we are interrupted Enter Giotto Soranzo Giot. There he is with Grimundo Sor. His late Governour he is giving him good counsell Giot. Pray heaven he have the grace to follow it Grim. Consider Sir what will be the end Of all these wicked courses Lodw. Precious Tutor Grim. We must be circumspect Lodw. No more I have a crotchet new sprung Where shall I meet thee Grim. I 'le expect you in the Park be very secret My Lord I can but grieve for you Exit Lodw. How have we all been couzen'd What is my Brother here Sor. This hour my Lord he is now upon return Lodw. I 'le see him and then prepare me for this Ladie I feel a boiling in my veins alreadie This is the life of greatnesse and of Court They 're fools that will be frighted from their sport Exeunt ACTUS 4. SCAENA 1. Enter Lodwick and Piero. Lodw. Do 't and thou lov'st me Pier. What d' ye mean my Lord Lodw. Nay we must have such a deal of circumstance I say do it Pier. What that Lodw. That is that such a piece of matter does it appear so horrid in your imagination that you should look as if you were frighted now Pier. My Lord it is Lodw. A thing your heat will prompt you to but that you affect ceremonie and love to be entreated Pier. With your Ladie Lodw. Yet again you have not been observ'd so dull in a businesse of this supple nature Pier. But think on'c agen I pray you think a little better I ha no great ambition to ha my throat cut Lodw. By whom Pier. By you you cannot chuse but kill me for 't when I have done Your Ladie Lodw. Is your mountanous promise come to this Remember if I do not turn honest Pier. My Lord do but consider well I will do what I can and there be no remedie but Lodw. Never fear it for if thou canst but corrupt her I 'le sue a Divorce presentlie Pier. And bring me in for a witness Enter Astella Lodw. She 's here fear nothing I 'le be thy protection it were not amisse to cast away some kindness upon her nay I was coming to take my leave Ast. I know you never meant it Lodw. Thus my best intents are rewarded still the more sin upon your conscience y'have a hard heart but heaven forgive us all Astella farewell Piero expect my return here pray entertain this Gentleman courteouslie in my absence you know not how kindlie I may take it Ast. I would you would enjoyn me any testimonie So I may be in hope to win your love Lodw. 'T is in the will of women to do much do not despair the proudest heart is but flesh think a that Ast. Of what Lodw. Of flesh and so I leave you Exit Pier. Will 't please you Madam walk into your Chamber I have something to impart will require more privacie Ast. If it be grief 't is welcome Exeunt Enter Duke and Lords Giot. Please your Highness A Stranger but some Gentleman of qualitie Intending to leave Savoy humbly prays To kisse your hand Duk. A Gentleman admit him Enter Foscari disguised and kisses the Dukes hand Fosc. You are a gracious Prince and this high favour Deserves my Person and my Sword when you Vouchfafe so much addition to this honour To call them to your service Duk. You are Noble Fosc. It is not complement my Lord alone Made me thus bold I have a private message Please you command their distance Duk. Wait without Fosc. Have you forgot this face Duk. Foscari's shadow Fosc. The substance Sir and once more at your feet Duk. Return'd to life Rise meet cut arms why in This Cloud Fosc. Your pardon Royal Sir it will Concern your Hignesse to permit me walk In some Eclipse Duk. How Fosc. I said I had a message I come from Cleona Duk. From Cleona Fosc. And in her name I must Propound a question to which she prays You would be just and noble in your answer Duk. Without disputing your Commission Upon mine honour Fosc. Princes cannot stain it D' ye love her Duk. Do I love her Strange Fosc. Nay she would have you pause and think well e'r You give her resolution for she bid me tell you She has been much afflicted since you left her about your love Duk. About my love I prithee be more particular Fosc. I shall So soon as you were gone being alone and full Of melancholie thoughts Duk. I left her so Fosc. Willing to ease her head upon her Couch Through silence and some friendship of the dark She fell asleep and in a short dream thought Some Spirit told her softly in her ear You did but mock her with a smoo h pretence Of love Duk. Ha Fosc. More that you were fallen from honour Have taken impious flames into your bosome That y' are a bird of prey and while she hath No houshold Lar to wait upon her threshold You would flie in and seize upon her honour Duk. I hope she hath no faith in dreams Fosc. She cannot tell she hath some fears my Lord Great men have left examples of their vice If you but once more say you love Cleona And speak it unto me and to the Angels Which in her prayers she hath invok'd to hear you She will be confident Duke Though I need not Give an account to any but to heaven And her fair self Foscari thou shalt tell her With what alacritie I display my heart I love her with chaste and noble fire my intents are Fair as her brow tell her I dare proclaim it In my devotions at that minute when I know a millon of adoring Spirits Hover about the Altar I do love her Fosc. Enough my Lord be pleas'd to hear What I have now to say You have exprest A brave and vertuous soul but I must not Carrie this message to her therefore take Your own words back agen for I love Cleona With chaste and noble fire my intents are Fair as her brow I dare proclaim it Sir In my devotions at that minute when I know a million of adoring Spirits Hover about the Altar Duk. Do ye mock me Fosc. Pardon a truth my Lord I have apparrel'd My own sense with your language Duk. Do you come To affront us you had better ha been sleeping In your cold Urn as fame late gave you out And mingled with the rude forgotten ashes Than live to move our anger Fosc. Spare your frowns it is not breath Can fright a noble truth nor is there Magick I' th' person of a King Duk. You threaten us Fosc. Heaven avert so black a thought Though in my honours cause I can be flame My blood is frost to treason yet I must tell you I love Cleona too and I may say You reach not my affection I admit You value her above your Dukedome health That you would sacrifice your blood to avert Any mishap should threaten that dear head All this is but above your self but I Love
you may Take away this distinction and alledge In your grave wisdoms specious arguments For your alliance with some forraign Prince But we have weighed their promising circumstance And find it only a device that may Serve time and some dark ends a meer state trick To disguise hatred and is empty of Those benefits it seems to bring along Give me a Lady born in my obedience Whose disposition will not engage A search into the nature of her Climate Or make a scrutiny into the Starres Whose language is mine own and will not need A smooth Interpreter whose vertue is Above all titles though her birth or fortune Be a degree beneath us such a Wife Were worth a thousand far fetcht Brides that have More state and lesse Devotion Fabr. If your Highnesse Duke Come you shall know our purpose in the last We obay'd your directions not without Our free and firm allowance of the Lady Whom wee 'l forget it will become our duties Follow us now we have not been unthrifty In our affections and I must tell you Here we are fixt to marry Grim. We are subjects And shall solicit Heaven you may finde one Worthy your great acceptance Duke We are confident And to put off the cloud we walk in know We are resolv'd to place all love and honour Upon Cleona Nor is 't a new affection we but cherish Some seeds which heretofore her vertue had Scattered upon our heart Grim. We cannot be Ambitious of a Lady in your own Dominion to whom we shall more willingly Prostrate our duties Soran. She 's a Lady of A flowing sweetnesse and the living vertue Of many noble Ancestors Giot. In whom Their fortunes meet as their Prophetick souls Had taught them thrifty providence for this Great honour you intend her Duke We are pleas'd And thank your general vote You then shall straight prepare our visit bear our Princely respects and say we shall take pleasure To be her Guests to day nay lose no time We shall the sooner quit the memory Of Leonoraes Image Enter Lodwick Soran. The Prince your brother Sir Duke Withdraw but be not at too much distance Lodwick Y' are welcome Lodw. I shall know that by my successe I want A thousand Crowns a thousand Crowns Duke For what Lod. Why will these foolish questions ne'e be left Is 't not sufficient I would borrow em But you must still capitulate with me I would put em to that use they were ordain'd for You might have well have ask't me when I meant To pay you again Duke That to some other men Might ha been necessary Lodw. And you wo'not Do that I have another easie suit to you Duke What is 't Lodw. A thing of nothing I wo'd intreat you To part with this same transitory honour This trifle call'd a Dukedome and retire Like a good Christian Brother into some Religious house it would be a great ease to you And comfort to your friends especially To me that would not trouble you with the noise Of money thus and I could help it Duke 'T is a kind and honest motion out of Charity Meere Charity so I must needs accept it Why I le only marry and get a boy or two To govern this poor trifle for I 'me bound In duty to provide for my succession Lodw. What do you make of me cannot I serve Duke You that propound a benefit for my soul Wo'not neglect your own I know wee 'le both Turn Fryers together Lodw. And be lowsie Duke Any thing Lodw. I shall not have a thousand Crowns Duke Thou shalt Lodw. Then be a duke still come le ts love and be Fine Princes and thou hadst but two or three Of my conditions by this hand I wo'd not Care and thou wert immortal so I might Live with thee and enjoy this worlds felicity Duke T' hast put me in tune how shal s be very merry Now in the instant Lodw. Merry Duke Yes Lodw. Merry indeed Duke Yes Lodw. Follow me I le bring you to a Lady Duke To a Whore Lodw. That is a little the courser name Duke And can you play the Pander for me Lodw. A toy a toy What can a man do lesse for any brother Th' ordinary complement now a days with great ones We prostitute our sisters with lesse scruple Than eating flesh on vigils 't is out of fashion To trust a servant with our private sins The greater tye of blood the greater faith And therefore Parents have been held of late The safest wheeles on which the childrens lust Hath hurried into act with supple greatnesse Nature doth wear a vertuous charm and will Do more in soft compassion to the sin Than gold or swelling promises Duke O Lodwick These things do carry horror he is lost I fear no I ha thought of something else You shall with me to a Lady Lodw. With all my heart Duke Unto my Mistresse Lodw. Your Mistresse who 's that Duke The fair Cleona Lodw. She is honest Duke Yes were she otherwise she were not worth my visit Not to lose circumstance I love her Lodw. How Duke Honestly Lodw. You do not mean to marry her Duke It sha'not be my fault if she refuse To be a Dutchesse Lodw. A' my Conscience You are in earnest Duke As I hope to thrive in desires come You shall bear me company and witnesse How I woe her Lodw. I commend Your nimble resolution then a Wise Must be had somewhere wo'd y 'ad mine to coole Your appetite take your own course I can But pray for you the thousand Crowns Duke Upon condition you 'l not refuse to Accompany Lodw. Your Caroach quickly stay Now I think better on 't my Wife lives with her They are companions I had forgot that Duke Shee 'l take it kindly Lodw. It were enough to put her Into conceipt I come in love to her My Constitution will not bear it Duke What Not see her Lodw. Yet a thousand Crowns God buy Condemne me to my wife Exit Duke Ye hear Gentlemen Grim. With grief my Lord and wonder at your sufferance Duke He is our Brother we are confident Though he be wild he loves us 't will become Us t' pray and leave him to a miracle But to our own affair Love and thy golden Arrow we shall trie How you 'll decide our second Destinie Exeunt Enter Foscari with a Letter Fosc. A kisse and then 't is sealed this she would know Better than the impression which I made With the rude signet 't is the same she left Upon my lip when I departed from her And I have kept it warm still with breath That in my prayers have mentioned her Enter Dulcino Dulc. My Lord Fosc. Dulcino welcome Thou Art soon return'd How dost thou like the City Dulc. 'T is a heap of handsome building Fosc. And how the people Dulc. My conversation hath not age enough To speak of them more than they promise well In their aspect but I have argument Enough in you my Lord to
fortifie Opinion they are kind and hospitable to Strangers Fosc. Thy indulgence to my wound Which owes a Cure unto thy pretty Surgery Hath made thee too much Prisoner to my chamber But we shall walk abroad Dulc. It was my duty Since you receiv'd it in my cause and could My blood have wrought it sooner it had been Your balmy Fountain Fosc. Noble youth I thank thee Enter Servant How now didst speak with him Serv. I had the happinesse My Lord to meet him Waiting upon the Duke abroad he bid me Make haste with the remembrance of his Service He 'll bring his own joys with him instantly To welcome your return Fosc. Didst thou reqnest His secresie Ser. I did he promis'd silence Fosc. So I 'le expect him thou art sad Dulcino I prophesie thou shalt have cause to bless The minute that first brought us to acquaintance Dulc. Do not suspect my Lord I am so wicked Not to do that already you have saved My life and therefore have deserv'd that dutie Fosc. Name it no more I mean another way Dulc. It is not in your power to make me Richer With anie benefit shall succeed it though I should live ever with you Fosc. I require Not so much gratitude Dulc. There is no way Left for my hope to do you any service Near my preserving but by adding one New favour to a suit which I would name Fosc. To me I prethee speak it must be something I can deny thee Dulc. 'T is an humble suit You license my departure Fosc. Whither Dulc. Any whither Fosc. Do you call this a way to do me service Dulc. It is the readiest I can studie Sir To tarrie were but to increase my debt And waste your favours in my absence I May publish how much vertue I have found In Savoy and make good unto your fame What I do owe you here this shall survive you For I will speak the story with that truth And strength of passion it shall do you honour And dwell upon your name sweeter than Myrrhe When we are both dead Fosc. Thou hast art to move In all things but in this change thy desire And I 'le denie thee nothing do not urge Thy unkind departure thou hast met perhaps With some that have deceiv'd thee with a promise Won with thy prettie looks and presence but Trust not a great man most of them dissemble Pride and Court-cunning hath betrai'd their faith To a secure Idolatry their soul Is lighter than a complement take heed They 'le flatter thy too young ambition Feed thee with names and then like subtle Chimists Having extracted drawn thy spirit up Laugh they have made thee miserable Dulc. Let No jealousie my Lord render me so Unhappie that preferments or the flatteries Of anie great man hath seduc'd my will To leave you Fosc. Still I suspect thy safety And thou maist thus deceive me it may be Some wanton Ladie hath beheld thy face And from her eyes shot Cupids into thine Trust not the innocence of thy soul too far For though their bosoms carrie whiteness think It is not snow they dwell in a hot Climate The Court where men are but deceitful shadows The women walking flames what if this Ladie Bestow a wealthie Carkanet upon thee Another give thee Wardrobes a third promise A Chain of Diamonds to deck thy youth 'T is to buy thy vertue from thee and when Thy outside thrives upon their treacherous bountie Th' outstarve at heart and lust will leave thy bodie Manie unpitied Ruines thou art young Dulc. There is no fear my Lord that I shall take Such wicked courses and I hope you see not Anie propension in my youth to sin For pride or wantonness Fosc. Indeed I do not But being my boy so young and beautiful Thou art apt to be seduc'd Dulc. Believe me Sir I will not serve the greatest Prince on earth When I leave you Fosc. Thou shalt not serve me I Will make thee my companion Dulc. No Reward Though just should buy the freedom I was born with Much less base ends if I but meet agen That good man who in Reverence to his habit The theeves let go before your happie valour Came to my Rescue Fosc. He that was your Conduct From Millan for so if I remember You named a Father what could he advantage Your fortune were he present more than with Religious Counsel Dulc. I did trust him Sir As being the 〈…〉 asurer with that Would make me welcom in Savoy and I know he will be faithful when we meet For his sake let me beg you would discharge A worthless Servant that inquest of him Fosc. No more to cut off all unwelcom motives I charge thee by thy Love thy Gratitude Thy life preserv'd which but to stay thee here I would not name agen urge no consent From me to thy departure I have now Use of thy faith thou wo't not run away I have employment for thee such a one As shall not onlie pay my services But leave me in arrerage to thy love Receive this letter Enter Grimundo Let me embrace thee with a spreading arm Grim. I have dispens'd with my attendance on The Duke to bid you welcom Sir from death Fame so had couz'nd our belief but thus She has made you the more precious Fosc. Then I prospered If I may call it so for I procur'd That Rumour to be spread excuse a minute I 'le tell thee all my Counsels I need not Waste anie instructions on thee Dulcino For the conveyance of this paper let me Commend it to thy care 't is to my Mistress Conceal my lodgings and do this for him Will study noble Recompence Dulc. You command me Exit Grim. What prettie youth is that sure I have seen That face before Fosc. Never I brought him first To Savoy having rescu'd him from the Bandetti in my passage ore the Confines Is 't not a sweet-fac'd thing there are some Ladies Might change their beauties with him Grim. And gain by it Fosc. Nay to his shape he has as fine a Soul Which graceth that perfection Grim. You ha not Been long acquainted with him Fosc. I have skill In Phisnomy believe my Character He 's full of excellent sweetness Grim. You express him Passionately Fosc. His vertue will deserve More praise he suffers sit for love in that He is a Gentleman for never could Narrow and earthly minds be capable Of Loves impression or the injurie He willinglie forsook his friends and Countrey Because unkindlie for unworthie ends They would have forc'd him marrie against his heart He told me so himself and it were sin Not to believe him but omitting these How fares the best of Ladies my Cleona Grim. Your Cleona Fosc. Mine she is in affection She is not married Grim. No. Fosc. She is in health Grim. Yes Fosc. There is something in thy looks I cannot Read be thy own gloss and make me know That doubtful Text to whom hath she given up The hope of
these passages of the Duke Tell him I long to see him and at last To crown the storie say my heartshall know No other love but his Dulc. I flie with this Good news Exit Dulc. Enter Jac. Jac. Madam here is Prince Lodwick Cleon. Attend him Jac. Most officiously Cleon. Stay it can do no harm Ast. Een what you please Cleon. If he enquire for his Lady answer She is not very well and keeps her Chamber Jac. I le say she 's dead if you please 't is my duty I le never speak truth while I live that shall Offend your Ladiship Cleon. You may hear all Enter Lodwick and Piero. And when you please appear Lodw. Sick where 's her Doctor I le be acquainted with him Noble Lady Cleon. Your Grace is here most welcome Lodw. I am bold Pier. I am happy that my duty to the Prince Brought me to kisse your hand Cleon. Beside the honour done to me your person Will add much comfort to Astella your Weak Lady Lodw. She is sick mend let her mend she 'll spend her time worse yet she knows my mind and might do me the courtesie to die once I 'de take it more kindly than to be at charge of a Physician Cleon. You wo'd not poison her Lodw. I think I must be driven to 't what shall a man do with a Woman that wo'not be ruled I ha'given cause enough to break any reasonable womans heart in Savoy and yet you see how I am troubled with her but leave her to the Destinies Where is my Brother all this while I came to meet him what is 't a match already when shall we dance and triumph in the Tilt-yard for honour of the high and mightie Nuptials where is he Cleon. My Lord he is gone Lodw. How Cleon. Distempered Lodw. Not with Wine Cleon. Departed sick Lodw. She jeers him By this lip I le love thee and thou wot abuse him I knew he would but shame himself and therefore durst not come with him for my own credit I warrant he came fierce upon thee with some parcel of Poetry which he had conn'd by heart out of Tasso Guarrini or some other of the same melting Tribe and thought to have brought thy Maiden Town to his obedience at the first noise of his furious Artillery Cleon. My Lord you understand me not your Brother Is not in health some unkind pain within him Compell'd him to forsake us Lodw. Is it true That he is sick My Brother sick Piero. Pier. I am very well here 1. Lady So am not I pray sir appear more civil Or I shall leave you Lodw. True Cleon. 'T is too true my Lord. Lodw. No no Truth is a vertuous thing and we cannot have too much on 't D' ye hear if I may counsel you be wise and stay for me you may be my Wife within this month and the Dutchesse too Cleon. Your Wife my Lord why you are married What shall become of her Lodw. Is she not sick Cleon. But are you sure she'il die Lodw. What a ridiculous question do you make If death wo'not take a fair course with her are there not reasons enough in State think you to behead her or if that seem cruel because I do not affect blood but for very good ends I can be divorc'd from her and leave her rich in the title of Lady Dowager Cleon. Upon what offence can you pretend a divorce Lodw. Because she is not fruitful is not that a sin Cleon. Would your Lordship have her fruitful and you Ne'r lie with her Lodw. Have not I known a Lady whose husband is an Eunuch upon Record mother to three or four children and no free conscience but commends her Cleon. But these things wo'not be easily perfect unlesse You were Duke to enforce em Lodw. Is not my Brother in the way sick already and perhaps as fit for heaven as another I know he cannot live long he 's so well given they never thrive and then d' ye think I le keep such a religious Court in this corner lodge a Covy of Capouchins who shall zealously pray for me without Stockins in that a nest of Carthusians things which in fine turn to Otters appear flesh but really are fish No no give me a Court of flourishing pleasure where delight in all her shapes and studied varieties every minute courts the soul to act her chief felicity Cleon. Do you never think of hell Lodw. Faith I do but it alwaies makes me melancholy and therefore as seldome as I can my contemplation shall point thither I am now in the spring of my life winter will come on fast enough when I am old I will be as methodical an hypocrite as any pair of Lawn Sleeves in Savoy Cleon. I dare not hear him longer Madam release me Enter Astella Lodw. How now whence come you were you sick Ast. At heart my Lord to think of your unkindnesse Lodw. At heart I le ne'r believe without inspection Am I unkind go to there 's not a friend in the whole world can wish you better Would you were canoniz'd a Saint 't is more than I wish my self yet I do not trouble thee much on earth and thou wert in heaven I would not pray to thee for fear of disturbing thy Seraphical devotion Ast. What sin have I committed deserves This distance Cleon. In Christian charitie salute her Lodw. I would not have your Ladiship too ventrous The air is somewhat cold and may endanger A weak body Ast. If the suspicion that I am unchaste Lodw. Unchaste By this hand I do not know an honest woman in the Dukedome Cleon. How my Lord what do ye think of me Lodw. I know not whether you be a woman or no yet Cleon. Fie my Lord. Lodw. What would you have me do I have not seen her this six months Ast. O rather my Lord conclude my sufferings Than thus with tortures lengthen out my death Oh kill me and I beseech you I will kisse The instrument which guided by your hand Shall give my grief a period and pronounce Enter Grimundo With my last breath your free forgivenesse Lodw. No kill your self more good will come on 't how now nay then w' are like to have a precious time on 't Cleon. The Duke my Lord enquired for you Grim. I met His Highnesse in return and he imploy'd me To bring back knowledge of his better health Which he says shall enable him but to Expresse how much he honours fair Cleona Cleon. I am his studious servant and rejoice In this good news Your Brother is recovered Lodw. I I I knew he would do well enough Now sir Grim. I have some businesse with you my Lord Were you at opportunity Lodw. Some moral exhortations they are fruitlesse I shall never eat Garlick with Diogenes in a Tub and speculate the Stars without a Shirt Prithee enjoy thy Religion and live at last most Philosophical lousie Grim. My design is of another nature Cleon. May I obtain so
to his grace I am his beads-woman Exit Fabrichio Iac. Madam here 's the youth Cleon. Art thou return'd already why were you So rude to make him waite Dul. Since I arriv'd 'T is but a pair of minutes Cleon. They are worth As many dayes Iac. He shall be with your Ladiship Next time before he come when I but spye him A mile off I le acquaint you in my duty To your self and my honour unto him Cleon. Withdraw Iac. Here is no couth I do not like My Ladies familiarity with a boy Methinks a man were fitter and more able To give her a refreshing but this Lobby Shall be my next remove Exit and stays behind the hangings Dul. You will repent This welcom Madam Cleon. What harsh sound is that Thy looks upon a suddain are become Dismal thy brow dull as Saturns issue Thy lips are hung with black as if thy tongue Were to pronounce some funeral Dul. It is But let your vertue place a guard about Your eare it is too weak a sence to trust With a sad tale that may disperse too soon The killing sillables and some one or other Find out your heart Cleon. The Mandrake hath no voice Like this the Raven and the night birds sing More soft nothing in nature to which fear Hath made us superstitious but speak gently Compar'd with thee discharge thy fatall burthen I am prepar'd or stay but answer me I will and save thy breath and quickly know The total of my sorrow is Foscari Dead since I saw thee last or hath some wound Or other dire mis-fortune seal'd him for The grave that though he yet live I may bid My heart despair to see him Dulc. None of these Since last I saw you Madam Cleon. None of these Then I despise all sorrow boy there is Not left another mischief in my Fate Call home thy beauty why dost look so pale See I am arm'd and can with valiant blood Hear thee discourse of my terror now Methinks I can in the assurance of His safety hear of Battails Tempest death With all the horrid shapes that Poets fancy Tell me the tale of Troy or Rome on fire Rich in the trophies of the conquered world I will not shed so many tears to save The Temples as my joy doth sacrifice To hear my Lord is well Dul. Turn them to grief Agen and here let me kneele the accuser Of him that hath deserv'd more punishment Than your wrong'd piety will inflict Cleon. Dost kneele and call thy self accuser Dulc. Yes Cleon. Of whom Thy Lord take heed for if I be thy judge I shall condemn thee ere thou speak Dul. You may But I accuse my self and of an injury To you Cleon. To me Dulc. Too great to be forgiven Cleona My love to him thou serv'st hath found a pardon Already for it be it an offence Against my life Dulc. For his sake you must punish Dear Madam I have sinn'd against his ghost In my deceiving you Cleon. His Ghost Dul. And if His soul had not forgotten how he loved you I must expect him to afright my dreams The truth is my Lord is dead Cleon. How dead when where did I Not hear thee say since I receiv'd this letter He was alive Dulc. No Madam Cleon. Be not impious Dul. I said that neither death nor any black Misfortune had befalne him since I gave The letter to you Cleon. Grant this truth I am secur'd agen Dul. 'Las he was dead before I 'm sure you could not choose but hear as much It was my wickedness arriv'd to mock Your credulous heart with a devised letter I know you are in wonder what should move me To this imposture sure it was no malice For you nere injur'd me and that doth make My crime the more deform'd all my aime was Being a stranger here and wanting means After my Lords death by this cunning to Procure some bounty from you to sustain My life until by some good fortune I Might get another Master for I knew There was no hope to benefit my self By saying he was dead good heaven forgive me And keep my eys from weeping Cleon. Thou hast undone me Like a most cruel boy Dul. Madam I hope I shall repair the ruines of your eye When I declare the cause that leades me to This strange confession I have observ'd The Duke does love you love you in that way You can deserve him and though I have sinn'd I am not stubborn in my fault to suffer you In the belief of my deceitful story To wrong your fortune by neglect of him Can bring your merit such addition Of state and title Cleon. Dost thou mock agen Dul. Heaven knows I have no thought of such impiety If you will not believe that for your sake I have betrayed my self yet be so charitable To think it something of my duty to The Duke whose ends while they are just and noble All loyal subjects ought to serve for him Whom I am not bound to honour and I love him Else may I never know one day of comfort I durst not without guilt of treason to His chaste desires deceive you any longer Collect your self dear Madam in the grave There dwells no musick in the Dukes embrace You meet a perfect happinesse Cleon. Begon And never see me more who ever knew Falshood so ripe at thy years Exit Dul. Is not yet My poor heart broke hath nature given it So strong a temper that no wound will kill me What charm was in my gratitude to make me Undoe so many comforts with one breath Or was it for some sin I had to satisfie I have not only widowed Cleona But made my self a misery beneath An Orphant I nere came to have a friend I ha destroy'd my hope that little hope I had to be so happy Jacomo comes forth Jac. Is 't e'ne so My friend what make you here who sent for you begon d ee hear begon I say the word too there is a Porters lodge else where you may have due chastisement you le begon Dule I 'm sorry I have offended Sir Exit Dul. Jaec. So am not I Let me see some body is dead if I knew who no matter 't is one that my Lady lov'd and I am glad to hear it for mine own sake now Venus speed the Dukes plough and turn me loose to a privy Councellor Enter Soranzo Sor. Signior Jacomo where 's your Lady Jac. She is within my good Lord wilt please you walk this way Sor. Prethee make haste the Duke is coming Exeunt Jac. I smell him hitherto Enter Jacomo presently So so I will take this opportunitie to present my self to his Highness that he may take particular notice of my bulk and personage he may chance speak to me I have common places to answer any ordinarie question and for other he shall find by my impudence I come not short of a perfect Courtier Here he comes I will dissemble some contemplation and with my Hat
my felicity her heart Since my too fatal absence Giot. Unto none Within the circle of my knowledge Fosc. Then I am renew'd agen may thy tongue never Know sorrows accent Grim. VVill you presentlie Visit her Fosc. I have sent a letter to Certifie I am still her loving servant Grim. No matter we 'll be there before the boy There is necessity if you knew all Come le ts away Fosc. Agen thou dost afflict My Soul with jealousie if she have still The clear possession of her heart Grim. But you are Dead Sir remember that Fosc. I shall be living And soon enough present my self her fresh And active Lover Grim. If the Duke be not Before you Fosc. How Grim. The Duke 't is so resolv'd Your Rival if you still affect Cleona VVithin this hour he means his first sollicite And personal siege loose not your self with wonder If you neglect this opportunitie She having firm opinion of your death It will not be a miracle if the Title of Dutchess be a strong temptation To a weak woman Fosc. I must thank your love And counsel but for this time disingage Your further stay with me the Duke may miss you Preserve his favour and forget me in Your conference I would be still conceal'd Let me consider on my fate agen I thank you and dismiss you Grim. Quiet thoughts Dwell in your breast in all things I obey you You know you have my heart Nosc. She 's but a woman Yet how shall I be able to accuse her With anie justice when she thinks me dead The Duke I must do something I am full Of discord and my thoughts are fighting in me From our own Armie must arise one fear When Love it self is turn'd a Mutineer ACTUS 2. SCAENA 2. Enter Jacome the Steward and Servants Jac. So so yet more perfume y' are sweet Servingmen make everie corner of the house smoke bestir your selves everie man know his Province and be officious to please my Lady according to his talent have you furnisht out the banquet Serv. Most Methodicallie Jac. 'T is well here should have been a fresh suit of Arras but no matter these bear the age well let 'em hang. Serv. And there were a Mask to entertain his Highness Jac. Hang Masks let everie conceit shew his own face my Ladie would not disguise her entertainment and now I talk of disguising where 's the Butler Butl. Here Sir Jac. Where Sir 't is my Ladies pleasure that you be drunk to day you will deal her Wine abroad the more liberallie among the Dukes servants you are two tall Fellows make good the credit of the Butterie and when you are drunk I will send others to relieve you Go to your stations if his Grace come hither a Sutor to my Ladie as we have some cause to suspect and after marrie her I may be a great man and ride upon a Reverend Moyle by patent there is no end of my preferment I did once teach my Ladie to dance she must then teach me to rise for indeed it is just that only those who get their living by their legs should ride upon a Foot-cloth Serv. Here 's a young Gentleman desires to speak with my Ladie Jac. More young Gentlemen tell him I am busie Serv. With my Ladie Jac. Busie with my Ladie Sir Serv. Would speak with my Ladie Sir Jacom. I ha not done with my Ladie my self yet he shall stay 't is for my Ladies State no time to interrupt my Ladie but now I 'le know his business and taste it for my Ladie if I like it she shall hear more but bid him come to me methinks I talk like a peremptorie Statesman alreadie I shall quicklie learn to forget my self when I am in great office I will oppress the Subject flatter the Prince take bribes a both sides do right to neitber serve heaven as far as my profit will give me leave and tremble onlie at the summons of a Parliament Enter Dulcino Hum a Page a verie Page one that would wriggle and prefer himself to be a Wag 't is so have you anie letter of commendations Dulc. I have a Letter Sir Jac. Let me see the complexion of the face has it a handsom Title Page is it Stilo novo Dulc. I have command Sir to deliver it To none but to my Ladie Jac. A forward Youth I like him he is not modest I will assist his preferment to engage him to my faction a special Court-policie see my Ladie Enter Cleona Astella Belinda Cleona Yet stay Belinda Bel. I beseech you Madam Allow excuse to my abrupt departure There is a business of much consequence And which you will not mourn to see effected Besides the dutie that I owe my Lord Compells me to it Madam Cleon. Well but that We are acquainted with your vertue this Would move suspition you were not in Charitie with the Duke Bel. You are pleasant Madam Cleon. You are severe to bind yourself too strictlie From Court and entertainments sure your Lord Should chide you for it Astel. If it please you stay Your Ladiship and I 'le converse together My unkind Fate hath indisposed me To these State Ceremonies too Bel. You will oblige me by your pardon Cle. Use your pleasure Ast. Nay you shall give me leave a little further Here I am useless Exeunt Astella Belinda Jac. May it please you Madam This prettie Gentleman has a suit to you And I in his behalf he will be serviceable And active in his place a friend of mine Dulc. Your Steward Madam is too full of zeal To do me a preferment but I have No other ambition than to commend This paper to your white hands Jac. Never doubt 'T is done be bold and call me fellow Cleon. Be You circumspect I pray that all things have Their perfect shape and order to receive The Duke you know our pleasure not to spare Or cost or studie to delight his highness Jac. I hope I have not been your Steward so long But I know how to put your Ladiship To cost enough without studie She reads Cleon. Shall I credit So great a bliss the date is fresh Foscari Whom I thought dead give him five hundred Crowns Jac. We will divide em Cleon. Stay Jac. You need not bid I use to make em stay and long enough Ere they receive such bounties Cleon. Treasure is Too cheap a payment for so rich a message Jac. This is the right Court largess Cleon. The day breaks glorious to my darkned thoughts He lives he lives yet cease ye amorous fears More to perplex me prethee speak sweet Youth How fares my Lord upon my Virgin heart I 'le build a flaming Altar to offer up A thankful sacrifice for his Return To life and me speak and increase my comforts Is he in perfect health Dulc. Not perfect Madam until you bless him with The knowledge of your constancie Cleon. O get thee wings and flie then Tell him my love doth burn like vestal
fire Which with his memory richer than all spices Dispersed odors round about my soul And did refresh it when 't was dull and sad With thinking of his absence Jac. This is strange My Ladie is in love with him Cleon. Yet stay Thou goest too soon away where is he speak Dulc. He gave me no Commission for that Ladie He will soon save that question by his presence Cle. Time h 'as no feathers he walks now on crutches Relate his gesture when he gave thee this What other words did mirth smile on his brow I would not for the wealth of this great world He should suspect my faith what said he prethee Dulc. He said what a warm lover whom desire Makes eloquent could speak Jac. I have found it That boy comes from the Duke that letter love 'T will be a match and please your Ladiship Cleo. Forbear your Ceremonies what needs all this Preparation if the Duke vouchsafe His person for my guest dutie will teach me To entertain him without half this trouble I 'le have no Ryot for his Highness Jac. Hum How 's this Cleo. Be less officious you forget Sweet Youth go forward with thy storie Jac. Hum This is a Fayrie and the Devil sent him To make my Ladie mad 't were well to trie Whether he be flesh and blood ha I 'le pinch him first Cleo. How now He pinches Dulcino Jac. My care shall see nothing be wanting for Your honour and the Dukes Cleo. Your place I see Is better than your manners go too be Less troublesom his Highness brings intents Of grace not burden to us know your dutie Jac. So I were best keep my self warm with my own office while I may the tyde is turn'd I see within two minutes here was nothing but look to the Gallerie perfume the Chambers what Musick for the Duke a Banquet for the Duke now be less officious We 'll have no Riot for his Highness 't is this Urchin h 'as undone all our preferment Cle. The Suns lov'd flower that shuts his yellow Curtain When he declineth opens it again At his fair rising with my parting Lord I clos'd all my delights till his approach It shall not spread it self Enter Gentleman Gent. Madam the Duke Cleon. Already Enter Astella and Ladies Ast. He is entred Cleon. Do not leave me I shall remember more Enter Duke Fabrichio Soranzo Giotto Duke Excellent Cleona Cleo. The humble dutie of a Subject to your Highness Duke Rise high in our thoughts and thus Confirm we are welcom to these eyes our heart Shall pay a lower dutie than obedience Hath taught your knee Cleon. Your Grace much honours me Till this white hour these walls were never proud T' inclose a guest the genius of our house Is by so great a presence wak'd and glories To entertain you Duke Everie accent falls Like a fresh Jewel to encrease her value We can but thank Cleona Cleon. Royal Sir Duke Let me revoke that hastie syllable But thank thee yes we can do more and will We have a heart to do 't our much griev'd Sister I know you do not wear this sadness for Our presence Ast. If I 've anie skill in mine own eys Since they beheld you they have looked More chearfullie than they were wont Duke And yet I see a tear is readie to break prison Ast. It is of joy to see you sir in health I hope the Prince is well Duke He will be so Astella when he leaves to be unkind To thee but let 's forget him Dulc. Fame ha's not Injur'd him in the character of his person And his shape promiseth a richer Soul I feel a new and fierie spirit dance Upon my heart-strings Duke We are come My fair Cleona Cleo. With your Highness pardon That name was never so attended it Becomes your bountie but not me to wear That Title Duke What Cleo. Of fair my Lord Duke I said you were my fair Cleona Cleo. Sir Duke I did apply I hope 't does not offend to call you so Y' are yet my Subject Cleo. When I leave that name may heaven Duke Be pleas'd to change it for a better Cleo. It cannot Duke Do not sin 't is in our power With your consent to work that wonder Ladie Cleo. I want my understanding Duke I 'le explain Cleo. Do not believe him Youth by all the faith Of Virgins I 'le not change my service to Thy Master for his Dukedom Dulc. Y' are too Noble Duke What boy is that Ha Giotto Dulc. Madam the Duke observes us Duke I ha seen him It is no common face Soran. My Lord we know not Duke VVhere is Grimundo Giot. Not yet come my Lord. Duke Send for him strait and bid him bring the picture VVe gave into his keeping yet forbear It is in vain Soran. My Lord Cleona waits Your farther Courtship Duke VVhither am I carried Cleo. I hope dread Sir my house affords no object To interrupt your quiet Duke None but heavenly Or could this Roof be capable of ill Your onlie presence Ladie would convert it There is a vertuous magick in your eye For wheresoere it casts a beam it does Create a goodness y 'ave a handsom boy Dulc. The Duke is troubled Cleo. He 's a prettie Youth Dulc. I hope he wo'not take me from my Ladie I 'le say I am her servant Duke Something binds My speech my heart is narrow of a sudden Giotto take some opportunitie To enquire that Youths condition name and Countrey And give us private knowledge to cut off * Circumstance Ladie I am not your fresh And unacquainted Lover that doth waste Soranzo whispers with Jacome The tedious Moons with preparation To his amorous suit I have been Cleona A long admirer of your Vertues and Do want the comfort of so sweet a partner In your young state Cleo. You mock your humble hand-maid Soran. A stranger saist Jac. He brought some welcom letter To my Ladie Sor. Not know his name nor whence Jac. No my good Lord. So so I like this well My Ladie does applie her to the Duke There is some hopes agen things may succeed This Lords discoursing with me is an Omen To my familiaritie to greatness Duke Grimundo not come yet I am not well Cle. Good heaven defend Angels protect your Highness Duke Your holie prayers cannot but do me good Continue that devotion Charitie Will teach you a consent to my departure Cleo. I am unhappie Duke Make me not so Ladie By the least trouble of your self I am Acquainted with these passions let me breath A heart upon thy lip farewell agen Your pardon Exit Soran. 'T is a verie strange distemper And sudden Noble Ladie we must wait Upon the Duke Exeunt Jac. My bud is nipt agen Would all the banquet were in his bellie for 't Dulc. Let not my eyes betray me Jac. I 'm sick too Let not your Ladiship repent your cost I 'le have a care the sweet-meats be not lost Exit Cleo. Acquaint him with