 | Imperiale, a tragedie |  |
Scena Quarta.
Imperiale, Honoria, Angelica, Servants, Freinds, Doria, Maskers.Imp.
Are all things ready.
Ser.
Yes sir.
Imp.
Noble friends,
Your presence gives addition to the honor
Which some young Gentlemen are pleas'd to do me
In the free presentation of their mirth
Most seasonable in time of Carnivall,
And fit to celebrate this joyfull feast
Which we may challenge as our holy-day.
Fri. 1
The honor of this day chiefely belongs
To you and to your family, but yet
The benefit redounds to the whole State,
Which every yeare is thankfully acknowledged.
Fri. 2
The State, by such acknowledgement invites
All generous spirits beyond common duty
To venture life and fortune for her safety.
Imp.
This common wealth that makes them truly happy
That share the blessings of her government
Disdaines not, like a tyranny, to owe
A benefit to subiects; nor rewards
But hart, musicke proclaims the maskers comming,
Be pleas'd to take your places, there are seats.
Fri. 1.
I must crave leave to place your daughter, sir,
She that is once betrothed is a Bride.
Jmp.
'Twere incivility in her, or us,
If you request it, not to be uncivill,
Sit downe Angelica.
Hon.
Sit downe, sit downe,
Our friends desires are in our house, commands.
A boy, clad like a nuptiall Genius, sings this song.
Come Hymen, light thy full branch'd Pine,
And let a rosie wreath intwine
Thy reeking brow, let thy brave sire
With liquid vertue thee inspire,
While waggish boyes in witty rimes,
Taxing the follies of the times,
Spare not their masters, who are now
Content this freedome to allow;
Thus the chaste girdle of the Bride
Must be by pleasant rites unti'd,
But let darke silence bring to bed
Such as want Hymen when they wed.
The song ended, Hymen and his Fescennine youths appeare clad in antique formes, dancing a wanton dance, at the end of which, Prince Doria representing Thalassius, enters with other young gentlemen his friends, attired like Romans, with their swords drawne: at sight whereof Hymen and his company runne away confusedly: then they put up their swords, and dance a warlike dance, at the end whereof Doria suddenly embraceth Angelica, the Masquers all crying out.
Mas.
For Thalassius, for Thalassius.
Imp.
Though custome challengeth a liberty
To take our wives and daughters forth to tread
A measure without scandall, yet t'embrace,
And whisper too, requires a better warrant
Domesticke priviledge, or an affront.
Mas.
For Thalassius, for Thalassius.
Imp.
That voyce was frequent at a publick rape,
But sacred hospitality forbids
All jealousie of any ill intent.
Dor.
Not, as the Romans when they had betraid
The Sabine Virgins, do my glad friends make
These acclamations of Thalassius,
But rather as a more auspicious name
Then that of drowsie and lascivious Hymen;
Behold the late Ambassador himselfe
Thus contradicts his owne feyn'd embasie.
Ang.
My Doria!
Hon.
O perfect happinesse!
Fri. 2.
See how Prince Doria hath surpriz'd us all,
Transform'd into a nuptiall Deitie.
Imp.
My doubt is in the better sense resolv'd:
You may perceive y'are welcome by the joy
Exprest both by my daughter, and my wife,
In no dry complement, but in a moist
And silent Oratory.
Dor.
Which works more
On my affections, then a golden tongue;
But tell me my divine Angelica,
How could'st thou at the tidings of my death,
Put on a valiant incredulity?
And when thou find'st me safe burst out in teares.
Ang.
To lend beliefe to any ill report
Of a known friend, although aver'd with boldnes,
In common friendship were unpardonable,
Much more in such a love as mine, which finding
In a mayne part a manifest untruth
Was for your honour bound to slight the rest:
And though there be a contrarietie
In the true causes of our joy and griefe,
Yet both are oftentimes exprest with teares,
Dor.
I could not entertaine nor then nor now,
The least suspition of thy constancy,
With such disguises, and to finde by trials
Our owne assurance many wayes confirm'd:
Nor had I ventur'd to disturb thy thoughts,
Which thy discerning judgement did prevent,
But that I had a present remedy.
Ang.
I might have safely tasted what the Mede,
Or the fierce Parthian dips his arrows in,
So long as there was such an antidote.
Dor.
Were I left helplesse by Machaons art,
Thy presence hath a vertue would restore me,
Pandora on whom each Deity bestow'd
A severall gift, was not endow'd like thee.
Jmp.
So soone at strife? if you will needs contend
Who will love best, I'le put you both together.
Dor.
He whose ambition made him weep and sweat
Within the narrow limits of one world,
Did never thirst so much for fame and glory,
As I for that encounter, in which combat,
Whether I vanquish, or am vanquished,
I shall not envy Pompey or Cæsars triumphs:
In the meane time I'le crave an houre or two
For preparation of some necessaries,
Whereof my absence makes me destitute.
Imp.
Troth my occasions have the like request,
And therefore if this noble company
Will honour us to morrow with their presence,
We shall endeavour to requite their loves.
1 Fri.
Most willingly.
2 Fri.
And at your nuptiall feast,
Wee'l wish that every grace may be your guest.
Dor.
I'le soon return, my heart with thee shal stay
As a sure pawne.
Ang.
You carry mine away.
Jmp.
You have some busines too must be dispatcht,
Goe, loose no time; Molosso come thou hither,
I leave thee in my absence to take care,
That supper be prepar'd, and tell the Steward
That great revenue, parcimony, now
In charges that come seldome, are profuse.
| Imperiale, a tragedie | |