 | The Dvke of Millaine |  |
Actus Quart.
Scæ. Prim.
Enter Francisco, Graccho.Franc.
And is it possible thou should'st forget
A wrong of such a nature, and then studie
My safetie and content?
Grac.
Sir, but allow me
Only to haue read the elements of Courtship
(Not the abstruce & hidden acts to thriue there)
And you may please to grant me so much knowledge,
That iniuries from one in grace, like you,
Are noble fauours. Is it not growne common
In euerie sect, for those that want, to suffer
From such as haue to giue? Your Captaine cast
If poore, though not thought daring, but approu'd so
To raise a coward into name, that's rich,
Suffers disgraces publiquely, but receiues
Rewards for them in priuate.
Franc.
Well obseru'd.
Put on, we'le be familiar, and discourse
A little of this argument. That day,
In which it was first rumour'd, then confirm'd,
Great Sforza thought me worthy of his fauor,
I found my selfe to be another thing,
Not what I was before. I passed then
For a prittie fellow, and of prittie parts too,
And was perhaps receiu'd so: but once rais'd,
The liberall Courtier made me Master of
Those vertues, which I ne're knew in my selfe.
If I pretended to a iest, 'twas made one
By their interpretation. If I offer'd
To reason of Philosophy, though absurdly,
Would sweare, that I by nature had more knowledge,
Then others could acquire by any labor.
Nay all I did indeed, which in another
Was not remarkeable, in me shew'd rarely.
Grac.
But then they tasted of your bountie.
Franc.
True,
They gaue me those good parts I was not borne too,
And by my intercession they got that,
Which (had I cross'd them) they durst not haue hop'd for.
Grac.
All this is Oracle. And shall I then,
For a foolish whipping leaue to honour him,
That holds the wheele of Fortune? No, that sauors
Too much of th'antient freedome: Since great men
Receiue disgraces, and giue thankes, poore knaues
Must haue nor spleene, nor anger. Though I loue
My limbes aswell as any man, if you had now
A humor to kick me lame into an office,
Where I might sit in State, and vndoe others,
Stood I not bound to kisse the foot that did it?
Though it seeme strange there haue been such things seene
In the memorie of man.
Franc.
But to the purpose,
And then, that seruice done, make thine owne fortunes.
My wife, thou say'st, is iealous, I am too
Familiar with the Dutches.
Grac.
And incens'd
For her commitment in her brothers absence,
And by her Mothers anger is spur'd on
To make discouerie of it. This her purpose
Was trusted to my charge, which I declin'd
As much as in me lay, but finding her
Determinately bent to vndertake it,
Though breaking my faith to her may destroy
My credit with your Lordship, I yet thought,
Though at my peril, I stood bound to reueale it.
I thanke thy care, and will deserue this secret,
In making thee acquainted with a greater,
And of more moment. Come into my bosome,
And take it from me. Canst thou thinke, dull Graccho,
My power, and honours, were confer'd vpon me,
And ad to them this forme, to haue my pleasures
Confin'd and limited? I delight in change,
And sweet varietie, that's my heauen on earth,
For which I loue life only. I confesse,
My wife pleas'd me a day, the Dutches, two,
(And yet I must not say, I haue enioy'd her)
But now I care for neither. Therefore Graccho,
So farre I am from stopping Mariana
In making her complaint, that I desire thee
To vrge her to it.
Grac.
That may proue your ruine,
The Duke alreadie being, as 'tis reported,
Doubtfull she hath play'd false.
Franc.
There thou art cosen'd,
His dotage like an ague keeps his course,
And now 'tis strongly on him. But I loose time,
And therefore know, whether thou wilt or no,
Thou art to be my instrument, and in spite
Of the old sawe, that sayes, it is not safe
On any termes to trust a man that's wrong'd,
I dare thee to be false.
Grac.
This is a language
My Lord, I vnderstand not.
Franc.
You thought, sirra,
To put a trick on me for the relation
Of what I knew before, and hauing woon
Some weightie secret from me, in reuenge
To play the traytor. Know thou wretched thing,
By my command thou wert whip'd, & euery day
I'le haue thee freshly tortur'd, if thou misse
In the lest charge that I impose vpon thee,
Nay, grant thou had'st a thousand witnesses
To be depos'd they heard it, 'tis in me
With one word (such is Sforza's confidence
Of my fidelitie not to be shaken)
To make all void, and ruine my accusers.
Therefore looke to't, bring my wife hotly on
T'accuse me to the Duke (I haue an end in't)
Or thinke, what 'tis makes man most miserable,
And that shall fall vpon thee. Thou wert a foole
To hope by being acquainted with my courses
To curbe and awe me, or that I should liue
Thy slaue, as thou did'st sawcily diuine.
For prying in my councels, still liue mine.
Exe. Franc.
Grac.
I am caught on both sides. This 'tis for a punie
In Policies Protean Schoole, to try conclusions
With one that hath commenc'd & gon out doctor.
If I discouer, what but now he bragg'd of,
I shall not be beleeu'd. If I fall off
From him, his threats and actions go togeither.
And ther's no hope of safetie, till I get
A plummet, that may sound his deepest counsels.
I must obey and serue him. Want of skill
Now makes me play the rogue against my will.
Ex. Grac.
Scæ. Secund.
Enter Marcelia, Tiberio, Stephano, Gentlewoman.Marc.
Command me from his sight, & with such scorne
As he would rate his slaue.
Tib.
'Twas in his furie.
Steph.
And he repents it Madame.
Marc.
Was I borne
To'bserue his humors, or, because he dotes,
Must I run mad?
If that your Excellence
Would please but to receiue a feeling knowledge
Of what he suffers, and how deepe the least
Vnkindnesse wounds from you, you would excuse
His hastie language.
Steph.
He hath payed the forfeit
Of his offence, I'me sure, with such a sorrow,
As, if it had been greater, would deserue
A full remission.
Marc.
Why, perhaps he hath it,
And I stand more afflicted for his absence,
Then he can be for mine? So pray you, tell him.
But till I haue digested some sad thoughts,
And reconcil'd passions that are at warre
Within my selfe, I purpose to be priuate.
And haue you care, vnlesse it be Francisco,
That no man be admitted.
Tib.
How, Francisco!
Steph.
He, that at euerie stage keeps liuerie Mistresses,
The stallion of the State!
Tib.
They are things aboue vs,
And so no way concerne vs.
Steph.
If I were
The Duke (I freely must confesse my weakenesse)
I should weare yellow breeches. Here he comes.
Ent. Frac.
Tib.
Nay spare your labour, Lady, we know our exit,
And quit the roome.
Steph.
Is this her priuacie?
Though with the hazard of a check, perhaps,
This may goe to the Duke.
Marc.
Your face is full
Of feares and doubts. The reason?
Franc.
O best Madam,
They are not counterfeit. I your poore conuert,
That only wish to liue in sad repentance,
That haue no ends, nor aymes, but that your goodnesse
Might be a witnesse of my penitence,
Which seene would teach you, how to loue your mercie,
Am robb'd of that last hope. The Duke, the Duke,
I more then feare, hath found, that I am guiltie.
Marc.
By my vnspotted honor, not from me,
Nor haue I with him chang'd one sillable
Since his returne, but what you heard.
Franc.
Yet, malice
Is Eagle-ey'd, and would see that which is not.
And Iealousie's too apt to build vpon
Vnsure foundations.
Marc.
Iealousie?
Franc.
It takes.
Marc.
Who dares but only thinke, I can be tainted?
But for him, though almost on certaine proofe,
To giue it hearing, not beleefe, deserues
My hate for euer.
Franc.
Whether grounded on
Your noble, yet chast fauors showne vnto me,
Or her imprisonment, for her contempt
To you, by my command, my frantique wife
Hath put it in his head.
Marc.
Haue I then liu'd
So long, now to be doubted? Are my fauors
The theames of her discourse? Or what I doe,
That neuer trode in a suspected path,
Subiect to base construction? Be vndanted,
For now, as of a creature that is mine,
I rise vp your protrectesse. All the grace
I hither to haue done you, was bestowed
With a shut hand. It shall be now more free,
Open, and liberall. But let it not,
Though counterfeited to the life, teach you
Franc.
May I be blasted
When I proue such a monster.
Marc.
I will stand, then,
Betweene you, and all danger. He shall know,
Suspition o're-turnes, what confidence builds,
And he that dares but doubt, when ther's no ground,
Is neither to himselfe, nor others sound.
Ex. Marc.
Franc.
So, let it worke, her goodnesse, that deny'd,
My seruice branded with the name of Lust,
Shall now destroy it selfe. And she shall finde,
When he's a sutor, that brings Cunning arm'd
With power to be his aduocates, the denyall
Is a disease as killing as the plague,
And chastitie a clew, that leads to death.
Hold but thy nature, Duke, and be but rash,
And violent enough, and then at leasure
Repent. I care not.
And let my plots produce this long'd-for birth,
In my reuenge I haue my heauen on earth.
Ex. Franc.
Scæ. Tert.
Enter Sforza, Pescara, three Gentlemen.Pesc.
You promis'd to be merrie.
1. Gentlem.
There are pleasures
And of all kinds to entertaine the time.
2. Gentlem.
Your excellence vouchsafing to make choice
Of that, which best affects you.
Sf.
Hold your prating.
Learne manners too, you are rude.
3. Gentlem.
I haue my answere,
Before I aske the question.
Pesc.
I must borrow
The priuiledge of a friend, and will, or else
A parasite to the sorrow, Sforza worships
In spite of reason.
Sf.
Pray you vse your freedome,
And so farre, if you please, allow me mine,
To heare you only, not to be compel'd
To take your morall potions. I am a man,
And thogh philosophy your mistrisse rage for't,
Now I haue cause to grieue, I must be sad,
And I dare shew it.
Pesc.
Would it were bestow'd
Vpon a worthier subiect.
Sf.
Take heed, friend.
You rub a sore, whose paine will make me mad,
And I shall then forget my selfe and you.
Lance it no further.
Pesc.
Haue you stood the shock
Of thousand enemies, and out-fac'd the anger
Of a great Emperor, that vowed your ruine,
Though by a desperate, a glorious way,
That had no president? Are you return'd with honor,
Lou'd by your subiects? Does your fortune court you,
Or rather say, your courage does command it?
Haue you giu'n proofe to this houre of your life,
Prosperitie (that searches the best temper)
Could neuer puffe you vp, nor aduerse fate
Deiect your valor? Shall I say, these vertues,
So many and so various trials of
Your constant mind, be buried in the frowne
(To please you I will say so) of a faire woman?
Yet I haue seene her equals.
Sf.
Good Pescara,
This language in another were prophane,
In you it is vnmannerly. Her equall?
I tell you as a friend, and tell you plainly
Her goodnesse does disdaine comparison,
And but her selfe admits no paralell.
But you will say she's crosse, 'tis fit she should be
When I am foolish, for she's wise, Pescara,
And knows how farre she may dispose her bounties,
Her honour safe: or if she were auerse,
'Twas a preuention of a greater sinne
Readie to fall vpon me, for she's not ignorant
But truly vnderstands how much I loue her,
And that her rare parts doe deserue all honour,
Her excellence increasing with her yeeres to,
I might haue falne into Idolatry,
And from the admiration of her worth,
Bin taught to think there is no power aboue her,
And yet I doe beleeue, had Angels sexes,
The most would be such women, and assume
No other shape, when they were to appeare
In their full glorie.
Pesc.
Well Sir, I'le not crosse you,
Nor labour to diminish your esteeme
Hereafter of her, since your happinesse
(As you will haue it) has alone dependance
Vpon her fauour, from my Soule, I wish you
A faire attonement.
Sf.
Time, and my submission
Ent. Tib. & Steph.
May worke her to it. O! you are well return'd,
Say, am I blest? hath she vouchsaf'd to heare you?
Is there hope left that she may be appeas'd?
Let her propound, and gladly I'le subscribe
To her conditions.
Tib.
She Sir, yet is froward,
And desires respite, and some priuacie.
Step.
She was harsh at first, but ere we parted, seem'd not
Implacable.
Ther's comfort yet, I'le ply her
Each houre with new Embassadors of more honors,
Titles, and eminence. My second selfe
Francisco, shall sollicit her.
Steph.
That a wise man,
And what is more, a Prince, that may command,
Should sue thus poorely, and treat with his wife,
As she were a victorious enemie,
At whose proud feet, himselfe, his State, and Countrey,
Basely beg'd mercie.
Sf.
What is that you mutter?
I'le haue thy thoughts.
Steph.
You shall, you are too fond,
And feed a pride that's swolne too bigge alreadie,
And surfeits with obseruance.
Sf.
O my patience!
My vassall speake thus?
Steph.
Let my head answere it
If I offend. She that you thinke a Saint,
I feare may play the Diuel.
Pesc.
Well said old fellow.
Steph.
And he that hath so long ingross'd your fauours,
Though to be nam'd with reuerence, Lord Francisco,
Who as you purpose, shall sollicite for you,
I think's too neere her.
Pesc.
Hold Sir, this is madnesse.
Steph.
It may be they conferre of winning Lordships,
I'me sure he's priuate with her.
Sf.
Let me goe,
I scorne to touch him, he deserues my pittie,
And not my anger, dotard, and to be one
Is thy protection, els thou durst not thinke
That loue to my Marcella hath left roome
In my full heart for any Iealous thought,
That idle passion dwell with thick-skind Trades-men,
Lock vp thy owne wife foole, that must take physicke
From her young Doctor, phisicque vpon her backe
Because thou hast the palsey in that part
That makes her actiue, I could smile to thinke
What wretched things they are that dare be iealous,
Were I match'd to another Messaline,
While I sound merit in my selfe to please her:
I should beleeue her chast, and would not seeke
To find out my owne torment, but alas,
Inioying one that but to me's a Dion,
I'me too secure.
Tib.
This is a confidence
Ent. Grac. Isab. Mar.
Beyond example.
Grac.
There he is, now speake,
Or be for euer silent.
Sf.
If you come
To bring me comfort, say, that you haue made
My peace with my Marcelia.
Isab.
I had rather
Waite on you to your funerall.
Sf.
You are my mother,
Or by her life you were dead else.
Mar.
Would you were,
To your dishonor, and since dotage makes you
Wilfully blind, borrow of me my eyes,
Or some part of my spirit. Are you all flesh?
A limbe of patience only? No fire in you?
But doe your pleasure, here your Mother was
Committed by your seruant (for I scorne
To call him husband) and my selfe your sister,
If that you dare remember such a name,
Mew'd vp to make the way open and free
For the Adultresse, I am vnwilling
To say a part of Sforza.
Take her head off,
She hath blasphem'd, and by our Law must dye.
Isab.
Blasphem'd, for calling of a whore, a whore?
Sf.
O hell, what doe I suffer?
Mar.
Or is it treason
For me that am a subiect, to endeuour
To saue the honour of the Duke, and that
He should not be a Wittall on record.
For by posterie 'twill be beleeu'd
As certainly as now it can be prou'd,
Francisco the great Minion, that swayes all,
To meet the chast embraces of the Dutches,
Hath leap'd into her bed.
Sf.
Some proofe vile creature,
Or thou hast spoke thy last.
Mar.
The publique fame,
Their hourely priuate meetings, and euen now
When vnder a pretence of griefe or anger,
You are deny'd the ioyes due to a husband,
And made a stranger to her, at all times
The dore stands open to him. To a Dutchman
This were enough, but to a right Italian,
A hundred thousand witnesses.
Isab.
Would you haue vs
To be her bawdes?
Sf.
O the mallice
And enuie of base women, that with horror
Knowing their owne defects and inward guilt,
Dare lye, and sweare, and damne, for what's most false,
To cast aspersions vpon one vntainted,
Y'are in your natures deuils, and your ends
Knowing your reputation sunke for euer,
And not to be recouer'd, to haue all,
Weare your blacke liuerie. Wretches, you haue rays'd
A Monumentall trophy to her purenesse,
And all the shot made by your foule detraction
Falling vpon her sure-arm'd Innocence,
Return's vpon your selues, and if my loue
Could suffer an addition, I'me so farre
From giuing credit to you, this would teach me
More to admire & serue her, you are not worthy
To fall as sacrifices to appease her,
And therefore liue till your own enuy burst you.
Isab.
All is in vaine, he is not to be mou'd.
Mar.
She has bewitcht him.
Pesc.
'Tis so past beliefe,
To me it shewes a fable.
Ent. Franc. & a seruant.
Franc.
On thy life
Prouide my horses, and without the Port
With care attend me.
Seru.
I shall my Lord.
Ex. seru.
Grac.
He's come.
What ümmercracke haue we next?
Franc.
Great Sir.
Sf.
Francisco,
Though all the ioyes in woman are fled from me
In thee I doe embrace the full delight
That I can hope from man.
Franc.
I would impart,
Please you to lend your eare, a waightie secret,
I am in labour to deliuer to you.
Sf.
All leaue the roome, excuse me good Pesc.
Ere long I will waite on you.
Pesc.
You speake Sir
The language I should vse.
Sf.
Be within call,
Perhaps we may haue vse of you.
Tib.
We shall Sir.
Sf.
Say on my comfort.
Comfort? No, your torment,
For so my fate appoints me, I could curse
The houre that gaue me being.
Sf.
What new monsters
Of miserie stand readie to deuoure me?
Let them at once dispatch me.
Franc.
Draw your sword then,
And as you wish your own peace, quickly kil me,
Consider not, but doe it.
Sf.
Art thou mad?
Franc.
Or if to take my life be too much mercy,
As death indeed concludes all human sorrowes,
Cut off my nose and eares, pull out an eye,
The other only left to lend me light
To see my owne deformities: Why was I borne
Without some mulct impos'd on me by nature?
Would from my youth a lothsome leprosie
Had runne vpon this face, or that my breath
Had been infectious, and so made me shun'd
Of all societies: curs'd be he that taught me
Discource or manners, or lent any grace
That makes the owner pleasing in the eye
Of wanton women, since those parts which others
Value as blessings, are to me afflictions,
Such my condition is.
Sf.
I am on the racke,
Dissolue this doubtfull riddle.
Franc.
That I alone
Of all mankind that stand most bound to loue you,
And studie your content should be appointed,
Not by my will, but forc'd by cruell fate
To be your greatest enemie, not to hold you
In this amazement longer, in a word,
Your Dutches loues me.
Sf.
Loues thee?
Is mad for me,
Pursues me hourely.
Sf.
Oh!
Franc.
And from hence grew
Her late neglect of you.
Sf.
O women! women!
Franc.
I labour'd, to diuert her by perswasion,
Then vrg'd your much loue to her, & the danger,
Denyd her, and with scorne.
Sf.
'Twas like thy selfe.
Franc.
But when I saw her smile, then heard her say,
Your loue and extreme dotage as a Cloke
Should couer our embraces, and your power
Fright others from suspition, and all fauours
That should preserue her in her innocence,
By lust inuerted to be vs'd as bawdes,
I could not but in dutie (though I know
That the relation kils in you all hope
Of peace hereafter, and in me 'twill shew
Both base and poore to rise vp her accuser)
Freely discouer it.
Sf.
Eternall plagues
Pursue and ouertake her, for her sake
To all posteritie may he proue a Cuckold,
And like to me a thing so miserable
As words may not expresse him, that giues trust
To all deceiuing women, or since it is
The will of Heauen to preserue mankind,
That we must know, & couple with these serpents,
No wiseman euer taught by my example
Hereafter vse his wife with more respect
Then he would doe his Horse that do's him seruice,
Base woman being in her creation made
A slaue to man, but like a village nurse
Stand I now cursing, and considering when
Tiberio, and the rest, I will be suddaine,
And she shall know and feele loue in extreames,
Abus'd knowes no degree in hate.
Ent. Tib. Step. Guard
Tib.
My Lord.
Sf.
Goe to the Chamber of that wicked woman.
Steph.
What wicked woman, Sir?
Sf.
The deuill my wife.
Force a rude entry, and if she refuse
To follow you, drag her hither by the hayre
And know no pittie, any gentle vsage
To her will call on cruelty from me
To such as shew it, Stand you staring! Goe,
And put my will in act.
Steph.
Ther's no disputing.
Tib.
But 'tis a tempest on the suddaine rays'd,
Who durst haue dreamt of?
Ex. Tib. Steph.
Sf.
Nay, since she dares damnation,
I'le be a furie to her.
Franc.
Yet great Sir,
Exceed not in your furie, she's yet guiltie
Only in her intent.
Sf.
Intent Francisco?
It does include all fact, and I might sooner
Be won to pardon treason to my Crowne,
Or one that kil'd my Father.
Franc.
You are wise,
And know what's best to doe, yet if you please
To proue her temper to the height, say only
That I am dead, and then obserue how farre
She'le be transported. I'le remoue a little,
But be within your call: now to the vpshot,
How e're I'le shift for one.
Ex. Franc.
Enter Tiberio, Stephano, Marcelia, Guard.
Marc.
Where is this Monster?
This horned beast that would be? O are you here Sir?
Is it by your commandement or allowance,
I am thus basely vs'd? Which of my vertues,
My labours, seruices, and cares to please you
(For to a man suspitious and vnthankefull,
Without a blush I may be mine owne trumpet)
Inuites this barbarous course? Dare you looke on me
Without a seale of shame?
Sf.
Impudence,
How vgly thou appear'st now? Thy intent
To be a whore, leaues thee not blood enough
To make an honest blush, what had the act done?
Marc.
Return'd thee the dishonor thou deseruest
Though willingly I had giuen vp my selfe
To euerie common letcher.
Sf.
Your chiefe minion,
Your chosen fauourite, your woo'd Francisco,
Has deerely pay'd for't, for wretch, know he's dead,
And by my hand.
Marc.
The bloodyer villaine thou,
But 'tis not to be wonder'd at, thy loue
Do's know no other obiect, thou hast kil'd then
A man I doe professe I lou'd, a man
For whom a thousand Queenes might well be riuals,
But he (I speake it to thy teeth) that dares be
A Iealous foole, dares be a murtherer,
And knowes no end in mischiefe.
Sf.
I begin now
stabs her.
In this my Iustice.
Marc.
Oh, I haue fool'd my selfe
Into my graue, and only grieue for that
Which when you know, you haue slaine an Innocent
You needs must suffer.
Sf.
An Innocent? Let one
Ex. Steph.
To iustifie thy falshood, and how often
With whorish flatteries thou hast tempted him,
I being only fit to liue a stale,
A bawd and propertie to your wantonnesse.
Ent. Steph.
Steph.
Signior Francisco Sir, but euen now
Tooke horse without the Ports.
Marc.
We are both abus'd,
And both by him vndone, stay death a little
Till I haue cleer'd me to my Lord, and then
I willingly obey thee. O my Sforza,
Francisco was not tempted, but the Tempter,
And as he thought to win me shew'd the warrant
That you sign'd for my death.
Sf.
Then I beleeue thee,
Beleeue thee innocent too.
Marc.
But being contemn'd,
Vpon his knees with teares he did beseech me
Not to reueale it, I soft-hearted foole
Iudging his penitence true, was won vnto it.
Indeed the vnkindnesse to be sentenc'd by you
Before that I was guiltie in a thought,
Made me put on a seeming anger towards you,
And now behold the issue, as I do,
May heauen forgiue you.
dyes.
Tib.
Her sweet soule has left
Her beauteous prison.
Steph.
Looke to the Duke, he stands
As if he wanted motion.
Tib.
Griefe hath stopt
The organ of his speech.
Steph.
Take vp this body
And call for his Physitians.
Sf.
O my heart-strings.
| The Dvke of Millaine | |