 | The Change of Crownes |  |
59
ACT THE FOURTH
ffirst whistle1st whistle Coe t.
SCENE THE FIRST
state Scene 2d. of the Court or Presence ChamberEnter LODOVICO, and FLORELLI
LODO.
I do not lyke our last Intelligence:
the Princesse Ariana taken from
the Monastery, by the Duke Guarini.
FLO.
Giue Heauen leaue to Doe
his owne worke; It is not lyke
his motion will stop there.
LODO.
Then Leonidas
a man snatch'd vp into the Clouds o' th sudden.
2 chaires Ready
FLO.
And there she meanes to leaue him.
LODO.
If he doe not drop downe againe in the next showre.
FLO.
Now wee are Fix'd for Lombardy.
LODO.
yes and the King crept out of his Incognito already.
FLO.
Letters this morning (but from whome wee know not)
say he Intends to vizitt the Court to Day
In his splendor.
LODO.
And yet my Lord Malvecchio
sayes the Embassador does not yet Acknowledge
any such Person; and seemes openly
to Chyde the Confidence of the Queene.
FLO.
Things must at last Appeare in their owne face,
And wee shall then see where the Tricke lyes.
Enter OCTAVIO
OCT.
What thinke yee now Gentlemen? the King
of Lombardy has Giuen vs but short warning,
being now with much Solemnity vpon
Wm Harris
his March to Court, and eueryone Commanded
to be Ready, with their Dutyes to Attend him.
FLO.
I haue a Desire to see him.
Enter the QUEENE and Ladyes Attendants
QUEEN.
wee find that Providence,
although the Policyes, and Arts of men
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this checks and orders the whole Frame of Courts
and hath in Naples, when wee seemd at losse
Contriv'd a peace that was not in our prospect,
and brought it home to land at our owne Bosome.
I know your vnderstandings Reach the Substance,
of what now most Concernes vs, and I doubt not
Are willing to Contribute all your Dutyes
to Entertayne a King, in whose Reception
you make your selues, vs, and two Nations happy.
If any stubborne Hearts Byass'd by Ends
more then Allegeance, will not owne their Blessings
make theise not your Example, but submitt
where Trueth and Justice calls you, to Admire
the patience, and misterious Tracts of Heauen.
Enter a Gentleman
GENT.
Madam the King.
QUEEN.
Attend Him with all the state becomes
his Royall Person.
Shee takes her State
Enter LEONIDAS Richly Habited, with BARSANES, a Guard and Pages, MALVECCHIO and SEMPRONIO.
2 chaires
LODO.
This is Leonidas. ha!
FLO.
He is very lyke Him, or my Eyes Deceaue me.
QUEEN.
Sir you are wellcome,
and what the Court of Naples, or the Queene
in Honour to your Person, and this favour
can show to Expresse, your Majesty is wellcome,
haue a just Confidence to meet it.
LEO.
I must write
this my first Houre of Happynesse, and forgiue
my angry starrs, and fortune all their mallice,
that after Tenn yeares Exile from my Country
Reward my sufferings with this smyle.
SEM.
Are you the King of Lombardy?
LEO.
And your Master.
SEM.
I Disclayme him.
Madam you are Abus'd, some witchcrafts hangs
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her very soul's a sleepe, Impostor!
LEO.
Traytor, the sacred presence of the Queene is thy
Protection, or thy soul for this foul Breath
should mingle with that Ayre thou hast Polluted.
LODO.
He beares vp brauely.
LEO.
Tell your Master
if by that name you owne him, I Allow
he be call'd Prynce Alberto, and my Brother,
Since wee were both sonns of one Royall Father;
for the other Tytle of a King, he owes it
to his Dead mothers subtile Arts, which now
must vannish, and be lost within her Ages.
SEM.
Then you are not Leonidas?
QUEEN.
This is no place.
for your Dispute my Lord, wee owne him here
the Heyre and eldest sonne of Lombardy
and satisfy'd in the story of his Injuryes,
It shall be Naples Honour to preserve him.
BAR.
Shee has a braue soul, and I see is Constant.
SEM.
Madam, this is not what you late profest
to me—
QUEEN.
This Boldnesse is more worth
My pitty of your Ignorance, then my Anger.
I am the same I was, and Constant Sir
to what I first Declar'd in Loue and Honour
to the King your Master, and although you want Duty
to Acknowledge Him, I shall not so forgett
to pay the Debt I promis'd him, and would Doe it
though all the Eyes of Italy were here
Spectators of my Justice.
SEM.
Madam, I did foresee some such Affront,
which now you haue made Ripe for a Revenge,
and you may Expect it.
MAL.
I haue a sence my Lord of this Dishonour,
And if my Art Deceaue me not, may Giue
a check to this full streame.
Exit SEMPRONIO
LEO.
Madam, this Honour Done to me, and this Loue.
since I became the object of your Mercy,
Giues me a hope you will not leaue me here:
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there must be great and timely forces Rays'd
to Check that Insolence; besyde the Duke
Guarini now in Discontent, may take
this oppertunity to Create new Tumults
In his Revenge.
QUEEN.
I did foresee
your Royall Cause would need not onely strength
but Actiue, and a Quick Defence, and wee
Resolue for both; I will turne soldier
3rd whistle Ready
myselfe and though my Sex may be Deny'd
the Conduct of an Army, I will march
Companion in your fortunes, and your Dangers.
LEO.
And after all this I must Blush to Tell you
Madam and Gentlemen, I haue nothing left
but to Contribute my owne Heart, and as
much Courage as my Injuryes can Rayse,
to merritt all your Bountyes; Tis your Goodnesse
now makes me Cherrish lyfe, till I haue Done
something worth Fame, and Glorious to be layd
an humble offering at your feet; the Danger
will neuer poyze the honour of great Acts,
and were no Tempests in my way, I should
not thanke my victory, but esteeme this Triumph
obteyn'd too cheape.
QUEEN.
You haue a tytle to
the Dearest I can Giue; what's more is but
My Justice to Assist.
FLO.
My head akes with the Noyse of Drumms already.
LODO.
Wee must to th'Cutlers, there will be no fencing
with theise small Tooles.
LEO.
Since you Encourage thus it were a shame
to thinke of any thing, but your selfe & Conquest.
Exeunt
MAL.
They may Deceaue you both: I haue my Emissaryes
whose former Discontents haue kept them wakeing,
subtile, and practis'd in sedition:
theise shall Insinuate into the people
the feare and frights of warre, from euery Coast
Toungs well Employ'd, and whetted to Rebellion
63
Promote a warre with lesse noyse then the spirits
that moue within our Blood: let fooles Giue vp
their Ghosts with Honour; if Guarini thriue
my Fate will be security,
or if the King, I'm safe: not He that Dyes
But He that can outliue the storme is wise.
Exit
SCENE THE SECOND
1st Court outsideEnter FLORELLI and LODOVICO at one Doore; ANTONIO and ASINELLO at the other.
FLO.
Are not wee in a court dreame Lodovico?
LODO.
tis to be Imagind wee may haue Drumms, and Trumpetts.
to wake vs, I am but one—
FLO.
whose here? Antonio and his Dancing Cub?
Ile take my opportunity, I know not when
I shall be merry agen; my Nimble Signior,
haue you seene the Queene?
ASI.
No but I am in hope by this Gentlemans favour.
FLO.
Let me haue the Honour to present you.
LODO.
or me: shee has heard of you already, and is much
taken with the story of your Pumps and Pantables.
ASI.
Is shee so?
LODO.
I knew in my small Judgment of Astrology
that you were Borne to be Great.
ASI.
Say you so? why then Ile tell you Gentlemen,
you are all my Freinds; My Name is Asinello—
LODO.
It shall goe no further for me Sir, Ile assure you.
ASI.
Nay let it Runne to the end of the world, I know I
shall be famous, and that's it, I am now telling you, for
I was told by a witch, that one should proceed
from my Loynes, marke you, that should Gouerne Naples
with a wett finger.
ANTO.
I'st possible? this was a witch indeed.
FLO.
Why there is no more then to be say'd, but apply
your selfe to the Queene: Come wee'l all wayte
vpon you Imediatly to her:
offers to Goe in
ASI.
But what shall I say when I come to her?
64
Vm? that's a thing to be thought on. You must goe
prepard to Aske—
ANTO.
Some thing that may be considerable
to your Condition; shee cannot Deny you.
ASI.
what then if I petition'd her to—to—
I know not what—I see Gentlemen
my head is not so handy as my feet: stay—I haue it.
what doe you thinke then, if I should Petition the
Queene without more adoe to be her Favoryte? vm?
LODO.
A lucky Invention, and must prosper: there's a place
voy'd when her Majesty pleases, at a
minuits warning.
FLO.
the witt of man could not study a place more fitt
for the Person, nor any Person so fitt
for the preferment.
ANTO.
To be alwayes in the Eye of the Queene, the
Dominus Factotum of the Court, and Kingdome.
LODO.
Dispose all affaires, Command the Exchequer
ANTO.
Aboue all this to be sure to haue the Queenes Affection—
FLO.
There, there's the Glory—.
ANO.
The Flag—
LODO.
The very Apex—
FLO.
The Flame—
Binion
ANTO.
The Pyramid of all—
LODO.
And then, who knowes how soone the witches
Prophesy may come to passe, and your Head
be fixt vpon the pole, or pinacle of Honour, a Favoryte!
FLO.
That, that, fixe vpon that, all other offices are
but for lyfe and Transitory, this has no limitation.
ANTO.
Get your Trinket drawne; there are a parcell
of fellowes that liue by makeing of penns, and pittyfull
Petitions, that will switch it vp, ere you can
shyft your Doublett.
ASI.
Why must I shyft againe? I am as sweet as a violet:
FLO.
As any flower in May.
LODO.
But Doe not loose this Critticall houre.
ASI.
Wo'not the Critticall houre as you Call it, last till
to morrow morning? for then my Taylor has promisd me
to bring me home a new suite of Clothes.
ANRO.
No, no; be Rul'd, and about your Businesse say I.
65
Gentlemen I see you loue me—I doe.
LODO.
Tis our Concernment.
ASI.
Why for the present I thanke you that's all, but if I come
to be a Favorite, you three shall choose
your owne offices, and be of my Cabinet Counsell.
FLO.
tis too much Honour.
Enter MALVECCHIO Attended by a Captaine He is Faced by ASINELLO goeing off.
FLO.
This is a little purge for Melancholy;
My Lord Malvecchio, ha! do'st observe?
LODO.
How the Anticke is blowne vp in the face?
he Rowles off lyke a Bladder.
MAL.
Captaine, take that Fellow to the
Court of Guard, I doe not lyke his lookes.
he is some spy. lay him neck and Heeles
together imediatly.
CAP.
I shall my Lord.
Exit Cap. with ASINELLO
LODO.
What will become of the Favoryte?
FLO.
Your lookes are troubled Sir.
MAL.
the face of things weare but a sad Complexion.
there's another Post come in with Newes,
that forces are Discover'd neere the Borders.
Table & 3 Chaires.
And vpon their march this way.
LODO.
From whence?
3d whistle Ready
MAL.
From Lombardy.
FLO.
They cannot be our Freinds.
MAL.
our Drumms beat vp, but men are Deaf, or haue
no hearts; they say they are Betray'd: some Rayle
vpon Leonidas, and some Cry out
why was Guarini Bannish'd? Call him home,
and make him King.
ANTO.
My Lord, you should Advise the Queene for her security.
MAL.
I would, but shee wants Eare for me and Counsell.
Antonio.
ANTO.
My Lord.
Exit MAL. and ANTONIO
within.
Helpe, helpe, helpe.
FLO.
That's Asinellos voyce.
LODO.
the Favoryte? Ile not Appeare.
66
Nor I;
It will be tyme to Consult our owne safetys,
Alasse poore favouryte.
Exeunt
SCENE THE THIRD
The Scene a Camp, a Pavillyon RoyallA Camp Scene
KING ALBERTO, ANDRUGIO, CASTRUCHIO and Officers Appearing as at a Councell of Warre.
ALB.
Your Counsells haue been wise, and prosperous;
And wee shall still be Guided by your prudence.
AND.
In this you will Encourage Sir our Dutyes.
ALB.
I must Confesse it will be punnishment
as high, as her neglect of vs to Advance
by our Armes, her Sisters Interest to the Crowne.
CAST.
And be Proclaym'd to th'world a Piety.
ALB.
Although her Quarrell gaue not the first Rise
to our Designe wee can Embrace it Honorably.
CAST.
you could not Sir Declare more plausibly
to the Natives, who are high in Discontents.
ALB.
Wee heare not what Successe Attends our Generall,
whome wee sent lately to Attaque the Castle
vpon the Confynes.
AND.
Twas considerable to be secur'd.
Enter VALERIO
what Newes?
VAL.
Wee are Masters of the Castle;
after a more fierce Dispute then wee Expected,
for Duke Guarini—
ALB.
Was He there?
VAL.
yes, but not mov'd with our pretence to Assert
the Queene Arianas Interest, gaue vs
a Braue Defyance; but after a long
and Desperate Engagement with some Horse
Fled toward the Mountaynes.
ALB.
where is the Princesse?
67
The Princesse Ariana, whom wee Expected
not so neere, is now
Approaching to our Camp: this Chance of warre
transcended all our hopes.
Enter the Embassador SEMPRONIO
My Lord Sempronio.
ALBERTO and SEM. whisper
AND.
The Princesse in our power, and Guarini fled?
our worke is Done already. ha! observe the King,
hee's troubled on the sudden, something does
Rise in his face to Ecclipse the cheerefull Day
that shyn'd so late with our Successe; it must
be a matter of Concernment, that so soone
could worke this violent change.
SEM.
And shee Resolues to Runne the
Wm Hughes
Hazard of her Kingdome in his Cause.
ALB.
They haue started, Gentlemen,
Another King of Lombardy: a Pageant is
sett vp in Naples in Affront to vs
by the vsurping Queen.
AND.
How Sir, another King?
ALB.
yes, yes; my Brother Carolo that was Drown'd,
has wash'd off his Mortallity, and is now aliue againe.
CAST.
Your Brother Sir, Prince Carolo liuing?
theise Eyes beheld his Death; I wayted then
vpon his Highnesse, and twas my vnhappynesse.
to bring the sad newes first to Court
AND.
I had a double share in that misfortune,
I lost a father—then his Governour—
CAST.
who in Zeale to Rescue his Hignhesse from the waues
(such was the Cruelty of their Embrace) became
himselfe their prey, and his Companion.
T. Gradwell
ALB.
If the Impostor be not
surrender'd to our power imediatly—
AND.
It may take off the Roughnesse of her pryde
to know her eldest Sister in our power.
CAST.
Sir you haue too much Patience.
ALB.
Castruchio thou hast been alwayes faythfull.
AND.
I hope there's no mans fayth here stands suspected.
68
Not in the least Andrugio: but me thinks
the Impostor liues too long. I would haue his head
now, at this Instant, 'tis too tedious to Expect it.
Enter a Messenger
MESS.
The Princesse Ariana Attended with a Convoy from the Generall.
ALB.
I must throw off all Clouds.—A Glorious Presence!
Enter Generall and ARIANA with Attendants
Madam I did not hope I should Arrive
at so much Happynesse thus soone, to kisse
your Royall hand: y'are wellcome to your Camp;
It was the Duke Guarini's want of fayth
and too much thirst of Honour, brought this fright
vpon you.
ARI.
I vnderstand not more then my owne
Condition, that am now become your Prisoner.
ALB.
Doe not Name that word, you were not free till now;
you doe not well to weep. I am a freind,
Call'd to the Justice of your Cause and Innocence,
to Engage my lyfe and Army in your Service.
ARI.
Did you for my Cause then take vp theise Armes?
It is an Argument of a mighty loue
to Justice, and a Piety not Practiz'd
by euery Neighbour Prynce; But Sir without
my knowledge or the least Request first made
to March into the Kingdome you Call myne;
Your pardon, if it moue a Jealouzy
that something more then all my wrongs, or Innocence,
or your owne virtue gaue you first Invitement
ALB.
I must acknowledge Madam I was not
without another motiue, that I shall
Declare after you haue Giuen your selfe Repose.
But since more fully satisfy'd in your Injuryes,
I can lay downe my owne Disquiet, Madam,
To serve your Interest, and Compell to their
obedience all the Rebells of your Crowne,
or Punish them.
ARI.
Sir, this cannot be
effected without losse of my owne blood
69
Is myne, they being my Subjects though misled;
And I haue sign'd their pardon in my Heart;
after which, twere Injustice to Require
their Punishment: My Sister too, I haue
forgiuen, and Left to her Ambition
the Tytle of a Queene.
ALB.
Giue me your Grace,
It is not in your power to throw away
Your Kingdome, or your people, who without
a high Injustice must not be Deny'd
their Interest in your selfe.
ARI.
It hath been held
no sinne in greatest Kings and Queenes on Earth
ith' height of all their splendor to forsake
the world for a poore cell, to say their prayers in.
Princes were else most miserable of all
to be so Chayn'd and Fetter'd to a Crowne,
they might not Change for Heauen.
ALB.
It is confest, there is a holy Resignation,
And in the height of all our state & Greatnesse;
but this is not Madam your Condition,
for you haue been Deny'd the Rights of those
bright Gloryes you would giue away, and though
some humble thoughts might prompt you to Resigne
Your Tytle, twill not seeme to th'world an Act
Done freely, but the Cold Result of some
Distresse or sad Constraynt: which should not mixe
with Acts of our Religion.
SEM.
He presses home.
ALB.
But when you are Invested in your Throne, and Circl'd
with all your ornaments, wealth, Beauty, Power,
then to lay downe your Scepter, and those pendants
of state, will speake the Strength of your Great Virtue;
And Conquest of your selfe; this will secure
both peace at home, and Honour amongst Princes,
who by the holy shyne of your Example
may Trace your stepps to Heaven.
ARI.
Tis something Sir
that you haue sayd, and may be worth my thoughts:
70
Proficient in Goodnesse that haue learn'd
to Instruct so well, and in that Confidence
I shall not murmure now at my sad fortune,
or Doubt your Care of me.
ALB.
You need not, Royal Madam,
I Retayne no thoughts, but what are fill'd
with fayre Devotion to be Receau'd your Servant.
ARI.
I must then oblige your Kindnesse to the Duke Guarini;
I cannot tell, how soone some chance of warre
may Render him your Prisoner.
ALB.
It will Become me as a prince without
your Gracious Instance Madam to meet
his person with all Honour Due to his Name
And your Allyance.
ARI.
There's something more then tye
of blood, he hath besydes his Courage show'd
Act Ready
much Affection in my Defence.
ALB.
Who would not be Ambitious to merrit
your Esteeme without an equall.
ARI.
And Giue me leaue to tell you Royall Sir,
As I shall pay all Due Acknowledgments
to your virtue (which will liue vpon your Name
'mongst other storys of your worth) so I
must owne a sorrow in his losse, whose greatest
In his owne thoughts is that your Armes haue Rauish'd
some Honour from him in my Cause; and if
he haue any wounds, this greiues him most,
which must oblige my Gratitude, and may
some what Excuse his not Complyance with you.
ALB.
I feare I haue a wound beyond the Cure
of Conquest; this speaks Madam your Soul pious
and Great, which makes me but your more Admirer:
I am so much his, it shall be onely in your power
to make the Duke my Ennemy.
AND.
The King is taken with her.
Enter ANTONIO with Letters. He Addresses to SEMPRONIO.
SEM.
My Lord Malvecchio is well I hope?
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In perfect Health, and Active for the publicke good.
SEM.
Sir if theise Letters of Malvecchios
haue any Credit, all your feares may vannish.
ALB.
Is the Impostor Dead?
SEM.
No, but secur'd,
with some Confinement on the Queene by his
Industrious Care, who hath so order'd your
Accesse to Naples, that you may Call't
a progresse, not a march.
ALB.
your Master hath Deserv'd
our Loue, and thanks for his great Service:
Andrugio, and Castruchio, you must
Prepare for Naples suddenly with this
Gentleman; Expect me in my Tent, for further order.—
The Impostor liues too long—Now Madam
Giue me leaue to wayte you to your Tent.
This Minuite you beginn your Raigne.—
not onely ouer those, whome your Just lawes
Bind to obey, you haue Enlarg'd your Empire;
Nor must they onely to your Scepter Bow
Since you haue made My Heart your subject too.
Exeunt
The End of ye Fourth Act.
| The Change of Crownes | |