 | The Ivst Italian |  |
Act the fourth.
Scene the first.
Enter Dandolo, Besognia, Stoccata, Punto.Dandolo.
My iourney was by stealth, else I had brought
With these, Legions of Dukes to speake my birth.
Besognia.
My Lady 'gins t'enquire (Sir) after sleepe,
For it growes late.
Dandolo.
My corporall method
I will disorder, ere I'le misse her view.
This British Groate is thine; traficke for Pinnes.
Besognia.
Make the Deuill your Factor; Ther's a Stocke
To set vp with.
Flings it agen. Exit.
Dandolo.
No bribes? I am belou'd.
Enter Florello, Rossa, Molard.
Florello.
Brother, I wish you would auoid my haunts.
Tis not for my credit, nor yet for our
Dead fathers, thus to make your person knowne,
Being y'are illegitimate begot,
By the motion of the euill Spirit.
Dand.
Goe, let that fellow die.
Stoccata.
Why, let him Sir.
Punto.
Were we his heires, w'had cause to hasten his
Decease.
Florello.
D'ye walke like Neptune in a maske,
Attended on by two o'th calme Windes?
Dandolo.
Th'are Nobles of a supreame race. This is
Stocccata call'd, and that Punto. They both
Are come to warrant my creation good
Vpon the Gauntlet of a Giant or a Whale.
Flo.
Maintaine your birth—Were you my fathers Bawdes?
Alas, you are young (Sir) you know not vs!
We cannot swell and rant like things that would
Be rather heard then felt: but we can thrust
Our Whineards home, with ioy and quiet too.
Punto.
Sweet heart; you are not read i'th' rudiments
Of wrath. You shall perceiue some that are lowd
And actiue with their Lungs; Courage in them
You may suspect: but when you see a coole
And silent anger like to ours, then keepe
Your wandring hands at home. Soft Sir, beware!
Stoccata.
Stay, woo't thou kill him (Punto) or shall I?
Punto.
I'ue buisnesse now of a more serious garbe.
Dispatch him thy selfe. Earlie to morrow
I'le doe as much for thee on the two Zwits.
Florello.
D'ye make no more o'th'Infants o'the Earth?—
Stoccata.
Fie Sir, Draw your weapon in a Ladies
Chamber? You still displaie a courage ill
Brought vp, most vainlie nurturd (Sir) beleeue't.
Punto.
Forbid it Heauen; but you should haue free space
T'imploy your best strength in your defence.
But Sir, 'tis sober patience makes vs safe.
If now on eithers Haunch you did conferre
A kicke; our secret wisedome would direct
Vs how to beare it for the time, and in
Our owne aduantage too.
Florello.
Is't possible?
Stoccata.
Heare Sir th'aduice of an old shot. I'ue hit
The marke more then once in my time, and tam'd
Many a mad Boy too. If either of's
Vouchsafe to greete ye with a hand or foot,
Take it, and be thankfull: left by returne
Of wrath, worse doe ensue.
Florello.
Not I beleeue't.
Punto.
He's young, Stoccata, carue him gentlie vp!—
Florello.
They take me for a Capon. What Weapons
Fight ye with, Demiculuering or Drake?
Stoccata.
Steele of Toledo is all we manage—
What then remaines but Rossa and Molard,
Assault you two, I, my bastard Brother—
Rossa.
Come Sir,—
Molard.
We'le ierke you with our iron Rods—
Stoc.
Keepe your sword warme, it' longs to the scabbard—
Punto.
O Sir, your vallor still imports some want
Of a discreet and temperate breeding.
Dandolo.
Tumultuous fights the vestments marre.
Enter Charintha, Besognia.
Charintha.
His bountie nere will giue me cause t'aduance
My wit: he growes much troublesome.
Dandolo.
Lady! behold two Worthies here; Dragons
In fight. They come to preach my birth.
Th'are knowne to Fame.
Florello.
Fame blew'em from her Breech!
Dandolo.
I say th'are Potentates; and they doe awe—
Florello.
The Chrysome Babe.
Punto.
Signior, you still forget
The quiet and the courteous wayes of spleene.
Florello.
I will trie your polliticke patience Sir—kicks em.
Punto.
You see we still are calme—
Stoccata.
He has but thinne
Philosophie that cannot suffer this—
Charintha.
Yon marmalet Count deserues as much too.
Dandolo.
I doe oppugne the motion with my scorne.
Florello.
D'ye scorne (Sir) to be kick'd?
Dandolo.
Pardon me Sir!
I say't alowd; the prowdest wight on Earth
Shall not kicke me, excepting your deare selfe.
Enter Nienie.
Niente.
I haue priuacies (Madam) for your Eare!—
Florello.
You, and your fierce Champions strait remoue;
Craule hence, and be not visible agen:
Punto.
Enhaunce our pay, we'le kill him in the darke.
Dandolo.
Agreed, Six Duckats you shall number more.
Exeunt Dandolo, Stoccata Punto.
The neighbours say, fortie Seriants waite his
Departure hence, who giue him a new name.
Charintha.
Hah! What doe they call him?
Niente.
Florello, and
Report him brother vnto Altamont.
Charintha.
My Eies are insom'd, Two Faces more alli'd
In all deuotes of view I haue not seene.
The younger brother vnto Altamont;
Fantasticke too as Winds, and sillier then
A silenc'd Priest. Fate had much preferd me.
Besogniæ.
Madam, it must be he. I'ue tane a strict
Suruay of's Nose; 'tis so like Altamonts.
Charintha.
He is alreadie so exhaust, that his
Wise bountie can no more be Argument
For wit: And now to haue this plea for his
Dismission is aboue my ioy. Signior!—
Florello.
Sweet Loue, I haue beene bold to giue away
One or two of thy Farmes to these my Foll'wers,
They are kinde wretches both, and loue thee well.
Charintha.
Indeed?
Florello.
Yes faith, They bid me rather then
Thou shouldst thus pine for loue to marrie thee.
Charintha.
Stand off! More distant yet.
Florello.
Wouldst view my Limmes?—
Charintha.
When you doe make your Christianitie
More knowne, you must be call'd Florello
Florello.
Hah!
Charintha.
Fortie blew Fiends wait to arrest you in
Your passage home.
Florello.
Madam, I am traduc'd.
Charintha.
Could your abusiue Arts make choice of none
But me? Be sure this visit is your last.
Florello.
I must not, dare not, leaue ye, till I'ue cleerd
The errours in this callumnie—
Charintha.
Returne,
Or you affront my power, and I shall thinke
Your loue, is, as your person, counterfeit.
You but this Key, which in my Orchard Gate
You may imploy, and free you from th'Arrest.
Besognia,
I'le to bed.—
Exeunt Niente, Charintha, Besognia.
Florello, Rossa, Molard looke ghostly awhile at one another.
Florello.
A sober truth.
Summes I ow'd when I imbark'd for Pisa.—
Rossa.
Now shall I, like a melancholie worme,
Feede on raw Rootes.—
Molard.
Sing Canticles of woe!
I must e'en goe tagge points in a Garret.—
Florello.
This Key, with rescue o'th'young Rapiers of
The Law will bring vs home.
Rossa.
No moneis Sir?
Florello.
Faith we must all disrobe, our Vestments old
Stitch on agen, and morgage these to raise
A Summe that may assist my librrtie.
Molard.
Creepe in our Rags of Tinder, in our thinne
And dustie webs agen.
Rossa.
I feele a heard
Of small cattell graze on my left shoulder.—
Florellll.
O my forward bountie! There's but sicke hope
My Iewels will returne; since custome shewes;
What Ladies thus from ther dull Sutors get
They doe preserue as Tribute to their wit.
Exeunt omnes.
Scoperta, and her Woman vnder a Canopy.
Woman.
The longer moitie of the Night's vnspent.
Scoperta.
Since time grew old, he slowly findes his steps
I'th darke: by day he swifter moues. Get thee
To bed; The Casements of thine Eies are shut;
Woman.
Madam, good night.
Exit.
Scoperta.
Come my Sciolto, and confirme the vertue of
Thy faith; or I disperse my Soule in Sighs,
And make this Chaire my easie monument.
Reads.
Enter Altamont, Meruolle.
Meruolle.
All are departed that to Charintha
Made visit: Your Seruants haue begunne
Their sleepe, and Guards are plac'd vpon the Gates.
Altamont.
Are my bold Instruments in ambush laid,
And scatter'd for the best aduantage of
Their conceal'd action, and their view?
Meruolle.
They are.
Altamont.
Expect me then beneath the Garden Mount.
Exit Meruolle.
Altamont steales to Scoperta, and shews her his Armes besmeard with blood.
Scoperta.
You swelling Cloudes choake my afflicted sight!
Altamont.
The Starres like scatterd embers fall. The Teares
Of men doe meete in Seas, and Seas orewhelme
The Earth. Th'amazed Heards howle to the Sunne
For helpe; whose Beames sucke moisture vp, till he
Hath made the flood his draught, but vomits all
In Showres agen; such as Deucalion saw!
Scoperta.
Nature (it seemes) is frighted from her health.
Altamont.
Behold my Corall hands, they seeme to blush
With guilt of humane sacrifice. Me thinkes
I looke like to a Memphian Priest, that had
Dissection made of Hecatombs t'appease
Their false Diuinitie. Alteza's dead.
Scoperta.
I want pretence to sooth my faith: Els I
Would hope your hands depriued her not of breath?
Alta.
Fathers that feed on Sonnes, and Sonnes that drinke
Their mothers blood, reach not that cruelty
Scop.
May some kinde Saint, weepe o're your Soule vntill
With holy dew, he wash this sinne away.
Altamont.
Thou doest mis-spend thy vestall charitie.
I'th sollitary age of Night I come,
To finde those Angells that haue businesse now
On Earth, in Synod heere with thee: hoping
I shall receiue reward for my iust Act.
Scoperta.
The howers that gaue her opportunitie
To erre, were knowne so few; that my beliefe
Concludes her guiltlesse of the actuall sinne.
Altamont.
Before the hindmost part of her vex'd Soule
Forsooke her thrilling Lipps, she did confesse,
Sciolto had perform'd all circumstance
That doth ingender Man. Sciolto too,
Confirm'd her attestation as a truth.
Scoperta.
Be deafe (sweete heauen) to this. Did Sciolto
Iterate her foule speech?
Altamont.
He did, which I,
Ore hear'd, and forc'd a passage to his Heart.
From its warme Throane, I snatch'd the aking Lumpe;
And threw it straight vnto a hungry Fiend.
Scoperta.
Is he dead too? The Genius of the world
Is sicke, all Formes must cease.
Altamont.
Dost weepe for him?
Scoperta.
O Sir, should I restraine the flux, my Eies
Would drop from their loose Stringes instead of Teares.
Altamont.
This obsequie, doth make Compassion sinne.
Scoperta.
O Sciolto. Art thou so early fled,
To tast eternitie, and vnknowne fate.
Altamont.
Stint thy hoarce Dirge, pernicious Whore. I had
Some hope, the interuiew that you inioy'd
Might be enforc'd by his vnruly strength:
But now, I finde it was with thy consent
Procur'd, Y'haue struggled in each others lust.
All now is euident as light.
Scoperta.
I bring
Altamont.
Though dull, to Men of harsh, strict discipline,
Yet know, I haue some cunning in my rage.
I came to fright this secret from thy Heart:
My Hands I did not bath in humane blood,
Alteza, and Sciolto are aliue.
Sco.
This ioy will make my Heart dance in my Breast.—
Alta.
Sinke into th'Earth, where sorrow dwells. Ere yon—
Dimme Morne shall adde one Howre vnto her Age,
Scioltos Sowle shall take a doubtfull flight:
It only stai'd to mingle company
With thine. My anger was so iust, I Would
Not prosecute thy life; vntill my doubts
Were cleer'd. Goe, goe, and number o're thy Beades.
Scoperta.
Is there in all your vaines, no drop (vnmix'd
With Gaule) that from our Mother is deriu'd,
And so may tempt compassion from your Breast?
Altamont.
Alteza mournes, as if t'expiate
A Nation with her griefe. Hadst thou reueald
Such penitence, it might haue softned my
Decree. But thou art sowre and sterne of Soule.
Scoperta.
No mercie, for our Noble Mothers sake?
Altamont.
My Mother when she lay, a cold paterne for
The figure on her Toombe, spent her last breath
In praise of thee. Quoth she; For my sake vse
Thy Sister well: th'acqaintance that she hath
In Heauen is great. I'th blossome of her growth
She shall ore'come the Eies of men, and in
Her Age, she shall haue skill in Prophecie.
But O false lore! Our Mother kind, (whom I
A Sybill held) thou now hast proou'd a Witch.
Scoperta.
I am too weake to force from your beliefe
Mistakes so strong.
Altamont.
Goe pray, the Howres are swift:
I'ue purposd thee a pris'ner heere till my
Returne.—This is a sicklie Rhume, and not
Compunction in my Eyes.—
The last of all
My merits shall be calld obedience to
Your will: If you doe owe a kindnesse to
Your selfe; thinke on Religion and the Lawes.
Exit.
Altamont.
Nature doe thou direct my spleene. The Lawes
Are sinfullie contriu'd. Iustice should weigh
The present crime, not future inference
On Deedes. But now they cheapen blood: 'tis spilt
To punish the example, not the guilt.
Religion too, on our Italian Earth,
Growes like the Cedar big and high; but yeelds
No fruit. The abiect race of men she doth
Confound with hope, and bids them not obay,
T'augment humilitie, but her owne sway.
Exit.
Enter Meruolle, Sciolto, and three Mutes.
Meruolle.
Your strength does but intangle ye the more.
Sciolto.
I'le not be trus'd (Sir) like a Pullet thus—
Meruolle.
Leaue nothing that can minister defence.
Disarme him of his Pinnes.
Sciolto.
Pare my nailes too.—
Meruolle.
You shall be angerd strait, till you bestow
The time to bite'm off. Soone as we spi'd
You scaling ore the Orchard wall; we guess'd
The hopes of your visit. There haue beene snares
Lai'd for your feete, ere since you left the House.—
Exeunt Meruolle, Mutes, hauing rifled him of his Pistols and his sword.
Sciolto.
There is some danger in this chance, my dull
Heart beates with slow, and ominous leasure.—
Scoperta from her windore.
Scoperta.
Pale Planet shine! It must be he. My Eares
Perswade me they oretooke his voice. Sir, Sir!—
Hah! Scoperta? A cruell destinie
Hath murdred all our ioy. endeuouring an
Addressse for stealth of thee, I was surpris'd,
Disarmd; euen heere ith presence of my Starres.
Scoperta.
There's not a Starre in all the Firmament
Belongs to vs.
Sciolto.
O none! Or if there be,
Their influence is so weake that at
This distance Babes may blow'em out. Sure our
Creation we haue tooke vnknowne to Fate.
Scoperta.
Our loue was of too nimble growth vnlesse
Philosophie giue hope, that after death
We may conuerse; this is the last of all
Our interuiewes.
Sciolto.
That fatall Prophecie
Will shake my Soule from out my flesh; and like
Some tame Hermit I shall vnwounded die.
Scoperta.
The word that's heard abreuiates our discourse
And life: the Sand that limits both is falne
Into the reach of number now: and I
Haue spent with thee the hasty time prefix'd
For a deuout imployment of my Beades.
The murderers are within.
Sciolto.
Grimme wild horrour!
Hast thou no weapons there that I may vse
T'anihilate their vigor and their shape?
Scoperta.
Vnto thy Lips I'ld throw a kisse; but with
The strings of my poore solitary Lute
They'ue bound my hands!—
Sciolto.
O my hot rage! I could
Spit fire till I enkindle yonder Groue,
Raising a flame that might perplex the Earth,
And make'em thinke Heauen had dropp'd a Planet.
Scoperta.
And I could weepe vntill I quench'd that flame,
And drew suspition that a second Flood
Was come to drowne mortallitie agen!
Sciolto.
This sudden eleuation of the Soule;
To rise, and climbe ere she begins her flight.
Scoperta.
Whence is that noise?
Sciolto.
I'le be as calme as are Arabian winds.
Scoperta, stay; Vnheard we will conuerse.—
Sco.
They come, they come, deare loue, for euermore farewell.
The Mutes snatch her from the Window.
Sciolto.
O for the Giant race, to helpe me heaue
Those Mountaines vp; that I might burie this
Proud Structure and my selfe! Yon burlie Oake
(Whose Roots reach hell) I'le manage till I pownd
And batter all the Marble into Flowre.—
Enter Altamont, Meruolle.
Mer.
You haue oreheard, what will your knowledge grieue.
Altamont.
Her Soule is ill prepar'd:
Meruolle.
I gaue command
They should awhile delay her death, lest want
Of leasure might destroy her penitence.
Altamont.
Remaine within the summons of my call:
And leaue me heere. I charge thee by thy Vow,
And our friendships deare vse, that thou depart.
Exit Meruolle.
Sciolto.
Speake what thou art?
Altamont.
Some call me Altamont.
I'ue seene thee walke armd like a Magazin;
With small Artillerie entrench'd: but thou
Art fitly now prepar'd for sufferance.
Sciolto.
Not thy tame sacrifice, but victorie
I'le be. For naked as I am I will
Resist my death; and since vnfurnish'd to
Reuenge, yet I shall trouble thy best strength.—
Altamont.
Sciolto, though, thou merit trechery,
And opposition that, by darkest stealth,
May cousen thee, of thy luxurious soule,
Sciolto.
False tyranie!
Altamont.
Stay. This I will performe,
And 'tis to know the rigour of thy might,
What wondrous flame and spirits doe possesse
Thy spacious Breast.
Sciolto.
There's relish of intent!
Altamont.
I'ld learne the prouidence and iustice of
My Fate; trie if they'll let me fall before
Th'incounter of thy beastiall strength; thou that
Augments't thy sinnes t'orecome the memorie
Of Heauen: in sillie hope, th'accompts may be
Vnwillinglie suruard, because th'are long.
Receiue thy Sword.—
Sciolto.
Miracle of bountie!
Altamont.
If whilst we struggle in the pride of hope
Thou canst so weaken my defence, that I
Become disarm'd; thy libertie is gain'd.
Sciolto.
With solemne penitence I could accuse
My crimes 'gainst thee: but griefe's akinne to feare.
This great demeanure of thy spleene diuides
Th'intent of Gratitude. I know not which
T'affoord thee most, my enuie, or my loue.
Alta.
The moone hath now put on her brightest Robe;
My anger too, doth carrie fire enough
To light vs to the charge, Guard well thy Heart.—
Sciolto.
A little respite giue,—Must we needs fight?
Altamont.
You then would cousen me of my reuenge?—
Sciolto.
Yet stay!—Know I doe loue thy Sister well.
Alta.
Marke (sweet Heauen) with what exalted triumph
He boasts the fowle remembrance of his sinne.—
Thrusts at him.
Sciolto.
Stiffe as a columne!—
Altamont.
Th'Arcadian wrastler told
Young Theseus so; but he did yeeld as if
His sinnewes had binne made of silke. So fierce?—
Sciolto.
I'le worke thy strength so low, that Virgins shall
Altamont.
Thus I will bore thy flesh, till thou become
Transparant as a Sieve—
Sciolto.
This closure hath
Intangled vs, let's make another charge?
Altamont.
Euen thus diuided Billowes part, that they
May meete in greater foame—
Sciolto.
Wilt thou not bleede?
Not yet?—I skirmish with vnbodied Aire.
Altamont.
Thy guillt betrai's thy hand vnto mistakes,
And thus my iniurd Spirits greete thy life—
Sciolto.
That Wound gapes like to a yawning Giant.
Altamont.
So hot is thy lasciuious blood, that as
I sprinkle it, it scaldes my hands—
Sciolto.
I reele
Before thy breast, and stumble at a Warr—
Falls.
Alta.
Thy Sword's my Captiue now. Meruolle, hoa!
Sciolto.
I haue some courage yet, left in my Teeth,
If thou art kinde, come neerer with thy Throate—
Enter Meruolle, Mutes.
Altamont.
O the Celestiall powers are iust. See there.
He bleeds like to a Spring, that borders on
The Rubicke Sea, whilst I remaine vntuch'd.
Meruolle.
Has he not lost the benefit of breath?
Alta.
Stop all his wounds, and giue him time to spend
The rest of's moisture in repentant Teares—
They binde him with scarfes.
Sciolto.
My wounds clos'd vp, what meanes this courtesy?
Altamont.
That thou might'st leasure haue to pray. Be sure (Meruolle.) when's deuotions haue ariu'd
Vnto a powerfull length, you strangle him.
Sciolio.
Can thy young honour stoope to such low flight?
Vnto resistance equall, I exposd
My strength, to try thy courage and my fate.
This was my iustice to my selfe: Iustice
I'le giue to thee: Thy crimes doe merit death.
Sciolto.
O sooth my last ambition then. be thou
My Executioner.
Altamont.
Thou art disarm'd,
Thy blooming honors now are wither'd on
Thy Crest. I should depriue my Anger of
Her fame, to be thy actiue opposite.
Sciolto:
Scoperta, stay. My Soule shall houer straite
With thine. Stay for me in the Milky-path.
Altamont.
Let Italy avowch the iust demeane
Of my reuenge. Dull Brittaines know no wrath.
Th'vnskillfull youth, that equall Duell giue
To him that first incensd the blood; but tempt
The curtesie of Fate, such take delight
To stroke abuse, pay Iniuries, with right.
Meruolle.
This way (Sir) leades vnto your Graue. You shall
Haue space, to gaine some friendship with the Saints—
Exeunt Meruolle, Sciolto, Mutes.
Altamont.
A sudden frost congeales my Heart; I shrinke
Like crooked Age; I am vnwieldy on
My ioynts, as if my vaines were empty growne—
Opens his Dublet.
Wounded. His point has stollne into my Breast.
Oh helpe. I'ue yet some vse for life. Th'nice search,
I made to know Heaun's secret iustice is
Aueng'd. (Bold Earth!) I weepe into the Sea,
And sigh t'augment the windes. Repentance is
An immateriall Salue, it cures th'vnsound
Diseased Soule, but not the Bodies wound.
Reeles off, Exit.
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