University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

—Interior of the Ducal Palace.
Enter Frankendall, alone.
I've pull'd a business on my head, of which
My mind misgives me. Is it honourable
To play the eaves-dropper thus—and bait my nets
To catch stray scandals,—to rake even for truth
'Mid the court spy's base refuse? Did I doubt
As to the merits of mine occupation,
I need do so no longer. When a man
Devises mischief, 'tis the devil's device
To send fit instruments; and in the nick,
Here comes a vain, pert, waiting, court coquette,
As voluble as is her mistress' parrot—
As worthless, as unprincipled, as mischievous,
And scarce more secret. I have seen, of late,
She and that slippery smooth-tongued Jack o' the Duke's
Have some intelligence. Whether she cheat him,
Or he cheat her, 'tis equal; for I have
The key to both. She's here. I'll strain my humour
To keep the golden mean 'twixt jest and earnest.
Her female instinct, doubtless, hath inform'd her
That weightiest points are oftest hinted so.
Now for my cue.

Enter Fiametta.
Ah! is it you, Signora?
How does your beauty for this many a day?—
I've had a cruel interval to pine.

FIAMETTA.
Are you dull, Signor?

FRANKENDALL.
How should I be other,
Not seeing thee, Fiametta?

FIAMETTA.
Why, 'tis pity—
When thou didst see me, thou wast dull enough.

FRANKENDALL.
Marry, a worn-out suitor of the court,
Whose pains have brought him, as it oft falls out,
Fair words and disappointment, hath enough
To fill his brain with cobwebs. But for thee,
Why, thou hast kept my case so long in hand,
That time decides it for thee. Well, what help?
He who hath lived through twenty years of courtship,
May e'en survive the end on't—ay or no.

FIAMETTA.
If I had listen'd twenty years to thee,
Sweet captain, I might boast a well spent life.
Why, thou unblushing libertine—how long is't
Since thou first knew'st my name?

FRANKENDALL.
Nay, pardon me,
Sweet Fiametta; think'st thou I could mean
That thou wast young—some twenty years ago?
No, no; thou but fill'st up the odd three years,
The last and brightest. I was hurt before;
Now I am slain; and therefore am I dull.

FIAMETTA.
Thou art an insolent.

FRANKENDALL.
True, I am old.
There's Signor Sanzio, the Duke's silken officer,
Who speaks beneath his breath, and ever sits
Mum—with his hands across—demurely—thus;
He's good ten years my junior, at the least;
And none of those same roysterers—whom thou hatest.

FIAMETTA.
Sanzio, forsooth,—you shall not be my broker,
Depend upon't.

FRANKENDALL.
Nay, he hath all the secrets;
A marvellous commendation here at court;
And thou, as ladies sometimes do, may'st wed him
Merely for curiosity.

FIAMETTA.
I must
Be curious, indeed, ere I do that.

FRANKENDALL.
Why, get the secrets, then, without the man.
And if thou'lt take me, I'll accept of thee
And them for dower. I joke not—entre nous—
They were worth gold; and that more ways than one.
Nay, never look at me, for this is truth.—
But I stand trifling here. Sweet Fiametta,
When shall I see thee next?

FIAMETTA.
Whene'er I have
As much ill luck. Heaven grant it may be long!

FRANKENDALL.
Ah me! not long. I will go furbish up
My best behaviours, which are safe laid by
With my dad's wedding suit; ay, and I'll promise
To make love to thee but when thou desirest.
(Aside.)
—Methinks I may say that safely enough.
And now, what canst thou say?

FIAMETTA.
Why, get thee gone!
Thou'lt ne'er be wiser.

FRANKENDALL.
Not till I am married.

[Exeunt severally.