 | The Change of Crownes |  |
47
ACT THE THIRD
SCENE YE FIRST
Enter QUEENE and BARSANESQUEEN.
Sir you haue made Demonstration of a Secrett,
of which you still shall keepe the Key, and trust me.
tis lodged within a Breast, where it shall find
no vnkind Entertaynment; but whyle wee Promise,
Danger may threaten both.—None of our Guard Return'd.(?)
who were Commanded severall wayes to find
the Duke and Leonidas?
Enter MALVECCHIO
MAL.
Not yet Madam, I parted from the Duke but lately,
I observ'd no Cloud vpon him; but great souls
Carry their Anger without Noyse or flame.
QUEEN.
No more, but moue by my Direction.
BAR.
I shall Madam.
Exit
QUEEN.
No Appearance yet? Dispatch more after 'em.
MAL.
I did hope the stranger had more modesty,
and knowledge of himselfe, then to take vp
this boldnesse by Contention with his Grace,
to make himselfe his equal, being not worth
his frowne, much lesse his sword.
QUEEN.
Wee know not that,
My lord; He that has least of Noble Blood,
may haue a sence aboue the Tame submission
to an Injurious Greatnesse: yet I thought
my Kinsman had a Temper durst not mixe
with a Dishonorable thought. But Sir
I would not haue my Court a Nursery
for sword players. If he had Done the Duke
what look'd but lyke an Injury, the Lawes,
his Priviledge of Blood, and our Esteeme.
of his great worth, would haue been swyft to haue Punish'd
the bold offence, and Giuen him a Justice
high, as his Birth.
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QUEEN.
where is the Duke?
CAPT.
I had security in his Princely word,
to wayte vpon your Majesty, and wav'd
the Ceremony of a Guard.
Enter DUKE
MAL.
He Approaches Madam—
the Queene is much Displeas'd.
to ye Duke
DUKE.
And so am I.
QUEEN.
where haue been Couzen?
DUKE.
Takeing the Evening Ayre.
QUEEN.
Wee heard you and Leonidas were gone to fight.
DUKE.
It was some Coward Tounge, that tooke his tyme,
to be officious; but if your Commands had mett
lesse Expedition, our Difference
had been concluded Madam.
QUEEN.
I would know,
from whence this bold Anger had a Ryse.
DUKE.
Tis not hard to Guesse,
If you but looke vpon your selfe.
asyde
QUEEN.
I sayd Ide know, whence Grew the Discontent?
DUKE.
Enquire at Home, and if you dare call your heart
to Counsell no Doubt it may Informe you.
QUEEN.
Another language would haue made your sence
lesse vnderstood; It is an Answer Cousen
I did not looke for.
DUKE.
Nor did I foresee
the tyme that I should be sent for with a Guard.
QUEEN.
I sent Sir to preserve you—
DUKE.
From his valour?
Your presence has a Charme vpon my sword
that else would fly into his Heart, which now
growes high, and laughs to wittnesse my Dishonour.
LEO.
Sir—
QUEEN.
Forbeare, you are not Calld to the Discourse.
DUKE.
The thing would smyle, patience! but I haue Done.
And Madam you may Giue me leave to thinke
my services have been too cheap to keepe
A place within your memory.
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This Heate
Is not becomming here, and when I call
it boldnesse, you may find it Sir an Error,
to which your Birth can Giue no Priuiledge—you may
leaue vs.
DUKE.
And your Court Madam; I am awake,
And find my owne Injustice to Ariana.
asyde: offers to Goe out
MAL.
loose not so soone your favours to a person
howeuer passion ouer beares him, that
Honours you aboue the world.
QUEEN.
You may Call him back then.
MAL.
The Queene desyres you to Returne.
QUEEN.
Couzen, I know you will not leaue the Court,
DUKE.
I haue no Fauour left to aske you Madam.
next your Consent; I Affect not to haue
my Name, and Honour made a Talke, and sport
from Groomes and Pages.
MAL.
Be calme.
DUKE.
Bid me to Throw off what is Man within me.
Submitt to be a Cipher of the Court,
or fix'd lyke a Dull Image, stand the Gaze
of Fooles, and Fortunetellers—I Chuse rather
to obey your last Commands.
QUEEN.
Take your Change with them,
If you haue planted such a Resolution.
Wee shall not be against your fayre Retyrement.
Exit DUKE
LEO.
Now my storme Approaches; I see it swell
already in her Eyes.
QUEEN.
My Lord Leonidas,
I hope all Animosityes Dye here;
And it Appeares your free Expression to
Promote our Treaty with the King of Lombardy;
(for which our Kinsman hath not too much Kindnesse)
begann his first Displeasure, but in Reference
to that, waveing his Distaste, I am
to Giue you thanks my lord, nor shall I need
to aske now any Reasons for your Counsell.
MAL.
How's this?
QUEEN.
Although it struck vpon my sence at first
not pleasantly, I haue Examin'd since
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My Judgment on your syde, that nothing can
be more Considerable to our Honour
then our Allyance to the Crowne of Lombardy;
And euery prudent Counsellor at home
will giue it his fayre vote: what sayes My lord
Malvecchio?
MAL.
More Changes? I would haue found in me
an easy Consent Madam, but I was not
Confident, to Expresse it, whyle I lookd on
the Duke, so greate and Eminent in your Favour:
Besyde my feare to offend your Majesty
whyle you had placd him in your thoughts, so neere
your owne Affections.
QUEEN.
The greatest Good calls first to be preferr'd.
LEO.
I feare there is misapprehension
of that Imperfect vote I Gaue—The Duke has
Remou'd himselfe with some Regrett—
QUEEN.
Make it your Trouble to Entreate the Embassador
hither, to whome wee purpose to Declare
what wee Resolve in Reference to his Treaty.
MAL.
I am much Honourd in the Employment.
Please you to Command Sir a service to
the Embassador? you heare how things Runne Counter
to what wee Expected: but wee all are bound
to your Advice, and Gracious wisdome, that
So happily Enclynd the Queen—
LEO.
I did it
without the Least Expectance of your thanks—
I doe Deserve this Mockery.
asyde: Exit MAL.
QUEEN.
You see my Lord,
I am vseing the best method I can find
to putt your Counsell into Act.
LEO.
Though I Rejoyce
to see your clouds Resolve into so fayre
a sky, Giue me your Gracious pardon
if some vnquiett thought, a feare you may
vse too much Art, to Ripen what kind Nature
without this haste would Drop mature into
your Bosome; make your thoughts not yet so publicke
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QUEEN.
It shall
be past your Doubt, and that you may be Confident,
wee are Resolv'd to send you Leonidas
Embassador to the King from vs to Assure
him, how fayre wee meet him in his loue.
LEO.
Your Majesty send me the Embassador?—
QUEEN.
with full Comission to Conclude our Marriage.
LEO.
when must I sett forth, and please your Majesty?
QUEEN.
Leaue that Dispatch to our Care.—And now I thinke on't.
Exit
LEO.
shee is Resolvd to Prosecute what I
but late suggested in another Person
with meaning onely to beate off Guarini
vntill some happy minuite serv'd to open
the Mistery, too tender now to be Expos'd.
Enter QUEENE
QUEEN.
I must not omittt the complement my Lord,
to send my Picture by you, to whose Conduct
I would Trust my owne Person.
Gives him her Picture
LEO.
Tis very lyke.
QUEEN.
And from an Excellent Hand.
LEO.
Tis from an Excellent Face; must I Present
this to the King from you?
QUEEN.
the earnest of a greater Pledge to follow.
LEO.
An Age will not call back, what in one hasty minuite
you Give away, and to a prince you know not yet.
QUEEN.
The way I take will bring vs Sir Acquainted, neuer feare it.
LEO.
Vouchsafe me a small patience yet to Heare me.
Enter FLORELLI
FLO.
Madam, the Embassador and my Lord Malvecchio.
QUEEN.
He hath made haste I see;
some other oppertunity, My Lord will serve
for what you haue further to Acquaint vs.
You ledd me into the path, and I shall walke in't
without any Danger.
LEO.
I must seek out Barsanes.
Exit
Enter EMBASSADOR and MALVECCHIO
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Guarini left the Court Displeas'd and He
that was the Second Favoryte layd Downe.
MAL.
to be kept warme my Lord in his owne Embers.
QUEEN.
It is now Ripe to let you know My Lord,
what wee Resolue in Answer to the King,
your Master, for whose princely Loue wee hold
our selues Engag'd in Honour to Declare
our Readynesse to meet his Loue and Person;
And wee shall make it our cheife Care, that nothing
on our part Interrupt the happy Progresse
of that fayre vnion, that is meant betweene vs.
SEM.
Nothing but Heauen could teach you, Royal Madam
how in so small a volume of your language
to Expresse the Happynesse of two Kingdomes, and
Time shall not stoope with Burthen of his Houres
before the King my Master Receaue Knowledge
of this your fayre Complyance.
FLO.
This work's Done.
SEM.
Vouchsafe I take my leaue, this newes
Should moue vpon the winds, wings are too slow
for the Conveyance—
offers to Goe out
MAL.
Now all things are perfect.
QUEEN.
Entreate him to Returne but for a Minuite.
My Lord you haue Done the Duty of a wise
and faythfull Minister of state, but Giue me
In private Answer to one Question.
SEM.
Your Majesty may Command.
QUEEN.
where is the King your Master?
SEM.
where I suppose you are not Ignorant.
QUEEN.
I Aske, because if the Intelligence
wee haue at Court carry a Trueth, you need not
make so much haste, there will be neither vse
of wings, nor winds to ouercome the Distance.
SEM.
You put me to my wounder.
QUEEN.
It is myne, that you seeme strange;
wee heare the King your Master is already
Arriv'd the Citty, and has been some Dayes
Incognito; Is this to you a Secrett?
SEM.
Your Majesty hath a meaning to be pleasant,
after your free Expressions.
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I see.
Secretts are safe within your Breast: well Sir
Preserve your Grauity, and scylence, when
the King will be Emergent from his shade,
Wee are prepared to Giue him Entertaynment.
MAL.
The Queen has more Devices! This cannot be
My Lord without your knowledge.
SEM.
An empty Rumor vpon my Honour; yet
upon the sudden something strykes vpon
my fancy; if so, wee are all Abus'd—
I shall Direct my letters to Him Madam,
At his owne Court in Lombardy; this Newes
His wisdome will Interprett, and Consult
what will Become his Fame.
Exit
QUEEN.
The Good man lookes a little angry.
MAL.
This is a Dreame, or wee are All Enchanted.
Enter BARSANES whispers to Ye QUEENE: LEONIDAS at the other Doore.
Ile follow the Embassador and foment
his Discontents; Guarini's gone; I see the Machine
of our state trembling with its owne Disorder:
Tis wisdome to be safe some where.
Exit
QUEEN.
My Lord your Embassy will now be vseless;
the King hath prevented all that Trouble to vs,
Being Arriu'd the Citty as wee haue it
from faythfull hands, and has been here at Court
vnknowne.
Exit QUEENE.
BAR.
The Intelligence has been Confirm'd.
LEO.
What will Become of vs then?
BAR.
Make haste Sir to your lodgings: the Queene has
Commanded my Attendance, my first Minuite
shall be to wayte on you: something must be
Resolvd on suddenly, or wee are lost—your pardon
the Queene Expects—
LEO.
Thou must make haste, for if I Dwell
but little longer in this Darknesse, I
shall loose myselfe, and how thou wilt find me out
I know not.
Exeunt
54
SCENE THE SECOND
Enter ANTONIO, ASINELLO, with Two Officers of the Lodge.outside of the Court
1.
Nay Sir there is no Remedy, you must Doffe your Habilliments
ASI.
Away, away, I hope you are not in earnest Gentlemen, fye, fye;
be ciuill, whipt? I was sent hither to see her Majesty. Is
this your Court Entertaynment? what D'ee meane? D'ee
know what you Doe?
they pluck off his Doublett
2.
Very well Signior, wee vnderstand our office, and you must
obey the Court Ceremony, you must haue it, vnder our hand
before you passe any further, wee must take our Toll.
ASI.
Toll? I was told no such thing, and if you Tell me
of whipping, Ile tell you the Queene shall be Told on't.
But I know you are in Jeast all this whyle.
1.
Nay then wee shall bee Troubled; fetch a cord; if you
will be Ciuill, and submitt to order you may haue but Twenty.
ANTO.
And that's a favour I assure you.
ASI.
what Twenty?
ffirst whistle ready
1.
Lashes.
2.
Brother wee cannot Justifye that favour. It is in the statute
you know one and thirty vpon forfeyt of our places, to euery one
that hath a Mission hither from any officer of the House
Below stayres.
1.
My Lord Malvecchio I grant is one of the Privy Councell,
And if wee consider the person sending, he is to haue
no lesse than fourty.
2.
But in both thiese Cases he is to be allowd his Certificate,
into the whipping.
1.
Why he may haue his Certificate from the office too.
ASI.
What's that?
ANTO.
That you haue been well, and sufficiently whipt.
And that's something to his Reputation.
ASI.
Hang Reputation, tell not me. I know my owne
Constitution, I tell you I cannot Endure it.
ANTO.
Gentlemen you heare what he sayes; you are to Consider
his Capacity, and state of Body, Alasse Hee's but a Country
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Reasonable tearmes, as the twigg can Dispence it. what say you,
I'le make a motion, he shall Abate the Certificate.
1.
Sir you are Secretary to my Lord Malvecchio and may
Befreind vs in your office. he shall haue but twenty.
2.
Prouided the Blood come trickling downe visibly.
wee will Afford him that Mitigation.
ANTO.
Well Gentlemen I thank you, come it shall be but Twenty
ASI.
with the Blood trickling downe? alass I shall not be
skinn'd againe in a twelve moneth—D'ee heare Gentlemen,
what shall I Guie you to Hang me out of the way,
And trouble your selues no further with me.
ANTO.
I had almost forgott; what if the Gentleman
be willing to Fyne for it?
2.
Wee cannot Deny him that Priviledge.
ANTO.
This shall fetch you off; you shall Fyne. Give the whipsters
a Reward, and you shall Commute your pennance.
1.
Well Sir you shall order the fyne.
ASI.
But I will haue my Certificate, that I will, they may
Afford it Sir; that will be as well as if I had been whipt.
ANTO.
Let Him Goe, your servant Gentlemen.
Exeunt Officers
well, now you are past the pykes.
ASI.
And the Gunns too I hope.
ANTO.
Thus All must suffer that vizitt the Lodge, to be Court free.
Now I'le Conduct you, and it shall Goe hard, but you shall
see the Queene, and kisse her Hands within two houres.
ASI.
shall I? nay then Ile be whipt; Gentlemen come back,
I cannot suffer too much for her Majesty.
ANTO.
Why if you be so valiant it will not trouble them
to whipp you till to Morrow morning.
ASI.
Now I thinke on't I'le let it alone; to tell you true
this Fright hath putt me into a Subtillity of Body.
ANTO.
Solubillity is it not? say you so? Fare you well Signior.
ASI.
As you are a Christian, doe so much as show me the way
out of the Court.
ANTO.
Ile doe you that Curtesy: but for your better security,
As you passe, I would Advise you to hold your Breath.
ASI.
Hold my Breath? I Sir.
ANTO.
So, so.
ASI.
Puh, I can hold no Longer.
Exeunt
56
SCENE THE THIRD
Scene Nunnery A Lamp burning: A song. ring.The Scene Changed into a Monastery wherein Nunns are Discoverd in the Quire singing, at the Ringing of a Bell the Quire is closed.
Enter the Lady Abbesse, and A Sister
ABB.
Sister Enquire the Cause, wee are not vs'd
to heare the Bell at this Houre, it does stryke
some feare vpon me; I pray Heauen there be
no Danger neere vs.
Exit Sister
Enter another Sister
SISTER.
Madam the Duke Guarini is Arriv'd
the Monastery, with some Troops of Horse
And prayes to speake with the Princesse Ariana.
ABB.
Wee cannot by our Rules Admitt Him.
Enter the First
SISTER.
I pray'd his Highnesse patience, but he Answer'd
He brings no thoughts but of fayre peace to vs,
And if you please not to Dispence with his
Admission, and that presently your Nicety
may Cause him to vse violence, and force
the Gate.
ABB.
There is no Remedy, he must haue Entrance.
If he be Rude, wee haue no Armes but Prayers;
Prepare the Princesse, let him be Admitted.
Exit ye 1. Sister
Enter THE DUKE
DUKE.
Neither my presence Madam, nor Designe
bring any cause to make your cheeke looke pale
but Calme and Reuerent thoughts: where is the Princesse?
Enter ARIANA. THE DUKE kneeles to her.
Haue no Trembling Madam.
that I am come, at this Darke houre, to pay
my Duty to your Highnesse, and your safety.
ARI.
Why doe you kneele, my lorde? I am no Queene.
57
That more Commands my knees to take roote here,
vnlesse your Breath and Virtue signe my pardon;
And though I am not worth your fayth, I haue
a heart is full of pennitence.
ARI.
Twere an Injustice greater then your Injuryes,
to Doubt my pardon; this schoole of Piety
hath taught my Nature to forgiue with lesse
Regrett your Sinne against me, then you could Act it;
Rise, Rise my Lord.
DUKE.
This Confirmes you Mercyfull.
ARI.
But why at this Darke Houre, and Guards of Horse?
that are not wont to fright and threaten here
the Calme of our Devotions; you might
haue chosen Day a wittnesse of your selfe
to haue Pleaded thus.
DUKE.
Necessity.
threw me vpon this Haste, to haue Delayd,
might haue bereav'd me of your fayre Forgivenesse,
Act Ready
and brought more Danger to your sacred person,
then all my after Actions could Repayre;
there is no tyme for Circumstance, your Condition here
Is not secure Madam.
ARI.
I hope my Sister now
shyneing at full in her owne Greatnesse, will not
Envy this Humble Dormitory, where
hauing layd by the thoughts of Rule, and Glory
I haue nothing left now, but to offer vp
My prayers to Heauen for her; and all the world.
DUKE.
Madam the streames Runne not so pure at Court,
Ambition is too volatile to fix,
Restlesse as Atomes in the Ayre; and though
your Sister could sitt Calme in her Enjoyments
Some Parasytes, and Great ones, haue suggested
her Prospect is not cleere whyle you Remayne
a Jealouzy to begett some storme hereafter.
In short, they are Resolv'd for your Remoue
from hence, and after from your selfe I feare,
vnlesse you Accept the present opportunity
I bring to guide your person to my Castle
vpon the Confines, where my Care and Guards
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which are in my Designe, not onely to preserve,
but fix you in your owne aboue the Reach
of all their pollicy and practice.
ARI.
what shall I Doe? your Counsell Reuerend Mother.
ABB.
If you haue confidence to Trust the Duke
(whome I beleiue a Convert): I advise you
Neglect no tyme.
ARI.
My Condition is too Desperate to Doubt;
Couzen in this you highly satisfye
for all that's past; Conduct me where you please,
And may Heauen prosper All.
ABB.
our prayers Attend you.
DUKE.
My lyfe's not worth this Honour.
ARI.
oh the sad state of lyfe! Enoy'd when High,
And Poore, not left t'Enjoy our Poverty.
Exeunt
The End of the Third Act.
| The Change of Crownes | |