University of Virginia Library

Actus Primus.

Enter Filomarini, Gioseppe, and Peralta.
Per.
Come, come; as sure as I am in my wits,
My Lord Filomarini, you are mad:
You would not go to Sea else at your years.

Fil.
To Sea? no, if I do, let me be drown'd.

[to Gioseppe.
Per.
Are you so old, you've liv'd past sense of danger?

Fil.
I've lived past th'age of telling him my secrets.

Per.
Or so poor, that Need makes you trust your life
To Planks and Billows?

Fil.
Is my Wine aboord?

Gios.
'Tis stow'd, and all your Goods.

Per.
All your Discretion,
That's stow'd too; your Grave Wisdom's under Hatches,
Princess Diacelia's Guardian wants a Guardian.

Fil.
Princess Leandra wants a Guardian;
This Pirate little thinks she's landed here,
And that my Voyage ends in her Arrival.

Per.
Turn Child again? now, when you have invited
All Naples to a Feast, you'l not stay dinner;
Pray, do but eat your breakfast with your friends.

Fil.
But is Leandra grown the greater beauty
My son's Bride, Diacelia, was the sweeter.

Gios.
Your Lordship knew Leandra in her childhood,
You'l see her finely built, so tite, so yare;
She lacks but you at Helm.

Fil.
And I can Steer.
I shall keep her from falling foul upon
Lugo Filomarini. Where the Devil
Did my Son Lugo meet her?

Gios.
Where the Devil
Never appear'd before so near an Angel,
At Church, with the Greek Cheather cursed Mother,
That passes here for an Illustrious Lady;
The Vice-Roy heard she was a Grecian Princess.

Per.
Was ever a Vagary so well tim'd?
This morning, when your Son is to reap here
The Harvest which you sow'd in the Isle of Candy,
To marry a young Princess; you are going
To solace your cold body with the Mermaids.

Fil.
To Princess Diacelia be a Traitor!
On's Wedding-Eve fall in love with Leandra!

Gios.
At th'Altar: down he fell upon his knees,
And would have pray'd to Her, but that I whisper'd,
Take heed, Sir, how you set up a new Saint,
He that kneels there is an Inquisitor;
This frighted him from Superstition;
But then he fell to Witchcraft, with th'Impostress
Her Mother, the Greek Devil, made a Compact,
That is, a Bargain, for twelve thousand Pistols,
And struck a March.

Fil.
Hey boy! how sits the Wind?

Gios.
Fore-right, and a brisk Gale.

Per.
There's such a wind
In your head; my good Lord, you hear not me.

Fil.
Why did they not marry upon the place?

Gios.
Because the Greek Leech holds it proper first
To purge your son, and Bleed him in the Purse:
She'l first be sure of his twelve thousand Pistols.

Fil.
Captain Peralta, there's not such a wind
In my head, but I hear thee, and know, all
Thou sai'st is nothing; answer'd in a word
(The little Word, that governs the great World)
Int'rest; advantage calls me, I'm concern'd
To leave my Son on's Wedding-day, no less
Than he to complement his Guests, or kiss
His Bride, and I will do't as heartily.

Enter Lugo.
Per.
Answer your Son so, he's here (I have prest.
Your father's Stay, to make him go his Voiage,
[to Lugo
He'l sail, near fear'r) break my Lord Lugo's heart;

Fil.
Hold up thy head, boy; I may come again,
But if it be my Destiny to sink,
I leave thee' a Fortune to buoy up thy heart.
I leave thee' a Bride to multiply my Honor.

Lug.
There's two good Fortunes.

Fil.
And the third's not ill,
I leave thee' a Friend, my old Camrade in Candy;
This Spanish Captain, to draw his Sword for thee;
Embrace him, he's experienc'd, take his counsel;
Take heed he cheat not; if a Spaniard got him
in his Ear,
'Twas on a Gipsie, for he lives by Pillage,
in his Ear,
The Trade that set him up was Pyracy;
Had the Rogue been a Neopolitan,
(He's stout and subtile) he'd have made a rare
Bandite.

Lug.
You would make a rare Gally-slave,
[aside.
For you can Look one way and Row another.
The Captain may be needful, when I quarrel.

Fil.
Use him, but trust thy self. So, farewel Naples.
No further, son, my blessing: I have bless'd
Th'Excellent Princess Diacelia,
Thy Bride, be worthy of her; and remember,
Remember, Sirra, that her Ancestors
Were Soveraign Princes; and (although I am
Her Guardian, yet) that I impos'd not thee
Upon her, but thou art her own free choice;
Remember how thou wert oblig'd, when she
Refus'd my Nephew, the Prince of Salerno.

Per.
You'l give me leave to wait you to the Port?

Fil.
To cut thee off, I draw a line, this River
Of Rubicon no Soldier is to pass.

Exeunt Fil. & Gios.
Lug.
No talking to th'old man; is he not drunk?

Per.
He may be so, he took care for his Wine.

Lug.
More than he did for me; I'd rather be
My Father's Sack or Claret, than his Son,
He's better at chusing of Wines than Brides.

Per.
He chose, for you, a Princess.

Lugo.
But 'twas I
That should have chosen for my self. O Captain!
I would have took Leandra in her Smock,
Rather than marri'd Princess Diacelia
With all Bulgaria', had she't in possession.
My Father shews his judgment.

Per.
He was thought
(Ere he ran Sea-mad) wise.

Lug.
Yes, for himself;
Like an unnatural Moor, he would take money
Ev'n for the chaining of his son to th'Oar:
But, Captain, thou hast promis'd to redeem me
From the worst of all Slaveries, a loath'd Marriage.

Per.
I use not to redeem, but to sell Slaves.
Would I could make a Bargain for his Lordship.
[aside.
My Lord, I hope to serve you [such a trick
As yet you never saw] but the contrivance
Must be consider'd in a place more private.
Enter Salerno and Iberio.
See, the Prince of Salerno and his Friend
My Lord Iberio, who commands the Forces
Design'd for Candy.

Lug.
By their whispering,
It seems, they would be private too; leave them
The house, we'l take a turn or two i'th' Garden,
My Bride is not yet dress'd, there's time enough.

Exeunt Lugo & Peralta.
Iber.
She is the most—

Sal.
Inconstant, you would say:
Speak softlier.

Iber.
Why not lowder? 'tis a truth.

Sal.
But, friend, all truths are not to be proclaim'd.
Prethee, my Lord Iberio, do not vex
Thy self, because a Woman proves a Woman:
Be thou a Man, laugh, as I do.

Iber.
You may
Have cause to laugh.

Sal.
Thou hast almost as much,
For, our two Cases differ, like two Clocks,
About some half an hour; thy Mistress comes
From the Church marri'd, mine's going to be marri'd,
I give her.

Iber.
Pish, you cannot, if you lov'd her.

Sal.
Special Considerations moving us,
I lov'd her for her Person, she was handsom;
I lov'd her for her Fortune, she was Rich;
I lov'd her for her Title, though the Turk
Usurps her Country of Bulgaria,
Still she's a Princess: Princess of Salerno
I wish'd her, but my cousin Lugo had
The preference; and since I must not be
Her Husband, I'le e'n be her Reverend Father,
And give her. VVhat think'st thou of my Resolve?

Iber.
I think, there's ne'r a Prince in Italy
Better than you are, at digesting Willow.

Sal.
Willow feeds me fat, I'm a kind of Kid,
I feel my self so game-some after it,
So wanton: now am I for Mistresses,
Mistresses in abundance.

Iber.
One's too much.

Sal.
The Enemy to my Bulgarian Love,
He that unthron'd her Crown'd Progenitors,
The Great Turk, keeps not Mistresses enow:
A Mistress, Sir, may be your fairest play,
For it is possible, she may be your Mistress,
That would not be your Wife.

Iber.
Impossible,
I'l never see her more.

Sal.
What will you lay?
Enter Arviedo.
Your Cousin can resolve us, he has made it
His business to inquire. Where's Pyramena?

Arv.
She's in the House.

Iber.
In this House, Arviedo?

Arv.
Her Husband told me, she was going hither:
And when his Highness lighted from his Coach,
Her Chair was carri'd in.

Sal.
A Plot! she marri'd
So early, to meet thee, and make Proposals:
But she will lose her Time, and I my Sport,
If the Bride be not hasten'd.
Exit Salerno.

Iber.
I would make
The Prince no sport, but that I have ingag'd
To dine here.

Arv.
Better you would dine at home,
For, Pyramena's husband, Decio,
Arm'd with Gold, that puts Confidence in Cow'rds,
Offers to every wanting hand a Bribe
To poyson you.

Iber.
Decio poison me?
Thy kind fear thinks (now he has marry'd her
I should have had) that he must with my life
Secure his Purchase.

Arv.
He attempted me.

Iber.
Do not I know, he loves to droll with thee?

Arv.
He would scarce droll away the Sum he offer'd.

Iber.
To thee? my kinsman, one that I bred up?

Arv.
He urg'd my Obligation and Relation
As the best Blinds, told me, that I might act
In his revenge, and make my self a Fortune,
Like a destructive Mountebank, that thrives
By Poyson, first takes Money, then takes Lives.

Iber.
In Rhime? but he's an Illustrissimo
Of Venice and Parnassus, a rich Poet:
Would thou hadst took his Money.

Arv.
And given you
The Poyson? sure I sooner should have drunk it.

Sal.
I dare be sworn thou would'st.

Aav.
And can you wish
Such Faith corrupted?

Sal.
No, my noble Cousin,
'Tis to prevent a Rogue that might be hir'd,
That I wish thee employ'd.

Arv.
On that account,
I'l take his Gold, and undertake your Murder;
To serve your Lordship I'l be any thing,
Your Pois'ner to preserve you.

Sal.
Were he bold,
I might suspect, that Decio would revenge
His Sister Ericina.

Arv.
She that dy'd
For love of you.

Sal.
But from so soft a spirit
I apprehend no danger, howe'r sound him.

Exit Arviedo.
Enter Salerno, Diacelia, Pyramena, and Attendants.
Sal.
Well, Princess Diacelia, my first Love,
Although you make your unseen Guest, my Heart,
A Mourner at your Wedding; yet those Joys
From which you banish me, I wish to you.

Dia.
In the Prince of Salerno's Arms I wish
A better Wife.

Sal.
Bar curses; no Wife, Madam,
Mistresses what you please.

Dia.
Fie, fie, Sir, leave
This Raillerie.

Sal.
Leave you your frowning then;
Learn of your Senior Bride there, how to smile
Pyram. smiles on Iberio.
On a condemn'd pris'ner of Love. He frowns?
Abominable! frown when his Mistress smiles?
Pardon my zeal, Madam, I hope my Friend
May have a Mistress.

Dia.
Not of Pyramena;
She's Virtuous, tak't upon my word.

Sal.
He Sings.

Dia.
What a strange wild-brain'd husband have I scap'd!

Iber.
You think, I take this for a current smile,
I know 'tis counterfeit, gilt brass, your Face
Puts mirth on, when your Conscience is tormented.

Py.
My conscience?

Iber.
Have you none? or is't a-sleep?
It shall be wak'd, I'l thunder.

Py.
If Heav'n thunder'd
I should not tremble, for I am not guilty.

Iber.
Then you'are not marri'd?

Py.
I am Wife to Decio,
No Lord, but equal to a Lord of Naples,
A Gentleman of Venice. When will't thunder?
I see no Lightning yet.

Iber.
The Clap comes now,
(Avoid it, if you can) did you not swear
You would be my Wife?

Py.
Did not you swear first,
That you would not be jealous? were ye not?
Fell you not out with me, for visiting
My Kindred? then I marri'd: Where's my crime?
'Tis you that should fear Thunder, you are perjur'd,
You broke th'Oath upon which my Oath was built,
And Superstructures always fall to ground,
When their Foundation sinks. Can you deny it?

Iber.
Mine was not Jealousie, but Tenderness
Of your Repute: 'tis a censorious Clime
We live in; from the Liberty you took,
I fear'd a popular Scandal on your Honor.

Py.
It seems so, by th'Insolence of your Language;
Did you not tell me, that the world would say
Iberio was a fool to venture her
To common Courtship, that was Vow'd to him—

Sal.
This makes for me, if Vows have past between them;
May not Iberio court his own Wife, Madam?

[to Dia.
Iber.
And would you leave me for a hasty word?

Py.
Yes, he that would controll me when my Servant,
Would tyrannize when he should be my Husband.
I have one that Vows he never will commit
Your Jealous Sin against my Innocence.
But I forgive you; something too I'l give you,
My self I cannot, you have forfeited
Your Right in me, but I'l create a Title
For you, next Husband, you shall be my Friend.

Sal.
Did not I tell thee?

[to Iberio.
Enter Gioseppe disguised, he gives a Letter to Diacelia.
Py.
If your Lordship please
To taste the First-fruit of my Bridal Board

Sal.
And Bed. Ah Rogue, wrapt in thy Mothers Smock.

Py.
You shall be the Bride's guest.

Iber.
I won't.

Sal.
Out Clown.

Dia.
Honest old friend Gioseppe, I dare say,
My Guardian, my Lord Filomarini,
Is misinform'd; for grant that his son Lugo
Had no Love for me, yet for his own Honor,
Now we are going to Church to be married,
He'd not fly off.

Gio.
But when you see the proof;
Your Highness (as your Guardian directs)
Will be pleas'd to put on the Spanish Veil,
And go with me.

Dia.
He writes, that, by your means,
He has preferr'd himself and me for Servants.
To the Greek Cheat, your Mistress. I'l obey him.

Gio.
Pray send for me, I'l wait at your Back-stairs.
[Exit Gioseppe.

Py.
My Husband is a Stranger, a Venetian,
(For when I found you jealous, I resolv'd
Never to have a Neopolitan,)
But he so loves your Town, he'l dwell with you:
And sure you cannot but love him again,
The goodest man, nothing but innocent mirth,
His whole delight is to make Songs and Masks;
I hope you'l come?

Iber.
If I do, I'l tell Decio
What an inviting Wife he has.

Py.
Your Servant.

Enter Lugo and Peralta.
Lug.
Sir, my dear Love, my good Lord, noble Lady,
Please to excuse me, that I have thus long
Defer'd the Ceremony of the Day,
I stay'd for this slow Friend: let's now to Church.

Per.
No haste: I was your Friend more than mine own,
Or else I would not have ingag'd with you
(For such a vast sum) to the Jews.

Iber.
Ingage?
Pirates ingage? will Jew trust Free-booters?

Per.
My Bill's protested, and my Credit lost,
By your neglect of Payment at your Day,
And I come not to give you Lordship Joy,
But to renounce the name of Friend to one
That has so publickly renounc'd his Honor.

Lug.
Good angry Captain, Soldiers should not be
Judges of Lovers if you come to th'Honor
Of being a Bridegroom, you will never think.
Of transitory things. When I am marri'd,
Il satisfie the Jews.

Per.
Satisfie me,
In point of Reputation. [You are out.
[aside.
Y'are out: seem mov'd; answer, Is that the business?]

Lug.
Is that the business? You have reason, Captain:
Before the Priest joyn our hands, I'l dispatch thee:
My dear, once more excuse me, if you pardon
Th'adjournment of our Marriage, my Friends will;
Indeed they would not pardon me, if I
Preferr'd the Law of Hospitality
Before the Rule of Honor. Follow, Captain.

[Exeunt Lugo & Peralta.
Sal.
Your colour changes, Madam? use my service.

Dia.
Pardon me, that I decline company,
Till my Lord comes back.

Sal.
Your obedient Servant.

[aside.
Dia.
Now I perceive my Guardian's a great Prophet.
Exit Diacelia.

Py.
This is the second time that I'm inforc'd
To give you over for th'Infirmity
You suckt from Nature, Jealousie; yet once
You had some colour, but now no pretence,
For, you are Jealous of another's Wife.
[Exit Pyramena.

Sal.
Deny another's Wife? Art thou a Man?

Iber.
Not such a man as the Prince of Salerno;
You are for serving Mistresses, But I
Serve Christendom against th'Incroaching Turk,
And so, our cross-designs must sever us.

Sal.
A cross-grain'd Dunce thou art, and so I leave thee.

Enter Arviedo.
Iber.
Stay, here my Cousin Arviedo's news,
Though there be not a Mistress in the Case;
Did thou or I ghess right?

Arv.
Your Lordship did;
For Decio vows, that when he courted me
To poison you, he meant you no more hurt
Than I, when I accepted the imployment.

Iber.
What a Droll's this?

Arv.
I have a Drolling message,
But more ridiculous.

Sal.
Better still, what is't?

Arv.
An Offer, such as man yet never made,
He calls't a Kindness: Decio prays your Lordship,
To think his House, and all within it, yours;
Though all without it be not so much worth
As one within it, and that is, his Wife.

Sal.
I vow a kindness.

Arv.
He acknowledges,
She wrong'd you in her marriage, and that you,
For her offence, might justly make your self
A stranger to his Wife, but if you do,
'Twill grieve her, and her grief will break his heart.

Sal.
By his kind heart, who would not swear this fool
Markt for thy Cuckold; wert thou not resolv'd
Never to see his Wife?

Iber.
Who told you so?

Sal.
Thou.

Iber.
True, I did, but that was in my rage,
When my hot fit was on me, now 'tis off,
I'l dine with Decio.

Arv.
Will you?

Iber.
Will I live?
I'm the Bride's guest.

Arv.
Your Highness is his friend,
Pray, Sir, disswade him, interpose your pow'r.

Iber.
What now there is a Mistris in the Case?

Arv.
But there's a Man too, and a spleenfull Man,
Decio's an Enemy.

Sal.
Decio's an Ass.

Arv.
Although he has a pretty innocent face,
Decio is not the Fool you take him for;
But would a Fool invite Him to his Wife,
And mean less than a Murder?

Sal.
I'l secure
All Avenues, he shall not be surpriz'd.

Arv.
You forget whose death Decio would revenge,
Think of his Sister.

[to Iberio.
Iber.
I think of his Wife.

Arv.
You ought to think of her as of a Syren,
That sings but to intice you to a Rock.

Iber.
In those soft Rocks there is no danger, Cousin.

Arv.
I onely fear the danger of their Honors.

[aside.
Sal.
Danger now there's a Mistris in the Case?
Mark the word Mistris, does it not sound well?

Iber.
Sweeter (by far) than Arviedo's Lute.

Sal.
Or Trills of Nightingales.

Iber.
Or Canary-Birds,
Whistling the Flajolet.

Sal.
Now, as friends should be,
We are of one mind, and I will not leave thee;
Never may he Plead more, that leaves his place
At Bar, when there's a Mistris in the Case.

[Exeunt.