 | The Great Dvke of Florence |  |
Actus tertij
Scæna prima.
Sanazarro. Servant.Sanaz.
Leave the horses with my Groomes; but be you carefull
With your best diligence, and speed to finde out
The Prince, and humbly in my name entreat him
I may exchange some private conference with him
Before the great Duke know of my arrivall.
Servant.
I hast my Lord.
Sanazarro.
Here I'll attend his comming,
And see you keepe your selfe as much as may be
Conceal'd from all men else.
Servant.
To serve your Lordship
I wish I were invisible.
Exit servant.
Sanazarro.
I am driven
Into a desperate streight, and cannot steere
A middle course; and of the two extreames
Which I must make election of, I know not
Which is more full of horror. Never servant
Stood more ingag'd to a magnificent Master
Then I to Cozimo. And all those honors
And glories by his Grace conferr'd upon me,
Or by my prosperous services deserv'd,
If now I should deceive his trust, and make
A shipwrack of my loyalty, are ruin'd.
And on the other side, if I discover
Lidias divine perfections, all my hopes
In her are sunke, never to be boy'd up:
For 'tis impossible, but assoone as seene
She must with adoration be su'd to.
A Hermit at his beades, but looking on her,
Or the cold Cinique, whom Corinthian Lais,
Not mov'd with her lusts blandishments, call'd a stone,
At this object would take fire. Nor is the Duke
Such an Hippolitus, but that this Phædra
But seene, must force him to forsake the Groves
And Dians Huntmanship, proud to serve under
For me to hope fruition of my ends,
But to conceale her beauties; and how that
May be effected, is as hard a taske
As with a vayle to cover the Sunnes beames,
Or comfortable light. Three yeares the Prince
Liv'd in her company, and Contarino
The Secretary, hath possess'd the Duke
What a rare peece she is. But he's my creature,
And may with ease be frighted to denie
What he hath said. And if my long experience
With some strong reasons I have thought upon,
Cannot o're-reach a youth, my practise yeelds me
But little profit.
Enter Giovanni and the servant.
Giovanni.
You are well return'd Sir.
Sanaz.
Leave us. When that your Grace shall know the motives
That forc'd me to invite you to this trouble,
You will excuse my manners.
Exit servant.
Giovanni.
Sir, there needs not
This circumstance betweene us. You are ever
My noble friend.
Sanazarro.
You shall have further cause
To assure you of my faith and zeale to serve you.
And when I have committed to your trust
(Presuming still on your retentive silence)
A secret of no lesse importance, then
My honor, nay my head, it will confirme
What value you hold with me.
Giovanni.
Pray you beleeve Sir
What you deliver to me, shall be lock'd up
In a strong Cabinet; of which you your selfe
Shall keepe the key. For here I pawne my Honor
(Which is the best security I can give yet)
It shall not be discover'd.
Sanazarro.
This assurance
Is more then I with modesty could demand
From such a paymaster, but I must be suddaine,
And therefore to the purpose. Can your Excellence
On what designe, or whither the Dukes will
Commanded me hence last night?
Giovanni.
No I assure you,
And it had beene a rudenesse to enquire
Of that I was not call'd to.
Sanazarro.
Grant me hearing,
And I will make you truly understand,
It onely did concerne you.
Giovanni.
Me my Lord?
Sanazar.
You in your present state, and future fortunes,
For both lye at the stake?
Giovanni.
You much amaze me.
Pray you resolve this riddle.
Sanazarro.
You know the Duke,
If he die issue-lesse (as yet he is)
Determines you his Heire.
Giovanni.
It hath pleas'd his Highnesse
Oft to professe so much.
Sanazarro.
But say, he should
Be woone to prove a second wife, on whom
He may beget a sonne, how in a moment
Will all those glorious expectations, which
Render you reverenc'd and remarkable,
Be in a moment blasted, how e're you are
His much lov'd sisters sonne?
Giovanni.
I must beare it
With patience, and in me it is a duty
That I was borne with: and 'twere much unfit
For the receiver of a benefit
To offer for his owne ends, to prescribe
Lawes to the givers pleasure.
Sanazarro.
Sweetly answer'd,
And like your noble selfe. This your rare temper
So winnes upon me, that I would not live
(If that by honest Arts I can prevent it)
To see your hopes made frustrate. And but think
How you shall be transform'd from what you are,
It must disturbe your peace. For whereas now,
Being as you are receiv'd for the Heire apparant,
You are no sooner seene, but wondred at;
The Signiors making it a businesse to
Enquire how you have slep'd; and as you walke
The streetes of Florence, the glad multitude
In throngs presse but to see you, and with joy
The Father, pointing with his finger, tells
His sonne, This is the Prince, the hopefull Prince,
That must hereafter rule, and you obey him.
Great Ladies begge your picture, and make love
To that, despairing to enjoy the substance.
And but the last night, when 'twas onely rumor'd
That you were come to Court (as if you had
By Sea past hither from another world)
What generall showts, and acclamations follow'd,
The bells rung lowd, the boonfires blaz'd, and such
As lov'd not wine, carrowsing to your health,
Were drunk, and blush'd not at it. And is this
A happinesse to part with?
Giovanni.
I allow these
As flourishes of Fortune, with which Princes
Are often sooth'd, but never yet esteem'd 'em
For reall blessings.
Sanazarro.
Yet all these were pay'd
To what you may be, not to what you are,
For if the great Duke but shew to his servants
A sonne of his owne, you shall like one obscure
Passe unregarded.
Giovanni.
I confesse, command
Is not to be contemn'd, and if my Fate
Appoint me to it, as I may I'll beare it
With willing shoulders. But my Lord as yet
You have tolde me of a danger comming towards me,
But have not nam'd it.
Sanazarro.
That is soone deliver'd;
Great Cozimo your Uncle, as I more
That does perswade my judgment to beleeve it,
Purposes to be married.
Giovanni.
Married, Sir?
With whom, and on what termes, pray you instruct me?
Sanazarro.
With the faire Lidia.
Giovanni.
Lidia?
Sanazarro.
The daughter
Of Signior Charomonte.
Giovanni.
Pardon me
Though I appeare incredulous, for on
My knowledge he ne're saw her.
Sanazarro.
That is granted;
But Contarino hath so sung her praises,
And giv'n her out for such a master-peece,
That he's transported with it Sir. And love
Steales sometimes through the eare into the heart
As well as by the eye. The Duke no sooner
Heard her describ'd, but I was sent in post
To see her, and returne my judgement of her.
Giovanni.
And what's your censure?
Sanazar.
'Tis a pretie creature.
Giovanni.
She's very faire.
Sanazar.
Yes, yes, I have seene worse faces.
Giovanni.
Her limbs are neatly form'd.
Sanazar.
She hath a waste
Indeede siz'd to loves wish.
Giovanni.
A delicate hand too.
Sanazar.
Then for a legge and foote.
Giovanni.
And there I leave you,
For I presum'd no further.
Sanazar.
As she is Sir
I know she wants no gracious part that may
Allure the Duke, and if he onely see her
She is his owne. He will not be deni'd,
And then you are lost. Yet if you'll second me
(As you haue reason, for it most concernes you)
I can prevent all yet.
I would you could
A noble way.
Sanazar.
I will cry downe her beauties;
Especially the beauties of her minde,
As much as Contarino hath advanc'd 'em,
And this I hope, will breed forgetfulnesse,
And kill affection in him: but you must
Joyne with me in my report, if you be question'd.
Giovan.
I never told a lye yet, and I hold it
In some degree blasphemous to dispraise
What's worthy admiration. Yet for once
I will dispraise a little, and not varie
From your relation.
Sanazar.
Be constant in it.
Enter Alphonso.
Alph.
My Lord, the Duke hath seen your man, & wonders
You come not to him. See if his desire
To have cōference with you hath not brought
Ent. Cozimo, Contarino and Attendants.
Him hither in his owne person.
Cozimo.
They are comely coursers,
And promise swiftnesse.
Contarino.
They are of my knowledge
Of the best race in Naples.
Cozimo.
You are Nephew,
As I heare, an excellent horseman, and we like it.
'Tis a faire grace in a Prince. Pray you make triall
Of their strength and speed, and if you think them fit
For your imployment, with a liberall hand
Reward the Gentleman, that did present 'em
From the Viceroy of Naples.
Exeunt Giovanni, Alphonso, Hippolito.
Giovanni.
I will use
My best endevour Sir.
Cozimo.
Wayte on my Nephew.
Nay stay you Contarino, be within call,
It may be we shal use you. You have rode hard Sir,
And we thank you for it. Every minute seemes
Irksome, and tedious to us; till you have
Made your discovery. Say friend, have you seene
This Phænix of our age?
Sanazar.
I have seene a Mayde Sir,
As she was deliver'd to you.
Cozimo.
This is strange.
Sanazar.
But certaine truth, it may be she was look'd on
With admiration in the Country Sir,
But if compar'd with many in your Court,
She would appeare but ordinary.
Cozimo.
Contarino
Reports her otherwise.
Sanazar.
Such as ne're saw Swannes,
May think Crowes beautifull.
Cozimo.
How is her behaviour?
Sanazar.
'Tis like the place she lives in.
Cozimo.
How her wit,
Discourse, and entertainment?
Sanazar.
Very course,
I would not willingly say poore, and rude,
But had she all the beauties of faire women,
The dulnesse of her soule would fright me from her.
Coz.
You are curious Sir, I know not what to think on't.
Contarino!
Contarino.
Sir.
Cozimo.
Where was thy judgement man
To extoll a virgin, Sanazarro tells me
Is neerer to deformity.
Sanazarro.
I saw her,
And curiously perus'd her, and I wonder
That she that did appeare to me, that know
What beauty is, not worthy the observing,
Should so transport you.
Contarino.
Troth my Lord I thought then.
Cozimo.
Thought? Didst thou not affirme it?
Contarino.
I confesse Sir
I did beleeve so then, but now I heare
My Lords opinion to the contrary,
I am of another faith: for 'tis not fit
That I should contradict him. I am dimme Sir,
But he's sharpe sighted.
This is to my wish.
Cozi.
We know not what to think of this, yet would not
Determine rashly of it. How doe you like
Enter Giovanni, Hippo. Lodovico.
My Nephewes horsemanship?
Hippolito.
In my judgement Sir
It is exact and rare.
Alphonso.
And to my fancie
He did present great Alexander mounted
On his Bucephalus.
Cozimo.
You are right Courtiers,
And know it is your duty to cry up
All actions of a Prince.
Sanazarro.
Doe not betray
Aside to Giovanni.
Your selfe, you are safe, I have done my part.
Giovanni.
I thanke you,
Nor will I faile.
Cozimo.
What's your opinion Nephew
Of the horses?
Giovanni.
Two of them are in my judgement
The best I ever back'd. I meane the roane Sir,
And the browne bay: but for the chesnut colour'd,
Though he be full of mettall, hot, and fierie,
He treads weake in his pasternes.
Cozimo.
So, come neerer;
This exercise hath put you into a sweat,
Take this and dry it: and now I command you
To tell me truly what's your censure of
Charomontes daughter Lidia.
Giovanni.
I am Sir
A novice in my judgement of a Lady,
But such as it is, your Grace shall heare it freely.
I would not speake ill of her, and am sorie
If I keepe my selfe a friend to truth, I cannot
Report her as I would; so much I owe
Her reverend Father. But I'll give you Sir
As neere as I can her character in little.
She's of a goodly stature, and her limbs
Not disproportion'd; for her face it is
That style it excellent: her manners are
Simple and innocent: but her discourse
And wit deserve my pittie, more then praise.
At her best my Lord, she is a hansome picture,
And that said, all is spoken.
Cozimo.
I beleeve you
I ne're yet found you false.
Giovanni.
Nor ever shall Sir.
Forgive me matchlesse Lidia I too much love
Aside.
And jealous feare to lose thee, doe compell me
Against my will, my reason, and my knowledge
To be a poore ditracter of that beauty,
Which fluent Ovid, if he liv'd againe,
Would want words to expresse.
Cozimo.
Pray you make choyce of
The richest of our furniture for those horses.
To Sanazarro.
And take my Nephew with you, we in this
Will follow his directions.
Giovanni.
Could I finde now
The Princesse Fiorinda, and perswade her
To be silent in the suit, that I mov'd to her
All were secure.
Sanazarro.
In that my Lord I'll ayde you.
Coz.
We wil be private, leave us. All my studies
Exeunt omnes.
And serious meditations ayme no further
Then this young mans good. He was my sisters son,
And she was such a sister when she liv'd
I could not prize too much, nor can I better
Make knowne how deere I hold her memory,
Then in my cherishing the onely issue
Which she hath left behind her Who's that?
Ent. Fiorinda.
Fiorinda.
Sir.
Cozimo.
My faire charge, you are welcome to us.
Fiorinda.
I have found it Sir.
Cozimo.
All things goe well in Urbin.
Fiorinda.
Your gracious care to me an Orphan, frees me
From all suspition, that my jealous feares can drive into my fancie.
The next Summer
In our owne person, we will bring you thither,
And seat you in your owne.
Fiorinda.
When you think fit Sir.
But in the mean time, with your Highnesse pardon,
I am a suitor to you.
Cozimo.
Name it Madame,
With confidence to obtaine it.
Fiorinda.
That you would please
To lay a strict command on Charomonte,
To bring his daughter Lidia to the Court,
And pray you think Sir that 'tis not my purpose
To imploy her as a servant, but to use her
As a most wish'd companion.
Cozimo.
Ha. Your reason?
Fiorin.
The hopefull Prince your Nephew Sir hath given her
To me for such an abstract of perfection,
In all that can be wish'd for in a virgin,
As beauty, musique, ravishing discourse,
Quicknesse of apprehension, with choyce manners
And learning to, not usuall with women;
That I am much ambitious (though I shall
Appeare but as a foyle to set her off)
To be from her instructed, and suppli'd
In what I am defective.
Cozimo.
Did my Nephew
Seriously deliver this?
Fiorinda.
I assure your Grace
With zeale, and vehemencie, and even when
With his best words he striv'd to set her forth
(Though the rare subject made him eloquent)
He would complaine, all he could say came short
Of her deservings.
Cozimo.
Pray you have patience.
This was strangely caried. Ha! are we trifled with?
Dare they doe this? is Cozimos furie, that
Of late was terrible, growne contemptible?
Well; we will cleare our browes, and undermine
And crush 'em with the tempest of my wrath
When I appeare most calme. He is unfit
To command others, that knowes not to use it,
And with all rigour, yet my sterne lookes shall not
Discover my intents, for I will strike
When I begin to frowne. You are the Mistresse
Of that you did demand.
Fiorinda.
I thank your Highnesse,
But speed in the performance of the grant
Doubles the favours Sir.
Cozimo.
You shall possesse it sooner then you expect,
Onely be pleas'd to be ready when my Secretary
Waites upon you, to take the fresh ayre. My Nephew!
And my bosome friend so to cheat me, 'tis not faire!
Enter Giovanni, Sanazarro.
San.
Where should this Princesse be? nor in her lodgings,
Nor in the private walks, Her owne retreat
Which she so much frequented?
Giovanni.
By my life
She's with the Duke. And I much more then feare
Her forwardnesse to prefer my suit, hath ruin'd
What with such care we built up.
Cozimo.
Have you furnish'd
Those Coursers, as we will'd you?
Sanazarro.
There's no signe
Of anger in his lookes.
Giovanni.
They are compleat Sir.
Cozimo.
'Tis well. To your rest. Soft sleepes wayt on you Madame.
To morrow with the rising of the Sunne
Be ready to ride with us. They with more safety
Had trod on fork-tongu'd Adders, thē provok'd me.
Ex. Coz.
Fiorinda.
I come not to be thank'd Sir for the speedy
Performance of my promise touching Lidia,
It is effected.
Sanazarro.
We are undone.
Fiorinda.
The Duke
No sooner heard me with my best of language
But he confirm'd it. You looke sad, as if
You wish'd it were undone.
Giovanni.
No gracious Madame,
I am your servant for't.
Fiorinda.
Be you as carefull
For what I mov'd to you. Count Sanazarro,
Now I perceive you honour me, in vouchsafing
To weare so sleight a favour.
Sanazarro.
'Tis a grace
I am unworthy of.
Fiorinda.
You merit more
In prizing so a trifle. Take this Diamond,
I'll second what I have begun. For know
Your valour hath so woone upon me, that
'Tis not to be resisted. I have said Sir,
And leave you to interpret it.
Exit Fiorinda.
Sanazarro.
This to me
Is Wormewood. 'Tis apparant we are taken
In our owne nooze. What's to be done?
Giovanni.
I know not.
And 'tis a punishment justly falne upon me
For leaving truth, a constant Mistresse, that
Ever protects her servants, to become
A slave to lyes, and falshood. What excuse
Can we make to the Duke? what mercy hope for,
Our packing being laid open?
Sanazarro.
'Tis not to
Be question'd, but his purpos'd journey is
To see faire Lidia.
Giovanni.
And to divert him
Impossible.
Sanazarro.
There's now no looking backward.
Giovanni.
And which way to goe on with safety not
To be imagin'd.
Sanazarro.
Give me leave. I have
An Embrion in my braine, which, I despaire not,
May be brought to forme and fashion, provided
Giovanni.
'Tis no time now
Our dangers being equall, to conceale
A thought from you.
Sanazar.
What power hold you o're Lidia?
Doe you think that with some hazard of her life
She would prevent your ruine?
Giovanni.
I presume so.
If in the undertaking it, she stray not
From what becomes her innocence, and to that
'Tis farre from me to presse her, I my selfe
Will rather suffer.
Sanazarro.
'Tis enough, this night
Write to her by your servant Calandrino
As I shall give directions, my man
Enter Caland.
Shall beare him company. See Sir to my wish
He does appeare, but much transform'd from what
He was when he came hither.
Calandrino.
I confesse
I am not very wise, and yet I finde
A foole, so he be parcell knave in Court,
May flourish and grow rich.
Giovanni.
Calandrino.
Calandrino.
Peace.
I am in contemplation.
Giovanni.
Doe not you know me?
Caland.
I tell thee? no, on forfeit of my place,
I must not know my selfe, much lesse my Father,
But by Petition. That Petition lin'd too
With golden birds, that sing to the tune of Profit,
Or I am deafe.
Giovan.
But you have your sense of feeling.
Offering to kick him.
Sanazar.
Nay pray you forbeare.
Calandri.
I have all that's requisite
To the making up of a Signior. My spruce ruffe,
My hooded cloake, long stockin, and pain'd hose,
My Case of tooth-picks, and my silver forke,
To convey an Olive neatly to my mouth,
A golden peale. O that the Pesants in the Country
(My quondam fellowes) but saw me as I am,
How they would admire and worship me!
Giovan.
As they shall,
For instantly you must thither.
Calandri.
My grand Signior
Vouchsafe a bezolus manus, and a cringe
Of the last edition.
Giovan.
You must ride post with Letters
This night to Lidia.
Calandr.
And it please your Grace
Shall I use my Coach, or foot-cloath Mule?
Sanazar.
You Whidgin,
You are to make all speed, think not of pompe.
Giovan.
Follow for your instructions Sirra.
Calandr.
I have one suit to you
My good Lord.
Sanazar.
What is't?
Calandr.
That you would give me
A subtill Court charme, to defend me from
Th'infectious ayre of the Country.
Giovan.
What's the reason?
Caland.
Why, as this Court ayre taught me knavish wit,
By which I am growne rich, if that againe
Should turne me foole and honest; Vaine hopes farewell,
For I must die a beggar.
Sanazar.
Goe too Sirrha,
You'll be whip'd for this.
Giovan.
Leave fooling, and attend us.
Exeunt.
The end of the third Act.
| The Great Dvke of Florence | |