I vow, I don't much like this transmigration,
Strolling from place to place, by circulation;
Grant Heaven, we don't return to our first station!
I know not what these think; but, for my part,
I can't reflect without an aching heart,

How we should end in, our original, a cart.
But we can't fear, since you're so good to save us,
That you have only set us up to leave us.

Thus, from the past, we hope for future grace,
I beg it-

And some here know I have a begging face.
Then pray continue this your kind behaviour;
For a clear stage won't do without your favour.

AND

HAVE A WIFE.

A

COMEDY.

BY

BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY C. WHITTINGHAM,
Dean Street,

FOR JOHN SHARPE, OPPOSITE YORK HOUSE,

PICCADILLY.

1804.

a.N.

PROLOGUE.

PLEASURE attend ye, and about ye sit
The springs of mirth, fancy, delight, and wit,
To stir you up; do not your looks let fall,
Nor to remembrance our late errors call,
Because this day we're Spaniards all again;
The story of our play, and our scene Spain:
The errors, too, do not for this cause hate,
Now we present their wit, and not their state.
Nor, ladies, be not angry, if you see

A young fresh beauty wanton, and too free,
Seek to abuse her husband, still 'tis Spain;
No such grofs errors in your kingdom reign:
You're Vestals all, and though we blow the fire,
We seldom make it flame up to desire:
Take no example neither to begin,
For some by precedent delight to sin;
Nor blame the poet if he slip aside
Sometimes lasciviously, if not too wide.

But hold your fans close, and then smile at ease;
A cruel scene did never lady please.

For, gentlemen, pray be not you displeas'd,
Though we present some men fool'd, some diseas'd,
Some drunk, some mad; we mean not you, you're
free,

We tax no farther than our comedy,

You are our friends, sit noble, then, and see.

Duke of Medina.

Don Juan de Castro, a Spanish Colonel.
Sanchio, Officers in the Army.

Alonzo,

Michael Perez, the Copper Captain.

Leon, Brother to Altea, and by her contrivance married to Margaritta.

Cacafogo, a rich Usurer.

Margaritta, a wanton Lady, married to Leon, by whom she is reclaimed.

Altea, her Servant.

Clara, a Spanish Lady.

Estifania, a Woman of Intrigue.
An Old Woman.

Maid.