 | The Fancies Chast and Noble |  |
Actus II.
Enter Flavio supported by Camillo, and Vespuci.Flavia.
Not yet return'd.
Cam.
Madam.
Fla.
The Lord our husband,
We meane, unkind! foure houres are almost past,
(But twelve short minutes wanting by the glasse)
Since we broke company, was never (gentlemen)
Poore Princesse us'd so?
Ves.
With your gracious favour,
Peeres great in ranck and place, ought of necessity
To attend on state employments.
Cam.
For such duties,
16
Flow in the beauties they injoy, which conquers
All sence of other travaile.
Fla.
Trimly spoken.
When we were common, mortall, and a subiect,
As other creatures of heavens making are,
(the more the pitty) blesse us! how we waited
For the huge play day when the Pageants flutter'd
About the City, for we then were certaine,
The Madam courtiers, would vouchsafe to visit us,
And call us by our names, and eate our viands:
Nay give us leave to sit at the upper end
of our owne Tables, telling us how welcome
They'd make us, when we came to Court: full little
Dream't I at that time of the wind that blew me
Up to the Weathercocke of th' honours, now
Are thrust upon me, but we beare the burthen,
Were't twice as much as'tis, the next great feast,
Wee'l grace the City wives (poore soules) and see
How they'le behave themselves, before our presence.
You two shall wait on us.
Ves.
With best observance,
And glory in our service.
Cam.
Wee are creatures
Made proud in your commands.
Fla.
Beleeve't you are so:
And you shall find Vs readier in your pleasures,
Then you in your obedience, fie methinks
I have an excellent humor to be perrish;
A little toysome, 'tis a pretty signe
Of breeding, i'st not sirs? I could, indeed la,
Long for some strange good things now.
Cam.
Such newes, Madam,
Would over-joy my Lord your husband.
Ves.
Cause
Bonfires and bell ringings
17
I must be with childe then,
And't be but for the publique Iollity,
Or lose my longings, which were mighty pitty.
Cam.
Sweet fates forbid it.
Enter Fabricio.
Fab.
Noblest Lady—
Ves.
rudenesse
Keepe off, or I shal—sawcy groome, learn manners,
Goe swab amongst your Goblins.
Fla.
Let him stay,
The fellow I have seene, and now remember
His name, Fabricio.
Fab.
Your poore Creature Lady;
Out of your gentlenesse, please you to consider
The briefe of this petition, which containes
All hope of my last fortunes.
Fla.
Give it from him.
Cam.
Here Madam—marke Vespuci, how the
Wittol stares on his sometime wife! sure he imagines
To be a cuckold, by consent, is purchase
Of approbation in a state.
Ves.
Good reason.
The gaine repriev'd him from bankerouts statute,
And fil'd him in the charter of his freedome.
Shee had seene the fellow, didst observe.
Cam.
Most punctually.
Could calhim by his name too, why 'tis possible,
Shee ha's not yet forgot a' was her husband.
Ves.
That were strange, oh 'tis a precious trincket.
Was ever puppet so slipt up?
Cam.
The tale
Of Venus Cat (man) chang'd into a woman,
Was embleme but to this, she turnes.
Ves.
'A stands just like Acteon in the painted cloth.
Cam.
No more.
Fla.
Friend we have read, and weighed the sum
18
Is meant your counsell learned, ha's drawn for yee:
'Tis a faire hand insooth, but the contents
Somewhat vnseasonable, for let us tell yee,
Y'ave beene a spender, a vaine spender, wasted
Your stocke of credit, and of Wares unthriftily.
You are a faulty man, and should we urge
Our Lord as often for supplies, as shame,
Or wants drive you to aske, it might be construed
An impudence, which we defie, an Impudence,
Base in base Women, but in Noble sinfull.
Are yee not asham'd yet of your selfe?
Fab.
Great Lady,
Of my misfortunes I am asham'd.
Cam.
So, so,
This jeere twangs roundly, doe's it not Vespuci?
Ves.
Why heere's a Lady worshipfull.
Fla.
Pray gentlemen,
Retire awhile; this fellow shall resolve
Some doubts that stick about me.
Ambo.
As you please.
Exeunt.
Fla.
To thee Fabricio, oh the change is cruell
Since I find some small leisure, I must justifie,
Thou art unworthy of the name of man.
These holy vowes, which we by bonds of Faith,
Recorded in the register of Truth,
Were kept by me unbroken, no assaults
Of guifts of courtship from the great and wanton,
No threats, nor sence of poverty (to which
Thy riots had betray'd me) could betray
My warrantable thoughts, to impure folly.
VVhy wouldest thou force me miserable?
Fab.
The scorne
Of rumor, is reward enough, to brand
My lewder actions, 'twas I thought impossible,
A beauty fresh as was your youth, could brooke
19
Fla.
Did I complaine?
My sleeps between thine arms, were even as sound,
My dreames as harmelesse, my contents as free,
As when the best of plenty crown'd our bride bed.
Amongst some of a meane, but quiet fortune,
Distrust of what they call their owne, or Iealousie
Of those whom in their bosomes they possesse
VVithout controule, begets a selfe unworthinesse;
For which feare, or what is worst desire,
Or paultry gaine, they practise art, and labor to
Pander their own wives: those wives whose innocence
Stranger to language, spoke obedience onely,
And such a wife was Flavia to Fabritio.
Fab.
My losse is irrecoverable.
Fla.
Call not
Thy wickednesse thy losse; without my knowledge
Thou souldst me, and in open court protestedst
A precontract unto another, falsly
To justifie a separation, wherein
Could I offend to be believ'd thy Strumpet,
In best sence an Adulteresse? so conceav'd
In all opinions, that I am shooke off,
Even from mine own blood, which although I boast
Not Noble, yet 'twas not meane, for Romanello
Mine onely brother, shunnes me, and abhors
To owne me for his sister.
Fab.
'Tis confest,
I am the shame of mankind.
Fla.
I live happy
In this great Lords love, now, but could his cunning
Have train'd me to dishonour, we had never
Beene sunder'd by'th temptation of his purchase.
Jntroth Fabritio, I am little proud of
My unsought honours, and so farre from triumph,
That I am not more foole, to such as honour me,
20
Fab.
You are an Angell rather to be worshipt,
Then grosly to be talked with.
Fla.
Keepe those Duccats;
I shall provide you better: 'twere a bravery,
Could you forget the place wherein y'ave render'd
Your name for ever hatefull.
Fab.
I will doo't,
Doo't excellentest goodnesse, and conclude
My dayes in silent goodnesse.
Fla.
You may prosper
In Spaine, in France, or elsewhere, as in Italie.
Besides, you are a scholer bred, however
You interrupted study with commerce,
Ile think of your supplies, mean time, pray, storm not
At my behaviour t'ee, I have forgot acquaintance
With mine owne-keepe your first distance—
Enter Julio, Camillo, Vespuci
Camillo, who is neere, Vespuci.
Jul.
What, Our Ladies cast familier.
Fla.
Oh my stomach
Wambles at sight of—sicke, sicke, I am sicke—
I faint at heart—kisse me, nay prethee quickly,
Or I shall sown—y'ave staid a sweet while from me.
And this companion to—beshrew him.
Iu.
Dearest,
Thou art my health, my blessing—turne the banquerout
out of my dores—sirrah, Ile have thee whipt.
Cam.
Hence, hence you vermine.
Exit Fa.
Iu.
How i'st my best of joyes?
Fla.
Prettily mended.
Now we have our owne Lord here: I shall never
Endure to spare you long out of my sight.
See what the thing presented.
Iu.
A petition,
21
Fla.
We must not
Be troubled with his needs, a wanting creature
Is monstruous, is as ominous—fie, upon't.
Dispatch the silly Mushroome once for all,
And send him with some pittance out o'th countrey,
Where we may heare no more of him.
Iu.
Thy will shall stand a law, my Flavia.
Flav.
You have beene
In private with our fellow Peeres now: shanot we
Know how the businesse stands, sure in som countrey,
Ladies are privy Counsellors, I warrant yee:
Are they not thinke yee? there the land is (doubtlesse)
Most politickly govern'd; all the women
Weare swords and Breeches, I have heard most certainely,
Such sights were exc'lent.
Iul.
Th'art a matchlesse pleasure:
Noe life is sweet without thee, in my heart
Raigne Empresse, and be stil'd thy Iulio's Soveraigne.
My onely, precious deare:
Fla.
VVee'l prove no lesse t'ee.
Exeunt.
Enter Troylo and Livio.
Troy.
Sea sicke a shore still? thou couldst rarely scape
A Calenture in a long voyage, Livio,
VVho in a short one, and at home art subject
To such faint stomacke qualmes, no cordials comfort
The businesse of thy thoughts, for ought I see:
VVhat ayles thee (man) be merry, hang up Iealousies.
Liv.
VVho, I, I jealous? no, no, heere's no cause
In this place 'tis a nunnerie, a retirement
For meditation, all the difference extant
But puzzles, onely barre beliefe, not grounds it,
Rich services in place! soft and faire lodgings,
Varieties of recreations, exercise
Of musique in all changes? neate attendance?
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Saciety of gardens, orchards, waterworkes,
Pictures so ravishing, that ranging eyes,
Might dwell upon a dotage of conceit,
Without a single wish for livelier substance?
The great world in a little world of Fancie,
Is here abstracted: noe temptation profer'd
But such as fooles and mad folkes can invite to?
And yet—
Troy.
And yet your reason cannot answer
Th'objections of your feares, which argue danger.
Liu.
Danger? dishonour, Troylo: were my sister
In safety from those charmes, I must confesse
I could live here for ever.
Troy.
But you could not.
I can assure yee, for't were then scarce possible,
A dore might open t'ee, hardly a loope-hole.
Liv.
My presence then is usher to her ruine,
And losse of her, the fruit of my preferment.
Troy.
Briefly partake a secret, but be sure
To lodge it in the inmost of thy bosome,
Where memory may not find it for discovery;
By our firme truth of friendship, I require thee.
Liv.
By our firme truth of friendship, I subscribe
To just conditions.
Troy.
Our great Vncle Marquesse,
Disabled from his Cradle, by an impotence
In nature first, that impotence, since seconded
And rendred more infirme, by a fatall breach
Receiv'd in fight against the Turkish Gallies
Is made uncapable of any faculty,
Of active manhood, more then what affections
Proper unto his Sex, must else distinguish:
So that no helpes of art can warrant life,
Should he transcend the bounds his weaknes limits.
Li.
On, I attend with eagernesse.
23
'Tis strange,
Such naturall defects at no time checks
A full and free sufficiency of spirit;
Which flowes, both in so cleare and fixt a strength,
That to confirme beliefe (it seemes) where nature
Is in the body lame, she is suppli'd
In fine proportion of the minde, a word
Concludes all; to a man his enemy,
He is a dangerous threatning: but to women,
How ever pleasurable, no way cunning
To shew abilities of friendship, other
Then what his outward sences can delight in,
Or charge and bounty court with.
Liv.
Good, good—Troylo,
Oh that I had a lusty Faith to credit it,
Though none of all this wonder should be possible.
Troy.
As I love honour, and an honest name,
I faulter not (my Livio) in one sillable,
Liv.
Newes admirable, 'tis, 'tis so—pish I know it,
Yet 'a has a kind heart of his owne to girles,
Young, handsome Girles; yes, yes, so a' may,
Tis granted—a' wod now and then be pidling,
And play the wanton, like a flie that dallies
About a candles flame: then scorch his wings,
Drop downe, and creepe away, ha?
Troy.
Hardly that too;
To looke upon fresh beauties, to discourse
In an unblushing merriment of words,
To heare them play or sing, and see them dance,
To passe the time in pretty amorous questions,
Read a chast verse, of love, or prattle riddles,
Is th'height of his temptations.
Liv.
Send him joy on't.
Troy.
His choices are not of the courtly trayne;
Nor Citties practice; but the countries innocence,
Such as are gentle-borne, not meanely; such,
24
Are monstrous; such as cleanelinesse and decency,
Prompt to a vertuous envy, such as study
A knowledge of no danger, but themselves.
Liv.
Well, I have liv'd in ignorance: the ancients,
Who chatted of the golden age, fain'd trifles.
Had they dream't this, they would have truth'd it heaven.
I meane an earthly heaven, lesse it is not.
Troy.
Yet is this Batchelor miracle not free
From the epidemical head-ach.
Liv.
The Yellowes.
Troy.
Huge jealous fits, admitting none to enter
But me, his page, and Barber, with an Eunuch,
And an old guardianesse, it is a favour
Not common, that the licence of your visits,
To your owne sister, now and then is wink't at.
Liv.
But why are you his instrument, his Nephew?
'Tis ominous in nature.
Troy.
Not in policy,
Being his heire, I may take truce a little,
With mine owne fortunes.
Liv.
Knowing how things stand too.
Troy.
At certaine seasons, as the humor takes him,
A set of musicke are permitted peaceably,
To cheare their solitarinesse, provided
Th'are strangers, not acquainted neere the city,
But never the same twice, pardon him that;
Nor must their stay exceed an houre, or two
At farthest; as at this wise wedding, wherfore
His Barber is the master to instruct
The lasses both in Song and Dance, by him
Train'd up in either quality.
Liv.
A caution happily studied.
Troy.
Farther to prevent
Suspition, a' has married his young Barber
To the old Matron, and withall is pleased,
25
For th'game, to take off all suspition
Of insufficiency, and this strickt company
A' cals his bower of Fancies.
Liv.
Yes and properly,
Since all his recreations are in Fancy.
I'me infinitely taken—sister? marry
Would I had sisters in a plenty, Troylo,
So to bestow them all, and turne them Fancies.
Fancies? Why 'tis a pretty name methinks.
Troy.
Something remaines, which in conclusion shortly.
Song.
Shall take thee fuller—Harke, the wedding jollity!
With a Bride-cake on my life, to grace the nuptials!
Perhaps the Ladies will turne Songsters.
Liv.
Silence.
Enter Secco, Castamela, Floria, Clarella, Silvia, Morosa, and Spadone.
Sec.
Passing neat and exquisite, I protest faire creatures;
These honours to our solemnity, are liberall and uncommon;
my spouse and my selfe with our posterity, shall prostitute
our services, to your bounties, shals not duckling?
Mor.
Yes honey suckle, and doe as much for them one
day, if things stand right as they should stand, Bill, Pigeon
doe; thou'st be my Cattamountaine, and I thy sweet bryer,
Honey, wee'l lead you to kind examples (pretty ones) believe
it, and you shall find us, one in one, whiles hearts doe
last.
Sec.
Ever mine owne, and ever.
Spa.
Well said old Touch hole.
Liv.
All happinesse, all joy.
Troy.
A plenteous issue,
A fruitfull wombe—Thou hast a blessing Secco.
Mor.
Indeed a' ha's Sir, if yee know all, as I conceive
you know enough, if not the whole: for you have (I may
26
of my carriage, from time to time.
Spa.
'Twould wind-breake a moyle, or a ring'd mare, to
vie burthens with her.
Mor.
What's that you mumble, Gelding, shey,
Spa.
Nothing forsooth, but that y'are a bouncing couple
well met, and 'twere pitty to part yee, though you hung together
in a smoakie chimney.
Mor.
'Twere eene pitty indeed, Spadone, nay tha'st a
foolish loving nature of thine own, and wishest wel to plaine
dealings o' my conscience.
Spa.
Thank your Brideship—your Bawdship.
Flo.
Our sister is not merry.
Cla.
Sadnesse cannot
Become a Bridall harmony.
Sil.
At a wedding, free spirits are required.
Troy.
You should dispence
With serious thoughts, now Lady.
Mor.
Well said Gentlefolks.
Liv.
Fie Castamela fie,
Om.
A dance, a dance.
Troy.
By any meanes, the day is not compleat else.
Cast.
Indeed Ile be excus'd,
Troy.
By no meanes, Lady.
Sec.
We are all suitors.
Cast.
With your pardons, spare me
For this time, grant me licence to looke on.
Command your pleasures, Lady,—every one hand
Your Partner—nay, Spadone, must make one.
These merriments are free.
Spa.
VVith all my heart, I'me sure I am not the heaviest
In the company.
Strike up for the honour of the Bride and Bridegroome.
Dance.
Troy.
So, so, here's art in motion: on all parts,
Yee have bestir'd yee nimbly,
27
I could dance now,
Eene till I dropt againe; but want of practice
Denies the scope of breath or so, yet sirrah,
My Cattamountaine, doe not I trip quickly,
And with a grace too, sirrah.
Sec.
Light as a feather.
Spa.
Sure you are not without a stick of Licorice in your
pocket forsooth; you have I believe stout lungs of your owne,
you swim about so roundly without rubs; 'tis a tickling sight
to be young still.
Enter Nitido.
Nit.
Madam Morosa?
Mor.
Childe.
Nit.
To you in secret.
Spa.
That eare-wig scatters the troope now, Ile goe neer
to fit 'em.
Liv.
My Lord upon my life.
Troy.
Then we must sever.
Mor.
Ladies and gentlemen, your eares.
Spa.
Oh 'twas ever a wanton monkey—a' will wriggle
into a starting hole so cleanely—and it had bin on my wedding
day,—I know what I know.
Sec.
Saist so Spadone?
Spa.
Nothing, nothing, I prate sometimes beside the purpose,
whoreson lecherous weezill?
Sec.
Looke, looke, looke how officious the little knave
is—but—
Spa.
VVhy? there's the businesse, Buts on ones forehead,
are but scurvie Buts.
Mor.
Spadone, discharge the fidlers instantly.
Spa.
Yes, I know my postures-oh monstruous Buts.
Exit.
Mor.
Attend within, Sweeting,—your pardons
Gentlemen; to your recreations deare virgins:
Page have a care,
Nit.
My duty reverend Madam.
Troy.
Livio away—sweet beauties.
Cast.
Brother.
28
Suddenly I shall returne, 'now for a round temptation.
Mor.
One gentle word in private with your Ladiship. I shal
Not hold you long.
Ex. severally Morosa staies Castamela.
Cast.
What meanes this huddle
Of flying severall wayes thus? who ha's frighted 'em?
They live not at devotion here, or pension!
Pray quit me of distrust.
Mor.
May it please your Goodnesse,
You'l find him even in every point as honourable,
As flesh and bloud can vouch him:
Cast.
Ha, him? whom?
What him?
Mor.
He will not presse beyond his bounds.
He will but chat and toy, and feele your—
Cast.
Guard me,
A powerfull Genius! feele—
Mor.
Your hands to kisse them.
Your faire, pure, white hands, what strange businesse is it?
These melting twins of Ivory, but softer
Then downe of Turtles, shall but feede the appetite—
Cast.
A rape upon my eares.
Mor.
The appetite
Of his poore ravisht eye; should he swell higher
In his desires, and soare upon ambition
Of rising in humility, by degrees;
Perhaps a' might crave leave to clap—
Cast.
Fond woman,
In thy grave sinfull.
Mor.
Clap or pat the dimples,
VVhere Loves tombe stands erected on your cheekes.
Else pardon those slight exercises, pretty one,
His Lordship is as harmelesse a weake implement,
As ere young Lady trembled under.
Cast.
Lordship!
(Stead me my modest anger) 'tis belike then
29
Where Virgins honours suffer Martyrdome.
And you are their tormentor; let's lay downe
Our ruin'd names to the insulters mercy!
Let's sport and smile on scandall (rare calamity,
What hast thou toyl'd me in?) you nam'd his Lordship,
Some gallant youth and fiery?
Mor.
No, no deed la.
A very grave stale Batchelor (my dainty one)
There's the conceit: Hee's none of your hot rovers,
Who ruffle at first dash, and so disfigure
Your Dresses, and your sets of blush at once.
Hee's wise in yeeres, and of a temperate warmth;
Mighty in meanes and power: and withall liberall.
A wanton in his wishes, but else, farther,
A' cannot—cause—a' cannot.
Cast.
Cannot, prethee,
Be plainer: I begin to like thee strangely.
What cannot?
Mor.
You urge timely, and to purpose.
A' cannot doe—the truth is truth—doe, any thing,
(As one should say) that's any thing, put case
(I doe but put the case forsooth) a' finde yee.
Cast.
My stars I thank yee, for being ignorant,
Of what this old in mischiefe can intend.
And so we might be merry, bravely merry.
Mor.
You hit it—what else—she is cunning—looke yee,
Pray lend your hand forsooth.
Cast.
Why prethee take it.
Mor.
You have a delicate moyst palme—umh—can yee
rellish that tickle? there.
Cast.
And laugh if need were.
Mor.
And laugh, why now you have it, what hurt pray
Perceive yee? there's all, all, goe to, you want tutoring,
Are an apt scholar, Ile neglect no paines
For your instruction.
30
Doe not, but his Lordship,
What may his Lordship be?
Mor.
No worse man
Then marquesse of Siena, the great Master
Of this small familie, your master found him,
A bounteous benefactor, has advanc'd him,
The gentleman o'th horse, in a shott time
He meanes to visit you himselfe in person,
As kind, as loving, an old man.
Cast.
Wee'l meet him
With a full flame of welcome, i'ft the Marquesse?
No worse?
Mor.
No worse I can assure your Ladiship,
The onely free maintainer of the Fancies.
Cast.
Fancies? How meane yee that.
Mor.
The pretty soules
VVho are companions in the house, all daughters
To honest vertuous parents, and right worshipfull.
A kind of chaste collapsed Ladies.
Cast.
Chast too, and yet collapsed?
Mor.
Onely in their fortunes.
Cast.
Sure I must be a Fancie in the number.
Mor.
A Fancie principall, I hope you'le fashion
Your entertainment, when the Marquesse courts you,
As that I may stand blamelesse.
Cast.
Free suspition. My Brothers rayser?
Mor.
Meerely.
Cast.
My supporter?
Mor.
Uudoubtedly.
Cast.
An old man and a lover?
Mor.
True, there's the Musick, the content, the harmony.
Cast.
And I my selfe a Fancy?
Mor.
You are pregnant.
Cast.
The chance is throwne, I now am fortunes minion,
I will be bold and resolute.
Mor.
Blessing on thee.
Exeunt.
| The Fancies Chast and Noble | |