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The fift Act.
Enter Rosinda, Flavia, Page.Ros.
Away, your mirth displeases.
Fla.
Madam I hope
I have not offended.
Ros.
Let the boy begon.
Pag.
Good Madam laugh a little, tis my duty
To drive away your sadnesse, tis all the
Vse, Ladies have for Pages, now and then
To purge their melancholy.
Ros.
Doe not tempt my anger.
Pag.
Then ile goe seeke out Pazzorello
Hee's better company, and will make me laugh,
If his fit of immortality hold, my duty Madam.
Exit.
Ros.
Oh Flavia I am undone.
Fla.
Not so deere Madam.
Ros.
Though I be innocent, I want the courage
To tell the Prince Cesario, I love,
Were I allow'd accesse, he must imagine
Me guilty of his dishonour, nor can I
Art thou so wise to counsell me? Vittori.
Enter Vittori.
Vi.
Madam I have an humble suite to you.
Ro.
To me Vittori, for Cassandra's sake
I must deny you nothing.
Vi.
For her sake I begge it.
Ro.
Pray be plaine.
Vi.
That you would speake toth' King.
Ros.
For what?
Vi.
To cut my head off.
Ros.
How?
Vi.
With sword or axe, or by what other engine
He please, I know youle easily obtaine it,
Tis for Cassandra's sake, I would be faine
Despatch'd, sheele thanke you too, and then the prince
And she may revell.
Ros.
I doe finde his jealousie,
Alas poore gentleman! but I hope
You doe not meane so desperately.
Vi.
As you
Love vertue doe this favour—if you make
Scruple, there is a King a little further
Will take my life away at the first word,
For I am resolv'd to die.
Ros.
Shall I obtaine
A small request from you.
Vi.
These are delayes.
Ro.
If you be weary of your life, you'le meet it,
For there is danger in't.
Vi.
And thanke you too,
Ile doo't by your faire selfe, now, now, you blesse me?
Without exception, Ile obey yon Madam.
Ros.
Tis this.
whispers.
Vi.
Doe you not mocke me.
Ros.
No suspition.
Vi.
Instantly.
Ros.
This minute weele begin it, and Ile promise
But things are not yet ripe, will you doe me
This honour.
Vi.
Come I waite you, but tis strange
Why you should thus engage your selfe?
Ros.
When you know,
You will allow my reasons.
Vi.
I attend you, now farewell false Cassandra.
Exeunt
Enter Julio, and Mauritio.
Ma.
The Prince not to be found.
Iul.
I did suspect
That letter might betray him, now Alberto,
How is the King?
Enter Alberto.
Alb.
Imagine how a father
Can apprehend the absence of a sonne
He lov'd so deerely, but hee's justly punish'd
For his indulgence, though we dare not say so.
Ma.
Tis very strange.
Iu.
He was merry the last night.
Al.
What letter wast Iulio, the Captaine brought?
I could distinguish it did strangely move him.
Iu.
Letter?
Alb.
Can you forget it.
Jul.
Pox upon the witch
That sent, now shall I be examin'd, and
If he returne not, lose my head, that letter
Was a discovery of some plot, the enemie
Purpos'd that very night.
Ma.
Perhaps this mischiefe,
Why was it not prevented?
Iu.
I shall make fine worke,
I know not how to shadow it, would he had
Laine with my sister, rather than ingag'd
Himselfe so farre for Venison.
Alb.
Peace, the King.
Enter King and Alphonso.
Ma.
And old Alphonso! I am glad to see
His change of fortune.
Alb.
The King ever lov'd him.
Sir have comfort,
Your sorrow will discourage all.
King.
Dost thinke
He is not taken by the enemie,
And put to death?
Alp.
They dare not, tis against
The rules of warre.
Ki.
What dare not men that hate us,
And yet conceale the murder?
Enter Fabio.
Fab.
Where's the king.
Ki.
Here, what portends thy haste, and busie countenance?
Fab.
Oh great sir.
Ki.
Has thy intelligence brought us knowledge of
Our sonne?
Fa.
The newes I bring my gracious Lord
Concernes the Prince, and how my heart flowes over,
That I am pointed out by heauen the first
And happy messenger.
Ki.
Proceede, and weele reward thee.
Fab.
All my ambition aimes but at your favour,
My soule was never mercenary, tis
My duty to weare out my life in services
For you, and the whole state, whereof although
I am no able member, yet—
Alp.
Hee's mad.
Fab.
It is with joy then, my good Lord Alphonso,
And by the way I must congratulate
Your present favour with the king, I knew
The noble faculties of your soule, at last
Would finde their merit.
Ki.
Villaine! what dost racke
My expectation? speake, what of my sonne?
Answere me without circumstance, where is
The Prince? be briefe or—
Fab.
I know not my good Lord.
Ki.
Traytor, didst not prepare me to expect
Newes of my sonne, pronouncing thy selfe happy
In being the messenger? is he in health?
Fa.
I know not my good Lord.
Ki.
Cut off his head, I shall become the scorne
Of my owne subject.
Fa.
Mercy Royall sir,
And ile discharge my knowledge.
Ki.
Tell me then,
And ile have patience for the rest, but be not
Tedious, is my sonne alive or dead?
Fab.
Alas I know not my good Lord.
Ki.
Confusion!
Fab.
But with your Royall licence, I am able
To produce those can satisfie you in every
Particular.
Ki.
Where? whom? and quickly save thy life.
Fab.
They waite sir.
Ma.
This fellow was made for court dispatch,
An Elephant will sooner be delivered
Than his head when tis stuft with any businesse.
Enter Fabio, Vittori disguis'd, Rosinda.
Ki.
A Lady.
Alp.
And a faire one, what's the mystery.
Iul.
Shee's not of Naples sure.
Alb.
Fabio what is she?
Ros.
Sir, you may justly wonder that a woman,
A stranger, and an enemie, although
My sexe present you with no feares, should thus
Adventure to your presence, had I doubted
My selfe first, since suspition of anothers
Defect, doth rise from our owne want of goodnesse,
I had not us'd this boldnesse, but safe here
And arm'd with innocence, I gave up my freedome,
And dare not feede one jealousie, my honour
Can suffer with a king.
Ki.
An excellent presence.
Alp.
Her bearing is above the common spirit.
Ki.
Faire Lady, make me more acquainted with
Your purpose, nothing can proceede from you,
Ros.
Your sonne great sir.
Ki.
Where? speake, you do not looke
As you delighted to report a Tragedy,
Lives my Cesario?
Ros.
He does live my Lord.
Ki.
Support me good Alphonso, I shall faint
Vnder my joy.
Ros.
But lives a prisoner
To his enemie, the King of Cicily,
Who wish'd no greater triumph, then to boast
His person Captive, how he meanes to deale with him,
May admit some feare, Kings that prescribe to others
In peace, have great prerogatives, but in warre
Allow no Lawes, above what anger dictates
To their revenge, which bloud doth often satisfie.
Alp.
He dares not be so cruell.
Ros.
I conclude not,
But yet tis worth some feare, when he that was
The roote of all this warre, stands at their mercy
That could not wish his safety, and their owne
Together, I have told you sir the worst.
Ki.
Alas, thou hast undone me.
Alp.
Sir, my Lord?
Lady you were too-blame—my Lord.
Ros.
Your sonne
Shall live, and blesse your age, to see him live,
If you will be so kinde to allow your selfe
But eyes to witnesse it.
Kin.
Flatter not my soule,
That is already weary of her burden,
And would begon to rest.
Ros.
Gather your spirits.
Ki.
What hopes?
Ros.
Assurance sir, if you but please
To entertaine it, I came hither on
No empty motive, but to offer you
A pledge for young Cesario.
Where? what pledge?
Ros.
A pledge of as full value to the owner,
As your sonnes life to you.
Alp.
Such security were welcome.
Ki.
Make me blest.
Ros.
Receive me then your prisoner, and you make your ballance even,
Lose not your thought in wonder, when you know
The price of what I have presented you;
Your reason shanot thinke him undervalued,
I am Rosinda, Daughter to that King,
Whose Souldiers threaten Naples, equally
As pretious to my Father, and a Kingdome
And to your power, thus I expose my selfe,
If young Cesario meet unkinde conditions,
'Ith same proportion let Rosinda suffer,
Erect a Scaffold quickly ore the walles,
And fright their jealous eyes, when they behold
Who is prepard for death, to equall their
Revenge upon Cesario, whom thei'le threaten
To make you stoope, but lose no part of honour,
As you are a King, their trembling hangman
Shall thinke himselfe mock'd, and let fall his sword,
Or both our heads take their farewell together.
Ki.
Alphonso ist a woman?
Alp.
And a brave one!
Ma.
I admire her noblenesse.
Ros.
You are slow to aske
The cause that hath engag'd me to all this,
And yet you cannot chuse but reade it plainely,
In my guilty blushes, I do love the Prince
Perhaps tis more then he imagines, and
Since I first saw him in my Fathers court,
Without dishonour, I dare justifie
My heart was his, and to this love you owe
The sorrow of his absence, for Cssaandra
That noble Lady, to whose breast I gave
My secret'st thought, for my sake by a letter
In her owne name, by tie of former love
Whither no sooner privately arriv'd,
But by a vilaine that deceive our trust,
My Father was brought in, and he made prisoner,
You have the story, and my resolution
To be companion of his fate.
Vi.
Agen.
Those words deere Lady, that concern'd Cassandra.
Ki., Alp.
Vittori!
Vi.
All your pardon I must heare this first.
Ros.
Cassandra is innocent, and but fram'd that letter
To bring us two acquainted, the earth has not
A purer chastity.
Vi.
You have kept your word, & heaven reward your soule for't,
My duty sir to you, and to my Father.
Ros.
He hath deserv'd his welcome for my sake.
Ki.
We thus confirme it.
Alp.
My poore sonne Vittori!
Ki.
But teares of joy salute thee, best of Ladies!
Alphonso she is faire, well shap'd, my sonne
Gave her deform'd, with what eyes could he looke
Vpon this beauty, and not love it.
Vi.
This beauty is her least perfection,
It speakes her woman, but her soule an Angell,
But I forget Cassandra all this while.
Ki.
Welcome agen faire Princesse, my Cesario
Is here supplied—Alphonso.
Fab.
This may bring the peace about.
Ma.
May it so? what thinke you of halfe your Land?
Do not your acres melt apace?
Ki.
Away—
Never did Lady such an act of Noblenesse,
And what we cannot reach in honouring thee,
Ages to come shall pay thy memory.
Exeunt.
Enter King of Sicily, and Cassandra.
Ki. S.
May I beleeve Rosinda loves the Prince,
And yet so cunningly disguyse it from me?
Cas.
It was my plot I must confesse, but her
Another consequence.
Ki.
Ile to my Daughter.
Cas.
The Prince now in your power, I hope great sir
You'le looke more gently on Vittori.
Ki.
We shall thinke on him. The Prince, excuse my absence.
Enter Prince.
Pr.
Can those deceiving eyes looke still upon me?
Is not thy soule asham'd, have I for thee
Neglected my owne Fortune and my Father,
All the delights that waite upon a Kingdome,
For thy sake drawne this warre upon my Country,
And done such things, I did forget I was
A Prince i'th acting, and is all my love
Rewarded thus, no devill to betray me
But she to whom I durst have given my soule,
Degenerate woman.
Cas.
Sir throw of your passion,
And when you have heard me speake but a few minutes,
You'le change opinion, and if you do not
Accuse your selfe, you will at least acquit
Me from the guilt of your dishonour.
Pr.
Did not
The magicke of your letter bring me hither?
Cas.
I must not sir deny, I usd what motive
I could to gaine your presence, but no magicke.
Pr.
Twas worse, and shewes more blacke for thy intention
Hast thou a Conscience? and canst deny
Thou didst not meane this treachery.
Cas.
May heaven
Then shoot his anger at me, I sent for you,
But as I have a life not to betray you.
Pr.
What could induce thee then?
Cas.
Love, love my Lord.
Pr.
Ha? pardon my rashnesse and my errour,
Do I heare thee pronounce, twas love sent for me,
What streames of joy runne through me, I am free,
Have suffred nothing, nothing worthy of
Naples with as much ease as I can kisse thee,
Have you no more vexation? Oh my starres!
Your influence is too mercifull.
Cas.
Mistake not,
Twas love I must confesse, but not that love
Your wild imagination prompts you too,
And yet it was my love to wish you happie.
Pr.
You are in Paradoxes Lady, twas love, & it was not.
Cas.
Love with another Lady
In birth; and all thats good above Cassandra,
Had toward your person, did command my service
In that rude letter, my ambition
Reach'd at no greater honour, then to bring
Her passions to your knowledge, thinke my Lord
Ypon Rosinda.
Pr.
Ha?
Cas.
And prison all
Your wanton thoughts, Rosinda was by heaven
Design'd for you, as I was for Vittori.
Enter King of Sicily.
Kin.
Tis treason to be ignorant, search every where,
Ile hang yee all, unlesse you find my Daughter,
Prince wheres Rosinda? I will have her, or
Your head shall off.
Pr.
My head?
Ki.
I cannot take
Too great revenge, no punishment can fall
Severe enough upon his head was guilty
Of all these tumults.
Cas.
Is the Princesse lost?
Ki.
Not without some conspiracy, ya're all
Traytors, if I recover not my Child,
I will sacrifice the lives of my whole army.
Pr.
How ill this violence sits upon a King—Alphonso.
Enter Alphonso, Horatio, Trivulsi, Fabrichio, Pazzorela, Page.
Kin.
What are you sir?
Hor.
One from the King of Naples.
Ile heare nothing unles Rosinda be concernd ith message.
Alp.
She is.
Ki.
Ha, where?
Alp.
Safe in the City sir.
Ki.
A prisoner.
Alp.
Guarded with love and honour, which he hopes
Is not here wanting to Cesario.
Ki.
How came she thither?
Alp.
With Vittori sir.
Cas.
Ha Vittori?
Ki.
That double renegade, where is Cassandra?
Off with her head, and his.—
Alp.
My humblest duty.—
Take councell to your action—Rosinda
is in the same condition, my Lord
Vouchsafe mee hearing.
Hor.
Sir, if I were worthy
To advise you, let your passions coole, you but
Provoke their furie to your Daughter, by
threatning the prince.
Tri.
Y'are now on even termes,
What if you met and parlied?
Pr.
Every praise
Thou giv'st her makes me see my owne deformity,
Madam you first awakd me.
Fab.
Please you sir,
The King would have some further conference.
Cas.
Direct their councells heaven.
Pr.
Thy pardon deere Cassandra,
When I have leave, Ile aske Vittori's too,
And all the worlds.
Ki.
For further pledge on both sides,
Horatio weele exchange to invite Naples
To give us meeting.
Alp.
Tis desired already.
Ki.
We follow, come my Lord old men have passions.
Pr.
They were not men else.
Alp.
My sonnes life Cassandra.
Exit
But this is strange newes Didimo, is my Lady and
mistresse a Prisoner? I tooke the Prince.
Pag.
Twas valiantly done.
Paz.
Why may not I with my armour of magicke bustle among
the enemies, and get honour now?
Pag.
It were your onely time, get but a brave horse—
Paz.
That would carry double, and I might bring home the
Princesse behind me to the Campe; Say no more; stay, thou
art sure I am sufficiently inchanted.
Pag.
No infidelity, as sure as you had no money in your
pockets.
Paz.
Well remembred, if it be so sure my little Didimo you
shall now give me account of all that gold and silver.
Pag.
Such another word, and my Aunt shall take off her
curse agen.
Paz.
There's it, this urchin has me oth hip, beside in my conscience,
my granam has given thee a spell too, so that wee
might fight our hearts out, afore we kill one another.
Pag.
You my be sure of that.
Paz.
Prethee let me try, for my owne satisfaction, whether
my sword will runne thee through or no.
Pag.
It has beene attempted a hundred times, you may as
soone pricke me with the pummell; but if thou hast any doubt
thy owne body is not steele proofe, my rapier shall demonstate.
Paz.
Wo't? now tha'rt honest.
Pag.
Tis to no purpose.
Paz.
For my satisfaction, if thou lov'st me.
Pag.
Come on your wayes.
he drawes.
Paz.
Stay, tis pointed—I have a great mind, but if—but
if—I should—I am inchanted; doot, stay, I wonot see't:
now—
Pag.
Never feare.
He sheathes and with the scabberd thrusts him behind, and drawes it agen presently.
Paz.
Oh!
He has runne me through body and soule,
hum! I see no point, nor blood, nor paine, ha?
Tis so, god a mercy Didimo, I am right, I see't.
Fa.
Your charme will last no longer.
Paz.
Tell not me, I will then go seeke adventures,
Wee'le wander to releeve distressed damzels,
Through woods with monsters, and with Giants haunted,
And kill the Devill like a knight enchanted.
Exeunt.
Loud Musicke.
Enter King of Scicily, Prince, Alphonso, Trivulsi, Fabrichio, Cassandra; at one doore. King of Naples, Rosinda, Horatio, Vittori, Iulio, Alberto at the other. Alphonso, goes to the King of Naples, and Horatio returnes to the King of Sicily; they whisper.
K. of Sci.
Lets heare our daughter speake.
Ros.
First with an humblenesse
Thus low, I beg your pardon, and beseech
You would interpret no defect of dutie,
That I forsooke my tent, and your protection
There is another, stronger tie than natures
Love, whose impulsion you have felt, or I
Had never beene your daughter, mov'd my flight
Love of that excellent prince, whom in your power
I had no way to gaine but by this losse.
And if you had beene cruell to Cesario,
I should have gloried under these to suffer.
Pr.
No more, there's vertue in that excellent Princesse
To stocke two Kingdomes, pardon faire Rosinda,
Thou hast made me fit to know thee, taught by thy
Obedience, I returne a sonne to Naples
Thus, but desire no life without possession
Of that religious treasure, as y'are kings—
Both Kings.
A chaine of hands and hearts.
Vit.
Oh my Cassandra.
Nap.
Ioy in all bosomes.
Sicil.
Thus our kingdomes knit.
Pr.
Horatio we are friends too.
Hor.
Owne me your servant sir, I begge your pardon.
I cannot aske forgivenesse oft enough
For injuries to thee noble Vittori,
Alphonso and Cassandra.
Vit., Alp., Cas.
All your creatures.
Enter Mauritio, Fabio.
Ma.
Iustice my Lord.
Fab.
Mercy my Lord.
Nap.
Whats this?
Ma.
A deed of halfe his land, if he surviv'd
These warres, which are now happily determin'd,
My life was his security, which will
Be merrier with the moity of his Acres.
Na.
How if he had dyed?
Ma.
His Land had gone to the next heire, thats all
His ghost would hardly call upon my forfeit;
If I had dyed, his land had beene discharg'd,
But we both living must part stakes, he has
Enough for two on's.
Fab.
Cheated by a soldade.
Pr.
He must confirme his act.
Fab.
But in such cases sir, where mens estates—
Pr.
Are too much sir, and like their talke impertinent,
Goe to, yare well.
Fab.
But halfe well, and like your grace.
Ma.
Tis very well.
Nap.
Our Citty spreads to entertaine such guests.
Pr.
Never was musicke of so many parts,
As friends to Naples now, we all joyne hearts.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
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