fire Which with his memory richer than all spices Dispersed odors round about my soul And did refresh it when 't was dull and sad With thinking of his absence Jac. This is strange My Ladie is in love with him Cleon. Yet stay Thou goest too soon away where is he speak Dulc. He gave me no Commission for that Ladie He will soon save that question by his presence Cle. Time h 'as no feathers he walks now on crutches Relate his gesture when he gave thee this What other words did mirth smile on his brow I would not for the wealth of this great world He should suspect my faith what said he prethee Dulc. He said what a warm lover whom desire Makes eloquent could speak Jac. I have found it That boy comes from the Duke that letter love 'T will be a match and please your Ladiship Cleo. Forbear your Ceremonies what needs all this Preparation if the Duke vouchsafe His person for my guest dutie will teach me To entertain him without half this trouble I 'le have no Ryot for his Highness Jac. Hum How 's this Cleo. Be less officious you forget Sweet Youth go forward with thy storie Jac. Hum This is a Fayrie and the Devil sent him To make my Ladie mad 't were well to trie Whether he be flesh and blood ha I 'le pinch him first Cleo. How now He pinches Dulcino Jac. My care shall see nothing be wanting for Your honour and the Dukes Cleo. Your place I see Is better than your manners go too be Less troublesom his Highness brings intents Of grace not burden to us know your dutie Jac. So I were best keep my self warm with my own office while I may the tyde is turn'd I see within two minutes here was nothing but look to the Gallerie perfume the Chambers what Musick for the Duke a Banquet for the Duke now be less officious We 'll have no Riot for his Highness 't is this Urchin h 'as undone all our preferment Cle. The Suns lov'd flower that shuts his yellow Curtain When he declineth opens it again At his fair rising with my parting Lord I clos'd all my delights till his approach It shall not spread it self Enter Gentleman Gent. Madam the Duke Cleon. Already Enter Astella and Ladies Ast. He is entred Cleon. Do not leave me I shall remember more Enter Duke Fabrichio Soranzo Giotto Duke Excellent Cleona Cleo. The humble dutie of a Subject to your Highness Duke Rise high in our thoughts and thus Confirm we are welcom to these eyes our heart Shall pay a lower dutie than obedience Hath taught your knee Cleon. Your Grace much honours me Till this white hour these walls were never proud T' inclose a guest the genius of our house Is by so great a presence wak'd and glories To entertain you Duke Everie accent falls Like a fresh Jewel to encrease her value We can but thank Cleona Cleon. Royal Sir Duke Let me revoke that hastie syllable But thank thee yes we can do more and will We have a heart to do 't our much griev'd Sister I know you do not wear this sadness for Our presence Ast. If I 've anie skill in mine own eys Since they beheld you they have looked More chearfullie than they were wont Duke And yet I see a tear is readie to break prison Ast. It is of joy to see you sir in health I hope the Prince is well Duke He will be so Astella when he leaves to be unkind To thee but let 's forget him Dulc. Fame ha's not Injur'd him in the character of his person And his shape promiseth a richer Soul I feel a new and fierie spirit dance Upon my heart-strings Duke We are come My fair Cleona Cleo. With your Highness pardon That name was never so attended it Becomes your bountie but not me to wear That Title Duke What Cleo. Of fair my Lord Duke I said you were my fair Cleona Cleo. Sir Duke I did apply I hope 't does not offend to call you so Y' are yet my Subject Cleo. When I leave that name may heaven Duke Be pleas'd to change it for a better Cleo. It cannot Duke Do not sin 't is in our power With your consent to work that wonder Ladie Cleo. I want my understanding Duke I 'le explain Cleo. Do not believe him Youth by all the faith Of Virgins I 'le not change my service to Thy Master for his Dukedom Dulc. Y' are too Noble Duke What boy is that Ha Giotto Dulc. Madam the Duke observes us Duke I ha seen him It is no common face Soran. My Lord we know not Duke VVhere is Grimundo Giot. Not yet come my Lord. Duke Send for him strait and bid him bring the picture VVe gave into his keeping yet forbear It is in vain Soran. My Lord Cleona waits Your farther Courtship Duke VVhither am I carried Cleo. I hope dread Sir my house affords no object To interrupt your quiet Duke None but heavenly Or could this Roof be capable of ill Your onlie presence Ladie would convert it There is a vertuous magick in your eye For wheresoere it casts a beam it does Create a goodness y 'ave a handsom boy Dulc. The Duke is troubled Cleo. He 's a prettie Youth Dulc. I hope he wo'not take me from my Ladie I 'le say I am her servant Duke Something binds My speech my heart is narrow of a sudden Giotto take some opportunitie To enquire that Youths condition name and Countrey And give us private knowledge to cut off * Circumstance Ladie I am not your fresh And unacquainted Lover that doth waste Soranzo whispers with Jacome The tedious Moons with preparation To his amorous suit I have been Cleona A long admirer of your Vertues and Do want the comfort of so sweet a partner In your young state Cleo. You mock your humble hand-maid Soran. A stranger saist Jac. He brought some welcom letter To my Ladie Sor. Not know his name nor whence Jac. No my good Lord. So so I like this well My Ladie does applie her to the Duke There is some hopes agen things may succeed This Lords discoursing with me is an Omen To my familiaritie to greatness Duke Grimundo not come yet I am not well Cle. Good heaven defend Angels protect your Highness Duke Your holie prayers cannot but do me good Continue that devotion Charitie Will teach you a consent to my departure Cleo. I am unhappie Duke Make me not so Ladie By the least trouble of your self I am Acquainted with these passions let me breath A heart upon thy lip farewell agen Your pardon Exit Soran. 'T is a verie strange distemper And sudden Noble Ladie we must wait Upon the Duke Exeunt Jac. My bud is nipt agen Would all the banquet were in his bellie for 't Dulc. Let not my eyes betray me Jac. I 'm sick too Let not your Ladiship repent your cost I 'le have a care the sweet-meats be not lost Exit Cleo. Acquaint him with
to his grace I am his beads-woman Exit Fabrichio Iac. Madam here 's the youth Cleon. Art thou return'd already why were you So rude to make him waite Dul. Since I arriv'd 'T is but a pair of minutes Cleon. They are worth As many dayes Iac. He shall be with your Ladiship Next time before he come when I but spye him A mile off I le acquaint you in my duty To your self and my honour unto him Cleon. Withdraw Iac. Here is no couth I do not like My Ladies familiarity with a boy Methinks a man were fitter and more able To give her a refreshing but this Lobby Shall be my next remove Exit and stays behind the hangings Dul. You will repent This welcom Madam Cleon. What harsh sound is that Thy looks upon a suddain are become Dismal thy brow dull as Saturns issue Thy lips are hung with black as if thy tongue Were to pronounce some funeral Dul. It is But let your vertue place a guard about Your eare it is too weak a sence to trust With a sad tale that may disperse too soon The killing sillables and some one or other Find out your heart Cleon. The Mandrake hath no voice Like this the Raven and the night birds sing More soft nothing in nature to which fear Hath made us superstitious but speak gently Compar'd with thee discharge thy fatall burthen I am prepar'd or stay but answer me I will and save thy breath and quickly know The total of my sorrow is Foscari Dead since I saw thee last or hath some wound Or other dire mis-fortune seal'd him for The grave that though he yet live I may bid My heart despair to see him Dulc. None of these Since last I saw you Madam Cleon. None of these Then I despise all sorrow boy there is Not left another mischief in my Fate Call home thy beauty why dost look so pale See I am arm'd and can with valiant blood Hear thee discourse of my terror now Methinks I can in the assurance of His safety hear of Battails Tempest death With all the horrid shapes that Poets fancy Tell me the tale of Troy or Rome on fire Rich in the trophies of the conquered world I will not shed so many tears to save The Temples as my joy doth sacrifice To hear my Lord is well Dul. Turn them to grief Agen and here let me kneele the accuser Of him that hath deserv'd more punishment Than your wrong'd piety will inflict Cleon. Dost kneele and call thy self accuser Dulc. Yes Cleon. Of whom Thy Lord take heed for if I be thy judge I shall condemn thee ere thou speak Dul. You may But I accuse my self and of an injury To you Cleon. To me Dulc. Too great to be forgiven Cleona My love to him thou serv'st hath found a pardon Already for it be it an offence Against my life Dulc. For his sake you must punish Dear Madam I have sinn'd against his ghost In my deceiving you Cleon. His Ghost Dul. And if His soul had not forgotten how he loved you I must expect him to afright my dreams The truth is my Lord is dead Cleon. How dead when where did I Not hear thee say since I receiv'd this letter He was alive Dulc. No Madam Cleon. Be not impious Dul. I said that neither death nor any black Misfortune had befalne him since I gave The letter to you Cleon. Grant this truth I am secur'd agen Dul. 'Las he was dead before I 'm sure you could not choose but hear as much It was my wickedness arriv'd to mock Your credulous heart with a devised letter I know you are in wonder what should move me To this imposture sure it was no malice For you nere injur'd me and that doth make My crime the more deform'd all my aime was Being a stranger here and wanting means After my Lords death by this cunning to Procure some bounty from you to sustain My life until by some good fortune I Might get another Master for I knew There was no hope to benefit my self By saying he was dead good heaven forgive me And keep my eys from weeping Cleon. Thou hast undone me Like a most cruel boy Dul. Madam I hope I shall repair the ruines of your eye When I declare the cause that leades me to This strange confession I have observ'd The Duke does love you love you in that way You can deserve him and though I have sinn'd I am not stubborn in my fault to suffer you In the belief of my deceitful story To wrong your fortune by neglect of him Can bring your merit such addition Of state and title Cleon. Dost thou mock agen Dul. Heaven knows I have no thought of such impiety If you will not believe that for your sake I have betrayed my self yet be so charitable To think it something of my duty to The Duke whose ends while they are just and noble All loyal subjects ought to serve for him Whom I am not bound to honour and I love him Else may I never know one day of comfort I durst not without guilt of treason to His chaste desires deceive you any longer Collect your self dear Madam in the grave There dwells no musick in the Dukes embrace You meet a perfect happinesse Cleon. Begon And never see me more who ever knew Falshood so ripe at thy years Exit Dul. Is not yet My poor heart broke hath nature given it So strong a temper that no wound will kill me What charm was in my gratitude to make me Undoe so many comforts with one breath Or was it for some sin I had to satisfie I have not only widowed Cleona But made my self a misery beneath An Orphant I nere came to have a friend I ha destroy'd my hope that little hope I had to be so happy Jacomo comes forth Jac. Is 't e'ne so My friend what make you here who sent for you begon d ee hear begon I say the word too there is a Porters lodge else where you may have due chastisement you le begon Dule I 'm sorry I have offended Sir Exit Dul. Jaec. So am not I Let me see some body is dead if I knew who no matter 't is one that my Lady lov'd and I am glad to hear it for mine own sake now Venus speed the Dukes plough and turn me loose to a privy Councellor Enter Soranzo Sor. Signior Jacomo where 's your Lady Jac. She is within my good Lord wilt please you walk this way Sor. Prethee make haste the Duke is coming Exeunt Jac. I smell him hitherto Enter Jacomo presently So so I will take this opportunitie to present my self to his Highness that he may take particular notice of my bulk and personage he may chance speak to me I have common places to answer any ordinarie question and for other he shall find by my impudence I come not short of a perfect Courtier Here he comes I will dissemble some contemplation and with my Hat
fortifie Opinion they are kind and hospitable to Strangers Fosc. Thy indulgence to my wound Which owes a Cure unto thy pretty Surgery Hath made thee too much Prisoner to my chamber But we shall walk abroad Dulc. It was my duty Since you receiv'd it in my cause and could My blood have wrought it sooner it had been Your balmy Fountain Fosc. Noble youth I thank thee Enter Servant How now didst speak with him Serv. I had the happinesse My Lord to meet him Waiting upon the Duke abroad he bid me Make haste with the remembrance of his Service He 'll bring his own joys with him instantly To welcome your return Fosc. Didst thou reqnest His secresie Ser. I did he promis'd silence Fosc. So I 'le expect him thou art sad Dulcino I prophesie thou shalt have cause to bless The minute that first brought us to acquaintance Dulc. Do not suspect my Lord I am so wicked Not to do that already you have saved My life and therefore have deserv'd that dutie Fosc. Name it no more I mean another way Dulc. It is not in your power to make me Richer With anie benefit shall succeed it though I should live ever with you Fosc. I require Not so much gratitude Dulc. There is no way Left for my hope to do you any service Near my preserving but by adding one New favour to a suit which I would name Fosc. To me I prethee speak it must be something I can deny thee Dulc. 'T is an humble suit You license my departure Fosc. Whither Dulc. Any whither Fosc. Do you call this a way to do me service Dulc. It is the readiest I can studie Sir To tarrie were but to increase my debt And waste your favours in my absence I May publish how much vertue I have found In Savoy and make good unto your fame What I do owe you here this shall survive you For I will speak the story with that truth And strength of passion it shall do you honour And dwell upon your name sweeter than Myrrhe When we are both dead Fosc. Thou hast art to move In all things but in this change thy desire And I 'le denie thee nothing do not urge Thy unkind departure thou hast met perhaps With some that have deceiv'd thee with a promise Won with thy prettie looks and presence but Trust not a great man most of them dissemble Pride and Court-cunning hath betrai'd their faith To a secure Idolatry their soul Is lighter than a complement take heed They 'le flatter thy too young ambition Feed thee with names and then like subtle Chimists Having extracted drawn thy spirit up Laugh they have made thee miserable Dulc. Let No jealousie my Lord render me so Unhappie that preferments or the flatteries Of anie great man hath seduc'd my will To leave you Fosc. Still I suspect thy safety And thou maist thus deceive me it may be Some wanton Ladie hath beheld thy face And from her eyes shot Cupids into thine Trust not the innocence of thy soul too far For though their bosoms carrie whiteness think It is not snow they dwell in a hot Climate The Court where men are but deceitful shadows The women walking flames what if this Ladie Bestow a wealthie Carkanet upon thee Another give thee Wardrobes a third promise A Chain of Diamonds to deck thy youth 'T is to buy thy vertue from thee and when Thy outside thrives upon their treacherous bountie Th' outstarve at heart and lust will leave thy bodie Manie unpitied Ruines thou art young Dulc. There is no fear my Lord that I shall take Such wicked courses and I hope you see not Anie propension in my youth to sin For pride or wantonness Fosc. Indeed I do not But being my boy so young and beautiful Thou art apt to be seduc'd Dulc. Believe me Sir I will not serve the greatest Prince on earth When I leave you Fosc. Thou shalt not serve me I Will make thee my companion Dulc. No Reward Though just should buy the freedom I was born with Much less base ends if I but meet agen That good man who in Reverence to his habit The theeves let go before your happie valour Came to my Rescue Fosc. He that was your Conduct From Millan for so if I remember You named a Father what could he advantage Your fortune were he present more than with Religious Counsel Dulc. I did trust him Sir As being the 〈…〉 asurer with that Would make me welcom in Savoy and I know he will be faithful when we meet For his sake let me beg you would discharge A worthless Servant that inquest of him Fosc. No more to cut off all unwelcom motives I charge thee by thy Love thy Gratitude Thy life preserv'd which but to stay thee here I would not name agen urge no consent From me to thy departure I have now Use of thy faith thou wo't not run away I have employment for thee such a one As shall not onlie pay my services But leave me in arrerage to thy love Receive this letter Enter Grimundo Let me embrace thee with a spreading arm Grim. I have dispens'd with my attendance on The Duke to bid you welcom Sir from death Fame so had couz'nd our belief but thus She has made you the more precious Fosc. Then I prospered If I may call it so for I procur'd That Rumour to be spread excuse a minute I 'le tell thee all my Counsels I need not Waste anie instructions on thee Dulcino For the conveyance of this paper let me Commend it to thy care 't is to my Mistress Conceal my lodgings and do this for him Will study noble Recompence Dulc. You command me Exit Grim. What prettie youth is that sure I have seen That face before Fosc. Never I brought him first To Savoy having rescu'd him from the Bandetti in my passage ore the Confines Is 't not a sweet-fac'd thing there are some Ladies Might change their beauties with him Grim. And gain by it Fosc. Nay to his shape he has as fine a Soul Which graceth that perfection Grim. You ha not Been long acquainted with him Fosc. I have skill In Phisnomy believe my Character He 's full of excellent sweetness Grim. You express him Passionately Fosc. His vertue will deserve More praise he suffers sit for love in that He is a Gentleman for never could Narrow and earthly minds be capable Of Loves impression or the injurie He willinglie forsook his friends and Countrey Because unkindlie for unworthie ends They would have forc'd him marrie against his heart He told me so himself and it were sin Not to believe him but omitting these How fares the best of Ladies my Cleona Grim. Your Cleona 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 looks I cannot Read be thy own gloss and make me know That doubtful Text to whom hath she given up The hope of
these passages of the Duke Tell him I long to see him and at last To crown the storie say my heartshall know No other love but his Dulc. I flie with this Good news Exit Dulc. Enter Jac. Jac. Madam here is Prince Lodwick Cleon. Attend him Jac. Most officiously Cleon. Stay it can do no harm Ast. Een what you please Cleon. If he enquire for his Lady answer She is not very well and keeps her Chamber Jac. I le say she 's dead if you please 't is my duty I le never speak truth while I live that shall Offend your Ladiship Cleon. You may hear all Enter Lodwick and Piero. And when you please appear Lodw. Sick where 's her Doctor I le be acquainted with him Noble Lady Cleon. Your Grace is here most welcome Lodw. I am bold Pier. I am happy that my duty to the Prince Brought me to kisse your hand Cleon. Beside the honour done to me your person Will add much comfort to Astella your Weak Lady Lodw. She is sick mend let her mend she 'll spend her time worse yet she knows my mind and might do me the courtesie to die once I 'de take it more kindly than to be at charge of a Physician Cleon. You wo'd not poison her Lodw. I think I must be driven to 't what shall a man do with a Woman that wo'not be ruled I ha'given cause enough to break any reasonable womans heart in Savoy and yet you see how I am troubled with her but leave her to the Destinies Where is my Brother all this while I came to meet him what is 't a match already when shall we dance and triumph in the Tilt-yard for honour of the high and mightie Nuptials where is he Cleon. My Lord he is gone Lodw. How Cleon. Distempered Lodw. Not with Wine Cleon. Departed sick Lodw. She jeers him By this lip I le love thee and thou wot abuse him I knew he would but shame himself and therefore durst not come with him for my own credit I warrant he came fierce upon thee with some parcel of Poetry which he had conn'd by heart out of Tasso Guarrini or some other of the same melting Tribe and thought to have brought thy Maiden Town to his obedience at the first noise of his furious Artillery Cleon. My Lord you understand me not your Brother Is not in health some unkind pain within him Compell'd him to forsake us Lodw. Is it true That he is sick My Brother sick Piero. Pier. I am very well here 1. Lady So am not I pray sir appear more civil Or I shall leave you Lodw. True Cleon. 'T is too true my Lord. Lodw. No no Truth is a vertuous thing and we cannot have too much on 't D' ye hear if I may counsel you be wise and stay for me you may be my Wife within this month and the Dutchesse too Cleon. Your Wife my Lord why you are married What shall become of her Lodw. Is she not sick Cleon. But are you sure she'il die Lodw. What a ridiculous question do you make If death wo'not take a fair course with her are there not reasons enough in State think you to behead her or if that seem cruel because I do not affect blood but for very good ends I can be divorc'd from her and leave her rich in the title of Lady Dowager Cleon. Upon what offence can you pretend a divorce Lodw. Because she is not fruitful is not that a sin Cleon. Would your Lordship have her fruitful and you Ne'r lie with her Lodw. Have not I known a Lady whose husband is an Eunuch upon Record mother to three or four children and no free conscience but commends her Cleon. But these things wo'not be easily perfect unlesse You were Duke to enforce em Lodw. Is not my Brother in the way sick already and perhaps as fit for heaven as another I know he cannot live long he 's so well given they never thrive and then d' ye think I le keep such a religious Court in this corner lodge a Covy of Capouchins who shall zealously pray for me without Stockins in that a nest of Carthusians things which in fine turn to Otters appear flesh but really are fish No no give me a Court of flourishing pleasure where delight in all her shapes and studied varieties every minute courts the soul to act her chief felicity Cleon. Do you never think of hell Lodw. Faith I do but it alwaies makes me melancholy and therefore as seldome as I can my contemplation shall point thither I am now in the spring of my life winter will come on fast enough when I am old I will be as methodical an hypocrite as any pair of Lawn Sleeves in Savoy Cleon. I dare not hear him longer Madam release me Enter Astella Lodw. How now whence come you were you sick Ast. At heart my Lord to think of your unkindnesse Lodw. At heart I le ne'r believe without inspection Am I unkind go to there 's not a friend in the whole world can wish you better Would you were canoniz'd a Saint 't is more than I wish my self yet I do not trouble thee much on earth and thou wert in heaven I would not pray to thee for fear of disturbing thy Seraphical devotion Ast. What sin have I committed deserves This distance Cleon. In Christian charitie salute her Lodw. I would not have your Ladiship too ventrous The air is somewhat cold and may endanger A weak body Ast. If the suspicion that I am unchaste Lodw. Unchaste By this hand I do not know an honest woman in the Dukedome Cleon. How my Lord what do ye think of me Lodw. I know not whether you be a woman or no yet Cleon. Fie my Lord. Lodw. What would you have me do I have not seen her this six months Ast. O rather my Lord conclude my sufferings Than thus with tortures lengthen out my death Oh kill me and I beseech you I will kisse The instrument which guided by your hand Shall give my grief a period and pronounce Enter Grimundo With my last breath your free forgivenesse Lodw. No kill your self more good will come on 't how now nay then w' are like to have a precious time on 't Cleon. The Duke my Lord enquired for you Grim. I met His Highnesse in return and he imploy'd me To bring back knowledge of his better health Which he says shall enable him but to Expresse how much he honours fair Cleona Cleon. I am his studious servant and rejoice In this good news Your Brother is recovered Lodw. I I I knew he would do well enough Now sir Grim. I have some businesse with you my Lord Were you at opportunity Lodw. Some moral exhortations they are fruitlesse I shall never eat Garlick with Diogenes in a Tub and speculate the Stars without a Shirt Prithee enjoy thy Religion and live at last most Philosophical lousie Grim. My design is of another nature Cleon. May I obtain so
my birth and spirit wo'not let me kill thee in the dark draw and be circumspect Pier. Did not you engage me to it have I done anie thing but by your directions my Lord. Lod. 'T is all one my mind is altered I will see what complexion your heart bears if I hit upon the right vein I may cure your disease a' th blood Pier. Hold and there be no remedie I will die better than I ha liv'd you shall see sir that I dare fight with you and if I fall by your sword my base consent to act your will deserves it Lod. Ha Pier. I find your policie and by this storm You 'd prove my Resolution how boldlie I Dare stand to 't when this great Dishonour comes to question prepare To be displeased she is a miracle Of Chastitie impenetrable like A marble she returned my sinful arrows And they have wounded me forgive me Ladie Lod. I prethee tell me true now thou shalt swear Hast thou not don 't Pier. Not by my hope of heaven Which I had almost forfeited had not she Relieved me with her vertue in this truth I dare resign my breath Lodw. I dare believe thee What did I see in her to doubt her firmness Enter Jacomo and Astella Iac. Here they are Madam you do not mean to Run upon their weapons Lodw. Piero thou shalt wonder Ast. What means my Lord Lodw. You shall know that anon My Ladie go with me Ast. VVhither you please You shall not need to force me sir you may Lead me with gossamere or the least thread The industrious Spider weaves Iac. Whimsies Pier. What furie thus transport him at some distance I 'le follow him he may intend some violence She is too good to suffer I shall grow In love with my conversion Exit Iac. Grow in love with a Cockscomb his last words Stick on my stomack still fortune forbid the banes Quotha slid if fortune should forbid the banes And my Ladie be not converted into a Dutchess Where are all my offices Exit Recorders Chairs prepared Enter Soranzo Giotto Sor. Know you not who they are my Lord this day Receive the habit Gio. I can meet with no intelligence Sor. They are persons of some qualitie Gio. The Duke does mean to grace their Ceremonie Sor. He was invited by the Abbot to their cloathing Gio. Which must be in private too here in his lodgings Sor. Well we shall not long expect 'em his Grace enters Enter Duke Grimundo Gri. It helpt much that he never saw my wife Duk. Dost think 't will take Gri. There 's some hope my Lord alreadie And heaven may prosper it Duk. We cannot endear thee to thy merit Sor. How the Duke embraces him Enter Cleona attended Duk. Cleona you are welcom 't is a blest Occasion that makes us meet so happilie Cleon. It pleas'd my Lord Abbot to invite me hither Duk. I appear'd too upon his friendlie summons We 'll thank him for this presence Sor. The Abbot enters Enter the Abbot attended with Religious men having bowed to the Duke he taketh a Chair being sate Valentio goes out and presently enters leading Foscari and Dulcino in St. Bennets habit he presents them they kneel at the Abbots feet Abb. Speak your desire Fosc. We kneel to be received into the number Of those Religious men that dedicate Themselves to heaven i'th'habit of St. Bennet And humblie pray that you would rectifie And teach our weak devotion the way To imitate his life by giving us The precepts of your order Abbot Let me tell you You must take heed the ground of your Resolve Be perfect yet look back into the spring Of your desires Religious men should be Tapers first lighted by a holie beam Meteors may shine like stars but are not constant Fosc. We covet not the blaze which a corrupt And slimie matter may advance our thoughts Are flam'd with charitie Abb. Yet ere you embark Think on your hard adventure there is more To be examin'd beside your end And the Reward of such an undertaking You look on heaven afar off like a land-skip Whether wild thoughts like your imperfect eye Without examination of those wayes Oblique and narrow are transported but I' th walk and tryal of the difficulties That interpose you tire like inconsiderate And wearie Pilgrims Fosc. We desire to know The Rules of our obedience Abb. They will startle Your Resolutions can your will not us'd To anie Law beside it self permit The knowledge of severe and positive limits Submit to be controul'd imploy'd sometime In servile offices against the greatness Of your high birth and sufferance of nature Can you forgetting all youthful desire And memorie of the worlds betraying pleasures Check wanton heat and consecrate your blood To Chastitie and holie solitude Sor. I wonot be Religious Giotto Giot. Nor I upon these terms I pitie em Abb. Can you quit all the glories of your state Resign your titles and large wealth to live Poor and neglected change high food and surfets For a continual fasting your down-beds For hard and humble lodging your gilt Roofs And Galleries for a melanchollie Cell The pattern of agrave where stead of musick To charm you into slumbers to be wak'd With the sad chiming of the sacring Bell Your Robes whose curiositie hath tyred Invention and the Silk-worm to adorn you Your blaze of Jewels that your pride have worn To burn out Envies eyes must be no more Your ornament but coarse and rugged cloathing Harrow your skins these and manie more Unkind austerities will much offend Your tender constitutions yet consider Duk. He does insist much on their state and honour May we not know em yet Ual. One of them sir Doth owe this character Gives him a paper Duk. It is Foscari I find his noble purpose he is perfect I honour thee young man she must not see This paper Gives another paper Val. This doth speak the other Sir Duk. 'T is at large ha Grimundo I prithee read I dare not credit my own eyes Leonora So it begins Leonora Grim. Leonora Daughter to the late Gonzaga Duke Of Millan fearing she should be compelled to marry Her Uncle in the habit of a Page and the conduct Of Father Valentio came to Savoy to try the Love and honour of his Excellence who once Solicitâ—d by his Embassador Duk. No more I am extasied If so much blessing may be met at once I le do my heart that justice to proclaim Thou hadst a deep impression as a boy I lov'd thee too for it could be no other But with a Divine flame fair Leonora Like to a perfect magnes though inclos'd With an Ivorie box through the white wall Shot forth imbracing vertue now oh now Our Destinies are kind Fosc. This is a misterie Dulcino Leon. No my Lord I am discovered You see Leonora now a Millan Ladie If I may hope your pardon Duk. Love and honour Thou dost enrich my heart Cleona read And entertain the happiness to which Thy