Rut. You have it.
Dua. You have ended my desire to all my wishes.
Gov. Now ’tis a wedding again. And if Hippolyta Make good, what with the hazard of her life, She undertook, the evening will set clear
Enter Hippolyta, leading Leopold, Arnoldo, Zenocia, in either hand, Zabulon, Sulpitia.
After a stormy day.
Char. Here comes the Lady.
Clod. With fair Zenocia,
Health with life again
Restor’d unto her.
Zen. The gift of her goodness.
Rut. Let us embrace, I am of your order too,
And though I once despair’d of women, now
I find they relish much of Scorpions,
For both have stings, and both can hurt, and cure
too;
But what have been your fortunes?
Arn. Wee’l defer
Our story, and at time more fit, relate it.
Now all that reverence vertue, and in that
Zenocias constancy, and perfect love,
Or for her sake Arnoldo, join with us
In th’ honour of this Lady.
Char. She deserves it.
Hip. Hippolytas life shall make that
good hereafter,
Nor will I alone better my self but others:
For these whose wants perhaps have made their actions
Not altogether innocent, shall from me
Be so supplied, that need shall not compel them,
To any course of life, but what the law
Shall give allowance to.
Zab. Sulpitia, Your Ladiships creatures.
Rut. Be so, and no more you man-huckster.
Hip. And worthy Leopold, you that with such fervour, So long have sought me, and in that deserv’d me, Shall now find full reward for all your travels, Which you have made more dear by patient sufferance. And though my violent dotage did transport me, Beyond those bounds, my modesty should have kept in, Though my desires were loose, from unchast art Heaven knows I am free.
Leop. The thought of that’s dead to me; I gladly take your offer.
Rut. Do so Sir, A piece of crackt gold ever will weigh down Silver that’s whole.
Gov. You shall be all my guests, I must not be denyed.
Arn. Come my Zenocia.
Our bark at length has found a quiet harbour;
And the unspotted progress of our loves
Ends not alone in safety, but reward,
To instruct others, by our fair example;
That though good purposes are long withstood,
The hand of Heaven still guides such as are good.
[Ex. omnes.
* * * * *
The Prologue.