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The third Act.
Pag.You should have thought of this afore.
Paz.
I did thinke, and thinke on't agen, but there was necessity
of going with the princesse, or losing my place at court,
when she came backe, prethee sweete Didimo councell me, I
shall nere endure these bounsing of gunnes, happy are they
that can destroy gunpowder, without offence in their musterings,
souldiers may talke, but there's neither wit nor honesty
in making so many cripples, yet I would give one of my legs
to have the tother secur'd, I care not which, cowards are commonly
creatures of understanding, would I had purg'd away
my soule at sea, there had beene peace among the Haddocks.
Pag.
Come, I have a tricke to save thee harmelesse, thou shat
entreate to be gentleman of a company.
Paz.
Shall I? whats that?
Pag.
A singular priviledge I can tell you, oh the right hand
file, doe not you know't.
Paz.
A right handed file.
Pag.
There's no honour like it, Ile not give a rush to be an
officer, your Gentleman of a company marches in the vanne.
Paz.
Vanne what's that?
Pag.
The bullets first salute him, he goes up to the mouth of
a Canon, he lies perdue.
Paz.
Perdue?
Pag.
More glorie than to command an army, to lye two
houres upon his belly in the field, and digge a hole for his chin,
when the bullets whisper in both his eares, whize; to be trod
upon by horses, and scorne to reveale himselfe, sometimes to
be snatch'd up by a party of firelockes, or if he fight to bee cut
into honourable collups, or his limbes strewed about the field,
and goes currant for campe mutton, my father was a Captaine,
and I have heard him tell brave stories of these gentlemen of
companies.
Paz.
And thou wodst ha me one of these gentlemen.
Pa.
By any meanes.
Paz.
Have the bullets first salute me lye perdue as you call it,
and be cut into honorable collups, or have my haunches sod
by a subtlers wife, and passe for Campe mutton, this is the preferment
you wish me to M. Didimo.
Pag.
You shall be in no danger, I have but told you what
fortunes other men have met withall, you shall be secure and
march in the vanne.
Paz.
and come up to the mouth of a Canon.
Pag.
Tis my meaning.
Paz.
Which if I doe, Ile give the Canon leave to eate me.
Pag.
Dost thou thinke I would advise thee any thing for thy
hurt.
Paz.
Hurt, no no, these are but fleabitings, to have my limbes
strew'd about the field, or so.
Pag.
Come, I love thee, and will give thee proofe, thou hast
got money in thy service, put thy body in equipage, and beg of
the princesse to be one of these brave fellowes, I will put thee
into a way, to get everlasting fame, and not a haire of thy head
shall be the worse fort, thou shat come off.
Paz.
My head shall come off.
Pag.
Thy whole body triumphant, my Rosiecleere, and live
to make Nations stand a tiptoe to heare thy brave adventures,
thy head shall be inchanted and have a proofe beyond the musty
murrian, didst never heare of men that have beene sicke and
shot free, with bodies no bullets could peirce.
Paz.
Thats by witchcraft.
Pag.
Tha'st hit the naile boy, I will procure this feate done
for thee, feare nothing, but be very secret, thy head shall be an
anvile, and breake all the swords that light upon't, and for the
shot, thy breath shall dampe a Canon, it shall fall off like one of
thy buttons.
Paz.
If this could be compas'd, I should love witches the
Pag.
Here's my hand, something shall be done, but put on a
brave outside of resolution for the credit on't, that the world
may beleeve tis thy valour puts thee upon desperate actions
from which a charme shall bring thee off, or the devill shall
nay to some body, here's the Princesse.
Looke high and let me heare how youle deserve the benefit.
Cas.
Madam I know not in what language to
Expresse those humble thankes my soule is full of,
It shall be justice, you command this life
You have preserv'd.
Ros.
We should have forfeited
Humanity, not to have releev'd you
In such distresse.
Enter Horatio.
Ho.
Shall I not trespasse madam
Beyond your mercy, by this bold
Intrusion?
Ro.
My Lord y'are welcome.
Ho.
Your grace honours me, but to you lady
I am directed.
Cas.
To me noble sir.
Paz.
We shall be rusty here for want of use,
Oh for an action of battery, I long
To fight pell mell with some body.
Ro.
Pazzorello.
Pag.
He's growne most strangely valiant.
Fla.
How he lookes?
Paz.
Madam I have an humble sute to your highnesse.
Ro.
To me? yare like to prosper in't.
Paz.
I beseech you I may not bee a Common Souldier, I
would crosse the seas for something, let me be gentleman of a
company, and let the bullets flye as fast as they can.
Ros.
I must confesse you aske a place of honour, but of danger.
Paz.
Danger's an Asse, oh that I were to fight
With the Generall now for two crownes!
Fla.
A mighty wager!
Pag.
He meanes both the kingdomes.
I would desire no more then my finger against his musket.
If we make no assault presently against the walles, I shall
goe neere to mutinie, and kill two or three of our owne Captaines.
Ro.
This he that was sea-sicke?
Paz.
Oh there is no honour, like to marching in the vanne!
Ile not give a rush for a man that wonot ly Perdue halfe a yeere
together, and come up to the teeth of a Canon.
Pag.
To the Canons mouth, I speake by a figure.
Paz.
Now you talke of the mouth; I will eate every day this
leaguer foure and twenty Canon bullets butterd, and as many
Spanish Pikes for sparagrasse: their steele points will fortifie my
stomacke; I will kill my hundred men an houre for a twelve-moneth
together.
Fla.
Youle not have men enough to conquer.
Pag.
When the men are all dead i'th towne, heele ly with
all the women, and get as many more, rather then want enemies.
Paz.
Oh how I could demolish man woman and child now!
Ro.
I see your spirit, and must cherish it; ile speake to my
Lord; you may have your desire, but be not seene in't for your
honour.
Paz.
Hee's here indeed, Didimo when shall I be bewitch'd,
and the devill do not put me in good security?
Pag.
Trust me for that, lets leave em about it.
Hor.
Gan you be cruell Lady to that man,
That offers you his heart?
Cas.
Alas my Lord
You aske mine in exchange, and I have made it
A gift already to Vittori, while
He lives he must possesse it, as y'are noble
Prosecute this no further.
Hor.
I have done,
Vittori then must dy.
Enter King of Sicily Trivulsi, Fabrichio
Kin.
Horatio,
Command your prisoner be brought to us presently.
Hor.
I shall sir.
Cas.
As you are a King, I beg your mercy
Ro.
I petition too
For her desires.
Ki.
Vnlesse he will be cruell to himselfe,
His fate smiles on him, does he love you Lady.
Cas.
Great sir, we are one soule, life cannot be
So precious as our loves.
Ki.
You shall preserve him, Rosinda.
Ro.
I obey.
Exit.
Ki.
Leave, as thy health
Is but a prologue to his blessing, that
Paper speakes our intention, you shall
Present it, if he be wise his judgement
Will meet our purpose, what we lost at sea,
We enable him to satisfie by a second
Proofe of his courage, and propound not only
Life, and his liberty, but so great an honour
As next our title, there is left no glory
To equall it.
Cas.
Y'are all bounty.
Ki.
There are some
Conditions, if you find him coole, you may
Apply what argument you find to warme
His resolutions, here he is, I leave you.
Enter Vittori. Horatio.
Vi.
I waite sir your command.
Ki.
She will instruct you
Horatio. Exeunt. King and Hor.
Vi.
Enjoyes my best Cassandra perfect health,
The King is just, and I have not enough
With this poore life to satisfie.
Ca.
Vittori
Wee now begin our happinesse, the King
Has beene so gracious.
Vi.
All that's good reward him,
To see thee safe and smile, I writ my ambition.
Ca.
When you peruse that paper, you will find
How much we owe to providence, it was
The Kings command I should deliver it,
The words were of such comfort that came with it,
Vi.
What should this be?
Reads.
Noble Vittori, we know you are a Souldier, and present you not
with naked pitty of your fortune, what some Prince would take away
we have purpose to cherish, your life enjoy your selfe, and with it the
Command of all our Forces. Naples ingratitude, if you have
put no false shape upon your injuries, may bee argument enough to
your revenge and justice. Be our Souldier, fight against your Country,
so with one valour, you punish them, and make us satisfaction,
we will have pledge for this trust in Cassandra, whose head shall be
the price of your disobedience.
Does it not bid me to fight against my Country?
I prethee reade Cassandra, and repent,
Thou hast thought him mercifull.
Cas.
Wee have pledge for this trust in Cassandra, whose head
shall be the price of your disobedience.
Vi.
It carries more
Darkenes then ever the night was guilty of,
And I looke blacke already to have read it,
Does he call treason justice, such a treason
As heathens blush at, Nature, and Religion
Tremble to heare, to fight against my country,
Tis a lesse sinne to kill my Father, there,
Or stab my owne heart, these are private mischeefes,
And may in time be wept for, but the least
Wound I can fasten on my Country makes
A Nation bleed, and my selfe too, blasts all
The memory of former actions,
And kils the name we live by, oh Cassandra
Thou didst not well to praise the King for this.
Cas.
His words did sound more comfort.
Vi.
Prethee tell me?
How canst thou hope I should preserve my faith
Vnstain'd to thee, and breake to all the world?
Cas.
Naples has beene injurious, and we made
No solemne vow to love what hath betrai'd us.
Vi.
Take heed, and do not greeve the Saints to heare thee,
I must not make a desperate shipwracke of
My piety, what greater vow? It was
Articled in the creation of my soule
I should obey, and serve my Country with it
Above my selfe, death is a brave excuse for't,
No he shall see, I am a Souldier
And dare be just, say he should torture me,
Shall wickednesse be strong in punishment,
And we not be as valiant in our suffering?
Ca.
Can then Vittori be content to leave his
Cassandra to the misery of life
Alone? for in the number of mankinde
I nere shall finde, another in whose love
I can place any comfort.
Vi.
Do not say so?
Princes will court thee then, and at thy feete
Humble their Crownes, and purchase smiles with Provinces,
When I am dead the world shall dote on thee
And pay thy beauty tribute, I am thy
Affliction, and when thou art discharg'd
From loving me, thy eyes shall be at peace,
A Sunne more glorious shall draw up thy teares
Which gracing heaven in some new forme, shall make
The Constellations blush, and envy em;
Or if thy love of me be so great, that when I am sacrific'd
Thou wot thinke of me, let this comfort thee,
I die my Countries Martyr, and ascend
Rich in my scarlet robe of bloud, my name
Shall staine no Chronicle, and my Tombe be blest
With such a garland time shall never wither:
Thou with a troupe of Wives as chaste as thee,
Shall visite my cold Sepulcher, and glory
To say, this doth enclose Vittories dust,
That died true to his honour, and his country,
Methinkes I am taking of my leave already,
And kissing the wet sorrowes from thy cheeke,
Bid thee rejoyce, Vittori is a conqueror,
Cas.
This is all,
A new disguise for griefe, to make it shew well.
Vi.
To make it shew indeed, I have talk'd idly,
And miserably forgot my selfe, I am check'd,
This tels me another tale, if I refuse
To obey the Kings directions, he is not
So kinde to take the forfeit of my life,
But he will make the price of my neglect,
Cassandra's innocent bloud, if I obey not
To do an act injurious to vertue,
Thy soule must be divorc'd.
Cas.
Sir I have read it,
And were not worthy of Vittories love
To value this poore life above his honour,
Keepe your high thoughts, preserve all peace within you,
You shall not buy my breath with your owne shame,
Ile die with that devotion, I ha praid for you,
Which trust me was most heartily, and ile shed
No teares for my owne funerall, if any
Vnruly drop breake forth, when we are parting,
Tis more to leave Vittori then the world,
Yet if thou wot give me leave, Ile confesse to thee
Before my head fall from this other peece,
I would deceive the hangman, for ere thou
Go from me, with a sigh into thy bosome,
I would convey my spirit, and leave him
But a pale ghost, to mocke his execution.
Vi.
I cannot hold, this conflict is more fierce
Then many thousand battells, canst thou dy?
Cas.
If you will have it so, you have taught me
To be in love with noble thoughts, I shall
Have some weepe ore my hearse, and when Im'e gone
Seald by my bloud, a Martyr for thy love,
The world shall praise me for it, and the Virgins
And Wives, if I obtaine no other monument,
Build me a toombe within their hearts, and pay
Their yeerely songs and garlands, to my memory,
That died, to save Vittories life and honour.
Vi.
How should Cassandra die to save Vittori?
Allow it
So you be happie, and although my wishes
Are rather for the punishment of Naples,
More cruell then our enemies, yet if you
Thinke it dishonour to oppose that country,
I have a heart most willing to preserve
By any death your fame, lose not a scruple
Of your selfe for me, I carry thy love with me,
And prophesie my story shall throw more
Disgrace on Naples, then all thy revolt
Can bring upon thy name.
Vi.
I am in a tempest
And know not how to steere, destruction dwels
On both sides.
Ca.
Come, resolve.
Vi.
I must—to let
Thee live, I will take armes, forgive me then
Great Genius of my Country, that to save
Her life, I bring my honour to the grave.
Exeunt.
Enter Fabio and Mauritio at severall doores.
Fa.
I know not what to say to these garboiles, there's a hot
Naples toward, and the Prince is so humerous a thother side,
I dare not come neere him, Captaine Mauricio.
Ma.
Signior Fabio you dishonour your body, by straining so
much Complement.
Fa.
Your humble servant Captaine.
Ma.
A court instrument, and so deepe a base, you forget your
selfe, have the Warres made this alteration? keepe your garbe
and be staunch Signior, a Captaine is a thing too course for your
acquantance, you wonot know Souldiers in peace.
Fa.
Alas sir, the necessity of my affaires at Court, and place so
devoures my attendance, that I cannot give that respect which
is due to a Gentleman of your quality, no neglect I beseech
you Sir.
Ma.
I am glad tis come about, what do you thinke now of
a Musket bullet next your heart, tis very provocative, come be
not sad, thou maist live a day or two longer.
Fa.
I hope Captaine the state of the City is not so desperate.
Ma.
We expect a battell every houre, & the wals to fly about
a siege, what will become of your pumps signior, your
wrought shirts, and rich nightcaps, I say nothing of your
wardrobe, jewells and other trinkets.
Fa.
I stand not upon them, my life is more precious to me
then all these.
Ma.
What pitty it is so profound a gentleman should dye
by gunpowder, what would you give to be sav'd now?
Fa.
How dee meane Captaine?
Ma.
For your soule let it shift, I thinke thou hast little care
on't thy selfe, there be many would give all their estate to outlive
these combustions.
Fa.
I would I were sure on't, condition I lost halfe my land.
Ma.
A match my life against halfe your land to secure you,
And make an indifferent bargaine presently.
Fa.
Your life? how are you sure to live?
Ma.
If I dye, you have halfe your land by't, if you live, tis
worthy dividing transitory fortunes, I shall ha the worst match
on't.
Fa.
But how will you assure me Captaine?
Ma.
Thou art not sencelesse, why your venter is but land against
my life, which is more precious I hope than thousand
acres, is this to be considered, clap hands, and we will have articles
drawne for mutuall assurances, I doe not this to every
man, but I hope to have good on thee hereafter; the King!
Enter King of N. Prince, Julio, Alberto.
Fab.
And Prince.
Ma.
Lets withdraw then, and conclude tis a safe bargaine
for you sir, if you faile, what would all your estate doe you
good, and then I forfeit my life, if you scape, I have but halfe
your land.
Fab.
I understand, and thanke you noble Captaine.
Exit.
Ki.
Alphonso must be sent for out of prison,
He's an experienc'd souldier.
Pr.
To betray us.
Ki.
Now we are punished for Vittories banishment.
Pr.
Your feare will make us cowards.
Iul.
Shall we make
A sally forth?
King.
Alberto.
Pr.
Weele expect more
Advantage first, they have finisht their redoubt,
Iul.
On that part
No enemy can endanger us.
Ki.
What if you
Tasted Alphonso, he has beene ever faithfull,
And we too rash.
Pr.
Keepe prudent watches Iulio,
Something ith evening may be attempted,
Death is the worst, and better fall with honour
Then owe our life to feares, I would Cassandra
Were in their Campe, oh Iulio.
Iu.
Twere better
She were at home in your possession.
A Herald sir.
Pr.
Admit him.
Ki.
Alberto, Iulio.
Exiunt. Enter againe, with Vittori like a Herald.
Pr.
Whats the complement now.
Vi.
Thus Naples is saluted from my Master,
Provok't by injuries above the patience
Of kings to suffer, without thirst of blood
Or pride of conquest, he is come in armes
To aske a satisfaction, if you would
Not know the fury of a warre, which acts,
Such horrid ruines gainst men and nature, that
Repentance cannot easily absolve
The guilt in them that caus'd it, meet conditions,
And deserve timely my great masters friendship,
With mercy on your selves.
Pr.
Mercy!
Ki.
Be temperate.
Vi.
Remember wounds are made more easily
Then curd, and now arriv'd within your countrey,
Revenge may spread a wild destruction,
Let mothers still enjoy their sleepe, and dwell
Within their husbands bosome, let their children
Live to requite the parents grone, and prosper,
Let old men pay their debt onely to nature,
And virgins dedicate their yet chast wombe
To Hymens holy use, or at their quires
With freedome of their soules, sing holy prayers
For the sweete peace you lend em, to serve heaven.
Pr.
This fellow's sent to mocke us in my heart
I repent all the tye of armes and nations,
That gives such saucy freedome to a Herald.
I claime my priviledge, and dare say more.
Pr.
What more?
Vi.
Vittori is our generall.
Ki., Pr.
Vittori? dares that traitour.
Vi.
When Kings leave
Their justice, and throw shame upon deservers,
Patience so wounded turnes a fury.
Pr.
How dares Scicily trust him?
Vi.
Yes he has good pledge;
Too great a pawne.
Pr.
This, this vexation
I did expect, but we must not be frighted,
Tell your insulting master, he shall finde
Men that both dare, and can resist this fury;
Conditions we despise, nor let him magnifie
His purchase in that rebell, every souldier
With us hath equall courage to Vittori,
But a soule far more honest.
Vi.
Honest?
Pr.
So sir,
This, warre shall justifie upon his heart.
Vi.
I dare not stay to heare more, least my passions
Betray me, what a fire this language has
Shot through my blood, the poore old king sayes nothing,
But fils a place like a state cipher.
Pr.
Herald.
Returne this to that Giant of your warre,
Vittori, in his absence, we shall find
A punishment for his treason, and to coole
His hot veines, say the first attempt he makes
Against us, shall as valiantly be answer'd
With his fathers head.
Vi.
Ha?
Pr.
By thy masters soule
It shall, and this is all our answere, see
Him safe without the walls.
Exeunt.
Vi.
Thunder has strucke me,
I feele new stings about my heart, my father?
Was ever man so miserably throwne
Vpon despaire, if I refuse their warre
I lose my wife Cassandra, if I fight
My father bleeds, some divine arme sustaine
Distinguish sorrow, and which blessing rather
I should now part with, a deere wife, or father.
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