University of Virginia Library

ACTUS QUARTUS

Enter Guiscardo, Ghismonda and her waiting-woman.
Ghism.
Doe you thinke it is expiable?

Guisc.
No question.

Ghism.
And they that doe soe, not subiect
To payne of Purgatory?

Wait.
Venture that clog! On my soule,
Waiting-women's trade were worth nothing,
If they might not say: “By my maidenhead, 'tis
Thus”, or “vpon my modesty, 'tis so”, and yet for
All this, often breake what they say.

Ghism.
An oth's past saying.

Wait.
'Tis as that was of worth you swore by.

Ghism.
I swore by Saint Charyty.

Wait.
Oh, happy you!
She loues and likes and neuer is displeas'd
With any but those that liue single or
Lie alone, and yet those that doe so, if they
Repent in time, she forgiues
And calls her conuertes.

Ghism.
I did not binde my selfe so desperately
As sware without some power of reuocation.
Yet I resolu'd thus—till I found another
As good in my conceipt as was the first
I lost, I would be bound to liue a widow.

Wait.
'Twas pretyly well-limited, indeed!
Yet a leetle too strict, Madam. I doe thus—
One comes to-day and giues me a ring;
Supose it fitt this ioynt, or this, or any;
Straight comes another and bringes a siluer thimble;
Next day a bodkin's brought, of a good size
And length, and he euer that hath a good bodkin,
Pusheth out both the other for the time.
Then the two first wilbe ready to hang themselues;
Yet thinking first requestes are not alwaise granted,
They'l come agayne, furnished with new trinketes,
And by this time the bodkin wilbe bended,
And when it is so and out of fashion, what
Should one doe with it but throw it away
Or sell it to them that cry endes of gold or siluer?
But I besech your good Grace, what meane
You by one as good as he you lost?

Ghism.
As worthy and as well-deserueing.

Guisc.
Deserueing your selfe?

Ghism.
I mean't so.

Guisc.
He that you will make so, is so, Madam.

Ghism.
Can you proue that without logick? I am
Scholer enough to ask the question.

Guisc.
I can demonstrate it to you easily.

Ghism.
I pray, doe soe.

Guisc.
Your Grace's husband died, and then you vowed;
Yet with so well-considered a restrainte
You vowed, because you would haue power to breake it,
Or els confin'd your selfe within a cage,
The dores of which were made to shut and open
At your dispose, for with a letter-locke
They were so fastned that till you spake ye word,
The skilful'st picklock knew not how to open't;
But lock and key and all are at your will,
To knock in peeces, or to be of vse.
Or, if you'l haue a smoth-skin'd simile,
Your vow doth bind you but as your gloue
Stickes closse vnto [your hand], only to keep it warme,
Or els to saue it from sun-scorching heate,
Which, when you please, the other hand can plucke of.

Ghism.
Guiscardo, thou shalt be my confessor.
Yet I will choose the time and place of shrifte,
Because wordes spoken canot be recall'd,
And being once vented in the open aire,
Doe presently become so deffusiue
That they that spake them, are not masters of them.
Say, Guiscardo, will you beleeue an old
Prophecie hereafter that sayd, a proper
Man in court canot doe as he would,
Because a greater then he hath apoynted
Him a iorney which he must ether
Vndertake or suffer for?

Guisc.
Yes, Madam, it is too infallible.

Ghism.
I would say something to you, but I feare
My tongue is not so quick as one man's eare
Which I suspect. Therefore, I'le leaue you now.
But stir not, till I come agayne. I know
A subtill way how thou shalt vnderstand
My mynd, yet others at a gaze shall stand
And wonder how't could be. So you stay
Till I returne, 't may proue a happy day.

[Exit Ghismonda, and waytinge-woman.
Guisc.
Deare Princes, you haue plac'd me in a station,
Where I'le remayne more fixt and vnremou'd
Then if the sterne, death-threatening god of war
Had bid me lie perdue before his armye.

Enter Pasquino.
Pasq.
The King comanded me, I should with speed
Goe to the hauen, where your ship doth ride
That is bound for your viage, and if I found you not,
I should forthwith repare vnto your lodging,
There to make knowne his royall plesure to you,
Which is this. He thinkes you are too slow
And sluggish in performing his edict.

Enter Ghismonda and waiting-woman, with a cane in her hand.
Guisc.
I shalbe slower then he imagins, too.

Ghism.
What, Guiscardo, I thought by this time you
Had bene ten leagues from land! your nimble ship,
They say, sayles faster then any boat i'th'harbour.

Guisc.
I, Madam, when she hath lading
To goe in her.

Ghism.
Trust me, she's richly fraught, when you are in her.

Guisc.
I would you thought so, Madam. I'd stay at home.

Ghism.
Dost thou feare drowning, man?

Guisc.
No, Madam, but yet I shalbe sea-sicke.

Ghism.
Alas, weake stomake! I pitty thy disease.
Take this rod in thy hand
[Giues him the cane
and walke to th'riuer
That runs by the hill, whereon the castle standes,
And if this choice-made bait do catch a fish,
Send it to me; it shalbe my prime dish.
The reason why I bid thee doe thus much
Is but to haue thee try how thou canst beare
The vapours of the water; and no question,
If thou canst but go thither with this rod,
Fish there an houre or two, and then returne,
And not be mou'd at all, thou'rt strong enough
To goe to sea. Farewell, if that there be
Any fish like thy selfe caught, bring it me.

[Exit Ghismonda, and waiting-woman.
Guisc.
'Tis short and pithy. Would I might haue such a pilot
To steere the ship that I desire to sayle in.

Pasq.
You doe not tell me what answere
I shall returne the King.

Guisc.
You se I had other buisines. Such a voice
Comandes from me a far more strict attendanc
Then thy hoarse vlulating. But, in short,
Beare back this answere and informe the King,
I doe desire him giue me leaue to stay
Vntill the spring grow on and longer dayes
Afford more time for me to doe his buisines,
For yet I cannot goe.

Pasq.
Is this all?

Guisc.
Yes.

Pasq.
'Tis a slight answere to returne the Kinge.

Guisc.
And thou as slight as it. If thou wilt deliuer't,
Do; if not, choose—say nothing, if thou wilt.

Pasq.
You stand too much vpon your will, Guiscardo.
[Exit Pasquino.

Guisc.
You shall not teach me how to stand or remoue.
I haue direction from one that cannot err,
For what I doe, although my guilty duty
Sayth, I haue done ill to send ye King such word.
Who would haue thought a foole with his totoligies
Could haue detain'd me from a meditation
Which I so inly long for? Vnmatched Queene,
Whose vertue and whose prizeles eminence,
Weare my weake tongue but able to expresse,
Would playnly seeme to go as far beyond
All other women's in extreamity
Of true perfection as e're Diana did
Exceed the chastnes of a common whore;
Were all the female powers plac'd in order,
And all the admiring seruantes that desire
To haue there heauen on earth with looking on them
In that pompe which the seruantes wish to bee,
The mistres in that scorne which they doe vse,
And my saynt stood i'th'midle and I by,
My hart full of a deuout sacrifice,
Ready to be hers, when her acceptation
Should giue it grace, Venus would be her selfe,
And pure sinceritie take away her crowne
By merit, not by stealth or vsurpation
(Distrust of right doth so), and then this goddes,
Wanting a shape on earth to represent her
Except the Princes, would earnestly intreate
The Princes would voutshafe to be her seate.
Yet I, the ground the foote o'th'chaire should stand on,
Thinke the day makes the glorious stars pink-ey'd,
A vestall flame obscures a dieing sparke,
Thinke then agayne Ghismonda doth exceed
The starrs that light the court, as these doe these.
Could but thy worth admitt comparisons
And not be therewith darkned! Darkned? How?
Can a dimme vapour blinde the light o'th'sun,
Or can an earthly simile disparage
That forme that's all celestiall? Henc, black Disgrace,
I kick thee and thy spight; if thou attempt
To wrong my Princes, her indeared name
Spurnes at salt enuy, and bides it for shame
Go excercise it selfe vpon a subiect
That may be like it selfe, for these together
Will best agree, like birdes all of a feather.
O thou, the wounder of my fainting heart,
I flie to the for succor, and if there bee
A peece of that sword left that wounded me,
Send it me of a token. If it be sharp,
There is no doubt but it will lance the sore
And make corruption vanish, or by the touch
Cure like Achilles' sword. Surely, in this
I may find something that may giue me ease;
It needes must ease me, since it was her guift.
He pulleth a peece out of the cane.
This peece is like her selfe, straight and vpright.
Pardon, dread Princes, that my presumption did
Compare thy person to a brittle cane.
I'le doe thee right hereafter, noble dame,
But in the meanetime I hope Heuen and you
Will make my faultes, like thinges far of, seeme little.
What's this, that's ti'd so fast with blue and siluer?
He finds a letter.
On my life, 'tis constancy and inocence.
I'le open it; 'twas not put here for nothing.
He opens and reades the letter thus:
“My deare Guiscardo, since opportunity
I could by no means get, wherby I might
Disclose the affection which my hart bares you
Without aduentureing that inconuenience
Which I haue often giuen you warning of,
I thought good to send this dumb messenger
T'intreate your person this night in my chamber,
And onely do intreat—loue ne'ere commanded,
Except it were by sweet and mild perswasions.
The passage which I thinke the most conuenient
Is through the ventloope, directly vnderneath
The window of my chamber which is oppos'd
Just to the morning sun; yet there are some
Briers layd o're the loope-hole t'auoyd suspicion
Which, though they scratch a little, wil not hurt thee.
This is the way, whereby I promised
That thou shouldst know my mynd, yet none perceaue
Besides thy selfe. Come, and, take my woord,
Thou shalt confesse thy labor is not lost.
And though thine owne eies did se me deliuer
This to thy selfe, yet, least that any scruple
Might haply arise by misconstruction,
I haue subscrib'd my name with myne owne hand,
Which is a fauor, if't be truely scand;
And this I did, because I know that thou
Art noble and esteem'st a ladie's vow.
Be confident. I wilbe euer thine,
So thou wilt promise to be solely myne.
Wittnes thy Princes and thy loue,
Ghismonda.”
I come, deare lady, with a swifter course
Then ships do sayle, blowne with a prosperous winde.
He's dull that stayes, when such an angell calls
And doth inuite him with so faire a summons.
Lett me be cal'd Pigritia's son and heire,
If I be slow in following this affaire!
[Exit Guiscardo.

Interim enter Pasquino at an other dore.
Pasq.
Well, noe more to the Kinge?
Enter Tancred, Glausamond and Gabriello.
But now gone out, an't please your Maiesty.

Tanc.
I wonder at it; his care vsed to be greater.

Glaus.
Times and seasons alter much,
Wind and weather alter much,
Loue and likeing alter much,
Men and women alter much,
And one word from one doth as much
As two from the other.

Tanc.
What then?

Glaus.
What you please, but I can assure you,
I haue found it soe.

Tanc.
What answere did Guiscard giue the, Pasquino?

Pasq.
Vpon my reputation, a very peremptory one!
He tould me, he did desire your Maiesty
Would giue him leaue to stay, vntill the
Spring grew on and longer dayes
Afford more time for him to doe your
Busines, for yet he could not goe.

Tanc.
Could not goe?
He knew all doubtes weare cast beforhand and
What I did, a studied consideracion
Did giue me warrant for. I like not this.
He that is wise, will feare to doe amisse,
And till now I thought Guiscardo so,
But his neclect hath altered my opinion.

Gab.
I heard he went to take his leaue o'th'Princes
And know her pleasure into Capua.

Glaus.
This was done with a reuerend respect.

Tanc.
Who told you so, Gabriello?

Gab.
Her waiting-woman.

Tanc.
Goe call her hither!
[Exit Gabriello.
It may be she mistooke.

Glaus.
No, 'tis a plaugy ape; she knowes all the
Trickes of the chamber, inlettes, outlettes,
And the double keis, better then an
Older body, for when your Maiesty sent me
To sing to the Princes, this youth was the
Porter and cried “Who's there”? as shrilly and
Cherpingly as the hen-sparrow
Cries “Yet, yet, yet, yet”.

Tanc.
Thou didst not tell me how yt song wrought.

Glaus.
Rough and smooth for the time, but shee'l
Relaps agayne, if she haue not
A good phisitiann.

Enter Gabriello and wayting-woman.
Tanc.
Now, Mistris Minks, how doth your lady?

Wait.
An't please your Grace, she lookes but pale
And seemes but somwhat dumpish.

Tanc.
What company hath bene with her of late?

Wait.
None that I know of but Guiscardo,
Who came to take his leaue and know her
Pleasure, before he went his iorney.

Tanc.
Leaue vs, but tell your lady, my selfe
Will shortly come to visit her; i'th'meane
Time lett her send for my owne phisitian,
And I'le giue order to him to make that
Confection which is so soueraigne
Aganist melancholie.

[Exit waiting-woman.
Glaus.
Your Maiestie is far out, for phisicke will not
Worke vpon those diseases young ladies
Are trobled with, except they choose
Theire owne phisitian.

Tanc.
This that tormentes her is noe naturall
Disease, but onely greife, and that
Troubles her intollerably.

Glaus.
Alas! we se that women of her age,
Especially great ladies, do oft times greeue,
Yet will not shew the causes of there woe,
Except in priuat and but to one at once.
Women's diseases still are better cured,
When they haue but one surgeon, then if
Many phisitians should administer.
Those maladies which breed, when none are by,
Ought to haue medcines layd to priuately.

Gab.
Doth not your Maiesty remember, the little
Gentlewoman sayd, the Princes lookt pale.

Tanc.
Yes, and she must needes doe soe, for
Shee hath scarce eaten, slept or done
Any thing but greeue, euer since
She lost her husband.

Gab.
Doe you think that's the reason? What
Will you say, if I can giue you a better?

Tanc.
I'le applaud thee and count thee
Wiser then my selfe.

Glaus.
Nay, I'le sweare, he's more learned
And knowes a woman's constitution
Better then the little doctor that
Came from Padua to be
A man-midwife.

Tanc.
Speake, Gabriello, and if thine vnderstanding
Be more descerning then thy iudgment is,
And if thy witt can any way informe
Me of the secret which as yet lies hid,
Vnfould it, and I will so recompence
This open-harted explication
That thou herafter shalt haue poure to aske
What thy selfe pleaseth and haue it granted frely.

Gab.
Why then, if your Maiesty will needes haue it,
I'le answere you with a question—“and that's
Much for a foole to doe”, you'l say—I beseech
You, is Guiscardo about the court?

Tanc.
It may be he is, though I am sure he
Should not be. But what's this
To the thing in hand?

Gab.
Nay, nothing. But if he be, I wish you
Weare as young as he is, and he were
As old as you are, and that you had a
Wife as succulent as the Princes,
Then you might get boyes as big as I am,
And that the Princes had a husband, and
That Guiscardo, if that he weare as old
As you are, were married to Mr s Tattle,
The midwife; then, according to the old
Proverbe, he would be fitted with age
And wedlock. And if theese
Would doe noe good of him, you
Should be sure that the next greate
Frost he would be tamed, for age,
Winter and wedlock, especially all
Put together, tame man and beast.

Tanc.
If thy morall be as good as the fable,
Esop's an asse to thee. Come,
The meaning of thy riddle.

Gab.
Your Maiesty must pardone me. Satyristes
Neuer make comentaries of there
Owne workes. I know Glausamond can
Gesse at any thing very vnhappily.
Pray, put him to it.

Tanc.
Come, Glausamond, interpret.

Glaus.
None so fit as the oracle that standes by you,
And I know he would send the length
Of his weapon to any man that durst
But say, he tould you he knew not what.

Gab.
You doe not say I did?

Glaus.
Oh, sir, not for a kingdome!
My vayne lies another way.

Tanc.
Then without more concealing what you know
Or mincing of the truth, you must deliuer;
Playnly expresse what your meaning was,
When you did speak of Guiscardo and the Princes,
All in a line, as 'tweare.

Gab.
Why, nothing, I,
But that I sayd, Guiscardo did want a wife
And she a husband, and that, if you were young
And had a young wife, and he old and had an
Old wife, and the Princes married to a young
Husband, you might get boyes, the Princes,
If she would, might be pleas'd, and Guiscardo
So toughly provided, the ladies of the court
Might goe in quiett by him.

Tanc.
I neuer heard him tax'd with such a fault.

Gab.
You may doe.

Tanc.
Nor doe I thinke him guilty of that crime.
His mayden-lookes cannot seeme innocent,
His hart being foule within.

Glaus.
O, your Maiesty is deceau'd in that; smooth lookes
Make the roughest woorke, if the come to't
With an appetite and haue bene
Kept long fasting.

Tanc.
Gabriello, what's the cause you doe suspect him?

Gab.
Will you know in breefe or at large?
In publique or priuate?

Tanc.
The court should be a sanctuary to the King,
And his seruantes' ears theire soueraigne's cabinet
T'inclose his secretes in, vntill he please
To haue them brought to light and obiected
Vnto the worldes wide view and open censure.
Therefore, with a well-established conceite
That what you speake shall not by repetition
Of theese your felloues further be dilated
Then may conduce to our conueniencie;
I bid you speake, and what you speake, speake freely.

Gab.
Then, as I loue you, thus it was, my leige.
The other night, as Guiscardo went by
Through the presenc and did his honour make
To our fayre Princes, she ask'd him if he were
Willing to goe this iorney. He repli'd:
“Yes, Madam, if it please you and the King”.
“Alas”, sayd she, “'tis pitty only thou
Shouldst be pick'd out to vndergoe the paines
And hazard which a traveller endures.
Thy daynty limbes should rather be imploy'd
In seeking of thy selfe a beautious brid;
Yet if thou goe, I wish some busines may
Cause thy returne, ere thou hast gone half-way”.
These were her wordes, as I doe honour you.

Tanc.
Directly these?

Gab.
Just these. I think I doe not misse an accent.

Glaus.
I'd be sory to make my body guilty,
When thou stood'st by!

[Exit.
Tanc.
These wordes giue great cause of suspition,
Yet proue nothing directly; care must be had
To mark his footsteps strictly, and discretion
Vs'd, to find out whether my daughter be
Ingag'd so much as in conceit. Ther's remedy
For one, but not the other. If he assaye
To stepp aboue him selfe, one dismall day
Will cut his proud hopes of; if her high spirit
That calls me daughter, make her forgoe her merit,
And vnderrate her selfe, we are ouerthrowne,
And all our kingdom's hope extinct and gone.
If Heauen for my offences haue contriu'd
This way t'afflict me, Guiscardo is short-liu'd
And I vnhappy. If sterne destinie
So highly be displeas'd, let's goe and see
What may be done in this extreamyty.

[Ex. omnes.