Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Charles M. Bidwell and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team.
THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY.
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Persons Represented in the Play.
Count Clodio, Governour and a dishonourable pursuer of Zenocia.
Manuel du Sosa, Governour of Lisbon, and Brother to Guiomar.
Arnoldo, A Gentleman contracted to Zenocia.
Rutilio, A merry Gentleman Brother to Arnoldo.
Charino, Father to Zenocia.
Duarte, Son to Guiomar, a Gentleman well qualified but vain glorious.
Alonzo, a young Portugal Gentleman, enemy to Duarte.
Leopold, a Sea Captain Enamour'd on Hippolyta.
Zabulon, a Jew, servant to Hippolyta.
Jaques, servant to Sulpitia.
Doctor.
Chirurgion.
Officers.
Guard.
Page.
Bravo.
Knaves, of the Male Stewes.
Servants.
WOMEN.
Zenocia, Mistress to Arnoldo, and a chaste Wife.
Guiomar, a vertuous Lady, Mother to Duarte.
Hippolyta, a rich Lady, wantonly in Love with Arnoldo.
Sulpitia, a Bawd, Mistress of the Male Stewes.
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The Scene sometimes Lisbon, sometimes Italy.
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The principal Actors wereJoseph Taylor. Robert Benfeild.John Lowin. William Eglestone.Nicholas Toolie. Richard Sharpe.John Underwood. Thomas Holcomb.
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Actus primus. Scena prima.
Enter Rutilio, and Arnold[o].
Rut. Why do you grieve thus still?
Arn. 'Twould melt a Marble,And tame a Savage man, to feel my fortune.
Rut. What fortune? I have liv'd this thirty years,
And run through all these follies you call fortunes,
Yet never fixt on any good and constant,
But what I made myself: why should I grieve then
At that I may mould any way?
Arn. You are wide still.
Rut. You love a Gentlewoman, a young handsom woman,I have lov'd a thosand, not so few.
Arn. You are dispos'd.
Rut. You hope to Marry her; 'tis a lawful calling
And prettily esteem'd of, but take heed then,
Take heed dear Brother of a stranger fortune
Than e're you felt yet; fortune my foe is a friend to it.
Arn. 'Tis true I love, dearly, and truly love,A noble, vertuous, and most beauteous Maid,And am belov'd again.
Rut. That's too much o' Conscience,To love all these would run me out o' my wits.
Arn. Prethee give ear, I am to Marry her.
Rut. Dispatch it then, and I'le go call the Piper.
Arn. But O the wicked Custom of this Country,The barbarous, most inhumane, damned Custom.
Rut. 'Tis true, to marry is a Custom
I' the world; for look you Brother,
Wou'd any man stand plucking for the Ace of Harts,
With one pack of Cards all dayes on's life?
Arn. You do notOr else you purpose not to understand me.
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