 | The Surprisal |  |
SCENE II.
Enter, as to the Nunnery, Castruccio, Moreno, Brancadoro, and Bottolo.Bran.
If they be here, we'l fetch them out with a vengeance;
Knock Bottolo, break the Gate down.
[Bottolo knocks.
Bot.
They are deaf, or else at prayers.
Bran.
I, so they had need, to ask forgivness
For all their tricks. How out of countenance, Uncle,
Will my Mistress be when she sees me?
Cast.
And my Mistress too, Nephew.
Bran.
Why there's one comfort yet, they did not run
After other men; I'de have made any man smoak
That shou'd have been so bold to have ventur'd
On my Mistress.—What, no body come yet?—Knock again;
These be fine tricks.
[Bottolo knocks.
Bot.
Not a distressed Damsel yet appears
Out of the sacred Castle:—Now one bolts;
[Enter Nun.
We shall have a godly Exhortation,
Whither we get any Women, or no.
Nun.
What means this earnest knocking at the Gates?
Bran.
What a foolish question's that? we wou'd come in.
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Our Laws forbid that men shou'd enter here.
Bran.
Fiddle faddle, I'le come in, and fetch others out too;
See who shall say me nay.
Nun.
Use no rude force, 'twill be a disrespect
To Heaven, as well as want of manners:
Is there a cause for all this passion?
Bran.
Yes, that there is; here you shelter every Run-away;
Bring 'um out, or I'le feeze you.
Bot.
Why he'l beat her; 'tis a fierce Hector.
Nun.
What is it you demand, or whom?
Bran.
Why, we demand Samira and Emilia;
Here is her Uncle, and the others Father:
My name's Signior Brancadoro; you have heard on't
I warrant you, e're now.
Nun.
I know not what you mean.
Mor.
'Tis true, holy Maid, such we have lost,
And hither they are fled.
Nun.
Certainly, Sir, there are none such here.
But I'le go in and ask the truth.
Cast.
We thank you.
[Exit Nun.
Bran.
'Slid, if she had not left her tricks and denials
I wou'd have hit her a dowse in the chops.
Bot.
Like enough; perhaps he ne're struck any body in his life,
And now wou'd flesh himself upon a Woman.
Enter Nun.
Nun.
Here are no such persons as you enquire for.
Mor.
How, how! why my Daughter Emilia left a Letter
Upon her Table, expressing she fled hither,
For some trouble she had within her.
Nun.
There's some abuse in this; for but e'ne now
There was a Friar that enquir'd for these Ladies;
He held a Gentleman seem'd hurt to death:
He was earnest, as you are; but he was satisfi'd,
As you may please to be.
Bran.
No, it does not please us to be satisfi'd;
Nor will we be satisfied; let's in and search.
—That hurt Gentleman was Cialto, without question.
—Now if I cou'd but find my Mistress.
[Aside.
Nun.
I hope you do not mean to be injurious.
Cast.
I hope you do not think it lawful
To conceal Children from their Parents; this wou'd be
The refuge then of every wilful Child.
Nun.
Pray believe you are not now abus'd;
By our best hopes there are no such Persons
Within our Walls; we wou'd not for a world deny a Truth.
Mor.
This is strange; but we must believe.
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But we may chuse whither we will or no.
Nun.
Heaven restore all you have lost,
And then preserve it to you.
Cast.
We thank you.
[Exit Nun.
Bran.
I'le not thank her; a pox of her truths;
I'le not be couzen'd by any holy Jugler of them all.
Mor.
Come, let's not neglect to enquire some other way;
'Tis vain to linger here.
Signior Brancadoro, what course take you?
Bran.
I'le go about a little business, and presently
Set some to enquire; if she be above-ground, I'le have her.
Cast.
Farewel, Signior; we'l lose no time neither.
[Exit Castruccio and Moreno.
Bran.
Some comfort yet, that I have such fair hopes:
Cialto's dead; now I shall keep my Estate quietly;
And if I cou'd but find my Mistress, I shou'd have her too.
Now the roaring Lion's dead, I dare look after my prey.
Well,—what's best to do? let me consider.
Enter Villerotto.
Vill.
What, is he studying? why the devil
Does he thus seem to search for prudent thoughts,
That has not lodging in his brains for one?
Yet he studies; somthing is in the matter.
Fortune, that brought those beautious Prisoners under
My power, prosper me now in driving of my bargain.—Sir.
Bran.
How now?—O Villerotto, come just in the nick;
I want thy advise and help; my Mistress
Is not here at the Nunnery.
Vil.
How, Sir! not at the Nunnery! why, you told me that
Emilia had left a Note upon her Table,
That she was fled hither; and is neither here?
Bran.
Pox of her Note; neither she nor Samira are here.
Vill.
Who told you this?
Bran.
Why a little harlotry Nun.
Vill.
She lied sure.
Bran.
I said so; I was going once to hit her a cuff o'th' ear,
But that she told me some good news.
Vill.
What was that?
Bran.
She told me a Gentleman was dying, and a Friar
Has carried him away; that's you know who.
Hast heard any news?
Vill.
Yes, your enemy is dead.
Bran.
For certain?
Vill.
So 'tis reported generally.
Bran.
Why, I have nothing then to fear but his ghost;
And if that shou'd be troublesom, I'le quiet him,
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Now if I cou'd but find my Mistress.—But Uillerotto,
If any of the Rogues shou'd be taken that know thee.
Vill.
I hope not, Sir.
Bran.
Hope!—is't come to that? Art not sure,—ha?
Now shall not I sleep one wink this night;
I shall do nothing but think and dream,
And dream, and think of Judges, Serjeants, Bars,
And Hangmen; wou'd I had ne're medled with it.
Vill.
There is a way, Sir, to secure you.
Bran.
Name it, name it, good Villerotto.
Vill.
I must go plant, Sir, in another Country;
Then you are safe.
Bran.
Why, faith and troth I shall be loth to part with thee;
But what must be, must be; Friends must part.
—Wou'd I were well rid of him.
[Aside.
If thou think'st it fit, I shall be rul'd.
Vill.
And consent I shall be gone.
Bran.
But against my will, as I'me an honest man;
For let the worst come to the worst, I know thou woud'st not
Betray me,—wou'dst thou, Villerotto?—ha?
Vill.
Nay, I cannot tell what operation
A Rack and Torture might have on me; I am flesh and blood.
Bran.
So am I too, I know it by my shaking.
This was a bugs word;—wou'd he were gone.
[Aside.
Nay, Villerotto, 'tis for thy safety too as well as mine,
That I consent; when wou'd'st go?
Vill.
Soft, Sir, somthing is first to be consider'd on.
Bran.
What's that? what's that?
Vill.
First tell me, Sir, is there no news of the Ladies?
Bran.
No, no; neither tale nor tidings.
Vill.
Have Signior Castruccio nor Moreno
Heard nothing neither?
Bran.
Not a syllable; I have told you all.
Vill.
Are not the old Gentlemen much troubled?
You bear your losses pretty well, Sir.
Bran.
I have took on too, that I have,
As much as the best of 'um; it has made me
Ready to hang my self; but while my money's left
I shan't part with this world easily; yet I wou'd give somwhat
More than I'le say, to get my Mistress once again.
Vill.
What wou'd you give, Sir?
Bran.
Nay, nothing, unless I were sure to have her,
And then sure she wou'd not run away agen.
Vill.
What wou'd you give to marry her?
Bran.
I, I, that's the business that I am to look after;
I must get some Heirs quickly,
For fear the Brancadoro's Race shou'd cease.
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That were pity.—
[Aside.
But if I cou'd be instrumental, nay, the only means
To find your Mistress out, and then marry her to you, what then?
Bran.
Why, she may run away afterwards, for ought I know.
Vill.
But what if I shou'd put you to bed together? after that
'Twill bee too late for her to take her flight.
Bran.
I marry sir; do this, and Ile give thee twenty Crowns.
Vill.
I thought so—You are wondrous bountiful:
But not to trifle longer, look you, Sir,
If you sign this for my comfortable subsistence, I'le be gone;
[He shews a Writing.
'Tis to secure you in a certain Safety:
And into the bargain I'le help you to your Mistress;
You shall wed her, and bed her.
Bran.
What is't? let's see.
Vill.
There's the Sum, Sir.
[He points in the writing. Brancadoro reads it.
Bran.
How! Two thousand Crowns a year!
I'le give two thousand of my Teeth as soon.
Vill.
Why then, Sir, take your chance, and I'le take mine:
I must not starve, nor will I.
Bran.
But if thou shoud'st not help me to her.
Vill.
Then I'le be gone, and forfeit my reward.
Bran.
I wou'd fain have her; but I wou'd fain keep my money:
But if I don't he'l betray me, or cut my throat;
[Aside.
'Tis a terrible dogged Fellow.
Well, Villerotto, I'le think on't; come along, we'l go try
If we can drive a bargain:—But dost know where she is?
Vill.
That I do not tell you; 'tis enough, I'le run the venture.
Hark you, Sir.
[He whispers.
Enter Miranzo.
Mir.
Ha!—'tis he; 'tis Brancadoro and his Rascal,
That did attempt Cialto's life: Fortune sure
Has offer'd them thus fairly to me, to make some use of:
I hope they know me not; I'le try:
Save you, Gentlemen;—may it not appear rude to ask you
If you know one call'd Signior Brancadoro?
Bran.
Yes, I know him as well as I know my self.
Mir.
I have a little business with him, Sir,
And wou'd be glad to know where I might find him.
Bran.
Why, did not I tell you I knew him as well as my self?
That's as much as to say, I am he, if you mean
The Honorable Brancadoro, Son
And Heir to Brancadoro, who was lately
The great rich Senator.
Mir.
'Tis he, Sir, I mean, whose known worth
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Of a black scandal some wild tongues have cast upon him.
Bran.
What's the business? if they talk of me,
I'le make 'em hold their Tongues.
Vill.
How's this!
[Aside.
Mir.
It will deserve your ear, Sir:
The cause that made me knowing of your wrongs,
Such I dare call 'um, was by some discourse
That happen'd of the unfortunate Cialto's death;
There 'twas reported, that an idle Fellow,
Who takes on him the title of a Captain,
Gives out that he was hir'd by a Servant of yours
To murder him; and they talk as if the Captain,
And his leud Companions, had been secur'd,
At least search'd after, by the direction of a Friar,
But what Friar I cou'd not hear.
Vill.
Plague on that holy Rascal.
[Aside.
Bran.
Hey, hey, a Friar! what Friar, Villerotto?
Vill.
Why the devil do you ask me? I know no Friar.
O the damn'd Coxcomb!
[Aside.
Mir.
They grow concern'd; it works.
[Aside.
Bran.
Villerotto, d' hear? if thou cou'dst be sure to help me
To Samira, and then woud'st be gone into another Country,
I wou'd sign the Writing.
Vill.
I'le do it, Sir; nor shall you set your hand too't,
Till I have shew'd you I can do it:—But hark you, Sir,
If you shall then refuse it, I'le betray all.
Bran.
Like enough; I must do't.
[Aside.
Vill.
Ha,—a lucky phancy mingles on the sudden
Among my crouding thoughts; 'tis excellent;
This Friar may be a fit person,—I'le try him.—
Let me see,—'tis right.—If I joyn Brancadoro to his Mistress,
That way my Fortune's gain'd; and to be safe,
This Friar shall make Emilia mine;
That done, her Friends will ne're endure to see
Her Husband hang'd; though Brancadoro share part of the Feast,
Yet by his leave I'le taste both dishes first.—Sir,
Pray give me leave to ask this honest Friar
Some questions in relation to your service.
Bran.
With all my heart.
Vill.
You cannot tell, Sir, whither these Rascals
Are yet in custody, or not?
Mir.
No, Sir.
Vill.
Nor cou'd you hear what Friar this is?
Mir.
I am almost a stranger in Sienna.
Vill.
I like that.—
[Aside.
You have express'd a great kindness and respect
For my Master Brancadoro; possibly, Sir,
I cou'd propose a service you might do him
48
Mir.
I shou'd be glad to have that in my power, Sir.
Vill.
Perhaps men of your Profession may scruple
To do a thing in private, without the allowance of all Parties.
Mir.
What mean you, Sir?
Vill.
Hark you, a word in private.
Mir.
Let me alone, Sir, to make good the title,
And fit the party ready for possession.
Vil.
O happy accident! I am ravish'd with my good fortune.
Mir.
What means all this? I'le try the bottom of it.
[Aside.
Vil.
Come, Sir, be chearful, and be confident
[To Brancad.
In a few hours I'le make you safe and happy.
If your occasions, reverend Sir, permit you
To undertake what I have mention'd to you,
I'le shew you suddenly your Clients.
Mir.
I am ready, Sir.
Vill.
You must engage to secresie.
Mir.
Upon my holiness.
Vill.
Nay, you have forsworn that already in your discourse.
Mir.
Upon my life, Sir.
Vill.
Come, Sir, to your house then, there you shall see
What I will do in order to my promise.—Sir,
I hope this reverend person shall receive
Rewards proportionable to that service
He is engag'd to do you:—but—
When we come there you must be pleas'd to use
A little patience, till I have brought together
The persons you must tye in sacred Bonds.
I'le on before, Sir.
[Exit Villerotto.
Mir.
I shall observe all you direct.
Bran.
What does he mean tro?
Mir.
I cannot guess; but I beiieve 'tis somthing
In order to your service.
Bran.
Nay, 'tis a notable Fellow; and you wou'd say so,
Did you know as much as I:
As cunning as my Mistress is, he'l go near
To hunt her out, let her make as many doubles as she will.
Come, Sir, I'le bid you welcom at my house;
'Tis not the worst in Sienna; you shall take a full view of it.
Mir.
You oblige me, Sir.
[Exeunt.
| The Surprisal | |