 | The Opportvnitie |  |
Actus Tertius.
Enter Grutti and Ascanio.Gr.
VVhy, I shall hardly take thee for my owne naturall
child.
As.
Let me alone with my Don, if I do not fit him, let me never
finde the way into my owne breeches agen, I would be loath to
die in a wrong case and bee mistaken in another world; is the
musicke ready, and the wine father? can the fellowes doe their
dance hansomely, in stead of a maske to entertaine his highnesse,
I am sorry my legges are out of tune, I have a great minde to
be capering.
Gr.
My owne wit, my owne naturall wit to a haire.
As.
Not too much haire of your owne, and wit together, father,
tis not the fashion: de' heare, whatsoever I say, be you drunk
time enough to justifie it, the bills shall be discharged without
scrupulous examination, sowse in wine and give him Sea roome,
if his head leake we will pumpe his breeches, he shall not sinke
with all his ballast I warrant him.
Gr.
A witty cracke, and my owne boy still.
As.
Your owne boy? take heed what you say, lest you bee
driven to justifie it, you have no minde to wake my mother
from her grave, tis enough I aske you blessing, I doe long to be
metamorphosd, and pursue his princely humor out of breath—
Musicke, tis well, his grace is upon entrance.
Gr.
Dispatch boy.
As.
I know my cue to enter.
Exit.
Enter Pimponio, like a Spanish Don, and Servants.
Pim.
And how, and how doe things become? We were in
clouds but now.
Gr.
Your highnesse is broken out.
Pim.
Broken out, where?
Gr.
Out of the clouds and please you.
Pim.
There is no infidell among you then,
You all beleeve I am a Prince, de'e heare,
At all adventures let it goe no further,
There are no traytors I hope amongst yee.
Traytors, we will cut off any mans necke that dares but thinke so.
Pim.
Doe and I will justifie it, hang necks among friends,
although I am pleasd to reveale the majestie of my person to
you, it is not fit every one should know so much, you are strangers,
and therefore I dare trust you, but the Dutchesse must not
heare on't upon your lives; she and I must be better acquainted
when I see my time; Ile tell you, the toy may take me i'th head
to looke like a foole agen, it may, greatnesse is given to humors,
and giddinesse will runne in a blood, if it doe, doe not know me.
Gr.
For what?
Pim.
For any other then I seeme.
Gr.
Not a foole.
Pim.
Thou art an asse, a Prince may play the foole within
his owne dominions, or any other; provided they bee of his
owne allies and confederates: I know where I am, but we are
not merry reach me a chaire and a bottle of wine, every one take
his charge.
Gr.
Will not your highnesse have the dance first?
Pim.
They will dance the better when they are three quarters drunke.
1. Ser.
We do not observe men of your nation to be so joviall.
Pim.
Not subjects I grant you that, but we
Sound a health.
have priviledge musique, and give fire at
once—so, but me thinkes it were necessary
there were some difference in our drinkings;
all are not Princes, reach me a bigger bottle,
Sound a health.
I will preserve my state, this is a Princely
draught—
so—Why have we not a Concubine?
2. Ser.
Brave Prince, with what a majestie he drinkes.
Pim.
Now let em friske the dance you have prepard, I am
ready to accept it.
Gr.
And it shall please your grace,
The dance which ended.
There is a high German desires to speak with you.
Enter Grut.
1. Ser.
The high German that was at Court, hee's a man of
mightie parts and knowne to all the Princes in Christendome,
what comes he for?
Gr.
I feare you are betrayd Sir, and that the Dutchesse has sent for you.
For me, I wonnot come yet.
2. Ser.
Doe not affront him Sir, for your owne sake, this high
German has beaten all the Fencers in Europe.
Pim.
Let him beate all the world, whats that to me? shall he
make a prize of me?
Gr.
But if he come Embassador from the Dutchesse.
Pim.
That's another matter, give me the tother bottle—
Now let all the Cantons of Swisse come.
Enter Ascanio in Swizzers habit.
Which is the high German? let me see him.
Gr.
That Sir.
Pim.
Hee's one of the lowest high Germans that e're I lookd upon.
As.
I kisse thy highnesse hand.
Pim.
And we embrace this lownesse: de'e heare Sir, are you
a high German?
As.
I was so at the beginning of the warres, what wee are
beaten to you may discerne.
Pim.
Are you beaten to that? you'l be a very little nation
and the warres continue.
As.
I have a message to deliver you,
The faire Dutchesse of Urbin, whom I waite on,
Hearing a person of your blood and qualitie
So meanely lodg'd, by me desires you would
Accept an entertainement in her Court.
Pim.
We give the Dutchesse thankes, how knew shee I was here?
As.
It was impossible
You should stay undiscover'd many howers.
Princes have strange intelligence, and you may
As soone tie up the Sunne beames in a net
As keepe your selfe unknowne; for my owne part
I am honord in the embassie, and shall
Be proud to write my selfe your pensioner
As I am to all the royall blood in Christendome.
Pim.
O Pensioner, tis the least honour we intend thee, I am
a naturall Prince as sure as I live; here weare this gold, there's
more to drinke our health, wee are pleasd no man be sober at
our returne, as he will answer it, you may be all my subjects: if
I marry the Dutchesse Ile hang you all.
How?
Pim.
In chaines of preferment, drinke I say, and drinke to
purpose, what will become of me now? stay, a word with you
high German, what will the Dutchesse doe with me doe you
thinke?
As.
'Twere sinne to say shee'l honour you, for you
Are above all addition but her love;
Your wit, your blood, your person, doe not lose
The opportunitie, yet I prophesie
You will be affronted.
Pim.
No matter, I ha beene affronted a hundred times, but by whom?
As.
Questionlesse by some great ones,
And perhaps beaten.
Pim.
I have beene beaten too upon good occasion,
And will agen to save my honour; beaten?
I can take the strappado, beside in this part
I am insensible, a kicke is cast away.
As.
If you be valiant and indure, it will
Engage her love the more, but I know
Your breeding will afford you impudence
To overcome their envies, and secure
This Dukedome to your selfe, goe on boldly,
My counsell shall attend.
Pim.
I will goe on, and feare no beating, well
I cannot knight thee, yet prove but a witch
Ile make thee one of my privy counsellors.
Exit.
Enter Mercutio, Iulio, and Lucio.
Mer.
No more, my dutie will not let me heare it.
Lu.
How not your dutie Sir?
Ju.
You are not angry?
Mer.
You are his friends, I should not else be pleas'd.
Lu.
We have said nothing to afflict you thus,
We did expect this wod ha' made you merry.
Iu.
A sonnes preferment was not wont to be
Such discord to a father, a loving father,
For so we tooke your constitution.
Lu.
Preferment? tis too poore a word.
You were best tell me too he may be Duke.
Iu.
He is i'th rode, I know not how hee'l misse it.
Mer.
This is three quarters treason, tho I love
My sonne, I must not cherish this ambition.
Iu.
But it will be more then three quarters treason
If you presume to checke the Dutchesse pleasure,
And murmur thus if she resolve to marry,
And make your sonne a Duke, you'l not turne rebell.
Mer.
Defend allegiance, Gentlemen mistake not
Altho I love my sonne, Ile not be guiltie
Of any thought to crosse her, but I should
Be sorry he should cast away himselfe.
Iu.
How de'e meane?
Mer.
As men doe use when they
Doe hange or drowne themselves.
Lu.
Have you sence
And talke thus wildly.
Mer.
Yes and understand
The riddles you have told me.
Lu.
Doe you count
Your sonne lost by the Dutchesse loving him?
Mer.
Goe finde your wits agen, and use 'em better,
Can you be so rediculous to thinke,
So wise, so modest, so religious
A Lady can forget her state and honour
To place affection on my sonne.
Ju.
There have beene
Presidents to make it seeme no wonder.
Mer.
She had better taine his head off, there had ended
My cares, the boy t'runne madde, and what can follow
Thinke yee? goe to, Ile to her highnesse presently.
Iu.
What to doe?
Mer.
To pray her leave him to a naturall death,
And choose some other to undoe with pride
Of her large favours; gentlemen examine
But your selves, could either of you two promise
To keepe your wits, if such a grace were offerd
To you? would it not tempt you to be mad,
To thinke of being a Duke? speake honestly,
There be some men ith' world ha' lost their senses
When they but chewd the Cud of a bare Lordship,
I ha' knowne a knighthood has turn'd some mens wits,
The very noyse o'th spurres; then doe not blame me
If I desire my sonne sober and sensible,
And now I thinke on't Ile first seeke him out.
Exit.
Enter Laura and Melinda.
Lu.
I thinke the old mans mad indeed,
Deare Madam Laura,
Lau.
Sweet Sir I cannot stay.
Lu.
Then I can walke and waite on you.
Exit.
Iu.
You have the same haste too,
Thou art a peece of the Dutchesse Cabinet,
I must heare some newes.
Me.
Alas the Court is barren.
Iu.
I know a tricke to make thee fruitfull yet,
Nay I can mend my pace Lady an you put me toot.
Exit.
Enter Cornelia, and Pisauro.
Cor.
Good Sir the reason why you wonder at me
Above all other women, what in me
Appeares so full of prodigie.
Pis.
Ile tell you,
Y'are young and hansome.
Cor.
Should I grant I were,
This were no miracle.
Pis.
Withall this youth and hansomnesse y'are a maid
And live at Court too, this I hope's not ordinary.
Cor.
What wonder will your fancy create next.
Pis.
Y'are sound too, or your phisnomy deceives me.
Cor.
The priviledge of my brothers friend must not
Engage me to a mockery.
Pis.
I was
About to say y'are patient too, I see
Something wud make you angry, but returne
To your first temper, and I'le soone acquaint you
With all my purpose Lady, to all these
Commendations, which meet not in all women,
The Dutchesse.
Cor.
All these carry no such wonder
If I have understanding.
Pis.
No, no, you
Are all the wonder Madam that with these
Advantages a your side to draw up mens
Affections, yet as you despaire to have
A Husband to the discredit of your sex,
Who article at twelve to be dissemblers;
You are in love.
Cor.
In love, is that a sinne?
Pis.
Nay, nay, you court a Gentleman with eyes
That are not lawfull.
Cor.
How Sir, be not rude.
Pis.
I can say more.
Cor.
Is it your mirth or madnesse.
Pis.
No, no, you are mad, worse, Ile prove it,
You dote upon your brother, come tis impious,
Purge, purge betime, your blood is foule, Ime plaine
There's some ont in your face now that would blush
I see through your hearts, a little more
Had spoild him quite, he had forgot all lawes
Of nature and religion, and beene fond
To both your shames; a brother, and a sister
Tempt one another, good heaven where is conscience
And modestie become? preserve your selfe
You have yet a good name, keepe it and drinke Julips,
You'l finde the benefit in your veines.
Cor.
You have
Beene very bould upon my constitution.
Pis.
I know it better then your Doctor, Come
Doe not deny it, I make no proclamation;
What i'st to me more then my Christian care
You should not hurt your soules, he is my friend
Betray him not, tis no good sisters part
I can assure you, if you be not dull
Or blinde with giddy passion, you may see
Be wise and envie not the Dutchesse favours,
Your vessell may be rigg'd, and trim'd, and lanch'd
Into a calmer Sea, and returne fraught
With lawfull prise hereafter, I ha stirrd her,
But must not be too hasty.
Cor.
I shall shew
My selfe too full of guilt.
Pis.
You are troubled at it,
A signe of grace; how ere you thinke of me
Now in the heate of Counsell I'me your friend,
You'l finde it so, I kisse your hand, farewell.
De'e heare? but two words more, if you doe finde
As being acquainted best with your owne body,
No disposition to hold out longer,
I ha'that will cure you, and Ile justify't
Before the colledge—Take me,
De'e marke, that does it, I kisse your hand,
Agen farewell, and have a conscience,
Ile tell you more next time, this way may worke.
Exit.
Cor.
This Gentlemans discourse though somewhat wild
And without method shakes me, I am lost
If I obey, I know not what within me
Too Prompts me to a love so irreligious;
He is my brother, holy thoughts possesse me,
And when a furious passion seekes to invade
My will, destroy it heaven—hee's here I dare
Enter Dutchesse and Borgia.
Not stay to tempt my frailtie, let them move
With joy, I am not in my spheare of love.
Exit.
Dut.
But tell me signior, nay we are pleas'd
You should be free, upon what confidence
Knowing your guilt, and danger to reward it
Durst you returne to Urbin.
Bo.
I was more fortunate
Then I have reason for, and yet my country
And friends were pretious madam, nor could life
In such a wildernesse abroad, where none
A bessing in my fate to meete your mercy
That gave me boldnesse.
Dut.
Cunningly dissembled,
You met no Lady then in all your travell,
I meane none whom you cald mistresse, with
Her loving magicke to lay charmes upon you
And forc'd your stay.
Bo.
None Madam, I was not
Worth any Ladies thought, none were so lost
To their owne Iudgements to imagine me
More then a walking shaddow, or if any
Had cherish'd better thought of me a stranger,
They quickly found, they had not plac'd it right,
On so much barrennesse which left their charity
To pay it selfe.
Dut.
You doe not promise such
A hard and horrid composition,
But love may finde a shift to enter more
Then skinne deepe in your bosome, but perhaps
You left your heart at home, and could not then
Dispence with new ingagements, it was so,
And for her sake you willingly forgot
Your danger to returne, nay be not troubled,
Confession will not injure you, I like
You should preferre the beauties of your country.
Bo.
It Cannot be thought flattery, if I
Acknowledge with the narrowest observation
My eyes could take, no place hath beene more fruitfull
In beautie then your owne, and it doth hold
Proportion with your excellence, all should
Be faire and imitate your first example.
Dut.
I see you can be when you list a Courtier,
But this confirmes your love is planted here;
And since we are falne by accident upon
This subject, wee'l pursui't a little further;
Come I must know your Mistris, doe not doubt
I shall disturbe the progresse of your loves.
Bor.
What answer shall I frame, things are not ripe
You would be modest, and excuse, be wiser
And apprehend my meaning to advance
Your wishes, tis within my power to effect
As much as your ambition can ayme at:
Who is it if her heart be stubborne, we
Can make it soft; if great above your fortune,
We can raise you to her equality,
Or bring her downe to your levell, since we ha' promist
In hope not to repent: either declare
The mistresse of your thoughts, and finde them prosper,
We are not us'd to expresse such bounteous language,
But be she proudest, greatest in our Dutchy,
Without all limitation, she shall carry
No birth or state here, to despise the service
You fairely meane her: if we faile in this,
We will not thinke our strength worth the preserving
Bo.
If I have any wit.
Enter Cornelio.
Cor.
Madam the Duke.
Dut.
What Duke?
Cor.
The Duke of Ferrara with a glorious traine
Is come to Court, and as the loud voyce is
Given out by himselfe, to claime you for his wife,
For which he has your promise.
Dut.
How our promise?
Can Princes be so insolent, beshrew
His haste, but we shall lose much of our honour
To give no ceremony to his person?
How e're our thoughts point, we will entertaine him
And dresse our face in smiles.
Cor.
His lookes renew
My sufferings, I have not power to manage
My wilde affection, my heart will not
Be denied but by a secret destinie.
Runnes to imbrace him
—Brother.
Dut.
Ha, Cornelia
I hope you are not courting Borgia,
He is your brother, know your place within
Exit.
Bo.
Shee's jealous, jealous, starres I thanke you,
Tis cleare as light shee does affect me now:
Did she not put me too't, to name my mistris,
Yet in a shaddow pointed at her selfe?
Be she the proudest, greatest in our Dutchy
Without all limitation, I mark'd that
And had my sense—if great above your fortune
We can raise you to her equalitie:
Fine moralls, poore Cornelia loves me too,
But I must give her no encouragement:
Her grace is much the better woman—ha.
Loud Musicke.
A passage over the Stage, Duke, Dutchesse, Ursini, Iulio, Lucio, Pietro, Ladies.
She appeard discontent when first Cornelia
Brought her the newes, yet they march lovingly
Together, but that ceremony must
Be allow'd at Court, where shift of face and tongue
Are wisely to be practiz'd—my good Lord.
Enter Ursini and Pietro.
Urs.
Your servant Borgia.
Tis her graces pleasure every gentleman
That has relation to the Duke, taste all
The bounties of her Court.
Bo.
How's this?
Urs.
None dare
To affront a Groome on forfeit of his place,
Let all the offices of entertainment
Be free and open.
Pie.
I shall signifie
These her commands.
Urs.
And they that of her owne
Court are ambitious to expresse their duties
Let it appeare in keeping this day solemne
To wine and mirth, that every brow may speake
A joy and welcome to the Duke.
Pie.
I shall.
Exit.
Bo.
Here's like to be a triumph, with your Lordships
Pardon; was that the Duke of Ferrara,
Yes of Urbin shortly, when their marriage
Is perfect, every subjects heart prayes for it,
And sent their acclamations to heaven
To see her highnesse lovingly salute him,
Hee's a brave Prince.
Bo.
A good round gentleman,
He did not flie hither; I heard talke of an
Embassadour.
Urs.
A cloud for his owne person
Till his affaires came to maturitie,
He stood conceal'd toth' Dutchesse, but last night
He gain'd her princely word to marry him,
And is this morning bright in his owne glories.
Bo.
Last night.
Urs.
Ile build more faith upon his honour
Fast as a contract.
Bo.
To what painted Paradise
Would she ha' led me? wood I had my sister now.
Urs.
With this joy
I had forgot my owne, Borgia; Brother
Let not the sound be unwelcome, tis the Dutchesses
Pleasure to honour her unworthy creature
Ursini, by appointment of our marriage
To Waite on hers.
Bo.
What marriage?
Urs.
With your sister,
Ile not suspect your love, since faire Cornelia
Is not displeasd to be directed by
Her highnesse, and be confident my love
Shall make the memory of it welcome to you;
You will excuse me if I take my leave,
These houres are full of businesse, and I have
Many commands upon me.
Exit.
Bo.
In good time,
I am in a good state agen, I was an asse
To thinke the Dutchesse meant me any thing
But mockery, she told me so before
To make more sport, I ha' lost my sister too,
Shees for Ursinis carving, I could curse
I may retrive Cornelia, by giving her
A timely satisfaction, I am not
Her brother Borgia:
Ther's all the hope is left, I shall be loath
To hunt two hares, and after lose them both.
Exit.
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