 | The Ivst Italian |  |
Act the third.
Scene the first.
Enter Altamont, Meruolle. Sciolto at the other doore.Altamont.
This is the truth, therefore consider now
my Fate. Hah! Sciolto!
Meruolle.
What makes he there.
Altamont.
Tis Sciolto, the brute Adulterer,
He whom I lately mention'd in my speech.
A slaue more salt then is the Balticke ware,
More hot then hell, a Satyre or a Goate.
Sciolto.
And shall be still so (Sir) vnlesse your wife
Dismisse her pride, and vouchsafe to coole me.
Alta.
Deuils and death, I'm murderd through the Eare—
He drawes, Sciolto puls foorth a case of Pistols,
Sciolto.
Take discipline awhile, Know if there be
A boisterous motion vsd, I haue for each
Of you a round Synamon Plumme, and they
Shall enter your nice stomacks the wrong way—
Altamont.
Though thou wert hardy as the Lions race;
And arm'd with all th'Artillery on Earth,
I durst assault thee as I am; but so
I cannot satisfie Reuenge.
Meruolle.
Sciolto, now my memory begins
To know you better: for your riots bold
And lowd demeanure in this City hath
Beene long obseru'd. I wonder much y'imploy
Your precious minutes in a course so vile.
Sciolto.
What, as to copulate and increase kind?
The Sunne spi'd man thus crawling on the Earth—
Meruolle.
But what excuse canst thou in honour vrge,
for wearing such aduantagious defence,
Against his iust and single violence?
Sciolto.
I haue an odde humor, not to be kill'd.
Altamont.
O Alteza, had but my name beene hid
Beneath some fold in the voluminous
Darke booke of Fate, I might haue miss'd of my
Creation then, so I should nere haue seene
Thy face.
Sciolto.
My curses (Sir) haue cause t'assault
Her more then yours: for she has staru'd me heere
With want of naturall delight. My free
Large growth and tincture of my haire denote,
My constitution cannot suffer me,
To weare a surplesse, or proceed Eunuch.
Though I should bath and swimme in Iulips Sir,
I'ue still vnrulie heate about my Chine.
Altamont.
A Salamander that doth feede and cloth
It selfe with flame, was thy Progenitor.
Sciolto.
Haue I not equall reason to complaine?
In three Houres not so much as a drie kisse.
Th'old amorous Deacon that imbrac'd his Cow
Was not so destitute.
Meruolle.
Fine calumny!
Sciolto.
A Negro might be vsefull now, although
Sh'ad but one eye, and that fix'd on her heele.
Altamont.
I'le strew vpon thy food the teeth of Snakes,
Sciolto.
Signior, presume no more vpon a fond
Easie nature. I haue beene abstinent
Too long. Haste, and with pliant steps present
Your wife; Or else I'le assure ye you shall seeke
Some other man to Cuckold ye for me.
Meruolle.
Sciolto, this is barbarous!
Altamont.
I'le shoot
Thy heart with needles, small as splinters of
That thou art kild.
Sciolto.
I thanke ye (Signior) but
We Florentines doe sleepe like Leuorites,
With our Eyes open: how ere, I could vouchsafe
To shoot you now, and preuent your kindnesse.—
Meruolle.
Sciolto, hold. If eyther charge doe misse,
He that suruiues, shall grinde thy marble heart,
Betweene his teeth—
Sciolto.
I meant not to giue fire.
There is a tricke of grauity i'th state
Cald Law. Besides, you dead, the children which
I chance to get vpon your bucksome wife,
I should goe neere to keepe at my owne charge.
Altamont.
Africa breedes no monster like to thee.
Sciolto.
I'le to my chamber now, and fortifie
There, I remaine (during the pleasure of
Your wife) your Tenant (Signior) in fee tayle.—
Exit.
Altamont.
It is a cunning, and promiscuous slaue.
This story of Alteza's abstinence,
He doth but counterfet, to gull my sight.
Meruolle.
Had the Diuell himselfe crep't into flesh,
And vndertooke this seruice to your wife,
She had possessd, the weaker Instrument.
He hath in 's Veynes, a most intemperat blood
His valour's so renown'd, that all the smooth,
The curl'd, and silken Nobles of the Towne,
Doe homage to his Sword; and by such Actes
As these, he glorifies his truant youth.
Altamont.
Thy fayth was iealous, I seduc'd thy eare
To share vntruths: but now, thou knowst too much.
Meruolle.
T'was my suspect of Fame, and dispersement
Of your deepe wrong, that manacled till now,
Your hands. My temp'rate Lectures cease. Obey
Reuenge, and I will follow it, vntill
My wealth, and life, are forfeyted to Law.
Alta.
Hah! wilt thou? O my quickened heart (entomb'd
Then is the direfull night, wherein I'le giue
A strict and cruell iustice to Reuenge.
Meruolle.
This then is the night, where in my bold loue
Shall merit me th'eternall name of friend.
Alt.
Come sweare, sweare now (on this victorious sword)
Thou wilt obey th'iniunctions of my wrath,
And yet in personall act, not mooue, but when
My will appoints a mixture of thy strength.
Meruolle.
My choice Religion, & the honors of my blood,
I heere doe pawne to ratifie the vow—
Meruolle kisses the Hilts.
Altamont.
Now worke my iniurd spirits, till you make
Dull sorrow rise in nimble flame. Anger,
Is blood, pow'rd, and perplex'd into a froth,
But Mallice is, the wisedome of our wrath.
Exeunt.
Ent. Florello, Charintha, Alteza, Rossa, Molard.
Charintha.
Your Lordships letters were of a prompt stile!
Florello.
This orient Roape is yours, and you must wear't;
I sickne els, and grow a villager
In Elizium!
Charintha.
Your bounty choakes my thankes.
Alteza.
Take it. Afflict me Fame, if ere I knew
His parallell; he woes at Neroe's rate.
Enter Besognia.
Besognia.
Madam, ther's a new Dandolo, a new
Count, lighted at the Gate, and craues entrance.
Florello.
That's rare i'faith; haue I a shadow walkes
Without leaue o'the Sunne?
Alteza.
A conspiracie.
Florello.
Did not Meruolle say, t'would be a month,
Ere he ariu'd?
Rossa.
Be bold and meet your chance.
Florello.
Stand firme, and stiffely on your sinewes then,
Auouch me still, for the true Dandolo.
Charintha, 'tis some stratagem; but if
He Iewells bring, and in a hand as large,
And open as yon'easy snypes, thou hast
Ill lucke if thou constraine him not to losse.
Charintha.
I'le smile no longer then these rich sparkles
Shine in my Eies.
Enter Dandolo.
Dandolo.
The Lady that is nam'd
Charintha heere, must be reueald; for Il'd
Exalt her Lippes, and make 'em knowne to mine.
Flo:
S'light, this is the great Cham. Hearke ye, Signior—
Charintha.
My Lord, I pray afford him leave to speake.
Dan.
What, is that sawcy Groome? Does he sell Egges?
Florello.
I'le shew ye my Trade; A poore sword-man, I—
Alteza.
Sir you destroy the quiett of my Howse:
He shall haue safety heere, and leaue to speake.
Charintha.
I'm call'd Charintha Sir; proceed to speech.
Dandolo.
I'le first doe speciall grace vnto your Lip—
My Penne hath woo'd you oft; but now by stealth
Thus single I'm arui'd, a Moone before
The time I did prefix.
Charintha.
I sir, the cause.
Dandolo.
T'was Winter when I specifi'd the date
Of my aproach, and then my blood was cold;
But now the spring is come, Things would couple.
These (Lady) are very serculare Pearle—
Alteza.
I sir, and in such Toyes, she much delights:
Allthough her modesty be loath, to make
Her fancys knowne. Would you had brought some few
To mach'me.
Dandolo.
Doe you affect'em Lady?
Charintha.
I reioyce in all the workes of Nature!
Dandolo.
I am instructed then.
Alteza.
As how, deare Sir?
Dandolo.
That I did ill, to leaue my Pearles behind.
Alteza.
Sister this Hulke, is neither rigged, nor fraught,
Charintha.
I'le haue no more of him, he is too costiue.
Flor.
Sir a word. Me thinks you looke, like raw Porke.
Has not this house the priuiledge of peace?
Florello.
Ladyes, this Impostor steales my Titles,
And my name, I aske leaue, to punish him.
Alteza.
Wee'le not protect his crimes, vse your iustice.
Florello drawes his Stiletto.
Florello.
Vnlesse you are an Estridge, Sir, and can
Digest steele, coole your lungs, and calmely wayt
Th'inquiry I shall vrge.
Dandolo.
Hence, and be dead!
Florello.
Molard, reueale how long thou hast bin Pimpe,
To the family of the Dandolos?
Molard.
About some thirty yeeres (Sir.) I'ue procur'd
Both time and place, for your good Fathers game,
Ere since he was capable of woman.
Rossa.
He vsd the Trade (Sir) in his infancy.
Molard.
I scare could walke, when I began't: the first
I brought him was my Nurse.
Florello.
Canst point, at ought
He did some two and twenty yeeres agoe?
Molard.
Distinctly Sir. I know that Gentleman,
He was got, on a Tripewife of Lucca.
Florello.
O th'action of my fathers loynes!
Alteza.
My lord?
Florello.
I'm an old Iew at Genealogies.
This fellowes descent I know now, and where
He tooke's creation too. By chance thus haue
I met forty of my Fathers Bastards.
Th'are poore, and put me oft to charge. Brother,
Welcome.—Rossa, giue him a Quardecus.
Dandolo.
Bid Kings winde silke, and Princes measure oats.
Charin.
Your trayne of Parasite, Pimpe, Foole and Dwarfe,
Speake you at first, to be the true yong Lord.
Alteza.
Yet th'other has some markes, that doe belong
Vnto a Count, o'th last edition too:
Dandolo.
D'you thinke y'are the Count?
Florello.
I doe, thinke it, Sir.
Dandolo.
Thought's free.
He should be a Venetian,
By'th' wit, and policy of his courage.
Dan.
Beauties, were your hands cleane, they should be kiss'd.
Florello.
Bold illegitimate.
Dandolo.
Sir,—you shall know,
No man ere got me, but my owne Father.
Exit.
Florello.
Besognia speake in my behalfe; I'le giue
Thee a Pearle then, big as a Pompeon.
Besognia.
Which, when your Lordship does, Ile returne ye
A pointed Diamond, big as a Steeple.
Alteza.
Y'on thrifty counterfet, has much perplex'd
Your seruants wit.
Charintha.
My Lord. Lets in, and ieere.
Florello.
Slow method fooles obey. To th'stars aduance
His head, who thus resists the power of Chance.
Ex. omnes.
Enter Scoperta, Sciolto.
Scoperta.
Like to my Genius he doth mooue about
The house. Our soules are surely neere ally'd—
Sciolto.
Cals he her, his concubine? By this hand
There's not a Prince in all the East, has such
Another. This Altamont still gripes 'em
In the flanke; he knowes to chuse his cattell.
Be thou pleas'd, O yong and wholesome Lady!
Scoperta.
The Garden (Signior) doth containe more walks,
As pensatiue in shade as this. I doe
Beseech you, change your path, and leaue me heere.
Sciolto.
The fumes of spicery? you must not mow.—
Holds her in his Armes.
Altamont, Meruolle, from aboue.
Meruolle.
My vowes haue promis'd you the ample truth
Of my intelligence. Behold, whom there,
Sciolto keepes in amorous whisper.
Hah, Scoperta! Libid'nous Girle, what makes
She with that Horse?
Meruolle.
Shall I disturbe their speech?
Altamont.
No, let'em Knit and generate; my words
Shall neuer penetrate her Eare vntill
I am reueng'd for what my Eyes haue seene.
Meruolle.
There is a generall tainture in the Sex.
Altamont.
She is proscrib'd, I'ue fil'd her in the List
With those that taste to Night a bitter fate.
Away, away. This obiect ruines all
My faculties.
Exeunt from aboue.
Sciolto.
I sigh my first salute
Was so intempratly perform'd. But O!
The iustice of my Starres! My loue is now
Reueng'd vpon my lust. With pure chaste flame
I Court the Mistresse vnto Altamont;
One heere reseru'd for sinfull vse. Stay, stay!—
Scoperta.
If I am seene, my life is forfeited.—
Sciolto.
Hast thou not heard my vowes, whose violence
And number well might satisfie suspect
in way ward Kings.
Scoperta.
How dare I traficke thus
For loue with thee: when thy accompts with Heauen
Are yet not cleer'd that lust betrai'd thee to?
Sciolto.
With what aduice of modesty canst thou
Accuse my blood; when in this Mansion th'art
Contain'd for the like sinne?
Scoperta.
Were I well knowne
Vnto the qualitie of thy new loue,
I would reueale my selfe, and take from thy
Beliefe the false opinion of my guilt.
Sciolto.
If ere I practise impious heate agen,
Some long armd Fiend that in the Center dwels
Reach at my foot, and pull me into flames.
Scoperta.
Beare witnesse Immortalitie and Truth
That I'm officiall heere but by pretence,
My Vaines are cold and chaste as Northerne snow.
Thy name, and then my doubts I will forsake?
Scoperta.
Scoperta is my name. I Sister am
To Altamont; not Mistresse of his lust.
Sciolto.
O dire affinity! my loue is now
Alli'd vnto my hate. Yet Altamont
Nere merited my wrath. It is the wit
The policie of sinne, to hate those men
We haue abusd. When first I spi'd the grace
And lusture of thy shape; me thought I lou'd,
And my sicke heart enform'd me loue was good:
Scoperta.
And you when I beheld, I said to Heauen,
O make but his immortall part like to
The Garment Nature clothes it in, and helle
Remaine a Type, from whom shall be deriu'd
The Prophets, and the Kings that rule the Earth.
Sciolto.
Her beauties so increase; that they do make
My comprehension poore.
Scoperta.
I should haue vs'd
More leasure and nice Art, when I did giue
My loue away.
Sciolto,
O stay, vntill my vowes
Affoord a larger warrant of my faith—
Scoperta:
Our new society must not be seene.
But if thy loue be free from carnall Arts,
(Such as the curled Youth of Italy
Doe vse) make me thy sudden stealth. Early,
(Ere the succeeding Sunne ariue i'th' East)
Appeare beneath my Casements view, and I
Will follow thee along the spacious World.
Exit.
Sciolto.
Goe noble Maid; wert thou diuided from
My reach, by Sheets of Elementall fire,
By streames of reeking blood, by purple mists
(Which Cannons in their acclamation breath)
Or winds (when met to blow each other from
The Earth) yet I would pull thee to my Heart.
False lust, I take of thee eternall leaue—
Alteza.
Conuey those odors thither, and disperse
The costly smoke, about the roome.
Niente.
I shall.
Alteza.
Place soft and easie finger'd Lutes, behind
The Arras; voyces feminine and yong.
And spread the Cowch, with the greene Persian Quilt.
Niente.
All is prepard.
Exit.
Sciolto.
For what are these design'd?
Alteza.
I feele a slothfull grudging in my veynes,
And therefore meane to solace with a male.
Brush thy Beard, and follow me.—
Sciolto.
Now am I
As rascally a sinner, as euer.
Alteza.
Why comst thou not?
Sciolto.
O Loue! A little grace.
Alteza.
Is not thy blood well? Kisse me Sciolto.
Sciolto.
Shall we be wrap't in curlings intricate?
Alteza.
We'le haue our artificiall heates, and with our own
Panting coole vs to new, and yonger strength.
Sciolto.
And shall we 'tweene two shady Poplars hang
I'th Indian-Net, whose slippery closures may
Entagle vs so fast, we n'ere shall be
Vntied age.
Alteza.
We'le grow as in one skin.
Sciolto.
Yes, much! Not an inch.—
Alteza.
I want thy meaning.
Sciolto.
And shall my action more. It mightinesse
And state, taught me to fast from flesh; and now,
I am well pleas'd to make't perpetuall Lent.
Alteza.
I like this well. My Male is witty growne.
Sciolto.
Goe, kneele to your husband, and beg from him
Lawfull recreation: my selfe intend
To purchase a few Beades, and turne Vot'ry.
She'le nere moue hence, 'till I'ue inrag'd her spleene.
Alteza.
What motiue (Sir) perswades ye, vse me thus?
Why—ye are not handsome.
Alteza.
Trimme prodigie!
Scio.
Question your Glasse! Your Face was caru'd—out of
A Blew Cabidge; and 'tis contracted now
To one, oblique Wrinkle.
Alteza.
Villaine, thou ly'st.
Sciolto.
Thy aged skull in stead of haire
Oregrowne with Mosse, and lookes as if t'had binne,
A Thousand yeares entoomb'd.
Alteza.
Adders, and snakes.
Sciolto.
Thy sollitary Teeth, in distance stand
Like the decayed Arches of a Bridge.
Alteza.
Better, th'adst binne vnborne.
Sciolto.
Wilt not yet goe?
Thy Fingers are all crook'd, like the Tallans
Of a Griffon. Thou walkst on Cloven-feete.
Alteza.
Hoa! Niente.
Sciolto.
Thy Bones are pil'd acrosse,
Much like the Stickes on a Conjurers fire.
Alte.
Are my Groomes dead? what hoa! I'le impound ye.—
Sciolto pulls out a Case of Pistolls.
Sciolto.
It must not be. For with these two (of which
I meane to rob your armorie) there shall
Be passage forc'd broad enough for a Teeme
Of Southerne Elephants. Farwell Oister!—
Exit.
Alte.
Where are my Groomes, my slaues? iniurious wolfe.
Barke at my precious feature, and thus strew
My beautie ore, with infamie and dust?
Strike my greene youth, with Epethites of age?
My Altamont nere vs'd me thus. He oft
Compar'd me to the Starres, m'Eies t'Easterne light,
When day smiles at her birth. O! I could curse
The giddie iudgement of my blood; that thus
Seduc'd me to forsake that Saint, and mix
My knowledge with this Deuill. He's fled too,
Vntouch'd by my reuenge. Niente, hoa!
Enter Altamont.
Alta.
'Tis Alteza, I know her sinfull voice,—
(She kneeles.)
O Sir, if anguish, or distresse, can make,
An humble heart, behold your Lady now;
That shortens thus, her stature, at your feete.—
Altamont.
What may this forc'd humillitie portend?
Alteza.
Sciolto (cruell as the windes in March)
Hath strooke, my womanhood, with tyranie,
And scorne. Can Fate present so large a test,
Of your true loue, (both to your selfe, and me)
As that you minister reuenge vpon
His Life. Goe, and salute his recreant Heart
With your bright Steele, and then obedience claime
Repleate with fonde Idolatrie, and loue.
Altamont.
The Fiends are surelie maried too; for there's
Noe torment like a Wife! false Alteza.
Alteza.
So ill I merit charitie: that all
My passions argue cunning and pretence.
This is a wife hypocrisie, to hide
Thy lust, or snare me in some guilt, whereby
The Duke may claime my life, and thou receiue
More quiet space, t'inioy Sciolto's limmes.
Alteza.
Those angrie spirits that reside below,
In flaming Ouens, are not more cruell in
Their enuie, then am I in hate to him.
Altamont.
So soone, dost steepe him in thy gall, whom thou
Hast washt'i'th warme distilments of thy heart.
Alteza.
If ere I knew him, with more guilt, then what
My wishes and my thoughts containd; let wrath
Then make me her experiment, to trie
How much of paine, mortalitie can beare.
Altamont.
Thy periur'd attestations cease; for though
The howres are few, since first you did conferre,
Yet you had both the pregnant thrift, to make
The time aduantagious to sinne.
Alteza.
Expresse,
Some mercie in your faith, and heare me speake.
Altamont.
Keepe thy deniall 'tweene thy blisterd lippes.
I fvtterd' thou art dead.
Loue is no more.
Alta.
Dost weepe? I sooner thought t'haue seene the Flint
Supple as Spunge; th'obdurate Diamond melt
At the Glow-wormes pale eie.
Alteza.
How hath the pride
Of Courts misse-led my youth, that you should thinke
I'ue lost, all tender complements of grace?
Alta.
Thou wert a Virgin sweet, so precious in
Thy frame, that with the cordage of thy haire
Thou mightst haue fetterd Kings. Thy voice has marr'd
The beauties of the night. When thou didst sing
The quiet stars, would fall asleepe and winke.
Thou art all discord now: thy glorie's darke;
Thy thinne, and Rosiall blood, is turn'd to Inke.
Alteza.
I haue outliu'd the helpe of penitence,
And benefit of hope.
Altamont.
Oft haue I sai'd
Let's leaue the false, the buisie world and sleepe
Beneath our vines; Nature (not cunning) then,
Augments our wealth; the dew of heauen is cheape,
Nor need we pay for'th Sunnes warme light. If kinde
Diuinitie allow t'each humane soule
A starre; our issue w'ele increase, vntill
The bright and numerous throng be all imploi'd.
Alteza.
But I am sterill as a wildernesse,
My name, is sickenesse to your memorie.
Altamont.
Witnesse you silent powers, the crime is not
Deriu'd from me. T'explaine my innocence,
Know, she that heere I housd, t'affront thy pride,
Was my chaste sister, not my Concubine.
Alteza.
Then you are loiall still, t'oth Mariage vow.
Altamont.
But; she treds the slimie path. Scoperta,
Is now thy Riuall in Sciolto's lust.
Alteza.
All springs from the ambition of my guilt.—
Altamont.
Although thy penitence be rash, it doth
Become thee well, and thou hast quite dissolu'd
The stonic corners of my heart. This night
Rise, and continue mortall still—I'le lay
My mercy on thy Lip, and for it take
My last farewell—. I'le neuer see thee more.
Alteza.
This is a mercy that confounds the will
And strength of all my gratitude. O sad
Decree. You haue diuorc'd me from your Eyes.
Alta.
Two neighboring Lillies whom rude winds disperse
'Mongst restlesse dust, may sooner meet vpon
Their stalkes agen, and kisse each other in
A second growth, then we our loues renew.
Alteza.
Take heede (Sir) how you prophecy! For my
Humilitie with moist contrition ioyn'd,
May hope to wash my leprous staines away.
Altamont.
O no! my iealousie is growne so sicke, that my
Suspect enformes me, it will nere be cur'd.
Alteza.
I creepe thus to my Toombe, indebted for
Your loue, till all the drowsie world shall rise
To generall Accompts; and then my want
Of earlier gratitude will make my Debt
A sinne—
Exit.
Altamont.
O triuiall propertie of life!
Some doe attend the mighty warre, and make
Diuinitie their yoake; till for the sport
Of Kings th'augment the number of the dead.
Some walke in slipprie paths of Court, and feede
On silent smiles; the grauitie of mirth.
Some trauaile in the search of humane Arts,
But knowledge is reseru'd: She sits so high
In Cloudes, we cannot reach her with our Eye:
Or if with patient steps we to her climbe,
Death sayes we cannot reach her with our time.
For witherd age ariues, when numbring on
Our griefs not yeeres; the tedious space of life
We straite accuse. For life is like the spanne
Forc'd from a gowtie hand; which, as it gaines
Extent, and actiue length, the more it paies.
Exit.
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