 | The Change of Crownes |  |
40
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.
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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
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'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.
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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.
44
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
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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
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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
| The Change of Crownes | |