 | The Imposture |  |
ACT. IIII.
Enter Fioretta and Donabella.Fior.
Madam I fear this walk into the Park,
May engage your grace too far without som more
To attend you,
Do.
Our own thoughts may be our guard,
I use it frequently; but to our discourse
Of Prince Honorio, for we cannot find
A nobler subject, I observe that he
And you have been aquainted.
Fior.
Twas my happiness,
To have my breeding in the Court of Mantua,
Where I among the rest of his admirers,
Seeing his youth improv'd with so much honor,
Grew into admiration of his virtues,
Which now he writes man do so fully crown him,
His Fathers Dukedome holds no ornament
To stand in competition.
Dona.
You speak him high,
And with a passion too, that tasts of love.
Fior.
Madam, I honor him,
As may become his servant.
Dona.
As his Mistris rather.
Fior.
My heart is clear from such ambition.
Dona.
But yet not proof against all Cupids shafts;
I do not think but you have been in love.
Fior.
Who hath not felt the wounds? but I ne'r look'd
Above my birth and fortunes; Prince Honorio,
May become your election, and great blood.
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I find it, here already.
Fior.
Nor could you
Endear it where so much desert invites
It to be belov'd.
Dona.
My looks do sure betray me,
I do believe him all compos'd of honor,
And have receiv'd your Character from the World
So noble, all your praise can be no flattery.
I know not by what powerfull charm within
His person, Madam, I confess my eyes
Take some delight to see him, but I fear—
Fior.
I find your Jealousie, and dare secure you.
If in your amorous bosom, you feel, Madam,
A Golden shaft, the cure is made by cherishing
The happy wound, my destiny hath plac'd
My thoughts of love, where they cannot concern
Your trouble or suspition, nor indeed
My hope, for I despair ever to meet,
His clear affection whom I honor.
Dona.
Would
This Court containd, whom you would make so precious;
I should with as much cherefullness assist
Thy wishes, as desire thy aid to mine;
I do believe you have much credit with
His thoughts, and virtue to deserve it Madam.
Fior.
If you trust me,
The favor I have with his Highness, shall not
Create your prejudice, be confident,
Your birth, your beauty, and those numerous graces
That wait upon you, must command his heart.
Dona.
Madam you force a blush for my much want
Of what y'are pleas'd to impute my ornaments,
You are acquainted with your self, and shew
What I should be, if I were rich like you,
But my disparity of worth allow'd,
Would you would call me Sister, and impose
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And free discovery of my soul, may
Deserve faith from you, that I shall never
Injure his name you love.
Fior.
There is no hope
In my desires, and therefore I beseech,
Dear Madam, your excuse, yet thus much I
Dare borrow of my grief to say, he lives
Now in the Court, for whose sake I thus wither.
Dona.
Alas I fear agen, is he compos'd
Of gentle blood, and can to thee he cruell?
Fior.
No, he is very kind, for he did promise
To be my Husband, we ha' been contracted.
Don.
Disperse these mists, & clear my wonder Madam.
Fior.
When time and sorrow shall by death prepare
My sad release of love, you may know all;
Were the condition of my fate like others,
It were no grief to name him.
Dona.
This doth more inlarge my Jealousie.
Fior.
But let us leave this subject, till time fit,
To ope the maze of my unhappy fortune.
Enter Bertoldi.
Bert.
I heard that she was come into the Park,
They cannot far be; they are in view,
And no man with 'em, I'l now be valiant.
Enter Florelia and Honorio.
Flor.
It was her Highness charge I should direct you,
I know her walk.
Bert.
The blustring Prince agen;
Who sent him hither? I think he conjures.
Now dare I with as much confidence undertake
To cure a Lyon rampant, o'the' Tooth-ach,
As but go forward; and my valiant Mother—
Honor.
Your Son; I must excuse my self then to him.
Ber.
Now shall I be fit for a Carbonado.
Honor.
I hope you'l pardon sir, if I appear'd,
Less smooth when I last saw you.
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My good Lord; your Grace is too much humble,
I'm your blow-ball, your breath dissolves my being,
But to shew how free my wishes are to serve you,
If you have any mind, or meaning to my Mother—
Honor.
How do you mean?
Bert.
In what way your Grace pleases,
She shall be yours, your Highness may do worse,
Although I say't she has those things may give
A Prince content.
Honor.
Your Son is very curteous.
Flor.
I should prepare you sir to look with mercy
Upon his folly. But the Princess.
Bert.
Mother.
Flor.
VVill you be still a fool,
VVhat said you sir to th'Prince?
Bert.
VVill you be wise and use him tenderly.
Flor.
Stain to thy Fathers blood—
I was comming Madam.
Exeunt, manet Bert.
Bert.
Vmh: he is my rivall, would my hilts
VVere in his belly; they are out of sight;
It is no rutting time, no trick?
Enter Flaviano and Claudio disguis'd.
Flav.
Signior Bertoldi.
Bert.
I do not know you friends, but how soever,
There is a purse of mony
Flav.
Sir, I want not.
Bert.
That Gentleman perhaps can drink; I like not
Their goggle eyes, twas well I gave 'em mony:
VVhat d'ee want else? you are Souldiers;
I love a Souldier.
Flor.
I am a Gentleman of Mantua sir,
That owe my life to your command, as one,
That had an interest in the preservation,
Your army brought when the Enemy besieg'd us.
Bert.
Your mercy Signior, and how do all
Our limber friends 'it'h Nunnery? I was one
O'th' Cavaliers went with the Generall,
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To fetch the golden Dragon.
Flav.
Golden Apple,
You mean the Princess Fioretta Signior;
Is she married sir?
Bert.
No, no, the Duke will neither dye, nor live,
To any purpose, but they will be shortly;
Have you a mind to kiss her hand?
Flav.
I shall be proud—
Bert.
You shall be as proud as you please sir.
Flav.
You can resolve me, is Honorio
Our Duke of Mantuas Son here?
Bert.
Yes, he is here,
Heaven were a fitter place for him.
Flav.
Ha! look to him,
For he is come with bloody thoughts to murder
Your Prince Leonato, caution him to walk
With a strong guard, and arm himself with all
That can be proof against his Sword or Pistoll,
He cannot be too safe against the treason
And horrid purpose of Honorio.
Bert.
His mouth is Musket bore; but are you sure
He did resolve to kill our Prince?
Fla.
Most certain.
Bert.
I am very glad to hear't.
Fla.
Glad sir?
Bert.
Yes, I cannot wish him better then a Traitor,
Now I shall be reveng'd.
Flav.
Has he been guilty of any affront to you?
Bert.
He is my Rivall.
Flav.
VVhy do not you kill him then?
Bert.
Pox on him, I cannot indure him.
Flav.
He is then reserv'd to fall by me.
Bert.
Tis too good to be true; are you maryed Signior?
Flav.
What then?
Bert.
If you be not, do this & you shall have
My mother, a Lady that has Gold enough to pave
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Kill but this huffing Prince, my Mothers yours,
Enter Honorio.
And all her moveables—tis he alone too,
There's a convenient bottom sir hard by
Exit Hon.
The finest place to cut his throat, I'l not
Be seen.
Flav.
I am resolv'd, charge home thy litle Murderers,
And follow.
Cland.
I warrant you my Lord.
Exit after Hono.
Enter Volterino and Hortensio.
Volt.
But tell me hast thou any hopes of Madam Florelia?
Hort.
I had a lusty promise.;
Volt.
From her?
Hort.
Ye Coxcomb her sweet Son.
Volt.
Why so had I, he did contract her to me,
A flat bargain and sale of all she had,
So I would say he was valiant.
Hort.
That was the price he made to me, but I,
Had hope last visit from her self.
Volt.
Be plain, I'l tell thee, she gave me strong expectation,
And came on like a Cheverell.
Hort.
I hear,
She has given out she will have one of us.
Enter Florelia.
Volt.
She cannot love us both.
Hort.
Would she had one, & then the toy were over,
I could make shift to love her.
Volt.
And to lye with her estate, one helps the tother well.
Florel.
I finde a change within my self, I hope,
I sha'not prove in love now after all
My jeasting, and so many coy repulses,
To men of birth and honor.
Volt.
Tis she.
Florel.
Why do I think upon him, then? I fear,
This man of War has don't.
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I have it, wee'l finde whether she affect
Or Juggle with us presently.
Florel.
Those postures,
Would shew some difference, here I can observe—
Volt.
Your Mistris?
Horten.
Mine if she be pleas'd, what interest
Can all your merit challenge above me?
Volt.
You will repent this insolence, I must,
Forget to wear a sword, and hear thee name
Florelia, with that confident relation
To her fair thoughts, and not correct your pride,
I'l search your heart, and let out those proud hopes,
That thus exalt you.
Hort.
You are cosend Signior,
I do not fear your probe—she lets us fight,
Fight
If we had no more wit, we might foin in earnest.
Florel.
Ha, ha, ha, are you at that ward Gentlemen?
Volt.
She laughes to see us fence o' this fashion,
Lets come a little closer.
Fight.
Flor.
Hold, hold Gentlemen,
For your own honors, is this valour well
Employ'd? what cause can urge effusion,
Thus of that noble blood was given you
To serve your Country? are you mad?
Hort.
We are but little better to be both in love.
Flor.
What Woman,
Considered in her best is worth this difference;
She is cruell cannot finde a better way
To reconcile you, than by letting blood.
Do you both love one?
Volt.
It does appear so Madam.
Flor.
I would I knew the Lady makes you both
Unhappy, I would counsell her some way,
To set your hearts at peace.
Volt.
Tis in your power.
Hort.
Without more circumstance, do but look upon
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Opinion of your virtue, and both hope
An interest in your love, if you will please
To point which of us two is most concern'd
In your affection, you conclude our danger,
And oblige one your everlasting Servant.
Volt.
This Madam is a charitable way
To know your own, and save two lives, for we
Shall fix upon your sentence, and obey
The fate you give us.
Flor.
Do you fight for me?
And will it save Incision, and preserve
Your noble veins to know whom I prefer
In my best thoughts of love? this is but reasonable,
And twill be hard to set a period
To this contention, for I love you both
So equally, observe me Cavaliers,
Tis most impossible to distinguish which
Is first in my neglect, for I love neither:
Fight or be friends, you have your choice, and I
My liberty—I had forgot to thank you,
For your infusion of that fierce courage
Into my Son, there is great hope if he
Live till next year, he may be a Constable,
He has an excellent art to keep the peace. Farewell.
Volt.
Madam, for all this I believe you love—
Hort.
I believe now shee's old and has no teeth,
Else she would bite at one of us—Reverend Madam,
That word has fetch'd her,—we ha' no other cordiall,
At this dead pang for your disdain, but drink now;
If you will have your Son made a fine Gentleman,
Be sure you send him to the Tavern to us,
He knows the rendezvous, though you despair,
We may wind him up yet with spirit of Wine,
How ever wee'l be merry, and perhaps,
For all this, drink your health.
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Buoy Madam.
Hort.
If you love your Baby send him.
Exeunt.
Flor.
I am to blame, but I must help it some way.
Exit.
Enter Honorio, Flaviano, Claudio with Pistols.
Hono.
Two Engins of so small extent to do
Such mighty execution? may I see
These instruments you say you have invented,
And so commend for service?
Flav.
Yes my Lord,
Shew 'em to th'Prince, do they not fright already?
Your Grace may take full view, and quickly be
The proof what force they have.
Honor.
I am betrai'd,
Who hath conspir'd my death
Flav.
To vex you, see him—
Honor.
Flaviano, what mak'st thou here?
Flav.
To put of these commodities; you are
A princely Marchant, and affect this kind
Of traffick, that you may not dy i'th' dark,
I'l tell you a brief story, which you may
Report i'th' other world, I did affect
Ambitiously thy Sister Fioretta,
Abus'd thy Father with a false opinion
Of Leonato, for my end remov'd
His Mistris from the Cloister, and perswaded
A witty Nunne to take her name, and cheat
The Prince, whom he suspects not yet.
Honor.
Dam'd rascall?
Flav.
For pure love to your Sister I did this.
Hono.
Why having been so impious, does thy malice
Persue me, ignorant of all thy treasons?
Flav.
Would you know that?—because I am undone
In my chief hope, the Princess whom I thought
Thus plac'd secure, and apt for my own visit
50
Find the impression of a Ship at Sea,
And by the hollow tract in waves oretake
The winged Bark, distinguish where the Birds,
At Chace 'ith' air, do print their active flight,
As find in what part of the envious World
Fioretta is bestow'd; this sad intelligence
Surpriz'd me like a storm, nor was it safe
To look upon the Duke, who must too late
Repent his trust, and punish it. In this conflict
Of desperate thoughts, I thus resolv'd to see
Ferrara, and the Lady I preferr'd,
But find things cannot prosper, if you live?
Whose angry breath will throw down what my policy
Wrought high, and strike my head beneath the ruines.
Are you now satisfi'd why you must not live?
Honor.
Hear me, shee's still in silence, and believ'd
My Sister by the Prince.
Flav.
When you are dead, then
You will be sure to tell no tales; novv shoot—
Claud.
In my opinion, if all this be truth,
The mischief you ha' done may be sufficient,
And he may live.
Flav.
Villain vvilt thou betray me?
Claud.
You have betraid yourself, and after this
Confession, as I take it, I may be
Your Ghostly Father, and prescribe you a Penance.
Flav.
Hold.
Claud.
I will but Physick you, your soul has caught
A vehement cold, and I have tvvo hot pills
Will vvarm you at heart.
Hono.
Shall my revenge be idle?
Claud.
Good Prince, you are too forvvard, & you be
So hasty, I'm o' this side, did you think,
I would be false? yet lest my aim be unlucky,
Trust your own hand to guide 'em.
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Thou art honest,
Thus I salute thy heart Honorio—ha, no charge.
Claud.
Tis time sir to be honest, I could serve you
In some Court sins, that are but flesh-colour,
A wickedness of the first dye, whose brightness
Will fade, and tincture change; your murder is
Crimson in grain, I have no fancy too't.
Sir you are safe.
Hono.
I see thou hast preserv'd me.
Flav.
I'm lost for ever.
Hono.
Tis but a minute
Since you were found, you must be pleas'd to walk
Into the Court, the Vestall you preferr'd
No doubt will bid you welcome. Fate I thank thee.
Flav.
False starres, I dare you now.
Clau.
I shall wait on you.
Exeunt.
Enter Juliana.
Juli.
I have collected all my brain, and cannot
In any counsell of my thoughts find safety;
Honorio's death wo'not secure my strength,
Or prop my languishing greatness; tis but like
A cordiall when the pangs of death hang on us,
Nay to my present state no other than
Some liberall portion of a quivering stream,
Drunk to abate the scorching of my Feaver,
It cooles to'th' tast, and creeps like Ice dissolv'd
Into my blood, but meeting with the flame,
It scalds my bosom, and augments the fire
That turnes my heart to ashes; poor Juliana,
To what a loss hath thy first sin betray'd thee?
Ambition hath reveng'd thy breach of Honor,
And Death must cure Ambition, for I have
No prospect left, but what invites to ruine.
I am resolv'd not to expect my fate,
But meet it this way.
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Leon.
Dearest Fioretta?
Ha, what offends my Princess? there is something
That dwells like an Ecclipse upon thy eyes,
They shine not as they did, a discontent,
Is like a mildew fallen upon thy cheek,
Tis pale and cold, as Winter were come back
To over-run the Spring.
Jul.
My dearest Lord,
My face is but the title to a volume
Of so much misery within, as will
Tire your amazed soul to read.
Leo.
Thou dost
Freez up my blood already. O call back
Part of this killing language, if thou mean'st
To make me understand thee; the amazement
Doth fall so like a deluge, I am drownd,
Ere I can think my feares; how have we liv'd
At distance? thou shouldst walk upon this Earthquake
And my ground tremble not, but with this fright
I am awake, open the volume now,
I will read every circumstance.
Jul.
Observe then, what first becomes my sorrow.
Leo.
Dost thou kneel?
That posture is for them have lost their Innocence;
We must do this to Heaven.
Jul.
I must to you.
Leon.
What guilt can weigh thee down so low?
Dost weep too!
Jul.
I should not love my eyes if they were silent,
They know this story will too soon o'rcharge
My feeble voice, that every tear could fall
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That so I might dispense with my sad tongue,
And leave my sorrows legible; oh my Lord,
I have wrong'd you above hope to find your mercy.
Leo.
Take heed, & think once more what thou hast don
Ere thou describe such an offence, lest I
Believe a fault, will drown us both with horror;
Thou hast not broke thy vow, nor given away
Thy honor, since thy faith did seal thee mine?
Jul.
Not in a thought.
Leo.
I wo'not see thee kneel,
Rise, and be welcome to my armes, thou hast
Done nothing can offend me Fioretta.
Jul.
Alas—I am not Fioretta.
Leo.
Ha! this doth confirm me, thou hast all this while
But mock'd my fear, and yet this weeping is
Not counterfeit, thou art too blame my love,
Is it thy jealousie, that I am cold
In my returnes to answer thy affection?
Or have I less in thy esteem of merit
Than thy hopes flatterd thee? or doth the time
That dully moves, and intermit the joyes
We promis'd when the Altar had confirm'd us
Sit heavy on thy thought? we will awake
From this our sullen sleep, and quit off those
Sick Feathers that did droop our wings; fly to
The holy man whose charm shall perfect us,
And chain our amorous soules.
Iul.
Divide us rather;
Joy is a fugitive of late, and while
You think of Hymen, you remove your wishes.
Fioretta will forbid the Priest.
Leon.
Canst thou forget thy love so much?
Juli.
Alas my Lord,
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I have said enough to assure your Faith, that I
Am not your Fioretta, but a Virgin,
Compell'd to take her name, you will I hope
Kill me your self, and save me a despair,
That will conclude my breath else in few Minutes.
Leon.
Are not you Fioretta, but a Virgin
Compell'd to take her name? who durst compell thee?
Jul.
The Duke of Mantua.
Leon.
I dissolve in wonder.
Durst Mantua use me thus? thy name?
Juli.
Iuliana;
My blood, (excepting what does fill the veins
Of Princes) flowing from the noblest spring
Of honor.
Leon.
Where was Fioretta then?
Iuli.
Conveid I know not whither, ere you came
To save their lives that did betray you thus.
I was too careless of my fate, that I
Kept such a glowing secret still within me,
I had no fear to be consum'd, that had
Another Fire within me, whose wide flame
Had soon devour'd all my considerings.
Alas my Lord, You did appear so full
Of honor, virtue, and such Princely love,
Twas easie to forget on whom you smil'd,
I had no thought to wish my self unhappy,
Or own another name to my undoing,
Yet now more tender of your birth and fame
Than my own life, I cast my self beneath
Your feet a bleeding sacrifice.
Leon.
Am I awake and hear all this?
Iul.
I see my Lord,
In your inraged eye, what lightning is
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To live upon your smile, I would fain dye
Betime, before the shame of my dishonour
Inforce a mutinie upon my self;
But think my Lord while I confess all this
Against my self, how free I might have been,
How happy, how near Heaven, above those glories,
Had not you forc'd me from the blessed Garden
Where I was planted, and grew fair, though not
Oblig'd by any solemn vow, 'twas you,
Your own hand ravish'd me from that sweet life,
Where without thought of more than should concern
Your welfare in my prayers, I might have sung,
And had converse with Angells.
Enter Petronio.
Petro.
Sir, I bring sad news.
Leon.
I prethee speak, I am prepar'd for all.
Petr.
The Duke is dead.
Leon.
My Father dead?
Petro.
I do not like the Princess at that posture.
Leon.
I have forgot your name Lady—you may rise.
Enter Honorio, Flaviano, Claudio, and Guard.
Hon.
My Lord I bring you news welcom as health
Or liberty, your soul will not be spacious
Enough to entertain what will with joyes
And strong amazement fill it; how I swell,
With my own happiness to think I shall
Redeem your noble heart from a dishonor
Wil weigh down death. You think you walk on Roses
And feel not to what Dragons teeth, and stings,
You were betraid. I bring a disinchantment,
And come with happy proofs.
Leon.
To tell me this is not
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Subornd to cheat me—I know all the business,
And am resolv'd in my revenge. Iuliana,
Sweet suffering Maid, dry thy fair eyes, tis I
Must make thee satisfaction, I thus
By thy own name receive thee to my bosom,
But you that practis'd cunning, shall e'r time
Contract the age of one pale Moon, behold
The Countrey I preserv'd a heap of ruines.
Iul.
Flaviano? sir—
Honor.
Do you knovv vvhom you embrace?
Flaviano has confest
Himself the Traitor, and the black contriver
Of all this mischief; Leonato hear me,
Or by thy Father nevvly falln to ashes,
I shall repent I had an honorable
Thought of thee. Flaviano; Madam, vvitchcraft,
My rage vvill strangle my discourse, my soul
Is leaping forth to be reveng'd upon
That Devill; Prince keep off, his very breath
Will stifle thee, and dam thy honor to
All ages, Fioretta's now in Court.
Flav.
Ha! in the Court?
Leon.
This is some new device.
Honor.
I charge thee by thy blood throvv of these Harpies,
And do my Sister justice, whom their treason
Hath made a scorn, that minute she usurps
Her name of Bride, I shall forget the Altar,
And turn my self the Priest, with all your blood
To make a purging sacrifice.
Leon.
If when we
Receive our rites, thou dost but frovvn, or vvhisper
To interrupt one ceremony, I
Will make thee hold the tapers vvhile the Priest
Performers the holy office; tell thy Sister
Here I bestovv, what you have made me forfeit.
57
Thy ignoble Father, when I next see Mantua
To be a sleep in's Coffin, and his vault
Deep, and thick rib'd with Marble, my noise else
Will shake his dust; thy youth finds mercy yet,
Take the next whirl-wind, and remove—our guard;
Petronio we confine him to your house.
Hono.
Thou coward Prince, there's not one honest man
In all the World, our sins ascend like vapours,
And will, if Justice sleep, stupifie Heaven,
For thine own glory wake, if thou dispense
With this, proud man will cry down providence.
Exeunt.
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