 | The Gratefvll Servant |  |
ACTVS, 4.
SCÆNA, 1.
Enter Lodwicke, and Piero.Lodw.
Do't and thou lou'st me?
Pier.
What d'ee meane my Lord?
Lodw.
Nay wee must haue such a deale of circumstance,
I say doe it.
Pier.
What, that?
Lodw.
That? Is that such a piece of matter, does it appeare
so horrid in your imagination, that you should looke
as if you were frighted now?
Pier.
My Lord it is—
Lodw.
A thing your lust will prompt you to, but that
You affect Ceremony, and loue to bee entreated.
Piero.
With your Lady?
Lodw.
Yet againe, must I voyce it like the Towne-Cryer,
and ramme it into your head with noyse, you haue
not beene obseru'd so dull, in a businesse of this supple Nature.
Pier.
But thinke on't agen, I pray you thinke a little better,
I ha no great ambition to ha my throat cut.
Lodw,
By whom?
Piero.
By you, you cannot chuse but kill me for't, when I
haue done, name any other Lady, or halfe a score on 'em, as
farre as flesh will goe, I ha but a body, and that shall venture
vpon a disease to doe you seruice, but your Lady.
Lodw.
Haue I not told thee my end?
Piero:
I Sir, but I am very loath to begin with her, I
know she will not let me doe the feate, I had as good neuer
attempt it.
Lodw.
Is your mountanous promise come to this? Remember,
if I doe not turne honest—
Piero.
My Lord doe but consider—well I will doe
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Lodw.
No butting.
Piero,
Nay for butting, your Lordship is like to doe that
better, when I haue done with your Lady, vpon one condition,
Ile resolue.
Lodw.
Whats that?
Piero.
I must be a little plaine w'ee my Lord, that you
wonot aske me blessing, I am like to bee one of your Godfathers.
Lodw.
How?
Piero.
The new name that I shall adde to your other titles
will sticke in your head and I feare corrupt your braines too
many wise men haue runne mad vpon't in the Citty.
Lodw,
Neuer feare it, for if thou canst but corrupt her.
Ile shew a diuorce presently.
Piero,
And bring me in for a witnes.
Enter Astella.
Lodw.
She's here feare nothing, Ile be thy protection, it
were not amisse to cast away some kindnes vpon her, nay I
was comming to take my leaue.
Ast.
I know you neuer meant it,
Lodw.
Thus my best intents are rewarded still, the
more sinne vpon your conscience, y'haue a hard heart, but
heauen forgiue vs all, Astella farewell, Piero expect my returne
here—pray entertaine this Gentleman courteously in
my absence, you know not how kindly I may take it.
Ast.
I would you would enioyne me any testimony,
So I might be in hope to winne your loue.
Lodw.
Tis in the will of women to doe much, doe not
dispaire, the proudest herat is but flesh, thinke a that.
Ast.
Of what?
Lodw.
Of flesh, and so I leaue you.
Pier.
Wilt please you Madam, walke into your chamber,
I haue something to impart, will require more priuacie.
Ast.
If it bee griefe, tis welcome.
Exeunt.
Enter Duke, and Lords.
Duke.
My Soule I haue examin'd, and yet find
No reason for my foolish passion
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For sinne, I'ue no such flame, and yet me thought
He did appeare most louely, nay in's absence
I cherish his Idea, but I must
Exclude him, while he hath but soft impression,
Being remou'd already in his person,
I loose him with lesse trouble.
Enter Giotto.
Gitto.
Please your Highnesse,
A stranger but some Gentleman of qualitie,
Intending to leaue Sauoy, humbly prayes
To kisse youe hand.
Duke.
A Gentleman, admit him.
Enter Foscari disguised, and kisses the Dukes hand.
Fosc.
You are a gracious prince, and this high fauour
Deserues my person, and my Sword, when you
Vouchsafe so much addition to this honour,
To call them to your Seruice.
Duke.
You are noble.
Foscari.
It is not complement my Lord alone
Made me thus bold, I haue a priuate message,
Please you command their distance.
Duke.
Waite without.
Fosc.
Haue you forgot this face?
Duke.
Foscaries shadow?
Fosc.
The substance Sir, and once more at your feet,
Duke.
Return'd to life. Rise, meet our armes; why in
This Cloud?
Fosc.
Your pardon royall Sir, it will
Concerne your Highnesse to permit me walke
In some Eclipse.
Duke.
How?
Fosc.
Be but pleas'd to grant
A little freedome to my speech, I shall
Demonstrate the necessity of this
Action, I said I had a messuage,
I come Sir from Cleona.
Duke.
From Cleona?
Fosc.
From her indeed, and in her name, I must
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You would be just and noble in your answer,
Duke.
Without dispating your Commission,
Vpon mine Honour—
Fosc.
Princes cannot staine it, dee you loue her?
Duke.
Doe I loue her? Strange?
Fosc.
Nay she would haue you pause, and thinke well e're
You giue her resolution, for she bad me tell you
She has beene much aflicted since you left her,
About your loue.
Duke.
About my loue? I prethee
Bee more particular.
Fosc.
I shall, so soone
As you were gone, being alone, and full
Of melancholly thoughts.
Duke.
I left her so.
Fosc.
Willing to ease her head vpon her couch,
Through silence, and some friendship of the darke,
Shee fell asleepe, and in a short dreame thought,
Some Spirit told her softly in her eare,
You did but mocke her with a smooth pretence
Of Love.
Duke.
Ha?
Fosc,
More, that you are fallen from honour,
Haue taken impious flames into your bosome,
That y'are a Bird of prey, and while she hath
No houshold Lar, to waite vpon her threshold
You would flee in, and seize vpon her honour.
Duke.
I hope she ha's no faith in dreames.
Fosc.
And yet
Diuinity hath oftentimes descended
Vpon our slumbers, and the blessed troupes
Haue in the calme, and quiet of the Soule,
Conuers'd with vs, taught men and women happy
Wayes to preuent a tyrants rage, and lust.
Duke.
But this was some most false malicious Spirit,
That would insinuate with her white Soule,
There's danger if she cherish the infusion.
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She cannot tell, she hath some feares my Lord,
Great men haue left examples of their vice,
And yet no iealousie of you, but what
A myracle doth vrge, if this be one;
If you but once more say you loue Cleona,
And speake it vnto me, and to the Angels,
Which in her prayers, she hath inuok'd to heare you,
She will be confident, and tell her dreame,
She cannot be illuded.
Duke.
Though I need not
Giue an account to any, but to Heauen
And her faire selfe, Foscari, thou shalt tell her
With what alacritie I display my heart,
I loue her with chast and noble fire, my intents are
Faire as her brow, tell her I dare proclaime it,
In my deuotions, at that minute, when
I know a million of adoring Spirits
Houer about the Altar, I doe loue her—
Fosc.
Enough, enough, my Lord be pleas'd to heare,
What I haue now to say, you haue exprest
A braue and vertuous Soule, but I must not
Carry this message to her, therefore take
Your owne words backe agen—I loue Cleona
With chast, and noble fire, my intents are
Faire as her brow, I dare proclaime it Sir,
In my deuotions, at that minute, when
I know a Million of adoring Spirits,
Houer about the Altar.
Duke,
Doe ye mocke me?
Fosc.
Pardon a truth my Lord, I haue apparreld
My owne sence with your language.
Duke.
Doe you come
To affront vs, you had better ha beene sleeping
In your cold vrne, and fame late gaue you out,
And mingled with the rude forgotten ashes,
Then liue to moue our anger.
Fisc,
Spare your frownes.
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Would dy the palenesse of my Fathers dust,
Into a blush, Sir many are aliue,
Will sweare, I did not tremble at a Canon,
When it strooke thunder in mine care, and wrapt
My head in her blew mists, it is not breath
Can fright a noble truth, nor is there Magicke
I'th person of a King that playes the Tyrant,
But a good Sword can easily vncharme it,
Duke.
You threathen vs.
Fosc.
Heauen auert so blacke a thought,
Though in my honours cause I can be flame,
My bloud is frost to treason make me not
Bely my heart, for I doe loue Cleona?
And my bold heart tels me, aboue all height,
You can affect her with, no birth or state
Can challenge a Prerogatiue in loue;
Nay be nor partiall, and you shall ascribe
To mine loues victory, for though I admit,
You value her aboue your Dukedome, health,
That you would sacrifice your bloud, to auert
Any mishap should threaten that deare head,
All this is but aboue your selfe, but I
Loue her aboue her selfe, and while you can
But giue your life, and all you haue, to doe
Cleona seruice, I can giue away
Her selfe, Cleona's selfe, in my loue to her,
I see you are at losse, Ile reconcile
All, she is yours, this minute ends my claime,
Liue, and enioy her happily, may you
Be famous in that beautious Empire, shee
Blest in so great a Lord.
Duke,
I must not be
Orecome in honour, nor would doe so great
A wrong, to enioy the blessing, I knew not
You were engag'd.
Fosc.
Ere you proceed, I must
Beseech you heare me out, I am but fresh,
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Heard I was slaine, at my returne, vpon
The hearing of these honours you intend her,
And which I now beleeue from your owne lip,
I found a meanes, and haue wrought her already,
Into a firme beleife that I am dead,
(For I haue but pretended I came from her)
If for my sake you leaue her now, I can
Make good her faith and dye, 't sha'not be said,
I liu'd, and ouerthrew Cleona's fortune.
Duke.
Stay myracle of honour, and of loue.
Fosc.
If you proceed, as it concernes your happinesse,
I can secure all feare of mee, I am
Resolu'd a course wherein I will bee dead
To her, yet liue to pray for her, and you,
Although I neuer see you more, will you
My Royall Lord?
Duke.
Did euer Louer plead
Against himselfe before?
Fosc.
I loue her still,
And in that study her advancement Sir,
In you. I cannot giue her.
Duke.
Well, I will still loue her, and solicite.
Fosc,
And not open
That I am liuing.
Duke.
Not a Syllable.
Fosc.
I am confident, let me but kisse your hand.
Agen, may blessings dwell with you for euer.
Exit.
Dulc.
He was alwayes noble, but this passion
Has outgone Hystorie, it makes for me,
Haile to my curteous fate, Foscari thankes,
Like the aged Phenix, thy old loue expires,
And from such Death, springs life to my desires.
Exit.
Enter Dulcino.
Dulc.
The Father is not come yet, nor my Lord
Return'd, yet when they doe, I haue no way
To helpe my selfe, nor haue I power to goe
From hence, sure this is the Religious man.
57
Val.
Ha tis the same.
Dulc.
Father Valentio?
Ual.
Deare Leonora.
Dulc:
Sir the same.
Wal.
Oh let
My teares expresse my ioyes, what myracle
Gaue you this liberty?
Dulc.
I was rescued,
By th'happy valour of a Gentleman,
To whom in gratitude, I pay this seruice,
He bad me here expect a holy man,
And is it you?
Ual.
The circumstance confirmes it.
Dulc.
Are you the goodman whom my Lord expects,
Tis some refreshing in the midst of sorrow,
To meete agen.
Ual.
And Heauen hath heard my prayer.
Dulc.
But I am miserable still vnlesse
Your counsell doe releeue me.
Val.
Why my charge?
Dulc.
This moble Gentleman, to whom I owe
My preseruation, who appointed you
To meet him here, hauing resolu'd to enter,
Into Religion, hath beene very vrgent,
For mee to doe so too, and overcome
With many importunities, I gaue
Consent, not knowing what was best to doe,
Some cure or I am lost, you know I cannot
Mixe with religious men.
Val.
Did you consent?
Dulc,
I did, and he is now vpon the point
Of his returne.
Ual.
Y'are in a straight, I must
Confesse, no matter, hold your purpose, and
Leaue all to mee, he is return'd.
Enter Foscari.
Fosc.
Good Father.
Now I am ready, haue you dispos'd him
For such a life.
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Hee is constant to attend you,
I haue prepar'd him, and made way to the Abbot,
For your reception,
Fos.
I am blest, Dulcimo,
Nay no distinction now, me thinkes we moue
Vpon the wings of Cherubins already,
Tis but a step to heauen, come my sweet boy
Wee climbe by a short ladder to our ioy,
Exeunt.
Enter Lodowicke and Grimundo.
Gri.
This my Lord is her garden, into which you see
My key hath giuen vs priuate accesse,
Lod:
Tis full of curiositie,
Gri:
You see that groue.
Lod.
I doe.
Gri.
There is her house of pleasure, let your eye entertaine
Some delight here, while I giue her happie
Knowledge you are entred.
Exit.
Lod.
Doe so, an honest knaue I see that, how happy
Shall I bee in his conuersation, I sha'not neede
To keepe any in fee to procure, and he bee
So well furnished, if euer I come to be Duke, I will
Erect a magnificent Colledge, endow it
With reuenew to maintaine wenches, and
With great pensions inuite the fairest Ladies
From all parts of Christendome, into my Seraglio,
Then, wil I haue this fellow gelded, and make him
My chiefe Eunuch ranger, or ouerseer of all,
My pretious tame fowle
Enter 3. like Satyres, and ly downe
How now? What's this some fury asleepe, Ile take another
path, another? Into what wildernesse has this fired rake
brought mee? I dare not cry out for feare of waking 'em,
would Grimundo were come backe.
Enter one like Silvanus.
Silv.
Rise you drowsie Satyres rise,
What strong charme doth bind your eyes?
See who comes into your groue,
To imbrace the Queene of Loue,
Leape for ioy, and friske about,
Find your prettie Dryads out,
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Dance and circle youe new King,
Him, Siluanus must obay,
Satyres rise and runne in.
Hence and cry a holy day.
Exit.
Lod.
Some maske, a deuice, to entertaine me, ha? And yet
I see not how they should prepare so much ceremony, vnlesse
they had expected me, a curse vpon their ill faces, they
shooke mee at first, how now?
Exeunt Sat. 3. Nimphes seeme to intreat him to goe with them.
Haue yee no tongues? yes I will venture my selfe in your
company, and you were my destinies, wo'd there were no
worse in Hell, must I walke like a bride too, fortune set on
afore then, and thou doest not guide into a hansome place,
wo'd thy eyes were out, and so thou maist be taken for the
blind Goddesse indeed, forward to Venus Temple.
Exit.
Recorders: Enter againe where the Nimphs suddenly leaue him, a banquet brought in.
Lod.
Vanished like Fayries? Ha what musicke this? the
motion of the Spheares, or am I in Elisium.
Here is Grimundo ha? What glorious creatures this commits
a rape vpon my senses on euery side, but when I looke on
her, all other admirations are forgot, and lessen in her glorie.
Bel.
My Lord y'are welcome, nay our lip is not too pretious,
for your salute, most welcome,
Gri:
I haue kept my, word Sir,
Lod.
Thou hast oblig'd my soule,
Gri.
Be high and frolike, she loues to see one
Domineere, when y'are throughly acquainted, you'le
Giue me thankes.
Lod.
Let vs be priuate with as much speed as may be.
Away with those gipsies, so so.
Exeunt all but Lodowicke and Belinda.
I forgot to aske her name—Lady I am come.
60
Wilt please you vse that Chaire?
Lodw.
You are not ignorant
Of the intents my bloud hath brought with me,
Grimundo, I hope, hath told my comming Lady,
And you I'me confident, will justifie his promise
Of some pastime.
Belind.
He's a Seruant,
Whose bosome I dare trust, the Sonne of night,
And yet more secret then his mother, hee
Hath power to engage mee, and I shall
Take pride in my obedience, first be pleas'd
To tast, what in my duty I prepar'd
For your first entertainement, these but serue
To quicken appetite.
Lodw.
I like this well,
Recorders.
I shanot vse much courtship, where's this musicke?
Belinda:
Doth it offend your eare?
Lodw.
'Tis rauishing
Whence doth it breath?
Belind.
If you command, weele change
A thousand ayres, till you find one is sweet,
And high enough, to rocke your wanton Soule
Into Elisian slumbers.
Lodw.
Spare them all,
I heare 'em in thy accents.
Belinda.
Orphæus
Calliopes fam'd Sonne, vpon whose lute
Myriads of louers Ghosts doe waite, and hang
Vpon the golden strings to haue their owne
Griefes softned with his noble touch, shall come
Againe from hell, with fresh, and happier straines,
To moue your fancie.
Lodw.
That were very strange,
She is poeticall, more then halfe a Fury,
But wee prate all this while, and loose the time
Wee should imploy more pretiously, I need
No more prouocatiues, my veynes are rich
And swell with expectation, shall we to
61
Bel.
I shall hope my Lord
You will be silent in mine honour, when
You haue inioy'd me, and not boast my name,
To your disgrace, not mine.
Lodw.
Your name, why Lady?
By my desires I know it not, I hope
You haue receiu'd a better Character,
Then to suspect my blabbing, Ile not trust
My Ghostly Father with my sinnes, much lesse
Your name.
Belind.
O let me flye into your armes,
These wordes command my freedome, I shall loue you
Aboue my selfe, and to confirme how much,
I dare repose vpon your faith, Ile not
Be nice to tell you who I am.
Lodw.
Pray doe.
Bel.
I am a Princesse.
Lodw.
How?
Bel,
Beleeue me Sir.
Lodw,
I'm glad a that, but of what Country Lady?
Bel.
And my dominions are more spreading then
Your Brothers.
Lodw.
Ha? thats excellent, if the villaine
Doe prosper with my wife, Ile marry her.
Bel.
I was not borne to perch vpon a Dukedome,
Or some such spot of earth, which the dull eyes
Examine by a multiplying glasse,
And wonder at, the Roman Eagles neuer
Did spread their wings vpon so many shores,
The Siluer Moone of Ottoman lookes pale
Vpon my greater Empire, Kings of Spaine,
That now may boast their ground, doth stretch as wide
As day, are but poore Landlords of a Cell,
Compar'd to mine inheritance, the truth is,
I am the Diuell.
Lodw.
How a Diuell?
Bel.
Yes.
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No horror to distract you, if this presence,
Delight you not Ile weary a thousand shapes
To please my Lord.
Lod.
Shapes quotha,
Bel.
Doe not tremble,
Lod.
A Diuel? I see her clouen foote, I ha'not,
The heart to pray, Grimundo has vndone me,
Bel.
I did command my spirits, to put on
Satyres, and Nimphes to entertaine you first
Whiles others in the ayre, maintain'd a quire
For your delight, why doe you keepe such distance,
With one that loues you? recollect your selfe,
You came for pleasure, what doth fright my loue,
See I am couetous to returne delight,
And satisfie your lustfull genius,
Come lets withdraw, and on the bed prepar'd
Beget a race of smooth and wanton Diuels—
Lod.
Hold, come not neere me, ha? now I compare,
The circumstances, they induce me to
A sad beliefe, and I had breath enough,
I would aske a question.
Bel.
Any thing, and be
Resolud.
Lod.
How came Grimundo, and your deuilship,
Acquainted,
Bel.
He hath beene my agent long,
And hath deseru'd for his hipocrisie,
And priuate sinnes, no common place in Hell,
Hees now my fauorite, and we enioy,
Each other daily, but hee neuer did,
By any seruice more endeare my loue,
Then by this bringing you to my acquaintance,
Which I desir'd of him long since, with many,
And fierce sollicite, but he vrg'd his feare,
You were not ripe enough in sinne, for his,
Discouery.
Lod.
I feele my selfe dissolue,
63
Bel.
My Lord I must acknowledge, I
Haue euer had you in my first regard,
Of any mortall sinner, for you haue
The same propention with me, though with
Lesse malice, spirits of the lower world
Haue seuerall offices assign'd, some are
To aduance pride, some auarice, some wrath,
I am for lust, a gay, voluptuous Diuell,
Come lets embrace, for that I loue my Lord,
Doe, and command a regiment of hell,
They all are at your seruice.
Lodw.
O my soule!
Bel.
Beside my Lord, it is another motiue
To honour you, and by my chaines which now
I haue left behind, it makes me grow enamor'd,
Your wife, that sayes her prayers at home, and weepes
Away her sight, Oh let me hug you for it,
Dispise her vowes still, spurne her teares agen
Into her eyes thou shalt be prince in hell
And haue a Crowne of flames, brighter then that,
Which Ariadue weares of fixed staires,
Come shall we dally now?
Lodw.
My bones within
Are dust already, and I weare my flesh
Like a loose, vpper garment,
Bel.
Y'are afraid,
Be not so pale at liuer, for I see
Your blood turne Coward, how would you be frighted
To looke vpon me cloth'd with all my horrour,
That shudder at me now? call vp your spirit.
Lodw.
There are too many spirits heere already,
Would thou wert coniur'd, what shall I doe?
Bel.
What other then to bath your soule in pleasure
And neuer heard of rauishings, wee two,
Will progresse through the ayre in Uenus charret,
And when her siluer doues grow faint, and tire,
Cupid and Mercury shall lend vs wings,
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Weary of this, we both will backe the windes.
And hunt the Phænix through the Arabian Deserts
Her we will spoyle of all her shining plumes,
To make a blazing Coronet for thy temples,
Which from the Earth beheld, shall draw vp wonder
And puzzle learned Astronomy, to distinguish it
From some new Constellation, the Sea
Shall yeeld vs pastime, when inueloped
With Clouds, blacker then night, wee range about
And when with stormes we ouerthrow whole Nauies,
We'll laugh to heare the Marriners exclaime
In many thousand ship wrackes, what doe I
Vrge these particulers? let vs be one Soule,
Ayre, Earth and Hell, is yours.
Lodw.
I haue a suit,
But dare not speake.
Bel.
Take courage, and from mee
Bee confident to obtaine.
Lodw.
I am not well,
The name of Diuell came to quicke vpon me,
I was not well prepar'd for such a sound,
It turn'd my bloud to ice, and I ha' not
Recouered so much warmth yet, to desire
The sport I came for, would you please but to
Dismisse me for a time, I would returne,
When I haue heate and strength enough, for such
A sprightfull action.
Belinda:
I doe finde your cunning,
You pretend this excuse, but to gaine time,
In hope you may repent.
Lodw.
And please your Grace,
Not I.
Bel.
You will acquaint some Priest, or other,
A tribe of all the world, I most abhorre,
And they will foole you with their Ghostly councell,
Perplexe you with some fond diuinity,
To make you loose the Glories I haue promis'd.
65
I could neuer abide such melancholly people.
Bel.
In this I must betray, we spirits haue
No perfect knowledge of mens thoughts, I see
Your bloods enfeebled, and although my loue
Be infinite, and euery minute I
Shall languish your absence, yet your health
I must preserue, tis that that feeds my hopes,
Hereafter I shall perfectly enioy thee,
You will be faithfull, and returne.
Lod.
Suspect not,
Bel.
One kisse shall seale consent,
Lod.
Her breath smels of brimstone.
Bel,
When next wee meete, like to the Gemini
Weele twine our limbes in one another, till
Wee appeare one creature in our actiue play,
For this time Ile dismisse you—doe not pray,
A spirit shall attend you.
Lod.
Doe not pray, when did I last? I know not, farewell horrour.
He wants a wench, that goes to the Diuell for her.
Exeunt.
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