Whither so fast sweete Lord Lucio Foreste I haue tane my leaue o' th' Duke Fores. Must ye away to night Lucio Now presently My followers attend At doore I onely came to kisse thy hands Fores. The Sunne will faile yee ere ye reach Lucca Lucio I must through His grace will haue it so Why dost thou make thy head to shake and reele Vpon thy shoulders thus Is it o'recome With thoughts and such as must be hid from me Fores. Take heede suspition is the Fauorite Of Time and Nature it takes a sudden grouth And gathers in the brest like Balls of snow In snow vntill the weight make it deny To be remoou'd then melts at leasure too Lucio He 's too moderate that will at my yeeres Be satisfied thus Fores. Why then consider thus You goe to Lucca There to congratulate the sate aproach Of the Popes Legate He hath bin there a weeke And why he was not visited ere this Or why vpon such strict and short summons Your selfe must now be sent quite puzles me Actions rare and sudden doe commonly Proceed from fierce necessitie or else From some oblique designe which is asham'd To shew it selfe i' th' publique Rode Lucio Foreste is this all Forest. Why me sweete Patron this is enough Of danger since none is merited Lucio Yong thoughts encourage me to sufferance Each storme is vsher to a gentle calme Why toyles with speede gets soonest home to rest The plodding Mule shall sleepe eternally Why should the stricken deare bemoane his death His obsequies were full of noble rites Acteons Quire a iolly Requiem gaue And th' Arrow from the bow did sing his dirge Fores. Thus thy yeeres doe riddle griefe away Making sorrow swift because 't is mortall Let me waite on your Lordship to your horse And at your better leasure read this same I 'le tell ye as we goe who brought it me Exeunt Omnes Enter Duke Duke To wrong my boy vnkinde incestuous heate Why is Copulation legal it giues Authoritie to lust for chastetie Would soone conclude the World O virtuous Preiudice when error preuents folly Fiendes Deuils that doe liue in liquid fire Haue constitutions not halfe so hot So riotous as mine But why this The beautious Corsa is not yet defil'd He that repents e're he commits a fault Doth like a thirsty sinner store his Soule With mercy to absolue that sinne himselfe Which he may afterwards more securely Fall into Enough this soone Initiates Enter Castruchio The credulous Count her husband I haue sent To Lucca And tomorrow he returnes My plots are limmited too short a time To become Actions Nor was it skill To send the Iewell by her sister Marke My Soule and braine are perfect Courtiers growne In my declention and my greatest want They leaue me to instruct and helpe my selfe Cast. These fancies are not old the whole Court Obserues him strangely altered But why Am I sent for that I must know by safe And cautelous insinuation Duke How soone I 'ue profited in discipline Of Hell I must through What I did meane Adultery at first will now I feare Become a Rape Cast. Hah still vpon that string I like it well T' is musicall Duke Castruchio art thou come Thou hast bin a Courtier long but whether 'T was want of skill in me to choose a Man Or want of lucke in thee to be my choyce Suspence makes neutrall But know my loue Was tardy because still voyde of leasure To warrant passion well bestowed by safe Though tedious trials Affection That is slow is sure And now I weare my heart Not in mine owne breast but thine Cast. I haue but one life it is some error In your Grace thus t' oblige me to the losse Of more in your deare seruice Duke I am not skil'd in words But I affect Thy fury For thou art the bold Satyr That whips Foreste and the wanton Count In thy tart Verse Cast. My gracious Lord I shall conceiue much griefe If my zeale mistake in accusation Of those Men which th' vncertaine Tongue of Fame Deliuers to my charge Duke Nay make not thy confession an excuse Rather then a story For there needs none I hate Foreste and the Count and would Deuise succinct ways to my reuenge Cast. Heauen forbid I 'de rather farre disgrace The skill of my subiect call accusation Slander then that the busie multitude Should note inconstancy in you Duke This is a damn'd Hypocrite Chamelions Changes are not so intricate to sense Castruchio ease me with nimble apprehension I haue not leasure to be modest now Speake hast no acquaintance with any neere Corsa's person the Counts faire wife Cast. I humbly beg your Grace would not mistake The conditions of my duty Duke I beg of thee not to mistake the sense Of my designes My words import my heart And both no danger vnto thee Cast. I hope my skill in seruitude will not Prouoke my Prince to tempt my honor Duke What prolixe loue is this Dost thou indent With my acceptance make choyce of seruices Cast. Your Grace will giue me leaue since that I know I not deserue to share in your high secrets To doubt my safety in knowing this Duke Death and horror thy suspitions are too thinne Consider why I sent the Count to Lucca Vpon my life thou art secure therefore Reply vnto my former question Cast. My gracious Lord I haue some interest In her woman Duke In Corsa's woman knowne to thee Cast. She is Perhaps Duke Discharge thy tongue May my eares blister If they digest words to thy preiudice Cast. Perhaps I knew her beyond the modest straine Duke There 's Gold Castruchio shew some pitty flings him a Bag. On rebellious blood Be my Harbenger Billet me this night where she doth lye And thou art made for euer Cast. Must it be this night Duke Strict opportunitie will haue it so Her Lord returnes with the next Sunne Cast. I cannot say her selfe shall porter be Vnto your entrance but her woman shall Duke Enough here 's more Gold Summon vp thy braine Thy heart thy soule to meet in consulation And so contriue my peace Farewell Cast. I will instruct your Grace e're long both when And how to make this armorous assault Duke My selfe and my Exchequer are thine owne There needs no Art to worke him into euill He is bad enough t' infect the Deuill Exeunt seuerall wayes Actus Quartus Scena Prima Enter DORIDO DORIDO Good they haue left the Garden dore vnlocked I 'le venture in to helpe discouery Castruchio is grac'd with rare imployment The Duke and he doe heere consume the Night These are houres for Ghosts Adulterers And Theeues The slaue is Haggard At Supper Being full of gold his vaine Appetite Fed at Nero's rate I was discarded With a frowne shaken like a Burre from 's sleeue As if my closure heeretofore had bin Impertinent Ambition lessens all Beneath it selfe to nothing the higher Enter Castru. We doe stand so much lesse those men appeare
the noyse of words It shewes Apparent to my intellect the Count Presuming on that free adresse he still Hath had vnto your person will hither bring Corsa and Foreste to shew the shape And quallity of his new sufferance Be you within your bed to free you from The worlds suspition whilst I doe place Behind the Gallery doore which leads vnto Your Closset Chappell such trusty spirits As shall dare to thrust their weapons home Duke O quintesence of Soule I will deuote My actions wholly to thy vse Good night Exit Cast. May slumber ceaze vpon your toyall Eies With gentle closure Know poore Foreste The bag that holds my Gall is so immense Enter Duke That when I steepe thee in it thou art drownd Duke Castruchio I haue better thought vpon 't Cast My gracious Lord Duke I would not haue thee hurt my Boy vse him Kindly for my sake Cast. Shall I not strike him heere betweene the Ribbes Duke Not for the world Thou dost not know his Soule He 's of so soft so sweete a propertie That he inchants where he is knowne Besides I finde I am so powerfull o're his youth That I shall soone extirpate from his memory The wrong I did his Wife and him As for Foreste his experience is of growth Too stubborne of practise stiffe and will not Be remoo'd from his reuenge by strength of words Therefore let him no mercy feele but let My Boy be gently vs'd for my sake Farewell Exit Duke Cast. This is a silly kinde of loue But let me thinke So to contriue this plot That Lothario may destroy Foreste And him to make his silence safe humh Enter Duke Duke No it must not be Cast. My royall Lord Duke Lucio my Boy is not proscrib'd Take heed Castruchio If thou dost extend thy hand In motion boysterous and rough to him Thou dost infect all thy other kindnesse And I shall see thee as a Cocatrice That will enforce my Optick-nerues to shrinke And pull my Eies into my skull Looke to 't Cast. Most gracious Sir were his person bulwark'd With the Alpes were he hidden in 's owne feare He could not be more safe then you haue made him Duke Once more then good Night exit Cast. A plague vpon this turdy loue Such thoughts When first your Blood did make your Vaines to swell Like Bridges 'ore your flesh had preuented My imployment Softely softely Feare and suspition euer walke on Egges Enter Foreste and Seruants with a Light Fores. Leaue heere the Light and goe to Bed Exit Seruant within cry Breake ope the doore breake ope the doore Fores. Hah who counsels so vnlawfully Enter Lucio and Seruants Lucio O Foreste the fatall Houre is come Ring out your Bells vntill they wake the dead Let the Drumme murmure in a sable Bagge Reuerse your Muskets and traile your stubborne Pikes In slimy-Channels Let Trumpets groane And the shrill Phiph be hoarce The fatall Hower Is come Forest. Why what 's the matter Sir Lucio O my wife by this she did entreat me he shewes a Letter Suddenly vpon some vrgent cause To haste from Lucca to her Iust now I lighted from my Horse enter'd her Chamber And found her newly murdered in her Chayre My Seruants say that my arriuall there Did iust succeed your departure from her Fores. Dismisse your Seruants and you shall know all Lucio Hence and expect me strait at home Exeunt sern. Fores. I pray come hither Sir Doe you dislike That iustice which depriu'd your Wife of breath Lucio Doest thou call it Iustice Fores. Yes in the noblest straine she was defil'd The royall Goate the Duke hath rauish'd her And I that neuer could admit excuse In points of honor where euer suspition Sufficeth to condemne did summon vp My memory wherein the kinde effects Of your best loue to vs are registred And finding you betray'd in your owne Fort I slit her Wrist-vaynes and gaue perpetuall Liberty to her polluted Blood Lucio O Villaine more bloody then the Tyger Whose empty Entrailes noyse doth Trumpet like Encourage cruelty Though thou didst flight her As my poore Wife yet she might well expect Some mercy as being thy owne sister Fores. Had she included all propinquity Of blood which lawfull Mariage keepeth knowne Or promiscuous Copulation maketh Intricate this bare word Honor had bin Enough t' haue diuorc'd her from my mercy Sweete Lord doe not mistake your Seruant Whose kindenesse thinks his owne Sister when defil'd Was to base for your vse Lucio A bloody kindnesse to distinguish so She was no Adulteresse but enforc'd Her thoughts Were pure and such a noble sympathy Indeerd her Soule to mine that her owne Teares Might soone haue wash'd away her Bodys staine And she againe seeme cleane Corsa O my Wife my bosome Girle where art thou Speake no reply Art thou so much busied With thy new acquaintance now in Heauen That thy poore Lord may not borrow one word At parting Draw draw ingratefull Monster That hast preuented thus our Dialogue Fores. Sir coole your spleene take breath awhile And heare me speake Lucio No false Syren thou holy Hypocrite I know thy tricks too well 'Cause I am yong Too soft of heart and apt to melt In euery flame of my owne triuiall loue Therefore thou thinkst to practise on me now With subtill phrase Draw or else thou dy'st Fores. Come Let me dye as she a sacrifice To thee my Patron offers his naked brest Lucio A sacrifice to me O Foreste Why dost thou multiply thy skill flings away his Sword To thy friends preiudice It is not well In troth it is not Imploy thy owne heart Thinke vpon 't thy selfe T is not kindely done I should not haue vs'd you thus Fores. O my deere Lord where did I loose your heart I am o'recome at these expressions I cannot weepe much yet my Eies are moyst O my vnskilfull gratitude what dire Mistake confounds our properties I kill'd A Sister to secure a Friend T' was ill T was not the right way A true Romane now Would walke aside and with his owne Sword Dismisse his owne Soule and not permit Moysture in youthfull Eies thus to disgrace The strength of elder loue I cannot weepe But our diuinity supplyes vs with Discreeter wayes to make affection knowne Enough I will prefix but one short Houre To thinke vpon 't Heere sir Sheath your good sword Till reuenge prooue ripe And I coniure By all my Sisters loue to follow me In whose behalfe your instice may imploy It selfe Which done you shall behold my Heart Without a Perspectiue If it concerneth her by whom thou dost Coniure my seruice I 'm bound to follow thee Fores. What hoa Enter Luinna Luin. My Lord Fores. Come Minion come along with vs You walke Vnto the Barte If triall find thee false Thou shalt be scattered into Attomes Luin. O my deuining Soule Sure my Sister Is not safe Exeunt omnes Enter Castruchio Lothario Cossimo seuerall wayes Cast. Signior Lothario Loth. Heere Signior Cossimo
THE CRVELL BROTHER A Tragedy As it was presented at the priuate House in the Blacke-Fryers By His Maiesties Seruants LONDON Imprinted by A. M. for Iohn Waterson and are to bee solde at the signe of the Crowne in Pauls Church-yard 1630 TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THE LORD WESTON LORD HIGH TREASVRER OF ENGLAND MY LORD I Should doe my inclination wrong to call this the first Testimony of my Zeale to your Lordshippe For I did neuer thinke the wonder or the prayse that I haue written iust vntill I found your Lordships Character in both and yet the age is growne vnworthy to receiue such truths therefore some were purposely conceal'd and this fit esteeme of your Lordship is chiefly left to delight Posterity I could vrge the dignitie of Drammatick-Poems but that were vainly to direct rather then wooe an acceptation Those errors your Lordshippes leasure shall vouchsafe to reade in this Tragedy are its originall Crimes hauing receiu'd no examination since the Birth and being aduised to correct it by a suruay I sayd I had study'd your Lordship and would not lessen the noble office of your Mercy This confidence I hope shall nothing preiudice Your Lordships humble Seruant WILLIAM D'AVENANT The Scene Italy The Persons of this Tragedy The DVKE Of Sienna LVCIO A Count FORESTE Creature to Lucio CASTRVCHIO A satyricall-Courtier COSIMO A Courtier and Cousen to Castruchio DORIDO A Gentleman Companion with both LOTHARIO A frantique young-Gallant BORACHIO A Rustick Tennant and Seruant to Lothario A MONKE A Sutor A GENTLEMAN A Sutor CORSA Sister to Foreste Wife to Lucio LVINNA Wife to Foreste DVARTE Woman to Corsa A BOY. Who Sings SERVANTS c. THE CRVELL BROTHER Actus Primus Scena Prima Enter FORESTE and LVCIO FOREST I must not be so rude as to beleeue That you my Lord can your affections set Vpon a Mayde so humble in her birth As she you name for regard of honour Doe not mock the sister of your seruant Lucio This way to madnesse leads teach not my heart Such modern Heraldry Let it dispose Of charitable thoughts with naturall eies Vnlimmited by customary forme Which gaine and nicetie haue made an Art Virtue not blood enobles vs and ernes Her atribute without hereditary helpe From ancestors O my deere Foreste Thy sister with such noble wealth is fraught That to be couetous for her appeares A holy sinne But thou art cruell growne Thy memory is sick The old effects That witnesse how I loue thy learned soule Are quite forgot Fores. Young Lord disclaime that thought Heare I Promulgate you my Patron are You found me in estate so poore so lowe That you were faine to stoope to lift me vp You are the Dukes Creature who doates by Art Who in his loue and kindnesse Method keepes He holdeth thus his Armes in fearefull care Not to bruse you with his deere embracements And what is she whose Virgin blood disdaines To quench your lawfull fire or whom the Duk Would not procure to climbe your Marriage be Vpon her Knees And shall I then Like to the treacherous Moone striue to eclips The Sunne that giues me light Shall I consent That she that tumbled in a Wombe with me Shall giue your Issue birth The royall Duke Would thanke me for such charitie My Lord Though you are wise you are but young Lucio Heart of Viper Sure Time hath lost his feathers from his Heeles Marke how slow he goes Shall I neere be olde That my designes may repute haue And credit in the World I doe not aske Thy Sister for my Whore but for my Wife Fores. Sir t' is already ioynd vnto my Creede For I would eate your Heart should it contriue A way in thought how to cheate my Sister Of her pure Chastitie I loue you so That I with care suppose She not deserues To be your Wife and so esteeme of her That she is much too good to be your Whore In this new Argument I am too bolde You know my duty well The Dukes abroad Though but the birth of day Goe Sir Enter Duke Castruchio Dorido Cosimo Page and Followers Duke My glorious Boy you are too vigilant The Sunne and you doe visite me at once This courtship is not safe You must not meete Your Louer with a Riuall glorious As your selfe Foreste welcome from Genoa How fares our Brother Cardinall Fores. In health and ease He badde me tell your Grace It was a deed of charitie to thinke Him worthy of this same great imployment And this letter he humbly recommends To your perusall Duke reads the Letter to himselfe Cast. How can it choose But choke the very Soule and bruse the Heart To thinke that such a giddy Snipe a Foole That meerely liues to disparage Nature Should creepe to this ambitious gouernment Still he rules the Ruler The Duke is Ward Vnto a Page whose Eie-browes weare more Beard Then doth his Chinne And there 's his Instrument A darke fellow that with disguised Lookes Could cheat an Hypocrite older then Time Dorid. I 'ue heard a better Character of both Such as to the young Count Witt and vallour giues Vnto Foreste honest Spirits Cast. Report is then become a Bawde to Luck Whom Fortune do henrich Fame doth flatter Duke Sure this tame Priest will make vs all Cowards We must a truce confirme with Genoa Well be it so Where now my noble Boy Shall I occasion finde to testifie That you deserue my loue by vertue of your owne In sickely times when Warre and ciuill Spleene Besiege the Heart with treacherous designes A friend shall find a cause to make him knowne But now in faire weather I neede not aske What Houell 's nere Lucio In this I dare discredite Fate They are not so wealthy in affliction With sorrow so well stor'd as could suffice To trie my sufferance in the behalfe Of you my Prince and still royall Master Duke Dar'st thou then die for me Heere make thy selfe a sacrifice to Fame Profers him a naked Ponyard Take it and I will be thy Chronicler Lucio It were Sir but ingratitude in me To lessen thus the number sanctifide Of your true friends Be you pleas'd to sheath it In that same part which you doe most abhorre Duke O Lucio thou art my Earewig now Creep'st in my eare to feast vpon my Braines When in my priuate graue I lye inclos'd More silent then my ruin'd Fame no tongue Shall pay his tribute to my memory But thine for thou art likely to suruiue Thy yeares are few but full of gratitude Come hye we to the Parke The sprightfull morne Giues motion wings and libertie to those Whom lamenesse stakes vnto the ground Cast. Royall dotard like tinder thou dost waste Thy forced fire to giue another light Whose sawcy flame will darken thine Monstrous Dorid. Why dost thou spend thy gall in secret thus A pox vpon 't turne thoughts to action Heauen knowes I had rather enrich my selfe Then enuy others wealth Imploy thy brayne Get the Dukes fist to
experiment of Wrath Let Fame discourse aloud vntill she want An Antidote I am not scar'd with noyse Heere I dismisse my feares If I can swell Vnpoyson'd by those helpes which Heauen forbids Fond loue of ease shall neere my soule dehort Maugre all flattery enuy or report Exit Foreste Sutors within O good your Grace heare vs heare the complaints Of vs poore Men O heare vs we are all Vndone Good your Honour heare vs Enter Duke and Lucio Duke Death encounter 'em Lucio shut the doore T is the plague of greatnesse the curse Of pompe that in our darkest priuacie wee must Euen publique be to euery Mans affaires How now All these sawcy Troopes of brawling Sutors attend on you my glorious Boy Lucio It is their humble skill not to arriue Before your Grace but by an Aduocate A Mediatour blessed in your Eies Duke How apt am I to loue yet now obserue Vnkindnesse in my care and bitternesse In Physicke I study how to make thee lesse That I may make thee more and more my owne Office and Dignity are Enemies To health and ease Respect growes tedious Obseruance troublesome where ti 's most due He that giues his Soule no more imployment Then what 's her owne may sleepe within a Drumme While busie Hearts that loue to vndertake Beyond their reach of yeeres are faine to vse Drowsie potions yet watch the Winter night With more distinction then the Parish Clocke Could'st thou resigne thy titles and thy cares To make me yet more capable of still Enioying thee Lucio My zeale vnto my selfe forbids my speech Since if I make reply to this I but Disparedge duty and consume my breath Where sight is young and cleere there Spectacles Are troublesome and rather hide then shew The obiect The most deuout obedience Which I shall euer owe vnto your Grace Becomes my heart much better then my tongue Duke But yet obserue my Lucio Th' vnkind tricks of Nature how we are fool'd By a religious constancy in Loue A Princes hate doth ruine where it falls But his affection warmeth where it shines Vntill it kindle fire to scorch himselfe If we are subiect to the sinne of Heauen Too much charitie extreamity of loue Let there be mercy shewen in punishment Why is the corrupted vse of Royall loue Imputed to our charge to our Audit layd We that with all those Organs furnish'd are All those faculties naturall in Men Yet limitted in vse of each prescrib'd Our conuersation by a sawcy forme Of State How can we choose by this restraint But struggle more for liberty make choise Of some one Eare wherein to empty out our Soules When they are full of busie thoughts of plotts Abortiue crude and thinne T' is cheape and base For Maiestie not to be singular In all effects O then if I must giue my heart To the command of one send him sweete Heauen A modest appetite teach him to know The stomacke sooner surfeits with too much Then starues for lacke of that supply Which couetous Ambition calleth want For when my Friend beggs my bounty then Concludes to make me poore before that he Shall so vnthrifty be of breath to aske in vaine Distraction tamenesse O my Lucio How canst thou conster this After I haue chid I seeme to flatter thee Lucio My gracious Lord Duke Peace I will no more imploy my memory Thus to discourage thine Where 's Foreste T' is fit he know you are not vigilant In his behalfe Farelo de Sforza My old Secretary is newly dead The place is his I shall expect no thankes From you nor yet from him My bounty is requited in her choice Lucio Your Grace will bring vs both within the reach Of publique enuy Duke Thou now would'st certifie His birth obscure and base discourageth Such earnest helpe to his so great promotion Not a iot Know my Boy t' is the vulgar Not the Royall trade to patch vp things Or seeke to mend what was before of qualitie Perfect enough it selfe To make a Man Of nothing why this same creation Enclines a little neere Diuinitie Neere the old performance which from Chaos Drew this multitude of subtill formes Lucio Since you the royall maker doe commend The mettall and your workemanshippe it shewes There 's little skill in those which enuy him Foreste is your Creature Many times I doe acquaint him what the generall voyce Doth vrge in his disgrace He laughs it out And sweares he would not loose that priuiledge Which Nature gaue him by her kinde mistake In his natiuitie for the Seas worth As if from 's Issue he could ne're deserue A Monument vnlesse himselfe doe hewe The stones whereof t' is built vnlesse he raise His Monument on a Wart his dignitie On pouertie obscure and base Duke We doe affect his thoughts Such industry Proclaimes him fit for high designes Some Men Attend the talking Drumme and riddle out Their liues on Earth with Madnesse Sophistry Calling their losse their gaine danger delight Some men conuerse with Bookes and melt the braine In sullen study how to vindicate The liberall Arts Those loose formalitie Then grow Methodicall and dy i' th' darke Some practise rules of State and suffer much For Honors sake nay tread vpon themselues At first to reach the higher Some pursue The Plough and in their wholesome sweat doe swimme And some that furnish'd are with nimbler soules Imploy their times in wanton exercise Masques and Reuells the complements of Loue And Loue I finde the easiest vanity Lucio O gentle Corsa make it so with me Faine would I if I durst reueale to him a noyse within The heate of my affection and where t' is fix'd Duke Hearke sure the gallery doore is left vnlockt Are we debard all place of priuacie Nature in vs hath lost her vulgar right A loude bawling sutor doth not waken Charitie but deafen her A shame vpon 'em all In Lucio Exeunt Duke Lucio Enter Sutors at the other doore 1. Heauen blesse his Grace 2. Amen and my Lord the Count 's good Honor 3. Friend went the Duke this way 2. Heere This way 3. Pray shew me him they call Signior Lucio 2. The Count Come I 'le shew you him 1. Follow follow follow Exeunt Enter Dorido and Cosimo Dor Dost heere Cosimo Cosi. What sayst thou Dor. I prethee stay why slip but heere aside And thou shalt see the most resplendent Fopp That euer did discredit Nature Signior Lothario a Countrey Gentleman But now the Court Baboone who perswades himselfe Out of a new kinde of madnesse to be enter Lothario Borachio The Dukes fauorite He comes Th' other is A bundle of Prouerbs whom he seduc'd From the Plough to serue him for Preferment Lotha. Borachio Bor. My Lord Loth. Suruay my garments round and then declare If I haue hit it Bor. You haue sir but not the marke Loth. What marke thou bold Parishioner of Hell Bor. Why Sir the marke I aime at Preferment After a storme comes a calme the harder You
prompt Make her fruitfull as the Vine which growes Crooked with the weight of its owne encrease So blessed in their Issue that when time Shall thinke them fit to taste the priuiledge Of Death they shall not need a Monument Yet dwell as chiefe i' th' memory of Fame Corsa Amen Amen Lucio Such is my prayer too O Foreste Excessiue ioy disturbs my vtterance My words are parted on any tongue O speake Thou know'st my heart Tell her there may lie hope I shall deserue those Teares that shew like deaw Vpon the Morning cheeke Intreat her that My yeeres may not disgrace my loue Though I Am young I cannot counterfeit I euer speake my thoughts I am o'recome Corsa Alas sir so am I There needs no Art To helpe beliefe where no suspition is Fores. Now I 'le leaue you to your selues Exit Fores Corsa I 'ue much to promise in my owne behalfe Of my future loue and humble duty To you my deerest Lord Time layes his hand On Pyramides of Brasse and ruines quite What all the fond Artificers did thinke Immortall workemanship He sends his wormes To Bookes to old Records and they deuoure Th inscription He loues Ingratitude For he destroyd the memory of Man But I shall neere forget on what strange termes You take me to your bed Lucio Excellent wretch I am vndone with ioy I will not blame the Coward to feare death Since the world containes such ioy as this Why doe you weepe Lady can you suppose Foreste would consent to what is done Vnlesse he knew there were no danger in 't Sure his Mother was a Sibyll he sees With a prophetique aime the end of his Designes before they come to action He is too wise to erre Why weepe you then Corsa It is a folly in my Eies I know not why they weepe vnlesse they weepe Because they now haue lost their libertie Heeretofore each man which chance presented Was to them a lawfull obiect but now They are to looke on none but you Lucio Marke then the bondage I impose on mine My poore eies haue no obiect but your face Of which I will depriue them thus Couers her face with her white Vaile Shroude thee in thy vestall ornaments Creepe creepe my glorious Sunne behind a cloud For els my eies will surfeit with delight I neuer felt true ioy till now Me thinks A briske alacritie a nimble fire Conuayes me strangely from my flesh Not the Cannons Iron-entraile when wrapp'd Within a swarthy case of troubled Aire Could equall me in emphasis of Motion Corsa Though Modesty would suffer me to boast Yet t' were not in the power of breath to make My ioy so knowne as it is felt Lucio Come then my deare Corsa the Priest attends Within the world wants Men and Hymen is A nimble God When all is past preuention The Duke shall know my choice Exit Enter Dorido and Cosimo Dorid. This disgrace makes thy Cousen boyle his heart In his owne blood Cos. He hath writ a most pestilent Libell Which must be sung all about the city By one he calls his Daw A tall bigg fellow Dor. I know him He sings like Phalaris Bull Cos. I supposd at first he would haue sent him A Challenge Dor. But that 's contingent now Foreste Being made Secretary of State Cos. I'haue heard o' th' new edict which institutes A misterious toy i' th Hatband for those Of the faction Dor. Why about two dayes since one of the sect Sent me a Challenge Because my sister Drunke his Lords health with her Quoife on Each houre These giddy Participles doe imbarque Themselues for Duels The one is a kinne To my honorable Lady Th' other To my very good Lord Enter Castruchio Cos. There comes my Cousen chawing his leane heart Dor. Good morrow to the Court Satyrist Cast. The world is altred Dorido Foreste Is stepp'd beyond my reach we cannot meete In Duell The Heralds stand betweene But my fine Thrush can sing you a new Lybell Dor. We shall haue your Thrush in a Cage shortly Remember who you deale withall Cast, Hang him dull open slaue His thoughts may be Discernd through the shauing of a deale bord I 'le sift and winnow him in an old hat Dor. Prethee sweete Castruchio leaue thy barkeing 'T will bet treason shortly for any man To carry eares within three miles of thy Tongue Cast. Why Signior what Faction are you of Dor. Not of your faction Sir if none returne Vnto the prison for your libelling You remember your Vices strip'd and whip'd Your trimme Eclogues the fulsome Satyr too Written to his Grace Wherein you flatter Whine and damne your selfe to get a pardon For what seemes there a resolute offence Satyrs are more vsefull now then euer Nor grieues it me to see the humour vs'd But thus abus'd To see a Bard still reach At holy Bayes Passion o' me I 'le tell thee Thy Rimes include not so much Braines as would Suffice to fill a Cherry-stone Cast. Yo 'ld faine make me angry Dor. I with thy selfe Cos. And then thou spend'st thy Gall with more iustice Then when thou rayl'st against Foreste Cast. Cry you mercy precious Cox Hath Foreste So great a share in your tongue too Sympathy Is corupted Behold society Amongst the wicked whilst a vertuous man Is left alone to resist his bad fate Let him chide the fulsome Age raile against The Times aloude though in a Vault or 'tweene Two Hills He shall find no zealous ecchoe To second his bold Language When I dye I dye a Martyr to the Common-weale Enter Lothario and Borachio Loth. Dull Caytife leaue these abortiue Prouects And talke in the newest fashion I 'le haue My very Dugge barke i' th' Courtly garbe Dor. Steppe aside They are as mad as thy Cousen Loth. The excrements and meere defects of nature shall be reduc'd to Ornaments in me I 'le feed vpon the tongues of Nightingales For so each fart I let will be a Song Cast. For the Peripateticks being Butchers Heere in Sienna Loth. A Pallas hewne in an intire Carbuncle Encircled with a More that flowes with Lhasis Cast. deriu'd their Augury from the warme Entrailes Of a Calfe Bor. Sir These are some of those that laugh'd at yee In the presence Loth. At me thou lyest They laugh'd at thee Bora. Why then the Deuill will ne're giue a Man Leasure to beleeue a trueth Cast. Seignior Lothario the great Minion To our Duke I greet your health with all ioy Cos. And I with all humility Dorid. And I with all celerity Loth. Hearke thou dull Sinner Is this reall hah Bora. Sir let him that hath a heart of his owne Thinke what he list Loth. Doe they adore or floute me now Bora. All is witchcraft know when the Moone winks There 's something in 't besides an ecclips Loth. Miscreant What suspitious follys Dost thou creat within that Wolden-skull And with what Heathen-phrase vtter'd Know Dogg If I imploy my wrath Bora. Allas sir l 'ue more faults then
a Timerous modesty she stifleth vp Her vtterance O such a pregnant Eye And yet I slow of speech is a wonder More delightfull then any Nature makes Hast thou Lucio so much vnhappy witt As to be iealous yet with thou suppose Thy selfe secure in our discourse Lucio Heauen forbid your Grace should er'e imploy Your time so ill as to discourse with her 'Till grew jealous Duke Come hither Lady come confesse how chance You haue bewitch'd my Boy with subtill smiles With wanton hauiour of those pretty Eies Doth Heauen bestow such Noble ornaments To be abused in the vse and now He is your Prisoner too in cheerefull bonds How can you haue the heart to make such spoile And hauock of his beauty hah speake Lady Corsa I hope your Grace hath thoughts more mercifull I know this match was made in Heauen and not Prouok'd by any sinfull art in me How I haue vs'd him in this little time That he hath bin my Lord let him declare My duty is so strict I need not blush To heare the story told Duke No! looke looke there His Eies for very shame Their luster 's lost are crep't into his head Encircled with the weakely cullor blew The Roses in his Cheekes are withered quite His cleere and briske aspect is muddy now And dull His voyce that was so shrill and could Euen Trumpet-like outscolde the Ecchoe Is hollow growne and horce Haue you then vs'd him well Corsa Alas most gracious sir goe not about To make my Lord suspect my Loyalty If Nature sickne in his faculties Which heauen be thanked I perceiued not yet It cannot prooue a guiltinesse in me Duke Beleeu 't young wife I am no Proselyte I still auerr you are that greedy Nimph That hath deuour'd the rich complexion of my Boy See how his feature 's shrunke his beauty stain'd The Scythian Dame whose cruelty is such Whose lust so prodigall that she doth striue To kill the able Lecher in the act Making her wombe his Sepulchre would yet Haue spard that wanton handsomenesse to shew As patterne of her Lenitie Corsa I hope your Grace will pardon Ignorance That so ill mannerd is as not to know Your meaning Duke No matter Lady My accusation shall withdraw it selfe Pretty innocence Lucio prepare T is our will to make thy Wife a Courtier She shall be high in fauour if she 'll leaue Her modesty that 's out of fashion now In Neighbour Courts the Ladys so preuaile With masculine behauiour they grow In factions able to depose their Husbands From the charter of their Sex Fores. T' is strange that his dislike is fled so soone Duke Your Mariage we wil solemnize with masques And Reuels If Inuention euer meane To get reward for subtiltie t is now We take notice Lucio She is thy wife And thy sister our Foreste Fores. Lucio We your Graces humblest Creatures Fores. Affection is become a Parasite Striues to please whom it cannot benifit Exeunt omnes Actus Tertius Scena Prima Enter DORIDO COSIMO CASTRY CHIO DORIDO Knowne by whom by Citty witts Cos. Or my Ladys workemen Dor. Who ne're saw verse but what their Sutors writ Which they read like Prose too Cast. I 'le not discredit my patience talke on Dor. They say you are particular with a Great Lady Cos. Yes and her Pensioner Dor. Some loose thing belike yet will be at charge To secure her fame from noyse For thou prayst Against all lechery but thine owne Cos. And she hath wish'd in witty-penitence Thou had'st beene single in the world Dor. I for then she had liu'd chaste He growes angry His eies looke red Cast. No Sir They blush to see a Foole Dor. T' were fit they would imploy their modesty At home For thou art a foole in print Cos. Yet had he liu'd when the old Sybill Presented her diuine Manuscripts to The dull Romane he would haue scolded with her Vnlesse his Pamphlets had attain'd the first Acceptance Dor. True for euery Poet thinks himselfe The best Poet in the world Cos. And that Satyr not the worst wherin He chides Women for wearing their Halfe-Ruffes Which pinn'd behin'd trans scituates the face Or makes 'em looke like Ianus with two faces Dorid. A iust exception for going hastily To kisse his whore he could not find her Mouth Cos. Why sure her breath was strong enough To direct him to it Cast. Yet I haue heard nothing but what deserues More pitty then anger Dorid. Now when he hath prouided some high toy For the Presse he thinks on dedication Strait chooseth one of the faction who must Not Patronize but buy what he makes vendable With praise in the Epistle Cos. Can you deny this Cousen Satyrist Dorid And nothing makes Learning so cheape but that Euery writer sells his works Exit Castruchio they after him Cos. Nay let 's follow and worry him to peeces Enter Lucio and Foreste Lucio Foreste Our ruine is contriu'd aboue If our Master prooue vnkin'd the Planets Gouerne ill For our gratitude and care Deserues more constancy Foreste Lookes he so strangely on yee Lucio As if the obiect were but new to him And his owne heart vnsetled in his breast Fores. Is his violence so soone tir'd suruay The Register of your owne deeds Speake Sir Haue you so engross'd his eares as if their Organ were yours not his Confin'd 'em to Your owne tongue and so depriu'd the sorrowfull The grieu'd in heart of an easie audience Lucio Neuer Forest. Since you haue shar'd the Dukes prerogatiue And by his loue held opposition At such great aduantage did you e're slight With cheape regard those of high and Noble birth Lucio My soule abhorrs such tyranny Fores. Haue those who weare th'Eternalls Liuery Bought their wages of ye Or haue they found Bold and skilfull flattery more helps Aduancement then deepe and modest Learning Lucio Neuer since my distinction was of power To helpe its choyce Forest. In nice triall or euidence of Law Hath Custome which only giues vs hope Of certainty in Iustice bin traduc'd By your obscure helpe Lucio Neuer Fores. Hath the desolate Widdow scar'd mercy From your eies with her old ruin'd beauty For griefe was neuer amorous or hath The torne Begger too soone dismissed your charitie Because not giddy enough to delight Wantonesse Lucio Neuer Fores. Then if our great Master withdraw his loue The weight of sufferance cannot bruise ye For the whole world will share i' th burden Enter a young Gentleman with a Letter Lucio From whom is this sir Gent. From my Lord Marquise de Loretta Lucio I humbly kisse his hand Gent. Now luck flatter me but once and I am made T is short pray heauen it be sweete or I 'le nere loue The Prouerb Lucio Sir haue you euer bin in seruice Vnder any eminent Commander Gent. Neuer yet Lucio Reade these Foreste How Reputation lessens in esteme Courtesie growes so cheape that deniall Seemes lesse troublesome then consent And performance is only Lazy The labor of
subscription hinders more Then thought of that to which it doth subscribe This Letter would faine make you a Captaine In the new Troupes sent to the Valtaline But sure your modesty will teach you baulke The graunt though I should beg ye to receau 't Fores. Sir Shall the grey head the old Souldier That tries misfortune by his constancy In sufferance affronts the winters rage Whilst his blood is frozen into Corrall His sinnes into Wyer whole Vallor thinkes To weare Chain'd shot as bracelets on his Loynes Shall his preferment be intercepted Shall he now traile a Pike vnder a Boy Whose experience is younger then his face Lucio No the friendship of the noble Marquisse Shall neuer countenance vniust deeds Finde a Sute more capable of my grant And your acceptance it is your owne Chaire at the Arras Gent. Noble Signior I 'le put ye to the test Fores. Princes letters are cheaper far then those Which Scriueners put to sale If such Pigmyes Apes in doublets procure command o th' Campe Let the Cranes wage war agen No opposition Is too weake to ruinate Goe young Lord The Duke is ill accompany'd if only With his owne thoughts Discouer more Perhaps His discontent concerns not you Lucio I feare yet my hopes would faine comfort me Farewell Exeunt omnes Enter Luinna and Duarte Luin. I would not be vnmannerly but if She be at leasure tell her I am heere Dua. Please your Ladyship to sit I l'e tell her so enter Corsa She 's come already Corsa I saw your entrance How doe you Sister Luin. I humbly thanke your honor I am well Pray dismisse your woman I would impart A priuacy Corsa Watch my Lords comming from the Duke and bring Me word before he is vncoach'd Dua. I shall Exit Duarte Luin. O Madam Time is now growne old and runnes But slowly I thought each Hower a yeere Vntill I saw your Ladyship Cor. Why what 's the matter I hope my brother's well Luin. Yes I thanke heauen But pray come hither Who doe you suppose was with me last night When my husband was at Court Corsa How should I tell without you instruct me Luin. Why giue a guesse Corsa The Lady Benuolia or the Lady Vtruvia who was it Luin. Nay t' was a Man too Corsa That 's fine i'faith pray name him to me Luin. What thinke you of the best man in Sienna Corsa How was the Duke with ye Luin. Yes disguis'd too he either came or else Pretended so to meete your husband there After some talke in which he did expresse His loue to all our family he gaue An ample praise of you and sayd he saw Already so much worth in your faire breast As will adde a knot to your Lords Heart And his owne nay and make his constant loue A patterne for euery royall Master Corsa Indeed I dayly pray to haue it so Luin. Then he gaue me this same Iewell to you He recommended the receipt of this Corsa Trust me wench they are both full of glory Rarely cut and set Luin. Your's is the better of the twaine Corsa It is But truely I mislike the manner of The gift Dost thou thinke his thoughts are honorable I prethee tell me Luin. Th' are such as I suspected at the first Such as made me to refuse these Iewels He swore I was a Traytor if I thought He meant amisse Or if I did deny To beare this same to you I did but ill Require his kind request vnto my husband Then in the close he vsd such Art such subtill phrase To free his thoughts from the strict iealousie Of mine as reconcil'd me to obey his will You know besides how harsh it is to chide With Maiestie or slight Princes fauors Corsa I 'le shew to my Lord Luin. I had thought t' haue shewne my husband mine too But since t' is capable of curious Questioning I meane to stay awhile Corsa Thou counsayl'st well Wee 'll weare 'em both at once Mine is the best I e're was Mistresse of Enter Duarte Luin. And mine is not ecclipsed much by yours Dua. Madam my Lord is neere at hand Corsa Come Sister we shall heere the newes at Court Luin. I 'le waite vpon your Ladyship Exeunt omnes Enter Castruchio Lothario Borachio Cast. Sir Knight beleeu 't Foreste is the Man That duls your reputation with the Duke And subbornes the Count against ye Loth. Dares he controle my purposes Cast. Aske honest Borachio else Bora. Nay He 'le not beleeue me though I should sweare You flout him behind his backe and when a man Sees things plainely he neede not buy spectacles Till he grow old Loth. I 'le mince the Villaine into sand to fill My Howerglasse Cast. In this Garden he walkes continually After dinner Heere stay and expect him And Signior in this skin of parchment marke What paines I take to perfect your reuenge I' th' shape of tree which takes roote in Hell You shall discouer all his base discent On that branch appeares a Hangman Then A Iakes-man then a Tynker On 's Mothers side A Bawde profess'd then a Tybb then a Trypewife A Synagogue of Welsh Rabbys could not Expresse more skill in Genealogies Then this includes Sir shew it him and he Insaniates strait Loth. I 'le make him weare it on his forehead Cast. Excellent rage but not a word of me I humbly take my leaue exit Castruchio Loth. Not the foure winds met in March shall coole my spleene Bora. Sir now we are priuat t is a fit time To be troublesome Loth. I 'le cram Cerberus with sopps made of the slaues blood Bora. Concerning those Offices I 'ue thought on 'em And will haue 'em all in spight of Boltens teeth ent For Fores. Signior Lothario Boracho too Thou art an honest fellow Bora. I your worship is wise to speake no more Then what you may well stand too Loth. Base stemme deriu'd from I sope roote Our Ancestors were not so familliar Behold grow more mannerly shewes him a Parchment Fores. What 's heere My Pedigree Some sawcy knaue Hath counsell'd him to this affront What he Enter seruants I must know th' originall proiector Lay hold vpon those fooles Loth. Lay hold on me Take off your hands or I will tosse ye all Into the cloudes and kicke the Mountaines after ye Bora. I pray bid the Gentleman take good heede For my Master can doe all this and more too I haue seene him Ser. Be you quiet You that desire Offices Bora. If I doe what then there be those desire Worse things Loth. Know ye not Rogues that I can muzle vp The testifie Vnicorne in a Spinners threed Fores. Lay all hold on him Bora. He that cannot runne for his Liberty Hath no courage in his Heeles Let the Goute Take him that hath Leggs and w'ont vse 'em he runs away Fores. No matter let him goe Conuey that foole Vnto the Porters Lodge Loth. A Chaos shall succeed this same Exeunt seruants with Lothario Enter Lucio Foreste