University of Virginia Library

2. PART II.

Enter CIPRIANO, MOSCO, and CLARIN, gaily attired.
CIPRIANO.
My fever'd thoughts! O whither, whither will
Ye drag me to? If ye have certitude
That this is madness all my brains do fill,
Then why this daring madness let intrude?
What! ye that once did seek the Heavens high,
In dark abyss of misery now lie?
I saw Justina;—O Justina, would
Thy sunny presence I had not gone near!
Nor all entranc'd my soul, I ever stood
Within the light of thy celestial sphere!
Two lovers warm there are, who to her heart
Aspire, who of each other do complain.
For both with cruel jealousy I smart,
Though one alone can really cause me pain.
But which it is I cannot tell;—I know
But this;—my doubts do make me furious go.
Her haughtiness and proud disdain do make
My heart and brain with racking torments ache.
The rest I know not.—O Justina fair,
I worship thee, and worship in despair!
By Heaven I do.—Ho there, Mosco!

MOSCO.
Sir.

CIPRIANO.
See if Lysander is within.

MOSCO.
I will.

CLARIN.
No, you won't; I'll go. Master, I demur
To Mosco's going.

CIPRIANO.
What, these quarrels still
Must I witness? Why cannot Mosco go?

CLARIN.
Because this is not his day—it is mine,
And I am off to let Lysander know
Your pleasure. Oh, this is all very fine,
Mosco; but you must wait till to-morrow.

CIPRIANO.
What new folly's this? are ye in your senses right?
But none need go. I see the starry light
That makes Justina's face appear a Heaven bright.

CLARIN.
Yes, I see her coming; she's now quite near.

Enter JUSTINA and LIBIA with veils on.
JUSTINA.
O Heavens! Libia, Cipriano's here.

CIPRIANO.
Now I must needs my jealousy conceal,
Until I ascertain if I have cause
To jealous be; my love I won't reveal,
If I can but my jealousy make pause.
[Aside.
Lady, let not this change of raiment plead
In vain the offer of my services.
This honour great does make me sigh indeed.
And since I may not love, pure friendship's wishes
Pray accept.

JUSTINA.
My plain-spoken language, sir,
You have little heeded, for it has not,
It seems, convinc'd you how it idle were
To persecute me thus; in vain you've sought
For hope, Cipriano;—and now of this be sure;—
That days, months, years, and ages at my door,
Would be time lost; I can't convince thee more.
For such my woe, for such my fate so cruel saith;—
I cannot love thee Cipriano save in death!

CIPRIANO.
This hope alone has made me happy feel.
If in death to love me you do promise,
The time so brief I take, and you shall seal,
By loving now, my earthly dreams of bliss,
For I begin to die for happiness.

[Exit JUSTINA.
CLARIN.
Now, Libia, my dear, whilst master is thinking
And talking about his love; and, madman
Like, to nothing but skin and bones is shrinking;
Give me your arms.

LIBIA.
Have patience, thou bad man,
And let me calculate if it's your day,
For I don't wish to have a conscience sore.
Tuesday, yes; Wednesday, no.

CLARIN.
Why count away
Like that, since Mosco's mum your eyes before?

LIBIA.
He may have mistaken been; but mistaken
I do not wish to be; for since justice
I do preach, it must not be forsaken
By me, by not giving each one what's his.
But you are right, Clarin, this is your turn.

CLARIN.
To hug thee, Libia, with my arms, I burn!

LIBIA.
Then come along, and thousand welcomes take!

MOSCO.
Hearken, my queen; to-day you can embrace
Right well and gladly; this remark I make,
That you to-morrow shew as good a grace.

LIBIA.
Your suspicions spare; you'll be satisfied.
O Jupiter! to think of me such thing,
As be too free with any one! abide
The thought I can't; when comes your turn I'll fling
My arms around your neck, just as you please.

[Exit.
CLARIN.
By Jupiter, it won't be done before me!

MOSCO.
Why do you grumble? I am not ill at ease
For all I said, since the girl most surely
Is not mine.

CLARIN.
I should say not.

MOSCO.
Then I maintain,
Since it was not my turn, I could not complain.
But what's our master thinking upon there?

CLARIN.
If he is speaking, I'll listen and draw near.

CIPRIANO.
Oh love! why art thou to lover's sighs so loath?

CIPRIANO turns round, and meets them suddenly.
CLARIN.
Oh, oh!

MOSCO.
Oh, oh!

CLARIN.
The island of oh, oh!
This place might well be call'd.

CIPRIANO.
Were ye here both?

CLARIN.
I'll swear I was.

MOSCO.
And I will swear also.

CIPRIANO.
O Heaven kind, my life at once do end,
And to my heavy griefs sweet comfort send.
No heart such misery did e'er endure!

CLARIN.
Where's he taking us to, Mosco?

MOSCO.
I'm sure
I cannot tell; methinks it's out of town.

CLARIN.
What's the use of us walking up and down
The fields, if we no books have need to use?

CIPRIANO.
Clarin, return home.

MOSCO.
And me?

CLARIN.
Do you choose
To stay?

CIPRIANO.
Begone both.

CLARIN.
Obey, we can't refuse.

[Exeunt.
CIPRIANO.
Confusion of my brain! Oh, be not yet
So powerful to make my soul forget
Itself: this soul, alas! though sadly changed,
From its ownself is not quite yet estranged.
A beauty I do idolize; and blind,
I worship it. Ambition's lost my mind!
With fever'd thoughts, in wakeful dreams my heart
Knows whom it loves; but nothing will impart
To me my rival's name. My frantic rage
Knows not the means its fury to assuage;
I feel distract; my torments fierce, O heaven!
Do make my mind to wander. I would even
(Oh, madness unworthy a noble breast!)
Give to the most infernal genius (hell
Do I invoke?), if he would only tell. ...
(For by such hellish racks I am oppress'd,
My reason's fled,—my tongue has no control).
Me how to win this maid, .... I'd give .... my soul!

MISALETHES'
voice.
I accept it.

CIPRIANO.
Heavens, what's this? the flash
Of the forked lightning see! Visible
At once both light and darkness are! The crash
Of the rolling thunder,—how terrible!
That makes the air so awfully vibrate.
The caverns of the ocean now seem free
Their prodigies to yield so dread, but great!
The sky is crown'd with clouds, all black to see,
And in their breast what horrors dark abound,
That seem to threat this mountain's lofty crest!
All glowing red is the horizon round;
The air is dull with smoke, the sun is drest
In mist; all heaven seems to be on fire.
O philosophy! is't so long since we
Have separated been, I now desire
In vain these mighty wonders' cause to see?
And now the waves, like mountains huge, the clouds
Appear to touch; then like a ruin's crash
The foaming billows fall in boiling shrouds.
Methinks I see a ship; the waters dash
Around her fierce. 'Twould seem the ocean's plain
She seeks; nor does the noble fabric court
The land. It's safety's on the open main;
Nor does it heed the sure and friendly port.
Those shrieks and yells are omens of her fate;
But death his eyes upon the living dead
Will feast—and yet awhile he'll make them wait,
Ere he consign them to their doom so dread!
The elements alone are not her only foes.
Some potent prodigy must there command;
A power strange her safety must oppose;
See now the hurricane back for the land
Does sweep her on the ocean's raging breast,
And threats her with yon rocks' projecting crest.
The waves alone wage not this war, 'tis clear.
She nears the rock—she strikes—she's dash'd away—
As tells yon blood commingl'd with the spray!

VOICES.
We are sinking!

MISALETHES'
voice.
I'll take a plank, and steer
For land; and then my plan accomplish will.

CIPRIANO.
O heavens! To add to these horrors more
Of marvels yet; I see, with wond'rous skill,
A man upon a plank, who for the shore
Is making fast, and seems to mock full well
These prodigies; meanwhile the fated bark
Is gone to where 'tis said the Tritons dwell;
And, save the whirling eddies, left no mark
To tell what happ'd that noble forest-pine,
That lies a corpse beneath the salty brine.

Enter MISALETHES dripping wet.
MISALETHES
(aside).
To gain my purpose, I was fain to-day
Invent these wonders of the glassy main.
But now I'm come in a disguised way
From that in which he saw me erst. A pain
Unpleasant I did feel, when in this place
My knowledge got a check. 'Tis a disgrace
I cannot bear. I now new war will wage;
But will his heart and not his head engage.—
O my sweet mother earth, I'm so distress'd!
Oh, give me aid; and from that monster's breast,
That threw me here, thy kind protection give.

CIPRIANO.
Forget thy recent hap, and cease to grieve,
My friend; believe me, this great misfortúne
But proves there's nothing constant 'neath the moon.

MISALETHES.
Who art thou, at whose kind feet my fate
Has thrown me?

CIPRIANO.
One who by sympathy mov'd
For sufferings so great, would fain abate
Them; by my services my words be prov'd.

MISALETHES.
'Tis impossible; they would not avail.

CIPRIANO.
Why not?

MISALETHES.
With life the mem'ry of my woes
Must cease! My wealth all gone; what need bewail?
And why should I complain of fortune's blows?

CIPRIANO.
The hurricane is o'er; the sky again
Resumes its wonted calm and crystal blue,
So quickly, that these horrors of the main,
Methinks it rous'd thy vessel to undo.
Now tell me who you are. I can't conceal
My wish to know a man who's made me feel
So much.

MISALETHES.
More than you've seen, and I could tell,
It cost me here to come. My loss though great,
My bark is least of all; I'll prove it well
If you but like.

CIPRIANO.
I would.

MISALETHES.
Then I'll relate.
Of wonders, events, and of woes,
I'm a calendar great and rare;
The mem'ry of some I can lose,
With others I grieve in despair.
For talent and polish so known;
A hero quite perfect in splendour;
By my birth full brightly I shone,
In knowledge to none would surrender.
A king,—who is greatest of all,
And awfully fear'd when around
Him his looks all frowningly fall,
If angry his temper is found;
When seated on his sparkling throne,
All deck'd with glitt'ring diamonds bright,
And every shining precious stone,
That like the stars make glad the night;
For stars no brighter shine, I ween,
And faint my simile and mean:—
His favourite made me.—So full
Of conceit with this royal mark,
I thought myself all-powerful;
And dar'd upon a deed embark,
To place myself upon his throne;
And I defied his royal power,
And thought to make his crown my own.
Oh, it was rash! I rue the hour!
I mad became; but madder still
Would have been had I repented;
I'd rather with my fiery will
Have bravely lost than relented
Like a coward. I did not rush
Alone upon this hot-brain'd scheme;
For many subjects join'd to crush
The king, who, like me, rash must seem.
Subdued at last, I left my foes,
Victorious, though so nearly;
Vomiting through mouth, eyes, and nose,
Both revenge and blood—and dearly
To make his people pay my wrong
I swore, with every blackest crime.
The sea I scour, and sail along
The main to every land and clime,
A bloody pirate; Argos like
Avoiding shoals and hidden rocks.
The ship which you did witness strike
Against the cliff, by whose rude shocks
A ruin she became; this day
Did bear me on the glassy main,
That I might greedily survey,
Step by step, a certain mountain,
Where dwells a man whom I do seek,
To do a thing which he did make
A promise of. To him I'd speak;
But me that storm did overtake.
Although my art, I do assert,
Could at any time the north wind,
The east, the south, and west, convert
To fav'ring breezes; still my mind,
For certain reasons, did not wish
To curb the storm. I've said I could.—
(I mark how his mind does relish
[Aside.
These magic words.)—But I would
Not have you marvel at my first
Mishap; for if my temper fail,
I could kill myself; and I durst
Say I could make the sun look pale
With wonder at the art I know.
Then at my second wonder not.
Of all that's in this world below,
My magic art has knowledge got;
Enough I know to be a book,
For every where I've had a look.
Now, if you think it's all vain boast,
I'll make yon rocks, that now are seen
So bare and rugged, on this coast,
All deck'd appear with foliage green.
For such am I, an orphan guest
Of these grey elms and poplars tall;
And though I'm such, I do request
Your services, however small.
But on condition you consent,
I'll pay the kindness you do sell
With magic art, o'er which I've spent
My life; I'll teach it you full well;
And I will summon at your will—
(His tender point I see touch)—
[Aside.
Whatever thing your heart can fill
With strong desire; and if too much
Of courtesy and modesty
You have, the treaty to conclude,
Indulge your fondest wish, and I
For friendship's sake will make it good.
And such my gratitude and love
For all your kindness shewn this day,
That I your friend so firm will prove;
That fortune, whose tyrannic sway,
Midst contumely and graciousness,
Appears at times with frowns and smiles
Both niggardly and generous;
Nor time, that time itself beguiles
In endless course with rapid flight,—
Not time, of ages the loadstone,
No, nor Heaven with all its might,
Whose stars adorn this earthly zone,
Shall have the power to remove
Me from thy side one sole instant,
If you will but your pity prove
By giving shelter to my want.
And even this falls short indeed,
I swear, of all I mean to do,
If but my wishes do succeed.

CIPRIANO.
I thank the sea, since it did throw
You on this coast, and sent you here,
Where you my friendship may command,
And share in my most welcome cheer.
Then follow me, and take this hand,
Which I do give in friendship sure;
My guest you are, and you will find
My house your own;—this offer's pure.

MISALETHES.
Your guest am I? 'tis really kind!

CIPRIANO.
Let this embrace our friendship seal
In lasting bonds.—Oh, if this man
[Aside.
Would but his magic art reveal!
'Twould aid me well to gain my plan,
And partly soothe my love-sick soul.
Perchance my heart might e'en obtain
Its cause of torment, love, and pain!

MISALETHES
(aside).
He's under love and art's control!

Enter CLARIN and MOSCO, running.
CLARIN.
Are you hurt, my lord?

MOSCO.
You are civil
For a wonder; you see my lord's alive.

CLARIN.
Thou noble lackey, why wilt thou cavil?
I only wonder'd how he could contrive
To escape the lightning on this mountain;
That's why I spoke.

MOSCO.
Then you see your mistake.

CIPRIANO.
These are my servants.—Why come back again?

MOSCO.
My lord, to give your temper sweet a shake.

MISALETHES.
They're merry fellows both.

CIPRIANO.
My life they tease,
Such fools they are.

MOSCO.
My lord, who is this man?

CIPRIANO.
My guest: now hold thy tongue.

CLARIN.
In times like these
A guest?

CIPRIANO.
Guess what he's worth, ye never can.

MOSCO.
My lord is right. My lord, are you his heir?

CLARIN.
I should say not; this guest has all the air,
It striketh me, of one who'd make his stay
A year or more before he went away.

MOSCO.
Why so? I think a queer remark you've made.

CLARIN.
Mosco, of guests that make short stays 'tis said,
With proverb true, much smoke they won't consume.
And as for this guest—

MOSCO.
Well?

CLARIN.
Why, I presume,
A mighty deal of smoke he'll burn at home.

CIPRIANO.
Now follow me, and from your hardships rest,
You suffer'd on the ocean's angry breast.

MISALETHES.
I obey you.

CIPRIANO.
Your rest I go prepare.

[Exit.
MISALETHES
(aside).
And I your ruin;—for fast within my snare
I hold you now; I'm driven by my hate
To seal another way Justina's fate.

[Exit.
CLARIN.
Can you guess, Mosco, what 'tis I think?

MOSCO.
No.

CLARIN.
I think the storm has burst some volcano,
There's such a smell of sulphur.

MOSCO.
I did think
It was our guest, for he did strongly stink.

CLARIN.
He uses bad scent; but I can guess the smell.

MOSCO.
Why?

CLARIN.
The itch the poor gentleman must have,
And he has daub'd himself with brimstone salve.

MOSCO.
Why, Clarin, you have guess'd it really well.

[Exeunt.
Enter LELIO, and FABIO his servant.
FABIO.
My lord again, in this street?

LELIO.
In this street
I lost my life—I come to seek it here.
O love, but grant my life I here may meet!
Ah me!

FABIO.
You are Justina's house quite near.

LELIO.
What boots it, if I do hazard once more
This day to make avowal of my love?
Surely, since I did see a sight so sore,
When she at night another's did approve,
I may by day my misery console!
I must go in alone; Fabio, away!
O'er Antioch my father has control,
As Governor; I think I venture may,
With this excuse and my distracting flame;
And if I'm bold, Justina's all to blame.

Enter JUSTINA.
JUSTINA.
Libia .... but who is there?

LELIO.
Madam, 'tis I.

JUSTINA.
What can have caus'd, sir, this temerity,
May I ask?

LELIO.
Since love such ruin's made
Upon my heart, else can your honour do?
But pardon me, since thus your virtues fade,
If I thus bold, such truthful candour shew.
But with my hopes, your honour's gone and fled.

JUSTINA.
How can you be so bold and so ill-bred. ...

LELIO.
Because I'm mad!

JUSTINA.
As to enter. ...

LELIO.
Jealous!

JUSTINA.
This house. ...

LELIO.
Lost!

JUSTINA.
In a way so treacherous,
Of talk all heedless, and what it may cost?

LELIO.
Don't grieve; for there is little to be lost.

JUSTINA.
Lelio, oh, my good name do not forget!

LELIO.
There's one, Justina, nightly steals from here
You'd better tell these words. But I regret
To say your fickleness I've seen full near;
And this I wish'd to say, that less severe
Your virtue to my love may now appear.

JUSTINA.
Peace, mortal, peace; I say, arrest thy tongue.
Who art thou, thus to enter my abode?
Who darest thus to breathe a word of wrong
Against mine honour, and heapest this load
Of infamy on my name? So blind
Are you, so bold, so mad, so gone your mind,
To think to dim the lustre of a name
The sun itself may equal but not shame?
What! a man from my house?

LELIO.
I say it's true.

JUSTINA.
Through my window?

LELIO.
O cruel maid, you do
But force my grief to let it out.

JUSTINA.
O Heaven,
I pray thee grant my honour back be given;
For my sweet honour's sake, and for my own,
Let not my honour thus away be flown!

MISALETHES appears by a door behind JUSTINA.
MISALETHES.
My hate is busy with my double task,
And here I come to throw a guilty mask
On virtue bright. Such scandal I will raise,
The world ne'er saw since its primeval days.
This lover is so spiteful and so blind,
I'll fan his flame, and heat his heated mind.
Before him I will place myself, and then,
As running off, I will come back again.

[He appears; and being seen by LELIO, he muffles himself, and retreats.
JUSTINA.
You do not wish to kill me?

LELIO.
No, to die!

JUSTINA.
Oh, say, what's caus'd this look of vacancy?

LELIO.
Your secret I have seen. Now, say my love
My cruel words did cause. I swear, by Jove,
A man I saw this room come in; who, when
He saw me here, went muffl'd back again.

JUSTINA.
Delusion 'tis of your all wand'ring brain.

LELIO.
'Tis truly hard!

[He moves for the door; she detains him.
JUSTINA.
By day as well as night,
Lelio, deception still will haunt your sight?

LELIO.
Deception or not, the truth I will know,
And I will make this man his visage shew.

[He removes JUSTINA, and rushes through the door by which MISALETHES went.
JUSTINA.
This conduct has not excuse; this freedom
So dearly to mine innocence will come,
That I no patience have by day or night.

Enter LYSANDER.
LYSANDER.
Justina.

JUSTINA
(aside).
I am undone!

LYSANDER.
To make more light
My sorrows and my woes, I come to thee.

JUSTINA.
What ails my lord? you are all sad to see.

LYSANDER.
Justina, marvel not, my heart is broke;
I cannot speak, for grief my words do choke.

[LELIO returns.
LELIO.
I now begin to think 'twas all a dream
Of my jealous soul, for though it did seem
To me a man I saw, I cannot guess
How the fellow could have made his egress.

JUSTINA
(aside).
Lelio, remain conceal'd; my father's here.

LELIO.
I'll wait until he's gone; I've lost all fear.

[He retires.
JUSTINA.
These sighs, my lord, these tears, what do they mean?

LYSANDER.
The heaviest woe the world has ever seen,
The saddest grief that pity ever knew,
The direst news the foulest winds e'er blew,
Are mine. I grieve for Christian blood that's spilt
To quench the thirst of sacrilegious guilt.
Cæsar Decius has sent our governor
A stern decree ... but I can say no more!

JUSTINA
(aside).
Oh sad and fatal hap, without its like!
Lysander speaks to me of Christian wrongs!
His words may chance on Lelio's ear to strike.
Lelio! the son of him to whom belongs
This heartless duty.

LYSANDER.
Justina, in fine. ...

JUSTINA.
Oh, say no more—to speak do not incline.

LYSANDER.
Let me say on, you'll comfort give: he bids. ...

JUSTINA.
Oh, cease to speak, your age and moisted lids
Repose do need.

LYSANDER.
When I in anguish tell
Thee of the foulest deed that e'er befell
Our race, or Tiber's margin ever saw
Pollute with stains its winding crystal stream;
Of that tyrannous, cruel, bloody law;
You bid me cease to speak? I could not dream
Of thee such thing, who would'st so glad appear
In former times, to give such comfort sweet
To my sad heart, and list with willing ear.
Then why this solace I no longer meet?

JUSTINA.
My lord, there is a season for all things.

LELIO
(from his concealment).
I can only catch a word here and there.

Enter FLORO by another way.
FLORO.
My spiteful jealousy it is that brings
Me here, false virtue's mask away to tear,
With a fig for all respect; but I see
Her father there, so I'll wait patiently.

LYSANDER.
Who is there?

FLORO.
Oh, I cannot now refuse
To speak; but I will make a good excuse.
'Tis I.

LYSANDER.
You here?

FLORO.
With your licence I come,
Sir, on business-matters most burdensome.

JUSTINA
(aside).
Have pity on me, fate; this is too much!

LYSANDER.
Well, what want ye?

FLORO
(aside).
What shall I say, from such
A pickle to escape?

LELIO
(from his concealment).
What, Floro here?
He comes in and goes out at his pleasure.
Jealousy did not cause me needless fear,
This is truth I see.

LYSANDER.
You change colour, sir.

FLORO.
Oh, be not alarmed—it is mere nothing.
My coming to your house is but to bring
Advice upon a matter which concerns
Your life. You have an enemy who burns
To see your death,—I've said enough, I think

LYSANDER
(aside).
He knows that I a Christian am, no doubt,
And me he comes to save from peril's brink.
Say on, Floro,—come, man—now speak it out.

Enter LIBIA.
LIBIA.
Sir, you are wanted by the Governor;
He sent to say he's waiting at the door.

FLORO
(aside).
(Now I will meditate upon my lie,)
You'd better go and see what's his behest.

LYSANDER.
My thanks accept, I return instantly.

[Exit.
FLORO.
Are you that maiden rare, whose tyrant breast,
The gentle sighing of the winds does call
Outrage boundless? Then how did it befall,
The key you lost of house, and matchless fame?

JUSTINA.
Floro, withhold; do not insult a name,
The sun's all piercing eye ne'er saw with stain!

FLORO.
This boasting comes too late; who had access
Here, I know.....

JUSTINA.
Oh, from such language refrain.

FLORO.
Through a window.....

JUSTINA.
You drive me to madness.

FLORO.
To your honour.....

JUSTINA.
Floro, why this treatment?

FLORO.
Of low hypocrisy 'tis punishment.

LELIO
(from his concealment).
It was not Floro at the balcony,
It was another man my eyes did see,
Since plain it is, 'twas neither I nor he.

JUSTINA.
Your blood is noble, then do not offend
A noblewoman.

FLORO.
What! do you pretend
To say you noble are, when you admit
Him to your arms, and he the house does quit
Through the window? 'Twas power made you yield;
For he is son to Antioch's Governor;
And vanity did break your honour's shield.

LELIO
(from his concealment).
He speaks of me.

FLORO.
Without heeding other
Greater faults, which authority does cloak,
With all its usages and noble blood.
But. ...

LELIO appears.
LELIO.
Hold, Floro, such words must not be spoke
Behind my back; to speak so is not good
Of a rival; 'tis of a coward breast
Worthy alone; and I will stay thy tongue.
And if in vain we've fought so often and long,
My sword shall now thy insolence arrest.

JUSTINA.
Oh, how sad this is; and I so blameless!

FLORO.
What I have said behind, I'll say before
Your face, and prove it too, which is much more.

[They seize their blades.
JUSTINA.
Lelio,—Floro,—Oh, be not so shameless!

LELIO.
Where I did hear my insult, I will find
A satisfaction for my injur'd mind.

FLORO.
And with my lips and sword, I will maintain
What I have said wherever I did say it.

JUSTINA.
Oh heavens! in my calamities sustain
Poor me.

LELIO.
Then with my sword, I'll make thee pay it.

Enter the GOVERNOR, and LYSANDER with followers.
ALL.
Put up your swords.

JUSTINA
(aside).
Ah, hapless me!

GOVERNOR.
How now?
But by your swords the matter I discover.

JUSTINA
(aside).
Ah, wo is me!

LYSANDER.
Wo, wo!

ALL.
My lord. ...

GOVERNOR.
What thou,
My son at strife? what, Lelio, under cover
Of my favour, dost put this town in flame?

LELIO.
My lord, if you but will. ...

GOVERNOR.
Away with them!
There is no exception or privilege of birth
Can make the punishment less than the crime is worth.

LELIO
(aside).
I brought jealousy, and take away affront!

FLORO
(aside).
My pains are gathering thick; but 'tis their wont!

[Exeunt prisoners.
GOVERNOR.
Away with them to prisons separate,
And guard them well! Lysander, can it be
Such noble parts, and so immaculate,
You suffer.....

LYSANDER.
Oh, believe not what you see.
The cause of this Justina does not know.

GOVERNOR.
What! she in her own house is unaware;
With two young handsome men, and she so fair?
But I my wrath will quell; lest I do shew
The sentence of a partial judge. But you:—
[To Justina.
Since you all shame have lost, will give me yet
A reason why your conduct you shall rue.
And your false virtue I will not forget,
But make you your hypocrisy regret.

[Exit with followers.
JUSTINA.
My tears my answer make.

LYSANDER.
'Tis all too late,
And vain to weep. Oh, why did I relate
That tale to thee? Oh, why could I not hide
From thee, alas! that on the chilly earth,
Within that mountain by a streamlet's side,
A cold and lifeless corpse did give thee birth!

JUSTINA.
I.....

LYSANDER.
Silence!

JUSTINA.
Heaven is my guarantee.

LYSANDER.
Methinks 'tis late.

JUSTINA.
No time it striketh me
Is late, while life does last.

LYSANDER.
To punish guilt.

JUSTINA.
To sift the truth.

LYSANDER.
'Gainst appearances wilt
Still fight, when they condemn?

JUSTINA.
They you condemn,
My lord, for trusting blindly thus to them.

LYSANDER.
Leave me to die, and yield me to my woes!

JUSTINA.
And I will die, ere I your friendship lose!

[Exeunt.
Enter MISALETHES and CIPRIANO.
MISALETHES.
Since I have been with you, I've mark'd your face
All sadness looks; your sunken cheeks reveal
Of profoundest melancholy the trace.
If you your sorrows thus from me conceal,
You cannot comfort have; since with my art
I could unhinge the structure of this orb,
To gratify whatever wish your heart
May wear with grief, and with sad thoughts absorb.

CIPRIANO.
No magic art there is, that can compel
Impossibilities. My hopes are vain.

MISALETHES.
If you're a friend, the reason you will tell.

CIPRIANO.
I love a maid.

MISALETHES.
Is this your cause of pain;
Impossible you say?

CIPRIANO.
You know her not.

MISALETHES.
Then let me know her name, and I will laugh,
To hear who's made you such a love-sick calf,
And pine away so like a coward sot.

CIPRIANO.
The blushing cradle of the infant dawn,
With sun that dries the frost and tearlike dews;
The rose, that smiling April looks upon,
And from its verdant cell triumphant views
The genial month bedeck the gardens fair;
And sees midst gentle frosts the laughing fields
With flowers sweetly scent the crystal air,
When heaven's self at dawn to weeping yields.
The murmur of the softly flowing stream,
Whose rippling notes the cruel frosts have stay'd;
The pink, that doth a coral star beseem;
The bird with richly painted plumes array'd;
The rock, that mocks the sun, which melts alone
Its snowy cap—but leaves the rock upright;
The laurel-tree, that at its feet a throne
Of snow beholds—and in the mirror bright,
Narcissus like upon its form will gaze,
But heedless view its matchless beauty's rays;
In a word, cradle, dew, field, sun, and snow,
The stream, the rose, the bird with am'rous song;
The smiles that like to pearls the heavens throw;
The pink that crystal quaffs,—the rock too strong
To be destroy'd—the laurel-tree that rears
Its head on high to watch the sunbeams shine
That like a crown its glossy foliage wears,—
Are parts that constitute this maid divine.
So blind and lost am I with frantic love,
You will not wonder feel, when I do say
That I to seem my former self above,
My raiment chang'd, and threw my books away.
My fame I heeded not; my thoughts I gave
To burning flame,—control was drown'd in sighs;
The winds did hear my hopes, and I did rave
Till reason fled, and now despised lies.
I said it, and say it again I will;
My soul I'd freely give to any hellish sprite,
Who'd help my love; who'd help my flame to kill,
Justina's charms by yielding to my might.
But why lament? my soul is nothing worth,
Since for my soul they will not yield her forth.

MISALETHES.
To what reward can coward lovers aim,
If first defeats their timid hearts can tame?
Are beauties now so rare; too vain to yield
To sighs? so proud, no flattery can bend?
If you but choose, the power you shall wield,
That very soon will make you gain your end.

CIPRIANO.
Surely I would.

MISALETHES.
Then send away these men.
For it is fitting we alone remain.

CIPRIANO.
Begone both of you!

MOSCO.
Master, I obey.

CLARIN.
And so do I; the devil this must be.

[He conceals himself.
MISALETHES
(aside).
It matters not if that fellow does stay.

CIPRIANO.
Now speak.

MISALETHES.
First shut that door, and we'll be free.

CIPRIANO.
We are alone.

MISALETHES.
Your lips just now did say,
To have the maid, you'd give your soul away.

CIPRIANO.
'Tis true.

MISALETHES.
If so, your offer I do take.

CIPRIANO.
What?

MISALETHES.
I accept the offer which you make.

CIPRIANO.
How so?

MISALETHES.
I say such is my skill and art,
To you a mystery I will impart,
Whose spell can make you bring your eyes before,
This maiden whom your heart does so adore;
And though I am so learned and so wise,
I could not summon her to other's sighs.

CIPRIANO.
Will you exasperate with torments new,
My sufferings? I offer'd what is mine;
But do you promise more than you can do.
To credit what you say I disincline;
For I believe no craft or magic art
Can curb the human will, or human heart.

MISALETHES.
Give me to that effect your signature,
And I will make the maiden yours for sure.

CIPRIANO.
'Mongst merry friends, such jests as these may pass;
But do not think me yet so great an ass.

MISALETHES.
My words I'll prove, your doubts I'll satisfy;—
Now say what see you from this gallery?

CIPRIANO.
A sky,—a mount,—a wood,—a mead,—a stream.

MISALETHES.
And which to you the pleasantest doth seem?

CIPRIANO.
The mount, whose varied charms, and steadfast air,
Is like to her that drives me to despair.

MISALETHES.
Thou proud competitor of fleeting time,
Whose head the clouds do crown, and make thee lord
Of all the plain with majesty sublime;
Remove thyself, obedient to my word.
Now judge, my friend, if I could bring a maid,
When to my voice that mountain has obey'd.

CIPRIANO.
Oh, most prodigious sight; 'tis wond'rous rare!

CLARIN
(from his concealment).
Oh, I tremble; this sight I cannot bear!

CIPRIANO.
Thou bird, whose wings are branches, through the air,
That carry thee; thou vessel, that do'st steer
Athwart the winds, now seek again thy sphere.
Amazement leave behind, and wild suspense;
And quickly take thy bulky frame from thence.

MISALETHES.
If this is not enough, I'll shew you more.—
Suppose we see the maiden you adore?

CIPRIANO.
O yes!

MISALETHES.
Thou monster, ope thy flinty womb,
And shew the maid its darkness doth entomb.
[A rock opens; and JUSTINA is seen sleeping.
Is that the lady makes your heart so sore?

CIPRIANO.
'Tis she, 'tis she, my heart does idolize!

MISALETHES.
You surely cannot need convincing more,
When I have brought the maid before your eyes?

CIPRIANO.
O sweet impossibility divine;
This day, thy arms shall know my burning love;
And I will quaff the beams of thy sunshine,
And joy in bliss that's worth the bliss above!

[He wishes to go to the rock—it closes.
MISALETHES.
Until you sign the offer you did make,
You cannot with this maiden freedom take.

CIPRIANO.
Oh, stay, thou darkest cloud that e'er didst blot
The brightest sun that on my hopes e'er dawn'd!
But I embrace the air. Now, I will not
Gainsay your skill; and I will give my bond.
Your slave I am, I swear it, as I live.

MISALETHES.
I guarantee must have;—a treaty sign'd
With hand and blood; security to give.

CLARIN.
I'd give my soul, not to have stay'd behind.

CIPRIANO.
This dagger be the pen—this kerchief white
The paper be,—and ink wherewith to write,
This blood which now is dripping from my arm.
[Having drawn blood with his dagger, he writes.
(O horrible! all frozen with alarm
I feel!) I, the great Cipriano, say,
My soul immortal I will give away
(I must be mad! myself I overreach!)
To him who sciences to me will teach,
(I shudder with confusion and amaze!)
To bring Justina to my longing gaze;
That cruel maid that doth my heart inflame;
And this I swear, and sign it with my name.

MISALETHES.
This wav'ring fool, so madden'd with despair,
[Aside.
I hold at last within my well-set snare.
Have you written?

CIPRIANO.
I have, and sign'd.

MISALETHES.
The maid
That you adore is yours.

CIPRIANO.
And I have said
My soul is yours for ever.

MISALETHES.
Soul for soul
I pay; for yours Justina's soul I give.

CIPRIANO.
And ere I learn your art, what time must roll?

MISALETHES.
A year, provided that.....

CIPRIANO.
Oh, never fear!

MISALETHES.
Confin'd within a grot we both do live,
And study nothing else; and this man here,
Our servant be, whose curiosity
[Drags out CLARIN.
Has kept him back; with us his person we
Will take, and thus will make our secret sure.

CLARIN.
Oh, why did I stay? from behind a door
I'm not the only one that stops to hear.
And I do think it very odd and queer,
I should be pull'd about so by the ear.

CIPRIANO.
'Tis good; then lucky is my genius and my love.
Justina shall be mine, and I will prove
That I, the wonder of the world shall be,
With science new, and magic mystery!

MISALETHES.
My plan's succeeded to my heart's content.

CLARIN.
Faith, all I've got by mine is to repent!

MISALETHES
to CLARIN.
Come on with me. (Aside.)
It is a conquest rare!

CIPRIANO.
Oh, happy me, if but the prize I bear!

MISALETHES
(aside).
Till both are mine, my malice shall not rest.—
Now let us seek this mountain's mazy breast;
Where, in a grot, your lesson first you'll take
In magic art.

CIPRIANO.
Then let us go; with you
To guide my head, and love my heart, I'll make
This world its wonder at my knowledge shew.
Amaz'd this globe shall be with my rare fame,
And Cipriano be a deathless name!