Bapt. And fear'd less,
(So far we were in love with noble action)
A tempest than a calm.
Alber. 'Tis true Baptista;
There, there, from mutual aids lent to each other,
And virtuous emulation to exceed
In manly daring, the true School of friendship,
We learnt those principles, which confirm'd us friends
Never to be forgot.
Baptist. Never I hope.
Alber. We were married there, for bells the roaring Canon,
Aloud proclaim'd it lawful, and a prize
Then newly ta'en, and equally divided,
Serv'd as a dowry to you, then stil'd my wife;
And did enable me to be a Husband,
Fit to encounter so much wealth, though got
With bloud and horror.
Maria. If so got, 'tis fit Sir
Now you possess it, that you should enjoy it
In peace, and quiet; I, your Son, and Daughter
That reap the harvest of your winters labour,
Though debtors for it yet have often trembled,
When, in way of discourse, you have related
How you came by it.
Alber. Trembled? how the softness
Of your sex may excuse you, I'll not argue,
But to the world, howe'er I hold thee noble
I should proclaim this boy some cowards bastard,
And not the Image of Albertus youth:
If when some wish'd occasion calls him forth,
To a brave trial, one weak artery
Of his, should show a fever, though grim death
Put on a thousand dreadful shapes to fright him;
The Elements, the Sea, and all the Winds
We number on our compass, then conspiring
To make the Scæne more ghastly; I must have thee
Sirrah, I must, If once you grapple with
An enemies ship, to board her, though you see
The desperate Gunner ready to give fire,
And blow the deck up, or like Cæsar's Soldier
Thy hands like his cut off, hang by the teeth,
And die undaunted.
Maria. I even die to hear you:
My son, my lov'd Cesario run such hazards?
Bless'd Saints forbid it: you have done enough
Already for one family, that rude way;
I'll keep him safe at home, and train him up
A compleat Courtier: may I live to see him,
By sweet discourse, and gracious demeanor,
Winn, and bring home a fair Wife, and a rich;
'Tis all I rest ambitious of.
Alber. A Wife!
As if there were a course to purchase one
Prevailing more than honourable action!
Or any Intercessors move so far,
To take a Mistriss of a noble spirit,
As the true fame of glorious victories,
Atchiev'd by sweat and bloud! Oh the brave dames
Of warlike Genoua! they had eyes to see
The inward man, and only from his worth,
Courage, and conquests: the blind Archer knew
To head his shafts, or light his quenched Torch,
They were proof against them else.
No Carpet Knight
That spent his youth in Groves, or pleasant Bowers;
Or stretching on a Couch his lazy limbs,
Sung to his Lute such soft and melting Notes,
As Ovid, nor Anacreon ever knew,
Could work on them, nor once bewitch'd their sense;
Though he came so perfum'd as he had robb'd
Sabæa, or Arabia, of their wealth;
And stor'd it in one sute:
I still remember,
And still remember it with joy, Baptista,
When from the rescue of the Genoua Fleet,
Almost surpriz'd by the Venetian Gallies,
Thou didst return, and wert receiv'd in triumph.
How lovely in thy honor'd wounds and scars
Thou didst appear! what worlds of amorous glances
The beauties of the City (where they stood,
Fix'd like so many of the fairest stars)
Shot from their windows at thee! how it fir'd
Their blouds to see the enemies captive streams
Born through the streets! nor could chaste Juliana
The Duke's fair Neece, though guarded with her greatness
Resist this gallant charge, but laying by
Desparity of fortune from the object,
Yielded her self thy prisoner.
Bap. Pray you chuse some other theme.
Mari. Can there be one more pleasing?