 | The Opportvnitie |  |
Act I.
Scene I.
Enter Aurelio, Pisauro, and Pimponio.Aur.
Expect me an howre hence, my friend and I
Will walke and see the Citie, make it your
Care to get Supper ready.
Pim.
If I doe not
I know who's like to fare the worse.
Au.
And be not
Drunke Sirra at our returne.
Pim.
Yes I doe use
To be drunke before you often.
Exit.
Au.
About your businesse:
And how dost like the towne, and situation.
Pis.
Trouble me not to answer such dull questions,
I see nere a handsome girle yet, not a peece
Of a bona roba; and the Dutchesse hold
But the complexion of those we ha seene,
I wonot be corrupted with the pallace
To be her bed-fellow.
Au.
You'l change opinion;
Perhaps we ha seene none but the rubbish, yet
Your most fastidious appetite, I feare
I shall have much adoe to stave thee from 'em,
Pis.
To quit that feare lets leave the Citie instantly;
The meale wonot disgest women, I eate int.
Not stave me from em?
We are for the warres;
This towne will turne my blood, I wonot give
A Inlio for my courage in twelve houres,
Vnlesse they tie their women up.
Au.
Thou hast,
A minde to shew thou canst be satyre, patience
But till to morrow and wee'l hence.
Enter Lucio.
Luc.
Sir, let my heart present your welcome home,
Y'ave beene too long a stranger, I am happy
To imbrace you agen.
Au.
Me, meaning me, dee know me?
Luc.
I hope you are not jealous of my friendship,
I thought our familiaritie before
The sad misfortune came that made you banish
Your selfe from Urbin had possest you throughly,
How firme I dare be to you.
Pis.
Doe you know him?
Au.
Dost thou know him? I nere saw his eyes before
To my best memory, are you not mistaken.
Lu.
Perhaps in your affection which no art
Hath ever made me guiltie to deserve,
I never did betray my friend to make you
Affect these clouds, but be it so.
Au.
There is
But one halfe hower added to our ages
Since first we saw the Citie.
Lu.
In good time.
I will be bold to acquaint some bawd else
In whom you have more faith.
Exit.
Au.
What Riddle's this.
Pis.
Is not the Gentleman o'th to sides ons wits?
Au.
Nay I know not, he
Said we had beene familiar, in his dreame sure,
For waking I nere saw him.
Pis.
You should have ask'd his name.
Au.
To what purpose prithee.
Enter Pietro.
Why does that Gentleman stare upon us so.
Pie.
Are you return'd, this is confidence
You may repent.
Au.
Save you signior.
Pie.
And you too.
Pis.
Dee meane both ons?
Pie.
One has some neede, yo're welcome Signior to
Urbin.
Au.
Thanke you, what's your name I pray.
Pie.
If you ha forgot mine, I remember Borgia.
A friend of yours, desires but to renew
Acquaintance we'e.
Au.
What friend.
Pie.
You will heare more.
Pis.
Iigges, shall I after him and knocke
Him o're the pate.
Au.
For what.
Pis.
For looking on's
So scurvily.
Au.
That may be dangerous,
Did he not name Borgia.
Pis.
But whether
He meant himselfe or you I understand not.
Au.
He might as well ha cald me Bethlem Gabor;
Lets walke on still.
Enter Julio.
Iu.
Ha Borgia, tis he, my noble friend returnd,
Welcome, a thousand welcomes in thy bosome;
Why doe you weare this strangenesse in your face,
Can a few yeares render me lost to Borgia.
Au.
Sure he does call me Borgia.
Iu.
Thou wert
Vnkinde in thy departure, with what devotion
And have unequall fortune, being absent
Why was not I summond to wait upon thee
In any part o'th world, but againe welcome,
When arriv'd yee.
Au.
I am very likesome body,
They all mistake me thus, we ha seene no friends since.
Iu.
Is this Gentleman.
Au.
One deare in my acquaintance.
Iu.
I am your servant, thy unexpected sight
Will glad Mercutios heart, your noble father
Who hath long mourn'd your absence.
Pis.
Good old man,
He will rejoyce to see him here no doubt on't.
Au.
Remember my fathers name.
Iu.
You have lost an Vncle, but all his estate
Your Father is possest of.
Au.
Dead!
Iu.
His age
Was fit for heaven, his wealth is added to
Your fathers to make yours the greater fortune.
Pis.
Take it upon you.
Au.
Pardon noble friend,
I was perswaded time and absence had
Wrought such a change upon my face, that no man
Would know me agen, but tho I may to some
Appeare a stranger, I must stand discover'd
To a friends penetrating eye, agen
Possest your faithfull servant, whats my name.
Iu.
Deare Borgia.
Pis.
Borgia I must remember you.
Iu.
Shall I waite on you to your father Sir.
Au.
What were I best to doe.
Iu.
Your sisters growne a gallant gentlewoman,
The onely beautie of Urbin, and waits on
The Dutchesse, her soft lips will seale your welcome.
Pis.
A handsome gentlewoman, goe.
Au.
He does but jeast, they are all witches here.
Pis.
No more Ieeres.
Go or be lame for ever.
Is she growne
Worthy that houre you expresse, and has
The Dutchesse taken her to grace.
Iu.
Tis more then whisper'd,
The favorite loves her.
Au.
Who.
Iu.
He that was cause
Of your remove Ursini.
Au.
Cry you mercy,
I know him well enough; but does he love her?
Iu.
Tis rumord so ith court.
Pis.
You will be tripping,
Your owne heeles up.
Au.
I hope my sisters honest.
Iu.
Who Cornelia.
Au.
Remember that name too.
Pis.
Let me alone
To remember her, Cornelia for more
Securitie, Ile put her in my table booke.
Iu.
There is no Lady in the preserves
A clearer fame, as modest as shees faire,
And so ingenious.
Pis.
I would excuse
Her modestie, but she may be converted
In time; tho sturdy Oake we know, and so forth
Enter Mercutio, Lucio
Au.
You speake a welcome Character.
Iu.
Your father
It seemes his willing eare hath catchd the newes
Of your arive.
Pis.
Kneele downe.
Au.
See if he first knows me,
Tis a wise father now knowes his owne child.
Mer.
My dearest Borgia, comfort of my age.
My joy of soule, a fatherr prayers and blessing
Make thee a happy man, my eyes must speake
Part of my joy in teares, welcome from Naples.
Au.
Your pardon Sir
That thus I steale upon you, I wod hope
My sister—
Pi.
Cornelia.
Cornelia is in health.
Mer.
And will be a glad soule to imbrace her brother
Au.
Your pardon Sir that I seem'd strange to you.
Lu.
'Tis recompence now that you please to owne me.
Mer.
Iulio an honest gentleman, and one
That loves us Borgia.
Au.
I heare my Vncle
Has left us—
Pi.
A good estate, ther's the lesse cause
To mourne for him.
Au.
We must all tread that path,
Here is a friend of mine to whose trust and favour
I have beene much engag'd.
Mer.
Sir what I want
In language, Ile supply with other welcome,
Please you to honour my poore wife.
Pis:
The service
Of my unworthy life is yours, command it,
I wod you had another handsome daughter.
Mer.
I presume you were presented a glad object
To Lucio, your affections grew from children.
Au.
To Lucio we carry but one heart.
Pis.
Doe not forget his name now.
Mer.
But my sonne
We dwell to long thus publique, let us perfect
Enter Pietro.
Our ceremony at home, Pietro
One of the favorits creatures.
Pie.
Tis the Dutchesse,
Command Mercutio you waite upon her
Presently at Court, and bring young Borgia
Along wee to expect her graces pleasure.
Exit.
Mer.
We must obey.
Au.
What makes your countenance change Sir.
Mer.
My feares poore Borgia for thee.
Au.
For me.
Pis.
Howes that? his feares?
Mer.
While my ag'd armes are in,
I wish thee from hence this ground betrayd thee,
Embarke agen, the Seas have usd thee kindly,
Trust them agen, or any land but this:
This will undoe us both, the joy of seeing thee
Made me forget thy danger.
Au.
Danger Sir,
What have I done, to call these feares upon you?
Pis.
Take heede, be wise, I know not what to thinke on't
Mer.
What hast done saist, nothing to dishonour thee,
Thou kildst him fairely.
Pis.
Kild I thinke; you were best
Be Aurelio agen, and leave your sister
But Ile fish out the circumstance, walke melancholy.
Au.
Prithee doe.
Pis.
Although your sonne has pleasd
To call me friend, I finde he has reservd
Something he wod not credit to my bosome;
I have observ'd his trouble, but unwilling
By moving questions to renew his sufferings:
If my particular knowledge of his fate
May be no prejudice, tho it be without
My verge to serve him, I can willingly
Share in their griefe that love him.
Mer.
You speake nobly,
Twas his misfortune Sir provok'd to kill
A Gentleman, brother to Vrsini, who
Was favorite to the Duke deceasd, and now
Grac'd by the Dutchesse, by whose power he may
Command him dead, these summons I suspect;
But take my counsell Borgia, and deceive
His expectation of revenge, once more
He bids thee flie; would slay thee in his heart,
Let me runne their displeasure.
Au.
Not for me Sir,
I am resolv'd, 'tis better dye at home,
Then wast my life an exile, Ile to Court we'e.
Pis.
Y'are not mad.
Thou art a foole, cannot I cast
Borgias skin off when I please, I must
See my faire sister at a minuts warning,
Thou art evidence for me; father I waite you,
My sisters there you say, doe not doubt me;
At worst, Ile have a tricke to keepe my head on:
Come friend and Gentlemen.
Iu.
We attend.
Exit.
Enter Dutchesse, Ursini, Cornelia, Melinda, Laura.
Du.
You have prevail'd Vrsini: yet we thought
Of all men living you would least have beene
A sutor for his pardon, but tis sign'd
He owes you for his life.
Vrs.
Your mercy rather,
I have consider'd madam I did lose
A brother, whose repaire I shall not finde
Now in anothers blood, the Gentleman
Hath suffer'd, though not what the Lawes determine.
Many yeares pennance, so severe, perhaps
That he is come by offering himselfe now
A sacrifice to your justice, to prevent
A death more killing, still to live a stranger
To his owne friends and countrey.
Du.
If your charitie
Extend so farre, the rest we have dispenc'd with,
He is return'd for certaine? he is either
Wearie of life, or master of a confidence
That might have beene his ruine.
Vrs.
This will make
Your art of mercy shine the brighter Madam.
Du.
It will, but let me aske you good my Lord,
Does this proceede out of a cleare forgivenesse:
Time I allow may qualifie the thought
Of our revenge, and something else of pittie
May so take off the roughnesse of our soule
That we may have a noble charitie
To our enemy, but has your end no mixture
Of something else, that may advance a hope
No turne to profit or delight? be plaine
For I must know your brest.
Vrs.
You shall see through me,
I dare not weare a thought lesse than transparent,
I love his sister Madam, faire Cornelia
With those intents become me, in that flame
I sacrifice all thoughts that wound her brother
And wish no happy satisfaction,
And by that charme of her consent to love
My brother is redevind in Borgia.
Dut.
Y'are briefe, yet plaine; how point Cornelias
Affections.
Vrs.
I have wooed her but in complement,
And tho there may be sonnes to admit
My services, I finde she is all obedience
To her father, whom the apprehension
Of his sonnes fortune may have indisposd
To a present reconcilement.
Dut.
This one act
Will make him kinde, and forme him to your wishes.
Vrs.
If they might have the happinesse to be
Propounded by your highnesse to Mercutio,
I prophesie successe, pardon great Madam,
If after all your princely favors I
Begge this with many blushes, love is grac'd
By dwelling on your breath.
Dut.
Ursini since
The Duke dyed you have found no losse in our
Esteeme, to his ashes I have paid that dutie
To grace whom he affected, and be confident
We shall not deny this, is he not come yet?
Urs.
He will attend your grace—who waits.
Enter Pietro.
Pie.
Signior Mercutio
Expects your graces pleasure, with him his sonne
Borgia
Cor.
My brother.
Dut.
Tho we pardon him
And chide his fault, he may be encourag'd else
To a second insolence.
Urs.
Gently I beseech you,
There may be a punishment within your eye
To kill him, and so make the benefit
Is meant him, of no vertue, or to himselfe,
Or my designe.
Dut.
How is the name of gentleman
Dishonor'd by such desperate undertakings;
That more then guiltie of humane blood, doe kill
Even Charity.
Enter Mecutio, Borgia, Pisauro.
Urs.
Th'are admitted.
Dut.
Is that he?
We sent for you Mercutio to tell you
How much you owe to good Ursinis love,
At whose earnest solicite we have sign'd
Young Borgias pardon, if you examine well;
You will have cause to place him in the first
Ranke of your friends.
Mer.
Shall I beleeve my eyes,
My understanding? how is Mercutio blest?
Looke boy the pardon, heaven reward thy charities;
My Lord for saving one, command the lives
Of all our family, thou soule of honour;
Looke Borgia.
Pis.
What de'e meane
Kneele to the Dutchesse, and acknowledge.
Bor.
What.
Pis.
A pardon for your life.
Bor.
I am lost here
Pisauro, an excellent creature.
Pis.
You'l spoile all,
Shee's yet your sister, I doe like her too;
Kneele for your pardon, and you may choose your gallowes
In time, wood I were hanged on no worse peece
Of timper, how nimbly would I climbe the Ladder,
Her highnesse and that gentleman.
Du.
Why does
That fellow kneele Ursini.
Urs.
'Tis Signior Borgia,
His heart is full of thankes.
Du.
I looke not for em,
What doe I feele? command him rise.
Urs.
Deare Madam.
Looke calme upon him.
Pis.
Shee'l reverse the pardon.
Cor.
Are you my brother Sir?
Bo.
As sure as you are my sister; do you doubt me.
Cor.
How now Cornelia, pray excuse me brother,
My joy to see you safe doth halfe transport me.
Du.
Mercutio.
Pis.
I am converted now,
And doe beleeve there are some hansome women;
Young Gentleman, not too much, too much at once,
Remember y'are her brother, he is taken.
Mer.
Your grace is pleasd to enlarge my happinesse;
My daughter is much honor'd, but I must
Beseech your Lordship to allow we may
In such a cause as this, enquire her judgement,
And since by'th bounty of your highnesse, I
Have a sonne now, whose joy may be concernd in't;
I would not willingly conclude her marriage
Without his voyce too.
Urs.
I am confident
To incline his favour, since she has declar'd
Herselfe no enemy.
Du.
Cornelia.
Urs.
Sir I have a suite to you.
Bo.
You have deserv'd
My life, which ought to waste it selfe in service.
Urs.
I am an honorer of your faire sister,
It rests in you to perfect my ambition.
And make her mine.
How do you meane my Lord.
Pis.
Now hee's put toot, she is Ursinis mistresse.
As he is Borgia, he can have no
Pretence to oppose him, if he discover
And be Aurelio agen, he destroyes all
Hope for himselfe, for I perceive hee's taken with her
I know by the motion of his nose, which pants
Like the Bellowes of an Organ.
Urs.
Sir your fathers
Voyce speakes in yours, you now command my destinie
If you will make me happy.
Bo.
Noble Sir,
I am sorry where such infinite merits plead
I have no power to serve your noble wishes,
And keepe the honour of a gentleman.
Urs.
Your family I take it can receive
No staine by my alliance.
Bo.
'Twere a blessing.
Pis.
How will he come off?
Bo.
Mistake not I beseech you,
I have already engaged my selfe to a Gentleman
Of a noble house in Millan, one Arelio
Andreozzi.
Pis.
Thats himselfe.
Bo.
Who on the sight of
Her picture which I gave him, courted me
To wooe the substance for him, promising
To follow me in person, being one
To whom I had many obligations
In the Millan Court, I paund the credit
Of a gentleman, to assist his faire desires,
If in few dayes he come to Urbin, but
I am confident his young affections
Which had no other life but what a dead
Representation could infuse, will soone
Vanish agen, and leave me to be serviceable
In what you will command me, and be sure
I will not racke your patience to much length;
My promise disobliged, and direct all
My abilities to make your wishes prosper:
It will become my gratitude.
Urs.
You speake nobly.
Bo.
The pleasures of the Court will so abate
His thoughts this way, that I presume your Lordship
Will soone be master of that amorous province
You ayme at, and much honour your poore servants.
Urs.
Let this confirme I am yours.
Pis.
So so, this was indifferently well carried, I was jealous
Of a more lame come off.
Urs.
Adde this one
To your other princely favours Madam, and
Admit this gentleman to kisse your hand.
Dut.
Without much suite my heart woule have conveyd
That to my lip, a very handsome gentleman.
Cor.
What sayd the Dutchesse? doe not her eyes fix
Upon my brother? how now Cornelia,
I am his sisters sister, yet I had
No acquaintance with this turbulent passions
When I last saw him.
Mer.
What does her highnesse meane,
She speakes to Ursini, but her eye directs
Some language this way, Borgia dost observe?
Bo.
And wonder, but I see nothing in her eyes
To be afraid of.
Pis.
If the Dutchesse should be in love with him
Here were a purchase, I doe verily
Beleeve here will be an end of all our warres,
If he have but the grace to march upon
This service and charge home, smiles, smiles upon him
Well Aurelio Andreozzi, tis very possible
You may meete with your match if he mount her,
Ile bring a Ladder to his sisters fort
And then the town's our owne, she calls him to her.
Mer.
Cornelia, canst thou interpret this?
Cor.
Her grace is very pleasant, good good heart
Pis.
She plaies with him, good, better,
I, is your spirit up my nimble Dutchesse,
Would I had the conjuring of it downe, Vrsini
Lookes like a whelpe had lost his taile alreadie.
Urs.
I was jealous she would chide and frowne upon him,
praid her be gentle, and looke calme, Ist come
Du.
Vrsini, I have thought how to supply
That place of Secretary that is vacant, see
That Borgia be sworne, we apprehend
His fitnesse.
Vrs.
Madam.
Du.
I hope this will please you
Vrsini, we can grace whom you present;
He is more gentleman than to forget
How for your sake we honor him; I shall
Betray too much of women, Borgia
Attends us; come Cornelia, Vrsini,
Mercutio, make the Court not so much stranger.
Exeunt.
Bo.
Ile follow: what dost thinke of this Pisauro.
Pis.
I thinke the Dutchesse loves thee, and make use on't,
Lose no applications, thar't her Secretary,
A degree to more inward indeerements,
If she doe love thee, and—
Bo.
What prethee?
Pis.
Shee knowes best
What appetite she has, let me counsell thee,
Be not modest, we are made.
Bor.
What?
Pis.
Thy father a Count, thou a Duke, Vrsini
A Coxcombe, I a fine gentleman, and one
That would be glad of the worst of your
New female acquaintances.
Bo.
There are no faces here.
Pis.
Be not you a Tyrant, Ile doe pennance
In a white sheete with thy sister for't.
Exeunt.
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