University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

Enter Contarini, Antonio.
An.
My Neece has had a pretty warm night on't,
'Tis a bold knave to take the Prince upon him
I did believe the noyes, and was considering
How to contrive my peace with her good grace.

Con.
You have no fear to suffer now?

Ant.
I thank
Your Lordship, that has made my house and knowledge
So fortunate, by the presence of our great
Farnese, 'tis an honour makes me young;
And yet this Rascal troubles me, that durst
Come in the Princes name, and charge my Neece
So home too; Is't not Treason Sir?

Con.
Of highest nature.

Ant.
Let him then tast the Law; yet I commend
His Spirit, that would scorn to die for Felonie,
And when his head goes off the shame and grief
May help to break her heart: I do not love her,
And then my Girl, my Angellina's heir,
And you her Lord and mine.

Con.
My hopes are fair,
The Prince himself having vouchsaf'd to be
My Advocate.

Ant.
He must command all here.
Enter Farnese, and Angellina.
'Tis a good Prince, and loves you well, and let me
Without boast, tell you my Lord, she brings
No common Blood, though we live dark i'th' Country
I can derive her from the great Ursini,
But we have been eclips'd.

Far.
Contarini leave us. You may stay Antonio;
Is't not an honour to your Family
A Prince should court your Neece into his arms?

Ant.
I must confess, 'tis good enough for such
A Baggage, they will make together Sir,
A most excellent shew upon the Scaffold.

Far.
The Impostor, and Paulina's pride, takes off
Your understanding; I do court your Neece
Fair Angellina.

Ant.
How Sir?

Far.
And as becomes a Princess.

Ant.
Your Grace is merry.

Far.
I know not, but there's Magick in her eyes.

An:
Magick? and she be a Witch, I ha' done with her.
Does he love Angelina? Please your Highness—
Do you affect this Girl?

Far.
Religiously.

An.
And have you all your Princely wits about ye?

Far.
This Language is but coarse. I tell you Sir
The Virgin must be mine.

An.
Your Whore?

Far.
My Princess.

An.
That's another matter.

Far.
Shew your obedience,
You have commands upon her as a Father.

An.
I know not what to say, but I'l perswade;
Hark you Neece, you hear what the Prince says,
'Tis now no time to think of Nunneries.
Be rul'd then, and love somebody; if you have
Promis'd my Lord, I say make good that promise,
If not, the Prince is worth considering.
The Gentleman will make you a round Iointure.
If thou beest free, love him, to vex thy Sister,
Who may upon submission be receiv'd
To Grace, and rise in time a Madam Nurse
To your heir apparent. I have done my duty.
But this is no great honesty, to cheat
My Lord. I see the greatest men are flesh
And blood, our souls are much upon a making;
All men that are in love deal with the Devil,
Only with this difference, he that dotes
Upon a Woman is absolutely possest;
And he that loves the least is haunted
With a Familiar.

Enter a Servant
Ser.
Old Fabio Sir your Tenant, with much business
In's face, desires to speak with you, I could hardly
Keep him from pressing in, his Wife he sayes
Is Lunatick.

Ant.
We shall all be mad shortly,
Where is the Knave?

Exit.
Ang.
I dare do Sir as much to shew my duty
As any Maid alive; I dare dye for you.

Fa.
And yet you dare not love.

Ang.
Not in that sense
You invite me to.

Far.
My Courtship carries
No stain to fright you, what I have propounded
Is worth the Ambition of a greater Lady;
Though you profess so liberally, I find
Your cunning, and because I have so much
Descended from my Title, you assume
This unbecomming Nicety, take heed,
I can be angry.

Ang.
As you are a Man
That passion may come neer you Sir; and as
You are my Prince, you may command my death
To follow and Appease it, but you said you lov'd me.

Far.
I doe, if you can wisely entertain it.

An.
Then you must love my honor,
A Virgins wealth, for every honest Man
Or Woman has an honor, and that has
Engag'd my heart already by a Contract;
This tye dissolv'd with justice, I should kneel
To ask your Princely favour.

Far.
I am answer'd.
Who waits? call my Lord Contarini hither.

Enter Contarini.
Con.
Sir.

Far.
You might have mock'd another person,
And not have made me a ridiculous story
To your Mistress Sir.

Con.
I understand you not.

Far.
Engage me to mediation for her love,
With a pretence how much my act should honor
Your faint hopes, when you are conscious of a
Contract, already past between you.

Con.
Contract Sir?
She never yet gave me any language
Did promise hope, she still concluded me
With going to a Cloister.

Far.
How's this fair one?

An.
It is most sure I am contracted.

Con.
To whom?

An.
Vergerio your Lordships Agent.

Con.
That boy betray me?
In whom I took delight, made him my friend,
He play the Traytor? I'l be reveng'd upon
His heart.

Far.
Contain your passion Contarini,
Her beauty had a power above my friendship,
It well might shake his faith, and yet 'tis strange.
Call in Vergerio.

Enter Vergerio.
Ver.
I have heard all,
And come to meet my sentence. You're a Prince
Gainst whom I dare not lift a thought; I see
What storm is rising, yet let this, great Sir,
Invite your mercy to me, I have made
No breach against your love, and that which was
My fault to his, may be excus'd, by what
He felt himself love, not to be resisted.
This Virgin I lay claim to, and her vowes
No Subject must compell me to resigne;
But if the Prince think me unfit, and call
This treasure from my bosome, and can place
His love, where I so chastly have delighted,
I will not keep a thought that shall repine,
When I am miserable in her absence,
But give my interest cheerfully; to you,
My Lord, I answer, I have made no trespass,
And shall, so please your highness to be Iudge,
Make it appear.

Con:
Was ever such an impudence?
This presence does protect him, I should els
Write treason on his heart; But Angellina
I pity thy undoing, how canst thou
Expect a truth from him, betrays his Master?

An.
My Lord, you have been faulty sure, and this
(not worthy to be call'd a loss of me)
Was meant by Providence to wake your faith,
That's owing to another.

Far.
Possible?
The Vice-roy of Sicilies Daughter? Pulcheria.

Con.
Pulcheria here?

Ver.
Here Contarini.

Con.
Ha, prov'd a Woman, oh my shame and folly!

Ver.
Pardon my too much love, that made me fear
You had forgot Pulcheria, though you left
Your vowes and me at Sicily, when you were
Embassadour from the Prince.

Con.
Whence embarqu'd
Thou brought'st me news Pulcheria was dround,
And thou for her sake entertain'd my servant,
Welcome, at once receive me and forgive me.

Fa.
I had your promise, were this contract void
In honour, nor will take from my own merit
To think when your considerate thoughts come home,
You can pretend excuse to your own happiness,
Which lest you may suspect, let us in state
Visit Paulina, and unmask that counterfeit
Which hath usurp'd our name.

Ver.
Sir we attend you,

Con.
This blessing must require a spacious soul,
Mine is too narrow to receive.

Exeunt.
Enter Steward, and Piperollo.
Lu.
I am not yet created honourable.

Pi.
Sir, things must have their time, but will his highness
Remove so suddenly, and carry my Lady
To th'Court with him? tis a most sweet young Prince.

Lu.
Order was given to pack up her plate,
Her gold and Jewels, for he means to have
Tiltings and triumphs when he comes to Parma.

Pi.
There it is fit we should expect our honours.
I will attend the Prince.

Exit.
Enter Contarini.
Con.
Signior Lucio.

Lu.
Your good Lordship.

Con.
Pray tell my Lady, I would kiss her hand,
And shall present news will secure their welcome.
I come from the Prince.

Lu.
The Prince my Lord?
He is within—

Con.
A small march off the Castle, and commanded
Me to prepare her, that he comes to be
Her guest.

Lu.
My Lord, I will acquaint some of the bed-chamber, but,
When did your Lordship see his Highness?

Con.
I left him at the Park gate.

Lu.
This is the nearest way unless his highness
Have leap'd a window, or can walk invisible.
Your Lordship may have some conceit. I'l go Sir.

Exit.
Enter Piperollo.
Pi.
What is the meaning that ther's such a guard
Upon our Castle? 'tis besiedg'd, and no man
Suffer'd go forth; this is some Lord or other
By his stradling.

Enter Lucio, Longino, Strozzo, and the rest.
Lo.
From the Prince? that he?

Pi.
'Tis as I tell you Sir, ther's a little army,
Surrounds the Castle.

Lo.
They have no order from his highness.

Str.
We are betraid agen.

Lon.
Sir, would you speak with the Prince?

Con.
Why have you such a thing within the Castle?
Who dares be so much Traitour to usurpe
That title? Wher's that Puppet, Gentlemen?

Lu.
That is his Secretary.

Pi.
The rest are Lords and Privie Counsellors.

Ca.
We are undone.

Enter Farnese, Vergerio, Angellina, Attendants.
Lo.
Tis he, the very he, I dare not look on him;
Oh for an impudence worth a Chronicle,
To outface him now, it were a possible thing,
If People would believe—

Lu.
I'l tell my Lady, they are vanish'd; hum,
I do not like that face.

Exit.
Far.
Come hither fellow, whom do you serve?

Pi.
I know not Sir.

Fa.
What Prince have you within?

Pi.
The prince of Darkness.

Fa.
What is this fellow?

Pi.
a Knight o'th' Post, the Pestle is too honourable.

Fr.
Where is your Excellent Lady?

Pi.
I have a guess
If things go on, as I suspect, she will be—

Fr.
Where?

Pi.
At her wits end very shortly.

Fr.
An ingenious fellow?

Pi.
I have convers'd a little with the Mathematicks,
Sir, Who is that Gentlewoman, not that I am ignorant,
But to satisfie a doubt?

Ver.
She is one that may be
The Prince of Parma's Lady, when the Priest
Hath done his Office.

Pi.
If I be not mistaken
Here comes the Princesse, that is Angellina
The younger Sister.

Enter Paulina.
Pa.
It is my wonder you that have the face
And garb of Gentlemen, should dare to be
So insolent, to affront our person,
And his, to whom your hearts and knees owe reverence.

Far.
Command the Impostor forth,
Seize on the Traitors.

Enter Longino.
Lo.
His Grace will be here presently, fear not Madam,
I would venter a Neck-breaking at some window,
And be content to crawl away a Cripple;
But there's no hope to scape the Multitude
That will be scrambling for my limbs. Great Sir,
I challenge the privilege of the last Bando,
Kneels.
He that can bring Frapolo the chief Bandit,
Beside what was proclam'd other reward,
Shall have free pardon for all past-offences;
To that Grace I appeal, and here produce
Frapolo.

Enter Frapolo, Strozzo, &c.
Pa.
This amazeth me.

Fr.
Can you stand
The dazeling Sun so long, and not be struck
Blind for this bold affront? what wildness brought you
In multitudes to fright my happy peace,
And this good Ladies, my most vertuous Consort?

Lo.
He bears up still!

Fr.
Have all my cares and watchings to preserve
Your lives, and dearest liberties, deserv'd
This strange return, and at a time when most
Your happiness is concern'd, since by our Mariage
With this sweet Lady, full of grace and beauty,
You may expect an Heir to bless your Countrey.

Con.
Will you suffer him?

Fr.
'Tis time your Prince were dead, and when I am
Companion to my Fathers dust, these tumults
Fomented by seditious men, that are
Weary of Plenty, and delights of Peace,
Shall not approach to interrupt the calm
Good Princes after Death enjoy. Go home,
I pray depart, I rather will submit
To be depos'd, than wear a power or title
That shall not all be dedicate to serve you;
My life is but the gift of Heaven, to wast it
For your dear sakes, my People are my Children,
Whom I am bound in Nature and Religion
To cherish and protect. Perhaps you have
Some grievance to present, you shall have justice
Against the proudest here; I look not on
Nobility of Birth, Office, or Fortunes,
The poorest subject has a Native Charter
And a Birth-right to th'Laws, and Common wealth,
Which with an equall, and impartial stream,
Shall flow to every bosom.

Str.
Pious Prince!

Far.
I am at a loss to hear him; sure I am
Farnese, if I be not lost by the way.

Pi.
Stand off Gentlemen,—let me see—which?
Hum! this—no, th'other. Hum! send for a Lion
And turn him loose, he wo'not hurt the true Prince.

Far.
Do not you know me Sir?

Fra.
Yes, I know you too well, but it stands not
With my honor; what composition?

Far.
Who am I? Gentlemen, how dare ye suffer
This thing to talk? if I be your Farnese.

Fra.
I say I am the Prince,

Far.
Prince of what?

Fra.
Of Rogues, and please thy Excellence.

Pa.
How?

Fra.
You must excuse, I can hold out no longer
These were my Subjects Sir, and if they find
Your Mercy, I'm but one, whose head remov'd,
Or nooz'd, this Lady will be soon a Widdow,
Whom I have not deceiv'd, 'twas her Ambition
To go no less than Prince, and now you have one,
During this Gentlemans pleasure.

Pa.
What scorn shall I become?

Far.
Let him be guarded, and all his puppet Lords.

Enter Antonio, Fabio, Morulla.
An.
News, news, excellent news; I shall leap
Out of my flesh for joy. Sir I have undertook
For your pardon to this reverend couple,
They heard my Neece was to be maried
To the Prince, and thought it treason to conceal—

Far.
What?

An.
Paulina is not my Neece, no blood of mine;
Where is this Lady and her Pageant Prince?
The truth is, she is not Paulina, but their
Own Daughter.

Fra.
Possible? then we are both cheated.

An.
Whom she obtruded on our Family
When our Paulina died an Infant, with her,
A Nurse to both; Does your Grace apprehend?

Fab.
We do beseech your pardon.

An.
Now Angellina thou art heir to all.

Pip.
By all this Circumstance you are but my Sister!

Con.
The Prince is prov'd a Prince of Theeves.

An.
Why ther's a Baggage and a Theef well met then.
I knew she was a Bastard, or a Changeling.

Pau.
Where shall I hide my shame? O curst Ambition!

Ant.
Give you joy Sir, my most illustrious Nephew,
Joy to thy invisible Grace.

Fra.
Thanks to our loving Uncle:

Far.
Take hence the Traitors.

Ang.
Sir I beseech a pardon to their lives.
Let nothing of my story be remembred
With such a Tragedie, 'tis my first Petition.

Far.
I must not deny thee; all thank her Virtue;
Live you, and love that Gentlewoman; But
It were a sin to innocence, and our honor
Would encourage Treason by example,
If they should scape all Justice, take 'em to Custody:
Frapalo, we confine you to this Castle,
Where If she please your Bride may accompany you
Till we determine otherwise.

Fra.
'Tis some mercy; but
I shall be getting Children, and two nothings
Wo'not maintain a Family, 'twere as good
To hang me out o'th'way, 'ere Charge come on,
Or take away my tools, I shall be working.

Far.
Provision shall be made you shall not sterve
Nor surfet Sir.

Ang.
Because I call'd her Sister,
I will contribute something to their fortune.

Far.
What thy own goodness will direct; and now
Remove the Scene to Court, to perfect there
My own, and Parma's happiness; pride has
Met with severe reward, and that high justice
(That Governs all) though envy break with her
Own Poyson, calls the Amazed World to see
What blessings wait upon Humility.

Exeunt.