 | The Surprisal |  |
Scena Prima.
Enter Miranzo and Cialto.Mir.
I should not thank you for this Visit then.—
Fie, my dearest Friend.
Cialto.
Forget that name, and me; I try'd
To begin first no more to think on you;
But I was womanish in my temper;
My fondness of you had a power above
My generous Reason.
Mir.
Is there a generous cause for breach of Friendship?
Cial.
It were a guilt to say I am your Friend:
Wonder not; for I'm grown so miserable
That Friendship would be paid to me
As unseasonably as to Men in graves,
Where dissolution wraps up every Title,
And buries Names with Things.
Mir.
What storm tosses his noble Soul!
[Aside.
Why does my Friend thus wrong himself and me?
I did not think the brave Cialto's Mind
Had been so much within the reach of Fortune;
Use her as thou wouldst a phantastical Woman,
If thou would have her kind, slight her.
12
Pray say no more; you understand me not;
Nay, spare your Lectures; after this I fear
That we must meet no more.—Farewel.
[Cialto offers to go out.
Mir.
You are too quick; think with your self;
Sure you may be perswaded, e're you go,
To see my Sister.
Cial.
Ha!—that was too severe; departing Souls
Are sometimes thus call'd back with cruel kindness,
To share more miseres on Earth.—
Did you not name your Sister?
Mir.
How he's mov'd!—
[Aside.
Yes, I did; my Sister Samira.
Cial.
You might have spar'd the Explanation;
I have her Name engrav'd in several Characters,
By Love and Fortune.—Why do you stare upon me so,
As if you were amaz'd at my disorders,
That are not ignorant of my disasters,
Nor of my Passions? What do yon think?
Is't not a pretty mingle?
[Enter Samira.
Mir.
See, my Sister.
Cial.
How, Samira!—'tis she.—
With what an horror now that lovely Shape
Appears, that I have so much joy'd to gaze on!
Such a confusion would an Angel bring
Upon a Man loaden with Sins,
As I am with Misfortunes.—
I am so much amaz'd I cannot find my way!
[He offers to go.
Sam.
Cialto.
Mir.
Stay; what means this strangeness?
Come, 'tis too much forc'd.
Cial.
Cruel Miranzo, cruel in your kindness,
That only holds so fair a Mirror to me,
To let me see how much I am unhappy.
Mir.
You are mistaken, and throw a blemish on her;
She is the same she ever was.
Cial.
Why, that was Cruel still to me.
I complain'd not, fairest Samira,
That you were so, when I was Fortunes Favorite;
And sure I will not hope for pity,
Now I am turn'd her Slave.
Sam.
As my thoughts were never mov'd
With Arguments drawn from Prosperity; so believe,
I shall have no aversion for the Virtuous,
Although Unfortunate.
Cial.
Oh, do not with mistaken Charity
Attempt to palliate my Disease;
'Tis Fortunes Plague, that's never to be cur'd;
13
I love you still—above—all—
I have such Tides of Passions when I but name you,
Much more now I see you, that my words
Are over-flown, and like drown'd men
Disorderly pop up, and sink agen.
Distempers seize me,—I talk wildly too, I fear.
Sam.
I understand you not; pray recollect
Your self, speak freely to me.
[She weeps.
Cial.
Why do you both express such wonder in your looks?
Is misery so strange?
[He sinks down.
Mir.
Why, Sister, you are still insensible;
If you ever lov'd Cialto, tell him now;
And be not like the rest of the mean World,
To own nothing that is unhappy.
Sam.
If I say little, Brother, I give you leave
To think my grief stops more my words,
Than want of kindness for Cialto:
Yet to content you, hear me—
[He starts up.
Cial.
Hold—
Your pity, if y'ave any, comes too late;
Those gentle Tears that once had been my Blessing
Do now but aggravate and haste my destiny.
Just so the drops of Heaven, which first caus'd
The thriving Plant to spring and flourish,
When by some rough and fatal accident
Its shaken roots have lost their hold,
Then the soft rain no longer gives it life,
But makes it perish faster.
Sam.
Oh my heart! The throng of all his griefs
Has crowded in my Breast, and I must speak
Or burst.—Cialto.
Enter a Servant.
Serv.
Sir.
Mir.
What's the matter?
Serv.
Your Uncle, Sir, is coming hither,
And with him Signior Brancadoro.
Mir.
Signior Coxcomb.—Mischief on his unseasonable Visit.
Has not my Uncle press'd you, Sister,
To morrow when he Weds, to Marry with
This Fool Brancadoro?
Sam.
Most earnestly, even to threatning me.
Mir.
He may be injurious.—
[Studies.
Cial.
How! would the Fool purchase my Love,
As his damnd griping Father did my Fortune?
I have not mortgag'd sure my Wishes to him.
If I am urg'd this way I shall grow weary
14
Wait longer the false Senates leisure.
—Still ador'd Samira, am I not too confident,
That in all my miseries, when I do not nourish the least hope
Of e're enjoying you my self,
I should now seem jealous of you.
Sam.
Have I shew'd my self so easie, that you need fear
I will be sacrific'd unto a Fool?
Mir.
Peace, they come; be temperate, Cialto.
Enter Castruccio, and Brancadoro.
Cast.
Come, Nephew, (for so I dare venture to call you.)
Mir.
Heaven send us joy of our wise Kindred.
[Aside.
Bran.
Ha, upon my conscience that's Cialto;
I know him by his fierce looks; 'tis he, I vow:
I am like to have a fine wooing on't.
Wou'd I were hid under a Bed,
Or behind the Hangings, I wou'd breath
No more than a Mouse that sleeps all the Winter.
Why, wh, what a terrible look was there!
D'hear, Uncle? I protest I left one of my Gloves
Behind me in the Window, and I'me afraid
It will be stoln.
Cast.
Why, you have them both on.
Bran.
I had forgot, like an Ass as I was, to hide one.
[Aside.
Cast.
Come, come on.
Bran.
Nay, as I am an honest Man,
There's my Almanack with Notes and Memorandums in't,
I'le go back and come presently.
Cast.
Fie, Nephew, my Niece sees you.
Bran.
You can't tell how she likes me, can you, Uncle?
Cast.
O, fear not that.
Bran.
Never stir, Uncle, I have mighty need—
—I must needs do you know what.
He looks vengeance surley:
[Aside.
He makes me wink as bad as a flash of Lightning wou'd.
Cast.
Come, Nephew, what are you bashful?
Niece, this is the Person I told you of,
That to morrow will make you an happy woman,
And be an evidence of my care and kindness.
Sam.
I need no such testimony, Sir.
Bran.
What does she say, Uncle, that she has no need of me?
Why then I have no need of her;
I'le be beholden to no body living.
Cast.
No, no, you are too mistrustful.
Come, Niece, prepare against to morrow,
To be made Mistress of the greatest Fortune
15
Bran.
I think I can tell some few particulars without book,
Of some small Lordships that serve my turn
To cover this poor out-side, and some slight
Equipage of Servants and Attendants.—
Now dare not I proceed to particulars, for fear
I should come to name that wild-looking Mans Estate,
Which shou'd make up the Catalogue.
I'le tell you a pretty Jest, Mistress;
A Friend of mine would have had me married
A Kinswoman of his,—and—
Sam.
I wou'd you had, Sir.
Bran.
Why, how shou'd I have had you then?
Sam.
I must have been content, Sir.
Bran.
Nay, I thank you for that; so I might have forfeited
My Covenants to your Uncle; I may be sued
If I don't marry you to morrow.
Cial.
How's this!
[Aside.
Mir.
Peace, does this Coxcomb move you?
Cast.
'Tis as he tells you, Niece.
Sam.
I wonder, Sir, you should dispose of me so absolutely,
Without allowing me some larger time.
Cast.
You had need consider indeed for such a Fortune.
Sam.
Is there nothing but Fortune to be thought on?
Consent springs not alone from Wealth:
Marriage you know admits no separation;
And if Affections shou'd not be united,
The Persons must be miserable.
Cast.
Hey day, no more of this Love-Logick:
What, you would have it a Romance,
And after some long time, and strange Adventures,
Discover pity for your Knight Errant.
Remember, your Father left you to my care;
If you marry not Brancadoro to morrow
I'le throw you out of it.
Sam.
'Tis strange, Sir, that you shou'd press me thus,
So suddenly to dispose my self for ever.
What say you, Sir? I hope you are so civil
[To Brancadoro.
As not to urge it.
Bran.
Why, I say, A bargain's a bargain.
Cial.
This is monstrous! I can hold no longer.
[Aside.
Mir.
Consider, you may do hurt.
Cial.
I care not.—Signior Castruccio,
I think it does not much become you
To force your Niece to any thing;
Her Father ne're believ'd that you would use
The Trust which he repos'd in you, to such an end.
Bran.
Nay, for my part, if she be'nt as willing as I,
16
—I am horribly afraid.
[Aside.
Mir.
How the Ass shakes and bristles both together.
[Aside.
Cast.
Signior Cialto, I wonder more that you
Shou'd give your unask'd Counsel, to disturb
The Advancement of my Niece and Family.
Cial.
He can make large Jointures indeed,
Thanks to his Fathers base and griping practises.
Cast.
You are uncivil in my House.
Cial.
You are old, and Samira's Uncle;
These are Protections; you may say any thing:
But I would not advise this wealthy Coxcomb,
For all your Articles, to venture upon Marriage;
'Twill be dangerous, Signior Brancadoro.
Cast.
Pray leave my House, Sir; I desire no such
Rude Company.
Sam.
Pray Sir go; this does no good.
Mir.
Come, you are to blame; you may do injury.
Cial.
Pardon me, fair Samira, I am gone;
My Prayers were heard, could but your happiness
Be divided from all Mankind, though I am one.
[Exit Cialto.
Bran.
He's gone;—wou'd I might never live
If I han't a great mind to bolt the door after him.
Now perhaps I shall venture to say somthing,
If I knew what.—He won't pop back trow, will he?
Cast.
Come Niece, you will hereafter thank me for
This happiness; I know you will command
Him and his whole Estate.
Bran.
Nay, she may do what she will in reason;
But if I'm urg'd I am as stout and surly
As the stoutest of 'um, let it be Man or Woman.
This Gentleman thought to bluster me
Out of my Bargain; but I think he was deceiv'd;
He had best let me alone.
Mir.
Seem to comply, dear Sister; I'le tell you why hereafter.
[Aside.
Sam.
I hope, Sir, you will allow me a few hours
To think, perhaps to perswade my self
To an obedience which you press so much.
Cast.
Do, my good Niece; for to morrow
I must needs have your company:
Speak for your self, Nephew.
Bran.
I can't tell what to say, for fear
This blust'ring fellow shou'd peep in again:
[Aside.
Yet I'le set a good face on't.
Did you know my Father, Mistress?
Who's that at dore?
[Aside.
Sam.
I have seen him, Sir.
17
I doubt he listens;—well, I care not,
I am resolv'd Villerotto shall get his Throat cut,
[Aside.
That he shall.—And now I will speak boldly.
Why, Mistress, he would have been your Father-in-law,
Had he liv'd to't, I had help'd you to a wise Father,
I can tell you that.
Mir.
Wou'd he had had a wiser Son.
[Aside.
Bran.
As for my Mothers part—
Mir.
She brought forth an Ass.
[Aside.
Bran.
I'le speak a bold word,
Though I say it, that shou'd not say it,—
Sam.
You promis'd, Sir, to leave me to my thoughts
For a few hours.
Cast.
Well Virgins will be modest; Come, Nephew,
We'l leave her to her self to day; to morrow
She shall be yours, or mine no more.
Your Brother, I hope, is more sensible then you
Of your own good; you know my mind; Farewel,—
Be wise.
Bran.
Your Uncle gives you good Counsel, Mistress;
Farewel till to morrow; In the mean time
I'le go find Villerotto;
I dare not for my ears venture to marry,
Unless he makes safe this furious Cialto,
Then I shall keep all quietly,
Or else I may perhaps be invited to an honourable Duel,
Which how I can endure—
Cast.
Farewel Niece, and prepare to make
Your self and me truly happy.
[Exeunt Castruccio and Brancadoro.
Sam.
Now, Brother, to what purpose
Did you advise me to seem willing?
Mir.
I have some thoughts which only want of time
Yet hinders me to ripen; I like not
My Uncle's picking Quarrels thus, all's in his power,
He may do mischief; therefore seem to consent;
Yet fear not, though the Wedding is so near,
At the last minuit I know a way to free thee;
Within I'le tell thee my design:
This Mushrome never shall be yoak'd to thee.
[Exeunt.
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