The Spanish Curate: A Comedy

John Fletcher

Francis Beaumont

Francis Beaumont

The Spanish Curate: A Comedy

Persons Represented in the Play

Don Henrique, an uxorious Lord, cruel to his Brother.

Don Jamie, younger Brother to Don Henrique.

Bartolus, a covetous Lawyer Husband to Amaranta.

Leandro, a Gentleman who wantonly loves the Lawyers Wife.

Angelo, } Three Gentlemen Friend[s]

Milanes,} to Leandro.

Arsenio,}

Ascanio, Son to Don Henrique.

Octavio, supposed Husband to Jacintha.

Lopez, the Spanish Curate.

Diego, his Sexton.

Assistant, which we call a Judge.

Algazeirs, whom we call Serjeants.

4 Parishioners.

Apparitor.

Singers.

Servants.

WOMEN.

Violante, supposed Wife to Don Henrique.

Jacintha, formerly contracted to Don Henrique.

Amaranta, Wife to Bartolus.

A Woman Moor, Servant to Amaranta. The Scene Spain.

The principal Actors were,

Joseph Taylor.В  } {William Eglestone.

John Lowin.В  В  } {Thomas Polard.

Nicholas Toolie.} {Robert Benfeild.

Actus primus. Scena prima

Enter Angelo, Milanes, and Arsenio.

Arsenio.

Leandro paid all.

Mil.

'Tis his usual custom,

And requisite he should: he has now put off

The Funeral black, (your rich heir wears with joy,

When he pretends to weep for his dead Father)

Your gathering Sires, so long heap muck together,

That their kind Sons, to rid them of their care,

Wish them in Heaven; or if they take a taste

Of Purgatory by the way, it matters not,

Provided they remove hence; what is befaln

To his Father, in the other world, I ask not;

I am sure his prayer is heard: would I could use one

For mine, in the same method.

Ars.

Fie upon thee.

This is prophane.

Mil.

Good Doctor, do not school me

For a fault you are not free from: On my life

Were all Heirs in Corduba, put to their Oaths,

They would confess with me, 'tis a sound Tenet:

I am sure Leandro do's.

Ars.

He is th'owner

Of a fair Estate.

Mil.

And fairly he deserves it,

He's a Royal Fellow: yet observes a mean

In all his courses, careful too on whom

He showers his bounties: he that's liberal

To all alike, may do a good by chance,

But never out of Judgment: This invites

The prime men of the City to frequent

All places he resorts to, and are happy

In his sweet Converse.

Ars.

Don Jamie the Brother

To the Grandee Don Henrique, appears much taken

With his behaviour.

Mil.

There is something more in't:

He needs his Purse, and knows how to make use on't.

'Tis now in fashion for your Don, that's poor,

To vow all Leagues of friendship with a Merchant

That can supply his wants, and howsoe're

Don Jamie's noble born, his elder Brother

Don Henrique rich, and his Revenues long since

Encreas'd by marrying with a wealthy Heir

Call'd, Madam Vi[o]lante, he yet holds

A hard hand o're Jamie, allowing him

A bare annuity only.

Ars.

Yet 'tis said

He hath no child, and by the Laws of Spain

If he die without issue, Don Jamie

Inherits his Estate.

Mil.

Why that's the reason

Of their so many jarrs: though the young Lord

Be sick of the elder Brother, and in reason

Should flatter, and observe him, he's of a nature

Too bold and fierce, to stoop so, but bears up,

Presuming on his hopes.

Ars.

What's the young Lad

That all of 'em make so much of?

Mil.

'Tis a sweet one,

And the best condition'd youth, I ever saw yet,

So humble, and so affable, that he wins

The love of all that know him, and so modest,

That (in despight of poverty) he would starve

Rather than ask a courtesie: He's the Son

Of a poor cast-Captain, one Octavio;

And She, that once was call'd th'fair Jacinta,

Is happy in being his Mother: for his sake,

Enter Jamie, Leandro, and Ascanio.

(Though in their Fortunes faln) they are esteem'd of,

And cherish'd by the best. O here they come.

I now may spare his Character, but observe him,

He'l justifie my report.

Jam.

My good Ascanio,

Repair more often to me: above Women

Thou ever shalt be welcome.

Asc.

My Lord your favours

May quickly teach