The Fatal Jealousie (1673) Part 5

_Jasp._ No, Madam, not mad at all, but can as soberly keep Councel as the best Young Gallant of 'em all; and am As able to do the feat: Please your Lady-s.h.i.+p to try me, And praise me as you find; if you dislike my work, I'le lose my labour, and have nothing for my pains.

_Eugen._ Oh, strange, unheard-of Impudence! Out, Villain.

[Ex.

_Jasp._ So scornful! Villain! Nay, if you call me so, 'tis time To be so; what a Devil ayls my face, that she contemns Me thus? May be my Nose is not long enough she thinks, Pox on her Pride, 'tis that or'e-comes her Leachery--I must Alter my Trade, for I was ne're born I see to thrive by Love; then I'le set up a shop of hatred, and the Wares I Vent shall be Revenge, that may hit; but hold, my Lord.

_Enter _Antonio_._

_Anto._ What have I got? Am I more satisfy'd By this same Paper then I was before?

No, not at all; and yet why should I not?

There's not a thought set down concerneth me-- Yet that's her policy-- She either fear'd that I should get the Paper, Or else on purpose did contrive I might; But how can I know that? This Jealousie, If it continue long, will make me mad.

_Jasp._ Well, the Devil has put him on this pin meerly To do me a kindness.

_Anto._ And yet it must continue, who can Cure it?

Ay, there's it, who can Cure it? Then I must be mad!

Nay, I'm mad already, stark mad!--

_Jasp._ My good Lord.

_Anto._ What's the matter? I fear he heard me.

[Aside.

_Jasp._ I come to take leave of your Lords.h.i.+p, I have Enemies I hear have turn'd me going.

_Anto._ Is't not deservedly, thou Goat?

_Jasp._ Yes, yes, it may be so, since they will have it so; But if I had never seen, I had ne're been turn'd Away for doing: If I were as ready to make Mischief, as I am fear'd to be; Nurse and I had not Been only the Sufferers.

_Anto._ Explain your Riddle, Sirrah.

_Jasp._ Nay, let my Tongue come out e're I say any thing to Disquiet your Lords.h.i.+p, I love you better.

_Anto._ Disquiet me! What lyes within thy power to say that Can disquiet me?

_Jasp._ Nay, nothing it may be, my Lady is my Lady, and You are a kind Lord, that's all I know; so begging Your Lords.h.i.+ps Discharge, I'm gone, and then their Fears are over.

_Anto._ Villain, thou'st given me poyson; my veins swell With it, produce the Antidote, or I'le dissect thy Soul To find it out; what is't you know that can disquiet me?

_Jasp._ I know little, my Lord, to' th' purpose, besides, it will But vex you, since there may be no harm in it.

_Anto._ Come, come, no going back, tell quickly what you know.

_Jasp._ I know, why, I know that my Lady hates me, Because I told your Lords.h.i.+p the time she was to Deliver the Jewels and Money to _Don Lewis_, and Still she calls me false in being true to you--but--

_Anto._ But what?

_Jasp._ But if I should say all I know--well, but let That alone, good, my Lord, your Discharge.

_Anto._ Vile Dog, dost raise my Anger for to play with it?

I'le vent it upon thee then.

[Draws, and cuts at him.

_Jasp._ Hold, hold, my Lord, and I'le tell all I know.

_Anto._ Let's hear it.

_Jasp._ When you lay hid about _Don Lewis_'s death, I've Often seen a Lady in the Night to meet two Men I'th' Garden, but am not sure it was your Lady.

_Anto._ What makes you name her then?

_Jasp._ Her Gown, I think it was her Gown.

_Anto._ Wa'st often, say you?

_Jasp._ Yes, every Night, except you lay at home, for I Took pains to watch, they never fail'd coming, But there was but one of them went into the House, Sir, and he neither would not stay above an hour At most: this is all.

_Anto._ All, quoth a! What Devil would have more, If 'twas my Lady.

_Jasp._ I can't say that, but yet I dare be sworn it was Her Gown, I do believe, I mean, I think it was.

_Anto._ Could you not guess the men?

_Jasp._ I think they were _Francisco_ and _Sebastian_.

_Anto._ It must be they; a plague upon their Fewds; They can Revenge themselves upon my Wife: Go, call the Nurse, this she must needs conspire in; But keep all private from her.

[Exit _Jasper_.

Is she so bucksome? Has she more Kinsmen Stallions?

I'le cleanse her Blood, or empty all her veins; Confessions calls she these! Betwixt Religion and her Leachery The Devil dances Barley-break--but hold--why May'nt the Rogue contrive this for Revenge?

For if I reflect his pretending not to tell, did but Usher in the Story. I must be cautious of a too light belief.

_Enter _Caelia_._

_Cael._ My Lord, by Accident I've lost a Paper, which troubles me.

_Anto._ A Paper, say you? I took up one i'th' Garden, and I Think this is it.

_Cael._ It is, my Lord, and I rejoyce no other Person found it.

_Anto._ Why, what is it?

_Cael._ 'Tis the Confession that I told you of.

_Anto._ I might have read it then, and ne're askt you, had I but known it.

_Cael._ If your Lords.h.i.+p pleases you may read it.

_Anto._ No, no, I will not, but prethee keep it better.