 | The Siege |  |
ACT III.
SCENE I.
Enter a Sergeant, and Town Perdue.Perd.
Softly Sergeant, we'd better walk on Thorns,
Then near the enemies Perdues.
Serg.
Follow still!
Perd.
S'death, whether wilt thou lead me? shall we creep
Into their Cannons; we are already under
Their Trenches.
Serg.
Here good Monsieur Perdue, ly down and dig
A hole for your Chin.
Perd.
Whize, hey. These Bullets keep a noise,
I shall not sleep for 'em.
Serg.
Lie close, within two hours you are relieved.
Perd.
Dost here Sergeant? Fetch a Notary from
The Town, and I'll make my Will.
I bequeath thee my Knap-sack, there's a hole
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An invasion of Mice.
Serg.
Y'are to loud in your mirth. I see a Gun fire
From the Redoubts.
Perd.
Whize! Sergeant—
Serg.
S'death! Speak low.
Perd.
I'th' corner a my Ammunition Cheese,
Dwells a huge overgrown Maggot, I bequeath that
To my Comrade.
Serg.
There's another gives fire.
Exit.
Perd.
Whize! Farewel good Sergeant, he's an old Soldier,
He knows the enemies shoot no Sugar Plums.
Enter Florello, Soranzo, a Camp Sergeant.
Flo.
I may be confident, I am disguised
From your Sergeants knowledge.
Sor.
You may: The power is great y'have o'er my love
And duty, or I ne'er could be seduced
To do you this service. Sir y'are not kind
To me, you still conceal the cause that doth
Engage you in this new strange adventure.
Flo.
Waste not my last Sute, that thou wouldst leave me
To the protection of my Stars. Prethee
Be not guilty of too much love, thy care
Is to inquisitive.
Sor.
This enterprise is dangerous to your fame
And person.
Flo.
Soranzo, mind thy own affairs;
I cannot die i'th' dark,
Prethee leave me.
Lies down.
Serg.
We walk in danger Sir, they made
This night three sallies from that part.
Exeunt.
Flo.
I cannot lie far distant from the enemies
Perdue, I must betray my self with noise.
Coughs.
Perd.
Pox! Can't you catch a cold, but must you boast
Of it a loud. I see him move.
Both rise.
Flo.
Danger makes the conquest noble—
Have at the—
Perd.
S'death Sir! This is but a rough complement,
Y'embrace me to hard—
Flo.
You are to loud, if thou give the alarum
To the Town thou dy'st, yield up thy weapon.
Perd.
As I hope for mercy, Sir, 'tis not worth
Your acceptation, dull Ammunition
Blade, as I'm a Soldier.
Flo.
Howe'er, resign it for your own safety.
Perd.
Well Sir, I cannot deny you so small
A kindness, but 'tis not worth your wearing.
You'll give me good quarter.
Flo.
To what part of Italy dost thou ow thy Birth.
Perd.
Not far of, I was born
In Pisa.
Flo.
How! the name of Pisa doth oblige my
Kindness, lead me thither; here's thy Weapon—
I'll become thy prisoner—
Perd.
Sir, are you in earnest. Now I have my
Sword again, I shall grow very angry
If ye mock me.
Flo.
My request is serious.
Perd.
Be your favor Sir, I have cause to be
Merry, we'll toss the Cannakins, when we
Have entred the Ports.
Exeunt
Enter Meruole, Ariotto, Lizaro.
Mer.
Ho! Don Corn-cutter, dost thou usurp?
Am not I thy Soveraign?
Ari.
Good Ancient, be pleased but to consider, I
Have not the Indies, nor the Philosophers Stone
To assist my disbursments.
Mer.
I know my own Prerogatives: Thou art
My Subject; my necessities increase in time
Of War, and I must levy Subsidies.
Lizaro, you'll hasten your accounts to
Number me out just Thirteen—
Liz.
I'll be a loyal subject. Piracco
Is my Soveraign: Pay tribute to a Foreign Prince.
Mer.
Well Gentlemen, ye shall eat my Sword up,
Ye have Ostridge stomachs, I know ye can
Digest Steel—
Ari.
Well, how much must we disburse?
Mer.
I'll have all that remains in your possession,
Ye shall not keep a cross to swear by.
Ari.
Pox upon you! The Tyrant of Siracusa
Was not so envious to Men.
Mer.
D'ye snarl ye foysting Mungrels.
Ari.
'Sdeath, you can but have your tribute brought home
To ye: There 'tis—Liesure, we must obey.
Liz.
I am pleased. This tyranny will soon o'ercome
My Nature; my gentleness is not long liv'd.
Mer.
I love mettle of this complection:
Are your Duckets full weight? I'm decreed,
If ye cheat me with light Gold, to leave your Souls
Naked without a skin this frosty weather,
D'ye observe my precious Mounkies?
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'Tis a great vertue to be patient.
Mer.
So, if I can increase the number of
My Subjects: I may have hope
To be a Captain, this age is grown
Sinful; we can get no titles, but what
We pay for. Soldiers were never happy,
Since the siege of Troy. Good Agamemnon,
I'll trail a Pike under thy Ghost, if it
Would walk, and bear arms. The Court infects
The Camp, we must be gaudy now; triumph
In Scarlet, and high Plumes—This Hat looks like
An old Morrion 't has been my Pillow 'bove
Eighteen years. Just of Methusalem's Block—Ha!
Let me see—Troth 'twould not much indanger
My thrift to change, onely thou wouldst think't
Too great an honor—Ha! Go, go,
Triumph!
Ari.
'Slight! the Mogol's Revenue is not able
To maintain my cowardise.
Mer.
I'm known, a Midwifes Ruff is just like mine.
Lizaro, let me see yours: Hah! I, I,
'Twill serve the turn, unty—If thou dost grin
I'll cleave thee from the Scalp, unto the Twist—
Change Ruff's.
Liz.
Ariotto I've often given you my
Advice, we must be valiant.
Ari.
We must declare our Anger, with Pride and Courage.
Ancient we intend to be valiant.
Mer.
How! Speak but that word again, and ye both hasten
To your Graves: Let me but see ye so
Conspire against damnation, as to
Be valiant. I'll not permit in both
Your hearts so much noble fire, as shall
Incourage you to skirmish a Field Mouse.
Do, do! Be valiant if you dare.
Ari.
Sir, we scorn the humor, we—
Mer.
The Cannon catch me, if I not make ye
Run away from a Hare; ye shall
Be proud to pawn your sisters
To feed my riot.
Enter Piracco.
Pir.
Subject, I come to visit
My Exchequer.
Feels in's Pocket.
Liza.
Sir, I grieve you must lose your industry,
I pray peruse the other on my left Thigh.
Pira.
How Caitiff? Dost thou so much neglect life,
To walk without aurum potabile,
Without Tribute, to appease my wrath.
Liza.
Sir, I know you can speak thunder, 'tis in
Your power to kill me with your voice; but yet
Take leisure to consider. I pray
Question Meruole, your Colleague i'th' Empire.
Ari.
A Man Captain (if it be lawful to whisper)
More barbarous then a Goth; the Vandals
Were not so ravinous when they sack'd Rome,
As he in pillaging of us.
Pira.
Preserve our stations, least when I grow
Angry, I hurt ye with my breath Ancient
You are not temperate.
Mer.
How Captain?
Pira.
You insult upon my kindnesses, and 'tis
Difficult to grant your pardon.
Mer.
By this fair Light! If you
Incense me, I shall trouble ye worse then
Your Imposthume: Can you not gull the State
Finely, muster up Ammunition; Cassocks stuff'd with straw;
Number a hundred forty nine dead pays,
And thark Heaven for your Arithmetick?
Cannot you cloath your ragged Infantry
With Cabbage Leaves? Devour the reckonings,
And grow fat i'th' Ribs, but you must hinder
Poor Ancients from eating warm Beef: Hence forth
Expect no Contribution from these Bores.
Pira.
S'death! Will you not permit me to enjoy one?
Mer.
I will have both.
Pira.
That's to be decided with our weapons—
They draw.
Ari.
Pray Lizaro, if they both die, our Bonds
Are void, and we are free.
Mer.
D'ye curvet! Were there
A Scrivener here, I would be bold to make you
Entail my Pension on the Heirs of my
Body illegitemate, so leave ye
In bondage to posterity: Come Sir,
I shall anger your Imposthume—Again.
Ari.
Now I am victorious—
Piracco down.
Lizaro, your Champion's foil'd.
Mer.
Captain, thou'st still been held a bold Soldier,
I'll not insult o'er thy unkind destiny,
Live still; but by my Stars, you must either
Give me your Sword, or disclaim all interest
In these two, they are my Subjects now.
Pira.
Yield up my Sword, no! Take 'em, cherish the Babes;
Keep 'em warm, they are very chilly.
Mer.
Quick! Do me homage, bow lower?
Ari.
This is but humility.
Liza.
We are exceeding vertuous.
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Piracco, give me thy fist—We'll have a truce.
Pira.
Pox upon you, y'ave still the better on't
In these skirmishes.
Mer.
How now? No more a Cripple, thou walkest as
Stifly as a stock.
Pira.
Hah! I do not limp! By this Light, thou hast launch'd
My Imposthume!
Mer.
Hey! I near thought I had skill in Surgery
Till now; march on quick to my Colonels
Kitchin Tent, I'll present thee as a miracle;
A little of the Cooks Balsamum
Will finish the cure—By this hand he walks upright!
Subjects both attend.
Ari.
Every man gains by quarrelling, but we—
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Foscari, Florello, Colonel.
Fosc.
We embrace the greatest Soldier
The World contains; so far you have obliged
Our Gratitude, we fear we shall discredit
Nature; for Man was ne'er predestinate
To so much power, as can requite your
Noble Charity
Col.
Ye shall find us always prompt to serve ye,
And faithful, as becomes our Births and Calling.
Flor.
I have chosen to perform this strange duty, when time
Makes me most useful; you are shortly to
Expect a Battery.
Fosc.
We are enabled to resist the storm;
Heaven hath provided us some friends amongst
Our greatest Enemies: However, we are
Begirt with Intrenchments,
We can receive from Florence safe intelligence,
And speedy. The news of this your Battery,
Inforced with the Dukes stern rage, came to our
Knowledge, before your relation
Flor.
Then Spirits are your Messengers?
But I consume these hasty
Minutes: Is't your pleasure to direct me
To the Chamber, where I may finish
That employment which seduced me hither.
Fosc.
Sir, I am proffering my attendance:
Colonel give the Perdue a fair reward for this
Great fortune, and conceal Florello's strange arrival.
Col.
I go, we have now gage
To assure our safety.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Bertolina, Ranola, with Florello's Picture.
Ran.
Madam, shall I place it here?
Bert.
Gently Ranola, had it sence, it could
Not more provoke my care, I fear I shall
Commit Idolatry? Hail great Soldier!
Thou that art
The pride of Italy, and so exact
A wonder in this age; our Chronicles
Will fear to Register thy Deeds, lest they
Endanger quite the Readers faith to all
They write. Why art thou absent now?
Thou art imploy'd in atchieving new Wreaths,
Ere the old are
Wither'd, such sacred Garlands the Olympick
Wrestlers won.
Still he treads the Path of Honor
And loud Glory: He never thinks on me
I shall grow wild with grief.
Enter Foscari, Florello.
Fosc.
Sir, I will leave you to express your thoughts
Unto my Daughter.
Exit Foscari.
Bert.
Secure us Heaven!
Ranola quick, convey the Picture hence,
My contemplations sure were sinful; still
He remains to accuse my Idolatry.
Ranola, is't not a Spirit?
Ran.
Madam, I can't think he is a spirit;
A Maid may feel him without any
Bodily danger.
Exit.
Flor.
She is more timerous in her wonder
Then I am.
My Bertolina speak—
I hasten to be absent.
Bert.
Oh my Lord, if Pisa
Be not vanquish'd, how come I t'enjoy you here?
Flor.
Our true loves began by often
Enterview, when this proud City stood loyal
To my Dukes prerogative, hath betray'd
My soul to infamy and danger; yet
I repent not my atchievement, I've gain'd
More then will requite my losses, and I would
Hazard all that's mortal, ever thus to
Fetter thee with my embraces.
Bert.
Yet in my joy, I am most passionate,
The Marigold so opens to the Suns
Bright Eye, as Bertolina to your wish'd
Presence; and had I longer been depriv'd
Of your arrival, I had wither'd to my Grave.
You should have found me sleeping in my Tomb,
Cold as the Marble is.
Flor.
This I fear'd! Prophetick fury brought me
Hither. I left my Countreys Causes, a just War;
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To fight for thee.
Bert.
How Florello, I hope I do mistake your language.
Flor.
My General securely sleeps, and dreams not
Of my absence.
Bert.
Then you are now revolted from your Prince?
Flor.
I could not enough indanger my fame
Or life for thy safety.
Bert.
Oh thou art lost! Lost to eternity!
Flor.
How! My Bertolina!
Bert.
Mourn all that love the Wars, your Ensigns make
Of Cypress now. Florello's dead to honor.
Flor.
Stay, or I shall grow wild, I would not have
My soul entic'd through my fond ears.
Repeat your former words,
If I have given you cause of rage, speak it
In rougher accents, yet still wear in your
Memory the cause of my revolt: 'Tis for
Your sake I suffer.
Bert.
For my sake! The cause of your revolt is
The sad reason that must enforce me to
Disclaim your heart.
Flor.
Stay, you are too hasty in your sentence,
Collect your thoughts, and do not thus requite
My bold obsequious love.
Bert.
Thou stumblest like the blind; thou canst not see
Thy fall: Heretofore we lov'd with honor
And ambition; resolv'd to make our issue
Glorious, but now thou hast destroy'd that hope.
Why should we strive to increase posterity,
Since our Off-spring must needs be disfigur'd
With thy stain.
Flor.
'Tis in thy mercy to absolve my sin,
My honor I'll redeem with noble Fortitude.
Bert.
Never! The bold Warrier that hath deserv'd
Fame, whose Deeds engros'd
All publick noise once feel'd; his victories
Are quite forgot, and he degraded from
The rites of honor. My heart shall share in this
Thy sufferance, I'll weep
Till I am blind: Th'art now the ruines of
A man, though heretofore, the noblest Soldier
In the World.
Exit.
Flor.
Hah! Never more redeem my lost honor!
Can the vertuous sin with less presumption
Then the impious? Are all my Trophies
Forfeited for one rash error,
And that provok'd by love? Know cruel Virgin.
Hah, is she gone? She has left me mad, as
The Northern wind in Winter storms. I must
Pursue her, and enforce her to
Relent. O harsh, harsh destiny!
Exit.
Enter Castracagnio, Meruole, Lizaro, Ariotto.
Castr.
Not in his Tent?
Mer.
No Sir. Nor in our Trenches, nor in our Horse
Quarters. We have sought him with Spectacles
And a dark Lanthorn, yet cannot find him.
Castr.
Thy mirth is troublesome, I'll not smile to day.
Florello, where art thou hid? How ill it does become
Thy title to affect corners,
Unless by a strange ambush captivate,
Or slain by some dire instrument of War.
I cannot guess a cause t'excuse thy absence,
I must delay the Battery, till I
Do hear of thy return, or death. The love
I ow thy merit, makes me suspect with fear.
Exit.
Mer.
Florello is the favorite o'th' Camp,
He will be mist with much sorrow. Subjects,
Are the Articles written, I'll subscribe
To nothing that may infringe my Prerogative Royal.
Ari.
We onely want your Marshal fist to
Sign it, and some lawful witnesses
To confirm the Deed.
Mer.
Piracco shall subscribe as a witness.
Liza.
Y'ave lanch'd his Imposthume to good purpose,
He walks upright now.
Enter Soranzo.
Mer.
Do ye hear Subject, I would not be gul'd
Like a young Heir, I must read my Indenture ere I sign.
Ari.
There Sir, 'tis a kind of Hierogliphick.
Sor.
My heart begins to tire. Sir I'm bold
To intreat a kindness from you.
Mer.
Hah! He does not look like one would borrow Money.
Sor.
I have some encouragement to hope well from your own promise.
Mer.
I lend no Money but upon Mortgage, I—
Sor.
You mistake my errand.
Mer.
I'm glad of it, Sir. You look like a
Voluntier; there's a couple of your own tribe.
Deprive me of sleep, I cannot steel a wink
In forty hours for 'em, they dwell like thunder
In my ears. Proclaim their necessities
Louder then Cripples in the High-ways, and
I'm tender hearted, I cannot deny 'em alms.
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Ancient, we are thy Soveraign Peers, and thou
Our Subject now.
Mer.
Hark Sir I must obey.
Sor.
My demand requires not so much Tyranny,
I onely beg you would be pleas'd t'exchange
A Thrust or two in earnest, whilst you Sir
Remember the Glove, I remember your promise.
Mer.
A new Subject, Heaven help me from
The Gout, I begin to grow wealthy!
Sor.
So Sir, your answer should be noble.
Mer.
I am thinking what part of thy Body to
Murther first.
Sor.
Ye exceed in Curtesie; but no doubt
Heaven will teach me to be thankful.
Mer.
I will not hurt thee when I prick thy heart.
Sor.
Oh y'are too kind.
Mer.
To make out sport lawful, Ariotto
Shall o'ersee our motion, I chuse him
My second.
Ari.
'Death Ancient, our new Articles exempt
Me from all Duels.
Mer.
The Articles are not yet sign'd.
Sor.
This Gentleman says he's descended
From Amadis de Gaule; I cannot wish
To chuse a man more noble for my second.
Liza.
We shall ne'er be quiet, till Marshal Law
Admit Suits in Actions of Battery.
Ari.
Fret thy Gums in private, we must haste.
Sor.
Nay, I beseech you Sir, it is my pride
To be your follower.
Mer.
I do not love to waste my time.
Sor.
Sir I should disgrace my breeding,
Pray march, I'm your humble Servant.
Mer.
If I prove victorious, I shall return
Your complement true.
Exeunt.
| The Siege | |