 | The Gentleman of Venice |  |
Act. 5.
Giovanni. The pieces of Armour hung upon severall trees Roberto, Ursula.Gio.
These were the excellent Bellaura's gift,
Of no use now to me, but to keep fresh
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I see how passion did blind my reason,
And my prodigious hopes vanish'd to air
Have left me to contemplate my own vanity.
Ro.
I know not, but if I may credit Georgio
That did wait on thee to the Senate, thou
Hast lost an opportunity, that might
Have made us all Clarissimo's Giovanni.
I might have kept my reverend Mules, and had
My Crupper worshipped by the Plebeians,
And Ursula here been Madam heaven knowes what,
And did you wisely to refuse?
Ur.
Nay, nay I know
He was not born to do us good, not stoop
To take preferment from the Duke and Senate?
Ro.
Well, 'twas his modesty.
Ur.
He learn't it not from me.
Ro.
No more—
Ur.
You wil be alwaies taking his part against me,
But I know, what I know, and that's a secret,
Here comes the t'other Dunderhead.
Enter Georgio.
Geo.
The armour is hung up already, this
We must all come to.
Ro.
What to the Gibet Georgio?
Pointing to the Helmet.
Geo.
Master look here.
If you had but this hole to put your head in,
It would be a great preservative to your hearing,
And keep out all the noise, of my Dames Culvering,
Within this fortification well lock'd up.
You would think her loudest scolding a meer whisper.
Urs.
What's that you talk of your Dame sirra?
Geo.
Oh dame, I have newes for you.
Urs
For me? what is't? whom does your new's concern?
Geo.
One that you love with all your heart.
Ro.
Who is't knave?
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Knave? call your word in, and eat it, I'le advise,
You may fare worse: you do not hear the news then?
Urs.
I shall when you'l find utterance.
Geo.
The newes—
We are all of one Religion?
Ro.
Out with it.
Ge.
Every thing is not to be talk'd on.
Ro.
So it seems by your concealment.
Urs.
Shall we hear it?
Geo.
Yes? Signior Thomazo—
Urs.
What of him?
Geo.
There's a gentleman, and you talk of a gentleman.
Urs.
What of Thomazo? now am I longing.
Geo.
I heard, as I came hither—
Vrs.
What?
Ro.
Let us hear too.
Urs.
What? be brief.
Geo.
That he is to lose his head Mistriss—
Urs.
Now a thousand blisters upon that tongue.
Geo.
But you do not know for what, mistrisse there's it,
You are so angry still at half a businesse.
Urs.
For what is he to suffer? oh my heart!
Geo.
For nothing but high treason.
Ro.
How?
Geo.
You ha'not patience, to hear a story out.
Ro
High treason said he? that's a shrewd business.
Urs.
Thomazo lose his head?
Ro.
So it seems.
Urs.
Better thy generation were headlesse.
Geo.
I told you but in good will, because I knew
You lov'd him. I ha done.
Exit.
Urs.
Passion O my dear heart! i'le to the Duke
My self, and beg his pardon.
Ro.
You'l make
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You'l beg his pardon, you'l beg a halter,
And sooner 'twill be granted.
Urs.
Giovanni,
Sweet Giovanni, there's a sunshine word.
Deere child go with us.
Ro.
Us? dost think i'le goe
And run my head into the hempe?
Vrs.
Best hony-suckle!
One word ohine will strike the pardon dead.
Gio.
Ide rather go a pilgrimage.
Urs.
Thou shalt go a pilgrimage, another time
To the worlds end, I charge thee on my blessing,
And husband you must go too.
Ro.
No, no not I.
I thank you Ursula, i'le not have my foot
Nor hand in any treason.
Urs.
Is it so much to kneel? you shall say nothing.
Unlesse you please, leave all the talk to me,
Ro.
I wo'not go, though the Duke send for me.
Urs.
How? that's a piece a treason.
Ro.
So, if I go not,
Shee'l betray me too; well Giovanni shall go too,
Where is he?
Vrs.
Let me alone to conjure him.
Shall we go presently, delaies are dangerous.
The rascall George is gone too, all forsake me
In my distresse.
Ro.
What will you say Vrsula,
When you come there; what will the Dukes think on you?
Or who shall suffer for your impudence?
And what? that is considerable, I have
No mind to go agen.
Vrs.
Then I'le spoile the Garden,
Break up the hedges, and deface the works
Your darling Giovanni made; i'le let in
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To undermine the Castle he made last,
And fortified with Cannon, though I dye for't.
Ro.
More treason, well I will go, but I hope
You wo'not trudge this evening, if we must
Resolve upon't, let us do things discreetly.
Vrs.
That was well said, nay, I am for discretion
For all my hast.
Ro.
I think it most convenient
To wait his businesse, coming forth his Chamber
To morrow morning Vrsula, and then let
Good natures work, to nights no time,
We must consult our Pillowes; what to say;
And how to place our words.
Vrs.
Now 'tis my best
Pigeon, let's home instantly.
Ro.
A sober pace goes far, not too fast Vrsula,
Remembring the Proverb, and what followes;
We should march slow to save me from the gallows.
Exit.
Enter Cornari with a Pistoll and a rapier. Florelli.
Cor.
You have had your time of pleasure, can you pray?
Flo.
Pray, what do you mean Signior.
Cor.
The Lady whom you have enjoy'd, commanded
I should present one of these two, or both
In token of her gratitude.
Flo.
This cannot
Be earnest sir.
Cor.
These are the Jewells
Which you must wear sir next your heart: how de'e
Affect the lustre of this toy? 'tis bright,
But here's a thing will sparkle.
Flo.
I am lost.
Is this the promise of my safety?
Cor.
Yes,
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'Cause you can dance, and vault upon a hobbihorse,
De'e think to mount Madonas here, and not
Pay for the sweet Carreere Fool, to thy prayers,
For when these messengers salute thy heart,
Thy soul shall find, I'm an Italian,
And wo'not trust a life to him, whose tongue
Commands my honor.
Flo.
Art a Christian?
Cor.
As much as comes to a Venetians faith,
That believes no man is more to fit die
Then he, that has been capering with my wife.
Flo.
Ye cannot sir forget I was betrai'd,
Awake thy conscience, and let that answer
I have obey'd a dire necessity,
And was brought hither by a stratagem.
Cor.
'Tis all one Signior; I presume you gave
Consent to the deere matter of delight,
Which is not held convenient you should talk of.
Flo.
Hold.
Cor.
Hope not to breath ten minutes, gather up
Those thoughts you would have wait upon you to
Another world.
Flo.
Then 'tis high time to think
Of other matters, though you have cruelly
Resolv'd there is no safety for your fame,
To let me still be numbred with the living.
(Which if your scattered reason were collected,
I could refute,) but I'le not hope it now,)
Since most ignobly 'gainst the rules of honor,
And faith already forfeit, you will make
This undefenced pile your sacrifice,
Yet do not kill me twice.
Cor.
Twice?
Flo.
Such a rage
Were infinite; practise not cruelty
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Eternity, allow to my last breath,
Leave to discharge the weight of many sinnes
Into the bosome of some confessor.
Cor.
This may be granted, 'tis not much unreasonable.
Flo.
Your charity will think it fit to allow
Some minutes to collect my self.
Cor.
To shew
My design has no malice in't, i'le do
Your soul that office, though our bodies must not
Enjoy this aire together many howrs.
I'le send one to you.
Exit.
Flo.
The innocence of a Saint,
Wod not secure his life from an Italian
When his revenge is fixt. In what black hour
Did I salute the world, that I am thrown
Upon so hard a fate? it is not fit
To expostulate with heaven, or I could say
Something in my defence, (as I am man)
To keep this mighty rock from falling on me,
My tutelar Angell be at counsell with
My thoughts, and if there be a path of safety
Direct my trembling steps to find, and tast it.
Enter Cornari in a Friers habit.
Has kept his word, and 'tis no time to trifle,
As y'are a Priest, and by that sacred order
And scapular you wear, not onely hear me
But use your pious art to save from ruine
A man condemn'd for that which heaven and you
Call vertue, for not doing a black deed
Would damn three soules at once, & if your power
Cannot prevail for mercy to my life,
I challenge you when I am dead, to be
A witnesse of my innocence.
Cor.
This has
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Flo.
Nor do I
Under that holy seal discourse a story,
Yet Father I must throw my self upon
Your Charity. Know therefore I am betraid,
And by the plot of him that owes this Palace
(Whose name is never like to meet my knowledge)
Snatch'd up, one fatall evening, and forc'd hither
By some dark ministers he had employ'd
(I know not which way) to this fatall chamber.
I shudder but to name what impious act
Against his own, and his dear Ladies honor
He had design'd for me; Her chaster soul
Should have been stain'd, in his distrust of heaven,
To blesse him with an heir, and her white treasure.
By me a stranger rifled, had not providence.
Chain'd up our blood, so that the hours he gave
To serve his black ambition, and our lust,
We onely spent in prayers for his conversion.
Cor.
Ha.
Flo.
This yet he knowes not, and it is not safe
To appear in our own vertue, since the justice
We did our peace, in crossing his expectance
May improve his rage to both our ruines. This
Sad story frights you, there is horror in't,
But 'tis an hour, the last, without some miracle
To rescue me (a man disarm'd) from violence,
Nor dare I mock heaven now, or hang upon
My soul the burden of a lie, when tis
Taking her last eternall flight, It is not
A fear to dye afflicts me, with my faith
And innocence about me; I have look'd
Death in the face, and be it thought no boast
To say, I have taught others by example
To march up to the ugliest face of danger.
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Sent out o'th world i'th dark, without a name
Or any account to those, to whom I owe
My blood, and birth? persons that carry names
Of honor in my Country? This doth stagger me
To quit my life, and may excuse my addresse
To you, who have Authority from heaven
To take his fury off, whom otherwise
I expect my violent executioner.
I have some tremblings for his Lady, whose
Most holy tears, stream'd through my soul compassion,
And charm'd my blood, tears, if he durst have patience
Were powerfull enough to beg from heaven
That blessing which he fondly thinks to hasten,
With losse of his eternity.
Cor.
No more.
Exit Conrari hastily, having thrown off the habit Enter again with Claudiana.
Forgive me, oh forgive me Claudiana,
And if my sin of forcing thy obedience
Beyond the rules of honor, and of marriage
Have not quite murd'red thy affection;
Wish me a little life for my repentance.
Cl.
I joy to hear this from you.
Fl.
There's work within me, and so deep a sense
Of my own shame and sorrow, that I feel
My heart already weeping out a bath
To make thee white agen.
Cla.
Sir, in what best
I understand, I must ask you forgivenesse.
Cor.
Ha mine, for what, betraying thee to darknesse?
Cla.
For disobeying your command.
Cor.
Thou didst
The impious act by my design, which takes
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Upon my self.
Cla.
Although you kill me sir,
I must remove the cloud, and let you see
Me as I am, not chang'd from my first innocence.
Cor.
Possible?
Cl.
Most easie, where there is
A chast resolve, and I must tell you sir,
Although I wanted courage to oppose
Your passion, when your reason, and religion
Were under violence of your will, my heart
Resolv'd to try my own defence, and rather
Then yeeld my self a shamefull spoile to lust,
By my own death to quit my name from scandall;
But providence determin'd better for me,
And made me worth a strangers piety,
Whom your chice meant the ruine of my honor;
If this want entertainment in your faith,
'Tis peace to my poor heart that I have many
White witnesses in Heaven.
Cor.
You have done no feats then?
My wife is chast.
Flo.
I cannot sir engage
My last breath to a nobler truth.
Cor.
'Tis so—
Ex. Cla.
You may withdraw Claudiana; by what
Has been exprest, though I am satisfied,
You are not guilty in the fact, as I
Expected, 'tis not safe, when I consider
My own fame in the story, that you live sir.
I must not trust you longer with a secret
That by my tamenesse may hereafter spread
The infamy abroad: there's no avoiding—
Flo.
Then I must die.
Cor.
Perhaps you have some hope
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Not coming better arm'd, give you the advantage
To use your strength, upon my single person!
I know you are active, but i'le make sure work.
Ex.
Flo.
Till now I did not reach the precipice.
My heart would mutinie, but my hands are naked,
And can do nothing.
Enter Cornari with Bravos arm'd.
A knot of murderers! arme me with a sword,
And let me die fighting against you all.
I'le say y'are noble hangmen, and not throw
One curse among you.
Cor.
I've one word to say sir.
Let none approach,
The fatall doom I threatned is revers'd;
Throw off your wonder, and believe you may
Live long, if not in Venice, and your safety
Is more confirm'd at Distance, you are noble,
An honor to your nation. Here is gold,
I know not how you may be furnished sir
For travell hence, bills of exchange may fail.
These will defray a present charge; betray
No wonder, take it.
Flo.
I'le accept your bounty,
And will not ask to whom I owe all this,
Forgive me that. I thought you not so honorable.
So when you please, i'le take my leave.
Cor.
Not yet.
By such attendants ss you came to me,
I have provided sir for your departure.
Your duties gentlemen. You know my purpose.
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Exeunt.
Enter Claudiana.
Cor.
Resume thy place within my soul Claudiana,
When I have done my sorrow for what's past
Weel smile, and kisse for ever.
Exeunt.
Enter a Servant.
Ser.
A letter sir.
Cor.
From whence?
Ser.
Your Nephew now a Prisoner.
Cor.
Let him rot, and give 'em back the paperkite.
Ser.
The messenger is gone.
Cor.
Then he expects no answer.
[Cor. ready]
Cla.
You may read it.
Cor.
Sir, I send not to you for reliefe, nor to
Mediate my pardon. I have not liv'd after
The rate to deserve your bread to feed me,
Nor your breath to save me. I onely beg
That you would put me into your prayers,
And forgivenesse, and believe, I do not wish life,
But to redeem my self from past impieties,
And satisfie by a repentance the dishonors
Have beene done to you, by the worst of men. Melipiero.
This is not his usuall stile.
Cla.
This miracle may be.
Cor.
I do want faith.
Cla.
And sent a blessing to reward our penitence.
Heaven has a spacious charity.
Cor.
Thou art all goodnesse.
Ex.
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Flo.
Sure this is gold.
Enter 3. gentlemen.
Omnes.
Florelli.
Flo.
The same.
1.
Thy looks are wild.
2.
Where in the name of wonder hast thou been?
Flo.
I am drop'd from the Moon.
3.
The Moon.
Flo.
I was snatch'd up in a whirlwind,
And din'd and sup'd at Cynthia's own table,
Where I drank all your healths in Nectar gentlemen,
Do yee want money? if you have a mind
To return viceroyes, let's take shipping instantly.
1.
And whither then?
Flo.
For new discoveries,
A cloud will take us up at Sea.
2.
'Tis morning.
Flo.
To drink, and then aboord, no matter whither
I'le keep this for a monument.
3.
That bag?
Flo.
Do not profane it, 'twas Endimions pillow
Stuffd with horne shavings of the Moon, it had
The vertue when she clap'd it ore my head
To bring me thence invisible through the air;
The moon does mobble up her self sometime in't.
Where she will shew a quarter face, and was
The first that wore a black bag.
1.
But dost hear?
Flo.
No inquisitions if you will leave Venice.
Let's drink and spoon away with the next vessell.
A hundred leagues hence, I may tell you wonders.
Here is a chime to make Ring Oberon
Queen Mab, and all her fayries turn o'th toe boyes.
2.
Hee's mad I think.
Exeunt.
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Vrs.
I could not sleep all this night for dreaming,
O' my poor suckling.
Ro.
peace I say and wait
In silence Vrsula.
Gio.
You may excuse me yet.
I wo'd not see his excellence.
Vrs.
'Tis not my meaning boy, thou shouldst appear
Unlesse there be necessity, you may stay, ith'e next Chamber.
Enter a Courtier.
Vrs.
I beseech you Signior, is this grace coming forth.
Cor.
Not yet.
Vrs.
I have an humble sute, I must deliver
A paper to his graces own hand,
I hope his grace can read.
Ex. Cl.
Ro.
Why how now bagpiper.
Vrs.
Nay, theres no harm in't what if he can,
You will be talking, did not I say
I would speak all my self.
Ro.
But Vrs. what do you think now will become on's
When you have told your tale, though I am innocent.
It will be no great credit, nor much comfort
To see you whipt my Vrsula, I would
Be sorry for my part to peep through a Pillory
And have an even reckoning with my ears,
Having no more hair to keep warm, and hide
The poor concavities.
Vrs.
Never fear it husband.
Ro.
I will so curse you Vrsula, and once
A day, bind your body to a pear tree,
And thrash your hanches till you stink agen;
For ought I know thou hast committed treason,
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If I be maim'd or cropt, I'le flea thee Vrsula,
And stuffe thy skin with straw, and hang thee up
To keep the fruit from Crowes, and after burn it.
To kill the Caterpillars, come, be wise in time,
And let Thomazo quietly be hang'd,
Or headed yet, and talk no more, he is
But one, and has a young neck to endure it.
We are old, and sha'not shew with half the grace
Without our heads, 'twill be a goodly sight
To see our faces grin upon two poles,
To tell the gaping world how we came thither
To perch, and stink in unity, be wise,
And leave Thomazo to the Law.
Vrs.
Can you be so uncharitable, oh Tyrant!
Enter Duke, Marino.
May it please your excellence, my husband and
Myself.
Ro.
She has put me in already.
Vrs.
Humbly beseech a pardon for our son.
Du.
Your son Giovanni, where is he?
Vrs.
He waites in the next Chamber.
Du.
Call him in. What is the fact?
It must be an offence next treason, if we
Deny him pardon.
Ro.
I fear 'tis much about the matter.
Du.
What is the fact?
Enter Giovanni.
Vr.
We do beseech you grant a pardon first,
And then you shall know all.
Du.
That were preposterous justice.
Why dost thou kneel Giovanni?
Gio.
To beg your mercy sir
To him, for whom my mother kneeles
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She askes thy pardon.
Gio.
Mine? Let me offend first.
Du.
Hee's innocent.
Vr.
No matter what he saies, my husband knowes it.
Ro.
Shee'l make sure of me.
Vr.
And if your highnesse will but grant the pardon,
Your grace shall not repent, but thank me for
The best discovery; i'le not bribe your excellence,
But I will give you for it, what you'l hold
As pretious as your Dukedome.
Du.
The old woman
Raves, you had best send her to the house
Of the insani.
Ro.
So shee's to be whip'd already,
Du.
What do you say Roberto!
Ro.
I say nothing,
But that I think my wife will hardly mend upon't.
Du.
Upon what?
Ro.
On whipping, if it like your highnesse,
She cannot feel those small corrections.
I have taw'd hunting Poles, and hemp upon her,
And yet could do no good.
Ur.
Let not your grace mind him, give me a pardon,
And if I do not make good all my promise,
You shall hang my husband, and flea me alive.
Du.
What's that paper?
Ro.
Ge't him, thou shouldst have done this afore.
I am prepar'd, more bone and flesh upon me
If the businesse come to hanging, were a curtesie.
Urs.
Nay 'tis there in black and white, you'l find it,
Giovanni is your son, that was the Gardiner,
And he that is in prison poor Thomazo
My lawfully begotten.
Du.
Chang'd in their infancie.
Urs.
And since conceal'd out of ambition
To see my own a great man.
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I feel the knot under my ear.
Vr.
I durst not trust my husband.
Ro.
That was not much amisse.
Vrs.
He has not wit enough to keep my secrets.
Ro.
Oh what a blessing has that man whose wife
Knowes when to hold her peace.
Mar.
Sir, if we may compare their tracts of life,
I shall believe your noblenesse liv'd there
In Giovanni, not supprest in poverty,
And their rude course condition, notwithstanding
The helpes of Education, which seldome
Do correct nature in Thomazo's low
And abject spirit.
Du.
I'me too full, I must
Disperse my swelling joyes or be dissolv'd,
Summon our friends, invite Bellaura hither.
Art thou my son?
Gio.
I would I were so blest.
I ow'd you duty sir before, and now
My knees encline with double force to humble
The doubtfull Giovanni.
Du.
Let that name
Be lost, take all my blessings in Thomazo.
Vrs.
What think you of this Roberto.
Ro.
Why? I think
The Duke is mad, and when he finds his wits
Hee'l hang us both yet.
Du.
Now I find the reason.
And secret of my nature: but tell me
What after so long silence, made you now
Open the cloud that had conceal'd my son?
Ro.
I know not sir—now Ursula.
Vr.
The weaknesse of a woman, and a mother
That would be loath to see her naturall child
Dye like a bird upon a bough for treason,
Nature will work, a mother is a mother,
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Restor'd, I hope all shall be well agen.
Ro.
Would I were fair wash'd, yet out of my pickle.
Vr.
What think you now?
Ro.
I wish, I wish I could not think.
Enter Senators, Cornari.
Cor.
We hear of wonders sir.
Du.
This is my son.
Cor.
With our most glad embraces let us hold you.
Gio.
Ever a servant to your gravities.
Ro.
The skie clears up.
Enter Bellaura, Marino.
Du.
Bellaura, now receive not Giovanni,
But Contarini's son my deer Thomazo.
Bel.
My heart hath wings to meet him.
Tho.
Oh my happinesse!
Du.
Pause a little.
Ro.
I melt agen Vrsula, the Duke points at us,
And carries fireworks in his eyes,
Du.
Though we did grant a pardon for your son,
You are subject to the censure of our lawes
For this imposture.
Ro.
I knew 'twould come, now telltale, will you beg
The favour we may hang till we be dead?
Sweet Giovanni Thomazo speak for us,
Not guilty my Lord, I am not guilty,
Spare me, and let my wife be burn'd or hang'd,
Or drown'd, or any thing you shall think fit,
You shall find me reasonable,
Who shall beg our pardon?
Vr.
Mercy oh mercy.
Tho.
Let me beseech you for their pardon sir.
They alwaies us'd me civilly.
Bel.
Let me joine.
Sen.
And all of us, this is a day of triumph.
Du.
It shall be so.
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A Jubile, a Jubile, here comes Thomazo,
I shall speak treason presently.
Vrs.
Now heaven preserve your sweet graces.
Enter Thomazo, Malipiero.
Gio.
Mercy, oh mercy, my indulgent father.
Vrs.
Art thou come boy?
Gio.
Boy? stand away good woman.
Vrs.
I have procur'd thy pardon, mary have I child.
Gio.
I wo'd 'twere true, thou wert ever a loving Crone.
Ro.
You may believe her son.
Gio.
Son, the old fellow's mad.
Urs.
I say thou art pardon'd,
You must kneel to me now, and this good
Old man, and ask us blessing.
Mar.
Your name is prov'd Giovanni now, the Duke
Has found another son.
Gio.
What shall become of me?
Du.
You shall be onely punish'd to return,
And dig as he hath done, and change your name
To Giovanni, nature was not willing
You should forget your trade, where's my Thomazo?
Gio.
Are you my father?
Ro.
So my wife assures me.
Gio.
Are you my mother?
Vrs.
I my deere child.
Gio.
And you Signior Thomazo, that was I?
Tho.
And you Giovanni, with the inside outward
Gio.
And must I be a Gardiner? I am glad on't.
Pray give me a couple of blessings, and a spade,
And fico for this frippery. I'le thank
My destiny that has yet kept my thread
To a better use then hanging.
Corn.
Let nothing
Of punishment profane this day, I must
Implore your mercy upon this young man,
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Impieties, and make him serviceable
To honor and good men.
Du.
You shew a charity,
If I have heard a truth in some sad stories,
Hee's yours and pardon'd.
Ma.
Y'are a miracle
Of goodnesse, 'tis too much to look upon,
Whom I have with such impudence offended.
Command me sir abroad untill by some
Years well emploid, a pennance for my crimes
I may be thought one worthy to be own'd
Your Kinsman.
Du.
Agen; welcome my Thomazo,
My dearest pledge, till now I was no father;
In him, the want of hope my thoughts opprest,
In thee my fortunes, and my name are blest.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
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