 | The Renegado |  |
Actus Tertius.
Scæna prima.
Enter Donusa, Manto.Donusa.
When said he, he vvould come againe?
Manto.
He swore,
Short Minutes should be tedious Ages to him,
Vntill the tender of his second seruice,
So much he seemde transported with the first.
Donu.
I am sure I was. I charge thee Manto tell me
By all my fauors, and my bounties truely
Hast forfeited that name.
Manto.
A Virgine Madame?
At my yeeres being a wayting-woman, and in Court to?
That were miraculous. I so long since lost
That barren burthen, I almost forget
That euer I was one.
Donu.
And could thy friends
Reade in thy face, thy maidenhead gone, that thou
Hadst parted with it?
Manto.
Noe indeed. I past
For currant many yeeres after, till by fortune,
Long and continewed practise in the sport
Blew vp my decke, a husband then was found out
By my indulgent father, and to the world
All was made whole againe. What neede you feare then
That at your pleasure may repayre your honour
Durst any enuious, or malitious tongue,
Presume to taint it?
Donu.
How now?
Enter Carazie.
Cara.
Madam, the Basha
Humbly desires accesse.
Donu.
If it had beene
My neate Italian, thou hadst met my vvishes.
Tell him we would be priuate.
Cara.
So I did,
But he is much importunate.
Manto.
Best dispatch him
His lingring heere else will deter the other,
From making his approch.
Donu.
His entertainement
Shall not inuite a second visit, goe
Say we are pleasde.
Enter Mustapha.
Musta.
All happinesse.
Donu.
Bee suddaine
On my retirements, but ridiculous folly
To vvast the time that might be better spent
In complementall vvishes.
Cara.
There's a coolling
For his hot encounter.
Donu.
Come you heere to stare?
If you haue lost your tongue, and vse of speech,
Resigne your gouernment, there's a mutes place voyde
In my vncles Court I heare, and you may worke me
To vvrite for your preferment.
Musta.
This is strange!
I know not Madam, what neglect of mine
Has calde this scorne vpon me.
Donu.
To the purpose
My will's a reason, and we stand not bound
To yeeld account to you.
Must.
Not of your angers,
But with erected eares I should heare from you
The story of your good opinion of me
Confirmde by loue, and fauours.
Donu.
How deseru'd?
I haue consider'd you from head to foote,
And can find nothing in that waynscote face,
That can teach me to dote, nor am I taken
With your grimme aspect, or toadepoole-like complexion,
Those scarres you glorie in, I feare to looke on;
And had much rather heare a merrie tale
Then all your battayles wonne with blood and sweate,
Though you belch forth the stincke too, in the seruice,
And sweare by your Mustachios all is true.
You are yet too rough for me, purge and take physicke,
Purchase perfumers, get me some French taylor,
To new create you; the first shape you were made with
Is quite worne out, let your barbar wash your face too,
You looke yet like a bugbeare to fright children,
Exeunt Donu. Car.
Must.
Stay you my Ladies Cabinet key.
Mant.
How's this sir?
Must.
Stay and stand quietly, or you shall fall else,
Not to firke your belly vp flounder like, but neuer
To rise againe. Offer but to vnlocke
These dores that stop your fugitiue tongue (obserue me)
And by my fury, I'll fixe there this bolte
To barre thy speech for euer. So, be safe now
And but resolue me, not of what I doubt
But bring assurance to a thing beleeu'd,
Thou mak'st thy selfe a fortune, not depending
On the vncertaine fauours of a Mistresse,
But art thy selfe one. I'll not so far question
My iudgement, and obseruance, as to aske
Why I am slighted, and contemnde, but in
Whose fauour it is done. I that haue read
The copious volumes of all womens falsehood,
Commented on by the heart breaking groanes
Of abusde louers, all the doubts washde off
With fruitlesse teares, the Spiders cobweb vayle
Of arguments, alleadge in their defence,
Blowne off with sighs of desperate men, and they
Appearing in their full deformitie:
Know that some other hath displanted me,
With her dishonor. Has she giuen it vp?
Confirme it in two sillables?
Manto.
She has.
Musta.
I cherish thy confession thus, and thus,
giues her iewels.
Bee mine, againe I court thee thus, and thus
Now prooue but constant to my ends.
Manto.
By all—
Must.
Enough, I dare not doubt thee. O land Corcodiles
Made of Ægyptian slime, accursed women!
But tis no time to rayle: come my best Manto.
Exeunt
Scæna Secunda.
Enter Vitelli, Francisco.Vitel
Sir, as you are my confessor, you stand bound
Not to reueale what euer I discouer
In that Religious way: nor dare I doubt you.
Let it suffice, you haue made me see my follies,
And wrought perhaps compunction; For I would not
Appeare an Hyppocrite. But when you impose
A penance on me, beyond flesh, and blood
To vndergoe: you must instructe me how
To put off the condition of a man:
Or if not pardon, at the least, excuse
My disobedience. Yet despayre not sir,
For though I take mine owne way, I shall doe
Something that may hereafter to my glory,
Speake me your Scholler.
Fran.
I inioyne you not
To goe, but send.
Vitel.
That were a pettie triall
Not worth one so long taught, and exercisde
Vnder so graue a master. Reuerende Francisco
My friend, my father, in that word, my all;
Rest confident, you shall heare some thing of mee
That will redeeme me in your good opinion,
Or iudge me lost for euer. Send Gazet
(Shee shall giue order that hee may haue enterance)
To acquaint you with my fortunes.
Exit Uitelli.
Fran.
Goe and prosper,
Holy Saints guide and strengthen thee. Howsoeuer
As my endeauours are, so may they find
Gracious acceptance.
Enter Gazet, Grimaldi, in raggs.
Gaz.
Now you doe not rore sir
A poore shopkeeper. Doe you remember that sir,
I vveare your marks heere still.
Fran.
Can this be possible?
All vvonders are not ceas'd then.
Grimal.
Doe, abuse me,
Spit on me, spurne me, pull me by the nose,
Thrust out these fiery eies, that yesterday
Would haue lookde thee dead.
Graz.
O saue me sir.
Gri.
Feare nothing,
I am tame, and quiet, there's noe vvrong can force me
To remember vvhat I vvas. I haue forgot,
I ere had irefull fiercenesse, a steelde heart,
Insensible of compassion to others,
Nor is it fit that I should thinke my selfe
Worth mine owne pittie, Oh.
Fran.
Growes this deiection,
From his disgrace doe you say?
Gaz.
Why hees cassherde sir,
His ships, his goods, his liuery-puncks confiscate,
And there is such a punishment laid vpon him,
The miserable rogue must steale no more,
Nor drinke, nor drab.
Fran.
Does that torment him?
Gazet.
O Sir!
Should the State take order to bar men of acres,
From those two laudable recreations,
Drinking, and vvhoring, how should Panders purchase,
Or thrifty Whores build Hospitals? slid if I
That since I am made free, may write my selfe,
A Citty gallant, should forfeit two such charters
I should be ston'd to death, and nere be pittied,
By the liueries of those companies.
Fran.
You'll be whip'd sir,
If you bridle not your tongue. Haste to the Palace
Your Master lookes for you.
Gaz.
My quondam Master,
In seruants tis more pardonable; as a companion,
Or so, I may consent, but is there hope sir,
He has got me a good chapwoman? pray you write
A word or two in my behalfe.
Fran.
Out rascall.
Gaz.
I feele some insurrections.
Fran.
Hence.
Gaz.
I vanish.
Exit Gazet.
Gri.
Why should I study a defence, or comfort?
In whom blacke guilt, and misery if ballanc'd,
I know not which would turne the scale, looke vpward
I dare not, for should it but be beleeu'd,
That I (dide deepe in hells most horrid colours,)
Should dare to hope for mercy, it would leaue
No checke or feeling, in men innocent
To catch at sinnes, the diuell nere taught mankind yet,
No, I must downeward, downeward, though repentance
Could borrow all the glorious wings of grace,
My mountainous waight of sins, would cracke their pinions,
And sincke them to hell with me.
Fran.
Dreadfull! heare me,
Thou miserable man.
Grima.
Good sir deny not,
But that there is no punishment beyond
Damnation.
Enter Master, Boteswaine.
Master.
Yonder he is, I pitty him.
Botes.
Take comfort Captaine, we liue still to serue you.
Gri.
Serue me? I am a diuell already, leaue me,
Stand further off, you are blasted else, I haue heard
Schoolemen affirme mans body is compos'd
Of the foure elements, and as in league together
They nourish life; So each of them affords
Liberty to the soule, when it growes wearie
Of this fleshie prison. Which shall I make choice of?
The fire? no (I shall feele that heereafter)
The earth will not receiue me. Should some whirlewind
Perpetuall plagues would dwell vpon the earth.
And those superior bodies that powre downe
Their cheerefull influence denie to passe it,
Through those vast regions I haue infected.
The (Sea) I that is iustice there, I ploude vp
Mischiefe as deepe as Hell there: there I'le hide
This cursed lumpe of clay may it turne Rocks
Where plummets weight could neuer reach the sands.
And grinde the ribs of all such barkes as presse
The Oceans breast in my vnlawfull course.
I haste then to thee, let thy rauenous wombe
Whom all things else denie, be now my tombe.
Exit Gri.
Master.
Follow him and restraine him.
Fran.
Let this stand
For an example to you. I'le prouide
A lodging for him, and apply such cures
To his wounded conscience, as heauen hath lent mee.
Hee's now my second care: and my profession
Bindes me to teach the desperate to repent
As farre as to confirme the innocent.
Exeunt.
Scæna tertia.
Enter Asambeg, Mustapha, Aga, Capiaga.Asambeg.
Your pleasure,
Mus.
T'will exact your priuate eare,
And when you haue receiude it, you will thinke
Too many know it.
Exeunt Aga, Capiaga.
Asambeg.
Leaue the roome, but bee
Within our call. Now sir, what burning secret brings you
(With which it seemes you are turnde Cynders)
To quench in my aduise, or power?
Mustapha.
The fire
Will rather reach you.
Mee?
Musta.
And consume both,
For tis impossible to be put out
But with the blood of those that kindle it:
And yet one viall of it is so pretious,
It being borrow'd from the Ottoman spring,
That better tis I thinke, both vve should perish
Then proue the desperate meanes that must restraine it,
From spreading further.
Asam.
To the poynte, and quickely.
These vvinding circumstances in relations
Seldome enuiron truth.
Musta.
Truth Asambeg?
Asam.
Truth Mustapha. I sayd it, and adde more
You touch vpon a string that to my eare,
Do's sound Donusa.
Musta.
You then vnderstand
Who tis I aime at.
Asam.
Take heed Mustapha,
Remember what she is, and whose we are;
Tis her neglect perhaps, that you complaine of,
And should you practise to reuenge her scorne,
With any plot to taynt her in her honor,
Musta.
Heare mee.
Asam.
I will be heard first, there's no tongue
A subiect owes, that shall out thunder mine.
Musta.
Well take your way.
Asam.
I then againe repeate it
If Mustapha dares with malitious breath
(On iealous suppositions) presume
To blast the blossome of Donusas Fame
Because he is denide a happinesse
Which men of equall, nay of more desert,
Haue su'd in vaine for.
Musta.
More?
Asam.
More. Twas I spake it,
The Basha of Natolia and my selfe
More Victories, more Trophies, to pleade for vs
To our great Master, then you dare lay claime to,
Yet still by his allowance she was left
To her election, each of vs ow'd nature
As much for outward forme, and inward vvorth
To make vvay for vs to her grace and fauour,
As you brought with you. We vvere heard, repuls'd
Yet thought it no dishonour to sit downe,
With the disgrace; if not to force affection,
May merit such a name.
Musta.
Haue you done yet?
Asa.
Be therfore more then sure the ground on which
You rayse your accusation, may admit
No vndermining of defence in her,
For if with pregnant and apparent proofes
Such as may force a iudge, more then inclin'd
Or partiall in her cause to sweare her guilty;
You win not me to set off your beleefe,
Neither our ancient friendship, nor the rites,
Of sacred hospitality (to which
I would not offer violence) shall protect you:
Now vvhen you please.
Must.
I will not dwell vpon
Much circumstance, yet cannot but professe
With the assurance of a loyalty,
Equall to yours, the reuerence I owe,
The Sultan, and all such his blood makes sacred;
That there is not a veyne of mine vvhich yet is
Vnemptied in his seruice, but this moment
Should freely open, so it might vvash off
The staynes of her dishonor, could you thinke?
Or though you saw it credit your owne eyes?
That she, the wonder and amazement of
Her sex, the pride, and glory of the empire,
That hath disdain'd you, sleighted me, and boasted
A frozen coldnesse which no appetite,
Be hurried vvith the violence of her lust,
As in it burying her high birth and fame,
Basely descend to fill a Christians armes
And to him yeeld her Virgin honour vp,
Nay sue to him to take't.
Asam.
A Christian?
Must.
Temper
Your admiration: and vvhat Christian thinke you?
No Prince disguis'd; no man of marke, nor honour,
No daring vndertaker in our seruice,
But one vvhose lips her foote should scorne to touch,
A poore Mechanicke-Pedler.
Asam.
Hee?
Must.
Nay more,
Whom doe you thinke she made her scout, nay baude,
To finde him out but me? What place makes choyce of
To wallow in her foule and lothsome pleasures,
But in the pallace? Who the instruments
Of close conueyance, but the captaine of
Your gard the Aga, and that man of trust
The warden of the inmost port? I'll proue this,
And though I fayle to shew her in the act,
Glew'd like a neighing Gennet to her Stallion,
Your incredulity shall be conuinc'd
With proofes I blush to thinke on.
Asam.
Neuer yet,
This flesh felt such a feuer, by the life
And fortune of great Amurath, should our prophet
(Whose name I bow to) in a vision speake this,
T'would make me doubtfull of my faith: leade on,
And when my eies, and eares, are like yours, guilty,
My rage shall then appeare, for I will doe
Something; but what, I am not yet determin'd.
Exeunt.
Scæna Quarta.
Enter Carazie, Manto, Gazet.Carazie.
They are priuate to their wishes,
Mant.
Doubt it not.
Gaz.
A prettie structure this! a court doe you call it?
Valted and arch'd: O heere has beene old iumbling
Behind this arras.
Car.
Prethee let's haue some sport,
With this fresh Codshead.
Manto.
I am out of tune,
But doe as you please. My conscience. tush the hope
Of liberty throwes that burthen off,
I must goe watch, and make discouery.
Exit.
Cara.
He's musing,
And vvill talke to himselfe, he cannot hold,
The poore foole's rauish'd.
Gazet.
I am in my masters clothes,
They fit me to a hayre too, let but any
Indifferent gamester measure vs inch, by inch,
Or vvaigh vs by the standard, I may passe
I haue beene prou'd, and prou'd againe, true mettall.
Car.
How he suruayes himselfe.
Gaz.
I haue heard that some
Haue fool'd themselues at Court into good fortunes,
That neuer hop'd to thriue by wit in the City,
Or honesty in the Countrey. If I doe not
Make the best laugh at me. Ile weepe for my selfe,
If they giue me hearing. Tis resolu'd I'll trie
What may be done. By your fauour sir, I pray you
Were you borne a Courtier?
Cara.
No sir, vvhy doe you aske?
Gaz.
Because I thought that none could be preferd,
Car.
O sir! many, and howsoere you are a Citizen borne,
Yet if your mother vvere a handsome vvoman,
And euer long'd to see a Maske at Court,
It is an euen lay but that you had
A Courtier to your Father; and I thinke so;
You beare your selfe so sprightly.
Gaz.
It may be,
But pray you sir, had I such an itch vpon me
To change my coppy, is there hope a place
May be had heere for money?
Car.
Not without it
That I dare vvarrant you.
Gaz.
I haue a pretty stocke,
And vvould not haue my good parts vndiscouer'd,
What places of credit are there?
Car.
There's your Beglerbeg.
Gaz.
By no meanes that, it comes to neere the begger
And most prooue so that come there.
Car.
Or your Sanzacke.
Gaz.
Saus-iacke fie none of that.
Car.
Your Chiaus.
Gaz.
Nor that.
Car.
Chiefe Gardiner.
Gaz.
Out vpon't,
Twill put me mind my Mother was an herb-woman,
What is your place I pray you?
Car.
Sir an Euenuch.
Gaz.
An Euenuch! very fine, I faith, an Euenuch!
And what are your employments? neate and easie.
Car.
In the day I waite on my Lady when she eates,
Carry her pantophles, beare vp her trayne
Sing her asleepe at night, and when she pleases
I am her bedfellow.
Gaz.
How? her bedfellow,
And lye with her?
Car.
Yes, and lye with her.
O rare!
Ile be an Eunuch, though I sell my shop sor't
And all my wares.
Car.
It is but parting with
A precious stone or two. I know the price on't.
Gaz.
Ile part with all my stones, and vvhen I am
An Eunuch, Ile so tosse and towse the Ladies;
Pray you helpe me to a chapman.
Car.
The court Surgion
Shall doe you that fauour.
Gaz.
I am made! an Eunuch!
Enter Manto.
Manto.
Carazie, quit the roome.
Car.
Come sir, wee'll treat of
Your businesse further.
Gaz.
Excellent! an Eunuch!
Exeunt.
Scæna Quinta.
Enter Donusa, Vitelli.Vitelli,
Leaue me, or I am lost againe, no prayers,
No penitence, can redeeme me.
Donusa.
Am I growne
Olde, or deform'd since yesterday?
Vitel.
You are still,
Although the sating of your lust hath sullied
The imaculate whitenesse of your Virgin beauties,
Too fayre for me to looke on. And though purenesse,
The sword with which you euer fought, and conquer'd,
Is rauish'd from you by vnchaste desires,
You are too strong for flesh and blood to treat with,
Though iron grates were interpos'd betweene vs,
To warrant me from treason.
Donusa.
Whom doe you feare?
Vitel.
That humane frailety I tooke from my mother,
That still pursues me, and though once recouer'd
In scorne of reason, and what's more, religion,
A gaine seekes to betray me.
Donusa.
If you meane sir,
To my embraces, you turne rebell to
The lawes of nature, the great Queene, and Mother
Of all productions, and denie alleageance.
Where you stand bound to pay it.
Vitel.
I will stoppe
Mine eares against these charmes, which if Vlysses
Could liue againe, and he are this second Siren,
Though bound with Cables to his Mast, his Ship too
Fasten'd with all her Anchors, this inchantment
Would force him in despite of all resistance,
To leape into the Sea, and follow her,
Although destruction with outstretch'd armes,
Stood ready to receaue him.
Donusa.
Gentle sir,
Though you deny to heare me, yet vouchsafe
To looke vpon me. Though I vse no language
The griefe for this vnkind repulse, will print
Such a dumbe eloquence vpon my face,
As will not onely pleade, but preuaile for me.
Vitelli.
I am a cowar'd, I will see and heere you,
The triall else is nothing, Nor the conquest,
My temperance shall crowne me with heereafter,
Worthy to be remembred. Vp my vertue
And holy thoughts, and resolutions arme me,
Against this fierce temptation; giue me voyce
Tun'd to a zealous anger to expresse
At what an ouerualue I haue purchas'd,
The vvanton treasure of your Virgin bounties,
That in their false fruition heape vpon me
Despayre, and horror; that I could with that ease
Redeeme my forfeit innocence, or cast vp
The poyson I receiu'd into my entrayles,
As now I doe deliuer backe the price,
returnes the Casket.
And salarie of your lust: or thus vncloth me
Of sins gay trappings, (the proud liuery
Throwes off his cloke and doublet.
Of wicked pleasure) which but worn, and heated
With the fire of entertaynement, and consent,
Like to Alcides fatall shirt, teares off
Our flesh, and reputation both together,
Leauing our vlcerous follies bare, and open,
To all malicious censure.
Donu.
You must grant,
If you hold that a losse to you, mine equals,
If not transcends it. If you then first tasted
That poyson as you call it, I brought with me
A palat vnacquainted with the rellish
Of those delights which most (as I haue heard)
Greedily swallow; and then the offence
(If my opinion may be beleeu'd)
Is not so greate: how ere, the wrong no more
Then if Hippollitus and the Virgin Huntresse,
Should meete and kisse together.
Uitel.
What defences
Can lust rayse to maintaine a precipice
Asambeg and Musta. aboue
To the Abisse of loosenes? but affords not
The least stayre, or the fastening of one foote,
To reascend that glorious height we fell from.
Musta.
By Mahomet she courts him.
Asam.
Nay kneeles to him;
Obserue the scornefull villaine turnes away too,
As glorying in his conquest.
Donu.
Are you Marble?
kneeles
If Christians haue mothers, sure they share in
The tigresse fiercenesse, for if you were owner
Of humane pitty, you could not indure
A Princes to kneele to you, or looke on
These falling teares which hardest rocks would soften,
And yet remaine vnmou'd. Did you but giue me
That the remembrance of the sweetenesse of it
Might leaue perpetuall bitternes behind it?
Or shew'd me vvhat it vvas to be a vvife,
To liue a vvidow euer?
Asam.
She has confest it;
Enter Capiaga, Aga, with others.
Ceise on him villaines. O the furies.
Donusa.
How!
Asambeg and Mustapha descend.
Are we betray'd?
Uitel.
The better, I expected
A Turkish Faith.
Donu.
Who am I that you dare this?
Tis I that doe command you to forbeare
A touch of violence.
Aga.
We already Madam
Haue satisfied your pleasure further then
Wee know to answere it.
Capi.
Would we vvere vvell off,
We stand too far ingag'd I feare.
Donu.
For vs?
We'll bring you safe off, who dares contradict
What is our pleasure?
Enter Asambeg, Mustapha.
Asam.
Spurne the dog to prison,
I'll answere you anon.
Vitel.
What punishment
So ere I vndergoe, I am still a Christian.
Ex. with Vitel.
Donu.
What bold presumption's this? vnder what law
Am I to fall that set my foote vpon
Your Statutes and decrees?
Musta.
The crime committed
Our Alcoran calls death.
Donu.
Tush, vvho is heere
That is not Amurahs slaue, and so vnfit
To sit a iudge vpon his blood?
Asam.
You haue lost
And sham'd the priueledge of it, rob'd me to
Of my soule, my vnderstanding to behold
Donu.
I doe appeale to Amurah.
Asam.
We will offer
No violence to your person, till we know
His sacred pleasure, till when vnder gard
You shall continue heere.
Donusa.
Shall?
Asam.
I haue said it.
The Gard leades off Donusa.
Donu.
We shall remember this.
Asam.
It ill becomes
Such as are guilty to deliuer threats
Against the innocent. I could teare this flesh now,
But tis in vaine, nor must I talke but do:
Prouide a well made galley for Constantinople,
Such sad newes neuer came to our great Master;
As hee directs, we must proceed, and know
No will but his, to whom what's ours we owe.
Exeunt.
The end of the third Act.
| The Renegado | |