 | The Opportvnitie |  |
Actus Secundus.
Enter Pimponio.Pim.
No Signior Aurelio come yet? No master to be heard
on, he is a fine Gentleman to use his Squire o' this
fashion; where should he be, hee commanded me not to bee
drunke, he is drunke; and drunke and dead drunke, hee would
have had the grace to reele home to his lodging before this
time of night else: let me see, what if the flesh have led him a to
side? He is falne into some brake, some wench has tyed him by
the legges, and nothing else can excuse him to me; yet now I
thinke on't, he does forget Pimponio, he was not wont to be
his owne purveyor, my art for the choice of his Pullin, has
beene allow'd if he doe get and so forth an excuse for Physicke,
and come home founderd, the disease was none of my choosing,
it came not through my office; stay, what if my Signior
be dead? umph? dead? my heart misgives, they may be kild, my
master has the spirit of fighting in him, and his companion is
the Divell at it, an aglet hole or two in their hearts, and in
a strange place, my Signiors, are never mist, tis so, if he bee
dead—bring forth the Port-Mantue.
Enter Ascanio, a Boy.
Asc.
Sir?
Pim.
Bring forth my Port-mantue my demitive knave, and
tell thy father I would speake with him, he is dead, he would
not have trusted me so long with his mony else, now will I
make my selfe his heire, defie the world and Aurelios Ghost; but
first of all I must outface mine hoast, so let me examine; very
good lynings, bagge and baggage, you are mine owne,
Thy father call him hither.
As.
He is comming Sir, tis very late.
Pim.
Never too late to tell money, fetch me a brace of gennets
I will mount em, a Covey of Curtesans; stay Pimponio,
be not mad before thy time, who shall I say I am? a Prince at least,
I have it;
Gr.
What would this fellow have, no newes of your master?
Pim.
Speake that word no more on thy allegiance, here goe
to bed and rise with a cleane shirt.
Gr.
This is gold, what does the fellow meane?
Pim.
No fellowes neither, tis time to shew my selfe, where
is thy boy?
As.
Here Signior.
Pim.
Kneele downe and aske me blessing.
As.
This does looke a blessing, shall I aske another?
Pim.
Aske any thing but what I am.
As.
You are—
Pim.
Stay there, 'tis dangerous to pronounce me yet, I will
be still disguisd, my men are absent.
As.
Your men.
Pim.
Thou art wise, thine eare, I am a Prince.
Gr.
How Signior.
Pim.
The reason of my shape thou shat know hereafter, thus
Iove has beene disguisd.
As.
Is not your name Pimponio?
Pim.
It was my pleasure they should call me so, I have not
found 'em trustie;
As.
What doe I heare?
Pim.
This boy shall waite on me, Ile have yee all.
Gr.
Whether?
Pim.
What Countrey shall I choose? to be a Prince of Italy
is too well knowne, Spaine stands convenient, and far enough,
where I have beene too, Ile have you all to Spaine.
As.
What to doe Signior?
Pim.
For your preferments, when thou hast got a chapman
for this tub thou liv'st in, let me know't.
Gr.
Boy this a Spanish Prince.
As.
A Prince of Oranges, he a Spanish Prince?
Pim.
They wonnot travell thither to disprove me, to tell the
truth, I suspect my two Groomes have betrayd me; I come hither
to be a suitor to your Dutchesse.
As.
In these cloathes?
You doe not know my plot, these Gentlemen my servants
should cunningly have prefer'd mee to be the Dutchesse
Foole.
Gr.
Her Foole? tis very likely.
Pim.
But for a time, there's mystery in that
By this meanes I resolv'd to try her nature
And disposition ere I married her,
For I can have at this present foure Kings daughters, the
eldest of 'em is but seven yeares old, which shewes the parents
dote upon me, and wod make sure of me betimes.
Gr.
I doe beleeve your grace.
Pim.
Grace, umph, thou must be advanc'd, let me see, what
office, oh, thou shalt have a place at my returne in the Gallies,
dost heare, a yerking preferment.
As.
And what shall I bee?
Pim.
Thou shalt be—a Picaro, in your language a Page, my
chiefe Picaro; by degrees you may send for all your generation,
I will see them mounted.
Enter Pisauro.
Pis.
Where's Pimponio.
Pim.
A pox Pimpe you, they are alive agen, now am I a dead man.
Pis.
There is a certaine moveable ecclip'd a Port-mantue.
Pim.
Wod your tongue had beene clip'd.
Pis.
Wherein there are some golden friends of ours.
Pim.
All your friends are well.
Pis.
Let me see their complexions, where are they? looke
for the Signior your master a moneth hence?
As.
His master, de'e observe?
Pim.
Does hee not carry it hansomely, hee knowes not I
have discovered my selfe to you.
As.
With your pardon Sir, is not this Signior a Prince disguisd?
Pis.
A Prince of Puppets, who Pimponio?
As.
And you one of his servants, to whom with
Your other fellow cal'd Signior Aurelio,
His person stands discover'd, he came hither
To court our Dutchesse, he has promisd us
At his returne to Spaine to make us Grandees.
Pis.
Has he betrayd himselfe, nay then my dutie
Pim.
Away, away.
Pis.
A Prince cannot be hid tho under mountaines,
But my deere Prince, the bagges must goe with me
While you keepe state ith Inne.
Pim.
Who shall maintaine.
Pis.
If I did thinke thou wouldst carry it hansomly—
Well, Ile excuse thee to thy master, here
When thou hast domineerd away this bagge
Thou maist heare more; keepe thine owne counsell, and
Thy master shannot owne thee, if thou hast
Any fagary, drinke, and indulge thy Genius;
Ile see thee agen before thy raigne be out,
No words but be a prince, and scorne to know us
And so I take leave of your excellence.
Pim.
I shannot know my selfe, am not I a Prince
Indeed, that have beene long conceald? this is a bagge
And full of golden friends, umph, however I will
Spend it like an Emperour, these are not robes
Fit for a Prince I take it, Grutti, boy
I entertaine you both my Groome and Page, and
Say unto you, Snakes goe cast your coates,
Here's earnest for new skins, when things are ripe
We will to Court.
Gr.
What thinkes your grace of going to bed
Pim.
I am too sober, let the whole house be drunke first,
'twill please us well to see the servants gamboll, we purpose
Let me have fiftie strumpets.
Gr.
Fiftie trumpets.
Pim.
Strumpets I say, they'l make the greater noise.
As.
Your grace will be a Hercules.
Pim.
I will, and thou shalt be Captaine of the Pigmies under
me, this roome's too narrow, beate downe the walls on both
sides, advance your lights and call the Country in, if there be a
Taylor amongst 'em he shall first take measure of my highnesse,
for I must not longer walke in Quirpo.
Both.
We attend your excellence.
Exeunt.
Enter Julio and Lucio.
Lu.
I'me lost i'th wonder Iulio.
A strange turne
From that could temper we imagin'd
In her Highnesse.
Lu.
I have heard of charmes and philters.
Iu.
If travell have these glorious effects
Ile abroad too.
Lu.
He has a hansome person.
Iu.
And discourses grant it.
Lu.
Is master of a noble soule.
Iu.
Soule, nay let that alone, Ladies doe not looke
After the soule so much, the body will serve their
Turne, so it be nimble, and at their devotion,
If you observe, he is grac'd by all the Ladies
As if he were their generall minion,
I doe not like his sisters eyes upon him,
They whirle too much and seem'd to shoot an envie
Vpon the Dutchesse favors.
Lu.
I am confident
Thou hast no murmer in thy thoughts against him.
Iu.
I but expresse my wonder,
In that I thinke the whole Court had a share:
He knowes I love him, twill become his feare
How to secure Ursini.
Lu.
He preferd him
First to her highnesse.
Iu.
Not with expectation
To be supplanted, I make question
If the humor hold, whether shee may not marry him,
That's a round higher then her favorite:
Had hope to climbe.
Lu.
Although I honour Borgia
And wish him heartily advanc'd, I wod not
Kneele to him, my voyce is for Ferrara
He is a Prince, I wod not for my state
This shod breake off his treatie.
Iu.
Thy Embassador
To his master, he is scarce minded.
Lu.
Come she cannot,
Enter Ursini, and Ferrara.
To last—who are these?
Iu.
The Embassadour and Ursini, whats the matter?
I feare some discontent.
Urs.
My Lord let me
Prevaile so farre, I hope you imagine I
Am firme to you, I have more cause to be
Impatient, my whole strength at Court's concernd,
But have more noble thoughts then to suspect
You can be slighted, thinke tis but a dreame
Injustice to your cause, and royall master
Put on no face of discontent, returne
And see how things will close
Fer.
'Tis an affront
Bove satisfaction, but the disgrace
Reflects beyond my person.
Urs.
Had she studied
Honours to his ambition, it had
Not wrong'd her prudence, to have shewne you more
Respect.
Fer.
But I was not considerable;
The young Gentleman had taken up her eyes,
Her tongue, her feete, her understanding too,
I might have witherd in my seate, no beame,
No discourse this way, but that once she was pleasd
To aske me how I lik'd the gallants dancing,
Ile not disturbe her revels.
Urs.
Yet my Lord
Have so much fortitude, 'twill be a meanes
If you returne, to make her finde her errour
To your person, were she not my Princesse
I should professe my selfe asham'd, but come
Let me beseech you to goe backe, leave not
The presence so, for your owne honour Sir
Observe a little more, I hope you shannot
Repent my counsell.
Fer.
I wod ye wod excuse me,
I shall but vex my eyes.
Urs.
Expect a change.
You have power with me my Lord.
Urs.
You honour me.
Exit.
Ju.
What will become o' this, what thinke you now?
They doe resent it, and for ought I heare
Have little hope to mend it.
Lu.
Can she be
In love so soone, well Borgia, if this
Hold, Ile applaud thy fate.
Iu.
For after this
Allowance, hee'l be Duke of Urbin to morrow,
Give thee joy bully, let me see if he
Turne Prince, tis best for us turne beggers.
Lu.
Beggers?
Iu.
Court beggers, Hee'l deny us nothing,
Now for some witty knave to finde out suits,
I must keepe some in pension for that purpose,
They are profitable vermine,
Enter Pisauro.
His companion.
Pis.
Save you Gentlemen, what de'e meane?
Why stand yee bare?
Lu.
In being Borgias friend
It will become us.
Iu.
He knowes no title yet,
But chiefe secretary to her highnesse, what honours
Are in her brest laid up for him, we know not
He has a mounting fate, and in his we
Pronounce you happy.
Pis.
We shall all be Princes
In time; but Gentlemen lets be more familiar
We thinke so well of things, does he preserve
The Dutchesse smile, or does she use to make
At some time o' the Moone sport with her subjects.
Iu.
You are wide all the heaven Sir, had you come
A little sooner you had heard discourse.
Enter Borgia.
To cleare your doubt, hee's here himselfe.
Bo.
Pisauro,
What will become on's, tis as thou saist?
Pis.
What prethee?
The Dutchesse is mad.
Pis.
How!
Bor.
Why she is certainly in love, shat in and see
How I am us'd, and yet I now come forth
To recover breath, I ha danc'd my selfe to a jellie,
The Ladies ha no mercy; but the Dutchesse
Pis.
What prethee.
Bo.
Is as I told thee mad, I prethee counsell me
Altho her grace be pleasd to shew me favors
'Twere boldnesse to beleeve, and thanke her.
Pis.
How?
I hope thou art not mad.
Bo.
I know not whether
The fit will last, I may hold some proportion
With Cornelia, my suppos'd sister, she
Poore wretch does cast such speaking eyes upon me
As she were Iealous of the Dutchesse too,
And wrings me by the hand when I dance with her.
Enter Pietro.
Pie.
The Dutchesse Sir calls for you.
Bo.
I attend;
What were I best to doe?
Pis.
Dost make a question
Lose not the fortune that's presented in
The Dutchesse love, thy starres ordaind thee for her;
Ile make a shift with Cornelia, looke high
And prosper, when th'art a Duke, I say no more
Bo.
What shall's doe with Pimponio? that foole
May betray all.
Pis.
He is a Prince before you
I ha made him sure, and swolne him into a pride,
He shall not know you, but of that hereafter,
Away and please the Dutchesse.
Enter Dutchesse, Ladies, Ferrara, Ursini.
Bo.
Your graces pardon?
Du.
'Tis late, good night my Lord Embassador.
Exit.
Fer.
'Tis well I am bid goodnight, yet all my hopes
Vanish in mists, what thinke you now cosin?
I know not what to thinke, let me waite on you
To your lodgings.
Fer.
They joyne toth' Court.
Urs.
'Tis the lesse service.
Fer.
To morrow morning if I may be honor'd
With your presence, I will impart a secret to yon,
And be happy in your Counsell.
Urs.
I obey
Any commands.
Fer.
For this time give me pardon, goodnight my Lord.
Ex.
Urs.
A happy night to your Lordship,
After so many yeares spent in the Court,
I am to learne the tricke on't, these are actions
Gainst my first rules, I am ignorant
Of this new Court philosophy, what should
The Dutchesse meane, so prodigall of her graces
To one she scarse remembers, with such open
Neglect to th' Dukes' Embassador? I was carefull
She wod not use him kindely enough, wert not
Affection to his sister, lyes up my
Revenge, Ide drop it on his heart, but I
Must worke with art, and by a Counter magicke
Dissolve his spell, or forme him to my purpose.
Enter Laura and Melinda.
You have beene waiting on the Dutchesse Ladies?
Lau.
She dismis'd us.
Urs.
With what circumstance?
Is she still pleasant?
Mel.
Strangely altered
Since young Borgia tooke his leave and melancholly:
Well, I suspect—
Vrs.
What Madam?
Mel.
Sheele scarse sleepe
To night, for dreaming oth' Gentleman.
Vrs.
He is gone then?
Lau.
Yes, we saw his departure my Lord,
He kist us both, but we put forward first,
He is the hansomst Gentleman; dee thinke
He weares his owne haire?
I was about
To aske him once, but thought he was modest
And wod ha blushd, I wod I had his picture.
Urs.
His substance Madam, but take heede, the Dutchesse
Must have no rivall, how dee affect his talke?
Lau.
That was not my part to observe, we did divide
Our Provences, each Lady tooke a member
To examine, when we have conferd our notes
Ile tell yee what the body of Ladies thinke on him.
Mel.
Nay wee'l take him a peeces e're we ha done.
Urs.
And who shall set him together agen? my Ladies
I waite on you.
Lau.
Your Lordship will too much honour us.
Urs.
'Tis the way to my owne lodging.
Mel.
If it were not the way my Lord, your Lordship
Could not be destitute of a lodging at Court.
Urs.
Your Charitie would releeve me, use my service.
Exit.
Enter Ferrara and Pietro with a light.
Fer.
There is no such affliction to the soule
As that which should preserve it, love, a passion
That with consent betrayes our understanding,
And leaves man but a heape of flame and ruins;
I was safe till I had seene her, busie fame
Tooke but possession of my eare, my owne
Rashnesse and vanitie engagd my person
To see what was commended, and I suffer for't,
Leave me.
Pie.
Tis darke my Lord.
Fer.
Thou ly'st, tis light
And by these fires I see too much, away,
I shall soone reach my lodgings, night and I
Shall agree well together, if my stay
Be long, remember that you left me under
The pallace windowes, leave to be officious
And obey me—till this night she gave me faire
Exit.
Respect, and seem'd to allow the loving treatie,
I was dull not to uncloud me all this while
The knowledge of my person had engagd her
Past all retreate, and yet she is a woman,
Whose nature is unsteady as the waves,
Vpon which foolish man runnes desperate
To me a ruine.
Enter Borgia.
Bor.
Fortune thou smilst too much, I shall suspect
Thy giddinesse, take eyes to thee and see
To what a flattering height thou hast exalted
A credulous man.
Fer.
What voice is that, it had
A sound of melancholy, darkenesse secure me.
Bor.
But why make I ridiculous application
To fortune? love is onely active here;
The tyrant love, more blinde then chance, I am
Full of distraction, there's a labyrinth
Within, and more I tread, the more I am lost
Betwixt the Dutchesse and Cornelia
My soule divids, I must not be a foole,
And for the fable of amorous love
Leave state that courts me with a glorious title,
And yet Cornelia is fury, and lookes
Withall the charmes of love upon her brow,
What will she doe when she beleeves I am
No brother?
Fer.
Tis the new ague Borgia
That shakes the court, how confidently he talkes
To himselfe, a light strikes from the Dutchesse window
And mucsike; Ile observe, the gallant may
Have some appointment.
Song.
Cornelia above.
Bo.
Alas poore love-sicke Lady, what if I
Attempted farther, the excuse will fall
More easie on a stranger, Lady, hist.
Cor.
Whoe's that?
Bo.
One that does wish the happinesse
To see your face, you have blest my eares already.
Cor.
What are you?
Bo.
My name's Borgia, if you be
A faire one of the court, time is not old
Cor.
'Tis he, Ile not lose
This opportunitie, Sir your boldnesse
Speakes you a stranger, and in part excuses
You are alone.
Bo.
I am.
Cor.
I expect not
Vpon so small acquaintance you should know
My voyce agen, I am the Dutchesse Sir.
Bo.
Your graces humble creature, may I hope
You'l pardon this attempt.
Cor.
Vpon condition
You will forget the freedome of our nature
And not grow insolent upon our favours,
We were late pleas'd to shew you, 'twas not love
But mirth, we meant our court the wantonnesse
Of reveling nights, which we upon retirements
Know how to checke and punnish too in men,
That dare licentiously apply to our
Dishonour: if your service in that place
Of secretary we have nam'd you for
Be diligent and faithfull, we repent not
That choise, but on your life feede no ambition
Higher, it will be a degree next treason
To us, and the honour of Ferrara's Duke,
With whom because you are our secretary
We let you know our thoughts are fixt to marry,
Fer.
What blessing hath my eare tooke in? she is
Resolv'd to my desires.
Cor.
Are you gone Sir?
Sleepe wisely if you can, we shall expect
Your attendance in the morning, but no thought
On forfeit of your life beyond whats dutie.
Fer.
I have enough to morrow I resolve
To be my selfe, and with a state becomming
Ferraras Duke, challenge this happinesse,
Forgive deare Princesse I suspected thee.
Exit.
Enter Dutchesse above.
Cor.
The Dutchesse shee'l spoyle all.
I heard your voyce more loud then usuall,
Whom spake you to?
Cor.
Heer's no body and please your grace.
Dut.
You hold some dialogue at the window then,
Ile know.
Cor.
My brother Borgia Madam.
Dut.
Borgia, leave us.
Cor.
I hope hee's gone.
Bo.
I must confesse you are my Princesse Madam,
To whose least command I owe my blood and fortune.
Dut.
He speaks to me, how does he know I am here?
Bo.
And doe not thinke I can be lost so much
In dutie to interpret there was any thing
In me, that could deserve more then your pastime;
And let me fall and dye beneath your anger,
When I transgresse so farre, as to forget
My humble fate which onely can be blest
With my obedience to you, I had not
One sawcie application of your favours,
My heart shall bleed to death ere it shall finde
One thought of so much impudence.
Dut.
Howes this?
Since Cornelia has usurped my name
And frighted him, what should make her officious
He is her brother, I must heare no more
Of this—you are mistaken all this while,
I am Cornelia your sister.
Bo.
Is the Dutchesse gone?
Dut.
You well distinguish voyces, yet shee's gone.
Bo.
My joy of soule, deerest Cornelia.
Tis she that I must trust to.
Du.
I'st e'en so?
Deare brother, leaving all your studied complements
I doe not like your dilatory reasons
To Ursini, I may heare you as a brother,
But must not trouble you to choose my husband;
It is the Dutchesse pleasure, I should marry
Ursini, an advancement more then I
Can hope, from your election of a stranger
Inclining, destinie is not more fixt,
Then the affection I owe Ursini,
Him I resolve to marry, and before
The next daies light is wasted.
Bo.
I am undone
A'both sides, heare me yet but speake.
Dut.
What would you say brother?
Bo.
I am not thy brother.
Dut.
How, not Borgia.
Bo.
Not Borgia, the whole towne's mistaken
My name is Aurelio Andreozzi,
I was borne in Millan, with my friend design'd
To see some service in the German warres;
At the first sight I must confesse I lov'd thee:
To enjoy thy conversation more freely,
I was content to seeme what men would call me
Dut.
You tell me wonders.
Bo.
I can give thee proofe,
But to no purpose now, and tell thee too
Enough to make thee thinke I may be worthy,
But since 'tis so, I am glad you ha' discover'd
Your resolution so soone, good night te'e,
Ile make no noyse to morrow, when I take
My journey.
Dut.
Stay, he must not be so lost,
This is a strange discovery, if you can
Bring testimony that you are not Borgia,
You shall not Sir repent your comming hither,
Nor yet despaire of any noble wayes
That may reward your good opinion,
Tis late; a lovers dreame charme all your senses,
And waking finde your wishes, if you please
Vntill I aske a further satisfaction,
Be still conceal'd.
Exit.
Bo.
There may be hope, although
My first love I confesse reflect on this,
The Dutchesse yet, had not beene much amisse.
Exit.
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