a most worthy captain. [Exeunt JUAN and CLARA. Mich. I am no blaster of a lady's beauty, Estif. You must excuse me, signior, I come Ser. Sir, there be two gentlewomen attend to Not here to sell myself. speak with you. Juan. Wait on them in. Mich. Are they two handsome women? Ser. They seem so, very handsome! but they're veiled, sir. Mich. Thou puttest sugar in my mouth. How it melts with me! I love a sweet young wench. 1 But in a strange place, to a stranger, too, Juan. Wait on them in, I say. [Exit Servant. Indeed I will not. Juan. Michael, how you burnish? Will not this soldier's heat out of your bones yet? Juan. Say honest, what shame have you, then? I've been in the Indies twice, and have seen But for two honest women:-one I read of once. Mich. I'll be any thing. Mich. I shall love you dearly, I know not, you have struck me with your mo- So deep, and taken from me All the desire, I might bestow on others— Estif. Indeed, I dare not. But since I see you're so desirous, sir, Enter Servant, DONNA CLARA and ESTIFANIA, But your repentance veiled. Juan. You're welcome, ladies. Mich. Both hooded! I like them well though: Cla. With you, sir, as I guess, Juan de Castro. 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 To serve the Catholic king. Mich. It must needs be excellent. Estif. And with what honesty you ask it of me, When I am gone, let your man follow me, Enter JUAN, CLARA, and Servant. I shall be able to give welcome to you. Mich. I'll kiss your fair white hand, and My man shall wait, and I shall be your servant. But I believe well, and I hope 'tis handsome. Juan. Then I do, captain; Mich. Were those she brought love letters? Juan. A packet to a kinsman now in Flanders. Yours was very modest, methought. Mich. Some young unmanaged thing: But I may live to see. Juan. Tis worth experience. Let us walk abroad and view our companies. [Exeunt. Alt. She would fain marry. 1 Lady. 'Tis a proper calling, And well beseems her years. Who should she yoke with? Alt. That is left to argue on. I pray, come in And break your fast; drink a good cup or two, To strengthen your understandings, then she'll tell ye. 2 Lady. And good wine breeds good counsel; we'll yield to ye. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-A street. Enter JUAN DE CASTRO and LEON. Juan. Have you scen any service? Juan. Where? Leon. Every where. Juan. What office bore ye? Leon. Not that I well remember; But once I stole a hen, and then they beat me. Pray, ask me no long questions. I have an ill Juan. Nor ne'er ta'en prisoner? Leon. No, I ran away; For I ne'er had no money to redeem me. Leon. It makes my head ache. Juan. Are you not valiant, when you're drunk? Was your father wise? Leon. Too wise for me, I'm sure; For he gave all he had to my younger brother. Juan. That was no foolish part, I'll bear you | A spirit of more fury than this fire-drake. witness. Why art thou sent to me to be my officer, Leon. There be more officers of my opinion, They aim at honourable men; alas, I am none, sir. Juan. This fellow hath some doubts in his talk, that strike me. Enter ALONZO. He cannot be all fool. Welcome, Alonzo. Alon. What have you got there, Temperance into your company? The spirit of peace? we shall have wars by the ounce, then. Enter CACAFOGO. Oh, here's another pumpion, the crammed son of a starved usurer, Cacafogo. Both their brains, buttered, cannot make two spoonfuls. Caca. My father's dead, I am a man of war, ton, Monies, demesnes; I have ships at sea, too, cap tains. Juan. Take heed of the Hollanders, your ships may leak else. Caca. I scorn the Hollanders, they are drunkards. my Alon. Put up your gold, sir, I will borrow it else. Caca. I am satisfied you shall not. Leon. I see he's hasty, and I would give him For your strict carriage, when you saw me first. Estif. You appear to be so honest and so ci- Without a blush, sir, I dare bid you welcome. Estif. 'Tis Estifania, the heir of this poor Per. Poor, do you call it? Come out, I know thee; meet mine anger in- Only for present use; I've more and richer, When need shall call, or friends compel me use Estif. You named a husband; I am not so strict, sir, Nor tied unto a virgin's solitariness, Rich, and a soldier, for so I've vowed he shall be, Per. He were base else. There's comfort ministered in the word, soldier. How sweetly should I live! Estif. I'm not so ignorant, But that I know well how to be commanded, If spent by my direction. To please my husband, I hold it as indifferent in my duty, To be his maid in the kitchen, or his cook, I am a soldier, and a bachelor, lady; ACT II. SCENE I-An Apartment in MARGARITTA'S house. Enter MARGARITTA, three ladies, and ALTEA. Mar. COME in, and give me your opinions seriously. 1 Lady. You say you have a mind to marry, lady. Mar. 'Tis true, I have, for to preserve my credit. I desire my pleasure, and pleasure I must have. 2 Lady. What husband mean ye? Alt. A husband of an easy faith, a fool, Made by her wealth, and moulded to her plea sure; One, though he sees himself become a monster, Shall hold the door, and entertain the maker. 2 Lady. You grant there may be such a man. 1 Lady. Yes, marry; but how to bring him to this rare perfection. 2 Lady. They must be chosen so, things of no honour, Nor outward honesty. Mar. No, 'tis no matter; I care not what they are, so they be comely. Alt. Yes, and a soldier; but as gentle as you'd wish him. A good fellow, and has good clothes, if he knew how to wear them. Mar. Those I'll allow him; [Exeunt. They are for my credit. Does he understand But little? Alt. Very little. Mar. 'Tis the better. Have not the wars bred him up to anger? Alt. No, he won't quarrel with a dog that bites him; Let him be drunk or sober, he's one silence. Alt. Honour's a thing too subtle for his wisdom; If honour lie in eating, he's right honourable. Mar. I'd have him so. Go, find me out this man, and let me see him. Alt. He shall attend your ladyship. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A street. Enter JUAN, ALONSO, and PERez. Juan. Why, thou'rt not married indeed? Per. No, no, pray think so. Alas! I am a fellow of no reckoning, |