 | The Queene of Arragon |  |
Actus Quintus.
Scena Prima.
Enter Decastro and his Armie.Decast.
My fortune yet forsakes me not. There's something
Whispers my soule, that though a storme did cloud
My morning, I shall set the envie of
My yet prevailing enemie. Had you
My fellow souldiers not beene three houres march
From ayding us, when the Castilian Armie
Made the assault: we had given their fate a checke,
And taught them how unsafe it is to Court
Dangers abroad. I must intreate your courage
To suffer for some moments, a short time
Will bring us the Queenes answere. If she yeeld
(As reason may perswade her) we shall spare
Much losse of blood, if not your valour will
Have liberty to shew it selfe. Yet still
Remember that the Cities forc't t'obey
A stranger; in their votes they fight for us.
Did no man see the Lord Ossuna since
Our fight ith' morning?
Capt.
He appear'd not since
Which hath bred jealosie, my Lord, that he
Chang'd with the present fortune.
Decast.
Doubt him not.
He hath a heart devoted to the greatnesse
And safety of his Country. Well he may
Be lost ith' number of the slaine. But fate
Cannot enforce him stoope beneath the vow
Of rescuing Arragon from forraigne Armes.
Enter two common Souldiers, haling Ossuna in as an Hermit.
What insolence is this? Unhand the man,
Me thinkes his habit should beget respect.
Sould.
My Lord we guesse he is some spie, he came
Sculking from th'enemies campe. Pray guard
Your person, mischiefe often lurkes in shapes
As holly.
Decast.
I allow your care and thanke it,
Leave him to me; and for a while retire.
Exeunt.
Ossuna.
Your Lordship knowes me not?
Decast.
Ossuna, welcome!
Blest bethy better Angell who preserv'd thee!
How happie to the fortune of this warre
Art thou restor'd? I should have fought unarm'd,
Had I not had the fate t'embrace thee thus.
How was my friend preserv'd?
Ossuna.
By vertue of
This sacred habit. In the mist of warre
Disguis'd I thus escaped, though close pursued
By some of the Queenes faction. To this weed
I owe my safety.
Decast.
Quickly throw it off,
And reinvest thy body in that steele,
With which thou still hast triumpht. O my Lord!
How oft have we all bath'd in blood and sweat,
Though clouds of dust found out the way to force
Backe victory to our side; when fortune seem'd
To doate on th'enemie. We two have growne
Like Cædars up together, and made all
Seeme shrubs to us, no man sleeping secure
But in our shadowes.
Ossuna.
Yes; we have beene happie.
Decast.
Thou speak'st so hollow, as there were a doubt
We might not be so still.
Ossuna.
But there's is no faith
As footestoole to the Conqueror: and are we
Better assured of destinie?
Decast.
What strange
Unworthy faintnesse weakens his great soule,
Who heretofore, neere understood the language
Danger speakes in? Hath one defeate lost you
That mighty courage, which hath fixt upon
Your name a glorious memory? Reassume
Your selfe my Lord: Let no degenerate feare
Benight the luster of your former acts.
Ossuna.
I call your selfe and Arragon to witnesse,
My life hath yet beene such, ye reverend shades
Of my great Ancestors, neede not looke pale
Or blush, to know my story, To your selfe,
To whose brave youth I tyed my youth a servant;
I ever have perform'd all Offices
Due to so brave a friendship.
Decast.
Tis confest.
Ossuna.
And here I vow, setting aside those feares
Distract me as a Christian; I could smile,
Smile like some wanton Mistresse, upon death
What ever shape it weares.
Decast.
My Lord this warre
Is warranted by Casuists for lawfull:
But they (you'l say) flatter the present state,
And make divinitie serve humane ends.
But in it selfe its just. A warre your judgement
Gave approbation to; and urg'd me first
To undertake. Therefore make good your owne.
And throw off this unusefull habit
Ossuna.
Never.
Decastro.
What sayd my friend?
Ossuna.
By all things sacred, never.
In this I will grow old, and with the weight
Of yeares bend to the earth. In this Ile breath
A happier ayre, then you in all your soft
And varied silkes.
Decast.
Some coward devill sure
Possesseth him.
Ossuna.
My Lord I am instructed
T' a patience far above your injuries.
Nor shall your scorne or anger triumph o're
My resolution. I'm fixt here, unmoov'd
Decast.
I was much to blame.
This may be a brave vertue. Pray my Lord
Give me your reasons, why you tread this path
So little beaten by the feete of Courtiers.
I would not have the world mistake your ayme,
And conster it to feare or melancholy?
Ossuna.
That cannot shake me. He who by the Card
Oth' worlds opinion steeres his course, shall harbor
In no safe port. But to your care my Lord
I give this free account. Seven winters past
When I set saile from Scicily, a storme
Ore tooke the ship, so powerfull that the Pilot
Gave up the Sterne to th'ordering of the waves,
His Art and hand growne uselesse; Those kind starres
The Sailors use t'invoke, were lost ith' tempest
And nothing but a night not to be seene
Was seene by us. When every one began
T'advance himselfe toward death as men condemn'd
To th'Axe, when hope of pardon is shut out.
I spight oth' envious cloud look'd up to heaven
And darted my faith thither: vowing to
Forsake the flattered pompe and businesse of
The faithlesse world, if I with safety might
Attaine the Land.
Decast.
Was not I there my Lord?
Ossuna.
You were.
Decast.
And made no I the selfe same vow?
Ossuna.
Heaven hath recorded that we both did vow it.
Oth' sudden night forsooke us, and the loud
Unruly winds fled to their unknowne dwellings;
When a soft breath gan whisper to our sailes
A calme was to ensue.
Decast.
My memory
Afflicts me much. But these are feeble vowes
Made onely by our feares: We ought to have
Our reason undismaid, when ere a promise
Can force performance.
Ossuna.
I dispute it not.
Soone as I reacht the shore I courted on
Those vanities which had my youth enamour'd,
Yet still with some remorse. Honors betrayd me
Into a glorious trouble, and I grew
Proud of my burden. But if heaven had beene
Surfet of pompe, my soule might have beene call'd
T'her last account: And O my Lord where then
Had breach of vow beene safe.
Decast.
These are sad thoughts.
Ossuna.
But necessarie. When the mornings losse
Made me search out a shape for flight: this habit
It selfe presented; and againe redeem'd me,
And know I am resolv'd, neere to forsake it
Till in the vault, my earth and it together
Shall weare away to dust.
Decast.
My Lord you have
Good title to your vertue. Pray retire
Into my tent. This suddaine change, if knowne,
May much amaze the Souldier, and endanger
The glory of th'attempt. I shall intreate
Your prayer, since you denie your arme.
Ossuna.
My Lord may heaven direct you.
Exit. Ossuna.
Decast.
What have I obtain'd
By all this sweate of businesse? Like the winde,
Prosperous ambition onely swell'd my saile
To give me courage to incounter with
A tempest. Early cares and midnight frights,
Faint hopes and causelesse feares, successively
Like billowes have mooved in me. What a foole
Is humane wisedome; what a begger wealth;
How scorn'd a nothing that proud state we doate on?
Time laughes us out of greatnesse, and shuts up
Our wide designes in a darke narrow roome:
Whence when the valiant Monarch shall creepe forth
He will like some poore coward, hide his eyes
And hope to scoulke away. But these are thoughts,
And now 'tis time for Action.
Enter Souldier to Decastro.
Soul.
If your Lordship
Will please for some few moments to retire
Into your tent, her Majestie in person
Will give you parly here.
Decast.
In person sir?
The favour beares some omen! she who in
The tempest of misfortune still did spread
Her saile at large; why doth she strike them now,
The winde so prosperous? This is a descent
Beneath her greatnesse.
I reach not, my Lord,
The misteries of Princes, but this message
She charg'd me to returne.
Decast.
The Acts of Princes
Are govern'd often by as fraile a Passion,
As those are of the vulgar, the same rage
That stirres two footmen to a fray, creates
Warre betweene Kingdomes; but the zealous subject
Gazing a farre, on th'actions of the proud,
Finds towres and Lyons in an emptie cloud;
But Ile obey her leisure. Watch you here
Till you discover her advanc'd this way.
Exit. Decast.
Enter Ascanio, Florentio.
Floren.
Sir you created me; and rais'd me up
To th'state of Duke, when I was common dust.
And had not fortune given me interest
Ith' favour of the Queene, I had continued
In the worst fate of man, ingratitude.
Now I can boast I have restored you backe
A love rich as the bounty you showred on me.
'Tis all the stocke of my poore life.
Ascanio.
Sad fate!
That I must wound thee to the heart, to cure
My Leprosie with thy blood. Florentio search
Ith' stocke of women there's some other beauty,
Floren.
O no! no other.
Ascanio.
Ile endow her with
The wealth of all Castile.
Floren.
Poore emptie nothing!
Ascan.
If Soveraignetie be th'Idoll of thy soule,
I will devide my Kingdome: thou shalt raigne
As independant as my selfe.
Floren.
Great sir,
Continue but your favour, and my starres
Cannot afford a greatnesse equalls it.
The treasures of th'ambitious, are the scorne
Of those who seriously contemplate life:
My fortunes high enough. And now my thoughts
Grow temperate; not for th'Empire of the East,
(Which yet retaines the treasures, man enjoy'd
Ere he grew blacke with sinne) would I have wanted
This blest occasion to expresse the zeale
I owe my Prince. Here with as free a soule
I give her to your Armes as ere you threw
Ascanio.
Thankes deere friend!
(That word must speake our loves) by this great gift
Thou hast redeem'd me from the tortue, and
Possest me of the fairest.
Floren.
O!
Ascanio.
The fairest, Nature ere made for wonder.
Floren.
She is faire.
Ascanio.
Injoying her thy King shall live, who else
Were desperate beyond cure. He shall be envied.
And every yeare as age threatens decay,
He shall regaine new life from her. Florentio
Beleev't there's miracle in such a beauty.
Floren.
Surely there is.
Enter Queene Sanmar. Oniate, Cleantha, Floriana.
And see sh' appeares. How like some heavenly vision
That kills with too much glorie.
Ascanio.
Stand still, and wonder with me.
Queene.
Cleantha! O the prodigie! And how
Wilt thou endure his serious face? Canst thou
Whom nothing tempted but wit parcell guilt
And the last fashion, suffer Oniate?
Clean.
Madam! I undertake him for a pennance:
Perhaps he was enjoyned me.
Queene.
It was love
You went to shrift with then. And yet how that
Young wanton idlenesse, should counsell you
To this conversion still is more my riddle.
Clean.
The Court is full of wonders Madam: and
Tis hansome to doe things extravagant.
Queen.
But how in th'heate of warre, your thoughts should be
So apt for loves impression.
Clean.
Love will dance
As nimbly to the Trumpet, Fife, or, Drum,
As to those many Violins which play
So loud at Court. Moreover it concern'd
My safety. I so streightly was beseig'd
And by so strong a Cæsar.
Queen.
O my Lord
I am inform'd with how fierce a spirit
You doe assault our Ladies.
Sanmar.
Pray your mercie,
And if your Majestie will please to banish
The Art of making love quite from the Court;
Queen.
For your sake
I will contrive it so: And good my Lord
Will you begin th'example; you will see
How soone the fine young Lords will follow you.
Your pardon sir, had I but seene your highnesse,
I had not lost so much of language from
A most expressive gratitude.
Ascanio.
Madam you pay a triviall debt with too great intrest
For how contem'd a slightnesse was my life
Untill imploy'd to serve you?
Florentio.
She glanced this way,
And Loves Artillery playd from her eye.
Unhappie banchrout what a Kingdome have
I forfeited? So often in a calme
Some vessell rich in fraught and proud in saile,
Doth spring a sudden leake, and sinckes for ever.
Ascanio.
But Madam is there hope your heart can yeeld
To an exchange in love? My title's good,
Florentio having given up his claime.
Enter Decostro, &c.
Queen.
But sir th'estate is still my owne nor have
I neede to sell it. But Decastro's here,
And if your Majestie will daigne your presence
Unto the parley 'twill advance the honour
And purpose of our meeting.
Ascanio.
I'me your servant.
Queen.
My Lord you see how neere the safetie of
Our subjects toucheth us: We can stoope thus
Beneath our Majestie, and enter parley
Even with a Rebell.
Decast.
Madam, 'tis in vaine
To hold dispute gainst what you will condemne.
And it were insolence to boast my power,
Or speake my right, now when the hearts of all men
Confirme the justice of my taking Armes.
Cast but your eye on this vast body, which
The Kingdome doth unite in my defence,
And see how ruinous is your errour, that
Must leane to forraigne succors!
Queen.
Tis a refuge
Your practice forc't me to.
Decast.
But would youl highnesse
Had lent a gentler ease to the safe counsell
Ascanio.
My Lord, that word fell rudely from your tongue,
And I may say, unmannerly; Tis duty
You owe the Queene.
Decast.
Right sir, an humble duty,
Ambitious to expose my life to dangers,
Greater than any other soule dares fancie.
Ascanio.
Pray stay Florention: this is now my cause,
And I (proud man) will tell you, your great heart
Doth want expansion to receive a love
Worthy her scorne.
Decast.
And I will answere you
(Proud Monarch of Castile) what mold
Soever Nature casts me in, my mind
Is vaster than your empire. And I can
Love equally with him whose name did Conquer
Kingdomes as large as yours.
Ascanio.
Your Majestie
Must licence here my rage, to teach his folly
(Presumptuous folly) a submisse repentance.
Decast.
Sir here I stand prepar'd.
A shout within.
Queen.
What noise is that.
Oniate.
The Cities all in Mutinie: and vow
To perish in the Lord Decastro's cause.
Th'are ready now to lay rude hands upon
The Garrisons of Castile. Your Majestie
Should hinder mischiefe; if you suddenly
Returne, and by your presence stop their furie.
Decast.
Pray Oniate take this signet: tell
The Magistrats, her Majestie and I
Are now accorded, with a due regard
To th'publique safetie. Take some of my armie
To give authoritie to what you say.
Assure them all is well.
Exit. Oniate.
Ascanio.
What meanes this wonder?
Floren.
This speakes him Noble, even to our envie.
Queen.
My Lord in this you have obleig'd us: Pray
Informe us of your thoughts, that we may studdie
To make this parley happie.
Decast.
Mighty Lady,
I finde my love hath not beene drest so smooth
To tempt your liking; and I must confesse
My passion (like the spleene of witches) hath
Begot whirlewinds and thunder. Would I might
For by your beauty (the most sacred oath
A Lover can sweare by) that was the marke
The sole faire marke I aim'd at. For if pride
Had overswayd my love, I could have stood
Oth' levell with that Prince, so much your people
Were vowed to my devotion.
Queen.
On my Lord,
You fairely speake your vertues.
Decast.
And but view
The vastnesse, and good order of my Campe;
Your best townes sworne to runne my fortune, and
Youle say 'twas love did begge this enterview.
Ascanio.
My Lord your language cannot fright us from
The Queenes defence.
Decast.
Great sir, she needes it not.
Downe on your knees my fellow Souldiers, and
With me bow to your Soveraigne: sweare with me
Never to lift your Arme 'gainst her command.
Thus as your subject. As your Lover thus,
Thus to the earth I fall, and with my lippes
Seale my obedience.
kisseth the ground.
Queene.
Pray rise up my Lord,
Would I could merit thus much favour; but.
Decast.
Pardon I interupt you. But you cannot
Finde love to answere mine; nor will I force it
Be happie in your choise, and wheresoere
You fixe, shine ever glorious. From this houre
Ile never more distube you.
Queen.
Now beshrew me,
Me thinkes I feele compassion. Good my Lord
Write in that blancke all your demands, and by
The honour of a Princesse, Ile deny
Nothing you shall insert.
He lookes on it and returnes it.
Decast.
There tis agen:
The paper innocent as when you gave it.
Queen.
My Lord you have writ nothing.
Decast.
And tis nothing
Now I have mist your selfe, I can demand,
Fortune contract thy treasure from all Nations,
And guild it ore with honour and with beautie;
Yet hast thou not the power to force one wish;
Now I have lost this Lady.
Ascanio.
A great spirit.
One humble prayer I have which must not be
Denied. And tis your Majestie will give
Me leave neere more to see you.
Queen.
O my Lord.
Decast.
My vowes irrevocable. I shall secure
Your Kingdome best by absence, and my eye
Will never brooke so rich a treasure made
The purchase of another. To a Cave
Some undiscover'd Cave, to which no path
Doth leade the wandring Lover, I have vowed
The remnant of my dayes.
Enter Ossuna.
Floren.
A strange conversion,
And 'twill behoove my fate to follow him.
Decast.
My Lord Ossuna here, and I have sworne
Our lives to solitude, which weele observe
Religiously; And since I cannot prove
Possessor Ile be Couqueror in Love.
Ascanio.
Pray stay my Lord. Behold Florentio there
He hath out donne you. He for love of me,
Hath done what you for love of heaven. All
The interest he had in that bright Queene
He hath resign'd to me.
Decast.
He hath payd you for
Your favours.
Floren.
Tis confest; what's mine is yours.
Ascanio.
Thankes my Florentio. For with her my youth
May be still happie, and my age disdaine
To know a weakenesse. From her eyes I may
Draw still new vitall heate, and finde what fooles
Have studied for, th'Elixar. In her Armes
I may be safe 'gainst all invasion from
Abroad, or civill dangers nurst at home.
Quest.
Your highnesse pardon. I confesse how high
Your merits rise in my esteeme, but must not
To honour your deserts, my selfe become
Unworthy after story, blemisht with
That scorne which still defames our Sex, registerd
A most Inconstant woman, or whats much
More infamous; one who reserves her love
To serve her profit, and exposeth it, to the Merchant that bids fairest.
Ascanio.
Madam spare that breath to cleere
The ayre when poyson'd by contagion.
I know your setled thoughts, and that my power
I will no longer racke you, though the Queene
Be th'onely fire ere warm'd this heart, and I
Despaire ever to love agen; I will
Disdaine to be unjust. I will not be
Orecome in friendship; reassume thy right.
Floren.
Sir you undoe me; In your injurie,
I was lesse wretched, like a banckrout, now
Without all hope of payment I must owe.
Ascanio.
Th'ambition of my service, and disguise
Was to advance your fortune Madam: Nor
Can I attempt you farther though the conquest
Would wreath my Temples with a prouder Laurell,
Than the addition of the world unto
My Scepter. Be safe in your choise and happie.
Queen.
This goodnesse growes even to a Miracle.
In his behalfe sir, I must vow my selfe
A subject, and your servant.
Ascanio.
O command
For I have nothing Madam but obedience.
My Kingdome shall be proud to share with yours
In danger, and Ile glory to be stiled
Your Souldier.
Floren.
I am lost in wonder. Sir
I know not how to entertaine this blessing
I feare my Joyes will be my ruine.
Decast.
Be both happie.
And may time never father that blacke moment
Which shall appeare to you lesse fortunate.
Ascanio.
Joyne then your hands for ever. He doth live
Mighty indeed, w'hath power, and will, to give.
Exeunt.
| The Queene of Arragon | |