The Spanish Curate.
by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.
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. } {William Eglestone.
John Lowin. } {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.