 | The Gratefvll Servant |  |
SCÆNA. 1.
Enter Astella and Piero.Astel:
Touch me not villains, pietie defend me
Art thou a man, or haue I all this while
Conuerst with some ill Angell in the shape
Of my Lords friend,
Piero.
What needeth all this stirre
I vrge your benefit.
Astel.
To vndoe my name
Nay Soule for euer with one act.
Piero.
One act,
There be those Ladies that haue acted it
A hundred times, yet thinke themselues as good
Christians as other women, and doe carry
As much opinion too for vertue.
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Heauen.
Piero.
What harme can there be in't, can you neglect
Reuenge so iust, so easie and delightfull?
Ast.
Thy breath doth scatter an infection.
Piero.
Scatter a toy, be wise, and loose no time
You know not when such opportunity,
May tempt you too't agen, for my owne part
I can but doe you pleasure in't, your bloud
Should need no other argument.
Astella:
Ile sooner
Empty my veynes, not to redeeme thy Soule,
Should Sinne betray mine honour to one loose
Embrace, hence traytor I doe feele corruption
I'th ayre already, it will kill me if
I stay, heereafter Ile not wonder how
My Lord became so wicked.
Piero.
You will lead me
To some more priuate roome, Ile follow Madam.
Exeunt.
Enter Iacomo.
Jacom.
More priuate roome, said hee? I smell a businesse
I thought this Gamester had beene gone, is it e'ne so, haue
at your burrough Madam, hee's a shrewd Ferret I can tell
you, and iust in the nicke here comes the Warrener.
Enter Lodwicke.
Lodw.
This diuell does not follow me, nor any of her
Cubs I hope, I'm glad I came off so well, I neuer was so hot
to engender with the Night-mare, could Grimundo find no
other creature for my coupling but a Succubus, me thinkes I
smell the Fiend still.
Iac.
He talkes on her already.
Lodw.
I am very jealous.
Jac.
Not without a cause my Lord.
Lodw.
Ha? there she is agen.
Jac,
No my Lord, she is new gone into the withdrawing Chamber.
Lodw.
Ha? who? who is gone?
Iac.
A Gentlewoman that you were late in company with.
Lodw.
The Diuell? looke well about you then, a Spirit,
Of her constitution will set the house on fire
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Came she? I shall be euerlastingly haunted
With goblings, art sure thou sawest her?
Iac.
Saw her, yes and him too.
Lod.
Grimundo?
Iac.
No not Grimundo, but I saw an other Gentleman
That has been held a notable spirit,
Familiar with her.
Lod.
Spirit and familiar.
Iac.
Piero my Lord
Lod,
Piero?
Iac.
I wonot say what I thinke, but I thinke somewhat,
And I know what I say, if she be a Deuill, as shee
Can be little lesse, if shee be as bad as I imagine
Some bodies head will ake for't, for mine owne
Part, I did but see and heare, thats all, and
Yet I ha not told you halfe.
Lod.
Let me collect sure this fellow by th' circumstance
Meanes Astella, thou talkest all this while of my Lady
Doest not?
Iac.
Yes my Lord, she is all the Ladies in the house,
For my Lady and mistris was sent for
To the Abbey.
Lod.
I had forgotten my selfe this is new horrour,
Is my Lady and Piero so familiar saist and
In priuate?
Iac.
What I haue said, I haue said, and what they haue
Done, they haue done, by this time.
Lod.
Done? and Ile be actiue too.
Iac.
Shew what feates of actiuity you please but
I beleeue hee hath vaulted into your sadle
Exit Lod.
Already—so so now I am alone which is as
The learned say, Solus cum sola I will entertaine
Some honorable thoughts of my preferment,
Enter Piero.
Hum the gamester is returned what melancholy, then
Hee ha's don't I lay my head to a fooles cap on't
I was alwaies so my selfe after my capring,
Did you not meet the Prince sir.
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No, where is he?
Iac.
He was here but now, and enquir'd how his Lady
did, and I told him you could tell the state of her body better
then I, for I thought you were gone in before him.
Piero.
I did but see her.
Jac.
Thats not the right on't, it runnes for I did but kisse
her, for I did but kisse her.
Piero.
It was enough for me to kisse her hand.
Jac.
And feele her pulse.
Piero.
How Sir?
Iac.
As a noble Gentleman should Sir?
Piero.
I am suspected, I must turne this fooles discourse,
Another way, the present theame is dangerous;
What I heare say Iacomo, your Lady is like to rise?
Iac.
My Lady does rise as earely as other Ladies doe that
goe to bed late.
Piero,
And there will be notable preferment for you?
Iac.
Tis very likely my Lady vnderstands her selfe.
Piero.
There is a whisper abroad.
Jac.
Tis a good hearing.
Piero.
What if she be married in this absence?
Jac.
Very likely, I say nothing but I thinke
I know my Ladies secrets for the tryumph, as pageants, or
running at tilt, you may heare more shortly, there may bee
reasons of state to haue things carried priuately, they will
breake out in Bels and bonefires hereafter; what their Graces
haue intended for me, I conceale.
Piero,
He is wound vp already.
Iac.
You are a Gentleman I shall take particular notice of.
Piero.
I hope a man may get a place for himselfe or his
friend for ready mony.
Iac.
Twere pitty of my life else, you shall command the
first that falls, but you must sweare you came in without chafering
or buying, imagine it a plump Parsonage, or other
Church-liuing, the oath will goe downe the more easily. Diuines
make no scruple.
Piero.
But what if after all this imagination of a marriage,
fortune should forbid the banes.
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How? Fortune's a slut, and because she is a whore
her selfe, would haue no Lady marry and liue honest.
Enter Lodwicke.
Lodw.
Piero, where's Piero?
Piero:
Ha, my Lord, I ha don't.
Lodw.
Ha? what.
Piero.
I haue pleas'd thy Excellence, and you had made
more hast, you might ha come to the fall a'th Deere, delicate
Venison.
Lodw.
Th'ast not enioy'd her?
Piero.
They talke of Jupiter and a golden shewer,
Giue me a Mercury with wit and tongue
He shall charme more Ladies on their backes,
Then the whole bundle of Gods pshew.
Lodw.
Shoote not so much compasse, bee briefe and answer
me, hast thou enioy'd her?
Piero.
I haue, shall I sweare?
Lodw.
No, thou wilt bee damn'd sufficiently without an
oath, in the meane time, I do purpose to reward your nimble
diligence, draw?
Piero.
What dee meane.
Jac.
And you be so sharpe set, I doe meane to withdraw.
Lodw.
I doe meane to cut your throat, or perish i'th attempt
you see your destinie, my birth and spirit wo'not let
me kill thee in the darke, draw and be circumspect.
Piero.
Did not you engage me to it, haue I done any
thing but by your directions? my Lord.
Lodw.
Tis all one, my minde is altered, I will see what
complexion your heart beares, doe not neglect my fury, but
guard your selfe discreetly, if I hit vpon the right veyne I
may cure your disease a'th bloud.
Piero.
Hold, and there bee no remedy, I will dye better
then I ha liu'd, you shall see Sir that I dare fight with you, and
if I fall by your Sword, my base consent to act your will deserues
it.
Lodw.
Ha?
Piero.
I find your policie, and by this storme,
You'd proue my resolution, how boldly I
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Dishonour comes to question prepare
To be displeased—she is a miracle
Of chastity impenterable like.
A marble she returned my sinfull arrowes
And they haue wounded me, forgiue me Lady.
Lod.
I prethee tell me true, now thou shalt sweare
Hast thou not don't.
Pier.
Not by my hope of heauen
Which I had almost forfeited, had not shee
Releeued me with her vertue, in this truth
I dare resigne my breath.
Lod.
I dare beleeue thee
What did I see in her to doubt her firmenesse.
Enter Jacomo and Astella.
Iac.
Here they are Madam, you doe not meane to
Run vpon their naked weapons.
Lod.
Piero thou shalt wonder.
Ast.
What meanes my Lord?
Lod.
You shall know that a non
My Lady goe with me.
Ast.
Whither you please
You shall not need to force mee sir, you may
Lead me with gossamere, or the least thread
The industrious spider weaues.
Iac.
Whimseyes caribit soes.
Pier.
What fury thus transports him at some distance
Ile follow him, he may intend some violence
Shee is too good to suffer I shall grow
In loue with my conuersion.
Exit.
Iac.
Grow in loue with a cockscomb his last wordes
Sticke on my stomacke still fortune forbid the banes
Quotha, slid if fortune should forbid the banes
And my Lady be not conuerted into a Dutchesse
Where are all my offices?
Hum where are they quoth I, I doe not know
But of all tunes I shall hate fortune my foe.
Exit.
Recorders. Chaires prepared.
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Sor.
Know you not who they are my Lord this day
Receiue the habit.
Gio.
I can meete with no intelligence.
Sor.
They are persons of some quality.
Gio.
The Duke does meane to grace their ceremony.
Sor.
He was inuited by the Abbot to their clothing.
Gio.
Which must be in priuate too heare in his lodgings.
Sor.
Well, we shall not long expect'em his grace enters.
Enter Duke, Grimundo.
Gri.
It helpt much that he neuer saw my wife.
Du.
Dost thinke 'twill take.
Gri.
There's some hope my Lord already
And heauen may prosper it.
Du.
Wee cannot endeere thee to thy merit.
Sor.
How the Duke imbraces him.
Enter Cleona attended.
Duk.
Cleona you are welcom 'tis a blest
Occasion that makes vs meete so happily.
Cle.
It pleased my Lord Abbot to inuite mee hither.
Duk.
I appear'd too vpon his friendly sommons
Weele thanke him for this presence,
Sor.
The Abbot enters.
Enter the Abbot attended with Religious men hauing bowed to the Duke, he taketh a chaire being sate, Valentio goes out and presently enters leading Foscarie and Dulcino in St. Bennets habit, hee presents them they kneele at the Abbots feete.
Abb.
Speake your desire.
Fos.
We kneele to be receiued into the number,
Of those religious men that dedicate
Themselues to Heauen, i'th habit of St. Bennet,
And humbly pray, that you would rectifie
And teach our weake deuotion, the way
To imitate his life, by giuing vs
The precepts of your order,
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Let me tell you,
You must take heed, the ground of your resolue
Be perfect, yet looke backe into the spring
Of your desires, religious men should be
Tapers, first lighted by a holy beame,
Meteors may shine like starres, but are not constant.
Fosc.
We couet not the blaze, which a corrupt,
And slimy matter may aduance, our thoughts
Are slam'd with Charity.
Abb.
Yet ere you embarke
Thinke on your hard aduenture, there is more
To be examin'd, beside your end,
And the reward of such an vndertaking,
You looke on Heauen a farre off, like a Land skip,
Whether wild thoughts, like yours imperfect eye,
Without examination of those wayes,
Oblique, and narrow are transported, but
I'th walke, and tryall of the difficulties
That interpose, you tire like inconsiderate,
And weary Pilgrims.
Fosc.
We desire to know
The rules of our obedience,
Abb.
They will startle
Your resolutions, can your will, not vs'd
To any Law beside it selfe, permit
The knowledge of seuere, and positiue limits?
Submit to be controul'd, imploy'd sometime,
In seruile offices, against the greatnesse
Of your high birth, and sufferance of nature?
Can you, forgetting all youthfull desires,
And memory of the worlds betraying pleasures,
Checke wanton heate, and consecrate your blood
To Chastity, and holy solitude?
Sor.
I wo not be religious Giotto?
Giot.
Nor I, vpon these tearmes I pitty em.
Abb,
Can you quit all the glories of your state,
Resigne your titles, and large wealth to liue
Poore and neglected, change high food and surfets,
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For hard and humble lodging, your guilt roofes,
And galleries for a melancholly Cell
The patterne of a graue, where, stead of musicke
To charme you into slumbers, to be wak'd
With the sad chyming of the sacring bell;
Your robes, whose curiosity hath tired
Inuention, and the silkeworme to adorne you,
Your blaze of jewels, that your pride hath worne
To burne out enuies eyes, must be no more
Your ornament, but course, and rugged clothing
Harrow your soft skinnes, these and many more
Vnkind austerities will much offend
Your tender constitutions, yet consider.
Du.
Hee does insist much on their state and honour
May wee not know'em yet;
Val.
One of them sir
Doth owe this character.
Giues him a paper.
Du.
It is Foscary
I find his noble purpose, hee is perfect
I honour thee young man, she must not see
This paper.
Giues another paper.
Ual.
This doth speake the other Sir.
Du.
Tis at large—ha—Grimundo I prethee read,
I dare not credit my owne eyes Leonora
So it begins, Leonora.
Gri.
Leonora daughter to the late Gonzaga Duke
Of Millan, fearing she should be compelled to marry
Her Vncle, in the habit of a Page and the conduct
Of Father Valentio, came to Sauoy, to try the
Loue and honor of his Excellence, who once
Sollicited by his Embassador—
Du.
No more, I am extasied
If so much blessing may be met at once
Ile doe my heart that justice to proclaime
Thou hadst a deepe impression, as a boy
I lou'd thee too, for it could be no other,
But with a Diuine flame, faire Leonora
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Within an Iuory box, through the white wall
Shot foorth imbracing vertue, now, oh now
Our Destinies are kind.
Fos.
This is a misterie, Dulcino?
Leo.
No my Lord, I am discouered,
You see Leonora now, a Millan Lady,
If I may hope your pardon—
Du.
Loue, and honour
Thou dost inrich my heart, Cleona reade
And entertaine the happines, to which
Thy fate predestin'd thee, whilst I obey
Mine here.
Cleona reades.
Cleo.
How, my Lord Foscary?
If he be liuing, I must dye before
This separation be confirm'd, my ioy
Doth ouercome my wonder, can you leaue
The world while I am in't?
Fos.
Deer'st Leonora!
Then willingly I dispence with my intention
And if the Duke haue found another Mistris,
It shall be my deuotion to pray heere,
And my religion to honour thee.
Ab.
Many blessings crowne
This vnion.
Fos.
Your pardon gracious Princesse
I did impose too much.
Leo.
I studied
To be your gratefull seruant, as your selfe
Vnto the faire Cleona wee are all happy.
Enter Lodowicke, Astella, and Piero.
Lod.
The'yr here; by your leaue brother, my Lord Abbot?
Witnesse enough.
Du.
Why thus kneeles Lodowick?
Lod.
To make confession brother, and beg heauens
And euery good mans pardon, for the wrong
I ha'done this excellent Lady, whom my soule
New marries, and may heauen—ha doe not hold
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Take heed on him, and say your prayers, hee is
The Deuils grand solliciter for soules,
Hee hath not such another cunning engine
I'th world, to ruine vertue.
Gri.
I my Lord?
Lod.
You are no hipocrite, he does euery night
Lye with a Succubus, he brought me to one
Let him deny it, but heauen had pitty on me.
Enter Bellinda.
Ha? there she is, doe you not see her? Deuill!
I doe defie thee, my Lord stand by me,
I will be honest, spight of him, and thee,
And lye with mine owne wife.
Gi.
Sure the Prince is mad,
Duk.
Oh rise most noble Lady, well deseruing
A statue to record thy vertue.
Lod.
Ha?
Duk.
This is Grimundoes wife,
Lod.
'Tis so my Lord.
Bel.
No Deuill, but the seruant of your vertue,
That shall reioyce, if wee haue thriu'd in your
Conuersion.
Ast.
I hope it.
Lod.
Haue I bin mock'd into honesty? are not you a fury?
And you a slye and subtile Epicure?
Gri.
I doe abhorre the thought of being so,
Pardon my seeming Sir.
Ab.
Oh goe not backe,
Preuent thus seasonably your reall torment.
Lod.
I am fully wakened, be this kisse the pledge
Of my new heart.
Pi.
True loue streame in your bosomes
Lady forgiue mee too.
Ast.
Most willingly.
Duk.
Our ioy is perfect, Lodowick salute
A sister in this Lady, Leonora,
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As wee returne, Lord Abbot wee must thanke
You for contriuing this, and you good Father,
Embassadors shall be dispatcht to Millan,
To acquaint'em, where, and how their absent Princesse
Leonora hath dispos'd her selfe, meane while,
Poets shall stretch inuention, to expresse
Triumphs for thee, and Sauoyes happinesse.
Exeunt Omnes.
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