 | The double Marriage |  |
Actus Primus
Scæna Prima.
Enter Virolet, and Boy.Uirolet.
Boy.
Boy.
Sir?
Vir.
If my wife seek me, tell her that
Designes of weight, too heavy for her knowledge,
Exact my privacy.
Boy.
I shall, sir.
Uir.
Do then,
And leave me to my selfe.
Boy.
Tis a raw morning,
And would you please to interpret that for duty
Which you may construe boldnesse, I could wish
To arme your selfe against it, you would use
More of my service.
Uir.
I have heate within here,
A noble heat (good boy) to keep it off,
I shall not freeze; deliver my excuse,
Enter Juliana.
And you have done your part.
Boy.
That is prevented,
My Lady follows you.
Vir.
Since I must be crost then,
Let her perform that office.
Boy.
I obey you.
Exit.
Uir.
Prethee to bed; to be thus fond's more tedious
Then if I were neglected.
Jul.
Tis the fault then
Of love and duty which I would fall under,
Rather then want that care which you may challenge
As due to my obedience.
Vir.
I confesse
This tendernesse argues a loving wife,
And more deserves my hearts best thanks then anger.
Yet I must tell ye Sweet, you do exceed
In your affection, if you would ingrosse me
To your delights alone.
Jul.
I am not jealous,
If my embraces have distasted you,
As I must grant you every way so worthy
That tis not in weak woman to deserve you,
Much lesse in miserable me, that want
Those graces some more fortunate are stor'd with.
Seek any whom you please, and I will study
With my best service to deserve those favours,
That shall yeeld you contentment.
Vir.
You are mistaken.
Jul.
No, I am patient sir, and so good morrow;
I will not be offensive.
Vir.
Heare my reasons.
Jul.
Though in your life a widdows bed receives me,
For your sake I must love it. May she prosper
That shall succeed me in it, and your ardour
Last longer to her.
Vir.
By the love I beare
First to my Countries peace, next to thy selfe
To whom compar'd, my life I rate at nothing;
Stood here a Lady that were the choyce abstract
Of all the beauties nature ever fashion'd,
Or Art gave ornament to, compar'd to thee,
Thus as thou art obedient and loving,
I should contemne and loath her.
Jul.
I do believe ye.
How I am blest
In my assur'd beliefe? this is unfain'd;
And why this sadnesse then?
Vir.
Why Juliana,
Believe me, these my sad and dull retirements,
My often, nay almost continued fasts,
Sleep banisht from my eyes, all pleasures strangers,
Have neither root nor growth from any cause
That may arrive at woman. Shouldst thou be,
As chastity forbid, false to my bed,
I should lament my fortune, perhaps punish
Thy falshood, and then study to forget thee:
But that which like a never emptied spring,
Feeds high the torrent of my swelling griefe,
Is what my Countrey suffers; there's a ground
Where sorrow may be planted, and spring up,
Though yeelding rage and womanish despaire,
And yet not shame the owner.
Jul.
I do believe it true,
Yet I should think my selfe a happy woman,
If in this generall and timely mourning,
I might or give to you, or else receive
A little lawfull comfort.
Vir.
Thy discretion
In this may answer for me; look on Naples
The Countrey where we both were born and bred,
Naples the Paradise of Italy,
As that is of the earth; Naples, that was
The sweet retreat of all the worthiest Romans,
When they had shar'd the spoyles of the whole world;
This flourishing Kingdom, whose inhabitants
For wealth and bravery liv'd like petty Kings,
Made subject now to such a tyranny,
As that faire City that receiv'd her name
From Constantine the great, now in the power
Of barbarous Infidels, may forget her own,
To look with pity on our miseries,
So far in our calamities we transcend her.
22
Ceaz'd on the government, there's nothing left us
That we can call our own, but our afflictions,
Jul.
And hardly those; the Kings strange cruelty,
Equals all presidents of Tyranny.
Vir.
Equall say you:
He has out gone, the worst compar'd to him;
Nor Phalaris, nor Dionisius,
Caligula, nor Nero can be mention'd;
They yet as Kings, abus'd their regall power;
This as a Marchant, all the Countries fatt,
He wholy does ingrosse unto himself;
Our Oyles he buyes at his own price, then sels them
To us, at dearer rates; our Plate and Jewels,
Under a fayn'd pretence of publique use,
He borrows; which deny'd, his Instruments force.
The rases of our horses, he takes from us;
Yet keeps them in our pastures; rapes of Matrons,
And Virgins, are too frequent; never man
Yet thank'd him for a pardon; for Religion,
It is a thing he dreames not off.
Iul.
I have heard,
How true it is, I know not; that he sold
The Bishop-prick of Tarent to a Jew,
For thirteene thousand Duckets.
Vir.
I was present,
And saw the money paid; the day would leave me,
Ere I could number out his impious actions;
Or what the miserable Subject suffers;
And can you entertaine in such a time,
A thought of dalliance? teares, and sighes, and groanes,
Would better now become you.
Iul.
They indeed are,
The onely weapons, our poor Sex can use,
When we are injur'd, and they may become us;
But for men that were born free men, of Ranck;
That would be registred Fathers of their Country;
And to have on their Tombs in Golden Letters,
The noble stile of Tyrant killers, written;
To weepe like fooles, and women and not like wise men.
To practise a redresse, deserves a name,
Which fits not me to give.
Vir.
Thy grave reproofe:
If what thou dost desire, were possible
To be effected? might well argue it,
As wise as loving; but if you consider,
With what strong guards, this Tyrant is defended:
Ruffins, and male contents drawne from all quarters;
That onely know, to serve his impious will;
The Citadels built by him in the neck
Of this poor City; the invincesible strength,
Nature by Art assisted, gave this Castle;
And above all his feare; admitting no man
To see him, but unarm'd; it being death
For any to approach him with a weapon.
You must confesse, unlesse our hands were Canons,
To batter down these walls; our weake breath mines,
To blow his Forts up; or our curses lightning,
To force a passage to him; and then blast him;
Our power is like to yours, and we like you;
Weepe our misfortunes.
Iul.
Walls of Brasse resist not
A noble undertaking; nor can vice,
Raise any Bulwrack, to make good the place,
Where vertue seekes to enter; then to fall
In such a brave attempt, were such an honour;
That Brutus, did he live again would envy.
Were my dead Father in you, and my Brothers;
Nay, all the Ancestors I am deriv'd from;
As you, in being what you are, are all these.
I had rather weare a mourning Garment for you,
And should be more proud of my widdow-hood;
You dying for the freedome of this Country;
Then if I were assur'd, I should injoy
A perpetuity of life and pleasure,
With you; the Tyrant living.
Vir.
Till this minute,
I never heard thee speake; O more then woman!
And more to be belov'd; can I finde out
A Cabinet, to lock a secret in,
Of equall trust to thee? all doubts, and feares,
That scandalize your sex, be farre from me;
Thou shalt pertake my neer and dearest councels,
And further them with thine.
Iul.
I will be faithfull.
Vir.
Know then this day, stand heaven propitious to us,
Our liberty begins.
Iul.
In Ferrands death?
Vir.
'Tis plotted love, and strongly, and beleeve it,
For nothing else could doe it; 'twas the thought,
How to proceed in this designe and end it,
That made strange my embraces.
Iul.
Curs'd be she,
That's so indulgent to her own delights,
That for their satisfaction, would give
A stop to such a glorious enterprize:
For me, I would not for the world, I had been
Guilty of such a crime; goe on and prosper.
Goe on my dearest Lord, I love your Honour
Above my life; nay, yours; my Prayers go with you;
Which I will strengthen with my teares: the wrongs
Of this poor Country, edge your sword; O may it
Peirce deep into this Tyrants heart, and then
When you return bath'd in his guilty bloud,
I'le wash you cleane with fountaines of true joy.
But who are your assistants? though I am
So covetous of your glory, that I could wish
You had no sharer in it.
Knock.
Vir.
Be not curious.
They come, how ever you command my bosome,
To them I would not have you seene.
Iul.
I am gon Sir,
Be confident; and may my resolution
Be present with you.
Exit.
Vir.
Such a Masculine spirit,
With more then womans vertues, were a dower
To waigh down a Kings fortune.
Briss.
Good day to you.
Enter Brissonet Camillo, Ronvere.
Cam.
You are an early stirrer.
Vir.
What new face,
Bring you along?
Ron.
If I stand doubted Sir?
As by your looks I guesse it: you much injure
A man that loves, and truly loves this Country,
With as much zeale as you doe; one that hates
The Prince by whom it suffers, and as deadly;
One that dares step as farre to gaine my freedome,
As any he that breathes; that weares a sword
As sharp as any's.
Cam.
Nay, no more comparisons.
Ron.
What you but whisper, I dare speake aloud,
Stood the King by; have meanes to put in act too
What you but coldly plot; if this deserve then
Suspition in the best, the boldest, wisest?
Pursue your own intents, il'e follow mine;
And if I not out-strip you—
23
Be assur'd Sir,
A conscience like this can never be allide
To treachery.
Cam.
Who durst speake so much,
But one that is like us a sufferer,
And stands as we affected?
Vir.
You are cozend
And all undone; every Intelligencer
Speakes treason with like licence; is not this
Ronvere, that hath for many yeeres been train'd
In Ferrands Schoole, a man in trust and favour,
Rewarded too and highly?
Cam.
Grant all this,
The thought of what he was, being as he is now;
A man disgrac'd, and with contempt thrown off;
Will spurre him to revenge, as swift as they,
That never were in favour.
Vir.
Poore and childish.
Briss.
His regiment is cast, that is most certain;
And his command in the Castle given away.
Cam.
That on my knowledge.
Vir.
Grosser still, what shepheard
Would yeeld the poor remainder of his flock,
To a known wolfe; though he put on the habit,
Of a most faithfull dogge, and barke like one?
As this but onely talkes.
Cam.
Yes, he has meanes too.
Virol.
I know it to my griefe, weake men I know it;
To make his peace, if there were any warre
Between him and his Master, betraying
Our innocent lives.
Ron.
You are too suspitious;
And I have born too much, beyon'd my temper,
Take your own wayes, i'le leave you.
Vir.
You may stay now;
You have enough, and all indeed you fisht for;
But one word Gentlemen: have you discover'd
To him alone our plot?
Briss.
To him and others, that are at his devotion.
Vir.
Worse and worse:
For were he onely conscious of our purpose,
Though with the breach of Hospitable lawes,
In my own house, ide silence him for ever:
But what is past my help, is past my care,
I have a life to loose.
Cam.
Have better hopes.
Ron.
And when you know, with what charge I have further'd
Your noble undertaking, you will sweare me
Another man; the guards I have corrupted:
And of the choyce of all our noblest youths,
Attir'd like virgins; such as Hermits would
Welcome to their sad cells, prepar'd a Maske;
As done for the Kings pleasure.
Vir.
For his safety
I rather feare; and as a pageant to
Usher our ruine.
Ron.
We as Torch-bearers
Will waite on these, but with such art and cunning;
I have convei'd sharp poniards in the Wax,
That we may passe, though search't through all his guards
Without suspition, and in all his glory,
Oppresse him, and with safety.
Cam.
'Tis most strange.
Vir.
To be effected.
Ron.
You are doubtfull still.
Briss.
But we resolv'd to follow him, and if you
Desist now Virolet, we will say 'tis feare,
Rather then providence.
Exeunt.
Cam.
And so we leave you,
Enter Julian.
Iul.
To your wise doubts, and to my better councels;
Oh! pardon me my Lord, and trust me too;
Let me not like Cassandra prophesie truths,
And never be beleiv'd, before the mischiefe:
I have heard all; know this Ronvere a villaine,
A villaine that hath tempted me, and plotted
This for your ruine, onely to make way
To his hopes in my embraces; at more leisure
I will acquaint you, wherefore I concell'd it
To this last minute; if you stay you are lost,
And all prevention too late. I know,
And 'tis to me known onely, a darke cave
Within this house, a part of my poor dower,
Where you may lye conceal'd, as in the center,
Till this rough blast be ore; where there is ayre,
More then to keep in life; Ferrand will find you,
So curious his feares are.
Vir.
'Tis better fall
Then hide my head, now 'twas thine own advice,
My friends ingag'd too.
Iul.
You stand further bound,
Then to weake men that have betray'd themselves,
Or to my Councell, though then just and loyall:
Your phansie hath been good, but not your judgement,
In choyce of such to side you; wil you leape
From a steep Tower, because a desperate foole
Does it, and trusts the wind to save his hazard?
There's more expected from you; all mens eyes are fixt
On Viriolet, to help not hurt them;
Make good their hopes and ours, you have sworn often,
That you dare credit me; and allow'd me wise
Although a woman; even Kings in great Actions,
Waite opportunity and so must you Sir,
Or loose your understanding.
Vir.
Thou art constant;
I am uncertain foole, a most blinde foole;
Be thou my guide.
Jul.
I. I faile to direct you,
For torment or reward, when I am wretched,
May constancy forsake me.
Vir.
I've my safety.
Enter Castruchio, and Villio.
Vil.
Why are you rapt thus?
Cast.
Peace, thou art a foole.
Vil.
But if I were a flatterer like your worship,
I should be wise and rich too;
There are few else that prosper, baudes excepted,
They hold an equall place there.
Cast.
A shrew'd knave;
But O the King, the happy King!
Vil.
Why happy?
In bearing a great burthen.
Cast.
What beares he,
That's born on Princes shoulders?
Vil.
A Crownes waight,
Which sets more heavy on his head, then the ore
Slaves digge out of the Mines, of which 'tis made.
Cast.
Thou worthily art his fool, to think that heavy
That carryes him in the ayre; the reverence due
To that most sacred Gold, makes him ador'd,
His Foot-steps kist, his smiles to raise a begger
To a Lords fortune; and when he but frownes,
The City quakes.
Vil.
Or the poor Cuckolds in it,
Cox-combs I should say, I am of a foole.
24
Grown a Philosopher, to heare this parasite.
Cast.
The delicates he is serv'd with see and envy,
Vil.
I had rather have an Onyon with a stomack,
Then these without one.
Cast.
The Celestiall Musick,
still Musick.
Such as the motion of the eternall spheares
Yeelds Iove, when he drinkes Nectar.
Vil.
Here's a fine knave, yet hath to many fellowes.
Cast.
Then the beauties,
That with variety of choyce embraces,
these passe o're.
Renew his age.
Vil.
Help him to croutch rather,
And the French Cringe, they are excellent Surgeons that way.
Cast.
O Majesty! let others think of heaven,
While I contemplate thee.
Vil.
This is not Atheisme, but Court observance.
Cast.
Now the God appears, usher'd with earth-quakes.
Vil.
Base Idolatry.
Flourish Enter Ferrand, Guard, women, Servants.
Fer.
These meates are poysoned, hang
The Cookes; no note more, on
Forfeit of your fingers; doe you
Envy me a minutes slumber, what are these?
1. Gu.
The Ladies appointed by your Majesty.
Fer.
To the purpose, for what appointed?
1. Gu.
For your graces pleasure.
Fer.
To sucke away the little bloud is left me,
By my continuall cares; I am not apt now,
Injoy them first, taste of my dyet once;
And your turne serv'd, for fifty Crownes a peece
Their Husbands may redeem them.
Wo.
Great Sir, mercy.
Fer.
I am deafe, why stare you? is what we command
To be disputed? who's this? bring you the dead
T'upbrai'd me to my face?
Cast.
Hold Emperour;
Hold mightest of Kings, I am thy vassell,
Thy Foot-stool, that durst not presume to look
On thy offended face.
Fer.
Castruchio rise.
Cast.
Let not the lightning of thy eye consume me,
Nor heare that Musicall tongue, in dreadfull thunder,
That speakes all mercy.
Vir.
Here's no slattering rogue.
Cast.
Ferrand, that is the Father of his people,
The glory of mankinde.
Fer.
No more, no word more;
And while I tell my troubles to my selfe,
Be Statues without motion or voyce,
Though to be flatter'd, is an itch to greatnesse,
It now offends me.
Vil.
Here's the happy man;
But speake who dares.
Fer.
When I was innocent;
I yet remember, I could eat and sleepe,
Walke unaffrighted, but now terrible to others:
My guards cannot keepe feare from me
It still pursues me; Oh! my wounded conscience,
The Bed I would rest in, is stuft with thornes;
The grounds strow'd o're with adders, and with aspicks
Where ere I set my foot, but I am in,
And what was got with cruelty, with blood,
Must be defended, though this lifes a hell,
I feare a worse hereafter. ha!
Ron.
My Lord.
Enter Ronvere and guard.
Fer.
Welcome Ronvere, welcome my golden plummet
With which I sound mine enemies depthes and angers,
Hast thou discover'd.
Ron.
All as you could wish Sir,
The Plot, and the contrivers; was made one
Of the conspiracie.
Fer.
Is Virolet in?
Ron.
The head of all, he onely scented me:
And from his feare, that I plaid false is fled;
The rest I have in fetters
Fer.
Death and hell.
Next to my mortall foe the pyrat Sesse,
I aym'd at him; he's vertuous, and wise,
A lover of his freedome and his countries
Dangerous to such as govern by the sword,
And so to me: no tract which way he went,
No meanes to overtake him?
Ron.
Ther's some hope left;
But with a rough hand, to be seas'd upon.
Fer.
What is't?
Ron.
If any know, or where he is,
Or which way he is fled, it is his wife;
Her with his Father I have apprehended,
And brought among the rest.
Fer.
'Twas wisely order'd,
Go fetch them in, and let my executioners
Exit Ronvere.
Appeare in horrour with the racke.
Vil.
I take it signeur, this is no time for you to flatter,
Or me to foole in.
Cast.
Thou art wise in this, let's off, it is unsafe to be nere Jove,
When he begins to thunder.
Vil.
Good morality.
Exit.
Fer.
I that have peirc'd into the hearts of men;
Forc'd them to lay open with my lookes,
Secrets whose least discovery was death,
Will rend for what concernes my life, the fortresse,
Of a weake womans faith.
Enter Ronvere, guard, Executioners with a Rack, Camillo, Brissonet Pandulfo, Juliana.
Ca.
What ere we suffer,
The waight, that loads a Traytors
Heart fit ever, heavy on thine.
Briss.
As we are caught by thee,
Fall thou by others.
Ron.
Pish poor fools, your curses will
Never reach me.
Iul.
Now by my Uirolets life;
Father, this is a glorious stage of murther.
Here are five properties too, and such spectators,
As will expect good action, to the life;
Let us performe our parts, and we shall live,
When these are rotten, would we might begin once;
Are you the Master of the company?
Troth you are tedious now.
Fer.
She does deride me.
Iul.
Thee and thy Power, if one poor syllable
Could win me, an assurance of thy favour,
I would not speake it, I desire to be
The great example of thy cruelty,
To whet which one, know Ferrand, I alone
Can make discovery, where my Virolet is,
Whose life, I know thou aym'st at, but if tortures
Compell me to't, may hope of heaven for sake me;
I dare thy worst.
Fer.
Are we contemn'd.
Iul.
Thou art,
Thou and thy Ministers, my life is thine;
But in the death, the Victory shall be mine.
Pand.
We have such a Mistresse here to teach us courage,
That cowards might learn from her.
Fer.
You are slow;
put on the rack.
Begin the Scene thou miserable foole
For so I'le make thee.
Jul.
'Tis not in thy reach;
25
Fer.
So brave! Ile tame you yet, pluck hard villains;
Is she insensible? no sigh nor groan? or is she dead?
Jul.
No tyrant, though I suffer
More then a woman, beyond flesh and blood;
Tis in a cause so honourable, that I scorn
With any sign that may expresse a sorrow
To shew I do repent.
Fer.
Confesse yet,
And thou shal be safe.
Jul.
Tis wrapt up in my soule,
From whence thou canst not force it.
Fer.
I will be
Ten daies a killing thee.
Jul.
Be twenty thousand,
My glory lives the longer.
Ron.
Tis a miracle,
She tires th'executioners,
And me.
Fer.
Unloose her, I am conquer'd, I must take
Some other way; reach her my chaire, in honour
Of her invincible fortitude.
Ron.
Will you not
Dispatch the rest?
Fer.
When I seem mercifull,
Assure thy selfe Ronvere, I am most cruell.
Thou wonder of thy sex, and of this Nation,
That hast chang'd my severity to mercy,
Not to thy selfe alone, but to thy people,
In which I do include these men, my enemies:
Unbind them.
Pand.
This is strange.
Fer.
For your intent
Against my life, which you dare not deny,
I onely aske one service.
Cam.
Above hope.
Fer.
There rides a Pyrate neer, the Duke of Sesse,
My enemy and this Countries, that in bonds
Holds my deere friend Ascanio: free this friend,
Or bring the Pyrats head; besides your pardon,
And honour of the action, your reward
Is forty thousand Ducates. And because
I know that Virolet is as bold as wise,
Be he your Generall, as pledge of your faith,
That you wil undertake it: let this old man,
And this most constant Matron stay with me;
Of whom, as of my selfe, I wil be carefull;
She shall direct you where her husband is.
Make choice of any ship you think most useful.
They are rig'd for you.
Exeunt Guard, with Juliana and Pand.
Bris.
We with joy accept it.
Cam.
And wil proclaim King Ferrant mercifull.
Exeunt.
Ron.
The mysterie of this, my Lord? or are you
Chang'd in your nature?
Fer.
Ile make thee private to it.
The lives of these weake men, and desperate woman,
Would no way have secur'd me, had I took them;
Tis Virolet I aime at; he has power,
And knows to hurt. If they encounter Sesse,
And he prove conquerour, I am assur'd
They'l finde no mercy: if that they prove victors,
I shall recover with my friend; his head
I most desire of all men.
Ron.
Now I have it.
Fer.
Ile make thee understand the drift of all.
So we stand sure, thus much for those that fall.
Exeunt.
| The double Marriage | |