 | Marciano ; or, The Discovery |  |
Actus Quartus
Scæna prima.
Enter Manduco solus, drunk.
Where is this same unhappy Boy? this Signior Becabunga
I have been making investigation, scrutination, exploration,
and speculation for him this hour, and yet I cannot find this in
dividuum vagum, as I may say—so, what are
(Enter Cass. Leon.
you, boni viri, I know, you have hurryed this Gentleman for whom
I search to some compotation, or else ad lupanar; yea, I am sure o'
indulge venery, and ebriety so much, & quid Venus ebria curat?
As a friend of mine sayes.
Cass.
The fellow's drunk sure—
Man.
—Drunk! O pervicacem hominis indolem! accusing
me of ebriety, when I am, even in sana mente constitutus, constitute
in sanity of mind: 'tis true, indeed, I have been drinking:
but it was with some of my brethren, imo fratres fraterrimi.
Leon.
What were they?
Man.
Why, there was Light-body, Laurie, Latie, Cheisly
quoq; Brounie, Bowiq; Hi enim sunt Tuscanii gloria summa
soli: besides our hospes, what d'you call him, Architabernarius,
for Arch-taverner, who is one of the commissioners for administration
of—drink—to the people of Tuscania.
Cass.
Don't you enquire for Signior Becabunga, Sir.
Man.
Yes, the very same, where is he? ubinam est?
Cass.
You will find him at the Verona tavern, hard by, with
some of his comrades.
Man.
Say you so, I will go find him then, profecto I think
I could scarce abstaine from vapulating him for this his contumacy.
Exit.
Cass.
Now Leonardo, 'tis time we were stirring, if we do not,
this match will go on.
Leon.
Nay, I'l do any thing for thee, e're thou lose her, Cassio,
Cass.
Come then; I have almost gull'd Pantaloni into a
belief, that Becabunga wrongs him, for which he swears he will
be revenged: now, if you can do the same with the other, our design
may succeed yet.
Leon.
Well, go you about your business then, fear not me.
Exit.
Cass.
Now, wit and art assist us both, I'l search my gamester
and accomplish the trick.
Exit.
Scæna Secunda.
Enter Arabella, with the Jaylor.Jayl.
Madam, I will conduct you to him once again, but you
must be very secret, for I hazard my life and reputation,
if my Lord Borasco have intelligence of this, for he gave me
strict command this morning, that I should admit none to him but
his confessor.
Ar.
I shall be very secret, I warrand you.
Jayl.
Come then, soft Madam, soft.
Exeunt, she enters again with Marciano.
Ar.
For heavens sake good my Lord,
Vpon my knees I beg it—
Marc.
This is impossible; I cannot do it;
Prove not a sweet Remora any more,
I'me now resolv'd: look to thy self, fair gemme.
Ar.
Cannot the tears of innocence prevaile.
Where is your courage now? what? are you cool?
Is all that noble blood, that formerly
Run in your veines exhausted? must a woman
Become your Trumpeter, and stirr your spirits
Since 'tis but death at all hands—
Marc.
Prethee hold,
I would most willingly (as what man will doubt)
Procure my liberty by what ever meanes
But—O here lyes my fear, thou, thou bright love,
May come to suffer by it—
Ar.
Ah my Lord.
Consider pray' that I have liberty
To go abroad at pleasure: I have gain'd
The Lord Borasco's favour: he will grant me
That which some dare not ask, nay must not think on.
I'le follow you without the least suspition.
Consider that—Strenuo hath promised
To entertaine the Jaylor in his cups,
While you be safely escap'd.
Marc.
I'le hazard then:
Bright angel of my fancy, see you follow
The rebells censure, I would rather forfait
A thousand lives.
Ar.
Doubt not of that, my Lord.
Marc.
Then once for all—O my good stars direct me.
Ar.
Farewell, my Lord, goodnesse protect you still
Embraces.
Marc.
Farewell pure quintessence of my affection
Farewell, pray heavens grant us a joyfull meeting.
Exit.
Ar.
Now, now at length, I hope he shall escape;
O supreme powers, assist him now, or never,
And ease my soul of its long burning fever.
Exit.
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Cassio, Pantaloni.Cass.
Sir, (as your friend, I speak it) Leonardo and he have
joyn'd their wits together to affront you; and you will
not beleeve what impression their false suggestions of you have
taken upon the Lady Chrysolina.
Pant.
I! So I thought, when she told me last day that she
would consult forsooth: A pox take all your consulting tricks,
say I, for I never knew any good come of womens consultations
yet.
Cass.
Right Sir, you might easily smell Leonardo's plot in that
same word, for he intends that Becabunga shall have Marionetta,
and he himself Chrysolina: for which Becabunga does sollicite
your Mistris all this while: if you look not to your self quickly
you are undone, Sir.
Pant.
I, so I guessed alwayes, for, d'you see, some women,
are the most humourous little creatures, a man shall not know
when he is in their favour, and when not: but as for Becabunga—
I'le say no more at this time: but I vow I'le cudgell
him to death so soon as I can see him.
Cass.
And please but command me, you shall not want my assistance,
I'le assure you.
Pant.
No Sir, I shall not need your help to beat such a puppet
Sir?
Cass.
So you know, I advis'd you at first, when I sent for you
to the Taberna del. Reina, while you beleeved that Becabunga
had sent for you.
Pant.
Hang him, I will hear no more of him: I will write a
challenge to him presently.
Cass.
And if you'll please to take my advice in perning on't, I will
so terrifie him.
Pant.
With all my heart, Sir, for I would have it such language
as might make him hang himself for fear: and for Leonardo, after
I have discussed Becabunga then have at him.
Cass.
If you please to employ me to carry it to him?
Pant.
Yes Sir, you shall go along with me, and help me to
write it, for the truth is I am not much us'd with such challenges,
and my mother bid me allwayes have a care of quarrelling, but an
she were burn'd I'le fight with that rascall, who has affronted
me so.
Cass.
A most generous resolution.
Pant.
Come with me Sir.
Cass.
Now, Leonardo, play thy game, or never.
Aside.
Exeunt.
Scæna Quarta.
Enter Marciano solus, disguis'd as having escap'd.—Thanks to my stars! as yet unknown
I have cheat all the sentinells; and now
I suck free aire again:—you powers above
Direct my suddain course: and save my love.
Exit quietly
Within. Jayl.
Ho, wher's the pisse-pot there.
Str.
Sirrah drawer, 'tother quart of sack, you raggamuffin
you.
Courtain drawn appear Str. and the Jaylor, drinking.
Jayl.
You shall do me reason Signior Strenuo:—'tis my noble
there?—you shall drink it, Signior—
Str.
Come then, we'll drink his good health, although he has but
two dayes to live.
(drinks.
Jayl.
No matter for that, I love to be courteous to the last
breath, Signior; come, give me the cup: Sack, good
(drinks.
Sack, Signior—O brave Sack; come, let's have
(drinks again.
a catch, Signior.
Str.
Come then—
With the bony, bony radiant eyes,
And the bony, bony, plump, round thighs;
Let us sing—let us sing—
(drinks.
Jayl.
Let us sing, let us sing—O brave Strenuo, here's a cup
to thee for thy catch.
(drinks.
Enter a Servant, beckens to Str. Str. approaches to him.
Ser.
He is escap'd.
Str.
'Tis good, no more, silence I command
you.
Ser.
He waits for you.
Str.
Plague on you, no more I say.
Ser.
My Lord is escap'd I say.
Str.
Pox take you, hold your peace, or you'l spoil all I say.
Jayl.
Come young-man, how does my noble General? you are
his servant, I know—here's to him, a brimmer of Sack.
(drinks.
Str.
Drinks and be gone, you cocks-comb you—
Jayl.
You shall pledge me neighbour.
Ser.
I shall, Sir.
(drinks.
Str.
My Lord has ordained me to present his love and respects
to all friends at my return to Siena—get you gone whoreson,
get you gone, or you'l spoil all.
Exit Ser.
Jayl.
Well, he's a noble Gentleman, Signior, although I dare
not say it: but, no more of him, this cup is yours, Signior, we'll
have t'other flaggon of Sack e're we part; for I love to be merry
as well as courteous, especially amongst strangers, Signior—Ho,
drawer, Sirrah, Loggar-head, the piss-pot,
(Courtain drawes.
Bastard, shall a man spoil his breeches, you son of a whore you.
Enter Strenuo quietly with the Servant.
Str.
You puppet you, could not you hold your peace when I
bid you—come, where is my Lord?
At the Colonna in the Strada del Popolo, there he lurks
quietly while you come to him.
Str.
Let the rogue the Jaylor slip then, and we'll bid adieu to
Florence; come, come quickly.
Exeunt.
Scæna Quinta.
Enter Arabella sola, traverse quietly.—So, now he's gone: O! how my heart does leap,
My pulse begins to move, since now I know
He's past the rebels reach, before this time.
All's well: this day, by order of the Senate,
Am I to be enlarg'd: had Marciano,
Whose understanding soul, div'd in the deepest
Gulfs of suspition, even but conjectur'd,
How e're they could accuse me for his flight.
Had rather died, e're he had condescended
To any such attempt—but now he's safe,
I'l follow close my self: So hope assist me.
Exit.
A noise within of many voices, crying confusedly, Souldiers searching for Marciano.
Enter Jaylor, weeping and railing.
Jayl.
A pox on all your Siennois tricks, say I, plague on that
villain Strenuo: my noble General's gone, fled, gone: what shall
I do? How the devil came I to be gull'd by that same Strenuo?
The last night while he and I were deep in our cups, my noble General
breaks the prison and escapes. O! plague on his crazy
cocks-comb, I could have trusted him assoon as any in Florence, and
yet he hath played me such a trick as may bring
me to ropes end yet—
Harke—my Lord Borasco searching me, I shall be hang'd
without doom or sentence—
Enter Borasco with Souldiers.
Bor.
Where is this villain?
Jayl.
Here am I my Lord.
Bor.
You ugly scarabe, what do you deserve?
Jayl.
Alas! my Lord,
I was deceived, grossly cheated, gull'd,
Fox'd and what not, by Signior Strenuo;
A plague on him, may I say—
Bor.
Peace, you wretch,
My Lord Barbaro will cause punish you
For your neglect, For he had ne're escap'd
Had he not bryb'd you—
Jayl.
I never see his coyn.
Bor.
Good gods! this day was he to be beheaded,
Now none knows where he is—this Siennois Lady
Will be examin'd: for she seem'd to carry
A great respect to him and (this I know)
(aside.
The Senate will suspect her accessory,
No doubt: So she shall be condemn'd to die:
But I'l prevent their severe resolutions
By all means possible—Come, you Scoundrel, come
You may be hang'd yet, Sirrah, e're all be done.
Jayl.
O! no more of that word hanging, my neck itches already.
Exeunt.
Scæna Sexta.
Enter Leonardo, Becabunga.Leon.
Can you desire any more? look you, Sir, a direct challenge.
Bec.
I know not what belongs to your challenges;
but I am sure, as you say, he has affronted me.
Leon.
Sir, the very words of this challenge would encourage
one; considering especially, that he is the basest coward that ever
breath'd for all this.
Bec.
Think you so?
Leon.
Yes indeed, Sir, I warrand you he dare never appear in
field against you: he is but a bragging fellow.
Bec.
Nay, if I thought he would not appear, I might say something.
Leon.
Trust me, Sir, he dares not.
Bec.
I, but d'you hear, Sir, if we can be handsomly reconciled,
what needs fighting?
Leon.
Fy, Sir, you cannot honourably refuse, when he has writ
a challenge to you.
Not, Sir, why cannot I write another to him, and call
him a coward, a rascal, a slave, a villain, and what not, and still preserve
my honour, as you call it?
Leon.
Alas! good Sir, there's no time now to talk, now you
must fight, and I will assist you.
Bec.
I, if you will hold him to me while I beat him, there may
be something on't too.
Leon.
Doubt not, Sir; but, as I told you, he dares not appear:
you have no more to do, but come arm'd to the fields, and if you
find him not, brandish your Rapier in the air thrice, proclaim him
a coward, and so return.
Bec.
With my honour, Sir?
Leon.
Yes, Sir, with your honour entire.
Bec.
(aside.)
Well, I see I must fight; but if he doth not appear
now, I shall be in a brave condition: for, then I will swear,
rant and domineer, by my word of honour, as my fathers
foot-groom does. But will he not come, think you?
Leon.
My life for't, he dares not appear; courage, we will outdare
both him and Cassio.
Bec.
Well, but when all's done, Sir, betwixt you and me, were
I at home in the Country again, all your honour, and honour above
honour, should not cause me fight: for, Pantaloni has learn'd to
fence, Sir, and I know not what belongs to fencing, not I.
Leon.
Tush, fear not him, I tell you, he dares not appear, and if
he does, I'l fight him my self.
Bec.
Will you do so, Sir, and I will be your tres humble serviteur
Monsieur: for, d'you see, Sir, I am to be married shortly,
now if I should chance to be kill'd, (as who knowes but I may)
you know then, Sir, I cannot be marryed; why? because I shall
be dead, that's a good reason, Sir.
Leon.
(aside.)
Plague on him for a coward, how he talks; I shall
have more ado to allure him to this duel, then a crack'd
Courtier has to perswade an Usurer to become surety for
him.
Bec.
And then you know, Sir, Pantaloni is to marry the one
Sister, and I the other: now it is not fit that we should fight together,
who are to be brethren shortly, for I know not what.
Leon.
Why, Sir, you must resolve to fight: go along with me
and save you both.
Bec.
Will you be as good as your word, Sir?
Leon.
I will
indeed.
Bec.
Then have at him—But harke you, Sir, you must
have a special care he touch not my face, for so he may put
but my eye (God blesse us) and then where is your honour
forsooth?
Leon.
He shall not touch you Sir, come, delay is dangerous.
Exeunt.
At the other end Enter Cass. Pant. traverse &c.
Pant.
You may stand by, and see fair play, Sir, I shall beat
him to some purpose:
Cass.
As you think fit, Sir.
Pant.
Come on then—O Becabunga! thou knowes not how
nigh thy fatall hour approaches—for I am sure he dares not appear.
Exeunt.
Scæna Septima.
Enter Arabella sola in Prison, more closely confin'd, then formerly upon the report that she was to be beheaded.Ar.
O gods! is this the height of all your wrath.
May I expect a requiem in this stroak?
Yes sure—then graciously be pléas'd to hear
My ardent votes:—O may my blood appease
Your incens'd mindes: restore my lawfull Prince:
Let Marciano live: Let nothing hurt him:
O hear him, hear him, if there be a faith
Able to reach your mercy, let him have it.
I plead none for my self:—O love assist me,
Courage, beyond the ordinar of my sex,
Support my spirits in this agony:
Death's but the thaw of all our vanity.
(weeps,
Bor.
Nay now my soul dissolve: 'tis but a trouble
To keep thy quarter in this perplexed body.
O unkind Senate! eyes have not seen a fairer
Modell of beauty—Sure, no hatchet dares
Be horse-leech to her veines: or if it does,
All iron shall be quite accurs'd hereafter.
—No, ther's an angell keeps that paradice
A fiery angell guards her: Vertue, vertue,
Ever, and endlesse vertue! O rare beauty!
The neerest to her maker, and the purest,
That ever dull flesh shew'd us: such another
Could make attonement for half her sex.
—See how she weeps—
Ar. Discovers him.
Ar.
—So, now my torturer comes—
Bor.
Now all good angells blesse thee, fairest, truest
Heart-ravishing beauty: cruell, yet lovely tyrant.
Why still in sorrow? shall I never have
One gracious smile—Alas, how willingly
To save thy precious life would I submitt
My neck to cruelty—by this hand, I would—
Kisses her hand.
Ar.
Since it is ordain'd, Sir, I'le not endeavour
To prove a male-content. Sir, I have done
What I intended; shee's a cowardly Girle,
Who cann't endure one stroke for him, whose safety
Is so dear to his prince and country, vex not
Your self for my misfortunes: nothing can
Affright my resolutions—
Bor.
Strange love! not to be parallel'd?
Ar.
Pish—I contemn the fury of your base,
Malicious senate: reason does disdain
To dwell with such, whose souls are stiffled with rage,
They sentence, whom they will, no matter why,
Since innocent, or guilty, we must dye.
Bor.
Madam, you shall not dye I will sollicit
The Senate for you: if I cannot prevaile
As I expect, before it come to th'worst
My person for it—who does enterprise
To serve his fancy, must all feares despise.
In going off.
Ar.
Ah vain fomenter of vain, fruitlesse hopes,
Exit.
Thy windmill-thoughts will break their axel tree:
Go foolish enterpriser: hope no favour
From one, who e're she suffered thy embraces,
Would rather undergo a thousand tortures.
—No, if e're woman was, or may be found,
That for fair fame; unspotted memory,
For vertues sake, and only for it's sake
Dares challenge room in history: O love
Let me be only Martyr in the case.
O Marciano, were it not thy safety
That did support my soul, I should prevent
The executioner: but since thou art
Free from the rav'nous clutches of the rebells,
Poor Arabella from that spark alone
Derives her present courage—
—Then blessed hour approach, I'le boldly show
That for his life, I can endure one blow.
(Exit weeping.
Scæna Octava.
Enter Cassio, Pantaloni. Swords drawn,Cass.
This is the place, this is the hour appointed.
Pant.
Yes, Sir, but, you see, he has not appear'd, may not
I put up my rapier now, and go home again with my honour, may
I not?
Cass.
Not Sir: you must have a little patience.
Pant.
Ho, Ho, that's very true, I must proclaime Leonardo and
him both cowards—Oyes—Oyes—
One coughs, and whispers within.
But (a pox) I hear them comming hither. Come, Signior
Cassio, wee have tarried too long; we will now return.
No, no, stay a little yet.
Pant.
I see this fellow has a mind I should be kill'd: would
I had that unlucky challenge in my pocket again.
Cass.
'Slid, here they come; to your posture,
Sir.
Enter Leon. Bec. swords drawn.
Bec.
O! look you there's Pantaloni, Sir, and Cassio too, you
said he durst not appear.
Pant.
Nay faith, now I see 'tis no more jesting, there they come
both with their Rapiers drawn.
Cass.
Courage, Signior.
Bec.
What shall I do now, Sir?
Leon.
Fight, what else?
Cass.
We'll fight all four at once.
Leon.
Yes, yes, by all means?
Cass.
Have at thee then, villain, Leonardo.
Leon.
At you, Sir.
Thrust.
Cass.
Come, to't Becabunga.
Bec.
Not I, Sir; as I am honest I will fight none at this time:
for I have some business to do in the City, Sir.
Leon.
What, you sneaking gull, will you not fight for your
Mistris, Sirrah.
Bec.
No, Sir, I will fight for no Mistris at this time; I must
go about business of more importance, Sir—O! if he had
(aside.
not appear'd now.
Leon.
Not for the Lady Marionetta, Sir?
Bec.
No, Sir, I will renounce all the right I have to her, before
I fight, at this time at least.
Pant.
I like that well.
Cass.
'Slid, shall we come to the fields with you, and return thus
affronted? fight it out bravely, or by this hand I'l run you both
thorough.
Pant.
Nay, it shall not be so, Sir, you see we cannot fight at
this time: for, the truth is, (now when I remember) I have an
appointment too, within less then a minute of an hour hence, with
some Ladies for my acquaintance.
Leon.
That's all one to us, Sir.
Pant.
I see I must do it, there is no way else to escape—
(aside.
Gentlemen, I know what will please you: because we have brought
you into the fields, that you may not be angry, as Becabunga sayes,
I will renounce all the right I can have or claim in the Lady Chrysolina.
Leon.
Good—
Pant.
For, d'you see, Sir, I care no more for her, then a Roarer
does for his old Punk.
Leon.
Excellent.
I protest to you, Sir, I think they are fools that fight
or women, let them fight for themselves a Gods name, it is sufficient
we love them.
Leon.
Admirably good!
Bec.
So I say too Sir, and if you have wrong'd me, I here freely
forgive you.
Cass.
Sir, that's not enough, you shall both seal this paper, that
we may testifie to other Gentlemen, how we were ready to fight.
Bec.
What paper, Sir?
Leon.
No matter for that, Sir, you shall both seal it, or by these
hilts—
Pant.
Nay hold, good Sir, I shall seal it—what terrible oaths
these fellowes use.
(Pant. seals.
Cass.
Come, you must seal too.
Bec.
Yes, yes, Sir.
(Bec. seals.
Leon.
Now get you gone both of you for a brace of infamous
puppets, cowardly cocks-combs, you arrogant, empty-skull'd wittals,
not worthy of the least favourable smile from any Lady: you have
resign'd your interests in two honourable Ladies, and therefore deserve
no less then to be kick'd—thus to be kick'd—
(kicks him.
Pant.
What d'you mean, Sir?
Cass.
Thus to kick you, you brace of bastardly Baboons—
Leon.
And so we leave you as we found you, a pair of impudent
filchers of reputation, not worthy the name of Gentlemen.
Cass.
Farewell my Cob-webs—
Leon.
Farewell good Spanniels, farewell—
Exeunt ambo.
Pant.
Marry pox take you both, what notorious rascals are they.
Bec.
Come, come, we must be friends again; let them go hang
themselves if they please.
Pant.
If I had them in another place—
Bec.
But harke you, what if they show the Ladies that we have
renounc'd our interest in them? what will you say then? think
you that ever the Lady Chrysolina will look upon you again.
Pant.
I should have made them both black and blew.
Bec.
Will you let's go and prevent them, I say.
Pant.
By all means—this trick shall do Leonardo no good,
what a fool was I to believe Cassio?
Bec.
So I say alwayes: but come, quick—he that speaks first
is always best heard.
I'l to them yet, for all this, he has not beat me out as I
thinks.
Exeunt.
Scæna Nona.
Enter Marciano solus, having got intelligence that Arabella was to die.—Heart! art thou thunder-proof? can nothing break thee?
Shall Arabella die, and thou still live?
—Burst stubborn peece of flesh—O! heavens forbid,
Those eyes may live to see the world without her.
—The Senate hath condemn'd her—O! base wretch'd
Unhumane Tyrants; Monsters of this age;
O! barbarous villany; what bloody thoughts?
It is not because she was accessory
To my escape: No sure, but 'cause I love her,
That she must die; as if those hell-hounds mean'd
To strike the Stars, and all good things above,
Regardless of her deity: no devil
Could be more cruel—But, hold, Marciano,
Thou ar't the executioner: thou alone.
Say, wretched man, was thou affraid to die?
Could fear prevail so far? Alas! thy fame
Has lost it's right wing by thy too rash flight,
Leaving so rare an hostage in thy place.
Yet, who had said, or who had ever thought,
A thing so closely carryed could have ever
Thus come to light. She was to be enlarg'd
That very day: for so she did assure me,
Else had my wearied soul resign'd it's casket,
And I, by this time, sleep'd with blessed shades
Of my Ancestors, maugre all her tears.
—But what, I dream, I must do something more
Then only mourn for her: if art assist,
Submit my self to mercy of the Rebels,
Of otherwayes those goblins cann't be conjur'd,
Or else by open force, or private means.
What e're be th'event, I'l procure her freedom:
May be the gods are more propitious
Then I imagine. Come—it is resolv'd
She shall not die—fools are amaz'd at fate,
Griefs but conceal'd are never desperate.
in going off.
Exit.
| Marciano ; or, The Discovery | |