University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

Enter Castracagnio, Florello, Ariotto, Soranzo, Lizaro.
Florello.
Your Troops have skirmish'd at the North Gate, and
Are return'd without much loss.

Cast.
Mistakes are ever incident to night,
And darkness. How long is't since
The Sun appear'd?

Flo.
Not a full hour.

Cast.
Death! We have flown hither then, we have
Out-march'd time, 'tis strange we should reach the Town
So early, and find success absent.
Piracco hast thou summon'd 'em to a Parley?

Enter Piracco.
Pir.
Twice noble General.

Flo.
The Governor appears upon the Walls.

Enter Governor, Colonel, &c.
Gover.
Hail Castracagnio, the Great Dukes General,
We wish both health and honor to Florello too,
Your Lieutenant o'er this powerful Army.

Enter Foscari.
Cast.
My Lord Foscari, this is Court breath, sweet
And subtle, we that follow the War, know not how to
Disguise our meanings; how
Come you to bestow upon us such pleasant
Greeting, and yet affront our Master.

Fosc.
We do invite a penalty from Heaven.
If we cannot justifie our Deeds.
The Great Duke of Tuscany is allowed to be a Man
Of Honor, we implore his friendship,
And shall grow proud to gain it, but 'twill deprive
Our Fame of Courage, to become his Subjects,
When without impeachment to his title,
He may esteem us his Confederates and Allies.

Cast.
You are revolted from a State, that hath
Power to shew their Justice, till
Your repentance comes.

Col.
Twice have we sent to Florence for redress
Of injuries, received from those of Luca,
And could ne'er procure an audience. Old men
Contain in their remembrance, that our
Signiore of Pisa, scorn'd to implore
Justice from any State in Italy.

Cast.
Is this the cause of your revolt.

Fosc.
My Lord, the people are incens'd against their
Oppressors, your burthens gall their shoulders,
Which they'll fling off for ever now.

Cast.
You shall know the intent of my Commission.
I must demand an easie entrance here,
Attended with a Regiment of Foot,
These to remain a Garison, till my
Master receive less cause to doubt your Faith's.
You, my Lord, to become my prisoner,
And all we shall find adherent to your faction.

Fosc.
This a new oppression, but we are
Able to resist it; there is not a heart
In Pisa that can out-live his Honor.
Our suffrance will make us Martyrs.

Cast.
You are hold Rebels, and must expect
The cruelty of War.

Col.
We know your strength, and the justice of our
Own cause, your threats deserve our scorn.

Flo.
With leave of my right noble General,
I demand leave to speak. My Lord Foscari
You know what the fury of a War commits,
Deserve the Dukes mercy, with your own, upon
Your Countrey, grant our demands, and cherish Peace.
Appeal to Florence, think upon the power we
Lead, let the teeming Mother sleep quietly
Within her Husbands bosom, and her young
Issue live till they requite her groans:
Let the aged pay their Death to Nature,
And the Virgin dedicate her self
To Hymens holy use; for Soldiers have
No Mercy in their Lust or Anger.

Cast.
We are not wild in Peace, nor tame in War.
What with gentle words we proffer, if now
Refused, wil be deny'd you when the storm
Grows rough and boisterous.

Col.
You have good hopes, but we can ne'er be guilty
Of dispair.

Fosc.
My Lords, it gives us cause of grief, that your
Charity and noble wishes cannot
Receive our thanks: You see
The inconvenience of vast attendance,
You come hither with such full Troops, we dare
Not entertain you in the Town, you must
Be pleased to lie i'th'Suburbs; pray take heed
Ye catch not cold, leave our Sconce, y'ave a full
Hour given you to depart in safety;
When that's expired, be sure you are beyond
Our Cannons reach, Colonel away.

Exeunt.
Cast.
Death, do they mock our kindness! I'll continue a
Battery upon the Walls of Pisa, till
Our shot lay their Walls level with the Earth:

Pira.
A Battery, a Battery!

Liz.
Heaven preserve our General!

Ari.
Amen! For he preserves our Swords, they shall
Not rust for want of use.

Cast.
Florello ere we mount all our Cannon,
'Twere fit you guard the River with your Horse,
Till the Redoubt there be finished.

Flo.
I've some kindness still for Pisa,
I wish t'would yeild without inforcement by
Our Battery.

Cast.
What sayest thou?

Flo.
But your will deserves to be performed.

Cast.
Dost thou not wish us to revenge this scorn.

Flo.
I think that man would merit much from Heaven,
Whose patience can have leisure to
Prevent Ruine, and gain the Town by Treaty,
With a Composition noble.

Cast.
Th'art my wonder! In all Assaults
Thou wert ever violent, thy courage
Rather rash then slow to meet the greatest danger.

Pira.
A Battery, a Battery! I love
Danger, a long Winter siege is Letchery to me.

Ari.
A Battery, a Battery!

Cast.
Florello, thou dost conceal thy thoughts, why art
So silent?

Flo.
Be not displeas'd Sir, if I beg you to remember, Heaven
Delights in soft compassions. In the Town
Are many goodly Structures, and glorious
Temples, sacred to the fame of Saints.

Cast.
Thou leav'st my thoughts unsetled, I'll call
A Council: Piracco, give speedy notice
Toth' Marshal o'the Field, that he perfect
Our Entrenchments, and be diligent to
Expect new Orders.

Pira.
Which he might have chosen one without
An Imposthume to deliver his Errands,
I'm ill appointed for a Race.

Exeunt Castracagnio, Piracco.
Sor.
My Lord, I'm bold to revive my suit.

Flo.
I shall include it in my next Conference
With the General, and give you ample cause
To praise my care. Let me see you
Often in my Tent.
Exit Florello.

Sor.
You do engage the utmost strength of all
My love and service. Thou art exactly
Valiant, a just friend unto a Noble
Enemy. How temperate he was in what
Concerned the Generals fury, he has
Some reason in it, although disguised.

Ari.
With your consent Sir, are you not a Member of our Faction?

Sor.
How! Y'are no Banditi Gentlemen,
A Faction in the Camp?

Ari.
Art not a Voluntier? A spark derived
From a flame of Triumph, a Child of Pride,
And loud Glory? Dost not thou as well as we come to
The Wars to gain noise? Hah! let's be particular;
Begin acquaintance, love, and friendship!

Sor.
This is a sudden way, but 'tis believ'd
That friends are scarce, when men are so greedy
To gain them.

Liza.
Do you know him Sir.

Sor.
I shall do ere I'm a minute older:
He will be known.

Liza.
Repent your sin.

Sor.
How?

Liza.
A fortnight since, 'twas my error not to
Know him, but my fate grew kind; in our march
From Florence, he was mingled in a side
With me, I survey'd his forehead, found out
His merit by instinct, proffered friendship,
'Twas granted, Amity increased, and since
That time he hath revealed himself to be a Lad of mettle;
All fire, the true Image of Amadis
De Gaule his Ancestor.

Sor.
This fellow has a rare nimble Tongue,
He speaks all and more then he knows, ere I have
Leisure to hear a part.

Ari.
It appears by this private Conference,
You are acquainted with Lizaro:

Sor.
Is he call'd Lizaro? I thought I should
Know his heart sooner then his name.

Ari.
Sir, your counsel'd by a friend, there's danger
In his presence.

Sor.
I hope he wears no charms
About him, Key Guns or Pistols charg'd with
White Powder.

Ari.
There's danger in his Vertues, in his parts
Of Merit.

Sor.
This is strange! You mistake me sure for Oedipus,
I'm no Expounder of Riddles.

Ari.
The Colonels and Officers o'th' field
Avoid him with like haste, as they would Chain-shot.

Sor.
Why, good Signior?

Ari.
They are eclipsed with his presence, as lesser
Lights before the Sun; his valor drowns the voice
Of Hannibal and Scipio, he hath
Increased the number of the Worthies, his name
Makes 'em up Ten, you may see it i'th' last Impression.

Sor.
You should do well to write each others Annals,
They would make Voluminous Books; and this
Language seems rarely in the Epistles
Dedicatory; for there 'tis frequent
To belie men with praise. Shall I intreat
My absence.

Ari.
Not yet for your Souls health: How chance you made
Not us, your great examples before the General?

Sor.
In what Sir?

Ari.
Did you not hear us make a noise, pronounce
With accent loud, A Battery, a Battery.

Liza.
Sir, you must learn to make a noise, whilst you
Remain i'th' Camp; we are Voluntiers, we
Hang Captains, Officers, all such as trail
The limber Pike for pay: We come toth' war
For Fame, Honor is our pay:

Ari.
When you are skilful how to make a noise
I'th' Camp, you may be priviledged to roar
I'th' City; to wear a Lock o'er your left
Shoulder, large as a Horses Mane.

Sor.
Sir, my affairs deprive me of the rest
Of your instructions, I would hasten
My departure.

Ari.
First leave your name behind you.

Sor.
I'm call'd Soranzo.

Ari.
If we did know your Tent, you should receive
A visit from us.

Sor.
Y'ave learn'd where the Lieutenant-Generals
Regiment is quartered.

Ari.
By perfect demonstration.

Sor.
There you shall find my Tent.

Liza.
Dost know Piracco?

Sor.
I've heard of Captain Piracco, he has
A ripe Imposthume in his Thigh: He was
Here now with the General

Ari.
The same, Pox on him, I saw him do good
Service at the Battel of Lepanto.
I was loth to see the Rascal foundred,
Whilst this Arm and short Blade could rescue him
From Seven Firelocks

Liza.
That was the time you catch'd the Bullets
In your fist as they flew about him.

Ari.
No, that was at Millan in a skirmish
Against the Grisons. Dost know Meruole?

Sor.
You mean, Ensign Meruole the Duellist.

Ari.
No matter for his title, we call each
Other by the corruption of our names,
Tom and Dick: 'Tis a blunt garb, but it
Becomes Soldiers. The Slave is famous in
Duels, he has proffered at us too; but
We keep him at distance with a certain reverse.
Observe me Sir, with a punto sublimato
That is raised by your neither guard, present
Your weapon naked.

Enter Meruole, Piracco.
Liza.
'Slight! Here they are! End your discourse.

Ari.
I shall attend you at your Tent.

Sor.
These are rare Blades!
Exit Soranzo.

Mer.
I'm as melancholly, as an old Witch
Over a smoaky fire.

Pira.
Is all thy money fled?

Mer.
I ha'not a Ducket left to buy food:
Upon a march my stomach grumbles at noon,
And sickens at night.

Pira.
These Limbs did never spred and swell thus with vacant Meals.

Mer.
'Tis a Pennance prescrib'd by my Confessor,
I must live my days upon the smoak of a Match.

Pira.
And thy offence is want of Meat.

Mer.
I ne'er thrived since I grew proud, since I
Tore the Taffeta from my Colours
To line my Doublet. What are those?

Pira.
'Slight, my Subjects! Meruole stroke
Thy heart, use it kindly: I'll give thee cause
To desire long life. Ariotto, take
Your hand from your Pocket, I must substract
From my Exchequer.

Ari.
Death Captain, What do you mean? discover
Us before a stranger.

Liza.
This is contrary to our Covenant
Signed at our last Court-du-Guard.

Ari.
So Captain! lengthen your discourse, D'ye not
See him hearken?

Pira.
Be as private as you please, but my want
Decrees it, I must visit my Exchequer.

Ari.
It is Lizaro's turn now, I disbursed
Last time.

Liza.
I could consent to reason: This is Tyranny
To demand it before a stranger.

Pira.
I shall bore you, if you
Endanger my Imposthume.
Lizaro presents.
So I'll be modest, these four Duckets shall
Suffice me at present. Meruole bring
Thy person near us.

Mer.
I like these morning Exchequers rarely.

Pira.
I resign Ariotto to thy use:
He is thy Tribute.

Ari.
Captain, you mistake us, we have not more
Patience then belong to Mortals.

Liza.
By this hand, plain tyranny!

Mer.
Subject, I come to levy my last Tax;
Nay no Rebellion, you see my Iron
Scepter.

Ari.
By this Light, Ancient! This is a meer jest,
A device of mirth, usual 'tween Piracco
And us: Captain, what do you mean, will you
Betray our Purses, and our fames? A meer
Just 'faith Ancient!

Mer.
Good wits! Break these jests as often as
You please, I'll take 'em in earnest, I.
Nay, nay quick, permit my easie search,
Unless you have an appetite to taste my steel.

Ari.
Well! The sturdy Oak must bend, when the Devil
Rides by in a Whirl-wind; we'll write an Indenture,
Which when you have sign'd, my Purse-strings are untied.

Mer.
An Indenture!

Pira.
I, I! It onely concludes thy promise,
Never to reveal thy self their Pensioner,
Nor them cowards

Mer.
This I consent to gratis.

Ari.
Well, when you have sign'd—

Mer.
How, it shall be sign'd after Dinner,
You must disburse the tribute now.

Liza.
By this Day, he should not have the ninth part
O'th' three and thirtieth corner of a Doit,
Ere he had sign'd.

Mer.
No Signior, you'll make a Novice o'me!
A City Heir! I must sign at all hours
When you please, my Steel is ready.

Ari.
Nay, nay, good Ancient, here—use me kindly,
The less you take, the more remains for your
Future service.

Mer.
I will be temperate, the slave does keep
His Purse so warm—one—two—whorson Mungril,
Three—four—five—Must they enjoy this pretious Earth
Whilst Men of merit fast, till their lean Bones
Fret their skin out—six—seven—eight—I, eight Duckets,
There keep the rest till I call for't.

Ari.
Death! y'have pillag'd me, the Purse is empty!

Mer.
Which way can you sufficiently reward
The merit of an old Soldier, Dog—
You Voluntiers are no more to us, then
Bulrushes to Pikes, or Pikes to May-Poles.

Ari.
Hell swallow me, if I could not find in my heart
To be valiant.

Liza.
O Tyranny, Tyranny!

Pira.
Hast thou not cause to bless me, beside this
Daily tribute, I take my choice of both
Their Wardrobes, when my own grows aged.

Mer.
Do'st thou hear Subject? provide me against
To morrow night seventeen: Let me see, I, I,
Seventeen Duckets more. Mark me Subject, This
I demand as love moneys, I shall have
Speedy use of Tribute. So farewel
Good loving subjects.

Ari.
We shall live worse then Bores
In Germany.

Exit Ariotto, Lizaro.
Mer.
Piracco, I'll feast thy Corps at Bagolas,
She boils good Bull-Beef, and I long to cease
The noise in my stomack.

Exeunt.