University of Virginia Library

SCEN. I.

Enter Cialto solus.
Cial.
Why do I still pursue, what still must fly,
And what I dare not wish to overtake?
It seems like the pursuit of night, which follows day
In the same track, and yet can never reach it;
That distance nature did for them decree,
And honour has design'd the same for me:
Yet still there is a mutiny within
Against those Laws which honour strictly makes;
And passion like a cunning Traitor sets
The name of liberty on its own Rebellion.

Enter Baptista, Montalto, and his two Companions.
Bap.
Sir.

Cia.
Ha, Baptista!

Bap.
A word, Sir, in your ear—My Master, Sir, by chance
Has lighted on the Villains that attempted you;
He thought it fit that you shou'd first examine 'um,
As Kinsman to your self, and to that end
Has sent them to you; farther, he bid me tell you
That in a little time you will perceive
You wrong'd him in your thoughts.

Cia.
Prethee say no more;
My thoughts have so much disproportion in them,
That they are neither just nor equal unto my self, or him;
Has he not sent his pardon by thee?

Bap.
He can take nothing ill of you Sir,
Perhaps he did admire a little.

Cia.
He is a perfect friend, and can love one
Whose Minde is lost, as well as Fortunes.
—Now Gentlemen have you received your wages?

Mon.
For what, Sir?

Cia.
For killing my Kinsman Cialto.

Mon.
We hope he is not dead.

Cia.
D'you hope so, rascals; come confess
Every circumstance, how it was done,
And who hir'd you to't; if you miss a tittle—or—

Mon.
This Gentleman told us,
If we did confess, we shou'd not suffer.

Cia.
Well, if you do it truly, and afterwards
Perform all I enjoyn you, I will make good his word:
Come, who hir'd you?

Mon.
It was an ill minded man, Sir,
One that belong'd to Signior Brancadoro.

Cia.
Was it his Masters instruction?

Mon.
I, no doubt on't, Sir.

Cia.
Did he say so?

Mon.
Yes, and more too.

Cia.
What more?

Mon.
Why, he told us, it was an honourable action,
And therefore wou'd share in't himself;
And accordingly he said his Master shou'd reward us.

Cia.
You know him when you see him?

Mon.
Yes, yes, Sir.

1 Com.
Good Sir, let us not suffer, we have your word.

Cial.
Trust to it; have you any more to say?

Mon.
Nothing Sir, of any consequence.

Cia.
Well, what trivial thing have you?

Mon.
When we were waiting Sir,
For that worthy and unhappy Gentleman Cialto,
A couple of silly women by chance came by, and the rascal
Snatch'd them up too; all was fish that came to his net.

Cia.
How, Women? what Women? speak, quickly, ha—

Mon.
Why does your worship grow angry?

Cio.
Speak Dogs, what Women?

Mon.
What a rogue was I to name them,
'Slid, 'tis he himself.

[Aside.
1 Com.
You must be over-doing it.

Mon.
Plague on you, did not you advise to tell all?
Nay, more then all if need were?

Cia.
It may be it was Samira and Emilia: rogues, what women?

Mon.
Good Sir, we know not;
But he talk'd of their running away
Upon their Wedding day,
And took them, as he said, upon suspicion
Of murdering his master Brancadoro.

Cia.
It must be they, the circumstance assures it.
O you dogs, did you help take them! I'le send
Your mischievous souls to that devil that instructs them.

Mon.
O good Sir, we hope you are the Gentleman,
And there's no hurt done, O good Sir.

1 Com.
Remember your promise, Sir.

Mon.
We have more to confess Sir;
Or if you please, we'l unconfess it all again.

Cia.
I had forgot to ask, what did the slave do with them?

Mon.
He sent them prisoners to his masters house, as we think.

Cia.
O heavens! Rogues, Prisoners! come along with me;
For if I finde you tell me any lyes,
I'le spoil your throats from venting any more.
Come good Baptista, help guard the Rascals;
If they but offer to stir, kill 'um.
I'le carry back to the slaves heart
All these intended mischiefs,
And break upon them like a whirle-winde,
Wrapping them up together into nothing.

[Exeunt hastily.