cheerfully from shrivel'd Tythons bed And thou so discontentedly from mine But I 'le not doubt the cause to spring from me Rather from feare of yong Prince Doria's safety Whose great affaires perhaps have made him stretch His promise to the utmost not to breake it Though he could not prevent our expectation He 'l not deceive 't but like th' approaching Sunne Will soone expell these mists and cheere our hearts Hon. I am solicitous I must confesse Of his returne whom we have long expected To whom we have design'd our onely daughter And with her both our fortunes and our loves But the true cause of all these perturbations Which you discover in my countenance Is a strange dreame heaven make it but a dreame And I perhaps should but have thought it so Had not my daughter ev'n this very night And the same houre as neere as we can guesse With the like vision been disquieted Me thought we harbour'd in our house a Wolfe Bred up so tame that all did handle him Which like a dogge would fawne on them that beat him Til on a time accompanied with another Of his owne race he rush't into the chamber Where I together with my Daughter sate There they resum'd their native crueltie The one assaulted her the other me And tearing first our Iewells from our necks They made us both at length their farall prey Ang. Oh how the terrour of that dreadfull vision Affrights my Soule I tremble when I thinke on 't Me thought the heartstrings of Prince Doria crack't At the dire newes it prov'd the overthrowe Of our whole Family we differ but in this The Savadge executioners to me Seem'd to be Beares creatures as bloody as wolves Imp. It is no wonder that your dreames concurr'd Since there is that relation in your blood I must beleeve you had the day before Communicated some sad thoughts together Which in the night your wakefull fantasies From a like temperature of braine reduc't Into like formes suggesting that for truth Which is at best but fond imagination What can be vainer then a womans dreame T' is lesse to be regarded then her teares Which are prepar'd to flow at her command Hon. Cassandra's true predictions were dispis'd Imp. And well they might had Troy bin provident Hon. Many at length deplore their unbeleife Imp. But more lament their rash credulitie Hon. Future events by dreames have bin reveal'd Imp. So did old wisards doubtfull things vnfould By flights of birds such witchcrafts now are seas'd And we from those darke errours are releas'd To talke of visions is an indiscretion Practis'd by Children and distemperd persons Go then prepare your selves for solid joyes On this day the Republick yearly paies A retribution to our Familie And as I heare the time being Carnivall Some mirth shall season our solemnitie If Doria come to day as we expect To morow nothing shall be heard of us But songs of Hymen and Thalassius Hon. Never could any wretches be more glad To be deceiv'd Ang. My heart continues sad Actus primus Scena quinta Imperiale O Wretched state of man to whom the time By nature made for ease is found unquiet Sleepe properly cald rest who can expresse How restles it becomes through various dreames Which are so strongly formed by the fancy That though they be most false and when we wake Should wholly vanish yet even then they leave A deepe Impression in the troubled mind Nor doth this onely happen to weake women But unto men of speciall eminence Working vpon their hopes aswell as feares Who many times to their confusion Have by such drowsie errors bin seduc'd Hence did Amilcar venture to assault Strong Syracuse deluded by a dreame But though it be a folly beyond pardon To venture life or fortune in pursuit Of such a vanitie yet in all things Abundant warines can never hurt My slaue may not unfitlie be compar'd To a tame Wolfe or Beare who may perchance Resent his late sharpe castigation Him will I send to my owne Galley where He shal be chain'd from mischeife and to me Not prove unusefull when the smallest boult May eas'ly be remov'd who would omit it Let others lose themselves in laborinthes Of hidden superstition and beleeve The ayre to be replenished with spirits Who by a naturall and inherent virtue Foreseeing things to come and taking pity Vpon improvident man reveale by visions The dangers that approach to th' end he may By timely care prevent his misery I 'le not depend on such intelligence T' informe me whether Spinola hath buried Or only hid his long continued malice I 'le fetch my preservation neerer hence That shall conserve this individuall No man can suffer ill but from himselfe Fate only awes the slothfull wisdom barres The powerfull operation of the starres Chorus of two 1 THose men that mischiefe do devise Had need to borrow Argus eyes To looke about a poore slave may By chance lie hid and then betray 2 Within the house they may suspect That walles and bedds may them detect And in the feild they must provide That not a bush a spie may hide 1 And albeit they shut the doore Having well searcht the house before Yet they may be betray'd for proofe Iove in a shower did peirce the roofe 2 Though in the feild no tree nor bush Nor bird be neere nor winde doth rush Yet undiscern'd a fairy drab Their whole discourse may heare and blab 1 Then since that neither house nor field To our black crumes can safety yield Let us be virtious and not feare What all the world can see or heare 2 Our dreames are often found to bee Fruits of a wandring phantasie Yet many times they likewise are Sure pledges of Caelestiall care 1 Some men beleeve too much and some Conceive no truths by dreames can come It is a knowledge given to fewe To finde if they be false or true 2 Then as it is a rash misprision To count each idle dreame a vision So it 's an error at the least To thinke all visions are quite ceast Actus Secundus Scena prima Francisco CAn no advice of friends nor mine owne reason Hold me from strong pursuite of what I finde Can never be obtaind am I so stupid After so many scornes not to desist An arrow shot sooner may be recal'd Then her affection th' Apenine the Alpes Will eas'lier be removed then her Father Feed not thy selfe fond foole with desperate hopes But shall I arm'd with powerfull love consult With timerous discretion the weake Child Of feeble age the towring Eagle may More eas'ly be confin'd within high walls Then that wing'd boy that hover'd over Chaos Be ty'd to humane possibilities What transformations did the Antique Poets Affirme to have bin wrought on men and Gods By his sole deity which Iove himselfe His frequent sport had found what guards what spies He hath deceiv'd and fore't the fiery Bull The wakefull dragon and gaz'd Argus witnes Though shee that 's truly nam'd Angelica Should
now abhor thy person love can lend thee The shape of him she loves were she averse From all mankind if she like any thing Shee may at length be brought to dote on thee But may I not be tax'd of too much sloth Neglecting active industry t' expect To be assisted by such miracles I yet have only trod the beaten path Of vowed service friends good will and Ioynture The elder Brothers formall evidence I am so farr from practising the art Of spells and philters I have quite omitted Corruption of her confidents and servants I am too cheape a lover and too tame And hither to have taught her to deny By easie asking I must let her know What I dare doe my Father is incens'd At my repulse his old suppressed hate Renewes it selfe hee 'l rather condiscend To match me with a fury then with her It will be wisdom to decline th' alliance Of him thy Father counts his enemy It would be wretchednesse to make thy love Depend upon th' affections of another He never lov'd that can for any cause Suspend his love set then before thine eyes Valiant Achilles who acquir'd more honor By constancie even to his enemies Daughter In spite of th' opposition of his friends Then ere he did by Hectors overthrowe Redeeme the time Francisco though 't be short And let this one day satisfie the losse Of weekes and monthes her father keeps a slave A cunning Affrican whose very soule For mony and hope of liberty I 'le buy Him will I strait imploy love nere refuses The basest instruments if they be usefull A drudge may finde more corners in the house Than ere the master knew and may discover A secret inlet to betray a City There will I now begin he shall advise Where I shall plant my golden batteries Actus Secundus Scena Secunda Imperiale Molosso Imp. I Am with wonder strucken not with feare At thy relation of this barbarous plot Contriv'd against my life after faith given Of firme attonement but the Leopards spots Or staines of virgin honor may as soone Be wip't away as hatred that hath seizd A cankred brest this machination Is so inhumane that to lend it credit Is a degree to inhumanity Mol. To give slow faith to such a horrid plot Becomes a heart so full of piety But in this black designe many presumptions Vnite themselves to fortifie beliefe Nor is it to be thought the wretch durst feine it Giving so short a time to be disproov'd The heavens forbid your virtuous diffidence Should lead you to the hazard I must count This blest discovery a large recompence Of former ills fortune hath throwne on me For I am bold to hope it will by you Be gratiously accepted though I finde Some late unhappy errors have infore't Your patience to inflict just punishment On him that is your slave and might expect The restles misery of the painfull oare With all the wants that ever were susteyin'd In a remorsles Galley but your goodnes In spite of fate that meant all this is pleas'd To give me shelter under your owne roofe And to the emulation of my fellowes To grant the favour of your houshold service A bondage which I truely may prefer Above the common peoples liberty These are the benifites that invite my soule To meditate your preservation Which ere I cease to doe Tyber and Poe Shall quite abandon fruitefull Italy And wash th' Arabian sands though I am rude I must abhor churlish ingratitude Imp. Fortune and thy integrity have found A weighty occasion to confirme and fixe thee With rootes of adamant in my good opinion Nor doth it happen often to a servant T' injoy the happy meanes t' account himselfe The Saviour of his master Kings are borne More frequently then such examples found But if to this unvalu'd benifit Thy pregnant industry can adde a second The mischiefe to divert upon himselfe Thou having sav'd me now shall crowne me then Mol. Great sir you owe the thanks of what 's yet don To chance alone I am ambitious Of somthing that might merit if at least The diligence and industrie of one Of my condition may deserue that title Imp. It may it may great merit is in story Ascrib'd somtimes to bondmen all our soules Are free and equall thence our merits flow Why should the person vilifie the worke And not the worke rather ennoble him It is the benefit we looke upon And not the givers meane condition Mol. I have a ripe designe that shall both give Assurance of the truth of what I brought And powre the vengeance on your enemy Nor can it ever be discovered To hurt your fame it shall amaze the actor And shall be speedy too things of long time Are ever doubtfull lost in expectation Propounded usuallie for private ends Gain'd by degrees an acceptable deede Hath double welcome when t' is don with speede Imp. Noble Molosso such thy virtues make thee Proceed with Courage in thy enterprize Which I 'le not presse to know till the event But by implicit trust freelie declare What confidence I meane to place in thee And take from me this iust incouragement To rest assur'd thy service hath not met With an ungratefull master I shall never Forgive my late credulitie that meant T' have added to his former punishment Actus Secundus Scena Tertia Molosso Sango Francisco Mol. HE 's now made sure I must with speed find out Yong Spinola and speake with Sango too Behold 'um both together t' will succed San. See where Molosso comes sir Fran. O t' is hee How is 't Moloss thy face hath busines in 't I would thou wert at leasure Mol. My toil'd body Will not admit a cheerefull countenance But I can throw of care if you command Fra. Wouldst thou embrace redemption Mol. Aske me whether I would not wish some shade if I were broil'd Vpon the Libian Sands where Cancer raignes But Sir if I mistake not you sustaine A greater servitude yet seeke not freedome Fra. Thou wouldst perswade me to shake off Loves fetters Mol. Rather to change them into chaines of gold To wealth and ornament it may be done Without your Chimicall projection Fra. Thou shouldst not stand in need of that t' inrich thee Could this b' effected Mol. Sir I have no art Nor leisure to discourse but I have heard There is by fare an opportunity Allotted every man to make him rich And happy too provided he take hold And I am confident that 's offer'd you Fra. What to enjoy divine Angelica No treasure else can make me rich or happy Mol. When she is brought into your own possession You can but blame your selfe if she depart Fra. I shall destroy my selfe if then she scape But how prithy convey thy joyfull newes Into me by a reverend secrecie That I may be all eare while thou art whispering They whisper San. What plot should this be now I long to know Molosso doubts some accident may happen Vpon his Masters death
is our duty to discharge that trust With all integrity and not to looke Vpon mens persons but to weigh their crimes In equall ballance to which purpose now Although a strange and horrid sacriledge Ha's cald us hither in unusuall haste Yet it must be our cheife care to proceed With due deliberation otherwise Though just our sentence be we are unjust Doc. I have for some yeares had the happines To be a witnes of your constant session In all which time I have not heard a sentence Pronounc't by you that envy could pervert Iud. We must not thinke we deserve prayse for that Which to neglect would merit punishment Doc. But yet there are degrees of good and ill Wherein the actor takes a liberty Iud. Yet where the lawe prescribes a certaine rule A iust Iudge cannot challenge liberty But let us now pursue the worke in hand Where is the pris'ner Off. Heere Doc. Let him draw neere Iud. His name Off. He calls himselfe Virdugo sir Iud. Then know Virdugo though thy haynous fact Be evident yet the Iustice of this state Grants thee free leave to answer for thy selfe Ver. I thanke the state for their set complement Iud. Bring forth the witnesses that he may see them Off. They are both heere an 't please your excellence Iud. Have they bin sworne Doc. Yes both sir before me Iud. Then by the oath you tooke declare the truth Of what you know concerning this delinquent Begin you first Wit 1. Aboute som three howres since Being in the Domo I espi'd this man At his first entrance and although I never To my remembrance saw his face before Yet instantly I found a strange mislike Of his aspect which did increase the more Because I saw him often fix his eyes On him he slew whom I conceiv'd to be Signior Imperiale I reveal'd my thoughts To this yong man who then stood next me who Concurring with me did resolve as I To watch him narrowly we both agreed To keepe on either side of him at length In midst of all the crowd raising his arme To fetch his blow he hit me with his elbow At which I suddenly laid hold on him Supposing he had snatcht at some mans purse But then I saw drop from his hand the sheath Of that dire weapon he had newly buried In the warme bowels of that Gentleman Wit 2. Most part of this I averre I stood so neere him That I perceiv'd the motion of his arme And looking down spi'd bloud upon his hand Ver. The Canker take your Phisiognomy That made you try conclusions upon me Iud. There cannot be more cleere and pregnant proofe What have you to alledge in your defence Doc. He hath confest the fact Iud. Hath he confest Who set him on whether he meant to kill Signior Imperiale or yong Spinola Ver. The one had done me wrong but destiny Made th' other take a Carnivall disguise Somewhat too soone Iud. Such recreations Though in themselves they be in different Yet in a sacred Temple th' are prophane And draw downe vengeance Ver. Had there bin but hope To have enervated their testimony The racke nor the Strapado no nor yet The subtler torment both of fire and water Should have inforc't me to the least confession But 't is my fate and therefore let me heare My passing bell my doome quickly pronounc'd For 't were ridiculous to expect favour Since your integrity as you confest May not shew any where the law condemnes Doc. Dar'st thou deride the Iudge Iud. Let him alone He hath no sence of his owne misery His boldnesse moves not me I shall proceed With the unchanged countenance of Law And with a voyce not furious but severe When I condemne a guilty man 't is done As if I strooke a Serpent not with passion Doc. His wicked acts have hardned him he came No novice to this cruell enterprise In Venice he climing a Ladder shot Through the glasse window a Clarissimo Sitting at supper flew a Count of Naples In his owne garden having first observ'd A place where he might scale the wall t' escape And that his wants may not obtrude the guilt Vpon his fortune he but lately ravish't A yong and Noble Virgin in Siena The onely daughter of Petruccio Ver. Can that be thought to be a great offence Doc. The harmelesse man thinks it no great offence With hot and beastly lust to vitiate A Damzell at the most but ten yeers old Ver. Beleeve it I have found um good at eight Why there are many like Quartella sir Remember not that they were ever maids Iud. He takes delight not onely in the act But in the infamy of wickednesse But I will rid the world of such a monster And therefore now Verdugo I pronounce Because th' hast heap'd up crimes and drunk in vice Which is dispersed into every limbe Thy body shall be laid upon a wheele And limb by limb be broken till thou dyest Nor shalt thou then finde any other grave Then the blacke mawes of Vultures and remaine In the meane time a spectacle to men This sentence justice hath declar'd by me Ver. Sir Iud. Not to be revok't take him away And early in the morning see 't be done Ver. I 'le beare it manfully although I feele Ixion like the torment of the wheele Iud. Such malefactors in a State are like To putrified members in mans body Which like a skilfull Surgeon law findes best To cut off quite lest they infect the rest Chorus of two 1 LOve built on vertue cannot be Led by a rash credulitie To entertaine reports that tend To the dishonour of a friend True love is confident a doubt That slakes loves fire will put out 2 As they whose tongues are us'd to erre Are not beleev'd when they averre That which is true so when we know A story false in part we grow Iealous of all if truth once touch On falshood it is render'd such 1 When men in their revengefull hate Doe study others ruines Fate Acts Iustice part to let them see They plotted their owne misery 'T is just that they themselves should finde What they to others have design'd 2 But how are these amaz'd when they Being about to seize their prey Finde themselves caught yet doe not know From whence they did receive the blow Like him that hid his gold in hope To keepe it safe but found a rope 1 Though they could blinde and bribe the law And keepe all witnesses in awe By their great power though they could make By cunning the whole Stake mistake Yet can they be so void of sense To thinke to cozen Providence 2 If mischiefe-workers would but bend Their guilty thoughts to weigh the end Of their ill deeds they would confesse No safety found in wickednesse How can those crimes that heaven doth see And so abhor unpunish't be Actus Quartus Scena Prima Evagrio Iustiniane Eva. BEleeve it sir h 'as all the signes of phrensie His inflam'd bloud boyles in
acknowledgement invites All generous spirits beyond common duty To venture life and fortune for her safety Imp. This common wealth that makes them truly happy That share the blessings of her government Disdaines not like a tyranny to owe A benefit to subiects nor rewards With banishment in stead of Bayes their merit But hark musicke proclaims the maskers comming Be pleas'd to take your places there are seats Fri. 1. I must crave leave to place your daughter sir She that is once betrothed is a Bride Imp. 'T were incivility in her or us If you request it not to be uncivill Sit downe Angelica Hon. Sit downe sit downe Our friends desires are in our house commands A boy clad like a nuptiall Genius sings this song COme Hymen light thy full branch'd Pine And let a rosie wreath entwine Thy reeking brow let thy brave sire With liquid vertue thee inspire While waggish boyes in witty rimes Taxing the follies of the times Spare not their masters who are now Content this freedome to allow Thus the chaste girdle of the Bride Must be by pleasant rites unti'd But let darke silence bring to bed Such as want Hymen when they wed The song ended Hymen and his Fescennine youths appeare clad in antique formes dancing a wanton dance at the end of which Prince Doria representing Thalassius enters with other young gentlemen his friends attired like Romans with their swords drawne at sight whereof Hymen and his company runne away confusedly then they put up their swords and dance a warlike dance at the end whereof Doria suddenly embraceth Angelica the Masquers all crying out Mas. For Thalassius for Thalassius Imp. Though custome challengeth a liberty To take our wives and daughters forth to tread A measure without scandall yet t' embrace And whisper too requires a better warrant Then carnivall permission it implyes Domesticke priviledge or an affront Mas. For Thalassius for Thalassius Imp. That voyce was frequent at a publick rape But sacred hospitality forbids All jealousie of any ill intent Dor. Not as the Romans when they had betraid The Sabine Virgins do my glad friends make These acclamations of Thalassius But rather as a more auspicious name Then that of drowsie and lascivious Hymen Behold the late Ambassador himselfe Thus contradicts his owne feyn'd embasie Aug. My Doria Hon. O perfect happinesse Fri. 2. See how Prince Doria hath surpriz'd us all Transform'd into a nuptiall Deitie Imp. My doubt is in the better sense resolv'd You may perceive y' are welcome by the joy Exprest both by my daughter and my wife In no dry complement but in a moist And silent Oratory Dor. Which works more On my affections then a golden tongue But tell me my divine Angelica How could'st thou at the tidings of my death Put on a valiant incredulity And when thou find'st me safe burst out in teares Ang. To lend beliefe to any ill report Of a known friend although aver'd with boldnes In common friendship were unpardonable Much more in such a love as mine which finding In a mayne part a manifest untruth Was for your honour bound to slight the rest And though there be a contrarietie In the true causes of our joy and griefe Yet both are often times exprest with teares Dor. I could not entertaine nor then nor now The least suspition of thy constancy But truest love delights to please it selfe With such disguises and to finde by trials Our owne assurance many wayes confirm'd Nor had I ventur'd to disturb thy thoughts Which thy discerning judgement did prevent But that I had a present remedy Ang. I might have safely tasted what the Mede Or the fierce Parthian dips his arrows in So long as there was such an antidote Dor. Were I left helplesse by Machaons art Thy presence hath a vertue would restore me Pandora on whom each Deity bestow'd A severall gift was not endow'd like thee Imp. So soone at strife if you will needs contend Who will love best I 'le put you both together Dor. He whose ambition made him weep and sweat Within the narrow limits of one world Did never thirst so much for fame and glory As I for that encounter in which combat Whether I vanquish or am vanquished I shall not envy Pompey or Caesars triumphs In the meane time I 'le crave an houre or two For preparation of some necessaries Whereof my absence makes me destitute Imp. Troth my occasions have the like request And therefore if this noble company Will honour us to morrow with their presence We shall endeavour to requite their loves 1 Fri. Most willingly 2 Fri. And at your nuptiall feast Wee 'l wish that every grace may be your guest Dor. I 'le soon return my heart with thee shal stay As a sure pawne Ang. You carry mine away Imp. You have some busines too must be dispatcht Goe loose no time Molosso come thou hither I leave thee in my absence to take care That supper be prepar'd and tell the Steward That great revenue parcimony now Must be by us neglected thriving men In charges that come seldome are profuse Actus Quartus Scena Sexta Molosso I Shall sir yes by that time you returne You shall confesse you have a skilfull Cater Why should proud greatnesse undervalue us And our condition since all men are slaves If we survey the greatest monarchies What art their Courtiers else with all the suits They either beg or weare the rich Banquier Enthrals his debtor and his money him This Captaine is a captive to that wench This Magistrate to bribes that Lord to pride This Statesman to ambition all to feare From whence we only that have nought to loose Are free and that shall instantly appeare I 'le send the servants forth that Sango and I May act our part with more security See how the fates themselves have help'd to bring The Beast into my toile and made both him And his whole house the subject of my vengeance My joy is such I cannot temper it As when the bloud-hound in a leash being led Noseth the ground and while the prey 's far off Spares both his mouth and feet but drawing neer Will open wide and drag away his leader So are my thoughts transported I 'le away My fury cals for bloud and I obey Chorus of two 1 VNdoubted friendship having made A strong impression in the minde Though wilde distempers doe invade Our reason can their fury binde Love in distracted thoughts may beare As great a sway as servile feare 2 He whose strong passions are his foes Is happy in a faithfull friend That will assist him to compose Those strifes that to his ruine tend A true friend wishes not a cause But when ther 's need he ne're withdrawes 1 A Lover with no ill intent Will Proteus-like new formes devise He feynes to be on errands sent And then himselfe he will disguise Like to a god Love loves to stray And seldome keeps the beaten way 2 But now the fatall time