University of Virginia Library

Actus secundus

Scena prima.

Enter Honoria, Fumante, Vatinius.
Hono.
What think yee, Gentlemen of Lucibella.

Vatin.
She spake sweetly and wisely.

Hono.
Well, she's the glory of her sex.
I never heard a suite of such importance,
Urg'd which like modesty: t'was strange the duke
(After to powerfull a plea) could still,
Ramaine inexorable.

Fuman.
Sir, nothing less: justice best speakes a Prince,
When mercy yoakes his great Prerogative
With vulgar censure: should he, now, reverse
(At a faire Ladies prayers) his former doome,
And call Pausanio home, which all the Lords
Entreaty, could not win him to, d'yee thinke
The busy-Commons gravidated heads,
(Which generally, from nothing, coyne conceits)
Would not bring forth foule whispers, since they know.
Him for a Traytor.

Hono.
I've heard a Tenent (besides that of his sanctity)
How that a Princes great Prerogative,
Maintaines him not-erronious (the truth
Of either, I dispute not, since authouriz'd)
Which beleev'd, the people dare not murmure.
How e're, mercy no lesse becomes a Prince.

Fuman.
Faith Sir, their insolency, here of late,
Is growne to such a height, that Majesty
Lies trampl'd on; they dare doe any thing.

Vatin.
'Tis too true.
And more then time their great impiety,
Were by a stricter hand supprest

Hono.
Here are paire of States-men, such another
Not to be called out of Christendome, t'or'e throw it,
Aside
One a foole, t'other a flatterer, I must not
Leave them, for my mirth;
But harke yee Gentlemen! 'tis more then thought.
That the the old Gennerall, is grossely injur'd

Fuman.
Fooles are of that opinion.

Vatin.
Yes, yes, fooles; none, but fooles.

Hono.
I am of that opinion; am I a foole?

Both.
You a foole, my Lord?

Hono.
I doe protest I hold Pausanio noble.

Fuman.
Come, come, my Lord, it is unsafe
To harbour such opinions, when the lawes
Have prov'd him guilty of foule treason.

Hono.
Hum—are you of that faction?
I shall observe you more hereafter.
Aside
I only speake to yee, my grave judicious friends,
But no more of that.
What thinke yee of th'great honour, late confer'd
On Martiano? he's now created Generall;
And hath a haughty spirit.

Fuman.
Spirit too much, I feare; but yet the duke.
Was ill-advis'd, untill a farther proofe,
So great an honour, rashly, to bestow,
Tooke from a Traytour, on the Traytours sonne,

Vatin.
Right: who (for ought we know) may be a Traitour?
The Duke was much too blame, and without question,
The whole Court are of our opinion.

Hono.
Yes, yes, fooles; none, but fooles.

Both.
How's this?

Hono.
Now I hope you will not question me, for my opinion;
I am even with yee.

Both.
Wee? not wee, my Lord; we are your friends.

Hono.
Nay now yee dare not
Vatin, Courts Rosania. Fuman: Courts Dianetta. To them Rosania, and Dianetta.
And I am glad on't
See the ladies.
Such seem'd the beauteous Goddess, when she got.
The golden ball, on happy Ida's toppe;
Else had the Trojan-youth bestow'd the prize
On Juno, or the Martiall-maid.
Rosania, well; how e're you sleight my love,
My captiv'd soule will your true martyr prove.

Dianetta.
I've not neglected the performance of
All your desires.

Fuman.
You much oblige me.

Rosania.
Enough, enough, I doe not like the subject.

Vatin.
That's but an evasion, because she would not have
Aside.
Her love to me discovered: how shall I be blest, with wit, and beauty?

Rosa.
Your serious thoughts (my Lord) are taken up
To Honorio.
With business for the state; you have left courting.

Hono.
Lady, I was projecting—

Rosa.
Oh purge your brain of projects, I advise you.
They breed contagion, that infects the state;
And will, or make you deadly sick, or kill you.

Hono.
But mine is lawfull.

Rosa.
Law it selfe's unsound.

Hono.
Yet, Lady, mine is just and honest.

Rosa.
That would be rare and strange: what i'st?—

Hon. and Rosa. whisper.
Vatin.
She fits him every way and she hath ashrew'd wit,
And I shall love her the better for't: even thus.
(Aside.
Will she cross me, to exercise her Genius—

Rosa.
You love a Lady, and would have her give you the
Monopoly of her heart; and, for th'obtayning
Of the Pattent, give her yours.

Hono.
I would: Is it not fayre, and equall?

Rosa.
As't may fall out: yet you may pay too deere;—
But it concerns not me.

Hono.
She's yet immoveable: hard-hearted fayre!—

(Aside.
Rosa.
Signior Fumante, I had your amorous verses.

Vatin.
He send her verses?—

(Aside.
Rosa.
But the exuberance of your praise, was only due
To Venus selfe; and (if my memory faile me not)
The Author so intended them, in th'last Court-Masque.

Fuman.
The Author Madame?
How, hath she found out that?—

(Aside.
Rosa.
Yes Sir! the major part of them i'm sure were none.
Of yours: but blush not! you're not the first, by
Multitudes, guilty of this fellonious fault,
'tis common.

Dian.
Yet nere the less absurd.

Fumam.
By Phœbus selfe, I sweare!
Th'invention genuinely was my owne.
I not deny, but mine might simulize
The others learned-straine.

Dian.
Yea; good witts will jumpe.

Fuman.
For now the sterile soile of forc'd invention.
Is over-wrought, therefore not, so productive
Of variety: what theame can you propose.
That largely hath not bin discuss'd on?

Rosa.
Scarce any: therefore your excuse is the more passable.

Dian.
The duke—

Enter duke, Iulia, Lucebella, Hipol, Martiano, Ausonius, Attendants, Flourish.
Duke.
Madame you have exceeded in our entertainment.
Which you may judg ill recompenc'd, having deny'd.
Your only suite: but consolate
Your greived heart, which better hopes: for when.
Your Presence, shall, an honour bring, with it,
Unto our Court, our gratitude shall give
Your bounty a just proofe, that we deserve it.

Hipol.
What meanes the duke?—

(Aside, kisses.
Duke.
Till when-I thinke 't an age-your leave—
Th'Arabian gales breath not so sweet a scent
On blushing Roses.

Luceb.
Your Grace leaves too much honour which your handmaid.

Duke.
Fairest-farewell!
Looks steadfastly upon her, pulls his hat over his eyes then goes away which Hip. M. A. Ho. F. Ua.

Diana.
The duke departed strangely.

Iulia.
Some thing hath crept into,
His noble brest, that troubles him,
What ere it be?

Diana.
I partly guess the cause.

Luceb.
Pray heav'n no want in us, or misperformance.
In his entertainment, hath wrought this alteration!

Julia.
Be feareless!

Dian.
No; rather your abundance: in plainer termes,
Madame, I thinke your beauty hath subjected
His stouter heart, and doubting, now your loves
Reciprocation, since his great opposing.
Your sad petition, his obduracie
Feeling the heat of Cupids flames become
More flexible: witnesse his kind invitall
To the Court, his gratefull promises of all
Due performance, and his encouragement
To lively consolation; but most,
His Heart-betraying salutation
Just at parting: through which I well perceiv'd,
(As if his breast had bin transparent crystall)
The rankling relique Loves kind cruelty
Had left behind—nay (Madam) we can judge

Julia.
Propitious be thy divination!

Luceb.
I would not for the world.

Julia.
Why? could'st not love him?

Luceb.
Yes, before any He living:
Nay set aside th'attraction of his person
Which, though external, is most powerfull;
With all th'internall vertues, that enrich
His nobler mind: as he is your brother
He might share bliss with me: but as he is
A tyrant to my virgin teares effus'd
In such aboundance, meekely at his feet,
Whereby to expiate my fathers guilt
From his too strict remembrance and reduce
him to his native home, that so mine eyes
(Happy in their aspect) might straine the rest
through my excesse of joy; as he is thus
Mercilesse to deny me this, I could be pitty les,—

(weeps.)
Julia.
Sweetest shake off this misbecoming sorrow
And these sad weeds, that shrow'd it for, than now,
Never more cause of gladnesse: tyer thy selfe
Like to thy selfe! and help revive the Court
(Grown dull through thy long absence)
With thy presence!

Dia.
(Dear Madam) do! for if the Duke be taken?
As certainly he is (or I have no inspection)
Beleeve your father now at home! for that must follow.
He never can expect love from you,
'Till he have made him recompence.

Rosa.
Very true: therefore pray be advis'd!

Dian.
Good Madam!

Julia.
Nay come, you shall be rul'd, and goe to Court.

Luceb.
Chiefly, to give a demonstration
Of my obedience to the Duke his summons;
Next to pleasure ye; and last (if possible)
Too lose part of my greefe, which heav'n knowes
Is in supportable, I will waite on you—
But by our sacred friendship!

Takes Julia by the hand.
Julia.
To me no exorcisms.

Luceb.
Then Question not your brothers passion!

Julia.
I shall observe—

(Exeunt.
Enter Duke and Page.
Duke.
(Sings.
Song.

Duke.
Tis well: leave us!
(Exit, Page.
What a combustion rages in my brest!
And how small hope to quench it! righteous fate!
What horrid sin, unknown to my cleare soul,
Have I committed, meriting so great
A punishment? than which, none—temporall
More cruell: to love and be disdain'd!
Is there prevention? she whose sea of tears
(That might have melted Rocks) th'abyssus of
My greedy rigour hath carrous'd without
Sense of satiety; can she have left
One drop to pitty me?—
She whose sad sweet complaints, could not but charme
The bloudy Moore, and teach his fiercenesse, mildnesse;
I've heard neglectingly: can she retaine
Compassion, for one hath bin so cruell?
Superfluous question!—but stay better reason:
Say I call home her father—if at length,
After whole yeares, great paines, large summs, consum'd
In the delaying law, we but recover
The desperate principall! travell nor charge
Is thought on, we're contented: why maint shee
(Forgetting her past greefes) be satisfied?
I am resolv'd—but then where's Justice—oh!—
No matter:—yee celestial dwellers,
In Capital Letters, register this truth!
I fall to frailety, but by a temptation
That your divinities, if upon earth, could not withstand:
Which seene I may find pardon

Hi.
There is no safety can associate sin;
To him Hip: speaking to himselfe.
Some thing must be donne.

Duke.
Hipol to discoursing to himselfe?
Thus obscur'd, I may o're heare him.

Duke behind the hangings.
Hipol.
The Duke is strangely chang'd: his wonted mirth
Forsakes him; and his mind-disclosing-speech
Speaks him all sadness: his dejected lookes,
Soft lingring pace, and sollitary loneness,
Faint-heartless-sighs, and jealous apprehensions.
Are the true badges of a deepe-struck-Amorist.

Duk.
There you rub'd my wound.

Hipol.
Hum—it troubles me extreamly,
To know the certaine cause of his distemper.

Duke.
Kind Hipolito, thy whole care's for us,
Whereas we're growne quite careless of ourselfe,

Hipol.
May be the peereless Lucebella.

Duke.
What of her?

Hipol.
(The splendour of whose eye might enfuse warmth
In the halfe frozen Cossack, and enforce
Him throw away his friendly furrs) hath caught.
His yeelding soule—I would not for a world—

Duke comes forth.
Duke.
Why? I can hold no longer.

Hipol.
Ha?—how easily might my secure thoughts
Have bin surpriz'd?

Duke.
Be not amaz'd! but feareless! we have heard.
Thy kind expressions tending to our wellfare;
My deare Hipolito, what recompence,
For thy continuall care, can there be worth
Thy acceptance? when as my dukedome is
Too poore a restitution.

Hipol.
Gracious Sir, all I can doe's but duty,
Therefore too well rewarded by your royall notice.

Duke.
Thou art all virtue. But when you pronounc'd
The very cause of my sick hearts disease,
Naming faire Lucebella, why stop'd you?
Then with a faint conclusion (I would not for a world)
Blast my hopes?

Hipol.
I'm put to't; but am arm'd—

(Aside.
Duke.
Say (my Hipolito)—wracke not my expectation!
Dost thou suspect her virtue?

Hipol.
What, If I confirm'd her vitious? it would worke
(Aside.
But oh that were a sin, for which damnation
Would seeme a punishment too easy—I have't

Duke.
Why muttur'st, to thy selfe?
And leavest our demand unsatisfy'd?

Hipol.
Sir, your pardon!
My anxious thoughts, with which my brest's replete;
Caus'd this neglect of duty.

Duke.
Then answer us: dost thou beleeve her such
As the best femall, through temptation, may be,
Frayle?

Hipol.
Chast and religious, as the virgin Nunne,
For ought I know.

Duke.
She is, she is; my soule for hers, she is:
With haste, dispeed our letters to Pausanio,
Entreat him home, wo him to pardon our
Not pardoning him! tell him we are his friend,
Intend to call him father; restitute
Him any thing—all things—Jam 'ore joyd.
But what? dost thou repine at our felicity?

Hipol.
No: but, rather, pray for its encrease.

Duke.
What then, writes discontentment, on thy brow?
Wee doe command your neerest thoughts.

Hipol.
(Great Sir) you know my home-bred nature, blunt
As simple, not enur'd to sooth errour
With flattery, so heap sin on sin; but prone
T'extirpate vice, and cherish virtue: then
Shall I behold, with violating hands,
Your selfe, that should maintaine justice, usurpe
Her sacred-sword, and, with the desperate point,
Willfully vulnerate your precious soul,
When as you may prevent it? and not be truly greev'd?
Oh no! these teares (th'intrusive witnesses
Of the fix'd love I beare him) doe lament
Pausanio's absence: yet my pious heart,
Limitts my ready wishes, for a squared rocke,
Of perfect Adamant, I'ld not have him heere,
And the impardonable sin upon
Your tortur'd conscience, with the living scandall.
Devouring your noble name, and Ancestors;
When as Posterity
Viewing the annalls of your happy reigne,
Among your better deeds, there registred,
Shall find this matchless peece of partiall justice;
And, in the eares of your surviving off-spring,
Read, Here have we th'else good Cosmo,
For a Precedent of ill: will they not curse you?

Duke.
Oh—

Hipol.
But my too-forward tongue willing t'expresse.
My zeale to goodness, hath transgressd; and now
I have discharg'd my duty, if you please?
Cut off my head!—

(Kneeles.
Duke.
Rise, my divided soul! would the great traines,
That throng the Courts of Princes, were like thee!
But, now, what meanes to keepe me from this guilt,
And yet be happy? my Hipolito.

Hipol.
This only: of late young Martiano,
With great entreaty oft hath urg'd
Me to desire your Majesties consent,
That he might visit his long absent father:
Now, give him your grant! and for the rest
Let me alone: his faire sister
Affects your Grace suffize it, that I know it:
But her brother opposes all that bashfull virgins—

Duke.
Wee understand thee: and thy words bring comfort;
Tell him he hath our leave, with power to use
Our Gallies, when, and where, he please:
We long to heare of his departure.

Hipol.
I'le hasten it: Sir, be you but cheerfull,
For if I faile? hate me!

Duke.
Be prosperous!—

Exit.
Hipol.
So: now to Martiano, then the games on foote;
I must not trust his friendship, but at distance.
Had not the good evill spirit furnished
My great necessity? from what a precipice
Had I fall'ne head-long to perdition?
I'm deeply in, then on! if I must fall?
Better for treason, then things triviall.—

Exit.
Enter Rosania.
Rosania.
To be married to Vatinius? this false report
Puts me besides my patience: the very man I
Loath above all the imitating Apes in the Court:
'Tis true, he and Fumante both, have oft with
Oaths, profess'd they lov'd me; which I ever slighted,
And plainely told them, that I could phancy neither.
I wonder upon what ground 'tis fabrick'd!—
Upon my life, meerely his own report; no
Otherwise; but I shall fit him; this comes of
Publique Courtship: 'tis well it is no worse.
I would not have it reach the ears of th'Princesse
For any good—.Honorio, I am now resolv'd to
Make amends, for my long past unkindnesse,
Thy constancy doth challenge it.

(Exit.)
Enter Hipolito, and Martiano.
Mart.
Hell to my soul?—whore my Sister?

Hip.
Let reason coole your boyling bloud; lest that
Impatience robbe you of sweet revenge.

Mart.
It cannot:
My vertue's proofe against all opposition:
Bring him before my rage, though payled round,
With armed milions, maugre their resistance,
I'le heiw him peace-meale, then to ravenous Kites
Throw his luxurious Carcase—wast for this
His Syren tongue envited her to Court,
To strumpet her?—bette his lust had chose
His only sister to make black with guilt.
Or mounted his owne mother—who'r my sister?
These the promis'd hopes of consolation?—
Dishonour Lucibella?

Hip.
For heave'ns sake moderate your fury?
Or, we both are lost.

Mart.
Perish the whole world with us, rather than
One graine of our dear honour! fiery flames
Run through my frighted veines, and consume me,
Before I shall doe justice; patience
But a little; I'le instantly returne,
And bring the libidinous heart of this mœchatour
A present for you, poynted on my Steele.

Hip.
First you must cut your passage through me?
This is childish rashnesse; and not the fruit
Your vowes to patience, and secresie,
So fairely promis'd: had I known your temper
To be thus volatile? no torment should
Have forc'd perswasion, or the name of friend
Have wrought this secret from me: giv't me back?
(draws.
Or I will ransack all your Intrals for't.

Mart.
Why I am your friend, and (but for you) had liv'd
In ignorance, whilst the lascivious Duke
Might have brought black dishonour on our house,
And I lost my revenge, but, to your love,
I owe more then a thousand lives; for now
I know his dark intentions, and can
Prevent th'm, by killing them in the bud.
Performe then your free proffer, joyne with me!
Remember it alike concerns you—you
He would have made his cursed instrument,
The damned Bawd to his foul lust (my Lord)
You—oh heavens!—the good Hipolito.
Can you hear this, yet not be mov'd?

Hip.
I can seem so, and compasse my revenge
With greater safety; when you rashly runne
Your neck into the nuze; and not alone,
Your own; but seek to ruine him, that was
And would be, your best friend. It is unsafe
To play with th'awfull Lyons curled maine,
When waking; but a sleep, your pleasure may
Command his very heart.

Mart.
I am to blame: Forgive me; Sir, the cause
Must needs distemper the most able brain:
You were about to counsell me, pray on!
You said the course was sure, and might be suddaine:
I vow all patient observance.

Hip.
Then thus.
Some twelve Moones since, you may remember
The solemne vow Sicanio freely made
Unto your father, whose supply preserv'd
His person, people, gallies, from the yoke
Of Turkish bondage; when Regibbassa
That proud commander, with his whole Armado
Set on his weaker power, which (by multitude)
'Ore Master'd, after a cruell fight,
Sicanio and the Sicilian Cavalleirs
Ready to yeeld themselves unto their mercy,
Pausanio, and his power were discri'd
A loofe, making from Malta; when the wind
Favouring their course, ere a full watch was out,
Brought them inken of th'Turkes; your father by
Their flags, knew them for foes, and freshly charges
Upon their Admirall (till then victorious)
Who (after many) by one dangerous shot.
Receav'd 'twixt wind, and water, quickly sunck
The rest (disabl'd by the former: and
More weakn'd by the latter fight) revenge,
Not vallour animated on; and now
A bloody fight begins; but seven short houres
Declares your father Victour: for the Turke
Beat out by new supply, clapps on all sail,
And flies; leaving their intended prize unto
Your father: who (proud that it was his fate,
To serve the Prince) makes himselfe known,
Supplies what warre had made deficient,
And takes leave: to whom Sicanio, thus:
Valliant Pausanio, our great Preserver,
May heav'n be just in sending thee like streit!
Not that we wish thee ill; but that we may
Express our gratitude, for this deliverance,
And your great love:
For all our lives, and force of Sicilly,
Are ty'd to your disposall: So, parted.
Now, Martiano, haste you thither, and make known
To him your griefes; and if that he be noble,
Now's the time to shew it.

Mart.
But if in case, alleadging he is friend
To Florence, he deny me his assistance!

Hipol.
'Twere sin to doubt his Princely word—how 'ere,
Upon your first advise of ill success,
I'le have the duke dispatch'd; and 't will be safe.
For, in your absence, what suspition can
Move any to thinke you interested therein;—ha?

Mart.
Rare, above thought! my constant letters
Shall acquaint you withall passages:
I will away to night; the wind sits faire.

Hipol.
Indeed your business doth require wings.
Success waite on you?—

Exeunt.
Enter Ausonius and Lucebella her Clothes changed.
Auso.
This better change, will much rejoyce your
Brother; who, 'bove his owne, preferrs your wellfare.

Luceb.
May it prove wroth his joy; I rather feare.
My greefes encrease, than their redress—I go
Unwillingly—and yet I know not why—
But 'tis the Princess swayes me.

To them Mart.
Auso.
See Martiano's come to waite upon you thither.

Mart.
To Court! rather to a Bordello—Sister,
This bravery becomes you well—yea and abroad—
But best at home: let not my plainness cause
Your amazement! the duke hath undermin'd you,
And wants but putting to the burning match,
Of blowing up your honour:
Anon you shall know more; I must this night
For Sicilly; my deare Ausonius
Will supply my roome, till my returne, whom I
(By letters) will enforme of all proceedings—away.

Luceb.
Is this the joy! will unkind fate for ever
Lowr'e! is there no mitigation!

Mart.
Be wisely patient! or you betray
My else-sure revenge.

Auso.
Now thou speakest like my friend.

Mart.
But I lose precious time:
In, and know all: oh gods, be now but just!
Then shall this lustfull flame burne him to dust.