University of Virginia Library

SCEN. I.

Enter Bottolo.
Bot.
How that Fire-brand the Cook sputters!
There's no coming neer to have a cut for breakfast.
I am a Villain if the Butler too
Be not grown as outragious a Beast as he.
What coil's here!—O Mother,—how!—
[Enter Taccola.
What, you in a pelt too! Do the Quinces prove rotten?
Or is all the Bisket-flabber spilt?

Tacco.
Out upon thee, thou tak'st care for nothing;
She has been my Charge these seventeen years,
And I do not mean to quit my care yet a while.

Bot.
Yes faith, Mother, you must deliver up;
She's going to have another Governor,
And as luck will have it, as old as your grave self:
We are like to plant our fair young Twig
In hopeful soil; does it not trouble you, Mother?

Tacco.
What's that to thee, Sirrah? Thou art ever full
Of roguish thoughts; the Man may do well enough;
Age is not so contemptible.

Bot.
Nay, I dare swear, Mother, you believe
You cou'd entertain the youngest of them all
With wondrous prowess.

Tacco.
Come, leave your prating; the Bride-groom's
Neer at hand, with such a gallant Troop;
They are hard by: Nay, I'le tell thee what—
Out upon't,—what do I here!
The Jelly will be spoil'd.
Exit Taccola.

Bot.
O take care of that by all means;
The old Gentleman will need it.

Enter Moreno.
Mor.
How now, Sirrah? what, loit'ring here?
The Company's just coming to the Gate;
Get you gone, and mind your business within.
—Why Daughter, Daughter.

Emilia appears above.
Emil.
Your pleasure, Sir.

Mor.
Be ready there, Daughter; the Bride-groom
Will salute you with Musick presently.
I had almost forgot the chiefest News;
This day the fair Samira, Castruccio's Niece,
Must marry the great and rich Brancadoro's Heir.
Be ready, Daughter, I cannot stay.—Hark,—they come.

Emil.
Governess. Taccola.

Taccola appears above.
Tac.
Here, Sweet Charge.

Emil.
Come, it must be your part to tell me the Names
Of every one; have you inform'd your self?

Tac.
Yes, yes, I know them all.

Emil.
Peace then, and observe.
Enter first some bearing Bays and Rosemary, then Moreno and Castruccio, then Brancadoro and Samira; then Miranzo and others; As these pass over the Stage they speak above.
What be these men?

Tac.
They bear Loves Ensignes:
You know the Gentleman that follows.

Emil.
Yes, yes; who's that leads his fair Niece?

Tac.
The wealthy Brancadoro, who is to marry her this day;
They say he's an Ass, though his Trappings be rich.

Emil.
A sudden Wedding! But what young man
Is that which follows next?

Tac.
I marry, that's his fine Nephew Miranzo,
Newly return'd from Travel.

Emil.
Peace, they begin.

As soon as the Masque begins the Curtain draws, and Emilia appears; Miranzo keeps his eyes fix'd on her all the while the Masque is presented.
The Persons being all plac'd about the Stage,
Enter a Cupid, who waves an Arrow, and speaks.
Cup.
Hymen, O gentle Hymen, come away.

Enter Hymen.
Hym.
When Loves great God commands, I never stay.

Cup.
Then light it thy Torch.

Hym.
For that I hither came,
And see 'tis ready to receive a flame,
Whenever by thy powerful Summons prest.

Cup.
Then light at that aged Lovers breast.

Hym.
Where Time has been destroying, can there be
A warmth for him, much less a flame for me?

Cup.
Those groser flames that feed on wanton hearts,
Burn not in his; the sharpest of thy Darts
Had found no way, where Nature frozen lies,
But that 'twas thaw'd by fair Emilia's Eyes.

Hym.
Call hither all thy Votaries to gaze,
That with such Fires thy Altars still may blaze;
Not fed with loose Desires, but purest Hearts;
So I my Torch may save, and thou thy Darts.

Enter Charon.
Cup.
But stay, what dismal Apparition's this,
That mingles horror with approaching bliss?

Cha.
Charon I am, that o're the Stygian Waves
Waft only Fares that first have pass'd through Graves:
From thence I came, where all the Destinies
Do sit and smile at these unequal ties:
'Tis vain to sing an Hymeneal note;
Light not thy Torch, for I prepare my Boat.

Hym.
Why, Charon, why?

Char.
Know, I did lately view
The Fatal Sisters, whilst his Thred they drew;
The last remains were on the Distaff put,
And one prepar'd the feeble twine to cut.

Hym.
Fond fool, go back again, and thou shalt find
So fair a Thred with his so firmly twin'd,
No Destiny will venture to divide
A life that is with fair Emilia's ty'd.
Gaze, and submit.

Char.
What's this appears more bright,
Then Souls prepar'd for the Elysian Light?
Appear, appear, you Fatal Sisters, come
Before a Power that can reverse your doom.
Enter Destinies.
See, they obey; 'tis just that Love and Fate
Shou'd on the fair Emilias Nuptials wait.

Cup.
First I resign my Arrows and my Bow.

Hym.
The Fates submit their dreadful Ensigns too.

Char.
Charon will leave his unfrequented Shore,
And at Emilias feet lay down his Oar.

Hym.
Ascend, ascend, you happy Shades, and move
In various measures with the God of Love.

Enter Spirits.
Cha.
They come, they come, hark, hark, our charmed ears
Are struck with Musick from the moving Spheres.

The Spirits first dance an Antick; Then the Destinies join in a grand Dance.
Mir.
How my eyes are chain'd unto that glorious Object!
She acts like what she is, a Miracle;
And I am lost in wonder!

Cast.
Good morning to my fairest Mistress:
May but my Joys this day, be yours for ever;
I know not how to wish you more.

Bran.
Uncle, must I bid her good morrow too?
These Spirits have so amaz'd me, I can scarce fetch my breath.

Cast.
By all means.

Bra.
Why then,—Good-morrow, Mistress; 'tis Sigr Brancadoro
Bids you good-morrow: I wish you as good luck as my self.
As I suppose, you may have heard of me;
For I am going the way of all Flesh too.

Mir.
If I cou'd speak, I find I cannot joyn
In Wishes of this nature: How my Soul struggles in me!

Mor.
Come down Daughter, and meet us in the Hall,
Soe to the Temple, where all Complements
Are quickly ended. Come, Son, your Ceremony
Defers your happiness.

[Exeunt.
The Curtain draws.
Manet Miranzo.
Mir.
The lovely Apparition's vanish'd; O for a spell
To call it back again; but the black Spirits only
Are subject unto charms, and not the brighter Angels:
At what a distance she surpriz'd!
Had the great God of Love us'd other Eyes,
He had at rovers vainly shot his Dart;
Hers had the power alone to carry level to my heart.
How hapless must my destiny needs prove,
That in one instant both despair and love!

[Exit.