 | The Yovng Admirall |  |
The fourth Act.
Enter Rosinda Cassandra.Ros.
But did the Prince affect thee so Cassandra?
Cas.
I have told you Madam every circumstance,
I should but flatter my owne misery
To speake it lesse, misfortune had not made me
Your prisoner now, if he had beene more temperate.
Ros.
But did thy heart allow him no affection?
Thou wert much unkind.
Cas.
He had my duty Madam,
Which still I owe him, as my prince, but I
Had but one faith, and that was given Vittori,
I feare I have displeas'd you.
Ro.
No thou hast not,
Dost thinke he loves thee still?
Cas.
I know not Madam, but I hope not.
Ros.
Would I could hope so too;
Thou hast deserv'd my confidence, and although
Thou canst not helpe me, I must tell thee all,
I love that Prince, lov'd when I first saw him,
And when he courted me, I thought twas necessary
To shew I had a soft heart, but he flatter'd
And tooke too soone occasion of his absence,
The wounds he left upon Horatio
Were not so deepe as mine, which howsoere
I have disguis'd yet from my fathers eye,
Can find no cure without his surgerie
That left them in my bosome, to this end
I urg'd my father to this warre, and beg'd
With many prayers to witnesse his revenge.
Cas.
That was a desperate remedy, how if
Your father be orecome, and you made prisoners.
Ros.
We shall find death or ransome, the first would
Perhaps advance my ends, but if the victorie
Should crowne our army, I should interpose
To make conditions for the Prince, fate must
Decide one of these wayes.
Cas.
Madam I pitty you,
Sure if the Prince knew with what constancie
Your love breathes after him, he would finde a passion
To meete your Noble flame.
Ros.
I know not whether
To pray for victorie, or to be conquer'd,
For till the warres conclude, I must despaire
To see whom my desires pursue.
Cas.
Tis possible
That you may see him Madam.
Ros.
When?
Cas.
This night,
And speake with him, without exposing your
Person to any danger.
Ros.
Prethee doe not
Mocke me sweete friend.
Cas.
You were compassionate
Of me, and tis but duty I should answere it
With my desires to serve you, not to hold
Your thoughts in expectation, is there any
Gentleman neere, whom you dare trust?
Ros.
With what?
Cas.
With carriage of a paper, I shall runne
Some hazzard, but there's nothing can weigh downe
That goodnesse you have shewed me, being a stranger,
Ile frame a letter Madam in my name,
And by some charme of love invite him to
Your tent, if he retaine part of that flame
Which did so command in him, be assur'd
The Prince will come.
Ros.
Thou wert create to make
Me blest, but with what safety can he reach
Thus far and not be knowne.
Cas.
He to whose trust
You give this secret, shall remove that feare.
Ros.
There is a Captaine.
Best of all.
Ros.
Fabrichio.
Cas.
Send for him straite, if you allow this device
Ile presently dispatch the amorous summons.
Ros.
Ile call thee sister.
Cas.
Call me servant Madam,
In that I am honour'd
Exit.
Enter Flavia disguis'd.
Fla.
Are you ready Madam?
Ro.
For what?
Fla.
To laugh, I am turn'd inchantresse, and now tis upon
the minute, Pazzorella by the boyes directions comes for his
magicall armour.
Ros.
I have something of more consequence to finish,
But I may be at the end of your mirth.
Exit. Ros.
Fla.
Prosper in all your wishes.
Enter Page.
Pag.
Flavia That's excellent, Herald never
Look'd so dreadfully, where's the Princesse?
Fla.
She commanded not to expect her, but shee'le not be long
absent, where's the gamester?
Pag.
Almost within reach of your voyce, you'le remember
the circumstance, that he may be capable of the charme, hee's
mad to be inchanted.
Fla.
I warrant you, I have some furies to assist me too.
Conduct him hither, if the foole after this conceiving himselfe
bewitch'd, should grow valiant, and doe wonders, who can
helpe it? if he have but the wit to keepe his owne counsell, let
him take his course, but he approaches.
Enter Pazzorello and Page.
Pag.
That is she.
Paz.
That old hag.
Pag.
Good words, she has come two hundred mile to day upon
a distaffe, salute her, she expects it.
Paz.
Would you have me kisse the devill?
Pag.
Doe I say—This is the gentleman my loving Aunt,
For whom I doe beseech your powerfull spells.
Fla.
To make him slicke, and shot free.
Pag.
Right deere Aunt,
He is a precious friend of mine, and one
That will be ready servant to your pleasures
At midnight, or what houre you please to call him.
Thou wodst not ha me lye with the old witch, what a
generation of hobgoblins should we have together.
Pag.
Nor for this benefit, shall you finde him onely
Obedient to your selfe, but very dutifull
To any devill you have.
Fla.
He is welcome child.
Paz.
What a salt peeter breath she has.
Fla.
Where is Mephestophiles.
Paz.
No more devils if you love me.
Fla.
I must have some to search him.
Paz.
Search me? where? for what?
Pag.
How much was I overseene not to give you warning,
Be not afraide what have you about you?
Paz.
About me where in my breeches, what doe you meane
I shall be cut for the stone.
Pag.
Have you any money about you!
Paz.
Yes I have money of all complexions in my pocket.
Pag.
Away with it, as you love your selfe, not for your
right hand, have one peece of gold or silver about you, no
charmes can fasten on you then, her spells can have no power,
if you doe not throw it away instantly—give mee't, ile
keepe it from her knowledge, this were a tricke indeed—have
you no goldfinches in your fob?
Paz.
I defie him that has any thing in the likenesse of coyne.
Pag.
This is all money in your pocket, and come to be made
shot free.
Paz.
What must I doe now?
Pag.
Kneele downe, and expect with obedience and admiration
what will become on you—Great Aunt the gentleman
is cleere and ready, you are sure you have no more impediment
of this nature, if you dissemble, and be kild afterward, thanke
your selfe.
Fla.
Where be my spirits?
Pag.
He humbly desires you would finish him as privately as
might be, he does not know the constitution of every devill,
and to make too many acquainted, if he could be finished otherwise,
your Art may dispence.
Fla.
He must cut off his little finger then.
Paz.
How cut off my finger!
Pag.
What did you meane? here's a ring, a diamond.
Paz.
I had forgot it.
Pag.
No more, off wee't, if you love your hand, here's a jest to
her, great Lady of the Laplanders, this gentleman implores his
mercie to his joynts, and offering this trifle, humbly prayes,
you would honour him to weare it for his sake.
Fla.
Comes it freely off.
Paz.
It came off very hard, but I beseech your learned beldamship,
to accept it as a token of my duty.
Fla.
I doe and thus prepar'd, delay
My charmes no longer, come away
You spirits that attend upon,
This powerfull incantation,
Have you brought that sacred juyce,
Which at such a time we use;
Distill it gently I command,
Holding his eares with other hand.
Paz.
Oh my eares.
Pag.
The more paine she puts you to now, the lesse youle feele hereafter sir.
Fla.
Now rub his temples, forehead eke,
Give his nose a gentle tweake.
Strike of palenesse, and bestow
On either cheeke a lusty blow;
Take him by the haire and pull it,
Now his heads free from sword and bullet.
Paz.
What will they doe with the rest of my body?
Fla.
Graspe his necke till he groane twice,
Paz.
Oh, oh.
Fla.
Enough, now let the young man rise;
Thus on his shoulders I dispence
My wand to keepe all bullets thence;
And other weapons that would harme,
Pinch him now on either arme, fairy-like.
Paz.
Oh, pox othe devill oh,
Fla.
On his breast give him a thumpe,
And two kickes upon the rumpe.
No circumstance must be forgot,
To make him free from sticke and shot;
And now my potent charmes are done,
This man is free from sword and gunne.
Pag.
Bounce, Y'are made for ever.
Fla.
Farewell to both, for now must I
Suckle and Hoppo fetch long strides,
By your mistresse as she rides.
Exit Flavia, &c.
Paz.
Whether is she gone now?
Fla.
Home to a witches upsitting, she's there
By this time.
Paz.
Where?
Pag.
In Lapland, she will crosse the sea in an eggeshell, and
upon land hath a thousand wayes to convey her selfe in a minute,
I did but whistle and she came to me.
Paz.
She knowes your whistle belike, well art thou sure I
am inchanted now?
Pag.
It concernes you to be sure on't, and I must tell you one
thing, if you make the least doubt on't, youle endanger all,
charmes in this kind are nothing without the imagination, beleeve
it, and if any sword or bullet have power to hurt you,
nere trust your granam agen.
Paz.
Nay nay, I doe beleeve it, and will bee valiant accordingly,
they pinch'd and kick'd me devillishly for all that.
Pag.
Y'are the better proofe fort, you cannot be pinch'd or
kickd too much in such a cause, what to be made slicke and shot-free?
now doe I foresee youle be Captaine within these three
dayes, you cannot avoyde it sir, who will not honour that man
whom the bullets are afraid of? The Princesse.
Enter Rosinda, Cassandra, Fabrichio.
Fab.
Repent your grace thought me a gentleman,
If I faile in this duty.
Ros.
Not a syllable
Of me.
Fab.
I am charm'd.
Cas.
Happy successe attend you.
Fab.
Your highnesse has much honourd me, and Lady
I kisse your faire hand.
Paz.
Captaine, Captaine, a word.
Fab.
I am in haste now.
Exit.
Paz.
Sure the Captain's afraid of me, he knowes by instinct
What I am.
Pag.
Your grace mist excellent mirth.
Ros.
Tis done then, bid him follow us.
Exit.
Pag.
The Princesse desires to speak with you
Paz.
Desires to speake with me!—you have not told her?
Pag.
Dee thinke I would betray you.
Paz.
Would somebody would challenge mee to fight
before her, if the Ladies knew I were sticke free they would
Pag.
You do not know, what you may get by your body that
way, I attend you.
Paz.
Knives, daggers, swords, pikes, gunnes both great & small
Now Pazzarello doth defie you all.
Exeunt.
Enter Alphonso, Alberto.
Alp.
You tell me wonders, my sonne Generall
Of all the enemies Forces, can Vittori
Lay such a staine upon our family,
Speake it my Lord no more, no private injury
Can so corrupt his nature; come, I know
He dares not fight their cause!
Alb.
I thinke so too;
The Prince hath coold his resolution
By this time.
Alp.
Ha? you are misticall.
Alb.
He has sent
Him word, the first attempt he makes against
The towne your head must answere it, and I cannot
Beleeve how ere particular wrongs inflame him
To a revenge, but he retaines that piety
Which nature printed in him toward a Father.
Alp.
Is obligation to a parent more
Then that we owe our Country, oh Vittori,
My life were profitably spent to save
Thy honour, which is great in the worlds eye,
Time shall be grieved to have preserv'd thy name
So long, and when this blot shall be observ'd
Vpon the last leafe of thy Chronicle,
It shall unsettle quite the readers faith
To all the former story.
Enter Iulio.
Alb.
Iulio.
Alph.
My Lord?
Iulio.
It was the Kings command I should deliver.
Alp.
What?
Jul.
What must displease you,
You must prepare for death.
Alp.
Has my sonne put
Rebellion into act already? that
Will save my executioner a labour,
He has, I read it, looke into the tombes
Looke paler then before, the Marble sweates,
The Eboine pillars that so many yeares
Sustain'd our titles shake, and sinke beneath em,
The Genius of our house grones at this treason,
I will not live for any man to tell me
I am Vittories Father.
Enter Prince.
Alb.
Here the Prince!
Alp.
Forgive me sir my passions, I have guilt
Enough without em to deserve your anger,
He was my sonne, and that must needes condemne me;
But I will loose him from my bloud, and cut
His name from that faire list, that numbers up
Our family, but I forget my selfe,
I have no minutes at command, my life
Is at the last sand, and I cannot stay,
Be just, and purge Vittories sinne with his
Old Fathers bloud, I do obey your doome.
Pr.
What doome? you talke as you were destin'd
To some blacke execution, I have
Beene too unkinde already, and must aske
Your gentle pardon fort, by goodnesse selfe
I mocke not, I bring life Alphonso to thee,
And but prepar'd by Iulio, thy heart
With sorrow, to meete honour with more tast.
Alp.
Good my Lord distract me not, let me dy
In my right wits.
Iul.
Alphonso you may trust
The Prince, my message was but counterfeit.
Pr.
Th'art a brave man, and can'st not be provok'd
I see to wound thy honest fame, so just
To vertue, that thou darst preferre her cause
To thy owne life, and rather violate
The lawes of nature to thy sonne, then leave
Exit Iulio.
The priviledge of honour undefenc'd,
Thus we embrace thee, do not kneele Alphonso
Vnlesse You'le bring us lower, thus as a friend
We circle thee, and next as a Souldier
We give these armes, this sword, the best in all,
My Fathers armory, and us'd to conquest,
Take from thy Prince, and fight, fight for thy Country,
And purchase new wreathes to thy honoured browes,
Before the old be wither'd, I do see thee
Already mounted as a challenger,
The proud steed taking fire and mettall from
the rider, all bedewd with his white foame,
Flying to meete thy sonne, whose (once faire) plume
Is staind with bloud of his owne countrimen.
Alp.
I reach your sense in part my Lord, but cannot
Gather your words into a summe, beside
The honour is so great I dare not with
The safety of my understanding, thinke
One so unworthy as Alphonso.
Pr.
What?
Dares fight against a Traitor, for his Country?
Alp.
Gainst all the world I dare.
Pr.
Be valiant;
And breath defiance against one.
Alp.
A glory!
My soule's ambitious of.
Pri.
Vittori Is
That traitor whose offence, whom dost become
More nobly to chastise then his owne Father,
Which title if you should forget to encourage you,
Thinke whose defence you undertake, for Whom
You punish, and what consequence of fame
Waites on this pious action.
Enter Julio.
Iul.
My Lord
A Captaine of the other side hath boldly offer'd
Himselfe a prisoner, and desirees accesse
To your highnesse, to whom only he must impart
Something he sayes, that will be acceptable,
We have search'd him, and find nothing but a letter
Directed to your selfe.
Pr.
To me? admit him,
Meane time you may consider,
Is it with us, Captaine.
Enter Fabrichio.
Fab.
Please you peruse this paper.
Pr.
Ha? from Cassandra?
Alp.
Oh Alberto I
Vnlesse we murder one another too,
And I must challenge him, he is my sonne
Although he be a Rebell.
Pr.
Iulio,
Thy bosome is my owne? Captaine a word.
Iu.
I am astonishd, ha? I like not this—my Lord.
Alb.
The Prince is troubled, something like
Excesse of joy transports him.
Pr.
Th'art a foole.
Iu.
This may be a plot, how dare you trust yourselfe upon this invitation.
Pr.
Not on this, be coward then for ever.
Iu.
Are you sure, this is her character.
Pr.
Perfectly, beside she has confirm'd me by this Ring,
Vittori gave it her, I know't and woed her
Once to exchange.
Iu.
Yet thinke upon the danger.
Pr.
I would run through flames to meet her, use no argumēts,
I can be at the worst a prisoner,
And shall be ransom'd, keepe you councell sir,
Captaine—the word?—Enough,
Kisse her white hand, and say,
I come this night, waite on him to the gates,
Let his returne be safe, Alphonso how
Stands your resolve? dare you be Naples Champion
Against the enemy proposd?
Alp.
My sonne—
Will both the Kings trust to our swords their cause?
Pr.
I cannot promise that?
Alp.
What profit brings
My valour then if I orecome.
Pr.
Addition
To your owne fame, to have cut off a Rebell.
Alp.
So I must kill my sonne, or he must be
A Parricide.
Pr.
Nay if you be so scrupulous,
I look'd you have thank'd me, and have runne too't.
Alp.
Except Vittori sir, and I dare challenge
The proudest in their Army.
You are afraid
Of him belike, tis such a kill-cowe gentleman,
But I court you to nothing, you may thinke on't,
Yare, now no more a prisoner Iulio.
Exit.
Alp.
I am worse?
I had some roome before, now I'me confin'd
To such a straite, my heart must of necessity
Contract it selfe, my owne thoughts stifle mee,
Vittori is lost already, I must goe
Another way to find out my owne ruine.
Exit.
Horatio, Cassandra.
Hor.
Lady you thinke not what I am, how neere
The bosome of a King.
Cas.
You cannot be
So neere as I am to Vittori sir,
And you increase my wonder, that you can
Nourish the least hope, that I should forget
My owne tie, by remenbring what relation
You have to any other, if the King
Did know this, he would chide you.
Hor.
Come I see
You must be courted otherwise, with action.
Cas.
How sir?
Hor.
And if you will not be so civile.
To change one kindnesse for another, I
Have skill to prompt you thus.
Cas.
You are not noble.
Hor.
Tush this is nothing, I have beene too tame,
And howsoere you wittily compose
Your countenance, you cannot choose but laugh at me,
That I have beene so modest all this while;
Come, I have another inside, and do know
You are a woman, and should know your selfe
And to what end we love you, what are you
The worse by private favours to a gentleman,
That have at home beene sued too, with petitions
And great ones of both sexes, to accept
Wives, Daughters, any thing, and thinke themselves
Honoured to take the first fruites, I could have
The virgins of whole families entaild
My bed, as they growe ripe, and fit for coupling,
As men whose lands are morgag'd would observe
Their covenants and the day.
Cas.
Ile heare no more.
Hor.
So peremptory Lady? take your course,
The time may come you will repent this forcivenes.
Exit.
Enter Fabrichio.
Whither in haste Fabrichio?
Fa.
My good Lord
I have brought newes, where the Princesse sir?
Hor.
Thou art almost out of breath, what newes I prethee?
Fa.
Newes, that will please my Lord.
Hor.
You aske for the Princesse, will they please my Lady.
Fab.
Yes, and the tother Lady too, Cassandra.
Hor.
Will it spread joy no farther?
Fab.
Yes it will please you,
And please the King, and the whole army.
Hor.
Strange, you may impart it then.
Fab.
My duety sir, did aime it first to you, I was engag'd
To deliver a letter in Cassandra's name
To the Prince of Naples, to invite his person
Privately this night.
Hor.
Whither?
Fab.
To the Princesses tent.
Hor.
And hast thou don't?
Fab.
Don't, and bring backe his word to visite 'em.
Hor.
Art sure the Prince?
Fab.
As sure as I am your creature,
This will bee welcome to the Ladies, what use
You are to make of this, becomes not my
Instruction, if it be of any consequence,
To make his person sure, when he arrives.
Hor.
This service will be gratefull, Ile acquaint
The King, returne the Ladies to expect him.
Fa.
I have directed him how he shall passe.
Hor.
And make it good, away, this makes thee happy,
The King shall know it instantly, thei'r here,
Ile give you scope.
Exit.
Enter Rosinda, Cassandra, Flavia, and Page.
He is return'd.
Cas.
What answer?
Fa.
To your desires.
Fla.
Where's Pazzorello now.
Pag.
He's quarrelling with some body, he is so confident
And domineers, ha? tis he,
He Bleeds too.
Enter Pazzorello bloody.
Paz.
A pox a your inchantments, I had like to have my
braines beaten out, what will become of me?
Pag.
Why this is nothing sir.
Paz.
Nothing sir, would thou hadst it.
Pag.
Let me aske you a question, what weapon did it?
Paz.
I gave but the lye to an old souldier, as we were drinking
together, and he presently claps me ore the pate with the
rest of his musket.
Pag.
That may be, but no sword or gunne shall endanger you,
as for truncheon, batoone, and such woodden batteries you
must fortifie your selfe as well as you can against em, beside sir,
there is no breach of conditions in losing a little blood, you
may have you head broken in twenty places, nay you may bee
beaten, and bruis'd in every part of your body, but all this while
you are slicke and shot free, your life is your owne, and then
what need you care sir?
Paz.
This is some satisfaction.
Pag.
Should you challenge him at rapier, you should quickly
finde who will have the worst on't.
Ros.
This service shall be otherwise rewarded,
Ile trust your secrecie, he will be a fit man to engage, beside tis
His desire.
Fa.
You may command me.
Ros.
Waite upon
This gentleman Pazzorello, he
Will use you nobly for my sake.
Paz.
Must I
Be a perdue now? Madam I humbly thanke you.
Exit Fab. and Pazzorello.
Cas.
The night comes fast upon us.
Ros.
It cannot come
Too swiftly, that brings so much happinesse.
That can at such a time invite him hither.
Cas.
I hope you feed no jealousie of me,
I did all for your service, and shall then
Thinke I am happy, when he knowes your love
And values it.
Ro.
I have no feares of thee?
Ca.
Have none at all.
Ro.
Flavia?
Fla.
Madam.
Ro.
You must keepe watch to night.
Fla.
My duty Madam.
Ros.
Come let us tell some stories, to passe over
The tedious houres.
Cas.
I waite your pleasure.
Fla.
Come Didino, we shall have your tale too?
Pag.
Mines short and sweet, still at a Ladies service.
Exit.
Enter Sergeant, Pazzorello.
Ser.
Follow me close, I hope you have made your Will.
Paz.
My Will? why Sergeant I am not sicke.
Ser.
For all that you may be a dead man ere morning, whize.
Paz.
What's that?
Ser.
These bullets will keepe you waking, here lie downe
close, within two houres you shall be releeved.
Paz.
Dost heare Sergeant, whize—do the enemies shoot any
Sugar plummes?
Ser.
Be not too loude in your mirth, I see another give fire,
farewell Signior Perdue.
Paz.
So, now I am a Perdue, this will bee newes when I
come home agen, the poore fellowes will fall downe and worshippe
mee, I alwaies wonder'd, why wee had so many brave
Souldiers, and quarrelling spirits, if they be shot free, I cannot
blame em to rore so much in Tavernes—whize—agen, I
woud faine have one of these bullets hit me, that I might know
certainely the toughnesse of my new constitution, and yet I
shall hardly bee sensible of it, ah my conscience if I were
cramm'd into a Canon, and shot into the towne, like a Cat I
should light upon my legges, and runne home agen.
Pri.
Love be propitious still, and guide my steps,
Thou hast engag'd me thus farre.
Paz. Coughes.
Paz.
Vh, uh.
Pr.
Whose that?
Paz.
There's somebody, now I begin for all this to be afraid,
flesh will be flesh, and tremble in spight of the devill, what
were I best to doe?
Pr.
Tis some perdue.
Paz.
Though I be sticke and shotfree, I may be beaten, and
bruis'd as I remember, more, I may be taken prisoner by the
enemy, and be hang'd afterward, and then what am I the better
for my inchantment, what a dull rogue was I not to except
the gallowes in my conditions, but it may be there is but one,
quivala—the word.
Pr.
Rosinda.
Paz.
Oh are you there, tis my Lady the Princesses name.
Pr.
Thy Lady, prethee shew me the way to her tent.
Paz.
I had almost forgot, such a gentleman is expected.
Pr.
Heres gold prethee make haste.
Paz.
Now by your favour you shall first goe to my Captaine
Pr.
His Name.
Paz.
Fabrichio.
Pr.
The same, withall my heart, heres more gold.
Paz.
I will make the more haste.
Exeunt.
Enter King of Sicily, Horatio, and a Guard.
King.
Thy newes does take me infinitely, if he
Keepe touch we may propound what Articles
We please.
Hor.
Fabrichio is confident heele come.
Ki.
He will deserve our favour, keepe at distance,
Sent for in Cassandras name? belike
He loves that Lady, let him, tis a strange
Adventure, sure my daughter is of counsell
With her, she had some bend that way, till he
Became ingratefull to us.
Hor.
When you have
Him in possession, you may throw off
Vittori, one whose honesty I feare,
Too much, but heaven has sent the young Prince hither
To disengage your trust, he that dares prove
A rebell to his Country, dares be guilty
Of any other treason.
King.
What shall we
Doe with Cassandra?
Hor.
Keepe her still to waite
Vpon the Princesse, and expect the first
Opportunity for your kingdome, Naples will
Attend your leisure then, and court your mercie.
Enter Prince, Cassandra, Rosinda, Flavia. Pazzorello aloofe.
Ki.
Be silent.
Hor.
Lose no time.
Pr.
For this embrace, I dare agen neglect my life—villaines
Ro.
We are betrayd, my father.
Cas.
Oh misfortune.
Paz.
What will become of me?
Ki.
Y'are welcome prince of Naples.
Pr.
Am I betrayd? false woman.
Paz.
And please your majesty I am innocent, I brought him
hither I confesse.
Ki.
Reward him.
Hor.
Come hither sirra.
Paz.
Howe's this? are you in earnest? my Lord aword—but
is this the Prince of Naples?
Hor.
The very same sir.
Paz.
Take your gold agen, I will have more for taking a
Prince, I crave the law of armes, I will have his ransome.
Ki.
Away with the foole.
Paz.
Give me my prisoner agen then.
Exit.
Ros.
Sir heare me.
Ki.
Another time Rosinda—by thy duty—
Exit Ros. & Flavia.
Cas.
Heare me great sir.
Ki.
Weele heare and thanke thee at more leisure too, attend our daughter.
Cas.
Oh my Lord, be you
But master of so much charity.
Away,
Never was such a blacke and fatall houre,
As that when I first saw thy cozening face.
Enter Vittori.
Vi.
The Prince? I dare not trust my senses, ha?
How came he hither? wonder circles me,
Cassandra busie with him too? she courts him,
The Basiliske is not more killing than
This object.
Pr.
Strumpet hence.
Vi.
Ha?
Cas.
My Lord Vittori?
Vi.
What name was that the Prince bestow'd upon you,
Yet doe not answere me, away, new tortures.
Exit. Cas.
Pr.
Vittori, ha, ha, ha!
Vi.
Your grace is mighty merry, I could wish
You had more cause.
Pr.
Vittori I see trouble in thy face,
Perhaps tis wonder, upon what invitation
I am a guest here.
Vi.
Are you not a prisoner?
Pr.
You are no stranger to the plot, it seemes,
Base villaine to betray thy Prince.
Vi.
My Lord
You are too rash in censure, I betray you?
I am so farre from the conspiracy
That yet I cannot reach it in my thought,
Much lesse with guilty knowledge, I dare tell you
The Devill shannot tempt me too't, nor more
Wrongs then your hate can throw upon me.
Pr.
Iuggling!
Can he that dares take armes against his Countrey,
Make conscience to betray a part of it,
His Prince, degenerate rebell!
Vi.
Heaven and this King
Know upon what severe necessity
I am engag'd to warre.
Ki.
As things fall out
Your valour may be uselesse, we acknowledge
Other successe.
Vi.
Cassandra?
Pr.
Yes that peece
Of frailety, rather impudence, by the witchcraft
Of her letter tempted me thus farre, a curse
Vpon her lust.
Vi.
Indeed you cald her strumpet,
She may deserve it by this story, tis
Her character, my eyes, take in new horrour.
(he reades)
My Lord, if it be not too late, to be sensible of your princely affection
to me, I implore your mercie, and will deserve it by my repentance.
I am by misfortune a captive to your enemy, but blest with
the freedome to remember you, I have a designe for my enlargement,
and if I durst cherish an ambition of your presence this night,
dare confidently pronounce our mutuall happinesse, this ring be witnesse
of my true invitation, and doubt not her faith to your safety,
who will sooner forfeit her owne life, than betray you to the least
dishonour. This gentleman shall instruct you with more particulars,
pardon great prince this infinite boldnesse of your servant, and if
all the seedes of love be not destroyd, visite and preserve your otherwise
miserable Cassandra.
O woman woman! sir if you remember
Twas your conclusion, if I refus'd
To be your Generall against my Country,
Cassandras head should off, be constant King,
I wonot.
Ki.
What?
Vi.
Not fight, nor for your Kingdome,
She cannot bleed too much, as for you sir.
Pr.
What of me?
Vi.
Y'are still my Prince, thanke heaven for that,
Did you else graspe an Empire, and your person
Guarded with thunder, I would reach and kill you,
By my just rage I would, stay I will fight.
Hor.
With whom?
Vi.
With you or all the world, that dare maintaine
Hor.
Neglect him.
Pr.
How he breakes out at forehead, this is some
Revenge yet.
Ki.
Come my Lord, you must with us,
Here your command determines, we shall have
No further use of your great valour sir.
Vi.
You may with as much ease, discharge me of
A life too, your breath does it, for I dare
Not kill my selfe, in that I am a Coward.
Oh my hearts griefe, preserve my right wits heaven;
The wickednesse of other women could
But shame themselves, which like wild branches, being
Cut off, the tree is beautifull agen,
But this spreads an infection, and all
The sexe is wounded in Cassandr'as fall.
Exit.
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