University of Virginia Library

ACT THE SECOND

SCENE THE FIRST

outside of ye Court
Enter LODOVICO and OCTAVIO
LODO.
It is not in my Apprehension, why
the Queene should euery Day Renew her Graces
vpon This stranger.

OCTA.
How does the Duke
Guarini take it? He cannot Chuse but see
Himselfe much lessened.

LODO.
yet shee does her knack
so Cunningly, shee sometymes is so sweet
vpon his Grace.—

OCTA.
when the other's Absent,

LODO.
But wee that constantly Attend can see
which way the wind blowes fayrest: shee's here.

Enter LEONIDAS with the QUEENE Attended and Passing over the Stage.
OCTA.
And our New Blazeing starre.
Pray Heauen it bode no Ill to Naples.

LODO.
Courts neuer want theise Prodigyes;
shee's young and tis no Breach of Duty
To wish things well; but leaue her to her Fancy.
lett's Talke of something else.
Enter FLORELLI
What's the matter Signior?
What Sunneshyne makes you looke so pleasant?

FLO.
If you haue a mind to Laugh Gentlemen
Here's a spectacle hard by—

LODO.
what is't

FLO.
A Thing Calls himselfe a Country Gentleman
A strange medly, made vp of Foole & Knave.
That has it seemes money in his Purse:
And is Come to Court in hopes to Buy an office.
And he Talkes with as much Confidence, as if
he had one already.

OCTA.
Prethee where is he?

FLO.
Nay, he knowes not, tis a labarynth
to him and he is lost in't. He moves vp & downe
lyke a fireworke vpon a lyne:
most of his Discourse is Three Questions;
where is the Queene: How to Gett an office,
And which is the way out of the Court, for hee's lost.
But see the Pageant Appeares himselfe.

Enter ASINELLO
ASI.
The strangest place that ere I Came in! D'ee heare.
you looke lyke Civill Gentlemen, Pray which is the way
out of the Court? I haue been in't theise two Houres,
And I can find neither Beginning, nor Ending.

LODO.
The way out oth Court. cannot you find that, Sir?

ASI.
No, but would you would Instruct me, Sir.

LODO.
why Faces about, tis the very same way you Came in Sir;
there's no way lyke it.

ASI.
But I cannot tell that, here are so many windings
and Turnings, that I haue lost my selfe.

OCTA.
You are not the first man has been lost at Court.

ASI.
I should be sorry Sir, if I now Add to the Number.
To Tell you truely I come for preferment
on Honorable Tearmes.

FLO.
As how Sir?

ASI.
why I haue sould some estate in the Country,
to Facilitate my way. I hope you'l Grant
I am so farre noble.

LODO.
It cannot be Deny'd.—

OCTA.
And may Quallify you here, if well Imployd.

ASI.
I was told I must Confesse, that ere I went farre
In this Elizium, I should meet with a Cerberus
or so that would looke Grimme vpon my passage,
And I haue here my Chips of Gold to winne
All of that Complexion.

LODO.
The Queene has no Courtiers
of such Craveing Appetites, I Assure you.

ASI.
I Honour the Queene Sir, and all her Relations.
But they say the King of Hungary, has
some subjects in all Courts.

FLO.
you are Cunning in Metaphor I perceaue.

ASI.
I should be loath to Disoblige any,
As farre as my Abillityes Extend.

OCTA.
A most Ingenuos Expression.

ASI.
And doe you thinke I may pretend to so much witt,
As will make me a Courtier?

LODO.
why not Sir?
But how come you to leaue the Country?

ASI.
A dull sweatty place, not fitt for the Aiery, & Refyn'd.

OCTA.
This is the oddest peice of Foppery.

ASI.
Besides here are the fine things, the fayre things,
the Amorous things—I could wish, I might
Present my Agillitys to the Queene, & her ladyes.

FLO.
I wounder being a stranger, that you can keepe
your feet so well, the pavement here is slippery.

ASI.
My feet? they cost me more, then all the Rest of my Body.

LODO.
As how Sir?

ASI.
Why since I came out of the Country in Learning
to Dance: I was told it was a Quallity very much
Respected here; and I have liv'd three months
together in a Dancing schoole, this is
the first Day I came out.

FLO.
you haue had a merry tyme on't;
Sure you fedd on nothing but Songs and varietyes
of Ayres, you are so nimble.

ASI.
wee had all the french, spanish and best Italian
Curiositys to feed vpon; euery morning I had
a fresh Salabrand stew'd with Corantoes,
for my Breakfast, Boyld, Bak'd, & Roasted Galliardos
with Jiggs and Hornepipes to no Tune. Indeed
for the first moneth I Dyn'd onely with Country Dances,
And supp'd with the whisking Canaries.
My feet neuer fayl'd me but when I was Drunke;
And now I talke of Drynke, which is the way
Into the wine Cellar?

FLO.
He has found another Question.

OCTA.
You may find your way out of the Court
a great deale sooner, then the way into the wine Cellar.

ASI.
Here's a fine place that a man knows not,
which way to Goe in or out; Court Call you it?
I shall wish myselfe in the Country againe.
But I would see the Queene first. Pray where is ye Queene?
They say shee's a Compleat Lady.

LODO.
The Queene? oh Sir—

OCTA.
This Fellow flyes at euery thing—
Doe you Aske where the Queene is?

ASI.
yes that I Doe.

Flagellett be ready
OCTA.
Excuse your Servant—

FLO.
would you see the Queene Sir?

ASI.
Tis my Greatest Buisnesse, and in hopes of
some preferment, would doe much for her Majesty.

LODO.
That's another matter.

OCTA.
And more possible,—But the Queene Sir—

FLO.
But the office Sir? what ist? In this a man
may doe you a Curtesy, wee are all the Queenes Servants,

ASI.
I Desyre your better Acquaintance: But which of you
Is the Procuring or Taking Gentleman?

LODO.
Wee are no selling Gentlemen.

ASI.
you are much Abus'd in the Country then;
I heard there a man might Bid for an office.
I haue enough to Buy one, two three, foure & five.

OCTA.
But with your favour Sir, for what place
Doe you hold your selfe best Quallifyd?

ASI.
I thought you had been a more vnderstanding
here play.
Courtyer, Quallify'd? wo'not this Quallify?
showes Gold.
Ha! what's that! Excuse me Gentlemen,
one playes within vpon a Flagellett.
I cannot hold, though I were to be presently
Hang'd vp by the Heeles.

Exit, Dancing after the pipe.
LODO.
What thinke you of this Fellow?
lett's follow, and see what Becomes of him.

Exeunt

SCENE THE SECOND

Enter LEONIDAS and BARSANES
LEO.
It were timely now in some opinion
to make things Knowne, an oppertunity
to Chayne two Happynesses.

BAR.
Not yet, if you Admitt my Counsell Sir.
Theise Graces Carry too violent a streame to last.

Enter ASINELLO Dancing after ye Pipe: FLORELLI, LODOVICO, and OCTAVIO.
ASI.
I am almost melted.

the Pipe playing on sudden
LEO.
This Fellow's stung with a Tarantala.

ASI.
Saue you Sir.

LEO.
From thy Impertinence.

Exit LEO. and BARSANES
ASI.
Why now I am in the same place againe
And here be the very same Gentlemen too:
Presto I am Bewitch'd.

FLO.
Nay wee haue follow'd you.

LODO.
I am sure you haue Drawne vs after you
by the Enchantment of your feet.

ASI.
Enchantment? I thinke so.

FLO.
The Court will be much Honour'd in a Gentleman
of your Rare motion, you must not want an office.

ASI.
Ile Dance my Attendance if that will Doe't.

Enter the DUKE, MALVECCHIO, and ANTONIO
MAL.
I wonder at his Impudence considering
your Graces Interest, or Expectations
he dares owne her favours.

DUKE.
Tis a Boldnesse.
In his Condition here, but what Name
to Giue theise smyles, and favours of the Queene,
to a thing, gronne vp ith' Night—

MAL.
or Drop'd from the Ayre, wee know not what.

DUKE.
And yet shee Carryes things so Cunningly, as shee
would haue me thinke I am still Concern'd
In her cheife thoughts; I haue been too blame
but this Affront's Insufferable.

FLO.
Sr if you Resolue to make your selfe happy, & ye Court,—

to Asinello
LODO.
And the Queene in such a Servant Apply your selfe
to that Graue Gentleman, he has the Disposing of all
the grand offices, you are Quallify'd for any—to Him:

Exeunt FLO. and LODO.
ASI.
Sr I am Inform'd by some persons of Honour, that
shall be namelesse, that you haue a power and favour
with the Queene, and can doe a Curtesy to a Gentleman
that has a mind to pay heartily for an office.

MAL.
What Fellow's this?

ASI.
He Calls me fellow already; I suppose you haue a neere
Relation to her Majesty. Pray how does the Queene? shee's
young and Handsome: I would very fayne see her.

MAL.
Show him the Porters Lodge.

ASI.
I humbly thanke you Sr. Is shee at ye Porters Lodge?
You are a Courteous Gentleman, tis the first
Ciuillity I had done me since I came to Court.

ANT.
I will Instruct you Sir the way.

ASI.
I shall be Bound to you Sir, will you doe me that
Favour? you shall not loose your paynes, Sir.

ANTO.
You will Deserve a preferment and I shall serve you in it;
Please you to vizeitt the Lodge?

ASI.
with all my Heart, what good fortune had I to meet
with such honest Gentlemen?

Exeunt ANTONIO and ASINELLO
Enter LEONIDAS and BARSANES
DUKE.
Noble Leonidas, you are come to my wishes,
Doe me the Honour to Change a word in private.

they whisper
LEO.
I was comming to your lodgings, to
Kisse your Graces hand.

MAL.
you are happy Signior in being so neere the freindship
of the Lord Leonidas, and he was Borne vnder
a happy Conjunction of starrs.
All men Contend Endearment to his favours
He does Attract all Loue, the Queene her selfe—

BAR.
Sir tis the Bounty and Goodnesses of her Majesty
to Grace a stranger.

MAL.
He has more then Common merritt.

BAR.
Rather the Greatnesse of her soul, to forme
occasions of her Fame abroad by her
munificence.

DUKE.
I shall expect this satisfaction—

LEO.
Your Grace does infinitely Honour me.

MAL.
I hope he will not leaue vs now.

Mr Shotterell
BAR.
were the Queene pleas'd,
Mr Lydall
He has some Concernes in his owne Country.

Mr Handcock
DUKE.
To Ingage more persons were to Rayse but Noyse,
and Circumstance. the Tyme, and place—

MAL.
If he Resolve vpon some Greater Interest
(2d whistle Ready.)
to be Gone, Ile vndertake without much trouble
to obtayne that leaue, if he will vse my service.

BAR.
My Lord you haue been allwayes Kind to vs.

LEO.
Let me be forfeyted to the Contempt
of all that weare a sword, if I forget to wayte
vpon your Grace.

DUKE.
your humblest Servant: Come my lord
Malvecchio.

Exit with MAL. and ANTO.
BAR.
you smyle Sir, I observ'd the Duke
preserv'd not his serene lookes so constant.

LEO.
He is a Prince of vnquestion'd Honour.
I cannot Reach his worth in Character.

BAR.
It may be so, but yet his Garb at present
And language had some Accents, would Inclyne me
to thinke him Discontent.

LEO.
the Duke Guarini? wee are excellent Freinds.

BAR.
you would Disguise your heart, but I see through it,
Come he is Jealous you haue too much share
of the Queenes favour.

LEO.
But I haue satisfyd him.

BAR.
That's worse, and worth my feare; her smyles I see
Are Raysing Sr a storme to your vndoeing;
if he Resent, and marke himselfe your Ennemy.
I Apprehend, but Know not what to Counsell.

LEO.
Thou Knowst I am no Coward, but there will be
no vse of valour, he has vs'd me honorably.

Enter FLORELLI
FLO.
Sir, the Queene Desires your presence.

LEO.
I attend.

Exit FLORELLI
BAR.
But you shall Giue me leave to keepe my fayth to you.

Exeunt

SCENE THE THIRD

Enter QUEENE, Ladyes Attending. shee waves her hand and they withdraw.
State chamber
QUEEN.
Honour the soul of Humane things, by whose
Bright Beames our vnderstanding sees, and Judges
the Good, and Ill of euery Action:
Does tamely sleepe in course, and Common Bosomes,
And onely wakes in Princes: Guarini had
a tye vpon my Blood, but his Deserts
Gaue him a neerer place in my Esteeme.
He made me Queene.—he did, with hope to make himselfe
A King, and I did Cherrish that Ambition
for my owne Advance, not without some kind thoughts to him
vntill Leonidas came in, though late, with Charmes
more powerfull to Remoue him—But then the people,
A word an Empty sound, things borne to obey:
but who shall still the Murmures of the Great ones?
the favours of a Prince ought not to be
more Question'd, then the Influence of the starrs:
or those soft Gales that Breath from Heaven vpon
what Coast they please, led by their owne spirit.
But after all, what is Leonidas
whome I preferre? Alass, I know not what;
His Garb, and Breeding speake him Honorable.
He may be a Prynce, I am sure he Rules all here.
Enter LEONIDAS and FLORELLI
Hee's Come already: leaue vs; some kind Angel
Instruct my tounge that without stayne of modesty,
I may Expresse what wounds me here; My lord
Leonidas.

LEO.
He humbly Attends Madam to Receaue
your Gracious pleasure.

QUEEN.
there may Appeare but little Pleasure Sir,
In what I haue to say. I sent for you.

LEO.
Heauen—Not to be angry Madam I hope—

QUEEN.
Your hopes perhaps haue been too high already.
And had you not been a stranger Sir, my Justice
might haue been more severe.

LEO.
You fright my vnderstanding.

QUEEN.
My meaning is to better that, and make
you wise hereafter: I doe acknowledge Sir
In my opinion of your Prudence, I
did thinke you worth my favour, till I heard
you should Expound my smyles proceeded from
I know not what affection to your person.
It was boldly done hauing so little tyme
to Know me Sir.

LEO.
Prodigious!
Although I may be Render'd thus vnfitt
In your Abus'd Beleife to be heard Madam;
be yet so mercyfull to let me know
who has Accused me, and when I haue made him
Drynke vp the poyzon he has throwne vpon me
And punnishd him for dareing to profane
Your Name by mingling it with myne, and such
a Cryme as this Ile Begg a Bannishment
for euer from Your Eyes, rather then liue
An Abject of your Frowne.

QUEEN.
what though your parts
And person may not Call a Ladyes Blush
when shee Commends, or Loues: suppose a Princesse
thinke it no stayne to her Judgment to Beleiue
You may Deserve Affection at the best
And Richest valew of her Birth (your owne
perhaps but some degree beneath it) Is't
a prudence to Traduce her Name, and Tell
what Garlands and what victorys are Comming?

LEO.
If you thinke Royall Madam, such a Guilt
may Concerne me, that neuer yet could Reach
pretence, much lesse a Merrit of your Graces:
I humbly begg to Answer my Accuser.

QUEEN.
What would you doe? suppose it be a woeman
your sword and valour would be vselesse; or
suppose myselfe Leonidas, you would not
Challenge me I hope?

LEO.
But I would Madam
Challenge your Justice, and I Dare not Doubt
But as you haue in Nature such a Tendernesse
of your Immaculate Name, your virtue will
'ere you Condemne, vouchsafe an Eare to Innocence.
But twere as Impious in me to Beleiue
that this should Ryse from your whyte thoughts,
As to be Guilty of the Cryme.

QUEEN.
I haue Disturbd his soul too much.

Enter the DUKE and FLORELLI, they stand aloofe.
FLO.
I know your Graces priuiledge, though I had commands—

LEO.
I Dare without a Flattery, proclayme
I haue lookd on you Madam with a Reuerence
next vnto Heauen with the same feare to offend,
And if it take not from my Duty, I
would say with such a loue too of your virtues.

DUKE.
Ha 'ha! Loue?

QUEEN.
Ha! Interrupted?
this wants Ciuillity my lord.

DUKE.
your Pardon Gracious Madam, if I seeme
a bold Intruder, you must blame your Favours
which taught me to presume, but I can fall
Into Becomming Distance.

QUEEN.
I see what stings your, Sir.

DUKE.
Tis now no more Suspition.

Exit
QUEEN.
Leonidas what I haue sayd in reference to vnkindnesse
you must no more Remember: I haue try'd
And find you worthy of my thoughts, possesse
the place you had in our Esteeme. You are lyke to Improve it.
And it will be worth your wisdome to Consider.
if after this, you spy a Blush Invade
my Cheeke, you may Interpret it as Rysing
from thoughts that are no Ennemyes to your Fortunes.

Exit
LEO.
Ha! there is no harme in all this, if I vnderstand.
The Queene hath some good meaning which, (if I
haue fayth enough to Beleiue) may make me happy.
Enter BARSANES
oh my Deare Barsanes! thou art Come happily
I haue something to vnlade into thy Bosome
that else will be aboue my strength to Beare.

BAR.
Is't good?

LEO.
That word's too narrow, excellent;
the Expression's yet too modest.

BAR.
You seeme Transported Sir.

LEO.
Thou wilt be no lesse when I haue told thee.

BAR.
What?

LEO.
Not too fast, It must Drop gently from me
Into thy Eare, it will surprize thee else,
And shake thy Apprehension with the wounder.

BAR.
You prepare me.

LEO.
If Things goe on Barsanes
wee'l not leaue Naples yet; the Queene does loue me.

BAR.
Loue you? how?

LEO.
Handsomly, with Honour.
At our next Conference I must throw off theise Mists
I weare, or be ecclipsed for euer.

BAR.
How this? why then the Riddle's out.
And I will tell you Sir as great a wounder.
There came to your Lodgings within this halfe houre
A Gentleman with two servants wayting on him
to Aske for you; hearing you were abroad
without more Questions he Dischargd the Bearers
Told me he had order to leaue for your vse
Tenn Thouzand Duccats.

LEO.
For my vse?

BAR.
And so without a Name he tooke his leaue.
And I his Baggs.

LEO.
Dids't looke into 'em?

BAR.
I open'd one for a Taste and being satisfyd
Secur'd him and his Company, till you came
to giue further order. Add this to your last wounder,
tis not Impossible when they are consider'd
that theise two Miracles may challenge Kindred.

LEO.
I am Confirm'd; vpon my Conscience
tis the Queenes priuate Bounty; who perhaps
fearing our Bills of Exchange may fayle vs
would nobly thus and without Noyse supply vs.

BAR.
The Charity was Excellent, and timely;
I know not what to Counsell more, then to
Comply with your good fortune.

Enter FLORELLI
FLO.
My Lord the Queene askes for you.

LEO.
Agen? Farewell; Expect me at my lodgings.

Exit
BAR.
Theise Things doe promise well, and seeme to Invite
my first Designe—The Embassador,
And my Lord Malvecchio! I'le withdraw.

Exit
Enter SEMPRONIO and MALVECCHIO
MAL.
You might easily obserue where lyes the obstruction;
Guarini at first swayd All her thoughts and favour,
and now Leonidas.

SEM.
What is this Gay thing Leonidas?

MAL.
Wee haue his owne Report, that hee's Related
to a prince in Greece, I Know not whome, nor where;
for All my Inquisition cannot find
a Bottome for this Greatnesse, but hee's here
the onely Favorite now.

SEM.
And the Queenes Idoll, how ere shee
Cunningly Contriues her lights
to be seene by.

MAL.
Too sure he takes vp both
the Eyes and Eares of our young Mistresse, that
shee has not tyme to looke into her Honour
which should Direct her Due Respect to Princes.

SEM.
I must tell you, my lord.
Wee did Expecte a fayrer Progresse;
the King my Master wants no Information
of both his Riualls, and Resents it too
so farre, I haue my order to Returne;
But shee is here.
Enter Ye QUEENE
Madam I shall be happy to vnderstand
what you are pleasd after so long a pause,
to thinke fitt Answer to my Royall Master.

QUEEN.
My Lord, I hope your Master will Interprett
this no neglect, things of so high Concerne
Require much prudence: at your next vizitt,
wee shall be prepar'd.

SEM.
I will haue Patience to Expect.

Exit EMB. and MALVECCHIO
Enter LEONIDAS
QUEEN.
My Lord Leonidas I sent for you
to Giue me your Advice and Counsell, in
this great Affaire, between the King and me,
Pray tell me then.

LEO.
Rather Command my scylence Madam; I am
not fitt to Giue you Rules, but must submitt
Act Ready
All to your greater wisdome, who knowes best
what is most Honorable, both to your fame
And your Affections.

QUEEN.
Nay you must tell me your thoughts,
whether to Embrace, or Giue Denyall
to this young Amorous King—then Ile Command you.

LEO.
I must obey then, and not Doubt your pardon,
If I Declare freely, and from my Heart.

QUEEN.
That will most please me, but be not Tedious.

LEO.
In my opinion you will best Consult,
the Honour of your Name and Greatnesse Madam,
If you Accept the King of Lombardy
I know him—wee are Interrupted.

Enter DUKE and MALVECCHIO
QUEEN.
Is this your Counsell?—
the man hath lost his witts, or he was Borne
without a Soul, or sence of what Concernes him.—
I may Beleiue your stay hath much Impayrd
your Health, or Apprehension; and the King
no doubt will have some Cause to thanke you,
for your kind vote: But at this Rate be confident
You will not Sir be often Calld to Counsell.

Exit
MAL.
Ha! shee is Displeasd with him,
If I vnderstand anything,

DUKE.
Follow the Queene—Sir
Exit MAL.
the Tyme drawes fast vpon the Minuite
I had your word to meet.

LEO.
Let not your Grace
have the least suspicion, I shall fayle
my Attendance.—
Exit DUKE
So, so, I haue vndone myselfe
and am ith way to be Determin'd quickly.
Thus Fortune playes with mans Felicityes,
which when to our Fond Eye most High & Fayre,
vannish liyke Childrens Pageants in the Ayre.

Exit