 | The Maid of Honovr |  |
Act. IIII.
Scene. I.
Gonzaga, Pierio Roderigo, Iacomo.Gonzaga.
You haue seaz'd upon the Citadell, and disarm'd
All that could make resistance
Pierio.
Hunger had
Done that before wee came; nor was the souldiour
Compell'd to seeke for prey the famish'd wretches,
In hope of mercy, as a sacrifice offer'd
All that was worth the taking.
Gonzag.
You proclaim'd,
On paine of death, no violence should be offer'd
To any woman.
Rod.
But it needed not,
For famine had so humbl'd 'em and tooke off
The care of their sexes honour, that there was not
So coy a beauty in the towne, but would
For halfe a mouldy bisket sell her selfe,
To a poore besognion, and without shrieking.
Gonz.
Where is the Duke of Vrbin.
Iacom.
Vnder guard,
As you directed
Gonzag.
See the Souldiers set.
In ranke, and file, and as the Dutchesse passes
Bid 'em vaile their ensignes, and charge 'em on their lives
Not to cry whores.
The divell cannot fright 'em
From their military licence, though they know
They are her subjects, and will part with being,
To do her service; yet since she is a woman,
They will touch at her britch with their tongues, and that is all
That they can hope for.
Gen.
O the divell! they are at it.
A shout, and a generall cry within, whores, whores.
Hell, stoppe, their bawling throats; againe! make up
And cudgell them into jelly.
Roder.
To no purpose,
Though their mouthes were there,
They would have the same name for 'em.
Exeunt.
Scene. II.
Roderigo, Iacomo, Pierio, Gonzga, Aurelia (under a Canopie) Astutio presents her with letters, lowd musicke, shee reads the letters.Gonzaga.
I doe beseech your highnesse not to ascribe
To the want of disciplin, the barbarous rudenes
Of the souldier in his prophanation of
Your sacred name, and vertues
Aurelia.
No, Lord Generall,
I have heard my father say oft, 'twas acustome,
Vsuall in the campe, nor are they to be punish'd
For words, that have in fact deserv'd so well.
Let the one excuse the other.
All.
Excellent Princesse!
Aur.
But for these aids from Sicily sent against us
To blast our spring of conquest in the bud:
I cannot find, my Lord Embassadour,
How we should entertaine't but as a wrong.
With purpose to detaine us from our owne.
How e'r the King endeavours in his letters
To mitigate the affront.
Your grace hereafter
May heare from me such strong assurances
Of his unlimitted desires to serve you,
As will, I hope, drowne in forgetfulnesse
The memory of what's past.
Aurel.
Wee shall take time
To search the depth of't further, and proceed
As our counsell shall direct vs.
Gonza.
Wee present you
With the keyes of the Citty, all lets are remov'd,
Your way is smooth and easie, at your feet
Your proudest enemy falls.
Aurel.
Wee thanke your valoures
A victory without blood is twice atchiev'd,
And the disposure of it to us tender'd,
The greatest honor, worthy captains thanks.
My love extends it selfe to all
Gonz.
Make way there.
A Guard made Aurelia. passes thorow' em. lowd musicke.
Exeunt.
Scene. III.
Bertoldo with a small booke in fetters, Iaylor.Bertoldo.
Tis here determin'd (great examples arm'd
Winh arguments produc'd to make it good)
That neither tyrants, nor the wrested lawes;
The peoples franticke rage, sad exile, want,
Nor that which I endure, captivity,
Can doe a wise man any injury:
Thus Seneca, when he wrot it, thought. But then
Fecliity courted him; his wealth exceeding
A private man's happy in the embraces
Of his chaste wife Paulina; his house full
Of childr, enclyents, servants, flattering friends
Soothing his lip-positions, and created
Prince of the Senate, by the generall voyce,
He held, and did believe this. But no sooner
The Princes frownes, and iealosies had throw'n him
Out of securities lappe, and a centurion
Had offer'd him what choyce of death he pleas'd,
But told him dye he must: when straight the armour
Of his so boasted fortitude, fel off
Throwes away the booke.
Complaining of his frailtie. Can it then
Be censur'd womanish weaknesse in mee, if
Thus clog'd with yrons, and the period
To close up all calamities, deni'd mee,
(Which was presented Senica) I wish
I ne'r had being, at least, never knew
What happines was, or argue with heavens justice?
Tearing my locks, and in defiance throwing
Dust in the ayre? or falling on the ground, thus
With my nayles, and teeth to digge a grave or rend
The bowells of the earth, my stepmother,
And not a naturall parent? or thus practise
To dye, and as I were insensible,
Believe I had no motion.
lies on his face
Enter Gonzaga Adorn. Iaylor.
Gonz.
There he is:
Ile not enquire by whom his ransome's pai'd
I am satisfi'd that I have it: nor alleage
One reason to excuse his cruell usage,
As you may interpret it, let it suffice
It was my will to have it so, he is yours now,
Dispose of him as you please
Exit Gonzaga.
Adorn.
How e'r I hate him,
As one preferr'd before me, being a man,
He does deserve my pitty. Sir, he sleepes:
Or is he dead? would hee were a Saint in heaven;
'Tis is all the hurt I wish him. But was not
Kneeles by him.
Borne to such happinesse. No he breaths, come neer,
And if't be possible, without his feeling
Take off his yrons, so, now leave us privat
[His yrons taken off.
He does begin to stir, and as transported
Exit Iaylor.
As yet uncertaine, whether it can be
True or phantasticall.
Ber.
Ministers of mercy
Mocke not calamitie. Ha! 'tis no vision!
Or if it be, the happiest that ever
Appear'd to sinfull flesh! who's here? His face
Speakes him Adorni! but some glorious Angell
Concealing its divinity in his shape,
Hath done this miracle, it being not an act
For wolvish man. Resolve me, if thou look'st for
Bent knees in adoration?
Adorn.
O forbeare Sir,
I am Adorni, and the instrument
Of your deliverance; but the benefit
You owe another.
Ber.
If he has a name,
Assoone as spoken, 'tis writ on my heart,
I am his bond-man.
Ador.
To the shame of men,
This great act is a womans.
Ber.
The whole sex
For her sake must be deifi'd. How I wander
In my imagination, yet cannot
Ghesse who this Phœnix should be!
Ador.
'Tis Camiola.
Ber.
Pray you speake't againe, there's musicke in her name
Once more I pray you Sir.
Ador.
Camiola,
The Maid of honor.
Ber.
Curs'd Atheist that I was,
Onely to doubt it could be any other,
Since she alone in the abstract of her selfe,
That small, but ravishing substance comprehends
What ever it, or can be wished, in the
Iudea of a woman. O what service,
Or sacrifice of duty can I pay her!
Which is resolv'd already.
Adorn.
She expects not
Such a dominion ore you: yet ere I
Deliver her demands, give me your hand:
On this, as she enjoyn'd me, with my lips
I print her love and service by me sent you,
Bert.
I am orewhelm'd with wonder!
Ador.
You must now
(Which is the sum of all that she desires)
By a solemne contract bind your selfe, when she
Requires it as a debt, due for your fredome
To marrie her.
Ber.
This does ingage me further,
A payment! an increase of obligation!
To marry her! 'twas my nil ultra ever!
The end of my ambition! O that now
The holy man, she present, were prepar'd
To joyne our hands, but with that speed, my heart
Wishes, mine eyes might see her.
Adorn.
You must sweare this.
Ber.
Swear it? Collect all oaths, and imprecations
Whose least breach is damnation, and those
Ministred to me in a forme more dreadfull,
Set heaven, and hell before me, I will take 'em:
False to Camiola? Never. Shall I now
Begin my vowes to you?
Ador.
I am no Church-man,
Such a one must file it on record, you are free,
And that you may appeare like to your selfe
(For so she wish'd) her's gold with which you may
Redeeme your truncks and servants, and what ever
Of late you lost. I have found out the Captaine
Whose spoyle they were. His name is Roderigo.
Ber.
I know him.
Ador.
I have done my parts.
Ber.
So much Sir
I walke in ayre! divine Camiola,
But words cannot expresse thee. I'll build to thee
An altar in my soule, on which I'll offer
A still increasing sacrifice of duty.
Exit Ber.
Ador.
What will become of me now is apparant!
Whether a poniard, or a halter be
The nearest way to hell (for I must thither,
After I have kill'd my selfe) is somewhat doubtfull?
This Roman resolution of selfe-murther,
Will not hold water, at the high Tribunall,
When it comes to be argu'd; my good Genius
Prompts me to this consideration. He
That kills himselfe, to avoid misery, feares it,
And at the best shewes but a bastard valour,
This lifes a fort committed to my trust,
Which I must not yeeld up, till it be forc'd,
Nor will I: Hee's not valiant that dares dy,
But he that boldly beares calamitie.
Exit
Scene. IV.
A Flourish.Pierio. Roderigo. Iacomo. Gonzaga. Aurelia. Ferdinand. Astutio. Attendants.
Aurelia.
A seat here for the Duke. It is our glory
To overcom with courtesies, not rigor;
To Lordly Roman, who held it the height
Of humane happinesse, to have kings and Queenes
To wait by his triumphant chariot wheeles
In his insulting pride, depriv'd himselfe
Of drawing neare the nature of the gods,
Best known for such, in being mercifull,
And with the freedome of a friend to tell you,
To seeke by force, what courtship could not win,
was not harsh, and never taught in loves milde schoole.
Wise Poets faine that Venus coach is draw'n
By doues, and sparrowes, not by beares, and tygres.
Ferd.
I spare the application.
In my fortune,
Heav'ns justice hath confirm'd it, yet great Lady,
Since my offence grew from excesse of love,
And not to be resisted, having paid too,
With the losse of liberty, the forfeyture
Of my presumption, in your clemency
It may finde pardon
Aurel.
You shall have just cause
To say it hath. The charge of the long siege
Defraid, and the losse my subjects have sustain'd
Made good, since so farre I must deale with caution,
You have your liberty
Ferd.
I could not hope for gentler conditions.
Aurel.
My Lord Gonzaga.
Since my comming to Siena, I haue heard much
Of your prisoner; brave Bertoldo.
Gonza.
Such an one, Madam, I had.
Astut.
And have still, Sir, I hope.
Gonz.
Your hopes deceive you. He is ransom'd, Madame,
Astut.
By whom, I pray you, Sir.
Gonzag.
You had best enquire
Of your intelligencer. I am no informer.
Astut.
I like not this.
Aurel.
He is, as 'tis reported,
A goodly gentleman, and of noble parts,
A brother of your order.
Gonzaga.
Hee was, Madam,
Till he against his oath wrong'd you, a princesse,
Which his religion bound him from.
Aurel.
Great mindes
Quarrells that are unjust, yet without malice,
And such a faire construction I make of him.
I would see that brave enemy;
Gonzaga.
My duty
Commands me to seeke for him.
Aur.
Pray you doe:
And bring him to our presence.
Exit Gonzaga.
Astut.
I must blast
His entertainment; may it please your excellency.
He is a man debauch'd, and for his riots
Cast off by the King my Master, and that, I hope, is
A crime sufficient.
Ferd.
To you his subjects,
That like as your king likes
Enter Gonzaga, Bertoldo, richly habited: Adorni.
Aurel.
But not to us;
We must waigh with our owne scale. This is he, sure!
How soone mine eye had found him! what a port
He beares! how well his bravery becomes him!
A prisoner! nay, a princly sutor rather!
But I am too sudden.
Gon.
Madame, 'twas his suite,
Vnsent for, to present his service to you,
Ere his departure.
Aurel.
With what Majesty
He beares himselfe!
Astut.
The divell I thinke supplies him,
Ransom'd, and thus rich too!
Aurel.
You ill deserve
Ferdinand kneeling, kisses her hand.
The favour of our hand; we are not well,
Give us more ayre.
She descends suddenly.
Gonz.
What sudden qualme is this?
Aurel.
That lifted yours against mee.
Bertol.
Thus once more,
I sue for pardon
Aur.
Sure his lips are poyson'd,
And through these veines, force passage to my heart
Aside.
Bertol.
I wait, Madam,
To know what your commands are; my designes
Exact me in another place.
Aurel.
Before
You have our licence to depart; if manners,
Civility of manners cannot teach you
T'attend our leasure, I must tell you, Sir,
That you are still our prisoner, nor had you
Commission to free him.
Gonz.
How's this, Madam?
Aurel.
You were my substitute, and wanted power
Without my warrant to dispose of him.
I will pay backe his ransome ten times over,
Rather then quit my interest.
Bertol.
This is
Against the law of armes.
Aur.
But not of love:
Aside.
Why, hath your entertainment, Sir, beene such
In your restraint, that with the wings of feare
You would flie from it?
Bertol.
I know no man, Madame,
Enamour'd of his setters, or delighting
In cold or hunger, or that would in reason
Preferre straw in a dungeon, before
A downe bed in a Palace.
Aurel.
How, come neerer;
Was his usage such?
Gonz.
Yes, and it had beene worse,
Had I foreseene this.
Aur.
O thou mis-shap'd monster!
In thee it is confirm'd, that such as have
No share in natures bounties, know no pitty
To such as have 'em. Looke on him with my eyes,
And answer then, whether this were a man,
Whose cheekes of lovely fulnesse should be made
A prey to meagre famine? or these eyes
To be dimm'd with tedious watching? or these lips,
These rudie lips, of whose fresh colour, cherries
And roses were but coppies, should grow pale
For want of Nectar? or these legges that beare
A burthen of more worth, then is supported
By Atlas wearied shoulders, should be cramp'd
With the weight of yron? O I could dwell ever
On this description!
Bertoldo.
Is this in dirision
Or pitty of me?
Aurel.
In your charity
Beleeve me innocent. Now you are my prisoner
You shall have fairer quarter, you will shame
The place where you have beene, should you now leave it
Before you are recover'd. I'll conduct you
To more convenient lodgings, and it shall be
My care to cherish you. Repine who dare;
It is our will. You'll follow mee?
Bertoldo.
To the centre,
Such a Sybilla guiding me.
Exeunt Aurelia, Bertoldo.
Gonz.
Who speakes first?
Ferd.
We stand, as we had seen Medusas head!
All amaz'd.
Pierio.
I know not what to thinke, I am so amaz'd!
Roder.
Amaz'd! I am thunderstrooke!
Iacom.
Wee are inchaunted,
And this is some illusion.
Adorn.
Heav'n forbid!
In darke despaire, it shewes a beame of hope.
Containe thy joy, Adorni.
Astut.
Such a Princesse,
And of so long experienc'd reservednesse
Breake forth, and on the sudden, into flashes
Of more then doubted loosenesse.
Gonz.
They come againe,
Smiling, as I live: His arme circling her wast:
I shall runne mad: Some fury hath possess'd her.
A prayer or two, and crosse my selfe, and then
Though the divell fart fire, have at him.
Aurel.
Let not, Sir,
The violence of my passions nourish in you
An ill opinion; or grant my carriage
Out of the rode, and garbe of private women,
'Tis still done with decorum. As I am
A Princesse, what I doe, is aboue censure,
And to be imitated.
Bertoldo.
Gracious Madam,
Vouchsafe a little pawse, for I am so rapt
Beyond my selfe, that 'till I have collected
My scatter'd faculties, I cannot tender
My resolution.
Aurel.
Consider of it,
I will not be long from you,
Bertoldo walking by musing.
Gonzaga.
Pray I cannot!
This cursed object strangles my devotion!
I must speake, or I burst. Pray you faire Lady,
If you can in courtesie, direct mee to
The chaste Aurelia.
Aurel.
Are you blinde? who are wee?
Gonza.
Another kind of thing. Her blood was govern'd
By her discretion, and not rul'd her reason:
The reverence and Majesty of Iuno
Shinde in her lookes, and comming to the campe,
Appear'd a second Pallas. I can see
No such divinities in you. If I
Without offence may speake my thoughts, you are,
As it were, a wanton Helen.
Aurelia.
Good, ere long
You shall know mee better.
Gonz.
Why, if you are Aurelia,
How shall I dispose of the Souldier?
Astut.
May it please you
To hasten my dispatch?
Prefer your suites
Vnto Bertoldo, we will give him hearing,
And you'll finde him your best advocate.
Exit Aurelia
Astut.
This is rare!
Gonz.
What are we come to?
Roder.
Grown up in a moment
A favorite!
Ferdi.
He does take state already.
Ber.
No, no, it cannot be, yet but Camiola,
There is no stop betweene me and a crowne,
Then my ingratitude! a sinne in which
All sinnes are comprehended! Aide me vertue,
Or I am lost.
Gonz.
May it please your excellence
Second me, Sir.
Ber.
Then my so horrid oathes,
And hell-deepe imprecations made against it.
Astu.
The king your brother will thank you for th'advācment
Of his affaires
Bertol.
And yet who can hold out
Against such batteries, as her power and greatnesse
Raise up against my weake defences!
Gonz.
Sir,
Enter Aurelia.
Doe you dreame waking, Slight, shee's here againe.
Ber.
Walkes she on woollen feete!
Aureli.
You dwell too long
In your deliberation, and come
With a criples pace to that which you should fly to
Ber.
It is confess'd, yet why should I to winne
From you, that hazzard all to my poore nothing,
By false play send you off a looser from me?
I am already too too much ingag'd
To the king my brothers anger; and who knowes
But that his doubts, and politick feares, should you
Make me his equall, may draw war upon
Your territories, were that breach made up
To touch but with due reverence.
Aureli.
That hinderance
Is easily remov'd. I owe the king
For a royall visit, which I straight will pay him,
And having first reconcil'd you to his favour,
A dispensation shall meete with us,
Ber.
I am wholly yours.
Aure.
On this booke seale it.
Gon.
What hand and lip too, then the bargaine's sure,
You have no imployment for me?
Aurel.
Yes Gonzaga,
Provide a royall ship.
Gonz.
A ship? Saint Iohn,
Whither are we bound now?
Aurel.
You shall know hereafter,
My lord your pardon, for my too much trenching
upon your patience.
Ador.
Camiola.
Whispers to Bertoldo
Aurel.
How doe you
Ber.
Indisposed, but I attend you.
Exeunt
Adorn.
The heavie curse that waites on perjurie,
And foule ingratitude, pursue thee ever.
Yet why from me this? In this breach of faith
My loyalty findes reward! what poysons him
Proves Mithridate to me! I have perform'd
All she commanded punctually, and now
In the cleare mirrour of my truth, she may
Behold his falsehood. O that I had wings
To beare me to Palermo! This once knowne,
Must change her love into a just disdaine,
And worke her to compassion of my paine.
Exit
Scene. V.
Sylli. Camiola. Clarinda. At severall doores.Syll.
Vndone! vndone! poore I that whilome was
The top and ridge of my house, am on the sudden
Turn'd to the pittifullest animal
Of the lignage of the Syllies!
Cami.
What's the matter?
Syl.
The king! breake gyrdle, breake!
Cami.
Why? what of him?
Syl.
Hearing how far you doted on my person,
Growing envious of my happines, and knowing
His brother, nor his favorite Fulgentio,
Could get a sheepes eie from you, I being present,
Is come himselfe a suitor, with the awle
Of his authoritie to bore my nose,
And take you from me, Oh, oh, oh.
Cam.
Do not rore so;
The king!
Syl.
The king! yet loving Sylli is not
So sorrie for his owne, as your misfortune,
If the king should carrie you, or you beare him,
What a looser should you be? He can but make you
A queene, and what a simple thing is that
To the being my lawful spouse. The world can never
Affoord you such a husband.
Cami.
I beleeve you,
But how are you sure the king is so inclin'd?
Did not you dreame this?
Syl.
With these eyes I saw him
Dismisse his traine, and lightnig from his coach,
Whispering Fulgentio in the eare.
Cam.
If so
Syl.
It can be no other
But to give me the bob, that being a matter
Of maine importance, yonder they are, I dare not
Be seene, I am so desperate, if you forsake me,
Exit Rob. Ful.
Send me word that I may provide a willow ghyrlond
To weare when I drowne my selfe. O Sylli, ô Sylli!
Exit crying
Ful.
It will be worth your paines Sir to observe
The constancie and bravery of her spirit,
Though great men tremble at your frownes, I dare
Hazzard my head, your majesty set off
With terror, cannot fright her.
Robert.
May she answer
My expectation.
Fulgen.
There she is.
Cam.
My knees thus
Bent to the earth (while my vowes are sent upward
For the safety of my Soveraigne) pay the duty
Due for so great an honor, in this favour
Done to your humblest hand-maid.
Robert.
You mistake me,
I come not (Lady) that you may report,
The king to do you honor, made your house
(He being there) his court, but to correct
Your stubborne disobedience. A pardon
For that, could you obtaine it, were well purchas'd
With this humility.
Cam.
A pardon Sir?
'Till I am conscious of an offence.
I will not wrong my innocence to begge one,
What is my crime Sir?
Rob.
Look on him I favour,
By you scorn'd and negelected.
Cam.
Is that all Sr.
Rober.
No minion, though that were too much. How can you
Answer the setting on your desperate brauo
To murther him?
Cam.
With your leave, I must not kneele Sir.
While I replie to this: But thus rise up
In my defence, and tell you as a man
(since when you are unjust, the diety
'Twas never read in holy writ, or morrall,
That subjects on their loyalty were oblig'd
To love their Soveraignes vices, your grace, Sir,
To such an undeserver is no vertue.
Fulgen.
What thinke you now Sir?
Cam.
Say you should love wine,
You being the King, and cause I am your subject,
Must I be ever drunke? Tyrants, not Kings
By violence, from humble vassalls force
The liberty of their fooles. I could not love him.
And to compell affection, as I take it,
Is not found in your prerogative.
Rob.
Excellent virgin!
How I admire her confidence?
Cam.
He complaines
Of wrong done him: but be no more a King,
Vnlesse you do me right. Burne your decrees,
And of your lawes and statutes make a fire
To thaw the frozen numnesse of delinquents,
If he escape unpunish'd. Doe your edicts
Call it death in any man that breakes into
Anothers house to rob him, though of trifles,
And shall Fulgentio, your Fulgentio live?
Who hath committed more then sacriledge
In the pollution of my cleare fame
By his malicious slanders.
Rob.
Have you done this?
Answer truely on your life.
Fulgen.
In the heat of blood
Some such thing I reported.
Rob.
Out of my sight,
For I vow, if by true penitence thou win not
This injur'd Lady to sue out thy pardon,
Thy grave is digg'd already.
Fulgen.
By my owne folly
I have made a faire hand of't,
Exit Fulgen.
Rob.
You shall know Lady
To cut offenders off, though neerest to us.
Cam.
I, now you shew whose Deputy you are,
I now I bath your feet with teares, it cannot
Be censur'd superstition.
Rob.
You must rise.
Rise in our favour, and protection ever:
Kisses her
Cam.
Happy are subjects! when the prince is still
Guided by justice, not his passionate will.
Exeunt.
The end of the fourth Act.
| The Maid of Honovr | |