can doe more and will Wee haue a heart to do 't our much greeu'd sister I know you doe not weare this sadnesse for Our presence Ast If I 'ue any skill in mine owne eyes Since they beheld you they haue looked More cheerefully then they are wont Duke And yet I see a teare is ready to breake prison Ast. It is of ioy to see you sit in health I hope the Prince is well Duke He will bee so Astella when he leaues to be vnkind To thee but let 's forget him Dulc. Fame ha's not Iniur'd him in the Character of his person And his shape promiseth a richer Soule I feele a new and fierie spirit dance Vpon my amorous heart-strings Duke We are come My faire Cleona Cleon. With your Highnesse pardon That name was neuer so attended it Becomes your bountie but not me to weare That Title Duke What Cleon Of faire my Lord Duke I said you were my faire Cleona Cleona Sir Duke I did apply I hope 't does not offend to call you so Y' are yet my Subiect Cleon. When I leaue that name may Heauen Duke Be pleas'd to change it for a better Cleona It cannot Duke Doe not sinne t is in our power With your consent to worke that wonder Lady Cleona I want my vnderstanding Duke I le explaine Cleona Doe not beleeue it youth by all the faith Of Virgins I le not change my seruice to Thy Master for his Dukedome Dulc Y' are too noble Duke What boy is that Ha Giotto Dulc. Madam the Duke obserues vs. Dulc. I ha seene him It is no common face Soran. My Lord we know not Duke Where is Grimundo Giot. Not yet come my Lord. Duk. Send for him streight and bid him bring the picture We gaue into his keeping yet forbeare It is in vaine Sor. My Lord Cleona waites Your farther Courtship Duke Whither am I carried Cleon I hope dread Sir my house affords no obiect To interrup your quiet Duke None but Heauenly 〈◊〉 this roofe be capable of ill 〈◊〉 onely presence Lady would conuert it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rtuous Magick in your eye For where soere it calls a beame it does Create a goodnesse y 'aue a handsome boy Dulc. The Duke is troubled Cleona He 's a prettie youth Dulc. I hope he wo'not take me from my Lady I 'e say I am her Seruant Duke Something bindes My speech my heart is narrow of a suddaine Giotto take some opportunity To enquire that youthe condition name and Country And giue vs priuate knowledge to cut off * Circumstance Lady I am not your fresh And vnacquainted Louer that doth wast Soranzo whispers with Iacomo The tedious Moones with preparation To his amoâ—…ous suite I haue beene Cleona A long admirer of your vertues and Doe want the comfort or so sweet a Partner In our young state Cleon. You mocke your humble handmaid Soran A stranger sayest Iacom He brought some welcome Letter To my Lady Soranz. Not know his name nor whence Iacom. No my good Lord. So so I like this well My Lady does apply her to the Duke There is some hope agen things may succeed This Lords discoursing with me is an Omen To my familiarity with Greatnesse Duke Grimundo not come yet I am not well Cle. Good Heauen defend Angels protect your Highnes Duke Your holy prayers cannot but doe me good Continue that Deuotion Charitie Will teach you a consent to my departure Cleon. I am vnhappy Duke Make not me so Lady By the least trouble of your selfe I am Acquainted with these passions let me breath A hart vpon thy lip farewell agen Your pardon Exit Soranz 'T is a very strange distemper And suddaine noble Lady we must waite Vpon the Duke Exeunt Iacom. My bud is niptagen Would all the Banquet were in his belly for 't Dulc. Let not my eyes betray me Iac. I 'm sicke too Let not your Ladiship repent your cost I le haue a care the Sweet meates bee not lost Exit Cleon. Acquaint him with these passages of the Duke Tell him I long to see him and at last To crowne the story say my heart shall know No other Loue but his Dulc I flye with this Good newes Exit D. Enter Iac. Iac. Madam here is Prince Lodwicke Newly discoach'd Cleon Attend him Iac Most officiously Cleon Stay it can doe no harme Ast. Eene what you please Cleon. If he enquire for his Lady answer She is not very well and keepes her Chamber Iac. I le say she 's dead if you please 't is my duty I le neuer speake truth while I liue that shall Offend your Ladiship Cleon You may heare all Enter Lodwieke and Piero. And when you please appeare Lodw Sicke where 's her Doctor I le be acquainted with him noble Lady Cleon Your Grace is here most welcome Lodw I am bold Piero I 'm happy that my duty to the Prince Brought me to kisse your hand Cl. Beside the honour done to me your person Will adde much comfort to Astella your Weake Lady Lodw She is sicke mend let her mend shee le spend her time worse yet she knowes my minde and might doe mee the curtesie to die once I de take it more kindly then to be at charge with a Phisitian Cleon You wo'd not poyson her Lodw I thinke I must be driuen to 't what shall a man doe with a woman that wo'not be ruled I ha giuen cause enough to breake any reasonable womans heart in Savoy and yet you see how I am troubled with her but leaue her to the Destinies where is my Brother all this while I came to meet him what i st a match alreadie when shall we daunce and tryumph in the Tilt-yard for honour of the high and mighty nuptials where is he Cleon My Lord he is gone Lodw How Cleona Distempered Lodw. Not with wine Cleon Departed sicke Lodw She jeeres him by this lip I le loue thee and thou wot abuse him I knew he would but shame himselfe and therefore durst not come with him for mine owne credit I warrant he came fierce vpon thee with some parcell of Poetry which he had con'd by hart out of Tasso Guarrini or some other of the same melting Tribe and thought to haue brought thy Maiden Towne to his obedience at the first noyse of his furious Artillerie Cleon. My Lord you vnderstand me not your Brother Is not in health some vnkind paine within him Compeld him to forsake vs Lodw. Is it true That he is sicke my Brothers sicke Piero. Pier. I am very well here 1. Lady So am not I pray Sir appeare more ciuill Or I shall leaue you Lodw True Cleona T is too true my Lord. Lodw No no truth is a vertuous thing and we cannot haue too much on 't d' ee heare if I may counsell you be wise and stay for me you may bee my wife within this Moneth and the Durchesse too Cleon Your Wife my Lord why you are married What Shall become of her Lodw Is
Diamonds to decke thy youth T is but to buy thy vertue from thee and when Thy outâ—…ide thriueâ—… vpon their treacherous bountie Th'out starue at heart and lust will leaue tâ—…y body Many vnpittyed ruines th ouart young Dulc. There is no feare my Lord that I shall take Such wicked courses and I hope you see not Any propension in my youth to sinne For Pride or wantonnesse Fose Indeed I doe not But being my boy so young and beautifull Thou art apt to bee sedue'd Dulc. Beleeue me Sir I will not serue the greatest Prince on earth When I leaue you Fosc. Thou shalt not serue mee I Will make thee my companion Dulc No reward Though iust should buy the freedome I was borne with Much lesse base ends iâ—… I but meet agen That good man who in reuerence to his habit The theeues let goe before your happy valour Came to my rescue Fosc Hee that was your Conduct From Millan for so if I remember You named a Father what could he aduantage Your fortune were he present more then with Religious Councell Dule I did trust him Sir As being the sasest treasurer with that Would make mee welcome in Sauoy and I know he will be faithfull when we meete For his sake let me beg you would discharge A worthlesse Seruant that inquest of him Fosc. No more to cut of all vnwelcome motiues I charge thee by thy Loue thy Gratitude Thy life preseru'd which but to stay thee heere I would not name agen vrge no consent From me to thy departure I haue now Vâ—…e of thy faith thou wo't not runne away I haue imployment for thee such a one As shall not onely pay my seruices But leaue mâ—… in arrerage to thy loue Receiue this letter Enter Grimundâ—… Let me embrace thee with a spreading arme Grim I haue dispens'd with my attendance on The Duke to bid you welcome Sir from death Fame so had coâ—…z'ned our beliefe but thus She has made you the more prâ—…cious Fosc. Then I prospered If I may call it so for I procur'd That rumour to be spread excuse a minâ—…te He tell thee all my Counsâ—…ls I neede not Wast any instructions on thee Dulcino For the conâ—…yauce of this Paper let me Commend it to thy care t is to my Mistresse Conceale my lodgings and doe this for him Will studie noble recompence Dulc. You command me Exit Grim. What pretty youth is that sure I haue seene That face before Fosc. Neuer I brought him first To Savâ—…y hauing brought him from the Bandetti in my passage ore the Confines Is' t not a sweet faâ—…'d thing there are some Ladies Might change their beauties with him Grim. And gaine by it Fosc. Nâ—…y â—…o his shape he has as fine a Soule Which 〈◊〉 that perfection Grim You ha not Bâ—…en long acquainted with him Fosc. I haue skill 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my Character 〈◊〉 full â—…xcellent excellent sweetnesse Grim You expresse him Passionately Fosc. Hâ—…s vertue will deserue More praise he suffers Sir for loue in that He is a Gentleman for neuer could Narrow and earthly mindes be capable Of Loues impâ—…ession or the iniury He willingly forsooke his friends and Country Because vnkindly for vnworthy ends They would haue forc'd him marry against his heart He told me so himselfe and it were sinne Not to belieue him but omitting these How fares the best of Ladies my Cleona Grim. Your Cleonâ—… Fosc. Mine she is in affection She is not married Grim No Fosc. She is in health Grim Yes Fosc. There is something in thy lookes I cannot Reade by thy ownâ—… glosse and make me know That doubtfull text to whom hath she giuen vp The hope of my feliciâ—…ie her heart Since my too fatall absence Giâ—…t Vnto none Within the circle of my knowledge Fosc. Then I am renew'd agen may thy tongue neuer Know sorrowes 〈◊〉 Grim. Will you pâ—…esently Visit her Fosc. I haue sent a letter to Certifie I am still her liuing Seruant Grim. No matter wee le be there before the boy There is necessity if you knew all Come le ts away Fosc. Agen thou dost aflict My Soule with iealousie if she haue still The 〈◊〉 possâ—…ssion of her heart Grim But you are Dead Sir remember that Fosc I shall be liuing And soone enough present my selfe her fresh And actiue Lower Grim If the Duke bee not Before you Fosc How Grim The Duke 't is so resolu'd Your riuall if you â—…till affect Cleona Within this houre he means his first solicite And personall seige loose not your selfe with wonder If you neglect this opportunity She hauing firme opinion of your death It will not be a myracle if the Title Of Dutchesse be a strong temptation To a weake woman Fosc I must thanke your loue And Counsell but for this time disingage Your further stay with me thâ—… Duke may misse you Prâ—…serue his fauour and forget me in Your conference I would be still conceal'd Let me câ—…nsider on my fate agen I thanke you and dismisse you Grim Quiet thoughts Dwell in your breast in all things I obey you You know you haue my heart Fose She 's but a womâ—…n Yet how shall I be able to accuse her With any Iustice when she thinks me dead The Duke I must doe something I am full Of discord and my thoughts are fighting in me From our owne armie must arise â—…ur feare When loue it selfe is turn'd a Mutinâ—…re Exit ACTVS 2. SCAENA 1. Enter Iacomo the Steward and Servants Jac. So so yet more perfume y' are sweet Seruingmen make euâ—…ry corner of the house smoake bestirre your selues â—…uery man know his Prâ—…uince and bee officious to plâ—…e my â—…ady according to his Talent haue you furnishâ—… out the bâ—…nquet Serv. Most Mâ—…thodically Jac. T is well here should haue beene a fresh suite of Arras but no matter these 〈◊〉 the agâ—… well let 'em hang. Serv. And there were a Maske to entertaine his Highnesse Iac. Hang Maskes let euery conceit shew his owne face my Lady would not diguise her entertainement and now I talke of disguising where 's the Butler Bâ—…tl Here Sir Iac Where Sir t is my Ladies pleasure that you be drunk to day you will deale her wine abroad the more liberally among â—…he Dukes Seruants you two are tall fellowes make good the credit of the Buttery and when you are drunke I will send others to releeâ—…e you goe to your stations if his Grace câ—…me hither a Suter to my Lady as wee haue some cause to suspect and after marry her I may be a great man and ride vpon a reuerend Movâ—…e by Patent tâ—…ere is no end of my preferment I did once teach my Ladie to dance she must then helpe me to rise for indeed it is iust that onâ—…ly those who ger their liuing by their legs should ridâ—… vpon a Foot-cloth Serv. Here 's a young Gentleman desires to speake with my Lady Jac More young Gentlemen tell him I am busie Sâ—…r With my Ladie Jac. Busie
my sorrow is Fosâ—…ari Dead since I saw thee last Or hath some wound Or other dire misfortune seal'd him for The graue that though he yet liue I may bid My heart dispaire to see him Dulc. None of these Since last I saw you Madam Cleona None of these Then I despise all sorrow boy there is Not left another mischiefe in my fate Call home thy beautie why dost looke so pale See I am arm'd and can with valiant bloud Heare thee discourse of my terrour row Me thinkes I can in the assurance of His safety heare of Battailes Tempest Death With all the horrid shapes that Poets fancie Tell me the tale of Troy or Rome on fire Rich in the trophies of the conquered world I will not shed so many teares to saue The temples as my ioy doth sacrifice To heare my Lord is well Dulc. Turne them to griefe Agen and here let me kneele the accuser Of him that hath deseru'd more punishment Then your wrong'd pietie will inflict Cleon Dost kneele And call thy selfe accuser Dulc. Yes Cleon. Of whom Thy Lord take heed for if I be a Iudge I shall condemne thee ere thou speake Dulc. You may But I accuse my selfe and of an iniurie To you Cleona To mee Dulc Too great to be forgiuen Cleon My loue to him thou seru'st hath found a pardon Already for it be it an offence Against my life Dulc. For his sake you must punish Deare Madam I haue finn'd against his Ghost In my deceiuing you Cleona His Ghost Dulc. And if His Soule hath not forgotten how he loued you I must expect him to affâ—…ight my dreames And prooue my waking euill the truth is My Lord is dead Cleon. How dead when where did I Not heare thee say since I receiu'd his Letter He was aliue Dulc. No Madam Cleon. Be not impious Dulc I said that neither death nor any blacke Misfortune had befalne him since I gaue The Letter to you Cleona Grant this truth I am Secur'd agen Dulc 'Las he was dead before I 'm sure you could not chuse but heare as much It was my wickednesse arriu'd to mocke Your credulous heart with a deuised Letter I know you are in wonder what should moue mee To this imposture sure it was no malice For you nere iniur'd me and that doth make My crime the more deform'd all my ayme was Beeing a stranger here and wanting meanes After my Lords death by this cunning to Procure some bounty from you to sustaine My life vntill by some good fortune I Might get another Master for I knew There was no hope to benefit my selfe By saying he was dead good Heauen forgiue me And keepe my eyes from weeping Cleon. Thou hast vndone me Like a most cruell boy Dulc. Madam I hope I shall repaire the ruines of your eye When I declare the cause that leades me to This strange confession I haue obseru'd The Duke does loue you loue you in that way You can deserue him and though I haue sinn'd I am not stubborne in my fault to suffer you In the beliefe of my deceitfull story To wrong your fortune by neglect of him Can bring your merit such addition Of state and title Cleona Doest thou mocke agen Dulc Heauen knowes I haue no thought of such impiety If you will not beleeue that for your sake I haue betrayed my selfe yet be so charitable To thinke it something of my duty to The Duke whose ends while they are just and noble All loyall Subiects ought to serue for him Whom I am bound to honour and I loue him Else may I neuer know one dayof comfort I durst not without guilt of treason to His chast desires deceiue you any longer Collect your selfe deere Madam in the graue There dwels no musicke in the Dukes embrace You meete a perfect happinesse Cleona Begon And neuer see me more who euer knew Falshood so ripe at thy yeares Exit Dulc Is not yet My poore heart broke hath nature giuen it So strong a temper that no wound will kill me What charme was in my gratitude to make me Vndoe so many comforts with one breath Or was it for some sinne I had to satisfie I haue not onely widowed Cleona But made my selfe a miserie beneath An Orphant I nere came to haue a friend I ha destroy'd my hope that little hope I had to be so happy Iacomâ—… comes forth Iacom. Is' t e'ne so My friend what make you here who sent for you begon d ee heare begon I say the word too there is a Porters lodge else where you may haue due chastisement you le begon Dulc. I'mâ—… sorry I haue offended Sir Exit Dulc. Iac. So am not I Let me see somebody is dead if I knew who no matter 't is one that my Lady lou'd and I am glad to heare it for mine ownesake now Uenus speed the Dukes plough and turne me loose to a priuy Conncellor Enter Sorâ—…zo Sor. Signior Iacomo where 's your Lady Iac. She is within my good Lord wilt please you Walke this way Sor. Prethee make hast the Duke is comming Exeunt Iac. I small him hither to Enter Iacomo presently So so I will take this opportunity to present my selfe to his Highnesse that hee may take particular notice of my bulke and personage hee may chance speake to me I haue common places to answer any ordinary question and for other he shall find by my impudence I come not short of a perfect Courtier Here hee comes I will dissemble some contemplation and with my hat on giue him cause to obserue me the better Enter the Duke and Lords Duke What fellowes that Giot. A Seruant of Cleona's Fabr. Signior The Duke extends his band Iacomo kisses it Jacom Your Highnesse humble creature you haue blest my lips and I will weare them thredbare with my prayers for your Graces immortall prosperitie Enter Soranzo Duke Soranzo is return'd How fares Cleona Sor. My Lord not well I found her full of sadnesse which is increast shee cannot as becomes her duty obserue your Highnesse Iacom One word with your Grace in priuate shee is as well as either you or I. Duke Sayst thou so Jacom There came indeed before you certaine newes that a noble Gentleman I know not who and therefore he shall bee namelesse but some deare friend of hers is dead and that 's all and that has put her into a melancholy mood with your gracious pardon if I were worthy to bee one of your Counsellours Duke What then Iaco. I would aduise you as others doe to take your owne course your Grace knowes best what is to be done Duke So Sir Didst thou not see that pretty boy I told thee of Soranzo No my good Lord. Duke We are resolu'd to comfort her set forward Grim. You had simple grace Iac. A touch or so abeame with which his Highnesse Doth vse to keepe desert warme good my Lord It is not come to that yet Exeunt Enter Foscari and a Servant Fosc
so well I neuer was so hot to engender with the Night-mare could Grimundo find no other creature for my coupling but a Succubus me thinkes I smell the Fiend still Iac. He talkes on her already Lodw. I am very jealous Jac. Not without a cause my Lord. Lodw. Ha there she is agen Jac No my Lord she is new gone into the withdrawing Chamber Lodw. Ha who who is gone Iac. A Gentlewoman that you were late in company with Lodw. The Diuell looke well about you then a Spirit Of her constitution will set the house on fire Instantly and make a yonghell on 't when Came she I shall be euerlastingly haunted With goblings are sure thou sawest her Iac. Saw her yes and him too Lod. Grimundo Iac. No not Grimundo but I saw an other Gentleman That has been held a notable spirit Familiar with her Lod. Spirit and familiar â—…ac Piero my Lord Lod Piero Iac. I wonot say what I thinke but I thinke somewhat And I know what I say if she be a Deuill as shee Can be little lesse if shee be as bad as I imagine Some bodies head will ake for 't for mine owne Part I did but see and heare that 's all and Yet I ha not told you halfe Lod. Let me collect sure this fellow by th' circumstance Meanes Astella thou talkest all this while of my Lady Doest not Iac. Yes my Lord she is all the Ladies in the house For my Lady and mistris was sent for To the Abbey Lod. I had forgotten my selfe this is new horrour Is my Lady and Piero so familiar saist and In priuate Iac. What I haue said I haue said and what they haue Done they haue done by this time Lod. Done and I le be actiue too Iac. Shew what feates of actiâ—…ity you please but I belâ—…eue hee hath vaulted into your sadle Exit Lod. Already so so now I am alone which is as The learned say Solus cumsola I will entertaine Some honorable thoughts of my preferment Enter Piero. Hum the gamester is returned what melancholy then Hee ha's don 't I lay my head to a fooles cap on 't I was alwaies so my selfe after my capring Did you not meet the Prince sir. Pier. No whâ—…re is he Iac. He was here but now and enquir'd how his Lady did and I told him you could tell the â—…ate of her body better then I for I thought you were gone in before him Piero. I did but see her Jac. That 's not the right on 't it runnes for I did but kisse her for I did but kisse her Piero. It was enough for me to kisse her hand Jac. And feele her pulse Piero. How Sir Iac. As a noble Gentleman should Sir Piero. I am suspected I must turne this fooles discourse Another way the present theame is dangerous What I heare say 〈◊〉 your Lady is like to rise Iac. My Lady does rise as earely as other Ladies doe that goe to bed late Piero And there will be notable preferment for you Iac. T is very likely my Lady vnderstands her selfe Piero. There is a whisper abroad Jac. T is a good hearing Piero. What if she be married in this absence Jac. Very likelâ—… I say nothing but I thinke I know my Ladies secrets for the tryumph as pageants or running at tilt you may heare more shortly there may bee reasons of state to haue things carried priuately they will breake out in Bels and bonefires hereafter what their Graces haue intended for me I conceale Piero He is wound vp already Iac. You are a Gentleman I shall take particular notice of Piero. I hope a man may get a place for himselfe or his friend for ready mony Iac. T were pitty of my life else you shall command the first that falls but you must sweare you came in without chafering or buying imagine it a plump Parsonage or other Church liuing the oath will goe downe the more easily Diuines make no scruple Piero. But what if after all this imagination of a marriage fortune should forbid the banes Jac. How Fortune 's a slut and because she is a whore her selfe would haue no Lady marry and liue honest Enter Lodwicke Lodw. Piero where 's Piero Piero Ha my Lord I ha don 't Lodw. Ha what Piero. I haue pleas'd thy Excellence and you had made more hast you might ha come to the falla'th Deere delicate Venison Lodw. Th' ast not enioy'd her Piero. They talke of Jupiter and a golden shewer Giue me a Mercury with wit and tongue He shall charme more Ladies on their backes Then the whole bundle of Gods pshew Lodw. Shoote not so much compasse bee briefe and answer me hast thou enioy'd her Piero. I haue shall I sweare Lodw. No thou wilt bee damn'd sufficiently without an oath in the meane time I do purpose to reward your nimble diligence draw Piero. What d ee meane Jac. And you be so sharpe set I do e meane to withdaw Lodw. I doe meane to cut your throat or perishâ—…'th attempt you see your destinie my birth and spirit wo'not leâ—… me kill thee in the daâ—…ke draw and be circumâ—…pect Piero. Did not â—…ou engage me to it haue I done any thing but by your directions my Lord. Lodw. T is all one my minde is altered I will see what complexion your heart beares doe not neglâ—…ct my fury buâ—… guard your selfe discreetly if I hit vpon the right vâ—…yne I may cure your diseasea'th bloud Piero. Hold and there bee no remedy I will dye better then I ha liu'd you shall see Sir that I dare fight with you and if I tall by your Sword my base consent to act your will deserues it Lodw. Ha Piero. I find your policie and by this storme You 'd proue my resolution how boldly I Dare stand too 't when this great Dishonour comes to question prepare To be displeased she is a miracle Of chastity impenterable like A marble she returned my sinfull arroâ—…es And they haue wounded me forgiue me Lady Lod. I prethee tell me true now thou shalt sweare Hast thou not don 't Pior. Not by my hope of heauen Which I had almost forfeited had not shee Releeued me with her vertue in this truth I dare resigâ—…e my breath Lod. I dare beleeue thee What did I see in her to doubt her firmenesse Enter Jacomo and Astella Iac. Here they are Madam you doe not meane to Run vpon their naked weapons Lod. Piero thou shalt wonder Ast. What meanes my Lord Lod. You shall know that a non My Lady goe with me Ast. Whither you please You shall not need to force mee siâ—… you maâ—… Lead me with gossamere or the least thread The industrious spider weaues Iac. Whimseyes caribit soes Pier. What fury thuâ—… transports him at some distance I le follow him he may intend some violence Shee is too good to suffer I shall grow In loue with my conuersion Exit Iac. Grow in loue with a cockscomb his last wordes Sticke on my stomacke still