University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

Actus Tertius.

Enter Bergetto and Poggio.
Ber.

Do'es my Vnkle thinke to make mee a Baby still? no,
Poggio, he shall know, I haue a skonce now.


Pog.

I let him not bobbe you off like an Ape with an apple.


Ber.

Sfoot, I will haue the wench, if he were tenne Vnkles,
in despight of his nose Poggio.


Pog.
Hold him to the Grynd-stone, and giue not a jot of ground,
Shee hath in a manner promised you already.

Pog.
True Poggio, and her Vnkle the Doctor
Swore I should marry her.

Pog.
He swore I remember.

Ber.

And I will haue her that's more; did'st see the codpeice-poynt
she gaue me, and the box of Mermalade?


Pog.

Very well, and kist you, that my chopps watred at the
sight on't; there's no way but to clap vp a marriage in hugger
mugger.


Ber.

I will do't for I tell thee Poggio, I begin to grow valiant



methinkes, and my courage begins to rise.


Pog.

Should you be afraid of your Vnkle?


Ber.

Hang him old doating Rascall, no, I say I will haue her.


Pog.

Lose no time then.


Ber.

I will beget a race of Wise men and Constables, that
shall cart whoores at their owne charges, and breake the Dukes
peace ere I haue done my selfe.—come away.


Exeunt.
Enter Florio, Giouanni, Soranzo, Annabella, Putana and Vasques.
Flo.
My Lord Soranzo, though I must confesse,
The proffers that are made me, haue beene great
In marriage of my daughter; yet the hope
Of your still rising honours, haue preuaild
Aboue all other Ioynctures; here shee is,
She knowes my minde, speake for your selfe to her,
And heare you daughter, see you vse him nobly,
For any priuate speech, I'le giue you time:
Come sonne and you, the rest let them alone,
Agree as they may.

Soran.
I thanke you sir.

Gio.
Sister be not all woeman, thinke on me.

Soran.
Vasques?

Vas.
My Lord.

Soran.
Attend me without—

Exeunt omnes, manet Soran. & Anna.
Anna.
Sir what's your will with me?

Soran.
Doe you not know what I should tell you?

Anna.
Yes, you'le say you loue mee.

Soran.
And I'le sweare it too; will you beleeue it?

Anna.
'Tis not poynt of faith.

Enter Giouanni aboue.
Soran.
Haue you not will to loue?

Anna.
Not you.

Soran.
Whom then?

Anna.
That's as the Fates inferre.

Gio.
Of those I'me regient now.

Soran.
What meane you sweete?

Anna.
To liue and dye a Maide.



Soran.
Oh that's vnfit.

Gio.
Here's one can say that's but a womans noate.

Soran.
Did you but see my heart, then would you sweare—

Anna.
That you were dead.

Gio.
That's true, or somewhat neere it.

Soran.
See you these true loues teares?

Anna.
No.

Gio.
Now shee winkes.

Soran.
They plead to you for grace.

Anna.
Yet nothing speake.

Soran.
Oh grant my suite.

Anna.
What is't

Soran.
To let mee liue.

Anna.
Take it—

Soran.
Still yours.—

Anna.
That is not mine to giue.

Gio.
One such another word would kil his hopes.

Soran.
Mistres, to leaue those fruitlesse strifes of wit,
I know I haue lou'd you long, and lou'd you truely;
Not hope of what you haue, but what you are
Haue drawne me on, then let mee not in vaine
Still feele the rigour of your chast disdaine.
I'me sicke, and sicke to th'heart.

Anna.
Helpe, Aqua vitæ.

Soran.
What meane you?

Anna.
Why I thought you had beene sicke.

Soran.
Doe you mocke my loue?

Gio.
There sir shee was too nimble.

Soran.

'Tis plaine; shee laughes at me, these scornefull taunts
neither become your modesty, or yeares.


Anna.

You are no looking-glasse, or if you were, I'de dresse
my language by you.


Gio.

I'me confirm'd—


Anna.

To put you out of doubt, my Lord, mee-thinks your
Common sence should make you vnderstand, that if I lou'd you,
or desir'd your loue, some way I should haue giuen you better
tast: but since you are a Noble man, and one I wouldnot wish
should spend his youth in hopes, let mee aduise you here, to forbeare
your suite, and thinke I wish you well, I tell you this.




Soran.
Is't you speake this?

Anna.
Yes, I my selfe; yet know
Thus farre I giue you comfort, if mine eyes
Could haue pickt out a man (amongst all those
That sue'd to mee) to make a husband of,
You should haue beene that man; let this suffice,
Be noble in your secresie and wise.

Gio.
Why now I see shee loues me.

Anna.
One word more:
As euer Vertue liu'd within your mind,
As euer noble courses were your guide,
As euer you would haue me know you lou'd me,
Let not my Father know hereof by you:
If I hereafter finde that I must marry,
It shall be you or none.

Soran.
I take that promise.

Anna.
Oh, oh my head.

Soran.
What's the matter, not well?

Anna.
Oh I begin to sicken.

Gio.
Heauen forbid.

Exit from aboue.
Soran.
Helpe, helpe, within there ho.

Gio.
Looke to your daughter Signior Florio.

Enter Florio, Giouanni, Putana.
Flo.
Hold her vp, shee sounes.

Gio.
Sister how d'ee?

Anna.
Sicke, brother, are you there?

Flo.

Conuay her to her bed instantly, whil'st I send for a Phisitian,
quickly I say.


Put.
Alas poore Child.

Exeunt, manet Soranzo.
Enter Vasques.
Vas.
My Lord.

Soran.
Oh Vasques, now I doubly am vndone,
Both in my present and my future hopes:
Shee plainely told me, that shee could not loue,
And thereupon soone sickned, and I feare
Her life's in danger.



Vas.

Byr lady Sir, and so is yours, if you knew all.—'las sir,
I am sorry for that, may bee 'tis but the Maides sicknesse, an ouer-fluxe
of youth and then sir, there is no such present remedy,
as present Marriage. But hath shee giuen you an absolute
deniall?


Soran.
She hath and she hath not; I'me full of griefe,
But what she sayd, I'le tell thee as we goe.

Exeunt.
Enter Giouanni and Putana.
Put.
Oh sir, wee are all vndone, quite vndone, vtterly vndone,
And sham'd foreuer; your sister, oh your sister.

Gio.
What of her? for Heauens sake speake, how do'es shee?

Put.
Oh that euer I was borne to see this day.

Gio.
She is not dead, ha, is shee?

Put.
Dead? no, shee is quicke, 'tis worse, she is with childe,
You know what you haue done; Heauen forgiue 'ee,
'Tis too late to repent, now Heauen helpe vs.

Gio.
With child? how dost thou know't?

Put.

How doe I know't? am I at these yeeres ignorant, what
the meaning's of Quames, and Waterpangs be? of changing of
Colours, Quezinesse of stomacks, Pukings, and another thing
that I could name; doe not (for her and your Credits sake) spend
the time in asking how, and which way, 'tis so; shee is quick
vpon my word, if you let a Phisitian see her water y'are
vndone.


Gio.

But in what case is shee?


Put.

Prettily amended, 'twas but a fit which I soone espi'd,
and she must looke for often hence-forward.


Gio.
Commend me to her, bid her take no care,
Let not the Doctor visit her I charge you,
Make some excuse, till I returne; oh mee,
I haue a world of businesse in my head,
Doe not discomfort her; how doe this newes perplex mee!
If my Father come to her, tell him shee's recouer'd well,
Say 'twas but some ill dyet; d'ee heare Woeman,
Looke you to't.

Put.
I will sir.

Exeunt.


Enter Florio and Richardetto
Flo.
And how d'ee finde her sir:

Richard.
Indifferent well,
I see no danger, scarse perceiue shee's sicke,
But that shee told mee, shee had lately eaten
Mellownes, and as shee thought, those disagreed
With her young stomacke.

Flo.
Did you giue her ought?

Richard.
An easie furfeit water, nothing else,
You neede not doubt her health; I rather thinke
Her sicknesse is a fulnesse of her blood,
You vnderstand mee?

Flo.
I doe; you counsell well,
And once within these few dayes, will so order't
She shall be married, ere shee know the time.

Richard.
Yet let not hast (sir) make vnworthy choice,
That were dishonour.

Flo.
Maister Doctor no,
I will not doe so neither, in plaine words
My Lord Soranzo is the man I meane.

Richard.
A noble and a vertuous Gentleman.

Flo.
As any is in Parma; not farre hence,
Dwels Father Bonauenture, a graue Fryar,
Once Tutor to my Sonne; now at his Cell
I'le haue 'em married.

Richard.
You haue plotted wisely.

Flo.
I'le send one straight
To speake with him to night.

Richard.
Soranzo's wise, he will delay no time.

Flo.
It shall be so.

Enter Fryar and Giouanni.
Fry.
Good peace be here and loue.

Flo.
Welcome relligious Fryar, you are one,
That still bring blessing to the place you come to.

Gio.
Sir, with what speed I could, I did my best,
To draw this holy man from forth his Cell,
To visit my sicke sister, that with words


Of ghostly comfort in this time of neede,
Hee might absolue her, whether she liue or dye.

Flo.
'Twas well done Giouanni, thou herein
Hast shewed a Christians care, a Brothers loue
Come Father, I'le conduct you to her chamber,
And one thing would intreat you.

Fry.
Say on sir.

Flo.
I haue a Fathers deare impression,
And wish before I fall into my graue,
That I might see her married, as 'tis fit;
A word from you Graue man, will winne her more,
Then all our best perswasions.

Fry.
Gentle Sir,
All this I'le say, that Heauen may prosper her.

Exeunt.
Enter Grimaldi.
Gri.
Now if the Doctor keepe his word, Soranzo,
Twenty to one you misse your Bride; I know
'Tis an vnnoble act, and not becomes
A Souldiers vallour; but in termes of loue,
Where Merite cannot sway, Policy must.
I am resolu'd, if this Phisitian
Play not on both hands, then Soranzo falls.

Enter Richardetto.
Richard.

You are come as I could wish, this very night Soranzo,
'tis ordain'd must bee affied to Annabella; and for ought
I know, married.


Gri.

How!


Richard.
Yet your patience,
The place, 'tis Fryars Bonauentures Cell.
Now I would wish you to bestow this night,
In watching thereabouts, 'tis but a night,
If you misse now, to morrow I'le know all.

Gri.
Haue you the poyson?

Richard.
Here 'tis in this Box,
Doubt nothing, this will doe't; in any case
As you respect your life; be quicke and sure.

Gri.
I'le speede him.

Richard.
Doe; away, for 'tis not safe


You should be seene much here—euer my loue.

Gri.
And mine to you.
Exit Gri.

Richard.
So, if this hitt, I'le laugh and hug reuenge;
And they that now dreame of a wedding-feast,
May chance to mourne the lusty Bridegromes ruine.
But to my other businesse; Neice Philotis.

Enter Philotis.
Phi.
Vnkle.

Richard.
My louely Neece, you haue bethought 'ee.

Phi.
Yes, and as you counsel'd,
Fashion'd my heart to loue him, but hee sweares
Hee will to night be married; for he feares
His Vnkle else, if hee should know the drift,
Will hinder all, and call his Couze to shrift.

Richard.
To night? why best of all; but let mee see,
I—ha—yes,—so it shall be; in disguise
Wee'le earely to the Fryars, I haue thought on't.

Enter Bergetto and Poggio
Phi.
Vnkle, hee comes.

Richard.
Welcome my worthy Couze.

Ber.
I asse pretty Lasse, come busse Lasse, a ha Poggio.

Phi.
There's hope of this yet.

Richard.
You shall haue time enough, withdraw a little,
Wee must conferre at large.

Ber.
Haue you not sweete-meates, or dainty deuices for me?

Phi.
You shall enough Sweet-heart.

Ber.

Sweet-heart, marke that Poggio; by my troth I cannot
choose but kisse thee once more for that word Sweet-heart; Poggio,
I haue a monstrous swelling about my stomacke, whatsoeuer
the matter be.


Pog.
You shall haue Phisick for't sir.

Richard.
Time runs apace.

Ber.
Time's a blockhead.

Richard.
Be rul'd, when wee haue done what's fitt to doe,
Then you may kisse your fill, and bed her too.

Exeunt.


Enter the Fryar in his study, sitting in a chayre, Annabella kneeling and whispering to him, a Table before them and wax-lights, she weepes, and wrings her hands.
Fry.
I am glad to see this pennance; for beleeue me,
You haue vnript a soule, so foule and guilty,
As I must tell you true, I maruaile how
The earth hath borne you vp, but weepe, weepe on,
These teares may doe you good; weepe faster yet,
Whiles I doe reade a Lecture.

Anna.
Wretched creature.

Fry.
I, you are wretched, miserably wretched,
Almost condemn'd aliue; there is a place
(List daughter) in a blacke and hollow Vault,
Where day is neuer seene; there shines no Sunne,
But flaming horrour of consuming Fires;
A lightlesse Suphure, choakt with smoaky foggs
Of an infected darknesse; in this place
Dwell many thousand, thousand sundry sorts
Of neuer dying deaths; there damned soules
Roare without pitty, there are Gluttons fedd
With Toades and Addars; there is burning Oyle
Powr'd downe the Drunkards throate, the Vsurer
Is forc't to supp whole draughts of molten Gold;
There is the Murtherer for-euer stab'd,
Yet can he neuer dye; there lies the wanton
On Racks of burning steele, whiles in his soule
Hee feeles the torment of his raging lust.

Anna.
Mercy, oh mercy.

Fry
There stands these wretched things,
Who haue dream't out whole yeeres in lawlesse sheets
And secret incests, cursing one another;
Then you will wish, each kisse your brother gaue,
Had beene a Daggers poynt; then you shall heare
How hee will cry, oh would my wicked sister
Had first beene damn'd, when shee did yeeld to lust.


But soft, methinkes I see repentance worke
New motions in your heart, say? how is't with you?

Anna.
Is there no way left to redeeme my miseries?

Fry.
There is, despaire not; Heauen is mercifull,
And offers grace euen now; 'tis thus agreed,
First, for your Honours safety that you marry
The Lord Soranzo, next, to saue your soule,
Leaue off this life, and henceforth liue to him.

Anna.
Ay mee.

Fry.
Sigh not, I know the baytes of sinne
Are hard to leaue, oh 'tis a death to doe't.
Remember what must come, are you content?

Anna.
I am.

Fry.
I like it well, wee'le take the time,
Who's neere vs there?

Enter Florio, Giouanni.
Flo.
Did you call Father?

Fry.
Is Lord Soranzo come?

Flo.
Hee stayes belowe.

Fry.
Haue you acquainted him at full?

Flo.
I haue and hee is ouer-ioy'd.

Fry.
And so are wee; bid him come neere.

Gio.
My Sister weeping, ha? I feare this Fryars falshood,
I will call him.

Exit.
Flo.
Daughter, are you resolu'd?

Anna.
Father, I am.

Enter Giouanni, Soranzo, and Vasques.
Flo.
My Lord Soranzo, here
Giue mee your hand, for that I giue you this.

Soran.
Lady, say you so too?

Anna.
I doe, and vow, to liue with you and yours.

Fry.
Timely resolu'd:
My blessing rest on both, more to be done,
You may performe it on the Morning-sun.

Exeunt.


Enter Grimaldi with his Rapier drawne, and a Darke-lanthorne.
Gri.
'Tis early night as yet, and yet too soone
To finish such a worke; here I will lye
To listen who comes next.

Hee lies downe.
Enter Bergetto and Philotis disguis'd, and after Richardetto and Poggio.
Ber.
Wee are almost at the place, I hope Sweet-heart.

Gri.
I heare them neere, and heard one say Sweet-heart,
'Tis hee; now guide my hand some angry Iustice
Home to his bosome, now haue at you sir.

strikes Ber. & Exit.
Ber.
Oh helpe, helpe, here's a stich fallen in my gutts,
Oh for a Flesh-taylor quickly—Poggio.

Phi.
What ayles my loue?

Ber.
I am sure I cannot pisse forward and backward and yet
I am wet before and behind, lights, lights, ho lights.

Phi.
Alas, some Villaine here has slaine my loue.

Richard.
Oh Heauen forbid it; raise vp the next neighbours
Instantly Poggio, and bring lights,
Exit Poggio.
How is't Bergetto? slaine?
It cannot be; are you sure y'are hurt?

Ber.

O my belly seeths like a Porridge-pot, some cold water
I shall boyle ouer else; my whole body is in a sweat, that you
may wring my shirt; feele here—why Poggio.


Enter Poggio with Officers, and lights and Halberts.
Pog.
Here; alas, how doe you?

Richard.
Giue me a light, what's here? all blood! O sirs,
Signior Donado's Nephew now is slaine,
Follow the murtherer with all the haste
Vp to the Citty, hee cannot be farre hence,
Follow I beseech you.

Officers.
Follow, follow, follow.
Exeunt Officers.



Richard.
Teare off thy linnen Couz, to stop his wounds,
Be of good comfort man.

Ber.

Is all this mine owne blood? nay then good-night with
me, Poggio, commend me to my Vnkle, dost heare? bid him for
my sake make much of this wench, oh—I am going the wrong
way sure, my belly akes so—oh farwell, Poggio—oh—
oh—


Dyes.
Phi.
O hee is dead.

Pog.
How! dead!

Richard.
Hee's dead indeed,
'Tis now to late to weepe, let's haue him home,
And with what speed we may, finde out the Murtherer.

Pog.
Oh my Maister, my Maister, my Maister.

Exeunt.
Enter Vasques and Hippolita.
Hip.
Betroath'd?

Vas.
I saw it.

Hip.
And when's the marriage-day?

Vas.
Some two dayes hence.

Hip.
Two dayes? Why man I would but wish two houres
To send him to his last, and lasting sleepe.
And Vasques thou shalt see, I'le doe it brauely.

Uas.
I doe not doubt your wisedome, nor (I trust) you my secresie,
I am infinitely yours.

Hip.
I wilbe thine in spight of my disgrace,
So soone? o wicked man, I durst be sworne,
Hee'd laugh to see mee weepe.

Vas.
And that's a Villanous fault in him.

Hip.
No, let him laugh, I'me arm'd in my resolues,
Be thou still true.

Vas.

I should get little by treachery against so hopefull a preferment,
as I am like to climbe to.


Hip.
Euen to my bosome Vasques, let My youth
Reuell in these new pleasures, if wee thriue,
Hee now hath but a paire of dayes to liue.

Exeunt.
Enter Florio, Donado, Richardetto, Poggio and Officers.
Flo.
'Tis bootlesse now to shew your selfe a child


Signior Donado, what is done, is done;
Spend not the time in teares, but seeke for Iustice.

Richard.
I must confesse, somewhat I was in fault,
That had not first acquainted you what loue
Past twixt him and my Neece, but as I liue,
His Fortune grieues me as it were mine owne.

Do.
Alas poore Creature, he ment no man harme,
That I am sure of.

Flo.
I beleeue that too;
But stay my Maisters, are you sure you saw
The Murtherer passe here?

Offic.

And it please you sir, wee are sure wee saw a Ruffian
with a naked weapon in his hand all bloody, get into my Lord
Cardinals Graces gate, that wee are sure of; but for feare of his
Grace (blesse vs) we durst goe no further.


Do.

Know you what manner of man hee was?


Offic.

Yes sure I know the man, they say a is a souldier, hee
that lou'd your daughter Sir an't please y'ee, 'twas hee for certaine.


Flo.
Grimaldi on my life.

Offic.
I, I, the same.

Richard.
The Cardinall is Noble, he no doubt
Will giue true Iustice.

Do.
Knocke some one at the gate,

Pog.
I'le knocke sir.

Poggio knocks.
Seruant
within.
What would'ee?

Flo.
Wee require speech with the Lord Cardinall
About some present businesse, pray informe
His Grace, that we are here.

Enter Cardinall and Grimaldi.
Car.
Why how now friends? what sawcy mates are you
That know nor duty nor Ciuillity?
Are we a person fit to be your hoast?
Or is our house become your common Inne
To beate our dores at pleasure? what such haste
Is yours as that it cannot waite fit times?


Are you the Maisters of this Common-wealth,
And know no more discretion? oh your newes
Is here before you, you haue lost a Nephew
Donado, last night by Grimaldi slaine:
Is that your businesse? well sir, we haue knowledge on't
Le that suffice.

Gri.
In presence of your Grace,
In thought I neuer ment Bergetto harme,
But Florio you can tell, with how much scorne
Soranzo backt with his Confederates,
Hath often wrong'd mee; I to be reueng'd,
(For that I could not win him else to fight)
Had thought by way of Ambush to haue kild him,
But was vnluckely, therein mistooke;
Else hee had felt what late Bergetto did:
And though my fault to him were meerely chance,
Yet humbly I submit me to your Grace,
To doe with mee as you please.

Car.
Rise vp Grimaldi,
You Cittizens of Parma, if you seeke
For Iustice; Know as Nuntio from the Pope,
For this offence I here receiue Grimaldi
Into his holinesse protection.
Hee is no Common man, but nobly borne;
Of Princes blood, though you Sir Florio,
Thought him to meane a husband for your daughter
If more you seeke for, you must goe to Rome,
For hee shall thither; learne more wit for shame.
Bury your dead—away Grimaldi—leaue 'em.

Ex. Car. & Gri.
Do.
Is this a Church-mans voyce? dwels Iustice here?

Flo.
Iustice is fledd to Heauen and comes no neerer
Soranzo, was't for him? O Impudence!
Had he the face to speake it, and not blush?
Come, come Donado, there's no helpe in this,
When Cardinals thinke murder's not amisse,
Great men may doe there wills, we must obey,
But Heauen will iudge them for't another day.

Exeunt.