 | The Maides Revenge |  |
Scæna 1.
Enter Antonio, Berinthia, Castabella, Villandras, Sforza, Diego.Ant.
The welcom'st guest that ever Eluas had
Sister, Uillandras yare not sensible what treasure
You possesse, I have no loves, I would not here divide.
Cast.
Indeed Madam, yare as welcome here, as ere my mother
was.
Vil.
And you are here as safe, as if you had an army for your
Guard.
Sfor.
Safe armies, and guard; Berinthia yare a Lady,
But I meane not to court you: guard quotha, here's
A Toledo, and an old arme, tough bones and sinewes,
Able to cut off as stout a head as wags upon a shoulder,
Thart Antonios guest, welcome by the old bones
Of his Father, th'ast a wall of brasse about thee
My young Daffodill.
Nor thinke my noble cozen meaneth you any dishonour
here.
Ant.
Dishonour, it is a language I never understood, yet
Throw off your feares Berinthia, yare ith' power
Of him that dares not thinke
The least dishonour to you.
Sfor.
True by this buffe jerkin, that hath look'd ith face of
an Army, and he lies like a termagant, denies it, Antonio is
Lord of the Castle, but ile command fire to the gunnes, upon
any Renegado that confronts us, set thy heart at rest my gilloflower,
we are all friends I warrant thee, and hees a Turke
that does not honour thee from the haire of thy head, to thy
pettitoes.
Ant.
Come be not sad.
Cast.
Put on fresh blood, yare not cheerefull, how doe you?
Ber.
I know not how, nor what to answer you,
Your loves I cannot be ungratefull to,
Yare my best friends I thinke, but yet I know not
With what consent you brought my body hither.
Ant.
Can you be ignorant what plot was laid
To take your faire life from you.
Ber.
If all be not a dreame, I doe remember
Your servant Diego told me wonders, and
I owe you for my preservation, but—
Sfor.
Shoote not at Buts, Cupids an archer, heres a faire
marke, a fooles bolts soone shot, my names Sforza still, my
double Daisie.
Cast.
It is your happinesse you have escaped the malice of
your sister.
Uil.
And it is worth
A noble gratitude to have beene quit,
By such an honourer as Antonio is
Of faire Berinthia.
Ber.
Oh but my Father, under whose displeasure I ever sinke.
Ant.
You are secure
Ber.
As the poore Deere that being pursuid, for safety
Gets up a rocke that over hangs the Sea,
Where all that she can see, is her destruction,
Promise her certaine ruine.
Ant.
Faine not your selfe so haplesse my Berinthia,
Raise your dejected thoughts, be merry, come,
Thinke I am your Antonio.
Cast.
It is not wisdome
To let our passed fortunes trouble us,
Since were they bad, the memorie is sweete,
That we have past them, looke before you Lady,
The future most concerneth.
Ber.
You have awak'd me, Antonio pardon,
Vpon whose honour I dare trust my selfe,
I am resolv'd if you dare keepe me here,
T'expect some happier issue.
Ant.
Dare keepe thee here? with thy consent, I dare
Deny thy Father, by this sword I dare,
And all the world.
Sfor.
Dare, what giant of vallour dares hinder us, from daring
to slit the weasands of them that dare say, wee dare not
doe any thing, that is to be dared under the poles, I am old
Sforza, that in my dayes have scoured rogues faces with hot
bals, made em cut crosse capers, and sent them away with a
powder, I have a company of roring buls upon the wals, shall
spit fire in the faces of any ragamuffian that dares say, we dare
not fight pell mell, and still my name is Sforza.
Enter Diego hastily.
Die.
Sir your noble friend don Sebastiano is at the castle gate,
Ant.
Your brother Lady, and my honoured friend,
Why doe the gates not spread themselves, to open
At his arrivall Sforza, tis Berinthiaes brother,
Sebastiano the example of all worth
And friendship, is come after his sweete sister,
Ber.
Alas I feare.
Ant.
Be not such a coward Lady, he cannot come
Without all goodnesse waiting on him, Sforza,
Sforza I say, what pretious time we lose,
Sebastiano, I almost lose my selfe
In joy to meete him, breake the iron barres
Sfor.
Ile breake the wals downe, if the gates be too little.
Cast.
I much desire to see him.
Ant.
Sister, now hees come, he did promise me
But a short absence, he of all the world
I would call brother, Castabella more
Then for his sisters love, oh hees a man
Made up of merit, my Berinthia
Throw off all cloudes, Sebastianoes come.
Ber.
Sent by my Father to—
Ant.
What, to see thee? he shall see thee here.
Respected like thy selfe, Berinthia,
Attended with Antonio, begirt with armies of thy servants.
Enter Sebastiano Mounte Nigro, Sforza.
Oh my friend.
Seb.
Tis yet in question sir, and will not be
So easily proved.
Moun.
No sir, weele make you prove your selfe our friend.
Ant.
What face have you put on? am I awake?
Or doe I dreame Sebastiano frownes.
Seb.
Antonio I come not now to Complement,
While you were noble, I was not least of them
You cald your friends, but you are guilty of
An action that destroyes that name.
Sfor.
Bones a your Father, does he come to swagger,
My name is Sforza then.
Ant.
No more,
I guiltie of an action so dishonourable
Has made me unworthy of your friendship;
Come y'are not in earnest, tis enough I know
My selfe Antonio.
Seb.
Adde to him ungratefull.
Ant.
Twas a foule breath delivered it, and wert any
But Sebastiano, he should feele the weight
Of such a falshood.
Seb.
Sister you must along with me.
Ant.
Now by my Fathers soule, he that takes her hence
Vnlesse she give consent, treads on his grave,
Tis I that said it.
Mount.
So it seemes.
Seb.
Antonio, for here I throw of all
The ties of love, I come to fetch a sister,
Dishonourably taken from her father;
Or with my sword to force thee render her:
Now it thou beest a Souldier redeliver,
Or keepe her with the danger of thy person,
Thou canst not be my brother, till we first
Be allied in blood.
Ant.
Promise me the hearing,
And shat have any satisfaction,
Becomes my fame.
Mount.
So, so, he will submit himselfe, it will be our honor.
Ant.
Wert in your power, would you not account it
A pretious victory, in your sisters cause,
To dye your sword with any blood of him,
Sav'd both her life and honour?
Seb.
I were ungratefull.
Ant.
You have told your selfe, and I have argument to
prove this.
Seb.
Why would you have me thinke, my sister owes to
you such preservation?
Ant.
Oh Sebastiano,
Thou dost not thinke what devill lies at home
Within a sisters bosome, Catalina,
(I know not with what worst of envy) laid
Force to this goodly building, and through poyson
Had rob'd the earth of more then all the world,
Her vertue.
Seb.
You must not beate my resolution off
With these inventions sir.
Ant.
Be not cozend,
With your credulity, for my blood, I value it
Beneath my honour, and I dare by goodnesse,
In such a quarrell kill thee: but heare all,
And then you shall have fighting your heart full.
That goodly sister to steale Berinthia,
And Lord himselfe of this possession,
Just at that time; but heare and tremble at it,
Shee by a cunning poyson should have breath'd
Her soule into his armes, within two houres,
And so Valasco should have borne the shame
Of theft and murther; how doe you like this sir.
Seb.
You amaze me sir.
Ant.
Tis true by honours selfe, heare it confirm'd,
And when you will, I am ready.
Vil.
Pitty such valour should be imployd,
Vpon no better cause, they will enforme him.
Mount.
Harke you sir, dee thinke this is true?
Vil.
I dare maintaine it.
Mount.
Thats another matter, why then the case is
Altered, what should we doe fighting, and lose
Our lives to no purpose.
Sf.
It seemes you are his second.
Mount.
I am Count de Monte Nigro.
Sfor.
And my names Sforza sir, you were not best to come
here to brave us, unlesse you have more legges and armes at
home, I have a saza shall picke holes in your doublet, and firke
your shankes, my gallimaufry.
Seb.
I cannot but beleeve it, oh Berinthia,
I am wounded ere I fight.
Ant.
Holds your resolve yet constant? if you have
Better opinion of your sword, then truth,
I am bound to answer, but I would I had
Such an advantage gainst another man,
As the justice of my cause, all vallour fights
But with a sayle against it.
Vil.
Take a time to informe your father sir, my noble
Cozen is to be found here constant.
Seb.
But will you backe with me then?
Ber.
Excuse me brother, I shall fall too soone
Vpon my sisters malice, whose foule guilt
Will make me expect more certaine ruine.
Now Sebastiano
Puts on his judgement, and assumes his noblenesse,
Whilst he loves equity.
Seb.
And shall I carry shame
To Villarezoes house, neglect of father,
Whose precepts bindes me to returne with her,
Or leave my life at Eluas, I must on,
I have heard you to no purpose, shall Berinthia
Backe to Avero.
Ant.
Sir she must not yet, tis dangerous.
Seb.
Choose thee a second then, this Count and I
Meane to leave honor here.
Uill.
Honour me sir.
Ant.
Tis done, Sebastiano shall report
Antonio just and noble, Sforza sweare
Vpon my Sword, oh doe not hinder me
If victory crowne Sebastianoes arme.
I charge thee by thy honesty restore
This Lady to him, on whose lip I seale
My unstain'd faith.
Mount.
Vmh, tis a rare physitian, my spirit is abated.
Cast.
Brother.
Ber.
Brother.
Seb.
And wilt thou be dishonourd?
Ber.
Oh doe not wrong the Gentleman, beleeve it
Dishonour nere dwelt here, and he hath made
A most religious vow, not in a thought
To staine my innocence, he does not force me
Remember, what a noble friend, you make
A most just enemy, he sav'd my life,
Be not a murtherer, take yet a time,
Runne not your selfe in danger for a cause
Carries so little justice.
Mount.
Faith sir, if you please take a time to thinke on't, a
month or two or three, they shall not say but wee are honorable.
Cast.
You gave him to my heart a Gentleman,
Seb. whisp.
Compleate with goodnesse, will you rob the world
Ant.
Never man fought with a lesser heart, the conquest
Will be but many deathes, he is her brother,
My friend, this poore girles joy.
Mount.
With all my heart, Ile post to Avero presently.
Seb.
Let it be so Antonio.
Cast.
Alas pore Castabella, what a conflict
Feest thou within thee, their fight woundeth thee,
And I must die, who ere hath victory.
Ant.
Then friend againe, and as Sebastiano,
I bid him welcome, and who loves Antonio
Must speake that language.
Sfor.
Enough, not a Masty upon the Castle walls
But shall barke too, I congratulate thee, if thou
Beelest friend to the Castle of Eluas, and still my name
Is Sforza.
Ant.
Well said my brave Adelautado, come Sebastiano,
And my Birinthia by to morrow we shall know
The truth of our felicity.
Exeunt.
Enter Vilarezo.
Uil.
What are the Nobles more than common men
When all their honour cannot free them from
Shame and abuse; as greatnesse were a marke
Stucke by them but to give direction
For men to shoote indignities upon them?
Are we call'd Lords of riches we possesse,
And can defend them from the ravishing hand
Of strangers, when our children are not safe
From theeves and robbers, none of us can challenge
Such right to wealth and fortunes of the world,
Being things without us; but our children are
Essentiall to us, and participate
Of what we are: part of our very nature,
Our selves but cast into a younger mold,
And can we promise, but so weake assurance
Of so neere treasures. O Uillarezo shall
Thy age be trampled on, no, it shall not,
I will be knowne a father, Portugall
It will be a barre in Uilarezoes armes
Past all posterity;
Enter Catalina.
Come Catalina, thou wilt stay with me,
Prepare to welcome home Sebastiano,
Whom I expect with honour, and that baggage
Ambitious girle Berinthia.
Cat.
Alas sir; censure not her too soone,
Till she appeare guilty.
Uil.
Heres thy vertue still,
To excuse her Catalina, no beleeve it,
Shes naught, past hope, I have an eye can see
Into her very heart, thou art too innocent.
Enter Ualasco.
Ualasco welcome too, Berinthia
Is not come home yet, but we shall see her
Brought backe with shame; and ist not justice, ha?
What can be shame enough?
Val.
Your daughter sir?
Uil.
My daughter? doe not call her so, she has not
True blood of Vilarezo in her veines;
She makes her selfe a bastard, and deserves
To be cut off like a disordered branch,
Disgracing the faire tree she springeth from.
Val.
Lay not so great a burthen on Berinthia,
Her nature knowes not to degenerate;
Vpon my life she was not yeelding, to
The injurious action; if Antonio
Have plaied the theefe, let your revenge fall there,
Which were I trusted with, although I doubt not
Sebastianoes fury, he should feele it
More heavy than his Castle, what can be
Too just for such a sinne?
Vil.
Right, right Ualasco, I doe love thee fort,
Tis so, and thou shalt see I have a fence
Worthy my birth and person.
Val.
'Twill become you, but I marvell we heare nothing
Of their successe at Eluas, by this time
I would have sent Antonio to warme
His fathers ashes, doe you not thinke sir?
A gentle nature is abus'd with tales,
Which they know how to colour; heres the Count.
Enter Monte nigro sweating.
Cat.
How, the Count? I sent him thither to be rid on him;
The foole has better fortune than I wisht him,
But now I shall heare that, which will more comfort me,
My sisters death most certainely.
Mont.
My Lord, I have rid hard, read there, your sonne
And daughter is well.
Cat.
Ha, well?
Mount.
Madam.
Cat.
How does my sister?
Mount,
In good health, she has commendations to you
In that letter.
Val.
And is Antonio living?
Mount.
Yes, and remembers his service to you,
Val.
Has he then yeelded up Berinthia?
Mou.
He will yeeld up his ghost first, I know not we were
Going to flesh baste one another, I am sure but the
Matter of fellony hangs still, who will cut it downe;
I know not, Madam theres notable matter against you.
Cat.
Me?
Mount.
Vpon my honor there is, be not angry with me,
No lesse than theft and murder, that letter is charg'd
Withall, but you'le cleare all I make no question, they
Talke of poysoning.
Cat.
Am I betray'd?
Mount.
Well, I smell, I smell.
Cat.
What do you smell?
Mount.
It was but a tricke of theirs to save their lives,
For we were bent to kill all that came against us.
Uil.
Catalina reade here, Ualasco, both of you,
And let me reade your faces, ha? they wonder.
Val.
Howes this, I steale Berinthia?
Cat.
I poyson my sister.
Val.
This doth amaze me.
Cat.
Father, this letter sayes I would have poysoned my
poore sister, innocence defend me.
Vil.
It will, it shall, come J acquit you both,
They must not thus foole me.
Moun.
Madam I thought as much, my minde gave me, it
Was a lye, yes, you looke like a poysoner, as much
As I looke like a Hobby-horse.
Was ever honest love so abused, have I
So poore reward for my affection.
Uil.
It shall be so.
Ual.
Madam I know not how the poyson came in, but I
Feare some have betraied our plot.
Cat.
And how came you off my noble Count.
Mount.
As you see without any wounds, but much against
My will I was but one, Sebastiano, that was the
Principall, tooke a demurre upon their allegation:
It seemes, and so the matter is rak'd up in the Embers.
Ual.
To make a greater fire, were you so cold
To credit his excuse, Antonio,
I should not have beene so frozen,
As you love honor and revenge, give me
Some interest now, and if I doe not
Shew my selfe faithfull, let Valasco have
No name within your memory, let me begge,
To be your Proxie sir, pitty such blood,
As yours should be ignobly cast away;
Maddam speake for me.
Cat.
No, J had rather lose this foole.
Mont.
And you can get their consents.
Cat.
You cannot sir in honour now goe backe.
J shall not thinke you love me, if my father
Point you such noble service to refuse it.
Mount.
You heare what she sayes.
Uil.
Count Monte nigro.
Ual.
I am all fire with rage.
Vil.
Ualasco, you may accompany the Count,
There may be imployment of your valour too;
Tell me at your returne, whether my sonne
May prove a souldier, heres new warrant for
Antonioes death, if there be coldnesse urge it,
Tis my desire, ile study a better service.
Val.
I shall.
Vil.
Away then both, no complement, I wish you either
Had a Pegasus, be happy, my old bloud boyles, this
Must my peace secure, such sores as these must
Exeunt.
Enter Sebast. Castab. Anton. Berinthia.
Seb.
This honor Madam of your selfe and brother,
Make me unhappy, when I remember, what
I came for, not to feast thus but to fight.
Cast.
Pitty true friendship should thus suffer.
Ant.
Ha?
Seb.
Musicke.
Ant.
Some conceit of Sforza the old Captaine,
Lets entertaine it, some souldiers device,
A maske of Souldiers.
Godamercy Sforza.
Sfor.
To your stations now my brave brats of Millitary
Discipline enough, Sforza honours you, looke to your
Charge Bullies, and be ready upon all occasions,
My invincible dub a dub knights of the Castle,
Qui vala.
Enter Mounte nigro, Valasco.
Val.
We must speake with Don Sebastiano.
Sfor.
Must? Th'art a Mushrumpe, must in the Castle of Eluas.
Monte nigro gives a letter.
Ant.
Friends; Sforza.
Val.
What, courting Ladies, by this time 'twas expected
You would have courted fame sir, and woed her to you;
You shall know me better.
Ant.
I doubt you'le never be better, you shall now owe me
More than you shall account for.
Seb.
Or else my curse, that word cries out for death.
Cast.
My feates perplexe me.
Anto. & Seb. whispers.
Val.
Madam I doe wonder
You can forget your honour, and reflect
On such unworthinesse, wherein hath Valasco
Shewed you lesse merit.
Ber.
Sir it becomes not me
To weigh your worths, nor would I learne of you
How to preserve my honour.
Seb.
Sister.
Ant.
Villandras.
Seb.
Then J must take my leave, for I am sent for,
I am sorry for your fate, Madam I am expected
Mount.
Oh admirable phisitian!
Ant.
Sforza, there is no remedie, but by all honour doe it,
Sister, I am to waite on him, oh my poore girle
Berinthia, my soule be with thee, for a
Little time excuse my absence.
Sfor.
You may walke sir.
Val.
Antonio I must but now looke on, you were
Best take a course not to out live him.
Exeunt Sforza, Villandras: and Ladies.
Ant.
Sebastiano, I know not with what soule
I draw my sword against thee
Seb.
Antonio I am driven in a storme
To split my selfe on thee, if not, my curse—
We must on sir.
Mount.
Rare man of art Sharkino.
Uil.
Guard thee Count.
Enter Sfor. Ual. and Ladies above.
Cast.
Treacherous Sforza, hast thou brought us hither, to
be stroke dead?
Mount.
Hold Gentlemen, give me audience.
Seb.
Whats the matter my Lord.
Mount.
My sit is on me, tis so, I had forgot my selfe,
This is my ague day.
Seb.
How?
Mount.
Yes a sextile ague, looke you, doe you not see me
shake, admirable Doctor, it wil be as much as my life is worth
if I should fight a stroke.
Seb.
Hell on such basenesse, weele engage no more,
Let our swords try it out.
Val.
Sebastiano hold, thart not so ill befriended,
Exchange a person, ile leape the battlement.
Mount.
Withall my heart, J am sorry it happens so unfortunately,
oh rare phisitian!
Uil.
Good cozen grant it.
Ant.
What saies Sebastiano.
Vil.
I conjure you by all honour.
Seb.
It is granted;
Ber.
He shall not goe.
Ant.
Meete him my Lord, you will become his place of a
Enter Ualasco.
Ber.
Sebastiano, brother.
Cast.
Antonio, here me.
Uil.
Guard thee Valasco then.
Cast.
O brother spare him for my sake.
Ber.
Sebastiano every wound thou givest him,
Drawes blood from me.
Cast.
Sebastiano, remember hees thy friend.
Ber.
Antonio tis my brother, with whose blood
Thou dyest thy sword.
Ant,
When thou liv'st againe shalt be more honorable.
Kils Ualasco.
Sebastiano doe you observe the advantage,
Yet thinke upon't.
Seb.
It is not in my power, I value not the odds.
Ber.
Hold, Antonio, is this thy love to me, it is not noble.
Seb.
So thy death makes the scale even.
Kils Uillandras.
Cast.
Antonio hold, Berinthia dyes.
Ber.
Sebastiano, Castabella sinkes for sorrow, murder, helpe
I will leape downe.
Ant.
Where art Berinthia, let me breath my last upon thy
lip, make haste, least I die else.
Seb.
Antonio before thou dyest cut off my hand, art wounded
mortally?
Ant.
To die by thee is more then death, Sforza be honest,
But love thy sister for me, I me past hope,
Thou hast undone another in my death.
Enter Berinthia, Sforza, Mount.
Ber.
Antonio stay oh cruell brother.
Ant.
Berinthia thy lip farewell, and friend, and all the
world.
Sfor.
The gate is open, I am sworne to render.
Ber.
Hees not dead, his lips are warme, have you no balsome,
a Surgeon; dead, some charitable hand send my soule after
him.
Seb.
Away, away.
Ber.
It will be easie to die,
All life is but a walke in misery.
Exeunt.
| The Maides Revenge | |