 | The Guardian |  |
Act. 4.
Scæn. 1.
A noyse within, as the fall of a Horse,—then Enter Durazzo, Caldoro, Caliste, Servant.Duraz.
Hell take the stumbling Jade.
Cald.
Heaven help the Lady.
Serv.
The Horse hath broke his neck.
Duraz.
Would thine were crack'd too
So the Lady had no harm. Give her fresh air,
'Tis but a swoun.
Cald.
'Tis more, she's dead.
Duraz.
Examine
Her limbs if they be whole: not too high, not too high
You Ferrit, this is no Cunniborough for you.
How do you finde her?
Cald.
No breath of comfort sir, too cruel fate!
Had I still pin'd away, and lingred under
The modesty of just and honest hopes
After a long consumption, sleep and death,
To me had been the same, but now as 'twere
Possess'd of all my wishes, in a moment
To have 'em ravished from me? suffer shipwrack
In view of the Port? and like a half starv'd begger,
No sooner in compassion cloath'd, but coffin'd?
Malevolent destinies, too cunning in
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If thy immortal part hath not already
Left this fair pallace, let a beam of light
Dawn from thine eye, in this Cimmerian darkness,
To guide my shaking hand to touch the anchor
Of hope in thy recovery.
Caliste.
Oh.
Duraz.
She lives, disturb her not, she is no right bred woman
If she die with one fall; some of my acquaintance
Have took a thousand merrily, and are still
Excellent wrestlers at the close hug.
Cald.
Good Sir.
Duraz.
Prethee be not angry, I should speak thus if
My Mother were in her place.
Cald.
But had you heard
The musick of the language which she us'd
To me, believ'd Adorio, as she rode
Behinde me; little thinking that she did
Embrace Caldoro.
Caliste.
Ah Adorio!
Duraz.
Leave talking, I conceive it.
Caliste.
Are you safe?
Cald.
And rais'd like you from death to life to hear you.
Calist.
Hear my defence then, ere I take my vail off,
A simple maids defence, which looking on you,
I faintly could deliver; willingly
I am become your prize, and therefore use
Your victory nobly; Heavens bright eye, the Sun,
Draws up the grossest vapors, and I hope
I ne'er shall prove an envious cloud to darken
The splendor of your merits. I could urge
With what disdain, nay scorn, I have declin'd
The shadows of insinuating pleasures
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The object of my hopes: That cruel Prince
To whom the Olive branch of Peace is offer'd,
Is not a conqueror, but a bloody tyrant,
If he refuse it; nor should you wish a triumph,
Because Caliste's humble; I have said
And now expect your sentence.
Duraz.
What a throng
Of Clients would be in the Court of Love,
Were there many such she Advocates: Art thou dumb?
Canst thou say nothing for thy self.
Cald.
Dear Lady open your eyes, and look upon the man,
The man you have elected for your Judge,
Kneeling to you for mercy.
Cal.
I should know this voice, and something more then fear I am
Deceiv'd, but now I look upon his face,
I am assur'd I am wretched.
Duraz.
Why good Lady?
Hold her up, she'll fall agen, before her time else,
The youth's a well timbred youth, look on his making;
His Hair curl'd naturally, he's whole chested too,
And will do his work as well, and go through stitch with't,
As any Adorio in the world; my state on't,
A Chicken of the right kinde; and if he prove not
A Cock of the Game, cuckold him first, and after
Make a Capon of him.
Caliste.
I'll cry out a Rape,
If thou unhand me not; would I had died
In my late trance, and never liv'd to know
I am betray'd.
Duraz.
To a yong and active husband,
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Yong wenches i'th' City, would vow a pilgrimage
Beyond Jerusalem; to be so cheated.
To her agen you milk-sop, violent storms
Are soon blown over.
Caliste.
How could'st thou Caldoro
With such a frontless impudence, arm thy hopes
So far, as to believe I might consent
To this leud practise? have I not often told thee
How, ere I pitied thy misplaced affection,
I could not answer it? and that there was
A strong antipathy between our Passions,
Not to be reconcil'd.
Cald.
Vouchsafe to hear me
With an impartial ear, and it will take from
The rigor of your censure. Man was mark'd
A friend in his Creation to himself,
And may with fit ambition conceive
The greatest blessings, and the highest honors
Appointed for him, if he can atchieve 'em
The right and noble way: I grant you were
The end of my design, but still pursu'd
With a becoming modesty, Heaven at length
Being pleas'd, and not my arts to further it.
Duraz.
Now he comes to her: On boy.
Cald.
I have serv'd you
With a religious zeal, and borne the burthen
Of your neglect (if I may call it so)
Beyond the patience of a man, to prove this.
I have seen those eyes with pleasant glances play
Upon Adorio's, like Phœbe's shine
Guilding a Chrystal River, and your Lip
Rise up in civil courtship to meet his,
While I bit mine with envy: Yet these favors
(How ere my passions rag'd) could not provoke me
To one act of rebellion against
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To whom I ow obedience.
Calist.
My blushes confefs this for a truth.
Duraz.
A flag of truce is
Hung out in this acknowledgment.
Cald.
I could adde,
But that you may interpret what I speak,
The malice of a rival, rather then
My due respect to your deserts. How faintly
Adorio hath return'd thanks to the bounty
Of your affection, ascribing it
As a tribute to his worth, and not in you
An act of mercy: Could he else invited
(As by your words I understood) to take you
To his protection, grosly neglect
So gratious an offer? or give power
To fate it self to cross him? O dear Madam,
We are all the Balls of time, toss'd to and fro,
From the Plough unto the Throne, and back agen,
Under the swinge of destinie mankinde suffers;
And it appears by an unchang'd decree
You were appointed mine; wise nature always
Aiming at due proportion, and if so,
I may believe with confidence, Heaven in pity
Of my sincere affection, and long patience,
Directed you by a most blessed error
To your vow'd servants bosom.
Duraz.
By my holidame Tickling-Philosophy.
Calist.
I am Sir, too weak
To argue with you; but my Stars have better
(I hope) provided for me.
Cald.
If there be
Disparity between us, 'tis in your
Compassion to level it.
Duraz.
Give fire to the Mine, and blow her up.
Caliste.
I am sensible
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With my unusual travel, and late bruise,
I am exceeding weary; in yon grove,
While I repose my self, be you my guard:
My spirits with some little rest reviv'd,
We will consider further: For my part
You shall receive modest and gentle answers
To your demands, though short perhaps to make you
Full satisfaction.
Cald.
I am exalted in the employment, sleep secure, I'll be
Your vigilant Sentinel.
Calist.
But I command you,
And as you hope for future grace obey me,
Presume not with one stoln kiss to disturb
The quiet of my slumbers; let your temperance
And not your lust, watch over me.
Cald.
My desires
Are frozen, till your pitty shall dissolve 'em.
Duraz.
Frozen! think not of Frost fool in the Dog-days,
Remember the old adage, and make use of't,
Occasion's bald behinde.
Calist.
Is this your Uncle?
Cald.
And Guardian, Madam; at your better leisure,
When I have deserv'd it, you may give him thanks
For his many favours to me.
Calist.
He appears a pleasant Gentleman.
Ex. Caldoro and Caliste.
Dur.
You should find me so,
But that I do hate incest. I grow heavy,
Sirra provide fresh horses; I'll seek out
Some hollow tree, and dream till you return,
Which I charge you to hasten.
Serv.
With all care sir.
Exeunt.
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Car.
Let your eyes be rivetted to my heels, and miss not
A hairs breadth of my footing; our Dance has
A most melodious note, and I command you
To have ears like hares this night for my Lords honor,
And something for my Worship: your reward is
To be drunk blind like Moles in the Wine-cellar,
And though you ne'r see after, 'tis the better,
You were born for this nights service: And do you hear,
Wire-string and Cats-guts men, and strong-breath'd Hoboys,
For the credit of your calling, have not your Instruments
To tune, when you should strike up; but twang it perfectly,
As you would read your Neckverse; and you Warbler
Keep your Wind-pipe moist, that you may not spit and hem,
When you should make division. How I sweat!
Authority is troublesom.—They are come,
I know it by the Cornet that I plac'd
On the hill to give me notice: Marshal your selves
I'the Rear, the Van is yours. Now chant it spritely.
Enter Adorio, Mirtilla, Camillo, Lentulo, Donato
Ador.
A well-penn'd Ditty.
[Song]
Cam.
Not ill sung.
Ador.
What follows?
Car.
Use your eyes; if ever, now your masterpiece
[Dance]
Ador.
'Tis well perform'd, take that, but not from me,
'Tis your new Ladies bounty, thank her for't,
All that I have is hers.
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I must have three shares
For my pains and properties, the rest shall be
Divided equally.
Ex. Cario & Rustici.
Mirt.
My real fears
Begin, and soon my painted comforts vanish
In my discovery.
Ador.
Welcome to your own:
You have (a wonder in a woman) kept
Three long hours silence; and the greater, holding
Your own choice in your arms, a blessing for which
I will be thankfull to you, nay unmask
And let mine eye and ears together feast,
Too long by you kept empty: Oh you want
Your womans help, I'll do her office for you.
Puls off her mask.
Mirtilla!
Cam.
It is she, and wears the habit
In which Caliste three days since appeared
As she came from the Temple.
Lent.
All this trouble for a poor Waiting-maid?
Don.
We are grossly gull'd.
Ador.
Thou child of impudence, answer me, and truly,
Or though the tongues of Angels pleaded mercy,
Tortures shall force it from thee.
Mirt.
Innocence is free and open breasted; of what crime
Stand I accus'd, my Lord?
Ador.
What crime? no language
Can speak it to the height, I shall become
Discourse for fools, and drunkards. How was this
Contriv'd? who help'd thee in the plot? discover.
Were not Caliste's aydes in't?
Mirt.
No on my life; nor am I faulty.
Ador.
No: what maygames this.
Didst thou treat with me for thy Mistriss favors,
To make sale of thine own?
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With her and you
I have dealt faithfully: you had her Letter
With the Jewel I presented; she receiv'd
Your courteous answer, and prepar'd herself
To be remov'd by you: And howsoever
You take delight to hear what you have done,
From my simplicity, and make my weakness
The subject of your mirth, as it suits well
With my condition, I know you have her
In your possession.
Ador.
How! has she left her mothers house?
Mirt.
You drive this nail too far;
Indeed she deeply vow'd at her departure
To send some of your Lordships servants for me,
(Though you were pleas'd to take the pains your self)
That I might still be near her, as a shadow
To follow her the substance.
Ador.
She is gone then?
Mirt.
This is too much; but good my Lord forgive me,
I come a Virgin hither to attend
My noble Mistress, though I must confess
I look with sore eyes upon her good fortune,
And wish it were mine own:
Ador.
Then as it seems you do yourself affect me?
Mirt.
Should she hear me,
And in her sudden fury kill me for't,
I durst not, Sir, deny it; since you are
A man so form'd, that not poor I alone,
But all our sex like me I think stand bound
To be enamour'd of you.
Ador.
O my fate! how justly am I punish'd? in thee punish'd
For my defended wantonness? I that scorn'd
The Mistress when she sought me, now I would
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A prey unto her Bondwoman,
My honor too neglected for this purchase.
Art thou one of those
Ambitious Serving-women, who contemning
Th'embraces of their Equals, aim to be
The wrong way Ladifi'd by a Lord? was there
No forward Page or Footman in the City
To do the feat, that in thy lust I am chosen
To be the executioner? dar'st thou hope
I can descend so low?
Mirt.
Great Lords sometimes
For change leave calvert Sammon, and eat Sprats,
In modesty I dare speak no more.
Cam.
If 'twere a Fish-day, though you like it not, I could say
I have a stomach, and would content my self
With this pretty Whiting-mop.
Ador.
Discover yet how thou cam'st to my hands.
Mirt.
My Lady gone,
Fear of her mothers rage, she being found absent,
Mov'd me to flie; and quitting of the house,
You were pleas'd unask'd to comfort me, I us'd
No sorceries to bewitch you; then vouchsaf'd
(Thanks ever to the darkness of the night)
To hug me in your arms, and I had wrong'd
My breeding near the Court, had I refus'd it.
Ador.
This is still more bitter; canst thou ghess to whom
Thy Lady did commit herself?
Mirt.
They were horsemen, as you are.
Ador.
In the name of wonder,
How could they pass the Port, where you expected
My coming?
Cam.
Now I think upon't, there came
Three mounted by, and behind one a woman
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Lent.
I knew the men, but she was vail'd.
Ador.
What were they?
Lent.
The first the Lord Durazzo, and the second
Your rival yong Caldoro; it was he
That carried the wench behinde him.
Donat.
The last a servant that spur'd fast after 'em.
Ador.
Worse and worse! 'twas she!
Too much assurance of her love undid me;
Why did you not stay 'em?
Donat.
We had no such commission.
Camil.
Or say we had? who durst lay fingers on
The angry old Ruffian.
Lent.
For my part I had rather
Take a baited Bull by the Horns.
Ador.
You are sure friends for a man to build on.
Camil.
They are not far off,
Their horses appeared spent too; lets take fresh ones
And coast the Countrey, ten to one we finde 'em.
Ador.
I will not eat nor sleep, until I have 'em.
Moppet you shall along too.
Mirt.
So you please, I may keep my place behinde you;
I'll sit fast, and ride with you all the world over.
Camil.
A good Girle.
Exeunt.
Enter Monteclaro and Calypso.
Mont.
Her husband Severino?
Calyp.
You may see
His handy-work by my flat face; no bridge
Left to support my Organ. If I had one,
The comfort is I am now secure from the Grincomes,
I can loose nothing that way.
Monte.
Doest thou not know what became of the Lady?
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A nose was enough to part with
I think, in the service; I durst stay no longer,
But I am full assur'd the house is empty,
Neither poor Lady, daughter, servant left there:
I only ghess he hath forc'd 'em to go with him
To the dangerous Forrest where he lives like a King
Among the Banditi, and how there he hath us'd them,
Is more then to be fear'd.
Mont.
I have plaid the fool,
And kept my self too long conceal'd, sans question
With the danger of her life. Leave me—
The King!
Enter Alphonso and Captain.
Cal.
The Surgeon must be paid.
Mont.
Take that.
Cal.
I thank you,
I have got enough by my trade, and I will build
An Hospital only for noseless Bawds,
'Twill speak my charity, and be my self
The Governess of the Sisterhood.
Exit.
Alph.
I may forget this in your vigilance hereafter;
But as I am a King, if you provoke me
The second time with negligence of this kind,
You shall deeply smart for't.
Mont.
The King's mov'd.
Alph.
To suffer a murtherer by us proscrib'd, at his pleasure
To pass and repass through our guards?
Capt.
Your pardon
For this, my gracious Lord, binds me to be
More circumspect hereafter.
Alph.
Look you be so:
Monsieur Laval, you were a suiter to me
For Severino's pardon.
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I was so, my good Lord.
Alph.
You might have met him here to have thank'd
You for't, as now I understand.
Mont.
So it is rumour'd;
And hearing in the City of his boldness,
(I would not say contempt of your Decrees)
As then I pleaded mercy, (under pardon)
I now as much admire the slowness of
Your justice (though it force you to some trouble)
In fetching him in.
Alph.
I have consider'd it.
Mont.
He hath of late, as 'tis suspected, done
An outrage on his wife, forgetting nature
To his own daughter, in whom sir I have
Some nearer interest then I stand bound to
In my humanity, which I gladly would
Make known unto your Highness.
Alph.
Go along, you shall have opportunity as we walk:
See you what I committed to your charge,
In readiness, and without noise.
Capt.
I shall sir.
Exeunt.
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