 | The tragedy of Albovine, King of the Lombards |  |
Act the third.
Scene first.
Enter Rhodolinda, Valdaura, Thesina.Vald.
I knew your Excellence did visit me
For mirth and laughter.
Rhod.
So early vp? Your Lord is temperate.
Thes.
I should like their tempers better, if she
Were downe, and her Lord vp.
Vald.
Fye, Thesina, your tongue's vnruly.
Rhod.
The morning might haue shewne me too for mirth,
Had not the false King made the night so sad.
Black fancy flye!
Thes.
She moues as she were sicke, this skirmish has
Much weakened her.
Rhod.
Dost thou call't a skirmish?
Thes.
I, Madam, a French skirmish; where th'onset
Is hot and fiery, but the retreat cold and tame.
Enter Hermegild.
Herm.
Madam, the King?
Rhod.
Hah!
Herm.
He greets your Excellence in a smooth phrase,
And begs, you will permit his early visit.
Rhod.
I'ld rather lose my eyes then see him.
Valdaura kneeles.
Vald.
When you did triumph in your fathers Court,
My entreaty then had power to alter
Your commands; reward my young seruice
With kindnesse to your selfe. When the tall
Cedar falls, with burly weight it strikes
So we that spring like Rushes neere your roote,
Must in your death receiue a funerall.
Rhod.
VVhat's this? D'ye moralize?
Vald.
The King may haue his anger warranted.
For heauen forbids such wilde diuision
'Tweene those whom holy Church vnites.
Rhod.
Harke, Thesina! She has been gossiping
With the holy Sisters: she preaches to me
Of Matrimoniall zeale. Troth Valdaura,
If thy husband doe infuse such schisme,
Ile practise a diuorce.
Thesina.
We Court Ladies grow so squeamish after
We haue tasted Man. Your Maiesty may
Much profit her behauiour, if you
A while deuide her from her Lord.
Herm.
So soone? Ere Time permits them second
Their imbraces?
Rhod.
I Hermegild. If those imbraces doe
Include such high delight, such rapsody;
She makes me enuious then; since all my hopes
Are widdowed by the King. To night, Valdaura
You are to sleepe beneath my Roofe. This I
Impose as a command.
Exeunt Rhodo. Thesin.
Herm.
Is not this a harsh compulsion?
Vald.
Sir, I willingly obey it. But as
Y'are Noble, vse your ablest skill, t'instruct
The Queene how of her anger to dispose
A safer way, then 'gainst the King.
Herm.
Alas! I'ld rather cut my Eye-lids off
To preuent sleepe, then lose one minute that
Could aduantage a designe so pious.
And be it part of your kinde charity,
In my ambition to doe him seruice.
Vald.
Sir, he already knowes your worth, and thinks
Your friendship precious.
Exit.
Her.
I kisse your faire hands. The King already come?
I must seeme pensiue as the night.
Enter Albouine, Paradine, Cunymond, Frollo, Conrade.
Albo.
She's lost, my Boy: blowne from my fist: her wings
Haue gather'd wind: they flye (like those of Time)
Swiftly forward, but neuer backe returne.
Parad.
Sir, I haue hope, she will repent this breach
Of duty, and court your Royall smiles agen.
Albo.
Is it a sinne to drinke? Nature has giuen
To fishes a prerogatiue, greater
Then we inioy. They can euer tipple
And not be drunke.
Cuny.
Fishes are dumb (Sir) they neuer fox themselues
With talke.
Albo.
Slaue! thy mirth is treacherous! Paradine!
Thou hast consum'd to night the wealth of loue,
Wasted thy lips in moyst kisses, imbrac'd
A warmth, that would giue life to marble.
Whilst I, (like the solitary Phœnix)
Expect no heate but in my funerall flame:
And striue t'ingender of my selfe. Yet Boy,
Thou canst not make me enuious; thou art more
Delightfull, then my Rodolinda's smiles.
Let me suruay those blue circles: his lids
Fall downe, as if weighty Plummets hung on
Thy deare eyes. Loue was pictur'd blind, because
It makes men blinde. I hugge thee as my health—
Parad.
He bruis'd me in his armes. Can loue expresse
Such violence, and yet be false? Hermegild
Still whispers in my eare, the King doth hate
Thee, Paradine. But Hermegild is read in all
The Arts of Court, and striues perhaps
My sence to poyson with leane iealousie.
Herm.
Sweet Lord! Y' appeare blushing like the Morne!
Something your Bride and you haue done t'increase
The number of the Worthies.
Parad.
He courts me too! I want a Perspectiue,
To draw these distant figures neere my sight.
I ne're shall sleepe agen.
Albo.
Hermegild, thy aspect shewes ominous!
How thriues our embasie?
Herm.
I haue consum'd my breath, till I grew faint,
And wept to inuite her mercy; but teares
Were spilt like water in the Forge, onely
T'inrage the fire. She doth abiure your visit.
Albo.
Harsh, Iron, nature!
Her.
The King seemes fetter'd in his lims: he wreathes
His armes, as if he meant to bruise his heart.
And Paradine doth find my charmes predominant.
Albo.
He that drinks, forfeits his mortalitie!
Enter Grimold.
Grim.
How Sir, must we not drink?
Albo.
Souldier, to keepe thy bladder moyst, I will
Permit thee gape i'th mornings face, and catch
Her mizzling teares.
Grim.
If you'll extirpate this vice of drinking,
Giue order for a priuy search i'th the Ocean;
There dwell the greatest drinkers. The Whale (Sir)
In a Cesterne.
Albo.
Good! we will imbarke for Sea. I presse thee vp
For this imployment.
Grim.
Stay (Sir) ere I ingage my selfe in new
Seruices, pay me for my old. You rest
Vpon my Ticket, six thousand Duckats;
And I haue not seene your Maiesties face
In any other metall, but your owne
Flesh and blood these three moneths.
Albo.
Thou grumblest like a gray VVolfe.
Grim.
Tis then for hunger, Sir.
Herm.
Captaine, you mistake the King. He's Royall
As his blood, and liberall as the Sunne
That shines on all. This vnruly breath, where
The Citie meete in councell, might perhaps;
Blow their Purse-strings loose, so fill the Exchequer.
And then you shall number your pay with your owne
Fingers.
Grim.
I will out-rore thunder, or the Cannon!
Must they still walke in wealthy Furres; whilst men
Of merit here are cloth'd in Cabidge leaues?
Parad.
Grimold, you indanger your friends.
Grim.
My Lord, giue losers leaue to speake. I'ue lost
My youth and blood ith'warres, and I want food,
A reuerend Asse beares my wife and her young egges
In Paniers vp and downe the streets. I trauaile
Like a Tartar, with all my family
About me. Nay, nay, nay! you would be gon!
Albo.
Art thou not yet dead?
Gri.
You must not moue, till y'haue paid me. I know,
You may be angry with more safety then I.
Bid some Colossus of your Guard cleaue me
Ore the blacke Riuer, when Charon slumbers,
And fright your Grace.
Alb.
I dare not strike thee (old man) lest thou shouldst fall
To dust, and choke me.
Grim.
Good King, pay me. I loue thy Grace:
And will fight for thee, whilst I'ue motion left
To stirre a feather. My want constraines me to't.
By this hand, I'm faine to eate Branne and Parsley
Like a tame Rabbit.
Herm.
Lend me your eare, Captaine!
Grim.
You'll intice me now t'enter into bond?
Herm.
You look indeed like a young heire. Well, Sir,
Valew me according to my true rate.
I am your friend. You make ill choice of howers
For helpe of your designe. The King hath now
Sad and tumultuous thoughts about his heart.
Grim.
Great men are alwayes sad, when they should pay
Their debts.
Herm.
Sir, you interpret ill. Grow more sober,
Then challenge all my power in your behalfe.
Grim.
He that receiues a kindnes from the Diuell,
Shall bee sure to lose by his gaines.
Cuny.
Captaine, you should chuse a luckier minute:
The King is now in loue.
Grim.
With whom?
Frollo.
With the Queene.
Grim.
In loue with his owne wife! that's held incest
In Court: varietie is more luscious.
Albo.
Be powerfull in thy speech, my Paradine,
Yet gentle too. She is the Starre that rules
My faculties.
Par.
The Queen will blesse your temperance, & repent.
At leasure, and I more actiue.
Exit Parad.
Albo.
Hermegild, we are thy sences neere vs—
Grim.
Your Maiesty has a fraile memory
To forget me so soone—
Her.
You'll forfeit me, and the Kings mercy! away!
Exeunt Albouine, Hermegild.
Grim.
Tis no piece of vnkindnesse to wish thee
In hell, for all thy friends dwell there. Th'ast none
Vpon the earth. Gentlemen will you be open to me?
Cuny.
In all parts, Sir, but our purses.
Grim.
Draw neere! let vs communicate our hearts!
Does not that wealth, which you disburse for powders,
Perfumes, clothes, and physicke for the face,
Returne with gaine?
Frollo.
Expound your Riddle, Sir.
Grim.
Haue you not each a Mistresse that maintaines
You in expence and riot? Hah? Fame giues
It out, you smooth Gallants are much oblig'd
Vnto the sinnes of Ladies.
Cuny.
Conrade can prattle somewhat, Sir, to that
Purpose.
Conr.
Good faith you do me wrong. I'ue worne, Sir,
A Ladies slipper in my hat, or so.
Frollo is the man that gets their Pendants,
Armelets, Rings, and all the Toyes of valew.
Frollo.
Excuse me, sir, not I. Signior Cunymond
Has all the voyce at Court. We know, Sir, when,
And where, a certaine Dutchesse, Sir;
You copulate with Titles, you.
The Heralds are your Bawds.
Cuny.
Hold grow particular in such a Theame as this!
Grim.
Well, Gentlemen, I must be furnish'd too.
With a Mistresse?
Grim.
Yes, inquire me out some old Land-Carack.
I am content to stretch my loynes for a
Pension.
Cuny.
At what rate doe you valew your selfe?
Grim.
I was neuer pawn'd, Sir.
Cuny.
How, Captaine!
Grim.
In this leane age, we valew all things
According to the rate, they pawne for.
Frollo.
But we must know, how much you would receiue
In price of your actiuitie?
Conrad.
You must neuer stray after fresh pasture.
Grim.
Some eight; I, I, eight hundred Crownes a yeere will doe't.
I am desirous of no more then will
Maintaine my Genet, and my Dwarfe.
Cuny.
Your excuse procur'd, tis fit you now tell,
How farre in your defence I may ingage
My honour: is not your flesh a little tainted!
Are you not vnwholsome?
Grim.
O death, no; no, no, no! Do not thinke I haue
A conscience so ill bred, to put my selfe
Vpon a Lady, when vnfit for the affaire.
Cuny.
Well, Captaine, now with your own eies suruay
Your limmes; what vse can a Lady haue
Of you? To propagate the Cough o'th lungs?
Frollo.
Or beget Cripples, to people an Hospitall?
Conrad.
Or produce another Nation that may
Wage fierce battaile 'gainst the Cranes?
Grim.
Yet I can follow your bodies with rough
Motion, and not shed my limmes by the way—
Cuny.
I told ye, he'ld make a ieast on't.
Grim.
But I will kick ye in earnest,—kick ye
Grow crooked—
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Valdaura, reading to her selfe, then Albouine, Hermegild.
Herm.
Pursue Valdaura, Sir.
Albo.
I hate these Iiggeries.
Herm.
You know, I am materiall in my speech,
Full of duty; you want the silken garbe,
That must indeere you to the Ladies eyes.
Albo.
Yet I am louing in my drinke.
Herm.
Greet her kindly, Sir: tis Paradines Bride.
You haue not seene her since she indeuour'd
To increase the number of your subiects,
With losse of her virginitie.
Albo.
Rhodolinda doth so ingrosse my loue,
That on other Ladies I'ue but little
To bestow.
Herm.
Sir, practise but your Courtship here. In troth
You must affect the amorous Cringe, gestures
Smooth and pliant; it will neuer doe else.
I'ue heard the Queene complaine, you are too rough:
And what these Ladies doe obserue, will take
A sudden flight vnto her eare. Strike but
Their sences gently with your tongue. Often
Flatter 'em, and with a vigorous breath;
They'll then implore the Queene in your behalfe:
And, Sir, th'indeuour of their praise will soone
Procure your peace.
Albo.
If they would soften Rhodolinda's heart,
And reconcile me to her smiles, I would
Grow fond, and dally then with all the Sex.
Begin your triall. If you salute this,
(And other Ladies too) with some impression on
Their lipps; with managing their fingers thus,—
With seysure on her wrist; as if you had
Some businesse with her Pulse: then you inchant.
Be flexiue in your smiles, and wantonlike,
Seeke pictures in their eyes: and when they moue,
Then with personall conduct, guide their feet.
'Mongst them you cannot seeme to cheape. They will
Admire you for't, and sing your prayses to
The Queene.
Albo.
I shall be taught to spin, and starch!
Herm.
The engin's now compact; each wheele doth moue
With silent screwes. The Mole's the subtle Pioner:
For when she vndermines the earth, her slow
Motion makes no noise.
Exit.
Albo.
Y' are deuout, Vauldaura. Teach me to pray:
We haue no leasure for't in warre; and 't has
Been long time out of fashion here in Court.
Vald.
I feare I make some breach of duty with
Your Excellence, to hinder thus
The passage of your Royall thoughts.
Albo.
You teach me now, t'excuse my owne abrupt
Demeanour; but I can doe't. My harsh Queene
(Whom the perspicuous Eye of heauen forgiue)
Doth much mistake the posture of my limmes,
And gesture of my tongue among your Sex.
I neuer vse, like rugged Polypheame,
To dandle Cubs. Thus, I can gently touch
A Ladies lips—yet make no battery on
Her teeth. Was it not an ayrie pressure?
Tell my proud Queene, I'ue lost my Iron garbe,
And now am growne thus fond and smooth.
O Royall Sir, her cruelty hath put
My eyes vnto th'expence of many teares.
Albo.
I, but in vaine! Those clouds must weep apace,
That meane to penetrate the Marble, or
The Flint. I weare no Gauntlet on my hand,
Why should you thinke that I would bruise
Your fingers with my touch—
Sports with her hand.
Enter Hermegild, Rhodolinda.
Rhod.
Is this Paradines Garden?
Herm.
I Madam, and your Excellence may finde
A sudden growth, in all that shadowes vs.
Rhod.
Hah I looke there!
Herm.
What is't your eyes so eagerly discerne?
Rho.
The King! How sportfull he is growne? how full
Of amarous game and dalliance?
Herm.
I spie Valdaura there: but is that the King?
Rhod.
Thou dost inquire, t'affront my sight.
Albo.
You must informe the Queene of this: Say, I
Am smooth, and musicall, and trim, and that
I talke no more of warre, nor drinke.
Vald.
Tis my duty to vrge all circumstance,
That may credit you in her esteeme.
Albo.
It is a piece of courtship to salute
At parting—
Kisses her. exit Valdaura.
Rhod.
Is that a safe coniunction in so hot a climate!
Albo.
Hell and death! VVhat raw discipline is this?
I should conduct her in her way—
Exit.
Rhod.
So violent in pursuit of your game?
Let's follow, Hermegild?
Herm.
Not for all the Sunne beholds in's iourney
Through the world—
VVhy? be nimble in thy speech!
Herm.
It shewes but silly art in industry,
To seeke what you would not finde.
Rhod.
I prethee grow particular! Dost thinke
They purpose ought ith' darke? or, was this same
But ceremonious forme! such a greeting
As courtship will admit in publike interuiew?
Herm.
The King was neuer giuen to complement,
You know. As for Valdaura—
Rhod.
What of her?
Herm.
I thinke that she is chaste, but—
Rhod.
Doe not inuolue thy language thus
In periods of suspence.
Herm.
I wish the King had not deseru'd to be
Depriu'd of your soft imbraces, then
He might haue kept his constitution tame.
Rhod.
O, is it so?
Herm.
It ill becomes the garbe of Maiesty,
To run thus neighing (like a riotous Horse)
After each female that he spies.
Rhod.
VVhy, does he vse it?
Herm.
Madam, you question me, as if what I
Declare, were to your knowledge new and strange.
Rhod.
By heauen and so it is.
Herm.
O my officious Soule! must it be my crime
To giue the information vp? would I
Had knowne the King was here, you should haue made
Another path, your walke.
Rhod.
Hermegild, you did mis-spend that breath.
Herm.
Alas, you had enough of griefe before.
This addition will but shew a tyranny
In fate and me. It works with hight, like new
Mighty wine! as if 't would split the Caske.
O periur'd, black, adulterous King! affront
My Fathers Ghost? Disturbe his Ashes in
His tombe? Whē drunk with pride, he mock'd me with
The gawdy title of a Queene, and now
I am become a stale for all his lust.
Valdaura too! so pure of heart (forsooth)
That she would blush to see her own hand, if nak'd:
They are proscrib'd. Know, Hermegild,
Our Country shall be free.
Herm.
This is a noble rage! Heauen knowes how I
Haue grieu'd at your decay of soule. 'Twas my
Sad feare, that all the angry sparkes, which were
By Iustice kindled in your brest, had been
Extinguish'd quite, now they grow vp in flames.
You now like Phœbus shew, when he hath wash'd
His face with Dew. Your influence doth infuse
A noble heate, such as would motion giue
Vnto aged Statues; make them pluck vp
Their Mossie feet, and walke.
Rhod.
Thou giu'st my sences pride! What in this great
Businesse wilt thou doe, t'incourage hope?
Herm.
I will mingle poyson in my Inke, write
VVith a Rauens Quill! 'twill be a fatall
Scripture: and shall charme to those wise Iigs
The Syrens sing. Some must direction beare
T'our Pensioners, that in our Country rule
The sterne Edicts of Law: some to Martiall
Spirits, who with their able skill doe leade
Those Regiments, the King hath garison'd
I'th bordering Townes. They shall reuolt, my Queene,
And seate thee in thy Fathers Chaire: they must
Be drunke with the Elixir of my Gold.
Rhod.
VVhen first I chose thee out for this great work,
For thou didst seeme much lesser then thou art.
Kneele, and be happy!—Before
The Genius of this place, and what is here
Immortall, I vow to assist with my
Most actiue skill, all thy designements 'gainst
The King; and when my iust hopes are finish'd,
To be thy Wife. Such as doe periur'd prooue,
Lightning will surely clothe with subtle flames,
And they shall burne like glimmering Tapers
In darke hell: pale, and sickly as that fire
The Ghost of Nero makes.
Herm.
This new ambition hath so exalted
All my faculties, that I seeme taller
Kneeling, then when I stood. But here with strict
Solemnitie I vow to teach my Soule
New wayes of merit: to reuenge with sterne,
And horrid wrath, the Kings proud tyranny.
To make your Greatnesse absolute, and high,
Or sinke my selfe lower then a Plummet,
In the Baltick Sea. Should I not this performe,
The Starres would fall like Cinders on my head:
And winds imprison'd in the Earth, breake forth,
In a wilde ruine, and shake me into sand:
Then blow me in your Eyes; where if in teares
You drowne me, I am intomb'd in Pearle: and then
My obsequies requite my death.
Rhod.
Enough. I proffer to thy lip, the first
Taste of my affection—
They kisse, then rise.
Herm.
'Twas moyst and luscious! I will cherish this
Indeerement. Trees that tallest grow, doe take
The deepest roote; so I must first sinke low
Ith' Earth, and after climbe to fathome clouds.
Then gather vp with couetous regard
Her teares for scatter'd Pearle. Licke her spittle
From the ground: this disguiz'd humilitie
Is both the swift, and safest way to pride—
Rhod.
Sure, Hermegild, I haue amaz'd thy sence,
Thou look'st like some ore-growne Fiend, chain'd vp
Within a silent caue. Let vs retire, and Ile
Discouer how I'ue practis'd my reuenge.
Herm.
I proiect to make you mighty! You shall
Ascend my beautious Soueraigne, till you
Can reach the Moone, and pick those seeds of light
(The lesser Stars) from forth their wandring Spheares;
To weare as new imbroadery on your sleeue.
I long to heare your fatall Arts. Let's mix
Our sences, and contriue. A womans will,
Is not so strong in anger, as her skill.
Exeunt.
Enter Paradine, a Gentleman and Page.
Parad.
You bring no letters from Cracouia, Sir?
Gent.
None, my Lord.
Parad.
Nor from Sienna?
Gentlem.
Your Lordship in those few, receiues th'intire
Purpose of my iourney.
Parad.
Alas, my Countrymen! Captiuitie
Is hoarce, they haue more griefs then tongue: they speak
Not loud enough to wake the eare of heauen.
Henceforth to Hermegild bid them direct
Their sighs; for I'm so dull, so weary, and
Neglectfull of ambitious ends, that I
Shall lose my strength, and fauour with the King.
Gent.
My noble Lord, our prayers will ouer-rule that prophecy.
Par.
You may expect, whilst I am able to
And bounteous welcome. Sir, I will hasten
Your dispatch.
Exeunt Gent. Page. Enter Thesina.
Thes.
My Lord; I haue tyr'd my selfe in your search.
Parad.
The faire Thesina? You are rarely here
A visitant! Where haue you left my Bride?
Thes.
With the Queene, my Lord, who is so fond
Of her attendance, she'le scarce allow her space
To winke in her owne seruice, and to night
She lyes within her chamber.
Par.
Hah! so soone deuided! Th'approching night
Should helpe to second our imbraces.
Thes.
Y' are now to trust my Art. For Valdaura
Sent me t'expresse her ioy, i'th deliuery
Of this message. You shall lye with her to night.
Parad.
How can my faith admit of this, since she
Is billited where the Queene sleepes?
Thes.
Ile perfect my assurance; so you'll please
T'obey what I inioyne. When you approach
The Spheare, where your bright Phœbe rules, doe not
Occasion so much noyse, as shall expresse
You liuing. You must not speake to her, nor
By your gestures, inuite her speech. All this
Performe, lest you should wake the Queene.
Parad.
To be dumbe in copulation! This is
A fine receipt to get a silent Girle.
But I shall prooue obedient.
Thes.
And (Sir) as y' are mercifull to Ladies
(Ripe in growth) doe not breathe too loud, lest we
Ith'neighbouring roome, ore-heare the harmony,
And sinne in wishes.
Parad.
Feare not, Thesina: I shall be temperate.
Thes.
But you young souldiers are so boysterous,
Follow, Sir, Ile direct ye to the place,
Where, when the darke howre arriues, you must
Addresse your visit.
Exeunt omnes.
| The tragedy of Albovine, King of the Lombards | |