That from a private wanton, thou proclaim'st

thyself

A baggage for all gamesters, lords or gentlemen, Strangers, or home-spun yeomen, foot-posts, pages,

Roarers, or hangmen? hey-dey! set up shop, And then cry "a market open; to't, and welcome!"

Ler. This is my husband.
Mart. Husband!

Ben. Husband natural, I have married her; and— what's your verdict on the match, signor? Mart. Husband, and married her!

Lev. Indeed, 'tis truth.

Mart. A proper joining! give ye joy, great mistress;

Your fortunes are advanced, marry are they. What jointure is assured, pray? some three thousand

A-year in oaths and vermin? fair preferment! Was ever such a tatter'd rag of man's flesh, Patch'd up for copesmate to my niece's daughter! Lev. Sir, for my mother's name, forbear this

anger;

If I have yoked myself beneath your wishes,
Yet is my choice a lawful one: and I

Will live as truly chaste unto his bosom,
As e'er my faith hath bound me.

Mart. A sweet couple!

Ben. We are so for mine own part, however

my outside appear ungay,

appear ungay, I have wrestled with

Talk'd in much fury, parted; when as soon
The lady vanish'd, after her the rest.
Aur. What follow'd?

Adur. My commission on mine error;"
In execution whereof I have proved
So punctually severe, that I renounce

All memory, not to this one fault alone,
But to my other greater, and more irksome.
Now he, whoever owns a name, that construes

This repetition the report of fear,

Of falsehood, or imposture, let him tell me,
I give myself the lie, and I will clear

The injury, and man to man;-or, if

Such justice may prove doubtful, two to two,
Or three to three, or any way reprieve
The opinion of my forfeit, without blemish.

Aur. Who can you think I am? did you expect
So great a tameness as you find, Adurni,
That you cast loud defiance? say-
Adur. I have robb'd you

Of rigour, Auria, by my strict self-penance,
For the presumption.

Aur. Sure, Italians hardly

Admit dispute in questions of this nature;
The trick is new.

Adur. I find my absolution,

By vows of change from all ignoble practice.

Aur. What follow'd?

Adur. My commission on mine error.] This drama is so carelessly printed, as almost to justify the suspicion of an error whenever the text, as in the present instance, appears singularly involved, and obscure: commission, (which is not readily explicable,) has here, perhaps, if we may judge from Adurni's two next speeches, usurped the place of contrition.

Mart. Ah, thou-but what? I know not how to call thee:

Fain would I smother grief, [but] out it must;
My heart is broke: thou hast for many a day
Been at a loss, and now art lost for ever;
Lost, lost, without recovery.

Lev. With pardon,

Let me restrain your sorrows.

Mart. 'Tis impossible;

Despair of rising up to honest fame

Turns all the courses wild, and this last action
Will roar thy infamy.-Then you are certainly
Married, forsooth, unto this new-come?

Lev. Yes,

And herein every hope is brought to life,
Which long hath lain in deadness; I have once

more

Wedded Benatzi, my divorced husband.

Mart. Benatzi! this the man?

Lev. No odd disguise

Could guard him from discovery; 'tis he,
The choice of my ambition; heaven preserve me
Thankful for such a bounty! yet he dreams not
Of this deceit; but let me die in speaking,
If I repute not my success more happy
Than any earthly blessing. Oh! sweet uncle,
Rejoice with me; I am a faithful convert,

8 Let me restrain your sorrows.] The quarto reads retain. There is something very extraordinary in the construction of this part of the plot. But see page 353.

And will redeem the stains of a foul name,
By love and true obedience.

Mart. Force of passion

Shows me a child again. Do, Levidolche,
Perform thy resolutions; those perform'd,
I have been only steward for your welfare,
You shall have all between ye.

Lev. Join with me, sir;

Our plot requires much speed; we must be earnest. I'll tell you what conditions threaten danger, Unless you intermediate; let us hasten,

For fear we come too late.

Mart. As thou intendest

A virtuous honesty, I am thy second
To any office, Levidolche witty,
My niece, my witty niece.

Lev. Let's slack no time, sir.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

An Apartment in TRELCATIO's House.

Enter TRELCATIO, MALFATO, SPINELLA, and CASTANNA.

Trel. Kinsman and ladies, have a little patience. All will be as you wish: I'll be your warrant,

Fear nothing; Auria is a noble fellow.
I leave ye; but, be sure, I am in hearing:
Take courage.

[Exit.

Mal. Courage! they who have no hearts,
Find none to lose; ours is as great as his,
Who defies danger most.-Sure, state and cere-
mony

Inhabit here. Like strangers, we shall wait
Formality of entertainment. Cousin,
Let us return; 'tis paltry.

Spin. Gentle sir,

Confine your passion; my attendance only
Commends a duty.

Cast. Now, for Heaven's sake, sister!—

He comes, your husband comes; take comfort,

sister.

Enter AURIA and AURELIO.

Aur. Malfato!

Mal. Auria!

Aur. Cousin, would mine arms,

In their embraces, might at once deliver
Affectionately what interest your merit
Holds in my estimation! I may chide
The coyness of this intercourse betwixt us,
Which a retired privacy on your part

Hath pleas'd to show: if ought of my endeavours
Can purchase kind opinion, I shall honour

The means and practice.

Mal. Tis your charity.