King They are all trifles let me see Is nothing in thy power to make thee finde My gratitude how barren are we wealth Honour Mont. Ther 's nothing good or great you have not Freely possest me with your favours would So mighty have they falne upon me rather Expresse a storme and I had sunke beneath The welcome violence had not your love From whence they flowed inabled me to strength And manly bearing King I was inprovident To reserve nothing or it was a fault In thee to be so prodigall of merit In thy past services canst thou thinke of nothing Worth my addition Mont. Nothing Sir King I have it And thanke my better genius I have it Such a reward Montalto that I dare Be modest yet pronounce never did Prince Exceede it to his friend Mont. Sir you amaze me And shame my want of merit King In the title Let Kings peruse the benefit and study An imitation to their best loved creatures Th' are great as fortune can invent I le teach thee A way Montalto to know all thy friends And enemies Mont. That were a pretious knowledge Were it in nature with your highnesse pardon The hearts of men are not to be measured With what we reach the starres or fadome Seas Oh he that 's active in a state has more Chainde to him by the power and strength of office Then genuine respect and t is not worth Or person but the fortunes of a Statesman That sometimes men adore King T is true and therefore I am proud in this that I can teach thee looke Into mens soules to know 'em fit for scorne or Thy embraces Mon. How may this Sir be done King Almost 'i th twinckling of an eye too Mont. Strange King I seeme to frowne upon thee Mont. How Sir King Doest apprehend me I will counterfeit That I am displeas'd with thee doe not mistake me And have it voic'd about the Court thou art Consin'd doest marke at this will all thy enemies Whose hearts thou canst not see their tongues before By thy great power silenc'd joyne in faction Complaine discover their whole stocke of malice Tickling their spleenes that thou art out of favour Whom I shall heare and smile at then all those Whose honest soules deserve thee will rise up The champions of thy same o' th other side And be so many Oratours to make Thy faith and honour shine when this done The scene is chang'd I send for thee thou commest With a most glorious traine and then I le smile Take thee agen i' th sight of all discover T was but a tricke thy friends keepe still thy bosome And thou in triumph shoot'st a scorne with mine To strike all envie dumbe I st not a rate one I cannot doe enough for thee Montalto Mont. You have found out a way I must confesse But with your pardon I shall be more able To do you service in the other ignorance Then ruine a desperate hazard in this knowledge Some hold it sinne and capitall enough To have the Princess favour which once lost Though but in suspition they may rage And like a torrent rise to o'rewhelme nature King These sha'not wound thee Mont. And how other Indges May wrest the actions of a man imployed Though ne're so faithfull to his King and state King I am confident of thy justice and decree Thy triumph in 't thy goodnesse thus conspicuous Renders thee loved and fit for Theodosia When she is brightest the Sunne never smiled More cherefull upon teeming earth Then I to finde thee perfect for I doe But seeme displeas'd come I will have it so If thou dost love me no dispute but let me Pursue my fancie meant to doe thee honour Who waites Enter Lords Now it begins Attend my Lord Montalto to his Chamber Where our will is he be confin'de untill Our pleasure further knowne Guid. How 's this Alex. Aloi Consin'd King No ceremony Sir when that 's done We ease you of the trouble too of waiting You know the way my Lords to your owne lodgings From whence on perill of our anger stirre not Vntill wee send for you Octavio Guid. Doe we not dreame Mont. Something wo'd creepe Like a dead sleepe upon me I am in A Labirinth but hence with coward feare I know the worst grim death can but translate Me hence and there 's an end of death and fate The fift Act Simphorosa Theodosia Domitilla Theo. He conforted and counsel'd Domitilla I have my part in loves affliction Sim. This I fear'd Enter Iacamo I must acquaint the King where is your fellow Bombo his mirth might now be seasonable Iaca. Hee 's gone Madam Sim. Gone whither Iaca. Backe to the country house he heard of my Lord Montaltoes disgrace and the feare of his supp'ying The place of a favorite sent him away this morning With all his moveables the countrey he saies Is wholesome where he will dye without feare or wit when His time comes he durst not stay to see the King Exit Iaca. Sim. Would we had still beene strangers to the Court Leave us my daughter is much bound to your grace Dom. It is the King you speake of pray be carefull You speake all goodnesse of him he deserves it And will when I am dead Sim. I le lose no time Exit Theo. I wish it prosper Dom. I dare not say the King dissembles with me That were a fault beyond my love but sure Something he said that made my heart beleeve He did not meane me for another and Montalto whose reward I must be thought Is now consin'd and under his displeasure Theo. He will have more care of his honour then To place thee so unworthily Montalto Has plaid the cunning traytour with our loves If I may trust thee noble Philoberto That told me the whole story of his falsehood Which I before suspected Dom. And if he should dispise me as t is justice Will heaven be angry if I love him still Or will the King call it a treason in me If hee doe I can willingly dye for 't And with may last words pray he may live happy But why am I this trouble to your grace My story is not worth one of your minuts Deare Madam pardon me and teach me how To make my time more happy spent in something That may concerne your highnesse you doe love too Enter Iacamo Iaca. Madam the Duke of Florence Theo. How the Duke Dom. Why does he visite me Madam indeed You may beleeve I love him not Theo. Admit him I preethe and conceale me Domitilla I know he comes a wooing to thy beauty I preethe let me heare the second part Exit Dom. I shall against my owne desires obey you Enter Duke Duke The ambition of my eyes can not be thought Immodest if they ever wish to dwell here They have found their light agen let no misfortune Be a second cause to bury me in darkenesse Dom. Your graces pardon if my haste to attend The King and his commands made
story Theodosia More beautifull then the day I figur'd by her Is quite orecast and lookes through an Ecclipse Vpon your love shee has no heart but what Another is possest of Duke Ha Mont. I know It cannot but afflict your thoughts that all Your expectation ripe and courted to The enjoying such a treasure as shee is Must finish in embracing of a shaddow Invited to a fable not a bride That should with joy dwell in your princely armes For Theodosia without sacriledge Cannot be yours shee is contracted Duke How The King of Naples must not Sir ingage Florence to such a mockery Mon. T is my duty To cleare his honour in 't he has a pure Intention to make his sister yours her close Though honorable love 's designd without His knowledge and you will but waste your rage Vpon her destiny which will bury her In her owne ruines if your anger make The King her enemie Duke I doe not finde My heart in any disposition To breake at hearing of this newes but wish it Truth to prepare roomes for another guest The fairer Domitilla is here sainted Mont. Your excellencie Duke Must not be thus affronted Montalto and returne with this dishonour Was there no cheaper person to be made Ridiculous in Naples Mont. Calme your blood I know you must resent it but let not Your passion make the world beleeve you should Dispaire to finde one apter to your bosome The richest beauty in the world your birth And fortune must deserve and I should curse My forward duty to your grace Duke No more I have considered better and although Your love may merit thankes yet this intelligence Wonot concerne my faith this cannot be Sir Mont. My honour is ingaged then to convince you Though with the hazard of my life and fortunes Both which must now depend upon your mercy Your breath shall make 'em bleed or live Duke What meanes Montalto Mont. To translate the power of all My Starres and make you Lord of my whole fate Theodosias heart Sir should be mine by free Gift of her selfe who has beene pleas'd to take My vowes in the exchange which now may boast Some time and growth which could not be a sinne Against your love with which all that can spring From me deserves no name nor dare I take Boldenesse to call her mine who am a thing Lighter then ayre in ballance with your grace If you but chide the ambition and could render Though I commit a rape on my owne life All that her love hath promis'd me Duke T is strange Mont. But she let me take freedome to be plaine Duke Is not to be reduc'd you le say Mont. Sir women Love not with that safeguard upon their passion Duke Shee has a wise art to dissemble then Mont. T is feare it should arive at the King knowledge In whose displeasure shee is lost and not A will to mocke your grace for whom there is Another wound within her minde that shee Should weare a smiling summer in her brow Yet frost within her heart in which unhappily Shee comes to neare the nature of the Adamant Hard to your grace whom shee attracts but love Your wisedome knowes is in the volume of Our fate decreede whose periods when they are By time made knowne greatnesse on earth that meanes To play the tyrant with us may have strength To punish not reverse Duke I am confirmde And prosper in my thoughts Mont. It takes Duke My Lord You have expression act of confidence Which I must not betray though to my losse It is some happinesse to know this early We may be expected you shall finde me Sir A Prince but no usurper Mont. I am your creature The King Enter King Simphorosa Domitilla Guido Aloisio Alexio We build upon your piety Vntill some little time may call our loves Out of this silence King You understand me Madam Simp. And am honord Duke Her eyes beget new wonder I shall be observ'd King Come now to horse Duke I shall attend your entertainement has Oblig'd us Madam Sim. T was not worth such guest But prayers and duty must supply King Now Madam you are a great part of my care Depend upon me for a husband Dom. I st not plaine Duke Madam another guest must take his leave That here would choose his pallace Dom. You are gratious and but encourage more to honour you Mont. I le creepe and kisse thy Altar love allow Them flame and knit more charmes upon her brow Exeunt The third Act Duke and Riviero Duke T is thy old quarrel gainst Montalto makes Thee incredulous I dare beleeve he loves Theodosia Rivi. T is not that I question Sir But that part which concernes her love to him Sounds like a plot upon your nature to Secure his owne ambition Duke Why the Princesse May love as great a heart has beene made stoope Rivi. Your grace should else in vaine court her your selfe And late your highnesse thought shee meet your person A faire designe of love with all the soft Behaviour of a Princesse Duke But t is not Impossible a Lady should dissemble Rivi. Allow her but the honour she was borne with And sheel 'e not staine her blood so much Duke But love Must be obeyed and prepossession Of hearts is a lewd thing to wrastle with I make it my owne case and if I lov'd Another Lady better then the Princesse As every man 's not proofe against all beauty I thinke I should be constant too it would Be something to remove me Rivi. Then the King Duke He knowes not I have bound my selfe in honour Not to betray if they be decreed To make a marriage a soft destiny Attend their loves Rivi. There is some mystery But will you rest and take for granted shee Does love Montalto if it be a truth Y' are in the same condition when shee Confirmes it Duke T is not good to be busie In search of these unwelcome certainties There 's hope while things are clouded in suspition Rivi. But so your jealousie may wound her honour Which you may cure by knowledge Duke I will thinke on 't Meane time let this dwell in that honest silence You have possest there is another secret May follow Rivi. You must challenge my whole bosome And I am confident your highnesse will Stere all your resolutions by honour Which in a Prince is sacred Enter Servant Ser. Sir the Lord Montalto is comming up Duke Then try your art upon him And informe your selfe I le take My time to appeare Exit Duke Enter Montalto Rivi. I obey My honour'd Lord Mon. Most noble Phillberto Where is the Duke Rivi. If you le but excuse a few minuts Mont. T is My duty to attend Rivi. How is it with the Princesse my good Lord Mont. The Princesse shee is in health why this to me Hee is of inward counsell with the Duke I must be resolute Rivi. I aske because His grace intends a present visit to her And was but
King Theo. Must you be of counsell with his passions What hath advanc'd you to this boldnesse Dom. Pardons Why does your grace put on those angry lookes I never did offend you in a thought Theo. Cunning dissembler yes and t is thy death Must satisfie yet ere I give thee punishment Tell me what impudence advanc'd thy thoughts So high in our dishonour was there none In your owne for me of blood fit for your love But you must flatter your prou hopes with one So much above thy birth though he in frailty Consent to make thee great dar'st thou accept it And with my shame aspite to be his equall Disclaime these hopes and sweare never to love him Dom. Madam Theo. Doe or with this I will secure my feares And stand the malice of all other fate Dom. Heare me Theo. Be briefe Dom. I know not by what genius prompted Madam To live or die more happily I have no Feare of your rage which is so farre from making Me sinne against my love it has inlarg'd My heart which trembles not to be loves martyr I can forgive your hand too if you promise To tell the King how willing I die for him Theo. The King thou lov'st the Duke Dom. Hee 's not concern'd In my affection I have no thought Of any Prince alive but your owne brother Such an example of loves folly have My starres decreed me yet if pride and duty May in one action meete and be good friends Both shall assist my last breath which shall offer Humbly the King and his affaires to heaven This he will pardon shall he know it done By me more sit to die then live for him Theo. Alas poore Domitilla shee is wounded As deepe as I rise and forgive my jealousie I cannot promise thee to be my sister But I will love thee like one let us call A counsell of our thoughts and mingle sorrowes Yet when we have done all and tyr'd our breath There is no cure for love but love or death Exeunt Enter King and Montalto King How will Montalto counsell me I am Wilde with the repetition Mont. The Duke Lay such a blacke aspersion on your sister T is blasphemy to honour but as soone He may pollute the Sunne beames or defile The dew of heaven ere it approach the earth Make us beleeve the rockes of ice doe flame And may indanger the north starre my wonder Will make me reason leste it throwes a poyson On your whole family a staine so deepe And so prodigious all the blood within His Dukedome wo'not purge it could he finde No excuse for his revolt to Domitilla But blasting the sweet Princesse King Domitilla Whom I must tell you I already have Prepar'd to be thy bride as an addition To the reward I owe thy services Mont. Prepard for me you are too bountifull In you I kneele both to my king and father But my aspiring will be satisfied To be your servant still in your grace I Injoy the brinde my heart affects let me Grow old with duties here and not translate My affection till my weary soule throw off The burden of my dust King No more in this One act I le build a monument of my love To thee and my revenge upon the Duke Thou instantly shalt marry Domitilla Her Beauty Blood and Fortune will deserve thee Mont. I am your creature but how this may inflame The Duke King T is meant so Mont. But your sisters fame Were worth your first care this may be done With more accesse of joy when shee is righted You have beene pleasd to heare my counsell Sir And not repented King What would'st thou advise me Mont. The Duke is young and apt to erre you cannot Preserve your hospitable Lawes to affront Him openly nor will it be thought prudence To let loose these suspitions to the descant Of peoples tongues th' aire is dangerous Let me search the Dukes bosome for the spring Of this dishonour King How Mont. Mistake me not Philoberto is his secret consellour And the receiver of his thoughts leave me To manage this great worke I have a way To every angle of his heart meane time Be pleas'd to keepe your person but retired A silent discontent will fright him more And arme us with full knowledge King Wise Montalto I like thy honest counsell and obey it But lose no time Exit Mont. It never was more pretious My essence is concern'd and every minute Brings a fresh seige against Montaltoes life There 's none but Philoberto conscious To my last accusation of the Princesse Then hee must be remov'd delayes are fatall I le poyson him to night I have the way This done the Duke may follow or be brib'd With Domitillaes person to quit Naples Enter Guido Aloisio Alexio Guid. My honour'd Lord Mont. Guido Aloisio Why make I this distinction y' are but one To your Montalto have one heart and faith Your love and dilligence must now be active Guid. You have deserv'd us Alex. Lord of our fortunes Guid. Wee are your creatures Bound by all Law and conscience of the court To serve your ends Mont. T is but to waite close And contrive excuses if the Duke Desire accesse to the King Gui. This all Mont. Be carefull None of his traine nor faction be admitted In speciall Philoberto if he appeare Present my service and desire to speake with him This is no mighty Province gentlemen To waste you much yet this neglected will Destroy my tall fate in whote fall you must Stoope and be strucken dead with the large ruines Gui. Kill us not first by your suspition We looke upon you as our destiny Prosper as we are faithfull Mont. You divide me Alex. There is much trouble in his face how ere Let us be firme is not this Philoberto Enter Riviero Riv. My honor'd Lords Gui. We are proud to be your servants I am yours where is the Lord Montalto Alo. New gone from us and desires to speake with you And is gone either to your lodging or the Dukes Rivi. I have some affaires with the King and that Dispatch'd I le waite upon him Gui. We are confident You will excuse us we receiv'd command That none should interrupt him Rivi. I come from the Duke Alo. His excellent will conster it our duties Riv. This was not wone Alo. We dare not sit dispute Our masters pleasure Gui. Perhaps his confessor is with him Rivi. Perhaps there is some cunning nay preferre The businesse of the soule I may presume He has no long Catalogue to account for Gui. You have not beene of counsell with his conscience We doe not use to limit his devotions Rivi. T is picus and you three by computation Montaltoes knaves here plac'd to keepe away Discoveries in spight of all your subtilties The king shall know my minde and understand The history of your patrons and your service Let time speak your reward in your owne chronicles Alo. You not forget my Lord Montalto has Desire to speake
with him Rivi. T is all my businesse Be carefull of your watch and looke about you Some Wee sell may get in else Gui. Does he jeere us Alex. Let him his Embassy is not perform'd Enter Duke Montalto Mont, You doe amaze my understanding Sir To require I should justifie a tale Made to the blemish of so chaste a Lady Duke Did not your Lordship tell such a story To Philoberto in my lodgings Mont. I dare his malice to affront and t is not Done like your selfe to sully with one breath Two sames Duke Shall I not credit my owne eares Mont. Deare Sir collect your selfe and let not passion To Domitilla whom you may possesse Here after make you so unjust Duke Deare Machiavill This will not doe the King shall know your stratagems Mont. Goe threaten babes this would exalt my rage But I remember y' are a guest to Naples Nor would I grieve the genius of my country To place my owne revenge above her honour Duke Poore shaddow Mont. Now Drawes a dagger at the Dukes backe T will not be safe you know your change Exit Guid. We are proud to see your excellence in health Duke Where is the King Alo. A little busle Sir Alex. Not yet I thinke he is at his prayers Duke I le adde to his Letanie Guid. It wo'not neede I thinke his ghostly father can direct him With whom he is in private Duke I know not How to interpret this I want Philoberto Exit Enter Octavio Octav. Your graces Servant he lookes displeas'd Guid. My Lord Octavio Octav. Your servant Lords Guid. You meet the Duke Octav. His face shewed discontent Aloi. We summe our fortunes in Montaltoes smile By whose commands we have denyed the Duke Accesse to 'th King Octav. You have done well it much Concernes my Lord his and all our fate Depends upon 't continue still your care And circumspection and while I am within Let none be admitted Exit Guid, Let us alone A spirit may have the device to enter But if he have so much body as a Gnat I le know his errand whoe 's this oh it t is My Lady Domitillaes Secretary Enter Bombo Bom. Here are so many trickes and turnes and dores I'these Court lodgings I have lost my selfe Guid. Mr. Secretary Bom. T was you betrayd me to the King and caus'd My Ladies to be sent for with more cunning To bring me hither but all 's one he has Not seene me yet not sha'not which Is my way out of this labyrinth Alo. Why are you so unwilling the King should see you Guid. Or to live in Court me thinkes this habite Becomes you now does it not my Lord Alex. He lookes like a true Hero Bom. You are beside the story Sir I did reade once That Hero had no upper lip shee was A Lady of Leanders lake Guid. A wit there 's a new word now for the Hellespont Hee le make a subtile courtier Bom. It has undone me Alo. Vndone thee how Bom. I know not whether it be my wit or clothes Or disposition of the place or all Together but I am sure I am in love I finde it by the losing of my stomacke I am most strangely in love Guid With whom Bom. I know not Aloi. Can you not guesse Bom. I hope t is with my selfe for I did vow When my first mistresse dyed which was Guid. What Bom. A dairy maide that we had i' th Countrey To love no living woman bove an houre Shee was the very creame of all her Sex Oft have we churn'd together Guid. And drunke healths In Butter-milke Aloi. But doe you hope you are in love with your selfe Sir Bom. Marry doe I Sir is that so wonderfull at Court Guid. You are pleasant Aloi. Le ts be rid on him Guid. Come you shall now speake with the King And he shall knight thee more honours may follow Bom. You shall excuse me put your honours Vpon some body else Guid. Doe you know what t is Bom. I have not read of late Aloi. But you are much given to hearing What is honour Bom. Honour a buble is that is soone broke A Gloworme seeming fire but has no smoake Aloi. There 's fire and water Bom. And smoake for ayre A painted Sun-beame peece of gilded Chaffe And he that trusts leanes to a broken staffe Gui. You should have reconcil'd the foure elements To the conceit there was fire aire water Where 's the earth Bom. Oh he that leanes to a broken staffe shall Finde that presently Enter King reading a paper Octavio Guid. The King Bom. King bee your leave I vanish Exit Bombo King This paper containes wonder t is not possible Octa. Vpon my life Sir Philoberto can demonstate these King The Divell has not art To abuse us so this will require some counsell Enter Montalto Hee 's here Montalto leave us Exeunt Lords Mont. Sir your pleasure King Is all in thee hast met with Philoberto Mont. Not yet King No matter I have thought upon 't And doe conclude it best to let things passe Yet in a dreame choise and enquiry may Awake suspition upon innocence Mont. You cannot thinke her guilty Sir King I am not Without some feares I have collected things Since we conferr'd that stagger my good thoughts Mont. Of her you cannot Sir unthinke agen What ever would betray her to your jealousy A Virgins Monument cannot be more chaste i th Temple King Yes yes we may be all cozend And therefore let her passe among things desperate Yet were I certaine shee were spotted thus As t is but a young Leprosie upon her I could wish heartily my Sister timely Married not to the Duke that would betray us But to some one I know not who could love Vs both so well as be that rare friend And save our honours Mont. Doe you then suspect her King Oh the Dukes Character had a powerfull sence And who knowes but shee may be lost by one Not fit to make her reparation Could any Nobleman be found in Naples To binde her wound up by so great an act Of secrecy and marriage but some winde May listen and convey I know not whether What my sad breath has scatter'd in the aire Thy Master has no servant that dares take One sorrow from him Mont. You are Sir provided Of more then that can rise to in my service King Canst thou be so compassionate to lose Thy hopes of richer beauty for my sake Darst thou with all this knowledge hide her staine And marry her Mont. My duty to your Majestie Shall marry me to death let not this trouble The quiet of your heart I le take Theodosia And thinke upon her as shee had the whitenesse Of my good Angell King Th' art a miracle Teach me but which way I may reward this love Till now I had no poverty thy worth Will make me everlastingly in debt What shall I say Mont. Great Sir no more your favours Flow from a bounty which hath onely heaven Above it
me appeare Rude when I left your excellence Duke This does more Then satisfie Dom. I know not how I may Stand guilty in your thoughts by keeping a Rich Caskanet Duke You honor'd me to accept it Dom. But with a blush I must remember too I did not thanke you there was want of time Or manners I must leave it to your mercy And would by any duty to your grace Expiate my errour Duke Madam it is not worth The mention of this gratitude Your breath Makes the oblation rich and me who am Encourag'd by your vertue to present you With something of more valew then a world Of these poore empty glories I dare give you My heart Madam Dom. Blesse your grace from such a meaning Duke Can you be cruell to it Dom. I ne're had The confidence to looke upon a wound And such a bleeding object as your heart Would fright my senses Duke You are more ingenious Then not to understand that I meane love I love you Madam best of all your sex Dom. You cannot Sir you dare not Duke How Dom. You dare not be so wicked I am am sure When you remember what you are a Prince Duke Is it a sinne for Princes to love Madam Dom. Or if you could dispence with so much passion To love me and durst give me what I tremble To thinke you promise that that very act In which you most advance affection to me Would make me thinke you love me not Duke Be clearer Dom. How should I thinke his courtship worth my trust And meete him with a reall change of hearts Who in his very first attempt of love Would blast my honour and betray me to A shame blacke as the tongue of infamy Duke Would I Dom. And more For you in this Would tempt me to an act by which I should Not onely wound my selfe to death of honour But make me guilty of anothers blood And kill an innocent Lady whose least teare Is worth a thousand lives of perjurd men That make a scorne of vertue Duke What Lady Dom. Have you forgot the Princesse Sir Duke The Princesse Dom. In that name you le finde your selfe agen Lost in a mist of passions oh thinke The fames and hopes of two rich countries are Engag'd upon your faith your highnesse pardon I finde some blushes chide my too much boldnesse And by a nearer view now of your goodnesse I see my errour to beleeve you meant Other then triall of me or could fall To any thought beneath your birth and honour Duke But if Theodosia be made anothers By her owne gift and I at large with what Justice may I be thought then to addresse My passions hither Dom. If the Princesse which I must not thinke give your heart backe agen And that you could quit all your tyes with honour My thoughts are all resign'd to the Kings will He must dispose of me by my owne vow Without his free consent never to marry Exit Duke The King there t is I thought shee was his mistresse T is not possible the Princesse now Can pardon my neglect Montaltoes practise Vpon me and his poysoning of her vertue Wo'not excuse my shame I dare not see Whom I have injur'd Theodosia In am resolv'd this night I le steale from Naples Enter Theodosia Theo. Nay doe not hide your face my Lord it will Appeare as fresh and lovely to my eyes As when it first presented me your smiles I am Theodosia still Duke But I have beene Theo. Abus'd time will discover to the ruine Of his owne name and glory of our loves Montaltoes practise to divide our soules Duke You cannot be so mercifull or else This sweetnesse is put on to enlarge my guilt When we are both compar'd dare you beleeve I can repent and be' revenged Theo. Vpon whom Duke Vpon my selfe for suffering my eyes To wander from this sweetnesse Theo. You outdoe The satisfaction if your grace can finde Me grow agen within your heart where first My love desired to plant Duke Oh let me drowne My blushes in this over slow of charity But there 's an act that justice calls me to Before I can be worthy of this peace Montalto has plaid the villaine now I finde it And from his treacherous heart my sword must force A bloody satisfaction for thy honour Poyson'd by him Theo. Stay that revenge shame has Already sunke him Enter a Courtier Court Sir the King desires Some conference with your grace and with you Madam Theo. I shall attend you Sir we shall present Together thus no object to displese him Duke Though I shall blush to see him I le waite on you Exeunt Enter King Riviero Andrugio Petitioners King Good heaven upon what humane bosome shall We that are made your substitutes on earth Place secure confidence and yet there may Be malice in complaints the flourishing Oake For his extent of Branches stature growth The darling and the Idoll of the wood Whose awefull nod the under trees adore Shooke by a tempest and throwne downe must need Submit his curled head and full growne limbes To every common Axe be patient while the tortures put to every joynt the Sawes and engines making with their very noyse the Forrests groane and tremble but not one When it was in his strength and state revil'd it Whom poverty of soule and envy sends To gather stickes from the trees wish'd for rume The great mans Embleme I did love Montalto And wed not have him lost if justice would Consent and be a little of his side But here are the two plummets weigh him downe His impious practice on the Duke and base Aspertions on our sister that defame Our whole blood is a loud loud accusation Rivi. His conscience dares not Sir deny 't King And you Speake here the tragicke story of Riviero Whose honest soule for not complying with His power and ends chose in a discontent To make himselfe an exile yee pursude And by the practise of Montalto poyson'd At Rome Andr. This letter sent to Alvarez Whose treacherous Physicke purg'd his soule away Is too much testimony King T is his Character Enter Octavio Octavio you come for justice too Octav. It were a vaine breath to desire it Sir Your thoughts are still so conscious of vertue They will prevent petition King Come nearer Rivi. The King is troubled Andr. Where he loved to finde So much ingratitude King Andrugio Rivi. Things are not yet mature for my discovery King You observe away Exit Andr. Octav We may be just Philoberto Yet not destroy another attribute Which shewes whose representative we are Mercy becomes a King too much can be But thought a sinne on the right hand we are Resolv'd Enter Simphorosa Madam you are welcome Rivi. I begin To feare there is some spell upon the King If after this Montalto shall prevaile Let innocence be stronger to the world And heaven be afraid to punish vice King Remove For a few minuts Rivi. I obey King You tell
my captivity Though modesty would not allow me strength To tell you so but you have Sir by what My fond thoughts never did expect reliev'd me to make me know my selfe and now preserving That duty which I owe you as my King I call love backe agen and can looke on Your lusts with a becomming scorne King You can Dom. Yes and were Naples Rome and all the wealth Of Italy laid downe the great temptation Thus I would spurne their glories King Come this is but the tricke of all your sex We know you can dissemble appetite As if you were not flesh and blood Dom. Sir give Me leave to goe while I have power to pray for you Where was I lost is there no friend to goodnesse Have I contracted such a leprous forme That I have lost all mens defence and charity Octav. Madam your innocence doth raise in me Though young a willing champion and with My safe obedience to the King I dare Armde with the witnesse of her cause defie The greatest souldier in the world King How 's this Octav. Sir in a noble cause if you to whom In the first place truth flies as to an Altar Wave her religious defence I dare dye for her King You so brave to prison with him We will correct your saucinesse Octav. You will grace My first act Sir and get me same by suffering For so much sweetnesse Dom. Let not your displeasure Great Sir fall upon him revenge what you Call disobedience here King You owe much to His confidence nor is there any punishment Beyond your love and liking of his boldnesse You two should make a marriage with your follies Octav. Let Domitilla make Octavio So blest Dom. My Lord you now deserve I should Be yours whom with the hazard of the Kings Anger and your owne life you have defended There is a spring of honour here and too it i th presence of the King his Court and Heaven I dare now give my heart nor is 't without My duty to a promise Octav. Now you make Octavio happy King T is to my desires and I dare wish you joyes forgive this practise Nay preety Domitilla I did this But to divert more happily thy thoughts of me who have not paide yet the full tribute To my Cesarias dust agen let me Congratulate thy choise in young Octavio Whose birth and forward vertue will deserve thee Brother and sister love and wish them happinesse Theo May all joyes spring within their hearts Duke I must present this gentleman to be more knowne to you Octav I hope you are no enemy to this blessing Sim I adde what doth become a most glad mother blessing to your loves King Noble Riviero Rivi. I live agen by your acknowledgment Duke Sir you may trust my testimony Alvarez Letter is now an argument of his safety Who is yet living to increase the guilt Of false Montalto King Welcome t is thy life That hath revers'd Montaltoes doome whose sentence Now shall bee onely banishment our hearts Are full and sprightly nothing wants but to Perfect with holy ceremony what Your hearts have seal'd mirth in each bosome flowes Distraction never had so sweet a close FINIS THE EPILOGVE Ovr Poet doth forget his Play There is something he would pay Due to your greatnesse and the day Which by a revolution of the spheare Is proud to open the New yeare And having look'd on you hath hid his face And Chang'd his robe with Starres to grace And light you going to bed so waite With trembling Lustre on your state Shine brighter yet y' are not the same Cleare Lampes you were shine like the name Of him I bow too while aflame Active and burning here with pure desires Shall equall the best borrowed fires May health the bosomes friend streame through your blood And know no ebbe of the chast flood And though time shift and yeares renew May yet the Spring be still in you May She whom heaven hath sweetly grac'd And in your noble bosome plac'd Whose heart by onely yours embrac'd Hath made one true and holy Gordian prove Fruitfull in Children as in love And may this faire Top-branch whose early bloome Doth promise all the fruit can come To vertue and your name be blest And live a story to the rest All Honour with your fame in crease In your bosome dwell soft peace And Iustice the true roote of these Wealth be the worst and out side of your fate And may not heaven your life translate Till for your Royall Master and this I le Your deeds have fild a Chronicle In all that 's great and good be bold And every yeare be coppie of the old FINIS
sent off When he is troublesome to a phlegmaticke clime A dull Embassadour no that Duke Guido Is all my feare but I have contrived something May rectifie my fate Duk. How much you honour me But you might spare all other entertainements And bravery of Court they may affect My eyes with wonder and obliege my just Acknowledgement but all their glorie 's met Into one height hold no proportion To inflame my heart or more expresse my welcome Then this your free grace Madam and those hopes That blesse my imagination from your favour Theo. I am but what my brothers love and vertue Will make me but there 's nothing that can move With his consent I shannot flee to obey Mont. I had rather feede upon his heart You promis'd Sir the Duke to hunt this morning King I had forgot will you be pleas'd to try The pleasures of a Forrest Duke I le attend King Theodosia you are not for that exercise Guido whispers and sends Guido off Theo. I wish all pleasures waite upon you My heart must covet your returne Duke And mine To dwell for ever in so faire a bosome King To horse the morning wasts Mon. Some policie Must cure this feare my bold resolves are fixt I have made some attempts and courted her But shee has not understood me I must worke By countermine and scatter into aire His swelling hopes Octavio Exit Octav. My good Lord Andr. Sir I present this Gentleman to kisse Your hand hee 's the Dukes secretary a Roman Borne and has a great ambition To be knowne to you for your fathers sake With whom he did converse in Rome and honour Till death concluded their acquaintance Octav. Sir Your love and knowledge of my father will Deserve you should be welcome to his sonne Rivi. He made me his companion many yeares No brothers were more chain'd in their affections He did impart much of his bosome to me Octav. You knew why he left Naples Rivi. He did trust me with the cause my Lord and every circumstance The Kings minoritie and Montaltoes power Gainst which no innocent could plead in Naples Andr. Not to loud Sir you may be heard Rivi. Your pardon Octav. Why should truth Faint at the name of greatnesse this Colossus Montalto is but mortall sure time has Forgot to use his wings or nature is Vnwilling I should grow to write full man To take revenge upon that polititian Our Protean favourite Rivi. It is my wonder The King so strangely should continue this Affection to Montalto Octav. There 's some magicke in 't Rivi. Dare none complaine Andr. His engines are so plac'd None can approach the kings eare at which hang So many flatterers to infect it with Montaltoes praise Rivi. Pray give me sir this boldnesse Hee that doth lift an Axe to strike the roote Of any family cannot be without A thought to wound the branches you were left By computation but an Infant when Your fathers discontents and faction of This Montalto made him forsake Naples Which added to your mothers death the guard And comforts of your life were taken from you Having exprest this malice to your father A thousand wayes he might have sent you to Another world and taken off all feare Of a revenge how comes it that you live And visit Sir the Pallace with this freedome Octav. My Lord Andrugios knowledge of yon Sir Is my assurance of your faith Andr. I le give You reasons at some opportunity Not to repent your confidence Octav. You have Supplied my fathel in your care of me I live why I am this great Lords favorite Courted his creatures are my honours Companion to his pleasures Rivi. I observ'd Some gestures very loving to your Lordship Octav. The King himselfe for his sake gracing me With title of his bed-chamber Rivi. T is strange This newes will coole my resolution Andr. T is truth he doth ingage him to all favours Rivi. T is not impossible he may be honest Octa. And meane so but my soule cannot be brib'd So easily to prostrate my owne justice And leave my fathers ashes unreveng'd Which in my eare groane from beneath the Marble To keepe my thoughts awake Andr. We may suspect This is to catch applause a tricke to winne Vpon the people who did love Riviero And mourne his fate Octav. How ever I have art To keepe my breast close and accept his flatteries Can complement and with officious bend Thanke his high favours weare a face of mirth And prattle with the Ladies as if all The businesse I came into the world for Were but to talke and dance and goe a feasting Rivi. I must presume you want no counsell from My Lord who loved your father how to manage Your selfe to best advantage of your fame And honour unto both I am a servant Andr. My Lord Montalto may expect you Sir Rivi. It is not safe we be observ'd too much Octav. My Lord you have begun a favour by The acquaintance of this Gentleman I will Hope to salute him often by your meanes You shall not meete a heart more prompt to bid You welcome Sir Rivi. You too much grace your servant I shall present a trouble Octav. Come my Lord Exit Rivi. Montaltoes change hath staggard me already These favours may be hearty to Octavio And argument of penitence I le observe And sift his close heart if it prove unsound He whets revenge to make the deeper wound Exit Enter Guido Bombo Guid. I would speake with your Lady Sir Bom. You may Guid. Direct me Bom. With which of my Ladies Guid. With both or one Bom. I serve the daughter Guid. I would speake with her Bom. Shee is I know not where Guid. What Coxcombe 's this Enter Iacamo Guid. Dost heare friend I would speake with my Lady Simphorosa Iacam. This way and please your Lordship Guid. Stay preethe what fellowe 's that Iacam. A servant of my Ladies Guid. Is he mad Iaca. A little phantasticke but very harmelesse And makes my Ladies merry my young Madam Domitilla calls him her secretary for sport And wonder of his good parts Guid. What are they Iaca. He can neither write nor reade Guid. An excellent Secretary Iaca. But he has beene much given to 't To reading till much poring night and day Made him booke blinde and defying spectacles He walkes and thinkes he is wise and talkes upon His old stocke Guid. Preethe acquaint my Lady 'i th meane time I le have more dialogue with him Save you Sir Bom. Save your selfe Sir you are I tak 't a Courtier Guid. And you my Ladies Secretary Bom. I am so Guid. I heare you are an understanding Secretary Bom. T is so I am how came you by that knowledge Guid. We have your fame at Court Sir Bom. Can you reade Guid. I heare you cannot Bom. Right Guid. Nor write Bom. T is true Guid. What make you with a booke ha this is Euclid Bom. Euclid it may be so Guid. Why these are Mathematickes Bom. I
with your favour though she be no Court Lady Shee wants no confidence Alex. What if the Duke be taken with her Guid. Let him be taken a bed with her t is my opinion My Lord Montalto wonnot die for greefe on t Alo. They are here Duke Montalto Mont. Your grace is sad excuse My dilligence to waite on you I could wish If it made no intrusion on your thoughts I had opportunity to expresse What might not be unworthy of your patience Duke To me Enter King leads Domitilla Mont. The King This way Ladies to the Garden let me have The honour to attend you Exit Duke Montalto King Where 's the Duke Guid. He tooke that way to the Garden Sir with The Lord Montalto King You may remove a little Exit You have no feare to trust your selfe with me Dom. I cannot Sir forget you are the King And in a Wildernesse could have no thought With the least prejudice upon your vertue King You have the greater innocence at home My intents are faire enough and you may stand The danger of a question pray how old are you Dom. Although it be not held a welcome complement To our Sex my duty bids me not dispute I am fifteene my mother saies King And are You not in love Domit. I must not charge my selfe With so much ignorance to answer that I understand not what it meanes I know The word but never could apply the sence Or finde it in a passion more then ordinary King Cupid hath lost his quiver then he could not Be armde and let you scape whose sole captivite Would be more glory then the conquest made As Poets faine upon the gods Dom. T is language With which you are pleas'd to mocke your humble handmaid King But this assures him blinde Dom. He would deserve To lose his eyes indeede if he should aime A shaft at me King Madam you have a heart Dom. To which no other Flame can approach then what shall light it to Obedience of your will and my good mothers King Obedience to my will what if it were My will that you should love Dom. Sir I doe love King Love with the warme affection of a mistresse One I le present a servant why that blush The words are not immodest there did want No blood upon your cheeke to make it lovely Or does it slow in silence to expresse That which your virgin Language would not be So soone held guilty of consent Dom. To what King To love by my direction a man Whose worth considered shall deserve thee too And in the noblest way invite thy freedome Vntill the holy Priests declare your hearts Are knit into one blessing there 's no harme In this Dom. Most royall Sir I know not with What words to say you honour me how can One so unworthy as poore Domitilla Be entertaind within your thoughts and care In this high nature King Though your mother have Made both her person and your selfe a stranger To Court I have had eyes upon your vertues Which waited on by a most ample fortune I have studied to advance if you 'le accept A husband of a my choise what say you Madam Dom. I have a mother Sir King Shee shall thinke it fortunate Bove expectation you have not vowed your selfe To a cold Nunnery Dom. Not I Sir King When I shall declare how pretious he is To my owne bosome Dom. Royall Sir this language Must needes prepare a welcome I should thinke My heart unlike another womans not To obey a charme so powerfull as your praise But when you are considered as my King Duty takes off the merit of my will And humbles every thought beneath obedience King His name is Dom. Pardon I beseech you Sir Conceale it yet what gentle spirit walkes Vpon my blood I dare not looke upon him My hopes my feares it is enough great Sir That you leave one within your thought you would Commend to Domitilla one your love And pretious to your bosome sure you blest him With such a Character King It was too short Dom. My heart is a false Prophet t is a fate Too good and great for Domitilla King Well his name shall be reserv'd but when it opens It selfe to your knowledge you will honour it And thanke me Domitilla i th meane time Let the opinion you have of me Live in your trust and make roome in your heart To meete the husband I shall bring Exit Dom. Why may not this be meant by his owne person More wonders have beene read in story I Finde thicke but amorous tremblings in my heart Hee 's King why not love has done stranger things And can lead captive the proud heart of Kings Exit Enter Duke Montalto Duke Here none can reach our voyce be free and cleare Mon. First let me kisse your hand on which I sweare To speake all truth t is justice to your person Your merrit and my faith next though the secret May both concerne and benefit your knowledge I shall desire your pardon Duke You prepare me For wonder if it be an act of Friendship To me it will become me to reward it Not thankes nor pardon Mon. But all truthes meet not With charitable eares there is a descant That pleases not sometimes though the best art Present it if our sense be indispos'd To patience and calme hearing Duke Doe not doubt me Mont. T will not become me so much as in thought To enquire how long or with what firme devotion You affect the Princesse Theodosia But Naples is more conscious then to doubt You bring a welcome treaty in your person And every voice and heart is busie with The expectation of your marriage Whilst every eye bright with your flame is able To light a Torch to Hymen Virgins have No other care then with what flowers sweet As your owne name to adorne the smiling altars Duke You promis'd Sir a secret Mon. It will come To fast upon your knowledge have you never Look'd from the prospect of your Pallace window When some faire sky courted your eye to reade The beauties of a day the glorious Sunne Enriching so the bosome of the earth That trees and flowers appear'd but like so much Enamell upon gold the wanton birds And every creature but the drudging Ante Despising providence and at play and all That world you measure with your eye so gay And proud as winter were no more to shake His Icy Lockes upon 'em but the breath Of gentle Zephire to perfume their growth And walke eternally upon the Springs When from a coast you see not comes a cloud Creeping as overladen with a storme Darke as the wombe of night and with her wings Surprising all the glories you beheld Leaves not your frighted eyes a light to see The ruines of that flattering day Duke This Language Carries both mystery and horror pray My Lord convey your meaning to my knowledge Mon. I shall I had in vaine prepard you thus else Pardon againe the
of love He loves as other men that have profest Devotion to a mistresse but Theo. What speake I charge thee by the memory of what Thou dost affect most Mont. Though it wound my selfe Be arm'd and heare it how I blush within me To tell your highnesse Florence has transplanted His heart and all his active thoughts are plac'd Theo. On whom Mont. On Domitilla Theo. Ha Mont. I did observe 'em Madam at her mothers house Where we were lately feasted after hunting How strangely he was taken how his eyes Did wanton with her face and on her haire Tie many golden knots to keepe love chainde But these are but suspitions he since Confest to me in hope to winne me to Negotiate his affaire how at first sight He tooke in desperate flames and that shee rules The intelligence of his soule I heare the King Hath sent for her to Court which must give Madam A dangerous opportunity to actuate His ends with your dishonour I was unwilling To speake this knowledge of his hasty change But all my bonds of piety and faith Would have beene forfeit into a long silence Theo. Shall I be thus affronted Mont. We see Princes Whom we call gods on earth in the affaires Of love turne men agen Theo. For Domitilla Mont. That 's the dishonour Madam and infects My braine to thinke on 't and as much beneath Your grace in all the ornaments of soule And person as shee is in blood if my Impartiall thoughts may take so bold commission To judge betweene your beauties Theo. Is it possible Mont. T is too certaine Madam I should be A villaine to accuse the Duke unjustly Or bring but shaddowes of a truth for though He be unworthy of your love that dares Thus valew your perfections below That Phantome Domitilla let not passion Make you to rash in managing a cause On which depends your fame compared to which Ten thousand lives added to mine were nothing Observe him at next visit Theod. I le study thankes Sir Mont. You pay me with a blessing if my name But live within your memory Theo. This troubles me Exit Montalto Enter King and Guido King Are they both come to court Guid. And in those lodgings were prepar'd King T is well and came they cheerefully Guid. Yes Sir but something I nigh discerne like trouble and by starts In Domitilla but they are pleas'd with their Remove and waite all your commands King So leave us Exit Guido Theodosia what 's the matter art not well Theo. Where 's the Duke King I thought to have met him here Theod. Is Domitilla come to Court King She is By my command to waite on thee Theo. To rivall me Exit King Howe 's that I meant her a wife for good Montalto As the reward of his just services He knowes it not as he is ignorant For whom I have prepar'd her Rivall strange I must know more of this shee is in nature Too apprehensive for although in love Suspition to men a torment be There is no Fiend to womens jealousie Exit Domitilla Bombo Bom. You may doe what you will Madam put me Into fine clothes and make an asse of me But should you wrap me in a Lyons skinne Dom. You have eares that will betray what beast you are Bom. Pray Madam tell me in six words of sence What shall I doe here I le not see the King Though he have cunningly devis'd this tricke Onely to bring me hither and betray me To offices make me at least an Idoll Dom. What 's that Bom. An Idoll in the Countrey I have read A thing we call a worshipfull a right worshipfull Descended from the house of the fac totums Lord of the soile and Cocke of his owne dunghill Dom. You may be out of feare you cannot reade now Nor set your name to a warrant Bom. All that nothing Ignorance every day comes into fashion And no meane statesmen now when they doe write Their names doe for their honours so contrive it You can hardly know a nobleman from a marke Dom. If you be an enemy to all preferment Your best way is to leave the world and turne A lay Fryer Bom. No I finde no such thing in my constitution Every man is not bound to be Religious Men of my bulke and bearing should not fast so I am not given by nature to drinke water Or lye without a shirt I have cornes Madam And I would make lesse conscience to undoe My Shoomaker then walke on wodden Pantables I will indure to serve you still and dwell here So you conceale me from the King t is not That I doe owe his Majestie ill will I could indure him too upon condition He would make nothing on me Dom. Why he shall Make nothing on thee take my word or if Thou hast a minde I le pray him make thee lesse Bom. No I would be a midling Christian But what will you doe here your selfe you le be in Dom. With whom dost thinke Bom. And cast away your selfe Vpon some pageant one whose wit must be Beholding to anothers Wooll to keepe it warme One that can dance and sing and wag his feather An artificiall Calfe carrier A youth that 's sowed together by his Taylour And taken a peeces by his Surgeon Dom. Why how now Secretary Bom. I could say more Dom. Is this wit naturall Bom. You were best say I got it here at Court pray heaven I doe not Loose what I brought I had a holsome wit I' th Countrey aske the Parish and the Parson For I kept company with those that reade And learne wit now by the eare if any slip from me As where there is a plenty some will out Here are so many wit catchers a lost maidenhead Is sooner found and set upon the shoulders Of the right owner Dom. I preethe tell me Bombo And tell me truth doe not you thinke your selfe After all this a foole Bom. A foole your servant Madam Dom. I le speake thou maist be the Kings foole Bom. I thanke you I tell you I le not see the King or if I did Yes I looke like a foole I could be angry But then you 'd say I were a foole indeed Dom. Be not so passionate Bom. Wod I had beene a foole I would I had for my owne sake I wish it I should not have beene tempted hither then By which I have indangered my good parts To State imployment but I le be wise enough He has not seene me yet nor shanot if There be a witch in Naples or a mist That will be bought for money to walk the Court in But take your course and I were at home agen Dom. What then Bom. I would live in the Sellar the Wine Sellar Dom. T is your humility Bom. There were some fortification to be made Against the Court invasions countermines Of sand and Sacke a man might thrust himselfe Among the bottles and defie the world Be drunke and not be cal'd out of his sleepe To goe
to Court Dom. You are bounty Sir it selfe and binde A Virgins prayers King What art thou yet prepar'd To heare his name I would declare thy husband Enter Duke Duke The King King The Duke this confirmes it Duke Vnlucky fate he has spied me King Thou shalt have A little patience while the Duke and I Change some discourse in private Dom. I Obey Exit Duke He is sent off I hope the King is not In love with her himselfe King Now my Lord what Alone I see you can addresse your selfe To a handsome Lady Duke He has prevented mē Where I receive favour I shall never Want heart to acknowledge King That rule binds to all Duke It does but with distinction to pay King But with distinction to pay First love to those that best deserves it from us Duke T is justice Sir King This granted there 's another Whom though you can forget my sister Sir Deserves to be remembred Duke You are jealous That I visite this Lady King That were onely To doubt I must be plaine Florence has not Beene kind to Naples to reward us with Affront for love and Theodosia must not Be any Princes mockery Duke I can Take boldnesse too and tell you Sir it were More for hēr honour shee would mock no Prince I am not lost to Florence yet though I Be Naples guest and I must tell him here I came to meet with faire and Princely treaties Of love not to be made the tale of Italy The ground of Scurrile pasquills or the mirth Of any Lady who shall preingage Her heart to anothers bosome and then sneake Off like a tame despised property When her ends are advanc'd King I understand not This passion yet it points upon something That may be dangerous to conclude Theodosia Is Naples sister and I must not see Her lost to honour though my kingdome bleed To rescue her Duke Now you are passionate T is I must be repair'd my name is wounded And my affection betrayed your sister That lookes like a faire starre within loves skie Is falne and by the scattering of her fires Declares shee has alliance with the earth Not heavenly nature King Are my senses perfect Be clearer Sir teach me to understand This prodigie you doe not scorne our sister Duke Not I as she has title to your blood Shee merits all ambition shee is a Princesse Yet no staine to her invention we are paralells Equall but never made to meet King How 's this Duke Truth is my witnesse I did meane No ceremonious love untill I found Her heart was given from me though your power Contract our bodies King Stay and be advis'd And if your doubts by some malitious tongue Framed to abuse my sister and your selfe Have rais'd this muteny in your thoughts I have A power to cure all Duke Sir you cannot King Not to court thee for her husband wert possest Of all ore which our Eagle shakes his wings But to set right her honour and ere I challenge Thee by thy birth by all thy hopes and right To fame to tell me what seditious breath Has poyson'd her heare what my sister sends By me so late time is not old in minuts The word 's yet warme with her owne breath pray tell The Duke saies she although I know not from What roote his discontents grow to devote him To Domitilla Duke How does shee know that King Whose beauty has more spell upon his fancy I did contract my heart when I thought his Had beene no stronger to his tongue and can Not finde within it since what should divert His princely thoughts from my first innocence Yet such is my sterne fate I must still love him And though he frame his heart to unkinde distance It hath imbracing vertue upon mine And with his owne remove drawes my soule after him If he forget I am a Princesse pray Let Naples doe so too for my revenge Shall be in prayers that he may finde my wrong But teach him soft repentance and more faith Duke All this must not betray my freedome Sir King You le not accuse our sister of dishonour Duke I would not grieve you Sir to heare what I Could say and presse me not for your owne peace Fames must be gently toucht King As thou art Florence speake Duke I Shall displease Yet I but tell her brother that doth presse me Lucrece was chast after the rape but where The blood consents there needs no ravisher Exit King I doe grow faint with wonder here 's enough To blast an apprehension and shoote A quaking through the valiant soule of man My sisters blood accus'd and her faire name Late chast as trembling snow whose fleeces clothe Our Alpine hills sweet as the Roses spirit Or Violets cheeke on which the morning leaves A teare at parting now begins to wither As it would haste to death and be forgotten This Florence is a Prince that does accuse her And such men give not faith to every murmur Or slight intelligence that wounds a Lady In her deare honour but shee is my sister Thinke of that too credit not all but aske Of thy owne veines what guilty flowings there May tempt thee to beleeve this accusation Enter Theodosia T is shee Th' art come Theodosia to my wishes Theo. What does distract you Sir King I have done your message to the Duke and finde He does love Domitilla Theo. Her he shall meete and marry in Elisium King What meane you Theo. I have shooke off my tamenesse doe not hinder My just revenge I le turne their triumphs into death King There is a question of more consequence Thou must resolve it does concerne thee more Then thy owne life Theo. You fright me King Are you honest Theo. Honest King I could have us'd the name of chaste Or virgin but they carry the same sence Put off thy wonder Theodosia And answer me by both our parents ashes Which now are frighted in the urne and scarse Contain'd beneath their marble while their fame Bleeds in my wounded honour art thou still My sister without staine upon thy chastity Tell me and answer truth for both our lives Nay nay there is no time for thy amaze Hast thou not lost thy selfe and beene injoyed I blush to name the way Theo. Never King Agen Theo. By all the good we hope for I an innocent As your owne wishes King Th' art my vertuous sister Theo. But by your love and all that bound to Be just now let me know my strange accuser King Thou shalt know that hereafter let thy thoughts Live in their owne peace and dispute not mine Exit Enter Domitilla Dom. Not speake to me he fround too sure I have not Displeasd him wherefore stayes the Princesse Theo. Shew spirit now or never Domitilla The greatest part of my affliction Let my revenge begin here Dom. Your grace does honour your unworthy servants And if I might beseech one favour more T is but to know what has displeas'd the
me wonders Madam las poore Lady I shall then have enough to reconcile Shee was too hasty to interpret me Her lover Sim. If you Sir apply no cure The fond impression may I feare indanger Her sence and life I urg'd Montalto Sir By your command before his change of fortune But shee tooke no delight to heare him namde King No no nor I good heaven how I am troubled How to repaire this pretty peece of innocence Whom I have brought into a waking dreame Of passion something I must doe pray tell me But tell me truth I charge thee by thy duty To me to Naples and to heaven or if There be in womans faith or thy Religion Any thing else to make it up a full And perfect conjuration Sim. You fright me Without these not a thought within my heart But you have power to summon King Tell me then Is Domitilla vertuous Sim. How Sir King Is shee exceeding vertuous is shee most Divinely chast can shee doe more then blush At wanton sounds will shee be very angry At an immodest offer and be frighted To heare it nam'd tell me does shee pray And weepe and wod be torne upon the racke Ere shee consent to staine one virgin thought Or dares shee more then Lucrece kill her selfe To save her honour or doe something more Miraculously then all this to preserve Her white name to posterity Sim. I know not How to reply to these particulars But if your meaning be to have me speake Truth of her modest and pare thoughts shee is All that her mother can beseech of heaven To blesse a childe with of so chast a soule And vertuous simplicity King No more I doe beleeve and will finde out a way To make her satisfaction t is just Say I desire her presence Sim. Now you blesse us A widdowes prayers and teares for this great bounty Exit Enter Riviero Rivi. Your sister and the Duke Sit King There 's new trouble Rivi. Never so lovingly united The pleasant language of their eyes and gestures Doth speake their hearts at peace King That would rejoyce me Enter Duke Theodosia Theo. Take us to your love All jealousies are banish'd and we both Breath from one soule King My wonder and my joy Duke Your pardon King Take my bosome Theo. The misfortune Kept us at distance was your creatures act King The clouds are now remov'd Rivi. Lord Montalto Sir King Let Musicke speake His deare approach we sent for him Rivi. How 's this King Let me intreate you to obscure your persons A while Exit Duke Theodosia Loud Musicke Enter Guido Aloisio Alexio Andrugio Octavio Montalto King My Lord y' are welcome to us very welcome We have kept our word and finde you have not lost Your confidence what a brave armour is An innocent soule How like a cocke it bids Defiance to a storme against whose ribbes The insolent waves but dash themselves in peeces And fall and hide their heads in passionate foame How would a guilty person tremble now Looke pale and with his eyes chain'd to the ground Betray his feare of justice Mont. Where should honour Shine with his pure and native lustre but Where there is such a King so good so great The example and reward he must be A rebell twice to vertue that can live To be convinc'd of a dishonour neare Such an instructive goodnesse King Where be all his fierce accusers Call 'em to his presence Whom all their envies would destroy Rivi. So so The King is charm'd Octav. They are gone upon the first Newes of my Lords returne they vanish'd Sir Mont. So may all reason fly the brow of innocence King T is well said but they sha not fly their names Reade there just to our thoughts they apprehended Thee lost in our displeasure where 's our sister And now they came to be reveng'd Montalto Vpon our favours Guid. Right and please your grace King There 's something may concerne your want of grace Andrugio Philoberto Gives them papers Mont. We are undone Guido and I see more Engines are leveld at my fate Rivi. The King would have your Lordship peruse this Andr. And these Rivi. That you may know your friends and enemies Mont. Lost lost for ever Rivi. Sir you know You have obliged the Princesse Theodosia And the Duke to you and you may presume To use their favours they are here Enter Duke Theodosia Mont. T were better For me they had no beeing I did never Expect this to accuse me for the death Of Riviero but I must obey This fatall revolution King Why does Montalto kneele Mont. I dare not aske your pardon Onely I beg you would put on a brow Rough as the cause you have to make it frowne And that may strike me dead without more torment King Ingratefull man am I rewarded thus Not onely with my faith abus'd and subjects But wounding all our honours Theo. Let him finde your mercy Sir For his offence to me Enter Simphorosa Domitilla King I must not dare not pardon t were a sinne In me of violence to heaven and justice Mont. You have beene a Royall Master King Take him hence His life will draw a scorne upon the Kingdome Expect the censure of our lawes you gentlemen We onely banish from the court Gui. Aloi. Alex. You are mercifull King Pray and be honest Rivi. That last will be the greatest pennancē to 'em King My passion would be strong but here is one Come to divert the streame how is it with My pretty Domitilla you and I May change some words in private Octav. The King is just and t is within your silence To make Montalto nothing Rivi. Hee will sinke Apace without that weight upon him malice Shall have no share in my revenge King And since Montalto Is become incapable I wo'not marry thee that 's a thing too common But thou shalt be my mistresse a preferment Above my first intention be wise And entertaine it oh the dayes and nights Wee le spend together Octav. The King 's very pleasant With Domitilla King Come kisse me Domitilla kisse me now Before all these what needs this modesty Come let us take in one anothers soule Dom. Are you the King of Naples King So they call me And if there be a power within that name It shall be thine to make thee glorious And great above our Queene there is no title like unto that our heate and blood creates A mistresse Domitilla Dom. Are you Sir in earnest King Doe but thou consent and I Will give thee such a proofe in my embraces Of the delight they will not follow us I le tell thee more i' th bed-chamber Dom. I dare Not understand this language can the King Be impious how was my opinion cozen'd Sinne hath deform'd his very shape his voyce Hath now no harmony King This is but to draw More courtship from me Dom. Pardon I beseech you I have found my errour King Will shee yeeld Dom. I did consent Too soone to
now in mention of your Lordship To beare him company Mont. I like not that He knowes he may command my services Rivi. He will deserve your love pray my Lord tell me And let us be plaine breasted you injoy The King as I but with lesse stocke of merit The favour of his excellence how affect you The present state of things wil t be a match There is loud expectation in the world And after all my Master 's fond to have it Proceede to these I am of opinion There 's no retreating now without dishonour Yet as I am Philiberto I much pittie He should through any wound to your affection Perfect his love Mont. He has told you then the secret And not to waste more language I collect From what you have exprest he does resolve To destroy me Montalto must be trod on Rivi. Not so my Lord Mont. Yes and my heart the ascent To his Hymeneall altar which must be Made crimson with the blood of a true lover His will be obey'd Theodosia shall see To advance her Montalto will goe smiling To his sacrifice and after many prayers That shee may live the darling of his heart I le change my acquaintance of this world to be At peace in my owne ashes Rivi. You will not Commit a violence upon your selfe Mont. I sha' not neede the thought of her will kill me With as much silence as I goe to sleepe I onely shall bleed inward and my life Remove it selfe like a faire apparition That vanishes to th' eye and with lesse noise Then a calme Summers evening but when I Am dead t is not impossible some may Report Theodosia was but ravish'd from me Feare of a brothers anger and the tricke Of polliticke states that marry to knit power Not hearts did force her to Herares armes Whilst I torne from the branch where I once grew Travell I know not whether in the aire Rivi. I begin To thinke him worth some pitty Mont. Into what Vaine thing would the severe apprehension Of greefe transforme us coward let the Duke Move with all amorous haste to his delight And glory in the hope of his faire bride Mine by the gift of heaven and hearts but all My flowers grow dully on their stalkes and wither Let her gay Paranimphs with rosie Chaplets Which will take all their colour from her blush Attend on Theodosia to the Temple While as they goe no rude winde shall be heard But so much breath of heaven as gently may Lifting their loose haire up whisper my wrong To every Virgins care let them be married Knit hands and plight a ceremonious faith Let all the triumphs waste let them be wasted And night it selfe brib'd with a thousand formes Of mirth and Revells till the night grow faint And pale with watching Invite to bed yet there he shall enjoy But Theodosiaes body and not that As his faire thoughts expect perhaps the conquest Of one whom he loved better Exit Montal. Enter Duke Rivi. How was that Duke Now shall I trust him if my sense mistake not Theodosia may not be a Virgin Rivi. T was His bold conclusion Duke Where is now the honour You talke of durst Montalto charge her with This staine without his conscience to assure it Rivi. Yes and to me this tenders him the more To be suspected and I am so farre From thinking shee affects Montalto that I am convinc'd he loves her not can he Have any noble thought of Theodosia That dares traduce her honour thinke o' that And can revenge in any lover be A reason to wound a Ladies fame it tasts Of ranke injustice and some other end Time will discover and yet your grace is bound To have his accusation confirm'd Or hant this spotted panther to his ruine Whose breath is onely sweete to poyson vertue Duke What I resolve inquire not Exit Duke Rivi. I see through Montaltoes soule and have beene so long tame In my owne sufferings but this will make Him ripe for punishment Andrugio and My sonne Enter Andrugio Octavio Octav. I cannot with the wings of duty Fly swift enough to prostrate my obedience And welcome from a long supposed death My honourd father Rivi. Then I must appeare so Andr. And let me give a sonne up to your blessing Worthy your best prayers and embrace t was time To bring you acquainted he had else this night Contriv'd Montaltoes tragedie at a Banquet For your revenge his active thoughts I could not Counsell no longer patience Rivi. Thou hast but Prevented me Octavio I was Weary of my concealement Octav. But my joyes are wilde And will I feare transport me Rivi. My best friend And my owne spirited boy feare not Montalto Hee 's now upon a precipice his fate Stoopes with the glorious burden of his pride Things may be worth our counsell we shall see This prodigie that would be held a Starre And did so fright us with his streaming haire Drop like a Comet and be lost i' th aire Exeunt Montalto Theodosia Mont. I st possible the day should be so old And not a visite from the Duke Theo. While he Injoyes health I shall easily forgive A little ceremony Mont. And a lover Your grace must chide him other men may have Excuse for their neglect of time but he That loves deserves no pardon Theod. Iudge with charity My Lord the case may be your owne you would Thinke her a cruell mistresse that should doome Your life to exile for not payment of One ceremonious visite Mont. Not where such Perfection were to ingage my service Madam Pardon the bold comparison death were not Enough to punish that rude thought that could Start from your bright Idea or converse With praters that did not first concerne your excellence I would not be ambitious of a blessing But from reflex of yours Theo. You would expresse A most officious servant to that Lady Were honourd in your thought but the Duke of Florence And I shall make no such severe conditions Mon. If he doe love you Madam that will teach him Above what ceremony prescribes to honour you Theo. If he doe love Mont. Your graces pardon I Speake from an honest freedome taken from The assurance of your goodnesse that know better How to distinguish truth I am not judge Of his breast Madam Theo. I suppose you are not Mont. And yet being a man another way Conclude his passions are but such as have Beene read in humane nature Theo. What inferre you From hence my Lord Mont. Nothing but that a Prince May be no Saint in love Theo. Howe 's that Mont. T was in my feare I should displease Theo. Your will Mont. Not for the Empire of the world I shall Repent I live with your suspition Vpon my humbl'd soule Theo. Pray Sir be free Touching the Duke I must know all what i st Makes him no Saint Mont. Madam he is not dead And in his life I see no miracles Theo. You talk'd of love Mont. No miracles