 | Albvmazar |  |
Act 2.
Scœne 1.
Trincalo, Armellina.Trincalo.
He that saith I am not in love, he lyes De cap a pe; For I am
idle, choicely neate in my cloathes, valiant, and extreame
witty: My meditations are loaded with metaphors, and
songs sonnets: Not a one shakes his tayle, but I sigh out a
passion: thus doe I to my Mistris; but alas I kisse the dogge, and
she kicks me. I never see a young wanton Filly, but say I, there
goes Armellina; nor a lusty strong Asse, but I remember my selfe,
and sit downe to consider what a goodly race of Mules would inherit,
if she were willing: onely I want utterance, and that's a
maine marke of love too.
Arm.
Trincalo, Trincalo.
Trinc.
O 'tis Armellina: now if she have the wit to beginne, as
I meane she should, then will I confound her with complements
learn all the words I spake and understand not.
Arm.
Trincalo, what price bears Wheat, and Saffron, that your
band's so stiffe and yellow? not a word? why Trincalo! what businesse
in Town? how do all at Totnam? grown mute? What do
you bring from the Country?
Trin.
There 'tis. Now are my floud-gates drawn, and Ile surround
her. What have I brought sweet bit of beauty? a hundred
thousand salutations o'th'elder house to your most illustrious Honour
and Worship.
Arm.
To me these Titles? is your basket full of nothing else?
Trin.
Full of the fruits of love, most resplendant Lady; a present
to your worthinesse from your Worships poore vassall Trincalo.
Arm.
My life on't, he scrap't these complements from his Cart
the last load hee carried for the Progresse. What ha you read that
may you grow so eloquent?
Trin.
Sweet Madam, I read nothing but the lines of your Ladiships
countenance, and desire onely to kisse the skirts of your
garments, if you vouchsafe mee not the happinesse of your white
hands.
Arm.
Come, gives your basket and take it.
Tri.
O sweet! now will I never wash my mouth after, nor
breath, but at my nosthrils, lest I lose the taste of her fingers. Armellina,
I must tell you a secret if you'le make much on't.
Arm.
As it deserves: what is't?
Trin.
I love you, dear morsell of modesty, I love: and so truly,
that Ile make you Mistris of my thoughts, Lady of my revenews,
and commit all my moveables into your hands, that is, I give
you an earnest kisse in the high way of Matrimony.
Arm.
This is the end of all this businesse?
Trin.
Is this the end of all this businesse, most beautifull, and
most worthy to be most beautifull Lady.
Arm.
Hence foole, hence.
Trin.
Why now she knows my meaning, let it work: She put
up the fruit in her lap, and threw away the basket: Tis a plaine
signe, she abhors the words, and embraces the meaning; O lips,
no lips, but leaves besmeared with mel-dew! O dew no dew, but
teares! O teares no teares, but—
SCENE 2.
Pandolfo. Trincalo.Pan.
Cricca denyes me: no perswasions.
Proffers, rewards, can work him to transform.
Yonder's my Country Farmer Trincalo.
Never in fitter time good Trincalo.
Tri.
Like a lean horse t'a fresh and lusty pasture.
Pan.
What rent dost pay me for thy Farm at Totnam?
Tri.
Ten pound; and find't too deare a peny-worth.
Pan.
My hand here: take it rent-free for three lives,
To serve me in a businesse Ile employ thee.
Tri.
Serve you? Ile serve, reserve, conserve, preserve.
Deserve you for th'one halfe. O Armellina,
A joynture, hay a joynture! what's your employment?
Pan.
Heres an Astrologer has a wondrous secret
To transforme men to other shapes, and persons.
Trin.
How? transform things to men? Ile bring nine Taylors
Refus'd last Muster, shall give five Marks a piece
To shape three men of service out of all,
And grant him the remnant shreds above the bargain.
Pan.
Now if thou'lt let him change thee, take this lease;
Drawn ready; put what lives thou pleasest.
Tri.
Stay, Sir.
Say I am transformd; who shall enjoy the lease?
I? or the person I must turn to.
Pan.
Thou,
Thou. The resemblance lasts but one whole day:
Then home true Farmer, as thou wert before.
Trin.
Where shall poor Trincalo be? how's this transformd?
Transmuted? how? not I: I love my self
Better then so: theres no lease. I'de not venter
For the whole fee-simple.
Pan.
Tell me the difference
Betwixt a fool and a wise man.
Pan.
A wise man
Accepts all fair occasions of advancement,
Flyes no commodity for feares of danger,
Venters and gains, lives easily, drinks good wine,
Fares neatly, 's richly cloath'd in worthiest company,
While your poor Fool and Clown, for fear of perill,
Sweats hourly for a dry brown crust to bedward,
And wakes all night for want of moysture.
Trin.
Well, sir,
I'de rather starve in this my loved Image,
Then hazard thus my life, for others looks.
Change is a kinde of death, I dare not try it.
Pan.
'Tis not so dangerous as thou tak'st it, wee'l only
Alter thy count'nance for a day. Imagine,
Thy face mask't only: or that thou dream'st all night
Thou wer't apparell'd in Antonio's form
And waking find'st thy self true Trincalo.
Trin.
Antonio's forme? was not Antoniio a Gentleman?
Pan.
Yes, and a neighbour, that's his house.
Trin.
O ho!
Now do I smell th'Astrologers trick: hee'l steep me
In souldiers bloud; or boyle me in a Caldron
Of Barbarous Law French: Or anoint me over
With supply oile of great mens services.
For these three means raise Yeomen to the Gentry.
Pardon me sir: I hate those medicines. Fy!
All my posterity will smell and tast on't
Long as the house of Trincalo endures.
Pan.
There's no such businesse, thou shalt only seem so
And this deceive Antonio's family.
Trin.
Are you assur'd? 'twould grieve me to be brayed
In a huge mortar, wrought to paste, and moulded
To this Antonioes mould: Grant I be turnd: what then?
Pan.
Enter his house, be reverenc'd by his servants,
And give his daughter Flavia to me in marriage.
The circumstances ile instruct thee after.
Trin.
Pray give me leave: this side sayes do't, this do not.
Before I leave you Tom Trincalo take my counsell.
Thy Mistris Armellina is Antonioes maid,
But if I be Antonio, then Antonio
Enjoyes that happinesse, not Trincalo.
A pretty trick to make my selfe a Cuckold.
No, no; there, take your Lease. Ile hang first. Soft,
Be not so cholerick Thomas: If I become Antonio,
Then all his riches follow. This fair occasion
Once vanish't, hope not the like; of astark Clown
I shall appeare speck and span Gentleman.
A pox of Ploughs, and Carts, and Whips and Horses.
Then Armellina shall be given to Trincalo,
Three hundred Crowns her portion: wee'le get a boy
And call him Transformation Trincalo,
Ile do't, sir.
Pan.
Art resolv'd?
Trin.
Resolv'd tis done:
With this condition: after I have given your Worship
My daughter Flavia, you shall then move my Worship
And much intreat me to bestow my Maid
Upon my selfe, I should say Trincalo.
Pan.
Content, and for thy sake will make her portion
Two hundred Crowns.
Trin.
Now are you much deceiv'd:
I never meant it.
Pan.
How?
Tri.
I did but jest.
And yet my hand, Ile do't. For I am mutable,
And therefore apt to change: Come, come sir, quickly,
Lets to th'Astrologer, and there transforme,
Reform, conform, deform me at your pleasure.
I loath this Country countenance; dispatch: my skin
Itches like Snaks in Aprill, to be stript off.
Quickly, O quickly, as you love Flavia, quickly.
SCEN. 3.
Albumazar. Pandolfo. Ronca. Trinc.Alb.
Signior Pandolfo, y'arrive in happiest houre
If the seven Planets were your neerest kindred,
And all the Constellations your allies:
Were the twelve houses, and the Innes o'th' Zodiack
A fitter place to favour your desires.
For the great Luminaries look from Hilech,
And midst of Heaven in Angels, conjunctions,
And fortunate aspects, a Trine and Sextile,
Ready to powre propitious influences.
Pan.
Thanks to your power, and court'sie that so plac'd them.
That is the man that's ready for the businesse.
Alb.
Of a most happy count'nance and timber fit
To square to th'Gentry: his looks as apt for changing,
As he were cov'red with Camelions skins.
Trin.
Except my hands; and 'twill be troublesome
To fit these fingers to Antonio's gloves.
Pan.
Pray let's about the work as soon as may be,
Alb.
First choose a large low room, whose door's full East,
Or neer inclining: for th'Orientall quarter's
Most bountifull of favours.
Pan.
I have a parler
Of a great square and height, as you desire it.
Alb.
Southward must look a wide and spacious window:
For howsoever Omar, Alchabitius,
Hali, Albenezra, seem somthing to dissent:
Yet Zoroastres, sonne of Oromasus,
Hiarcha, Brachman, Thespion, Gymnosophist,
Gebir, and Budda Babylonicus,
With all the subtile Cabalists and Chaldees.
Sweare the best influence: for our Metamorphosis
Stoops from the South, or as some say, South-east.
Pan.
This room's, as fit as you had made it of purpose.
Tri.
Now do I feel the calf of my right leg
Tingle, and dwindle to th'smalnesse of a bed-staffe.
Such a speech more turns my high shooes strait boots.
Ron.
Nere were those Authors cited to better purpose,
For through that window all Pandolfoes treasures
Must take their flight and fall upon my shoulders.
Alb.
Now if this light Meridionall had a large casement
That over-look't some unfrequented alley,
Twere much more proper for th'Intelligences
With throng'd disturbance of crosse multitudes.
Ron.
Spoken by art Albumazar, a provident setter,
For so shall we receive what thou handst out
Free from from discovery. But in my conscience
All windows point full South for such a businesse.
Pan.
Go to my house, satisfie your curious choice,
But credit me, this parler's fit, it neighbours
To a blind alley, that in busiest Term-time
Feels not the footing of one passenger:
Alb.
Now then declining from Theourgia,
Artenosaria, Pharmacia, rejecting
Necro-puro-geo-hydro-cheiro-coscinomancy,
With other vain and superstitious Sciences,
Wee'l anchor at the art Prestigiatory,
That represents one figure for another,
With smooth deceit abusing th'eyes of mortals.
Tri.
O my right arme! 'tis alter'd, and me thinks
Longs for a sword: these words have slain a Plow-man.
Alb.
And since the Moon's the only Planet changing:
For from the Neomenia in seven dayes
To the Dicotima, in seven more to th'Pauselinum,
And in as much from Plenilunium
Thorow Dicotima to Neomenia,
'Tis she must help us in this operation.
Tri.
What Towns are these? the strangenesse of these names,
Hath scal'd the marks of many a painfull harvest,
And made my new pil'd finger itch for dice.
Pan.
Deeply considred wondrous Albumazar!
O let me kisse those lips that flow with science.
Alb.
For by her various looks she intimates
To understanding soules, that onely she
Hath power t'effect a true formation.
Cause then your parler to be kept carefully,
Washt, rubb'd, perfum'd, hang'd round from top to bottome
With pure white lunary Tapstry, or needle-work;
But if 'twere cloth of silver, 'twere much better.
Good good! a rich beginning: good! whats next?
Alb.
Spread all the floore with finest holland sheets,
And over them faire damaske Table-cloaths,
Above all these draw me chast Virgins aprons
The room, the work, and workman must be pure.
Trin.
With Virgins aprons? the whole compasse of this City
Can not afford a dozen.
Ron.
So, there's shirts
And bands to furnish all on's for a twelve-moneth.
Alb.
An altar in the midst, loaded with plate
Of silver Basons, Yewres, Cups, Candlesticks,
Flaggons and Beakers, Salts, Chargers, Casting-bottles.
Twere not amisse to mix some bowles of gold,
So they be massie; the better to resemble
The lovely brother-hood of Sol and Luna.
Also some Diamonds for Iupiter.
For by the whitenesse and bright sparkling lustres
We allure th'Intelligences to descend.
Ron.
Furbo and I are those Intelligences
That must attend upon the Magistery.
Alb.
Now for the ceremonious Sacrifice.
Provide such creatures as the Moon delights in,
Two sucking Lambs, white as the Alpine snow:
Yet if they have a mole or two, twill passe.
The Moon her self wants not her pots.
Pan.
Tis true.
Ron.
Were they hel-black, we'de make a shift to eat them.
Alb.
White Capons, Pheasants, Pigeons: one little Black-bird
Would stain and spoyle the work. Get severall Wines
To quench the holy embers: Rhenish, Greek wine,
White Muskadell, Sherry, and rich Canary,
So't be not grown too yellow: for the quicker,
Brisker, and older, the better for these ceremonies.
The more abundance, sooner shall we finish.
For 'tis our rule in such like businesses,
Who spares most, spends most: either this must doo't,
Or th'resolution of five hundred yeers
Cannot: so fit are all the Heavens to help us.
Ron.
A thousand thanks, thou'lt make a compleat cheat.
Strengthned with meat: wee'l carry thee in triumph,
As the great Generall of our atchievement.
Pan.
Sir, for rich plate and jewels I have store,
But know not how to furnish you with hangings.
Alb.
Cannot you borrow from the shops? foure houres
Shall render all as fair as you receiv'd it.
Pan.
That can I easily do.
Alb.
And here you sit
If you chance meet with boxes of white Comfits,
Marchpane, and dry Sucket, Macarouns and Diet-bread,
'Twill help on well.
Ronc.
To furnish out our Banquet.
Alb.
I had clean forgot, we must have Amber-greece,
The grayest can be found, some dozen ounces,
Ile use but halfe a dram: but tis our fashion
T'offer a little from a greater lumpe.
Pan.
All shall be done with expedition.
Alb.
And when your man's transform'd the chain you promisd,
Pan.
My hand: my deeds shall wait upon my promise:
Alb.
Lead then with happy foot to view the chamber.
Pan.
I go sir, Trincalo attend us here,
And not a word on perill of thy life.
Trin.
Sir, if they kill me Ile not stir a foot,
And if my tongue's puld out, not speak a word.
SCENE. 4.
Trincalo. Cricca.Trin.
O what a businesse 'tis to be transform'd!
My master talks of four and twenty houres,
But if I misse these Flags of Yeomanry,
Guild in the seat, and shine in the bloom of Gentry,
Tis not their Strologie, nor Sacrifice,
Shall force me cast that coat. Ile never part with't
Till I be Shriefe of th'County, and in commission
Of Peace and Quorum. Then will I get m'a Clarke,
A practiz'd fellow, wiser then my Worship.
And feast them bountifully with their own bribes.
Cri.
Trincalo!
Tri.
'Tweare a gold chaine at every quarter Sessions,
Looke big, and grave, and speak not one wise word.
Cri.
Trincalo!
Tri.
Examine wenches got with child, and curiously
Search all the circumstances: have blank Mittimusses
Printed in readinesse; breath nought but Sirra,
Rogue, ha? how? hum? Constable looke to your charge.
Then vouch a Statute and a Latine Sentence,
Wide from the matter.
Cri.
Trincalo.
Tri.
License all Alehouses,
Match my Son Transformation t'a Knights daughter,
And buy a bouncing Pedigree of a welch Herald: and then—
Cri.
What in such serious meditations?
Tri.
Faith no; but building Castles in the Ayre,
While th'weathers fit: O Cricca, such a businesse!
Cri.
What is't?
Tri.
Nay soft, th'are secrets to my master;
Lock'd in my brest: he has the key at's purse strings.
Cri.
My masters secret? keep it good Farmer, keep it,
I would not lend an eare to't if thou didst hire me. Fare-well.
Tri.
O how it boyles and swels: if I keep't longer,
'Twill grow t'impostume in my brest, and choake me, Cricca.
Cri.
Adieu good Trincalo, the secrets of our betters
Are dangerous, I dare not know't.
Tri.
But hear'st thou,
Say I should tell, canst keep't as close as I doe?
Cri.
Yes: but I had rather want it. Adieu.
Tri.
Albumazar.
Cri.
Fare-well.
Tri.
Albumazar.
Cri.
Pre'thee
Tr.
Albumazar,
Th'Astrologer hath undertooke to change me
T'Antonio's shape: this done, must I give Flauia
To my old master, and his maid to Trincalo.
Cri.
But where's Pandolfo and Albumazar?
Tri.
Gone newly home to choose a chamber fitting
For transmutation: So now my heart's at ease.
Cri.
I feare the skill and cunning of Albumazar
With his black Art, by whom Pandolfo seekes
To compasse Flavia, spight of her brother Lelio,
And his owne Son Eugenio that loves her dearely,
I'le loose no time, but finde them and reveale
But Trincalo, art thou so rash and ventrous
To be transform'd with hazard of thy life?
Tri.
What care I for a life, that have a Lease
For three: But I am certain there's no danger in't.
Cric.
No danger, cut thy finger and that pains thee;
Then what wilt do to shred and mince thy carkasse,
Bury't in horse-dung, mould it new, and turn it
T'Antonio: and when th'art chang'd, if Lelio
Smell out your plot, what words of punishment
Thou must endure, poore Trincalo! the desire
Of gains abuses thee: be not transform'd.
Trin.
Cricca, thou understand est not: for Antonio
Whom I resemble, suffers all: not I.
Cri.
Yonder they come, ile hence and haste to Lelio.
SCENE 5.
Albumazar. Pandolfo. Cricca.Alb.
The Chamber's fit: provide the plate and hangings,
And other necessaries: give strict order
The Roome be cleans'd, perfum'd and hangd, mean while,
With Astralobe, and Meteoroscope,
Ile finde the Cuspe and Alfridaria,
And know what Planet is in Cazimi.
Pan.
All shall be ready sir, as you command it.
Trin.
Doctor Albumazar, I have a vain of drinking,
And artery of Leachery runs through my body:
Pray when you turn me Gentleman, preserve
Those two, if't may be done with Reputation.
Alb.
Feare not, ile only call the first, good fellowship,
And th'other, civill Recreation.
Tri.
And when you come to th'heart, spoile not the love of Armellina
And in my brain leave as much Discretion
As may spy falshood in a Tavern reckoning;
And let me alone for Bounty to wink and pay't.
Ile bring y'a dozen Knights for customers.
Alb.
I warrant thee: sir, are you well instructed
In all these necessaries?
Pan.
Th'are in my Table-book.
Alb.
Forget not clothes for th'new transform'd, and robes
For me to sacrifice, you know the fashion.
Ile rather change five, then apparell one:
For men have living soules, clothes are unanimate.
Pan.
Here take this Ring, deliver it to my brother,
An Officer in the Wardrobe, hee'l furnish you
With Robes and Clothes of any stuffe or fashion.
Alb.
Almuten Alchochoden of the stars attend you.
Pan.
I kisse your hands divine Astrologer.
SCENE 6.
Pandolfo, Trincalo.Pan.
Vp quickly Trincalo to my child Sulpitia,
Bid her lay out my fairest Damaske Table-clothes,
The fairest Holland sheets, all the silver Plate
Two Gossips cups of gold: my greatest Diamonds:
Make haste.
Trin.
As fast as Alchochoden and Almuten
Can carry me: for sure these two are Devils.
Pan.
This is that blessed day I so much long'd for:
Foure houres attentance, till my man be chang'd,
Fast locks me in the lovely armes of Flavia. Away Trincalo.
How slow the day slides on! When we desire
Times haste, it seems to lose a match with Lobsters,
And when we wish him stay, he imps his wings
With feathers plum'd with thought. Why Trincalo!
Trin.
Here sir.
Pan.
Come let's away for cloth of silver,
Wine and materials for the Sacrifice.
SCEN. 7.
Lelio. Eugenio. Cricca.Le.
Eugenio, these words are wonders past belief.
To think it in the power of man to turn
One person to another.
Eug.
Lelio, his desire
T'enjoy your sister Flavia, begets hope,
Which like a waking dream, makes false apparence
Lively as truth it selfe.
Le.
But who's the man
That works these miracles?
Eug.
An Astrologer.
Le.
How deals Astrologie with transmutation?
Cri.
Under the vaile and colour of Astrologie,
He clouds his hellish skill in Necromancy.
Believe it, by some Art, or false imposture,
Hee'l much disturbe your love, and yours, Eugenio.
Le.
Eugenio, tis high time for t'awake.
And as you love our Flavia, and I
Your sister faire Sulpitia; let's do something
Worthy their beauties. Who fals into a Sea,
Swolne big with tempest, but he boldly beares
The waves with arms and legs, to save his Life.
So let us strive 'gainst troublous storms of Love,
With our best power, lest after we ascribe
The losse to our dull negligence, not Fortune.
Eug.
Lelio, had I no interest in your sister,
The holy League of friendship should command me,
Besides the seconding Sulpitia's love,
Who to your noblenesse commends her life.
Le.
She cannot out-love me, nor you out-friend me,
For th'sacred name wherof, I have rejected
Your fathers offers, importunities,
Letters, Conditions, Servants, Friends, and lastly
He's tender of Sulptia in Exchange
For Flavia. But though I love your sister
Like mine own soule; yet did the Laws of Friendship
Master that strong affection; and denied him.
Eug.
Thanks ever, and as long shall my best service
Wait on your will. Cricca our hope's in thee,
Thou must instruct us.
Cri.
You must trust in Fortune
That makes or mars the wisest purposes.
What sayst? what thinkst?
Cri.
Here's no great need of thinking
Not speech; the oile of Scorpions cures their poyson.
The thing it selfe that's bent to hurt and hinder you
Offers a remedy: tis no sooner known
But th'worst on't is prevented.
Eug.
How good Cricca?
Cri.
Soon as you see this false. Antonio
Come neere your dores with speeches made of purpose,
Full of humility and compassion:
With long narrations how he scapt't from shipwrack
And other faind inventions of his dangers:
Bid him be gone; and if he presse to enter,
Feare not the reverence of your fathers looks,
Cudgell him thence.
Le.
But were't not better Cricca
Keep him fast lockt, till his own shape return,
And so by open course of Law correct him.
Cri.
No. For my master would conceive that counsell
Sprung from my brains: and so should I repent it.
Advise no more, but home and charge your people,
That if Antonio come, they drive him thence
With threatning words, and blows if need be.
Lel.
'Tis done.
I kisse your hands Eugenio.
Eug.
Your servant sir.
SCENE. 8.
Eugenio. Cricca. Flavia.Eug.
Cricca commend my service to my Mistris.
Cri.
Commend it t'her your self. Mark't you not while
We talk't, how through the window she attended,
And fed her eyes on you there she's.
Eug.
'True.
And as from nights of Storms the glorious Sun
Breaks from the East, and chaseth thence the Clouds
That choakt the Ayre with horrour, so her beauty
Dispels sad darknesse from my troubled thoughts,
And cleers my heart.
Fla.
Life of my soule well met.
Eug.
How is't my dearest Flavia?
Fla.
Eugenio.
As best becomes a woman, most unfortunate.
Her chast affection was by yours required.
Have by delayes been famish'd. Had I conceal'd
Those flames your vertue kindled, then y'had sued,
Intreated, sworne, and vow'd, and long ere this
Wrought all means possible to effect our marriage.
But now.
Eug.
Sweet soule despaire not, weep not thus,
Unlesse you wish my heart should life-blood drop.
Fast as your eyes do teares. What is't you feare?
Fla.
First, that you love me not.
Eug.
Not love my Flavia?
Wrong not your judgement: rip up this amorous brest
And in that Temple see a heart that burnes
I'th' Vestall sacrifice of chastest love,
Before your beauties Deitie.
Fla.
If so,
Whence grows this coldnesse in soliciting
My brother to the match?
Eug.
Consider sweetest,
I have a father Rivall in my love;
And though no duty, reverence, nor respect
Have power to change my thoughts: yet tis not comely
With open violence to withstand his will;
But by faire courses try to divert his minde
From disproportioned affections.
And if I cannot, then nor feare of anger,
Nor life, nor lands, shall crosse our purposes.
Comfort your selfe sweet Flavia: for your brother
Seconds our hopes with his best services.
Fla.
But other feares oppresse me: me thinks I see
Antonio my old father, new return'd,
Whom all intelligence have drown'd this three moneths,
Enforcing me to marry the foole Pandolfo,
Thus to obtain Sulpitia for himselfe.
And so last night I dream'd, and ever since
Have been so scar'd, that if you haste not
Expect my death.
Eug.
Dreams flow from thoughts of things we most desire,
Or feare, and seldome prove true Prophets, would they did.
Then were I now in full possession
Of my best Flavia: as I hope I shall be.
Sir, pray take your leave: this to no end,
'Twill but increase your griefe and hers.
Eug.
Farewell,
Sweet Flavia, rest contented with assurance
Of my best love and service.
Fla.
Farewell, Eugenio.
SCENE. 9.
Salpitia. Flavia.Sul.
Flavia
I kisse your hands.
Fla.
Sulpitia, I pray you pardon me, I saw you not.
Sul.
I faith you have some fixt thoughts draw your eyes inward
when you see not your friends before you.
Fla.
True, and I think the same that trouble you.
Sul.
Then 'tis the love of a yong Gentleman, and bitter hatred
of an old Dotard.
Fla.
Tis so, witnesse your brother Eugenio, and the rotten carkase
of Pandolfo. Had I a hundred hearts, I should want roome
to entertain his love, and the other's hate.
Sul.
I could say as much, were't not sinne to slander the dead.
Miserable wenches, how have we offended our fathers, that they
should make us the price of their dotage, the medcines of their
griefs, that have more need of Physick our selves? I must be frostbitten
with the cold of your Dads Winter, that mine may thaw
his old Ice with the Spring of your sixteen. I thank my dead mother
that left me a womans will in her last Testament: That's all
the weapons wee poore Girles can use, and with that will I fight
'gainst father, friends, and kindred, and either enjoy Lelio, or
die in the field in's quarrell.
Fla.
Sulpitia, you are happy that can withstand your fortune
with so merry a resolution.
Sul.
Why? should I twine mine armes to cables, and sigh my
soule to ayre? Sit up all night like a Watching Candle, and distill
my brains through my eye-lids? your brother loves mee, and
I love your brother; and where these two consent, I would faine
see a third could hinder us.
Alas, cur Sex is most wretched, nurst up from infancy in
continuall slavery. No sooner able to pray for our selves, but they
brayle and hud us so with sowre awe of parents, that we dare not
offer to bate at our desires. And whereas it becomes men to vent
their amorous passions at their pleasure; wee poore soules must
take up our affections in the ashes of a burnt heart, not daring to
sigh, without excuse of the spleen, or fit of the mother.
Sul.
I plainly will professe my love of Lelio, tis honest, chast,
and stains not modesty. Shall I be married to Antonio, that hath
been a soust Sea-fish, this three moneths! and if he be alive comes
home with as many impaire, as a Hunting Gelding fal'ne Packhorse.
No, no, Ile see him freeze to Christall first. In other
things, good father, I am your most obedient daughter, but in
this a pure woman. Tis your part to offer, mine to refuse if I like
not. Lelio's a handsome Gentleman, yong, fresh, rich, and well
fashioned, and him will Sulpitia have, or die a maid: And ifaith,
the temper of my bloud tels mee I was never borne to so cold a
misfortune. Fie Flavia, fie wench, no more with teares and
sighs, cheere up, Eugenio to my knowledge loves you, and you
shall have him: I say you shall have him.
Fla.
I doubt not of his love, but know no means how he dares
worke against so great a Rivall: your father in a spleene may disinherit
him.
Sul.
And give't to whom? has none but him and mee: What
though he dote awhile upon your beauty; hee will not prove unnaturall
to his sonne. Go to your chamber: my Genius whispers
in my eare, and sweares this night we shall enjoy our loves, and
with that hope farewell.
Fla.
Farewell Sulpitia.
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