University of Virginia Library

Scena secunda.

Enter Donusa. Manto. Garazie.
Donusa.
Haue you seene the Christian Captiue,
The great Basha is so enamourd of?

Manto.
Yes an't please your Excellency
I tooke a full view of her, when shee vvas
Presented to him.

Donu.
And is she such a wonder
As tis reported?

Mant.
She was drown'd in teares then,
Which tooke much from her beautie, yet in spite
Of sorrow, shee appeard the Mistresse of
Most rare perfections; and though low of stature,
Her well proportion'd limbes inuite affection;
And when she speakes, each syllable is musique
That does inchaunt the hearers. But your Highnesse
That are not to be parallelde, I yet neuer
Beheld her equall.

Donusa.
Come you flatter me,
But I forgiue it, we that are borne great
Seldome distast our seruants, though they giue vs
More then wee can pretend too. I haue heard
That Christian Ladies liue with much more freedome
Then such as are borne heere. Our iealous Turkes
Neuer permit their faire wiues to be seene
But at the publique Bannias, or the Mosques
And euen then vaylde, and garded. Thou Carazie
Wert borne in England, what's the custome there
Among your women? Come be free and merry
I am no seuere Mistres, nor hast thou met with
A heauie bondage.

Car.
Heauie? I was made lighter
By two stone waight at least to be fit to serue you.
But to your question Madame, women in England
For the most part liue like Queenes. Your Countrey Ladies
Haue libertie to hauke, to hunt, to feast:
To giue free entertainement to all commers,
To talke, to kisse, there's no such thing knowne there
As an Italian girdle. Your Cittie Dame
Without leaue weares the breeches, has her husband
At as much command as her Prentice, and if need be
Can make him Cuckold by her Fathers Coppie.

Donusa.
But your court Lady?

Car.
She, I assure you Madame,
Knowes nothing but her will, must be allovv'd
Her Foot-men, her Caroch, her Vshers, her Pages,
Her Doctor, Chaplines, and as I haue heard
They are growne of late so learn'd that they maintaine
A strange Position, which their Lords with all
Their witt cannot confute.

Donusa.
What's that I prethee?

Car.
Marry that it is not onely fit but lavvfull,
Your Madame there, her much rest, and high feeding
Duely considered, should to ease her husband
Bee allow'd a priuate friend. They haue drawne a Bill
To this good purpose, and the next assembly
Doubt not to passe it.

Donu.
Wee enioy no more
That are of the Othoman race, though our Religion
Allovves all pleasure. I am dull, some Musicque
Take my Chiapines off. So, a lustie straine
(a Galliard.
Who knockes there?

Manto.
Tis the Basha of Aleppo
Who humbly makes request he may present
His seruice to you.

Donu.
Reach a chaire. Wee must
Receiue him like our selfe, and not depart vvith
One peece of Ceremonie, State, and greatnesse
That may beget respecte, and reuerence
In one that's borne our Vassall. Now admit him:

Enter Mustapha, puts of his yellow Pantophles.
Musta.
The place is sacred, and I am to Enter
The roome where she abides, with such deuotion
As Pilgrims pay at Mæcha, when they visit
The Tombe of our great Prophet.

Donu.
Rise, the signe
(The Eunuch takes vp the Pantophles.
That wee vouchafe his presence.

Musta.
May those Powers
That rais'd the Othoman Empire, and still gard it,
Reward your Highnesse for this gratious fauour
You throwe vpon your seruant. It hath pleasde
The most invincible, mightiest Amurath
(To speake his other titles would take from him)
That in himselfe does comprehend all greatnesse,
To make me the vnworthy instrument
Of his command. Receiue diuinest Lady
(Deliuers a letter.
This letter sign'd by his victorious hand,
And made Authenticq, by the imperiall Seale.
There when you find me mention'd, far be it from yo
To thinke it my ambition to presume
At such a happinesse, which his povverfull will
From his great minds magnificence, not my merit
Hath showrd vpon mee. But if your consent
Ioyne with his good opinion and allovvance
To perfit vvhat his fauors haue begun,
I shall in my obsequiousnesse and dutie
Endeuour to preuent all iust complaints,
Which want of will to serue you, may call on mee.

Donu.
His sacred Maiestie writes here that your valour
Against the Persian hath so vvonne vpon him
That there's no grace, or honour in his guift
Of which he can imagine you vnworthy.
And what's the greatest you can hope, or aime at,
It is his pleasure you should be receiu'd
Into his Royall Familie. Prouided
For so far I am vnconfind, that I
Affect and like your person. I expect not
The Ceremonie which he vses in
Bestowing of his Daughters, and his neeces.
As that he should present you for my slaue,
To loue you, if you pleasde me: or deliuer
A Ponyarde on my least dislike to kill you.
Such tyrannie and pride agree not with
My softer disposition. Let it suffice
For my first answer, that thus far I grace you.
Giues him her hand to kisse
Hereafter some time spent to make enquire
Of the good parts, and faculties of your mind
You shall heare further from mee.

Mus.
Though all torments
Really suffer'd, or in hell imaginde
By curious fiction, in one houres delay
Are wholy comprehended: I confesse
That I stand bound in dutie, not to checke at
What euer you command, or please to impose
For triall of my patience.

Donu.
Let vs find
Some other subiect, too much of one Theme cloyes me:
Is't a full Mart:

Mus.
A confluence of all nations
Are met together? There's varietie too
Of all that Marchants trafficque for.

Donu.
I know not.
I feele a Virgins longing to descend
So far from mine owne greatnesse, as to be
Though not a buyer, yet a looker on
Their strange commodities.

Mus.
If without a trayne
You dare be seene abroad? I'le dismisse mine.
And waite vpon you as a common man,
And satisfie your wishes.

Donu.
I embrace it.
Prouide my vayle; and at the Posterne Gate
Conuey vs out vnseene: I trouble you.

Musta.
It is my happynesse you daine to command me.

Exeunt.