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.

Mich. I'll be any thing.

Re-enter Servant, with DONNA CLARA and ESTIFANIA, veiled.

Juan. You're welcome, ladies.

Mich. 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
speak, lady?

[Aside.

you

Clara. With you, sir, as I guess, Juan de Castro. Mich. Her curtain opens; she is a pretty gentlewoman. [Aside. Juan. I am the man, and shall be bound to fortune, I may do any service to your beauties.

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

To serve the Catholic king.

Juan. I am, sweet lady.

Clara. 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.

Clara. Something in private.

Juan. Step aside; I'll serve thee.

[Exeunt Juan and Clara.

Mich. Pr'ythee let me see thy face.'

Esti. 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.

Mich. 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 preserv'd.
Lady, you may to me

Esti. You must excuse me, seignior, I come
Not here to sell myself.

I

Mich. As I'm a gentleman, by the honour of a soldier.
Esti. I believe you.

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.

Mich. I shall love you dearly,

And 'tis a sin to fling away affection.

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.

Esti. 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

Mich. It must needs be excellent.

Esti. When I am going let your man follow me,
And view what house I enter. Thither come,
For there I dare be bold to appear open;
And as I like your virtuous carriage, then

Re-enter DON JUAN and CLARA.

I shall be able to give welcome to you.

She hath done her business, I must take my leave, sir. Mich. I'll kiss your fair white hand, and thank you, lady.

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

Enter VASCO.

Juan. You will command me more services? Clara. 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 shall do it faithfully.

[Exit, with Ladies.

Mich. You had the honour to see the face that came

to you?

Juan. And 'twas a fair one.

[Michael What was yours, don

Mich. 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 'em?

Mich. 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.
Mich. Were those she brought love letters?
Juan, A packet to a kinsman now in Flanders.
Yours was very modest methought.

Mich. Some young unmanag'd thing;

But I may live to see.

Juan. Tis worth experience.

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

SCENE II. A Street.

Enter ESTIFANIA, who crosses the Stage; VASCO

following.

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.

And hereabouts I lost her: stay, that's she,
"Tis very sheshe makes me a low court'sy.
Madam, your most obedient.

[Exit Estifania. Let me note the place, the street I well remember.

[Exit. SCENE III. A Chamber in MARGARITA's House.

Enter three Ladies.

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

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

3 Lady. It should seem so.

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

2 Lady. 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.

Enter ALTEA.

Altea. Good morrow, ladies.

All. 'Morrow, my good madam.

1 Lady. How does the sweet young beauty, lady Margaret?

2 Lady. Has she slept well after her walk last night? 1 Lady. Are her dreams gentle to her mind?

Altea. All's well,

She's very well; she sent for you
To give her counsel in a business
That much concerns her.

thus suddenly,

2 Lady. She does well and wisely. Altea. She would fain marry.

1 Lady. "Tis a proper calling,

And well beseems her years. Who would she yoke with? Altea. That's 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 DON JUAN and LEON.

Juan. Have you seen any service?

Leon. Yes.

Juan. Where?

Leon. Every where.

Juan. What office bore ye?

Leon. None, I was not worthy.
Juan. What captains know you?
Leon. None, they were above me.
Juan. Were you ne'er hurt?

Leon. Not that I well remember:

But once I stole a hen, and then they beat me.
Pray ask me no long questions, I've an ill memory.
Juan. This is an ass. [Aside] Did you ne'er draw your
sword yet?

Leon. Not to do any harm, I thank heav'n for't.
Juan. Nor ne'er ta'en prisoner?

Leon. No, I ran away;

For I ne'er had no money to redeem me.

Juan. Can you endure a drum?

Leon. It makes my head ache.

Juan. Are you not valiant when you're drunk?
Leon. I think not; but I am loving, sir.

Juan. What a lump is this man.

Was your father wise?

Leon. Too wise for me, I'm sure,

For he gave all he had to my younger brother.

[Aside.

Juan. That was no foolish part, I'll bear you witness. Why art thou sent to be my officer,

Ay, and commended too, when thou dar'st not fight?
Leon. There be more officers of my opinion,
Or I am cozen'd, sir; men that talk more too.
Juan. How wilt thou escape a bullet?

Leon. Why by chance.

They aim at honourable men: alas, I'm none, sir. Juan. This fellow has some doubts in his talk that strike me.

Enter ALONZO.

He cannot be all fool. [Aside] Welcome, Alonzo. Alon. What have you got there, temperance into your company?

The spirit of peace? We shall have wars by the ounce

then.

Oh, here's another pumpion;

[Cucafogo speaks without.

The cramm'd son of a starv'd usurer, Cacafogo.

Both their brains butter'd, cannot make two spoonfuls.

Enter CACAFOGO.

Caca. My father's dead: I am a man of war too, Monies, demesnes; I've ships at sea too, captains.