 | The Siege |  |
ACT V.
Enter Piracco, Ariotto, Lizari.Ariotto.
How does the Ancient?
Pira.
My Tyrant is in health Sir.
Liza.
What, you have exchanged Wardrobes already.
Pira.
We have both one Tailor,
And Landress, I thank him he puts forth my
Linnen for me; but for shame I could
Shew you the naked truth; was ever Captain so prey'd upon.
Ari.
Captain, Ha' not the Rats gnawn off that title yet.
Pira.
The Ancient does purpose to devour me first,
And then he'll leave that for the Vermine.
Liza.
Th'art justly punished for thy tyrannising o'er us.
Ari.
This 'tis to be a coward.
Pira.
Alass, 'tis none of my fault.
Liza.
How! Not thy fault.
Ari.
Whose then?
Pira.
'Tis an error in nature, I cannot
Help it, I could wish it otherwise;
I have disputed with my heart about it,
But have no satisfaction, I've endeavored
Always, that men prescribe to make it valiant.
I ha'been drunk three times, a purpose, since
My last kick, wherein I have attempted
To make a noise, and roar, but hardly can
Conjure up my spirit, able to put
A Mouse in to a fear, that nibbles
A'th Knapsack for the Cheese in't, or a Weezel
That lies Perdue for a Hens Nest. I ha' not
So much Blood left in me to blush.
Ari.
It seems so Lizaro, such things were we once.
Pira.
Pray Gentlemen speak to the Ancient
To use me with more gentleness, and I had been
So happy to ha'been a Subject
To either of you, my life would not have
Been so burthensome.
Ari.
And thou beest weary of thy life, why do you not
Turn desperate as before, and fight?
Liza.
H'as no Imposthume now.
Ari.
Let him feed on Polecats,
And get one; there be things that die in Ditches,
And other nasty food to breed diseases.
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Must rise out of corruption.
Liza.
Does he use you then with such severity, no mitigation!
Pira.
I have a priviledge,
He's here Gentlemen.
Enter Meruole drinking Tobacco, Bagola.
Bag.
Here they are: Ha'! Piracco by his Physnomy,
But ancient Meruole by the garb.
I observ'd not this before; what, disguised Captain?
Liza.
What health Meruole?
Pira.
Bagola we are all one,
Do they not fit, we change habits often.
But that he has
The greater bush hangs at his Tavern face,
We might easily be mistaken,
Thou Lady o'th' Lake: A Pox a whispering.
Meruole, shall I play the Farrier, and Drench you for the sullens.
Liza.
This is pretty.
Mer.
I do allow him this, or rather he
Allows himself; for he pays for't heartily,
That's his comfort.
Pira.
Go bring a Barrel hither; why? when you Scolopendra
Gentlemen now plead for me, I beseech you' noble
Exit Bagola.
Ancient, you see how ready I am to
Observe you, you might be pleased to take
Compassion on my Fortune. I confess
I ha' deserved infamy, but my Stars
Are to be accused as well as I.
Mer.
Does he not speak like one that's taking leave
A top o'th' Ladder, and bequeathing precepts
To the young fry, that come to see him swing.
To avoid pilfering, and playing at Dice
With Costermongers for Oranges,
And such like ungracious counsel.
Ari.
Ancient, do him some favor for our sakes. See how he looks.
Mer.
I ha' seen a Dog
Look like him that has drawn a Wicker Bottle
Ratling about the street, and leering
On both sides, where to get a corner,
To bite his tail off.
Enter Bagola.
Bag.
Captain here.
Pira.
Art thou come Proserpine, here my Bullies,
A health to Agamemnon.
Liza.
The Captain's sprightly, and talks big again.
Pira.
'Death, I'll not spare you Ancient, what a Flincher,
Quaff it off Mulciber, or I'll force it down
Your Channel, how now! Thou King of Sparrows,
But wet your Bill so; what Ariotto,
In contemplation, begin, begin,
I'll pledge thee Mushrom!
Ari.
I have not sign'd you any such Commission.
Pira.
Th'art a Trojan, I hug thee Lizaro, drink.
Liza.
Let it go round.
Exit Bagola.
Pira.
Courteous Ancient release me, name
My ransome, deliver me from these Agues;
These violent fits, which I am forced to
For honors sake, may much endanger me.
Mer.
Why have you not a noble priviledge
To bark thus to my face; the great Turk with
All his Janisaries would not be
Permitted to make this noise; besides, you know
I have but half your pay yet, that's a business
To be consid'red on; for I do find,
I cannot without loss afford you so
Much impudence for the price, therefore observe me.
I here before these Gentlemen depute,
And fully authorise you to receive for me,
Your entire pay, with all and singular,
The emoluments that shall accrew unto
The Captainship, and to oblige your truth
And honesty in Accounts, during pleasure,
You shall receive the just tithe of your pension,
Together with acquittance—
Pira.
How shall I live?
Mer.
On Sallades, Catter-pillers, and wholsome Roots,
To suffice nature; quench your thirst with Pippins
Instead of mighty Wine, surfeit with Cloves
Of Garlick, or eat Hors-bread, and so grow hearty.
Pira.
Is this all?
Mer.
'Tis more then I'll be at the charge of to,
Now I think on't, you shall cashier your company.
Pira.
How?
Mer.
Pretend thou hast a Father lies a dying,
Worth thousands, though he served a Prentiship
To a Botcher, and with broken ends of Fellony,
Never could patch up Ten pounds together.
I'll procure thy freedom, th'ast a tunable voice
To beg, and tell Camp lies in,
'Tmay raise you to a fortune; or if you carry
Home the full number of your Limbs, you may
Creep into some Kitchin service, and in time
Be Dog controuler.
Within.
Arm, arm!
'Death, the words given, heigh a Battery!
Ari., Liza.
A Battery!
Exeunt.
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Col.
They have already dismounted our Cannon.
Gover.
Make another Sally.
Col.
They fight like Men were greedy of destruction,
They weary our Artillery.
Enter Soldier.
Sold.
The Out-works are all spoil'd, the Sconce taken,
And they come on like Furies.
Gover.
Have you care to prevent the danger
Of the Petards, the Devil is not able
To resist those Engines, if they once fasten
Upon the Gates; courage, to the Walls, and
Die with honor.
Exeunt.
Enter Castracagnio, Ariotto, Lizaro, &c.
Castr.
Florello hath done wonders, if he survive the danger of
The breach. On Gentlemen
Pursue your victory.
Exeunt.
Enter Soranzo.
Sor.
Pisa is bleeding!
Florello has done things above a Man,
He flies about like flame, and consumes all
His anger meets with; nor is Bertolina
Safe now. Angels guard her from his fury,
I languish till I see her.
Exit.
Enter Meruole beating Piracco, Colours.
Mer.
March on, you Bear-whelp.
Pira.
Good Ancient, is not the Town taken already.
Mer.
I'll ha' thee cram'd into a Cannon, and
Shot back again to Florence.
Pira.
If I be slain, you'll lose a Subject of me.
Mer.
You shall stand by, and catch the Bullets then: On, on.
Exeunt.
Enter Bertolina, Ranola.
Ran.
O Madam, if I be kill'd with one of
The Pellets, I'll take my death on't, 'tis your
Fault, and you had staid Florello, you had
Been secure from Guns.
Bert.
I am unhappy,
And onely fit for death, Heaven protect
My Father, though his anger punished me
With restraint, I'll pray for him. Florello,
Bring home thy justice to my heart, and save
The innocent.
Enter Soranzo, and Keeper.
Sor.
Not admitted, there's reward
For your officiousness.
Ran.
He has knock'd down our Keeper.
Bert.
Soranzo!
Sor.
I know not Madam, with what words to call
Your fears up, nor to give expression
To my sad embassie; you may tell your self
If you but read my countenance, wherein
Is character'd a sorrow for your fate.
Florello hath taken Pisa.
Bert.
Proceed
Sor.
The duty that I ow to your command,
Imboldens grief, and gives alacrity,
Even to horror. I am come Lady,
A sad Harbinger to take a Lodging up
For Death, that now is borrowing Wings of Time
To hasten hither Florello, you have
Made too late your cruel enemy, who
If ever fear did prophesie, is yet
But in the way to his revenge. He led
Up forces to this Battery.
Bert.
Pray omit
Circumstance, be particular with what
I am to expect.
Sor.
'Tis concluded in a syllable, Death.
Bert.
And so is Life.
You might have been less tedious Soranzo, I
Never held my self immortal.
Sor.
When
Do you grow pale, and curse the Messenger
That frighted you.
Bert.
Heaven avert so great
Impiety! This Relation doth
Not deserve such ingratitude.
Sor.
That vertue should like the Phenix,
Kindle fires with her own Wings,
And fan her ashes to a second life;
But when thy breath, sweeter then Spices
That wait on the others Funeral, shall return
To Heaven, the World must be an eternal loser.
O Bertolina, do not account me
So unhappy, that I came onely to
Prepare thy Obsequies, my ambition
Is not to outlive that fatal minute.
I have no other use of life, and you
Cannot deny him Grace in Death, whom you have
Coldly honored for his living service;
And if my love may hope for so much glory,
That you will but name Soranzo, with one
Kind accent at your death. We are interrupted—
Enter Florello, with a Case of Pistols.
Flor.
The zeal I had to be a Sacrifice,
Hath been the loss of Pisa, and I walk
As I were proof against all the Engines
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Horror, hath my wildness brought me? Art
Not thou Soranzo? That Bertolina?
Bert.
We are.
Flor.
To what affliction will fate reserve me
Next? Did Death distrust his power to kill,
And left me for this object? More prodigious
Then the fam'd Gorgon.
Here be the Adders that convert to Marble,
The inconsiderate gazer.
Bert.
Florello!
Flor.
And had Soranzo ta'en possession
Of her Soul! Excluded all my merit?
Thou hast deceived him, Bertolina is
Now Lord of both your destinies, pray quickly,
I must dispatch a pair of Messengers
To inform your hearts that I'm injured,
And you shall both die.
Bert.
'Tis not to live I beg, I'm not covetous of breath,
When Florello thinks the air too
Great a benefit for Bertolina.
I know there will be time, when Nature will
Be sick and die; and all that we affect,
Must be resigned, forgotten when the dust
Carries no figure of our pride. I am
Desirous now to meet your wrath, and mix
With Pisa's friends. I would not survive them
To have a new solemnity, and mourn
My Virgin-Widowhood; but as you would
Leave your fame precious to posterity,
Let not your fury be unjust, but save
This young man.
Sor.
Why are you cruel to imploy your breath
To make me wretched by your white Soul,
Then which, the World knows no purer Altar?
Life shall not hinder me the Triumph to
Wait on you. Florello shall not strike
More daringly, then I can meet his Thunder.
Yet if he be not lost to Piety,
He'll spare this Temple; which to violate,
Were not to leave a sin hereafter to
Be call'd a Sacriledge.
Flor.
Their Souls are knit, what will become of me.
Now to divorce them, were rude impiety.
Here take you that, assure your
Gives them Pistols.
Safety, and destroy me first, for I find
I shall have no mercy on you. Faint
Not, least I resume my Vengeance, and
Seal your eternal absence. Will you not
Remove my dwelling, and secure your loves.
Be wise and active,
Do you hold Death too great a favor?
I'll live then till I can find out a punishment
Above life; and to encrease my affliction,
Gives her to Soranzo.
Live, and be anothers, I resign all my
Claim, take her, thou hast possest her heart
Before me, I give thee but her hand.
Live, and each day renew the marriage
Of a chast Love, time Soranzo which
Shall onely serve to wither me, make thee
Happy in her. I forgive you! and
Bow to my own fate, it hath o'ercome me;
But do not make a mockery of my tameness.
Sor.
O nobleness, which can never be admir'd
Enough in our dull age! Posterity
Shall call this act their wonder! O Lady,
We enter now upon our lives, I am
Nothing but joy, my Bertolina!
Flor.
So I'll now go seek out some forsaken Earth,
And there grow old in Prayers, that I may
Forget you both, and my own name. Farewel.
Bert.
Carry not, Sir, the burthen of a sin
Beyond that you suppose we have committed,
To afflict you in your solitude, y'are guilty
Of a robbery, ere you part
Make noble restitution.
Flor.
To whom, Ha!
Bert.
It is injustice to dispose of wealth
That others have a right to, but without
The owners consent, is tyranny. You have made
Gift of my heart to Soranzo, whom
Though I honor, yet I have not plac'd
So near it, that it should incorporate
With his: And is not this a theft upon
My liberty.
Sor.
How's this?
Flor.
Hah!
Bert.
And yet not mine, pardon me Florello,
I have it but in trust; nor have ye power,
Were I dying, to bequeath it as a
Legacy to any, would you take
The trouble which you late pretended to
Search, I believe you'ld find written there
The name that owed it.
Flor.
Why d'ye perplex me?
Bert.
Ye are incredulous. By all the lives of
Virgins that have left their Memories,
Religious for their Chastity, The Needle
Is not more constant to the North, then my
Heart full of obedience unto you;
Nor can it know a change,
It having despaired long since, ever to find
One like Florello to cherish it.
Sor.
My happiness has been a dream.
Flor.
Play not the Syren.
Bert.
Fear urgeth no confession, could I be
Other, you have dis-engaged my vows.
You were not charitable, to construe
My desires to preserve your fame unstained
(Which made you first precious to me) a
Revolt in my affection: 'twas a jealousie
I could not miss, and love you.
Flor.
Am I not turn'd to a Statue?
Bert.
Soranzo, as th'art a Gentleman, I challenge thee
To accuse me, if in thy encouragement
To love, I have infringed my vows to him,
Was ever a faint syllable let fall
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Sor.
I have made too greedy, application,
And find my error.
Flo.
By degrees I'll come
To the belief on't; let me touch thy hand,
It is my own again, this kiss I seal'd
At parting, she has preserv'd the impression
For me. I do feel the very breath
I lent it, return back, as if she suspected
I should miscarry in the War, and kept it
Warm, to do a miracle
Upon me, and renew life. Shall I call thee
My Bertolina?
Bert.
Not to be yours, now
You have recovered fame were to be lost
For ever, be you so just, to
Acknowledge me; or if your despise—
Flor.
Not for the wealth of Florence, were it made
The Worlds Exchequer, Divine Harmony
Dwells on thy words I am now created.
Soranzo, why dost look upon my bliss
With such a melancholly brow? Thou hast
Lost nothing; if thou enviest me, let us
Dissect each other instantly, that she
May see whose heart doth best deserve her.
Bert.
Goodness forbid!
Sor.
I am o'ercome with both your Nobleness,
And I should make my memory scorned, to
Wish misfortune to your loves. You have
Power o'er my life, as her vertues have o'er
My passion. With a free-soul I wish
All joy crown your Union, I am content
To wear the Willow now.
Enter Castracagnio, Governor, Meruole, Ariotto, Lizara, Piracco.
Castr.
The remnant of the common faction
We have power to banish, be't proclaim'd, that
The Town must now admit our Garisons.
You, my Lord, must to Florence.
Gover.
Use your power.
Castr.
You shall find it honorable.
Bert.
My Father!
Castr.
Florello, to thy valor our triumph is indebted.
Gover.
The City mourns, thy folly hath defaced
Her goodly Structures, and turn'd her Monuments
Into a rude pile. We are all lost!
Flor.
You have found a son, though not to recompence
The publick sorrow; yet to make it seem
Less or more sufferable, we are your children.
Gover.
Ha!
Castr.
My Lord, a happy Omen to close up
Our Wars!
Will a Sun-shine take away the storm.
Flor.
It doth a little alter the complexion,
And makes it appear smiling.
Gover.
Rise and be happier then I. Ah Girl,
This should have been done earlier.
Castr.
I do congratulate you both, and
Wish plenty of joys dwell on you.
Mer.
Please your excellence—
Flor.
Your are too silent Sir, and apprehend
To deeply what has past, look on the present
State of things, and then you shall have cause to
Conform to the Dukes will.
Gover.
You shall o'ercome.
Castr.
Is't possible?
Mer.
These Gentlemen, who to their honor be't mentioned,
Were his cowards, and paid him tribute, till they found
The commodity of fighting for their liberties
Shall witness his apostacy, if he dare but
Spit in defiance of this truth.
Pira.
'Tis a miserable truth, but I am punished for't already.
Castr.
As the opinion of his courage
Prefer'd him from a Corporal, his known cowardise
Degrades him from all offices in War.
Take thou his Company.
Pira.
I beseech—
Castr.
Come, noble Pair, your marriage
Shall be presently solemnized. Foscari
Assure your self, I'll labor to procure
Your pardon of the mighty Duke of Florence.
Now Pisa put off thy mourning,
And gather up thy drops of Blood again,
That all may dance to th'Musick of this Peace,
Let Bridal tunes sound high, now the Drums cease.
Exeunt omnes.
| The Siege | |