 | The Maides Revenge |  |
Actus 2.
Scæna 1.
Enter Catalina and Ansilva.Cata.
Ansilva you observe with curious eye
All Gentlemen that come hither, whats your opinion.
Of Don Antonio?
Ans.
My opinion Madam, I want Art.
To judge of him.
Cata.
Then without Art your judgement.
Ans.
He is one of the most accomplisht Gentlemen
Ansilva ere beheld, pardon Madam.
Cata.
Nay, it doth not displease, 'yare not alone,
He hath friends to second you, and who dost thinke
Is cause he tarries here.
Ans.
Your noble father will not let him goe.
And canst thou see no higher? then thou art dull.
Ans.
Madam, I guesse at something more.
Cata.
What?
Ans.
Love?
Cata.
Of whom?
Ans.
I know not that.
Cata.
How not that? Thou'dst bring thy former truth
Into suspition, why tis more apparant
Then that he loves.
Ans.
If judging eyes may guide him,
I know where he should chuse, but I have heard
That love is blind.
Cata.
Ha?
Ans.
Vertue would direct him Madam unto you, I know not his
Obedience, I shall repent if I offend.
Cata.
Tha'rt honest, be yet more free, hide not a thought
that may concerne it.
Ans.
Then Madam I thinke he loves my Lady Berinthia;
I have observ'd his eyes rowle that way,
Even now I spied him
Close with her in the Arbour, pardon me Madam.
Cata.
Th'ast done me faithfull service, be yet more vigilant,
I know thou speakst all truth, I doe suspect him,
Exit Ans.
My sister, ha? Dare shee maintaine contention?
Is this the dutie bindes her to obey
A fathers precepts, tis dishonour to me.
Enter Ansilva.
Ans.
Madam, heres a pretty hansome stripling new alight,
Enquires for Don Antonio.
Cata.
Let me see him, 'twill give me good occasion to be
My owne observer;
Whom would you sir?
Die.
I am sent in quest of Antonio.
Cata.
He speakes like a Knight errant, he comes in quest.
Die.
I have heard it a little vertue in some Spanniels to
Quest now and then Lady.
Cata.
But you are none.
Die.
My Mr. cannot beate me from him Madam, I am one of
The oldest appurtenances belonging to him, and yet I
Cata.
The more to come, a wittie knave.
Die.
No more wit then will keep my head warme, I beseech
you amiable Virgin help my Master Antonio to some intelligence
that a servant of his waits to speake with him from
his sister Madona Castabella.
Cata.
It shall not neede sir, Ile give him notice my selfe.
Ansilva Entertaine time with him.
Exit.
Ans.
A promising young man.
Die.
Doe you waite on this Lady?
Ans.
Yes sir.
Die.
Wee are both of a tribe then, though wee differ in
our sexe, I beseech you taxe me not of immodesty, or want
of breeding, that I did not salute you upon the first view of
your person, this kisse shall be as good as presse-mony to bind
me to your service.
Ans.
'Y'are very welcome, by my virginity.
Exit.
Die.
Your virginitie a good word to save an oath, for all
she made me a cursie, it was not good manners to leave mee
so soone 'yare very welcome by my virginity; was she afraid
of breaking, it may be she is crack'd already, but here she is
againe.
Enter Ansilva.
Ans.
May I begge your name sir?
Die.
No begger sweet, would you have it at length, then
My name is Signior Baltazaro Clere Mautado,
But for brevities sake they call me Diego.
Ans,
Then Signior Diego once more you are welcome.
Die.
Bazelez manes Signiora, and what my tongue is not
able to expresse, my head shall; it seemes you have liv'd long
a Virgin.
Ans.
Not above seven or eight and thirty yeares.
Die.
By Lady a tried Virgin, you have given the world
A large testimony of your virginity.
Enter Ant. Berin. and Catal.
Ber.
I should be thus a disobedient daughter
A Fathers Hests are sacred.
Ant.
But in love
They have no power, it is but tyranny,
Against its owne election; I am yours,
Vow'd yours for ever, send me not away
Shipwrack'd ith' habour, say but you can love me,
And I will waite an age, not wish to move
But by commission from you, to whom
I render the possession of my selfe:
Ha? we are betrai'd, I must use cunning,
She lives in you, and take not in worse sence;
You are more gracious, in that you are
So like your eldest sister, in whom lives
The coppy of so much perfection,
All other seeme to imitate.
Cata.
Does he not praise me now?
Ant.
But here she is,
Madam, not finding you ith' garden,
I met this Lady.
Cata.
I came to tell you
A servant of yours attends with letters from
Your sister Madona Castabella.
Ant.
Diego what newes?
Die.
Sir, my Lady remembers her love, these letters informe
you the state of all things.
Cata.
What serious conference had you sister with that
Gentleman.
Ber.
Would you had heard them sister, they concern'd
your Commendations.
Cata.
Why should he not deliver them to my selfe.
Ber.
It may be then
You would have thought he flattered.
Cata.
I like not this rebound,
Tis fairest to catch at fall.
Ber.
Sister, I hope
You have no suspition, I have courted
His stay or language on my life no accent
Fell from me, your owne eare would not have heard
With acceptation.
Cata.
It may be so, and yet I dare acquit you.
All due respect, I know it.
Ant.
Diego.
Die.
Sir.
Ant.
You observe the waiting creatures in the blacke,
Harke, you apprehend me.
Whisper.
Die.
With as much tenacity as a servant.
Cat.
I hope sir, now we shall enjoy you longer.
Ant.
The gods would sonner be sicke with Nectar, than Antonio
Crow weary of such faire societie;
But I am at home expected, a poore sister,
My fathers care alive, and dying was
His Legacy, having out-staid my time
Is tender of my absence.
Enter Vilarezo, Sebastiano, Count, and Valasco.
Cata.
My Lord Antonio meanes to take his leave.
Uila.
Although last night you were inclin'd to goe,
Let us prevaile this morning.
Cat.
A servant of his, he saies, brought letters
To hasten departure.
Uila.
Why sirra, will you rob us of your master.
Die.
Not guilty my Lord.
Count.
Sir, if you'le needs go, we'le bring you on your way.
Ant.
I humbly thank your honour, Ile not be so troublesome.
Count.
Would you were gone once, I doe not meane to
trouble my selfe so much I warrant thee.
Ant.
I have now a charge upon me, I hope it may
Excuse me, if I hasten my returne.
Uila.
Tis faire, and reasonable, well sir, my sonne
Shall waite on you oth' way, if any occasion
Draw you to Avero, lets hope you'le see us,
You know your welcome.
Ant.
My Lord the favours done me, would proclaime
I were too much unworthy not to visit you,
Oft as I see Avero; Madam I part with some unhappinesse
To lose your presence, give me leave I may
Be absent your admirer, to whose memory
I write my selfe a servant,
Count.
Poxe on your complement, you were not best wtite
Cata.
You doe not know
What power you have o're me, that but to please you,
Can frame my selfe to take a leave so soone.
Vala.
What thinke you of that my Lord?
Count.
Why, she sayes she has power to take her leave
So soone, no hurt ath' world in't, I hope she is an
Innocent Lady.
To Berinth.
Ant.
The shallow rivers glide away with noise,
The deepe are silent, fare you well Lady.
Count.
I told you he is a shallow fellow.
Vala.
I know not what to thinke on't Berinthia.
Ant.
Gentlemen happinesse and successe in your desires.
Seb.
Ile see you a league or two.
Uila.
By any meanes, nay sir.
Ant.
Diego.
Die.
My Lord I have a suite to you before I goe.
Vila.
To me Diego, prethee speake it.
Die.
That while other Gentlemen are happy to devide
their affections among the Ladies, I may have your honours
leave to beare some good-will to this Virgin: Cupid hath
throwne a dart at me, like a blinde buzzard as he was, and
theres no recovery without a cooler; if I be sent into these
parts, I desire humbly I may be bould to rub acquaintance
with Mistresse Ansilva.
Vila.
With all my heart Diego.
Die.
Madam, I hope you will not be an enemy to a poore
Flye that is taken in the flame of the blind god.
Cata.
You shall have my consent sir.
Vila.
But what sayes Ansilva, hast thou a mind to a husband?
Ans.
I feare I am too young seven yeares hence were time
enough for me.
Seb.
Shees not full fortie yet sir.
Die.
I honour the Antiquitie of her maidenhead, thou
Mistresse of my heart.
Ant.
Come lets away Diego our horses—
Uila.
We'le bring you to the gate.
Count.
Yes, wee'le bring him out of doores, would wee
Exeunt. manet Ansilva.
Ans.
Hay ho, who would have thought I should have
benne in love with a stripling, have I seene so many maidenheades
suffer before me, and must mine come to the blocke at
fortie yeares old, if this Diego have the grace to come on, I
shall have no power to keepe my selfe chast any longer; how
many maides have beene overrunne with this love? but
beres my Lady.
Exit.
Enter Catalina and Ualasco.
Cat.
Sir, you love my sister.
Val.
With an obedient heart.
Cat.
Where do you think Don Antonio hath made choice
To place his love?
Ual.
There where I wish it may grow older in desire,
And be crown'd with fruitfull happinesse.
Cat.
Hath your affection had no deeper roote,
That tis rent up already, J had thought
It would have stood a Winter, but J see
A Summer storme hath kil'd it, fare you well sir.
Ual.
How's this, a Summers storme!
Lady by the honour of your birth,
Put off these cloudes, you maze me, take off
The wonder you have put upon Valasco,
And solve these riddles.
Cat.
You love Berinthia.
Ual.
With a devoted heart, else may I die
Contempt of all mankinde, not my owne soule
Is deerer to me.
Cat.
And yet you wish Antonio may be crown'd
With happinesse in his love, he loves Birinthia.
Val.
How?
Cat.
Beyond expression, to see how a good nature
Free from dishonour in it selfe, is backward
To thinke another guilty, suffers it selfe
Be poisoned with opinion, did your eyes
Emptie their beames so much in admiration
Of your Berinthias beauty, you left none
To observe your owne abuses.
Doth not Antonio dedicate his thoughts
To your acceptance, 'tis impossible,
I heard him praise you to the heavens, above 'em;
Made himselfe hoarse but to repeate your vertues
As he had beene in extasie; love Birinthia?
Hell is not blacker than his soule, if he
Love any goodnesse but your selfe.
Cat.
That lesson he with impudence hath reade
To my owne eares, but shall I tell you sir?
We are both made but properties to raise
Him to his partiall ends, flattery is
The stalkeing horse of pollicy, saw you not,
How many flames he shot into her eyes
When they were parting, for which she pay'd backe
Her subtill teares, he wrung her by the hand,
Seem'd with the greatnesse of his passion
To have beene o're borne, Oh cunning treachery!
Worthy our justice, true he commended me;
But could you see the Fountaine that sent forth
So many cozening streames, you would say Sty:
Were Christall to it, and wast not to the Count,
Whom he suppos'd was in pursuite of me;
Nay, whom he knew did love me, that he might
Fire him the more to consummate my marriage
That I disposed he might have of accesse
To his belov'd Berinthia, the end
Of his desires I can confirme it, he praid
To be so happy with my fathers leave
To be her amorous servant, which he nobly
Denied, partly expressing your engagements;
If you have least suspition of this truth:
But dee' thinke she love you?
Val.
I cannot challenge her, but she has let fall
Something to make me hope, how thinke you shee's
Affected to Antonio?
Cat.
May be
Luke warme as yet, but soone as as shees caught,
Inevitably his, without prevention.
A will to wrong a Gentleman, for hee was
Acquainted with your love, 'twas my respect
To tender so your injury, I could not
Be silent in it, what you meane to doe
I leave to your owne thoughts.
Ual.
Oh stay sweete Lady, leave me not to struggle
Alone with this universall affliction;
You speake even now Berinthia would be his
Without prevention, oh that Antidote,
That Balsome to my wound.
Cat.
Alas I pitty you, and the more, because
I see your troubles so amaze your judgement,
Ile tell you my opinion sir oth' sudden;
For him, he is not worth Valasco's anger;
Onely thus, you shall discover to my Father,
She promis'd you her love, be confident
To say you did exchange faith to her; this alone
May chance assure her, and if not I hav't:
Steale her away, your love I see is honourable,
So much I suffer when desert is wounded,
You shall have my assistance, you apprehend me.
Val.
I am devoted yours, command me ever.
Cat.
Keepe smooth your face, and still maintaine your worship
With Berinthia, things must be manag'd
And strucke in the maturity, noble sir; J wish
You onely fortunate in Berinthias love.
Val.
Words are too poore to thanke you, I looke on you
As my safe guiding starre.
Exit.
Cat.
But I shall prove a wandering starre, I have
A course which I must finish for my selfe.
Glide on thou subtill mover, thou hast brought
This instrument already for thy aymes,
Sister, Ile breake a Serpents egge betimes,
And teare Antonio from thy very bosome;
Love is above all law of nature, blood,
Not what men call, but what that bides is good.
Exit.
Enter Castabella and Villandras.
Be not so carefull Cooze, your brothers well.
Be confident if he were otherwise
You should have notice, whom hath he to share
Fortunes without you? all his ills are made
Lesse by your bearing part, his good is doubled
By your communichaing.
Cast.
By this reason
All is not well, in that my ignorance
What fate hath hapned, barres me off the portion
Belongs to me sister, but my care
Is so much greater, in that Diego whom
J charg'd to put on wings, if all were well,
Is dull in his returne.
Enter Antonio and Diego.
Uil.
His Master happily hath commanded him
To attend him homewards, this is recompenc'd
Already, looke they are come;
Y'are welcome sir.
Ant.
Oh sister, ere you let fall words of welcome,
Let me unlade a treasure in your eare
Able to weigh downe man.
Cast.
What treasure brother, you amaze me.
Ant.
Never was man so blest,
As heavens had studied to enrich me here,
So am I fortunate.
Vil.
You make me covetous.
Ant.
I have a friend.
Uil.
You have a thousand sir, is this your treasure?
Ant.
But I have one more worth then millions,
And he doth onely keepe alive that name
Of friendship in his breast, pardon Villandros,
Tis not to straine your love, whom I have tried,
My worthiest cozen.
Cast.
But where is this same friend, why came he not
To Eluas with you, sure he cannot be
Deare to you Brother, to whom I am not indebted
At least for you.
Die.
I have many deare friends too, my Taylor is one
To whom I am indebted
His Commission
Stretch'd not so farre, a Fathers tie was on him,
But I have his noble promise, er't be long,
We shall enjoy him.
Cast.
Brother I hope
You know how willingly I can entertaine
Your blisse, and make it mine, pray speake the man
To whom we owe so much.
Ant.
Twere not charity to starve you thus with shaddowes,
Take him, and with him in thy bosome locke
The Mirrour of fidelity, Don Sebastiano.
Cast.
I oft have heard you name him full of worth,
And upon that relation have laid up,
One deare to my remembrance.
Ant.
But he must be dearer Castabella, harke you sister,
I have beene bold upon thy vertue, to
Invite him to you, if your heart be free.
Let it be empty ever, if he doe not
Fill it with noblest love, to make relation,
What zeale he gave of a worthy nature,
At our last parting (when betwixt a sonne,
And friend he so divided his affections
And out did both) you would admire him: were
I able I would build a temple where
We tooke our leave,
The ground it selfe was hallowed
So much with his owne piety, Diego saw it.
Die.
Yes sir, I saw, and heard, and wondred.
Ant.
Come I will tell you all, to your chamber sister,
Diego our plot must on, all time is lost
Vntill we try the mooving.
Die.
If the plot please you sir, let me alone to play my part
I warrant you.
Ant.
Come Castabella, and prepare to heare
A story not of length but worthy your eare.
Exeunt
Enter Vilarezo, Valasco, and Catalina.
Vil.
You have not dealt so honourably sir,
As did become you, to proceede so farre
You are not welcome.
Ual.
My Lord I am sorry,
If I have any way trangrest, I was not
Respectlesse of your honour, nor my fame,
Ualasco shall be unhappy, if by him
You shall derive a staine, my actions faire,
I have done nothing with Berinthia,
To merit such a language, twas not ripe,
For me to interrupt the father, when I knew not
What grace I hold with her.
Uil,
Hell on her grace, is this her duty? ha,
I can forget my nature if she dare
Make so soone forfeit of her piety;
Oh where is that same awfull dread of Parent,
Should live in children; tis her ambition
To out runne her sister, but Ile curbe her impudence,
Cata.
Retire your selfe, this passion must have way,
This workes as I would have it, feare nothing sir,
Obscure.
Exit Ual.
Vil.
Ile cloyster her, and starve this spirit
Makes her deceive my trust; Catalina
Vpon thy duty I command thee, take
Her custody on thee, keepe her from the eye
Of all that come to Averro, let her discourse
With pictures on the wall, I feare she hath
Forgot to say her prayers, is she growne sensuall?
Cata.
But my Lord.
Uil.
Oh keepe thy accents for a better cause,
She hath contemd us both, thou canst not see
What blemish she derives unto our name.
Yet these are sparkes, he hath a fire within,
Will turne all into flames, wheres Ualasco?
Cata.
Good sir, a much afflicted worthy Gentleman,
At your displeasure.
Vil.
Thou art too full of pitty, nay th'art cruell
To thy owne fame, he must not have accesse
To prosecute, it was my doting sinne,
Gave her such libertie, on my blessing punish it,
Twill be a vertuous act, the snow I thought
Was not more innocent, more cold, more chaste,
Why my command bound her in ribs of ice,
But shees dissolv'd, to thee Ile leave her now,
Be the maintainer of thy Fathers vow.
Exit
Val.
Why I am undone now.
Cata.
Nothing lesse, this conflict
Prepares your peace, I am her guardian,
Love smiles upon you, I am not inconstant,
Having more power to assist you, but away,
We must not be discri'd, expect ere long
To heere what you desire.
Ual.
My blisse I remember.
Exit
Cata.
Berinthia, y'are my prisoner, at my leisure
Ile studdy on your fate, I cannot be
Friend to my selfe, when I am kind to thee.
Exit
| The Maides Revenge | |