University of Virginia Library

Act III.

Scene I.

Enter Brusco, Rampino, Hirco, their swords drawne, a noyse of Drummes first heard a farre off.
Rampino.
All's lost, the towne is taken, w'are betray'd,
That cursed Traytor Galeotto sold
Us like tame feeble sheep to Heildebrand,
The Lombards King, whom false Morello (taught
Ly's masters Art) gave in the sleepie houre
Of night a secret entrance through the Westerne Port.

Hirco,
No courage left? is th'Citadell surpriz'd?

Brusco.
Past all recoverie? Gandolpho, hee
That was preferr'd to the command of it
Some two yeeres since, by'th treacherous favorite,
At his designe made a surrender to
The filching King, that hath not overcome,
But stolne us to captivitie.

Ramp.
What drowsie ignorance possess'd the Prince
To trust with such important power, one whom
He knew a traytor to that Villaines lust?

Brusc.
I, there his reason shew'd herselfe bewitch'd;
When he had banish'd Galeotto, and
Incens'd his very soule to all malignitie
That his invenom'd gall could ere produce;
Then to put trust in those he had preferr'd?—

Enter Rangone.
Rangone.
O Gentlemen? to what unseasonable use
Doe you advance your weapons, as you meant
To threaten the victorious foe? when we
Are so much past the likelihood of helpe,
That all resistance you can make is but
To hasten on the forfeit of your lives.

Brusco.
If channells must o'reflow with blood, they shall
Be fed from proudest veines that highest swell;
Theirs who would emptie ours shall open too

Ramp.
Why should we calmly die, as if we had
Drunke cold Mandragona, and breathe our soules
Out in our sleepe, departing with lesse noyse
Then men that dreame they die; let's venture to
Regaine the Fort.

Hirco.
There are enow to make
Scalladoes left, that have not yeelded up
Their armes; if wee must fall, it is as good
Doe't climbing as thus standing still.

Rang.
Your forces are too weake, 'tis fortifi'd
Alreadie with two Regiments of Switz.
I know you thinke, I am as much inclin'd
To hazard, as that man, who dares the most
In glory or revenge: but this attempt
Will onely serve t'incense sterne Heildebrand
Against our Prince and Altophil; who with
Arthiopa are prisoners, and given
To Galeotto's power as a reward:
First promiss'd him to purchase his lost faith.

Brusco.
The Prince our Generall, and his Mistresse too
All ta'ne? the destinies are growne too curst,—
Drummes a farre off.
Stand close, and make this passage good.

Enter Heildebrand, Goleotto, Morello, Gandolpho, Souldiers.
Heildebrand.
What left mis-taken soules are these? who but
A piece and remnant of discourag'd strength
Presume defiance still, when all the rest
Have safely yeelded to our power? Bid them
(Galeotto) give their weapons up.

Galeot.
Why, Gentlemen doe you vainly tempt
A danger from his wrath, that not delights
To ruine where his mercy is implor'd?
Present him your unprofitable swords,
And I'll procure a full assurance of
Your lives and liberties.

Rangone.
Kindnesse sounds ill in a traytors tongue,
If you had loyall held unto your Prince,
Such mediation had been out of use.

Galeot.
This language is too bold; it doth proclaime
Your anger great, and your discretion small.
But such untimely choller, know, I can
As easily forgive as scorne, and will
Requite it, (if you'll yet submit) with a
Protection of your throats, that else are in
Great danger to swallow no more new wine.

Morel.
The counsell that hee gives you is not fit
To be refus'd.

Gandolpho.
Y'our brothers of the campe; is it not better
To live and spend your pay, when you can get it,
Then die, and have it laid out in fun'rall plums?

Heildebr.
If you will hazard death we can afford it,
If you with taking but a little paines
Stand still and smile whil'st it is done, If you'll
Deserve to live, you shall enjoy the same
Kinde mercy wee afford the towne; be free
And still protected by your former lawes;
But first yeeld up your swords.

Brusco.
Our swords are all our wealth, take those away
And we are left to poverty and shame.

Hirco.
Your grant already hath allow'd our Citizens
The preservation of their lands and goods,

Ramp.
Shall we fare worse then retailers of small wares?

Heildebrand.
The tribute of your Armes wee'll but possesse
Till night; and then on th'honour of a King,
They shall be all restor'd.

Rangone.
In our resistance, Gentlemen, vainly
We give away our lives; let us preserve
Them rather for our Princes future use.

Brusco.
Since it must be, make answer as you please.

Rangone.
Upon your Kingly word we yeeld.

Heildebr.
Disarme, and leade them to our Court du-gard,
Where, when you have enroll'd their names, take care
That our engagement be made good.—

Souldiers take away their swords.
Ramp.
I pray looke to the Ribbon on
The Hilt, it is a widowes favour.—

Exeunt Rang. Brusco, Ramp. Hirco, souldiers.
Heildebr.
Where's (Galeotto) your prisoners?

Galeotto.
Safely confin'd in my owne house, and now,
According to your royall grant, I crave
The full disposing of their lives.

Heildeb.
Take our consent, we ne're will lessen what
At first our bountie did assure; but then
Your secret promise must be straight perform'd.

Galeotto.
At night, or let mee forfeit all your trust.

Heildebr.
Leade to the City-Senate, that wee may
Receive their homage, and confirme their Lawes,
Still weare your secret promise in your thoughts.—

Exeunt omnes.
Enter Ascoli, Altophil, Arthiopa, their armes bound.
Ascoli.
My fall from Soveraigne title and command,
My losse of that which nature worst can misse,
My pleasant liberty; thus being bound
Like a cheap slave, that's sold for lesse, then buyes
The conqueror the riots of one meale.
Not all these suffrings make me mourne so much
As my short separation of your loves.
Yet, when I saw her faith was so oblig'd
And knit unto your vertues, Altophil,
I did resigne my nuptiall hopes, and gave
Her loyaltie the praise and reverence due
Unto a Saint.

Arthiopa.
Your usage, Sir, I have
Confess'd, was noble, though unfortunate,
And I shall finde scarce teares enough left to lament
My owne captivitie, when I behold
My mourning Lords and yours.

Altophil.
Would there were here
Some flowrie banke, shaded with Cypresse, Ewe
And Sycamore, whose melancholie brow
Hangs o're a little discontented brooke
That ever murmurs, as it wisely knew
It travell'd to some River that must soone
Convey it to the Sea, where they are both
In trouble with the bounds and lost. Here wee
Would sit, comparing mighty Courts to greater Seas,
Where Lovers like small Rivelets are vex'd
A while, and then o'rewhelm'd. A rurall residence
Neere Woods and Meads, though it be humble, is
The place, where we may love and be secure.

Altophil.
Why then did my too valiant father, and
Thy selfe disquiet all the peacefull world
With hunting after fame? loaden and crush'd
In heavie armour for the chase? toyling
To get us this renowne and eminence,
Which since hath ruin'd our content? O that
We first had met in Shepheards homely weeds!

Altophil.
I, my Arthiopa, or that wee now
Might so enjoy our libertie; then if
Ambition did inflame my thoughts to aime
At victories, I should not combate for a Crowne,
But wrestle for some Chaplet wreath'd by thee
Of Daffadills and Pinks.

Ascoli.
How kindly wee
Should take o'th Celestiall Governours,
If they would make these wishes reall truth?
And mee some neighb'ring Villager that came
To joy, and wonder at your loves, to court
The beauties of your Mistresse mind, my Altophil,
Such Rivalship is noble, though 'tis new.

Enter Galeotto, Gandolpho, Morello, Souldiers.
Altophil.
Appeare, and let thy rage inflict her worst.
'Las! poore Traytor! how dull thy mischiefes are,
How weake, that canst invent no punishment
To quit thy daughters still neglected Love!
But what wee'll suffer, and embrace with scorne.

Ascoli.
Performe thy malice; come, that wee may laugh
To thinke how all posterity will urge
Thy deeds in railing Proverbs to expresse
Disloyaltie.

Arthiopa.
And Maids, when they but heare thy name,
Shall crosse themselves in superstitious feare.

Morello.
These are but dang'rous crabbed complements
To him that holds your lives in his command.

Galeot.
Right, Sir, if I could easily remove
My gall from off my liver to my heart;
But now I take no joy in bitternesse:
Thus I requite their wrath, unbind them straight.—

Souldier unbind them.
Altophil.
How's this! What may the courtesie portend?

Galeot.
Waste not your wonder, Sir, it is no dreame.

Altophil.
His sinfull nature is converted sure.

Galeot.
Now, being all made free, you, Altophil,
And faire Arthiopa, have but exchang'd
These fetters to be joyn'd in everlasting bonds.
Start not, they are but Matrimoniall cords;
And easie to be worne, though ne're unty'd
Such manacles you'll gladly enter in.

Arthiop.
My prayers have found the neerest way to heaven,
How quickly they were heard.
Those staines are all
Wip'd off, that so disfigur'd thee, thy brow
Is quite unwrinckled now, and growes so smooth,
Thou wilt not know it in thy former glasse.

Ascol.
Galeotto! this restores thee to thy kinde
Esteeme agen; whil'st I behold their happinsse,
I can forgive thy stealth upon my state.

Galeot.
Convey those Lovers to their bridall chamber,
And let the ceremoniall rites be such
As I directed them.

Altophil.
Come my Arthiopa, gladnesse shall leave
No roome for Virgin-blushes in thy cheeks.—

Exeunt Morello, Altophil, Arthiopa.
Ascol.
Is my employment void, must I not goe
And helpe to celebrate this blessed houre?

Galeot.
No, Sir, you have a greater businesse of
Your owne, and may be thought as happy too,
If you will prove as wise in your consent
As I am kind to offer it.

Ascoli.
Instruct me better what you meane.

Galeot.
You see how your most rigourous doome upon
My person and my wealth, enforc'd mee to
Such wayes in my revenge, as since have made
Me apt for more ambitious hopes then those
I lost; This froward Duke held my alliance in
Unhallowed worth: Now hee is more in my
Contempt; for you (his Master, Sir) I thinke
Fitter to choose my daughter as a wife.

Ascoli.
There's mystery in this discourse.

Galeot.
'Tis easie, Sir, when you conceive, that I
By marriage now remove Arthiopa
From your desires.

Ascoli.
But I have made a vow,
Since she severely did refuse the first
Most lawfull passions that I ever felt,
All other beauty shall appeare too late.

Galeotto.
Those are but silly vowes, which Amorists
In choller make, when they have vainly spent
A frostie night, with singing Madrigalls
To some coy Mistresse; whil'st her windowes shut,
Consider, this perform'd, my power with Heildebrand
May keepe you yet in your Dominions free,
Some slender yeerly tribute being paid.

Ascoli.
It is not in your will to force my Love.

Galeotto.
Sir, if I should, it were but justice, and
Divine; since in my absence you conspir'd
T'enforce brave Altophil to make her his;
That your desires might suffer no impediment
When they should court Arthiopa.

Ascoli.
Thou rudely dost awake
Those thoughts that faine would sleepe; I'll heare no more,

Galeotto.
Goe, bind him then, and leade him where he was
Before restrain'd; you shall have time to meditate,
And make your resolutions of more worth.

Gandolpho.
My Lord, I'll watch him like your Sentinell.

Ascoli.
Slave, dost thou use me as fond children doe
Their Birds, shew me my freedome in a string;
And when th'ast play'd with me enough, straight pull
Me backe agen to languish in my Cage?
This insolence will make her chiefe in hell.—

Exeunt omnes.
Enter Hirco, Friskin, Fibbia.
Fibbia.
Well, this is a good King, the Lawes shall have
Their course; it matters not who raignes, as long
As ev'ry one may come by their owne; if
Seignior Rampino pay me not, I can
Arrest him now.

Friskin.
Troth Mistresse Fibbia's in the right;
For thus to faile his day, is such a thing,
Heaven wil never blesse him.

Fibbia.
Never, 'Tis impossible he should come to good
That failes his day.
Heaven keepe my friends from failing of their day.

Hirco.
Who would have though 't'ad been so great a sin;
But the truth is, I ne're studied Divinitie:
All that I reade is in the Muster-booke.

Friskin.
But, as you told us, Sir, Is he so great
Already with the new King?

Hirco.
Upon my honour, hee sent him just now
A sword for a present, and thus to me,
Because I am his friend.

Friskin.
Yours (Seignior) is not very rich.

Hirco.
No, a plaine bandall Hilt; it was his great
Great grandfathers, but there are no such blades worne now.—
Enter Rampino.
I've told your friends here, how much you are
In favour now at Court, and they rejoyce,
Heartily, beare up; and make it good,
Sir, we have reason to be glad; I pray
How came't about? may wee learne a little
of the State devices?

Ramp.
Troth partly merit, for you know
I weare my cloaths as well as another man;
Besides, I had the lucke to be most neere
A kinne to him that did betray the Fort.

Friskin.
Ah, Seignior! if you could have betray'd it
Your selfe, then we had been all made.

Ramp.
Well, no time lost, we may have occasion
To betray somewhat hereafter; men that
Will rise, must not be tender of
Their labour and good will.

Fibbia.
Seignior, y'are in the right:
For if we labour in our Calling, heaven
Will helpe us to betray something or other
For our good.

Ramp.
Mistresse Fibbia, I owe you
For much profitable counsell.

Fibbia.
I, Sir, and money for other things.

Ramp.
Wee'll talke of that anon.
Shew mee another
Of thy standing that beares her yeeres like thee;
It shall cost mee foure Duckets but I'll
Get thy picture, and by thy side I'll have
Young Antiphones thy sonne drawne too,
Eating of Cherries in a green coat.

Friskin.
Seignior, this was the day you promis'd me.

Ramp.
I, I must talke with you; d'you heare, you shall
Worke for the King.

Friskin.
Who? I Sir, alas!

Ramp.
Come, it must be so, his Taylor dy'd this morning.

Friskin.
I pray, Seignior.

Hirco.
'Tis very true,
He fell madde with studying of new fashions.

Friskin.
I shall be thankfull if you'll use your power.

Ramp.
You can i'th long vacation ev'ry yeere
Travell to Paris, and instruct your selfe
O'th newest modell, and best cut.

Friskin.
I have a brother lives there, Sir, he is
A Shoe-maker, and lately sent me post
A patterne of the finest Spur-leather;
'Twas so admir'd at Court.

Ramp.
Write for him straight, he shall be preferr'd too,
If he bee kowne to trim at's pairing-knife,
He cannot misse th'reversion of that place.

Friskin.
If the house of the Friskins rise, none of
Your worthy issue shall want a second.

Fibbia.
Seignior, my money's due since Lammas last;
Shall I know your mind?

Ramp.
Sweet Mistresse Fibbia, you shall receive our whole
Discourse; I'm studying to preferre your neighbour here
At Court. Now, if you'll choose any imployment
In the Queens side, your hopes stand faire; she now
Lies in at Mantua. Let me see—what thinke
You of a Rockers place to the young Prince?

Fibbia.
Why truly, Sir, so I may carry my
Small sonne a long, I would be loth to leave him
Behind in a lone house.

Ramp.
You must buy him a new Hat; and d'you heare,
Let him abstaine from Ginger-bread, 'twill spoyle
His growth.

Fibbia.
A little, Sir, on holy dayes.

Ramp.
You will be selfe-will'd.

Fibbia.
He alwayes had a care of my sonne.

Ramp.
Friskin, and you may visit me to morrow,
And know more.

Friskin.
I'll bring my measure with me, it is long
Since I wrought for your worship.

Ramp.
Doe, doe, farewell; Hirco, make haste, and shift the ayre;
There's nothing so contagious as the breath
Of Creditors.—

Exeunt omnes.
Enter Morello, Altophil, Arthiopa.
Altophil.
Rich hangings of the anticke Persian Loome,
Venetian Tapers guilt, and bedding of
Italian Nunnes imbroaderie, purl'd and imboss'd.
Galeotto shewes his bountie great to decke
Our Bridall chamber, with such forraigne pomp;
But where's the Priest, that with his holy words
Should make us fit to enter here?

Morello.
Rosting the Pigge he receiv'd in his last tythes.

Altophil.
Your mirth is somewhat strange; does it become you?

Morello.
How little are you prais'd in th'affaires
And soules of men, to thinke this sumptuous bed
Within, and furniture could entertaine
An enemie?

Altophil.
For whom was it prepar'd?

Morello.
For mighty Heildebrand, the Lombards King,
Who, when hee gave the Prince, and you secure
Undoubted prisoners to my Masters will,
He had a promise made, the ensuing night
He should enjoy that Lady in his armes.

Arthiopa.
Ah mee! what prodigies are here?

Altophil.
Villaine, take that for thy intelligence.—

Strikes him.
Morel.

So fierce in your rewards! what! how, seize on the Duke?—
Enter souldiers, lay hold on him.
tie his offensive armes, the Lady too!

Altophil.
My sense is so much dull'd with often use
Of my calamities, that they are now
Become my sport; what followes, Sir? I doe
Beseech you would proceed.

Morello.
Souldiers, avoyd the roome.—
Exeunt souldiers.
Know, Sir, the wise Galeotto to make full
Witty and new his bounty to the King,
Ordain'd that you this Lady's Lover, should
Upon your knees present her to his Iust:
Your proud neglect of Amaranta then
Is subtilly repay'd.

Altophil.
O! damn'd infernall Dog.

Morello.
I'll leave you, Sir, take leisure, and resolve
T'accept of this imployment, or to die.—

Exit.
Altophil.
How divers are the changes of his tyrannie;
Erewhile he flatter'd us with pleasant shewes
Of comfortable hope; then suddenly
Presents us with more horrid formes then death.

Arthiopa.
Death is our happiest expectation now;
The grave is ever quiet, though 'tis cold;
But Altophil, alas! when wee have slept
A many thousand yeeres; who is't can tell
If I againe shall know thee when I wake?—

Exit Amaranta.
Amaran.
The chiefest blessings that are bred above
Fall on you both; like Summer showers that come
To ripen what before was but i'th infancie
Of growth: First, Altophil, on you that are
Most noble to the world, though much behind
To mee; next on your Bride, whose vetues shine
So cleare, that I must checke my envie, and
Pretend some joy to see her fortunate.

Altophil.
Can this be Amaranta's voyce? is shee
Perverted too, and taught to mocke at our
Distresse?

Arthiopa.
This ill beseemes a Maidens tendernesse.

Amaranta.
Forbid it goodnesse; if you suffer ought,
That I should make your miseries my scorne;
For just heaven knowes, my father with great shewes
Of kindnesse, and of hope lately disturb'd
My Orisons, with newes hee had design'd
The Prince to marry me, which, Altopil,
Was but unwelcome hope, since my best Love
Must die with thy disdaine; then told me all
These preparations were to celebrate
Your Nuptialls with Arthiopa.

Altophil.
My Nuptiall Rites! this was a feign'd disguise
To hide his foule lascivious purpose from
Thy bashfull sight.

Amar.
My Lord, though he hath wrong'd you much, do not
Misconstrue him as fit for all impieties.

Altophil.
Alas! it is too drie
A truth; witnesse these bonds, witnesse those griefes
That hang upon Arthiopa like blacke
Wet clouds upon the mornings cheeke; know she
Is here design'd for th'lust of Heildebrand:
And I by your obdurate fathers will,
Must be inforc'd to see and suffer it.

Amaranta.
Horror! why should I tarry here,
And listen to such things as are not fit
To be believ'd?

Altophil.
Stay Amaranta, stay;
If thou art pitifull, and hast that heaven
Within thy heart, that with such lively truth
Is figur'd in thy face, expresse it now.
Thou knowest the secret passages and doores
Of this thy fathers house, convey with thy
Best skill; and trust my Mistresse to some darke
Unusuall place, where she may rest secure
And safe from violence.

Arthiopa.
Upon my knees I begge
If yet the softnesse of thy mothers nature
Have any residence within thy breast:
Looke like a Virgin on a Virgins moane;
And let thy mercy finde some way to hide
My honour from the reach of wicked men.

Altophil.
This sad necessity hath made my joynts
Stiffned with Winter-marches in the war,
Now supple as a Courtiers knee, that waits
Upon a Tyrants Throne. Behold how low
I fall to be my Mistresse advocate.—

Amarant.
Let me henceforth in darknesse dwell; for why
Should I againe make use of day, that could
Endure to see th'elected Monarch of
My vassall'd Love, thus humbled at my feet?
Rise, Sir, rise sweet Arthiopa, though it
Seemes strange (though you my Rivall are) I should
Assist your fortune, whose felicity
Must ruine mine; yet I will justly doe't
With hazard of my life.

Altophil.
What strange malicious courtesie (you starres)
Was this? to make the first election of
My love so excellent, and with Arthiopa,
So fill my breast, that there no roome was left
To entertaine the Ladies true
Affection, till it came too late.

Arthiopa.
And I could not confirme
My owne chiefe happinesse; but whilst I foyld
The chaste proceedings of her hope.

Amar.
First, I'll untie these mis-becomming bonds,—
Unbinds them.
Now, follow mee with slow and wary feet,
Strong guards are severally dispers'd beneath;
You cannot voyd the house; but there's a vault
Deepe buried under yonder Turrets frame,
Where I'll conceale you both, 'till I perswade
My father cease his irreligious wrath.

Altophil.
This kindnesse to thy Rivall shall become
(In all succeeding times) a story fit
To soften ev'ry amorous Ladies eare;
Fame loud shall sing it, and preserve it long,
The musicke of her trumpet, not her tongue.—

Exeunt.