 | The Lavves of Candy |  |
Actus Tertius.
Scæna prima.
Enter Gonzalo and Fernando.Gonz.
Candy , I say, is lost already.
Fer.
Yes,
If to be conquer or be to be lost.
Gonz.
You have it; one dayes conquest hath undone them,
And sold them to their vassalage; for what
Have I else toyl'd my braines, profusely emptied
My moneyes, but to make them slaves to Venice,
That so in case the sword did lose his edge,
Then Art might sharpen hers?
Fer.
Gonzalo how?
Gonz.
Fernando thus: you see how through this Land,
Both of the best and basest I am honour'd;
I onely gave the State of Venice notice,
When, where, and how to land, or you had found
A better entertainment: I was he
Encourag'd young Antinous to affront
The devill his father: for the devill I think
Dares not doe more in battaile.
Fer.
But why did ye?
I finde no such great policie in that.
Gonz.
Indeed Fernando, thou canst fight, not plot:
Had they continu'd one, they two alone
Were of sufficient courage and performance
To beat an Armie.
Fern.
Now by all my hopes,
I rather shall admire, then envy vertue.
Gonz.
Why then by all your hopes you'll rather have
Your Braines knockt out, then learne how to be wise;
You States-man? Well sir, I did more then this,
When Cassilane crav'd from the common treasure
Pay for his Souldiers, I strook home, and lent him
An hundred thousand Duckets,
Fer.
Marry sir,
The policy was little, the love lesse,
And honesty least of all.
Gonz.
How say ye by that?
Go fight, I say goe fight, Ile talke no more with you,
You are insensible.
Fer.
Well, I shall observe ye,
Gonz.
Why look you sir, by this meanes have I got
The greatest part of Cassilanes estate
Into my hands, which he can ne're redeem,
But must of force sinke: do you conceive me now?
Fer.
So:
But why have you importuned the Senate,
For me to sojourne with them?
Gonz.
There's the quintessence,
The soule, and grand elixer of my wit:
For he (according to his noble nature)
Will not be knowne to want, though he do want,
And will be bankrupted so much the sooner,
And made the subject of our scorne and laughter.
Fern.
Here's a perfect plotted stratagem.
Gonz.
Why? could you
Imagine, that I did not hate in heart
My Countreyes enemies? yes, yes, Fernando,
And I will be the man that shall undoe them.
Fer.
Ye are in a ready way.
Gonz.
I was never out on't.
Enter Gaspero.
Gonz.
Peace,
Here comes a wise Coxcombe, a tame Coward.
Now worthy Gaspero, what,
You come (I know) to be my Lord Fernando's
Conducter to old Cassilane?
Gas.
To wait upon him.
Gonz.
And my Lords the Senators sent you?
Gasp.
My noble Lord they did.
Gonz.
My Lord Fernando,
This gentleman (as humble as you see him)
Is even this Kingdomes treasure; In a word,
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Then honest, nor more honest then approv'd
In truth and faith.
Gasp.
My Lord.
Gonz.
You may be bold
To trust him with your bosome, he'll not deceive,
If you relie upon him once.
Ferd.
Your name is Gaspero?
Gasp.
Your servant.
Gonz.
Goe commend me
(Right honest Gaspero) commend me heartily
To noble Cassilane, tell him my love
Is vow'd to him.
Gas.
I shall.
Gonz.
I know you will.
My Lord I cannot long be absent from you.
Fer.
Sir, you are now my guide.
Exit.
Gonz.
Thus my designes
Run uncontroul'd; yet Venice though I be
Intelligencer to thee, in my braine
Are other large Projects: for if proud Erota
Bend to my lure, I will be Candy's King,
And Duke of Venice too. Ha? Venice too?
O 'twas prettily shov'd in: why not? Erota
May in her love seale all sure: if she swallow
The bait, I am Lord of both; if not, yet Candy
Despight of all her power shall be ruin'd.
Enter Cassilane, Arcanes, and Annophill.
Cas.
Urge me no farther Annophill.
Anno.
My Lord.
Cas.
Thy fathers poverty has made thee happie;
For though 'tis true, this solitary life
Sutes not with youth and beautie, O my childe,
Yet 'tis the sweetest Guardian to protect
Chaste names from Court-aspersions; there a Lady.
Tender and delicate in yeares and graces,
That doats upon the charmes of ease and pleasure,
Is ship-wrackt on the shore; for 'tis much safer
To trust the Ocean in a leaking ship,
Then follow greatnesse in the wanton rites
Of luxurie and sloth.
Ann.
My wishes sir,
Have never soar'd a higher flight, then truely
To finde occasion wherein I might witnesse
My duty and obedience.
Cas.
'Tis well said,
Canst thou forbeare to laugh Arcanes?
Arc.
Why sir?
Cas.
To look upon my beggerie, to look upon
My patience in my beggerie: Tell me,
Does it shew handsome? bravely?
Handsome? thou wilt flatter me,
And sweare that I am miserable.
Arc.
Nothing
More glorifies the noble, and the valiant,
Then to despise contempt: if you continue
But to enjoy your selfe, you in your selfe
Enjoy all store besides.
Cas.
An excellent change:
I that some seven Apprentice-ships commanded
A hundred Ministers, that waited on
My nod, and sometimes twenty thousand souldiers,
Am now retir'd, attended in my age
By one poore maid, followed by one old man.
Arc.
Sir, you are lower in your owne repute
Then you have reason for.
Cas.
The Romane Captaines,
I meane the best, such as with their blouds
Purchas'd their Countreyes peace, the Empires glorie,
Were glad at last to get them to some Farmes,
Off-from the clamours of the ingratefull great ones,
And the unsteddy multitude, to live
As I doe now, and 'twas their blessing too,
Let it be ours Arcanes.
Arc.
I cannot but
Applaud your scorne of injuries.
Cas.
Of injuries?
Arcanes, Annophill, lend both your hands.
So, what say yee now?
Arc.
Why now my Lord—
Cas.
I sweare
By all my past prosperities; thus standing
Between you two, I thinke my selfe as great,
As mighty, as if in the Capitoll
I stood amidst the Senators, with all
The Cretano subjects prostrate at my feet.
Ann.
Sir, you are here more safe.
Cas.
And more beloved:
Why look yee sirs, I can forget the weaknesse
Of the traduced souldiers, the neglect
Of the faire-spoken Senate, the impietie
Of him, the villaine, whom (to my dishonour)
The World miscalls my son.
But by the—
Arc.
Sir, remember that you promis'd no occasion
Should move your patience.
Cas.
Thou do'st chide me friendly.
He shall not have the honour to be thought upon
Amongst us.
Enter a Servant.
Now? the newes?
Ser.
The Secretarie,
With the Venetian prisoner, desire
Admittance to your Lordship.
Cas.
How? to me?
What mysterie is this? Arcanes can they
Thinkst thou, meane any good?
Arc.
My Lord, they dare not
Intend ought else but good.
Cas.
Tis true, they dare not;
Arcanes welcome them: Come hither Annophill,
Stand close to me, wee'll change our affability
Into a forme of State: and they shall know
Our heart is still our owne.
Enter Arcanes, Fernando, and Gaspero.
Arc.
My Lord—
Cas.
Arcanes,
I know them both: Fernando, as you are
A man of greatnesse, I should under-value
The right my sword hath fought for, to observe
Low-fawning complements, but as you are
A Captive and a stranger, I can love you,
And must be kinde. You are welcome.
Fern.
'Tis the all
Of my ambition.
Gas.
And for proof how much
He truely honours your heroick vertues,
The Senate on his importunity,
Commend him to your Lordships guard.
Cas.
For what?
Gas.
During the time of his abode in Candy.
60
Fer.
Wherein my Lord,
You shall more make me debtor to your noblenesse,
Then if you had return'd me without ransome.
Cass.
Are you in earnest Sir?
Fern.
My sute to the Senate
Shall best resolve you that.
Cass.
Come hither Secretarie,
Look that this be no trick now put upon me:
For if it be—Sirrah—
Gas.
As I have troth
(My Lord) it onely is a favour granted
Upon Fernando's motion, from himselfe:
Your Lordship must conceive, I'de not partake
Ought, but what should concerne your honour; who
Has been the prop, our Countries shield, and safety,
But the renowned Cassilane?
Cass.
Applause?
Is Gaspero—puffe—nothing—why, young Lord,
Would you so much be sequester'd from those
That are the blazing Comets of the time,
To live a solitarie life with me?
A man forsaken? all my hospitality
Is now contracted to a few; these two,
This tempest-wearied souldier, and this Virgin;
We cannot feast your eyes with Masques and Revells,
Or Courtly Anticks: the sad sports we riot in,
Are Tales of foughten fields, of Martiall scarres,
And things done long agoe, when men of courage
Were held the best, not those well-spoken youths,
Who onely carry conquest in their tongues;
Now stories of this nature are unseasonable
To entertaine a great Dukes son with.
Fer.
Herein
Shall my Captivity be made my happinesse,
Since what I lose in freedome, I regaine
(With int'rest) by conversing with a Souldier
So matchlesse for experience, as great Cassilane.
Pray sir admit me.
Cas.
If you come to mock me,
I shall be angrie.
Fer.
By the love I beare
To goodnesse, my intents are honourable.
Cas.
Then in a word, my Lord, your visitations
Shall find all due respect: But I am now
Growne old, and have forgot to be an host;
Come when you please you are welcome.
Fer.
Sir, I thank you.
Ann.
Good sir be not too urgent; for my father
Will soon be mov'd: yet in a noble way
Of courtesie he is as easily conquer'd.
Fer.
Lady, your words are like your beauty, powerfull;
I shall not strive more how to doe him service,
Then how to be your servant.
Cas.
Shee's my daughter,
And does command this house.
Fer.
I so conceive her.
Cas.
Doe you heare?
Gas.
My honour'd Lord.
Cas.
Commend me to them.
Tell 'em I thank them.
Gas.
Whom my Lord?
Cas.
The Senate:
Why how come you so dull? O they are gratious,
And infinitely gratefull—Thou art eloquent,
Speak modestly in mentioning my services:
And if ought fall out in the By, that must
Of meere necessity touch any act
Of my deserving praises, blush when you talke on't,
'Twill make them blush to heare on't.
Gas.
Why my Lord—
Cas.
Nay, nay, you are too wise now; good, observe me,
I doe not raile against the hopefull Springall,
That builds up monuments in Brasse; reares Trophies
With Mottoes and Inscriptions, quaint devices
Of Poetrie and fiction; let's be quiet.
Arc.
You must not crosse him.
Gas.
Not for Candys wealth.
Fer.
You shall for ever make me yours.
Ann.
'Twere pitty to double your captivity.
Arc.
Who's here, Decius?
Enter Decius.
Cas.
Ha! Decius? who nam'd Decius?
Dec.
My duty to your Lordship: I am bold,
Presuming on your noble and knowne goodnesse
To—
Cas.
What?
Dec.
Present you with this—
Cas.
Letter?
Dec.
Yes my honour'd Lord.
Cas.
From whom?
Dec.
Please you peruse
The in-side, you shall finde a name subscrib'd,
In such humility, in such obedience,
That you your selfe will judge it tyranny
Not to receive it favourably.
Cas.
Hey-day.
Good words my Masters; this is Court-infection,
And none but Cowards ply them: Tell me, Decius,
Without more circumstance, who is the sender?
Dec.
Your much griev'd sonne Antinous.
Cas.
On my life
A challenge; speak, as thou art worthy speak:
Ile answer't.
Dec.
Honour'd Sir.
Cas.
No honour'd Sirs—
Foole your yong Idoll with such pompous Attributes.
Say briefely, what containes it?
Dec,
'Tis a lowly
Petition for your favour.
Cas.
Rash young man,
But that thou art under my owne roofe, and know'st
I dare not any way infringe the Lawes
Of hospitality, thou should'st repent
Thy bold and rude intrusion. But presume not
Againe to shew thy Letter, for thy life;
Decius, not for thy life.
Arc.
Nay then (my Lord)
I can with-hold no longer: you are too rough,
And wrestle against nature, with a violence
More then becomes a father: wherein would yee
Come nearer to the likenesse of God,
Then in your being entreated? Let not thirst
Of honour, make you quite forget you are
A man, and what makes perfect man-hoods, comforts
A father.
Ann.
If a memory remaine
Of my departed mother; if the purity
Of her unblemish'd faith deserve to live
In your remembrance, let me yet by these
Awake your love to my uncomforted Brother.
Fer.
I am a stranger: but so much I tender
Your sons desertfull vertues, that I vow
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As shall your curtesie, if you vouchsafe
At all our instances, to new receive him,
Into your wonted favour.
Gas.
Sir, you cannot
Require more low submission.
Anno.
Am I not
Growne vile yet in your eyes? then by the name
Of father, let me once more sue for him,
Who is the only now remaining-branch
With me, of that most ancient roote, whose body
You are, deare sir.
Cas.
'Tis well: an host of furies
Could not have baited me, more torturingly,
More rudely, or more most unnaturally?
Decius, I say, let me no more heare from him;
For this time goe thou hence, and know from me
Thou art beholding to me that I have not
Killed thee already, looke to't next, looke to't.
Arcanes fie, fie Annophil,
Exit.
Arc.
He's gone.
Chaf'd beyond sufferance: we must follow him.
Dec.
Lady, this letter is to you.
Anno.
Come with me,
For we must speake in private: please you sir,
To see what entertainement our sad house
Can yeild?
Ex.
Fer.
I shall attend you Lady.
Gas.
How do ye like
To sojourne here, my Lord?
Fer.
More then to feast
With all the Princes of the earth besides:
Gonzalo told me that thou wert honest.
Gas.
Yes sir,
And you shall find it.
Fer.
Shall I?
Gas.
All my follies
Be else recorded to my shame.
Fer.
Enough,
My heart is here for ever lodg'd.
Gas.
The Lady.
Fer.
The place admits no time to utter all,
But Gaspero if thou wilt prove my friend,
I'le say thou art—
Gas.
Your servant: I conceive ye,
Wee'll choose some fitter leisure.
Fer.
Never man
Was (in a moment) or more bless'd, or wretched.
Exeunt.
Enter Hyparcha, (placing two chaires) Antinous, and Erota.
Er.
Leave us.
Hy.
I shall.
Ex.
Er.
Antinous sit downe.
Ant.
Madam:
Er.
I say sit downe: I do command you sit;
For looke what honour thou didst gaine by me,
I cannot lose by it: happy Antinous,
The graces, and the higher Deities
Smil'd at thy birth, and still continue it:
Then thinke that I (who scorne lesser examples)
Must doe the like: such as do taste my power,
And talke of it, with feare and reverence,
Shall do the same unto the man I favour.
I tel thee youth, thou hast a conquest won,
Since thou cam'st home, greater then that last,
Which dignified thy fame; greater then if
Thou shouldst goe out againe, and conquer farther;
For I am not asham'd to acknowledge
My selfe subdued by thee.
Ant.
Great Lady—
Er.
Sit still, I will not heare thee else: now speake,
And speake like my Antinous, like my Souldier,
Whom Cupid, and not Mars, hath sent to Battle.
Ant.
I must (I see) be silent.
Er.
So thou maist:
There's greater Action in it than in clamour,
A looke, (if it be gratious) will begin the War,
A word conclude it: then prove no Coward,
Since thou hast such a friendly enemie,
That teaches thee to conquer.
Ant.
You do amaze me Madam,
I have no skill, no practice in this War,
And whether you be serious, or please
To make your sport on a dejected man,
I cannot rightly ghesse: but be it as it will,
It ir a like unhappinesse to me:
My discontents beare those conditions in them,
Musick.
And lay me out so wretched, no designes
(How ever truly promising a good)
Can make me rellish ought, but a sweet-bitter,
Voluntarie Exile.
Musick againe
Er.
Why an Exile?
What comfort can there be in those companions
Enter Hyparcha.
Which sad thoughts bring along with?
Hyp.
Madam.
Er.
Whence comes this well-tun'd sound?
Hyp.
I know not Madam.
Er.
Listen wench:
What ever friendly hands they are that send it
Song.
Let 'em play on; they are Masters of their facultie.
Doth it please you sir?
Ant.
According to the time.
Er.
Go to 'em wench,
And tell 'em, we shall thanke 'em; for they have kept
As good time to our disposition, as to their instruments;
Unlesse Antinous shall say he loves,
Enter Philander.
There never can be sweeter accents uttered.
Phi.
Let then the heart, that did imploy those hands,
Receive some small share of your thankes with them,
'Tis happinesse enough that you did like it;
A fortune unto me, that I should send it
In such a lucky minute; but to obtaine
So gratious welcome, did exceed my hopes.
Ero.
Good Prince; I thanke you for it.
Phi.
O Madam, poure not (to fast) joyes on me,
But sprinkle 'em so gently, I may stand 'em:
It is enough at first, you have laid aside
Those cruell angry lookes out of your eyes,
With which (as with your lovely) you did strike
All your beholders in an Extasie.
Ero.
Philander, you have long profess'd to love me,
Phi.
Have I but profest it Madam?
Er.
Nay, but heare me?
Phi.
More attentively, then to an Oracle.
Er.
And I will speake more truly, if more can be:
Nor shall my language be wrapt up in Riddles,
But plaine as truth it selfe: I love this Gentleman,
Whose griefes has made him so uncapable
Of Love, he will not heare, at least not understand it.
I that have lookt with scornefull eyes on thee,
And other Princes mighty in their states,
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In a petitionary kind almost,
This man, this wel-deserving man, (that I must say)
To looke upon this beauty, yet you see
He casts his eyes rather upon the ground,
Then he will turne 'em this way: Philander
You looke pale; I'le talke no more.
Phi.
Pray go forward: I would be your Martyr,
To dye thus, were immortally to live.
Ero.
Will you goe to him then, and speake for me?
You have loved longer, but not ferventer,
Know how to speake, for you have done it like
An Orator, even for your selfe: then how will you for me
Whom you professe to love above your selfe.
Phi.
The curses of dissemblers follow me
Unto my grave, and if I do not so.
Er.
You may (as all men do) speake boldlier, better
In their friends cause still, then in your owne;
But speake your utmost, yet you cannot feigne,
I will stand by, and blush to witnesse it.
Tell him since I beheld him, I have lost
The happinesse of this life, food, and rest;
A quiet bosome, and the state I went with.
Tell him how he has humbled the proud,
And made the living, but a dead Erota.
Tell him withall, that she is better pleas'd
With thinking on him, then enjoying these.
Tell him—Philander, Prince; I talke in vaine
To you, you do not marke me.
Phi.
Indeed, I do.
Er.
But thou dost looke so pale,
As thou wilt spoyle the story in relating.
Phi.
Not, if I can but live to tell it.
Er.
It may be you have not the heart.
Phi.
I have a will I am sure, how e're my heart.
May play the coward, but if you please, I'le trie.
Er.
If a kisse will strengthen thee, I give you leave
To challenge it, nay, I will give it you.
Phi.
O that a man should taste such heavenly blisse!
And be enjoyn'd to beg it for another.
Er.
Alas, it is a miserie I grieve
To put you to, and I will suffer rather
In his tyranny, than thou in mine.
Phi.
Nay Madam, since I cannot have your love,
I will endeavour to deserve your pitty:
For I had rather have within the grave
Your love, then you should want it upon earth.
But how can I hope, with a feeble tongue
To instruct him in the rudiments of love,
When your most powerfull beauty cannot worke it?
Er.
Do what thou wilt (Philander) the request
Is so unreasonable, that I quit thee of it.
I desire now no more, but the true patience,
And fortitude of Lovers, with those helpes
Of sighes and teares, which I think is all the Phisick—
Phi.
O if he did but heare you, 'twere enough;
And I will wake him from his Appoplexie.
Antinous.
Ant.
My Lord?
Phi.
Nay pray,
No curtesie to me, you are my Lord,
(Indeed you are) for you command her heart,
That commands mine: nor can you want to know it.
For looke you, she that told it you in words,
Explaines it now more passionately in teares;
Either thou hast no heart, or a marble one,
If those drops cannot melt it; prethee looke up,
And see how sorrow sits within her eyes,
And love the griefe she goes with (if not her)
Of which thou art the parent: and never yet
Was there (by nature) that thing made so stony,
But it would love what ever it begot.
Ant.
He that begot me, did beget these cares
Which are good issues, though happily by him
Esteemed monsters: nay, the ill-judging world
Is likely enough to give them those Characters.
Phi.
What's this to love, and to the Lady? he's old,
Wrathfull, perverse, selfe-will'd, and full of anger,
Which are his faults; but let them not be thine;
He thrusts you from his love, she puls thee on,
He doubts your vertues, she doth double them:
O either use thy owne eyes, or take mine,
And with them, my heart, then thou wilt love her,
Nay, doate upon her, more then on thy duty,
And men will praise thee equally for it;
Neglecting her, condemne thee, as a man
Unworthy such a fortune: O Antinous,
'Tis not the friendship that I beare to thee,
But her command, that makes me utter this:
And when I have prevail'd, let her but say,
Philander, you must dye or this is nothing,
It shall be done together with a breath,
With the same willingnesse, I live to serve her.
Er.
No more Philander.
Phi.
All I have done, is little yet to purpose,
But ere I leave him, I will perceive him blush;
And make him feele the passions that I do,
And every true lover will assist me in't,
And lend me their sad sighs to blow it home,
For Cupid wants a dart to wound this bosome.
Er.
No more, no more Philander, I can endure no more,
Pray let him goe; go good Antinous, make peace
With your owne mind, no matter though I perish.
Ex.
| The Lavves of Candy | |