 | The Vnfortvnate Lovers |  |
1
Act I.
Scene I.
Enter Rampino, Brusco, Hirco.Rampino.
Come Gentlemen, I'll shew you the whole Court,
Hirco.
(I thinke) was never here before.
Brusco.
Never? he takes these o'r-growne babes,
These tender suckings Gyants of the guard
For Colonels of Switzerland, each Usher
Of the presence for a famous leader;
Hirco.
Yes, of women in the darke.
Ramp.
Why dost thou sneake and tread so bashfully
Behind? come boldly on, they'll thinke thee else
A City spie that seekes for leave to arrest.
Brusc.
He lookes as if hee had a blacke Jacke under
His cloake, and came to beg budge at the Buttery.
Ramp.
Move on, This is the presence, Gentlemen,
Hence in your passage to the privie Chamber;
You should erect your fingers to your hayre,
Which being ordered thus,—or, having used
Your little Tortoise-combe to titubate
Your empty heads; you may salute those of
But halfe a fortune thus with halfe a face,
The favorite with your entire frame, here
Hee is your Idoll, your Religion else
Will be believ'd hereticall.
Hirco.
Rampino, walke no further into sight,
Our Generalls pleasure was, wee should not be
Discovered, yet for feare it chance to make
His comming knowne, 'tis sudden, and by stealth.
Enter Ascoli, Galeotto, Amaranta, who whisper together.
Ramp.
Young Ascoli our Prince, Brusco, retire.
Brusco.
Since my last visit to the Camp, he's growne
Tall man; and he becomes his growth, wee that
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Long much to shew him to the foe; not in his
Perfume and his silkes; but yron best.
There he must change his gentle lookes, and learne
To frowne; men thinke his courage great.
Ramp.
Brusco, hee will make good in future Acts
Of chivalrie mens best beliefe, and has
A nature corrupted yet, with exeecise
Of guilt, his ignorance in sinne makes all
His errors seeme but rash mistakes; and well
That false Galeotto knowes how to subdue
A heart, whose innocence is all
The armour of his breast.
Brusc.
Is that Galeotto his deare favorite?
Ramp.
It is; hee was a souldier in his youth,
And had the lucke of earely victories,
Which rais'd him to a restlesse pride, such as
He since maintaines by wicked arts of Court,
The horror of his thoughts ought make him sad,
'Tis a melancholy doth cause him groane
At night, but they're Mandrakes grounds and still
Bode death; nor is his mirth lesse dangerous:
For like the wanton play of Perpoises,
It prophesies a storme, and when he shakes
His foe by the hand, 'tis not in kindnesse, but
To reach his pulse, that hee may feele how soone
Nature would kill whom he long since prescribed.
Brusc.
What Lady's that? his eyes so overlookes?
Hirco.
I could lie perdue with her all night i'th snow.
Ramp.
'Tis faire Amaranta, Galeotto's daughter;
The beauty of her minde, shines in her face:
For she is good as faire, and more to urge
Her excellence, her vertues are so great,
They overmatch his vice; but lucklesse maide,
She mournes within, and loves the noble Duke
Our Generall, ev'n with a sicke and waking heart.
Ascol.
This newes hath much of joy, and somewhat too
Of wonder in't, Duke Altophil our Generall
So neere the towne, stolne hither to prevent
The triumphs due unto his victory.
Gileot.
It is your Highnesse custome to give trust
To my intelligence, and this hath truth
Enough to merit your beliefe; but as
You ever have, vouchsafe your helpe to make
Me prosperous; so I beseech you now
Assist my daughters pensive Love. This Duke
Is high in worth, as in his blood, and may,
If you procure him, choose her for his wife,
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That I shall need to feare no change of time,
No angrie fate, but from your Princely selfe.
Ascol.
Faire Amaranta, dost thou love Duke Altophil?
It is a choyce so excellent, you need
Not blush to owne the passions of your heart.
Amaranta.
Sir since it was his vertues taught me how
To love, I hope my modestie may give
Me leave still to confesse it to the world.
Ascol.
His judgement seldome harbours neere his eyes,
If he can looke on so much beauty, and
Not wish to make it his, but Gentle maide,
Trust me, I shall perswade him to this happinesse
With all my power and skill.
Amaran.
It is a favour that
My prayer shall endevour to requite,
Though I am doubtfull how to owne it from
Mine owne desires.
Galeotto.
Amaranta, peace.
I am the elder begger Sir, and by
Continuall practice want no confidence
To aske your helpe at all necessities.
Ascol.
This, Galeotto, is a kindnesse to
My selfe, I long to see those nuptialls consummate,
Where each so much deserves the others love;
Let's in and make enquirie of the cause,
Why his arrivall is so much conceal'd.—
Exeunt Ascoli, Galeotto, Amaranta.
Brusc.
But why Rampino, since this Lady is
So rarely qualified, and being heire
To all her fathers wealth and hopes, doth not
Our Generall make her lawfull mistresse of
His bed.
Ramp.
The cause is evident: for his
Affections and his faith already are
Ingag'd unto the beautifull Arthiopa.
Brusc.
Arthiopa? The daughter of our old
Dead Generall? alas, his fame was greater then
His fortune, for he left her poore.
Ramp.
Most true;
So poore, she was constrain'd to live conceal'd
Here in Verona, and become ('tis thought)
Her Lovers chaste and thankfull pensioner;
And you have heard what strange reports were oft
Dispers'd into our campe of her disloyalty:
Some sawcily would stile it lust, and those
Were punish'd for their loose and slippery tongues.
Brusc.
It seemes then our Duke Altophil retaines
Her still in's breast with's former confidence.
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She growes the faster to his heart, for hee
Had strong suspicions to believe these tales
By Galeotto forg'd, who strives, it seemes,
By this poore Ladies infamie, to make
More easie roome for his faire daughters Love.
Hirco.
O, how full of mischiefe are these wise men!
Brisco.
It would be long Hirco, ere wee could squeeze
Such another plot out of thy leane head.
Ramp.
Never, though it were crushed to a circumference
So small, that he might make a Helmet of
A Hazle-Nut.
Hirco.
Well Gentlemen, you'll find
Our Generall an angry man ere night,
Take that from my intelligence, though I
Receiv'd it since wee came to towne i'th streets.
Brusco.
How, Hirco, come the newes?
Hirco.
The Lady that
You call Arthiopa, this morning, was
Arrested in her Chamber by the Officers
Of the Purgation house, and's thither sent
To suffer for unchastity.
Ramp.
The Divell made thee drunk with spirit of Sulphure.
Hirco.
I'm sure this is the peoples language now,
And talk'd on too, by children two foot high,
And more three witnesses (whom they believe
Brib'd and suborn'd) have all depos'd against
Her maiden-head; that was the phrase.
Ramp.
Here will we knocke ere long, let them that have
No money take up plasters upon trust:
Brusco.
Away, let's to Saint Laurence port, it was
Our Generalls will we should be expected there.—
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Galeotto, Morello.
Galeot.
Morello, I'me subdu'd with thy fine Arts;
Thou art as swift to execute as to
Contrive, how did our witnesses behave
Themselves when they beheld Arthiopa?
Morel.
Good faith (my Lord) valiant Rogues that had
Full oft o'rcome their consciences before;
And therefore, to resist her blushes, thought
It but an easie victory: the Articles
Were many they did t'accuse her chastity,
Which they both read and swore to in a breath,
And wish'd them longer for your Lordships sake,
Protesting their good natures check'd them, cause
They earn'd their money with so little paines.
Galeot.
How did the Governours o'th severe house
Digest the imployment my request did lay
Upon their gravitie?
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They are a kinde
Of more solemne Villaines, and like old fishes,
Choose to demur and swim about the bait
A while, ere they would catch what afterwards
They swallowed greedily.
Galeot.
I thanke their tendernesse.
Morello.
It seem'd at first, as if her innocence
And beauty would pervert their justice to
Rebell against your Lordships power; but then
Presuming pity was a little too
Effeminate for ancient Magistrates,
They thought upon your gold, and had decreed
Her to the whip, but that I interpos'd
To mitigate their purchas'd wrath.
Galeot.
'Twas safely done, for such severity
Would too much exasperate her friends.
Morel.
Their sentence is, shee must from that devout
Chaste Colledge march, vested in white, and with
A purifying Taper in her hand
To the Cathedrall Church.
Galeot.
If Altophil doe breed his honour with
Strict discipline, or have but any taste
Of wisdome in her Love, this imputation will
Divorce her from his eyes, my Amaranta then
Hath no impediment to terrifie her hopes;
These mischiefes make me more indebted to
My braine, in that they are obscurely laid,
And I their guilty author am unknowne.—
Enter Amaranta.
Amaranta.
O Sir, if either teares or fervent prayers
Can move you to compassion, shew it now!
My woman halfe deprived of breath with her
Astonishment and hast, imperfectly
Hath told me newes so sad, would make a fierce
Young Thrasian-souldier weep before his Bride.
Galeot.
This newes were sad indeed! what is it? is it hoh!
Or, if it be too fearefull for speech,
Bring here thy Lute, and breath it in a song.
Amaranta.
My vertuous Rivall, poore Arthiopa,
Is in distresse; shee suffers shame, such vile
Abuse, as lips well taught, will blush to utter of
afflicted Enemies.
Galeot.
What is this to mee?
Amaranta.
Sir she's guiltlesly betray'd, I'll gage
My yet unspotted fame, nay, all
The Treasure of my soule she's most innocent;
Therefore I begge you would imploy your power
To take her from the rigour of the Law,
And punish those that have perverted it
To exercise their cruelty.
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Away thou meeke religious foole, thee to
Thy closet, goe; and wish thy needle forme
In shadow'd works, some ruthfull Lovers death,
Then weep the silly story out, untill
Thy teares staine all thy silke; Hence from my sight.—
Amaran.
Alas, thou wrong'd Arthiopa, thou canst
Not hope for truer griefe then mine.
When other virgins shall lament thy death.—
Exit,
Galeot.
Morello, haste, and lay out severall spies
For Altophil's reproach, and bring mee word
To whom his earliest visits are adress'd.—
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Altophil, Rampino, Brusco, Hirco.
Altophil.
Hah! gone? there's treachery of State in this,
From her small solitary mansion ta'en,
Where she liv'd cloyster'd up, cag'd like a bird,
To mourne my absence in a pensive song;
Forc'd thence, and by sterne Officers, Hirco,
What did the people say?
Hirco.
I know not, Sir,
There is no trusting to their whisperings:
Their murmurs are but noyse, uncertaine, Sir,
And not to be believed.
Altophil.
Good souldier speake,
Deale justly with his griefes; what did they say?
Hirco.
Why Sir, they talk'd as if, pray doe not heare't,
All they discourse is out of rage or drinke.
Altophil.
I pray thee vex me not with thy o'rewise
Ill manner'd Love, it is not safe; what did
they say?
Ramp.
S'light, tell the Generall.
Hirco.
Why if you needs will know, 'tis given out
She was convey'd to the holy Colledge, Sir,
The new purgation house, where witnesses
Have severally depos'd shee was unchaste.
Altophil.
Blisters and rottennesse consume thy tongue,
Villaine, thou hast talk'd away thy life.—
drawes upon him.
Brusco.
Oh, hold Sir, hold, can you enforce
A slander from him, and then punish it
Your selfe? your sword upon your vassell too.—
Hirco.
If Rogues will beare false witnesse, can I help't
Cause they lose their soules, must I lose my life?
Ramp.
Galeotto, Sir, the favorite, may be
With argument enough suspected Chiefe
In this conspiracie.
Altophil.
Thou dost receive
My jealous feares with truth too nak'd
And evident to be conceal'd. What is
That holy Colledge he's in, madnesse nam'd?
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A place to whip offenders for their lust.
Altoph.
O heavens! why is your businesse so remote
And high that you can take no notice of
Such wrongs as these? was this the house thought fit
To entertaine Arthiopa? Furies
And Fiends ascend; take up your dwelling here:
For all this goodly City I'll convert
Into one spreading fume; a fire so large
And hot, shall make the Rivers seethe, and Seas
To boyle without the trouble of a storme.
Ramp.
Kill all you meet, and burne the rest that are
Imprison'd or asleepe.
Ramp.
Let's thinke of rising first, then fire shops after,
Though I must needs weare silkes, I doe not like
Flame-colour'd Taffata.
Hirco.
I'ld faine to the Mercers too,
And fall a measuring with my yron yard.
Altophil.
Wy Brusco, dost thou stand so lamely now;
When I perceive my injuries so great?
Our patience will be held no vertue, but a sinne,
Draw up the scatter'd troopes that winter'd here.
Brusco.
O Sir, ease your distemper with
Your wiser thoughts; the Prince you know's in towne,
He's gracious, and will doe you right; lose not
The fame your noble youth hath justly merited,
With one rash act, which must be treason call'd;
And so interpreted by all the Court:
Then thinke what danger a commotion here
Would urge, since Hildebrand the Lombards King,
(Our watchfull enemy) is now within
Ten leagues strongly encamp'd.—
Enter Carthusian, Arthiopa, who is held by him, cloth'd in white, a Taper in her hand, people and boyes following her.
Altophil.
What meanes this sad and bashfull spectacle,
My friends? What penitentiall Lady's that
You wait on with such needlesse courtesie?
You, Sir, speak can you tell? are you all dumb?—
they run from him as affraid.
Here's one whose habite promises so much
Civility as will afford me a reply.—
speakes to the Carthusian.
Pray, Sir, instruct me in this Ladies name,
And what's the cause her penance is expos'd
Thus to the publique view?
Ramp.
He's a Carthusian, and by's order, ty'd
To a concealement of his tongue; he must not speake.
Altophil.
Sure I have had some knowledge of her face.
Arthiopa.
'Tis Altophil, the Lord of all my vowes,
Sweet Heaven let fall a cloud and hide me in't,
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Conceal'd from all but you. I aske not for
Revenge from men, their justice I have felt
So cruell on my selfe, that I not dare
Wish it to those who thus have injur'd mee.
Altophil.
Mine eyes have been too bold;
It is not fit they should discover her
In so much shame, yet it must be she.
O heart! heart! if ever thou wert made for love,
Love would have weav'd thy strings not of such tough
And stubborne wire, but silke, such as would cracke
With halfe that weight which hangs upon his griefe.
Arthiopa!—
Arthiopa.
Flie, flie, my Lord, and follow not this light.
It is that walking fire within the night
Misleads the traveller, and like an
Unwholesome mist about it, needs must blast
Whom it shall tempt to wander from his wits.
Altophil.
Stay, stay, 'tis instant death to take her hence;
Though all your tyrants of the Law were here,
They would fall downe, downe at her feet, and hide
Their anticke faces, that doe fright poore prisoners more
Then their false sentence when they're halfe asleep.
Forgive me reverend Sir, I know in this
Your Office you but serve some high command;
Lend me this Lady for a short discourse,
And on my honour I'll restore her to
Your charge; the Lawes shall be exactly satisfi'd.—
takes her aside.
Arthiopa.
Surely Altophil th'art lately come from heaven;
For this is more then humane courtesie
To owne a lucklesse virgine, so much lost
In sorrow and distresse.
Altophil.
Preserve thy teares;
This is a wicked place, such pretious drops
Should not bedew unhallowed ground, thy infamy
Is meant to me, and thou art punish'd for
My envi'd Love; I must be so, the proofes
Are pregnant that perswade my faith.
Arthiopa.
My sorrowes will seeme easie to me, though
accompany'd with death, such is the joy
I take, that you believe mee guiltlesse of
A crime, which, though I blush to name, yet I
Must owne before the world in punishment.
The Angells, if they had but leasure to
Descend, would testifie I am betrayed.
Altophil.
And I Arthiopa, to vindicate
Thy fame (yet shew obedience to the Lawes)
In these injurious penitentiall weeds,
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To which thy penance is prescrib'd, and there
I'll marry thee in scorne of all the dull
Abused world; goe on.—
Shee kneeles.
Arthiopa.
O, Sir, though I
Am strictly chaste, most true and loyall to
Your Love, respect the honour of your House
(Renown'd in war, and forraigne Courts) how will
It be defil'd, when y'are ally'd not unto me
Alone? but to my shame, that is a staine
So deepe and publique now, not all my teares,
Though they could fall in showres, will wash't away?
Altophil.
Goe on, my resolution needs no vowes.
Brusco.
Where is your reason, Sir? you that are wise
Enough to governe Armies in their rage,
In your owne fury, now should be so wise
To rule your selfe; though this sweet Ladies truth
And vertues sacred are, and firme to our
Beliefe; yet in the high importance of
A wife, you should take care to match where not
A single doubt, though ne're so weake, could be
By Envie urg'd?
Arthiopa.
Sir, you have borrow'd much
Of time; much have you seene, and speake from all
Discreet experience, and your Love I know:
You love your Duke; therefore in this advice
You have my thanks sincerely from my soule.
Altophil.
Old man, could'st thou convey thy heart into
My breast, and so possesse my griefe: could'st thou
With my subdu'd moyst eyes behold the great
Gonsalvo's daughter, Mistresse of my life,
Disgrac'd thus, like the peoples sinfull off-spring
In the street; how would it stir thy blood?
And then to know her sufferance treacherously
Contriv'd by power; one that did malice all
Our holy vowes, I'll not indure't;—burne, burne
The towne; kill, kill all you meet.
Hirco.
Rampino, raise the old garrison i'th Citadell,
I'll to the Sconse behind the bridge.
Ramp.
Since they doe love to see a souldiers Mistresse
In a white sheet, wee'll see their wives in their
Smockes too before night.
Brusc.
Stay, stay, is this your love unto your Generall?
Or thirst to pillage and to blood—
Arthiopa.
Sir, let me quench your anger with my teares;
Upon my knees let me request you leave
Me to mine owne misfortune, and the Lawes,
This dangerous act would voiolate all your
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Brusc.
Thinke on your selfe, and us that must depend
Upon your better hopes.
Altoph.
My faire white mourner, rise;
You with your Priesty office, leade the way;
'Tis to the Church, shee shall obey the Law.
Hold high the Taper, and move boldly on;
Know injur'd Hymen, 'tis thy torch, and this
My wedding day; disswade me not, my soule
Hath vow'd it, and 'tis seal'd in heav'n, you that
Affect your Generall, follow, and afford
Me streight your shouts of joy, not wealth,
Wisdome nor honour, is to me above
(Severall shouts are heard within.
The fame and resolution of my Love.—
Exeunt omne, and streight several shouts etc.
| The Vnfortvnate Lovers | |