 | The Great Dvke of Florence |  |
Actus primi
Scena prima.
Carolo Charomonte. Contarino.Carolo.
You bring your welcome with you.
Contarino.
Sir, I finde it
In every circumstance.
Carolo.
Againe most welcome.
Yet give me leave to wish (and pray you excuse mee)
For I must use the freedome I was borne with)
The great Dukes pleasure had commanded you
To my poore house upon some other service,
Not this you are designde to; but his will
Must be obeyde, how ere it ravish from me
The happy conversation of one
As deere to me as the old Romans held
Their houshold Lars, whom they beleev'd had power
To blesse and guard their Families.
Contarino.
'Tis receiv'd so:
On my part Signior; nor can the Duke
But promise to himselfe as much as may
Be hop'd for from a Nephew. And t'were weaknesse
In any man to doubt, that Giovanni
Train'd up by your experience and care
In all those Arts peculiar, and proper
To future Greatnesse, of necessity
Must in his actions being growne a man
Make good the Princely education
Which Hee deriv'd from you.
Carolo.
I have discharg'd,
To the utmost of my power, the trust the Duke
Committed to me, and with joy perceive
Upon the barren sands, but fruitfull glebe,
Which yeelds a large encrease; my noble Charge,
By his sharp wit, and pregnant apprehension
Instructing those that teach him; making use
Not in a vulgar and pedantique forme
Of what's read to him, but 'tis streight digested
And truly made his owne. His grave discourse,
In one no more indebted unto yeares,
Amazes such as heare him; horsmanship
And skill to use his weapon are by practise
Familiar to him; as for Knowledge in
Musique, He needs it not, it being borne with him,
All that He speaks being with such grace deliver'd
That it makes perfit harmony.
Contarino.
You describe
A wonder to me.
Carolo.
Sir, he is no lesse,
And that there may be nothing wanting that
May render him compleat, the sweetnesse of
His disposition so winnes on all
Appointed to attend him, that they are
Rivalls ev'n in the coursest office, who
Shall get præcedencie to doe him service:
Which they esteeme a greater happinesse
Then if they had been fashion'd, and built up
To hold command o're others.
Contarino.
And what place
Does he now blesse with his presence?
Carolo.
He is now
Running at the ring, at which he's excellent.
He does alott for every exercise
A severall houre, for Sloath the Nurse of vices
And rust of action, is a stranger to him.
But I feare I am tedious, let us passe
If you please to some other subject, though I cannot
Deliver him as he deserves.
Contarino.
You have giv'n him.
Carolo.
And how I pray you
(For we that never looke beyond our villa's
Must be inquisitive) are State affaires
Carried in Court?
Contarino.
There's little alteration.
Some rise, and others fall; as it stands with
The pleasure of the Duke, their great disposer.
Carolo.
Does Lodovico Sanazarro hold
Waight, and grace with him?
Contarino.
Every day new honours
Are showr'd upon him, and without the envie
Of such as are good men. Since all confesse
The service done our Master in his warres
'Gainst Pisa, and Sienna, may with justice
Claime what's conferr'd upon him.
Carolo.
'Tis said nobly.
For Princes never more make knowne their wisdome
Then when they cherish goodnesse, where they finde it,
They being men, and not Gods, Contarino;
They can give wealth and titles, but no vertues;
That is without their power. When they advance
(Not out of judgement, but deceiving fancie)
An undeserving man, how ere set of
With all the trim of greatnesse, state, and power,
And of a creature ev'n growne terrible
To him from whom he tooke his Gyant forme,
This thing is still a Comet, no true starre;
And when the bounties feeding his false fire
Begin to faile, will of it selfe goe out,
And what was dreadfull, prooves ridiculous.
But in our Sanazarro 'tis not so.
He being pure and tride gold, and any stamp
Of grace to make him currant to the world
The Duke is pleas'd to give him, will adde honor
To the great bestower, for he though allow'd
Companion to his Master, still preserves
His Majestie in full lustre.
Hee indeede
At no part does take from it, but becomes
A partner of his cares, and eases him,
With willing shoulders, of a burthen, which
Hee should alone sustaine.
Carolo.
Is Hee yet married?
Contarino.
No Signior, still a Batchelor, how e're
It is apparent, that the choycest Virgin
For beauty, bravery, and wealth in Florence,
Would with her Parents glad consent, be woon
(Were his affection, and intent but knowne)
To be at his devotion.
Carolo.
So I think too.
Enter Giovanni & Calandrino.
But break we off. Here comes my Princely charge.
Make your approaches boldly, you will finde
A courteous entertainment.
Giovanni.
Pray you forbeare
My hand, good Signior. Tis a ceremony
Not due to me. 'Tis fit we should embrace
With mutuall armes.
Contarino.
It is a favour Sir
I grieve to be denide.
Giovanni.
You shall o're-come.
But tis your pleasure, not my pride that grants it.
Nay pray you Guardian, and good Sir, put on:
How ill it shewes to have that reverend head
Be uncover'd to a Boy?
Carolo.
Your Excellence
Must give me liberty to observe the distance
And duty that I owe you.
Giovanni.
Owe me duty?
I doe professe, and when I doe denie it
Good fortune leave me; You have beene to me
A second Father, and may justly challenge
(For trayning up my youth in Arts, and Armes)
As much respect, and service, as was due
To him that gave me life. And did you know Sir
Or will beleeve from me, how many sleepes
To build me up a man, you must confesse
Chiron the Tutor to the great Achilles
Compar'd with him, deserves not to be nam'd.
And if my gracious Uncle the great Duke
Still holds me worthy his consideration,
Or findes in me ought worthy to be lov'd,
That little rivolet flow'd from this spring,
And so from me report him.
Contarino.
Fame already
Hath fill'd his Highnesse eares with the true story
Of what you are, and how much better'd by him.
And 'tis his purpose to reward the travaile
Of this grave Sir with a magnificent hand.
For though his tenderness hardly could consent
To have you one houre absent from his sight,
For full three yeares he did denie himselfe
The pleasure Hee tooke in you, that you, here
From this great Master might arrive unto
The Theory of those high mysteries
Which you by action must make plaine in Court.
'Tis therefore his request (and that from him
Your Excellence must grant a strict command)
That instantly (it being not five houres riding)
You should take horse, and visit him. These his letters
Will yeeld you farther reasons.
Calandrino.
To the Court!
Farewell the flower then of the Countries garland.
This is our Sunne, and when Hee's set, we must not
Expect or Spring, or Summer, but resolve
For a perpetuall Winter.
Carolo.
Pray you observe
Giovanni reading the Letter.
The frequent changes in his face.
Contarino.
As if
His much unwillingnesse to leave your house,
Contended with his duty.
Carolo.
Now he appeares
Collected and resolv'd.
It is the Duke!
The Duke upon whose favour, all my hopes
And fortunes doe depend. Nor must I check
At his commands for any private motives
That doe invite my stay here, though they are
Almost not to be master'd. My obedience
In my departing suddenly shall confirme
I am his Highnesse creature. Yet I hope
A little stay to take a solemne farewell
For all those ravishing pleasures I have tasted
In this my sweet retirement, from my Guardian,
And his incomparable daughter, cannot meete
An ill construction.
Contarino.
I will answer that,
Use your owne will.
Giovanni.
I would speake to you Sir
In such a phrase as might expresse the thanks
My heart would gladly pay. But.—
Carolo.
I conceive you:
And something I would say, but I must doe it
In that dumb rhetorique, which you make use of;
For I doe wish you all.—I know not how
My toughnesse melts, and spite of my discretion
I must turne woman.
Contarino.
What a sympathie
There is betweene em.
Calandrino.
Were I on the Rack
I could not shed a teare. But I am mad,
And ten to one shall hang my selfe for sorrow
Before I shift my shirt. But heare you Sir,
I'll separate you. When you are gone, what will
Become of me?
Giovan.
Why thou shalt to Court with me.
Calandrino.
To see you worried?
Cantarino.
Worried Calandrino?
Caland.
Yes Sir. For bring this sweet face to the Court
There will be such a longing 'mong the Madames,
Who shall ingrosse it first, nay fight and scratch for't,
They'll kisse his lips off. Nay, if you'll scape so
And not be tempted to a farther danger,
These Succuba are so sharp set, that you must
Give out you are an Eunuch.
Contarino.
Have a better
Opinion of Court-Ladies, and take care
Of your owne stake.
Calandrino.
For my stake 'tis past caring,
I would not have a bird of uncleane feathers
Hansell his Limetwig, and so much for him.
There's something else that troubles me.
Contarino.
What's that?
Caland.
Why how to behave my self in Court, & tytely
I have beene told the very place transformes men,
And that not one of a thousand, that before
Liv'd honestly in the Country, on plaine Sallads,
But bring him thither, marke me that, and feed him
But a moneth or two with Custards and Court Cakebread,
And he turnes Knave immediatly. I would be honest;
But I must follow the fashion, or die a beggar.
Giovanni.
And if I ever reach my hopes, beleeve it
We will share fortunes.
Carolo.
This acknowledgement
Enter Lidia.
Bindes me your debtor ever. Here comes one
In whose sad lookes you easily may reade
What her heart suffers, in that she is forc'd
To take her last leave of you.
Contarino.
As I live
A beauty without parallel
Lidia.
Must you goe then?
So suddenly?
Giovanni.
There's no evasion, Lydia,
To gaine the least delay, though I would buy it
At any rate. Greatnesse with private men
Esteem'd a blessing, is to me a curse.
And we, whom for our high births, they conclude
The onely free men, are the onely slaves:
In a poore sordid Cottage; not nurs'd up
With expectation to command a Court:
I might, like such of your condition (Sweetest)
Have tooke a safe and middle course, and not
As I am now against my choyse compell'd
Or to lye groveling on the earth, or rais'd
So high upon the pinnacles of State,
That I must either keepe my height with danger,
Or fall with certaine ruine.
Lidia.
Your owne goodnesse
Will be your faithfull guard.
Giovanni.
O Lidia.
Contarino.
So passionate!
Giovanni.
For had I beene your equall
I might have seene and lik'd with mine own eyes,
And not as now with others; I might still,
And without observation, or envie,
As I have done, continued my delights
With you, that are alone in my esteeme
The abstract of Society; we might walke
In solitary Groves, or in choyce Gardens;
From the variety of curious flowers
Contemplate natures workmanship, and wonders.
And then for change, neare to the murmur of
Some bubling fountaine, I might heare you sing,
And from the well-tun'd accents of your tongue
In my imagination conceive
With what mellodious harmony a Quire
Of Angells sing above, their Makers praises.
And then with chast discourse, as we return'd,
Impe feathers to the broken wings of Time,
And all this I must part from.
Contarino.
You forget
The hast impos'd upon us.
Giovanni.
One word more
And then I come. And after this, when with
Continued innocence, of love, and service,
Embracing you, but with a lawfull flame
I might have beene your husband.
Lidia.
Sir, I was
And ever am your servant, but it was,
And 'tis farre from me, in a thought to cherish
Such sawcie hopes: If I had beene the heire
Of all the Globes and Scepters mankind bowes to,
At my best you had deserv'd me; as I am
How e're unworthy, in my virgin zeale
I wish you as a partner of your bed,
A Princesse equall to you, such a one
That may make it the study of her life,
With all th'obedience of a wife to please you.
May you have happy issue, and I live
To be their humblest handmayde.
Giovanni.
I am dumb,
And can make no reply.
Contarino.
Your Excellence
Will be benighted.
Giovanni.
This kisse bath'd in teares
May learne you what I should say.
Lidia.
Give me leave
To wayt on you to your horse.
Carolo.
And me to bring you
To the one halfe of your journey.
Giovanni.
Your love puts
Your age to too much trouble.
Carolo.
I grow young
When most I serve you.
Conta.
Sir, the Duke shal thank you.
Exeunt omnes.
Scæna secunda.
Alphonso, Hippolito, Hieronimo, with a Petition.Alphonso.
His Highnesse cannot take it ill.
Hippolito.
However,
We with our duties shall expresse our care
Hieronimo.
And our loves
Enter Cozimo the Duke.
To his person. Here he comes. Present it boldly.
Cozimo.
What needs this form? we are not grown so proud
As to disdaine familiar conference
With such as are to counsaile, and direct us.
This kinde of adoration shew'd not well
In the old Roman Emperors, who forgetting
That they were flesh & blood, would be styl'd gods,
In us to suffer it were worse. Pray you rise.
Still the old suit, with too much curiousnesse
Reades.
You have too often search'd this wound, which yeelds
Security and rest, not trouble to me.
For here you grieve, that my firme resolution
Continues me a Widdower; and that
My want of issue to succeede me in
My government, when I am dead, may breed
Distraction in the State, and make the name
And family of the Medices, now admir'd,
Contemptible.
Hippolito.
And with strong reasons Sir.
Alphonso.
For were you old and past hope to beget
The modell of your selfe; we should be silent.
Hieronimo.
But being in your height and pride of yeeres
As you are now great Sir, and having too
In your possession the daughter of
The deceas'd Duke of Vrbin, and his heire,
Whose Guardian you are made, were you but pleas'd
To think her worthy of you, besides children
The Dukedome she brings with her for a dower,
Will yeeld a large encrease of strength and power
To those faire territories, which already
Acknowledge you their absolute Lord.
Cozimo.
You presse us
VVith solid arguments we grant, and though
VVe stand not bound to yeeld account to any
VVhy we doe this or that (the full consent
Of our Subjects being included in our Will)
The motives that divert us. You well know
That three yeeres since to our much griefe, we lost
Our Dutches, such a Dutches, that the world
In her whole course of life, yeelds not a Lady
That can with imitation deserve
To be her second: in her grave we buried
All thoughts of woman: let this satisfie
For any second marriage. Now whereas
You name the heire of Vrbin, as a Princesse
Of great revenues, 'tis confess'd she is so;
But for some causes private to our selfe,
We have dispos'd her otherwise. Yet despaire not,
For you ere long with joy shall understand,
That in our Princely care we have provided
One worthy to succeed us.
Enter Lodovico Sanazarro.
Hippolito.
We submit,
And hold the counsailes of great Cozimo
Oraculous.
Cozimo.
My Sanazaro. Nay,
Forbeare all ceremony. You looke sprightly friend,
And promise in your cleare aspect some novell
That may delight us.
Sanazarro.
O Sir, I would not be
The Harbinger of ought that might distast you.
And therefore know (for 'twere a sinne to torture
Your Highnesse expectation) your Vice-Admirall
By my directions hath surpriz'd the Gallies
Appointed to transport the Asian tribute
Of the great Turke, a richer Prize was never
Brought into Florence.
Cozimo.
Still my Nightingale,
That with sweet accents doest assure me, that
My Spring of happinesse comes fast upon me.
Embrace me boldly. I pronounce that wretch
An enemy to brave and thriving action,
That dares beleeve, but in a thought, we are
Too prodigall in our favours to this man,
Our Dukedome, still continue us his debtor.
Hippolito.
'Tis farre from me.
Alphonso.
We all applaud it.
Cozimo.
Nay, blush not Sanazarro, we are proud
Of what we build up in thee, nor can our
Election be disparag'd; since we have not
Receiv'd into our bosome and our grace
A glorious lazie Droane, growne fat with feeding
On others toyle, but an industrious Bee
That crops the sweet flowers of our enemies,
And every happy evening returnes
Loaden with wax and hony to our Hive.
Sanazarro.
My best endevours never can discharge
The service I should pay.
Enter Giovanni and Contarino.
Cozimo.
Thou art too modest,
But we will study how to give, and when,
Before it be demanded. Giovanni!
My Nephew; let me eye thee better Boy.
In thee me thinks my Sister lives againe:
For her love I will be a Father to thee,
For thou art my adopted Sonne.
Giovanni.
Your Servant
And humblest Subject.
Cozimo.
Thy hard travaile Nephew
Requires soft rest, and therefore we forbeare
For the present an account, how thou hast spent
Thy absent houres. See Signiors, see, our care
Without a second bed provides you of
A hopefull Prince. Carrie him to his Lodgings,
And for his farther honour Sanazarro
With the rest doe you attend him.
Giovanni.
All true pleasures
Circle your Highnesse.
Sanazarro.
As the rising Sunne
VVe doe receive you.
Giovan.
May this never set,
Exeunt Giovanni, Sanazarro, Hieronimo, Alphonso, Lodovico.
But shine upon you ever.
Contarino!
Contarino.
My gracious Lord.
Cozimo.
What entertainment found you
From Carolo de Charamonte?
Contarino.
Free
And bountifull. He's ever like himselfe
Noble and hospitable.
Cozimo.
But did my Nephew
Depart thence willingly?
Contarino.
He obey'd your summons
As did become him. Yet it was apparent
But that he durst not crosse your will, he would
Have sojourn'd longer there, he ever finding
Variety of sweetest entertainment;
But there was something else, nor can I blame
His youth, though with some trouble he took leave
Of such a sweet companion.
Cozimo.
Who was it?
Contarino.
The daughter sir of Signior Carolo,
Faire Lidia, a virgin at all parts,
But in her birth and fortunes, equall to him.
The rarest beauties Italy can make boast of,
Are but meere shadowes to her, she the substance
Of all perfection. And what encreases
The wonder Sir, Her bodies matchlesse forme
Is better'd by the purenesse of her soule.
Such sweet discourse, such ravishing behaviour;
Such charming language, such inchanting manners,
With a simplicity that shames all Courtship,
Flow hourely from her, that I doe beleeve
Had Circe, or Calipso her sweet graces,
Wandring Vlisses never had remembred
Penelope, or Ithaca.
Cozimo.
Be not rap'd so.
Contarino.
Your Excellence would be so had you seen her
Cozimo.
Take up. Take up. But did your observation
Note any passage of affection
Betweene her and my Nephew?
How it should
Be otherwise betweene 'em, is beyond
My best imagination. Cupids arrowes
Were uselesse there, for of necessity
Their yeeres and dispositions doe accord so
They must wound one another.
Cozimo.
Umh! Thou art
My Secretary Contarino, and more skill'd
In politique designes of State, then in
Thy judgement of a beauty; give me leave
In this to doubt it. Here. Goe to my Cabinet,
You shal find there Letters newly receiv'd touching the state of Vrbin.
Pray you with care peruse them, leave the search
Of this to us.
Contarino.
I doe obey in all things.
Exit Contarino.
Cozimo.
Lydia! A Diamond so long conceal'd,
And never worne in Court! of such sweet feature?
And he on whom I fixe my Dukedomes hopes,
Made Captive to it! Vmh! 'tis somewhat strange,
Our eyes are every where, and we will make
A strict enquiry. Sanazarro!
Enter Sanazarro.
Sanazarro.
Sir!
Cozimo.
Is my Nephew at his rest?
Sanazarro.
I saw him in bed Sir.
Cozimo.
'Tis well, and does the Princes Fiorinda
(Nay, doe not blush, she is rich Vrbins heire)
Continue constant in her favours to you?
Sanazarro.
Dread sir, she may dispense thē as she pleases,
But I looke up to her as on a Princesse
I dare not be ambitious of, and hope
Her prodigall graces shall not render me
Offended to your Highnesse.
Cozimo.
Not a scruple.
He whom I favour as I doe my friend,
May take all lawfull graces that become him.
But touching this hereafter; I have now
(And though perhaps it may appear on trifle)
Serious imployment for thee.
I stand ready
For any act you please.
Cozimo.
I know it friend,
Have you ne're heard of Lidia the daughter
Of Carolo Charamonte?
Sanazar.
Him I know sir
For a noble Gentleman, and my worthy friend,
But never heard of her.
Cozimo.
She is deliver'd
And feelingly to us by Contarino
For a master-peece in nature, I would have you
Ride suddenly thither to behold this wonder:
But not as sent by us, that's our first caution:
The second is, and carefully observe it,
That though you are a Batchelor, & endow'd with
All those perfections that may take a virgin,
On forfeit of our favour doe not tempt her.
It may be her faire graces doe concerne us.
Pretend what businesse you think fit, to gaine
Accesse into her Fathers house, and there
Make full discovery of her, and returne me
A true relation, I have some ends in it
With which we will acquaint you.
Sanazar.
This is Sir
An easie taske.
Cozimo.
Yet one that must exact
Your secrecie, and diligence. Let not
Your stay be long.
Sanazar.
It shall not sir.
Cozimo.
Farewell,
And be, as you would keepe our favour, carefull.
Finis Actus primi.
| The Great Dvke of Florence | |