University of Virginia Library

[ACT I.]

Enter Duke Honorio, Flaviano. (at severall Doors.)
Duke.
No Army yet discover'd?

Flav.
None.

Duke.
We are lost.

Honor.
Despair not sir.

Duke.
Away, thy confidence is folly,
Is not danger round about us,
From every part destruction staring us
I'th' face? this City, like a fatall Center,
Wherein the bloody lines of War, and Famine,
Prepare to meet?

Flav.
And every minute we expect a Battery.

Honor.
The walls are not so easily made dust,
As the besiegers would perswade our faith;
Disarm not your own hearts, my confidence
Tells me we sha'not suffer, the Duke of
Ferrara may send yet to raise the siege.

Duke.
Fond Boy, it was thy counsell to depend
Upon his aids, and promise Fioretta,
Thy Sister, with so great a dowry to
The Dukes vainglorious Son; fame has beli'd
His valour, and we now are cheated of
Our lives and Dukedome.

Honor.
Sir, with my duty safe, let me intreat you
Not stain the character of a Prince so much;
The interest we have in that great Title
Should make us wise in our belief; for when
Princes break faith, Religion must dissolve,
And nature grone with burthen of the living
Beside his Son Leonato, how ever
Traduc'd or sullied by some Traitors envy,
Deserves a noble fame, and loves the hope
Of our alliance; I ne'r saw his person
But, twere a sin, honor could not forgive
In us to question him.

Duke.
We fool our selves;
Lets think of timely Articles and yield.

Flav.
Whilst there is hope of mercy.

Hon.
Oh! this want
Of man will make all our well meaning starres
Forfiet their kind aspects, & turn their influence to death

Flav.
My Lord, I cannot be concern'd in name
And honour with your persons, whose least blood
Is worth ten thousand arteries of mine,
Therefore while such necessities invade us
I cannot but prefer your lives, and in
My duty counsell, you would think of what
Is offer'd here, rather than hazard all
By a vain expectation of an Army
From Leonato, who with all his forces
Is not yet sure to prosper in our cause.

Duke.
Consider that Honorio.

Flav.
Nay, should Heaven
So smile upon us, that his sword o'r come,
This to weak apprehension may promise
Our glory, but examine well the close,
There may be greater danger in his victory,
Than all our want of him can threaten.

Hono.
You perplex my understanding.

Flav.
He expects your Sister the reward of his great service.

Hono.
Is it not Justice?

Flau.
Yes, forbid it goodness,
He should not thrive in his fair hope, and promises;
But if her Highness find not in her heart
Consent, to meet the Prince with love and marriage,
Who shall defend us from his power? that must
Keep us in awe, and this earth, panting yet
With frights and sufferings of the Warre.

Hono.
It is my wonder Lord Flaviano, your wisdome
Should weave these wild impossibilities;
My Sister not consent? nature, her birth,
Obedience, honor, common gratitude,
Beside ambition of what can be hop'd for
To make her happy, will give wings to her desires.

Duke.
I cannot tell.

Hono.
I cannot think,
Your reason sir can be so much corrupted,
To look upon my Sister with that fear,
She should not fly to meet our great preserver;
Do you believe, she now 'mong holy Virgins,
Lead thither by her own devotion,
During this Warr to pray, and weep for us
(Teares, whose clear Innocence might tempt an Angel
To gather up the drops, and string for Saints
A Christall Rosarie) can wish us safe
By his victorious arm, without a will
To be her self his own reward? her virtue
Must needs instruct her that, and we apply
No motive to her heart—

A shout within.
Du.
What news?

Enter Claudio.
Claud.
From the Watch-tower we descry an Army
Marching this way; the Sun which hath thus long
Muffled his face in clouds, as it delighted
In their approach, doth gild their way, and shine
Upon their burgonets to dazle the faint eyes
Of our beseigers.

Hono.
'Tis Leonato.

Claud.
Our Enemies, whose Troops circle the Town,
Are making hast to meet 'em, and the Foot
Quitting their trenches, now are gathering
Into a body, as it seemes resolv'd
To give 'em battle.

Duke.
We have life again.
Honorio, collect what strength we have,
And make a sally at your best advantage.
'Tis good to engage 'em both waies.

Hon.
How my thoughts triumph allready!

Ex.
Duke.
Now my Son is gone,
Who is not of our Counsell; wee must think
How to behave us, if the Prince succeed,
Our daughter which wee promis'd him in marriage,
Being already sent away, the price
Of his great Victory.

Flav.
Trouble not your self,
Great Sir, your wisdom that inclin'd your faith
To my true Character of the Prince,
And took my counsell for her absence, shall
Applaud my future policy; hee's not come
To conquest yet, however Princes are not
Oblig'd to keep, what their necessities
Contract, but prudently secure their states
And dear posterity; trust to my care,
Fioretta is no match for Ferraras Son,
A Prince deep read in lusts, faithless, and cruell,
So will a Turtle with a Vulture shew,
Or Lamb yoak'd with a Tiger: shee's a pledge
Destin'd by better fate to Crown your age
And heart with blessings Sir.

Du.
Hark,
The drums talk lowder, from the battlements,
I may behold their fight, and see which Army,
Conquest, now hovering in the air, will mark
Her glorious perch, upon whose Plumed heads
She may advance, and clap her brazen wings.

Ex.
Soft Alarum
Flav.
Sir I'l attend: Claudio.

Claud.
My Lord.

Flav.
Thou left'st the Princes Fioretta safe at Placentia?

Claud.
Yes Sir.

Flav.
How did she like her progress? thou didst urge
It was my care of her, to take her from
The fright and noise of War.

Claud.
I did my Lord.

Flav.
And did she taste it well?

Claud.
To my apprehension exceeding well,
And gave me strickt commands
To say she will remember, and reward
Your love and care of her.

Flav.
Did she name love?

Claud.
The very word she us'd, and I return'd,
How much your study and ambition was
To merit her fair thoughts.

Flav.
And didst thou scatter, as I instructed
Here and there dark language, to
Dissafect her with the Prince, to whom
The Duke hath rashly made a promise?

Claud.
All; I had fail'd my duty else my Lord.

Flav.
Call me thy friend, thou hast deserv'd me, now
Attend the Duke—so, now my next art must be,
Exit. Claud.
How to come off with with Leonato, if his
Army prevail, the Duke must be instructed;
Honorio thinks his Sister still i'th' Nunnery;
That thought must be preserv'd; a thousand wheels
Move in my spacious brain, whose motions are
Directed by my ambition to possess
And call Fioretta mine, while shallow Princes
I make my State decoyes, then laugh at 'em.
Alarum, Enter Honorio lead by Claudio over the Stage wounded.
The Prince Honorio wounded; fate I bless thee.
How is it with your highness?

Hon.
I am shot sir.

Flav.
Would it were dangerous—be carefull of him;
A curse upon that hand that mist his heart.
Ex. Hon.
So, so, fortune thou shalt have eyes agen
If thou wouldst smile on mischief, I will build thee
An Altar, and upon it sacrifise
Folly and all her children, from whose blood
A curled smoak shall rise, thick as the mists
That breath from Incense to perfume and hide
The sacrifising Priest; fight on,
Ye are brave Fellows, he that conquers may
Get Honor, and deep wounds, but I the day.

Exit.
Alarum and Retreat. Then Enter Leonato, Volternio, Hortensio, and Souldiers in Triumph, at one door; at the other, Enter Men with boughes of Laurell singing before the Duke, Flaviano, Claudio.
Duk.
Our hearts were open sir before the gates
To Entertain you, I see Laurells grow
About your temples, where, as in a grove
Fair Victory Enamour'd on your brow
Delights to fit, and cool her reeking head
And crimson tresses in your shade.

Flav.
The City
In glory of this day shall build a Statue
To you their great preserver, whose tough brass
Too hard for the devouring teeth of age
Shall eat up Time, to keep your fame Eternall;
Our active youth in honor of your name
Shall bring agen the old Olympick games,
And willing to forget what's past in time,
And story, count their years from this dayes triumph,
As if the World began but now; the wives
As if there were no legends past of love,
Shall only talk of you, and your great Valour;
And careless how mans race should be continu'd
Grow old in wonder of your deeds; our Virgins
Leaving the naturall tremblings that attend
On timorous maides, struck pale at sight of blood,
Shall take delight to tell what wounds you gave,
Making the horror sweet to hear them sing it;
Their hands at the same time composing Garlands
Of Roses, Mirtle, and the conquering Bay,
To adorn our Temples, and the Priests, and while
The Spring contributes to their art, make in
Each garden a remonstrance of this battle,
Where flowers shall seem to Fight, and every plant
Cut into Forms of green Artillery,
And instruments of War, shall keep alive
The memory of this day, and your great Victory,
Yet all that can be studied short of you,
Our best, a rude Imperfect Monument
Of your deserved honors.

Leo.
Y'are too bountifull
In language sir, the service wee have done
May merit your acknowledgment, which though
The Justice of your cause directed first
To this success, was not without a hope
Of a reward you promis'd, and I value it
More than you can esteem all your preservings;
So much hath fame prefer'd your Daughters Virtue
To every excellence.

Duke.
This adds to what
Wee held before excess of honor to us.
I had but a part i'th' Universall benefit
Your Valour gave, but this affection
Falls like a happy Influence on my self
And blood, whose aged streams you fill with blessings.
My Daughter shall be yours, in which I sum
My lives chief satisfaction. My Lord
Go to the house of Benedictine Nuns,
Among whose sweet society our Daughter,
During this War and tumult, went to offer
Her prayers for our deliverance.
I am in a storm, and now must stand
(aside)
My desperate fate.

Horten.
I hope shee's not turn'd Nun?

Leo.
I should not like it.

Vol.
May not we visit the holy house? 'tis pitty so much
Sweet flesh, should be engros'd and barrell'd up
With penitentiall pickle 'fore their time,
That would keep fresh and fair, and make just work
For their Confessions. I do not like the women
Should be cabled up.

Hor.
I think so.

Vol.
I would this Virgin would be peevish now.

Hor.
Why so?

Volt.
That we might ha' some sport among the Leverets.
For I would so inflame the Generall
He were affronted, that wee should have all
Commission to work into the Warren.

Le.
We do want a person here, whose name is great
I'th' Register of honor, it would much
Enlarge our present happiness to Embrace him,
Your Son the prince Honorio.

Duke.
'Twas his chance
Upon a sally, when your colours gave
Us Invitation to the Field, and spirited
Our souldiers, to receive a shot, whose cure
May excuse the want of his attendance sir,
Nor will I doubt his wounds are doubled by
The thought he cannot wait upon your person.

Le.
He should have honor'd us, and made me proud
To know, whom so much fair desert hath made
Dear in the voice and love of men: but I
Shall not despair to see him. We want
A limb of our own Army, where is Signior
Bertoldi, that came with us to see Fashions?
I hope we have not lost him.

Horten.
Sir, I know not, I fear hee's slain.

Volt.
He wo'not dy so nobly;
He'l nere give up the ghost without a Fetherbed.
He was sick last night at the report we were
But three leagues off the Enemy, and call'd
For a hot caudle. I that knew his cold
Disease perswaded him to drink, which he
Did fiercely as I could wish, in hope to see him
Valiant and walk the round, but quite against
Nature his ague shook him more, and all the Drink
Which was the full proportion of a gallon
Came out at's forehead in faint sweat; he had
Not mov'd ten paces, but he fell down backward
And swore he was shot with a cold bullet; how
They rould him like a Barrel back to his Tent,
For levers could not raise him to make use
Of's feet agen, I know not, nor since saw him.

Hort.
I hope hee's still asleep.

Volt.
But when he wakes,
And finds the Army marcht away, He dares not,
Go home agen alone, & how hee'l venture
O'r the dead bodies hither—he has don't.

Enter Bertoldi.
Ber.
Where is the General?

Leo.
Here comes our mirth.

Hort.
A walking Armorie; noble Signior Bertoldi.

Bertol.
If you want Pikes or Muskets there, I could
Ha brought field peeces, but I durst not venture
My chine.

Leon.
Where had you these?

Bert.
Ask, ask the men I kill'd, if they deny
A syllable I'l forswear the Warrs.

Volt.
He has disarm'd and rob'd the dead.

Hort.
A coward has impudence to rob a Church.

Volt.
He durst not take 'em from a man that had
But so much life in him to gasp or grone,
That noise would fright him.

Hort.
I rejoyce Signior, y'are safe come home.

Bert.
I would I were at home, and you get me
Among your Guns agen—how ist Volterino?

Enter Flaviano.
Volt.
This news wil much exalt your Mothers heart.

Leon.
He is return'd but with a melancholy face.
Where is the Princess?

Du.
Where is our Daughter?

Flav.
Where her devotion I fear will make
This Dukedome most unhappy, if your virtue
Exceed not what is read in other Princes,
It was my fear that place, and conversation,
Would mortifie too much that active heat
Should wait on the desires of high-born Ladies.

Leon.
The mystery?

Volt.
Do not you find it? they have nunnified her.

Flav.
Sir, your pardon;
She whom first fear and fright of War perswaded
To joyn her prayer and person with the Virgins
In the religious Cloyster, by what art
Or holy magick won, is now resolv'd—

Leon.
What, hath she vow'd?

Flau.
Untill a year be finished
By revolution of the dayes great guide,
Not to forsake the Nunnery, but spend
Her hours in thankfull prayers to Heaven for this
Great victory.

Volt.
So, so, It will come to the battery I talk'd on.

Duke.
It cannot be.

Leo.
It must not be

Volt.
I am of that opinion my Lord,
It must not be, this is a stratagem.

Flau.
She humbly praies you would interpret this
No breach of filiall piety, nor your
Highness a will to wrong so great a merit
As hath engag'd all fortunes here, and lives
To bleed for you, but weigh in your best charity
That duties are first paid to Heaven, the spring
And preservation of what makes us happy,
And she is confident when you confider—

Leon.
How much my honor suffers, to imploy
The strength I have to punish this affront.

Bert.
A pox upon't, we shall ha' more fighting now

Duke.
I hope you have no thought of any practice
Here to deserve that language?

Volt.
Y'are abus'd.

Leon.
If you be her Father sir, I must expect
What did ingage me hither, and without
Delayes, or leave this City in a flame.

Bert.
More Fire-works?

Leon.
In whose Ashes I will bury this soul ingratitude.

Duke.
We are ruin'd all.

Bert.
There is not so much danger, to be put
In Rank and File with Pye-meat in an Oven,
If a man were certaine to come out agen
Dow-bak'd.

Leon.
Yet stay. I have considered,
I may have leave to see this Frozen Lady.

Duke.
We are more undone.

Flav.
Your person may prevail sir,
And by some better charm, gain her consent,
Or if you please not to ingage your self
Upon the trouble of a hasty visit,
The presence of her Father, and what else
We can prepare to keep your smile upon us,
Shall be inforc'd, to clear how much we aim
At the perfection of your wishes.

Bert.
So, so.

Leon.
Prosper.

Flav.
I have now; courage sir to serve your will,
And am o'th' sudden confident.

Leon.
It pleases.
Exit Leon.

Duke.
It is impossible.

Flav.
Promise any thing
In such a strait, and not despair to effect it.
Be private men content with their poor Fathom,
Since Heauen we limit not, why should not Kings
Next Gods, perform the second mighty things?
Your ear—

Exit.