Esq. Using th' authority th' Superior
Hath given unto me, I untie this knot,
And take from thee the pleasing yoak of heaven:
We take from off thy breast this holy cross
Which thou hast made thy burthen, not thy prop;
Thy spurs we spoil thee of, leaving thy heels
Bare of thy honor, that have kick'd against
Our Orders precepts: next we reave thy sword,
And give thee armless to thy enemies,
For being foe to goodness, and to Heaven,
Last, 'bout thy stiff neck, we this halter hang,
And leave thee to the mercy of thy Court.
Val. Invest Miranda.
SONG.
Fair child of virtue, honors bloom
That here with burning zeal dost come
With joy to ask the white cross cloak,
And yield unto this pleasing yoak
That being young, vows chastity,
And choosest wilful poverty;
As this flame mounts, so mount thy zeal, thy glory
Rise past the Stars, and fix in Heaven thy story.
1 Bish. Wha[t] crave you, gentle Sir?
Mir. Humble admittance
To be a brother of the holy Hospital
Of great Jerusalem.
2 Bish. Breathe out your vow.
Mir. To heaven, and all the bench of Saints above
Whose succor I implore t' enable me,
I vow henceforth a chaste life, not to enjoy
Any thing proper to my self; obedience
To my Superiors, whom Religion,
And Heaven shall give me: ever to defend
The virtuous fame of Ladies, and to oppugne
Even unto death the Christian enemy,
This do I vow to accomplish.
Esq. Who can tell,
Has he made other vow, or promis'd marriage
To any one, or is in servitude?
All. He's free from all these.