University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

Enter Flaviano and Abbesse (with a Letter.)
Flav.
You will obey the Dukes command?

Abbes.
Good Princes,
Punish, not teach us sacrilege; I'l obey
A thousand sufferings ere such a rape—

Flav.
A rape?

Abbesse.
Of honor, Honesty, Religion;
I am plac'd here to preserve, and not betray;
The Innocent; should I instead of prayer,
Chast life, the holyness of vow, of discipline,
With those austerities that keep wild blood
In calm obedience, now begin to teach
Soul-murdering liberty, the breach of all
Was promis'd Heaven.

Flav.
Wy' Madam you mistake,
We ask no Virgin to turn Whore, we onely
Desire you would perswade some pretty Nun,
In this extremity, to take upon her
The Princess Fioretta, whom Leonato
Ne'r saw, and be his Wife in honest marriage.

Ab.
Can you be thus
Unjust to him, so late preserv'd your lives?

Flav.
Trouble you not your reverend head with that,
He shall be satisfied, and you remain
Still mother of the Maid, no more sour faces,
But turn your wit to'th' business.

Ab.
Never sir.

Flav.
Take heed and have a care of this inclosure,
The Dukes breath makes all flat, tis yet no common;
Y' are old, and should be wise.

Ab.
I would be honest.

Flav.
Shew it in your obedience; will you do't?

Ab.
Never.

Flav.
D'ee hear? I sent unto this holy place,
A Damzel call'd Juliana, she's in your Catalogue,
And yet but in probation, cause I see,
You make so nice a conscience, so severe,
I'th' rules of honesty, and would not have,
Your Virgin province touch'd with least defilement,
Pray let me speak with her, it will concern you.

Ab.
Would you pervert her?

Flav.
I know not what you call perverting,
But she has not too much Nuns flesh,
And tis my charity to your chast Order
To give you timely notice.

Ab.
What do I hear?

Flav.
No more than you may justifie in time,
If things prove right, she was a merry soul
And you ha' not spoild her, if you mean to be
No Midwife, let me talk with her a while.

Ab.
Protect us Virgin thoughts.

Exit.
Flav.
So, so, this was reserv'd to wind up all,
It may be fortunate;
I know her spirit high, and apt to catch at
Ambitious hopes and freedom, some good counsell
May form her to my purpose, I have plung'd
Too farre, to hope for safety by return,
I'l trust my destiny to the stream, and reach
The point I see, or leave my self a rock
In the relentless waves; shee's here, I'm arm'd.

Enter Juliana and Abbesse.
Jul.
By your own goodness, reverend Mother give
No belief to him; though he be a great man,
He hath not been held guilty of much virtue,
Yet tis my wonder he should stain my Innocence;
Pray in your presence, give me leave to acquit
My Virgin honor; for the wealth of all
The World, I would not have this shame be whisper'd
To the stain of our profession.

Enter Nunne.
N.
Madam, the Duke.

Ab.
The Duke?

Flav.
Peace to the fair Juliana.

Exit Abbesse.
Jul.
Y'are not noble,
A most dishonord Lord, your titles cannot
Bribe my just passion, who will trust a man?
Oh sir, you are as black, nay have a soul
As leprous with ingratitude, as the Angels
Are white with Innocence; was't not enough
To rob me of my honor, the chief wealth
Of Virgins, and confine me to my tears,
Which ne'r can wash away my guilt (should I
Live here to melt my soul into a stream
With penitence) but when I had resign'd
The World with hope to pray, and find out mercy,
You must thus haunt me with new shame and brand
My forehead here, as if you meant to kill
My better essence by despair, as you
Have stain'd my body.

Flav.
Deer Juliana I
Confess I injur'd thee thou knew'st no sin
But from my charm, 'twas only I betraid thee
To loss of thy dear honor, then of liberty,
For 'twas my practice, not thy pure devotion
Made thee a Recluse first; but let not passion
Lose what I would not only save from shipwrack,
But make as happy as thy thoughts can wish thee;
By thy wrong'd self tis true, nor could I choose
Another way than by discovery
Of both our shames to right thee, I am come
To make thee satisfaction in so high
And unexampled way of honor, thou
Shalt say I did deserve to be more wicked,
When thou hast weighed the recompence.

Julia.
You amaze me

Flav.
Collect thy senses, and discreetly mind me;
Thou canst not be concern'd so much alive
In any other story, hear me gently
And prize the wealth of every syllable.

Enter Duke and Abbesse.
Ab.
Had you been pleas'd to have left your daughter still
My charge and sweet companion, I should
Have left no duty unessaid, to have shewn
In what degree I honor'd her, but I
Must not dispute your royall pleasure, though
With some sad thoughts to separate, I resign'd her
To your commands.

Duke.
It was your virtue Madam, she found no
Consent to be profest, nor love the Prince,
To whom I promis'd her a Wife, although
Our fears keep warm his hope, in his belief
Shee's here inclos'd still, but without thy help,
We are all lost.

Julia.
The Prince Leonato?

Flav.
Ther's a preferment, this is considerable.

Julia.
If you my Lord be serious; a Princess!
The change would do well.

Flav.
Be but confident to manage it.

Julia.
Hath he not seen the Princess by picture?

Fla.
Never.

Julia.
Strange!

Fla.
'Twas a ceremony, in the necessities of our state,
The Duke ne'r thought on, & I meant not to insert it,
As knowing Fioretta had no zeal,
To what her Father darkly had contracted;
His Highness doth expect thee.

Julia.
It would be
More for my honor, if he took the pains,
To visit our Religious house, and then—

Flav.
It shall be so.

Julia.
But twill be necessary,
You purge me to the Abbesse, no suspition,
Must live within her thought.

Flav.
I apprehend;
Oh! you have shot a trembling through my soul,
I dare not kiss your hand, the Earth you tread on,
Would too much grace the lips have so prophan'd you.
Madam your pardon; sir be you the witness,
I have wrong'd this noble Virgins honor,
It was my anger, and revenge upon
Your goodness that so late oppos'd me made
Me careless, where I flung disgrace and scandall,
Thus I implore her mercy and forgiveness,
Take her white thoughts to yours agen, she is
As innocent from sinfull act by me
As the chast womb that gave me life.

Duke.
Tis piety,
Thus to restore the Innocent, I conceive not
His aym in this.

Abbesse.
Tis satisfaction.

Juli.
VVhen I stray from your sweet precepts—

Abbes.
In, I am confirm'd.

Flav.
All to our expectation, shee's prepar'd,
A Mistris for the Prince.

Duke.
But now I think on't
She must not marry him, it will breed ill blood.

Flav.
By all means marry him, there's no other way
To send him hence, and quit us of the Army,
I'l instantly acquaint him how I prosper.

Exit.
Duke.
It must not be, my honor will bleed for it.
I have been too much guided by Flaviano.
Madam—

Abesse.
Your face is troubled.

Duke.
No, my heart
Which you may cure with honor, as I have
Contriv'd it now—

Abbesse.
I shall study with my loss of life
To gain your bosom peace.

Duke.
I like this Virgin,
I know my Lord here hath been practising,
But finds her not inclin'd to that extent
We had propos'd, she is virtuous, you shall
Counsell her onely but to take the name
Of my Fioretta, but not change her life
To marry with the Prince; I do believe,
Her chast, Oh let your goodness keep her still so,
And fortifie her vertuous thoughts, I doubt not
But she with holy eloquence, and pretence
Of vow, and Virgin sanctity,
May so prevaile upon him both to save her self,
Our honors, and the Kingdom from a sacrifice.
May not this be?

Ab.
Such extremes I know not.

Du.
If she persist a chast, and noble Virgin,
You must dispence, we have but little time
For pause, unless this present care be found,
We all must bleed to death upon the wound.

Exeunt.
Enter Bertoldi.
Bert.
Hum! shall I never fight? drink wo'not do't,
No nor a Whore the greater provocation;
I speak it to my shame, I never durst
Fight for my wench, yet Gentlemen commend
My confidence at paying of a reckoning,
There I can kill 'em all with curtesie,
Discharge my Peeces like a Mr. Gunner at a great supper,
Yet I am not valiant, this must be mended someway.
Enter Volterino.
Volterino? a word;
Tis not unknown to you, that I am a coward.

Volt.
No, not a coward, but you, are not sir,
If I were put to answer upon Oath,
So valiant altogether as Don Hercules,
That strangled a great Bull with his forefinger
And's Thumb, and kil'd the King of Troys great Coach horse
With a box o'th' car.

Ber.
Pox on't, do not abuse me, I shall take it
Scurvily and you deny it.

Volt.
But you wo'not beat me.

Ber.
Ther's the thing, I know't
As well as you can tell me, I am base,
And in plain terms a coward.

Volt.
Why dost not beat thy self for being one?

Bert.
Then I durst fight; no, I was begotten
In a great Frost, between two shaking Agues,
I never shall be valiant, who can help it?
But when you come home agen, if you will but
Swear I am valiant—

Volt.
You shall pardon me.

Bert.
Come, my Mother shall make you amends; a ha,
You love her, she's a Lady and a Widdow,
That has the Goldfinches, hark in your ear,
You shall have her.

Volt.
Shall I have her?

Bert.
A word to the wise.

Volt.
Would I were sure on't.
If I have thy Mother, I will not only swear thou art,
But make thee valiant.

Bert.
Would it were possible, upon that condition
You should ha' my Sister too.

Volt.
She's dead.

Bert.
If she were alive I mean—

Volt.
Farewell, wee'l treat agen, and if I live
Thou shalt be Julius Cæsar.

Exit.
Enter Hortensio.
Bert.
When I dye, thou shalt be Cæsars heir.
Noble Hortensio.

Hort.
I am in hast, what's the matter?

Bert.
There lies your way, a hundred thousand Ducats
Will find entertainment somewhere else.

Hort.
Canst thou help me to 'em?

Bert.
Yes, and a better business.

Hort.
How? where noble Bertoldi?

Bert.
Wy—but you are in hast.

Hort.
No, no, where is all this money?

Bert.
Safe enough in a place.

Hort.
But how shall I come by it?

Bert.
You know my Mother.

Hort.
The rich Lady Florelia, the Court Widdow,
Shee's my Mistris.

Bert.
You shall have her.

Hort.
Shall I?

Enter Leonato, Flaviano, Volterino.
Bert.
Yes, and be Master of as much money
As will make you mad.
The Prince, hark in your ear.

Fla.
I knew I should prevail, and I am happy,
There's no frost now within her, if your excellence
Would grace the Monastery with a visit
And satisfie your self, your presence will
Perfect the business, and be a just excuse
To some nice ceremonies that detain
Her Person to comply with virgin modesty,
The Duke will meet you there.

Leon.
I will attend him.

Flav.
You will consider Sir it is a place
Not us'd to publique treaties, though dispenc'd with
For this your solemn view, and conference,
Your person may be trusted there, without
A numerous train.

Leon.
You shall direct me Sir.
Volterino, you shall only wait upon me.
Sir when you please.

Flav.
I'm proud to be your conduct.

Exit. Leo. Flav. Volt.
Bert.
You shall have her
And her Estate, that's fair, she has enough
To undo the Devill if he go to law with her,
My Father's dead and has told him that already.

Hort.
I'l do't.

Bert.
Here's my hand, my mother's thine.

Hort.
Not my mother.

Bert.
She shall be any thing I'l have her,
Do you but perswade her I am valiant,
And I'l venture to beat her, and she dare
Deny to marry any man I please
To call my Father in law.

Hort.
Let's walk and think on't.

Bert.
You may swear any thing,
And you pawn your soul for me,
You know you cannot be a loser.

Ex.
Nunns
Discovered singing
O fly my soul, what hangs upon
thy drooping wings,
and weighes them down,
With love of gaudy mortall things?
The Sun is now i'th' East, each shade
as he doth rise,
is shorter made,
That Earth may lesson to our eyes:
Oh be not careless then, and play
untill the Star of peace
Hide all his beames in dark recess;
Poor Pilgrims needs must lose their way,
When all the shadowes do entrease.

Enter Duke, Leonato, Flaviano, and Volterino. Soft Musick, after the Song Enter Juliana Abbesse, and Nunns.
Le.
She is exceeding fair, what pitty 'twere
Such beauty and perfection should be
Confin'd to a melancholy Cell: I approach
You Madam with the reverence of a votary,
You look so like a Saint, yet nature meant
You should not with such early hast translate
Your self to heaven, till earth had been made happy
With living modells from your excellent figure.
You that become a cloud, and this dull dress
So well, whose sight doth pale, and freeze the blood,
How will you shine to admiration
Of every eye, when you put on those Ornaments
That fit your name and birth? if like a statue
Cold and unglorified by art, you call
Our sense to wonder, where shall we find eyes
To stand the brightness, when y'are turn'd a shrine,
Embellisht with the burning light of Diamonds,
And other gifts that dwell like starres about you?

Iuli.
If you do fancie me an object so
Prodigious, for the safety of your eyes
And others, tender-sighted, give consent,
I may not change this poverty and place,
(More pleasing to my self, than all the pride
Can wait those Goddesses, at Court you bow to)

Leon.
And yet 'twere heresie in me to say
You could receive addition or glory
By the contributary blaze of Wealth,
Or other dress, which art and curiosity
Can form; you are not by them grac'd, but they
By you made beautifull. Iewells near your eye,
Take soul and Lustre, which but once remov'd
Look dull as in their quarry.

Fla.
He is taken.

Leon.
I now applaud my fate, and must account
My undertaking in this War to save
Your Dukedom, but the shadow of a service,
When I consider my reward. Oh! hast
To make me Envi'd of the World, and once
Possest of you, to undervalue all
But Heaven, of which you are the fairest coppy.

Iuli.
My Lord, our study here is life, not language,
And in that little time I've had of practice,
My tongue hath learn'd simplicity, and truth;
You are a Prince, and in your Creation
But one degree from Angels, strive to rise
That one round higher, and y'are perfect; I am
By my good Fathers leave, and the sweet rules
Of this Religious order, now i'th' way
To meet another Bridegroom, before whom
While you stand a competitor, you fall
To Atomes; sir my love is planted here,
And I have made a vow, which your own charity
Will bid me not to violate, (your triumph
Being the spring of my imperfect duty,)
That for a year, I'l spend my time among
This happy Quire, to offer up my Prayers
And humble gratitude to Heaven, a weak
Oblation for our safeties.

Flav.
Ha? how's this?

Leon.
My Lord, did you not say you had prevail'd?
What mockery is this?

Flav.
I am undone.
What does the Gipsey mean, shee'l betray all.
Most excellent Madam.

Iu.
Oh my Lord imploy
Your counsell, to advance not Kill our Virtue,
Remember where, and what I am.

Flav.
So, so.

Volt.
Sir will you suffer this? a new affront.

Iulia.
I am resolv'd
To live and pay you better tribute here
For your affection, and unequal'd service.
Here no distraction will afflict my prayers,
Which trust me I will offer chastly for you,
At every hour of my devotion.
'Tis you, next Heaven, that gave this blessing to us,
To meet, and in the holy Quire breath up
Our sacred Hymes, while Angells Eccho to us,
And Heaven delighted with our harmony,
Opening her azure curtaines will present us
A vision of all the joyes we pray and hope for.

Flav.
This my instructions?

Iulia.
O think my Lord
To what a loss of Heaven your love invites me,
Yet let me not be thought while I pretend
The choice, and sweetness of a Recluse, I
Should in a thought accuse your worth, who are
The man of all the World I most could fancie;
If I be seen to blush, make it no sin,
I know it is but honourable love
Wings your desire, and that which should prefer you,
Is merit of your Sword that cut our way,
To freedom and soft peace, Religions Pillow,
The Nurse of Science, and the generall blessing,
You have a title yet more strong pleads for you,
The contract, and the promise of a Prince
A chain with many Links of Adamant.

Duke.
I like not that.

Juli.
To bind and make me yours,
When I have nam'd these severall interests,
And look upon my self so short of merit,
I chide your unkind destiny, at such
Expence of honor to go off unsatisfied,
And quickly should despise my self the cause
Of your distast, but that my vow confirms me,
And mustring up Religious thoughts prevailes,
Above my other will, made to obey you,
Tis but a year my Lord, that I have bound
My self this exile.

Leon.
Tis an age.

Juli.
But while Time hath one minute in his Glass of that,
Nothing shall take me hence, unless you bring
An impious strength upon this holy dwelling,
And force me from my cell, but you are far
From such a sacrilege, oh think not on it,
I'l place you in my heart while you are virtuous,
But such an Act might lose those noble thoughts
Of you I wish preserv'd, but I offend,
And am too large in this unwelcome argument,
May wisdom guide your Princely thoughts,
Whilst I return to pray for you.

Exit.
Flav.
She has orethrown all.

Volt.
Sir, if you love her she
Hath taught you a cunning way to make her yours,
This habit is compel'd, a little force,
For form will disingage her, she does love you,
And pleaded hansomely against her self.

Leon.
No more.—I'l not despair yet of your Daughter,
This is but Virgin nicety, at the next
Meeting she may incline to smile upon me,
Shee's too much treasure to be won at first
Assault, Volterino.

Exit Leon. Volt. Hort.
Duke.
Flaviano.

Flav.
I did expect a storm.

Duke.
We are not safe yet.

Flav.
I wonder why Juliana kept not promise,
The Dog-dayes thaw her chastity, I'm mad,
Oh for some stratagem to save all yet,
But you Sir (give me leave to say) are timorous,
Princes should fix in their resolves, your conscience
Should be as subject to your will, as I am.

Duke.
I must confess Flaviano I had
No fancy to Julianas mariage.

Flav.
That was all my hope, how could I love the man
Durst kill him now.

Duke.
I shudder, what noise is that?

Flav.
These horrors will eternally affright us.

Enter Leon. Bert. Volterino, Hortensio, with swords drawn.
Leo.
The man that dares be guilty of least Insolence,
To any Virgin, dyes.

Exeunt Leon. Volt. Horten.
Ber.
My hopes are nipt, I thought to have tasted,
Nuns flesh, but the General has made it fasting day.

Ex.
Flav.
I hope he means to force away Juliana—
Ha? they attempt it, prosper 'em deer fate.
Blest beyond expectation.

Duke.
Dost think,
We shall be safe.

Enter Leonato, Juliana in her habit, Volterino, Hortensio.
Leon.
Injoy the other benefit of my Sword
In peace, this shall be mine.

Exit Leon. Jul. Vol. Hort.
Flav.
The stars dote on us.

Enter Honorio and Claudio.
Hon.
What unexpected tumults fright the City?

Du.
You are too bold upon your wound Honorio
To come abroad.

Flav.
The Prince has stoln your Sister
From the Nunnery.

Hono.
He dares not
Blemish his honor so, though he deserv'd her,
And all our lives, should she be obstinate.

Flav.
Tis done.

Honor.
This Act shall lose him, death upon
The Surgeon, that hath dallied with my wounds,
But I'l revenge this rape.

Duke.
Look to the Prince.

Exit.
Flav.
I could adore my destiny, the wench sure,
Meant to be ravish'd thus, I kiss thy policy;
This chance hath made a dancing in my blood,
While sin thrives, tis too early to be good.

Exeunt.