Michael Perez

I never enter but me thinks a Paradise
Appears about me.

Estifania

You are welcom to it Sir.

Michael Perez

I think I have the sweetest seat in Spain wench,
Me thinks the richest too, we'l eat i'th' garden
In one o'th' arbours, there 'tis cool and pleasant,
And have our wine cold in the running fountain.
Who's that?

Estifania

A friend of mine Sir.

Michael Perez

Of what breeding?

Estifania

A Gentlewoman Sir.

Michael Perez

What business has she?
Is she a learned woman i'th' Mathematicks,
Can she tell fortunes?

Estifania

More than I know Sir.

Michael Perez

Or has she e're a letter from a kinswoman,
That must be delivered in my absence wife,
Or comes she from the Doctor to salute ye,
And learn your health? she looks not like a confessor.

Estifania

What need all this, why are you troubled Sir?
What do you suspect, she cannot cuckold ye,
She is a woman Sir, a very woman.

Michael Perez

Your very woman may do very well Sir
Toward the matter, for though she cannot perform it
In her own person, she may do it by Proxie,
Your rarest jugglers work still by conspiracy.

Estifania

Cry ye mercy husband, you are jealous then,
And happily suspect me.

Michael Perez

No indeed wife.

Estifania

Me thinks you should not till you have more cause
And clearer too: I am sure you have heard say husband,
A woman forced will free her self through Iron,
A happy, calm, and good wife discontented
May be taught tricks.

Michael Perez

No, no, I do but jest with ye.

Estifania

To morrow friend I'le see you.

Clara

I shall leave ye
Till then, and pray all may goe sweetly with ye.

[Exit.

Estifania

Why where's this girle, whose at the door?

[Knock.

Michael Perez

Who knocks there?
Is't for the King ye come, you knock so boisterously?
Look to the door.

Maid

My Lady, as I live Mistris, my Ladie's come,
She's at the door, I peept through, and I saw her,
And a stately company of Ladies with her.

Estifania

This was a week too soon, but I must meet with her,
And set a new wheel going, and a subtile one,
Must blind this mighty Mars, or I am ruin'd.

Michael Perez

What are they at door?

Estifania

Such my Michael
As you may bless the day they enter'd there,
Such for our good.

Michael Perez

'Tis well.

Estifania

Nay, 'twill be better
If you will let me but dispose the business,
And be a stranger to it, and not disturb me,
What have I now to do but to advance your fortune?

Michael Perez

Doe, I dare trust thee, I am asham'd I am angry,
I find thee a wise young wife.

Estifania

I'le wise your worship
Before I leave ye, pray ye walk by and say nothing,
Only salute them, and leave the rest to me Sir,
I was born to make ye a man.

Michael Perez

The Rogue speaks heartily,
Her good will colours in her cheeks, I am born to love her,
I must be gentler to these tender natures,
A Souldiers rude harsh words befit not Ladies,
Nor must we talk to them as we talk to
Our Officers, I'le give her way, for 'tis for me she
Works now, I am husband, heir, and all she has.

Enter Margarita, Estifania, Leon, Altea, and Ladies.

Who are these, what flanting things, a woman
Of rare presence! excellent fair, this is too big
For a bawdy house, too open seated too.

Estifania

My Husband, Lady.

Margarita

You have gain'd a proper man.

Michael Perez

What e're I am, I am your servant Lady.

[kisses.

Estifania

Sir, be rul'd now,
And I shall make ye rich, this is my cousin,
That Gentleman dotes on her, even to death, see how he observes her.

Michael Perez

She is a goodly woman.

Estifania

She is a mirrour,
But she is poor, she were for a Princes side else,
This house she has brought him too as to her own,
And presuming upon me, and upon my courtesie.
Conceive me short, he knows not but she is wealthy,
Or if he did know otherwise, 'twere all one,
He is so far gone.

Michael Perez

Forward, she has a rare face.

Estifania

This we must carry with discretion Husband,
And yield unto her for four daies.

Michael Perez

Yield our house up, our goods and wealth?

Estifania

All this is but in seeming,
To milk the lover on, do you see this writing,
200l a year when they are married
Has she sealed to for our good; the time's unfit now,
I'le shew it you to morrow.

Michael Perez

All the house?

Estifania

All, all, and we'l remove too, to confirm him,
They'l into th' country suddenly again
After they are matcht, and then she'l open to him.

Michael Perez

The whole possession wife? look what you doe,
A part o'th' house.

Estifania

No, no, they shall have all,
And take their pleasure too, 'tis for our 'vantage.
Why, what's four daies? had you a Sister Sir,
A Niece or Mistris that required this courtesie,
And should I make a scruple to do you good?

Michael Perez

If easily it would come back.

Estifania

I swear Sir,
As easily as it came on, is't not pity
To let such a Gentlewoman for a little help--
You give away no house.

Michael Perez

Clear but that question.

Estifania

I'le put the writings into your hand.

Michael Perez

Well then.