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Scæna tertia.
Sanazarro solus.Sanazarro.
I cannot apprehend, yet I have argu'd
All wayes I can imagine, for what reasons
The great Duke does imploy me hither, and
What does encrease the miracle, I must render
A strict and true account, at my returne
Of Lidia this Lords daughter, and describe
In what she's excellent, and where defective.
'Tis a hard task; he that will undergoe
To make a judgement of a womans beauty,
And see through all her plaistrings, and paintings,
Had neede of Linceus eyes, and with more ease
May looke like him through nine mud walls, then make
A true discovery of her. But th'intents
And secrets of my Princes heart must be
Serv'd and not search'd into.
Enter Carolo Charomonte.
Carolo.
Most noble Sir
Excuse my age subject to ease, and Sloath,
That with no greaver speed I have presented
My service with your welcome.
'Tis more fit
That I should aske your pardon for disturbing
Your rest at this unseasonable houre.
But my occasions carrying me so neere
Your hospitable house, my stay being short to;
Your goodnesse, and the name of friend, which you
Are pleas'd to grace me with, gave me assurance
A Visit would not offend.
Carolo.
Offend my Lord?
I feele my selfe much younger for the favour.
How is it with our gracious Master?
Sanazarro.
He Sir
Holds still his wonted Greatnesse, and confesses
Himselfe your debtor, for your love, and care
To the Prince Giovanni, and had sent
Particular thanks by me, had his Grace knowne,
The quick dispatch of what I was design'd to
Would have licenc'd me to see you.
Carolo.
I am rich
In his acknowledgement.
Sanazarro.
Sir, I have heard
Your happinesse in a daughter.
Carolo.
Sits the winde there?
Sanazarro.
Fame gives her out for a rare master-peece.
Carolo.
'Tis a plaine Village Girle Sir, but obedient,
That's her best beauty Sir.
Sanazarro.
Let my desire
To see her, finde a faire construction from you,
I bring no loose thought with me.
Carolo.
You are that way
My Lord free from suspition. Her owne manners
(Without an imposition from me)
Enter Lidia and Petronella.
I hope will prompt her to it. As she is
She's come to make a tender of that service
Which she stands bound to pay.
Sanazarro.
With your faire leave
I make bold to salute you.
Lidia.
Sir, I, you have it.
I am her Gentlewoman, wil he not kisse me to?
This is course ifaith.
Carolo.
How he falls off!
Lidia.
My Lord, though silence best becomes a Mayde,
And to be curious to know but what concernes my selfe, and with becomming distance,
May argue me of boldnesse, I must borrow
So much of modesty as to enquire Prince Giovannies health?
Sanazar.
Hee cannot want, what you are pleas'd to wish him.
Lidia.
Would 'twere so,
And then there is no blessing that can make
A hopefull and a noble Prince compleat,
But should fall on him. O, he was our North star,
The light and pleasure of our eyes.
Sanazarro.
Where am I?
I feele my selfe another thing! Can charmes
Be writ on such pure Rubies? Her lips melt
Assoone as touch'd! not those smooth gales that glide
O're happy Arabie, or rich Sabæa,
Creating in their passage gummes and spices,
Can serve for a weake simile to expresse
The sweetnesse of her breath. Such a brave stature
Homer bestow'd on Pallas, every limbe
Proportion'd to it.
Carolo.
This is strange; my Lord.
Sanaza.
I crave your pardon, and yours, matchlesse Mayd,
For such I must report you.
Petronella.
There's no notice
Taken all this while of me.
Sanazarro.
And I must adde
If your discourse and reason parallel
The rarenesse of your more then humane forme,
You are a wonder.
Carolo.
Pray you my Lord make triall:
She can speak I can assure you, and that my presence
May not take from her freedome, I will leave you.
For know my Lord, my confidence dares trust her
Where, and with whom she pleases. If he be
A better match; and for false play I know
The tricks, and can discerne them. Petronella!
Petronella.
Yes my good Lord.
Carolo.
I have imployment for you.
Exeunt Carolo and Petronella.
Lidia.
What's your will Sir?
Sanazarro.
Madame, you are so large a theame to treat of,
And every Grace about you offers to me
Such copiousnesse of language, that I stand
Doubtfull which first to touch at. If I erre,
As in my choyce I may, let me entreat you
Before I doe offend, to signe my pardon,
Let this the Emblem of your innocence
Give me assurance.
Lidia.
My hand joyn'd to yours
Without this superstition confirmes it.
Nor neede I feare you will dwell long upon me,
The barrennesse of the subject yeelding nothing
That Rhetorick with all her tropes and figures
Can amplifie. Yet since you are resolv'd
To prove your selfe a Courtier in my praise,
As I am a woman (and you men affirme
Our sex loves to be flatter'd) I'll endure it.
Carolo above.
Now when you please begin.
Turnes from her.
Sanazarro.
Such Lædas paps were,
Down pillowes styl'd by Jove. And their pure whitenesse
Shames the Swans Down, or snow. No heat of lust
Swells up her Azure veines. And yet I feele
That this chast Ice but touch'd fans fire in me.
Lidia.
You neede not noble Sir be thus transported,
Or trouble your invention to expresse
Your thought of me: the plainest phrase and language
That you can use, will be too high a straine
For such an humble Theme.
Sanazarro.
If the great Duke
Made this his end to try my constant temper,
Though I am vanquish'd, 'tis his fault, not mine.
For I am flesh and blood, and have affections
Or holy Altars, but the Objects worke
Devotion in him? And I may as well
Walke over burning iron with bare feet
And be unscorch'd, as looke upon this beauty
Without desire, and that desire pursu'd to,
Till it be quench'd with the enjoying those
Delights, which to atchieve danger is nothing,
And loyalty but a word.
Lidia.
I ne're was proud,
Nor can finde I am guilty of a thought
Deserving this neglect, and strangenesse from you,
Nor am I amorous.
Sanazarro.
Suppose his Greatnesse
Loves her himselfe, why makes he choyce of me
To be his agent? it is tyrannie
To call one pinch'd with hunger to a feast,
And at that instant cruelly deny him
To taste of what he sees. Alleageance
Tempted too farre, is like the triall of
A good sword on an Anvill; as that often
Flies in peeces without service to the owner;
So trust enforc'd too farre prooves treachery,
And is too late repented.
Lidia.
Pray you Sir,
Or licence me to leave you, or deliver
The reasons which invite you to command
My tedious wayting on you.
Carolo.
As I live
I know not what to think on't. Is't his pride,
Or his simplicity?
Sanazarro.
Whither have my thoughts
Carried me from my selfe? in this my dulnesse,
I have lost an oportunity.
He turnes to her.
Lidia.
'Tis true,
She falls off.
I was not bred in Court, not live a starre there,
Nor shine in rich embroderies, and pearle,
As they that are the Mistresses of great fortunes,
Sanazarro.
Will you vouchsafe
Your eare sweet Lady?
Lidia.
Yet I may be bold
For my integrity, and fame, to ranke
With such as are more glorious. Though I never
Did injurie, yet I am sensible
When I am contemn'd, and scorn'd.
Sanazarro.
Will you please to heare me?
Lidia.
O the difference of natures. Giovanni,
A Prince in expectation, when he liv'd here,
Stole courtesie from heaven, and would not to
The meanest servant in my Fathers house
Have kept such distance.
Sanazarro.
Pray you doe not think me
Unworthy of your eare, it was your beauty
That turn'd me statue, I can speake, faire Lady.
Lidia.
And I can heare. The harshnesse of your Courtship
Cannot corrupt my curtesie.
Sanazarro.
Will you heare me
If I speake of love?
Lidia.
Provided you be modest,
I were uncivill else.
Carolo descends.
Carolo.
They are come to parlee,
I must observe this neerer.
Sanazarro.
You are a rare one,
And such (but that my hast commands me hence)
I could converse with ever. Will you grace me
VVith leave to visit you againe.
Lidia.
So you
At your returne to Court, doe me the favour
To make a tender of my humble service
To the Prince Giovanni.
Sanazarro.
Ever touching
Upon that string? And will you give me hope
Of future happinesse?
Lidia.
That, as I shall finde you.
The Fort that's yeelded at the first assault,
Enter Carolo.
Carolo.
O, they are at it.
Sanazar.
She is a Magazine of all perfection,
And 'tis death to part from her, yet I must,
A parting kisse faire Maid.
Lidia.
That custome grants you.
Carolo.
A homely breakfast does attend your Lordship.
Such as the place affords.
Sanazarro.
No, I have feasted
Already here, my thanks, and so I leave you,
I will see you againe. Till this unhappy houre
I was never lost, and what to doe or say
I have not yet determin'd,
Exit Sanazarro.
Carolo.
Gone so abruptly?
'Tis very strange.
Lidia.
Under your favour Sir,
His comming hither was to little purpose
For any thing I heard from him.
Carolo.
Take heede Lidia!
I doe advise you with a Fathers love,
And tendernesse of your honour: as I would not
Have you course and harsh in giving entertainment,
So by no meanes be credulous. For great men
Till they have gain'd their ends are Giants in
Their promises, but those obtain'd, weake Pigmies
In their performance. And it is a maxime
Alow'd among them, so they may deceive
They may sweare any thing; for the Queen of love
As they hold constantly, does never punish,
But smile at Lovers perjuries. Yet be wise too,
And when you are su'd to in a noble way,
Be neither nice, nor scrupulous.
Lidia.
All you speake Sir
I heare as Oracles, nor will digresse
From your directions.
Carolo.
So shall you keepe
Your fame untainted.
Lidia.
As I would my life Sir.
Exeunt.
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