 | The Gratefvll Servant |  |
1
ACTVS, 1.
SCÆNA, 1.
Enter Soranzo, Giotto.Giotto.
The Duke is mou'd.
Sor.
The newes displeas'd him much.
Giot.
And yet I see no reason, why he should
Engage so great affection to th'Daughter
Of Millan, he nere saw her.
Sor.
Fame doth paint
Great beauties, and her picture (by which Princes
Court one another) may beget a flame
In him to raise this passion.
Giot.
Trust a pencill,
I like not that State-woing, see his Brother
Enter Lodwicke.
Has left him, pray my Lord how is it with
His Highnesse?
Lodw.
Somewhat calmer, Loue I thinke
Will kill neither of vs, although I bee
No Stoicke, yet I thanke my starres I haue
2
Tame his, let it melt him into Sonnets
Hee will prooue the more louing Prince to you,
Get in againe; and make wise speeches to him,
There is Aristotles Ghost still with him,
My Phylosophicall Gouernour that was,
He wants but you two, and a paire of Spectacles,
To see what folly 'tis, to loue a woman
With that wicked resolution to marry her,
Though he be my elder Brother, and a Duke,
I ha more wit, when there's a dearth of women
I may turne foole, and place one of their Sexe
Neerer my heart, farewell, commend me to
My Brother, and the Councell-Table.
Exit.
Sor.
Still the same wild Prince, there needs no character
Where he is, to expresse him.
Giot.
Hee said truth,
I doubt there is no roome for ones whom hee
Should place in's heart, and honour.
Sor.
His owne Lady
All pitty her misfortune, both were too
Vnripe for Hymen, 'twas the old Dukes act,
And in such marriages, hearts seldome meet
When they grow older.
Giot.
Wherefore would the Duke
Marry his young Sonne first?
Sor.
The walke of Princes,
To make prouision betimes for them:
They can bequeath small legacie, knowing th'heyre
Carries both state and fortune for himselfe,
His fates before him, here comes Grimundo!
Enter Grimundo.
Grim,
The Duke is recollected, where's the Prince?
Sor.
Gone.
I would he were return'd once to himselfe.
Giot.
He has to soone forgot your precepts.
3
Your example might still be a Lecture,
Grim.
I did not deceiue the old Dukes trust
While I had power to manage him,
Hee's now past my tuition, but to th'Duke—
Is it not strange my Lord, that the Young Lady
Of Millan, should be forc'd to marry now, with
Her Vncle?
Giot.
They're vnequall.
Sor.
'Tis vnlawfull.
Grim.
'Tis a trifle, reasons of State they vrge
Against vs, least their Dukedome by this match,
Be subiect vnto Sauoy, for the scruple
Of Religion, they are in hope, that
A Dispensation may bee procur'd
To quit exceptions, and by this meanes,
They shall preserue their Principality,
I'th name and blood, so reports Fabrichio
Whom the Duke imployed for Treaty, how now?
Enter Gentleman.
Gent.
The Duke cals for you my Lords.
Giot.
We attend,
Ha? he is comming forth.
Enter Duke, and Fabrichio.
Sor,
His lookes are cheerefull.
Duke,
Fabrichio?
Fabr,
My Lord,
Duke.
Wee will to Tennis.
Fabr.
What your Grace please.
Duke,
Grimundo?
Because you take no pleasure in such pastimes,
Your contemplation may busie it selfe, with that booke.
Grim.
Booke my Lord, it is—
Duke.
Leonora's picture a faire Table-booke,
You may without offence to your young Wife
Looke on a Picture.
I ha perused it, let me see't no more,
4
Againe his naturall Temper, allow me pray
The excuse of common frailty, to be moued
At strangenesse of this newes.
Giot.
Your Highnesse said,
You would to Tennis.
Duke,
And 'tis time enough,
Wee haue the day before vs: some Prince Grimundo
In such a cause as this would haue beene angry,
Angrie indeed, throw'ne of cold language, and
Call'd it a high, and loud affront, whose stirring
Imagination would haue wakened Death,
And by a miserable warre, haue taught
Repentance, to a paire of flourishing States,
Such things there haue beene?
Sor.
But your Grace is wise—
Duke.
Nay doe not flatter now, I doe not Court
Your praise so much, I speake but what our stories
Mention, if they abuse not soft posteritie:
I was not come to tell you, what my thoughts,
With a strong murmure prompt me too.
Grim.
We hope—
Duke,
Ye feare, and do not know me yet, my actions
Shall cleare your jealousie, I'me reconcil'd
At home, and while I cherisht a peace here,
Abroad I must continue it, there are
More Ladies i'the world?
Fabr.
Most true my Lord.
Duke,
And as attractiue, great, and glorious women
Are there not, ha?
Sor.
Plenty my Lord i'the world.
Duke,
Ithe world, within the confines of our Dukedome
In Sauoy, are there not?
Grim.
In Sauoy too.
Many choice beauties, but your birth my Lord.
Duke,
Was but an honour purchas'd by another,
5
Grim:
My Father was
No Duke.
Duke,
'Twas not thy fault, nor ist my vertue,
That I was borne when the fresh Sunne was rising,
So came with greater shadow into life,
Then thou, or hee.
Grim:
But royall Sir be pleas'd—
Duke,
No more, wee are not ignorant, you may
Take away this distinction, and alledge
In your graue wisedomes, specious arguments,
For our alliance with some forraigne Prince,
But we haue weighed their promising circumstance,
And find it onely a deuice, that may
Serue time, and some darke ends, a mere state-tricke,
To disguise hatred, and is emptie of
Those benefits, it seemes to bring along:
Giue me a Ladie borne in my obedience,
Whose disposition, will not engage
A search into the nature of her Climate,
Or make a scrutinie into the Starres:
Whose language is mine owne, and will not need
A smooth Interpreter, whose vertue is
Aboue all titles, though her birth or fortune,
Bee a Degree beneath vs, such a Wife
Were worth a thousand farre fetch'd Brides, that haue
More state, and lesse Deuotion.
Fabr.
If your Highnesse—
Duke,
Come you shall know our purpose, in the last
We obey'd your directions, not without
Our free and firme allowance of the Ladie
Whom wee'l forget, it will become your duties,
Follow vs now, wee haue not beene vnthrifty
In our affections, and that Millan may
Know Sauoy can neglect a Millanoise,
And that we need not borrow a delight,
6
Grim.
We are Subiects,
And shall solicite Heauen, you may find one
Worthy your great acceptance.
Duke:
Wee are confident,
And to put off the cloud wee walke in, know
Wee are resolu'd to place all Loue and Honour
Vpon Cleona
Nor ist a new affection, wee but cherish
Some seedes, which heretofore, her vertue had
Scattered vpon our heart.
Grim.
We cannot be
Ambitious of a Lady, in your owne
Dominion, to whom we shall more willingly
Prostrate our duties.
Soren.
She's a Lady of
A flowing sweetnesse, and the liuing vertue
Of many noble Ancestors.
Giot.
In whom
Their fortunes meet, as their Propheticke Soules
Had taught them thrifty prouidence, for this
Great honour, you intend her.
Duke,
Wee are pleas'd,
And thanke your generall vote,
You then shall straight prepare our visit, beare our
Princely respects, and say wee shall take pleasure
To bee her Guest to day, nay loose no time,
Wee shall the sooner quit the memorie
Of Leonoraes Image.
Enter Lodwicke.
Soren:
The Prince your Brother Sir?
Duke:
Withdraw, but be not at too much distance,
Lodwicke Y'are welcome.
Lodw.
I shall know that by my successe, I want
A thousand Crownes, a thousand Crownes.
Duke.
For what vse?
7
Why will these foolish questions ne're be left,
Is't not sufficient I would borrow em,
But you must still capitulate with me?
I would put 'em to that vse they were ordain'd for,
You might as well haue ask'd me, when I meant
To pay your gaine.
Duke,
That to some other men,
Might ha beene necessarie.
Lodw,
And you wo'not
Doe that, I haue another easie Suite to you.
Duke,
What is't?
Lodw.
A thing of nothing, I wo'd entreat you
To part with this same transitorie honour,
This trifle cal'd a Dukedome, and retire,
Like a good Christian Brother, into some
Religious house, it would be a great ease to you,
And comfort to your friends, especially
To mee, that would not trouble you, with the noyse
Of money thus, and I could helpe it.
Du.
Tis a kind, and honest motion, out of Charity,
Meere Charity, so I must needs accept it—
Ile onely marry, and get a Boy, or two,
To gouerne this poore trifle for I'me bound
In duty, to prouide for my Succession.
Lodw.
What doe you make of me, cannot I serue?
Duke,
You, that propound a benefit for my Soule,
Wo not neglect your owne I know, wee'le both
Turne Fryers together?
Lodw.
And bee lowsie?
Duke,
Any thing.
Lodw.
I shall not haue a thousand Crownes?
Duke,
Thou shalt.
Lodw.
Then be a Duke still, come lets loue, and bee
Fine Princes, and thou hadst but two or three
Of my conditions, by this hand I wod not
Care and thou wert immortall, so I might
8
Duke,
Thast put me in tune, how shall's bee very merry
Now in the instant?
Lodw.
Merry?
Duke:
Yes.
Lodw.
Merry indeed?
Duke.
Yes.
Lodw.
Follow me,
Ile bring you to a Lady?
Duke,
To a Whore?
Lodw.
That is a little the courser name.
Duke,
And can you play the Pander for me?
Lodw.
A toy, a toy.
What can a man doe lesse for any Brother,
Th'ordinary complement now a dayes, with great ones,
Wee prostitute our Sisters with lesse scruple
Then eating flesh on vigils, 'tis out of fashion
To trust a Seruant with our priuate sinnes,
The greater tye of blood, the greater faith,
And therefore Parents haue beene held of late,
The safest wheeles, on which the childrens lust,
Hath hurried into act, with supple greatnesse,
Nature doth weare a vertuous charme, and will
Doe more in soft compassion to the sinne,
Then gold or swelling promises.
Duke.
O Lodwicke!
These things doe carry Horror, he is lost
I feare, no I ha thought a something else,
You shall with me to a Lady?
Lodw.
With all my heart.
Duke.
Vnto my Mistresse.
Lodw.
Your Mistresse, who's that?
Duke,
The faire Cleona.
Lodw.
She is honest.
Du.
Yes, were she otherwise, she were not worth my visit,
Not to loose circumstance I loue her.
9
How?
Duke,
Honestly.
Lodw.
You doe not meane to marry her?
Duke,
It sha'not be my fault if she refuse,
To bee a Dutchesse.
Lodw.
A'my Conscience,
You are in earnest.
Duke,
As I hope to thriue in my desires, come
You shall beare me company, and witnesse
How I woe her.
Lodw.
I commend
Your nimble resolution, then a Wife
Must bee had somewhere, wo'd y'ad mine, to coole
Your appetite, take your owne course, I can
But pray for you; the thousand Crownes—
Duke.
Vpon Condition, you'l not refuse, to
Accompany.
Lodw,
Your Caroach quickly—stay—
Now I thinke better on't, my Wise liues with her,
They are Companions, I had forgot that?
Duke,
Shee'l take it kindly.
Lodw.
It were enough to put her
Into conceipt, I come in loue to her,
My Constitution will not beare it,
Duke,
What?
Not see her?
Lodw.
Yet a thousand Crownes—God buy
Condemne me to my wife.
Exit
Duke,
Yee heare Gentlemen?
Grim:
With griefe my Lord, and wonder at your sufferance.
Duke,
He is our Brother, we are confident
Though he be wild he loues vs, twill become
Vs t'pray and leaue him to a myracle
But to our owne affaire.
Loue and thy golden arrow, we shall try,
How youle decide our second Destiny.
Exeunt.
10
Fosc:
A kisse, and then tis sealed, this she should know
Better then the impression, which I made,
With the rude signet, tis the same she left
Vpon my lip, when I departed from her,
And I haue kept it warme still, with my breath,
That in my prayers hath mentioned her.
Enter Dulcino.
Dulc.
My Lord?
Fosc:
Dulcino welcome, thou art soone return'd,
How dost thou like the Citie?
Dulc:
Tis a heape of handsome building.
Fosc:
And how the people?
Dulc:
My conuersation hath not age enough
To speake of them, more then they promise well,
In their aspect, but I haue argument
Enough in you my Lord, to fortifie
Opinion, they are kind, and hospitable
To strangers.
Fosc:
Thy indulgence to my wound,
Which owes a cure vnto thy pretty Surgery,
Hath made thee, too much Prisoner to my Chamber,
But wee shall walke abroad.
Dulc:
It was my duty?
Since you receiu'd it in my cause, and could
My blood haue wrought it sooner, it had beene
Your balmy Fountaine.
Fosc:
Noble youth, I thanke thee.
Enter Servant.
How now, didst speake with him?
Ser.
I had the happinesse my Lord to meete him
VVaiting vpon the Duke abroad, hee bad mee,
Make hast with the remembrance of his Seruice,
Heele bring his owne ioyes with him, instantly,
To welcome your returne.
Fosc.
Didst thou request
11
Ser:
I did, he promis'd silence.
Fosc.
So, Ile expect him, thou art sad Dulcino,
I prophesie thou shalt haue cause, to blesse
The minute, that first brought vs to acquaintance.
Dulc.
Doe not suspect my Lord, I am so wicked,
Not to doe that already, you haue saued
My life, and therefore haue deseru'd that duty.
Fosc:
Name it no more, I meane another way.
Dulc.
It is not in your power, to make me richer,
With any benefit, shall succeed it, though
I should liue euer with you.
Fosc:
I require,
Not so much gratitude.
Dulc,
There is no way
Left for my hope, to doe you any seruice,
Neere my preseruing, but by adding one
New fauour, to a suit, which I would name,
Fosc.
To me, I prethee speake, It must be something
I can deny thee.
Dulc,
Tis an humble suite,
You license my departure.
Fosc.
Whither?
Dulc.
Any whether.
Fosc.
Doe you call this a way to doe me seruice?
Dulc.
It is the readiest I can study Sir.
To tarry were but to increase my debt,
And wast your fauours, in my absence, I
May publish, how much vertue, I haue found
In Sauoy, and make good vnto your fame,
What I doe owe you here, this shall suruiue you,
For I will speake the story with that truth,
And strength of passion, it shall doe you honour,
And dwell vpon your name sweeter than myrhe,
When wee are both dead?
Fosc.
Thou hast art, to moue
12
And Ile deny thee nothing, doe not vrge
Thy vnkind departure, thou hast met perhaps,
With some that haue deceiu'd thee with a promise,
Wonne with thy pretty lookes and presence, but
Trust not a great man, most of them dissemble,
Pride, and Court cunning hath betrayed their faith,
To a secure Idolatry, their soule,
Is lighter then a complement, take heede,
They'l flatter thy to young ambition,
Feed thee with names, and then like subtle Chimists
Hauing extracted, drawne thy Spirit vp,
Laugh, they haue made thee miserable.
Dulc:
Let
No jealousie my Lord, render me so
Vnhappy, that preferment, or the flatteries
Of any great man, hath seduc'd my will
To leaue you, by my life, and your owne honour,
No man hath tempted me, nor haue I chang'd
A syllable with any.
Fosc:
Any man?
Still I suspect thy safetie?
And thou mayst thus deceiue me, it may be,
Some wanton Lady hath beheld thy face,
And from her eyes, shot Cupids into thine,
To abuse that fight, or wrought vpon thy frailty.
With their smooth language to vndoe thy selfe,
Trust not the innocence of thy Soule too farre,
For though their bosomes carry whitenesse, thinke.
It is not snow, they dwell in a hot Clymate,
The Court, where men are but deceitfull shadowes.
The women, walking flames; what if this Lady
Bestow a wealthy Carkanet vpon thee,
Another giue thee Wardrobes, a third promise
A chaine of Diamonds, to decke thy youth,
'Tis but to buy thy vertue from thee, and when
13
Th'out starue at heart, and lust will leaue thy body,
Many vnpittyed ruines, thou art young—
Dulc.
There is no feare my Lord, that I shall take
Such wicked courses, and I hope you see not,
Any propension in my youth, to sinne
For Pride, or wantonnesse.
Fosc:
Indeed, I doe not,
But being my boy so young, and beautifull,
Thou art apt to bee seduc'd.
Dulc.
Beleeue me Sir,
I will not serue the greatest Prince on earth,
When I leaue you.
Fosc.
Thou shalt not serue mee, I
Will make thee my companion.
Dulc:
No reward,
Though iust, should buy the freedome I was borne with
Much lesse base ends, if I but meet agen
That good man, who in reuerence to his habit,
The theeues let goe before your happy valour
Came to my rescue.
Fosc:
Hee that was your Conduct?
From Millan, for so—if I remember
You named a Father, what could he aduantage?
Your fortune, were he present, more, then with
Religious Councell?
Dulc:
I did trust him Sir,
As being the safest treasurer, with that,
Would make mee welcome in Sauoy, and
I know he will be faithfull, when we meete,
For his sake, let me beg you would discharge,
A worthlesse Seruant, that inquest of him—
Fosc.
No more to cut of all vnwelcome motiues,
I charge thee by thy Loue, thy Gratitude,
Thy life preseru'd, which but to stay thee heere,
I would not name agen, vrge no consent
14
Vse of thy faith, thou wo't not runne away
I haue imployment for thee, such a one
As shall not onely pay my seruices,
But leaue me in arrerage to thy loue,
Receiue this letter.
Enter Grimundo.
Let me embrace thee, with a spreading arme,
Grim:
I haue dispens'd with my attendance on
The Duke, to bid you welcome Sir, from death,
Fame so, had couz'ned our beliefe, but thus,
She has made you the more precious.
Fosc.
Then I prospered,
If I may call it so, for I procur'd
That rumour to be spread, excuse a minute,
Ile tell thee all my Counsels, I neede not,
Wast any instructions on thee, Dulcino,
For the conueyance of this Paper, let me
Commend it to thy care, tis to my Mistresse,
Conceale my lodgings, and doe this for him
Will studie noble recompence,
Dulc.
You command me.
Exit.
Grim.
What pretty youth is that? sure I haue seene
That face before.
Fosc.
Neuer, I brought him first
To Savoy, hauing brought him from the
Bandetti, in my passage, ore the Confines,
Is't not a sweet fac'd thing? there are some Ladies,
Might change their beauties with him.
Grim.
And gaine by it.
Fosc.
Nay, to his shape he has as fine a Soule,
Which graceth that perfection.
Grim:
You ha not
Beene long acquainted with him.
Fosc.
I haue skill
In Phisnomy: beleeue my Character,
Hee's full of excellent sweetnesse.
Grim:
You expresse him
15
Fosc.
His vertue will deserue
More praise, he suffers Sir for loue, in that
He is a Gentleman, for neuer could
Narrow and earthly mindes, be capable
Of Loues impression, or the iniury—
He willingly forsooke his friends, and Country,
Because vnkindly for vnworthy ends,
They would haue forc'd him marry against his heart.
He told me so himselfe, and it were sinne,
Not to belieue him, but omitting these,
How fares the best of Ladies my Cleona?
Grim.
Your Cleona?
Fosc.
Mine, she is in affection,
She is not married.
Grim:
No?
Fosc.
She is in health?
Grim,
Yes.
Fosc.
There is something in thy lookes, I cannot
Reade by thy owne glosse, and make me know,
That doubtfull text, to whom hath she giuen vp,
The hope of my felicitie, her heart,
Since my too fatall absence?
Giot.
Vnto none,
Within the circle of my knowledge.
Fosc.
Then
I am renew'd agen, may thy tongue neuer
Know sorrowes accent.
Grim.
Will you presently
Visit her?
Fosc.
I haue sent a letter, to
Certifie, I am still her liuing Seruant.
Grim.
No matter, weele be there, before the boy,
There is necessity, if you knew all,
Come lets away.
Fosc.
Agen thou dost aflict
My Soule with iealousie, if she haue still
16
Grim:
But you are
Dead Sir, remember that.
Fosc:
I shall be liuing,
And soone enough present my selfe her fresh,
And actiue Louer.
Grim:
If the Duke bee not
Before you.
Fosc:
How?
Grim:
The Duke, 'tis so resolu'd,
Your riuall, if you still affect Cleona,
Within this houre, he means his first solicite
And personall seige, loose not your selfe with wonder,
If you neglect this opportunity,
She hauing firme opinion of your death,
It will not be a myracle, if the Title
Of Dutchesse be a strong temptation,
To a weake woman.
Fosc:
I must thanke your loue,
And Counsell, but for this time, disingage
Your further stay with me, the Duke may misse you,
Preserue his fauour, and forget me in
Your conference, I would be still conceal'd,
Let me consider on my fate, agen
I thanke you, and dismisse you,
Grim:
Quiet thoughts,
Dwell in your breast, in all things I obey you,
You know you haue my heart.
Fosc:
She's but a woman.
Yet how shall I be able to accuse her,
With any Iustice, when she thinks me dead,
The Duke, I must doe something, I am full
Of discord, and my thoughts are fighting in me,
From our owne armie must arise our feare,
When loue it selfe is turn'd a Mutineere.
Exit.
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