The Divils Charter A tragaedie Conteining the Life and Death of Pope Alexander the sixt |
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ACT. 4.
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 | The Divils Charter |  |
ACT. 4.
SCÆ. 1.
Alexander in his studie beholding a Magicall glasse with other obseruations.Alex.
Fore-god 'tis Candie, 'tis Candy I know 'tis Candie,
Where is that traiterous homicide? where is hee?
I cannot see him: hee shall not scape me so.
I must and will finde him, though he went inuisible,
Let me looke forth.
Alexander commeth vpon the Stage out of his study with a booke in his hand.
Oh, oh, very good very good: well I perfectly peceiue.
By this descention of Arctophilax,
What time of night it is, sorrow giue place;
Reuenge in blood and fierie sacrafice,
Commaundeth: nature now preuents her current: yeeld,
Let vs adore the second eye of heauen,
he boweth his bodie.
Bright Armatas increaseth she, is not combust.
O sacred season for nocturnall Ceremonies.
This ioyeous quarter is in Casmaran. ha.
he looketh on a watch.
What hower of night ist? why tis Salem, twelue a cloke,
What are our angells this quarter?
Gargatel Tariel Gauiel.
How goodly these augurize faire auspices of truth,
Now mountes bright Athaman in his goulden ascention,
Direct in opposition with our hemispher,
he tinketh on a bell.
And now there hower with them is Aetalon:
Bernardo bring hither thy white robes of sanctity,
Hast thou Coles ready burnt bring in my Thurible,
And sence about this sanctified place,
For heere Festatiui must haue her honor.
Candie my sonne is murthered, Candie my sonne,
Candie my sonne is murthered: I will raise
All the great diuills to shew the murtherer,
Euen as thou lou'dst my sonne hast and dispatch,
Hast and dispatch it as thou louest my soule.
Tis not yet yawne by three quarters of an hower,
What are our Angels of this night? Michael, Dardael, Huratipel
In a triumphant carre of burning gold,
Crownd with a circlet of blacke hebeny,
And with a mace of Iet King Varca rides.
Attended with his ministers of state, Andas and Cynaball.
Fit dismall times for our solemnities.
Enter Bernardo.
Put on my robes giue me my Pentacle,
Now must I laboure like a collyers horse.
After Bernardo had Censed he bringeth in coles, and Alexander fashioneth out his circle then taketh his rod.
My pretious best approu'd and trusty seruant,
Hence in all hast be-take thee to thy beads,
Whilst these darke workes of horror are in hand,
Red Sand ill is my fumigation.
standing without the circle he waueth his rod to the East.
And calleth vpon Vionatraba.
To the West. Svseratos.
To the North. Aqviel.
To the Sowth. Machasael.
Coniuro, et confirmo super vos in nomine Eye, eye, ey; hast vp & ascende
pernomeu ya, ya, ya; he, he, he; va; hy, hy; ha, ha, ha; va, va,
va; an, an, an;
I coniure thee by these aforesaid names,
That thou receaue no phantasmatike illusions.
Diue.
What would great Alexander haue with vs,
That from our fiery region millions of leagues,
Beneath the sulphuro as bottome of Abisse,
Where Mammon tells his euer tryed gould,
Thou call'st me from strong busines of high state,
From sure subuersions and mutations
Of mighty Monarches, Emperors, and Kings,
From plotting bloody feilds and massacres.
Triumphant treasons and assassinates.
Whats thy demand?
Alex.
I charge thee by the fower recited names,
And by the dreadfull title of great Phaa.
By which all creatures are sure sealed vp,
By which the prince of darknes and all powers,
In earth and hell doe tremble and fall downe,
Shew me the shape of that condemned man,
Which murthered my sonne the duke of Candy.
Keepe a firme station stir not for thy life,
Expect a messenger of trust stand fast,
The diuell descendeth with thunder and lighning and after more exhalations ascends another all in armor.
Diue.
Sent from the foggy lake of fearefull stix.
Am I comaunded by that puissant monarch,
Which rides tryumphing in a charriot,
On misty blacke clouds mixt with quenchles fire,
Through vnquoth corners in darke pathes of death,
To doe what thou demandest.
Allex.
Then by the dreadfull names of Amioram,
Titepand Sadai shew me that damned childe of reprobation.
Which this night murthered the duke of Candie.
Diui.
Keepe a firme station stir not for thy life,
He goeth to one doore of the stage, from whence he bringeth the Ghost of Candie gastly haunted by Cæsar persuing and stabing it, these vanish in at another doore.
Alex.
Hold, hold, hold, hold; per todos santos now no more,
Cæsar hath kill'd a brother and a father.
Diue.
What wouldest thou more shall I descend?
Alex.
Shew me the person by whose impious hand,
Gismond Viselli, was done to death?
Deue.
Keepe a firme station stirre not for thy life.
He bringeth from the same doore Gismond Viselli, his wounds gaping and after him Lucrece vndrest, holding a dagger fix't in his bleeding bosome: they vanish.
Alex.
Out, out, no more no more, my soule disolues.
Deui.
Say, say what wouldest thou more? discend,
Alex.
Beldachiensis, Berolanensis, Helioren, discende, discende, inbeo, mando impero.
Deuill desendeth with thunder &c.
Enter Bernardo.
Alexander tinketh his bell,
Alex.
Out out alas Bernardo I am wounded,
With grisly wounds and deepe incurable.
Ber.
Comfort your selfe in Gods name blessed father.
Soe long as noe wounds of the body bleed.
The cureles wounds I meane are of my body
Wounds both of my soule and body: but Bernardo
This is my comfort in calamity
Some shall packe after them for company
Whats a clocke?
Barn.
Very neere six by Saint Peters bell
Alex.
Hast thee, then passe thee to my Poticary, bid him
prouide those drugges I spoke for yester-day, and beare them in
all hast to Dominico Giglio take you those letters with you
which are here, bid him deliuer them Lodowick Sforzaes name
her lustfull Paramoure; make hast and see that he dispatch it
quickly, deliuer him a purse from mee for a token cramd with
two hundred ducates, bid him bee secreat as he loues his life,
hast and begon.
Astor shall follow, I must haue his Lands
This thorne must be cut of being but tender
Then cut it soone whilst it is yong and slender.
Least growing great it prick thee to the bone
My lust importunes it and he shall die,
Sonnes, Nephewes, Daughters, Concubines, shall die.
My conscience is turn'd mercies enemy,
He that would rise to riches and renowne
Must not regard though he pull millions downe.
Exit Alexander into the studie.
SCEN. 2.
Enter Cæsar Borgia with Caraffa and Bentiuoli.Cæs.
Where is his Holinesse? where is my father?
Alas your Sonne is slaine; your haples Sonne,
My noble brother out alas, alas
Is murthered: in tender passion
Let curious search and inquisition
Be made through Rome to finde the murtherers:
I feare that Traitrous Iudas Cardinall
Ascanio Sforza with his complecies:
I will not hould fraternity with him:
And here behold my meaning blessed father:
Receiue againe these robes, take here this hat,
I do forsweare al offices of Church,
Vntill I be reuenged for his death.
He disrobeth himselfe and appeareth in armor.
Alex.
A foule red vengeance ouer hangs his head
Whose heart indurate or whose diuilish braine,
Could execute conceiue or meditate
So foule a murther of an Innocent.
Caraffa with Bentiuoli giue leaue
Some-what I would in priuate haue with Cæsar.
Cæsar desemble not for that were vaine
Exeunt Car. et Ben.
Whence comest thou.
Cæs.
Directly from my Chamber.
Ale.
Where didst thou here this newes.
Cæs.
Fishers which found his body brought the newes.
Alex.
Then he was droun'd Cæsar was he not?
Cæs.
It seemes he was.
Alex.
What by some Fisher.
Cæs.
How should I know that.
Ale.
Sure by some subtill Fisher that layd nets
For Candies life and honor: but say truly,
Was it thy brother.
Cæs.
Are not you my father?
Ale.
Ah that I neuer had beene any father,
But speake againe, man speake the truth and feare not:
Who slew thy brother Candie this last night,
Who traind him forth who walk'd along with him.
Cæs.
Am I the keeper of my brothers person.
Alex.
Execrable Cain; perfidious Homecide,
Apparant villaine what canst thou designe?
Which I would know that thou canst hide from me.
Cæs.
A plague vpon your diuills you deale with them,
That watch more narrowly to catch your soule
Then he which sought my brother Candies death,
You know that Sathan is the lord of lies
A false accuser and desembler,
Tell your falce liers they be lying Diuils.
Alex.
Cæsar no more, Cæsar no more, thou knowst.
What know I?
Alex.
That I know, dissemble not.
Cæs.
Suppose you know, suppose in wrath & fury
I killd my brother; can we mend it now?
He was not fashion'd for these busie times:
He rests in peace, our peace rests in our swords.
Alex.
Cæsar thou do'st vnkindly vex my soule,
With rubbing vp my secret miseries:
Incur'd by seeking to lift vp thy head.
Cæs.
Pull me not downe good father with your conscience:
Your conscience, father of my conscience is.
My conscience is as like your conscience,
As it were printed with the selfe-same stampe.
I know my sinnes are burthenous, and beare them,
Your sinnes more hainous, yet your robes conceale them.
Alex.
Out wicked and nefarious homicide.
Cæs.
Vpbraid me not, for if that Lampe burne dimme,
Which should giue light to men in darkest night;
How can they choose but must in shaddowes erre,
That follow the blind-glimering thereof:
Doth this one petty fault appeare so grieuous?
Which if you well consider is no fault;
He was an honest man, and fitt for heauen:
Whilste he liu'd here he breath'd in miserie;
And would haue beene enlarg'd: I set him free.
Now if I may compare your state vvith his,
Or your condition with my qualitie,
Haue you not sold your selfe vnto the Diuill,
To be promoted to the Papacie:
Haue you not sould the liuings of the Church?
Are not your coffers cram'd with beastly bribes.
With foule extortion, and base Vsury?
Haue yee not (since your inauguration)
Poysoned and done to death six Cardinals;
In diuilish auarice to get their goods?
Haue you not (vvhich is most abhominable)
Commited incest vvith your onely daughter;
And made me sinne with her for company,
Did you not take of Georgio Bucciardo
One hundred thousand Ducats from the Turke,
To kill his brother Gemen Ottamon?
Haue you not kept the Pearle of Italie,
Astor Manfredi that young vertuous Prince,
In beastly lust, and filthy Sodomie.
Blasting the blossome of his toward youth?
Haue you not now giuen order for the death
Of my deere Sister, whom your passions caus'd
To kill her latter husband Di Viselli,
And robd the noble Earle of his new spowse,
Onely to cloake your vile impiety,
Ale.
Cæsar the Diuill hath bin thy Schole-maister.
Cæs.
I passe your secret counsell with the diuill,
Your Auarice, ambition, perfidie,
Your bloudie plots, inhumane crueltie,
Why then vpbrayd yee mee with Candies death?
A bastard of our house, degenerate,
In whom no sparke or spiracle of honor,
Appear'd to raise the race of Borgia.
But had I beene Lieutenant of your forces,
This arme had conquer'd all Romania,
France before this had trembled, Spaine had stoop'd,
The Romaine Emperor had faun'd vpon vs.
King Charles had beene restraind, Frederick expulsd,
And Naples had beene made our heritage.
Alex.
A triple ioy succeeds a single griefe,
I haue engag'd all to make Cæsar great,
Cæsar it suteth with thy grace and glory,
To cloake my vices, I will pardon thine,
Let one of vs excuse an others crimes,
And for this bloudy fact so lately done.
As thou didst cunningly begin proceed,
To lay the guilt or imputation
On them whose death may doe thee benefit:
And neuer was my soule better contented,
Then that our woes are with rich hopes preuented.
Now stands Romania subiect to my sword.
Imola furli, Camerine, and Vrbine
Shall haue the first charge, if I there succeed,
Haue forward farther with a better speed,
Cæsar o nullo written in my guydon,
When with my troopes victoriously I ride on.
Alex.
Holla Bernardo, call in Caraffa with Bentiuoly:
Enter Barn:
Ay now now now, my precious boy, my Cæsar,
Prosecute as thou hast begunne,
With Arte, looke sullaine and demure,
Hold downe thy head, like one swolne vp with sorrow,
Enter Caraffa with Bentiuoly.
They come, they come, say that those armes were put on,
In reuenge of Candies death.
The soueraigne medicine of things past cure,
Is for to beare with patience and forget,
Cæsar hath vowde reuenge for Candies death,
And in regarde of Cæsars piety,
I make him generall in his brothers place.
Cæs.
And neuer shall I sheath this sword in peace
Till it haue wrought vpon the murtherer.
Caraf.
Happy successe accompany my Lord,
And in your battles giue you victory.
Bent.
Is order taken for his funerals.
Cæs.
Bentiuoli take you no thought for that,
That is the greatest care, which troubles me.
Alex.
Come on my Lords, we will aduise within,
For I must haue your counsels in my griefe.
Exeunt omnes.
SCEN. 3.
Enter Lucretia richly attired with a Vyol in her hand.Luc.
Kinde Lodowike hadst thou presented me,
With Persian clothes of gold or Tinsilry,
With rich Arabian Odors, pretious stones,
Or what braue women hold in highest price,
Could not haue beene so gracious as this tincture,
Which I more valew then my richest iewels,
Enter Motticilla.
Bring me some mixtures and my dressing boxes,
This night I purpose priuately to sup
With my Lord Cardinall of Capua.
Enter two Pages with a Table, two looking glasses, a box with Combes and instruments, a rich bowle.
Bring me some blanching water in this bowle.
Exit Motti.
Shee looketh in her glasse.
Here I perceiue a little riueling
Aboue my for-head but I wimple it
Either with iewels or a lock of haire,
And yet it is as white as the pure snow:
O God when that sweet Marques Mantoua,
Did in Ferrara feast my Lord and mee,
What rich comparisons and similies,
He with ingenious fantasie deuis'd,
Doting vpon the whitenesse of my browes?
As that betwixt them stood the chaire of state,
Compos'd of Iuorie for the Paphian Queene:
Sitting in comfort after amourous conquest.
And kist my for-head twenty thousand times.
Oft haue I wisht the coulour of this haire
More bright, and not of such a Spanish dye,
And yet the Duke of Bourbon on his knees,
As the diuinest fauour of this world,
Did beg one lock to make a Bracelet,
For which few haires he garnished my head
With Iewels worth six thousand crownes at least.
My beaming eyes yet full of Maiesty,
Dart loue, and giue bright luster to the glasse,
As when the sunne beames touch a Diamond.
The Prince of Salerne solemnly did sweare,
These eies were quiuers which such shafts did beare
That were so sharpe, and had such fierie touch,
As Cupids Arrowes neuer had so much,
The Rosie Garden of these amourous cheekes,
My nose the gratious forte of conquering loue,
Breathing attractiue odors to those louers
Gonzaga calleth it the siluer pearch,
Where Venus turtles mutuall pleasure search.
Sweet mouth the Ruby port to Paradice
Of my worlds pleasure from whence issue forth,
Many false brags, bold sallies, sweet supplies,
A chinne the matchles fabricke of faire nature.
A necke two brests vpon whose cherry niples.
So many sweet solcions Cupid suckt,
Giue me some blanching water in this boule,
Wash my face Motticilla with this cloth,
So tis well now will I try these collours.
Giue me that oyle of Talck,
Take sarsnet Motticilla smooth my forehead.
She looketh in two glasses and beholdeth her body.
I must delay this colour is it carnation right.
Mot.
Oh the true tincture of a damask rose,
Luc.
What is it excellent.
Mot.
Most full of life.
And madame thats a pretious liniment,
As euer I beheld to smooth the browes.
Luc.
I will correct these arches with this mullet.
Plucke not to hard, beleeue me Motticilla,
You plucke to hard.
I feele a foule stincke in my nostrells,
Some stinke is vehement and hurts my braine,
My cheekes both burne and sting giue me my glasse.
Out out for shame I see the blood it selfe,
Dispersed and inflamed, giue me some water.
Motticilla rubbeth her cheekes with a cloth.
Lucretia looketh in the glasse.
My braines intoxicate my face is scalded.
Hence with the glasse: coole coole my face, rancke poyson,
Is ministred to bring me to my death,
I feele the venime boyling in my veines.
Mot.
Ah me deere Lady; what strang leoprosie?
The more I wash the more spreads on your face.
Send to my father; call phisitions in,
Exit Motti
Oh Candie where art thou my comforter,
Dead and intomb'd; Lucrece must follow thee,
I burne I burne, oh where is my deere Lord.
My braines are seard vp with some fatall fire.
Enter a seruant and Phisition with Morticila.
Ser.
Deere Lady cheere your selfe, be not dismayd,
His Holines in hast hath sent releife:
His owne Phisition to recomfort you.
Luc.
For our deere Ladies passion bring some water to coole my thirst.
Phi.
Madam you may not drinke,
Till you receaue this one preseruatiue.
Luc.
A foule vnsauorie loathsome stinke choakes vp
My vitall sences: and a boyling heat
suppes vp the liuely spirit in my lungs.
Phi.
This poyson spreads and is incurable,
Madame receiue one precious antidote.
Luc.
What haue I caught you Sforza,
Who painted my faire face with these soule spots,
You see them in my soule deformed blots,
Deliuer me from that murthered man,
He comes to stab my soule I wounded him,
Oh Gismond Gismond hide those bleeding wounds,
My soule bleeds drops of sorrow for thy sake;
Looke not so wrathfull I am penitent
Loue and remorse did harbour in thine hart,
What doest thou becken to me I will come,
And follow thee through millions of woes.
Phi.
Sweet Lady will you take a little rest,
It will refresh your spirits instantly.
Luc.
No rest vntill I see my Lord againe.
Mot.
Deere Lady doe you loue your life, take rest,
Shee taketh hold of Motticila.
Luc.
From the pure burning coles of true contrition.
Me thinkes I see the liuely counterfet,
Of catiue Cressed in her misery,
Ingenderd out of hir disloyalty,
In cunning sleights and snares of filthinesse,
Forgiue me for that sinne; liue and repent.
Mot:
Oh God forgiue me for my sinnes are great,
And if his goodnesse lend my life some space,
I will with pennance call on him for grace,
And spend the remnant of my life in prayer.
Luc:
I can no more, death summoneth my foule,
Open thy bosome father Abraham,
Mercyfull father let thy mercy passe
Extend thy mercy where no mercy was.
Mercyfull father for thy sonnes deere merrit
Pardon my sinnfull soule receiue my spirrit.
Expirat Lucrece.
Phi:
Now is her soule at rest tis very strange,
As well the cause as manner of her death,
I haue beene studied in Hipocrates,
In bookes of Gallen and olde Auecine,
Obseru'd the cures of diuers learned doctors,
In France in Spaine and higher Germany,
Yet neuer met with such an accicent,
Beare in her body I will in all hast,
Bring wofull newes vnto saint Peeters Pallace,
His Holinesse will grieuiously lament.
Exeunt omnes.
SCÆ. 4.
Enter Cæsar and Barbarossa souldiers drums and trumpets.Cæs:
Fellows in armes after our victories,
Had in the first front of our happie warr,
With men of hardy resolution,
Now must we bend our forces against Furly,
Where that prowd Amazonian Katharine,
Dareth defiance in the face of warr,
And yet our hopes are sure, all passage cleere,
And she before I lodge this restles head,
Shall beare the bondage of this victorie.
Bar:
These proud presuming spirrits of vaine women,
Whose bloodlesse woundes are only bloody words,
Talke without reason, fight without resistance,
With frowning fore-head menacing his force,
They fall downe on their backs as Venus did,
When Mars beheld her with a Souldiers face,
Cæs.
Nay we must fight: I know the puissant spirit
Of warlike Kate the pride of Italie,
Sforzaes braue sister and old Riarioes widdow,
Excellent valour, and deepe policie
Must winne it, if we purchase at her hands.
Bar.
And yet we be before-hand with the Lady,
Hauing surprized her treasure and her sonnes,
As they were making their escape for Florence:
What shall we trie renowned generall?
And search her resolution.
Cæs.
Shall wee? doubt you not,
Nay though the walles of Furly were of steele,
These pledges should make passage for our powers,
And what? shall we stoope for those twenty Ensignes,
Which this last night haue enter'd their Ports,
Nay were they ten to one within those walles,
Cæsar (that carries Fortune in his Standerd)
Would make them giue ground & subiect them-selues.
Bar.
Speake then at once renowned generall,
Shall we go Souldier-like to worke at first?
Shall we salute her with our Cannon?
Cæs.
What? no Barbarossa not without a parlee,
Fore-God I loue her, and admire her valour,
And till we finde her words prooue empty squibs,
We giue her all the noble rights of warre,
Summon a parlee.
Sound drum, answer Trumpet.
Enter vpon the walles Countesse Katherine, Iulio Sforza, Ensigne, souldiers, Drummes, Trumpets.
What haue wee Pallas come vpon these walles,
To bring confusion of our companies:
Doth proud Penthefilea liue againe,
Which some-time raging in the Fields of blood,
Made passage with her angry sword through millions.
I tell thee Cæsar sonne of Alexander
A booke befits thee better then a blade:
Percase in scorne thou wilt reply the like,
A distaffe fits me better then a pike.
Know Cæsar had I now so many liues
As here are stoanes or haires vpon your beards,
I would forgo them al before this honor,
Which my deere Lord Riario did leaue mee,
The pledge of my deere loue his Childrens patrimony.
Cæs.
Speake in a milder key renowned Kate,
I loue you well and all braue Sforzaes race
Yet you must yeeld there is no remedy,
It is the Churches right and I must haue it.
Kath.
Me thinkes a pulpet were more fit for thee,
But did'st thou euer reade Saint Gregory:
That he which hunteth for authority,
Himselfe should gouerne direct and know well;
He did a deede of danger that aduanc'd thee,
For proud ambition violates all right.
Cæs.
Be not so bitter Kate a friend intreates you,
But if intreaties will not, looke vpon mee:
Heere standeth Cæsar, the sharpe scourge of Furly
And were your fort fenc'd with as many men,
As it is girt with stones Cæsar would haue it.
Subdue them and make pillage of their goods
And in resistance seale it with their blouds.
Kat.
What are your weapons sheathed in your throates?
Is euery word a sword then shake hands Cæsar:
Venter no further and we will be friends
But if your words haue accents in keene swords,
And end in bloud, then Cæsar looke on me:
I with defiance turne swords in your throates,
You shall not thrust that imputation
Vpon our sex, for I will fight it out
So long as I can stand vpon these walls.
Cæs.
You would repent it, if you knew the worst,
Consider Kate be well aduised first.
Kat.
Cæsar at one word to discharge my conscience,
Vpon this fruitfull wombe the nurse of Children,
And I sure peece mell to be torne withall,
If I would not surrender vp this forte
Your Cannon shot should plowe these bowells vp,
That vow to God and my deere husband made:
I neuer will infringe with perfedy:
I know thee bloudy Cæsar: the dishonor,
In yeelding vp thy reuerend purple roabes
Which should protect widowes and Orphanes rightes,
Appeareth well in taking vniust armes,
To wrong the Widowes and the Fatherlesse
Either fight Cæsar or forsake the field,
Perswade thy selfe aliue I will not yeeld.
Cæs.
Then I will shew you what warres desteny,
Prognosticates, bring forth her ransome hither
Barbarossa bringeth from Cæsars Tent hir two boyes.
If nature be not quite extinguished
These pledges shall enfranchize you from warre
I brought them to this purpose; that in them,
You with your friends might liue in liberty.
Kat.
Neuer but with advantages deere Lord.
Monster of misery what think'st thou Cæsar
That I will yeeld mine honor for their safety?
Be not deceiu'd thou hast surpriz'd my Children,
Riarioes riches left in my tuition
And borne out of these bowells; but deere boyes,
Courage your selues I will defend your honors:
I tell thee Cæsar these my boyes are taught
To beare with patience fates ineuitable
These carry Sforzaes spirit and their fathers;
I dare gage life and aske them they will chuse,
To lack their liues before they loose their honors.
Cæs.
Cæsar in this hath offered like himselfe,
He proffereth to preserue your towne vntouch't:
Your goods, your wiues, your liues, your liberties:
But marke what fruites thy bitternesse brings forth,
Before thy face these boyes shall loose their liues
If thou surrender not without more parlee.
Kath.
Bloudy Buysiris I defie thy malice,
I spit defiance in thy cowards face.
Traytour to God and man had'st thou beene Cæsar,
Insisting on high tearmes of worth and honor
Thou wouldst consider that their bloud is Noble,
Thou wouldst consider that they be but children,
Thou wouldst consider that thou art a warrier
And that such noble bloud spilt with dishonor
And tram'd in with insideous trechery,
By God nor man in heauen nor earth below
Can be forgotten or abolished.
Barb.
Braue generall you parlee with a woman,
Whose heart is obstinate, whose hands are freeble,
Seemeth in vaine and ouer tedious.
Cæsar.
Speake at a word cannon is my next parlee,
You will not yeeld your state to saue their liues.
Kath.
I will not Cæsar.
Cæs.
Cut of both their heads.
1. Boy.
Let vs intreat our mother noble generall,
For to deliuer vp the state of Furly
And will you saue our liues then.
2. Boy.
Good Captaine do not kill vs.
Cæs.
If she will yeeld the state your liues are safe.
1. Boy.
Good mother for my fathers sake that's dead,
And for mine Vncle, sake part of your bowells
And for our owne sakes yeeld your selues and saue vs.
2. Boy.
Good sweete mother saue vs.
Kat.
Poore boies, in heart vnlike Riarioes race,
Or Sforzaes warlike linnage by the mother
Know what it is die with liberty,
And liue with ignomineous seruitude.
If you your liues buy with the losse of states
It were of all extreameties the vilest
But in extreamety to die resolu'd
Preseruing state and reputation:
This is an honor for Riarioes children,
And for my part, it neuer shall be sayd,
That Katherine being strong vpon hir guarde,
Hauing good forces able to defend,
In brutish feare should giue away your states,
I rather will obtrude my selfe vnarm'd,
And meete the thickest ranckes that enter breach,
To be tost vp vpon their souldiers pikes,
Sooner I will set all the towne on fire,
And with my soldiers sacrifice my selfe,
Rather then render vp your heritage,
Cæs.
Oh brauely spoken warlike Amazon.
1. Boy.
Mother we scorne death in respect of honor
Let him performe his worst, we feare him not,
Courage sweete brother, thinke vpon my father,
I will dye first, be not affraid of death.
Cæs.
Why then you are resolu'd to dye?
1. Boy.
I to dye Cæsar.
Cæs.
Bring hether both their heads.
Kath.
Gods blessing rest with you my deerest sonnes
And if I loose your states, my life shall follow,
Nothing but violence shall force it from vs,
Ere long this quarrell twixt vs will stand euen:
Farewell deere boyes, till we three meete in heauen.
2. Boy.
Ah deere Mother, sweete mother, good Vncle Iulio saue our liues.
Cæs.
Away with him.
2. Boy.
Let me before I dye, but kisse my mother.
Kath.
What wouldst thou runne againe into my wombe?
If thou wert here thou shouldst be Posthumus,
And ript out of my sides with soldiers swords,
Before I would yeeld vp thine heritage.
1. Boy.
Come brother let vs brauely dye together.
Cæs.
I tell thee when that these haue lost their heads,
I will make sacke and pillage of your state,
Man, women, Orphanes, all put to the sword,
This hath your obstinacie wrought in vs,
Exeunt with the boyes,
And then a charge vpon this valiant Lady,
This Thamyris, this proud Semeramis,
Whose valour Barbarossa by these heauens,
Is very wonderfull and glorious.
Kate.
Had he more force, what would this tirant do?
Cæs.
A charge a charge.
Kat.
For Gods sake charge, a charge let vs to sight.
Cæs.
A spirit full of vengeance, wrath, and spite,
Assault, assault, charge noble hearts a charge.
A charge with a peale of Ordinance: Cæsar after two retreates entreth by scalado, her Ensigne-bearer slaine: Katherin recouereth the Ensigne, & sighteth with it in her hand. Heere she sheweth excellent magnanimity. Cæsar the third time repulsed, at length entreth by scalado, surpriseth her, bringeth her downe with some prisoners. Sound Drums and Trumpets.
Cæs.
Couragious Kate, you that would throw defiance
Into the face and throate of fate and Cæsar,
Such are the fruites of pride and wilfulnesse.
Haue I perform'd my word? are you surpriz'd?
Is not your life and liuing in my power?
Kat.
Now that my sonnes first by insidious meanes,
Bereaued of their liues, and their states lost,
The date of my calamities is out,
Goe forward with thy tyrannie, strike Cæsar,
And take away the Mother with her sonnes:
This done, recount what is thy victory.
A woman with two children vanquished,
A prize befitting the renowne of Cæsar.
Cæs.
Come hither Katherine wonder of thy sex,
The grace of all Italian woman-hood:
Cæsar shall neuer prooue dishonourable,
Behold thy children liuing in my Tent.
He discouereth his Tent where her two sonnes were at Cardes.
2. Boy.
Oh mother, mother, are you come, wee be not dead.
1. Boy.
Good mother, thanke the Captaine, we liue yet,
They gaue vs spices, wines, and bad vs welcome,
Kate.
Oh but your lands and honors are both lost,
Had not an honorable death beene better:
Then thus to loose your states and liuely-hoods.
Heroike souldier, whose deceipt is honour.
Thou that hast vnexpected sau'd the liues
Of my two children, I submit them here
Thy captiues, for their ransome what is fitt.
Cæs.
I freely pardon these two boyes their ransome,
Lady behold thy treasure in my Tent,
Had I not wonne this towne, this hadst thou lost,
See Souldiers that her Iewels be reseru'd
For her owne seruice, now the quarrell ends.
Kat.
But noble Cæsar well intreate our people,
They be men valiant, ciuill, obedient,
If you their Magistrates intreate them well.
Cæs.
Take you the charge of Furly, Barbarossa,
Intreate the people well do not restraine them,
We freely pardon all of them their ransomes,
So much as is in vs, we pardon all,
Vse them as Cittizens of Rome in fauor,
Other instructions you shall haue here-after:
Till then regarde your charge and so farewell.
Enter with a drum, Barbarossa, Soldiers.
Lady, your selfe, with your two little babes,
I will take order shalbe sent to Rome,
Be not dismaid, you shall bee well intreated,
You shall want nothing fitting your estates,
March with vs on our way for Capua.
March Cæsar, Katherine, her two boyes, Ensignes, Soldiers, Trumpets, Drums. Exeunt.
SCÆ. 5.
Enter Alexander out of his studie.Alex.
Bring in that Opium, and bowle of Wine,
Heere I must act a Trage-comœdie,
Bernardo is it well confected and prepar'd?
Bernardo with a flaggon of wine and a boule
Ber.
He sent it as your Holines may see,
Safe sealed vp
Alex,
Fill me that bowle of wine,
Alexander openeth a box and putteth in the powder.
Ber.
Tis a drowsie medicine, do not tast it my Lord,
Alex.
Thou hast ben taster to me, many times,
Begin Bernardo.
Ber.
My Lord I slept too much the last night and I dare not,
Alex.
It holds good colour hold here Bernardo,
Giue good attendance, bring them to their rest,
Then giue me notice at my study doore.
Ber.
One set was past before I parted from them,
And by this time they be well heated.
Alex.
Sirra be diligent and seruiceable in this,
Euen as thou louest thy maister.
Exit Alexander into his study.
Ber.
Feare me not?
Were it not that my conscience hath bene fyer'd,
With flames of purgatory by this Pope,
I neuer could endure such villany,
The best is he doth pardon all my sinnes.
Exit Bernardo.
Enter Astor and Philippo in their wast-cotes with rackets.
Ast.
This set was strangely lost I durst haue wagerd,
An hunder'd ducats after the first chase.
Phi.
You thinke you play well, but beleeue me brother,
You cannot take paines nor obserue a ball,
With that dexterity which appertaineth.
Ast.
Holla within there if I take no paines,
My wastcote well can witnes for I sweate.
Enter Bernardo.
Ber.
Barber bring in some linnen for my Lords
Phil.
Bring me some wine for I am very thirsty
Enter two Barbers with linen.
Ber.
I listend for that string and he hath toucht it.
Bar.
Wilt please your Lordship sit on this low chaire?
Rub my head first then combe it,
Ast.
Fill me some wine Bernardo,
Ber.
Good my Lord coole your selfe a litle,
Ast.
Giue me wine and let it be thy laboure good Barnardo
To call for musicke.
Bernardo deliuereth wine.
Brother in this cup I commend the loues,
Of all true Fauentines our trusty friends,
Hoping ere long to liue againe with them.
Phs.
I thanke you brother, if our father Pope.
Performe his promise we shall soone returne.
Ast.
This wine was good yet tasteth of the casck,
It hath a musty rellish.
Phi.
Lets here this musicke,
After the barbers had trimmed and rubbed their bodies a litle, Astor caleth.
Ast.
Holla within there.
Ber.
My Lord.
Ast.
I thinke it good after this little rubbing to repose my body.
Phil.
I am some what heauy.
Ber.
I know the cause,
Ast.
And what Bernardo.
Ber.
Marry with much motion of your bodies my Lords,
You must not be so vehement in play.
I knew a noble French man at Anchona,
Twenty yeares since at tennice tooke his death.
With ouer heating of himselfe in play.
They lay them selues vpon a bed and the barbers depart.
Phi.
More musicke there.
after one straine of musicke they fall asleepe:
Ber.
My Lords are both a sleepe musicke depart.
And leaue them to their ease; alasse sweet boyes,
Is it not pitty that these noble branches,
So sweetly knit in one, should neuer wake?
I that am hard of heart sighe for their sake,
My Lord.
Bernardo knockeh at the study.
Alex.
What newes man?
Ber.
Both fast a sleepe.
And both vpon one bed?
Ber.
Tis done.
Alex.
And chamber voyded?
Ber.
All is performed my Lord.
Alex.
My blessinge rest vpon thee my Benardo.
Depart now with those letters I deliuerd,
To be conuayd to Florence leaue me here.
Alexander vpon the stage in his cassock and nightcap with a box vnder each arme. Alexander solus.
Sleepe both seeme vpon your fatall bed,
Now that the God of silence Morpheus,
Hath with his signet of black horne seal'd vp,
Your langued eye lids loaden with pale death,
Sleepe vntill you draw your latest breath,
Poore harmeles boyes strangers to sinne and euill,
Oh were my soule as innocent as yours!
This office is of highest consequence,
In friendship for I consider it,
I sent you from a million of sorrows,
Into the flowry fields of Paradice.
Their to goe habit in the groues of mittle,
To feed on Manna and to drinke pure Nectar,
A cup of euerlasting happines.
Where such sweet musick vn-con-ceiueable,
Shall entertaine your senses in sweet comfort,
As the delight thereof shall neuer die
Astor what Astor speake awake Phillippo,
Both fast a sleepe.
He stireth and moueth them opening both their bosomes.
Now Roderick betake thee to thy taske,
What? peace Astor begins to talke I will attend.
Astor speaketh in his sleepe.
Ast.
Faire gratious Angell of eternall light,
Which reachest out that hand of happines.
Hayling my spirit to that triumphant throne,
Of endles comfort I adore thy grace.
In his sleepe.
Oh goulden light of neuer setting Sunne,
Harke brother Astor harke my soule is rapt,
Into the ioyes of heauen with harmony.
Alex.
Doe they not sleepe? are they not yet a sleepe?
Be not their sences yet lockt vp in sleepe.
he stirreth them.
Astor awake awake, awake Philippo.
All safe and sure, oh this was but a dreame,
Their Genius hath fore told them of their end,
And ioyfully they doe shake hands with death.
He draweth out of his boxes aspiks.
Come out here now you Cleopatraes birds.
Fed fat and plump with proud Egiptian slime,
Of seauen mouth'd Nylus but now turn'd leane:
He putteth to either of their brests an Aspike.
Take your repast vpon these Princely paps.
Now Ptolamies wife is highly magnified,
Ensigning these faire princely twins their death,
And you my louely boyes competitors,
With Cleopatra share in death and fate.
Now Charon stayes his bote vpon the strond,
And with a rugged for head full of wrath
He thrusts a million from the shore of Stix,
To giue you waftage to the Elisian fields,
I see their coulors chang and death sittes heauy.
On their fayre foreheads with his leaden mace.
My birds are glutted with this sacrefice.
He taketh of the Aspiks and putteth them vp in his box.
What now proud wormes? how tasts yon princes blood.
The slaues be plump and round; in to your nests,
Is there no token of the serpents draught,
All cleere and safe well now faire boyes good-night.
Bernardo, Bernardo, the feate is done,
Vse thy discretion as I did detect.
Exit Alexander.
Ber.
Tis done in deed alasse they both be dead:
Now must I follow my directions,
Enter Cardinall Caraffa with Bentiuoli.
Car.
What newes Bernardo?
Ber.
Alas my Lord ill newes,
But that his Holinesse is fast a sleepe,
And this day stir'd not from his bed-chamber
I would haue brought him to this wofull sight:
Prince Astor with Phillippo was at Tennis,
And being ouer-heated at their game,
Drinking so suddainly vpon that heate,
With much sweete Wine did surfet instantly,
And here alas lye dead vpon this bed.
Bent.
Alas it is a ruthfull spectacle,
Two princely boyes of noble disposition,
Endued with honorable gifts of vertue.
Car.
Of gracious fauour, wise, and liberall.
Phaerizaes hope: Bernardo beare them in,
His Holynesse will much bemone their fate.
Bent.
My Lord, my Lord, I do not like of this.
Caraf.
Peace man, no more do I, but beare with patience.
Bent.
It is suspicious but we may not talke,
Come let vs in, oh God!
Car.
Oh God what times are these.
Exeunt omnes.
Guicchiardine.
After the bloudy Duke Valentinoys
Had conquered Furly, with the warlick Lady,
By wily force he tooke in Capua,
Then through insidious sleights and treacheries,
He did surprize the state of Camerine,
Where he captiued Iulio di Varana,
With his two sonnes all which he strangled,
With semblable tyranny proud Cæsar,
On termes of trust meetes with the Duke Grauina,
And Vitellozzo with the prince of Fermo:
Whome he betraide at Sinigaglia,
Bereauing them both of their states and liues,
He conquereth Urbin; and with violence,
By this time with his forces backe to Rome,
Cæsar is marching; what betyded there,
Endes in the subiect of this Tragedie.
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