Ay, marry, now you speak of a trade indeed, the very Atlas of a state-politic, the common shore of a city, nothing falls amiss unto them: they
can eat men alive and digest them, they have their conscience in a string and
can stifle it at their pleasure, the devil's journeymen, set up for themselves,
and keep a damnation house of their own. they
are agents , as I have heard, for the devil in their lifetime; and if they die in their bed, have this privilege
to be sons of hell by adoption, and take place of serjeants.
By Gasparo,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1),
Philip Massinger
in British Library Additional MS 22608, f. 80r
He hath some drops of the kings blood run
ning in his veins, derived some ten degrees
off his revenue lies in a narrow compass
the kings ear and yields him every hour
a fruitful harvest men may talk of 3 crop s
in a year in the fortunate Islands, or pro
fit made by wool, but while there are suitors
his sheep shearing nay shaving to the quick
is in every quarter,
By Astutio,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.23-31),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
you believed the taking of the wall a
tribute due to your gaudy clothes
and could not walk at midnight
without a causeless quarrel, as if men
of coarser outsides were bound to bear
your affronts,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.94-99),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
The sovereign means to teach irregu
lar heirs civility is 2 or 3 sound beatings
youth and heat of blood in your interpretation may both plead and me
diate for him,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.102-104),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
let sycophants that feed upon your
favours style coldness caution, and pre
fer your case before your honour and
conclude to eat and sleep supinely.
is the end of human blessings: I must
tell you Sir virtue if not in action is a
vice and when we move not forward we go
backward, nor is this peace (the nurse
of drones and cowards) our health but a disease
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.181-189),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
Think not our counsel's built upon so
weak a base as to be overturned or sha
ken with tempestuous winds of words
As I my lord before resolved you, I will not engage
my person in this quarrel neither
Press my subjects to maintain it yet to show
my rule is gentle, and that I have feeling O' your master's sufferings Since these gallants weary
of the happiness of peace, desire to taste the
bitter sweets of war, we do consent that as adventurers and volunteers no way compelled by us they may make trial of their boasted valours
By Roberto,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.244-257),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
This is indeed a suitor whose sweet presence court
ship and language would have staggered
the chaste Penelope and did not modesty
forbid it I should ask that from him he
sues to me for,
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (1.2.61-65),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
If forcing this sweet favor from your
lips fair madam argue me of too much
boldness when you are pleased to under
stand I take a parting kiss if not excuse at least 'twill qualify
The offence
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (1.2.74-85),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
Reply. Answer Reply.
the consciousness
of my own wants alas Sir we are not parallels, but like lines divided can nere meet in one center
your birth (without addition) were
an ample dowry for one of fairer
fortunes and this shape were you ignoble
far above all value to this so clear a
mind so furnished with harmonious facul
ties molded from heaven that though you
were Thersites in your features of no des
cent and Irus in your fortunes Ulysses like
you would force all eyes and ears to love
But seen and when heard wonder at
Your matchless story but all these bound
up together in one volume give me leave
with admiration to look upon ‘em but
not presume in my own flattering hopes
I may or can enjoy them
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (1.2.120-144),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
Answer Reply. Answer
true love should walk
on equal feet in us it does not Sir but rest assu
red expecting this I shall be devoted to your
service
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (1.2.157-167),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
this deserves
not one troubled thought in you, Sir, with your pardon, I hold that their re
move makes from hence makes more for your security than
danger,
By Fulgentio,
in The Maid of Honour (2.1.22-23),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
Answer
Haste to Camiola bid her prepare an entertainment
suitable to a fortune she could not hope for
Tell her I vouchsafe to honour her with a visit
By Fulgentio,
in The Maid of Honour (2.1.52-56),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
I am as little bound to serve your peremptory will as she is to obey your summons
twill become you Sir to wait her leisure
then her pleasure known you may pre
sent your duty,
By Adorni,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.56-60),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
I must tell you Sir in plain language how
ere your glittering outside promise gentry
The rudeness of your carriage and behavior
speaks you a coarser thing
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.72-74),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Answer:
when you
know what I am and what I came for, And may on your submission proceed to you in your reason must
Repent the coarseness of my entertainment
By Fulgentio,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.81),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
He has the worst report among good men
I ever heard of for bribery and extortion
in there prayers widows and orphans
Curse him for a canker and caterpillar
in their state
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.90-94),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
This harsh induction must serve as a foil
To the well tund observance and respect
you will hereafter pay me being made
familiar with my credit with the King
By Fulgentio,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.102-105),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
what might be
The motives inducing you to leave the freedom of a bachelor's life on your soft neck to wear the stubborn yoke of marriage
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.111-114),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Answer: Reply: Answer Virgins of Giant size are sluggards at the sport, but for my pleasure, give me a neat well timbred gamester like you, such need no spurs, the quickness of your eye assures an active spirit
By Fulgentio,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.120-129),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
I am doubtful whether you are a man Since for your shape trimmed up in lady's dress
ings you might pass for a woman now I love to deal on certainties and for the fairness of your
complexion which you think will take me, the colour I must tell you in a man is weak and faint
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.137-143),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Temper your heat and lose not by to sudden
rashness that which be but patient will be offered
to you, security ushers ruin proud contempt
of an enemy three parts vanquish'd with desire
and greediness of spoil have often wrested a
certain victory from the conquerors grip
discretion is the tutor to the war valour the
pupil and when we command with levity
and your directions followed with cheerfulness
A prosperous end must crown our works well
undertaken
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.3.11-22),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
her false smiles deprive you
of your judgments the condition of our affairs
exacts a double care and like bifronted Janus
we must look backward as well as forward
though a flattering calm bids us urge on a sudden
Tempest not feared much less expected in our
rear may foully fall upon us and distract us
to our confusion,
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.3.23-31),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
This must be prevented not disputed your
Ostrich plumes that but in now like quills of
Porcupines seemed to threaten the stars drop
at the rumor of a shower and like to captive
colours sweep the earth, Bear up, but in great dangers, greater minds are never proud shall a few
loose troops untrained but in a customary
ostentation presented as a sacrifice to your va
lours cause a direction in you,
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.3.38-48),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
No aids from Sicily hath hope forsaken us and
that vain comfort to affliction pity by our vow
de friend denied us we cannot live nor die
with honour like beasts in a toil we wait the
leisure of the bloody hunter who is not so far
reconciled unto us as in one death to give a
period to our calamities but in delaying the
fate we cannot fly from starved with want
we die this night to live again to morrow and
Suffer greater torments
By Ferdinand,
in The Maid of Honour (2.4.1-11),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
to
To be ore come deserves no shame if you had
fallen ingloriously or could accuse
your want of courage in resistance it were to
be lamented,
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.5.34-37),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Valor employed in an ill quarrel turns
to cowardice and virtue then puts on
foul vices vizard this is that which cancels all friendships bands,
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.5.88-91),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Delicates prepared by median cooks for
Epicures when not our own are bitter
guilts filled high with gossamer and roses
cannot yield the body soft repose the mind
kept waking with anguish and affliction
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (3.1.103-107),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
tell the cruel king that I will wear these fetters till my flesh and
they are one incorporated substance in my self as in a glass
I'll look on human frailty and curse the
height of royal blood since I in being born
near to Jove am nearest his thunder,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (3.1.189-194),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Which of my favours hath begot and nourished this
more than rude presumption, since you had an itch to try your desperate valour, wherefore went you not to the war? couldst thou
suppose my innocence could ever fall so low
as to have need of thy rash sword to guard it
against malicious slander
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.46-53),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
But that forto owe a courtesy to a simple virgin
would take from the deserving I find in me
some sparks of fire which fanned with honours
breath might rise into a flame and in men
darken their usurped splendor
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.157-162),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
he is a man
I know that a reverend distance loves me
and such are ever faithful what a sea of mel
ting Ice I walk on what strange censures
am I to undergo but good intents deride
all future rumors,
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.166-172),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
To doubt your ready desire to serve me or
prepare you with the repetition of former
merits would in my diffidence wrong you but
I will and without circumstance in the trust
that I impose upon you free you from suspicion,
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.177-182),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
if loyalty can find a recompense beyond
hope or immagination let it fall on me in
The other world as a reward for in this I
Dare not hope it
By Adorni,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.219-222),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
I do beseech your highness not to ascribe to the want of discipline the
barbarous rudeness of the soldier in his
profanation of your sacred name and virtue
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (4.2.1-14),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
your grace hereafter may from me such strong as
surance of his unlimited desires to
serve you as will I hope drown in
forgetfulness the memory of what is
past,
By Astutio,
in The Maid of Honour (4.2.16-20),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
his face speakes him Adorni but some glorious
Angel concealing its divinity in his shape
hath done this miracle it being not an
act for wolvish man,
Resolve me if thou lookst for bent knees in
adoration,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.3.54-59),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
she alone in the
Abstract of her self contains whatever is
or can be whish in the Idea of a woman
O what service or sacrifice of duty can I pay her
if not to live and die her charity's slave
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.3.73-78),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
collect all oaths and imprecations whose
least breach is damnation and those
ministered to me in a form more dreadful, set heaven and hell before me I'll
take them
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.3.95-98),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Divine Camiola but words cannot express thee
I'll build to thee an altar in my soul on
which I'll offer a still increasing sacrifice
of duty,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.3.109-112),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Answer:
Great minds for trial of their valours oft maintain quarrels that are unjust yet without malice and such a fair construction I make of him I would see that brave enemy
By Aurelia,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.37-42),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
I know no man , Madam, enamored of his fetters or
delighting in cold and hunger or that wold
in reason prefer straw in a dungeon before
a down bed in a palace,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.78-82),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
whose cheeks
of lovely fullness be made prey to meager
famine or those eyes whose every glance store cupids emptied quiver to be dimmed with
tedious watching, or these lips these ruby lips
of whose fresh colour cherries and roses of
were but copies should grow pale for want
of nectar or those legs that bear a burden
of more worth than is supported by Atlas
wearied shoulders should be crampt with
the weight of Iron O I could dwell ever on this
description,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.89-99),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Answer:
let not Sir the violence
of my passions nourish in you an ill opinion
or grant my carriage out of the road and
garb of private women, Tis still
done with decorum as I am a princess what
I do is above censure and to be imitated
By Aurelia,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.122-132),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
The reverence and majesty of Juno shined
In her looks and coming to the camp
appeared a second Pallas, I can see no
such divinity in you if without offense
I may speak my thoughts
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v