 | The Very Woman, or the Prince of Tarent |  |
17
Act. 2.
Scæn. 1.
Enter Pedro, Don John, Captain.John.
Why should your love to me, having already
So oft endur'd the test, be put unto
A needless trial? have you not long since
In every circumstance and rite of friendship
Outgone all presidents the Antients boast of,
And will you yet move further?
Ped.
Hitherto
I have done nothing (howsoe'r you value
My weak endeavours) that may justly claim
A title to your friendship, and much less
Laid down the debt, which as a tribute due
To your deservings, not I, but mankind
Stands bound to tender.
John.
Do not make an Idol
Of him that should, and without superstition,
To you build up an Altar. O my Pedro,
When I am to expire, to call you mine
Assures a future happiness: Give me leave
To argue with you, and the fondness of
Affection struck blind, with justice hear me.
Why should you, being innocent, fling your life
Into the furnace of your fathers anger
For my offence? Or take it granted, (yet
'Tis more then supposition) you prefer
18
You waste your favors) wherfore should this Captain
His blood and sweat rewarded in the favor
Of his great Master, falsifie the trust
Which from true judgment he reposes in him,
For me a stranger?
Ped.
Let him answer that,
He needs no prompter: Speak your thoughts, and freely:
Capt.
I ever lov'd to do so, and it shames not
The bluntness of my breeding; from my youth
I was train'd up a Soldier, one of those
That in their natures love the dangers more
Then the rewards of danger. I could add,
My life, when forfeited, the Viceroy pardon'd,
But by his intercession; and therefore
It being lent by him, I were ungrateful
(Which I will never be) if I refus'd
To pay that debt at any time demanded.
Ped.
I hope, friend, this will satisfie you.
John.
No, it raises
More doubts within me. Shall I from the school
Of gratitude, in which this Captain reads
The text so plainly, learn to be unthankful?
Or viewing in your actions the Idea
Of perfect Friendship, when it does point to me
How brave a thing it is to be a Friend,
Turn from the object? Had I never lov'd
The fair Almira for her outward features,
Nay, were the beauties of her mind suspected,
And her contempt and scorn painted before me,
The being your Sister would anew inflame me
With much more impotence to dote upon her:
No, dear friend, let me in my death confirm
(Though you in all things else have the precedence)
I'll die ten times, ere one of Pedro's hairs
Shall suffer in my cause.
19
If you so love me,
In love to that part of my soul dwels in you,
(For though two bodies, friends have but one soul.)
Loose not both life and me.
Enter a Servant.
1. Serv.
The Prince is dead.
Exit.
John.
If so, shall I leave Pedro here to answer
For my escape? As thus I clasp thee, let
The Vice-roys sentence finde me.
Ped.
Flie for Heavens sake,
Consider the necessity; though now
We part Anthonio we, may meet again;
But death's division is for ever, friend.
Enter another Servant.
2. Serv.
The rumor spread Sir, of Martino's death,
Is check'd, there's hope of his recovery.
John.
Why should I flie then? when I may enjoy
With mine own life, my friend.
Ped.
That's still uncertain,
He may have a relapse; for once be rul'd friend.
He's a good debtor that pays when 'tis due;
A prodigal, that before it is requir'd,
Makes tender of it.
Enter three or four Sailors.
1. Sail.
The Bark, Sir, is ready.
2. Sail.
The wind sits fair.
Whistles within.
3. Sail.
Heaven favors your escape.
Cap.
Hark how the Boatswain whistles you aboard.
Will nothing move you?
John.
Can I leave my friend?
20
I must delay no longer, force him home.
Capt.
I'll run the hazard of my fortunes with you.
John.
What violence is this? hear but my Reasons.
Pedro.
Poor friendship that is cool'd with Arguments.
Away, away.
Capt.
For Malta.
Pedro.
You shall hear
All our events.
John.
I may sail round the world,
But never meet thy like. Pedro.
Pedro.
Anthonio.
John.
I breathe my soul back to thee.
Pedro.
In exchange
Bear mine along with thee.
Capt.
Cheerly my hearts.
Exeunt.
Ped.
He's gone, May pittying-Heaven his Pilot be,
And then I weigh not what becomes of me.
Exit.
Enter Viceroy, Messina, and Attendants.
Vice.
I tell you right Sir.
Mes.
Yes, like a rough Surgeon,
Without a feeling in your self, you search
My wounds unto the quick, then pray declare
The tediousness, and danger of the cure,
Never remembring what the Patient suffers.
But you preach this Philosophy to a man
That does pertake of passion, and not
To a dull Stoick.
Vice.
I confess you have
Just cause to mourn your Son; and yet if reason
Cannot yeeld comfort, let example cure.
I am a Father too, my onely daughter
As dear in my esteem, perhaps as worthy
As your Martino, in her love to him
21
And yet I bear it with a better temper.
Enter Pedro.
Pedro.
Which if you please to imitate 'twill not wrong
Your pietie, nor your judgment.
Mes.
We were fashion'd in different moulds,
I weep with mine own eyes Sir, pursue my ends too,
Pitie to you's a Cordial,
Revenge to me, and that I must, and will have
If my Martino die.
Pedro.
Your must, and will,
Shall in your full sail'd confidence deceive you.
Lord.
Hear's Doctor Paulo Sir.
Enter Doctor Paulo, two Surgeons.
Mes.
My hand? you rather
Deserve my knee, and it shall bend as to
A second Father, if your saving aids
Restore my son.
Vice.
'Rise thou bright star of knowledge,
The honor of thy art, thou help of nature,
Thou glory of our Academies.
Doct.
If I blush Sir
To hear these attributes ill plac'd on me,
It is excusable. I am no God Sir,
Nor holy Saint that can do miracles,
But a weak sinful man: Yet that I may
In some proportion deserve these favors,
Your excellencies please to grace me with,
I promise all the skill I have acquir'd
In simples, or the careful observation
Of the superior Bodies, with my judgment
22
To do you service.
Mes.
Modestly repli'd.
Vice.
How is it with you princely Patient?
Mes.
Speak,
But speak some comfort Sir.
Doct.
I must speak truth,
His wounds, though many, Heaven so guided yet
Anthonio's sword, it pierc'd no part was mortal.
These Gentlemen who worthily deserve
The names of Surgeons, have done their duties:
The means they practis'd, not ridiculous charms
To stop the blood; no Oyls, nor Balsoms bought
Of cheating Quack-salvers, or Montebanks,
By them appli'd: The rules by Chiron taught,
And Æsculapius, which drew upon him,
The thunderers envy, they with care pursu'd,
Heav'n prospering their endeavors.
Mes.
There is hope then
Of his recovery?
Doct.
But no assurance;
I must not flatter you. That little air
Of comfort that breathes towards us (for I dare not
Rob these t'inrich my self) you ow their care;
For yet I have done nothing.
Mes.
Still more modest,
I will begin with them, to either give
Three thousand crowns.
Vice.
I'll double your reward;
See 'em paid presently.
1. Surg.
This magnificence
With equity, cannot be confer'd on us;
'Tis due unto the Doctor.
2: Surg.
True; we were
But his subordinate ministers, and did onely
Follow your grave directions.
23
'Tis your own,
I challenge no part in it.
Vice.
Brave on both sides.
Doct.
Deserve this, with the honor that will follow
In your attendance.
2. Surg.
If both sleep at once,
'Tis justice both should die.
Exeunt Surgeons:
Mes.
For you grave Doctor,
We will not in such petty sums consider
Your high desarts. Our treasury lies open,
Command it as your own.
Vice.
Choose any Castle,
Nay City, in our Government, and be Lord of't.
Doct.
Of neither Sir, I am not so ambitious;
Nor would I have your Highnesses secure.
We have but faintly yet begun our journey,
A thousand difficulties and dangers must be
Encountred, ere we end it. Though his hurts,
I mean his outward ones, do promise fair,
There is a deeper one, and in his minde
Must be with care provided for. Melancholy,
And at the height, too near of kin to madness,
Possesses him; his senses are distracted,
Not one, but all; and if I can collect 'em
With all the various ways, invention,
Or industry ever practis'd, I shall write it
My master-piece.
Mes.
You more and more engage me.
Vice.
May we not visit him?
Doct.
By no means Sir,
As he is now, such courtesies come untimely,
I'll yeeld you reason for't. Should he look on you,
It will renew the memory of that
Which I would have forgotten. Your good prayers
(And those I do presume, shall not be wanting
To my endeavors) are the utmost aids
24
So with my humblest service.
Mes.
Go and prosper.
Exit Doctor.
Vice.
Observe his piety I have heard, how true
I know not, most Physitians as they grow
Greater in skill, grow less in their Religion.
Attributing so much to natural causes,
That they have little faith in that they cannot
Deliver Reason for: This Doctor steers
Another course; but let this pass, if you please.
Your company to my Daughter.
Mes.
I wait on you.
Exeunt.
Enter Leonora, and two Women.
Leon.
Took she no rest to night?
1. Wom.
Not any Madam,
I am sure she slept not. If she slumbred strait,
As if some dreadful vision had appear'd,
She started up, her hair unbound, and with
Distracted looks, staring about the Chamber,
She asks aloud; where is Martino? where
Have you conceal'd him? sometimes names Anthonio,
Trembling in every joynt, her brows contracted:
Her fair face as 'twere chang'd into a curse,
Her hands held up thus, and as if her words
Were too big to finde passage through her mouth.
She groans, then throws her self upon her Bed,
Beating her Brest.
Leon.
'Tis wondrous strange.
2. Wom.
Nay more,
She that of late vouchsafed not to be seen,
But so adorn'd, as if she were to rival
Nero's Poppea, or the Egyptian Queen,
Now careless of her beauties; when we offer
Our service, she contemns it.
Leon.
Does she not
25
2. Wom.
Much about
This hour, then with a strange unsetled gate
She measures twice, or thrice the Gallery,
Silent, and frowning (we dare not speak to her)
And then returns. She's come, pray you now observe her.
Enter Almira in black, carelesly habited.
Al.
Why are my eyes fix'd on the ground, and not
Bent upwards? Ha! that which was mortal of
My dear Martino, as a debt to nature.
I know this mother Earth hath sepulchred:
But his diviner part, his Soul, o'r which
The tyrant death, nor yet the fatal sword
Of curs'd Anthonio, his Instrument,
Had the least power, borne upon Angels wings,
Appointed to that office, mounted far
Above the Firmament.
Leon.
Strange imagination!
Dear Cousin your Martino lives.
Al.
I know you,
And that in this you flatter me. He's dead,
As much as could die of him: But look yonder
Amongst a million of glorious lights
That deck the heavenly Canopy; I have
Discern'd his soul transform'd into a star.
Do you not see it?
Leon.
Lady.
Al.
Look with my eyes.
What splendor circles it! the heavenly Archer
Not far off distant, appears dim with envy,
Viewing himself out-shin'd. Bright Constellation
Dart down thy beams of pity on Almira;
And since thou findst such grace where now thou art,
As I did truly love thee on the Earth,
26
And place me near thee.
Leon.
I much more then fear,
She'll grow into a phrensie.
Al.
How! what's this?
A dismal sound! Come nerer Cousin, lay
Your ear close to the ground, closer I pray you.
Do you howl? are you there Anthonio?
Leon.
Where sweet Lady?
Al.
I'th' Vault, in Hell, on the infernal rack,
Where murtherers are tormented: Yirk him soundly.
'Twas Rhadamanths sentence; Do your office Furies.
How he rores! what plead to me to mediate for you?
I am deaf, I cannot hear you.
Leon.
'Tis but fancy,
Collect your self.
Al.
Leave babling; 'tis rare Musick.
Rhamnusia plays on a pair of tongs
Red hot; and Proserpine dances to the consort;
Pluto sits laughing by too. So, enough,
I do begin to pitie him.
Leon.
I wish, Madam,
You would shew it to your self.
2. Wom.
Her fit begins
To leave her.
Al.
O my brains! are you there Cousin?
Leon.
Now she speaks temperately. I am ever ready
To do you service: How do you?
Al.
Very much troubled.
I have had the strangest waking dream of Hell
And Heaven, I know not what.
Leon.
My Lord your Father
27
That is so tender of you, entertain him
With a becoming dutie.
Enter Viceroy, Messina, Pedro, Attendants:
Vice.
Still forlorn?
No comfort my Almira?
Mes.
In your sorrow,
For my Martino, Madam, you have express'd
All possible love and tenderness. Too much of it
Will wrong your self, and him. He may live Lady
(For we are not past hope) with his future service,
In some part to deserve it.
Al.
If Heaven please
To be so gratious to me, I'll serve him
With such obedience, love, and humbleness,
That I will rise up an example for
Good wives to follow: But until I have
Assurance what fate will determine of me,
Thus like a desolate Widow, give me leave
To weep for him; for should he die, I have vow'd
Not to out-live him; and my humble suit is,
One Monument may cover us, and Anthonio
In justice you must grant me that be offer'd
A Sacrifice to our Ashes.
Vice.
Prethee put off
These sad thoughts, both shall live (I doubt it not)
A happy pair.
28
Cuc.
O Sir, the foulest treason
That ever was discovered.
Vice.
Speak it, that
We may prevent it.
Cuc.
Nay 'tis past prevention,
Though you allow me wise (in modesty,
I will not say oraculous) I cannot help it.
I am a Statesman, and some say a wise one,
But I could never conjure, nor divine
Of things to come.
Vice.
Leave fooling; to the point,
What treason?
Cuc.
The false Prince Don John Anthonio
Is fled.
Vice.
It is not possible.
Ped.
Peace, Scriech-owl.
Cuc.
I must speak, and it shall out, sir; the Captain
You trusted with the Fort, is run away too.
Alm.
O miserable woman, I defie
All comfort, cheated too of my revenge!
As you are my Father sir, and you my Brother,
I will not curse you; but I dare, and will say
You are unjust and treacherous. If there be
A way to death, I'll find it.
Exeunt Almira, Leonora, women.
Vice.
Follow her,
She'll do some violent act upon herself:
Till she be better temper'd, bind her hands,
And fetch the Doctor to her. Had not you
A hand in this?
Ped.
I sir, I never knew
Such disobedience.
Vice:
My honor's touch'd in't:
29
Search every Port and Harbor; if I live,
He shall not 'scape thus.
Mess.
Fine hypocrisie!
Away dissemblers, 'tis confederacie
Betwixt thy son and self, and the false Captain,
He could not thus have vanish'd else. Ye have murther'd
My Son amongst you, and now murther Justice.
You know it most impossible he should live,
Howe'r the Doctor for your ends dissembled,
And you have shifted hence Anthonio.
Vice.
Messina, thou art a craz'd and griev'd old man,
And being in my Court protected by
The law of hospitality, or I should
Give you a sharper answer: May I perish,
If I knew of his flight.
Mess.
Fire then the Castle,
Hang up the Captains wife and children.
Vice.
Fie sir.
Ped.
My Lord, you are uncharitable; capital treasons
Exact not so much.
Mess.
Thanks most noble Signior,
We ever had your good word and your love.
Cuc.
Sir, I dare pass my word, my Lords are clear
Of any imputation in this case
You seem to load 'em with.
Mess.
Impertinent fool;
No, no, the loving faces you put on
Have been but grinning vizors: you have juggled me
Out of my son, and out of justice too.
But Spain shall do me right; believe me Viceroy,
There I will force it from thee by the King,
He shall nor eat nor sleep in peace for me
30
Vice.
Thy worse Messina, since no reason can
Qualifie thy intemperance, the corruption
Of my subordinate Ministers cannot wrong
My true integrity, let privy searches
Examine all the Land.
Ped.
Fair fall Anthonio.
Ex. Viceroy, Ped. Attend.
Cuc.
This is my wife, my Lord; troth speak your conscience,
Is't not a goodly Dame?
Mess.
She is no less Sir,
I will make use of these; may I intreat you
To call my Neece.
Bor.
With speed sir.
Ex. Borachia.
Cuc.
You may my Lord
Suspect me as an Agent in these State conveyances.
Let Signior Cuculo then be never more,
For all his place, wit, and authority,
Held a most worthy honest Gentleman.
Enter Borachia with Leonora.
Mes.
I do acquit you Signior. Neece you see
To what extreams I am driven; the cunning Viceroy
And his son Pedro, having express'd too plainly
Their cold affections to my son Martino;
And therefore I conjure thee Leonora,
By all thy hopes from me, which is my Dukedom,
If my son fail, however all thy fortunes,
Though heretofore some love hath past betwixt
Don Pedro, and thy self, Abjure him now.
And as thou keep'st Almira company,
In this her desolation, so in hate
To this yong Pedro for thy Cousins love,
Be her associate; or assure thy self,
31
If I do ever hear, thou seest, or send'st
Token, or receive message by you Heaven,
I never more will own thee.
Leon.
O dear Uncle,
You have put a tyrannous yoke upon my heart,
And it will break it.
Exit Leonora.
Mes.
Gravest Lady; you
May be a great assister in my ends.
I buy your diligence thus: Divide this couple,
Hinder their enterviews; fain 'tis her will
To give him no admittance, if he crave it,
And thy rewards shalll be thine own desires.
Whereto good Sir, but adde your friendly aids,
And use me to my uttermost.
Cuculo.
My Lord,
If my wife please, I dare not contradict.
Borachia, what do you say?
Bor.
I say, my Lord,
I know my place, and be assur'd I will
Keep fire and toe asunder.
Mes.
You in this
Shall much deserve me.
Exit Messina.
Cuc.
We have took upon us
A heavy charge. I hope you'll now forbear
Th'excess of Wine.
Bor.
I will do what I please.
This day the markets kept for slaves, go you
And buy me a fine timber'd one to assist me.
I must be better waited on.
Cuc.
Any thing.
Ped.
So you'll leave Wine.
Bor.
Still prating?
Cuc.
I am gone Duck.
Exit Cuculo.
Bor.
Pedro! so hot upon the scent, I'll fit him.
32
Ped.
Donna Borachia, you most happily
Are met to pleasure me.
Bor.
It may be so,
I use to pleasure many. Here lies my way,
I do beseech you Sir, keep on your voyage.
Ped.
Be not so short, sweet Lady, I must with you.
Bor.
With me Sir, I beseech you Sir; why, what Sir
See you in me?
Ped.
Do not mistake me Lady,
Nothing but honesty.
Bor.
Hang honesty;
Trump me not up with honesty. Do you mark Sir,
I have a charge Sir, and a special charge Sir;
And 'tis not honesty can win on me Sir.
Ped.
Prethee conceive me rightly.
Bor.
I conceive ye?
Ped.
But understand.
Bor.
I will not understand sir,
I cannot, nor I do not understand sir.
Ped.
Prethee Borachia, let me see my Mistress;
But look upon her, stand you by.
Bor.
How's this?
Shall I stand by? what do you think of me.
Now by the vertue of the place I hold,
You are a Paltry Lord to tempt my trust thus.
I am no Hellen, nor no Heccuba,
To be deflowred of my loyaltie
With your fair language.
Ped.
Thou mistak'st me still.
Bor.
It may be so; my place will bear me out in't;
33
Ped.
A Pox upon thee, let me but behold her.
Bor.
A Plague upon you, you shall never see her:
Ped.
This is a croan in grain! Thou art so testie,
Prethee take breath, and know thy friends.
Bor.
I will not,
I have no friends, nor I will have none this way.
And now I think on't better, why will you see her?
Ped.
Because she loves me dearly, I her equally.
Bor.
She hates you damnably, most wickedly,
(Build that upon my word) most wickedly;
And swears her eies are sick when they behold ye.
How fearfully have I heard her rail upon ye,
And cast, and rail again, and cast again;
Call for hot Waters, and then rail again.
Ped.
How? 'tis not possible.
Bor.
I have heard her swear
(How justly, you best know, and where the cause lies)
That ye are (I shame to tell it) but it must out.
Fie, fie, why, how have you deserv'd it?
Ped.
I am what?
Bor.
The beastliest man; why what a grief must this be,
Sir-reverence of the company, a rank whoremaster:
Ten livery whores, she assur'd me on her credit,
With weeping eies she spake it, and seven Citizens,
Beside all voluntaries that serve under ye,
And of all Countries.
Ped.
This must needs be a lie.
Bor.
Besides ye are so careless of your body,
Which is a foul fault in ye.
Ped.
Leave your fooling,
For this shall be a fable. Happily
My Sisters anger may grow strong against me,
Which thou mistak'st.
34
She hates you very well too,
But your Mistress hates you heartily; look upon ye?
Upon my conscience, she would see the divel first,
With eies as big as sawcers. When I but nam'd ye,
She has leapt back thirty foot: If once she smell ye,
For certainly ye are rank, she says extream rank;
And the wind stand with ye too, she is gone for ever.
Pedro.
For all this I would see her.
Bor.
That's all one.
Have you new eyes when those are scratch'd out? or a nose
To clap on warm? Have you proof against a Pisspot;
Which if they bid me, I must fling upon you?
Ped.
I shall not see her, then you say?
Bor.
It seems so.
Ped.
Prethree be thus far friend, then good Borachia,
To give her but this Letter, and this Ring,
And leave thy pleasant lying, which I pardon;
But leave it in her pocket, there's no harm in't.
I'll take thee up a Petticoat, will that please thee?
Bor.
Take up my Petticoat? I scorn the motion,
I scorn it with my heels; take up my Petticoat?
Ped.
And why thus hot?
Bor.
Sir, you shall finde me hotter
If you take up my Petticoat.
Ped.
I'll give thee a new Petticoat:
Bor.
I scorn the gift: Take up my Petticoat?
Alas my Lord, you are to yong, my Lord;
To yong my Lord to circumcise me that way.
Take up my Petticoat? I am a woman,
A woman of another way, my Lord;
A Gentlewoman. He that takes up my Petticoat,
Shall have enough to do, I warrant him.
35
Ped.
Thou art dispos'd still to mistake me.
Bor.
Petticoat.
You show now what you are, but do your worst, Sir.
Ped.
A wild-fire take thee.
Bor.
I ask no favor of ye,
And so I leave ye; and withal I charge ye
In my own name, for sir I would have ye know it,
In this place I present your fathers person:
Upon your life, not dare to follow me:
For if you do.
Exit Borachia.
Ped.
Go, and the Pox go with thee,
If thou hast so much moisture to receive 'em,
For thou wilt have 'em, though a Horse bestow 'em,
I must devise a way, for I must see her,
And very suddenly; and Madam Petticoat,
If all the wit I have, and this can do,
I'll make you break your charge, and your hope too.
Exit.
| The Very Woman, or the Prince of Tarent | |