 | The Hvmorovs Covrtier |  |
Actus 3.
Scæn. I.
Enter Giotto, Dutchesse, Laura, Carintha.Dutch.
You now shall stay at Court Carintha, see
Her very lips looke blacke, Saturnes issue
Were not so dull and sullen.
Lau.
Madam sh'as great motives unto sadnesse
Which I've beene earnest with her to reveale,
His treasure: striving to beguile noyse,
And lessen the number of his bagges with
His report.
Gio.
Lady, too soone you will deprive the world
Of your deere presence, if thus early you
Consume your houres in pensive thoughts!
Dutch.
Carintha, have I not power to increase
Your griefe; if you conceale the cause of it
From me?
Car.
I am not sad, my faculties preserve
Their wonted harmony: your excellence
Will not inforce me to belie my passion.
Enter Volterre.
Lau.
There's my Lord Uolterre, ist your graces
Pleasure to retire till we have ended
Our discovery.
Dutch.
Is he come? Carintha, follow me!
Exeunt Dutchesse, Carintha.
Vol.
She gave the game high applause, and begg'd two
Of my Cormorants: I must invent new
Sports to delight her fancy.
Lau.
The day afford your Lop much profit.
Gio.
If your Lop be in good health, ye owe
Some thankes unto my prayers.
Uol.
Laura, the Dutchesse great favourite
Giotto, is eminent in Court too.
If these afford me such respect Ive cause
To thinke my starres faithfull? Madam I would
Kisse your left hand—
Lau.
I beseech your lip enforce me not
To be unmannerly you are now above
My conversation.
Vol.
How bright Laura. Signior Giotto.
Pray cleere this mistery.
Gio.
My Lord, be more particular, for my
Owne part I know my distance, but you greete
Your Fortunes with too much humility,
Uol.
Ime all wonder and amazement Signiour,
Pray give your meaning more perspicuous
Vtterance.
Gio.
Will you forget to be reserved, know your
Station, you make me bold against my owne
Desire.
Uol.
Howes this?
Gio.
I implore your Lordship leave I may be
Cover'd, 'twould much assist my health.
Uol,
Why, dost keepe thy head bare in reverence
To me? Madam, shall I intreate?—
Lau.
Tis in your power to command, in my
Duty to obey.
Vol.
Your duty—
Gio.
It seemes he hath not yet; how much the
Dutchesse favours him—Volterre listenes.
Lau.
I conjecture so for e's differs much
From that which he must practise when he's Duke
Uol.
I heare ye—
Lau.
How my Lord?
Uol.
Laura, faith be publique! Giotto, why
Dost thou conceale the meanes to make thee
Happy?—
Gio.
My Lord I know little, onely those that
Waite neere the Dutchesse, heare her often praise
Your nimble tongue, your skill in languages.
Vol.
Phse questo mionte, what would you say,
There me interpret the inorticulate
Voyces of birds, and beasts, that skill deserv'd
A fame.
Gio.
Your Lordship might then (with great ease) beene
Interpreter to the builders of Babel.
Lau.
Something I've heard her grace speake too, in praise
Of your French gesture, your sublime friske, and
Odde conveyance of your body.
Gio.
Tis when your Lordship wreathes your hams in thus.
Uol.
Ta da rum, ta da rum, te re re, ra da rum.
He dances.
These are the postures that inchant your sex.
Lady—
Lau.
I cannot blame the Dutchesse to be fond.
Gio.
But does not your lop grow weary with
Continuance of this motion?
Vol.
It is my vulgar exercise ta da rum, ta da rum.
Gio.
Enough, enough, my good Lord, sure you swim
Within your doublet.
Vol.
Giotto, now I am fit for a race,
Never tyr'd. It has beene thought by some (skild
In th' ability of my person) that
Ime mortall.
Gio.
Indeed sir tis not fit you should expect
Much in heaven, having such joy on earth.
You are more than happy, this Lady knowes it.
Vol.
Do'st ifaith Laura—
Lau.
Sir, I hope when you shall sit invested
With Royall ornaments, you'le not disdaine
Laura for your humble servant.
Gio.
And Giotto knowes that your Religion
Will not permit you slight industry.
Uol.
I tooke part o' my breeding ith'French Court,
And there I learnt to be familiar
With my Nobles.
Lau.
Did not I say he would governe gently,
Now can't my tongue be quiet, I must tell him all.
Gio.
Nay Madam—
Uol.
Giotto, dost concerne you to hinder
This her kindnesse? speake deare Lady.
Lau.
My Lord I affect truth and brevity,
I am commanded by her grace to make
Your visits private to her.
Uol.
Hah, forward deere Laura.
Gio.
Why sir, it is her highnesse will that you
Conceale these visits.
Lau.
And let no encouragement neither from
Her eyes nor speech imboldne ye to thinke
Vnlawfull, her favours you must take
Enter Comachio.
Gio.
Here comes my Lord Comachio. Away signiour
He must not see you.
Vol.
Yo soy mug juoderose.
Exe. Volterre, Laura
Gio.
My noble Patron.—
Com.
I greete thee as my best genius, th'art now
Mixt ith'number with such as weare my title,
Thou climb'st apace, yet safely too; they strive
At Court, who first shall be the flatterer:
What female wast that left thee now? I saw
Part of her gowne.
Gio.
The Lady Laura.
Com.
Thou art most happy, skilfull in thy choyse
Of conversation: why she governes
Her highnesse heart. Didst question her
About my businesse?
Gio.
I know all, she cannot hide a single
Thought from me.
Com.
Thart strangely powerfull o're Ladies,
But what said shee? have I no Rivall in
The Dutches love.
Gio.
Sir, she ownes none but you, with a publike
Confidence, onely there is owne impediment.
Com.
What ist? prethee give't relation?
Gio.
A spirit not tam'd by his religion
Would hazard much rather then suffer it
Indanger such a hope.
Com.
Make it no more a secret.
Gio.
Could ye thinke she has observ'd your Nephew
With an amorous eye.
Com.
De pazzi, my Nephew?
Gio.
Thats the man sir, who is so much oblig'd
Vnto her memory.
Com.
Sdeath this inclines so neere miracle
T'would taxe my judgement to beleeve it;
Conferre her love upon a foole.
Gio.
Pardon me sir! I doe not positively
A cautulous suspect your jealous men
Strive against danger.
Com.
I doe affect thy discipline.
Gio.
This morning she desir'd to speake with him.
Com.
To speake with him—good our braines are nere us,
Ere thou admitst him to her presence, weele
Furnish him with discourse, preposterous
Vnto sence, and her demands; so make him
More cheape in her conception, here he comes.
Enter De Pazzi.
Assist my prayers.
De.
Signiour Vncle,
Com.
Nephew oppertunely
Signiour Giotto hath taken paines
To bring us knowledge of new graces, which
Our Dutches stores up for you, I am proud
To thinke what honour all our blood receives
From you, the toppe bough of our family:
I never hop'd there could be starres in heaven
So auspitious, as I behold now shining,
And pointing all their golden beames on you,
The Dutchesse loves you—De pazzi, hum.
Gio.
Not carelessely, and with that common favour,
She does divide among the Courtiers,
They doe but gleane her scattered graces,
For you the harvest's reserv'd and brought
Home to your bosome.
Depazzi hums.
Com.
Other with much labour.
Clime this high rocke, upon whose swelling top,
The Dutches smiles are placed, yet obtaine not
One to reward their sweate.
De pazzi hums.
Gio.
But her owne hand
Reaches you up, and tempts you to enjoying
The perimids height, you may ascend by stayres,
And mount with ease unto that happinesse,
Others adore afarre off.
De.
Does the Dutchesse
Com.
That makes the Musicke high, it were not else
So ravishing, you are the man mark'd out
To be the Duke Depazzi.
Gio.
Thats her desire,
She would not like a theife steale joyes, but make
The pleasures lawfull, nuptiall holy rites,
Vshering your felicity, you must be
Her Husband Signiour, and all we your subjects,
Obsequious to your nod, when you have breath
To raise t'unlimitted height, and uncreate
Whom you would frowne upon.
De.
I see shee is wise,
Com.
How will Comachio thinke his age blest, to see
Princes borne to his Nephew, and with breath
Covetous to expire in prayers for them.
Gio.
Kneele there great Vncle,
I have an ambition
If you thinke not the honour over great,
To beg tuition of your second sonne,
Whom I should study to bring up, with such
Choyce education, as shall become
The greatnesse of his soule and birth.
De.
Tis granted, my second sonne is thine, but are you sure
I am ordain'd to be the man you talke of;
Must I be cran'd up to that altitude.
Gio.
My Lord
You may be confident, Giotto dares not
Play with your greatnesse, and my dare was never
Yet so incertaine, when I heare your name
So sweetened by your Dutchesse breath.
De.
No more, I have a strong faith, tis so, for my Vncle
Doth practise already his observance, I
Purpose to visit our loving Dutchesse.
Gio.
Nay you will be sent for and be courted to
That was intimated.
Com.
But my honoured Nephew
Would you admit instructions, for I see
With how much envy of the Court you rise
To this high sphere of soveraignety, be prudent,
For your first parly, you shall knit her soule to your owne thoughts.
Gio.
If my abilities may doe you service.
Com.
Giotto, you are furnished to read Lectures
To us both of Courtship, and I know my Nephew
Will gratefully remember, what you adde
To raise him to our wishes.
Gio.
I desire to be a banquerout of knowledge, when
My portion may enrich you.
De.
Should you lose
Your braine signiour in my service, you
Should finde I would requite you.
Com.
At his first entrance to her graces presence
Something new and sublime, t'insinuate
How much she hath consulted with her best
Wisedome, when she elected one so meriting,
To be her husband.
Gio.
So with one argument
He magnifies her judgement, and his worth.
De.
I like that well, if you doe pen that speech
Commend me pray unreasonable, I shall study it.
Gio.
That must be, to this we may guesse she will
Reply, my Lord, I could misse in such a troope
Of Deservers to choose out the ablest.
Meaning my Nephew.
De.
I know that, who else?
Gio.
Hence take you fresh occasions to extoll
Your selfe, and be not nice to let her know
Your active blood, and spirit to get Princes,
How much the people will be bound to blesse
Her race in choosing you, whose promising body
Is able to incite them to make bonfires
For Dukes unborne.
De.
Great reason, proceed.
Gio.
It will be necessary you disparage all men
That are about her, though your Vncle, he
Will suffer to advance you.
Com.
Who my Nephew?
Let me alone to disgrace him.
Gio.
It gives you lustre principally remember
To raile against her Ladies, call em hags,
You cannot be too bitter, this secures
Your love toth' Dutchesse, beats of jealousie
When you appeare to love her onely of
All the sex.
De.
It will be a good occasion to beate off
Laura, to whom I did pretend my selfe
A Lover excellent, pray let me have all these
Directions in manuscripts, Ile not see her
Till they be rotten in my head.
Com.
Giotto, bind us both to you, this will do't,
Art cannot shape him more ridiculous,
These are rare principles. Here's Contarini.
Enter Contarini, Dandalo.
Gio.
Remove your selfes: tis not fit he see ye.
Exeunt Comachio, Depazzi.
Signiour Contarini, your minute is expir'd.
Con.
I crave your pardon signiour, have you learnt
From Laura ought that concernes my knowledge.
Gio.
I have cause to intreate my intelligence.
I am your pensioner, you have enriched
My stable with a Barbary Roane.
A gift I am ignorant to requite;
I must returne great thankes too, from the
Lady Laura, for the wealthy Carbanet
You sent her last night.
Con.
Ime yet indebted to you both: Signiour
You are skilled in my affaire: the noyse still
Continue, our great Dutchesse will elect
A husband from her owne Court, Ile onely
Know the man; that so I may direct my
Observance the right way, you will call this
An honest pollicy.
Gio.
Your contemplations are too humble.
Con.
You Signiour?
Gio.
Ere I would thinke another worthier then
I would disclaime my judgement and runne madde.
But there's a crosse barre to your ambition,
(Heaven excuse my sorrow for it?) you are
Marryed, you have a wife.
Con.
Sir, I beseech you give your meaning more expression
Gio.
Has the Dutchesse any name within her memory,
So much as Contarinies?
Are not you he whose feature she admires?
Nay Sir, it is not long since Laura heard
Her wish you were unmarryed: Interpret
My relation as you please;
But you know Princes are reserved. Whats he?
My servant Signiour, he has modest eares
And a quiet tongue. Dandalo, you may
Stay here, I shall use thy consent in a businesse.
Dan.
I waite your pleasure.
Con.
But did her grace wish I were unmarryed?
Gio.
By no itteration that breedes noyse.
Con.
Well, I allow of her graces wish.
Gio.
How my Lord?
Con.
If my marriage discontent her highnesse:
I wish I had no wife—
Gio.
He has a noble soule! is there no way
To avoid this trifle called a wife.
Con.
Yes Signiour, there are waies, but—
Gio.
O sir, discharge your minde, it concernes my
Preferment to be faithfull.
Con.
Troth, were all impediments cleared, I thinke
We two should rule equally;
Ime strangely fond to those I love.
Gio.
Signiour you have given me cause to know it.
Con.
If I could sue out a divorse—
Gio.
I signiour, but the judge grants none without a lawfull cause.
Con.
Shee shall commit adultery.
Gio.
With whom?
Con.
Giotto, that I am come to tell thee.
Thou shalt lye with her.
Gio.
I, my Lord?
T' were an indeerement too great for my requitall.
Con.
Tis decreed, come, it must be so.
Gio.
Signiour, I shall beg your pardon.
Con.
I keepe my mercy for another use,
Suspect no danger, you shall come disguis'd
When you wooe her too't, which done, the Dutchesse
Shall helpe my procurement of a divorce:
Why, I knew before, her highnesse lov'd me!
I have received favours from her lookes and and speech.
Gio.
Does not your man listen?
Con.
No matter, hees our confederate.
Dandalo know this Gentlemans hands
And kisse em often.
Dan.
Ime his humble creature.
Gio.
I shall be glad to shew you kindenesse.
Con.
Lets perfect our designe, good signiour
I have no leasure now to ruminate,
I affect action.
Exeunt,
Enter Laura, Carintha, Sancho.
San.
Madam, I ha signified to my Lord
What you commanded, but I hope your Ladiship
Hath heard his disposition.
Lau.
He's not reconciled to our sex,
He has proclaim'd that.
San.
This place breedes no Ladies,
No not for civill entertainement, we
Have not a woman in the house, their pictures
Which adorne other gallaries, you see
Tempt not the eye here, all his offices
Discharged by men, he saies where he commands
He must not see a woman.
Car.
What not strangers?
San.
Such is his will.
Lau.
How then?
San.
If you desire his presence and discourse,
Must not be witnesse to what face he speakes,
Ime but his servant.
Lau.
Tell him Ile expect him in that forme he
Prescribes.
San.
The other Lady too
Must be clouded, then Ile let his Lordship
Know y'are prepared.
Lau.
Pray doe Madam, I hope
Your discontent will give you leave to smile
At this, her grace found you but this employment,
With me, to beate your melancholly off,
Apply to the occasion.
Car.
My gratitude will teach me to conforme.
Enter Orseollo, Sancho.
Ors.
Now Ladies whats your pleasures, that you summon
My appearance, I know ye ha supple joynts,
What mistery of state sends you to me?
I cannot revell in long stockings, friske
To please your wanton eye-sight; I nere bosted
'My ribs, or largenesse of my thighs, t' invite you;
I make no Sonnets of your anticke dressings,
Cry up your colour of your face, and sweare
Y'are divine peeces, for I know you are not:
I will not draw heavens curse upon me, for
Flattering into pride; say that the Lillies,
Are pale, for envy of your white, and the Roses
Blush, to see better in your cheekes, your haire
Beames, rather drawne up to a net, might catch
Iove when he plaid the Eagle; that your brests
Raise up themselves like two faire Mountainers
Ith' pleasant vale of temptation, I hate this
I will not dam my selfe to make you proud,
Doe not, I know your faces?
Lau.
Ours, we are not ashamed to shew em.
Ors.
Doe not unvaile.
San.
Good Madam.
Car.
Will you not see what you condemne?
Ime gone, if you attempt to let me see
A peece of any countenance; while I thus
Looke on ye, I can helpe my selfe t'imagine
Ye are some other creatures.
Lau.
Troth my Lord, for pitty to your selfe
End your invectives;
Madam I told you of this mirth.
Car.
Can he be serious?
Ors.
Wracke me not with your stay,
Whats the designe hath brought you hither?
Lau.
This Signiour; tis the Dutchesse pleasure
You make suddaine repaire to Court.
Ors.
I?
Lau.
That's our Embassie.
Ors.
I am no Court physitian, I but vexe
Your female constitutions, you know
All my receipts are bitter, and her excellence
Hath plenty of those, she gives a pension to
Can flatter; why does she send for me am so
Vnwelcome?
Lau.
My Lord, her grace employes
Not me to any so unhappy:
And though you have not liv'd so neere the favour,
Ith' eye of the Court, which your owne humour too
May have beene the cause, I have no honour, if
You finde your selfe unwelcome,
Ors.
Tis a mistery.
Lau.
I could instruct you further with a secret,
Your soule would dance to know, but I confesse
Tis more then my commission:
Ors.
Is there in nature any happinesse for me?
Lau.
And from a woman: you will come my Lord?
Ors.
Stay, from a woman, ha? the Dutchesse—
Heard a noyse she would chuse a Lover from
Her owne Court, can it be that? death I have
Beene boundlesse in my railing. I begin
To curse my selfe fort.
San.
Be all silence,
To any hope, perhaps, I could be pleased
To see the tip o'your nose Lady,
Or the mole upon your chinne.
Lau.
You will have cause to blesse the occasion
Of this dayes message.
Ors.
I could see your cheeke,
Nay halfe your face for tother sillable.
Lady you can say more,
Car.
I dare not signiour, already we have exceeded.
Ors.
I know such creatures cannot mocke, sweete Lady.
Lau.
Have you not heard her graces resolution,
Touching a husband?
Ors.
Your are o're darke still, enrich me,
Lau.
I hope your honour will remember this poore service when tis done.
Ors.
What? one Letter of your meaning.
Lau.
My Lord the Dutchesse loves you.
Ors.
Ha?
Lau.
Come Madam, I shall say you will waite.
Ex.
Ors.
Shall I not see the faces,
To which I owe my blessednesse.
San.
No words of those loose creatures in your custody,
Seale up the doores, still the aire least that
Creepe out too soone, and kill my growing fate.
Exeunt.
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