 | The Change of Crownes |  |
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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.
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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 Change of Crownes | |