 | The Italian Husband |  |
SCENE I.
[Enter Dutchess, Amidea, Florella, Rodrigo.The Dutchess drups her Glove as she enters, Rodrigo takes it up and kisses it, presents it to her on his knees, she turns away in anger.
Rod.
Madam, your Glove—
Dutch.
Your sawcy service does offend:
Dutchess gives t'other Glove to Amid. who takes that from Rodrigo which she let fall.
Amidea, fetch me another pair,
Oft have I frown'd on your insolence:
Officious Sycophant, if ever more thou dost presume
The Duke shall know—
Enter Duke, Fidalbo giving him a Paper.
Duke.
What, my Alonisia?
Dutch.
Rodrigo has been faulty, but I forgive him;
The solemnity of the day requires it.
2
This is the second year we have solemniz'd
Our Matrimonial Vows,—
This day I took thee from the Great Duke's hand,
By Royal bounty, given for my Bride.
Why dost though sigh?
Whenever I am talking thus to thee,
Thy Bosome heaves, and thy Cheeks change colour.
Dutch.
Oft have I wonder'd that your Breast, my Lord,
Shou'd not partake the same concern with mine:
My mind labours under many doubts.
Duke.
What are they?—for I long to hear:
[Aside.
Vent them in my bosome,
And I will ease thee of thy burden.
Dutch.
Why from my Infancy, was I bred up
In lonely Convents, and from hence remote,
No Friend or Parent e're appearing there
To own me for their Child, or let me know
Who gave me birth;
Or what my Quality may be,
Duke.
'Tis true!
Dutch.
Then brought to Court, by the Great Dukes command,
And e're I cou'd survey the spacious Roof,
Or know what noise of Pomp and Greatness meant,
In this amaze and change of station,
Given for a Bride, my Lord, to you.
Duke.
'Tis strange—
[aside.
I fear'd her mind had wandrings after Court.
[aside.
Dutch.
And stranger yet, why after Marriage
None shou'd reveal my Birth.
If not to me, to you my Lord.—
Duke.
I press'd the Duke to know that Secret once,
But he reply'd, I've given you a rich Gem,
What need you be inquisitive
From which Cabinet I took it,
Or on what Rock engendred.
Dutch.
'Tis very strange—
3
Duke.
And this the reason why I left the Palace,
And am retir'd with thee, my life's whole blessing,
To these my Villa's—but no more:
Is the Musick ready?
Dutch.
What Paper's that?
Duke.
Fidalbo, my Secretary, presents
The Arguments of some Songs he has compos'd
For this Days Entertainment:
I think them not improper—
Dutch.
Let 'em begin.
[Duke and Dutchess seat themselves in Arbors. Attendants on each side.
Enter Singers and Dancers. Shepherds, Shepherdesses, a Court Lady and a Citizens Daughter.
First, An Anniversary Song on the Dukes Wedding.
1.
Joy to the youthful happy pair;Thus blest you are, by Hymen joyn'd:
May you love on, from year to year,
And by Enjoyment prove more kind:
Then with your days Love will encrease,
And you sit crown'd with Joy and Peace.
In Lovers hearts all joys abound,
When Love with Constancy is crown'd.
2.
Ne're may unwelcome Care molest.The lovely Bride nor Bridegrooms breast:
Keep firm your Faith, and value Truth,
Then Age will be as blest as Youth:
In Lovers hearts all joys abound,
When Love with Constancy is crown'd.
Keep firm your Faith, and value Truth,
Then Age will be as blest as Youth.
4
In praise of a Country Life.
1st Shepherdess.
2nd Shepherdess.
1st Shep.
2d Shep.
1st Shep.
1st Shepherdess.
O happy
Nymph is she
Who leads a rural life;
From Court Ambition free,
From City Noise and Strife:
Grant me (ye Gods) so sweet a life.
Chor.
Who leads a rural life;
From Court Ambition free,
From City Noise and Strife:
Grant me (ye Gods) so sweet a life.
Grant me, &c.
2nd Shepherdess.
We see our Flocks at distance feed,
The Fountains clear, the Sky serene;
The Herds are grazing in the Meads,
Whilst Maids are milking of the Kine.
Chor.
The Fountains clear, the Sky serene;
The Herds are grazing in the Meads,
Whilst Maids are milking of the Kine.
O happy Nymph, &c.
1st Shep.
The Spring affords us Flowers
That deck the gaudy Fields;
Summer gives us Shady Bowers,
Where Birds their nat'ral Musick yield.
Chor.
That deck the gaudy Fields;
Summer gives us Shady Bowers,
Where Birds their nat'ral Musick yield.
O happy Nymph, &c.
2d Shep.
Autumn bring us Corn and Fruits,
Which are laid up for Winter store:
We Sing and Dance, and Tune our Flutes,
Ah! what can Mortals wish for more.
Chor.
Which are laid up for Winter store:
We Sing and Dance, and Tune our Flutes,
Ah! what can Mortals wish for more.
O happy Nymph, &c.
1st Shep.
When Winter comes, and Cold prevails,
Around the shining Hearth we sit;
With pleasant pastimes, merry tales,
The nights are spent in Mirth and Wit.
Chor.
Around the shining Hearth we sit;
With pleasant pastimes, merry tales,
The nights are spent in Mirth and Wit.
O happy Nymph, &c.
5
In derision of a Country Life. By a Court Lady and a Citizen.
Court L.
Fond Nymphs, from us true pleasure learn,
There is no Musick in a Churm:
The Milk-maids sing beneath the Cow,
The Sheep do bleat, the Oxen lowe:
Court L & Citiz.
If these are comforts for a Wife,
Defend, defend me from a Country life.
Court L.
The Team comes home, the Plowman whistles,
The great Dog barks, the Turkey-cock bristles,
The Jackdaws caw, the Magpyes chatter,
Quack, quack, cry the Ducks, that swim in the water.
Court L. & Citiz.
If these are comforts, &c.
Citiz.
Then melancholy crows the Cock,
And dull is the sound of th'Village Clock;
The Leaden hours pass slow away:
Thus yawning Mortals spend the day.
Citiz. & Court L.
If these are comforts, &c.
A Dance.
Court L.
Fond Nymphs, from us true pleasure learn,
There is no Musick in a Churm:
The Milk-maids sing beneath the Cow,
The Sheep do bleat, the Oxen lowe:
Court L & Citiz.
If these are comforts for a Wife,
Defend, defend me from a Country life.
Court L.
The Team comes home, the Plowman whistles,
The great Dog barks, the Turkey-cock bristles,
The Jackdaws caw, the Magpyes chatter,
Quack, quack, cry the Ducks, that swim in the water.
Court L. & Citiz.
If these are comforts, &c.
Citiz.
Then melancholy crows the Cock,
And dull is the sound of th'Village Clock;
The Leaden hours pass slow away:
Thus yawning Mortals spend the day.
Citiz. & Court L.
If these are comforts, &c.
Court Lady in praise of a Court Life.
Court L.
Give me the gay and splendid Court,
The lofty Roofs adorn'd with Gold,
Where all the Great and Fair resort,
The Noble and the Bold.
There highest Honours are acquir'd,
Kings are Ador'd, and Beauty is Admir'd.
The Court is a Lady's proper sphere,
O let me live for ever there.
Chor.
O let me live, &c.
6
1st & 2d Shep.
Oh who wou'd be anothers Slave,
That may herself be free;
And pay that Homage she might have,
Or Bondage take for Liberty?
The Citizen in praise of the City.
Cit.
The Court is but show, and vain tittle tattle,
Then give me the City, where in Coaches we rattle;
Tho not quite so nice, nor modishly drest,
We're rich in our Jewels, and wear of the best.
The Courtiers spend all, and ever are needy,
The Citizen gets, yet still he is greedy.
He ne're boggles at Usury, nor at Extortion,
Tho the Father is damn'd, the Child gets a Portion.
Then happy are we, whose Parents are civil,
For blest is the Child whose Father goes to the Devil.
They truly know the pleasures of life;
There's nothing like being a Citizens Wife.
Chor.
We truly know, &c.
Enter at Page.
Page.
Marquis Alfonso alights from his Chariot, and
sends your Grace word he brings Letters from the Great
Duke.
Duke.
All attend him in.
Dut.
My Lord, I'll retire to another Walk.
Duke.
No Alouisia, stay,
And learn the Message of this Embassie.
Dutc.
I obey.
Duke.
Your Virtue does obey, but your Beauty
Rules the Empire of my heart.
7
What Honor, most noble Marquis, is this
You do my House and me: You find me out
In Solitude, and close Retreat?
Alfon.
I know your Grace receives no Visitors,
Nor Audience gives to Ceremonious Guests;
The Dukes Commands alone have brought me
Here: These Letters will excuse this Interruption.
Duke.
Obedience to Soveraign Power has no restraint:
You're welcome; How fares the Duke?
Alf.
Well, when he did give these Papers to my trust.
He spoke of you with great Indulgence;
Bid him to read, consider, and answer.
Duke.
This is the Noble Alfonso.
[Speaks to the Dutchess
Lately return'd from his long Travels.
Receive him with the favour of your presence,
Whilst I retire, and read the Duke's Commands.
Alf.
Hah!
[Aside, looking at the Dutchess
Dutc.
His Merits and his Honour claim their due,
And all must Tribute pay to such desert.
Alf.
Astonishment!
Dutch.
What surprize!
Duke.
One hour I borrow for retirement:
What these import I long to know.
Exit Duke and Attendants.
| The Italian Husband | |