 | The Crvell Brother |  |
Actus Quartus.
Scena Prima.
Enter Dorido.Dorido,
Good! they haue left the Garden dore vnlock'd
I'le venture in to helpe discouery.
Castruchio is grac'd with rare imployment:
The Duke and he doe heere consume the Night.
These are houres for Ghosts, Adulterers
And Theeues. The slaue is Haggard. At Supper
Being full of gold: his vaine Appetite
Fed at Nero's rate; I was discarded
With a frowne: shaken like a Burre from's sleeue.
As if my closure heeretofore had bin
Impertinent. Ambition lessens all
Beneath it selfe to nothing: the higher
Enter Castru. Duarte.
We doe stand: so much lesse those men appeare
Whom we behold below—Hearke! Kinde Fortune
Lend me thy Eares—
Cast.
The night growes aged now. T'were fit the Duke
Would hasten his departure. In troth Wench,
Thy seruice to him exceeds requitall.
But what; she tooke it willingly!
Dua.
No, but she did not.
Cast.
Pox 'o these modest Lies! I say she did,
Duar.
In troth you doe abuse her then; I'm sure
Her shreeks did scare my heart vp to my lipps.
Cast.
Then thou couldst haue Kiss'd heartely.
Duar.
I wonder, it wakened not the whole house.
Cast.
Ist possible! what meanes did the Duke vse
To stifle vp this noyse?
Dua.
Nay, I know not. But since she was no more
Pliant; it doth repent me much, I'ere
Was instrument to his other actions.
What, repent! I prethee sweete Duarte
Wrong not Diuinitie so much: waste not
A virtue, that would more profit others:
And to suppose that the Lady was rauish'd,
Is an heresie, which my Soule must nere
Be guilty of. Doe not I know Women
Are a kinde of soft waxe, that will receaue
Any impression?
Dua.
And doe not I know: there is difference
In workemen as in wax. Hard wax (when cold)
Accepts of no impression. By coldnesse
I inferre chastitie: for chastitie
Is colde.
Cast.
But those workemen are harder farre
Then that hard waxe. And t'is hardest of all
To finde those workemen: vnlesse by Russia
Where the people freeze, till they spit snow. Come,
Kisse me Chuck. Agen, once more—
Dor.
A precious Satyrist! This surly Dog,
Inueyes 'gainst lechery in others, 'cause
He would engrosse all Women to himselfe.
Cast.
Your greatest Thieues, are commonly begot
When Parents doe their leachery by stealth.
Men get Cowards, when frighted in the Act.
And by such vulgar consequence: 't'is now
A proper time to beget a Pander.
One, that may hereafter doe other men
The same office: which we doe the Duke now.
Come. Shall we in, and try?
Dua.
You presume much, on an easie nature;
And how extrauagant you are abroad;
I am not so vnkind to question.
Cast.
Faith Wench: I've some interest in euery Childe
That plays i'th' streete, The Dukes come down. Go, go,
ent. Duke.
Giue your Lady a Cawdle: and let me heare
How she likes her new Bedfellow. I'le meete
Exit Duar.
His Grace two houres hence: when he hath dismiss'd
Exit Castru.
Dor.
O damn'd villany! Is this th'imployment
That doth make ye proude? I will haunt ye still,
To strengthen my intelligence.
Exit Dor. after Cast.
Duke.
O silly, weake euasion! being darke,
I creepe within my Cloke. T'is modesty
In sinne to practise euery disguise
To hide it from the World. But Creatures free from guilt
Affect the Sunne, and hate the darke; because
It hides their innocence. O traytour Lust!
That leades vs with encouragement to fight,
And when we haue discharg'd our Vaines for thee,
W'are besieg'd with thoughts, that more perplex vs
Then the former. For then we did complaine,
Of strength; but now of weakenesse more.
Away, away. T'is time that I were gone:
The modest Morne doth blush i'th' East, as if
Asham'd to see so fowle a Rauisher.
exit Duke.
Enter Castruchio, and Dorido.
Dorido.
So swift of foote! I must ouertake ye.
Cast.
How now! the World is wide enough: wherefore
Dost thou iostle me?
Dor.
Cry mercy Signior: the day's bleare Eie'd yet,
And my owne hast made me vnmannerly.
Cast.
Signior Dorido is it you? Tis much
To see you appeare before the Sunne.
Dor.
Faith Signior; the Count being out o' Towne
I thought Foreste would haue more leasure
To peruse my new Sute. He's early vp;
Which caus'd my vigilance.
Cast.
Why Signior vse a meanes more absolute;
It is true, Foreste does all: but how?
As th'instrument gouern'd i'th' workemans hand.
Instruct me with conueniency of time,
Dor.
Then Signior, you will oblige my prayers.
Cast.
At supper, when you departed from me,
You gaue demonstrations of discontent:
Who knowes, but whilst the soul's imploy'd within;
The body might neglect some outward forme,
Which curiosity preferrs to custome.
Custome to abuse. It was my businesse
Not disrespect of you, that did depriue
My complement of vanity. I shall
Reioyce when I can shew you kindenesse.
Dorid.
I will be bold to thinke so.
Cast.
I'de haue thee build thy Mansion on a Rocke.
Fauorites are seru'd in with those Dishes
The Prince best loues. And meate we most affect
We soonest surfeit on. Instruct thy soule.
The Count is but a glorious trifle.
And to be factious without benefit—
Well, thinke vpon't. I know a way to get
The Dukes best Eare, without Foreste's helpe.
Farewell.
Exit Castruchio.
Dor.
The Profit of the day be yours. These tricks
Shall make me weare him in my Eies. The slaue
Doth vsher out his breath in state; as if
His honours had out growne his owne knowledge.
Yet but a tame Pander. The beautious Corsa
Is rauish'd by the Duke. O blacke horror.
Arise my soule, inspire my industry
With noble purpose. Something I'le doe
That shall proclaime my Spirit.
Exit.
Enter Corsa, and Duarte.
Corsa.
Hence, hence, like Time; who swiftly flys away,
But euermore returnes. Goe cruell wench!
Thou hast betray'd thy Mistresse, euen to
Haue seene it all. They know thee well enough.
In the generall Session of the world;
It will not my adultery be call'd;
But a prodigious Rape deriu'd from thee.
Duarte.
Good Madam, your Conscience is too bold:
It troubles you too much. Dismise't: thinke,
That other Ladys haue offended more.
Corsa.
Out Deuill. Wilt thou betray my soule too?
Duarte hence! I am inspired with strength
To make reuenge prooue masculine.
Flye quickely hence. Why doest thou stay? There's Gold.
I prethee wench in all thy Pilgrimage
Disperse my faulte in charitable sence.
Vse me nobly with thy Tongue. So farewell.
Duarte.
Or let my sinne no mercy finde in Heauen,
No pitty heere on Earth.
Exit Duarte.
Corsa.
Now all the motiues of my Lords delight
Exterminate for euermore with me.
My silent Lute's interred in the Case.
My voyce now rather frights, then captiuates
The sence.
Enter Luinna.
O Sister, dare you visit me?
I am a strumpet growne. Hence, and secure
Your fame.
Luin.
Alack, what prodegie is this!
Corsa.
I will tell thee all. For I should disgrace
Iniquitie to be modest now. The Duke—
Luin.
Ay me! What in that name can priuiledge
Offence?
Corsa.
Heare my Luinna, heare. In midst of night,
By my pernicious womans helpe; He opes
My chamber doore: whose faithfull Hinges shreek'd,
To warne me of his dire approach. His Hand
Imployd a Torch, a Torch; whose fancy weake
Aged, and blacke, had ouergrowen the flame.
And shew'd (me thought) like vnto Tarquins Ghost;
To preuent such pennance by forsaking
His attempt. This, I told him too. But he
(That came not to consider, but to act)
O'rerul'd my Hands with his: then made shipwrack
Of my Honor.
Luin.
O royall Villaine!
My ioynts and sinnews dissipated are,
And scatter'd in a trembling feare. But marke
More sorrowes yet. My Husband lookeing in
My Cabinet, did spy that Iewell there,
Which the Duke last gaue me. It was to him
A new, and vnknowne starre: and Commet like,
Imployd his thoughts with such Astrologie
As made an Optick of his iealousie;
Through which, he would discerne the cause, th'effect
Of its being there. I told him all the truth:
And Truth's oftner praysed, then rewarded
Heere on Earth: for he dismiss'd me streight
With fatall lookes.
Corsa.
My Brother is a noble Gentleman.
Goe, goe, and kneele to him. All iealousie
Must still be strangled in its birth: or Time
Will soone conspire to make it strong enough
To ouercome the truth. Shield vs sweete Heauen!
The Sybills daunce about my Heart. They lay
Their verges heere: infusing a prophetique feare:
Which whispers we shall neuer meete againe,
Lets take a solemne leaue—farewell for euer
they kisse.
Luin.
Farewell! the noblest Lady o'th' World.
Exeunt seuerall Wayes.
Enter Cosimo, and Borachio.
Cos.
I am glad to see thee well Borachio!
But where's thy Master? what, in durance still?
Bora.
Alas Sir, I (Good Gentleman,) the Roome
Wherein they haue put him, is so litle
To leaue his Legges Sentinels without doore,
To watch the rest of his body. Tis no
Chamber, but a Court-Cubbord.
Cos.
But they make him amends in his diet.
Bora.
They cannot Sir, For he's a fainte eater,
If he would pray so often as he fasts;
He had bin at libertie long agoe.
He'le dine vpon a single Pea; and leaue Oats.
Cos.
Doe they no more regard his potent hopes?
Bora.
Alas Sir, when Fortune's Tippet stands vp,
Few men will lend a pin to tacke it downe,
I, and my linage haue sweete losse of him:
I'm sure o'that,
Cos.
Nay, that's too euident.
Bora.
O sir! I would not a' giuen this Rush;
T'haue bin assur'd all th'offices in's gift
But hang such Dukes (I say) that suffer thus
Their Fauorites to be imprisoned.
Cos.
How now Borachio! Dost thou speake treason?
Bora.
Sir, I haue sayd no more, then what I meane
To vnsay againe: which is but a kinde.
Of loosing one's labor. And 'tis better,
To be ill imploy'd then to be idle.
enter Castruchio.
Cos.
How the slaue sowes his Prouerbs together.
Are you come? I haue stay'd vntill the Clocke
Gaue your promise the lye.
Cast.
My time was spent to more aduantage.
I haue declar'd my interest in your blood.
If you assist my plots; you needs must share
Successe, that hath already warranted
A large requitall.
Cos.
I am resolu'd: and wish my selfe more able.
Cast.
T'is well. But now you vndertake businesse:
You must be as serious as a Musle.
That is: weare your Beard, vpon your tongue: talke,
Brauely. But of all auoyd Dorido
A violent poyson.
Cos.
Enough, he is a stranger to my thoughts.
Cast.
There's fresh encouragement—
giues him Gold.
Cos.
A little more of this mettall would puzle
My Geography; Is this Italy
Or the Indies. There Borachio! Weepe no more
For thy Master.
Bora.
Allas I'm apt to weepe, though I but see
An Onyon stripp'd naked.
Cast.
I thought to meete thy Master heere. I'm sure
I saw the warrant sign'd for his release.
Bora.
The Deuill take your worship for me, why,
D'yee bring such good newes, on a work'y day?
Cast.
But thou pray'st ill, in praying the Deuill
To take me.
Bora.
Why could he euer come to lesse purpose
Then when he findes you doing well. Though he
Loose his labour once: I dare warrant ye,
He'le come againe on the same arrand.
Cast.
A bitter foole.
Bora.
Sir, let we friends be true to one another.
There are but few true friends extant. Let them
Be kindly vs'd and kept, if only for breed.
Cast.
With all my heart, translate thy meaning.
Bora.
Is my Master at liberty?
Cast.
I'le deferre an answere of this, vntill
Thy owne Eies be a little elder.
Bora.
Well, is he still in fauour with the Duke?
Cast.
Why he shall shortly gouerne all at Court,
And be a very Mote in the Duk's eye.
Bora.
Enough. T'is not wholesome to burst with Ioy.
Cast.
But what then?
Bora.
I'ue thought with much care on these Offices:
And finde my selfe fitting to be in'em.
I will haue'em all; come Cut, and Long-taile.
For my Wife, will be such a glad woman.
Enter Lothario.
Looke! who comes there?
Bora.
O Sir! giue me your blessing—
He kneeles.
Loth.
Weepe not Borachio! I haue prepard
Such bloody art in my reuenge; as makes
Mens wits, more famous then their cruelty,
Let horror propagate. All's too litle
For my vse. But you Sir had the honor,
To release me.
Cast.
Or else I had bin much dishonor'd.
Cos.
Sir, now he supposeth you in durance:
And is himselfe secure; happely drunke,
Or riding in the stewes; you may take some
Aduantage on his soule too. Loose no time.
Loth.
That's my intent.
For it were dull humanitie to aime
No farther then his life. I'le pursue him
Euen to Hell.
Cast.
And let me alone so to facilitate
The proiect, by search of fit time, and meanes:
As shall declare the act lesse troublesome,
Then thus to threaten it with words.
Bora.
You Signior Castruchio! Signior Coxcombe!
Are you tir'd with doing well? you haue scarce
Brought my poore Lord out of the Prison doores;
But you long to haue him in agen. Nay,
N'ere looke? For my Sword dwells within a Yard
Of my Tongue, and shall defend what I say
Cast.
What a pernicious Calfe is this?
Bora.
What harme haue my poore Wife, and Children done
To you, or yours; that seeing me within
A haires breadth, of a hundred offices,
You confound all, by leading my poore Lord
Into new broyles.
Loth.
Bold Miscreant! If I but stir—
Cos.
Nay Signior! let him alone. Borachio!
Steepe thy wrath in cold water: follow,
And be dumbe. All shall be well.
Yes, perswade me to dry Ice in an Ouen!
But I'le follow your Heeles so close: as Ile
Goe neere to tread vpon your Kibes.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Dorido, and Foreste.
Dorido.
Signior, I knew ye a braue Commander
Vnder the great Petruchio; and since
That time your constant virtues haue deseru'd
More recompence, then Fate will minister
By me. My kindenesse is no miracle:
Since gratitude is only sicke, not dead.
But pray beleeue what I haue sayd is truth.
Fores.
O Sir, t'is th'error of vnskilfull loue
To be too constant in her charitie
To all. But I haue grounds more relatiue
To make me iealouse of the truth: and I
Beleeue you with my heart: and yet t'is strange.
Doth this Castruchio thinke his haggard fate
Can triumph ouer mine? because in lust
The Deuill did instruct his industry:
Dares he attempt my life?
Dor.
I giue you reall grounds for my suspence.
Reward (sir) may make a Villaine bloody
Though it cannot make him valiant. The Duke
Will let him want no Gold.
Fores.
Nay t'is often seene.
Amongst the seuerall Creatures of a Prince,
Such instruments as these most profit reape.
Imployments noble doe requite themselues,
And honour payes, the great of heart: who loose
But Time in seruice which is the Bodies wealth.
Your friend stays. If you please t'appeare with him
From thence, at my summons: I shall discouer more.
Dor.
Noble Signior, I am yours,
exit Dorid.
Forest.
What hoa? Luinna! Wife!
Enter Luinna.
My Lord!
Fores.
Come hither Loue. Signefie in secret
When was the royall Lecher heere disguis'd?
What did he send thee last? when must ye quench
The Cyprian fire: hah! you may tell me all,
For I'le not blabb. Alas, I'm more silent
Then my Grandsire in his Tombe. A subtill Pimpe, I.
A Pander learned in the art. Tell me Chucke?
Luin.
Alas my noble Lord! what doe ye meane?
Fores.
Why nothing, I: yet tis enough I feele
The wrong. If ignorant, I suffer twice.
And therefore let me know my Enemy.
The little worme, when trod vpon; will turne
His Head, to looke vpon his Murderer.
And hath my Spleene no Eies: Is the reuenge
Of Man lesse curious then a Wormes.—She weepes.
O Luinna, the sacred knot's vnti'd.
Thou hast defil'd and stayn'd the vestall Sheetes.
Thy Breast shall be no more my Pillow.
Luin.
O say not so. Let Thunder strike me dead,
If I 'ere knew the Duke; with knowledge more
Dishonest, then what harbours in the Eies;
Only by sight.
Fores.
O new horror! such brazen impudence,
Would make a Negro blush. Come glorious whore.
Acquaint me with your tricks. Who, when, where, how?
For besides the Iewell which he gaue thee:
I haue proofes, that will euen damme my sister;
And conuince thee too.
Luin.
My deere Lord? be not cruell in your Faith;
What I haue sayd is truth.
Fores.
Still constant in thy periurie. Mercy
Were tamenesse then. Thou shalt dye
Like an heroyique Whore: a stoute Martyr
Enter Dorido and his Friend in visards.
To thy concealed louer. Appeare ho!
Heere my she goate! These men are full and fresh;
Procure ye some of larger Thighs; that feede
On th'vnctious Lhasis, and the Persian-Crab.
Or bring the riotous Horse, and the Towne Bull
To drownd ye in the act. Take her aside,
And agree who shall beginne.
Luin.
Stay, stay, O my Husband, my deerest Lord?
Will you permit such cruelty against
Your owne Wife. She, that hath so often slept
Within your Bosome. O speake? doe you want
The naturall touch! stay, stay, I will confes't.
Forest.
Stay, I'm of too easie, too soft a Soule.
My Heartstrings (sure) are made of silke: and 'tis
A subtill whore, she knowes it well enough.
But come, be briefe. Charme me not with storys
Of my former loue betweene vs.
I see thee as thou art, and thou appear'st
Like an intire, proportionable Boyle.
Why speak'st thou not?
Luin.
Sorrow was euer slow of vtterance,
And I doe tremble still. I knew the time,
My duty hath bin held in more regard
Then now it is. All former interest
Is quit forgot.
Fores.
Marke, did not I suspect, she would begin
Her Charmes agen. Away with her.
Luin.
O stay, now, now, I will reueale all.
Fores.
Be nimble then: and tell me punctuall truth,
For my reuenge is honest, and would not
Willingly mistake, when it shall strike.
Luin.
T'is true, your Sster's rauish'd by the Duke.
Which fatall truth, this morning I receau'd
From her owne mouth, But if I ere did breake
My Mariage vowes, or thinke vnlawfully;
Then may I loose my interest in Heauen.
My duty, and my loue remaine still yours,
And this constancy deserues some kindnesse.
Let me dye a modest death. Expose not
Your poore vvife, vnto the cruelty
Of Rauishers.
Fores.
What thinke ye sir?
Dor.
My thoughts continue in the former sence:
I haue a chaste, and virtuous wife; howeuer
You desir'd assurance from a triall
So vnkind as this.
Fores.
Still me thinks that Iewell which he gaue her,
Procur'd the same requitall that my Sister made.
But let it passe. I doe coniure ye both,
(As y'haue bin Souldiers) to keepe your Tongues,
A safe distance from your Eares, Let not words
Disperse what you haue heard. T'is externall
Reputation that keepes some Men from sinne.
Our faults once knowne, we doe neglect to mend:
Since Reputation suffers still: for that
Admits of helpe, but it is neuer cur'd.
And so the fatall iarrs tweene Man, and Wife,
If secret kept, dissension falls asleepe.
But if once knowne to Fame; Fame talks so loude
She waketh it agen. Your silence Signiors,
Shall challenge much from my requitall.
Dor.
Besides our obligations to your worth,
Euen both our honors would impose it
As a virtue, not a trouble. We are
Your humble seruants.
Exit Dorido with his Friend.
Fores.
I will deserue you for my friends. Rise—
You must be cleer'd by a stricter triall:
'Till when I doe neglect the large Charter
Of Husbands o're their Wiues: and command ye
As a Iudge th'offender. Hence, and become
My Prisoner in your Closet. Take heede,
No curiosity in feare make you,
To pry in my designes.
I doe obay ye cheerefully.
exit Luinna.
Forest.
O my heart! shall my industry, and hopes
Finde this period? My sufferance is tir'd.
It is an old inconstancy in Fate,
Soone to erect, and soone to ruinate.
Exit.
| The Crvell Brother | |