Act V

SCENE I.—A Street.

Enter De Gard and Lugier.

De Ga. ’Twill be discover’d.

Lug. That’s the worst can happen:
If there be any way to reach, and work upon him,
Upon his nature suddenly, and catch him—That he loves,
Though he dissemble it and would show contrary,
And will at length relent, I’ll lay my fortune;
Nay, more, my life.

De Ga. Is she won?

Lug. Yes, and ready,
And my designments set.

De Ga. They are now for travel;
All for that game again; they have forgot wooing.

Lug. Let ’em; we’ll travel with ’em.

De Ga. Where’s his father?

Lug. Within; he knows my mind too, and allows it,
Pities your sister’s fortune most sincerely;
And has appointed, for our more assistance,
Some of his secret friends.

De Ga. ’Speed the plough!

Lug. Well said:
And be you serious too.

De Ga. I shall be diligent.

Lug. Let’s break the ice for one, the rest will drink too
(Believe me, sir) of the same cup: My young gentlewomen
Wait but who sets the game a-foot; though they seem stubborn,
Reserv’d, and proud now, yet I know their hearts,
Their pulses how they beat, and for what cause, sir,
And how they long to venture their abilities
In a true quarrel. Husbands they must and will have,
Or nunneries, and thin collations
To cool their bloods. Let’s all about our business;
And, if this fail, let Nature work!

De Ga. You have armed me.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.—Before La Castre’s House.

Enter Mirabel, Nantolet, and La Castre.

La Ca. Will you be wilful then?

Mir. Pray, sir, your pardon;
For I must travel. Lie lazy here,
Bound to a wife? chain’d to her subtleties,
Her humours, and her wills, which are mere fetters?
To have her to-day pleased, to-morrow peevish,
The third day mad, the fourth rebellious?
You see, before they are married, what moriscoes,
What masques and mummeries they put upon us:
To be tied here, and suffer their lavoltas!

Nant. ’Tis your own seeking.

Mir. Yes, to get my freedom.
Were they as I could wish ’em—

La Ca. Fools and meacocks,
To endure what you think fit to put upon ’em!
Come, change your mind.