 | The Surprisal |  |
SCENE III.
Enter Cialto solus.Cial.
No news yet, and the dangerous time so neer!
And she for ever may be lost to me,
And forc'd into a Fool's Embraces!
For though she never can be mine, I cannot
Suffer she shou'd be anothers.
—I hardly can be jealous of Miranzo;
Yet Friendship it self is not security enough
To give him credit for Samira; I dare not trust
That Treasure thus uncertainly; I must prevent
The quickest way; Friendship and Fate
Have their slow pace; but Passions will not wait.
[He offers to go out.
Enter Miranzo.
Mir.
Whither so fast? hey day, which is now
Predominant, Love or Fortune? One of 'um
Is ever vexing thee.
Cial.
'Tis well you can continue merry.
Mir.
Come, what's the matter?
Cial.
Nothing.
Mir.
That's unkind.
Cial.
Pray urge me not.
Mir.
Is there any thing to be conceal'd from Friends?
20
Yes, trouble and misery.
Mir.
No more, or find some other friend.
Cial.
You do not well to press me thus;
It will not please you when you hear it.
Mir.
Pray let me know it.
Cial.
You shall; but I must beg another thing.
Mir.
What's that?
Cial.
Only to save you and me trouble;
Pray when you have heard it give no Counsel.
Mir.
O, by no means, Sir, not for a World.
Cial.
Why, 'tis no great matter,—I'le kill Brancadoro.
Mir.
How!
Cial.
Nay, your wonder is as unnecessary as your Counsel.
Mir.
Have you consider'd what you said?
Cial.
Yes, and I find it reasonable, I admire you do not.
Mir.
Faith not I; I think 'tis an unreasonable thing
To kill an Ass; some think that Fools are damn'd
For their original Ignorance; thou wou'dst not
Send him to hell on thy Errand, wou'dst?
Cial.
Ha, ha, shou'd I for fear of sending him to Hell,
Let him enjoy my Heaven here!—
Perhaps it grows indifferent to you.
Mir.
Do you suspect that Brancadoro's wealth
Has brib'd me, Sir? I thank you.
Cial.
I do not say, It has; but yet—
Mir.
But yet! It looks scurvily: A Friend when he's jealous
Is like a Child that's froward;
He knows not why he's out of humour.
Come, trust all to me, you shall not be deceiv'd;
I've a design; spare me but for a few minuits.
Cial.
Methinks your kindness gives me greater joy
Then a bare Friendship cou'd:—all thoughts
Of my revenge on others vanish;—yet—
When I am too much press'd with Misery,
Be but so kind to give me leave to die.
[Exit Cialto.
Miranzo stays and studies.
Mir.
It shall be so, if I can frighten him,
And make him decline the Marriage with my Sister;
'Twou'd be excellent; for certainly he's a rank Coward:
See where most luckily he comes.
[Enter Brancadoro.
Now Fortune;—yet if this fail I've a sure remedy at last.
Noble Signior, I was going to look after you.
Bran.
What, I warrant your Sister sent to me;
I am coming.
Mir.
No Sir, 'twas a business of another nature.
Bran.
Nay, I cannot stay to talk of business now.
Mir.
You must, Sir.
Bran.
Must, Sir!
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I think you must; your Honour will enforce you.
Bran.
Why, what has my Honour to do with't? Must!
Mir.
It concerns it; and I must beg your pardon,
That am th'unwilling Messenger.
Bran.
Why, if you be unwilling, let it alone;
I'le excuse you.
Mir.
I dare not, Sir; I am oblig'd so far
In common ties, that every Gentleman
Is bound unto another by; I was
Unhappy that it was requir'd from me.
Bran.
Well, another time, another time.
Mir.
None but this can serve, Sir; 'tis the last request
That you will have from Signior Cialto.
Bran.
The last! well, that mollifies somwhat; What is't then?
Mir.
Why, it seems reasonable that you have his Fortune,
And are now going to possess his Mistress;
He but desires that you wou'd now be pleas'd
Fairly to take away his Life too.
Bran.
What's this! I hope I am not discover'd
[Aside.
By Villerotto! Fairly, quoth he!
Mir.
Life in his condition is but useless to him.
Bran.
Why, he may hang himself.
Mir.
That he's unwilling to do; you shall try
To free him with your honourable Sword.
Bran.
I'le not try, Sir.
Mir.
You must, Sir; and for that end he stays for you
Hard by the Nunnery, in the Cypress Grove.
Bran.
There let him stay; you know, as well as I,
I am ingag'd, and cannot come.
Mir.
No ingagement, Sir, ought to be above your Honor
Besides, mine will engage me not to receive
So slight an Answer.
Bran.
Why, 'tis your Sister I am going to marry;
Is it not?
Mir.
I consider not that, Sir.
Bran.
If Cialto sends me a Challenge,
I hope I may appoint my Time and Weapon.
Mir.
That I think you may. Sure he dares not fight, does he?
Bran.
Why then tell your Friend from me, I'le meet him the
Next day after I'm married, any where:
I'le not delay such matters as these.
Mir.
Why, he has Courage sure.
[Aside.
But, Sir, 'tis handsomest to end these matters quickly.
Bran.
So 'twere, Sir, if a man were free;
But since I am engag'd I will be married first,
And then have at him.
If he be in haste to fight, let him fasten a Quarrel
On somebody else, to pass away the time
22
Mir.
Slid, he amazes me.
Bran.
Thus, Sir, I shall preserve my honor every way;
I hope he understands himself as well as I do.
Mir.
There is no help, this will not do.
[Aside.
How the Rascal has couzen'd me!—well—
Who knows but he may be valiant?
This is your resolution, Sir.
Bran.
I marry, Sir; nor will I alter it.
Mir.
I shall acquaint Cialto with it, Sir,
And then attend you to your Nuptials:
Farewel, Signior.
Bran.
You shall be welcome, Sir; there will be
[Ex. Miran.]
A fine sight, I pay some on't.
Ha, ha, how I have couzen'd 'um!
Miranzo has no mind I shou'd have his Sister,
And so they agreed to frighten me from't; I found it;
Poor silly Fellows, 'twas too late; I have promis'd
To meet Cialto the next day after I am married,
That is the next day after he is dead;
'Tis the same thing;—um—but
If Villerotto shou'd fail I were in a fine case,
Positively ingag'd to fight with him;
I'le look him, and make sure work;
I grow horribly afraid to think of fighting,
Though I never intend to come to't.
[Exit.
| The Surprisal | |