Title: Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
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Author: Mary Roberts Rinehart
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Page No 1
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Mary Roberts Rinehart
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Table of Contents
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman ..........................................................................................................................1
Mary Roberts Rinehart .............................................................................................................................1
Prologue...................................................................................................................................................1
Prologue...................................................................................................................................................2
Act 1 .........................................................................................................................................................2
Scene 1.1 ..................................................................................................................................................2
Scene 1.2 ................................................................................................................................................10
Scene 1.3 ................................................................................................................................................15
Scene 1.4 ................................................................................................................................................17
Act 2 .......................................................................................................................................................21
Scene 2.1 ................................................................................................................................................21
Scene 2.2 ................................................................................................................................................22
Scene 2.3 ................................................................................................................................................27
Scene 2.4 ................................................................................................................................................35
Scene 2.5 ................................................................................................................................................44
Scene 2.6 ................................................................................................................................................47
Act 3 .......................................................................................................................................................52
Scene 3.1 ................................................................................................................................................52
Scene 3.2 ................................................................................................................................................54
Scene 3.3 ................................................................................................................................................59
Scene 3.4 ................................................................................................................................................66
Scene 3.5 ................................................................................................................................................69
Scene 3.6 ................................................................................................................................................76
Scene 3.7 ................................................................................................................................................81
Act 4 .......................................................................................................................................................84
Scene 4.1 ................................................................................................................................................84
Scene 4.2 ................................................................................................................................................90
Scene 4.3 ..............................................................................................................................................100
Scene 4.4 ..............................................................................................................................................102
Scene 4.5 ..............................................................................................................................................115
Scene 4.6 ..............................................................................................................................................133
Scene 4.7 ..............................................................................................................................................139
Act 5 .....................................................................................................................................................142
Scene 5.1 ..............................................................................................................................................142
Scene 5.2 ..............................................................................................................................................149
Scene 5.3 ..............................................................................................................................................153
Scene 5.4 ..............................................................................................................................................168
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
i
Page No 3
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Mary Roberts Rinehart
Oxford Text Archive, Oxford University Computing Services, 13 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6NN;
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Prologue
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
by
Ben Jonson
Prologue
U
Truth sayes, of old, the art of making plaies
Was to content the people; and their praise
Was to the Poet money, wine, and bayes.
But in this age, a sect of writers are,
That, onely, for particular likings care,
And will taste nothing that is populare.
With such we mingle neither braines, nor brests;
our wishes, like to those make publique feasts,
Are not to please the cookes tastes, but the guestes.
Yet, if those cunning palates hether come,
They shall find guests entreaty, and good roome;
And though all relish not, sure, there will be some,
That, when they leaue their seates, shall make them say,
Who wrot that piece, could so have wrote a play:
But that, he knew, this was the better way.
For, to present all custard, or all tart,
And have no other meats, to beare a part.
Or to want bread, and salt, were but course art.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman 1
Page No 4
The Poet prayes you then, with better thought.
To sit; and, when his cates are all in brought,
Though there be none far set, there will dearebought
Be fit for ladies: some for lords, knights, squires,
Some for your waiting wench, and citiewires,
Some for your men, and daughters of whiteFriars.
Nor is it, onely, while you keepe your seate
Here, that his feasts will last; but you shall eate
A weeke at ordinaries, on his broken meat:
If his Muse be true,
Who commends her to you.
Prologue
U
The endes of all, who for the Scene do write,
Are, or should be, to profit, and delight.
And still it hath beene the praise of all best times,
So persons were not touch'd, to taxe the crimes.
Then, in this play, which we present tonight,
And make the obiect of your eare, and sight,
On forfeit of yourselues, thinke nothing true:
Least so you make the maker to iudge you,
For he knowes, Poet neuer credit gain'd
By writing truths, but things (like truthes) well fayn'd.
If any, yet, will (with particular slight
Of application) wrest what he doth write;
And that he meant or him, or her, will say:
They make a libell, which he made a play.
Act 1
Scene 1.1
He comes out making himselfe ready.
C
Have you got the song yet perfect I ga' you, boy?
B
Yes, sir.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Prologue 2
Page No 5
C
Let me heare it.
W
You shall, sir, but infaith let nobody else.
C
Why, I pray?
W
It will get you the dangerous name of a Poet in towne, sir, besides me a perfect deale of ill will at the mansion
you wot of, whose lady is the argument of it, where now I am the welcom'st thing vnder a man that comes
there.
C
I thinke, and aboue a man too, if the truth were rack'd out of you.
W
No faith, I will confesse before, sir. The gentlewomen play with me, and throw me on the bed; and carry me
in to my lady; and she kisses me with her oyld face; and puts a perruke on my head; and askes me if I will
weare her gowne; and I say, no: and then she hits me a blow on the eare, and calls me innocent, and lets me
go.
C
No maruell, if the dore be kept shut against your master, when the entrance is so easie to you well sir, you
shall go there no more, lest I be faine to seeke your voyce in my ladies rushes, a fortnight hence. Sing, sir.
Boy sings.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Prologue 3
Page No 6
D
Why, here is the man that can melt away his time, and neuer feeles it! what, betweene his mistris abroad, and
his engle at home, high fare, soft lodging, fine clothes, and his fiddle; he thinkes the houres have no wings, or
the day no posthorse. Well, sir Gallant, were you strooke with the plague this minute, or condemn'd to any
capitall punishment tomorrow, you would beginne then to thinke, and value euery article of your time,
esteeme it at the true rate, and giue all for it.
C
Why, what should a man do?
D
Why, nothing: or that, which when it is done, is as idle. Harken after the next horserace or huntingmatch;
lay wagers, praise Puppy, or Peppercorne, Whitefoot, Franklin; sweare upon Whitemaynes party; spend
aloud, that my lords may heare you; visite my ladies at night, and be able to giue them the character of euery
bowler, or better of the greene. These be the things, wherein your fashionable men exercise themselues, and I
for company.
C
Nay, if I have thy authoritie, I will not leaue yet. Come, the other are considerations, when we come to have
gray heads, and weake hammes, moyst eyes, and shrunke members. We will thinke on them then; then we
will pray, and fast.
D
Aye, and destine onely that time of age to goodnesse, which our want of abilitie will not let us employ in
euill?
C
Why, then it is time enough.
D
Yes; as if a man should sleepe all the terme, and thinke to effect his businesse the last day. O, CLERIMONT,
this time, because it is an incorporeall thing, and not subiect to sense, we mocke ourselues the fineliest out of
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Prologue 4
Page No 7
it, with vanitie, and miserie indeed: not seeking an end of wretchednesse, but only changing the matter still.
C
Nay, thou wilt not leaue now
D
See but our common disease! with what iustice can we complaine, that great men will not looke upon us, nor
be at leisure to giue our affaires such dispatch, as we expect, when we will neuer do it to ourselues: not heare,
nor regard ourselues.
C
Foh, thou hast read PLVTARCHS moralls, now, or some such tedious fellow; and it showes so vilely with
thee: 'Fore god, it will spoile thy wit vtterly. Talke me of pinnes, and feathers, and ladies, and rushes, and
such things: and leaue this Stoicitie alone, till thou mak'st sermons.
D
Well, sir. If it will not take, I have learn'd to loose a little of my kindnesse, as I can. I will do good to no man
against his will, certainely. When were you at the colledge?
C
What colledge?
D
As if you knew not!
C
No faith, I came but from court, yesterday.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Prologue 5
Page No 8
D
Why, is it not arriu'd there yet, the newes? A new foundation, sir, here in the towne, of ladies, that call
themselues the Collegiates, an order betweene courtiers, and countreymadames, that liue from their
husbands; and giue entertainement to all the Wits, and Braueries of the time, as they call them: cry downe, or
up, what they like, or dislike in a braine, or a fashion, with most masculine, or rather hermaphroditical
authoritie: and, euery day, gaine to their college some new probationer.
C
Who is the president?
D
The graue, and youthfull matron, the lady HAVGHTIE.
C
A poxe on her autumnall face, her peec'd beauty: there is no man can be admitted till she be ready, now
adaies, till she has painted, and perfum'd, and wash'd, and sour'd, but the boy here; and him she wipes her
oyld lippes upon, like a sponge. I have made a song, I pray thee heare it, on the subiect.
SONG.
U
Still to be neat, still to be drest,
As, you were going to a feast;
Still to be pou'dred, still perfum'd:
Lady, it is to be presum'd,
Though arts hid causes are not found,
All is not sweet, all is not sound.
Giue me a looke, giue me a face,
That makes simplicity a grace;
Robes loosely flowing, haire as free:
Such sweet neglect more taketh me,
Then all the adulteries of art.
They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.
D
And I am, clearely, on the other side: I loue a good dressing, before any beauty of the world. O, a woman is,
then, like a delicate garden; nor, is there one kind of it: she may varie, euery houre; take often counsell of her
glasse, and chuse the best. If she have good eares, show them; good haire, lay it out; good legges, weare short
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Prologue 6
Page No 9
cloathes; a good hand, discouer it often; practise any art, to mend breath, clense teeth, repaire eyebrowes,
paint, and professe it.
C
How? publiquely?
D
The doing of it, not the manner: that must be priuate. Many things, that seeme foule, in the doing, do please,
done. A lady should, indeede, study her face, when we thinke she sleepes: nor, when the dores are shut,
should men be inquiring; all is sacred within, then. Is it for us to see their perrukes put on, their false teeth,
their complexion, their eyebrowes, their nayles? you see guilders will not worke, but inclos'd. They must not
discouer, how little serues, with the helpe of art, to adorne a great deale. How long did the canuas hang before
Aldgate? were the people suffer'd, to see the Cities Loue and Charitie, while they were rude stone, before
they were painted, and burnish'd? no: No more should Seruants approach their Mistrisses, but when they are
compleat, and finish'd.
C
Well said, my TRVEWIT.
D
And a wise lady will keepe a guard alwaies upon the place, that she may do things securely. I once followed a
rude fellow into a chamber, where the poore madame, for haste, and troubled, snatch'd at her perruke, to
couer her baldnesse: and put it on, the wrong way.
C
O prodigie!
D
And the vnconscionable knaue helde her in complement an houre with that reuerst face, when I still look'd
when she should talke from the the other side.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Prologue 7
Page No 10
C
Why? thou shouldst have releiu'd her.
D
No faith, I let her alone, as we will let this argument, if you please, and passe to another. When saw you
DAVPHINE EVGENIE?
C
Not these three daies. Shall we go to him this morning? he is very melancholique, I heare.
D
Sicke of the vnckle? is he? I met that stiffe peece of formality, his vncle, yesterday, with a huge turbant of
nightcaps on his head, buckled ouer his eares.
C
O, that is his custome when he walkes abroad. He can endure no noise, man.
D
So I have heard. But is the disease so ridiculous in him as it is made? they say, he has beene upon diuers
treaties with the Fishwiues, and Orengewomen; and articles propounded betweene them: mary the
Chimneysweepers will not be drawne in.
C
No, nor the Broomemen: they stand out stiffely. He can not endure a Costardmonger, he swounes if he
heare one.
D
Methinkes, a Smith should be ominous.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Prologue 8
Page No 11
C
Or any Hammerman. A Brasier is not suffer'd to dwell in the parish, nor an Armorer. He would have hang'd
a Pewterers 'prentice once on a shrouetuesdayes riot, for being of that trade, when the rest were quit.
D
A Trumpet should fright him terribly, or the Hau'boyes.
C
Out of his senses. The Waights of the citie have a pension of him not to come nere that ward. This youth
practis'd on him, one night, like the Bellman; and neuer left till he had brought him downe to the doore, with
a longsword: and there left him flourishing with the ayre.
W
Why, sir? he hath chosen a street to lie in, so narrow at both ends, that it will receive no coaches, nor carts,
nor any of these common noyses: and therefore, we that loue him, deuise to bring him such as we may, now
and then, for his exercise, to breath him. He would growe restly else in his ease: his vertue would rust without
action. I entreated a Beareward, one day, to come downe with the dogges of some foure parishes that way,
and I thanke him he did; and cried his games vnder master MOROSES'S windore: till he was sent crying
away, with his head made a most bleeding spectacle to the multitude. And, another time, a Fencer, going to
his prize, had his drum most tragically run through, for taking that street in his way, at my request.
D
A good wag. How do's he for the bells?
C
O, in the Queenes time, he was wont to go out of towne euery satterday at ten aclocke, or on holyday eues.
But now, by reason of the sickenesse, the perpetuitie of ringing has made him deuise a roome, with double
walles, and treble seelings; the windores close shut, and calk'd: and there he liues by candlelight. He turn'd
away a man, last weeke, for hauing a paire of new shooes that creak'd. And his fellow waites on him, now, in
tenniscourt sockes, or slippers sol'd with wooll: and they talke each to other, in a trunke. See, who comes
here.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Prologue 9
Page No 12
Scene 1.2
B
How now! what ayle you sirs? dumbe?
D
Stroke into stone, almost, I am here, with talkes of thine vncle! There was neuer such a prodigie heard of,
B
I would you would once loose this subiect, my masters, for my sake. They are such as you are, that have
brought me into that predicament, I am, with him.
D
How is that?
B
Mary, that he will disinherit me, no more. He thinkes, I, and my company are authors of all the ridiculous
acts and mon'ments are told of him.
D
S'lid, I would be the author of more, to vexe him, that purpose deserues it: it giues thee law of plaguing him. I
will tell thee what I would do. I would make a false almanacke; get it printed: and then have him drawne out
on a coronation day to the tower wharfe, and kill him with the noise of the ordinance. Disinherit thee! he
can not, man. Art not thou next of blood, and his sisters sonne?
B
Aye, but he will thrust me out of it, he vowes, and marry.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.2 10
Page No 13
D
How! that is a more portent. Can he endure no noise, and will venter on a wife?
C
Yes, why thou art a stranger, it seemes, to his best tricke, yet. He has imploid a fellow this halfe yeare, all
ouer England, to hearken him out a dumbe woman; be she of any forme, or any quallitie, so she be able to
beare children: her silence is dowrie enough, he sayes.
D
But, I trust to god, he has found none.
C
No, but he has heard of one that is lodg'd in the next street to him, who is exceedingly soft spoken; thrifty of
her speech; that spends but six words a day. And her he is about now, and shall have her.
D
Is it possible! who is his agent in the businesse?
C
Mary a Barber; an honest fellow, one that tells DAVPHINE all here.
D
Why, you oppresse me with wonder! A woman, and a barber, and loue no noyse!
C
Yes faith. The fellow trimes him silently, and has not the knacke with his sheeres, or his fingers: and that
continence in a barber he thinkes so eminent a vertue, as it has made him chiefe of his councell.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.2 11
Page No 14
D
Is the barber to be seene? or the wench?
C
Yes, that they are.
D
I pray thee, DAVPHINE, let us go thether.
B
I have some businesse now: I can not infaith.
D
You shall have no businesse shall make you neglect this, sir, we will make her talke, beleeue it; or if she will
not, we can giue out, at least so much as shall interrupt the treaty: we will breake it. Thou art bound in
conscience, when he suspects thee without cause, to torment him.
B
Not I, by any meanes. I will giue no suffrage to it. He shall neuer have that plea against me, that I oppos'd the
least phant'sie of his. Let it lye upon my starres to be guilty, I will be innocent.
D
Yes, and be poore, and beg; do, innocent: when some groome of his has got him an heire, or this barber, if he
himselfe can not. Innocent. I pray thee, NED, where lies she? let him be Innocent, still.
C
Why right ouer against the barbers; in the house, where sir IOHN DAW lies.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.2 12
Page No 15
D
You do not meane to confound me!
C
Why?
D
Dos he, that would marry her, know so much?
C
I can not tell.
D
It were inough of imputation to her, with him.
C
Why?
D
The onely talking sir in the towne! IACK DAW! if he teach her not to speake, God be with you. I have some
businesse too.
C
Will you not go thether then?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.2 13
Page No 16
D
Not with the danger to meet DAW, for mine eares.
C
Why? I thought you two had beene upon very good termes.
D
Yes, of keeping distance.
C
They say he is a very good scholler.
D
Aye, and he sayes it first. A poxe on him, a fellow that pretends onely to learning, buyes titles, and nothing
else of bookes in him.
C
The world reports him to be very learned.
D
I am sory, the world should so conspire to belye him.
C
Good faith, I have heard very good things come from him.
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.2 14
Page No 17
You may. There is none so desperately ignorant to deny that. would they were his owne. god be with you,
gentleman.
C
This is very abrupt!
Scene 1.3
B
Come, you are a strange open man, to tell euerything, thus.
C
Why, beleeue it DAVPHINE, TRVEWIT is a very honest fellow.
B
I thinke no other: but this franke nature of his is not for secrets. ]|
C
Nay then, you are mistaken DAVPHINE: I know where he has beene well trusted, and discharg'd the trust
very truely, and heartily.
B
I contend not, NED, but, with the fewer a businesse is carried, it is euer the safer. Now we are alone, if you
will go thether, I am for you.
C
When were you there?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.3 15
Page No 18
B
Last night: and such a decameron of sport fallen out, BOCCACE neuer thought of the like. DAW dos nothing
but court her; and the wrong way. He would lie with her, and prayses her modestie; desires that she would
talke, and be free, and commends her silence in verses: which he reades, and sweares, are the best that euer
man made. Then railes at his fortunes, stampes, and mutines, why he is not made a counsellor, and call'd to
affaires of state.
C
I pray thee let us go. I would faine partake this. Some water, BOY.
B
We are inuited to dinner together, he and I, by one that came thether to him, sir LA FOOLE.
C
O, that is a precious mannikin.
B
Do you know him?
C
Aye, and he will know you too, if ere he saw you but once, though you should meet him at church in the
midst of prayers. He is one of the Braueries, though he be none of the Wits. He will salute a iudge upon the
bench, and bishop in the pulpit, a lawyer when he is pleading at the barre, and a lady when she is dauncing in
a masque, and put her out. He do's giue playes, and suppers, and inuites his guestes to them, aloud, out of his
windore, as they ride by in coaches. He has a lodging in the strand for the purpose: or to watch when ladies
are gone to the China houses, or the Exchange, that he may meete them by chance, and giue them persents,
some two or three hundred pounds worth of toyes, to be laught at. He is neuer without a spare banquet, or
sweetmeats in his chamber, their women to alight at, and come up to, for a bayt.
B
Excellent! He was a fine youth last night, but now he is much finer! what is his christen name? I have forgot.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.3 16
Page No 19
C
SIR AMOROVS LA FOOLE.
W
The gentleman is here that owes that name.
C
Hart, he is come, to inuite me to dinner, I hold my life.
B
Like enough: pray thee, let us have him up.
C
BOY, marshall him.
W
With a truncheon, sir?
C
Away, I beseech you. I will make him tell us his pedegree, now; and what meat he has to dinner; and, who
are his guestes; and, the whole course of his fortunes: with a breath.
Scene 1.4
G
S'aue, deare, sir DAVPHUINE, honor'd master CLERIMONT.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.4 17
Page No 20
C
Sir AMOROVS! you have very much honested my lodging, with your presence.
G
Good faith, it is a fine lodging! almost, as delicate a lodging, as mine.
C
Not so, sir.
G
Excuse me, sir, if it were in the Strand, I assure you. I am come, master CLERIMONT, to entreat you wait
upon two or three ladies, to dinner, today.
C
How, sir! wait upon them? did you euer see me carry dishes?
G
No, sir, dispence with me; I meant, to beare them company.
C
O, that I will, sir: the doubtfulnesse of your phrase, beleeue it, sir, would breed you a quarrell, once an houre,
with the terrible boyes, if you should keepe them fellowship a day.
G
It should be extreamely against my will, sir, if I contested with any man.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.4 18
Page No 21
C
I beleeue it, sir; where hold you your feast?
G
At TOM OTTERS, sir.
B
TOM OTTER? what is he?
G
Captaine OTTER, sir; he is a kind of gamster, but he has had command, both by sea, and by land.
B
O, then he is animal amphibium?
G
Aye, sir: his wife was the rich Chinawoman, that the courtiers visited so often; that gaue the rare
entertainement. She commands all at home.
C
Then, she is captaine OTTER?
G
You say very well, sir: she is my kinswoman, a LAFOOLE by the mother side, and will inuite, any great
ladies, for my sake.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.4 19
Page No 22
B
Not of the LAFOOLES of Essex?
G
No, sir, the LAFOOLES of London.
C
Now, he is in.
G
They all come out of our house, the LAFOOLES of the north, the LAFOOLES of the west, the
LAFOOLES of the east, and south we are as ancient a family, as any is in Europe but I myself am
descended lineally of the French LAFOOLES and, we do beare our coat yellow, or #Or, checker'd
Azure, and Gules, and some three or foure coulors more, which is a very noted coat, and has, sometimes,
beene solemnly worne by diuers nobility of our house but let that go, antiquity is not respected now I
had a brace of fat does sent me, gentlemen, and halfe a dosen of phesants, a dosen or two of godwits, and
some other foule, which I would have eaten, while they are good, and in good company there will be a
great lady, or two, my lady HAVGHTY, my lady CENTAVRE, mistris DOL MAVIS and they come on
purpose, to see the silent gentlewoman, mistris EPICOENE, that honest sir IOHN DAW has promis'd to
bring thether and then mistris TRVSTY, my ladies woman, will be there too, and this honorable knight,
sir DAVPHINE, with yourselfe, master CLERIMONT and we will be very merry, and have fidlers, and
daunce I have bene a mad wag, in my time, and have spent some crownes since I was a page in court, to
my lord LOFTY, and after, my ladies gentleman vsher, who got me knighted in Ireland, since it pleas'd my
elder brother to die I had a faire a gold Ierkin on that day, as any was worne in the Ilandvoyage, or at
Caliz, none disprais'd, and I came ouer in it hither, show'd myselfe to my friends, in court, and after went
downe to my tenants, in the countrey, and suruai'd my lands, let new leases, tooke their money, spent it in the
eye of the land here, upon ladies and now I can take up at my pleasure.
B
Can you take up ladies, sir?
C
O, let him breath, he has not recouer'd.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 1.4 20
Page No 23
B
Would I were your halfe, in that commodity.
C
No, sir, excuse me: I meant money, which can take up anything. I have another guest, or two, to inuite, and
say as much to, Gentlemen. I will take my leaue abruptly, in hope you will not faile Your seruant.
B
We will not faile you, sir precious LAFOOLE; but she shall, that your ladies come to see: if I have credit,
afore sir DAW.
C
Did you euer heare such a windsucker, as this?
B
Or, such a rooke, as the other! that will betray his mistris, to be seene. Come, it is time, we preuented it.
C
Go.
Act 2
Scene 2.1
A
Can not I, yet, finde out a more compendious method, then by this trunke, to saue my seruants the labour of
speech, and mine eares, the discord of sounds? Let me see: all discourses, but mine owne, afflict me, they
seeme harshe, impertinent, and irkesome. Is it not possible, that thou should'st answer me, by signes, and, I
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 2 21
Page No 24
apprehend thee, fellow? speake not, though I question you. You have taken the ring, off from the street dore,
as I bad you? answere me not, by speech, but by silence; vnlesse, it be otherwise () At the breaches, still
the fellow makes legs: or signes.
very good. And, you have fastened on a thicke quilt, or flockbed, on the outside of the dore; that if they
knocke with their daggers, or with brickbats, they can make no noise? but with your legge, your answer,
vnlesse it be otherwise, () very good. This is not, onley, fit modestie in a seruant, but good state, and
discretion in a master. And you have been with CVTBERD, the barber, to have him come to me? () good.
And, he will come presently? answere me not but with your legge, vnlesse it be otherwise: if it be otherwise,
shake your head, or shrug. () So. Your Italian, and Spaniard, are wise in these! and it is, a frugall, and
comely grauity. How long will it be, ere CVTBERD come? stay, if an houre, hold up you whole hand; if
halfe an houre, two fingers; if a quarter, one; () good: halfe a quarter? it is well. And have you giuen him a
key, to come in without knocking? () good. And, is the lock oyld, and the hinges, today? () good. And
the quilting of the staires nowhere worne out, and bare? () very good. I see, by much doctrine, and
impulsion, it may be effected: stand by. The Turke, in this diuine discipline, is admirable, exceeding all the
potentates of the earth; still waited on by mutes; and all his commands so executed; yea, euen in the warre,
(as I have heard) and in his marches, most of his chardges, and directions, giuen by signes, and with silence:
and exquisite art! and I am heartely asham'd, and angry oftentimes, that the Princes of Christendome, should
suffer a Barbarian, to transcend them in so high a point of felicity. I will practise it, hereafter. One windes a
horne without.
How now? o! o! what villaine? what prodigie of mankinde is that? looke. Againe.
O! cut his throate, cut his throat: what murderer, hellhound, diuell can this be?
W
It is a post from the court
A
Out rogue, and must thou blow thy horne, too?
W
Alasse, it is a post from the court, sir, that sayes, he must speake you, paine of death
A
Payne of thy life, be silent.
Scene 2.2
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.2 22
Page No 25
By your leaue, sir, I am a stranger here: is your name, master MOROSE? is your name, master MOROSE?
fishes! Pythagoreans all? this is strange. What say you, sir, nothing? Has HARPOCRATES beene here, with
his club, among you? well sir, I will beleeue you to be the man, at this time: I will venter upon you, sir. Your
friends at court commend them to you, sir
A
(O men! O manners! was there euer such an impudence?)
D
And are extremely sollicitous for you, sir.
A
Whose knaue are you!
D
Mine owne knaue, and your compere, sir.
A
Fetch me my sword
D
You shall taste, the one halfe of my dagger, if you do (groome) and you, the other, if you stirre, sir: be
patient, I charge you, in the kings name, and heare me without insurrection. They say, you are to marry? to
marry! do you marke, sir?
A
How then, rude companion!
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.2 23
Page No 26
D
Marry, your friends do wonder, sir, the Thames being so neere, wherein you may drowne, so handsomely; or
Londonbridge, at a low fall, with a fine leape, to hurry you downe the streame; or, such a delicate steeple, in
the towne, as Bow, to vault from; or, a brauer height, as Pauls; or, if you affected to do it nearer home, and a
shorter way, an excellent garret window, into the street; or, a beame, in the said garret, with this halter, He
shewes him a halter.
which they have sent, and desire, that you would sooner commit your graue head to this knot, then to the
wedlocke nooze; or, take a little sublimate, and go out of the world, like a rat; or, a flye (as one said) with a
straw in your arse: any way, rather, then to follow this goblin matrimony. Alasse, sir, do you euer thinke to
finde a chaste wife, in these times? now? when there are so many masques, playes, puritane parlee's,
madfolkes, and other strange sights to be seene, dayly, priuate and publique? if you had liu'd, in king
ETHELRED's time, or EDWARD the Confessor's, you might, perhaps, have found in some cold countrey
hamlet, then, a dull, frostie wench, would have beene contented with one man: now, they will as soone be
pleas'd with one leg, or one eye. I will tell you, sir, the monstrous hazards you shall runne with a wife.
A
Good sir, have I euer cosen'd, any friends of yours, of their land? bought their possessions? taken forfeit of
their morgage? beg'd a reuersion from them? bastarded their issue? what have I done, that may deserue this?
D
Nothing, sir, that I know, but your itch of marriage.
A
Why? if I had made an assassinate upon your father; vitiated your mother: rauished your sisters
D
I would kill you, sir, I would kill you, if you had.
A
Why? you do more in this, sir: it were a vengeance centuple, for all facinorous acts, that could be nam'd, to
do that you do
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.2 24
Page No 27
Alasse, sir, I am but a messenger: I but tell you, what you must heare. It seemes, your friends are carefull
after your soules health, sir, and would have you know the danger (but you may do your pleasure, for all
them, I perswade not, sir) if, after you are married, your wife do run away with a vaulter, or the Frenchman,
that walkes upon ropes, or him that daunces the jig, or a fencer, for his skill at his weapon, why it is not their
fault; they have discharged their consciences: when you know what may happen. Nay, suffer valiantly, sir,
for I must tell you, all the perills that you are obnoxious to. If she be faire, yong, and vegetous, no sweet
meats euer drew more flies; all the yellow doublets, and great roses in the towne will be there. If foule, and
crooked, she will be with them, and buy those doublets and roses, sir. If rich, and that you marry her dowry,
not her; she will raigne in your house, as imperious as a widow. If noble, all her kindred will be your
tyrannes. If fruitfull, as proud as May, and humorous as April; she must have her doctors, her midwiues, her
nurses, her longings euery houre: though it be for the dearest morsell of man. If learned, there was neuer such
a parrat; all your patrimony will be too little for the guests, that must be inuited, to heare her speake Latine
and Greeke: and you must lie with her in those languages too, if you will please her. If precise, you must feast
all the silenc'd brethren, once in three daies; salute the sisters; entertaine the whole family, or wood of them;
and heare longwinded exercises, singings, and catechisings, which you are not giuen to, and yet must giue
for: to please the zealous matron your wife, who, for the holy cause, will cosen you, ouer and aboue. You
beginne to sweat, sir? but this is not halfe, infaith: you may do your pleasure notwithstanding, as I said
before, I come not to perswade you. The Mute is stealing away.
upon my faith, master seruingman, if you do stirre, I will beat you.
A
O, what is my sinne! what is my sinne?
D
Then, if you loue your wife, or rather, dote on her, sir: o, how she will torture you! and take pleasure in your
torments! you shall lye with her but when she lists; she will not hurt her beauty, her complexion; or it must be
for the iewell, or that pearle, when she do's; euery halfe houres pleasure must be bought anew: and with the
same paine, and charge, you woo'd her at first. Then, you must keepe what seruants she please; what
company she will; that friend must not visit you without her licence; and him she loues most she will seeme
to hate eagerliest, to decline your ielousie; or, faigne to be ielous of you first; and for that cause go liue with
her shefriend, or cosen at the colledge, that can instruct her in all the mysteries, of writing letters, corrupting
seruants, taming spies; where she must have that rich goune for such a great day; a new one for the next; a
richer for the third; be seru'd in siluer; have the chamber fill'd with a succession of groomes, footmen,
vshers, and other messengers; besides embroyderers, iewellers, tyrewomen, sempsters, fethermen,
perfumers; while she feeles not how the land drops away; nor the acres melt; nor forsees the change, when
the mercer has your woods for her veluets; neuer weighes what her pride costs, sir: so she may kisse a page,
or a smoth chinne, that has the despaire of a beard; be a stateswoman, know all the newes, what was done at
Salisbury, what at the Bath, what at court, what in progresse; or, so she may censure poets, and authors, and
stiles, and compare them, DANIEL with SPENSER, IONSON with the tother youth, and so foorth; or, be
thought cunning in controuersies, or the very knots of diuinitie; and have, often in her mouth, the state of the
question: and then skip to the Mathematiques, and demonstration and answere, in religion to one; in state, to
another, in baud'ry to a third.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.2 25
Page No 28
A
O, O!
D
All this is very true, sir. And then her going in disguise to that coniurer, and this cunning woman: where the
first question is, how soone you shall die? next, if her present seruant loue her? next that, if she shall have a
new seruant? and how many? which of her family would make the best baud, male, or female? what
precedence she shall have by her next match? and sets downe the answers, and beleeues them aboue the
scriptures. Nay, perhaps she will study the art.
A
Gentle sir, have you done? have you had your pleasure of me? I will thinke of these things.
D
Yes sir: and then comes reeking home of vapor and sweat, with going afoot, and lies in, a moneth, of a new
face, all oyle, and birdlime; and rises in asses milke, and is clens'd with a new fucus: god be with you, sir.
One thing more (which I had almost forgot.) This too, with whom you are to marry, may have made a
conuayance of her virginity afore hand, as your wife widdowes do of their states, before they marry, in trust
to some friend, sir: who can tell? or if she have not done it yet, she may do, upon the wedding day, or the
night before, and antidate you cuckold. The like has beene heard of, in nature. It is no deuis'd impossible
thing, sir. God be with you: I will be bold to leaue this rope with you, sir, for a remembrance. Farewell
MVTE.
A
Come, have me to my chamber: but first shut the dore. The horne againe.
O, shut the dore, shut the dore: Is he come againe?
I
It is I, sir, your barber.
A
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.2 26
Page No 29
O CVTBERD, CVTBERD, CVTBERD! here has bin a cutthroate with me: helpe me in to my bed, and giue
me physicke with thy counsell.
Scene 2.3
F
Nay, if she will, let her refuse, at her owne charges: it is nothing to me, gentlemen. But she will not be inuited
to the like feats, or guests, euery day.
C
O, by no meanes, she may not refuse They dissuade her, priuately.
to stay at home, if you loue your reputation: 'Slight, you are inuited thither on purpose to be seene, and laught
at by the lady of the colledge, and her shadowes. This trumpeter hath proclaim'd you.
B
You shall not go; let him be laught at in your steade, for not bringing you: and put him to his extemporall
faculty of fooling, and talking loud to satisfie the company.
C
He will suspect us, talke aloud. 'Pray' mistris EPICOENE, let us see your verses; we have sir IOHN DAW's
leaue: do not conceale your seruants merit, and your owne glories.
E
They will proue my seruants glories, if you have his leaue so soone.
B
His vaine glories, lady!
F
Shew them, shew them, mistris, I dare owne them.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.3 27
Page No 30
E
Iudge you, what glories?
F
Nay, I will read them myselfe, too: an author must recite his owne workes. It is a madrigall of modestie.
Modest, and faire, for faire and good are neere Neighbours, how ere.
B
Very good.
C
Aye, Is it not?
F
No noble vertue euer was alone, But two in one.
B
Excellent!
C
That againe, I pray sir IOHN.
B
#It has something in it like rare wit, and sense.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.3 28
Page No 31
C
Peace.
F
No noble vertue euer was alone,
But two in one.
Then, when I praise sweet modestie, I praise
Bright beauties raies:
And hauing prais'd both beauty and modestee,
I have prais'd thee.
B
Admirable!
C
How it chimes, and cries tinke in the close, diuinely!
B
Aye, it is SENECA.
C
No, I thinke it is PLVTARCH.
F
The dor on PLVTARCH, and SENECA, I hate it: they are mine owne imaginations, by that light. I wonder
those fellowes have such credit with gentlemen!
C
They are very graue authors.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.3 29
Page No 32
F
Graue asses! meere Essaists! a few loose sentences, and that is all. A man would talke so, his whole age, I do
vtter as good things euery houre, if they were collected, and obseru'd, as either of them.
B
Indeede! sir IOHN?
C
He must needs, liuing among the Wits, and Braueries too.
B
Aye, and being president of them, as he is.
F
There is ARISTOTLE, a mere common placefellow; PLATO, a discourser; THVCIDIDES, and LIVIE,
tedious and drie; TACITVS, an entire knot: sometimes worth the vntying very seldome.
C
What do you think of the Poets, sir IOHN?
F
Not worthy to be nam'd for authors. HOMER, an old tedious prolixe asse, talkes of curriers, and chines of
beefe. VIRGIL, of dunging of land, and bees. HORACE, of I know not what.
C
I thinke so.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.3 30
Page No 33
F
And so PINDARVS, LYCOPHRON, ANACREON, CATVLLVS, SENECA the tragdian, LVCAN,
PROPERTIVS, TIBVLLVS, MARTIAL, IVVENAL, AVSONIVS, STATIVS, POLITIAN, VALERIVS
FLACCVS, and the rest
C
What a sacke full of their names he has got!
B
And how he poures them out! POLITIAN, and VALERIVS FLACCVS!
C
Was not the character right, of him?
B
As could be made, infaith.
F
And PERSIVS, a crabbed cockescombe, not to be endur'd.
B
Why? whom do you account for authors, sir IOHN DAW?
F
Syntagma Iuris ciuilis, Corpus Iuris ciuilis, Corpus Iuris canonici, the King of Spaines bible.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.3 31
Page No 34
B
Is the King of Spaines bible an author?
C
Yes, and Syntagma.
B
What was that Syntagma, sir?
F
A ciuill lawer, a Spaniard.
B
Sure, Corpus was a Dutchman.
C
Aye, both the Corpusses, I knew them: they were very corpulent authors.
F
And, then there is VATABLVS, POMPONATIVS, SYMANCHA, the other are not to be receiu'd, within the
thought of a scholler.
B
Fore god, you have a simple learn'd seruant, lady, in titles.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.3 32
Page No 35
C
I wonder that he is not called to the helme, and made a councellor! ]|
B
He is one extraordinary.
C
Nay, but in ordinarie! to say truth, the state wants such.
B
Why, that will follow.
C
I muse, a mistris can be so silent to the dotes of such a seruant.
F
It is her vertue, sir. I have written somewhat of her silence too.
B
In verse, sir IOHN?
C
What else?
B
Why? how can you iustifie your owne being of a Poet, that so slight all the old Poets?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.3 33
Page No 36
F
Why? euery man, that writes in verse, is not a Poet; you have of the Wits, that write verses, and yet are no
Poets: they are Poets that liue by it, the poore fellowes that liue by it.
B
Why? would not you liue by your verses, sir IOHN.
C
No, it were pittie he should. A knight liue by his verses? he did not make them to that ende, I hope.
B
And yet the noble SIDNEY liues by his, and the noble family not asham'd.
C
Aye, he profest himselfe; but sir IOHN DAW has more caution: he will not hinder his owne rising in the state
so much! do you thinke he will? Your verses, good sir IOHN, and no poems.
F
Silence in woman, is like speech in man,
Deny it who can.
B
Not I, beleeue it: your reason, sir.
F
Nor, is it a tale,
That female vice should be a vertue male,
Or masculine vice, a female vertue be:
You shall it see
Prou'd with increase,
I know to speake, and she to hold her peace.
Do you conceiue me, gentlemen?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.3 34
Page No 37
B
No faith, how meane you with increase, sir IOHN?
F
Why, with increase is, when I court her for the common cause of mankind; and she sayes nothing, but
consentire videtur: and in time is grauida.
B
Then, this is a ballad of procreation?
C
A madrigall of procreation, you mistake.
E
'Pray giue me my verses againe, seruant.
F
If you you will aske them aloud, you shall.
C
See, here is TRVEWIT againe!
Scene 2.4
C
Where hast thou beene, in the name of madnesse! thus accoutred with thy horne?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 35
Page No 38
D
Where the sound of it might have pierc'd your sense, with gladness, had you beene in earereach of it.
DAVPHINE, fall downe and worship me: I have forbid the banes, lad. I have been with thy vertuous vncle,
and have broke the match.
B
You have not, I hope.
D
Yes faith; if thou shouldst hope otherwise, I should repent me: this horne got me entrance, kisse it. I had no
other way to get in, but by faining to be a post; but when I got in once, I prou'd none, but rather the contrary,
turn'd him into a post, or a stone, or what is stiffer, with thundring into him the incommodities of a wife, and
the miseries of marriage. If euer GORGON were seene in the shape of a woman, he hath seene her in my
description. I have put him off of that sent, foreuer. Why do you not applaud, and adore me, sirs? why stand
you mute? Are you stupid? you are not worthy of the benefit.
B
Did not I tell you? mischiefe!
C
I would you had plac'd this benefit somewhere else.
D
Why so?
C
Slight, you have done the most inconsiderate, rash, weake thing, that euer man did to his friend.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 36
Page No 39
B
Friend! if the most malicious enemy I have, had studied to inflict an iniury upon me, it could not be a greater.
D
Wherein? for godssake! Gent: come to yourselues againe.
B
But I presag'd thus much afore, to you.
C
Would my lips had beene soldred, when I spak on it. Slight, what mou'd you to be thus impertinent?
D
My masters, do not put on this strange face to pay my courtesie: off with this visor. Have good turnes done
you, and thanke them this way?
B
Fore heau'n, you have vndone me. That, which I have plotted for, and beene maturing now these foure
moneths, you have blasted in a minute: now I am lost, I may speake. This gentlewoman was lodg'd here by
me on purpose, and, to be put upon my vncle, hath profest this obstinate silence for my sake, being my entire
friend; and one, that for the requitall of such a fortune, as to marry him, would have made me very ample
conditions: where now, all my hopes are vtterly miscaried by this vnlucky accident.
C
Thus it is, when a man will be ignorantly officious; do seruices, and not know his why: I wonder what
curteous itch possess'd you! you neuer did absurder part in your life, nor a greater trespasse to friendship, to
humanity.
B
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 37
Page No 40
Faith, you may forgiue it, best: it was your cause principally.
C
I know it, would it had not.
B
How not CVTBERD? what newes?
I
The best, the happiest that euer was, sir. There has beene a mad gentleman with your vncle, this morning (I
thinke this be the gentleman) that has almost talk'd him out of his wits, with threatning him from marriage
B
On, I pray thee.
I
And your vnkle, sir, he thinkes it was done by your procurement; therefore he will see the party, you wot of,
presently: and if he like her, he sayes, and that she be so inclining to dombe, as I have told him, he sweares he
will marry her, today, instantly, and not deferre it a minute longer.
B
Excellent! beyond our expectation!
D
Beyond your expectation? by this light, I knewe it would be thus.
B
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 38
Page No 41
Nay, sweet TRVEWIT, forgiue me.
D
No, I was ignorantly officious, impertinent: this was the absurd, weake part.
C
Wilt thou ascribe that to merit, now, was meere fortune?
D
Fortune? mere prouidence. Fortune had not a finger in it. I saw it must necessarily in nature fall out so: my
genius is neuer false to me in these things. Shew me, how it could be otherwise.
B
Nay, gentlemen, contend not, it is well now.
D
Alasse, I let him go on with inconsiderate, and rash, and what he pleas'd.
C
Away thou strange iustifier of thyselfe, to be wiser then thou wert, by the euent.
D
Euent! By this light, thou shalt neuer perswade me, but I foresaw it, as well as the starres themselues.
B
Nay, gentlemen, it is well now: do you two entertaine sir IOHN DAW, with discourse, while I send her away
with instructions.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 39
Page No 42
D
I will be acquainted with her, first, by your fauour.
C
Master TRVEWit, lady, a freind of ours.
D
I am sorry, I have not knowne you sooner, lady, to celebrate this rare vertue of your silence.
C
Faith, if you had come sooner, you should have seene, and heard her well celebrated in sir IOHN DAW's
madrigalls.
D
IACK DAW, god saue you, when saw you LAFOOLE?
F
Not since last night, master TRVEWIT.
D
That is miracle! I thought you two had beene inseparable.
F
He is gone to inuite his guests.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 40
Page No 43
D
Gods #so it is true! what a false memory have I towards that man! I am one: I met him e'ne now, upon that he
calls his delicate fine blacke horse, rid into a foame, with poasting from place to place, and person to person,
to giue them the cue
C
Lest they should forget?
D
Yes: there was neuer poore captaine tooke more paines at a muster to show men, then he, at this meale, to
shew friends.
F
It is his quarterfeast, sir.
C
What! do you say so, sir IOHN?
D
Nay, IACK DAW will not be out, at the best friends he has, to the talent of his wit: where is his mistris, to
heare and applaud him? is she gone!
F
Is mistris EPICOENE gone?
C
Gone afore, with sir DAVPHINE, I warrant, to the place.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 41
Page No 44
D
Gone afore! that were a manifest iniurie; a disgrace and a halfe: to refuse him at such a festiuall time, as this,
being a Brauery, and a Wit too.
C
Tut, he will swallow it like creame: he is better read in Iure ciuili, then to esteeme anything a disgrace is
offer'd him from a mistris.
F
Nay, let her eene go; she shall sit alone, and be dumbe in her chamber, a weeke together, for IOHN DAW, I
warrant her: do's she refuse me?
C
No, sir, do not take it so to heart: she do's not refuse you, but a little neglect you. Good faith, TRVEWIT,
you were to blame to put it into his head, that she do's refuse him.
D
She do's refuse him, sir, palpably: howeuer you mince it. If I were as he, I would sweare to speake ne're a
word to her, today, for it.
F
By this light, no more I will not.
D
Nor to anybody else, sir.
F
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 42
Page No 45
Nay, I will not say so, gentlemen.
C
It had beene an excellent happy condition for the company, if you could have drawne him to it.
F
I will be very melancholique, infaith.
C
As a dog, if I were as you, sir IOHN.
D
Or a snaile, or a hoglouse: I would roule myselfe up for this day, introth, they should not vnwinde me.
F
By this picktooth, so I will.
C
It is well done: he beginnes already to be angry with his teeth.
F
Will you go, gentlemen?
C
Nay, you must walke alone, if you be right melancholique, sir IOHN.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.4 43
Page No 46
D
Yes sir, we will dog you, we will follow you afarre off.
C
Was there euer such a two yards of knighthood, measur'd out by Time, to be sold to laughter?
D
A meere talking mole! hang him: no mushrome was euer so fresh. A fellow so vtterly nothing, as he knowes
not what he would be.
C
Let us follow him: but first, let us go to DAVPHINE, he is houering about the house, to heare what newes.
D
Content.
Scene 2.5
A
Welcome CVTBERD; draw neere with you faire chardge: and, in her eare, softly intreat her to vnmasque
() So. Is the dore shut? () inough. Now CVTBERD, with the same discipline I vse to my family, I will
question you. As I conceiue, CVTBERD, this gentlewoman is she, you have prouided, and brought, in hope
she will fit me in the place and person of a wife? Answer me not, but with your leg, vnlesse it be otherwise:
() very well done CVTBERD. I conceiue, besides, CVTBERD, you have beene preacquainted with her
birth, education, and quallities, or else you would not preferre her to my acceptance, in the waighty
consequence of marriage. () this I conceiue, CVTBERD. Answer me not but with your leg, vnlesse it be
otherwise. () Very well done CVTBERD. Giue aside now a little, and leaue me to examine her condition,
and aptitude to my affection. He goes about her, and viewes her.
She is exceeding faire, and of a speciall good fauour; a sweet composition, or harmony of limmes: her temper
of beauty has the true height of my blood. The knaue hath exceedingly wel fitted me without: I will now trie
her within. Come neere, faire gentlewoman: let not my behauiour seeme rude, though vnto you, being rare, it
may happely appeare strange. () She curtsies.
Nay, lady, you may speake, though CVTBERD, and my man, might not: for, of all sounds, onely, the sweet
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.5 44
Page No 47
voice of a faire lady has the iust length of mine eares. I beseech you, say lady, out of the first fire of meeting
eyes, (they say) loue is stricken: do you feele any such motion, sodenly shot into you, from any part you see
in me? ha, lady? () Curtsie.
Alasse, lady, these answers by silent curt'sies, from you, are too courtlesse, and simple. I have euer had my
breeding in court: and she that shall be my wife, must be accomplished with courtly, and audacious
ornaments. Can you speake lady? She speakes softly.
E
Iudge you, forsooth.
A
What say you, lady? speake out, I beseech you.
E
Iudge you, forsooth.
A
On my iudgement, a diuine softnes! but can you naturally lady, as I enioyne these by doctrine and industry,
referre yourself to the search of my iudgement, and (not taking pleasure in your tougue, which is a womans
chiefest pleasure) thinke it plausible, to answer me by silent gestures, so long as my speeches iumpe right,
with what you conceiue? () Curtsie.
Excellent! diuine! if it were possible she should hold out thus! Peace CVTBRD, thou art made foreuer, as
thou hast made me, if this felicitie have lasting: but I will trie her further. Deare lady, I am courtly, I tell you,
and I must have mine eares banqueted with pleasant, and wittie conferences, pretty girds, scoffes, and
daliance in her, that I meane to choose for my bedpheere. The ladies in court, thinke it a most desperate
impaire to their quickenesse of wit, and good carriage, if they can not giue occasion for a man to court them;
and, when an amorous discourse is set on foot, minister as good matter to continue it, as himselfe: and do you
alone so much differ from all them, that, what they (with so much circumstance) affect, and toile for, to
seeme learn'd, to seeme iudicious, to seeme sharpe, and conceited, you can bury in yourselfe, with silence?
and rather trust your graces to the faire conscience of vertue, then to the worlds, or your owne proclamation?
E
I should be sorry else.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.5 45
Page No 48
A
What say you ladie? good ladie, speake out.
E
I should be sorrie, else
A
That sorrow doth fill me with gladnesse! O MOROSE! thou art happie aboue mankinde! pray that thou
maiest containe thyselfe. I will onely put her to it once more, and it shall be with the vtmost touch, and test of
their sexe. But heare me, faire lady, I do also loue to see her, whom I shall choose for my heicfar, to be the
first and principall in all fashions; præcede all the dames at court, by a fortnight; have her counsell of taylors,
linneners, lacewomen, embroyderers, and sit with them sometimes twise a day, upon French intelligences;
and then come foorth, varied like Nature, or oftner then she, and better, by the helpe of Art, her æmulous
seruant. This do I affect. And how will you be able, lady, with this frugalitie of speech, to giue the manifold
(but necessarie) instructions, for that bodies, these sleeues, those skirts, this cut, that stitch, this embroyderie,
that lace, this wire, those knots, that ruffe, those roses, this girdle, that fanne, the tother skarfe, these gloues?
ha! what say you, ladie.
E
I will leaue it to you, sir.
A
How lady! pray you, rise a note.
E
I leaue it to wisdome, and you sir.
A
Admirable creature! I will trouble you no more: I will not sinne against so sweet a simplicity. Let me now be
bold to print, on those diuine lips, the seale of being mine. CVTBERD, I giue thee the lease of thy house free:
thanke me not, but with thy leg () I know what thou wouldst say, she is poore, and her friends deceased;
she has brought a wealthy dowrie in her silence, CVTBERD: and in respect of her pouerty, CVTBERD, I
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.5 46
Page No 49
shall have her more louing, and obedient, CVTBERD. Go thy waies, and get me a minister presently, with a
soft, low voice to marry us, and pray him he will not be impertinent, but briefe as he can; away: softly,
CVTBERD. Sirrah, conduct your mistris into the dining roome, your nowmistris. O my felicity! how I shall
be reueng'd on mine insolent kinsman, and his plots, to fright me from marrying! This night I will get an
heire, and thrust him out of my bloud like a stranger; he would be knighted, forsooth, and though by that
meanes to raigne ouer me, his title must do it: no kinsman, I will now make you bring me the tenth lords, and
the sixteenth ladies letter, kinsman; and it shall do you no good kinsman. Your knighthood itselfe shall come
on its knees, and it shall be reiected; it shall be sued for its fees to execution, and not be redeem'd; it shall
cheat at the tweluepeny ordinary, it knighthood, for its diet all the terme time, and tell tales for it in the
vacation, to the hostesse: or it knighthood shall do worse; take sanctuary in Coleharbor, and fast. It shall
fright all its friends, with borrowing letters; and when one of the fourescore hath brought it knighthood ten
shillings, it knighthood shall go to the Cranes, or the Beare at the Bridgefoot, and be drunk in feare: it shall
not have money to discharge one tauerne reckoning, to inuite the old creditors, to forbeare it knighthood; or
the new, that should be, to trust it knighthood. It shall be the tenth name in the bond, to take up the
commoditie of pipkins, and stone jugs; and the part thereof shall not furnish it knighthood forth, for the
attempting of a bakers widdow, a browne bakers widdow. It shall giue it knighthoods name, for a stallion, to
all gamesome citizens wiues, and be refus'd; when the master of a dancing schoole, or (How do you call him)
the worst reueller in the towne is taken: it shall want clothes, and by reason of that, wit, to foole to lawyers. it
shall not have hope to repaire itselfe by Constantinople, Ireland, or Virginia; but the best, and last fortune to it
knighthood shall be, to make DOL TEARESHEET, or KATE COMMON, a lady: and so, it knighthood may
eate.
Scene 2.6
D
Are you sure he is not gone by?
B
No, I staid in the shope euer since.
C
But, he may take the other end of the lane.
B
No, I told him I would be here at this end: I appointed him hether.
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.6 47
Page No 50
What a barbarian it is to stay then!
B
Yonder he comes.
C
And his charge left behinde him, which is a very good signe, DAVPHINE.
B
How now CVTBERD, suceedes it, or no?
I
Past imagination, sir, omnia secunda; you could not have pray'd, to have had it so wel: Saltat senex, as it is in
the prouerbe, he do's triumph in his felicity; admires the party! he has giuen me the lease of my house too!
and, I am now going for a silent minister to marry them, and away.
D
Slight, get one of the silenc'd ministers, a zealous brother would torment him purely.
I
cum priuilegio, sir.
B
O, by no meanes, let us do nothing to hinder it now when it is done and finished, I am for you: for any deuise
of vexation.
I
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.6 48
Page No 51
And that shall be, within this halfe houre, upon my dexterity, gentlemen. Contriue what you can, in the
meanetime, bonis auibus.
C
How the slaue doth latine it!
D
It would be made a iest to posterity, sirs, this daies mirth, if ye will.
C
Beshrew his heart that will not, I pronounce.
B
And, for my part. What is it?
D
To translate all LAFOOLES company, and his feast hether, today to celebrate this brideale.
B
Aye mary, but how will it be done?
D
I will vndertake the directing of all the ladieguests thether, and then the meat must follow.
C
For gods sake, let us effect it: it will be an excellent comdy of affliction, so many seuerall noyses.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.6 49
Page No 52
B
But are they not at the other place already, thinke you?
D
I will warrant you for the colledgehonors: one of their faces has not the priming color laid on yet, nor the
other her smocke sleek'd.
C
O, but they will rise earlier then ordinary, to a feast.
D
Best go see, and assure ourselues.
C
Who knowes the house?
D
I will lead you, were you neuer there yet?
B
Not I.
C
Nor I.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.6 50
Page No 53
D
Where have you liu'd then? not know TOM OTTER!
C
No: for gods sake, what is he?
D
An excellent animal, equall with your DAW, or LAFOOLE, if not transcendent; and do's latine it as much
as your barber: he is his wifes Subiect, he calls her Princesse, and at such times as these, followes her up and
downe the house like a page, with his hat off, partly for heate, partly for reuerence. At this instant, he is
marshalling of his bull, beare, and horse.
B
What be those, in the name of Sphinx?
D
Why sir? he has beene a great man at the bearegarden in his time: and from that subtle sport, has tane the
witty denomination of his chiefe carousing cups. One he calls his bull, another his beare, another his horse.
And then he has his lesser glasses, that he calls his deere, and his ape; and seuerall degrees of them too: and
neuer is well, nor thinkes any intertainment perfect, till these be brought out, and set on the cupbord.
C
For gods loue! we should misse this, if we should not go.
D
Nay, he has a thousand things as good, that will speake him all day. He will raile on his wife, with certaine
common places, behinde her backe; and to her face
B
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 2.6 51
Page No 54
No more of him. Let us go see him, I petition you.
Act 3
Scene 3.1
H
Nay, good Princesse, heare me pauca verba.
J
By that light, I will have you chain'd up, with your buldogs, and bearedogges, if you be not ciuill the
sooner. I will send you to kennell, infaith. You were best baite me with your bull, beare, and horse! Neuer a
time, that the courtiers, or collegiates come to the house, but you make it a shrouetuesday! I would have you
get your whitsontideveluetcap, and your staffe in your hand, to intertaine them: yes introth, do.
H
Not so, Princesse, neither, but vnder correction, sweete Princesse, give me leaue these things I am knowne
to the courtiers by. It is reported to them for my humor, and they receiue it so, and do expect it. TOM
OTTERS bull, beare, and horse is knowne all ouer England, in verum natura.
J
Fore me, I will nature them ouer to Parisgarden, and nature you thether too, if you pronounce them
againe. Is a beare a fit beast, or a bull, to mixe in society with great ladies? thinke in your discretion, in any
good politie.
H
The horse then, good Princesse.
J
Well, I am contented for the horse: they loue to be well hors'd, I know. I loue it myselfe.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 3 52
Page No 55
H
And it is a delicate fine horse this. Poetarum Pegasus. Vnder correction, Princesse, IVPITER did turne
himselfe into a Taurus, or Bull, vnder correction, good Princesse.
J
By my integritie, I will send you ouer to the bankeside, I will commit you to the Master of the garden, if I
heare but a syllable more. Must my house, or my roofe, be polluted with the sent of beares, and buls, when it
is perfum'd for great ladies? Is this according to the instrument, when I married you? That I would be
Princesse, and raigne in mine owne house: and you would be my subiect, and obay me? What did you bring
me, should make you thus peremptory? Do I allow you your halfecrowne a day, to spend, where you will,
among your gamsters, to vexe and torment me, at such times as these? Who giues you your maintenance, I
pray you? who allowes you your horsemeat, and mansmeat? your three sutes of apparell a yeere? your
foure paire of stockings, one silke, three worsted? your cleane linnen, your bands, and cuffes, when I can get
you to weare them? It is mar'l you have them on now. Who graces you with courtiers, or great personages, to
speake to you out of their coaches, and come home to your house? Were you euer so much as look'd upon by
a lord, or a lady, before I married you: but on the Easter, or Whitsonholydaies? and then out at the
banquettinghouse windore, when NED WHITING, or GEORGE STONE, were at the stake?
D
(For gods sake, let us go staue her off him.)
J
Answere me to that. And did not I take you up from thence, in an old greasie buffedoublet, with points; and
greene vellet sleeues, out at the elbowes? you forget this.
D
(She will worry him, if we helpe not in time.)
J
O, here are some of the gallants! Go to, behaue yourselfe distinctly, and with good moralitie: Or, I protest, I
will take away your exhibition.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 3 53
Page No 56
Scene 3.2
D
By your leaue, faire mistris OTTER, I will be bold to enter these gentlemen in your acquaintance.
J
It shall not be obnoxious, or difficill, sir.
D
How do's my noble Captaine? Is the bull, beare, and horse, in rerum natura still?
H
Sir, Sic visum superis.
J
I would you would but intimate them, do. Go your waies in, and get tosts, and butter, made for the
W.s. That is a fit prouince for you.
C
Alas, what a tyrannie, is this poore fellow married to.
D
O, but the sport will be anon, when we get him loose.
B
Dares he euer speake?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.2 54
Page No 57
D
No Anabaptist euer rail'd with the like licence: but marke her language in the meanetime, I beseech you.
J
Gentlemen, you are very aptly come. My cosin, sir AMOROVS, will be here briefly.
D
In good time lady. Was not sir IOHN DAW here, to aske for him, and the companie?
J
I can not assure you, Mr TRVEWIT. Here was a very melancholy knight in a ruffe, that demanded my
subiect for somebody, a gentleman, I thinke.
C
Aye, that was he, lady.
J
But he departed straight, I can resolue you.
B
What an excellent choice phrase, this lady expresses in!
D
O, sir! she is the onely authenticall courtier, that is not naturally bred one, in the citie.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.2 55
Page No 58
J
You have taken that report upon trust, gentlemen.
D
No, I assure you, the court gouernes it so, lady, in your behalfe.
J
I am the seruant of the court, and courtiers, sir.
D
They are rather your idolaters.
J
Not so, sir.
B
How now, CVTBERD? Any crosse?
I
O, no, sir: Omnia bene. It was neuer better on the hinges, all is sure. I have so pleas'd him with a curate, that
he is gone to it almost with the delight he hopes for soone.
B
What is he, for a vicar?
I
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.2 56
Page No 59
One that has catch'd a cold, sir, and can scarse be heard sixe inches off; as if he spoke out of a bullrush, that
were not pickt, or his throat were full of pith: a fine quick fellow, and an excellent barber of prayers. I came
to tell you, sir, that you might omnem mouere lapidem (as they say) be readie with your vexation.
B
Gramercy, honest CVTBERD, be thereabouts with thy key to let us in.
I
I will not faile you, sir: Ad manum.
D
Well, I will go watch my coaches.
C
Do; and we will send DAW to you, if you meet him not.
J
Is master TRVEWIT gone?
B
Yes, lady, there is some vnfortunate businesse fallen out.
J
So I iudg'd by the phisiognomy of the fellow, that came in; and I had a dreame last night too of a new
pageant, and my lady Maioresse, which is alwaies very ominous to me. I told it my lady HAVGHTY the
other day; when her honour came hether to see some China stuffes: and she expounded it, out of
ARTEMIDORVS, and I have found it since very true. It has done me many affronts.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.2 57
Page No 60
C
Your dreame, lady?
J
Yes, sir, anything I do but dreame of the city. It staynd me a damasque tablecloth, cost me eighteen pound at
one time; and burnt me a blacke satten gowne, as I stood by the fire, at my ladie CENTAVRES chamber in
the colledge, another time. A third time, at the Lords masque, it dropt all my wire, and my ruffe with
waxecandle, that I could not go up to the banquet. A fourth time, as I was taking coach to go to Ware, to
meet a friend, it dash'd me a new sute all ouer (a crimson sattin doublet, and blacke veluet skirts) with a
brewers horse, that I was faine to go in and shift me, and kept my chamber a leash of daies for the anguish of
it.
B
These were dire mischances, lady.
C
I would not dwell in the citie, if it were so fatall to me.
J
Yes sir, but I do take aduise of my doctor, to dreame of it as little, as I can.
B
You do well, mistris OTTER.
J
Will it please you to enter the house farther, gentlemen?
B
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.2 58
Page No 61
And your fauour, lady: but we stay to speake with a knight, sir IOHN DAW, who is here come. We shall
follow you, lady.
J
At your owne time, sir. It is my cosen sir AMOROVS his feast
B
I know it lady.
J
And mine together. But it is for his honour; and therefore I take no name of it, more then of the place.
B
You are a bounteous kinswoman.
J
Your seruant, sir.
Scene 3.3
C
Why do not you know it, sir IOHN DAW?
F
No, I am a rooke if I do.
C
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.3 59
Page No 62
I will tell you then, she is married by this time! And whereas you were put in the head, that she was gone with
sir DAVPHINE, I assure you, sir DAVPHINE has beene the noblest, honestest friend to you, that euer
gentleman of your quality could boast off. He has discouer'd the whole plot, and made your mistris so
acknowledging, and indeed, so ashamed of her iniurie to you, that she desires you to forgiue her, and but
grace her wedding with your presence today She is to be married to a very good fortune, she saies, his
vnkle, old MOROSE: and she will'd me in priuate to tell you, that she shall be able to do you more fauours,
and with more securitie now, then before.
F
Did she say so, infaith?
C
Why, what do you thinke of me, sir IOHN! aske sir DAVPHINE.
B
Nay, I beleeue you. Good sir DAVPHINE, did she desire me to forgiue her?
C
I assure you, sir IOHN, she did.
F
Nay then, I do with all my heart, and I will be iouiall.
C
Yes, for looke you sir, this was the iniury to you. LAFOOLE intended this feast to honour her bridale day,
and make you the propertie to inuite the colledge ladies, and promise to bring her: and then at the time, she
should have appear'd (as his friend) to have giuen you the dor. Whereas now, Sir DAVPHINE has brought
her to a feeling of it, with this kinde of satisfaction, that you shall bring all the ladies to the place where she
is, and be verie iouiall; and there, she will have a dinner, which shall be in your name: and so disappoint
LAFOOLE, to make you good againe, and (as it were) a sauer in the man.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.3 60
Page No 63
F
As I am a knight, I honour her, and forgiue her hartily.
C
About it then presently, TRUEWIT is gone before to confront the coaches, and to acquaint you with so
much, if he meet you. Ioyne with him, and it is well. See, here come your Antagonist, but take you no notice,
but be verie iouiall.
G
Are the ladies come, sir IOHN DAW, and your mistris? sir DAVPHINE! you are exceeding welcome, and
honest master CLERIMONT. Where is my cossen? did you see no collegiats, gentlemen?
B
Collegiats! Do you not heare, sir AMOROVS, how you are abus'd?
G
How sir!
C
Will you speake so kindly to sir IOHN DAW, that has done you such an affront?
G
Wherein, gentlemen? let me be a sutor to you to know, I beseech you!
C
Why sir, his mistris is married today, to sir DAVPHINES vncle, your cosens neighbour, and he has diuerted
all the ladies, and all your company thether, to frustrate your provision, and sticke a disgrace upon you. He
was here, now, to have intic'd us away from you too: but we told him his owne, I thinke.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.3 61
Page No 64
G
Has sir IOHN DAW wrong'd me so inhumanely?
B
He has done it, sir AMOROVS, most maliciously, and trecherously: but if you will be rul'd by us, you shall
quit him infaith.
G
Good gentlemen! I will make one, beleeue it. How I pray?
B
Mary sir, get me your phesants, and your godwits, and your best meat, and dish it in siluer dishes of your
cosens presently, and say nothing, but clap me a cleane towell about you, like a sewer; and bareheaded,
march afore it with a good confidence (it is but ouer the way, hard by) and we will second you, where you
shall set it on the boord, and bid them welcome to it, which shall show it is yours, and disgrace his
preparation vtterly: and, for your cosen, whereas she should be troubled here at home with care of making
and giuing welcome, she shall transferre all that labour thether, and be a principall guest herselfe, sit rank'd
with the colledgeHonors, and be honor'd, and have her health drunke as often, as bare, and as lowd as the
best of them.
G
I will go tell her presently. It shall be done, that is resolu'd.
C
I thought he would not heare it out, but it would take him.
B
Well, there be guests, and meat now; how shall we do for musique?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.3 62
Page No 65
C
The smell of the venison, going through the street, will inuite one noyse of fidlers, or other.
B
I would it would call the trumpeters thether.
C
Faith, there is hope, they have intelligence of all feasts. There is good correspondence betwixt them, and the
London cookes. It is twenty to one but we have them.
B
It will be a most solemne day for my vncle, and an excellent fit of mirth for us.
C
Aye, if we can hold up the æmulation betwixt FOOLE, and DAW, and neuer bring them to expostulate.
B
Tut, flatter them both (as TRVEWIT sayes) and you may take their vnderstandings in a purse net. They will
beleeue themselues to be iust such men as we make them, neither more nor lesse. They have nothing, not the
use of their senses, but by tradition. He enters like a sewer.
C
See! Sir AMOROVS has his towell on already. Have you perswaded your cossen?
G
Yes, it is very fæsible: she will do anything she sayes, rather then the LAFOOLES shall be disgrac'd.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.3 63
Page No 66
B
She is a noble kinswoman. It will be such a pest'ling deuice, sir AMOROVS! It will pound all your enemies
practises to poulder, and blow him up with his owne mine, his owne traine.
G
Nay, we will giue fire, I warrant you.
C
But you must carry it priuatly, without any noyse, and take no notice by any meanes
H
Gentlemen, my Princesse sayes, you shall have all her siluer dishes, festinate: and she is gone to alter her tyre
a little, and go with you
C
And yourselfe too, captaine OTTER.
B
By any meanes, sir.
H
Yes sir, I do meane it: but I would entreate my cosen sir AMOROVS, and you gentlemen, to be sutors to my
Princesse, that I may carry my bull, and my beare, as well as my horse.
C
That you shall do, captaine OTTER.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.3 64
Page No 67
G
My cosen will neuer consent, gentlemen.
B
She must consent, sir AMOROVS, to reason.
G
Why, she sayes they are no decorum among ladies.
H
But they are decora, and that is better, sir.
C
Aye, she must heare argument. Did not PASIPHAE, who was a queene, loue a bull? and was not CALISTO,
the mother of ARCAS, turn'd into a beare, and made a starre, mistris VRSVLA, in the heauens?
H
O God! that I could have said as much! I will have these stories painted in the bearegarden, ex ouidij
metamorphosi.
B
Where is your Princesse, Captaine? pray' be our leader.
H
That I shall, sir.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.3 65
Page No 68
C
Make haste, good sir AMOROVS.
Scene 3.4
A
Sir, there is an angel for yourselfe, and a brace of angels for your cold. Muse not at this mannage of my
bounty. It is fit we should thanke fortune, double to nature, for any benefit she conferres upon us; besides, it
is your imperfection, but my solace. The parson speakes, as hauing a cold.
W
I thanke your worship, so is it mine, now.
A
What sayes he, CVTBERD?
I
He saies, Præsto, sir, whensoeuer your worship needes him, he can be ready with the like. He got this cold
with sitting up late, and singing catches with clothworkers.
A
No more. I thanke him.
W
God keepe your worship, and giue you much ioy with your faire spouse. He coughes.
(Vmh, vmh.)
A
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.4 66
Page No 69
O, O stay CVTBERD! let him giue me fiue shillings of my money backe. As it is bounty to reward benefits,
so is it equity to mulct iniuries. I will have it. What sayes he?
I
He can not change it, sir.
A
It must be chang'd.
I
Cough againe.
A
What sayes he?
I
He will cough out the rest, sir. Againe.
W
(Vmh, vmh, vmh.)
A
Away, away with him, stop his mouth, away, I forgiue it.
E
Fye, master MOROSE, that you will vse this violence to a man of the church.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.4 67
Page No 70
A
How!
E
It do's not become your grauity, or breeding, (as you pretend in court) to have offer'd this outrage on a
waterman, or any more boystrous creature, much lesse on a man of his ciuill coat.
A
You can speake then!
E
Yes, sir.
A
Speake, out I meane.
E
I sir. Why, did you thinke you had married a statue? or a motion, onely? one of the French puppets, with the
eyes turn'd with a wire? or some innocent out of the hospitall, that would stand with her hands thus, and a
playse mouth, and looke upon you.
A
O immodestie! a manifest woman! what CVTBERD?
E
Nay, neuer quarrell with CVTBERD, sir, it is too late now. I confesse, it doth bate somewhat of the modestie
I had, when I writ simply maide: but I hope, I shall make it a stocke still competent, to the estate, and dignity
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.4 68
Page No 71
of your wife.
A
She can talke!
E
Yes indeed, sir.
A
What, sirrah. None of my knaues, there? where is this impostor, CVTBERD?
E
Speake to him, fellow, speake to him. I will have none of this coacted, vnnaturall dumbnesse in my house, in
a family where I gouerne.
A
She is my Regent already! I have married a PENTHESILEA, a SEMIRAMIS, sold my liberty to a distaffe!
Scene 3.5
D
Where is master MOROSE?
A
Is he come againe! lord have mercy upon me.
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.5 69
Page No 72
I wish you all ioy, mistris EPICOENE, with your graue and honourable match.
E
I returne you the thankes, master TRVEWIT, so friendly a wish deserues.
A
She has acquaintance, too!
D
God saue you, sir, and giue you all contentment in your faire choise, here. Before I was the bird of night to
you, the owle but now I am the messenger of peace, a doue, and bring you the glad wishes of many friends, to
the celebration of this good houre.
A
What houre, sir?
D
Your marriage houre sir. I commend your resolution, that (notwithstanding all the dangers I laid afore you, in
the voice of a nightcrow) would yet go on, and be yourselfe. It shewes you are a man constant to your own
ends, and vpright to your purposes, that would not be put off with lefthanded cries.
A
How should you arriue at the knowledge of so much!
D
Why, did you euer hope, sir, committing the secrecie of it to a barber, that lesse then the whole towne should
know it? you might as well have told it the conduit, or the bakehouse, or the infant'ry that follow the court,
and with more securitie. Could your grauitie forget so olde and noted a remnant, as lippis & tonsoribus
notum. Well sir, forgiue it yourselfe now, the fault, and be communicable with your friends. Here will be
three or foure fashionable ladies, from the colledge, to visit you presently, and their traine of minions, and
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.5 70
Page No 73
followers.
A
Barre my dores! barre my dores! where are all my eaters? my mouthes now? barre up my dores, you varlets.
E
He is a varlet, that stirres to such an office. Let them stand open. I would see him that dares mooue his eyes
toward it. Shall I have a barricado made against my friends, to be barr'd of any pleasure they can bring in to
me with honorable visitations.
A
O Amazonian impudence!
D
Nay faith, in this, sir, she speakes but reason: and methinkes is more continent then you. Would you go to bed
so presently, sir, afore noone? a man of your head, and haire, should owe more to that reueuerend ceremony,
and not mount the marriagebed, like a townebul, or a mountainegoate; but stay the due season; and
ascend it then with religion, and feare. Those delights are to be steep'd in the humor, and silence of the night;
and giue the day to other open pleasures, and jollities of feast, of musique, of reuells, of discourse: we will
have all, sir, that may make your Hymen high, and happy.
A
O, my torment, my torment!
D
Nay, if you indure the first halfe houre, sir, so tediously, and with this irksomnesse; what comfort, or hope,
can this faire gentlewoman make to herselfe hereafter, in the consideration of so many yeeres as are to come
A
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.5 71
Page No 74
Of my affliction. Good sir, depart, and let her do it alone.
D
I have done, sir.
A
That cursed barber!
D
(Yes faith, a cursed wretch indeed, sir.)
A
I have married his citterne, that is common to all men. Some plague, aboue the plague
D
(All Egypts ten plagues)
A
Reuenge me on him.
D
It is very well, sir. If you laid on a curse or two, more, I will assure you he will beare them. As, that he may
get the poxe with seeking to cure it, sir? Or, that while he is curling another mans haire, his owne may drop
off? Or, for burning some malebaudes lock, he may have his braine beat out with the curlingiron?
A
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.5 72
Page No 75
No, let the wretch liue wretched. May he get the itch, and his shop so lousie, as no man dare come at him, nor
he come at no man.
D
(Aye, and if he would swallow all his balles for pills, let not them purge him)
A
Let his warming pan be euer cold.
D
(A perpetuall frost vnderneath it, sir)
A
Let him neuer hope to see fire againe.
D
(But in hell, sir)
A
His chaires be alwaies empty, his scissors rust, and his combes mould in their cases.
D
Very dreadfull that! (And may he loose the inuention, sir, of caruing lanternes in paper)
A
Let there be no baud carted that yeare, to employ a bason of his: but let him be glad to eate his sponge, for
bread.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.5 73
Page No 76
D
And drinke lotium to it, and much good do him.
A
Or, for want of bread
D
Eat earewaxe, sir. I will helpe you. Or, draw his owne teeth, and adde them to the lutestring.
A
No, beate the old ones to poulder, and make bread of them.
D
(Yes, make meale of the millstones.)
A
May all the botches, and burnes, that he has cur'd on others, breake out upon him.
D
And he now forget the cure of them in himselfe, sir: or, if he do remember it, let him have scrap'd all his
linnen into lint for it, and have not a rag left him, to set up with.
A
Let him neuer set up againe, but have the gout in his hands foreuer. Now, no more, sir.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.5 74
Page No 77
D
O that last was too high set! you might go lesse with him infaith, and be reueng'd enough: as, that he be neuer
able to newpaint his pole
A
Good sir, no more. I forgot myselfe.
D
Or, want credit to take up with a combemaker
A
No more, sir.
D
Or, hauing broken his glasse in a former despaire, fall now into a much greater, of euer getting another
A
I beseech you, no more.
D
Or, that he neuer be trusted with trimming of any but chimneysweepers
A
Sir
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.5 75
Page No 78
Or, may he cut a colliers throat with his rasor, by chancemedlee, and yet hang for it.
A
I will forgiue him, rather then heare any more. I beseech you, sir.
Scene 3.6
F
This way, madame.
A
O, the sea breakes in upon me! another floud! an inundation! I shall be orewhelm'd with noise. It beates
already at my shores. I feele an earthquake in myselfe, for it.
F
'Giue you ioy, mistresse.
A
Has she seruants too!
F
I have brought some ladies here to see, and know you. She kisses them seuerally as he presents them.
My ladie HAVGHTY, this my lady CENTAVRE, mistress DOL MAVIS, mistresse TRVSTIE my ladie
HAVGHTIES woman. Where is your husband? let us see him: can he endure no noise? let me come to him.
A
What nomenclator is this!
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.6 76
Page No 79
D
Sir IOHN DAW, sir, your wifes seruant, this.
A
A DAW, and her seruant! O, it is decreed, it is decreed of me, if she have such seruants.
D
Nay sir, you must kisse the ladies, you must not go away, now; they come toward you, to seeke you out.
V
Infaith, master MOROSE, would you steale a marriage thus, in the midst of so many friends, and not acquaint
us? Well, I will kisse you, notwithstanding the iustice of my quarrell: you shall giue me leaue, mistresse, to
vse a becomming familiarity with your husband.
E
Your ladiship do's me an honour in it, to let me know he is so worthy your fauour: as, you have done both
him and me grace, to visit so vnprepar'd a paire to entertaine you.
A
Complement! complement!
E
But I must lay the burden of that, upon my seruant, here.
V
It shall not need, mistresse MOROSE, we will all beare, rather then one shall be opprest.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.6 77
Page No 80
A
I know it: and you will teach her the faculty, if she be to learne it.
V
Is this the silent woman? Nay, she has found her tongue since she was married, master TRVEWIT sayes. O,
master TRVEWIT! 'saue you. What kinde of creature is your bride here? she speakes, methinkes!
D
Yes madame, beleeue it, she is a gentlewoman of very absolute behauiour, and of a good race.
V
And IACK DAW told us, she could not speake.
D
So it was carried in plot, madam, to put her upon this old fellow, by sir DAVPHINE, his nephew, and one or
two more of us: but she is a woman of an excellent assurance, and an extraordinary happie wit, and tongue.
You shall see her make rare sport with DAW, ere night.
V
And he brought us to laugh at her!
D
That falls out often, madame, that he that thinkes himselfe the masterwit, is the masterfoole. I assure your
ladyship, ye can not laugh at her.
V
No, we will have her to the colledge: if she have wit, she shall be one of us! shall she not CENTAVRE? we
will make her a collegiate. Yes faith, madame, and MAVIS, if she will set up a side.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.6 78
Page No 81
D
Beleeue it madame, and mistris MAVIS, she will sustaine her part.
V
I will tell you that, when I have talk'd with her, and try'd her. Vse her very ciuilly, MAVIS. So I will,
madame.
A
Blessed minute, that they would whisper thus euer.
D
In the meanetime, madame, would but your ladyship helpe to vexe him a little: you know his disease, talke
to him about the wedding ceremonies, or call for your gloues, or
V
Let me alone. CENTAVRE, helpe me. Mr% bridegroome, where are you?
A
O, it was too miraculously good to last!
V
We see no ensignes of a wedding, here; no character of a brideale: where be our skarfes, and our gloues? I
pray you giue them us. Let us know your brides colours, and yours, at least. Alas, madame, he has prouided
none.
A
Had I knowne your ladiships painter, I would.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.6 79
Page No 82
V
He has giuen it you, CENTAVRE, infaith. But, do you heare, M% MOROSE, a iest will not absolue you in
this manner. You that have suck'd the milke of the court, and from thence have beene brought up to the very
strong meates, and wine, of it; beene a courtier from the biggen, to the nightcap: (as we may say) and you,
to offend in such a high point of ceremonie, as this! and let your nuptialls want all markes of solemnitie! How
much plate have you lost today (if you had but regarded your profit) what guifts, what friends, through your
meere rusticitie? ]|
A
Madame
V
Pardon me, sir, I must insinuate your errours to you. No gloues? no garters? no skarfes? no epithalamium? no
masque?
F
Yes, madame, I will make an epithalamium, I promis'd my mistris, I have begunne it already: will you
ladiship heare it?
V
Aye, good IACK DAW.
A
Will it please your ladiship command a chamber, and be priuate with your friend? you shall have your choice
of roomes, to retire to after: my whole house is yours. I know, it hath beene your ladiships errand, into the
city, at other times, howeuer now you have beene vnhappily diuerted upon me: but I shall be loth to breake
any honorable custome of your ladiships. And therefore, good madame
E
Come, you are a rude bridegroome, to entertayne ladies of honour in this fashion.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.6 80
Page No 83
V
He is a rude groome, indeed.
D
By that light, you deserue to be grafted, and have your hornes reach from one side of the Iland, to the other.
Do not mistake me, sir, I but speake this, to giue the ladies some heart againe, not for any malice to you.
A
Is this your Brauo, ladies?
D
As god helpe me, if you vtter such another word, I will take mistris bride in, and beginne to you, in a very sad
cup, do you see? Go to, know your friends, and such, as loue you.
Scene 3.7
C
By your leaue, ladies. Do you want any musique? I have brought you varietie of noyses. Play, sirs, all of you.
Musique of all sorts.
A
O, a plot, a plot, a plot, a plot upon me! This day, I shall be their anvile to worke on, they will grate me
asunder. It is worse then the noyse of a saw.
C
No, they are haire, rosin, and guts. I can giue you the receipt.
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.7 81
Page No 84
Peace, boyes.
C
Play, I say.
D
Peace, rascalls. You see who is your friend now, sir? Take courage, put on a martyrs resolution. Mocke
downe all their attemptings, with patience. It is but a day, and I would suffer heroically. Should an asse
exceed me in fortitude? No. You betray your infirmitie with your hanging dull eares, and make them insult:
beare up brauely, and constantly. LaFoole passes ouer sewing the meate.
Looke you here, sir, what honour is done you vnexpected, by your nephew; a wedding dinner come, and a
Knight sewer before it, for the more reputation: and fine Mrs OTTER, your neighbour, in the rump, or tayle
of it.
A
Is that Gorgon, that Medusa come? Hide me, hide me.
D
I warrant you, sir, she will not transforme you. Looke upon her with a good courage. Pray you entertayne her,
and conduct your guests in. No? Mistris bride, will you entreat in the ladies? your bridegroome is so
shamefac'd, here
E
Will it please your ladiship, madame?
V
With the benefit of your companie, mistris.
E
Seruant, pray you performe your duties.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.7 82
Page No 85
F
And glad to be commanded, mistris.
V
How like you her wit, MAVIS. Very prettily, absolutely well.
J
It is my place.
V
You shall pardon me, mistris OTTER.
J
Why I am a collegiate.
V
But not in ordinary.
J
But I am.
V
We will dispute that within.
C
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 3.7 83
Page No 86
Would this had lasted a little longer.
D
And that they had sent for the Heralds. Captayne OTTER, what newes?
H
I have brought my bull, beare, and horse, in priuate, and yonder are the trumpetters without, and the drum,
gentlemen. The Drum, and Trumpets sound.
A
O, O, O.
H
And we will have a rouse in each of them, anon, for bold Britons, infaith.
A
O, O, O.
X
Follow, follow, follow.
Act 4
Scene 4.1
D
Was there euer poore bridegroome so tormented? or man indeed?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 4 84
Page No 87
C
I have not read of the life, in the chronicles of the land.
D
Sure, he can not but go to a place of rest, after all this purgatorie.
C
He may presume it, I thinke.
D
The spitting, the coughing, the laughter, the neesing, the farting, dauncing, noise of the musique, and her
masculine, and lowd commanding, and vrging the whole family, makes him thinke he has married a furie.
C
And she carries it up brauely.
D
Aye, she takes any occasion to speake: that is the height of it.
C
And how soberly DAVPHINE labours to satisfie him, that it was none of his plot!
D
And has almost brought him to the faith, in the article. Here he comes. Where is he now? what is become of
him, DAVPHINE?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 4 85
Page No 88
B
O, hold me up a little, I shall go away in the iest else. He has got on his whole nest of nightcaps, and lock'd
himselfe up, in the top of the house, as high, as euer he can climbe from the noise. I peep'd in at a crany, and
saw him sitting ouer a crossbeame of the roofe, like him on the sadlers horse in Fleetstreet, vpright: and he
will sleepe there.
C
But where are your collegiates?
B
Withdrawne with the bride in priuate.
D
O, they are instructing her in the colledgeGrammar. If she have grace with them, she knowes all their
secrets instantly.
C
Methinks, the lady HAVGHTY lookes well today, for all my dispraise of her in the morning. I thinke, I shall
come about to thee againe, TRVEWIT.
D
Beleeue it, I told you right. Women ought to repaire the losses, time and yeeres have made in their features,
with dressings. And an intelligent woman, if she know by herselfe the least defect, will be most curious, to
hide it: and it becomes her. If she be short, let her sit much, lest when she stands, she be thought to sit. If she
have an ill foot, let her weare her gowne the longer, and her shoo the thinner. If a fat hand, and scald nailes,
let her carue the lesse, and act in gloues. If a sowre breath, let her neuer discourse fasting: and alwaies talke at
her distance. If she have black and rugged teeth, let her offer the lesse at laughter, especially if she laugh
wide, and open.
C
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 4 86
Page No 89
O, you shall have some women, when they laugh, you would thinke they bray'd, it is so rude, and
D
Aye, and others, that will stalke in their gait like an Estrich, and take huge strides. I can not endure such a
sight. I loue measure in the feet, and number in the voice: they are gentlenesses, that ofttimes draw no lesse
then the face.
B
How cam'st thou to studie these creatures so exactly? I would thou would'st make me a proficient.
D
Yes, but you must leaue to liue in your chamber then a month together upon AMADIS de Gaule, or Don
QVIXOTE, as you are wont; and come abroad where the matter is frequent, to court, to tiltings, publique
showes, and feasts, to playes, and church sometimes: thither they come to shew their new tyres too, to see,
and to be seene. In these places a man shall find whom to loue, whom to play with, whom to touch once,
whom to hold euer. The variety arrests his iudgement. A wench to please a man comes not downe dropping
from the seeling, as he lyes on his backe droning a tobacco pipe. He must go where she is.
B
Yes, and be neuer the neere.
D
Out heretique. That dissidence makes thee worthy it should be so.
C
He sayes true to you, DAVPHINE.
B
Why?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 4 87
Page No 90
D
A man should not doubt to ouercome any woman. Thinke he can vanquish them, and he shall: for though
they denie, their desire is to be tempted. PENELOPE herselfe can not hold out long, Ostend, you saw, was
taken at last. You must perseuer, and hold to your purpose. They would sollicite us, but that they are afraid.
Howsoeuer, they wish in their hearts we should sollicite them. Praise them, flatter them, you shall neuer want
eloquence, or trust: euen the chastest delight to feele themselues that way rub'd. With praises you must mixe
kisses too. If they take them, they will take more. Though they striue, they would be ouercome. ]|
C
O, but a man must beware of force.
D
It is to them an acceptable violence, and has ofttimes the place of the greatest courtesie. She that might have
beene forc'd, if you let her go free without touching, though she then seeme to thanke you, will euer hate you
after: and glad in the face, is assuredly sad at the heart.
C
But all women are not to be taken alwaies.
D
It is true. No more then all birds, or all fishes. If you appeare learned to an ignorant wench, or iocund to a sad,
or witty to a foolish, why she presently begins to mistrust herselfe. You must approch them in their owne
height, their owne line: for the contrary makes many that feare to commit themselues to noble and worthy
fellowes, run into the imbraces of a rascall. If she loue wit, giue verses, though you borrow them of a friend,
or buy them, to have good. If valour, talke of your sword, and be frequent in the mention of quarrels, though
you be staunch in fighting. If actiuitie, be seene on your barbary often, or leaping ouer stooles, for the credit
of your back. If she loue good clothes or dressing, have your learned counsell about you euery morning, your
french taylor, barber, linnener, &c. Let your poulder, your glasse, and your combe, be your dearest
acquaintance. Take more care for the ornament of your head, then the safetie: and wish the commonwealth
rather troubled, then a haire about you. That will take her. Then if she be couetous and crauing, do you
promise anything, and performe sparingly: so shall you keepe her in appetite still. Seeme as you would giue,
but be like a barren field that yeelds little, or vnlucky dice, to foolish, and hoping gamesters. Let your gifts be
slight, and daintie, rather then pretious. Let cunning be aboue cost. Giue cherries at time of yeere, or apricots;
and say they were sent you out of the countrey, though you bought them in Cheapside. Admire her tyres;
like her in all fashions; compare her in euery habit to some deitie; inuent excellent dreames to flatter her, and
riddles, or, if she be a great one, performe alwaies the second parts to her: like what she likes, praise whom
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 4 88
Page No 91
she praises, and faile not to make the houshold and seruants yours, yea the whole family, and salute them by
their names: (it is but light cost if you can purchase them so) and make her physitian your pensioner, and her
chiefe woman. Nor will it be out of your gaine to make loue to her too, so she follow, not vsher, her ladies
pleasure. All blabbing is taken away, when she comes to be a part of the crime.
B
On what courtly lap hast thou late slept, to come forth so sudden and absolute a courtling?
D
Good faith, I should rather question you, that are so harkning after these mysteries. I begin to suspect your
diligence, DAVPHINE. Speake, art thou in loue in earnest?
B
Yes by my troth am I: it were ill dissembling before thee.
D
With which of them, I pray thee?
B
With all the collegiates.
C
Out on thee. We will keepe you at home, beleeue it, in the stable, if you be such a stallion.
D
No. I like him well. Men should loue wisely, and all women; some one for the face, and let her please the
eye; another for the skin, and let her please the touch; a third for the voice, and let her please the eare; and
where the obiects mixe, let the senses so too. Thou wouldst thinke it strange, if I should make them all in loue
with thee afore night!
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 4 89
Page No 92
B
I would say thou had'st the best philtre in the world, and couldst do more then madame MEDEA, or Doctor
FOREMAN.
D
If I do not, let me play the mountebanke for my meate while I liue, and the bawd for my drinke.
B
So be it, I say.
Scene 4.2
H
O Lord, gentlemen, how my knights and I have mist you here!
C
Why, Captaine, what seruice? what seruice?
H
To see me bring up my bull, beare, and horse to fight.
F
Yes faith, the Captaine saies we shall be his dogs to baite them.
B
A good imployment.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 90
Page No 93
D
Come on, let us see a course then.
G
I am afraid my cousin will be offended if she come.
H
Be afraid of nothing. Gentlemen, I have plac'd the drum and the trumpets, and one to giue them the signe
when you are ready. Here is my bull for myselfe, and my beare for sir IOHN DAW, and my horse for sir
AMOROVS. Now set your foot to mine, and yours to his, and
G
Pray god my cousin come not.
H
Saint GEORGE, and saint ANDREW, feare no cousins. Come, sound, sound. Et rauco strepuerunt cornua
cantu.
D
Well said, Captaine, infaith: well fought at the bull.
C
Well held at the beare.
D
Low, low, Captayne.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 91
Page No 94
B
O, the horse has kickt off his dog alreadie.
G
I can not drinke it, as I am a Knight.
D
Gods #so off with his spurres, somebody.
G
It goes againe my conscience. My cousin will be angrie with it.
F
I have done mine.
D
You fought high and faire, sir IOHN.
C
At the head.
B
Like an excellent bearedog.
C
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 92
Page No 95
You take no notice of the businesse, I hope.
F
Not a word, sir, you see we are iouiall.
H
Sir AMOROVS, you must not æquiuocate. It must be pull'd downe, for all my cousin.
C
Sfoot, if you take not your drinke, they will thinke you are discontented with something: you will betray all,
if you take the least notice.
G
Not I, I will both drinke, and talke then.
H
You must pull the horse on his knees, sir AMOROVS: feare no cousins. Iacta est alea.
D
O, now he is in his vaine, and bold. The least hint giuen him of his wife now, will make him raile desperately.
C
Speake to him of her.
D
Do you, and I will fetch her to the hearing of it.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 93
Page No 96
B
Captaine heeOTTER, your sheeOTTER is comming, your wife.
H
Wife! Buz. Titiuilitium. There is no such thing in nature. I confesse, gentlemen, I have a cook, a laundresse, a
housedrudge, that serues my necessary turnes, and goes vnder that title: But he is an asse that will be so
vxorious, to tie his affections to one circle. Come, the name dulls appetite. Here, replenish againe: another
bout. Wiues are nasty sluttish animalls.
B
O, Captaine.
H
As euer the earth bare, tribus verbis. Where is master TRVEWIT? ]|
F
He is slipt aside, sir.
C
But you must drinke, and be iouiall.
F
Yes, giue it me.
G
And me, too.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 94
Page No 97
F
Let us be iouiall.
G
As iouiall as you will.
H
Agreed. Now you shall have the beare, cousin, and sir IOHN DAW the horse, and I will have the bull still.
Sound Tritons of the Thames. Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero Morose speakes from aboue: the
trumpets sounding.
A
Villaines, murderers, sonnes of the earth, and traitors, what do you there?
C
O, now the trumpets have wak'd him, we shall have his companie. ]|
H
A wife is a sciruy clogdogdo; an vnlucky thing, a very foresaid bearewhelpe, without any good fashion or
breeding: mala bestia.
B
Why did you marry one then, Captaine? His wife is brought out to heare him.
H
A poxe I married with sixe thousand pound, I. I was in loue with that. I have not kist my furie, these fortie
weekes.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 95
Page No 98
C
The more to blame you, Captaine.
D
Nay, mistris OTTER, heare him a little first.
H
She has a breath worse then my grandmothers, profecto.
J
O treacherous lyar. Kisse me, sweet master TRVEWIT, and proue him a slaundering knaue.
D
I will rather beleeue you, lady.
H
And she has a perruke, that is like a pound of hempe, made up in shoothrids.
J
O viper, mandrake!
H
A most vile face! and yet she spends me fortie pound a yeere in mercurie, and hogsbones. All her teeth were
made in the BlackeFriers: both her eyebrowes in the Strand, and her haire is Siluerstreet. Euery part of
the towne ownes a peece of her.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 96
Page No 99
J
I can not hold.
H
She takes herselfe asunder still when she goes to bed, into some twentie boxes; and about next day noone is
put together againe, like a great Germane clocke: and so comes forth and rings a tedious larum to the whole
house, and then is quiet againe for an houre, but for her quarters. Have you done me right, gentlemen? She
falls upon him and beates him.
J
No, sir, I will do you right with my quarters, with my quarters.
H
O, hold, good Princesse.
D
Sound, sound.
C
A battell, a battell.
J
You notorious stinkardly beareward, do's my breath smell?
H
Vnder correction, deare Princesse: looke to my beare, and my horse, gentlemen.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 97
Page No 100
J
Do I want teeth, and eyebrowes, thou bulldog?
D
Sound, sound still.
H
No, I protest, vnder correction
J
Aye, now you are vnder correction, you protest: but you did not protest before correction, sir. Thou IVDAS,
to offer to betray thy Princesse! I will make thee an example Morose descends with a long sword.
A
I will have no such examples in my house, lady OTTER.
J
Ah
H
Mrs MARY AMBREE, your examples are dangerous. Rogues, Hellhounds, Stentors, out of my dores, you
sonnes of noise and tumult, begot on an ill Mayday, or when the Gallyfoist is afloate to Westminster! A
trumpetter could not be conceiu'd, but then!
B
What ailes you, sir?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 98
Page No 101
A
They have rent my roofe, walls, and all my windores asunder, with their brazen throates.
D
Best follow him, DAVPHINE.
B
So I will.
C
Where is DAW, and LAFOOLE?
H
They are both run away, sir. Good gentlemen, helpe to pacify my Princesse, and speake to the great ladies for
me. Now must I go lie with the beares this fortnight, and keepe out of the way, till my peace be made, for this
scandale she has taken. Did you not see my bullhead, gentlemen?
C
Is it not on, Captayne?
D
No: but he may make a new one, by that, is on.
H
O, here it is. If you come ouer, gentlemen, and aske for TOM OTTER, we will go downe to Ratcliffe, and
have a course infaith: for all these disasters. There is bona spes left.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.2 99
Page No 102
D
Away, Captaine, get off while you are well.
C
I am glad we are rid of him.
D
You had neuer beene, vnlesse we had put his wife upon him. His humour is as tedious at last, as it was
ridiculous at first.
Scene 4.3
V
We wondred why you shreek'd so, Mrs% OTTER.
J
O god, madame, he came downe with a huge long naked weapon in both his hands, and look'd so dreadfully!
Sure, he is beside himselfe.
V
Why what made you there, mistris OTTER?
J
Alas, mistris MAVIS, I was chastising my subiect, and thought nothing of him.
F
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.3 100
Page No 103
Faith, mistris, you must do so too. Learne to chastise. Mistris OTTER corrects her husband so, he dares not
speake, but vnder correction.
G
And with his hat off to her: it would do you good to see.
V
In sadnesse it is good, and mature counsell: practise it, MOROSE. I will call you MOROSE still now, as I
call CENTAVRE, and MAVIS: we foure will be all one. And you will come to the colledge, and liue with
us? Make him giue milke, and hony. Looke how you manage him at first, you shall have him euer after. Let
him allow you your coach, and foure horses, your woman, your chambermaid, your page, your
gentlemanvsher, your french cooke, and foure groomes. And go with us, to Bed'lem, to the China houses,
and to the Exchange. It will open the gate to your fame. Here is CENTAVRE has immortaliz'd herselfe, with
taming of her wilde male. Aye, she has done the miracle of the kingdome.
E
But ladies, do you count it lawfull to have such pluralitie of seruants, and do them all graces?
V
Why not? why should women denie their fauours to men? Are they the poorer, or the worse?
F
Is the Thames the lesse for the dyers water, mistris?
G
Or a torch, for lighting many torches?
D
Well said, LAFOOLE; what a new one he has got!
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.3 101
Page No 104
V
They are emptie losses, women feare, in this kind. Besides, ladies should be mindfull of the approach of age,
and let no time want his due vse. The best of our daies passe first. We are riuers, that can not be call'd backe,
madame: she that now excludes her louers, may liue to lie a forsaken beldame, in a frozen bed. It is true,
MAVIS: and who will wait on us to coach then? or write, or tell us the newes then? Made anagrammes of our
names, and inuite us to the cockpit, and kisse our hands all the playtime, and draw their weapons for our
honors? Not one.
F
Nay, my mistris is not altogether vnintelligent of these things, here be in presence have tasted of her
fauours.
C
What a neighing hobbyhorse is this!
E
But not with intent to boast them againe, seruant. And have you those excellent receits, madame, to keepe
yourselues from bearing of children?
V
O yes, MOROSE. How should we maintayne our youth and beautie, else? Many births of a woman make her
old, as many crops make the earth barren.
Scene 4.4
A
O my cursed angell, that instructed me to this fate!
B
Why, sir?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 102
Page No 105
A
That I should be seduc'd by so foolish a deuill, as a barber will make!
B
I would I had beene worthy, sir, to have partaken your counsell, you should neuer have trusted it to such a
minister.
A
Would I could redeeme it with the losse of an eye (nephew) a hand, or any other member.
B
Mary, god forbid, sir, that you should geld yourselfe, to anger your wife.
A
So it would rid me of her! and, that I did supererogatorie penance, in a bellfry, at Westminsterhall, in the
cockpit, at the fall of a stagge; the towerwharfe (what place is there else?) Londonbridge, Parisgarden,
Belinsgate, when the noises are at their height and lowdest. Nay, I would sit out a play, that we nothing but
fights at sea, drum, trumpet, and target!
B
I hope there shall be no such need, sir. Take patience, good vncle. This is but a day, and it is well worne too
now.
A
O, it will be so foreuer, nephew, I foresee it, foreuer. Strife and tumult are the dowrie that comes with a wife.
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 103
Page No 106
I told you so, sir, and you would not beleeue me.
A
Alas, do not rub those wounds, master TRVEWIT, to bloud againe: it was my negligence. Adde not
affliction to affliction. I have perceiu'd the effect of it, too late, in madame OTTER.
E
How do you, sir?
A
Did you euer heare a more vnnecessary question? as if she did not see! Why, I do as you see, Empresse,
Empresse.
E
You are not well, sir! you looke very ill! something has distempered you.
A
O horrible, monstrous impertinencies! would not one of these have seru'd? do you thinke, sir? would not one
of these have seru'd?
D
Yes, sir, but these are but notes of female kindnesse, sir: certaine tokens that she has a voice, sir.
A
O, is it so? come, if it be no otherwise what say you?
E
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 104
Page No 107
How do you feele yourselfe, sir?
A
Againe, that!
D
Nay, looke you, sir: you would be freinds with your wife upon vnconscionable termes, her silence
E
They say you are run mad, sir.
A
Not for loue, I assure you, of you; do you see?
E
O lord, gentlemen! Lay hold on him for gods sake: what shall I do? who is his physitian (can you tel) that
knowes the state of his body best, that I might send for him? Good sir, speake. I will send for one of my
doctors else.
A
What, to poyson me, that I might die intestate, and leaue you possest of all?
E
Lord, how idly he talkes, and how his eyes sparkle! He lookes greene about the temples! Do you see what
blue spots he has?
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 105
Page No 108
Aye, it is melancholy.
E
Gentlemen, for heauens sake counsell me. Ladies! Seruant, you have read PLINY, and PARACELSVS: Ne're
a word now to comfort a poore gentlewoman? Ay me! what fortune had I to marry a distracted man?
F
I will tell you, mistris
D
How rarely she holds it up!
A
What meane you, gentlemen?
E
What will you tell me, seruant?
F
The disease in Greeke is called Mania, in Latine, Insania, Furor, vel Ecstasis melancholica, that is, Egressio,
when a man ex melancholico, euaditfanaticus.
A
Shall I have a lecture read upon me aliue?
F
But he may be but Phreneticus, yet, mistris? and Phrenetis is only delirium, or so
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 106
Page No 109
E
Aye, that is for the disease, seruant: but what is this to the cure? we are sure inough of the disease.
A
Let me go.
D
Why, we will intreat her to hold her peace, sir.
A
O no. Labour not to stop her. She is like a conduitpipe, that will gush out with more force, when she opens
againe.
V
I will tell you, MOROSE, you must talke diuinitie to him altogether, or morall philosophie.
G
Aye, and there is an excellent booke of morall philosophie, madame, of RAYNARD the foxe, and all the
beasts, call'd, DONES philosophie.
V
There is, indeed, sir AMOROVS LAFOOLE.
A
O miserie!
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 107
Page No 110
G
I have read it, my lady CENTAVRE, all ouer to my cousin, here.
J
Aye, and it is a very good booke as any is, of the Modernes.
F
Tut, he must have SENECA read to him, and PLVTARCH, and the Ancients; the Modernes are not for this
disease.
C
Why, you discommended them too, today, sir IOHN.
F
Aye, in some cases: but in these they are best, and ARISTOTLES Ethicks.
V
Say you so sir IOHN? I thinke you are deciu'd: you tooke it upon trust. Where is TRVSTY, my woman? I
will end this difference. I pr'ythee, OTTER, call her. Her father and mother were both mad, when they put her
to me.
A
I thinke so. Nay, gentlemen, I am tame. This is but an exercise, I know, a marriage ceremonie, which I must
endure.
V
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 108
Page No 111
And one of them (I know not which) was cur'd with the Sickmans salue; and the other with GREENES
groatesworth of wit.
D
A very cheape cure, madame.
V
Aye, it is very fæsible.
J
My lady call'd for you, mistris TRVSTY: you must decide a controuersie.
V
O TRVSTY, which was it you said, your father, or your mother, that was cur'd with the Sickemans salue?
My mother, madame, with the salue.
D
Then it was the Sickewomans salue.
V
And my father with the Groatesworth of wit. But there was other means vs'd: we had a Preacher that would
preach folke asleepe still; and so they were prescrib'd to go to church, by an old woman that was their
physitian, thrise a weeke
E
To sleepe?
V
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 109
Page No 112
Yes forsooth: and euery night they read themselues asleepe on those bookes.
E
Good faith, it stands with great reason. I would I knew where to procure those bookes.
A
O.
G
I can helpe you with one of them, mistris MOROSE, the groatsworth of wit.
E
But I shall disfurnish you, sir AMOROVS: can you spare it?
G
O, yes, for a weeke, or so; I will reade it myselfe to him.
E
No, I must do that, sir: that must be my office.
A
O, o!
E
Sure, he would do well inough, if he could sleepe.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 110
Page No 113
A
No, I should do well inough, if you could sleepe. Have I no friend that will make her drunke? or giue her a
little ladanum? or opium?
D
Why, sir, she talkes ten times worse in her sleepe.
A
How!
C
Do you not know that, sir? neuer ceases all night.
D
And snores like a porcpisce.
A
O, redeeme me, fate, redeeme me, fate. For how many causes may a man be diuorc'd, nephew?
B
I know not truely, sir.
D
Some Diuine must resolue you in that, sir, or canonLawyer.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 111
Page No 114
A
I will not rest, I will not thinke of any other hope or comfort, till I know.
C
Alas, poore man.
D
You will make him mad indeed, ladies, if you pursue this.
V
No, we will let him breathe, now, a quarter of an houre, or so.
C
By my faith, a large truce.
V
Is that his keeper, that is gone with him?
F
It is his nephew, madame.
G
Sir DAVPHINE EVGENIE.
V
He lookes like a very pittifull knight
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 112
Page No 115
F
As can be. This marriage, has put him out of all.
G
He has not a penny in his purse, madame
F
He is readie to crie all this day.
G
A very sharke, he set me in the nicke the other night at primero.
D
How these swabbers talke!
C
Aye, OTTERS wine has swell'd their humours aboue a springtide. ]|
V
Good MOROSE, let us go in againe. I like your couches exceeding well: we will go lie, and talke there.
E
I wait on you, madame.
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 113
Page No 116
'Slight, I will have them as silent as Signes, and their posts too, e're I have done. Do you heare, ladybride? I
pray thee now, as thou art a noble wench, continue this discourse of DAVPHINE within: but praise him
exceedingly. Magnifie him with all the height of affection thou canst. (I have some purpose in it) and but
beate off these two rookes, IACK DAW, and his fellow, with any discontentment hither, and I will honour
thee foreuer.
E
I was about it, here. It angred me to the soule, to heare them beginne to talke so malepert.
D
Pray thee performe it, and thou win'st me an idolater to thee, euerlasting.
E
Will you go in, and heare me do it?
D
No, I will stay here. Driue them out of your companie, it is all I aske: which can not been any way better
done, then by extolling DAVPHINE, whom they have so slighted.
E
I warrant you: you shall expect one of them presently.
C
What a cast of kastrils are these, to hawke after ladies, thus?
D
Aye, and strike at such an eagle as DAVPHINE.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.4 114
Page No 117
C
He will be mad, when we tell him. Here he comes.
Scene 4.5
C
O sir, you are welcome.
D
Where is thine vncle?
B
Run out of dores in his nightcaps, to talke with a Casuist about his diuorce. It workes admirably.
D
Thou would'st have said so, if thou had'st beene here! The ladies have laught at thee, most comically, since
thou wentst, DAVPHINE.
C
And askt, if thou wert thine vncles keeper?
D
And the brace of Babouns answer'd, yes; and said, thou wert a pittifull poore fellow, and did'st liue upon
posts: and had'st nothing but three sutes of apparell, and some few beneuolences that lords ga' thee to foole to
them, and swagger.
B
Let me not liue, I will beate them. I will binde them both to grand Madames bedpostes, and have them
bayted with monkeyes.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 115
Page No 118
D
Thou shalt not need, they shall be beaten to thy hand, DAVPHINE. I have an execution to serue upon them, I
warrant thee shall serue: trust my plot.
B
Aye, you have many plots! So you had one, to make all the wenches in loue with me.
D
Why, if I do not yet afore night, as neere as it is; and that they do not euery one inuite thee, and be ready to
scratch for thee: take the morgage of my wit.
C
'Fore god, I will be his witnesse; thou shalt have it, DAVPHINE: thou shalt be his foole foreuer, if thou doest
not.
D
Agreed. Perhaps it will be the better estate. Do you obserue this gallerie? or rather lobby, indeed? Here are a
couple of studies, at each end one: here will I act such a tragicomdy betweene the Guelphes, and the
Ghibellines, DAW and LAFOOLE which of them comes out first, will I seize on: (you two shall be the
chorus behind the arras, and whip out betweene the actes, and speake.) If I do not make them keepe the
peace, for this remnant of the day, if not of the yeere, I have faild once I heare DAW comming: Hide, and
do not laugh, for gods sake.
F
Which is the way into the garden trow?
D
O, IACK DAW! I am glad I have met with you. In good faith, I must have this matter go no furder betweene
you. I must have it taken up.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 116
Page No 119
F
What matter, sir? Betweene whom?
D
Come, you disguise it SIR AMOROVS and you. If you loue me, IACK, you shall make vse of your
philosophy now, for this once, and deliuer me your sword. This is not the wedding the CENTAVRES were
at, though there be a sheeone here. The bride has entreated me I will see no bloud shed at her bridall, you
saw her whisper me erewhile.
F
As I hope to finish TACITVS, I intend no murder.
D
Do you not wait for Sir AMOROVS?
F
Not I, by my knighthood.
D
And your schollership too?
F
And my schollership too.
D
Go to, then I returne you your sword, and aske you mercy; but put it not up, for you will be assaulted. I
vnderstood that you had apprehended it, and walkt here to braue him: and that you had held your life
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 117
Page No 120
contemptible, in regard of your honor.
F
No, no, no such thing I assure you. He and I parted now, as good friends as could be.
D
Trust not you to that visor. I saw him since dinner with another face: I have knowne many men in my time
vex'd with losses, with deaths, and with abuses, but so offended a wight as sir AMOROVS, did I neuer see, or
read of. For taking away his guests, sir, today, that is the cause: and he declares it behind your backe, with
such threatnings and contempts He said to DAVPHINE, you were the errandst asse
F
Aye, he may say his pleasure.
D
And sweares, you are so protested a coward, that he knowes you will neuer do him any manly or single right,
and therefore he will take his course.
F
I will giue him any satisfaction, sir but fighting.
D
Aye, sir, but who knowes what satisfaction he will take? bloud he thirsts for, and bloud he will have: and
whereabouts on you he will have it, who knowes, but himselfe?
F
I pray you, master TRVEWIT, be you a mediator.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 118
Page No 121
D
Well, sir, conceale yourselfe then in this studie, till I returne. He puts him up.
Nay, you must be content to be lock'd in: for, for mine owne reputation I would not have you seene to receiue
a publique disgrace, while I have the matter in managing. Gods #so here he comes: keepe your breath close,
that he do not heare you sigh. In good faith, sir AMOROVS, he is not this way, I pray you be mercifull, do
not murder him; he is a christian as good as you: you are arm'd as if you sought a reuenge on all his race.
Good DAVPHINE, get him away from this place. I neuer knew a mans choller so high, but he would speake
to his friends, he would heare reason. IACK DAW, IACK DAW! asleepe?
F
Is he gone, master TRVEWIT?
D
Aye, did you heare him?
F
O god, yes.
D
What a quick eare feare has?
F
But is he so arm'd, as you say?
D
Arm'd? did you euer see a fellow, set out to take possession?
F
Aye, sir.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 119
Page No 122
D
That may giue you some light, to conceiue of him: but it is nothing to the principall. Some false brother in the
house has furnish'd him strangely. Or, if it were out of the house, it was TOM OTTER.
F
Indeed, he is a Captayne, and his wife is his kinswoman.
D
He has got somebodies old twohandsword, to mow you off at the knees. And that sword hath spawn'd
such a dagger! but then he is so hung with pikes, halberds, peitronells, calliuers, and muskets, that he
lookes like a Iustice of peace's hall: a man of two thousand a yeere, is not sess'd at so many weapons, as he
has on. There was neuer fencer challeng'd at so many seuerall foiles. You would thinke he meant to murder
all Saint PVLCHRES parish. If he could but victuall himselfe for halfe a yeere, in his breeches, he is
sufficiently arm'd to ouerrunne a countrie.
F
Good lord, what meanes he, sir! I pray you, master TRVEWIT, be you a mediator.
D
Well, I will trie if he will be appeas'd with a leg or an arme, if not, you must die once.
F
I would be loth to loose my right arme, for writing madrigalls.
D
Why, if he will be satisfied with a thumb, or a little finger, all is one to me. You must thinke, I will do my
best.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 120
Page No 123
F
Good sir, do. He puts him up againe, and then came forth
C
What hast thou done?
D
He will let me do nothing, man, he do's all afore me, he offers his left arme.
C
His left wing, for a IACK DAW.
B
Take it, by all meanes.
D
How! Maime a man foreuer, for a iest? what a conscience hast thou?
B
It is no losse to him: he has no employment for his armes, but to eate spoonemeate. Beside, as good maime
his body as his reputation. ]|
D
He is a scholler, and a Wit, and yet he do's not thinke so. But he looses no reputation with us, for we all
resolu'd him an asse before. To your places againe.
C
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 121
Page No 124
I pray thee, let me be in at the other a little.
D
Looke, you will spoile all: these be euer your tricks.
C
No, but I could hit of some things that thou wilt misse, and thou wilt say are good ones.
D
I warrant you. I pray forbeare, I will leaue it off, else.
B
Come away, CLERIMONT.
D
Sir AMOROVS!
G
Master TRVEWIT.
D
Whether were you going?
G
Downe into the court, to make water.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 122
Page No 125
D
By no meanes, sir, you shall rather tempt your breeches.
G
Why, sir?
D
Enter here, if you loue your life.
G
Why! why!
D
Question till you throat be cut, do: dally till the enraged soule find you.
G
Who is that?
D
DAW it is: will you in?
G
Aye, aye, I will in: what is the matter?
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 123
Page No 126
Nay, if he had beene coole inough to tell us that, there had beene some hope to attone you, but he seemes so
implacably enrag'd.
G
'Slight, let him rage. I will hide myselfe.
D
Do, good sir. But what have you done to him within, that should prouoke him thus? you have broke some iest
upon him, afore the ladies
G
Not I, neuer in my life, broke iest upon any man. The bride was praising sir DAVPHINE, and he went away
in snuffe, and I followed him, vnlesse he took offence at me, in his drinke ere while, that I would not pledge
all the horse full.
D
By my faith, and that may be, you remember well: but he walkes the round up and downe, through euery
roome of the house, with a towell in his hand, crying, where is LAFOOLE? who saw LAFOOLE? and
when DAVPHINE, and I, demanded the cause, we can force no answere from him, but (O reuenge, how
sweet art thou! I will strangle him in this towell) which leads us to coniecture, that the maine cause of his
furie is for bringing you meate today, with a towell about you, to his discredit.
G
Like inough. Why, if he be angrie for that, I will stay here, till his anger be blowne ouer.
D
A good becomming resolution, sir. If you can put it on on the sudden.
G
Yes, I can put it on. Or, I will away into the country presently.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 124
Page No 127
D
How will you get out of the house, sir? He knowes you are in the house, and he will watch you this se'nnight
but he will have you. He will outwait a sargeant for you.
G
Why, then I will stay here.
D
You must thinke, how to victuall yourselfe in time, then.
G
Why, sweet master TRVEWIT, will you entreat my cousin OTTER, to send me a cold venison pasty, a
bottle or two of wine, and a chamberpot.
D
A stoole were better, sir, of sir AIAX his inuention.
G
Aye, that will be better indeed: and a pallat to lie on.
D
O, I would not aduise you to sleepe by any meanes.
G
Would you not, sir? why, then I will not.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 125
Page No 128
D
Yet, there is another feare
G
Is there, sir? What is it?
D
No, he can not breake open this dore with his foot, sure.
G
I will set my backe against it, sir. I have a good backe.
D
But, then if he should batter.
G
Batter! if he dare, I will have an action of batt'ry, against him.
D
Cast you the worst. He has sent for poulder alreadie, and what he will do with it, no man knowes: perhaps
blow up the corner of the house, where he suspects you are. Here he comes, in quickly. He faines, as if one
were present, to fright the other, who is run in to hide himselfe.
I protest, sir IOHN DAW, he is not this way: what will you do? before god, you shall hang no petarde here. I
will die rather. Will you not take my word? I neuer knew one but would be satisfied. Sir AMOROVS, there is
no standing out. He has made a petarde of an old brasse pot, to force your dore. Thinke upon some
satisfaction, or termes, to offer him.
G
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 126
Page No 129
Sir, I will giue him any satisfaction. I dare giue any termes.
D
You will leaue it to me, then?
G
Aye, sir. I will stand to any conditions. He calls forth Clerimont, and Dauphine.
D
How now, what thinke you, sirs? were it not a difficult thing to determine, which of these two fear'd most.
C
Yes, but this feares the brauest: the other a whiniling dastard, IACK DAW! But LAFOOLE, a braue
heroique coward! and is afraid in a great looke, and a stout accent. I like him rarely.
D
Had it not beene pitty, these two should have beene conceal'd?
C
Shall I make a motion?
D
Briefly. For I must strike while it is hot.
C
Shall I go fetch the ladies to the catastrophe?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 127
Page No 130
D
Vmh? Aye, by my troth.
B
By no mortall meanes. Let them continue in the state of ignorance, and erre still: thinke them wits, and fine
fellowes, as they have done. It were sinne to reforme them.
D
Well, I will have them fetch'd, now I thinke on it, for a priuate purpose of mine: do, CLERIMONT, fetch
them, and discourse to them all that is past, and bring them into the gallery here.
B
This is thy extreme vanitie, now: thou think'st thou wert vndone, if euery iest thou mak'st were not publish'd.
D
Thou shalt see, how vniust thou art, presently. CLERIMONT, say it was DAVPHINE'S plot. Trust me not, if
the whole drift be not for thy good. There is a carpet in the next roome, put it on, with this scarfe ouer thy
face, and a cushion on thy head, and be ready when I call AMOROVS. Away IOHN DAW.
F
What good newes, sir.
D
Faith, I have followed, and argued with him hard for you. I told him, you were a knight, and a scholler; and
that you knew fortitude did consist magis patiendo quam faciendo, magis ferendo quam feriendo.
F
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 128
Page No 131
It doth so indeed, sir.
D
And that you would suffer, I told him: so, at first he demanded, by my troth, in my conceipt, too much.
F
What was it, sir.
D
Your vpper lip, and sixe of your foreteeth.
F
It was vnreasonable.
D
Nay, I told him plainely, you could not spare them all. So after long argument ( pro & con, as you know) I
brought him downe to your two butterteeth, and them he would have.
F
O, did you so? why, he shall have them.
D
But he shall not, sir, by your leaue. The conclusion is this, sir, because you shall be very good friends
hereafter, and this neuer to be remembered, or vpbraided; besides, that he may not boast, he has done any
such thing to you in his owne person: he is to come here in disguise, giue you fiue kicks in priuate, sir, take
your sword from you, and lock you up in that studie, during pleasure. Which will be but a little while, we will
get it releas'd presently.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 129
Page No 132
F
Fiue kicks? he shall have sixe, sir, to be friends.
D
Beleeue me, you shall not ouershoot yourselfe, to send him that word by me.
F
Deliuer it, sir. He shall have it with all my heart, to be friends.
D
Friends? Nay, if he should not be so, and heartily too, upon the termes, he shall have me to enemie while I
liue. Come, sir, beare it brauely.
F
O god, sir, it is nothing.
D
True. What is sixe kicks to a man, that reads SENECA?
F
I have had a hundred, sir.
D
Sir AMOROVS. No speaking one to another, or rehearsing old matters. Dauphine comes forth, and kicks him.
F
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 130
Page No 133
One, two, three, foure, fiue. I protest, sir AMOROVS, you shall have sixe.
D
Nay, I told you should not talke. Come, giue him sixe, and he will needs. Your sword. Now returne to your
safe custody: you shall presently meet afore the ladies, and be the dearest friends one to another Giue me
the scarfe, now, thou shalt beat the other barefac'd. Stand by, sir AMOROVS. ]|
G
What is here? A sword.
D
I can not helpe it, without I should take the quarrell upon myselfe: here he has sent you his sword
G
I will receiue none of it.
D
And he wills you to fasten it against a wall, and breake your head in some few seuerall places against the
hilts.
G
I will not: tell him roundly. I can not endure to shed my owne bloud.
D
Will you not?
G
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 131
Page No 134
No. I will beat it against a faire flat wall, if that will satisfie him: If not, he shall beat it himself, for
AMOROVS.
D
Why, this is strange starting off, when a man vndertakes for you! I offered him another condition: Will you
stand to that?
G
Aye, what is it.
D
That you will be beaten, in priuate.
G
Yes. I am content, at the blunt.
D
Then you must submit yourselfe to be hoodwink'd in this skarfe, and be led to him, where he will take your
sword from you, and make you beare a blow, ouer the mouth, gules, and tweakes by the nose, sans numbre.
G
I am content. But why must I be blinded?
D
That is for your good, sir: because, if he should grow insolent upon this, and publish it hereafter to your
disgrace (which I hope he will not do) you might sweare safely and protest, he neuer beat you, to your
knowledge.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.5 132
Page No 135
G
O, I conceiue.
D
I do not doubt, but you will be perfect good friends upon it, and not dare to vtter an ill thought one of another,
in future.
G
Not I, as god helpe me, of him.
D
Nor he of you, sir. If he should Come, sir. All hid, sir IOHN. ]| Dauphine enters to tweake him.
G
O, sir IOHN, sir IOHN. O, o o o o o O
D
Good, sir IOHN, leaue tweaking, you will blow his nose off. It is sir IOHN's pleasure, you should retire into
the studie. Why, now you are friends. All bitternesse betweene you, I hope, is buried; you shall come forth by
and by, DAMON and PYTHIAS upon it: and embrace with all the ranknesse of friendship that can be. I trust,
we shall have them tamer in their language hereafter. DAVPHINE, I worship thee. Gods will the ladies have
surpris'd us!
Scene 4.6
Hauing discouered part of the past scene aboue.
V
CENTAVRE, how our iudgements were impos'd on by these adulterate knights! Nay, madame, MAVIS was
more deceiu'd then we, it was her commendation vtter'd them in the colledge. I commended but their wits,
madame, and their braueries. I neuer look'd toward their valours. Sir DAVPHINE is valiant, and a wit too, it
seemes? And a brauerie too. Was this his proiect?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.6 133
Page No 136
J
So master CLERIMONT intimates, madame.
V
Good MOROSE, when you come to the colledge, will you bring him with you? He seemes a very perfect
gentleman.
E
He is so, madame, beleeue it.
V
But when will you come, MOROSE?
E
Three or foure dayes hence, madame, when I have got me a coach, and horses.
V
No, tomorrow, good MOROSE, CENTAVRE shall send you her coach. Yes faith, do, and bring sir
DAVPHINE with you. She has promis'd that, MAVIS. He is a very worthy gentleman, in his exteriors,
madame. Aye, he showes he is iudiciall in his clothes. And yet not so superlatiuely neat as some, madame,
that have their faces set in a brake! Aye, and have euery haire in forme! That weare purer linnen then
ourselues, and professe more neatnesse, then the french hermaphrodite!
E
Aye ladies, they, what they tell one of us, have told a thousand, and are the only theeues of our fame: that
thinke to take us with that perfume, or with that lace, and laugh at us vnconscionably when they have done.
V
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.6 134
Page No 137
But, sir DAVPHINES carelesnesse becomes him. I could loue a man, for such a nose! Or such a leg! He has
an exceeding good eye, madame! And a very good lock! Good MOROSE, bring him to my chamber first.
J
Please your honors, to meet at my house, madame?
D
See, how they eye thee, man! they are taken, I warrant thee.
V
You have vnbrac'd our brace of knights, here, master TRVEWIT. ]|
D
Not I, madame, it was sir DAVPHINES ingine: who, if he have disfurnish'd your ladiship of any guard, or
seruice by it, is able to make the place good againe, in himselfe.
V
There is no suspition of that, sir. God so, MAVIS, HAVGHTY is kissing. Let us go too, and take part. But I
am glad of the fortune (beside the discouerie of two such emptie caskets) to gaine the knowledge of so rich a
mine of wertue, as sir DAVPHINE. ]| We would be all glad to stile him of our friendship, and see him at the
colledge. He can not mixe with a sweeter societie, I will prophesie, and I hope he himselfe will thinke so.
B
I should be rude to imagine otherwise, lady.
D
Did not I tell thee, DAVPHINE? Why, all their actions are gouerned by crude opinion, without reason or
cause; they know not why they do anything: but as they are inform'd, beleeue, iudge, praise, condemne, loue,
hate, and in æmulation one of another, do all these things alike. Onely, they have a naturall inclination
swayes them generally to the worst, when they are left to themselues. But, pursue it, now thou hast them.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.6 135
Page No 138
V
Shall we go in againe, MOROSE?
E
Yes, madame.
V
We will entreat sir DAVPHINES companie.
D
Stay, good madame, the interview of the two friends, PYLADES and ORESTES: I will fetch them out to
you straight.
V
Will you, master TRVEWIT?
B
Aye, but noble ladies, do not confesse in your countenance, or outward bearing to them any discouerie of the
follies, that we may see, how they will beare up againe, with what assurance, and erection.
V
We will not, sir DAVPHINE.
X
upon our honors, sir DAVPHINE.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.6 136
Page No 139
D
Sir AMOROVS, sir AMOROVS. The ladies are here.
G
Are they?
D
Yes, but slip out by and by, as their backs are turn'd, and meet sir IOHN here, as by chance, when I call you.
IACK DAW.
F
What say you, sir?
D
Whip out behind me suddenly: and no anger in your lookes to your aduersarie. Now, now.
G
Noble sir IOHN DAW! where have you beene?
F
To seeke you, sir AMOROVS.
G
Me! I honor you.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.6 137
Page No 140
F
I preuent you, sir.
C
They have forgot their rapiers!
D
O, they meet in peace, man.
B
Where is your sword, sir IOHN?
C
And yours, sir AMOROVS?
F
Mine! my boy had it forth, to mend the handle, eene now.
G
And my gold handle was broke too, and my boy had it forth.
B
Indeed, sir? How their excuses meet!
C
What a consent there is, in the handles?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.6 138
Page No 141
D
Nay, there is so in the points too, I warrant you.
J
O me! madame, he comes againe, the mad man, away.
Scene 4.7
He had found the two swords drawne within.
A
What make these naked weapons here, gentlemen?
D
O, sir! here hath like to been murder since you went! A couple of knights fallen out about the brides fauours:
we were faine to take away their weapons, your house had beene beg'd by this time else
A
For what?
C
For manslaughter, sir, as being accessary.
A
And, for her fauours?
D
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.7 139
Page No 142
Aye, sir, heretofore, not present. CLERIMONT, carry them their swords, now. They have done all the hurt
they will do.
B
Have you spoke with a lawyer, sir?
A
O, no! there is such a noyse in the court, that they have frighted me home, with more violence then I went!
such speaking; and counterspeaking, with their seuerall voyces of citations, appellations, allegations,
certificates, attachments, intergatories, references, conuictions, and afflictions indeed, among the Doctors and
Proctors! that the noise here is silence to it! a kind of calme midnight!
D
Why, sir, if you would be resolu'd indeed, I can bring you hether a very sufficient Lawyer, and a learned
Diuine, that shall inquire into euery least scruple for you.
A
Can you, master TRVEWIT?
D
Yes, and are very sober graue persons, that will dispatch it in a chamber, with a whisper, or two.
A
Good sir, shall I hope this benefit from you, and trust myselfe into your hands?
D
Alas, sir! your nephew, and I, have beene asham'd, and ofttimes mad since you went, to thinke how you are
abus'd. Go in, good sir, and lock yourselfe up till we call you, we will tell you more anon, sir.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.7 140
Page No 143
A
Do your pleasure with me, gentlemen; I beleeue in you: and that deserues no delusion
D
You shall find none, sir: but heapt, heapt plentie of vexation.
B
What wilt thou do now, WIT?
D
Recouer me hether OTTER, and the Barber, if you can, by any meanes, presently.
B
Why? to what purpose?
D
O, I will make the deepest Diuine, and grauest Lawyer, out of them two, for him
B
Thou canst not man, these are waking dreames.
D
Do not feare me. Clap but a ciuill gowne with a welt, on the one; and a canonical cloake with sleeues, on the
other: and giue them a few termes in their mouthes, if there come not forth as able a Doctor, and compleat a
Parson, for this turne, as may be wish'd, trust not my election. And, I hope, without wronging the dignitie of
either profession, since they are but persons put on, and for mirths sake, to torment him. The Barber smatters
latin, I remember.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 4.7 141
Page No 144
B
Yes, and OTTER too.
D
Well then, if I make them not wrangle out this case, to his no comfort, let me be thought a IACK DAW, or
LAFOOLE, or anything worse. Go you to your ladies, but first send for them.
B
I will.
Act 5
Scene 5.1
G
Where had you our swords, master CLERIMONT?
C
Why, DAVPHINE tooke them from the madman.
G
And he tooke them from our boyes, I warrant you?
C
Very like, sir.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 5 142
Page No 145
G
Thanke you, good master CLERIMONT. Sir IOHN DAW, and I are both beholden to you.
C
Would I knew how to make you so, gentlemen.
F
Sir AMOROVS, and I are your seruants, sir.
V
Gentlemen, have any of you a penandinke. I would faine write out a riddle in Italian, for sir DAVPHINE,
to translate.
C
Not I, in troth lady, I am no scriuener.
F
I can furnish you, I thinke, lady.
C
He has it in the haft of a knife, I beleeue!
G
No, he has his boxe of instruments.
C
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 5 143
Page No 146
Like a surgean!
G
For the mathematiques: his squire, his compasses, his brasse pens, and blacklead, to draw maps of euery
place, and person, where he comes.
C
How, maps of persons!
G
Yes, sir, of NOMENTACK, when he was here, and of the Prince of Moldauia, and of his mistris, mistris
EPICOENE.
C
Away! he has not found out her latitude, I hope.
G
You are a pleasant gentleman, sir.
C
Faith, now we are in priuate, let us wanton it a little, and talke waggishly. Sir IOHN, I am telling sir
AMOROVS here, that you two gouerne the ladies, wheree're you come, you carry the feminine gender afore
you.
F
They shall rather carry us afore them, if they will, sir.
C
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 5 144
Page No 147
Nay, I beleeue that they do, withall But, that you are the primemen in their affections, and direct all their
actions
F
Not I: sir AMOROVS is.
G
I protest, sir IOHN is.
F
As I hope to rise in the state, sir AMOROVS, you have the person.
G
Sir IOHN, you have the person, and the discourse too.
F
Not I, sir. I have no discourse and then you have actiuitie beside.
G
I protest, sir IOHN, you come as high from Tripoly, as I do euery whit: and lift as many ioyn'd stooles, and
leape ouer them, if you would vse it
C
Well, agree on it together knights; for betweene you, you diuide the kingdome, or commonwealth of ladies
affections: I see it, and can perceiue a little how they obserue you, and feare you, indeed. You could tell
strange stories, my masters, if you would, I know.
F
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 5 145
Page No 148
Faith, we have seene somewhat, sir.
G
That we have vellet petticoates, and wrought smocks, or so.
F
Aye, and
C
Nay, out with it, sir IOHN: do not enuie your friend the pleasure of hearing, when you have had the delight of
tasting.
F
Why a do you speake, sir AMOROVS.
G
No, do you, sir IOHN DAW.
F
Infaith, you shall.
G
Infaith, you shall.
F
Why, we have beene
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 5 146
Page No 149
G
In the great bed at Ware together in our time. On, sir IOHN.
F
Nay, do you, sir AMOROVS.
C
And these ladies with you, Knights?
G
No, excuse us, sir.
F
We must not wound reputation.
G
No matter they were these, or others. our bath cost us fifteene pound, when we came home.
C
Do you heare, sir IOHN, you shall tell me but one thing truely, as you loue me.
F
If I can, I will, sir.
C
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 5 147
Page No 150
You lay in the same house with the bride, here?
F
Yes, and conuerst with her hourely, sir.
C
And what humour is she of? is she comming, and open, free?
F
O, exceeding open, sir. I was her seruant, and sir AMOROVS was to be.
C
Come, you have both had fauours from her? I know, and have heard so much.
F
O, no, sir.
G
You shall excuse us, sir: we must not wound reputation.
C
Tut, she is married, now; and you can not hurt her with any report, and therefore speake plainely: how many
times, infaith? which of you lead first? Ha?
G
Sir IOHN had her maydenhead, indeed.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Act 5 148
Page No 151
F
O, it pleases him to say so, sir, but sir AMOROVS knowes what is what, as well.
C
Do'st thou infaith, AMOROVS?
G
In a manner, sir.
C
Why, I commend you lads. Little knowes Don Bridegroome of this. Nor shall he, for me.
F
Hang him, mad oxe.
C
Speake softly: here comes his nephew, with the lady HAVGHTY. He will get the ladies from you, sirs, if you
looke not to him in time.
G
Why, if he do, we will fetch them home againe, I warrant you.
Scene 5.2
V
I assure you, sir DAVPHINE, it is the price and estimation of your vertue onely, that hath embarqu'd me to
this aduenture, and I could not but make out to tell you so; nor can I repent me of the act, since it is alwayes
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.2 149
Page No 152
an argument of some vertue in ourselues, that we loue and affect it so in others.
B
Your ladyship sets too high a price, on my weakenesse.
V
Sir, I can distinguish gemmes from peebles
B
(Are you so skilfull in stones?)
V
And, howsouer I may suffer in such a iudgement as yours, by admitting equality of ranke, or societie, with
CENTAVRE, or MAVIS
B
You do not, madame, I perceiue they are your mere foiles.
V
Then are you a friend to truth, sir. It makes me loue you the more. It is not the outward, but the inward man
that I affect. They are not apprehensiue of an eminent perfection, but loue flat, and dully. Where are you, my
lady HAVGHTY? I come presently, CENTAVRE. My chamber, sir, my Page shall show you; and TRVSTY,
my woman, shall be euer awake for you: you need not feare to communicate anything with her, for she is a
FIDELIA. I pray you weare this iewell for my sake, sir DAVPHINE. Where is MAVIS, CENTAVRE?
Within, madame, awriting. I will follow you presently. I will but speake a word with sir DAVPHINE.
B
With me, madame?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.2 150
Page No 153
V
Good sir DAVPHINE, do not trust HAVGHTY, nor make any credit to her, whateuer you do besides, Sir
DAVPHINE, I giue you this caution, he is a perfect courtier, and loues nobody, but for her vses: and for her
vses, she loues all. Besides, her physitians giue her out to be none of the clearest, whether she pay them or no,
heau'n knowes: and she is aboue fiftie too, and pargets! See her in a forenoone. Here comes MAVIS, a
worse face then she! you would not like this, by candlelight. If you will come to my chamber one of these
mornings early, or late in an euening, I will tell you more. Where is HAVGHTY, MAVIS? Within,
CENTAVRE. What have you, there? An Italian riddle for sir DAVPHINE, (you shall not see it infaith,
CENTAVRE.) Good sir DAVPHINE, solue it for me. I will call for it anon.
C
How now, DAVPHINE? how do'st thou quit thyselfe of these females?
B
'Slight, they haunt me like fayries, and giue me iewells here, I can not be rid of them.
C
O, you must not tell, though.
B
Masse, I forgot that: I was neuer so assaulted. One loues for vertue, and bribes me with this. Another loues
me with caution, and so would possesse me. A third brings me a riddle here, and all are iealous: and raile
each at other.
C
A riddle? pray' let me see it? He reades the paper.
V
Sir DAVPHINE, I chose this way of intimation for priuacie. The ladies here, I know, have both hope, and
purpose, to make a collegiate and seruant of you. If I might be so honor'd, as to appeare at any end of so
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.2 151
Page No 154
noble a worke, I would enter into a fame of taking physique tomorrow, and continue it foure or fiue dayes, or
longer, for your visitation. MAVIS.
C
By my faith, a subtle one! Call you this a riddle? What is their plaine dealing, trow?
B
We lack TRVEWIT, to tell us that.
C
We lack him for somewhat else too: his Knights reformados are wound up as high, and insolent, as euer they
were.
B
You iest.
C
No drunkards, either with wine or vanitie, euer confess'd such stories of themselues. I would not giue a flies
leg, in ballance against all the womens reputations here, if they could be but thought to speake truth: and, for
the bride, they have made their affidauit against her directly
B
What, that they have lyen with her?
C
Yes, and tell times, and circumstances, with the cause why, and the place where. I had almost brought them
to affirme that they had done it, today.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.2 152
Page No 155
B
Not both of them.
C
Yes faith: with a sooth or two more I had effected it. They would have set it downe vnder their hands.
B
Why, they will be our sport, I see, still! whether we will, or no.
Scene 5.3
D
O, Are you here? Come DAVPHINE. Go, call your vncle presently. I have fitted my Diuine, and my
Canonist, died their beards and all: the knaues do not know themselues they are so exalted, and alter'd.
Preferment changes any man. Thou shalt keepe one dore, and I another, and then CLERIMONT in the midst,
that he may have no meanes of escape from their cauilling, when they grow hot once. And then the women
(as I have giuen the bride her instructions) to breake in upon him, in the l'enuoy. O, it will be full and
twanging! Away, fetch him. Come, master Doctor, and master Parson, looke to your parts now, and discharge
them brauely: you are well set forth, performe it as well. If you chance to be out, do not confesse it with
standing still, or humming, or gaping one at another: but go on, and talke alowd, and eagerly, vse vehement
action, and onely remember your termes, and you are safe. Let the matter go where it will: you have many
will do so. But at first, be very solemne, and graue like your garments, though you loose yourselues after, and
skip out like a brace of iugglers on a table. Here he comes! set your faces, and looke superciliously, while I
present you.
A
Are these the two learned men?
D
Yes, sir, please you salute them?
A
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 153
Page No 156
Salute them? I had rather do anything, then weare out time so vnfruitfully, sir. I wonder, how these common
formes, as god saue you, and you are wellcome, are come to be a habit in our liues! or, I am glad to see you!
when I can not see, what the profit can be of these words, so long as it is no whit better with him, whose
affaires are sad, and grieuous, that he heares this salutation.
D
It is true, sir, we will go to the matter then. Gentlemen, master Doctor, and master Parson, I have acquainted
you sufficiently with the busines, for which you are come hether. And you are not now to enforme yourselues
in the state of the question, I know. This is the gentleman, who expects your resolution, and therefore, when
you please, beginne.
H
Please you, master Doctor.
I
Please you, good master Parson.
H
I would heare the Canonlaw speake first.
I
It must giue place to positiue Diuinitie, sir.
A
Nay, good gentlemen, do not throw me into circumstances. Let your comforts arriue quickly at me, those that
are. Be swift in affoording me my peace, if so I shall hope any. I loue not your disputations, or your
courttumults. And that it be not strange to you, I will tell you. My father, in my education, was wont to
aduise me, that I should alwayes collect, and contayne my mind, not suffring it to flow loosely; that I should
looke to what things were necessary to the carriage of my life, and what not: embracing the one and
eschewing the other. In short, that I should endeare myselfe to rest, and auoid turmoile: which now is growne
to be another nature to me. So that I come not to your publike pleadings, or your places of noise; not that I
neglect those things, that make for the dignitie of the commonwealth: but for the meere auoiding of clamors,
and impertinencies of Orators, that know not how to be silent. And for the cause of noise, am I now a sutor to
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 154
Page No 157
you. You do not know in what a miserie I have been exercis'd this day, what a torrent of euill! My very house
turnes round with the tumult! I dwell in a windmill! The perpetuall motion is here, and not at Eltham.
D
Well, good master Doctor, will you breake the ice? master Parson will wade after.
I
Sir, though vnworthy, and the weaker, I will presume.
H
It is no presumption, domine Doctor.
A
Yet againe!
I
Your question is, for how many causes a man may have diuortiumlegitimum, a lawfull diuorce. First, you
must vnderstand the nature of the word diuorce, a diuertendo
A
No excursions upon words, good Doctor, to the question briefly.
I
I answere then, the Canonlaw affords diuorce but in a few cases, and the principall is in the common case,
the adulterous case. But there are duodecim impedimenta, twelue impediments (as we call them) all which do
not dirimere contractum, but irritum readere matrimonium, as we say in the Canonlaw, not take away the
bond, but cause a nullitie therein.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 155
Page No 158
A
I vnderstood you, before: good sir, auoid your impertinencie of translation.
H
He can not open this too much, sir, by your fauour.
A
Yet more!
D
O, you must giue the learned men leaue, sir. To your impediments, master Doctor.
I
The first is impedimentum erroris.
H
Of which there are seuerall species.
I
Aye, as error persona.
H
If you contract yourselfe to one person, thinking her another.
I
Then, error fortuna.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 156
Page No 159
H
If she be a begger, and you thought her rich.
I
Then, error qualitatis.
H
If she proue stubborne, or headstrong, that you thought obedient. ]|
A
How? is that, sir, a lawfull impediment? One at once, I pray you gentlemen.
H
Aye, ante copulam, but not post copulam, sir.
I
Mr% Parson saies right. Nec post nuptiarum benedictionem. It doth indeed but irrita reddere sponsalia, annull
the contract: after marriage it is of no obstancy.
D
Alas, sir, what a hope are we fall'n from, by this time!
I
The next is conditio: if you thought her free borne, and she proue a bondwoman, there is impediment of
estate and condition.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 157
Page No 160
H
Aye, but Mr% Doctor, those seruitudes are sublata, now, among us christians.
I
By your fauour, master Parson
H
You shall giue me leaue, master Doctor.
A
Nay, gentlemen, quarrell not in that question; it concernes not my case: passe to the third.
I
Well then, the third is votum. If either partie have made a vow of chastitie. But that practice, as master Parson
said of the other, is taken away among us, thanks be to discipline. The fourth is cognatio: if the persons be of
kinne, within the degrees.
H
I: do you know, what the degrees are, sir?
A
No, nor I care not, sir: they offer me no comfort in the question, I am sure.
I
But, there is a branch of this impediment may, which is cognatiospiritualis. If you were her godfather, sir,
then the marriage is incestuous.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 158
Page No 161
H
That comment is absurd, and superstitious, master Doctor. I can not endure it. Are we not all brothers and
sisters, and as much a kinne in that, as godfathers, and goddaughters?
A
O me! to end the controuersie, I neuer was a godfather, I neuer was a godfather in my life, sir. Passe to the
next.
I
The fift is crimen adulterij: the knowne case. The sixt, cultusdisparitas, difference of religion: have you euer
examin'd her what religion she is of?
A
No, I would rather she were of none, then be put to the trouble of it!
H
You may have it done for you, sir.
A
By no meanes, good sir, on, to the rest: shall you euer come to an end, thinke you?
D
Yes, he has done halfe, sir (On, to the rest) be patient, and expect, sir.
I
The seuenth is, vis: if it were upon compulsion, or force.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 159
Page No 162
A
O no, it was too voluntarie, mine: too voluntarie.
I
The eight is, ordo: if euer she have taken holy orders.
H
That is supersitious, too.
A
No matter, master Parson: would she would go into a nunnerie yet.
I
The ninth is, ligamen: if you were bound, sir, to any other before.
A
I thrust myselfe too soone into these fetters.
I
The tenth is, publica honestas: which is inchoata quadam affinitas.
H
Aye, or affinitas orta ex sponsalibus': and is but leue impedimentum.
A
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 160
Page No 163
I feele no aire of comfort blowing to me, in all this.
I
The eleuenth is, affinitas ex fornicatione.
H
Which is no lesse vera affinitas, then the other, master Doctor.
I
True, quæ oritur ex legitimo matrimonio.
H
You say right, venerable Doctor. And, nascitur ex eo, quod per coniugium duæ personæ efficiuntur vna
caro
A
Heyday, now they beginne.
I
I conceiue you, master Parson. Ita per fornicationem aque estverus pater, qui sic generat
H
Et vere filius qui sit generatur
A
What is all this to me?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 161
Page No 164
C
Now it growes warme.
I
The twelfth, and last is, si forte coire nequibis.
H
Aye, that is impedimentum grauissimum. It doth vtterly annull, and annihilate, that. If you have manifestam
frigiditatem, you are well, sir.
D
Why, there is comfort come at length, sir. Confesse yourselfe but a man vnable, and she will sue to be
diuorc'd first.
H
Aye, or if there be morbus perpetuus, & insanabilis, as Paralisis, Elephantiasis, or so
B
O, but frigiditas is the fairer way, gentlemen.
H
You say troth, sir, and as it is in the canon, master Doctor.
I
I conceiue you, sir.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 162
Page No 165
C
Before he speakes.
H
That a boy, or child, vnder yeeres, is not fit for marriage, because he can not reddere debitum. So your
omnipotentes
D
Your impotentes, you whorson Lobster.
H
Your impotentes, I should say, are minime apti ad contrahendamatrimonium.
D
Matrimonium? We shall have most vnmatrimoniall latin, with you: matrimonia, and be hang'd.
B
You put them out, man.
I
But then there will arise a doubt, master Parson, in our case. post matrimonium: that frigiditate præditus (do
you conceiue me, sir?)
H
Very well, sir.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 163
Page No 166
I
Who can not vti vxore pro vxore, may habere eam pro sorore.
H
Absurd, absurd, absurd, and merely apostaticall.
I
You shall pardon me, master Parson, I can proue it.
H
You can proue a Will, master Doctor, you can proue nothing else. Do's not the verse of your owne canon say.
Hæc socianda vetant conubie, facta retractant
I
I grant you, but how do they retractare, master Parson?
A
(O, this was it, I fear'd.)
H
In 7æternum, sir.
I
That is false in diuinitie, by your fauour.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 164
Page No 167
H
It is false in humanitie, to say so. Is he not prorfus inutilis ad thorum? Can he præstare fidem datam? I would
faine know.
I
Yes: how if he do conualere?
H
He can not conualere, it is impossible.
D
Nay, good sir, attend the learned men, they will thinke you neglect them else.
I
Or, if he do simulare himselfe frigidum, odio vxoris, or so?
H
I say, he is adulter manifestus, then.
B
(They dispute it very learnedly, infaith.)
H
And prostitutor vxoris, and this is positiue.
A
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 165
Page No 168
Good sir, let me escape.
D
You will not do me that wrong, sir.?
H
And therefore, if he be manifeste frigidus, sir
I
Aye, if he be manifeste frigidus, I grant you
H
Why, that was my conclusion.
I
And mine too.
D
Nay, heare the conclusion, sir.
H
Then, frigiditatis causa
I
Yes, causa frigiditatis
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 166
Page No 169
A
O, mine eares!
H
She may have libellum diuortij, against you.
I
Aye, diuortij libellum she will sure have.
A
Good eccho's, forbeare.
H
If you confesse it.
I
Which I would do, sir
A
I will do anything
H
And cleere myselfe in foro conscientiæ
I
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.3 167
Page No 170
Because you want indeed
A
Yet more?
H
Exercendi potestate.
Scene 5.4
E
I will not endure it any longer. Ladies, I beseech you helpe me. This is such a wrong, as neuer was offer'd to
poore bride before. Upon her marriage day, to have her husband conspire against her, and a couple of
mercinarie companions, to be brought in for formes sake, to perswade a separation! If you had bloud, or
vertue in you, gentlemen, you would not suffer such earewigs about a husband, or scorpions, to creep
between man and wife
A
O, the varietie and changes of my torment!
V
Let them be cudgell'd out of dores, by our groomes. I will lend you my footman. We will have our men
blanket them in the hall.
J
As there was one, at our house, madame, for peeping in at the dore.
F
Content, infaith.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 168
Page No 171
D
Stay, ladies, and gentlemen, you will heare, before you proceed?
V
I would have the bridegroome blanketted, too. Beginne with him first. Yes, by my troth.
A
O, mankind generation!
B
Ladies, for my sake forebeare.
V
Yes, for sir DAVPHINES sake. He shall command us.
G
He is as fine a gentleman of his inches, madame, as any is about the towne, and weares as good colours when
he list.
D
Be briefe, sir, and confesse your infirmitie, she will be afire to be quit of you, if she but heare that nam'd
once, you shall not entreat her to stay. She will flie you, like one that had the marks upon him.
A
Ladies, I must craue all your pardons
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 169
Page No 172
D
Silence, ladies.
A
For a wrong I have done to your whole sexe, in marrying this faire, and vertuous gentlewoman
C
Heare him, good ladies.
A
Being guiltie of an infirmitie, which before I confer'd with these learned men, I thought I might have
conceal'd
D
But now being better inform'd in his conscience by them, he is to declare it, and giue satisfaction, by asking
your publique forgiuenesse.
A
I am no man, ladies.
X
How!
A
Vtterly vnabled in nature, by reason of frigidity, to performe the duties, or any the least office of a husband.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 170
Page No 173
V
Now, out upon him, prodigious creature! Bridegroome vncarnate. And would you offer it, to a young
gentlewoman?
J
A lady of her longings?
E
Tut, a deuice, a deuice, this, it smells rankly, ladies. A mere comment of his owne.
D
Why, if you suspect that, ladies, you may have him search'd.
F
As the custome is, by a iurie of physitians.
G
Yes faith, it will be braue.
A
O me, must I vndergoe that!
J
No, let women search him, madame: we can do it ourselues.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 171
Page No 174
A
Out on me, worse!
E
No, ladies, you shall not need, I will take him with all his faults.
A
Worst of all!
C
Why, then it is no diuorce, Doctor, if she consent not?
I
No, if the man be frigidus, it is de parte vxoris, that we grant libellum diuortij, in the law.
H
Aye, it is the same in theologie.
A
Worse, worse then worst!
D
Nay, sir, be not vtterly disheartned, we have yet a small relique of hope left, as neere as our comfort is
blowne out. CLERIMONT, produce your brace of Knights. What was that, master Parson, you told me in
errore qualitatis, e'ne now? DAVPHINE, whisper the bride, that she carry it as if she were guiltie, and
asham'd.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 172
Page No 175
H
Mary sir, in errore qualitatis (which master Doctor did forbeare to vrge) if she be found corrupta, that is,
vitiated or broken up, that was pro virgine desponsa, espous'd for a maid
A
What then, sir?
H
It doth dirimere contractum, and irritum reddere too.
D
If this be true, we are happy againe, sir, once more. Here are an honorable brace of Knights, that shall affirme
so much.
F
Pardon us, good master CLERIMONT.
G
You shall excuse us, master CLERIMONT.
C
Nay, you must make it good now, Knights, there is no remedie, I will eate no words for you, nor no men: you
know you spoke it to me?
F
Is this gentlemanlike, sir?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 173
Page No 176
D
IACK DAW, he is worse then sir AMOROVS: fiercer a great deale. Sir AMOROVS, beware, there be ten
DAWES in this CLERIMONT.
G
I will confesse it, sir.
F
Will you, sir AMOROVS? will you wound reputation?
G
I am resolu'd.
D
So should you be too, IACK DAW: what should keepe you off? she is but a woman, and in disgrace. He will
be glad on it.
F
Will he? I thought he would have beene angrie.
C
You will dispatch, Knights, it must be done, infaith.
D
Why, if it must it shall, sir, they say. They will ne're go backe. Do not tempt his patience.
F
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 174
Page No 177
It is true indeed, sir.
G
Yes, I assure you, sir.
A
What is true gentlemen? what do you assure me?
F
That we have knowne your bride, sir
G
In good fashion. She was our mistris, or so
C
Nay, you must be plaine, Knights, as you were to me.
H
Aye, the question is, if you have carnaliter, or no.
G
Carnaliter? what else, sir?
H
It is inough: a plaine nullitie.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 175
Page No 178
E
I am vndone, I am vndone!
A
O, let me whorship and adore you, gentlemen!
E
I am vndone!
A
Yes, to my hand, I thanke these Knights: master Parson, let me thanke you otherwise.
V
And, have they confess'd? Now out upon them, informers!
D
You see, what creatures you may bestow your fauours on, madames.
V
I would except against them as beaten Knights, wench, and not good witnesses in law.
J
Poore gentlewoman, how she takes it!
V
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 176
Page No 179
Be comforted, MOROSE, I loue you the better for it. so do I, I protest.
I
But gentlemen, you have not knowne her, since matrimonium?
F
Not today, master Doctor.
G
No, sir, not today.
I
Why, then I say, for any act before, the matrimonium is good and perfect: vnlesse, the worshipfull
Bridegroome did precisely, before witnesse demand, if she were virgo ante nuptias.
E
No, that he did not, I assure you, master Doctor.
I
If he can not proue that, it is ratum coniugium, notwithstanding the premises. And they do no way impedire.
And this is my sentence, this I pronounce.
H
I am of master Doctors resolution too, sir: if you made not that demand, ante nuptias.
A
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 177
Page No 180
O my heart! wilt thou breake? wilt thou breake? this is worst of all worst worsts! that hell could have deuis'd!
Marry a whore! and so much noise!
B
Come, I see now plaine confederacie in this Doctor, and this Parson, to abuse a gentleman. You studie his
affliction. I pray' be gone companions. And gentlemen, I begin to suspect you for hauing parts with them. Sir,
will it please you heare me?
A
O, do not talke to me, take not from me the pleasure of dying in silence, nephew.
B
Sir, I must speake to you. I have beene long your poore despis'd kinsman, and many a hard thought has
strength'ned you against me: but now it shall appeare if either I loue you or your peace, and preferre them to
all the world beside. I will not be long or grieuous to you, sir. If I free you of this vnhappy match absolutely,
and instantly after all this trouble, and almost in your despaire, now
A
(It can not be.)
B
Sir, that you be neuer troubled with a murmure of it more, what shall I hope for, or deserue of you?
A
O, what thou wilt, nephew! thou shalt deserue me, and have me.
B
Shall I have your fauour perfect to me, and loue hereafter?
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 178
Page No 181
A
That, and anything beside. Make thine owne conditions. My whole estate is thine. Manage it, I will become
thy Ward.
B
Nay, sir, I will not be so vnreasonable.
E
Will sir DAVPHINE be mine enemie too?
B
You know, I have beene long a suter to you, vncle, that out of your estate, which is fifteen hundred a yeere,
you would allow me but fiue hundred during life, and assure the rest upon me after: to which I have often, by
myselfe and freinds tendred you a writing to signe, which you would neuer consent, or incline to. If you
please but to effect it now
A
Thou shalt have it, nephew. I will do it, and more.
B
If I quit you not presently? and foreuer of this cumber, you shall have power instantly, afore all these, to
reuoke your act, and I will become, whose slaue you will giue me to, foreuer.
A
Where is the writing? I will seale to it, that, or to a blanke, and write thine owne conditions.
E
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 179
Page No 182
O me, most vnfortunate wretched gentlewoman!
V
Will sir DAVPHINE do this?
E
Good sir, have some compassion on me.
A
O, my nephew knowes you belike: away crocodile.
V
He do's it not sure, without good ground.
B
Here, sir.
A
Come, nephew: giue me the pen. I will subscribe to anything, and seale to what thou wilt, for my deliuerance.
Thou art my restorer. Here, I deliuer it thee as my deed. If there be a word in it lacking, or writ with false
orthographie, I protest before I will not take the aduantage. He takes off Epicnes perruke.
B
Then here is your release, sir; you have married a boy: a gentlemans son, that I have brought up this halfe
yeere, at my great charges, and for this composition, which I have now made with you. What say you, master
Doctor? this is iustum impedimentum, I hope, error personæ?
H
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 180
Page No 183
Yes sir, in primo gradu.
I
In primo gradu.
B
I thanke you, good Doctor CVTBERD, and Parson OTTER. He pulls off their beardes, and disguise.
You are beholden to them, sir, that have taken this paines for you: and my friend, master TRVEWIT, who
enabled them for the businesse. Now you may go in and rest, be as priuate as you will, sir. I will not trouble
you, till you trouble me with your funerall, which I care not how soone it come. CVTBERD, I will make your
lease good. Thanke me not, but with your leg, CVTBERD. And TOM OTTER, your Princesse shall be
reconcil'd to you. How now, gentlemen! do you looke at me?
C
A boy.
B
Yes, mistris EPICOENE.
D
Well, DAVPHINE, you have lurch'd your friends of the better halfe of the garland, by concealing this part of
the plot! but much good do it thee, thou deseru'st it, lad. And CLERIMONT, for thy vnexpected bringing in
these two to confession, weare my part of it freely. Nay, sir DAW, and sir LAFOOLE, you see the
gentlewoman that has done you the favours! we are all thankefull to you, and so should the womankind
here, specially for lying on her, though not with her! You meant so, I am sure? But, that we have stuck it
upon you today, in your own imagin'd persons, and so lately; this Amazon, the champion of the sexe, should
beate you now thriftily, for the common slanders, which ladies receiue from such cuckowes, as you are. You
are they, that when no merit or fortune can make you hope to enioy their bodies, will yet lie with their
reputations, and make their fame suffer. Away you common moths of these, and all ladies honors. Go,
trauaile to make legs and faces, and come home with some new matter to be laught at: you deserue to liue in
an aire as corrupted, as that wherewith you feed rumor. Madames, you are mute, upon this new
metamorphosis! but here stands she, that has vindicated your fames. Take heed of such insectæ hereafter.
And let it not trouble you that you have discouer'd any mysteries to this yong gentleman. He is (a'most) of
yeeres, and will make a good visitant within this tweluemonth. In the meanetime, we will all vndertake for
this secrecie, that can speake so well of his silence. Spectators, if you like this comdie, rise cheerefully, and
now MOROSE is gone in, clap your hands. It may be, that noyse will cure him, at least please him.
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman
Scene 5.4 181
Bookmarks
1. Table of Contents, page = 3
2. Epicoene, or the Silent Woman, page = 4
3. Mary Roberts Rinehart, page = 4
4. Prologue, page = 4
5. Prologue, page = 5
6. Act 1, page = 5
7. Scene 1.1, page = 5
8. Scene 1.2, page = 13
9. Scene 1.3, page = 18
10. Scene 1.4, page = 20
11. Act 2, page = 24
12. Scene 2.1, page = 24
13. Scene 2.2, page = 25
14. Scene 2.3, page = 30
15. Scene 2.4, page = 38
16. Scene 2.5, page = 47
17. Scene 2.6, page = 50
18. Act 3, page = 55
19. Scene 3.1, page = 55
20. Scene 3.2, page = 57
21. Scene 3.3, page = 62
22. Scene 3.4, page = 69
23. Scene 3.5, page = 72
24. Scene 3.6, page = 79
25. Scene 3.7, page = 84
26. Act 4, page = 87
27. Scene 4.1, page = 87
28. Scene 4.2, page = 93
29. Scene 4.3, page = 103
30. Scene 4.4, page = 105
31. Scene 4.5, page = 118
32. Scene 4.6, page = 136
33. Scene 4.7, page = 142
34. Act 5, page = 145
35. Scene 5.1, page = 145
36. Scene 5.2, page = 152
37. Scene 5.3, page = 156
38. Scene 5.4, page = 171