University of Virginia Library

Act. 2.

Enter Cornari and Claudiana, as in the Duke Garden.
Cla.
I I have obey'd you sir.

Cor.
Thou hast done well
My Claudiana, very well, who dare
Traduce thee for't? am I not carefull of thee?
I prethee give me thy opinion
Who deserv'd best of all the gentlemen?

Cla.
I have not art enough to judge.

Cor.
But thou
Hast fancie, and a liberall thought, that may
Bestow thy praise on some or other, tell me
If thou hadst been to give the garland, prethee
Whose head should wear it? though wee ha not judgement
To examine, and prepare our justice; yet
Where men contend for any victory,
Affection may dispose us, and by some
Secret in nature we do still incline
To one, and guard him with our wishes.

Cla.
I hope
This is but mirth.

Cor.
By my regard to thy.
Fair honor, nothing else, it shannot rise
To a dispute, who ha's the vote to day
Of all the gentlemen? I must know.

Cla.
They are
To me indifferent.

Cor.
So is my question, but I must have more,
It cannot be but some man must deserve
More print and poize in thy opinion,
Speak as thou lov'st me Claudiana.

Cla.
Sir,
Your inquisition is not without change
Of lookes upon me, and those smiles you ask with,
Are not your own I fear.

Cor.
Nay, then you dally,
And undoe that obedience, I so much
Commended.

Cla.
Dear Cornari.

Cor.
Yet agen?
The man, tell me the man?

Cla.
What man?

Cor.
The gentleman
That best deserves in thy opinion.
I shall be angry: what deny to give me
This triviall satisfaction? the expence
Of a little breath? why do you tremble so?

Cla.
Alas, I know not what to answer, this
Must needs engender fears in my cold bosome,
That my poor honor is betrai'd, and I
Stand in your thoughts suspected of some guilt
I never understood, if the report
Of malice have abus'd me to your ear,
(For by your self I am all innocent)

Cor.
What do you mean Claudiana?

Cla.
Sir, your question
Hath frighted me, 'tis strange, and killing to
My tender apprehension.

Cor.
Y'are a fool
To be thus troubled, and but that I know
The purity of thy faith to me, this language
Would make me jealous, 'tis an ill dress't passion,
And palenesse, that becomes not Claudiana
To wear upon her modest cheek, I see
Thy heart sick in thy eyes, be wise, and cure it,
My question was but mirth, without the sence
Of the least scruple in my self, or meaning
To discompose one chearfull look.

Cla.
Your pardon.

Cor.
And you as safely might have answered me,
As I had casually ask't the time o'th day;
What dressing you delight in, or what gown
You most affect to wear.

Cla.
Once more I ask you pardon, you restore me,
And I am now secur'd by your clear goodnesse,
To give my weak opinion—

Cor.
Of the man
That did appear in thy thoughts to deserve
Most honor.

Cla.
You'l excuse a womans verdict,
My voice is for the stranger sir.

Cor.
Why so!
You like him best; what horror was in this
Poor question now? you mean the English man?

Cla
The same, most gracefull in his parts & person.

Cor.
'Tis well, I'me satisfied, and we both meet
In one opinion too, he is indeed
The bravest Cavalier, what hurt's in all
This now? I see you can distinguish, wert thou
A virgin Claudiana, thou would'st find
Gentle and easie thoughts to entertain
So promising a servant; I should be
Taken with him my self, were I a Lady,
And lov'd a man.

Cla.
How's this? my feares return.

Enter Bellaura and Georgio.
Cor.
Madam Bellaura the Dukes charge is entred
The Garden, let's choose another walk.

Ex.
Bel.
Why you are conceited sirra, does wit
Grow in this Garden?

Ge.
Yea, Madam while I am in't, I am a slip
My self.

Bel.
Of Rosemary or time?

Ge.
Of wit sweet Madam.

Bel.
'Tis pitty, but thou shouldst be kept with watering.

Ge.
There's wit in every Flower, if you can gather it.

Bel.
I am of thy mind.
But what's the wit prethee of yonder tulip?

Ge.
You may read there the wit of a young Courtier.

Bel.
What's that?

Ge.
Pride, and shew of colours, a fair promising,
Deare when 'tis bought, and quickly comes to nothing.

Bel.
The wit of that rose?

Ge.
If you attempt
Madam to pluck a rose, I shall find a moral in't.

Bel.
No Country wit?

Ge.
That growes with pot-herbes, and poor roots, which here
Would be accounted weeds, course things of profit,
Whose end is kitchin Physick, and sound health;
Two things not now in fashion.

Bel.
Your wit dances.
Where learn't you all these moralls?

Geo.
I but glean
From my young master Giovanni Madam,
Hee'l run division upon every flower,
He ha's a wit able to kill the weeds,
And ripen all the fruit in the Dukes Orchard.

Bel.
Where is Giovanni?

Geo.
He went betimes to'th Academy,
He is at all the exercises, we
Shall ha such newes when he comes home.

Bel.
Why does
Your master (being rich) suffer his son
To work i'th garden?

Geo.
My master? hee's an honest mortall man Madam,
It is my mistriss, that commands him to't,
A shrow, and loves him not, but 'tis no matter;
I ha' the better company, hee's here.
Enter Giovanni.
I'le leave him to you Madam, I must now
Water my plants.

Exit.
Bel.
Why? how now Giovanni, you frequent I hear
The Academies.

Gio.
When I can dispence
Madam, with time, and these employments, I
Intrude a glad spectator at those schooles
Of wit and action, which although I cannot
Reach, I am willing to admire, and look at
With pitty of my self lost here in darknesse.

Bel.
By this expression I may conceive
How much you have improv'd, & gain'd a language
Courtly, and modest.

Gio.
Madam, you are pleas'd
To make my uneven frame of words your mirth.
I professe nothing but an humble ignorance,
And I repent not, if by any way
(My duty and manners safe) it may delight you.

Bel.
Indeed Giovanni I am pleas'd, but not
With your suspition, that my praises are
Other then what become my ingenuous meaning,
For if I understand, I like your language,
But with it I commend your modest spirit.

Gio.
It is an honour Madam, much above
My youths ambition, but if I possesse
A part of any knowledge you have dain'd
To allow, it owes it self unto this school.

Bel.
What school?

Gio.
This Garden Madam, 'tis my Academy,
Where gentlemen, and Ladies (as your self,
The first and fairest, durst I call you mistris,)
Enrich my eare, and observation
With harmony of language, which at best
I can but coldly imitate.

Bel.
Still more courtly!
Why how now Giovanni, you will be
Professor shortly in the art of complement,
You were best quit the Garden, & turn Courtier.

Gio.
Madam, I think upon the Court with reverence,
My fate, is to adore it afar off,
It is a glorious Landschape, which I look at
As some men with narrow optick glasses
Behold the starrs, and wonder at their vast
(Though unknown) habitable worlds of brightness:
But were my eye a nearer judge, and I
Admitted to a clearer knowledge Madam
Of the Court life, there I might find the truth
Of mans best Ideas, and enjoy the happinesse,
Now onely mine by naked speculation,
I think how there I should throw off my dust
And rise a new Creation.

Bel.
The Court
Is much beholding to you Giovanni.

Gio.
It is a duty Madam I owe truth.

Bel.
A truth in supposition all this while.

Gio.
I should be sad if any experience should
Betray an error in my faith, and yet
So soft and innocent a trespasse, Madam,
Might well expect a pardon.

Bel.
Some that have
Freely enjoy'd the pleasures, or what else
You so advance in Court, have at the last
Been weary, and accus'd their gay Condition,
Nay, chang'd their state for such an humble life
As you professe, a gardiner.

Geo.
I despise not
What I was born to Madam, but I should
Imagine the disease lay in the mind,
Not in the Courtier, that would throw away
So spacious a blessing to be servile.

Bel.
You know not Giovanni your own happiness,
Nor the Court sinnes, the pride and surfeits there
Come not within your circle, there are few
Pursue those noble tracts your fancy aims at,
It is a dangerous Sea to launch into,
Both shelves and rockes you see not, I, & mermaids.

Gio.
What are they Madam?

Bel.
You have heard of Mermaides.

Gio.
You mean not women I hope Madam?

Bel.
Yes.

Gio.
Oh do not by so hard an application
Increase the Poets torment, that first made
That fabulous story to disgrace your sex,
Y'are firm, and the fair seal of the great maker,
A print next that of Angels.

Bel.
We are bound t'ee
If our cause want a flourish, you have art
To make us shew fair.

Gio.
And you are so,
'Tis malice dares traduce you; or blind ignorance
That throws her strains, which fall off from your figures,
For those which weaker understandings cal
Your spots, are ermines, and can such as these
Darlings of heaven, and nature, women, shoot
At Court an influence like unlucky planets?
They cannot sure, why you live Madam there,
That are enough to prove all praise, a truth,
And by a sweet example make 'em all
Such as you are objects, of love and wonder,
Oh then how bles't are they that live at Court,
With freedome to converse with so much virtue;
As your fair sex embraceth.

Enter Ursula.
Bel.
Here's your mother.

Gio.
Shee was too hasty.

Vrs.
Madam I hope you'l pardon my sons rudeness
To hold discourse with your Ladiship.

Bel.
'Tis a courtesie,
And he talkes well to passe away the time,
Exceeding well, but I must to my Guardian
The Duke—

Exit.
Vrs.
Happinesse attend your Ladiship.
Now sir what are you thinking of?

Gio.
Your pardon, nothing.

Vrs.
Nay stay, I must talk with you my self,
But first what talk had you with my Lady?

Gio.
She was pleas'd to ask some questions.

Vrs.
What were they?

Gio.
I ha' forgot.

Vrs.
You ha' forgot y'are a leud
And sawcy boy, go to, your father spoiles you;

Enter Roberto.
Vrs.
But if you use me sirra 'oth this fashion
I'le break your pate, I will, the Dukes owne sonne
(My blessing upon him) would not answer me
With I ha' forgot, I warrant you, but you—

Ro.
Why, how now Vrsula, what? perpetuall clamours?

Vrs.
Oh here's your stickler.

Gio.
Nothing unkind to me, she was angry
With your servant Georgio, and threatned to break
His head, away—

Geo.
My head? come heeles.—

Exit.
Ro.
Was it but so? she shall, she shall do that,
With all my heart, and I will break it too.

Vrs.
Nay, then I will be friends with him.

Ro.
Where's the knave?

Vrs.
I wo'not be compell'd to break his head,
And you were twenty husbands; fare you wel.

Ro.
'Tis such a wasp, but she shannot wrong thee.

Gio.
I know she wo'not sir, she is my mother,
She comes agen.

Enter Thomazo, Malipiero, Barnardo and Marcello.
Vrs.
My heart does leap to see you.

Ro.
The Dukes son, and a troop of gallants, but
I alwaies have sore eyes to see one there,
That Signior Malipiero, he does owe me
Already forty Crownes, and I forgive him.

Mal.
Signior Roberto, remember that I owe
Your forty Crowns.

Ro.
Pray, do you forget 'em.

Mal.
I never pay till it come to a hundred.

Ro.
Never pay! it is no matter Signior.
I were best be gone before he borrow more,
It is a trick he uses to put on
With his rich clothes, I'le vanish.

Exit.
Mal.
Strange this English-man appears not?

Vrs.
I was afraid you had been sick my Lord.

Tho.
I was never sick in my life, but when
I had a feaver, or some other infirmity.
I'le call thee nurse stil. Giovanni.

Gio.
Sir.

Tho.
Thou lookest like a changling.

Gio.
The more's my misfortune.
You are the Dukes son.

Exit.
Tho.
Who can help it? nurse,

Vrs.
He was never courteous to women.
Here's a gentleman, and they talk of a gentleman,
Now could I weep for joy. I must take my leave sir.

Tho.
I must make bold with my nurse.

Vrs.
Blessings upon thy heart, how sweetly he kisses.
Here was a touch for a Lady.

Exit.
Tho.
Go thy waies,
An admirable twanging lip, pitty thou art
A thought too old: ha wagtaile!

Ber.
Does he come alone?

Mal.
Alone, be you resolute
When you see me draw, shoot all your points
Into his heart.

Ber.
Be confident.

Mar.
Unlesse
He be steel-proof, he shannot boast abroad
Much victory in Venice.

Enter Florelli, and Giovanni.
Gio.
Signior Thomazo sir, is there.

Flo.
I thank you.

Gio.
You pay too much sir for no service.

Tho.
Here he is.
We were wagering thou wouldst not keepe thy promise.

Flo.
I durst not make that forfeit of your grace,
I most consult my own, when I am carefull
To wait upon your honor.

Mal.
You are noble.

Flo.
Your humble servant gentlemen.

Tho.
Where didst supp?

Flo.
I was not willing to engage my self
Abroad, lest I might trespasse on your patience.

Tho.
What shall's do this evening?

Mal.
Walk a turn,
And then to a bona roba.

Ber.
A match.

Tho.
Giovanni!
Thy spade, and hold my cloak.

Mal.
What's the device?

Tho.
I have 'great mind to dig now, do'st think I cannot
Handle a spade, i'le make a bed with my Gentlemen now
For a hundred Duccats.

Mal.
'Tis a base employment,
Fit for such a drudge as Giovanni.

Gio.
Sir!

Mal.
A drudge? I said, dee scorne your little dunghill breed?

Gio.
This is not noble.

Mal.
How mole-catcher?

Flo.
Forbear he is not arm'd.

Mal.
You were best be his champion.

Tho.
Are you good at that?
I do not love to wear my doublet pink'd.

Exit.
Gio.
Three against one?

Giovanni recovers a sword, having first us'd his spade to side with the Englishman: Bernardo having lost his weapon flies.
Mal.
Hold.

Gio.
I am no drudg you'l find
To be commanded sir, you painted flies,
And onely fit for troutes.

Flo.
Let's give 'em play, and breath.

Mal.
Lost our advantage? is Thomazo fled?

Mar.
And Bernardo, we were best retire, that Gardiner
Will stick me into ground, else for a plant.

Exit.
Mal.
Expect wee'l be reveng'd.

Exit.
Gio.
Let's prevent 'm.

Flo.
They are not worth it Giovanni, so
I heard you nam'd.

Gio.
My name is Giovanni.

Flo.
Thou hast reliev'd, and sav'd my life, I find
Their base conspiracie, what shall I pay
Thy forward rescue?

Gio.
'Tis but what I owe
To justice, with the expence of blood and life
To prevent treachery, reward I have
Receiv'd i'th act, if I have done you service.
But 'twas your innocence that made such hast
To your own valour, not my sword preserv'd you.
I am young, and never taught to fight.

Flo.
I prethee
Accept this trifle, buy a sword, and wear it,
Thou hast deserv'd to thrive a nobler way
Then thy condition shewes.

Gio.
Though some would call
This bounty, urge it not to my disgrace,
I scorn to sell the motion of my arme!
I fear you are not safe yet, there may be
Danger in following them, and it grows dark.
Have patience while I fetch a key, that shall
Befriend you with a private way.

Exit.
Flo.
Th'art noble,
Though I am carelesse where the termes of honor
Engage my life, 'tis wisdome not to lose it
Upon their base revenge, but I must study
Some other payment for this young mans courage.
How ere his body suffer in a cloud,
His spirit's not obscure, but brave, and active.

Enter Cornari and Brano's arm'd.
Cor.
If my intelligence faile not, he must be
Here still. This evening hath put on a Vizard
To conspire with me, there he walkes, surprize him.

They seize upon him, bind his armes and feet, and blind him with a bagg.
Flo.
Villaines, Cowards, Slaves, my sword.

Bra.
If you be lowd, wee'l strangle you.

Cor.
Dispatch.

Bra.
We ha done sir, is he for the river now?

Cor.
No, follow me.

Exeunt.
Enter Giovanni.
Gio.
These shew like officers,
Alas hee's apprehended on their base
Complaint, I cannot help; thy cause and innocence
Must now befriend thee! base world! yet I may
Injure, the parts abroad; 'tis onely Venice
Is sick with these distempers, then, i'le leave it,
And instantly pursue some other fate
I'th warrs, it may cure something too within me,
That is deny'd all remedy at home,
Some bodies for their Physick, are design'd
To change of aire, i'le try't upon my mind.

Ex.