 | The Renegado |  |
Actus primus.
Scena prima.
Enter Vitelli and Gazet.Uitelli.
You haue hirde a Shop then?
Gazet.
Yes sir, and our wares
(Though brittle as a maydenhead at sixteene
Are safe vnladen; not a Christall crackt,
Or China dish needs sodring; our choice Pictures
As they came from the workeman, without blemish,
And I haue studied speeches for each Peece,
And in a thrifty tone to fell 'em off;
Will sweare by Mahomet, and Termigant,
That this is Mistris to the great Duke of Florence,
That Neece to old King Pippin, and a third
An Austrian Princesse by her Roman nose,
How ere my conscience tels me they are figures
Of Bawdes, and common Courtezans in Venice.
You make no scruple of an oath then?
Gaz.
Fie sir
Tis out of my Indentures, I am bound there
To sweare for my Masters profit as securely
As your intelligencer must for his Prince,
That sendes him forth an honourable spie
To serue his purposes. And if it be lawfull
In a Christian shopkeeper to cheate his father,
I cannot find but to abuse a Turke
In the sale of our commodities, must bee thought
A meritorious worke.
Vitel.
I wonder sirra
What's your Religion?
Gaz.
Troth to answere truely
I would not be of one that should command mee
To feed vpon poore Iohn, when I see Pheasants
And Partriges on the Table: nor doe I like
The other that allowes vs to eate flesh
In the Lent though it be rotten, rather then bee
Thought superstitious, as your zealous Cobler,
And learned botcher Preach at Amsterdam.
Ouer a Hotchpotch. I would not be confin'd
In my beliefe, when all your Sects, and sectaries
Are growne of one opinion, if I like it
I will professe my selfe, in the meane time
Liue I in England, Spaine, France, Rome, Geneua.
I am of that Countreys faith,
Vitel.
And what in Tunis,
Will you turne Turke heere?
Gaz.
No! so I should loose
A Collop of that part my Doll inioyn'd mee
To bring home as she left it; tis her venture,
Nor dare I barter that commoditie
Without her speciall warrant.
Uitel.
You are a Knaue sir,
Leauing your Roguerie thinke vpon my businesse,
Remember where you are too! though this Mart time,
Wee are allowde free trading, and with safetie.
Temper your tongue and meddle not with the Turkes,
Their manners, nor Religion.
Gaz.
Take you heede sir
What colours you weare. Not two houres since there Landed
An English Pirats Whore with a greene apron,
And as she walk't the streets, one of their Mufties
Wee call them Priests at Venice, with a Razor
Cutts it of Petticoate, Smocke and all, and leaues her
As naked as my Nayle: the young Frie wondering
What strange beast it should be. I scap't a scouring
My Mistres Buskepoynt, of that forbidden coloure
Then tyde my codpeece, had it beene discouer'd
I had beene caponde.
Vitel.
And had beene well seru'd;
Haste to the Shoppe and set my Wares in order
I will not long be absent?
Gaz.
Though I striue sir
To put of Melencholy, to which, you are euer
Too much inclinde, it shall not hinder me
With my best care to serue you
Exit Gazet.
Enter Francisco.
Vitel.
I beleeue thee.
O wellcome sir, stay of my steppes in this life,
And guide to all my blessed hopes heereafter.
What comforts sir? haue your indeauours posper'd?
Haue wee tirde Fortunes malice with our sufferings?
Is she at length after so many frownes
Pleas'd to vouchafe one cheerefull looke vpon vs?
Fran.
You giue too much to fortune, and your passions,
Ore which a wise man, if Religious, tryumphs.
That name fooles worship, and those tyrants which
Wee arme against our better part, our reason,
May add, but neuer take from our afflictions:
Sir as I am a sinfull man, I can not
But like one suffer.
Fran.
I exacte not from you
A fortitude insensible of calamitie,
To which the Saint's themselues haue bowde and showne
They are made of flesh, and bloud, all that I challenge
Is manly patience. Will you that vvere train'd vp
In a Religious Schoole, where diuine maximes
Scorning comparison, vvith morall precepts
Were daily taught you, beare your constancies triall
Not like Vitelli, but a Village nurse
With curses in your mouth: Teares in your eyes?
Hovv poorely it showes in you?
Ui.
I am School'd sir,
And will heereafter to my vtmost strength
Studie to bee my selfe.
Fran.
So shall you find mee
Most ready to assist you; Neither haue I
Slept in your greate occasions since I left you
I haue beene at the Viceroies Court and presde
As far as they allovve a Christian entrance.
And something I haue learn't that may concerne
The purpose of this iourney.
Ui.
Deere Sir vvhat is it?
Fran.
By the command of Asambeg, the Viceroy:
The Cittie swels vvith barbarous Pompe and Pride
For the entertainement of stout Mustapha
The Basha of Aleppo, vvho in person
Comes to receiue the neece of Amurah
The fayre Donusa for his bride.
Vitel.
I find not
Hovv this may profit vs.
Fran.
Pray you giue mee leaue.
Among the rest that vvayte vpon the Viceroy,
(Such as haue vnder him command in Tunis.)
Who as you haue often heard are all false Pirats,
Of all good men: The periurde Renegado
Antono Grimaldy;
Uitel.
Ha! his name
Is poyson to mee.
Fran.
Yet againe?
Uitel.
I haue done sir.
Fran.
This debauchde villaine: whom we euer thought,
(After his impious scorne done in Saint Markes
To me as I stood at the holy Altar)
The theefe that rauish't your fayre sister from you,
The vertuous Paulina not long since,
(As I am truely giuen to vnderstand)
Sold to the viceroy a fayre Christian Virgin,
On whom, maugre his fierce and cruell nature
Asambeg dotes extreamely.
Vitel.
Tis my sister
It must be shee, my better Angell tells me
Tis poore Paulina. Farewell all disguises
Ile show in my reuenge that I am Noble.
Fran.
You are not mad?
Uitel.
No sir, my vertuous anger
Makes euery veyne an arterie, I feele in mee
The strength of twenty men, and being arm'd
With my good cause to wreake wrong'd innocence
I dare alone run to the viceroys Court
And with this Ponyard before his face.
Digge out Grimaldies heart.
Fran.
Is this Religious?
Vitel.
Would you haue me tame now; Can I know my sister
Mewde vp in his Serraglio, and in danger
Not alone to loose her honour, but her soule,
The hell-breed Villaine by too? that has sold both
To blacke destruction, and not haste to send him
To the Deuill his tutor? to be patient now,
To the Viceroyes loose embraces, and cry aime
While he by force, or flaterie compels her
To yeeld her fayre name vp to his foule lust,
And after turne Apostata to the faith
That she was breed in.
Fran.
D'oe but giue me hearing.
And you shall soone grant how ridiculous
This childish fury is. A wise man neuer
Attempts impossibilities; 'tis as easie
For any single arme to quell an Army,
As to effect your wishes; we come hither
To learne Paulinas faith, and to redeeme her,
(Leaue your reuenge to heauen) I oft haue tould you
Of a Relique that I gaue her, which has power
(If we may credit holy mens traditions)
To keepe the owner free from violence:
This on her breast she weares, and does preserue
The vertue of it by her daily prayers.
So if she fall not by her owne consent
Which it were sinne to thinke: I feare no force.
Be therefore patient, keepe this borrowed shape
Till time and oportunitie present vs
With some fit meanes to see her, which perform'd,
Ile ioyne with you in any desperate course
For her deliuery.
Vitel.
You haue Charmde me sir
And I obey in all things; Pray you pardon
The weakenesse of my passion.
Fran.
And excuse it.
Be cheerefull man for know that good intents
Are in the end Crownd with as fayre euents.
Exeunt.
Scena secunda.
Enter Donusa. Manto. Garazie.Donusa.
Haue you seene the Christian Captiue,
The great Basha is so enamourd of?
Manto.
Yes an't please your Excellency
I tooke a full view of her, when shee vvas
Presented to him.
Donu.
And is she such a wonder
As tis reported?
Mant.
She was drown'd in teares then,
Which tooke much from her beautie, yet in spite
Of sorrow, shee appeard the Mistresse of
Most rare perfections; and though low of stature,
Her well proportion'd limbes inuite affection;
And when she speakes, each syllable is musique
That does inchaunt the hearers. But your Highnesse
That are not to be parallelde, I yet neuer
Beheld her equall.
Donusa.
Come you flatter me,
But I forgiue it, we that are borne great
Seldome distast our seruants, though they giue vs
More then wee can pretend too. I haue heard
That Christian Ladies liue with much more freedome
Then such as are borne heere. Our iealous Turkes
Neuer permit their faire wiues to be seene
But at the publique Bannias, or the Mosques
And euen then vaylde, and garded. Thou Carazie
Wert borne in England, what's the custome there
Among your women? Come be free and merry
I am no seuere Mistres, nor hast thou met with
A heauie bondage.
Car.
Heauie? I was made lighter
By two stone waight at least to be fit to serue you.
For the most part liue like Queenes. Your Countrey Ladies
Haue libertie to hauke, to hunt, to feast:
To giue free entertainement to all commers,
To talke, to kisse, there's no such thing knowne there
As an Italian girdle. Your Cittie Dame
Without leaue weares the breeches, has her husband
At as much command as her Prentice, and if need be
Can make him Cuckold by her Fathers Coppie.
Donusa.
But your court Lady?
Car.
She, I assure you Madame,
Knowes nothing but her will, must be allovv'd
Her Foot-men, her Caroch, her Vshers, her Pages,
Her Doctor, Chaplines, and as I haue heard
They are growne of late so learn'd that they maintaine
A strange Position, which their Lords with all
Their witt cannot confute.
Donusa.
What's that I prethee?
Car.
Marry that it is not onely fit but lavvfull,
Your Madame there, her much rest, and high feeding
Duely considered, should to ease her husband
Bee allow'd a priuate friend. They haue drawne a Bill
To this good purpose, and the next assembly
Doubt not to passe it.
Donu.
Wee enioy no more
That are of the Othoman race, though our Religion
Allovves all pleasure. I am dull, some Musicque
Take my Chiapines off. So, a lustie straine
(a Galliard.
Who knockes there?
Manto.
Tis the Basha of Aleppo
Who humbly makes request he may present
His seruice to you.
Donu.
Reach a chaire. Wee must
Receiue him like our selfe, and not depart vvith
One peece of Ceremonie, State, and greatnesse
That may beget respecte, and reuerence
Enter Mustapha, puts of his yellow Pantophles.
Musta.
The place is sacred, and I am to Enter
The roome where she abides, with such deuotion
As Pilgrims pay at Mæcha, when they visit
The Tombe of our great Prophet.
Donu.
Rise, the signe
(The Eunuch takes vp the Pantophles.
That wee vouchafe his presence.
Musta.
May those Powers
That rais'd the Othoman Empire, and still gard it,
Reward your Highnesse for this gratious fauour
You throwe vpon your seruant. It hath pleasde
The most invincible, mightiest Amurath
(To speake his other titles would take from him)
That in himselfe does comprehend all greatnesse,
To make me the vnworthy instrument
Of his command. Receiue diuinest Lady
(Deliuers a letter.
This letter sign'd by his victorious hand,
And made Authenticq, by the imperiall Seale.
There when you find me mention'd, far be it from yo
To thinke it my ambition to presume
At such a happinesse, which his povverfull will
From his great minds magnificence, not my merit
Hath showrd vpon mee. But if your consent
Ioyne with his good opinion and allovvance
To perfit vvhat his fauors haue begun,
I shall in my obsequiousnesse and dutie
Endeuour to preuent all iust complaints,
Which want of will to serue you, may call on mee.
Donu.
His sacred Maiestie writes here that your valour
Against the Persian hath so vvonne vpon him
That there's no grace, or honour in his guift
Of which he can imagine you vnworthy.
And what's the greatest you can hope, or aime at,
It is his pleasure you should be receiu'd
Into his Royall Familie. Prouided
Affect and like your person. I expect not
The Ceremonie which he vses in
Bestowing of his Daughters, and his neeces.
As that he should present you for my slaue,
To loue you, if you pleasde me: or deliuer
A Ponyarde on my least dislike to kill you.
Such tyrannie and pride agree not with
My softer disposition. Let it suffice
For my first answer, that thus far I grace you.
Giues him her hand to kisse
Hereafter some time spent to make enquire
Of the good parts, and faculties of your mind
You shall heare further from mee.
Mus.
Though all torments
Really suffer'd, or in hell imaginde
By curious fiction, in one houres delay
Are wholy comprehended: I confesse
That I stand bound in dutie, not to checke at
What euer you command, or please to impose
For triall of my patience.
Donu.
Let vs find
Some other subiect, too much of one Theme cloyes me:
Is't a full Mart:
Mus.
A confluence of all nations
Are met together? There's varietie too
Of all that Marchants trafficque for.
Donu.
I know not.
I feele a Virgins longing to descend
So far from mine owne greatnesse, as to be
Though not a buyer, yet a looker on
Their strange commodities.
Mus.
If without a trayne
You dare be seene abroad? I'le dismisse mine.
And waite vpon you as a common man,
And satisfie your wishes.
Donu.
I embrace it.
Prouide my vayle; and at the Posterne Gate
Musta.
It is my happynesse you daine to command me.
Exeunt.
Scena tertia.
A shop discouerde, Gazet in it.Francisco, and Uitelli, walking by.
Gaz.
What doe you lacke, your choyce China dishes,
your pure Venetian Christall, of all sorts, of all neate and
new fashions, from the mirror of the madam, to the priuate
vtensile of her chamber-maide, and curious Pictures of
the rarest beauties of Europa: what doe you lacke Gentlemen?
Fran.
Take heed I say, how ere it may appeare
Impertinent, I must expresse my loue:
My aduise, and counsell. You are young
And may be tempted, and these Turkish Dames
Like English mastiues that increase their fiercenes
By being chainde vp, from the restraint of freedome
If lust once fire their bloud from a faire obiect
Will runne a course the fiends themselues would shake at
To enioy their wanton endes.
Vitel.
Sir, you mistake mee
I am too full of woe, to entertaine
One thought of pleasure: though all Europes Queenes
Kneel'd at my feete, and Courted me: much lesse
To mix with such; Whose difference of faith
Must of necessitie: (or I must grant
My selfe forgetfull of all you haue taught mee)
Strangle such base desires.
Fran.
Be constant in
That resolution, I'le abroade againe,
And learne as far as it is possible
Shall bring me backe.
Exit Francisco.
Ui.
All blessings vvaite vpon you.
Gaz.
Cold doings, Sir, a Mart doe you call this? Slight
A pudding wife, or a Witch with a thrumbe Cappe
That sells Ale vnder grownd to such as come
To know their Fortunes, in a dead Vacation
Haue ten to one more stirring.
Uitel.
Wee must be patient
Gaz.
Your seller by retayle ought to be angry
But when hee's fingering money.
Enter Grimaldy, Master, Boteswaine, Saylors, Turkes.
Ui.
Heere are company;
Defend me my good Angell, I behold
A Basiliske!
Gaz.
What doe you lacke? what doe you lacke? pure
China dishes, cleere Christall glasses, a dumbe Mistres to
make loue too? What doe you lacke gentlemen?
Gri.
Thy Mother for a Bavvde, or if thou hast
A hansome one thy sister for a Whore,
Without these doe not tell me of your trash
Or I shall spoyle your Market.
Uitel.
—Old Grimaldy?
Gri.
Zoundes wherefore doe wee put to Sea, or stand
The Raging windes aloft, or pisse vpon
The Fomie waues vvhen they rage most? deride
The thunder of the enemies shot, boorde boldely
A Marchants shippe for prize, though we behold
The desperate Gunner ready to giue fire
And blow the decke vp? Wherefore shake vve off
Those scrupulous ragges of charitie, and conscience,
Inuented onely to keepe Churchmen warme,
Or feede the hungry mouthes of famished beggers;
But vvhen we touch the shore to wallovve in
All sensuall pleasures.
Master.
I but Noble Captaine
Were not improuidence.
Gri.
Hang consideration:
When this is spent is not our shippe the same?
Our courage too the same to fetch in more?
The earth where it is fertillest returnes not
More then three haruests, vvhilst the glorious Sunne
Posts through the Zodiacke, and makes vp the yeere:
But the Sea, vvhich is our Mother, (that embraceth
Both the rich Indies in her outstrecht armes)
Yeeldes euery day a croppe if vve dare reape it.
No, no my Mates, let Tradesmen thinke of thrift,
And Vsurers hoord vp, let our expence
Be as our commings in are vvithout bounds:
We are the Neptunes of the Ocean,
And such as traffique, shall pay sacrifice
Of their best lading; Ile haue this Canuas
Your boy vveares linde vvith Tissue, and the cates
You taste, serude vp in gold; though vve carouse
The teares of Orphanes in our Greekish vvines,
The sighes of vndone Widowes, paying for
The musique bought to cheere vs; rauishde Virgins
To slauerie sold for Coyne to feede our riots,
We vvill haue no compunction.
Gaz.
Doe you heare sir,
We haue payde for our Ground?
Grim.
Humh.
Gaz.
And humh too,
For all your bigge vvords, get you further off,
And hinder not the prospect of our shoppe
Or—
Gri.
What vvill you doe?
Gaz.
Nothing sir, but pray
Your worship to giue me hansell.
Gri.
By the eares,
Thus sir, by the eares.
Master.
Hold, hold.
You'l still be prating.
Gri.
Come let's be drunke? then each man to his whore,
Slight how doe you looke, you had best goe find a Corner
To pray in, and repent. Doe, doe, and crie
It will shew fine in Pirats.
Exit Grimaldi.
Master.
Wee must follow
Or he will spend our shares;
Boteswaine.
I fought for mine.
Master.
Nor am I so precise but I can drab too:
Wee will not sit out for our parts,
Bot.
Agreed.
Exeunt Master, Boteswaine, Saylors.
Gaz.
The deuill gnaw off his fingers, if he were
In London among the clubs, vp went his heeles
For striking of a Prentice. What doe you lack,
What doe you lacke gentlemen.
1 Turke.
I wonder how the Viceroy can indure
The insolence of this fellow.
2 Turke.
He receiues profit
From the Prizes he brings in, and that excuses
What euer he commits? Ha, what are these!
Enter Mustapha, Donusa, vayld.
1 T.
They seeme of ranke and qualitie, obserue 'em.
Gaz.
What doe you lacke! see what you please to buy,
Wares of all sorts most honourable Madona.
Vitel.
Peace sirra, make no noyse, these are not people
To be iested with.
Donu.
Is this the Christians custome
In the venting their commodities.
Mus.
Yes best Madame
But you may please to keepe your way, heere's nothing,
But toyes, and trifles, not worth your obseruing.
Donu.
Yes, for varieties sake pray you shew vs, friends,
The chiefest of your Wares.
Vitel.
Your Ladiships seruant;
And if in worth or Title you are more,
My ignorance pleade my pardon.
Hee speakes well.
Vitel.
Take downe the looking glasse: here is a mirror
Steelde so exactely, neither taking from
Nor flattering the obiect, it returnes
To the beholder, that Narcissus might
(And neuer grow enamourd of himselfe:)
View his fayre feature in't.
Donusa.
Poeticall too!
Vitel.
Heere China dishes to serue in a Banket,
Though the volouptus Persian sate a guest.
Heere Christall glasses, such as Ganymede
Did fill with Nectar to the Thunderer
When he dranke to Alcides, and receiu'd him
In the fellowship of the gods: true to the owners
Corinthian plate studded with Diamonds,
Conceald oft deadly poyson; This pure metall
So innocent is, and faithfull to the Mistres
Or Master that possesses it: that rather
Then hold one drop that's venemous, of it selfe
It flies in peces, and deludes the Traytor.
Donu.
How mouingly could this fellow treat vpon
A worthy subiect, that findes such discourse
To grace a trifle!
Uitel.
Heere's a Picture Madame
The master peece of Michael Angelo,
Our great Italian workeman; heere's another
So perfit at all parts that had Pigmalion
Seene this, his prayers had beene made to Venus,
To haue giuen it life, and his Caru'd iuory Image
By poets nere remembred. They are indeed
The rarest beauties of the Christian world
And no where to be equal'd.
Donu.
You are partiall
In the cause of those you fauour I beleeue,
I instantly could shew you one, to theirs
Not much inferior.
Vitel.
With your pardon Madame
I am incredculous.
Can you match me this!
(Unvailes her selfe.
Vitelli.
What wonder looke I on! I'll search aboue
And suddenly attend you.
Exit Vitelli.
Donu.
Are you amazde
Ile bring you to your selfe.
Breakes the glasses.
Musta.
Ha! what's the matter!
Gaz.
My masters ware? We are vndone! O strange!
A Lady to turne rorer, and breake glasses
Tis time to shut vp shop then.
Musta,
You seeme mou'de.
If any Language of these Christian dogges
Haue call'd your anger on, in a frowne shew it
And they are dead already.
Donusa.
The offence
Lookes not so farre. The foolish paultrie fellow
Shew'd me so me trifles, and demanded of me
For what I valew'd at so many aspers,
A thousand Duckets. I confesse he mou'd mee;
Yet I should wrong my selfe should such a begger
Receiue least losse from mee.
Mus.
Is it no more?
Donu.
No, I assure you. Bid him bring his bill
To morrow to the Palace and enquire
For one Donusa:
That word giues him passage through all the guard;
Say there he shall receiue full satisfaction.
Now when you please
Mus.
I waite you.
Exeunt Mustapha, Donusa, 2. Turkes.
1 Turke.
We must not know them, lets shift off & vanish.
Gaz.
The swines Pox ouertake you, theres a curse
For a Turke that eates no Hogs flesh.
Vitel.
Is she gone:
Gazet.
Yes you may see her handy-worke.
Uitel.
No matter.
Said she ought else?
Gaz.
That you should wait vpon her
And there receiue Court payment, and to passe
To one Donusa.
Vitel.
How! remoue the wares
Doe it without reply. The Sultans neece!
I haue heard among the Turkes for any Lady
To shew her face bare, argues loue, or speakes
Her deadly hatred. What should I feare, my fortune
Is suncke so low: there cannot fall vpon mee
Ought worth my shunning. I will run the hazard:
She may be a meanes to free distres'd Paulina.
Or if offended, at the worst, to die
Is a full period to calamitie.
The end of the first act.
| The Renegado | |