 | The Guardian |  |
71
Act. 5.
Scæn. 1.
Enter Claudio, and all the Banditi (making a guard) Severino and Jolante (with Oaken-leav'd garlands) and Singers.Sever.
Here, as a Queen, share in my soveraignty:
The iron toils pitch'd by the Law to take
The forfeiture of my life, I have broke through,
And secure in the guards of these few subjects
Smile at Alphonsus fury, though I grieve for
The fatal cause in your good brothers loss
That does compell me to his course.
Jol.
Revive not
A sorrow long since dead, and so diminish
The full fruition of those joys, which now
I stand possess'd of: Womanish fear of danger
That may pursue us, I shake off, and with
A masculine spirit.
Sev.
'Tis well said.
Jol.
In you sir I live; and when, or by the course of nature,
Or violence you must fall, the end of my
Devotions is, that one and the same hour
May make us fit for heaven.
Sev.
I join with you
In my votes that way: But how, Jolante,
You that have spent your past days slumbring in
The doun of quiet, can endure the hardness
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Does much disturb me.
Jol.
These woods, Severino,
Shall more then seem to me a populous City;
You being present, here are no allurements
To tempt my frailty, nor the conversation
Of such, whose choice behaviour or discourse
May nourish jealous thoughts.
Sev.
True, Jolante,
Nor shall suspected chastity stand in need here
To be clear'd by miracle.
Jol.
Still on that string? it yields harsh discord.
Sev.
I had forgot my self,
And wish I might no more remember it.
The day wears, sirs, without one prize brought in
As tribute to your Queen. Claudio, divide
Our Squadron in small parties, let 'em watch
All passages, that none escape without
The payment of our Customs.
Claud.
Shall we bring in the persons with the pillage?
Sev.
By all means,
Without reply about it, we'll retire
Ex. Claudio and the rest.
Into my Cave, and there at large discourse
Our fortunes past, and study some apt means
To find our daughter; since she well dispos'd of,
Our happiness were perfect.
Jol.
We must wait with patience Heavens pleasure.
Sev.
'Tis my purpose.
Exeunt.
Enter Lentulo and Camillo.
Lent.
Let the horses graze, they are spent,
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And nodded as I rode: here was a jaunt
I'th' dark through thick and thin, and all to no purpose:
What a dulness grows upon me.
Lent.
I can hardly
[They sit down]
Hold ope mine eyes to say so. How did we lose Adorio?
Cam.
He, Donato, and the Wench
That cleaves to him like bird-lime, took the right hand,
But this place is our rendevouz.
Lent.
No matter, we'll talk of that anon,—heigh ho.
[Sleeps]
Cam.
He's fast already, Lentulo; I'll take a nap too.
[Sleeps]
Enter Adorio, Mirtilla, Donato.
Ador.
Was ever man so crost?
1 Wom.
So blest. This is the finest Wild-goose chase.
Ador.
What's that you mutter?
Mirt.
A short prayer, that you may find
Your wish'd for love, though I am lost for ever.
Don.
Pretty fool, who have we here?
Ador.
This is Camillo.
Mirt.
This Signior Lentulo
Ador.
Wake 'em.
Don.
They'll not stir,
Their eye-lids are glu'd, and mine too; by your favour,
I'll follow their example.
[Lies down]
Ador.
Are you not weary?
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I know not what the word means, while I travel
To do you service.
Ador.
You elect to reap
The harvest of your flattery; but your hopes
Will be blasted, I assure you.
Mirt.
So you give leave
To sow it as in me a sign of duty,
Though you deny your beams of gratious favor
To ripen it, with patience I shall suffer.
Ador.
No more; my resolution to finde
Caliste, by what accident lost, I know not,
Binds me not to deny my self what nature
Exacteth from me. To walk alone a foot
(For my Horse is tir'd) were madness, I must sleep;
You could lie down too.
Mirt.
Willingly; so you please to use me.
Ador.
Use thee?
Mirt.
As your pillow Sir,
I dare presume no farther, noble Sir.
Do not too much condemn me; generous feet,
Spurn not a fawning Spaniel.
Ador.
Well! sit down.
Mirt.
I am ready Sir.
Ador.
So nimble?
Mirt.
Love is active;
Nor would I be a slow thing: Rest secure Sir
On my maiden-head, I'll not ravish you.
Ador.
For once, so far I'll trust you.
Lies down on her Lap.
Mirt.
All the joys of rest
Dwell on your eye-lids; let no dream disturb
Your soft and gentle slumbers: I cannot sing,
But I'll talk you asleep: And I beseech you
Be not offended, though I glory in
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That stands for more then ample satisfaction
For all I have, or can endure. He snores,
And does not hear me; would his sense of feeling
Were bound up too: I should—I am all fire.
Such heaps of treasure offer'd as a prey,
Would tempt a modest theef; I can no longer
Forbear. I'll gently touch his Lips, and leave
Kisses him.
No print of mine. Ah! I have heard of Nectar;
But till now never tasted it: These Rubies
Are not clouded by my breath. If once agen
I steal, from such a full Exchequer, trifles
Kisses agen.
Will not be miss'd, I am entranc'd: our fancy
Some say in sleep works stronger, I will prove
How far my—
Sleeps.
Enter Durazzo.
Dur.
My bones ake, I am exceeding cold too, I must seek out
A more convenient Truckle-bed. Ha! Do I dream?
No, no, I wake, Camillo, Lentulo,
Donato this; and as I live, Adorio
In a handsom wenches lap, a whoreson; you are
The best accommodated, I will call
My Nephew, and his Mistris to this Pageant.
The object may perhaps do more upon her,
Then all Caldoro's rhetorick. With what
Security they sleep! sure Mercury
Hath travel'd this way with his charming rod.
Nephew, Caliste. Madam.
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Cald.
Here Sir, is your man return'd with Horses.
Dur.
No Boy, no; but here are some you thought not of.
Calist.
Adorio.
Dur.
The Idol that you worshipped.
Calist.
This Mirtilla? I am made a stale:
Dur.
I knew 'twould take.
Calist.
False man;
But much more treacherous woman, 'tis apparent,
They joyntly did conspire against my weakness,
And credulous simplicity, and have
Prevail'd against it.
Cald.
I'll not kill 'em sleeping;
But if you please, I'll wake 'em first, and after
Offer them as a fatal sacrifice, to your just anger.
Dur.
You are a fool, reserve your blood for better uses.
Calist.
My fond love, is chang'd to an extremity of hate,
His very sight is odious.
Dur.
I have thought of
A pretty punishment for him, and his Comrades,
Then leave him to his harlotry: If she prove not
Torture enough, hold me an Ass. Their horses
Are not far off, I'll cut the Girts and Bridles,
Then turn 'em into the Wood; if they can run
Let 'em follow us as footmen. Wilt thou fight
For what's thine own already?
Calist.
In his Hat
He wears a Jewel, which this faithless Strumpet
As a salary of her Lust, deceiv'd me of,
He shall not keep't to my disgrace, nor will I
77
Dur.
I am not good at niming;
And yet that shall not hinder us, by your leave Sir,
'Tis restitution, pray you all bear witness
I do not steal it; here 'tis.
Calist.
Take it not
As a Mistris favor, but a strong assurance
I am your wife.
Cald.
O Heaven.
Duraz.
Pray i'th' Church.
Let us away, Nephew a word: have you not
Been billing in the brakes? Ha, and so deserv'd
This unexpected favor.
Cald.
You are pleasant.
Exeunt Durazzo, Caldoro, Caliste.
Ador.
As thou art a Gentleman, kill me not basely,
Starts up; the rest wake.
Give me leave to draw my Sword.
Camil.
Ha? what's the matter?
Lent.
He talk'd of's Sword.
Donat.
I see no enemy near us,
That threatens danger.
Mirt.
Sure 'twas but a dream.
Ador.
A fearful one. Me thought Caldoro's sword
Was at my throat, Caliste frowning by,
Commanding him, as he desir'd her favor,
To strike my head off.
Camil.
Meer imagination of a disturbed fancy:
Mirt.
Here's your Hat Sir.
Ador.
But where my Jewel?
Camil.
By all likelihood lost, this troublesome night.
Donat.
I saw it when we came unto this place.
Mirt.
I look't upon't my self, when you repos'd.
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What is become of it?
Restore it, for thou hast it, do not put me
To the trouble to search you.
Mirt.
Search me?
Ador.
You have been
Before your Lady gave you entertainment,
A night-walker in the streets.
Mirt.
How, my good Lord?
Ador.
Traded in picking pockets, when tame gulls
Charm'd with your prostituted flatteries,
Dain'd to embrace you.
Mirt.
Love give place to anger.
Charge me with theft, and prostituted baseness?
Were you a Judge, nay more, the King; thus urg'd,
To your teeth I would say, 'Tis false.
Ador.
This will not do.
Camil.
Deliver it in private.
Mirt.
You shall be
In publick hang'd first, and the whole gang of you.
I steal what I presented.
Lent.
Do not strive.
Ador.
Though thou hast swallow'd it, I'll rip thy entrail,
But I'll recover it.
Mirt.
Help, help.
Ador.
A new plot.
Enter Claudio, and two Banditi, (presenting their Pistols.)
Claud.
Forbear, libidinous Monsters; if you offer
The least resistance, you are dead: if one
But lay his hand upon his sword, shoot all.
Ador.
Let us fight for what we have, and if you can
Win it, enjoy it.
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We come not to try
Your valor, but for your money; throw down your sword,
Or I'll begin with you: So if you will
Walk quietly without bonds, you may, if not
We'll force you; thou shalt have no wrong,
But justice against these.
1. Bandit.
We'll teach your Sir
To meddle with wenches in our walks.
2. Bandit.
It being against our Canons.
Camil.
Whether will you lead us?
Claud.
You shall know that hereafter: Guard 'em sure.
Exeunt.
Enter Alphonso, Monteclaro, Captain.
Alpho.
Are all the passages stopp'd?
Cap.
And strongly man'd,
They must use wings, and flie, if they escape us.
Monte.
But why, great Sir, you should expose your person
To such apparent danger, when you may
Have 'em brought bound before you; is beyond
My apprehension.
Alpho.
I am better arm'd
Then you suppose: besides it is confirm'd
By all that have been robb'd, since Severino
Commanded these Banditi; though it be
Unusual in Italy, imitating
The courteous English Theeves, for so they call 'em,
They have not done one murther: I must adde too,
That from a strange relation I have heard
Of Severino's Justice, in disposing
80
Of what I take up now but on report:
And therefore 'tis my pleasure that we should
As soon as they encounter us, without
A shew of opposition yield.
Mont.
Your will is not to be disputed.
Alph.
You have plac'd
Your ambush so, that if there be occasion
They suddenly may break in.
Capt.
My life upon't.
Alph.
We cannot travail far, but we shall meet
With some of these good fellows; and be sure
You do as I command you.
Mont.
Without fear, sir.
Exeunt.
Enter Severino and Jolante.
Sev.
'Tis true, I did command Caliste should not
Without my knowledg and consent, assisted
By your advice, be married: but your
Restraint, as you deliver it, denying
A grown up Maid the modest conversation
Of Men, and warrantable pleasures, relish'd
Of too much rigor, which no doubt hath driven her
To take some desperate course.
Jol.
What then I did, was in my care thought best.
Sev.
I so conceive it;
But where was your discretion to forbid
Access and fit approaches, when you knew
Her Suiters noble, either of which I would
Have wish'd my son in law? Adorio,
However wild, a young man of good parts,
But better fortunes: his Competitor
Caldoro, for his sweetness of behaviour,
Staidness and temperance, holding the first place
Among the Gallants most observ'd in Naples;
81
But in the expectation of his Uncles
And Guardians entrata's, by the course
Of nature to descend on him, a Match
For the best Subjects blood, I except none
Of eminence in Italy.
Jol.
Your wishes,
Howe'r a while delaid, are not I hope
Impossibilities.
Sev.
Though it prove so,
Yet 'tis not good to give a check to Fortune
When she comes smiling to us.—
Hark, this Cornet
[Cornet within]
Assures us of a prize; there sit in state,
'Tis thy first tribute.
Jol.
Would we might enjoy our own as Subjects:
Sev.
What's got by the sword,
Is better then inheritance: All those Kingdoms
Subdu'd by Alexander, were by force extorted,
Though gilded ore with glorious stiles of conquest;
His victories but royal robberies,
And his true definition a Thief;
When circled with huge Navies to the terror
Of such as plough'd the Ocean, as the Pirate
Who from a narrow Creek puts off for prey
In a small Pinace, from a second place
New spoil brought in,—from a third party, brave!
This shall be registred a day of triumph
Design'd by fate to honor thee.—
—Welcome Claudio;
Good booty, ha?
82
Clau.
Their outsides promise so,
But yet they have not made discovery
Of what they stand possest of.
Sev.
Welcome all
Good boys; you have done bravely, if no blood
Be shed in the service.
1 Band.
On our lives no drop sir.
Sev.
'Tis to my wish.
Jol.
My Lord!
Sev.
No more, I know 'em.
Jol.
My daughter and her woman too!
Sev.
Conceal your joys.
Dur.
Faln in the Devils mouth.
Cal.
My father,
And mother! to what fate am I reserv'd?
Cald.
Continue masqu'd; or grant that you be known,
From whom can you expect a gentle sentence,
If you despair a Fathers?
Ador.
Now I perceive which way I lost my Jewel.
Mirt.
I rejoice
I am clear'd from theft; you have done me wrong,
But I unask'd forgive you.
Dur.
'Tis some comfort yet
The rivals, men and women, friends and foes, are
Together in one toil.
Sev.
You all look pale,
83
Express a general fear: pray you shake it off;
For understand you are not faln into
The hands of a Busiris or a Cacus,
Delighted more in blood then spoil; but given up
To the power of an unfortunate Gentleman,
Not born to these low courses, howsoere
My fate, and just displeasure of the King
Design'd me to it: you need not to doubt
A sad captivity here, and much less fear
For profit to be sold for slaves, then ship'd
Into another Country; in a word,
You know the proscrib'd Severino, he
Not unacquainted, but familiar with
The most of you: Want in my self I know not,
But for the pay of these my Squires, who eat
Their bread with danger purchas'd, and must be
With others fleeces cloth'd, or live expos'd
To the summers scorching heat and winters cold;
To these before you be compell'd, (a word
I speak with much unwillingness) deliver
Such coin as you are furnish'd with.
Duraz.
A fine method!
This is neither begging, borrowing, nor robbery,
Yet it hath a twang of all of them. But one word Sir.
Sever.
Your pleasure.
Duzar.
When we have thrown down our Muck, what follows?
Sever.
Liberty, with a safe convoy, to any place you chuse.
Duraz.
By this hand you are
A fair fraternity; for once I'll be
The first example to relieve your Covent.
There's a thousand crowns, my Vintage, Harvest, Profits
84
Share it among you.
Sever.
You are still the jovial, and good Durazzo.
Duraz.
To the Offering, nay,
No hanging an arse, this is their wedding day.
What you must do spight of your hearts, do freely
For your own sakes.
Camil.
There's mine.
They all throw down their purses.
Lent.
Mine.
Donat.
All that I have.
Cald.
This to preserve my Jewel.
Ador.
Which I challenge;
Let me have justice, for my coin I care not.
Mont.
I will not weep for mine.
Capt.
Would it were more.
Sev.
Nay you are priviledg'd; but why old father
Art thou so slow? thou hast one foot in the grave,
And if desire of gold do not increase
With thy expiring lease of life, thou shouldst
Be forwardest.
Alph.
In what concerns my self,
I do acknowledge it, and I should lie,
(A vice I have detested from my youth)
If I deny'd my present store, since what
I have about me now, weighs down in value
Almost a hundred fold, what ever these
Have laid before you, see I do groan under
Throws down three bags.
The burthen of my treasure; nay 'tis Gold,
And if your hunger of it be not sated
With what already I have shewn unto you,
Here's that shall glut it. In this Casket are
Inestimable Jewels, Diamonds
Of such a piercing lustre, as struck blinde
Th'amazed Lapidary, while he labor'd
85
Opens the Casket.
Some orient Pearls too, which the Queen of Spain
Might wear as Earings, in remembrance of
The day that she was crown'd.
Sever.
The spoils I think of both the Indies.
Duraz.
The great Sultans poor,
If parallel'd with this Cræssus.
Sever.
Why dost thou weep?
Alpho.
From a most fit consideration of
My poverty, this though restor'd, will not
Serve my occasions.
Sever.
Impossible.
Duraz.
May be he would buy his pasport up to Heaven,
And then this too little, though in the journey
It were a good Viaticum.
Alpho.
I would make it
A means to help me thither; not to wrong you
With tedious expectation, I'll discover
What my wants are, and yield my reasons for 'em:
I have two sons, twins, the true images
Of what I was at their years; never father
Had fairer, or more promising hopes in his
Posterity: But alas, these sons ambitious
Of glittering honor, and an after-name
Atchiev'd by glorious, and yet pious actions,
(For such were their intentions) put to sea:
They had a well rigg'd Bottom, fully mann'd,
An old experienc'd Master, lusty Sailers,
Stout Land-men, and what's something more then rare,
They did agree, had one design, and that was
In charity to redeem the Christian slaves
Chain'd to the Turkish servitude.
Sev.
A brave aim.
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A most heroique enterprise; I languish
To hear how they succeeded.
Alph.
Prosperously
At first, and to their wishes: divers Gallies
They boarded, and some strong Forts near the shore
They suddenly surpriz'd, a thousand Captives
Redeem'd from th'oar, paid their glad vows & prayrs
For their deliverance, their ends acquir'd;
And making homeward in triumphant manner,
(For sure the cause deserv'd it.)
Dur.
Pray you end here,
The best I fear is told, and that which follows
Must conclude ill.
Alph.
Your fears are true, and yet
I must with grief relate it; prodigal fame
In every place with her loud trump proclaiming
The greatness of the action; the Pyrates
Of Tunis and Argiers laid wait for 'em
At their return. To tell you what resistance
They made, and how my poor sons fought, would but
Increase my sorrow, and perhaps grieve you
To hear it passionately describ'd unto you
In brief they were taken, and for the great loss
The enemy did sustain their victory,
Being with much blood bought, they do endure
The heaviest captivity, wretched men
Did ever suffer, O my sons? my sons?
To me for ever lost, lost, lost for ever.
Sever.
Will not these heaps of Gold added to thine,
Suffice for ransome?
Alpho.
For my sons it would,
But they refuse their liberty, if all
That were engaged with them, have not their Irons
With theirs struck off, and set at liberty with them,
Which these heaps cannot purchase.
Sever.
Ha? the toughness
87
I have some hidden treasure, and if all,
I and my Squires, these three years have laid up,
Can make the sum up, freely take it.
Duraz.
I'll sell my self to my shirt, lands, moveables, and thou
Shalt part with thine too Nephew, rather then
Such brave men shall live slaves.
2. Bandit.
We will not yeeld to't:
3. Bandit.
Nor loose our parts.
Sever.
How's this?
2. Bandit.
You are fitter far
To be a Churchman, then to have command over good-fellows.
Sever.
Thus I ever use
[Strikes 'em down.]
Such saucy Rascals, second me Claudio.
Rebellious? do you grumble? I'll not leave
One rogue of 'em alive.
Alpho.
Hold, give the sign
[He discovers himself.]
All.
The King.
Sever.
Then I am lost.
Claud.
The Woods are full of armed men.
Alpho.
No hope of your escape
Can flatter you.
Sever.
Mercy dread Sir.
Alpho.
Thy carriage in this unlawful course appears so noble,
Especially in this last tryal, which
I put upon you, that I wish the mercy
You kneel in vain for, might fall gently on you.
But when the holy Oyl was pour'd upon
My head, and I anointed King, I swore
Never to pardon murther, I could wink at
Your robberies, though our Laws call 'em death;
But to dispense with Monteclaro's blood
Would ill become a King, in him I lost
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A strict accompt of't; 'tis in vain to move,
My doom's irrevocable.
Monte.
Not dread Sir, if Monteclaro live.
Alpho.
If? good Laval.
Monte.
He lives in him Sir, that you thought Laval.
Three years have not so altered me, but you may
Remember Monteclaro.
Dur.
How.
Jol.
My Brother.
Calist.
Uncle.
Monte.
Give me leave, I was
Left dead in the field, but by the Duke Montpensier,
Now General at Millain, taken up,
And with much care recovered.
Alpho.
Why liv'd you so long conceal'd?
Monte.
Confounded with the wrong
I did my Brother, in provoking him
To fight. I spent the time in France that I
Was absent from the Court, making my exile
The punishment impos'd upon my self
For my offence.
Jol.
Now Sir, I dare confess all
This was the ghest invited to the Banquet,
That drew on your suspition.
Sever.
Your intent,
Though it was ill in you, I do forgive,
The rest I'll hear at leisure; Sir, your sentence.
Alpho.
It is a general pardon unto all
Upon my hopes, in your fair lives hereafter
You will deserve it.
Sever., Claud., &c.
Long live great Alphonso.
Dur.
Your mercy shewn in this, now if you please
Decide these lovers difference.
Alpho.
That is easie.
89
Consenting to it.
Calist.
Here I fix them, never to be remov'd.
Cald.
'Tis my nil ultra Sir.
Mirt.
O that I had the happiness to say
So much to you, I dare maintain my love
Is equal to my Ladies.
Ador.
But my minde
A pitch above yours. Marry with a servant
Of no descent or fortune.
Sever.
You are deceiv'd,
How ere she has been train'd up as a servant,
She is the daughter of a noble Captain,
Who in his voyage to the Persian Gulph,
Perish'd by shipwrack, one I dearly lov'd.
He to my care intrusted her, having taken
My word, if he return'd not like himself,
I never should discover what she was,
But it being for her good, I will dispense with it.
So much Sir for her blood, now for her portion.
So dear I hold the memory of my friend,
It shall rank with my daughters.
Ador.
This made good
I will not be perverse.
Duraz.
With a kiss confirm it.
Ador.
I sign all concord here, but must to you Sir
For reparation of my wounded honor,
The justice of the King consenting to it,
Denounce a lawful war.
Alpho.
This in our presence.
Ador.
The cause dread Sir commands it, though your Edicts
Call private Combats, Murthers, rather then
Sit down with a disgrace, arising from
A blow; the Bonds of my obedience shook of,
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Cald.
I do confess the wrong,
Forgetting the occasion, and desire
Remission from you, and upon such terms
As by his sacred Majesty shall be judged
Equal on both parts.
Ador.
I desire no more.
Alpho.
All then are pleas'd, it is the glory of
A King to make, and keep his subjects happy;
For us we do approve the Roman Maxim,
To save one Citizen is a greater prize,
Then to have kill'd in War ten Enemies.
Exeunt.
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