 | The Deseruing Fauorite |  |
Actus quartus
Scœna prima.
Enter Clarinda in disguise, Iacomo.Clar.
How an I bound to thee for this disguise,
I thinke my Father if I had met him
Could not haue knowne me, how farre is it
Yet to the Lodge?
Iaco.
It is not aboue a Mile; but are you sure
He is there?
Clar.
I would not else haue come so far a foote
Nor put on this disguise.
Iaco.
Madame, if you be weary, here is a faire
Coole shade, where you may rest your selfe a while.
Clar.
Though I be faint and weary;
To see Lysander, doth support my weaknesse.
Iaco.
But Madame, I am weary, and I haue
No such strong desire as loue to carry me.
Clar.
For shame say not so, can you being a man
And vs'd to walke, be weary in so short a iourney?
Iaco.
Madame. you must refresh me with a kisse
I cannot walke else.
Clar.
How Iacomo?
Iaco.
Why, doth not the paines that I haue taken.
Deserue a greater recompence then that?
Clar.
I doe confesse
The paines that thou hast taken, and
I intend thee a reward equall to it,
But it amazes me to heare thee aske,
That which would trouble me to giue;
And yet to thee that shoul'st receiue it,
Doe no good at all.
Iaco.
If it will trouble you to giue it, then let
Me take a kisse.
Clar.
How strangely art thou transported,
With a fond desire!
Iaco.
You will not kisse me then?
Clar.
I prethee be not angry Iacomo,
Ile giue thee that which is better;
Here take this Iewell; yet let me tell thee,
The Duke would not thus boldly haue demanded
What thou didst aske.
Iaco.
He was a foole then,
And did not know his owne aduantage,
Which you shall find I doe, you that
Denyed me now a kisse, shall giue me that
Which you perchance the first night
Would haue denyed your husband.
Cla.
I do not like this, whats that honest Iacomo?
Iaco.
Your Maidenhead.
Clar.
How! I know thou dost but speake this
Ile find the way my selfe.
Iaco.
Are you so crafty, stay and heare me.
Clar.
What sayst thou honest Iacomo?
Iaco.
Not too honest neither, I know you are wise, and there
fore Ile vse no perswasions, else, but onely letting of you see
the danger.
Clar.
O I feare this villaine.
Iaco.
Lysander you told me was at the Lodge, and there the
King shall find him, except you will redeeme him from that danger,
by the losse of your Virginity; I know you would bee well
content to kisse me now, but now it will not serue.
Clar.
Will honest Iacomo then proue a villaine?
Iaco.
Who would not proue a villaine for so sweet a recompence:
How I doe glory in this purchase of my wit, the Duke
striuing to gaine the happinesse, I shall haue offer'd me, paid
downe his life fort; besides, he went about the ceremonial way
of Marriage; but I shall meet my happinesse a neerer way, which
will be an addition to the pleasure. Come, are you resolu'd?
Clar.
Why villaine, dost thou prize Lysanders life
Aboue mine honor?
Iaco.
If for a word, for honor is no more,
You can indure to see Lysander suffer cruell death,
It seemes you loue him little, doe as you will;
Make hast vnto the Lodge, you know the way well
The King may chance be there before you,
As I will handle the businesse.
Clar.
Stay Iacomo, canst thou be such a villaine
As thou dost seeme; I doe not thinke
Thou art in earnest.
Iaco.
All torments that man did euer feele,
Light vpon me, if I doe not performe
What I say.
Clar.
Then may they all light on thee;
For thou, deseru'st them all.
Iaco.
Stay Lady.
Dost thou relent?
I knew thou didst it but to trye mee.
Iaco.
It is true indeed, I did so.
Clar.
I thought thou still wert honest.
Iaco.
Be not deceiu'd: I tried indeed if you would giue consent,
because the pleasure would haue beene the greater so; but
since I haue you once agen within my power, I will inioy you
whether you will or no.
Clar.
Canst thou beleeue, the heauens that haue the power,
To strike thee dead, will suffer such a wicked Act?
Iaco.
It is in vaine to striue or crye,
There is none to helpe you.
Clar.
If the feare of Heauen
Cannot deterre thee from this villanie;
Yet tremble at the punishments my Father
And Lysander will inflict vpon thee;
For doe not thinke there's any place that's so remote,
But they will find thee out.
Iaco.
Tush, they shall still belieue mee to be
Honest Iacomo;
Yet I will let the King know where Lysander is.
Clar.
Why villaine, dost thou thinke I will not
Discouer thee?
Iaco.
Yes, I doe know you would; but I will take a course
with your Ladiship for telling when I haue done with you.
Clar.
I know thou wilt no be so mercifull to kill me.
Iaco.
Yes, feare it not, rather then I will be hang'd for a short
minutes pleasure.
Clar.
Then kill me first, before thou dost dishonour me.
Iaco.
It may bee you'l bee of another mind anon, and wish
to liue. The trees stand here too thin, Ile carry you into a
thicker place.
Clar.
Helpe, Murder: is there no power that will transforme
me to a tree, and saue my honor?
Iaco.
Yes, Ile transforme you, you may beare fruit too, if
you will be willing.
Exeunt.
Duke.
How happy are those men that lead a Country life,
And in the nature of each seuerall creature,
View the great God of Natures power, who can finde
Nothing in the whole frame, but either for the composition
Or the existence, is worth our admiration!
Within Clarinda.
Murder, helpe, helpe, Murder!
Duke.
It was a womans voyce sure.
Exit.
Enter Iacomo.
Iaco.
Slaue that I was, that did not stop her mouth, as well as
bind her hands; it was well the bushes were so thicke; for had
he once got sight of me, he would haue coold my heate: since I
haue mist this pleasure, my reuenge shall be the greater; Ile to
the King and tell him what I know concerning Lysander,
which will ingraft me in his fauour, and for Clarinda's accusall,
let mee alone.
Exit.
Enter Duke and Clarinda.
Duke.
Tell me prety Boy, why did the villaine bind thee?
I thought thou hadst beene a woman, when I heard thee cry:
How pale thou lookst of a sodaine; be not afraid,
He dare not come againe to hurt thee.
Clar.
My hard harted Master I feare will come agen.
Duke.
He had a hard heart indeed, that could hurt thee;
It is the pretiest boy that yet I ere did see,
And yet me thinkes I haue seene a face like this before:
Where wert thou borne sweet child?
Clar.
Sir, I was borne in Naples.
Duk.
Sure I haue seene a face like thine,
Why dost thou blush?
Clar.
Where Sir, doe you thinke you haue seene
A face like mine?
Duke.
Not in this Countrey, for I am here a stranger.
Clar.
Then Sir,
you doe not know the way to Gerards Lodge.
Wouldst thou goe thither?
I thinke I doe.
Clar.
Yes Sir, if I did know the way.
Duk.
Ile bring thee thither if I can.
Clar.
Sir, I doe owe you much,
And haue no other payment but my thankes:
But might I be so happie as to meet you
In the City, I haue some friends that would
Perchance doe you some pleasure.
Du.
If thou wilt stay with me here in the Forrest,
At a little house where I doe lie, to morrow
I will bring thee to the City.
Clar.
You are the most
Courteous man that ere I met with:
I am so weary that it is not possible
For me to reach the City, and at the Lodge,
Lysander must not stay, nor must I flye
With him; I am not yet prouided of money,
For our flight. Foole that I was to trust
That villaine Iacomo, alas, I did not know
Him then to be a villaine. Sir, if you'l bring
Me to the Lodge, I will onely speake one word
With one that is there, and go along with you.
Duke.
Come then.
Clar.
He takes me for a Boy, and so long
There's no danger.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleonarda drest like a Nymph, Huntsmen.
Cleo.
Lay on the Hounds where the young Deere went in,
These old fat Deere make no sport at all.
Hunts.
If it please your Grace he is not a Stag.
Cleo.
No matter Sir,
I am the Mistris of the field this day,
My Brother not being here, and I will
Haue it so: the sorer that the Chase is
My being absent will the lesse be markt.
Hornes.
Mar.
Brother, me thinkes now your wounds being well.
It were good to quit this Countrey for a while:
For it is impossible but by some meanes or other,
If you stay heare, you will be discouered.
Lys.
Sister, it is my intent; but I without
The Princesse leaue, who hath preseru'd my life,
Will certainly resolue of nothing.
Mar.
The time hath beene, that you without
Clarinda's leaue would haue done nothing.
Lys.
And is so still,
For may I perish when I proue false
To my Clarinda; yet should I say I doe not
Loue the Princesse, and with some passion too,
I should but lye. See where she comes
Enter Cleonarda and Gerard.
And with the splendor of her heauenly eyes
Amazeth my weake senses; not Dian's selfe
Lookt halfe so louely when she woo'd
The pale-fac'd Boy Endymion;
Nor Pallas when she stood Competitor
With the two Goddesses to gaine the golden apple,
Appear'd with halfe that Maiestie
That she doth thus attir'd: hold faith,
Thou neuer wert in such a danger.
Cleo.
Lysander, I am glad to see you thus
Recouer'd: I glory in my cure.
Lys.
Madame, I am so well,
That I desire your license to depart,
There's danger surely in my being here
Both to your selfe and me.
Cleo.
Lysander, I know you doe but iest,
For should I giue you leaue, I know
You would not goe.
Lys.
Madam, it's best we part, should I stay here
And dayly looke vpon those Sun-bright eyes,
Would proue like wax, and melt, Clarinda's picture
Would be soone defac'd, and I should then deserue
The hate of all the world.
Cleo.
Lysander, do not feare it, You shall this day
See faire Clarinda, whose merits will arme you,
Too strongly to misdoubt a change.
Lys.
Did your Grace see her then?
Cleo.
Yes Lysander. I saw Clarinda,
Whose perfections haue compeld the heauens,
In Iustice, to giue her the most deseruing man aliue
To be her seruant.
Lys.
Madame, its true,
She hath indeed the most deseruing man
That then did liue, the Duke, giuen to her
For a seruant: but when the heauens saw
That she did refuse him whom they knew
Was onely worthy of her, they left her then
To her vnhappie choice, in me, in which
She cannot faile to be miserable,
And that they might torment her with
The knowledge of her error, they tooke from
The earth vnto themselues whom she refused,
Making him equall vnto one of them.
Cleo.
Lysander,
I wil giue you leaue to praise the Duke,
Because it still tends to your greater praise,
Since you did ouercome him both by your valor,
And your other merits: for faire Clarinda
Whose iudgement is compleat, esteeme you
For the worthier, Lysander neuer was there man
So blest as you are, in a Master, for it is
As impossible to equall her in loue,
As in perfection; for though she know that her
Perfections farre transcendeth mine, yet her
Excesse of loue did make her iealous,
And now, but I to shew her that I loued
You only as a brother, did tell her where
You were, and much I wonder that she
Is not come.
Lys.
It may be she doth wisely feare that there
Are some that watch each step she maketh,
Hoping by that to find mee out; for now
It is no newes that she doth loue me,
When I am at Florence Ile send her word,
For so I promis'd her in a Letter when I went
To fight, if that I escap'd with life.
Cleo.
You shall not goe to Florence to day,
Yet doe so, and bee not sad to goe;
For when my Brothers passion is once ouer,
And that he shall consider the iustnesse
Of the Dukes request, in his last Letter,
I meane your pardon, hee cannot sure
Be any longer cruell.
Lys.
Why Madame,
Did he write a Letter to the King,
In which he beg'd my pardon?
Cleo.
Yes Lysander, he did;
And the last word that ere hee spake, was
To that purpose, the letter I can shew you,
I neuer till this day could get it from my Brother.
Lysander reads to himselfe.
Lys.
He in this Letter doth expresse himselfe
To be so neere the composition of the Gods,
So fild with all perfections, me thinkes it's strange
They shold not build him altars: yet my infortunate
Hand did rob the world of this precious Iewell;
For which offence my heart shall drop in iustice
As many bloudy teares, as now my womanish teares
Doe drops of brinish water.
Cleo.
Worthy Lysander,
May expiate a greater sinne then that thou didst
Commit in thy intention: I cannot chuse
But kisse thee for this noble sorrow. Say Mariana,
Haue I done ill to kisse your Brother?
Mar.
Madame, it were in me presumption
To consure any of your actions.
Cleo.
Lysander, Must you goe to day?
Sure you doe not loue me as a Sister, else
You would not part so soone.
Lysan.
By this kisse, which I belieue shall be
The last that I euer shall be blest with,
Did not my faith oblige me otherwayes,
I should loue you equall with Clarinda,
Nay had I knowne you first, I should
Haue lou'd you better; but as it is
I know you are so noble in your selfe,
That you wold hate me if I should proue inconstant
Cleo.
It is true, it were a basenesse for which
My iudgement would condemne you as vnworthy
To be belou'd; but yet I thinke my passion
Would make me change that saying of louing
Of the Treason; yet hating of the Traitor;
For I should hate the Treason, and yet I feare me
Too much loue the Traitor.
Lys.
It were impossible that you should loue
A periur'd man.
Cleo.
I doe but feare it;
I know your worth will neuer put it to the tryall.
Lys.
Deare Princesse,
Gerard, to whom I am much bound,
Hath horses ready for me, so that there is
Nothing wanting but your leaue to make
My iourney happie.
Cleo.
Which I vnwillingly doe grant you, yet
Pray the heauens to make your iourney prosperous.
Or hauing seene him, that I might enioy him
For my Husband: but I doe ill to wish anothers
Right; that happinesse belongs to faire Clarinda's
Merits onely.
Lys.
Go Gerard, get the horses ready.
Ex. Ger.
Cleo.
Lysander, let me heare from you,
And if you thinke it no way preiudiciall
To your faith. I pray you weare this fauor
For my sake.
Lys.
Madame, most willingly,
And thinke it for the greatest honor that ere
Was done me.
Within Crye, round beset the house.
Cleo.
What noyse is that Mariana?
Mari.
Madame, Ile goe see.
O Madame we are vndone, it is the King,
Who threatens to hang vp Gerard for concealing
Of my Brother.
Lys.
Deare Madame, hide your selfe,
What will the King your Brother say,
If he doe finde you here?
Cleo.
I will Lesander flye from his anger now,
That I may haue more power hereafter
To doe thee seruice; what will you doe Lysander?
It is no matter what becomes of me,
So that you be safe from the Kings anger.
Enter King, Iacomo, Attendants, Gerard bound, Guard.
Iaco.
Sir, set the house round, lest he should scape
At some backe dore.
King.
Be that thy charge, take halfe the Guard, Ile search
The house my selfe: Where is this bloody Traytor?
Lys.
Sir, heares a bloody-handed, though not a bloudy
Minded man, that doth not yet deserue the title
Of a Traitor. I know it's me you looke for.
Bloudy villaine, it's thou indeed,
Lay hands on him.
Lys.
Keepe off, and heare me speake first,
And then I will deliuer vp my sword.
King.
What wouldst thou say.
Lys.
I see poore Gerard bound, whom I
Compel'd to conceale me.
Kin.
How couldst thou compell him?
Lys.
Royall Sir, with patience hear me:
When I by the assistance of Fortune, not my valour;
(Yet I did nothing basely) had kild that noble Duke
I was my selfe sore wounded, so that I could not
Flye out of your territories, and well I knew
Into what house so ere I came, though they
At first might pitty me, not knowing
What I had done; yet when they once should know
That I had kild the Duke, they then I knew
Would streight discouer me, rather to gaine reward,
Or else to saue themselues from future danger,
Which to preuent. I thought my safest course was
For to compell Gerard, whom well I knew
Liu'd farre remote from company, to sweare
Not to discouer I was in his house,
Or else I threatned straight to kill him,
Hoping that rather then he would forsweare
Himselfe, he would conceale me, wherein I was
No whit deceiu'd.
Ger.
If please your Maiestie,
He came into my house before I was aware,
With his sword drawne, and setting of it
To my brest, threatening if I would not sweare
For to conceale him, to kill me instantly.
I (not knowing what he had done)
Swore all that he would haue me.
Cleo.
A God transformd into a humane shape
Could doe or say no more then he hath done.
But when thou knew'st that he had
Kild the Duke, how durst thou then
Conceale him?
Lys.
I then began to fright him with strange
Examples of the cruell punishments that periur'd
Men had felt, and aw'd his conscience that way.
King.
So thou dost mine Lysander;
For I haue made a vow, after that I had got thee
Once within my power, the Sun shall not
Twice set, til I had with a sacrifice of thy heart bloud
Appeas'd my Kinsmans Ghost. I dare not
Be forsworne, away with him to prison,
And Gerard.
Exeunt Lys. Ger. and Guard.
Cleo.
It is then no time for to conceale my selfe.
O cruell Brother! you haue in that rash oath
Mutder'd all vertue that Mans fraile nature
Is capable to receiue.
King.
I am amaz'd,
Tell me deare Sister, what make you here,
I hope you know not of his villany.
Cleo.
O doe not call a demi-god a villaine,
Though Fortune made his valiant arme
The instrument to rob you of a worthy Kinsman.
King.
Sister, you speake with passion, as if
You lou'd him.
Cleo.
Yes Brother, I doe loue him,
With all my heart I loue him, which I will
Manifest more then in words,
If you be cruell.
King.
Sister, as you respect my fauour,
And your owne faire Name, blemish not so
Your royall blood by louing of a murderous
Ingratefull villaine.
Cleo.
O that you were no Brother to me,
Nor my King, that I might satisfie mine
Anger by a braue reuenge.
Cleo.
O that you were no Brother to me,
Nor my King, that I might satisfie mine anger
By a braue reuenge; by my life, I would haue shed
His heart bloud with my Iauelin, that should
Haue spoke this but your selfe, but as it is,
Ile let you see your error, you might as well
Call him a murderer that being assaulted
By a barbarous thiefe, kil'd him that would
Haue rob'd him; for so Lysander did, and
Whereas you call him ingrate, there you doe
Erre, the Duke being his debtor; and so
Indeed is all the world, for he hath left them
Such a Story in his actions, that hee that can
But read and imitate them to the life,
Shall in another iuster age, be made a God,
And worshipt for his vertues.
King.
Sister, did you but see how ill
These praises doe become you; (for you indeed
Are drunke with affection) you would leaue
Them me. I know when you recouer by the helpe
Of reason, you'l hate your selfe, and wish that all
Y'aue spoke or done this day were but a dreame.
Cleo.
O neuer, neuer; poore Clarinda,
What will become of thee when thou shalt heare
This killing Newes!
Exeunt.
Enter Clarinda and the Duke.
Duk.
It grieues my heart that I haue brought thee wrong,
Clar.
Sir, must we lie here in the wood all night.
Duke.
I feare there is no other remedie,
Clar.
O my Lysander thou art lost I feare
For euer, and that same villaine Iacomo
is cause of all. There is some comfort yet,
I see a light, sure it's some house.
Duke.
For Charities sake open the Dore.
He knocks.
Enter Hermit.
Lord Sir, where haue you beene?
Mercy vpon vs, how are we mistaken!
This is the old mans house where I haue beene
Still since I came into the Forrest.
Cla.
Pray heauen he did not misse his way a purpose.
Duk.
Good Father, if you haue any meate
Fetch me some for this sweet youth, I met him
In the Forrest, and would haue shewed him
The way to Gerards Lodge, but lost my selfe,
And wandred vp and downe till now.
Her.
Here, here's some meate;
I was my selfe at Gerards Lodge, and saw those
There whom you would little thinke.
Duke.
Who were there?
Her.
The King and his faire Sister,
Lysander bound as a Prisoner, for killing
Of the Duke.
Cla.
O my Lysander's lost.
fals.
Duke.
Looke to the Boy, he swoones; speake
Child, what dost thou ayle?
Cla.
That same who is Lysander, now a prisoner,
(And must die) was the only cause I would
So faine haue gone to Gerards Lodge,
For that villaine who had bound me, I knew
Would tell the King that Lysander was there,
And I would faine haue giuen him warning,
That he might haue fled, because hee is
Thy Kinsman.
Her.
Be not sad Boy for that,
I heard that Princesse sweare if the King
Put to death Lysander, that she will not out-liue
Him; and he too well loues his Sister,
To lose her so.
Cla.
How! Is the Princesse so in loue with him?
Her.
Indeed they say she is.
Duke.
Come, and eat your meate, tyou shall
Goe to bed, I know you are weary.
Sir, I cannot eate, I had rather sleepe,
Her.
Come then, Ile shew thee to a Bed.
Clar.
No Sir, Ile lie vpon the Rushes, I neuer vse
To lie with any body, and I am sure
Here in this house there are not many beds.
Her.
Come, thou shalt lie alone;
There are two beds, we two will lie together.
Clar.
Please Sir to leaue me here, Ile go to bed.
No childe, Ile helpe thee.
Clar.
If he should see my breasts, I am vndone;
I will keepe on my doublet.
Her.
Goe to bed sweet childe, wee'l leaue thee.
Exeunt.
| The Deseruing Fauorite | |