 | 'Tis Pitty Shee's a Whore |  |
Actus Quintus.
Enter Annabella aboue.Anna.
Pleasures farwell, and all yee thriftlesse minutes,
Wherein False ioyes haue spun a weary life,
To these my Fortunes now I take my leaue.
Thou Precious Time, that swiftly rid'st in poast
Ouer the world, to finish vp the race
Of my last fate; here stay thy restlesse course,
And beare to Ages that are yet vnborne,
A wretched woefull woemans Tragedy,
My Conscience now stands vp against my lust
With dispositions charectred in guilt,
Enter Fryar.
And tells mee I am lost: Now I confesse,
Beauty that cloathes the out-side of the face,
Is cursed if it be not cloath'd with grace:
Here like a Turtle (mew'd vp in a Cage)
Vn-mated, I conuerse with Ayre and walls,
And descant on my vild vnhappinesse.
O Giouanni, that hast had the spoyle
Would thou hadst beene lesse subiect to those Stars
That luckelesse raign'd at my Natiuity:
O would the scourge due to my blacke offence
Might passe from thee, that I alone might feele
The torment of an vncontrouled flame.
Fry.
What's this I heare?
Anna.
That man, that Blessed Fryar,
Who ioynd in Ceremoniall knot my hand
To him whose wife I now am; told mee oft,
I troad the path to death, and shewed mee how.
But they who sleepe in Lethargies of Lust
Hugge their confusion, making Heauen vniust,
And so did I.
Fry.
Here's Musicke to the soule.
Anna.
Forgiue mee my Good Genius, and this once
Be helpfull to my ends; Let some good man
Passe this way, to whose trust I may commit
This paper double lin'd with teares and blood:
Which being granted; here I sadly vow
Repentance, and a leauing of that life
I long haue dyed in.
Fry.
Lady, Heauen hath heard you,
And hath by prouidence ordain'd, that I
should be his Minister for your behoofe.
Anna.
Ha, what are you?
Fry.
Your brothers friend the Fryar;
Glad in my soule that I haue liu'd to heare
This free confession twixt your peace and you,
What would you or to whom? feare not to speake.
Anna.
Is Heauen so bountifull? then I haue found
More fauour then I hop'd; here Holy man—
Throwes a letter.
Commend mee to my Brother giue him that,
That Letter; bid him read it and repent,
Tell him that I (imprison'd in my chamber,
Bard of all company, euen of My Guardian,
Who giues me cause of much suspect) haue time
And not beleeue the Friendship of my Lord,
I feare much more then I can speake: Good father,
The place is dangerous, and spyes are busie,
I must breake off—you'le doe't?
Fry.
Be sure I will;
And fly with speede—my blessing euer rest
With thee my daughter, liue to dye more blessed.
Exit Fry.
Anna.
Thanks to the heauens, who haue prolong'd my breath
To this good vse: Now I can welcome Death.
Exit.
Enter Soranzo and Vasques.
Vas.
Am I to be beleeu'd now?
First, marry a strumpet that cast her selfe away vpon you but to
laugh at your hornes? to feast on your disgrace, riott in your vexations,
cuckold you in your bride-bed, waste your estate vpon
Panders and Bawds?
Soran.
No more, I say no more.
Vas.
A Cuckold is a goodly tame beast my Lord.
Soran.
I am resolu'd; vrge not another word,
My thoughts are great, and all as resolute
As thunder; in meane time I'le cause our Lady
To decke her selfe in all her bridall Robes,
Kisse her, and fold her gently in my armes,
Begone; yet heare you, are the Bandetti ready
To waite in Ambush?
Vas.
Good Sir, trouble not your selfe about other busines, then
your owne resolution; remember that time lost cannot be recal'd.
Soran.
With all the cunning words thou canst, inuite
The States of Parma to my Birth-dayes feast,
Haste to my Brother riuall and his Father,
Entreate them gently, bidd them not to fayle,
Bee speedy and returne.
Uas.
Let not your pitty betray you, till my comming backe,
Thinke vpon Incest and Cuckoldry.
Soran.
Reuenge is all the Ambition I aspire,
To that I'le clime or fall; my blood's on fire.
Exeunt.
Gio.
Busie opinion is an idle Foole,
That as a Schoole-rod keepes a child in awe,
Frights the vnexperienc't temper of the mind:
So did it mee; who ere My precious Sister
Was married, thought all tast of loue would dye
In such a Contract; but I finde no change
Of pleasure in this formall law of sports.
Shee is still one to mee, and euery kisse
As sweet, and as delicious as the first
I reap't; when yet the priuiledge of youth
Intitled her a Virgine: O the glory
Of two vnited hearts like hers and mine!
Let Poaring booke-men dreame of other worlds,
My world, and all of happinesse is here,
And I'de not change it for the best to come,
A life of pleasure is Elyzeum.
Enter Fryar
Father, you enter on the Iubile
Of my retyr'd delights; Now I can tell you,
The hell you oft haue prompted, is nought else
But slauish and fond superstitious feare;
And I could proue it too—
Fry.
Thy blindnesse stayes thee,
Looke there, 'tis writt to thee.
Giues the Letter.
Gio.
From whom?
Fry.
Vnrip the seales and see:
The blood's yet seething hot, that will anon
Be frozen harder then congeal'd Corrall.
Why d'ee change colour sonne?
Gio.
Fore Heauen you make
Some petty Deuill factor 'twixt my loue
And your relligion-masked sorceries.
Where had you this?
Fry.
Thy Conscience youth is sear'd,
Else thou wouldst stoope to warning.
Gio.
'Tis her hand,
She writes I know not what; Death? I'le not feare
An armed thunder-bolt aym'd at my heart.
Shee writes wee are discouered, pox on dreames
Of lowe faint-hearted Cowardise; discouered?
The Deuill wee are; which way is't possible?
Are wee growne Traytoms to our owne delights?
Confusion take such dotage, 'tis but forg'd,
This is your peeuish chattering weake old man,
Now sir, what newes bring you?
Enter Vasques.
Vas.
My Lord, according to his yearely custome keeping this
day a Feast in honour of his Birth-day, by mee inuites you thither;
your worthy Father with the Popes reuerend Nuntio, and
other Magnifico's of Parma, haue promis'd their presence, wilt
please you to be of the number?
Gio.
Yes, tell them I dare come.
Vas.
Dare come?
Gio.
So I sayd; and tell him more I will come.
Vas.
These words are strange to mee.
Gio.
Say I will come.
Vas.
You will not misse?
Gio.
Yet more, I'le come; sir, are you answer'd?
Vas.
So Ile say—my seruice to you.
Exit Vas.
Fry.
You will not goe I trust.
Gio.
Not goe? for what?
Fry.
O doe not goe this feast (I'le gage my life)
Is but a plot to trayne you to your ruine,
Be ruld, you sha'not goe.
Gio.
Not goe? stood Death
Threatning his armies of confounding plagues,
With hoists of dangers hot as blazing Starts,
I would be there: not goe? yes and resolue
To strike as deepe is slaughter as they all.
For I will goe.
Fry.
Goe where thou wilt, I see
The wildnesse of thy Fate drawes to an end,
To know thy fall, backe to Bonenia I
With speed will haste, and shun this comming blowe.
Parma farwell, would I had neuer knowne thee,
Or ought of thine; well Youngman, since no prayer
Can make thee safe, I leaue thee to despayre.
Exit Fry.
Despaire or tortures of a thousand hells
All's one to mee; I haue set vp my rest.
Now, now, worke serious thoughts on banefull plots
Be all a man my soule; let not the Curse
Of old prescription rent from mee the gall
Of Courage, which inrolls a glorious death.
If I must totter like a well-growne Oake,
Some vnder shrubs shall in my weighty fall
Be crusht to splitts: with me they all shall perish.
Exit.
All's one to mee; I haue set vp my rest.
Now, now, worke serious thoughts on banefull plots
Be all a man my soule; let not the Curse
Of old prescription rent from mee the gall
Of Courage, which inrolls a glorious death.
If I must totter like a well-growne Oake,
Some vnder shrubs shall in my weighty fall
Be crusht to splitts: with me they all shall perish.
Enter Soranzo, Vasques, and Bandetti.
Soran.
You will not fayle, or shrinke in the attempt?
Vas.
I will vndertake for their parts; be sure my Maisters to
be bloody enough, and as vnmercifull, as if you were praying
vpon a rich booty on the very Mountaines of Liguria; for your
pardons trust to my Lord; but for reward you shall trust none
but your owne pockets.
Ban. omnes.
Wee'le make a murther.
Soran.
Here's gold, here's more; want nothing, what you do
is noble, and an act of braue reuenge.
Omnes.
Liberty, liberty.
Vas.
Hold, take euery man a Vizard; when yee are withdrawne,
keepe as much silence as you can possibly; you know
the watch-word, till which be spoken moue not, but when you
heare that, rush in like a stormy-flood; I neede not instruct yee
in your owne profession.
Omnes.
No, no, no.
Vas.
In then, your ends are profit and preferment—away.
Exit Bandetti.
Soran.
The guests will all come Vasques?
Vas.
Yes sir,
you see nothing is vnready to this Great worke, but a great mind
in you: Call to your remembrance your disgraces, your losse of
Honour, Hippolita's blood; and arme your courage in your owne
wrongs, so shall you best right those wrongs in vengeance
which you may truely call Your owne.
Soran.
'Tis well; the lesse I speake, the more I burne,
and blood shall quench that flame.
Vas.
Now you begin to turne Italian, this beside, when my
young Incest-monger comes, hee wilbe sharpe set on his old bitt:
giue him time enough, let him haue your Chamber and bed at liberty;
let my Hot Hare haue law ere he be hunted to his death,
Enter Giouanni.
that if it be possible, hee may poast to Hell in the very Act of his
damnation.
Soran.
It shall be so; and see as wee would wish,
Hee comes himselfe first; welcome my Much-lou'd brother,
Now I perceiue you honour me; y'are welcome,
But where's my father?
Gio.
With the other States,
Attending on the Nuntio of the Pope
To waite vpon him hither; how's my sister?
Soran.
Like a good huswife, scarcely ready yet,
Y'are best walke to her chamber.
Gio.
If you will.
Soran.
I must expect my honourable Friends,
Good brother get her forth.
Gio.
You are busie Sir.
Exit Giouanni.
Vas.
Euen as the great Deuill himselfe would haue it, let him
goe and glut himselfe in his owne destruction; harke, the Nuncio
is at hand; good sir be ready to receiue him.
Florish.
Enter Cardinall, Florio, Donado, Richardetto and Attendants.
Soran.
Most reuerend Lord, this grace hath made me proud,
That you vouchsafe my house; I euer rest
Your humble seruant for this Noble Fauour.
Car.
You are our Friend my Lord, his holinesse
Saint Peters Uicar in his substitute
Our speciall loue to you.
Soran.
Signiors to you
My welcome, and my euer best of thanks
For this so memorable courtesie,
Pleaseth your Grace to walke neere?
Car.
My Lord, wee come
To celebrate your Feast with Ciuill mirth,
As ancient custome teacheth: wee will goe.
Soran.
Attend his grace there, Signiors keepe your way.
Exeūt
Enter Giouanni and Annabella lying on a bed.
Gio.
What chang'd so soone? hath your new sprightly Lord
Found out a tricke in night-games more then wee
Could know in our simplicity? ha! is't so?
Or does the fitt come on you, to proue treacherous
To your past vowes and oathes?
Anna.
Why should you jeast
At my Calamity, without all sence
Of the approaching dangers you are in?
Gio.
What danger's halfe so great as thy reuolt?
Thou art a faithlesse sister, else thou know'st,
Malice, or any treachery beside
Would stoope to my bent-browes; why I hold Fate
Clasp't in my fist, and could Command the Course
Of times eternall motion; hadst thou beene
One thought more steddy then an ebbing Sea.
And what? you'le now be honest, that's resolu'd?
Anna.
Brother, deare brother, know what I haue beene,
And know that now there's but a dying time
Twixt vs and our Confusion: let's not waste
These precious houres in vayne and vselesse speech.
Alas, these gay attyres were not put on
But to some end; this suddaine solemne Feast
Was not ordayn'd to riott in expence;
Bard of my Guardian, or of any else,
Am not for nothing at an instant free'd
To fresh accesse; be not deceiu'd My Brother,
This Banquet is an harbinger of Death
To you and mee, resolue your selfe it is,
And be prepar'd to welcome it.
Gio.
Well then,
The Schoole-men teach that all this Globe of earth
Shalbe consum'd to ashes in a minute.
Anna.
So I haue read too.
Gio.
But 'twere some what strange
To see the Waters burne, could I beleeue
This might be true, I could beleeue aswell
There might be hell or Heauen.
Anna.
That's most certaine.
Gio.
A dreame, a dreame; else in this other world
Wee should know one another.
Anna.
So wee shall.
Gio.
Haue you heard so?
Anna.
For certaine.
Gio.
But d'ee thinke,
That I shall see you there,
You looke on mee,
May woe kisse one another,
Prate or laugh,
Or doe as wee doe here?
Anna.
I know not that,
But good for the present, what d'ee meane
To free your selfe from danger? some way, thinke
How to escape; I'me sure the guests are come.
Gio.
Looke vp, looke here; what see you in my face?
Anna.
Distraction and a troubled Countenance.
Gio.
Death and a swift repining wrath—yet looke,
What see you in mine eyes?
Anna.
Methinkes you weepe.
Gio.
I doe indeede; these are the funerall teares
When first I lou'd and knew not how to woe.
Faire Annabella, should I here repeate
The Story of my life, wee might loose time.
Be record all the spirits of the Ayre,
And all things else that are; that Day and Night,
Earely and late, the tribute which my heart
Hath paid to Annabella's sacred loue,
Hath been these teares, which are her mourners now:
Neuer till now did Nature doe her best,
To shew a matchlesse beauty to the world,
Which in an instant, ere it scarse was seene,
The jealous Destinies require againe.
Pray Annabella, pray; since wee must part,
Goe thou white in thy soule, to fill a Throne
Of Innocence and Sanctity in Heauen.
Pray, pray my Sister.
Anna.
Then I see your drift,
Yee blessed Angels, guard mee.
Gio.
So say I,
Kisse mee; if euer after times should heare
Of our fast-knit affections, though perhaps
The Lawes of Conscience and of Ciuill vse
May iustly blame vs, yet when they but know
Our loues, That loue will wipe away that rigour,
Which would in other Incests bee abhorr'd.
Giue mee your hand; how sweetely Life doth runne
In these well coloured veines! how constantly
These Palmes doe promise health! but I could chide
With Nature for this Cunning flattery,
Kisse mee againe—forgiue mee.
Anna.
With my heart.
Gio.
Farwell.
Anna.
Will you begone?
Gio.
Be darke bright Sunne,
And make this mid-day night, that thy guilt rayes
May not behold a deed, will turne their splendour
One other kisse my Sister.
Anna.
What meanes this?
Gio.
To saue thy fame and kill thee in a kisse.
stabs her.
Thus dye, and dye by mee, and by my hand,
Reuenge is mine; Honour doth loue Command.
Anna.
Oh brother by your hand?
Gio.
When thou art dead
I'le giue my reasons for't; for to dispute
With thy (euen in thy death) most louely beauty,
Would make mee stagger to performe this act
Which I most glory in.
Anna.
Forgiue him Heauen—and me my sinnes, farwell.
Brother vnkind, vnkind—mercy great Heauen—oh—oh.
Dyes,
Gio.
Shee's dead, alas good soule; The haplesse Fruite
That in her wombe receiu'd its life from mee,
Hath had from mee a Cradle and a Graue.
I must not dally, this sad Marriage-bed
In all her best, bore her aliue and dead.
Soranzo thou hast mist thy ayme in this,
I haue preuented now thy reaching plots,
And kil'd a Loue, for whose each drop of blood
I would haue pawn'd my heart; Fayre Annabella,
How ouer-glorious art thou in thy wounds,
Tryumphing ouer infamy and hate!
Shrinke not Couragious hand, stand vp my heart,
And boldly act my last, and greater part.
Exit with the Body.
A Banquet.
Enter Cardinall, Florio, Donado, Soranzo, Richardetto, Vasques and attendants; They take their places.
Vas.
Remember Sir what you haue to do, be wise and resolute.
Soran.
Enough—my heart is fix't, pleaseth Your Grace
To taste these Course Confections; though the vse
Of such set enterteyments more consists
In Custome, then in Cause; yet Reuerend Sir,
I am still made your seruant by your presence.
And wee your Friend.
Soran.
But where's my Brother Giouanni?
Enter Giouanni with at heart vpon his Dagger.
Gio.
Here, here Soranzo; trim'd in reeking blood,
That tryumphs ouer death; proud in the spoyle
Of Loue and Vengeance, Fate or all the Powers
That guide the motions of Immortall Soules
Could not preuent mee.
Car.
What meanes this?
Flo.
Sonne Giouanni?
Soran.
Shall I be forestall'd?
Gio.
Be not amaz'd: If your misgiuing hearts
Shrinke at an idle sight; what bloodlesse Feare
Of Coward passion would haue ceaz'd your sences,
Had you beheld the Rape of Life and Beauty
Which I haue acted? my sister, oh my sister.
Flo.
Ha! What of her?
Gio.
The Glory of my Deed
Darkned the mid-day Sunne, made Noone as Night.
You came to feast My Lords with dainty fare,
I came to feast too, but I dig'd for food
In a much richer Myne then Gold or Stone
Of any value ballanc't; 'tis a Heart,
A Heart my Lords, in which is mine intomb'd,
Looke well vpon't; d'ee know't?
Vas.
What strange ridle's this?
Gio.
'Tis Annabella's Heart, 'tis; why d'ee startle?
I vow 'tis hers, this Daggers poynt plow'd vp
Her fruitefull wombe, and left to mee the fame
Of a most glorious executioner.
Flo.
Why mad-man, art thy selfe?
Gio.
Yes Father, and that times to come may know,
How as my Fate I honoured my reuenge:
List Father, to your eares I will yeeld vp
How much I haue deseru'd to bee your sonne.
Flo.
What is't thou say'st?
Nine Moones haue had their changes,
Since I first throughly view'd and truely lou'd
Your Daughter and my Sister.
Flo.
How! alas my Lords, hee's a frantick mad-man!
Gio.
Father no;
For nine Moneths space, in secret I enjoy'd
Sweete Annabella's sheetes; Nine Moneths I liu'd
A happy Monarch of her heart and her,
Soranzo, thou know'st this; thy paler cheeke
Beares the Confounding print of thy disgrace,
For her too fruitfull wombe too soone bewray'd
The happy passage of our stolne delights,
And made her Mother to a Child vnborne.
Car.
Incestuous Villaine.
Flo.
Oh his rage belyes him.
Gio.
It does not, 'tis the Oracle of truth,
I vow it is so.
Soran.
I shall burst with fury,
Bring the strumpet forth.
Vas.
I shall Sir.
Exit Vas.
Gio.
Doe sir, haue you all no faith
To credit yet my Triumphs? here I sweare
By all that you call sacred, by the loue
I bore my Annabella whil'st she liu'd,
These hands haue from her bosome ript this heart.
Is't true or no sir?
Enter Vas.
Vas.
'Tis most strangely true.
Flo.
Cursed man—haue I liu'd to—
Dyes.
Car.
Hold vp Florio,
Monster of Children, see what thou hast done,
Broake thy old Fathers heart; is none of you
Dares venter on him?
Gio.
Let 'em; oh my Father,
How well his death becomes him in his griefes!
Why this was done with Courage; now surviues
None of our house but I, guilt in the blood
Of a Fayre sister and a Haplesse Father.
Inhamane scorne of men, hast thou a thought.
T'out liue thy murthers?
Gio.
Yes, I tell thee yes;
For in my fists I beare the twists of life,
Soranzo, see this heart which was thy wiues,
Thus I exchange it royally for thine,
And thus and thus, now braue reuenge is mine.
Vas.
I cannot hold any longer; you sir, are you growne insolent
in your butcheries? haue at you.
Fight.
Gio.
Come, I am arm'd to meete thee.
Vas.
No, will it not be yet? if this will not, another shall,
Not yet; I shall fitt you anon—
Vengeance.
Enter Bandetti.
Gio.
Welcome, come more of you what e're you be,
I dare your worst—
Oh I can stand no longer, Feeble armes
Haue you so soone lost strength.
Vas.
Now you are welcome Sir,
Away my Maisters, all is done,
Shift for your selues, your reward is your owne,
Shift for your selues.
Ban.
Away, away.
Exeunt Bandetti.
Vas.
How d'ee my Lord, see you this? how is't?
Soran.
Dead; but in death well pleased, that I haue liu'd
To see my wrongs reueng'd on that Blacke Deuill.
O Vasques, to thy bosome let mee giue
My last of breath, let not that Lecher liue—oh
Dyes.
Vas.
The Reward of peace and rest be with him,
My euer dearest Lord and Maister.
Gio.
Whose hand gaue mee this wound?
Vas.
Mine Sir, I was your first man, haue you enough?
Gio.
I thanke thee, thou hast done for me but what I would
haue else done on my selfe, ar't sure thy Lord is dead?
Vas.
Oh Impudent slaue, as sure as I am sure to see the dye.
Car.
Thinke on thy life and end, and call for mercy.
Gio.
Mercy? why I haue found it in this Iustice.
Car.
Striue yet to cry to Heauen.
Oh I bleed fast,
Death, thou art a guest long look't for, I embrace
Thee and thy wounds; oh my last minute comes.
Where e're I goe, let mee enioy this grace,
Freely to view My Annabella's face.
Dyes.
Do.
Strange Miracle of Iustice!
Car.
Rayse vp the Citty, wee shall be murdered all.
Vas.
You neede not feare, you shall not; this strange taske being
ended, I haue paid the Duty to the Sonne, which I haue vowed
to the Father.
Car.
Speake wretched Villaine, what incarnate Feind
Hath led thee on to this?
Vas.
Honesty, and pitty of my Maisters wrongs; for know
My Lord, I am by birth a Spaniard, brought forth my Countrey
in my youth by Lord Soranzo's Father; whom whil'st he liued,
I seru'd faithfully; since whose death I haue beene to this
man, as I was to him; what I haue done was duty, and I repent
nothing, but that the losse of my life had not ransom'd his.
Car.
Say Fellow, know'st thou any yet vnnam'd
Of Counsell in this Incest?
Vas.
Yes, an old woeman, sometimes Guardian to this murthered
Lady.
Car.
And what's become of her?
Vas.
Within this Roome shee is, whose eyes after her confession
I caus'd to be put out, but kept aliue, to confirme what
from Giouanni's owne mouth you haue heard: now My Lord,
what I haue done, you may Iudge of, and let your owne wisedome
bee a judge in your owne reason.
Car.
Peace; First this woeman chiefe in these effects,
My sentence is, that forthwith shee be tane
Out of the Citty, for examples sake,
There to be burnt to ashes.
Do.
'Tis most iust.
Car.
Be it your charge Donado, see it done.
Do.
I shall.
Vas.
What for mee? if death, 'tis welcome, I haue beene honest
to the Sonne, as I was to the Father.
Fellow, for thee; since what thou did'st, was done
Not for thy selfe, being no Italian,
Wee banish thee for euer, to depart
Within three dayes, in this wee doe dispense
With grounds of reason not of thine offence.
Vas.
'Tis well; this Conquest is mine, and I reioyce that a
Spaniard out-went an Italian in reuenge.
Car.
Take vp these slaughtered bodies, see them buried,
And all the Gold and Iewells, or whatsoeuer,
Confiscate by the Canons of the Church,
Wee ceaze vpon to the Popes proper vse.
Richar.
Your Graces pardon, thus long I liu'd disguis'd
To see the effect of Pride and Lust at once
Brought both to shamefull ends.
Car.
What Richardetto whom wee thoughr for dead?
Do.
Sir was it you—
Richar.
Your friend.
Car.
Wee shall haue time
To talke at large of all, but neuer yet
Incest and Murther haue so strangely met.
Of one so young, so rich in Natures store,
Who could not say, 'Tis pitty shee's a Whoore?
Exeunt.
FINIS.
| 'Tis Pitty Shee's a Whore | |