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[jointure. And thou shalt make her three hundred Hylas. No.

Tho. Thou shalt, boy, and shalt bestow Two hundred pounds in cloaths. Look on her;

[dred,

A delicate lusty wench; she has fifteen hunAnd feasible: Strike hands, or I'll strike first. Dor. You'll let me like?

Mary. He's a good handsome fellow;
Play not the fool.

Tho. Strike, brother Hylas, quickly.
Hylas. If you can love me, well.
Dor. If you can please me.

Tho. Try that out soon: I say, my brother
Hylas.
[brave gentlewoman.

Sum. Take her, and use her well; she's a
Hylus. You must allow me another mistress.
Dor. Then you must allow me another

servant.

Hylas. Well, let's together then. A lusty kindred!

66 A notable brave boy.

Seb. I'll give thee five hundred pounds more for that word. [feast full. Mary. Now, sir, for you and I to make the Tho. No, not a bit; you are a virtuous lady, And love to live in contemplation.

Mary. Come, fool; I'm friends now. Tho. The fool shall not ride you. There lie, my woman! now my man again! And now for travel once more!

Seb. I'll bar that first.

Mary. And I next.

[will travel: Tho. Hold yourself contented; for I say I And so long I will travel, 'till I find a father That I never knew, and a wife that I never look'd for,

And a state without expectation:
So rest you merry, gentlemen!
Mary. You shall not!

Upon my faith, I love you now extremely,
And now I'll kiss you.

Tho. This will not do it, mistress. [more. Mary. Why, when we're married, we'll do Seb. There's all, boy,

The keys of all I have. Come, let's be merry! For now I see thou'rt right.

Tho. Shall we to church straight? Val. Now presently; and there with nuptial The holy priest shall make ye happy all." Tho. Away then, fair, afore!

[Exeunt omnes.

Known son again.] So old quarto. The later editions leave

out the three last words; which, however, we do not doubt, were genuine, (except the orthographical mistake,) and spoken by the actor.

THE CHANCES:

A COMEDY.

This Play was originally printed in the folio edition of 1647, and the Commendatory Verses by Gardiner, as well as the Prologue, ascribe it to Fletcher alone. The celebrated George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, made some considerable alterations to it, and in that state it used to be frequently acted; but the licentiousness of that nobleman's pen rendering the Play improper for representation at this refined period, further alterations became necessary; and these have been made, with much judgement, by the great ornament of the English Theatre, Mr. Garrick.

PROLOGUE.

APTNESS for mirth to all! This instaut night
Thalia hath prepar'd, for your delight,
Her choice and curious viands, in each part
Season'd with rarities of wit and art:
Nor fear 1 to be tax'd for a vain boast;
My promise will find credit with the most,
When they know ingenious Fletcher made
it, he

Being in himself a perfect Comedy.

And some sit here, I doubt not, dare aver
Living he made that house a theatre [we
Which he pleas'd to frequent; and thus much
Could not but pay to his loud memory.

For ourselves, we do entreat that you would

not

Expect strange turns and windings in the plot,
Objects of state, and now and then a rhine,
To gall particular persons with the time;
Or that his tow'ring muse hath made her flight
Nearer your apprehension than your sight;
But if that sweet expressions, quick conceit,
Familiar language, fashion'd to the weight
Of such as speak it, have the power to raise
Your grace to us, with trophies to his praise;
We may profess, presuming on his skill,
If his Chances please not you, our fortune's ill.

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In no such things, sweet Anthony. Put caseAnth. Come, come, all will be mended; this invisible woman,

Of infinite report for shape and virtue,
That bred us all this trouble to no purpose,
They are determin'd now no more to think on,
But fall close to their studies.

Peter. Was there ever

Men known to run mad with report before? Or wander after that they know not where To find? or, if found, how to enjoy? Are men's brains

[tions Made now-a-days of malt, that their affecAre never sober, but, like drunken people, Founder at every new fame? I do believe too, That men in love are ever drunk, as drunken Are ever loving.

[men Anth. Prithee be thou sober, [guilty And know, that they are none of those; not Of the least vanity of love; only a doubt Fame might too far report, or rather flatter. The graces of this woman, made them curious To find the truth, which since they find so block'd [now settled

And lock'd up from their searches, they're To give the wonder over.

Peter. 'Would they were settled

To give me some new shoes too! For I'll be

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Kept and preserv'd from view, so like a ParaPlac'd where no knowledge can come near

[her,

her, so guarded As 'twere impossible, tho' known, to reach I've made up my belief.

John. Hang me, from this hour,
If I more think upon her, or believe her;
But, as she came, a strong report unto me,
So the next fame shail lose her.
Fred. 'Tis the next way.
But whither are you walking?
John. My old round

After my meat, and then to bed.
Fred. 'Tis healthful,
John. Will not you stir?
Fred. I have a little business.
John. Upon my life, this lady still-
Fred. Then you will lose it.
John. 'Pray let us walk together.
Fred. Now I cannot.

John. I have something to impart.
Fred. An hour hence

I will not miss to meet you.
John. Where?

Fred. I'th' High Street;
For, not to lie, I have a few devotions
To do first, then I'm yours.

John. Remember.

SCENE II.

[Exeunt.

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But what is smear'd and shameful! I must Necessity compels me. [kill him;

1 Gent. But think better.
Petr. There is no other curc left: Yet,
witness with me,

All that is fair in man, all that is noble,
I am not greedy of this life I seek for,
Nor thirst to shed man's blood; and 'would
'twere possible

(I wish it with my soul, so much I tremble
To offend the sacred image of my Maker!)
My sword could only kill his crimes! No, 'tis
Honour,

Honour, my noble friends, that idol Honour, That all the world now worships, not PetruMust do this justice.

Ant. Let it once be done,

[chio,

And 'tis no matter whether you, or Honour, Or both, be accessary;

2 Gent. Do you weigh, Petruchio, The value of the person, power and greatness, And what this spark may kindle?

Petr. To perform it,

(So much I'm tied to reputation,

And credit of my house) let it raise wild-fires That all this dukedom smoke, and storms that toss me

Into the waves of everlasting ruin,
Yet I must thro'. If ye dare side me-
Ant. Dare?

Petr. Ye're friends indeed; if not2 Gent. Here's none flies from you; Do it in what design you please, we'll back

you.

Ant. But then, be sure ye kill him! 2 Gent. Is the cause

So mortal, nothing but his life

Petr. Believe me,

A less offence has been the desolation
Of a whole name.

2 Gent. No other way to purge it? Petr. There is, but never to be hop'd for. 2 Gent. Think an hour more: [you, And if then you find no safer road to guide We'll set up our rests too.

Ant. Mine's up already;

And hang hin, for my part, goes less than life! [swords

2 Gent. If we sce noble cause, 'tis like our May be as free and forward as your words. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Enter Don John.

John. The civil order of this town Bologna Makes it belov'd and honour'd of all travellers,

As a most safe retirement in all troubles; Besides the wholesome scat, and noble temper

Of those minds that inhabit it, safely wise, And to all strangers virtuous. But I see My admiration has drawn night upon me, And longer to expect my friend may pull me Into suspicion of too late a stirrer,

Which all good governments are jealous of:* I'll home, and think at liberty. Yet, certain, 'Tis not so far night as I thought; for, see, A fair house yet stands open; yet all about it Are close, and no light stirring: There may be foul play.

I'll venture to look in; if there be knaves, I may do a good office.

Woman [within]. Signor?

John. What? How's this?
Woman [within]. Signor Fabritio?
John. I'll go nearer.

Woman [within]. Fabritio?

John. This is a woman's tongue; here may be good done.

Woman [within]. Who's there? Fabritio?

John. Av.

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11 Gent. But then be sure ye kill him.] Mr. Seward, observing that these words did not suit the moderate character of the Gentlemen, gives them to Petruchio. They are much imore suitable to Antonio, we think, who is crying out for blood through the whole scene. Boot-halling.] Most probably, an indecent allusion. In Monsieur Thomas, one of ily las's objections to matrimony is, because he would not 'cobble other men's old boots." VOL. II,

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Into men's houses, where I had no business, And make myself a mischief? 'Tis well carried!

I. must take other men's occasions on me, And be I know not whom! Most finely handled!

Tchase?

What have I got by this now? what's the purA piece of evening arras-work, a child, Indeed an infidel: This comes of peeping! A lump got out of laziness. Good Whitebread, [have I

Let's have no bawling with you! 'Sdeath, Known wenches thus long, all the ways of wenches,

Their spares and subtilties; have I read over All their school-learnings, div'd into their quiddits,

And am I now bum-fiddled with a bastard? Fetch'd over with a card of five, and in mine

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Whose-e'er it is, sure 't had a wealthy mother; For 'tis wel! cloath'd, and, if I be not cozen'd, Well lin'd within. To leave it here were barbarous,

And ten to one would kill it; a more sin Than his that got it: Well, I will dispose on't,

[rings, And keep it, as they keep deaths' heads in To cry Memento to me; no more peeping! Now all the danger is to qualify [we live, The good old gentlewoman, at whose house For she will fall upon me with a catechism Of four hours long: I must endure all; For I will know this mother. Come, good wonder,

Let you and I be jogging; your starv'd treble Will waken the rude watch else. All that be Curious night-walkers, may they find my fee! [Exit.

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And thro' a world of dangers am flown to Be full of haste and care, we are undone else. Where are your people? which way must we For Heav'n sake, stay not here, sir. [travel? Fred. What may this prove?

Con. Alas, I am mistaken, lost, undone, For ever perish'd! Sir, for Heav'n sake, tell Are you a gentleman ?

Fred. I am.

Con Of this place?

Fred. No, born in Spain.

Con. As ever you lov'd honour,

[me,

As ever your desires may gain their ends, Do a poor wretched woman but this benefit, For I am forc'd to trust you!

Fred. You have charm'd me; Humanity and Honour bid me help you, And if I fail your trust

3 To point] signifies completely, as we now say to a hair.

♦ Consume myself in candles. Mr. Seward, on recommendation of Mr. Sympson, reads, Consume myself in caudles.' See Lovers' Progress, act iv.

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