 | The Novella |  |
SCENE I.
Flavia, Astutta with a Letter.Ast.
If this move him not, my prevaile not with him
To the accomplishment of your desire,
Would I were a man, both for your sake and his.
Fla.
What wouldst thou do?
Ast.
First take away the cause
Of your Greene sicknesse by killing him; then
Cure you my selfe.
Fla.
What wonders thou wouldst doe!
Ast.
I, if I were a Man and able to doe what I
Now desire (for I would have mine own desire still)
I would doe wonders indeed. Believe it Mistris,
An able man that has but a weake womans desire
Has an unknown thing; and may doe any unknowne thing, for ought I know—
Fla.
I pray thee leave thy idle pratle, and let
Me heare thy moving Letter.
Ast.
Heare it then,
As your own Act and Deed, and quickly signe it.
My
deare Francisco, If you intend not my
death helpe me to breake Prison this Night:
Else tho' my Execution be appointed to morrow morning
by a forc'd Marriage, I will prevent it by a
speedier way, and by my own hand die,
Yours and Love's Martyr.
Here, write your Name.But thou hast set him down no meanes.
Ast.
That's in the Postscript, marke,
The last minute that I will expect you shall be
three in the morning, when from the back Window
I will either fall into your Armes, or on my
Death.
Fla.
I thank thee good Astutta. O that the messenger
Would be as true to mee!
Ast.
If we cannot win her to't, tis but a Letter lost,
How doe they that have whole pockets full of 'hem
In readinesse to borrow money?
Fla.
I pray thee peace.
Ast.
Why I doe not thinke there's any of 'hem within
hearing.
Fla.
Thou dalliest with my feares.
Ast.
Fear it not Mistris, she is as sure at such a lift—
And so shee's come already.
Enter Nanulo, Francisco, like a Pedler Woman with her Box.
Nan.
Look you Lady, I told you true, here is the
Party, that has the Knacks and things; come
Open, open, and shew all.
Fra.
Not before you good sir.
Nan.
Are you so coy of your toyes?
Fra.
Your diligence were better somewhere else:
This prying into womens businesses
Is ill sir for your eye-sight, and perhaps
May spoile your growth, Good Sir, I crave your absence.
Nan.
I must give way. Shee has a devilish tongue.
Exit
Ast.
Mistris, shee's for our turne I warrant you
I finde it by her aptnes to abuse him.
Fra.
Come Mistris Bride,—Nay blush not, pretty one,
To take the name one day before your time.
Fra.
I hate the Name, on those accursed termes,
Breake with her by your selfes; I cannot speake:
My teares forbid me.
Ast.
I hope you will not offer it.
Fra.
Come Mistris, see. What weep you, pretty one!
What! and the great good turne so near you? ha!
What will she doe to morrow night?
Ast.
Even cry out right perhaps.
Fra.
Perhaps so too; and laugh as fast e're morning,
Come Lady, come, hear me, and see my ware:
Tis from Fabritio, he, that noble Gentleman,
Dos not your heart leap now? Now but suppose
French chaines here of five hundred crowns a peece;
A rich Pearle Neck-lace, Saphire and Ruby Bracelets;
Variety of Jewells, and a Diamond work—
Fra.
I hate their price and them, the Sender more.
Ast.
Pray peace.
Fla.
I cannot: let mee goe.
Fra.
Pray stay sweet Lady,
I doe not say Frabritio sent such things,
I said I came from him, that noble Gentleman.
Fla.
He is not noble.
Fra.
Judge him by his presents,
And see the things he sends.
Fla.
I would not heare
A mention of him; much lesse would I see
The least relation from his hated hands.
Ast.
Pray Mistris see 'hem! Open your Box I
pray.
Fla.
Had she there Lucrece' Knife, or Portias coales,
Or Cleopatra's ashes I could embrace 'em.
Fra.
Look you how near I fit you. See what's here
(A halter a Knif a Viall.
What a choyce chaine is this! and here's a Knife,
As sharpe as that of Lucrece. And, for coales,
Here is a poisonous juice, whose every drop
Fla.
I doe accept them.
Fra.
Stay; conditionally
If you refuse another present here.
Fla.
I must reject any from him but these.
Ast.
What a scorne's this! This Bawd nere scapes alive
Out of these doors. Pray whats' your other pesent?
Fra.
Here Lady, look on't pray; examine't well.
(A Picture,
And take or this or those.
Fla.
Ha! looke here Astutta;
The lively image of my love Francisco!
Ast.
It is exceeding like him! what's the plot troe?
Fla.
A thousand kisses shall thy welcome be,
Happy resemblance of my haplesse love;
As many thanks to you, good, vertuous Woman,
O let me fall and blesse the ground that beares thee,
And aske forgivenesse for my late rude trespasse.
Fra.
Recall your selfe, sweet Lady tender heart!
Fla.
And could Fabritio (I can name him now)
Shew me such Kindnesse, and himselfe so noble,
To send mee this?
Fra.
On this condition (as I was to say)
That you embrace it in the memory
Of him your Love, namely his friend Francisco,
And that you ever love, and onely him.
Fla.
Ever and onely (though I thanke him for't)
He need not have urg'd that.
Ast.
Nor threatned these;
(Your Rope, here, and the rest) had she refus'd,
And to expresse their needlesses the better
I pray returne them to him with great thanks.
Fra.
'Twas his great care to worke mee to this
Message,
Fla.
Let then the charge be mine. Here's forty duccats.
And could you but convey a Letter for me
Fra.
Knew you but my desire to further Lovers
You need not bid so much. Give me the Letter.
Fla.
Seale it Astutta.
Fra.
Then you know me not
I must be privy unto all I carry,
Where I meet doubts I never undertooke.
Fla.
Nay I dare trust you (Read it if you please).
Fra.
Indeed you may. To wrong an innocence
(Reads it.
So sweet as yours were sin inexpiable.
Fla.
But will you gi't him Faith? I never swore
Nor urg'd a body to an oath before.
Fra.
Tis given already Flavia. Hence disguise,
More yet? nay all shall off. Doe you know me yet?
Fla.
O my Francisco!
Shee swounds.
Fra.
Curs'd be this idle habit
In which my impious curiosity,
To make a tryall of her constancy
Hath wounded her so deepe with jealousy
Of a mistrust in me, that now shee faints
Under the passion; and herhaps may die so,
Flavia! my Love! O—
Ast.
Slight what meane you sir?
Fra.
By all the blisse that a true Lover wishes—
Ast.
Will you hold your peace?
Fra.
By all the oathes and practises of Lovers—
Ast.
Will you undoe all now?
Fra.
I was not jealous of thy constancy,
Flavia! my Love, my Life! my Flavia.
Ast.
Will you lose all you came for with your
clamor?
Fra.
Help me; for Love's sake helpe to make her speak,
Or but looke up.
Ast.
Would you could old your peace;
Whilst I looke down to scape discovery,
'Tis but a qualme of kindnes, this.
Fla.
Francisco—
Ast.
Shee comes already.
Fra.
Speake my Flavia.
Ast.
Pray doe you peace. Handle her handsomly,
And then all shall be well I warrant you,
You doe not know the danger, noyse and nakednesse
May pull upon you, should the Rogue
Dwarfe overheare you, we were all blowne up,
Which to prevent, all husht while I goe down.
Exit.
Fra.
Be cheard my Love, I came to rescue thee;
And hir'd this habit and the Pedlers craft;
Prayd for her absence, and her silence too,
And caus'd a Gondalo wait at the back dore
In case I might surprise thee. Pray take comfort.
Fla.
You need not bid, nor wish it in these armes,
Who ever praye's for those in Paradise?
Bell rings.
Ay me! How soon my feares controule my blisse?
I have blasphem'd in my security,
And terror threats my downfall into torment.
Enter Astutta.
Ast.
Out, out alas my Master in all hast—
Fra.
What shall we doe?
Ast.
It is too late to aske,
Or now to d'on your Pedlers weeds againe:
Gather 'em up and fly into your closet,
Dresse him up there. Stay not to look about ye.
Exit Fra. Fla.
I'le doe my best to keepe him back a little.
Enter Guadagni, and Nanulo.
Gua.
None else to speake with mee?
Nan.
None but the merchantesse to fit my Mistris,
Signior Fabritio sent.
Gua.
I thanke his care.
I see that all goes well. No crosse but one,
I am constrain'd to fetch. Now where's my Girle?
Ast.
Above sir, busy with the daintiest things,
That er'e allur'd a virgin into wedlock.
Out with your purse sir, for you cannot see 'hem,
But they will ravish you to large expence:
Besides sir, 'twill be fit you give her something,
Coming so jumpe as 'twere into the Market.
Gua.
I will not see 'em. Put the woman by
Into the Gallery, or somewhere remote,
Quick, quick, dispatch.
Ast.
You shall not need to urge it.
Exit.
Gua.
No, no: my cost is amply shown already:
And will be more, before the Wedding's over.
Without a needlesse wast in Gawds and Trifles,
(One ring.
See who's at doore.
Exit Nan.
A fathers care consists not in expence
That is not qualified with providence.
Enter Nanulo.
Nan.
Signior Pantaloni, sir sends after you
He and your advocates expect you in hast
To bring away the Writing.
Gua.
Say I am comming.
Exit.
Ast.
What have you done with him?
Enter Flavia, and Astutta above.
Fla.
Our hast and feares could not find time to dress him
But I have lock'd him up into that presse.
Ast.
Your Father's coming up to seek a writing,
Pray Love it be not there.
Fla.
I am undone then.
Ast.
Well hold your peace, looke bold and chearfully,
And be you silent, youth: nor cough, nor stink;
Nor let your feare run forth in streames of urine
To make him thinke his Aqua vitæ spilt.
Gua.
Where are you Flavia?
Within.
O me he comes!
Ast.
Why speake you not?
Gua.
Flavia.
Ast.
You were best betray all with your sillinesse.
Gua.
Why Flavia I say?
Ast.
Here father, here sir,
You will not I shall answer for you when hee's here?
Come, look as nothing were, all will be nought else.
Beare up hee comes.
Enter Guadagni above.
Gua.
Tis here that I would have thee Flavia.
Give me the Key of this presse here.
Fla.
O Father, Father—
Shee falls.
Gua.
What's the matter? ha!
Ast.
Alas poore heart! you know sir, in her infancy,
You beat her once for losing of a Key:
For which shee trembles still, being ask'd in hast.
Are you a child still in your feares, and must
Be wed to morrow? Fy, fy upon you,
Shee thinks shee has lost it, but I saw her look it
Togither with a writing which you dropt
Out of this presse this morning, safe enough
Here in her Cabinet.
Gua.
Tis like I let it fall.
Ast.
Where is your Key of this? Give mee't, give mee't.
How hast and feare perplexes her! I could
Have pickt it open.
Gua.
Doe, or break it open.
(Shee lets the Cabinet fall out of the Window.
Ast.
Ay me the fruits of rashnes? See, tis fallen
With all her Jewells and your writing too
Into the street. O my unlucky hand!
Gua.
Peace giddy headed harlot, watch that none
Take it away, while I runne to recover't, Nanulo,
Nanulo.
Exit.
Ast.
Will you be nimble yet to finde a way
While I lock him and's man into the street?
I know their hast will leave the Keyes i'th'dore.
Quickly unpresse him; and take as much gold
As you can carry, i'le along w'ye too.
Stay not, to think, or thank me for my wit.
Fla.
What shall we say?
Ast.
Do as you are bidden, and say nothing.
Fra.
Lovers shall saint thee; and this day shall be
For ever callenderd to Love and thee.
Exit.
Enter a Zaffie, taking up the Cabinet, to him Nicolo in a Zaffies habit.
Gua.
Nanulo! The Key to let me forth.
Within.
Zaff.
St. Marke and fortune make it a good prize.
Nic.
Hands off Sir, that's not yours.
Zaff.
Nor yours I am sure.
Nic.
Halfe part then brother Zaffi.
Gua.
The Key I saw.
Zaff.
Sir, you are none oth' Zaffi.
Gua.
Villaine slave! come open the dore.
Zaff.
How came you by this habit?
Nic.
Perhaps to trie sir how it will become me
When I have a minde to be as very a Knave
In office as your selfe. But shall we slip
Aside, and share, before the dog that owes it
Take the bone from us both?
Enter Guadagni, Nanulo.
Gua.
I feare you can be quicker in my absence.
Nan.
The fault was in your hast sir.
Gua.
Took you not up a Cabinet, friends?
Nic., Zaff.
Not we sir, we saw none.
Gua.
O you watch well above there.
Nan.
This fellow has it under his coat sir.
Zaff.
But who shall know't for yours sir?
Nic.
May we be bold to aske what marks it has,
Gua.
I'le have you ear-mark'd Villaines for your theft,
Know you not me?
Zaff.
I cry your worship mercy, and am glad
I was your instrument to preserve this treasure
From this false counterfet.
Nic.
Fortune has sent my master to relieve me.
Enter Pantaloni Checquino, Prospero.
Pan.
Signior Guadagni our Councell have thought fit,
For better confirmation of our act,
That it be past here in your Daughters presence
Together with my Son, whom I have sent for,
Why doe you seeme thus mov'd?
Gua.
An accident hath crost me. Look you sir,
You have authority; Here's a Counterfet
(Deserves examination) would have rob'd me.
Nic.
I sav'd you sir from being rob'd. Heare me aside
Sir— Nicolo whispers Pant.
Gua.
Carry this in; and send away the woman
(He gives the Cabinet to Nan. who knocks at dore.
Nic.
Now do you know me I have done the feat.
Pan.
Hast treated with the Hangman Nicolo?
Nic.
The Carnifex is fitted for your service,
In a most gorgeous habit of a Dutchman,
And about five i'th' evening will be with her.
Nan.
Astutta! Madona Flavia! Astutta!
Gua.
What's the matter there?
Pan.
The best jest, ha, ha, ha.
Nan.
You'l open the dore?
Gua.
What's that?
Pan.
It will be mirth to morrow at our feast
To laugh our bellies full.
Nan.
I am sure you heare me
Foole me, but not my master: he is here.
Gua.
Why stay you there sirrah?
Pan.
I let him goe: a merry harmelesse fellow
And quickly send my Son.
Exit Nic.
Nan.
The dore is fast sir, and they will not heare
mee.
Gua.
I feare I am undone. Flavia, Astutta, hoe!
Tis so, tis so, some Robbers are slipt in,
And now make havock of my goods and Daughter.
Pan.
It is no dallying Run and fetch a Smith
Ex. Nan.
To force the Lock.
Gua.
Astutta, Flavia! O this cursed chance
I feare will ruine me and all my hopes.
Enter Pedler woman.
How came you hither?
Ped.
Sir by good appointment
To bring Bride-laces, Gloves; and curious Dressings
To deck your Daughter on her Bride ale-day,
To morrow as I weene, holds it I pray?
Gua.
Were you not here before, and in the house?
Ped.
If you could put it off sir one day longer
I could so fit her with new fashiond tires
That shee should thanke me.
Gua:
I fear a new, and further secret mischief.
(Nanulo above.
Nan.
Hence let me fall to earth; I may not see
My Masters fury rise out of his ruine.
Gua.
How gotst thou thither?
Nan.
By the back-dore which I found widely open.
O sir your Daughter—
Gua.
Ravish'd or murderd is shee?
Nan.
Worse, worse, by far sir, shee is conveyd hence
The Neighbours from the windowes o're the way
Saw her, the Mayd, and a young Man take boat.
They guesse it was Francisco.
Pan.
How, how, how!
Nan.
Loaden with Caskets sir. Here's his Deceptio visus,
Nan. shows (the habit, the cord, &c.
And here's his jugling Bov. What toyes are these!
Gua.
O me accursed wretch.
Enter Nicolo.
Nic.
O sir, your Sonne!
Pan.
Where is he? speake.
Nic.
Sir, no where to be found
In private let me tell you, he slipt forth
At foure i'th' Morning; sir, when you and I
Were you know where. He cast forth doubtfull words
Of a vagary he would fetch at Rome.
Pan.
We both are wrought upon by hellish Magick.
Gua.
Devills are in this plot.
Chec Pros.
Thinke you of Devills?
Pan.
Though you sirs, being Lawyers, think there's none
VVe may both thinke there are, and fear 'em.
Chec.
Forbear such talke; and think upon the mirth,
The jest you have in hand against to morrow.
Pan.
Sir, use your jerks and quillets at the bar.
Gua.
Cast there your petulant wit on misery.
Chec.
Sir, you mistake, my counsell is to comfort,
Be not dejected, but seeke speedy way
To circumvent the wit has wrought upon you.
Gua.
Good sir, your best advise.
Chec.
First charge this offices
Here, with this woman; who by examination
May make discovery—
Ped.
I can discover nothing but my ware sir,
Nor part with that for lesse then ready money.
Pan.
Take her to custody.
Zaff.
Mistris come with me.
Ped.
VVhither? for what?
Zaff.
You shall know that hereafter.
Ped.
VVhat can I discover?
Pan.
Away with her.
VVhat can I discover?
Exit Zaff. Ped.
Chec.
Into your house sir now, and secure that;
Come, recollect your selfes, call home the strength
Of your approved judgements, wee'l assist you.
Pros.
You must be soddaine too in this your pursuit;
Advise and do at once, use no delay;
The speediest course is now the fafest way.
Exeunt Om.
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