University of Virginia Library

Act the fift.

Scene the first.

Enter Niente, Alteza in her Night Gowne.
Alteza.
A guard vpon my Gates, and haue they there
Binne plac'd ere since the first ariuall of
The Night?

Niente.
Meruolle keepes the Keyes, he'le let
No seruant be awake about the house.

Alteza.
The Sunne begins to bath i'th'Mornings Teares!
Hast thou Lucio call'd, and bid Pytho mix
With him in a sad Song?

Niente.
I haue Madam.

Alteza.
No more (Niente) shalt thou seruice doe
For me: last night I told thee I had lost
My vanitie: that courtly Lady serue
Who findes it first. But least thy wants augment
Thy Sinnes, my charitie affoords thee this—

Flings him a Purse.
Niente.
Well I'm resolu'd to mend, or become worse.

Exit.
A Song betweene two Boyes.
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2

1

2

Enter Meruolle.
Meruolle.
Howle, howle, vntill you wake the inhabitants
Of Graues! till you disquiet all the Spheares;
And put harmonious Nature out of tune,

Alteza.
What meanes this fatall summon, that doth make
Amazement cold, as is Iberian Ice.

Mer.
Great Altamont (your Lord) who still was prompt
To curbe th'incitements of your wrath; threw wise
Aduantage from his reach, and struggled with
The bold Sciolto, in an equall warre.

Alteza.
Downe holy flame. When Hope doth sicken so,
I would not haue the power to prophecy.

Meruolle.
The surly Lyon, and the testy Bore,
Did nere maintaine, resistance with like fierce
And ruinous returne of strength: for from
Their Eyes such Lightning flew, that Villagers
(Whose early labours till'd the Earth) did thinke
Rash Phaeton did scourge the fiery Teeme
Agen. Sciolto chipp'd, ragged with wounds;
Did bleede away his strength. This his false Sword
Your Husband bade me prostrate at your feet—
And 'tis the last memoriall of his loue.

Alteza.
Ambiguous History! He conquerour,
Yet this the last memoriall of his loue!

Mer.
Wise Heauen did mocke your Altamont: for whilst
Ore ioy'd with victory, he spies in's Breast
A large deepe wound, and thence his Soule tooke flight.

Alteza.
O my poore Lord! how soone hast thou begunne
Thy immortalitie. The hasty Sparke
So vpward mounts, and then no more is seene.

Meruolle.
I'th'last remainder of his dying speech,
He briefly told his Testament; which doth
Containe imployments sad, and such as you
Must actuate strait. To please his Ghost, shew now
A little loyaltie and loue, Rise, and
Be conducted by my slow steps. I will
Enforme your knowledge all that he enioyn'd

Alteza.
Th'obedience which I scanted to his life,
Vnto his memory I'le strictly pay.

Meruolle.
You haue a losse that doth out-speake complaint!
If sweete and pliant discipline of Courts,
If feats of mighty Warre, or sober Arts
Aduance th'esteeme of humane qualitie;
'Tis fit your Altamont we striue to raise,
Aboue the charitie or skill of praise.

Enter Florello, Rossa, Molard, in their old habits, Dandolo, Stoccata, Punto, bound.
Florello.
Who did assist your passage to this walke?

Rossa.
Meruolle Sir, with whom we vs'd your name.
Doe you obserue the Count, and his two leane
Ianizaries?

Florello.
What in captiuity?

Rossa.
Certaine stratagems (Sir) haue binne leuel'd
'Gainst the Prerogatiue of your life royall.

Molard.
Ere since the hope of day, they waited your
Descent from the Cloyster Bridge: but doubting
Their owne courage, and meeting vs disguis'd,
Thus in our originall weedes; they would
Haue brib'd vs for two Pistolets t'assist
The prosecution of your death. Our Grace
And strength bound them to their good behauiour.

Florello.
They walke like Caterpillers on a Leafe.—
Takes Dandolo aside.
Yeeld me the cause why you contriu'd my death.

Dandolo.
Good faith (Sir) for no harme.

Florello.
Giue me a Knife!—

They search Dandolo.
Rossa.
Here is one belong'd to Hans van Genlicke.

Florello cuts Dandolos bonds, and gives him the Knife.
Florello.
Take your selfe solemnly aside and cut
Your Throat! do't strait, and neatly too, y'had best.

Dandolo.
The motion I'd slike, 'tis dangerous.

Florello.
Haue you three throats, can you reuiue as oft
As you are kill'd, to take new punishment,
That thus you mutinie 'gainst kind reason?

Dandolo.
These thousand yeeres't has bin obseru'd, th'eldest
Brothers of her house (Sir) could nere endure
To cut their Throates.

Florello.
Tis sit (deare Count) that you
Must die; I'm els vniust vnto my selfe.

Dandolo.
With sapient Arts, we will proiect to saue
Th'reputation of your iustice.

Florello.
As how?

Dandolo.
I will promulgate I am dead, and both,
My Champions heere shall swear't.

Stoccata.
Wele venture one
Commandement to saue another sir.

Florello.
This cannot satisfy. How ere (Sir Count)
If you will patiently accept your death.
I'le furnish ye with Guides, for your last iaunt.
You Punto, and Stoccata too! No more
Of your phylosophie. Fix Brow, to Brow,
Knock out, each others Braines, and shew your Lord
The way, vnto th'Elizian-Field. Doe it
At first encounter too; For I'm in haste—

Stoccata.
Slight Sir, I nere was in Elizium, I.
Nor should I finde the way thither, though Signior
Argos, lent me Nintie Nine of his Eies.

Florello.
Then Punto shall be conduct to ye both.

Punto.
Good Signior, any curtesie but this
You may command. You still doe most presume
Vpon the calmest, and th'easie Nature.

Rossa.
They all are forfeittures to th'Law. If you'le
Bestow'em but as prisners vnto us,
They shall suffer, or giue vs large ransome.

Florello.
How? a ransome? These Two are poorer then
Carthusian-Monkes: leane as a Romish Lent.
Slaues, who pretend sicknesse, that they may lie
In Hospitalls to steale the Sheets. Achornes
They eate, such as Westphalia-Hoggs doe scorne.

Rossa.
The Count (Sir) will vntie his Strings for 'em.

Dandolo.
Ransome, I'le giue: for I doe hate to die.

Florello.
The ransome must
Be small. Shuffle 'em together: and pack
'Em hence. I will not heare a sillable
Of thankes. Rossa, see'em hors'd for Millaine.

Exeunt all but Florello.
Enter Charintha to him.
Charintha.
O dismall change! does your victorious Sword
Hang now on aged Belt of Bandeleere?
Is your high Plume moulted to a sprigge, small,
As if 'twere made o'th wing of a Beetle.

Florello.
Who can resist the frownes of destiny?
My suffrance giues my merits their reward.

Charintha.
Your speech was wont to be in a more high
Exalted Key: lowd as a Gulph! Your heart
Was full of ligges, and your feet did wander
Euen like Autumns dust.

Florello.
Affect so much
Humilitie as may imploy your thoughts
With more compassion on my ru'nous fall.

Charintha.
I threw on you perpetuall banishment.

Florello.
I'm come to manifest the sinne of my
Disguise, though it proceeded more from hope
T'inioy your person then your wealth. Witnesse
Each nimble Register of humane Thoughts!

Charintha.
'Has got a sweet and powerfull way in speech.

Florello.
This is my reall Shape, in which I doe
Appeare, a thinne and witherd Souldier borne,
I'th'later age of warre: When glorie's sicke,
And honour triuiall as the spleene of Babes.

Charintha.
He was not wont to vse this Dialect.

Florello.
Grant now (thou beautious wealth of Italy)
An expiation for my crimes; For know,
I would be cleane when I shall dedicate
My future vowes to th'absent Altar of
Thy Heart: lest I doe loose the vse of my
Idolatry; and make repentance sinne.

Charintha.
Doe all harmonious gifts reside within
Such course and humble weedes?

Florello.
Destroy me not
With scorne: I know you Ladies most delight
I'th'fraile surface of the body, in name,
And guilded pompe, which was the fatall cause
I practis'd them on you:

Charintha.
Y' endeere the worst
Of fashion vnto vs, by making it
A custome in your selues. If men did not
Prouide such follies for our sight, we knew
Not where to finde their vse; for they digest
Them first, then they become our nourishment.

Florello.
Vaine men. We alter our creation so
With female shapes, that Heauen scarce knowes its stamp
And Nature (that distinction still commands
T'each Sex) forgets the worke of her owne hands.

Charintha.
I nere beheld a feature masculine
Till now: had you but thus appeard vnto
My first suruay, I might haue lou'd in haste,
And yet excus'd the rashnesse of my eies.
I ginne to feele some danger in my stay.

Florello.
Ere you depart, a small memoriall from
Your hands, I craue, to weare vpon my crest,
That it may tempt kinde fate to looke on me,
When I in glorious battell striue; and
I will absent my selfe for euermore.

Charintha.
I nothing keepe for such sad vse, as to
Depriue me of so sweet a miracle.

Florello.
Grant my request, or I'le pursue your steps

Charintha.
If you continue still to beg, I feare
My bounty will prooue rash: and I shall giue
So much of loue, as you can ne're repay.—

Florello.
O my auspicious starres! Should I not now
Make vse of your good influence, I were
Vnworthy of your care.—

Enter Meruolle.
Meruolle.
The choice you make
Can nere deserue your chaste and lawfull fire
She is Florello of a heart and straine
Too insolent for nuptiall happinesse:

Florello.
Thou hast bin cald my friend. But if thy spleene
Continue a dislike of her, I'le blow thee from
My memory, and with my chiefest strength
I'le punish thy missetake—

Meruolle.
A des'late griefe
Will more become thy breast then this proud rage.
Thy brother's dead, and his decease caus'd by
Her sisters pride.

Charintha.
My sisters husband dead.

Florello.
Into my eares thou hast a horror powr'd
That hath already stiffened euerie haire
On my amazed skull into a Reed.

Charintha.
Wilt thou neglect to cherish the swift growth
Of our new loues?

Meruolle.
Like to her sister she
But counterfeits a passionate esteeme,
That thy fond Nature she might tempt beneath
Her rule. If Altamont be deare vnto
Thy thought, leaue her, and straight attend his Hearse,
That in the Chappell waits thy obsequie.

Exit.
Charintha.
Th'inspir'd Needle's not more true vnto
The North, the Sunne to his diurnall race,
Nor Riuers to the Maine; then I to thee.

Florello.
Sorrow and loue, my senses doe diuide.
If I remayne with thee, then only loue
I serue, if with sad fleps, I tread the way
Vnto my Brothers Herse, I both obey.

Exit.
Charin.
Thou dost require the skornes which I did throw
On thy first loue. My destiny must needs
Be tragicke now: since the contracted scope
Of all my ioy, rests in diseased hope.

Exit.
Enter Meruolle, Alteza.
Meruolle.
Behold the Throne, your Lord commanded me
Prepare: and heere you must be pleas'd to sit.—

Alteza.
Can this aduancement ought refer to your
Delight, or to my Lords last Testament?

Meruolle.
Iustice hath laid her sword within your reach:
And you haue power to sheath it so; that where
You execute, you may a murder doe,
Or sacrifice. Bring the delinquents in.

Enter Sciolto, Scoperta, at seuerall dores, each led in, bound and hoodwinkd, by two Mutes.
Alteza.
Sciolto and Scoperta still aliue?

Sciolto.
Thy spirit Altamont ascended with
The loue of all my chiefest orizons.

Meruolle.
These two were by your husbands iealousie,
And hate, ordaind for death: but ere that we
Could actuate his will; his noble breast
Receiu'd a wound, that bad him strait prouide
For's owne eternity. The last of all
His speech, referd them both vnto your power.
You may appoint them liue or die: and I'm
Oblig'd by vow, to see perform'd what you
Command.

Alteza.
O dire, sinister accident!

Meruolle.
Your Iewels, and your wealth, I haue pack'd vp,
To ease our flight, when we haue finish'd
This vsurpation of the Lawes. Let them
Inioy their eyes; that they may know their Iudge.

The Mutes vnmuffle'em.
Scoperta.
Hah, Sciolto!

Sciolto.
Scoperta, O my Girle!

Meruolle.
Keepe them diuided from each others reach:

Sciolto.
I thought thy beauties had beene darke and cold,
And th'adst (ere this) begun an easie sleepe
Within thy silent Graue.

Scoperta.
And I suppos'd thee fled
A Harbenger to Heauen: with purpose to
Bespeake my Billet neere to thine.

Sciolto.
Since this sad night, did blind the drowsie world,
They thus haue manacled my strength. They'ue watch'd
My hardy violence so tame, that now
Each featherd Forrester roosts in my Beard.

Scoperta.
We cannot (Sir) be mortall long; therefore
Receiue a hope our sufferance will cease.

Meruolle.
Sciolto, now requite the leysure I
Haue giuen thy penitence, by rendring straight
Vnto the world, how farre thou didst corrupt
These Ladies with thy guilt. For know, I still
Perswaded Altamont thy lust inioi'd
No more, then what concern'd wishes or hope.
And I was vsher'd to'th beliefe of this,
By knowledge of those secret spies which he
Imploy'd to watch your personall remooues,
About the House: whose labours euer miss'd
Of finding that successe he prophecy'd.

Sciolto.
I doe confesse m'imagination once
Did sinne against them both: but if it ere
Extended vnto act; let me lose Heauen.

Meruolle.
If Altamont were now aliue, he would
Permit this vtterance cleere his fayth. Madam,
You heare that he Scoperta vindicates
By oath; though his owne crime doth carry an
Import more euident, and blacke; but yet
When you behold his feature, and his youth,
Your mercy may conceiue t'were pity that
He should so soone depart from time and flesh.

Alteza.
Sir, you haue skill to know my womanhood
Is weake as ignorance, or sleepe. Why should
You seat me heere, thus to dispose of Law:
That ne're knew any iustice, but reuenge.

Meruolle.
Your sentence I am bound to execute.

Alteza.
Haue I not heard you say, my Husband did
Ordaine them both for death? 'T would ill become
The duty of my knowledge t'alter his
Decree.

Meruolle.
Keepe your intent, I will vsurpe
The office of your tongue, Mutes, strangle them.

Sciolto.
If in thy functions, gentle Nature claime
An interest, let vs imbrace, and vse
Solemnity, before we doe forsake
Each others view.

Meruolle.
I grant what you
Request: make your performance short; whilst I
Reueale m'opinions (Lady) to your eare.

Sciolto, and Scoperta kneele to each other.
Sciolto.
O Scoperta! this is the last of all
Our busie dreames; what we possesse is but
Imaginary now: Thy shadow I,
Embrace, not thee: for like to it, thou'lt flie
From my enioyment, and no more be seene!—

Scoperta.
So much of various fate, so soone expres'd
Two louers yet nere knew; since simpathy
First dwelt on Earth.

Sciolto.
Ere long we must be cold,
Cold, cold my Loue, and wrapp'd in stubborne sheets
Of lead: hows'd in a deepe, a gloomy vault;
Where no society will mix with vs,
But what shall quicken from our tainted limmes.

Scoperta.
Whilst still ther's noise, and busines in the world;
Whilst still the warres grow loud, and battels ioyne;
Whilst Kings their Queenes salute in Iuory beds.

Sciolto.
But O! how many Ages may succeed
In Heauens darke Kalender; ere we agen
Materiall be, and meet in our warme flesh?

Sco.
And whether that our soules, when they're prefer'd
To taste eternity will euer thinke
Vpon the bargaines of our humane loue,
Is vnto me a desolate suspence.

Sciolto.
Phylosophie doth seeme to laugh vpon
Our hopes, and wise Diuinity belies
Our knowledge, with our Fayth: iealous Nature,
Hath lock'd, her secrets in a Cabinet,
Which Time nere saw: and he that in it prys
Vnto Religion forfeites his bold Eies.

Scoperta.
Our Reason frights onr Sences to distrust.
My Lipps doe begge from thine a Legacie—

Sciolto.
O sad acomp. How is my bounty now
Exhaust: This is the last I ere shall giue—

Meruolle.
Blind them agen and stay their deaths awhile.
Madam, your knowledge is allready taught
Scoperta's innocence. Sciolto's deed
Stands nere your punishment; but distant far
From remedy. Marke, his goodly feature.
With what magnificence he's built? Besides
This Morne his Vnkle too (the wealthiest of
Our Senators) is dead, and has bine pleasd
T'intitle him his Heire.

Alteza.
Should I not chide?

Meruolle.
Thinke how you lou'd him once. He will (to saue
His life) discard Scoperta's interest,
And marry you: a hapinesse compleate
For both

Alteza.
Hah?

Sciolto.
Slaues. Stretch now your Cordage out,
Pull till my Eies doe starte like Bulletts from my Skull,
Murdering where they flie—

Alteza.
Hold, hold.—Did my
dead Lord bid you performe, what I decree?

Meruolle.
He did: and I asured it with my Vowes.

Alteza.
Heare then without resistane of my breath,
Sciolto is condemn'd by Law; as knowne
The fatall Instrument that did depriue
My Lord, of precious life; so he must die.
T'were fit my care affected mercie in
Scoperta's dome; she's Sister to my Lord:
But her sweete innocence doth make her safe.
She must remaine among the liuing still;
And in her rome, I doe condemne my selfe.
For my sterne pride, was the originall cause
Of this blacke Tragedy. Kind Sir, as you
Esteeme your Vowes, see my edict perform'd:
And giue me priuiledge first to endure
its wrath—

She descends.
Meruolle.
This carries wonder in't

Scoperta.
I'le not resigne these bonds of Death, vnlesse
Sciolto share in the compassion too—

Alteza.
Giue me your pardon (gentle Mayd). I haue
Depriu'd you of a Brother that deseru'd
More Pyramids, then all th'Egiptian Kings.
Instead of him, receaue my pray'rs, my wealth.
When o're his Hersse you raise a Monument,
And fix my Marble-Figure neere to his,
Create me weeping.—I shall goe, with so
Much sorow, to my Graue, that being dead,
My Ashes will haue power to penetrate
The Stones. Release this pious Lady and
Performe your execution vpon me—

One o'th' Mutes pulls of his Uizard & discouers himselfe to be Altamont.
Altamont.
Away you dreadfull Ministers of death.
The Lawrell Sprigge, the Mirtle nicely wreath'd
In Coronets, my Loue deserues; for she
Is growne too good for Earth.—

Alteza.
My Altamont.—

She sinkes.
Meruolle vnmuffles, and vnbindes Sciolto, and Scoperta, who straight embrace each other.
Sciolto.
This deceipt brings wonder, great as our ioy.
They that diuide vs now, must vse the strength
Of swelling floods, and helpe of Thunder too—

Altamont.
Put all thy beauties on agen, and smile
At the returne of our long absent loue:
My wound is clos'd, and will haue instant cure—

Alteza.
The Earth groan'd at my fall, so heauie are
My sinnes, so much they did increase my weight.

Altamont.
Rise gently like a flame, from incense sprung.
Meruolle, to appease my iealousie
Ordain'd me this disguises that I might heare
How in your sentence you behau'd your loue
To me: Hadst thou continu'd false, I had
Increas'd the anger of thy fate: but now
Thou art indeer'd vnto my heart agen.—

Alteza.
Sir, I haue hope my future loyaltie
Will manifest, your mercie well bestow'd.—

Altamont.
Scoperta, thou'lt excuse the cariage of
My doubts, I look'd on thee with th'eies of loue,
And loue is still too strict in her suruay.—

Scoperta.
My memorie would sinne, should it record
Ought that might nourish my dislike of you:
You made me taste of sorrow, not of wrath.

Sciolto.
Tis I, that haue most needfull vse of your
Kind charitie: forget my errors past,
And to oblige my future gratitude
Giue Hymen leaue to know your sister for
My wife. My Vnkles death hath lent me power
Still to maintaine her in such qualitie
As shall become my deere respects to you,
The greatnesse of her virtue, and her blood.

Altamont.
Take her, and be as tender of her health,
As Heauen hath o're thy wounds; which in their cure
Expresse much miracle.—My ioi's so swell
My breast, that I doe finde there's danger in
Delight. How bless'd Meruolle are thy Arts?

Meruolle.
Some Angels care assisted the successe.

Enter Charintha, Besognia.
Charintha.
Not Altamont's returne to life, nor yet
Sciolto's and Scoperta's glad repriue
Nor all the ioyes in reconcilement of
Your loues express'd, can my cold sences please:
Florello is vnkinde.—

Besognia.
The little God
Hath lately prick'd her with his baudy shaft.

Altamont.
Tell me Charintha, is thy loue sincere:
Such as i'th simple youth of Nature is
Exchang'd by louers with a harmelesse plight?

Charintha.
It is sincere, as holy Hermits vowes,
And true, as their confession at their deaths.

Meruolle.
Appeare Florello, and receiue thy doome.

Enter Florello.
Altamont.
It was Meruolle's care thus to assure
Thy Mistresse reall loue, and constancie
Ere thou shouldst giue too much of thine away.
But now receiue her from Alteza's hand:—

Alteza.
Charintha, thy election is so safe
Thou neuer wilt repent the iudgement of
Thy sight. He cannot be so neere alli'd
Vnto the blood of Altamont, but he
Must needs participate in virtue too.

Charintha.
We will embrace each other vntill Age,
Depriue our courteous sinewes of extent.—

Florello.
The gentle Turtle shall direct vs how
T'augment our loues; the Eagle to renew
Our youth, and we will striue to imitate
The crooked Vine in our increase.—

Altamont.
Ioy, ioy!
The firmament is now vnmask'd, and each
Of vs, hath found his starre.

Florello.
My Lou'd Sister,
I haue orehear'd the story of your griefs,
And from this noble Signior, I must begge
A faith indeer'd, the name of Brother too.

Sciolto.
You shall be precious to my eies as day.

Enter Rossa, Molard, fantastickly cloth'd in Dandolo's habit.
Molard.
The great Dandolo and his Giant whelpes
Are mounted on a Mule.

Rossa.
Naked they ride
As scoutes of Tartary they're victual'd with
A single egge.

Altamont.
What are these, walking Drummes?

Florel.
Th'are such your knowledge shall affect: they must
Inioy what I atchieue. Dull men, o'war,
The Trophie of my victorie behold,
She's mine: bow, and doe homage to her lippe.—

Alt.
Still thou dost mourn (Alteza) like a Doue.
Soft musick:
Hearke, hearke how the Roman-Organ seemes
T'inuoke the Thracian Lire; the Cymbals of
Indea, call Castilian-Cornets foorth,
And German-Viols wake the Tuscan Lute:
The sacred noise attend, that whilst wee heare,
Our soules may dance into each others eare.

Exeunt omnes.