 | The Renegado |  |
Actus Quintus
Scæna Prima.
Enter Vitelli, Francisco.Fran.
You are wondrous braue, and iocound.
Vitelli.
Welcome Father.
Should I spare cost, or not weare cheerefull lookes
Vpon my wedding day, it were omenous
And shew'd I did repent it, which I dare not,
It being a marriage, howsoeuer sad
That will for euer arme me against feares,
Repentance, doubts, or iealousies, and bring
Perpetuall comforts, peace of minde, and quiet
To the glad couple.
Fran.
I well vnderstand you;
And my full ioy to see you so resolu'd
Weake words cannot expresse. What is the howre
Design'd for this solemnity?
Uitel.
The sixth,
Something before the setting of the Sun
We take our last leaue of his fading light,
And with our soules eies seeke for beames eternall,
Yet there's one scruple with which I am much
Perplex'd, and troubl'd, which I know you can
Resolue me of.
Fran.
What is't?
Uitelli.
This sir, my Bride
Whom I first courted, and then wonne (not with
Loose layes, poore flatteries, apish complements,
But Sacred, and Religious zeall) yet wants
The holy badge that should proclaime her fit
For these Celestiall Nuptialls; vvilling she is,
I know, to weare it, as the choicest iewell
On her fayre forehead; but to you, that well
Could doe that vvorke of Grace, I know the Viceroy
Will neuer grant accesse. Now in a case
Of this necessity, I vvould gladly learne,
Whether in me a layman, vvithout orders,
It may not be religious, and lawfull
As vve goe to our deaths to doe that office?
Fran.
A question in it selfe, vvith much ease answer'd;
Midwiues vpon necessity performe it,
And Knights that in the Holy-Land fought for
The freedome of Hierusalem, vvhen full
Of sweat, and enemies blood, haue made their Helmets
The fount, out of vvhich vvith their holy hands
By the Holy Church, nor must I thinke it now
In you a vvorke lesse pious.
Vitel.
You confirme me,
I vvill find a way to doe it. In the meane time
Your holy vowes assist me.
Fran.
They shall euer
Be present vvith you.
Vitel.
You shall see me act
This last Scæne to the life.
Fran.
And though now fall,
Rise a bles'd Martyr.
Vitel.
That's my end, my all.
Exeunt.
Scæna Secunda.
Enter Grimaldi, Master, Boteswaine, Saylors.Botes.
Sir, if you slip this opportunity,
Neuer expect the like.
Mast.
With as much ease now
We may steale the ship out of the harbor, Captaine,
As euer Gallants in a vvanton brauery
Haue set vpon a drunken Constable,
And bore him from a sleepy ruggown'd vvatch:
Be therefore vvise.
Gri.
I must be honest too
And you shall weare that shape, you shall obserue me,
If that you purpose to continue mine,
Thinke you ingratitude can be the parent
To our vnfayn'd repentance? doe I owe
A peace vvithin heere, Kingdoms could not purchase,
To my religious creditor, to leaue him
Open to danger, the great benefit
Neuer remembred? no, though in her bottome.
We could stow vp the tribute of the Turke,
Be charitable, and forgiue him gentle daughter;
Hee's a chang'd man, and may redeeme his fault
In his faire life heereafter. You must beare too
Your forc'd captiuity (for tis no better,
Though you weare golden fetters) and of him,
Whom death affrights not, learne to hold out nobly.
Paul.
You are still the same good counsellor.
Fran.
And who knowes
(Since what aboue is purpos'd, is inscrutable)
But that the Viceroyes extreme dotage on you
May be the parent of a happier birth
Then yet our hopes dare fashion. Longer conference
May prooue vnsafe for you, and me, howeuer
Perhaps for triall he allowes you freedome.
deliuers a paper.
From this learne therefore what you must attempt,
Though with the hazarde of your selfe, heauen gard you,
And giue Vitelli patience, then I doubt not
But he will haue a glorious day since some
Hold truely, such as suffer, ouercome.
Exeunt.
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Asambeg, Mustapha, Aga, Capiaga.Asam.
What we commanded, see perform'd, and fayle not
In all things to be punctuall.
Aga.
We shall sir.
Exeunt Aga, Capiaga.
Must.
Tis strange that you should vse such circumstance
To a delinquent of so meane condition.
Asam.
Had he appear'd in a more sordid shape
Then disguis'd greatenes euer dain'd to maske in,
The gallant bearing of his present fortune
A loud proclaimes him noble.
Musta.
If you doubt him,
To be a man built vp for great imployments,
The Cities strength, or weakenesse, you by torture
May force him to discouer it.
Asam.
That were base;
Nor dare I doe such iniury to Vertue
And bold assured courage, neither can I
Be wonne to thinke, but if I should attempt it,
I shoote against the Moone. He that hath stood
The roughest battery, that captiuity
Could euer bring to shake a constant temper,
Despis'd the fawnings of a future greatnesse,
By beauty in her full perfection tender'd;
That heares of death as of a quiet slumber,
And from the surplusage of his owne firmenesse
Can spare enough of fortitude, to assure
A feeble woman; vvill now, Mustapha
Be alter'd in his soule for any torments
We can afflict his body vvith?
Musta.
Doe your pleasure,
I only offer'd you a friends aduice,
But vvithout gall, or enuy to the man
That is to suffer. But vvhat doe you determine
Of poore Grimaldi? the disgrace cal'd on him
I heere has ran him madde.
Asam.
There waigh the difference
In the true temper of their minds. The one,
A Pirat sould to mischiefes, rapes, and all
That make a slaue relentlesse, and obdurate;
Yet of himselfe vvanting the inward strengths
That should defend him, sinckes beneath compassion
Or pitty of a man; vvhere as this marchant,
Acquainted only vvith a ciuill life,
Arm'd in himselfe; intrench'd, and fortifide
With his owne vertue, valewing life and death,
At the same price, poorely does not inuite
A fauour, but commands vs doe him right,
Which vnto him, and her (we both once honour'd
Now sit wee equall hearers.
A dreadfull musicke, at one doore; The Aga, Ianizaries, Vitelli, Francisco, Gazet: at the other, Donusa, Paulina, Carazie, Manto.
Musta.
I shall heare
And see, sir, without passion, my wrongs arme me.
Vitel.
A ioyfull preparation! To whose bountie
Owe vvee our thankes for gracing thus our Himen?
The notes though dreadfull to the eare, sound heere
As our Epithalamium were sung
By a Cælestiall quire, and a full Chorus
Assurde vs future happinesse. These that leade me
Gaze not with wanton eyes vpon my bride,
Nor for their seruice are repayde by me
With iealousies, or feares; nor doe they enuy
My passage to those pleasures from which death
Cannot deterre me. Great sir pardon me;
Imagination of the ioyes I haste to,
Made me forget my duty, but the forme
And ceremony past, I will attend you,
And with our constant resolution feast you,
Not with course cates, forgot assoone as tasted,
But such as shall, while you haue memory,
Be pleasing to the palate.
Fran.
Bee not lost
In what you purpose.
Exit Francisco.
Gaz.
Call you this a marriage?
It differs little from hanging, I cry at it.
Uite.
See where my bride appeares! in what full luster?
As if the Virgins that beare vp her trayne,
Had long contended to receiue an honor
Aboue their births, in doing her this seruice.
Nor comes she fearefull to meete those delights,
Which once past ore, immortall pleasures follow.
I need not therefore comfort, or encourage
To her minds fortitude, should I but aske
How she can brooke the rough high going Sea,
Ouer whose foamie backe our shippe well rig'd
With hope and strong assurance must transport vs.
Nor will I tell her when we reach the Hauen
(Which tempests shall not hinder) what loud vvelcoms
Shall entertaine vs; nor commend the place,
To tell vvhose least perfection vvould strike dumbe
The eloquence of all boasted in story,
Though ioynd together.
Donu.
Tis enough my deerest;
I dare not doubt you, as your humble shadow
Leade vvhere you please, I follow.
Uitelli.
One suite sir,
And vvillingly I cease to be a begger,
And that you may vvith more security heare it,
Know tis not life Ile aske, nor to deferre
Our deaths, but a few minutes.
Asam.
Speake, tis granted.
Vitel.
We being now to take our latest leaue
And growne of one beleefe, I doe desire
I may haue your allowance to performe it
But in the fashion vvhich vve Christians vse
Vpon the like occasions.
Asam.
Tis allow'd of.
Uitel.
My seruice; haste Gazet to the next spring,
And bring me of it.
Gazet.
Would I could aswell
Fetch you a pardon, I vvould not run but flie,
And be heere in a moment.
Musta.
What's the mystery
Of this? discouer it?
Uitel.
Great sir, I'll tell you,
Each countrey hath it's owne peculiar rites,
Some vvhen they are to die drinke store of vvine,
Which powr'd in liberally does oft beget
The not to bee declined charge of death
With lesse feare, and astonishment; Others take
Drugs to procure a heauie sleepe, that so
They may insensibly receiue the meanes
That casts them in an euerlasting slumber;
Others—O welcome.
Enter Gazet with water.
Vitelli.
Now the vse of yours?
The cleerenesse of this is a perfit signe
Of innocence, and as this washes off
Staines, and pollutions from the things we vveare,
Throwne thus vpon the forehead, it hath power
To purge those spots that cleue vpon the minde,
(Throwes it on her face.
If thankfully receiu'd.
Asam.
Tis a strange custome!
Uitel.
How doe you entertaine it my Donusa?
Feele you no alteration? No new motiues?
No vnexpected ayds that may confirme you
In that to which you were inclinde before?
Donu.
I am an other woman, till this minute
I neuer liu'de, nor durst thinke how to dye.
How long haue I beene blinde? Yet on the suddaine,
By this blest meanes I feele the filmes of error
Tane from my soules eyes. O diuine Physitian,
That hast bestowde a sight on mee, which death,
Though readie to embrace me in his armes,
Cannot take from me. Let me kisse the hand
That did this miracle, and seale my thanks
Vpon those Lips from whence these sweet words vanishde
That freede me from the cruellest of prisons,
Blinde ignorance, and misbeliefe: false Prophet,
Impostor Mahomet.
Asam.
I'll heare no more;
You doe abuse my fauors, seuer 'em:
Wretch if thou hadst another life to loose,
This Blasphemie deseru'de it, instantly
Carry them to their deaths.
Wee part now, blest one,
To meet hereafter in a Kingdome, where
Hells malice shall not reach vs.
Paul.
Ha, ha, ha.
Asam.
What meanes my Mistres?
Paul.
Who can hold her spleene,
When such ridiculous follies are presented,
The Scene too made religion: O my Lord,
How from one cause two contrary effects
Spring vp vpon the suddaine.
Asam.
This is strange.
Paul.
That which hath foolde her in her death,
Winnes me, That hitherto haue barde my selfe from pleasure,
To liue in all delight.
Asam.
There's Musicke in this.
Paul.
I now will runn as fiercely to your armes
As euer longing woman did, borne high
On the swift wings of appetite.
Uitel.
O Diuell!
Paul.
Nay more, for there shall be no ods betwixt vs,
I will turne Turke.
Gazet.
Most of your tribe doe so
When they beginne in whore.
Aside.
Asam.
You are serious Ladie?
Paul.
Serious? but satisfie me in a suite
That to the world may witnesse that I haue
Some power vpon you, and to morrow challenge
What euer's in my guift, for I will bee
At your dispose.
Gazet.
That's euer the subscription
To a damn'd whores false Epistle.
(Aside
Asam.
Aske this hand,
Or if thou wilt, the heads of these. I am rapt
Beyond my selfe with ioy, speake, speake, what is it?
Paul.
But twelue short houres repriue for this base couple.
Asam.
The reason, since you hate them?
That I may
Haue time to triumph ore this vvretched vvoman:
I'll be my selfe her guardian. I will feast,
Adorned in her choice and richest Iewells,
Commit him to vvhat gards you please. Grant this,
I am no more mine owne, but yours.
Asam.
Enioy it;
Repine at it who dares: beare him safe off
To the blacke Tower, but giue him all things vsefull,
The contrary vvas not in your request.
Paul.
I doe contemne him.
Donu.
Peace in death deny'd me?
Paul.
Thou shalt not goe in liberty to thy graue,
For one night a Sultana is my slaue.
Musta.
A terrible little tyrannesse.
Asam.
No more;
Her vvill shall be a law. Till now nere happy.
Exeunt.
Scæna quarta.
Enter Francis. Grimal. Mast. Botesw. and Sayl.Grim.
Sir, all things are in readinesse, the Turkes
That seas'd vpon my Ship stow'd vnder hatches,
My men resolu'd, and cheerefull. Vse but meanes
To get out of the Ports, vve vvill be ready
To bring you aboard, and then (heauen be but pleas'd)
This for the Viceroyes fleete.
Fran.
Discharge your parts,
In mine I'll not be vvanting; feare not Master,
Something vvill come along to fraught your Barke,
That you vvill haue iust cause to say you neuer
Made such a Voyage.
Mast.
We will stand the hazard.
Fran.
What's the best hower?
After the second vvatch.
Fran.
Enough; each to his charge.
Grim.
We will be carefull.
Exeunt.
Scæna quinta.
Enter Paulina, Donusa, Carazie, Manto.Paul.
Sit Madam, it is fit that I attend you;
And pardon, I beseech you, my rude language,
To which the sooner you will be inuited,
When you shall vnderstand, no way was left me
To free you from a present execution,
But by my personating that, which neuer
My nature was acquainted with.
Donu.
I beleeue you.
Paul.
You will when you shall vnderstand, I may
Receiue the honour to be knowen vnto you
By a neerer name. And not to wracke you further,
The man you please to fauour is my brother,
No Marchant, Madam, but a Gentleman
Of the best ranke in Venice.
Donu.
I reioyce in't
But what's this to his freedome? for my selfe,
Were he well off, I were secure.
Paul.
I haue
A present meanes, not plotted by my selfe,
But a religious man, my confessor,
That may preserue all, if we had a seruant
Whose faith we might relie on.
Donu.
She that's now
Your slaue was once mine, had I twenty liues
I durst commit them to her trust.
Manto.
O Madam,
By any thing howeuer desperate
You please to impose vpon me.
Paul.
Troth these teares
I thinke cannot be counterfeit, I beleeue her,
And if you please vvill try her.
Donusa.
At your perill;
There is no further danger can looke towards me.
Paul.
This only then, canst thou vse meanes to carry
This bakemeate to Vitelli?
Manto.
With much ease,
I am familiar vvith the gard; beside,
It being knowne it vvas I that betrayde,
My entrance hardly vvill of them be question'd?
Paul.
About it then, say that it vvas sent to him
From his Donusa, bid him search the midst of't
He there shall finde a cordiall.
Manto,
What I doe
Shall speake my care and faith.
Exit Manto.
Donu.
Good fortune vvith thee.
Paul.
You cannot eate.
Donu.
The time vve thus abuse
We might imploy much better.
Paul.
I am glad
To heare this from you. As for you Carazie,
If your intents doe prosper, make choyce whither
You'l steale away with your two Mistresses
Or take your fortune.
Cara.
I'll be gelded twice first;
Hang him that stayes behind.
Paul.
I waite you Madame,
Were but my brother off, by the command
Of the doting Viceroy there's no garde dare stay me.
And I will safely bring you to the place
Where we must expect him.
Donu.
Heauen be gracious to vs.
Exeunt.
Scæna Sexta.
Enter Vitelli, Aga, and a Garde.Vitel.
Paulina to fall off thus? tis to mee
More terrible then death, and like an earthquake
Totters this walking building (such I am)
And in my suddaine ruine would preuent,
By choaking vp at once my vitall spirits,
This pompous preparation for my death.
But I am lost; that good man, good Francisco
Deliuered me a paper which till now
I wanted leasure to peruse.
reads the paper.
Aga.
This Christian
Feares not, it seemes, the neere approching Sun
Whose second rise He neuer must salute.
Enter Manto. with the Bak't-meat.
1. Gard.
Who's that?
2. Gard.
Stand.
Aga.
Manto.
Manto.
Heere's the Viceroyes ring
Giues warrant to my entrance, yet you may
Partake of any thing I shall deliuer;
Tis but a present to a dying man
Sent from the princesse that must suffer with him.
Aga.
Vse your owne freedome.
Manto.
I would not disturbe
This his last contemplation.
Uitel,
O tis well!
He has restor'd all, and I at peace againe
With my Paulina.
Manto.
Sir, the sad Donusa
Grieued for your sufferings, more then for her owne,
Knowing the long and tedious pilgrimage
You are to take, presents you with this cordiall,
And search the middle part, where you shall find
Something that hath the operation, to
Make death looke louely.
Vitelli.
I will not dispute
What she commands but serue it.
Exit Uitelli.
Aga.
Prethee Manto
How hath the vnfortunate Princes spent this night
Vnder her proud new mistresse?
Manto.
With such patience
As it orecomes the others insolence
Nay triumphs ore her pride. My much hast now
Commands me hence, but the sad Tragedy past,
Ile giue you satisfaction to the full
Of all hath pass'd, and a true character
Of the proud Christians nature.
Exit Manto.
Aga.
Breake the watch vp,
What should we feare in the midst of our owne strengths?
Tis but the Bashas iealousie. Farewell souldiers.
Exeunt.
Scæna Septima.
Enter Vitelli, With the bak't-meates, Aboue.Vitelli.
There's something more in this then meanes to cloy
A hungry appetite, which I must discouer.
Shee, will'd me search the midst. Thus, thus I pierce it:
Ha! what is this? a scrole bound vp in packthread?
What may the misterie be?
The Scrole.
Sonne, let downe this packethread, at the West window
of the Castle. By it you shall draw vp a Ladder of
ropes, by which you may descend, your deerest Donusa
with the rest of your friends, below attend you. Heauen
prosper you.
Francisco.
O best of men! he that giues vp himselfeA false deceiuing reede, but boldly builds
Vpon a rocke, which now with ioy I finde
In reuerend Francisco. Whose good vowes,
Labors, and watchings in my hopd-for freedome
Appeare a pious miracle. I come,
I come, good man, with confidence, though the descent
Were steepe as hell, I know I cannot slide
Beeing cal'd downe, by such a faithfull guide.
Exit Vitelli.
Scæna Vltima.
Asambeg, Mustapha, Ianizaries.Asam
Excuse me Mustapha, though this night to me
Appeare as tedious as that treble one
Was to the world, when Ioue on faire Alcmena
Begot Alcides. Were you to encounter
Those rauishing pleasures, which the slow pac'd howres
(To me they are such) bar me from, you would
With your continued wishes striue to impe
New feathers to the broken wings of Time
And chide the amorous Sun, for too long dalliance
In Thetis watry bosome.
Musta.
You are to violent
In your desires, of which you are yet vncertaine
Hauing no more assurance to enioy 'em
Then a weake womans promise, on vvhich vvisemen
Faintely relye.
Asam.
Tush she is made of truth
And vvhat she says she vvill doe, holds as firme.
The chamber shot off.
As laws in brasse that know no change, what's this?
Some new prize broght in sure. Why are thy looks
So ghastly. Villaine speake.
Enter Aga.
Aga.
Great sir heare me
The false Grimaldi suncke in your disgrace
With his confederates, haue seas'd his ship
And those that garded it stow'd vnder hatches
With him the condemn'd Princesse, and the Marchant
That vvith a ladder made of ropes descended
From the blacke Tower in which he was inclos'd,
And your fayre mistresse,
Asam.
Ha!
Aga.
With all their trayne
And choysest iewels are gone safe aboard,
Their sayles spread forth and with a fore-gale
Leauing our cost, in scorne of all pursuite
As a farewell they shew'd a broad side to vs.
Asam.
No more.
Musta.
Now note your confidence.
Asam.
No more.
O my credulity! I am too full
Of griefe, and rage to speake. Dull, heauy foole
Worthy of all the tortures that the frowne
Of thy incensed Master can throw on thee
Without one mans compassion, I will hide
This head among the desarts, or some caue
Fil'd with my shame and me, where I alone
May dye without a partner in my mone.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
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