 | The Ladies Triall |  |
Actus tertius.
Enter Fulgoso and Guzman.Fulgoso.
I say, Don, brother mine, win her and weare her.
And so will I; if't be my lucke, to loose her,
I loose a prety wench, and theres the worst on't.
Guz.
Wench said yee, most mechanically? faugh!
(Sir brother) he who names my Queene of love
Without his bonnet vaild, or saying grace,
As at Some paranymphall feast, is rude,
Nor verst in literature, Dame Amoretta,
Lo, I am sworne thy Champion.
Ful.
So am I too.
Can as occasion serves, if she turne scurvie,
Vnsweare my selfe again, and nere change colours.
Pish man, the best, though call em, ladies, madames,
Faires, fines, and honies, are but flesh and bloud,
And now and then too, when the fits come on 'em,
Will prove themselves but flirts, and tirliry pufkins.
Guz.
Our choler must advance.
Ful.
Dost long for a beating?
Shalls try a slash, heres that shall do't: Ile tap
A gallon of thy braines, and fill thy hogshead
With two of wine for't.
Guz.
Not in friendship brother,
Ful.
Or whistle thee into an ague; hang't,
Be sociable: drinke till we rore and scratch;
Then drinke our selves asleepe agen. The fashion!
Thou dost not know the fashion.
Guz.
Her faire eyes,
Like to a paire of pointed beames drawne from
The Sunnes most glorious Orbe, does dazle sight,
Audacious to gaze there; then over those
A severall bow of jet securely twines
In semicircles; under them two bankes
Of roses red and white, divided by
An arch of polisht Ivorie, surveying
A temple from whence Oracles proceed,
More gracious than Apollos, more desir'd
Than amorous songs of Poets, softly tun'd.
Ful.
Hey day, what's this?
Guz.
Oh, but those other parts, all—
Ful.
All: Hold there, I barre play under boord,
The things you wier-draw thus.
Guz.
I have dream't
Of every part about her, can lay open
Her severall inches, as exactly (marke it)
As if I had tooke measure with a compasse,
A rule, or yard, from head to foot.
Ful.
Oh rare,
And all this in a dreame.
Enter Benatzi as an outlaw. Levidolche above.
Guz.
A very dreame.
Ful.
My waking brother Souldier is turnd
Into a sleeping Carpenter or Taylor,
Which goes for halfe a man—whats he? beare up?
Ben.
Death of reputation, the wheele, strappado, galles,
Racke, are ridiculous fopperies; goblins to
Fright babies: poore lean-sould rogues, they
Will swowne at the scarre of a pinne: one teare
Dropt from their harlots eyes, breeds earth-quakes
In their bones.
Ful.
Blesse us, a monster patcht of dagger bumbast,
His eyes like Copper-basons, a' has chang'd
Haire with a shagge dogge.
Guz.
Let us then avoyd him,
Or stand upon our guard; the foe approches.
Ben.
Cut-throats by the score abroad, come home, and rot in
fripperies, brave man at armes. Goe turne pandor doe, stalke for a
messe of warme broath: damnable, honourable cuts are but badges
for a fool to vaunt, the raw rib'd Apothecarie poysons cum privilegio,
and is payd. Oh the common-wealth of beasts is most politickly
ordered.
Guz.
Brother, wee'l keep aloofe, there is no valour
In tugging with a man fiend
Ful.
I defie him.
It gabbles like I know not what, believe it,
The fellowes a shrewd fellow at a pink.
Ben.
Looke else; the Lion roares, and the spaniell fawnes.
Downe Curre, the Badger bribes the Unicorne,
That a Iury may not passe upon his pillage: here the Beare fees the
Wolfe, for he will not howle gratis, beasts call pleading howling.
So then, there the Horse complaines of the Apes rank-riding: the
Jockie makes mouthes, but is fin'd for it: the Stagge is not jeer'd
by the Monkie for his hornes: the Asse by the hare for his burthen:
The Oxe by the Leopard for his yoke, nor the Goat by the Ram,
for his beard, onely the Fox wrappes himselfe warme in Bever,
bids the Cat mouze, the Elephant toyle, the Boare gather akorns,
whiles he grinnes, feeds fat, tells tales, laughes at all, and sleepes
safe at the Lions feet.—Save ye people.
Ful.
Why save thee too, if thou beest of heavens making:
What art?—Feare nothing Don, we have our blades,
Are mettall men our selves, try us who dare.
Guz.
Our brother speakes our minde, thinke what you please
on't.
Ben.
A match: observe well this switch; with this only switch
have I pasht out the braines of thirteene Turkes to the dozen for a
breakfast.
Ful.
What man? tirteen? is't possible thou lyest not?
Ben.
I was once a Scholler, then I beg'd without pitty: from
thence I practiz'd law, there a scruple of conscience popt me over
the barre: a Souldier I turnd a while, but could not procure the
letter of preferment. Merchant I would bee, and a glut of land-rats
gnawd me to the bores; would have bought an office, but
the places with reversions were catcht up: offered to passe into the
Court, and wanted trust for cloathes; was lastly, for my good parts
prest into the Gallies, tooke prisoner, redeemd amongst other
slaves by your gay great man, they call him Auria: and am
now I know not who, where, or what. How d'ee like me?
say.
Ful.
A shaver of all trades; what course of life
Doest meane to follow next? ha? speake thy minde.
Guz.
Nor be thou daunted fellow: we our selves
Have felt the frownes of fortune in our dayes.
Ben.
I want extreamly, exceedingly, hideously.
Le.
Take that, enjoy it freely, wisely use it.
Throwes a purse
Th'advantage of thy fate, and know the giver.
Exit.
Hoy da, a purse in troath who dropt, stay, stay,
Vmh; have we gipsies here? oh mine is safe
Ist your purse, brother Don?
Guz.
Not mine, I seldome
Weare such unfashionable trash about me.
Ful.
Hast any money in it, honest blade?
A bots on empty purses.
Guz.
Wee defie them.
Ben.
Stand from about me, as you are mortall, you are dull
clod-pated lumpes of mire and garbish. This is the land of Fairies,
Emperiall Queene of Elves, I do croutch to thee, vow my services,
my blood, my sinewes to thee, sweete soveraigne of largesse, and
liberality—a French Taylor neate; Persian Cooke; dainty!
Greeke Wines; rich Flanders Mares; stately Spanish Sallads, poynant,
Venetian, wanton, ravishing, English Bawd unmatchable sirs I
am fitted.
Ful.
All these thy followers, miserable pigmies
Prate sence and don't be mad, I like thy humour,
Tis pretty odde, and so as one might say,
I care not greatly if I entertaine thee,
Dost want a master? if thou dost I am for thee
Else choose, and sneake up; pish I scorne to flinch man.
Guz.
Forsake not faire advancement, money certes
Will fleet and drop off, like a cozening friend,
Who holds it, holds a slippery Eele by th'tayle,
Unlesse he gripe it fast, be ruld by counsell.
Ben.
Excellent, what place shall I be admitted to?
Chamber, wardrobe, cellar, or stable.
Fut.
Why one and all, th'art welcome, lets shake hands on't,
Thy name?
Ben.
Parado Sir
Ful.
The great affaires
I shall employ thee most in wilbe newes,
And telling whats a clocke, for ought I know yet.
Ben.
It is sir to speake punctually some hour and halfe
Eight three thirds of two seconds of one minute over at most, Sir
Ful.
I doe not aske thee now, or if I did
Ben.
Auria, the fortunate is this day to bee receavd with great
solemnity at the city counsel house, the streetes are already throngd
with lookers on.
Ful.
Thats well remembred, brother Don let's trudge,
Or we shall come too late.
Guz.
By no meanes, brother.
Ful.
Waite close my ragged new-come.
Ben.
As your shaddowes.
Exit.
Enter Auria, Adurni, Martino, Trelcatio, Aurelio, Piero, and Futilli.
Auri.
Your favours with these honours, speake your bounties
And tho the low deserts of my successe
Appeare in your constructions faire and goodly,
Yet I attribute to a noble cause,
Not my abilities, the thankes due to them,
The Duke of Florence hath too highly prizd
My duty in my service, by example,
Rather to cherish and encourage vertue,
In spirits of action, then to crowne the issue
Of feeble undertakings, whiles my life
Can stand in use I shal no longer rate it
In value then it stirres to pay that debt,
I owe my countrie for my birth and fortunes.
Mart.
Which to make good, our state of Genoa
Not willing that a native of her owne,
So able for her safety, should take pension
From any other Prince; hath cast upon you
The government of Corsica.
Trel.
Addes thereto
Besides th'allowance yearly due, for ever
To you and to your heires, the full revenew
Belonging to Savona; with the office
Of Admirall of Genoa.
Adur.
Presenting
A thousand Ducates.
Mar.
But they limit only
One moneth of stay, for your dispatch, no more.
Fut.
In all your great attempts, may you grow thrifty.
Secure, and prosperous.
Pie.
If you please to ranke,
Amongst the humblest one that shall attend
Instructions under your command, I am
Ready to waite the charge.
Auri.
Oh still the state
Engageth me her creature with the burthen
Unequall for my weakenesse, to you gentlemen
I will prove friendly honest, of all mindefull.
Ad.
In memory (my Lord, such is your stile now)
Of your late fortunate exployts, the counsell
Amongst their generall acts, have registred
The great Dukes letters, witnesse of your merit
To stand in characters upon record.
Auri.
Load upon load let not my want of modesty
Trespasse against good manners, I must study
Retirement to compose this weighty businesse
And moderately disgest so large a plenty.
For feare it swel unto a surfeit.
Ad.
May I
be bould to presse a visit?
Auri.
At your pleasure,
Good time of day, and peace,
Oes: health to your Lordship.
Ad.
What of Spinella yet?
Fut.
Quite lost no prints,
Or any tongue of tracing her, how ever
Matters are huddled up: I doubt my Lord
Her husband carries little peace about him.
Ad.
fall danger what fall can, she is a goodnesse
Above temptation, more to be ador'd
Then sifted; I'me too blame sure.
Levidolche,
For her part too, laughd at Malfatos frenzie
(Just so she termd it) but for you (my Lord)
She said shee thankd your charity, which lent
Her crooked soule, before it left her body,
Some respit, wherein it might learne againe
The means of growing streight.
Ad.
Shee has found mercy,
Which I will seeke, and sue for.
Fut.
You are happy.
Exit.
Enter Auria, and Aurelio.
Auri.
Count of Savona, Genoas Admirall,
Lord governor of Corsica, enrould
A Worthy of my country, sought and su'd to
Prais'd, courted, flatterd; sure this bulke of mine,
Tayles in the size a timpany of greatnesse
Puffes up too monstrously my narrow chest,
How surely dost thou malice, these extremes,
Vncomfortable man? when I was needy,
Cast naked on the flats of barren pitty,
Abated to an ebbe so low, that boyes
A Cocke-horse friskd about me, without plunge
You could chat gravely then, in formall tones,
Reason most paradoxically; now
Contempt and wilful grudge at my uprising
becalmes your learned noyse.
Aure.
Such florish Auria,
Flies with so swift a gale, as it will wast
Thy suddaine joyes into a faithlesse harbor.
Auri.
Canst mutter mischiefe, I observd your dulnesse
Whiles the whole ging crowd to me harke my triumphs
Are eccho'd under every roofe, the ayre
Is streightend with the sound, there is not roome
Enough to brace them in, but not a thought
Doth pierce into the griefe that cabins heare,
A flake no bigger than a sisters threed,
Which sets the region of my heart a fire.
I had a kingdome once, but am depos'd
From all that royaltie of blest content,
by a confederacle twixt love and frailtie.
Aure.
glories in publick view, but adde to miserie,
Which travailes in unrest at home.
Auri.
At home?
That home Aurelio speakes of, I have lost,
And which is worse, when I have rowld about,
Toild like a pilgrime, round this globe of earth,
Wearied with care, and over-worne with age,
Lodg'd in the grave, I am not yet at home,
There rots but halfe of me, the other part
Sleeps, heaven knowes where, would she and I my wife,
I meane, but what alas talke I of wife,
The woman, would we had together fed
On any out-cast parings, course and mouldy,
Not liv'd divided thus, I could have beg'd
For both, for't had been pitty she should ever
Have felt so much extremitie.
Aure.
This is not
Patience requir'd in wrongs of such vile nature,
You pittie her, thinke rather on revenge.
Auri.
Revenge! for what? (uncharitable friend)
On whom? lets speake a little pray with reason,
You found Spinella in Adurnies house,
Tis like a' gave her welcome very likely,
Her sister and another with her, so
Invited, nobly done; but he with her
Privatly chamberd, he deserves no wife
Of worthy qualitie, who dares not trust
Her vertue in the proofes of any danger.
Aure.
But I broke ope the doores upon em.
Auri.
Marry, it was a slovenly presumption,
And punishable by a sharpe rebuke.
Have by the stealth of privacie enjoyd
A Ladies closet, where to have prophan'd
That shrine of chastitie and innocence,
With one unhallowed word, would have exild
The freedome of such favour into scorne.
Had any he alive then ventur'd there,
With foule construction, I had stampt the justice
Of my unguiltie truth upon his heart.
Aure.
Adurni might have done the like, but that
The conscience of his fault in coward blood,
blusht at the quick surprisall.
Auri.
O fie, fie.
How ill some argue in their sowre reproofe,
Against a partie liable to law:
For had that Lord offended with that creature,
Her presence would have doubled every strength
Of man in him, and justified the forfeit
Of noble shame, else twas enough in both
With a smile onely to correct your rudenesse.
Aure.
Tis well you make such use of neighbours courtesie,
Some kinde of beasts are tame, and hug their injuries:
Such way leads to a fame too.
Auri.
Not uncivilly, though violently, friend.
Aure.
Wherefore then, thinke yee,
Can she absent her selfe, if she be blamelesse?
You grant of course, your triumphs are proclaim'd,
And I in person told her your returne.
Where lies she hid the while?
Auri.
That rests for answer
In you, now I come t'ee, vve have exchang'd
bosomes, Aurelio, from our yeares of childhood,
Let me acknovvledge vvith vvhat pride I ovvne
A man so faithfull, honest, fast, my friend:
He vvhom if I speake fully, never faild
by teaching trust to me, to learne of mine,
I vvisht my selfe thine equall; if I aymd
So dearly witnesse with me my integritie,
I layd thee up to heart, that from my love,
My wife was but distinguisht in her sex,
Give back that holy signature of friendship,
Canceld, defac'd, pluckt off, or I shall urge,
Accounts scor'd on the tally of my vengeance,
Without all former complements.
Aure.
D'ee imagine
I fawne upon your fortunes, or intrude
Upon the hope of bettering my estate,
That you cashiere me at a minutes warning?
No, Auria, I dare vie with your respects,
Put both into the ballance, and the poyse
Shall make a setled stand, perhaps the proffer,
So frankly vowd at your departure first
Of setling me a partner in your purchase,
Leads you into opinion of some ends
Of mercenary falshood, yet such wrong
Lest suites a noble soule.
Auri.
By all my sorrowes,
The mention is too course.
Aure.
Since then th'occasion
Presents our discontinuance, use your libertie:
For my part I am resolute to die
The same my life profest me.
Auri.
Pish, your faith
Was never in suspition; but consider,
Neither the Lord nor Lady, nor the bawd,
Which shuffled them together, opportunitie
Have fastned staine on my unquestion'd name,
My friends rash indiscretion was the bellowes
Which blew the cole now kindled to a flame,
Will light his slander to all wandring eyes.
Some men in giddie zeale ore-doe that office
They catch at, of whose number is Aurelio:
For I am certaine, certaine it had beene
but my Spinella, trembling on her knee,
Would have accusd her breach of truth, have bg'd
A speedy execution on her trespasse,
Then with a justice lawfull as the magistrates,
Might I have drawne my sword against Adurni,
Which now is sheathed and rusted in the scabberd;
Good thankes to your cheape providence, once more
I make demand—my wife—you—sir.
Aure.
Roare lowder
The noyse affrights not me, threaten your enemies,
And prove a valiant tongue man—now must follow,
by way of method, the exact condition
Of rage which runnes to mutinie in friendship.
Auria come on, this weapon lookes not pale
At fight of that againe heare and believe it,
What I have done, was well done and well meant;
Twenty times over, were it new to doe.
I de doo't and doo't, and boast the paines religious;
Yet since you shake me off, I slightly value
Other severity.
Auri.
Honor and duty
Stand my compurgators, never did passion
Purpose ungentle usage of my sword,
Against Aurelio, let me rather want
My hands, nay friend, a heart then ever suffer
Such dotage enter here, if I must loose
Spinella, let me not proceed to misery,
by loosing my Aurelio, we through madnesse,
Frame strange conceits, in our discoursing braines,
And prate of things as we pretend they were,
Joyne helpe to mine (goodman) and let us listen
After this straying soule, and till we finde her,
beare our discomfort quietly.
Aure.
So doubtlesse,
She may be soone discoverd.
Auri.
Thats spoake chearefully.
At oddes oh't cannot be, must not, and shanot—
Enter Castanna.
But looke Castannas here,—welcome faire figure
Of a choice Jewel, lockd up in a cabinet,
More pretious then the publique view should sully.
Cast.
Sir how you are informd, or on what termes
Of prejudice against my course, or custome,
Opinion swaies your confidence, I know not
Much anger, if my feares perswade not falsely,
Sits on this gentlemans sterne brow, yet sir,
If an unhappy maids word may finde credit,
As I wish harme to no body on earth,
So would all good folkes may wish none to me.
Auri.
None does sweete sister.
Cast.
If they doe, deare heaven
Forgive them is my prayer, but perhaps,
You might conceave (and yet methinkes you shold not)
How I am faulty in my sisters absence,
Indeed tis nothing so, nor was I knowing
Of any private speech my Lord intended,
Save civill entertainement, pray what hurt
Can fall out in discourse, if it be modest?
Sure noble men will shew that they are such
With those of their owne ranke, and that was all
My sister can be charg'd with.
Auri.
Ist not friend, an excellent maide?
Aure.
Deserves the best of fortunes;
I ever spoke her vertuous.
Cast.
With your leave,
You us'd most cruell language to my sister,
Enough to fright her wits, not very kinde
To me my selfe, she sighd when you were gone,
Desird no creature else should follow her;
And in good truth, I was so full of weeping,
I markd not well which way shee went.
Auri.
Staid she not
Within the house then?
Lasse not she—Aurelio
Was passing rough.
Auri.
Strange! no where to be found out.
Cast.
Not yet, but on my life, ere many howers,
I shall heare from her.
Auri.
Shalt thou? worthy maide,
Thast brought to my sicke heart a cordiall—friend
Good newes—most sweete Castanna.
Auri.
May it prove so.
Exeunt.
Enter Benatzi as before.
Ben.
The paper in the purse for my directions appoynted this
the place, the time now, here dance I attendance—shee is come
already.
Enter Levidolche.
Le.
Parado, so I over heard you nam'd.
Ben.
A mushrome sprung up in a minute, by the sun-shine of
your benevolent grace, liberality and hospitable compassion (most
magnificent beauty) have long since lyen bed-rid in the ashes of the
old world till now, your illustrious charity hath rak'd up the dead
embers by giving life to a worm inevitably devoted yours as you
shall please to new shape mee.
Le.
A gratefull man (it seemes) where gratitude
Has harbor; other furniture becomming
Accomplish'd qualities must needs inhabit,
What country claimes your birth?
Ben.
None, I was borne at sea, as my mother was in passage
from cape Ludugory to cape Clagliary toward Affrick in Sardinia,
was bred up in Aquilastro, and at yeares put my selfe in service under
the Spanish Viceroy: till I was taken prisoner by the Turkes.
I have tasted in my daies hansome store of good and bad, and am
thankefull for both.
Le.
You seeme the issue then of honest parents.
Ben.
Reputed no lesse: many children oftentimes inherit their
lands who peradventure never begot them: my mothers husband
was a very old man at my birth, but no man is too old to father his
wives childe, your servant I am sure I will ever prove my selfe
entirely.
Dare you be secret?
Ben.
Yes.
Le.
And suddaine.
Ben.
Yes.
Lev.
But withall, sure of hand, and spirit.
Ben.
Yes, yes, yes.
Le.
I use not many words, the time prevents 'em,
A man of quality has rob'd mine honour.
Ben.
Name him.
Le.
Adurni.
Ben.
A' shall bleed.
Le.
Malfato contemn'd my proffered love.
Ben.
Yoake 'em in death—whats my reward?
Le.
Propose it, and enjoy it.
Ben.
You for my wife.
Le.
Ha!
Ben.
Nothing else, deny mee.
And ile betray your counsells to your ruine;
Else doe the feate couragiously—consider.
Le.
I doe dispatch the taske I have enjoyn'd,
Then claime my promise.
Ben.
No such matter, pretty one,
Weele marry first—or—farewell.
Le.
Stay, examine
From my confession what a plague thou draw'st
Into thy bosome, tho I blush to say it,
Know I have without sence of shame, or honour,
Forsooke a lawfull marriage bed, to dally
Betweene Adurnis armes.
Ben.
This Lords.
Le.
The same; more not content with him I courted,
A newer pleasure, but was there refus'd by him I nam'd so late.
Ben.
Malfato.
Le.
Right, am henceforth resolutely bent to print
My follies on their hearts, then change my life
For some rare pennance, canst thou love me now?
Ben.
Better I doe believe tis possible you may mend,
Le.
Accept my hand, with this a faith as constant
As vowes can urge, not shall my haste prevent
This contract, which death only must divorce.
Ben.
Settle the time.
Le.
Meete here to morrow night,
We will determine further, as behoves us.
Ben.
How is my new love call'd?
Le.
Levidolche, be confident, I bring a worthy portion;
But you'l flie off.
Ben.
Not I, by all thats noble,
A kisse—farewell—deare fate.
Exit.
Le.
Love is sharpe sighted
And can pierce through the cunning of disguises,
False pleasures I casheere ye, faire truth welcome.
Exit.
| The Ladies Triall | |