 | The double Marriage |  |
Actus tertius.
Scœna prima.
Enter Ferrant, Ronvere, Castruchio, Villo, and Guard.Ron.
You are too gentle sir.
Florish cornets.
Fer.
You are too carelesse:
The creatures I have made, no way regard me:
VVhy should I give you names, titles of honour
Rob families, to fill your private houses
For your advancement, draw all curses on me,
VVake tedious winter nights, to make them happy
That for me break no slumber?
Ron.
VVhat we can,
VVe dare doe
Fer.
VVhy is your Soveraignes life then
(In which you live, and in whose fall your honours,
Your wealth, your pomp, your pride and all must suffer)
No better guarded? O my cruell Stars,
That marke me out a King, raising me on
This pinnacle of greatnesse, only to be
The neerer blasting!
Vil.
VVhat think you now Castruchio?
Is not this a merry life?
Cast.
Still thou art couzend;
It is a glorious royall discontentment;
How bravely it becomes him!
Fer.
To be made
The common butt, for every slave to shoot at;
No peace, no rest I take, but their alarams
Beat at my heart: why do I live, or seek then,
To adde a day more to these glorious troubles?
Or to what end when all I can arrive at,
Is but the summing up of feares and sorrowes,
VVhat power has my command, when from my bosom
Ascanio my most dear, and lov'd Ascanio,
Was snatch'd, spite of my wil, spite of my succor,
And by mine own proud slave reteind most miserable?
And still that villains lives to nip my pleasures,
It being not within my power to reach him.
Ron.
Time may restore all this; and would you hear
VVhose counsell never faild you.
Fer.
Tell me no more,
I faint beneath the burthen of my cares,
And yeild my selfe most wretched.
Ron.
On my Knees
I beg it might sir, vouchsafe me hearing.
Fer.
Speak, speak, and I thus low, such is my fortune,
VVill hear what thou canst say.
Vil.
Look but on this,
Has not a man that has but means to keep
A Hawk, a Grayhound, and a hunting Nag,
More pleasure then this King?
Cast.
A dull foole still,
Make me a King, and let me scratch with care,
And see who'l have the better; give me rule,
Command, obedience, pleasure of a King,
And let the devil rore; The greatest corrosive
A King can have, is of more pretious tickling,
And handled to the height more dear delight,
31
Uil.
Think of the mutinous people.
Cast.
Hang the people,
Give me the pleasure, let me do all, awe all,
Enjoy their wives and states at my discretion,
And peg 'em when I please, let the slaves mumble.
Vil.
But say they should be vex'd, and rise against thee?
Cast.
Let 'em rise, let 'em rise: give me the bridle here,
And see if they can crack my girths: ah Villio,
Under the Sun, ther's nothing so voluptuous
As riding of this monster, till he founder.
Fer.
VVho's that so lowd?
Cast.
I am dumb: is not this rare?
Kings looks make Pythagoreans; is not this
A happinesse Villio?
Vil.
Yes, to put to silence
A fawning sycophant.
Fer.
Thou speak'st truth in all,
And mercy is a vice, when there needs rigour,
VVhich I with all severity will practise;
And since as subjects they pay not obedience,
They shall be forc'd as slaves: I wil remove
Their meanes to hurt, and with the means, my fears:
Goe you the fatall executioners
Of my commands, and in our name proclame,
That from this houre I do forbid all meetings,
All private conferences in the City:
To feast a neighbour shall be death; to talke,
As they meete in the streetes, to hold discourse,
By writing, nay by signes; see this perform'd,
And I wil call your cruelty, to those
That dare repine at this, to me true service.
1 Gard.
This makes for us.
2. Gard.
I now we have imployments,
If we grow not rich 'twere fit we should be beggers.
Fer.
Ronvere.
Exit Guard.
Ron.
My Lord.
Cast.
Thou enemy to Majesty?
VVhat think'st thou of a Kingdome?
Uil.
As of a man
That hath power to doe ill.
Cast.
Of a thing rather
That does divide an Empire with the Gods;
Observe but with how little breath he shakes
A populous City, which would stand unmov'd
Against a whirlewind.
Uil.
Then you make him more
Then him that rules the winds.
Cast.
For me I doe professe it,
Were I offerd to be any thing on Earth,
I would be mighty Ferrant.
Fer.
Ha? who names me?
Deliver thy thoughts slave, thy thoughts, and truly,
Or be no more.
Cast.
They rather will deserve.
Your favour then your fury; I admire,
(As who does not, that is a loyall subject?)
Your wisdom, power, your perfect happinesse,
The most blest of mankind.
Fer.
Didst thou but feele
The weighty sorrowes, that sit on a Crown,
Tho thou shouldst find one in the streets Castruchio,
Thou wouldst not think it worth the taking up;
But since thou art enamour'd of my fortune,
Thou shalt ere long taste of it.
Cast.
But one day,
And then let me expire.
Fer.
Goe to my wardrop,
And of the richest things I wear, cull out,
What thou thinkst fit: do you attend him sirra.
Uil.
I warrant you, I shall be at his elbow,
The foole wil never leave him.
Exit Cast. Uillio.
Cast.
Made for ever.
A shout within.
Fer.
What shout is that? draw up Guards.
Ron.
Those rather
En. Uirolet, Ascanio, and a servant.
Speak joy then danger.
Bring her to my house,
I would not have her seen here.
Fer.
My Ascanio!
The most desir'd of all the men, let me die
In these embraces; how wert thou redeem'd?
Asc.
Sir, this is my preserver.
Fer.
At more leasure,
I will inquire the manner, and the meanes,
I cannot spare so much time now from my
More strickt embraces: Uirolet, welcome too,
This service weighes down your entended treason;
You long have bin mine enemy, learn now
To be my friend and loyall, I aske no more,
And live as free as Ferrant; let him have
The forty thousand crowns I gladly promis'd,
For my Ascanios freedom, and deliver
His Father, and his wife to him in safety,
Something hath passed which I am sorry for,
But 'twill not now be help'd; come my Ascanio,
And reap the harvest of my winter travels.
My best Ascanio, my most lov'd Ascanio.
Florish Cornets.
Uiro.
My Lord, all former passages forgot,
Exit Fer. Ascanio.
I am become a suitor.
Ron.
To me Uirolet?
Uirol.
To you, yet will not beg the courtesie,
But largely pay you for it.
Ron.
To the purpose.
Uirol.
The forty thousand crownes the King hath given me,
I will bestow on you, if by your meanes
I may have liberty for a divorce
Between me and my wife.
Ron.
Your Julicana?
That for you hath indur'd so much, so nobly?
Uirol.
The more my sorrow; but it must be so.
Ron.
I will not hinder it: without a bribe,
For mine own ends, I would have further'd this.
I will use all my power.
Uirol.
'Tis all I aske:
Oh my curs'd fate, that ever man should hate
Himselfe for being belov'd, or be compeld
To cast away a Jewell, Kings would buy,
Tho with the losse of Crown and Monarchy!
Exeunt.
Enter Sesse, Master, Boatswaine, Gunner.
Ses.
How do I look?
Mast.
You are so strangely alterd,
We scarce can know you, so young againe, and utterly
From that you were, figure, or any favour;
Your friends cannot discern you.
Ses.
I have none,
None but my faire revenge, and let that know me!
You are finely alterd too.
Boats.
To please your humour,
But we may passe without disguise, our living
Was never in their element.
Gun.
This Jew sure,
That alter'd you, is a made knave.
Ses.
O! a most excellent fellow.
Gun.
How he has mew'd your head, has rub'd the show off,
And run your beard into a peak of twenty!
Boat.
Stopt all the crannies in your face.
32
Most rarely.
Boat.
And now you look as plump, your eyes as sparkling,
As if you were to leap into a Ladies saddle.
Has he not set your nose awry?
Ses.
The better.
Boat.
I think it be the better, but tis awry sure;
North and by East. I ther's the point it stands in;
Now halfe a point to th'Southward.
Ses.
I could laugh,
But that my businesse requires no mirth now;
Thou art a merry fellow.
Boat.
I would the Jew sir,
Could steer my head right, for I have such a swimming in't,
Ever since I went to Sea first.
Mast.
Take wine and purg it.
Boate.
I have had a thousand pils of Sack, a thousand;
A thousand pottle pils.
Gun.
Take more.
Boate.
Good Doctor,
En. Citizens, severally.
Your patient is easily perswaded.
Mast.
The next faire open weather
Me thinks this Jew,
If he were truly known to founder'd Courtiers,
And decaied Ladies, that have lost their fleeces
On every bush, he might pick a pretty living.
Boate.
The best of all our gallants, now be glad of him;
For if you marke their marches, they are tender,
Soft, soft, and tender; then but observe their bodies,
And you shall find 'em cemented by a Surgeon,
Or some Physitian for a year or two,
And then to th'tub again, for a new pickle.
This Jew might live a Gentile here.
En. 2. Citizens at both dores, saluting afar off.
Ses.
What are these?
Stand close and marke?
Boat.
These are no men, th'are motions.
Ses.
What sad and ruthfull faces!
Boate.
How they duck!
This sencelesse, silent courtesie me thinks,
Shewes like two Turkes, saluting one another,
Upon two French porters backs.
Ses.
They are my Countrymen,
And this, some forc'd infliction from the tyrant;
What are you? why is this? why move thus silent
As if you were wandring shadowes? why so sad?
Your tongues seald up; are yee of severall Countries?
You understand not one another?
Gun.
That's an English man,
He lookes as though he had lost his dog.
Ses.
Your habits
Shew ye all Neapolitanes, and your faces
Deliver you oppressed things: speak boldly:
Do you groan, and labor under this stiffe yoak?
Mast.
They shake their heads and weep.
Ses.
O misery!
Give plenteous sorrow, and no tongues to shew 'em!
This is a studied cruelty.
1. Citi.
Be gon sir,
It seemes you are a stranger and your selfe;
2. Citi.
You wonder here at us, as much we wonder
To hear you speak so openly, and boldly,
The Kings command being publisht to the contrary;
Tis death here, above two to talk together;
And that must be but common salutation neither,
Short and so part.
Boate.
How should a man buy mustard,
If he be forc'd to stay the making of it?
Within 1.
Cleare all the streetes before the King:
1. Cit.
Get off Sir,
And shift as we must do.
Exeunt Citizens
Ses.
I'le see his glory.
Mast.
Stand fast now and like men,
Flourish colours.
Cast.
Begin the game sir,
En. Castrucrio like the King, in the midst of a gard. Uillio.
And pluck me down, the Row
Of houses there.
They hide the view oth' hill; and sink those merchants,
Their ships are foule and stinke.
Mast.
This is a sweete youth.
Cast.
All that are taken in assemblies,
Their houses and their wives, their wealthes are foreit,
Their lives at your devotion. Villaines, Knaves,
I'le make you bow & shake, i'le make you kneele Rogues.
How brave tis to be a King?
Gun.
Here's fine tumbling.
Cast.
No man shall sit i'th' temple neer another.
Boate.
Nor lie with his own wife.
Cast.
All upon paine
Of present death, forget to write.
Boate.
That's excellent,
Carriers and foot-Posts, wil be arrant Rebels.
Cast.
No Character, or stamp that may deliver
This mans intention, to that man i'th' Country.
Gun.
Nay, an you cut off, after my hearty commendations
Your friend and Oliver. No more.
Cast.
No man smile,
And wear a face of mirth; that fellowes comming,
And hides a double heart, he's your prize, smoke him.
Enter Uirolet, Ronvero, Ascanio, and Martia, Passing over.
Ses.
What base abuse is this? Ha? tis her face sure,
My prisoners with her too? by heaven wild whore
Now is my time.
Mast.
Do what you will.
Ses.
Stay hold yet.
My Country shall be serv'd first, let her go,
Wee'l have an hour for her to make her tremble.
Now shew your selves, and blesse you with your valors.
Guard.
Here's a whole plump of Rogues.
Uirolet and they off againe.
Ses.
Now for your Country.
Cast.
Away with 'em and hang 'em; no, no mercy,
I say no mercy.
Ses.
Be it so upon 'em.
Guard.
Treason, treason, treason.
Boate.
Cut the slaves to giggets.
Gun.
Down with the bul-beefes.
Ses.
Hold, hold, I command you—look here
Cast.
A miserable thing I am no King sir.
Ses.
Sirra, your fooles face has preserv'd your life.
Wear no more Kings coates, you have scap'd a scouring.
Boate.
I'st not the King.
Ses.
No, tis a prating Rascall,
The puppy makes him mirth.
Cast.
Yes sir, I am a puppy.
Boate.
I beseech you let me hang him,
I'le do't in my belt straight.
Cast.
As you are honorable,
It is enough you may hang me.
Gun.
I'le hang a squib at's taile
That shall blow both his buttocks, like a petar.
Cast.
Do any thing.
But do not kill me Gentlemen.
Enter Citizen.
Boate.
Lets flea him, and have him flye blowen.
Cit.
Away, and save your lives.
The King himselfe is comming on: if you stay,
You are lost for ever; let not so much noblenesse
Willfully perish.
33
How neer?
2. Citiz.
He's here behind you.
Ex. Sess. Boatsw. Saylers, Citizens.
Sess.
We thank you. vanish.
Enter Ferand. Ronvere.
Florish Cornets.
Fer.
Double the Guards and take in men that dare,
These slaves are frighted; where are the proud Rebels,
To what protection fled, what villain leads 'em?
Under our nose distur'b our rest?
Ronver.
We shall heare,
For such a search I have sent, to hunt the Traytors.
Fer.
Yet better men I say, we stand too open:
How now Castruchio? how do you like our glory?
Cast.
I must confesse, 'twas somewhat more then my match Sir;
This open glory agrees not with my body,
But if it were ith' Castle, or some strength,
Where I might have my swing.
Vil.
You have been swing'd brother;
How these delights have tickled you? you itch yet;
Will you walke out again in pomp?
Cast.
Good Foole.
Vil.
These rogues must be rebuked, they are too sawcy,
These peremptory Knaves. Will you walk out Sir,
And take the remnant of your Coronation?
The people stay to see it.
Fer.
Do not vex him;
Ha's griefe enough in's bones; you shall to th'Citadell,
And like my selfe command, there use your pleasure,
But take heed to your person.
Vil.
The more danger;
Still the more honour Brother.
Cast.
If I reign not then,
And like a King, and thou shalt know it fool,
And thou shalt feel it foole.
Vil.
Fooles still are freemen,
I'le sue for a protection, till thy reigne's out.
Fer.
The people have abus'd the liberty
I late allowed, I now proclaime it straighter,
No men shall walk together, nor salute;
For they that doe shall dye.
Ronver.
You hit the right Sir;
That liberty cut off, you are free from practise.
Fer.
Renew my guards.
Ronver.
I shall.
Fer.
And keep strict watches;
One houre of joy I aske.
Ronver.
You shall have many.
Exeunt. Flor. Cor.
Pandulfo, and Iuliana, led by two of the guard, as not yet fully recover'd.
1. Guard.
You are now at liberty, in your own house Lady,
And here our charge takes end.
Pandul.
'Tis now a Custome.
We must even wooe those men deserve worst of us,
And so we thanke your labours; there's to drinke,
For that, and mischiefe are your occupations;
And to meane well to no man, you Chief'st harvests.
2. Gard.
You give liberally; we hope Sir, er't be long,
To be oftner acquainted with your bounty,
And so we leave you.
Pand.
Doe, for I dote not on ye;
Iul.
But where's my Husband? what should I do here?
Or what share have I in this joy, cal'd liberty,
Without his company? Why did you flatter me,
And tell me he was return'd, his service honour'd?
1. Gard.
He is so, and stands high in the Kings favour,
His friends redeemd, and his own liberty,
From which yours is deriv'd, confirm'd; his service,
To his own wish rewarded: so fare-well Lady.
Ex. Guard.
Pand.
Go persecute the good, and hunt ye hell-hounds;
Ye Leeches of the time, suck till ye burst slaves;
How does my girle?
Iul.
Weake yet, but full of comfort;
Pand.
Sit down, and take some rest;
Jul.
My heart's whole Father;
That joyes, and leaps, to heare my Virolet,
My Deer, my life, has conquer'd his afflictions.
Pand.
Those rude hands, and that bloody will that did this,
That durst upon thy tender body Print
These Characters of cruelty; heare me heaven.
Iul.
O Sir be sparing.
Pand.
I'le speake it, tho I burst;
And tho the ayre had eares, and serv'd the Tyrant,
Out it should goe: O heare me thou great Justice;
The miseries, that waite upon their mischiefs,
Let them be numberlesse, and no eye pitty
Them when their soules are loaden, and in labour,
And wounded through, and through, with guilt & horror,
As mine is now with griefe; let men laugh at 'em
Then, when their monstrous sins, like earth-quaks, shake 'em;
And those eyes, that forgot heaven would look upward,
The bloody 'larms, of the conscience beating,
Let mercy flye, and day strook into darknesse,
Leave their blind soules, to hunt out their own horrors.
Iul.
Enough, enough, we must forget deare Father;
For then we are glorious formes of heaven; and live,
When we can suffer, and as soon forgive.
But where's my Lord? me thinkes I have seen this house,
And have been in't before.
Pand.
Thine own house jewell.
Iul.
Mine, without him? or his, without my company?
I thinke it cannot be; it was not wont Father.
Pand.
Some businesse with the King (let it be good heaven)
Reteines him sure.
Enter Boy.
Iul.
It must be good and noble,
For all men that he treats with taste of vertue;
His words and actions are his own; and Honour's
Not bought, nor compel'd from him.
Pand.
Here's the Boy.
He can confirme us more, how sad the child looks?
Come hither Lucio; how, and where's thy Master?
Iul.
Speak gentle Boy.
Pand.
Is he return'd in safety?
Iul.
If not, and that thou knowest is miserable,
Our hopes and happinesse declin'd for ever;
Study a sorrow, excellent as thy Master,
Then if thou canst live, leave us.
Lucio.
Noble Madam,
My Lord is safe return'd, safe to his friends, and fortune,
Safe to his Country, entertain'd with honour,
Is here within the house.
Iul.
Doe not mock me.
Lucio.
But such a melancholy hangs on his mind,
And in his eyes inhabit such sad shadowes;
But what the cause is—
Pand.
Goe tell him we are here Boy,
There must be no cause now.
Iul.
Hast thou forgot me?
Lucio.
No, noblest Lady.
Jul.
Tell him I am here,
Tell him his wife is here, sound my name to him,
And thou shalt see him start; speake Iuliana,
34
How suddainly he will disperse his sadnesse?
Pand.
Goe I command thee instantly,
And charge him on his duty.
Iul.
On his Love Boy:
I would faine goe to him.
Pand.
Away, away, you are foolish.
Iul.
Beare all my service sweet Boy.
Pand.
Art thou here still?
Jul.
And tell him what thou wilt that shall become thee.
Pand.
Ith' house; and know we are here.
Ex. Boy.
Iul.
No, no, he did not;
I warrant you he did not: could you think
His Love had lesse then wings, had he but seen me;
His strong affection any thing but fire
Consuming all weak lets, and rubs before it,
Till he had met my flame, and made one body?
If ever heavens high blessings met in one man,
And there erected to their holy uses
A sacred mind, fit for their services,
Built all of polisht honour, 'twas in this man:
Misdoubt him not.
Pand.
I know he's truly noble;
But why this sadnesse, when the generall cause
Requires a Jubile of joy?
Jul.
I know not.
Enter Virolet, and Boy.
Pand.
Pray heaven you find it not.
Jul.
I hope I shall not:
O here he comes, and with him all my happinesse;
He staies and thinks, we may be too unmannerly;
Pray give him leave.
they stand off.
Pand.
I doe not like this sadnesse.
Uir.
O hard condition of my misery!
Unheard of plagues! when to behold that woman,
That chaste and vertuous woman, that preserv'd me,
That pious wife, wedded to my afflictions,
Must be more terrible then all my dangers.
O fortune, thou hast rob'd men of my making,
The noble building of a man, demolisht,
And flung me headlong, on a sin so base
Man and mankind contemn; even beasts abhor it,
A sin more dull then drinke, a shame beyond it;
So foule, and farre from faith; I dare not name it,
But it will cry it self out, loud ingratitude.
Your blessing Sir.
Pand.
You have it in abundance;
So is our joy, to see you safe.
Vir.
My Deere one;
Iul.
H'as not forgot me yet: O take me to you Sir.
Uir.
Must this be added to increase my misery,
That she must weep for joy, and loose that goodnesse?
My Iuliana, even the best of women,
Of wives the perfectest, let me speak this,
And with a modesty declare thy vertues,
Chaster then Christall, on the Scythian Clifts
The more the proud winds Court, the more the purer.
Sweeter in thy obedience, then a sacrifice;
And in thy mind a Saint, that even yet living,
Producest miracles, and women daily
With crooked and tame soules creep to thy goodnesse,
Which having toucht at, they become examples.
The fortitude of all their sex, is Fable
Compar'd to thine; and they that fill'd up glory,
And admiration, in the age behind us,
Out of their celebrated urns, are started,
To stare upon the greatnesse of thy spirit;
Wondring what new Martyr heaven has begot,
To fill the times with truth, and ease their stories:
Being all these, and excellent in beauty,
(For noble things dwell in the noblest buildings)
Thou hast undone thy husband, made him wretch'ed,
A miserable man, my Juliana,
Thou hast made thy Uirolet.
Iul.
Now goodnesse keep me;
Oh! my dear Lord.
Pand.
She wrong you? what's the meaning?
Weep not, but speake, I charge you on obedience;
Your Father charges you; she make you miserable?
That you your self confesse.
Uir.
I doe, that kils me;
And far lesse I have spoke her, then her merit.
Iul.
It is some sinne of weaknesse, or of Ignorance?
For sure my Will—
Uir.
No, 'tis a sinne of excellence:
Forgive me heaven, that I prophane thy blessings:
Sit still; I'le shew you all.
Exit Uirolet.
Pand.
What meanes this madnesse?
For sure there is no taste of right man in it;
Greives he our liberty, our preservation?
Or has the greatnesse of the deed he has done,
Made him forget, for whom, and how he did it,
And looking down upon us, scorne the benefit?
Well Uirolet if thou beest proud, or treacherous
Iul.
He cannot Sir, he cannot; he will shew us,
And with that reason ground his words.
Pand.
He comes.
Enter Uirolet, Martia, Ronver.
What Masque is this? what admirable beauty?
Pray heaven his heart be true.
Iul.
A goodly woman.
Uir.
Tell me my Dear; and tell me without flattery,
As you are nobly honest, speak the truth;
What thinke you of this Lady?
Iul.
She is most excellent.
Uir.
Might not this beauty tell me that it's a sweet one,
Without more setting off, as now it is,
Thanking no greater Mistresse then meer nature?
Stagger a constant heart?
Pand.
She is full of wonder;
But yet; yet Uirolet.
Uir.
Pray; by your leave Sir.
Iul.
She would amaze:
Uir.
O! would she so? I thanke you;
Say, to this beauty, she have all additions,
Wealth, noble birth.
Pand.
O hold there.
Uir.
All vertues,
A mind, as full of Candor as the truth is,
I, and a loving Lady.
Iul.
She must needs
(I am bound in conscience to confesse) deserve much.
Uir.
Nay, say beyond all these, she be so pious,
That even on slaves condemn'd she showre her benefits,
And melt their stubborn Bolts with her soft pitty,
What thinke you then?
Pand.
For such a noble office,
At these yeares, I should dote my self; take heed Boy,
Jul.
If you be he, that have received these blessings,
And this the Lady: love her, honour her;
You cannot doe too much, to shew your gratitude,
Your greatest service will shew off too slender.
Uir.
This is the Lady; Lady of that bounty,
That wealth, that noble name, that all I spoke of:
The Prince Ascaino and my selfe, the slaves
Redeem'd, brought home, still guarded by her goodnes,
And of our liberties you taste the sweetnes;
Even you she has preserv'd too, lengthen'd your lives.
35
And what reward doe you purpose? it must be a maine one;
If love will do it we'll all, so love her, serve her.
Uir.
It must be my love.
Iul.
Ha!
Vir.
Mine, my onely love,
My everlasting love:
Pand.
How?
Vir.
Pray have patience.
The recompence she ask'd, and I have render'd.
Was to become her husband: then I vowed it,
And since I have made it good.
Pand.
Thou durst not.
Virol.
Done Sir.
Iul.
Be what you please, his happinesse yet stayes with me,
You have been mine; Oh my unhappy fortune.
Pand.
Nay, break and dye;
Iul.
It cannot yet: I must live,
Till I see this man, blest in his new love,
And then:
Pand.
What hast thou done? thou base one tell me,
Thou barren thing of honesty, and honour;
What hast thou wrought? Is not this she, looke on her,
Look on her, with the eyes of gratitude,
And whipe thy false teares off; Is not this she,
That three times on the Rack, to guard thy safety,
When thou stood'st lost, and naked to the Tyrant;
Thy aged Father here, that shames to know thee Tirant,
Ingag'd ith' jawes of danger; was not this she,
That then gave up her body to the torture?
That tender body, that the wind sings through;
And three times, when her sinewes, crack'd & torter'd,
The beauties of her body turn'd to ruines,
Even then, within her patient heart, she lock'd thee;
Then hid thee from the Tyrant; then preserv'd thee;
And canst thou be that slave?
Martia.
This was but duty;
She did it for her Husband, and she ought it;
She has had the pleasure of him, many an houre;
And if one minutes paine cannot be suffer'd;
Mine was above all these, a nobler venter,
I speake it boldly, for I lost a Father.
He has one still; I left my friends, he has many;
Expos'd my life, and honour to a cruelty,
That if it had seiz'd on me, racks and tortures,
Alas, they are Triumphs to it: and had it hit.
For this mans love, it should have shewed a triumph,
Twise lost, I freed him; Rossana lost before him,
His fortunes with him; and his friends behind him:
Twise was I rack'd my selfe for his deliverance,
In honour first and name, which was a torture
The Hang-man never heard of; next at Sea,
In our escape, where the proud waves took pleasure
To tosse my little Boat up like a Bubble,
Then like meteor in the ayre he hung,
Then catcht, and hug him in the depth of darknesse;
The Canon from my incensed Fathers Ship,
Ringing our Knell, and still as we peep'd upward,
Beating the raging surge, with fire and Bullet,
And I stood fixt for this mans sake, and scorn'd it;
Compare but this:
Vir.
'Tis too true; O my fortune!
That I must equally be bound to either:
Iul.
You have the better, and the nobler Lady;
And now I am forc'd, a lover of her goodnesse.
And so far have you wrought for his deliverance,
That is my Lord, so lovingly and nobly,
That now me thinks I stagger in my Title.
But how with honesty? for I am poor Lady,
In all my dutious service but your shadow,
Yet would be just; how with faire fame and credit,
I may goe off; I would not be a strumpet:
O my dear Sir you know:
Vir.
O truth, thou knowest too.
Iul.
Nor have the world suspect, I fell to mischiefe.
Law.
Take you no care for that, here's that has don it,
A faire divorce, 'tis honest too.
Pand.
The devill,
Honest? to put her off.
Law.
Most honest Sir,
And in this point, most strong.
Pand.
The cause, the cause Sir?
Law.
A just cause too.
Pand.
As any is in hell, Lawyer.
Law.
For barrennesse, she never brought him children.
Pa.
Why art not thou divorc'd? thou canst not get 'em;
Thy neigbours, thy rank neighbours: O base jugling,
Is she not young?
Iul.
Woemen at more yeares Sir,
Have met that blessing; 'tis in heavens high power.
Law.
You never can have any:
Pand.
Why quick Lawyer?
My Philosophicall Lawyer.
Law.
The Rack has spoil'd her
The distentions of those parts, hath stopt all fruitfulnes.
Pand.
O I could curse.
Iul.
And am I grown so miserable,
That mine own pitty must make me wretched?
No cause against me, but my love and duty?
Farewell Sir; like obedience, thus I leave you,
My long farewell: I doe not grudge, I grieve Sir,
And if that be offensive, I can dye,
And then you fairely free: good Lady love him;
You have a noble, and an honest Gentleman,
I ever found him so, the world has spoke him;
And let it be your part still to deserve him:
Love him no lesse then I have done; and serve him,
And heaven shall blesse you; you shall blesse my ashes;
I give you up the house; the name of wife,
Honour, and all respect I borrowed from him,
And to my grave I turn: one farewell more,
Nothing divide your Loves, not want of Children,
Which I shall pray against, and make you fruitfull;
Grow like two equall flames, rise high and glorious;
And in your honor'd age burn out together:
To all I know, farewell.
Ronver.
Be not so griev'd Lady;
A nobler fortune.
Iul.
Away thou parasite.
Disturbe not my sad thoughts; I hate thy greatnesse.
Ron.
I hate not you; I am glad she's off these hinges,
Come, let's pursue.
Exit Ronver. and Law.
Pand.
If I had breath to curse thee;
Or could my great heart utter; farewell villaine,
Thy house, nor face agen.
Exit Pand.
Mar.
Let 'em all goe.
And now let us rejoyce; now freely take me.
And now embrace me Virolet; give the rites
Of a brave Husband to his love.
Vir.
I'le take my leave too.
Mar.
How, take you leave too?
Vir.
The house is furnish'd for you;
You are Mistresse, may command.
Mar.
Will you to bed Sir?
Vir.
As soone to hell, to any thing I hate most;
You must excuse me, I have kept my word.
You are my wife, you now enjoy my fortune,
36
But to yeeld up those chaste delights and pleasures,
Which are not mine, but my first vowes.
Mar.
You jeast.
Vir.
You will not find it so, to give you those;
I have divorc'd, and lost with Iuliana,
And all fires of that nature.
Mar.
Are you a Husband;
Vir.
To question hers, and satisfie your flames,
That held an equall beauty, equall bounty.
Vir.
Good heaven forgive; no, no, the strict forbearance,
Of all those joyes, like a full sacrifice,
I offer to the suffrings of my first love;
Honour, and wealth, attendance, state, all duty,
Shall waite upon your will, to make you happy;
But my afflicted mind, you must give leave Lady;
My weary Trunk must wander.
Mart.
Not enjoy me?
Goe from me too?
Vir.
For ever thus I leave you;
And how so e're I fare, live you still happy.
Exit Uirol.
Mar.
Since I am scorn'd, I'le hate thee, scorn thy gifts too;
Thou miserable fool, thou fool to pitty;
And such a rude, demolisht thing, I'le leave thee,
In my revenge: for foolish love, farewell now,
And anger, and the spite of woman enter,
That all the world shall say, that read this story,
My hate, and not my love, begot my glory.
Exit Martia.
| The double Marriage | |