ACT IV., SCENE 1.

_Enter_ GIOVANNO _mad, solus_.

Not find Evadne! sure, some wanton wind Has snatch'd her from the earth into the air! Smooth Zephyr fans the tresses of her hair, Whilst slick[30] Favonius plays the fawning slave, And hourly dies, making her breasts his grave. O false Evadne! is Giovanno's love, That has outdone all merit for thy sake, So light that wind outweighs it? No, no, [no,] no; Evadne is all virtue, Sweet as the breath of roses; and as chaste As virgin lilies in their infancy. Down, you deluding ministers of air, Evadne is not light, though she be fair. Dissolve that counterfeit: ha, ha, ha, ha! See how they shrink! why so, now I will love you: Go search into the hollows of the earth, And find my love, or I will chain you up To eternity: see, see, who's this? O, I know him now. So, ho, ho! so, ho, ho! Not hear? 'Tis Phaeton: no, 'tis an heir Got, since his father's death, into a cloak Of gold outshines the sun; the headstrong horses of Licentious youth have broke their reins, and drawn Him through the signs of all libidinousness. See, from the whorish front of CapreA| He's tumbling down as low as beggary. O, are you come, grim Tartar Rhadamanth! Go, ask of Pluto, if he have not ta'en Evadne to his smoky commonwealth, And ravish'd her? Begone, why stir you not? Ha, ha, ha! the devil is afraid.

EVAD. Help, a rape!

[_Within._

BAN. Stop her mouth.

GIO. Who calls for help? 'tis my Evadne; ay, It was her voice that gave the echo life, That cried a rape. Devil, dost love a wench? Who was thy pander, ha? What saucy fiend Durst lay his unpar'd fangs on my Evadne? Come, I'll swim unarmed o'er Acheron, And sink grim Charon in his ferry boat.

EVAD. Murder! a rape!

[_Within._

GIO. I come, I come.

[_Exit._

_Enter the_ BANDIT _dragging_ EVADNE _by the hair: she drops a scarf_. _Exeunt._

_Enter_ GIOVANNO _again_.

GIO. I cannot find her yet. The king of flames Protests she is not there: but hang him, rogue, They say he'll lie. O, how my glutted spleen Tickles to think how I have paid the slave! I made him lead me into every hole: Ha, ha, ha! what crying was there there? Here on a wheel, turn'd by a fury's hand, Hangs a distracted statesman, that had spent The little wit Heaven to strange purpose lent him To suppress right, make beggars, and get means To be a traitor. Ha, ha, ha! And here A usurer, fat with the curses of so many heirs His extortion had undone, sat to the chin In a warm bath, made of new-melted gold; And now and then a draught pass'd through his throat. He fed upon his god; but he being angry Scalded his chaps. Right against him Stood a fool'd gallant, chain'd unto a post, And lash'd by folly for his want of wit. The reeling drunkard and plump glutton stood Making of faces, close by Tantalus: But drank and fed on air. The whoremaster, Tied to a painted punk, was by a fury, Termed insatiate lust, whipped with a blade Of fire. And here---- What's here? 'tis my Evadne's veil; 'tis hers, I know't: Some slave has ravish'd my Evadne! Well, There breathes not such an impious slave in hell. Nay, it is hers, I know it too-too plain. Your breath is lost: 'tis hers: you speak in vain.

[_Exit._

_Thunder and lightning._ _Enter the_ BANDIT, _with_ EVADNE _by the hair_.

CAPT. Come, bring her forward; tie her to that tree, each man shall have his turn: come, minion, you must [now] squench the raging flames of my concupiscence: what, do you weep, you puritanical punk? I shall tickle mirth into you by and by. Trotter, good Trotter, post unto my cell, make compound of muskadine and eggs; for the truth is I am a giant in my promises, but in the act a pigmy: I am old, and cannot do as I have done; good Trotter, make all convenient speed.

TROT. Faith, master, if you cannot, here's them that can ferret in a coney-burrow without a provocative; I'll warrant you, good master.

CAPT. No more, I say, it is a parcel of excellent mutton: I'll cut it up myself. Come, minion.

[_Exit_ TROTTER. _The Captain takes his dagger and winds it about her hair, and sticks it in the ground. Thunder and lightning._

EVAD. Kill me! O, kill me! Rather let me die Than live to see the jewel that adorns The souls of virtuous virgins ravish'd from me. Do not add sin to sin, and at a price That ruins me, and not enriches you, Purchase damnation: do not, do not do't. Sheathe here your sword, and my departing soul, Like your good angel, shall solicit Heaven To dash out your offences: let my flight Be pure and spotless: do not injure that Manhood would blush to think on: it is all A maid's divinity: wanting her life, She's a fair corse; wanting her chastity, A spotted soul of living infamy.

CAPT. Hang chastity!

3D BAN. A very voice.

_Enter_ TROTTER.

TROT. O captain, captain! yonder is the mad Orlando the furious, and I think he takes me for----What do you call him?

CAPT. What, Medor?[31]

TROT. Ay, ay, Medor: the devil Medor him, he has so nuddled[32] me----O, here he comes: I'll be gone.

[_Exit._

_Enter_ GIOVANNO.

GIO. Stay, satyr, stay; you are too light of foot, I cannot reach your paces, prythee, stay. What goddess have you there? Sure, 'tis Evadne! Are you the dragons that ne'er sleep, but watch The golden fruit of the Hesperides? Ha! then I am Hercules; fly ye! Sure, That face dwelt on Evadne's shoulders.

[_He beats them off, and unbinds_ EVADNE.

EVAD. O thou preserver of near-lost Evadne! What must my weakness pay?

GIO. 'Tis [she,] 'tis she; she must not know I'm mad.

EVAD. Assist me, some good pow'r; it is my friend.

[_Aside._]

Make me but wise enough to resolve myself.

GIO. It may be 'tis not she; I'll ask her name. What are you call'd, sweet goddess?

EVAD. They that know me mortal term me Evadne.

GIO. 'Tis she: ay, ay, 'tis she.

EVAD. Pray you, sir, unto the bond of what I owe you, which is a poor distressed virgin's life, add this one debt: [tell me,] what are you?

GIO. Not worth your knowledge: I am a poor, a very, very poor despised thing: but say, I pray, are you sure your name's Evadne?

EVAD. 'Tis questionless my tailor. [_Aside._] I am she; receive me to your arms not alter'd in my heart, though in my clothes.

GIO. I do believe you, indeed I do; but stay, I don't. Are you a maid, a virgin, pray, tell me? for my Evadne could not tell a lie; speak, I shall love you, though that jewel's gone.

EVAD. I am as spotless, thank your happy self that sav'd Me from those robbers, as the child which yet Is but a jelly, 'tis so young.

GIO. No more, no more, trust me, I do believe you. [They are] so many slaves, whose flaming appetites Would in one night ravish a throng of virgins, And never feel digression in their heat. I'll after, and murder all.

EVAD. How do you?

GIO. Well, very well: belike, you think I am mad.

EVAD. You look distractedly.

GIO. 'Tis but your thoughts; indeed I am wondrous well. How fair she looks after so foul a deed! It cannot be she should be false to me: No, thou art mad to think so. Fool, O fool! Think'st thou those slaves, having so fair a mark, Would not be shooting? Yes, they would: they have. Evadne is fly-blown: I cannot love her.

[_Aside._]

EVAD. What say you, sweet?

GIO. The innocence that sits upon that face Says she is chaste; the guilty cannot speak So evenly as she does: guilty, said I? Alas! it were not her fault, were she ravish'd. O madness, madness! whither wilt thou bear me?

[_Aside._]

EVAD. His senses are unsettled; I'll go seek Some holy man to rectify his wits. Sweet, will you go unto some hermit's cell? You look as you lack'd rest.

GIO. She speaks Like to an angel, she's the same as when I saw her first: as pure, as chaste. Did she Retain the substance of a sinner--for she is none-- Her breath would then be sour, and betray The rankness of the act: but her chaste sighs Beget as sweet a dew as that of May. Why weeps Evadne? truly I am not mad. See, I am tame; pray, lead me where you please.

[_Exeunt._

_a banquet is set forth: enter_ PETRUCHIO, AURELIA, _with two servants bringing_ ANTONIO _asleep in a chair, and set him to the table_.

PET. The drink has done its part effectually; 'Twas a strong powder that could hold his senses So fast, that this removing, so full of noise, Had not the power to wake him.

AUR. Good father, let Aurelia, your daughter, Do this same act of justice; let me tread The pin:[33] the fact of his being so foul, so hateful, Has lent me, though a maid, such fortitude.

PET. Thou hast thy wish, do't boldly; 'tis a deed That, in the ignorance of elder ages, Would be thought full of merit. Be not daunted.

AUR. I have a thought tells me it is religious To sacrifice a murtherer to death; Especially one that did act a deed So generally accounted odious.

PET. By holy Jaques,[34] I am a governor, And should my life (though by the hand of him My duty does call king) be stroke i' th' air; My injur'd corpse should not forsake the earth Till I did see't reveng'd: be resolute, thy foot Is guided by a power that, though unseen, Is still a furtherer of good attempts.

AUR. Pray, sir, lend me the key of the back-ward, For though my conscience tells me 'tis an act I may hereafter boast of, yet I'll pass Unto our Lady's chapel, when 'tis done, To be confess'd, ere I am seen of any.

PET. I am proud to see thee so well given. Take 'em, [my] girl, and with 'em take my prayers.

AUR. He wakes; pray, leave me, sir.

[_Exit_ PETRUCHIO.

So I'll make fast The door: goodness, bear witness 'tis a potent Power outweighs my duty.

ANT. Amazement! on what tenters do you stretch [me]. O, how this alteration wracks my reason! I m[ust try] To find the axletree on which it hangs! Am I asleep?

AUR. Shake off thy wonder; leave that seat; 'twas set To sink thy body for ever from the eyes Of human sight; to tell thee how would be A fatal means to both our ruins----briefly, My love has broke the bands of nature With my father to give you being.

ANT. Happy, [O] happy vision! the bless'd preparative To this same hour; my joy would burst me else.

AUR. Receive me to thy arms.

ANT. I would not wish to live but for thee: [but for thee,] Life were a trouble; welcome to my soul.

AUR. Stand; I have a ceremony To offer to our safety, ere we go.

[_She takes a dog, and ties it to the chair: she stamps: the chair and dog descend: a pistol-shot within: a noise of a mill._

Had not my love, like a kind branch Of some o'erlooking tree, catch'd thee, Thou'dst fallen, never to look upon the world again.

ANT. What shall I offer to my life's preserver?

AUR. Only thy heart, crown'd with a wreath of love. Which I will ever keep; and in exchange Deliver mine.

ANT. Thus I deliver: in this kiss receive't.

AUR. In the same form Aurelia yields up hers.

[_A noise._

ANT. What noise is that?

AUR. I fear my father.

ANT. What's to be done?

AUR. Through the back-ward, of which I have The key, we'll suddenly make 'scape; Then in two gowns, of which I am provided, We'll clothe ourselves, till we be pass'd all fear.

ANT. Be't as you please: 'tis my good genius' will That I obey--command; I'll follow still.

[_Exeunt._

_Enter_ PETRUCHIO _with servants_.

PET. She's gone unto her prayers; may every bead Draw down a blessing on her, that like seed May grow into a harvest: 'tis a girl My age is proud of; she's indeed the model Of her dead mother's virtues, as of shape. Bear hence this banquet.

[_Exit with the banquet._

GIOVANNO _is discovered sleeping in the lap of_ EVADNE.

EVAD. Thou silent god, that with the leaden mace Arresteth all save those prodigious birds, That are fate's heralds to proclaim all ill; Deafen Giovanno: let no fancied noise Of ominous screech-owl's or night-raven's voice Affright his quiet senses: let his sleep Be free from horror or unruly dreams; That may beget a tempest in the streams Of his calm reason: let 'em run as smooth, And with as great a silence, as those do That never took an injury; where no wind Had yet acquaintance: but like a smooth crystal Dissolv'd into a water that ne'er frown'd, Or knew a voice but music.

_Enter_ ANTONIO _and_ AURELIA _in hermits' gowns_.

Holy hermits, for such your habits speak you, Join your prayers with a distressed virgin's, That the wits of this distracted young man may Be settled.

ANT. Sure, 'tis my sister, and that Sleeping man, Giovanno. She loves him still.

[_He wakes._

GIO. O, what a blessedness am I bereft of! What pleasure has the least part of a minute Stolen from my eyes? methought I did embrace A brother and a friend; and both Antonio.

EVAD. Bless'd be those gentle powers that----

GIO. What, Evadne----have deceived my eyes, Take heed, Evadne, worship not a dream, 'Tis of a smoky substance, and will shrink Into the compass of report that 'twas, And not reward the labour of a word. Were it substantial! could I now but see That man of men, I'd by my practice Of religious prayers add to the calendar One holy-day, and keep it once a year.

ANT. Behold Antonio!

EVAD. Brother!

[_To_ ANTONIO.

AUR. Brother!

[_To_ GIOVANNO.

ANT. What earthquake shakes my heart! With what a speed she flew into his arms!

EVAD. Some power, that hearkens to the prayer of virgins, Has been distill'd to pity at my fortunes, And made Evadne happy.

AUR. Now my longing, That was grown big, is with your sight delivered Of a joy that will become a giant, and o'ercome me. Welcome, thrice welcome, brother.

ANT. Ha, her brother! Fortune has bound me so Much in their debts, I must despair to pay 'em: Twice has my life been by these twins of goodness Pluck'd from the hand of death; that fatal enmity Between our houses here shall end, Though my father at his death commanded me To eternity of hatred. What tie binds stronger than reprieve from death? Come hither, friend. Now, brother, take her, Thou'st been a noble tailor.

GIO. Be moderate, my joys, do not o'erwhelm me: Here, take Aurelia: may you live happy! O Antonio! this, this was the cause of my disguise; Sebastiano could not win Evadne's love, But Giovanno did; come now to our father's castle.

ANT. Pardon me; there is a bar, that does Concern my life, forbids you as a friend To think on going to any place But to the tailor's house, which is not far. Come: as we go, I will relate the cause.

AUR. Do, good brother.

EVAD. Go, good Sebastiano.

GIO. Sebastiano is your page, and bound to follow: Lead on.

ANT. O noble temper, I admire thee! may The world bring forth such tailors every day.

[_Exeunt._

_Enter three_ TAILORS _on a shop-board_.

1ST TAI. Come, come, let's work; for if my guesses point the right, we shan't work long.

3D TAI. I care not how soon. I have a notable stomach to bread.

2D TAI. Dost hear, I suspect that courtier my master brought in last night to be the king; which if it be, bullies, all the bread in the town shan't satisfy us, for we will eat _Cum privilegio_.

1ST TAI. Come, let's have a device, a thing, a song, boy.

3D TAI. Come, an air----

THE SONG.

1ST TAI. _'Tis a merry life we live, All our work is brought unto us; Still are getting, never give, For their clothes all men do woo us: Yet (unkind) they blast our names With aspersions of dishonour: For which we make bold with their dames, When we take our measure on her._

ALL TAI. _For which we, &c._

_Enter_ ANTONIO, GIOVANNO, _and the_ OLD TAILOR.

O. TAI. You see the life we live; (_To the_ TAILORS) cease.

ANT. O, 'tis a merry one.

GIO. It is no news to me, I have been us'd to't.

O. TAI. Now for discovery; the king as yet Is ignorant of your names, and shall be Till your merits beg your pardon. My lord, you are for Machiavel; take this gown.

ANT. Pray for success.

[_Exit_ ANTONIO.

O. TAI. You, in this French disguise, for proud Philippa; This is her garment. I hear the king: begone: The Frenchman's folly sit upon your tongue.

[_Exeunt._

_Enter the_ KING, EVADNE, _and_ AURELIA.

KING. Believe me, tailor, you've outstripp'd the court, For such perfections live not everywhere; Nature was vex'd (as she's a very shrew), She made all others in an angry mood; These only she can boast for masterpieces: The rest want something or in mind or form, These are precisely made: a critic jury Of cavilling arts cannot condemn a scruple.

AUR. But that your entrance in this formal speech Betray'd you are a courtier, I had been angry At your rank flattery.

KING. Can you say so?

EVAD. Sir, she has spoke my meaning.

KING. Friend, what are those beauties call'd.

[_Aside._

O. TAI. Your grace's pardon.

KING. Are they oracle, or is the knowledge fatal? But that I know thy faith, this denial Would conjure a suspicion in my breast; Use thy prerogative; 'tis thy own house, In which you are a king, and I your guest. Come, ladies.

[_Exeunt._

_Enter_ ANTONIO _disguised like a physician_.

ANT. This habit will do well, and less suspected; Wrapp'd i' this cover lives a kingdom's plague; They kill with licence; Machi'vel's proud dame, 'Tis famed, is sick: upon my soul, howe'er Her health may be, the aguish commons cry; She's a disease they groan for: this disguise Shall sift her ebon soul, and if she be Infectious, like a megrim or rot limb, The sword of justice must divide the joint That holds her to the state-endanger'd body-- She comes.

_Enter_ MACHIAVEL, AURISTELLA _leaning on his arm, with two Servants_.

MACH. Look up, my Auristella; Better the sun forsake his course to bless With his continuing beams th' Antipodes, And we grovel for ever in eternal night, Than death eclipse thy rich and stronger light. Seek some physician: horror to my soul! She faints; I'd rather lose the issue of my hopes Than Auristella.

ANT. Issue of his hopes? strange!--

[_Aside._

MACH. The crown's enjoyment can yield no content Without the presence of my Auristella.

ANT. Crown's enjoyment! O villain!

MACH. Why stir you not? fetch me some skilful man, My kingdom shall reward him; if his art Chain her departing soul unto her flesh But for a day, till she be crown'd a queen: Fly, bring him unto this walk.

ANT. Stay, Most honoured count--now for a forged link Of flattery to chain me to his love.

[_Aside._

Having with studious care gone o'er the art Folly terms magic, which more sublime souls Skill'd i' the stars know is above that mischief, I find you're born to be 'bove vulgar greatness, Even to a throne: but stay, let's fetch this lady.

MACH. All greatness without her is slavery.

ANT. Use modest violence.

AUR. O!

ANT. Stand wider, give her air.

MACH. God-like physician, I and all that's mine, Will at thy feet offer a sacrifice.

ANT. Forfend it, goodness; I--nay all, Ere many hours [do] make the now young day A type of sparkling youth, shall on their knees Pray for your highness.

MACH. Look up, my Auristella, and be great; Rise with the sun, but never to decline.

AUR. What have you done?

MACH. Wak'd thee to be a queen.

AUR. A queen! O, don't dissemble; you have robb'd me Of greater pleasure than the fancied bliss Elysium owns: O, for a pleasure real, that Would appear in all unto my dream: that I may Frown, and then kill: smile, and create again. Were there a hell, as doating age would have, To fright from lawless courses heedless youth: For such a short-liv'd happiness as that I would be lost unto eternity.

MACH. The day grows old in hours: Come, Auristella, to the capital; The greybeard senate shall on humble knees Pay a religious sacrifice of praise Unto thy demi-deity: the stars Have in a general senate made thee queen Of this our world. Great master of thy art, Confirm my love.

ANT. Madam----

MACH. Nay, hear him, love; Believe me, he's a man that may Be secretary to the gods; he is alone In art; 'twere sin to name a second: all are Dunces to him.

ANT. How easy is the faith of the ambitious!

[_Aside._

MACH. Follow me to the council.

[_Exit._

AUR. Are you the man my husband speaks so high of? Are you skill'd i' the stars?

ANT. Yes, madam.

AUR. Your habit says, or you abuse the custom,[35] You're a physician?

ANT. Madam, I'm both.[36]

AUR. And d'ye find no let that stops my rising?

ANT. Not any.

AUR. Away, your skill is dull--dull to derision. There is a star fix'd i' the heaven of greatness, That sparkles with a rich and fresher light Than our sick and defective taper.

ANT. It may be so the horoscope is troubled.

AUR. Confusion take your horoscope and you! Can you with all your art advise my fears, How to confound this constellation?

ANT. Death, how she conjures!

[_Aside._

Madam, I must search into the planets.

AUR. Planet me no planets; be a physician, And from your study of industrious poisons Fetch me your best-experienc'd speedy one, And bring it to me straight: what 'tis to do, Like unresolved riddles, [is] hid from you.

[_Exit._

ANT. Planet, said I? upon my life, no planet Is so swift as her never-resting evil-- That is her tongue: well, I'll not question What the poison is for; if for herself, The common hangman's eas'd the labour Of a blow; for if she live, her head Must certain off; the poison I'll go get, And give it her, then to the king: If Sebastiano's Frenchified disguise Purchase the like discovery, our eyes Will be too scanty; we had need to be All eye to watch such haughty villany.

[_Exit._

_Enter_ GIOVANNO _and_ PHILIPPA.

GIO. Begare, madam, me make de gowne so brave; O, de hole vorle[37] be me patron; me ha vorke for le grand duches le Shevere, le royne de Francia, Spagna, de Angleter, and all d' fine madamosels.

PHIL. Nay, monsieur, to deprive desert of praise is unknown language; troth, I use it not; nay, it is very well.

GIO. Be me trot, a, madam, me ner do ill, de English man do ill, de Spanere do, de Duch, de all do ill but your Franchman, and, begare, he do incomparable brave.

PHIL. Y' are too proud on't.

GIO. Begare, me no proud i de vorle, me speak be me trot de trut, ang me no lie: metra, madam, begare, you have de find bode a de vorle, O de fine brave big ting me have ever measure, me waire fit it so pat.[38]

_Enter_ RAYMOND.

PHIL. Welcome, my lord! Shall I still long, yet lose my longing still? Is there no art to mount the lofty seat? No engine that may make us ever great? Must we be still styl'd subjects, and for fear Our closest whispers reach the awing ear, Not trust the wind?

RAY. Be calm, my love; Ha! who have we here? an eavesdropper?

GIO. Me, signor, be pover a jentle homa a Franch A votre commandement.

PHIL. My tailor.

GIO. Oui, monsieur, de madam tailor.

RAY. Some happy genius does attend my wishes, Or, spirit-like, a page conducts unto me The ministers whose sweat must send me ease:[39] Come hither, Frenchman, canst thou rule thy tongue? Art not too much a woman?

GIO. No, begare, me show someting for de man.

RAY. Or canst thou be like a perverse one--profess doggedness? Be as a dead man dumb, briefly be this: A friend to France, and with a silent speed Post to our now approaching armed friends: Tell them that Raymond, ere the hasty sand Of a short hour be spent, shall be impal'd, And on his brow, a deputy for France, Support a golden wreath of kingly cares: Bid 'em make haste to pluck my partner down Into his grave; begone, as thou nursest In thy breast thoughts that do thirst For nobleness: be secret, and thou'rt made; If not, thou'rt nothing. Mark, 'tis Raymond says it: And, as I live, I breathe not, if my deeds Appear not in a horror 'bove my words.

GIO. Begare, me no ned de threaten, me be as close to your secret, or my lady's secrets, as de skin to de flesh--de flesh to de bone: if me tell, call me de--vat de ye call de moder o de dog, de bich; call me de son o de bich.

_Enter_ FULGENTIO.

FUL. Count Machiavel waits your honour i' th' hall.

RAY. Do't, and be more than common in our favour; Here, take this ring for thy more credit: Farewell, be quick and secret.

[_Exeunt._

GIO. Folly go From my tongue, the French so nigh. And thou, Half-ruin'd Spain, so wretchedly provided: [O] strange, yet not; all countries have bred monsters: 'Tis a proverb--plain as true, and aged as 'tis both:[40] _One tainted sheep mars a whole flock._ Machiavel, that tainted beast, whose spreading ills Infecteth all, and by infecting kills. I'll to the French, what he intends to be Our ruin shall confound their villany.

[_Exit._