Part 22

_Lop._ These Boys are knavish.

[_Boy within, Madam here be de Rat, de Rat, Madam._

_Pen._ I'll look to him ti[th]ly.

_Lop._ Lord, what comes here, A walking apparition? [_Boy sings upon_ Bartello's _Shoulder_.

_Isab._ Saint _Christopher_.

_Rho._ Mercy o' me, what is it? How like my Husband it looks?

_Bar._ Get ye down devil, I'll break your neck else: was ever man thus chimnied?

_Lop._ Go pay the boys well; see them satisfied.

_Pen._ Come Monsieur Devils, come my Black-berries I'll butter ye o' both sides.

[_Boy Exit_ [_saying Adieu Madam, adieu Madam_].

_Isab._ Nay, ev'n look Sir, are you cooled now, Captain?

_Bar._ I am cuckolled, and fool'd to boot too: Fool'd fearfully, fool'd shamefully.

_Lop._ You are welcome Sir, I am glad I have any thing within these doors Sir To make ye merry: you love my wife, I thank ye. You have shew'd your love.

_Bar._ Wife, am I this? this odd matter, This monstrous thing?

_Rho._ You ought, but yet you are not: I have been bold with you Sir, but yet not basely, As I have faith I have not.

_Lop._ Sir, believe it, 'Twas all meant but to make you feel your trespass; We knew your hour, and all this fashion'd for it.

_Bar._ Were you o'th' plot too?

_Isab._ Yes by my troth, sweet Captain.

_Bar._ You will forgive me wife?

_Rho._ You will deserve it?

_Bar._ Put that to th' venture.

_Rho._ Thus am I friends again then, And as you ne'er had gone astray, thus kiss ye.

_Bar._ And I'll kiss you, and you too ask forgiveness, Kiss my wife _Lopez_, 'tis but in jest remember; And now all friends together to my Castle, Where we'll all dine, and there discourse these stories, And let him be Chimney-swept in's lust that glories. [_Ex._

_Scæna Quarta._

_Enter_ Silvio _and_ Belvidere _severally_.

_Sil._ Hail reverend Dame, heaven wait upon thy studies.

_Bel._ You are all well met Son: what is the Battel ended?

_Sil._ Mother, 'tis done.

_Bel._ How has thy honour prosper'd?

_Sil._ The Dutchess has the day, _Syenna_'s prisoner: Arm'd with thy powerful Art, this arm dismounted him, Receiv'd him then on foot, and in fair valour. Forc'd him mine own, this Jewel I took from him, It hung upon his cask, the Victors triumph: And to the Dutchess now a Prisoner I have render'd him: Come off again unknown, Mother.

_Bel._ 'Tis well done, let me see the Jewel Son; 'Tis a rich one, curious set, fit for a Princess Burgonet: This rich Token late was sent, by the Dutchess with intent, The Marriage next day to begin: Dost thou know what's hid within? Wipe thine eyes, and then come near, see the beauteous _Belvidere_: Now behold it.

_Sil._ Oh my Saint.

_Bel._ Wear it nobly, do not faint.

_Sil._ How blest am I in this rich spoil, this Picture, For ever will I keep it here, here Mother, For ever honor it: how oft, how chastly Have I embrac'd the life of this, and kist it!

_Bel._ The day draws on that thou must home return, And make thy answer to the Dutchess question I know it troubles thee, for if thou fail in't.

_Sil._ Oh, I must dye.

_Bel._ Fear not, fear not, I'll be nigh, Cast thy trouble on my back, Art nor cunning shall not lack, To preserve thee, still to keep, what thy envious foemen seek; Go boldly home, and let thy mind, no distrustful crosses find: All shall happen for the best; souls walk through sorrows that are blest.

_Sil._ Then I go confident.

_Bel._ But first my Son, a thankful service must be done, The good old woman for her pain, when every thing stands fair again, Must ask a poor Boon, and that granting, there's nothing to thy journey wanting.

_Sil._ Except the trial of my soul to mischief, And as I am a Knight, and love mine honor, I grant it whatsoever.

_Bel._ Thy pure soul Shall never sink for me, nor howl.

_Sil._ Then any thing.

_Bel._ When I shall ask, remember.

_Sil._ If I forget, heavens goodness forget me.

_Bel._ On thy journey then awhile, to the next cross way and stile, I'll conduct thee, keep thee true, to thy Mistriss and thy vow, And let all their envies fall, I'll be with thee, and quench all.

[_Exeunt._

_Actus Quintus. Scæna Prima._

_Enter Dutchess_, Syenna, _and Lords_.

_Sy._ Lady, the stubborn war's more mild than you are, That allows Ransom, and the Prisoner taken--

_Dutch._ We must not be too hasty: Remember Sir, The wrong and violence you have offer'd us, Burnt up our frontier Towns, made prey before ye Both of our Beasts, and Corn; slain our dear subjects, Open'd the fountain eyes of thousand widows, That daily fling their curses on your fury; What ordinary satisfaction can salve this? What hasty thought-on Ransome give a remedy? You must excuse us yet, we'll take more counsel: In the mean time, not as a prisoner, But as a noble Prince we entertain ye.

_Sy._ I am at your mercy Lady, 'tis my fortune, My stubborn fate; the day is yours, you have me, The valour of one single man has cross'd me, Crost me and all my hope; for when the Battel's Were at the hottest game of all their furies, And conquest ready then to crown me Victor, One single man broke in, one sword, one vertue, And by his great example thousands followed, Oh how I shame to think on't, how it shakes me! Nor could our strongest head then stop his fury, But like a tempest [']bore the field before him, Till he arriv'd at me, with me he buck'lled, A while I held him play; at length his violence Beat me from my saddle, then on foot pursu'd me, There triumph'd once again, then took me prisoner: When I was gone, a fear possest my people.

_Dutch._ One single arm, in a just cause, heaven prospers. Is not this stranger Knight as yet discover'd, That we may give his virtue a due honor?

_Lord._ Not yet that we hear Madam, but to that purpose, Two daies ago we publish'd Proclamations.

_Enter_ Soto _with a [T]rumpet, and_ Silvio.

_Soto._ Oh dainty Dutchess, here I bring that Knight Before thy fragrant face, that warlike wight, He that _Syenna's_ Duke, and all his Louts Beat (as the Proverb seemly saies) to clouts: He that unhors'd the man o' fame to boot, And bootless taught his Grace to walk afoot: He that your writings (pack'd to every pillar) Promis'd promotion to, and store of siller, That very man I set before thy Grace, And once again pronounce, this man it was.

_Dutch._ A pretty foolish Squire, what must the Knight be?

_Sy._ Some Jugler or some Mad man.

_Sil._ I was not so, When thy faint Troops in flocks I beat before me, When, through the thickest of thy warlike horse, I shot my self even to thy Standard Duke, And there found thee, there singled thee, there shew'[d t]hee The temper of my Sword. 'Tis true, thou stoodst me, And like a noble soldier bidst me welcome; And this I'll say, More honor in that arme, I found and tryed, than all thy Army carried: What follows thy imprisonment can tell thee.

_Sy._ His fair relation carries truth and virtue, And by those Arms I see, (for such were his, So old, so rusty) this may be he that forc'd me.

_Sil._ Do you know this Jewel, from your Cask I rent it, Even as I clos'd, and forced ye from your saddle; Do you now remember me?

_Sy._ This is the valour Madam, for certain he, it must be he, That day I wore this Jewel, you remember it.

_Dutch._ Yes, very well; not long before I sent it.

_Sy._ That day I lost this Jewel, in fight I lost it, I felt his strokes, and felt him take it from me, I wore it in my Cask; take it again Sir, You won it nobly, 'tis the prize of honor.

_Soto._ My Father and my self are made for ever.

_Dutch._ Kneel down brave Sir thus my Knight first I raise ye, Gird on a Sword; next General of my Army, [_Discovers himself._ Give him a staff; last, one in Counsel near me. Now, make us happy with your sight: how? _Silvio_? Have I on thee bestow'd this love, this honor? The Treasons thou hast wrought set off with favours? Unarm him presently: Oh thou foul Traitor, Traitor to me, mine honor, and my Countrey, Thou kindler of these Wars.

_Sil._ Mistake not Madam.

_Dutch._ Away with him to prison, See him safe kept, the Law shall shortly sirrah, Find fitter Titles for ye, than I gave ye.

_Soto._ This is the youth that kill'd me, I'll be quit with him, What a blind rogue was I, I could never know him! And't please your Grace, I claim the benefit Of the Proclamation that proclaim'd him Traitor, I brought him in.

_Dutch._ Thou shalt have thy reward for't.

_Soto._ Let him he hang'd, or drown'd then.

_Dutch._ Away with him.

_Sil._ Madam, I crave your promise first; you are tyed to it, You have past your Princely word.

_Dutch._ Prove it, and take it.

_Sil._ This is the day appointed, Appointed by your Grace for my appearance, To answer to the Question.

_Dutch._ I remember it.

_Sil._ I claim it then.

_Dutch._ If you perform it not, The penalty you claim too.

_Sil._ I not repent it; If I absolve the words?

_Dutch._ Your life is free then, You have drawn a speedy course above my wishes, To my revenge, be sure ye hit it right, Or I'll be sure you shall not scape the danger.

_Sil._ My rest is up now Madam.

_Dutch._ Then play it cunningly.

_Sil._ Now, where's the Hag? where now are all her promises, She would be with me, strengthen me, inform me? My death will now be double death, ridiculous: She was wont still to be near, to feel my miseries, And with her Art, I see her no where now; What have I undertaken? now she fails me, No comfort now I find, how my soul staggers! Till this hour never fear nor doubt possest me, She cannot come, she will not come, she has fool'd me; Sure, she is the Devil, has drawn me on to ruine, And now to death bequeaths me in my danger.

_Sy._ He stands distracted, and his colour changes.

_Dutch._ I have given him that will make his blood forsake him; Shortly his life.

_Sy._ His hands and contemplation Have motion still, the rest is earth already.

_Duc._ Come, will ye speak or pray? your time grows out Sir; How every where he looks! he's at last cast.

_Enter_ Belvidere, _and secretly gives him a paper, and_ Exit.

_Sy._ His colour comes again fresh.

_Duc._ 'Tis a flash, Sir, Before the flame burns out; can ye yet answer?

_Sil._ Yes Madam, now I can.

_Duc._ I fear you'll fail in't.

_Sil._ And do not think my silence a presage, Or _Omen_ to my end, you shall not find it; I am bred a Soldier not an Orator: Madam, peruse this scrowl, let that speak for me, And as you are Royal, wrong not the construction.

_Dutch._ By heaven you shall have fair play.

_Sil._ I shall look for't.

Question.

_Tell me what is that only thing,_ _For which all women long;_ _Yet having what they most desire,_ _To have it do's them wrong._

Answer.

_Tis not to be chaste, nor fair,_ _Such gifts malice may impair;_ _Richly trimm'd to walk or ride,_ _Or to wanton unespy'd;_ _To preserve an honest name,_ _And so to give it up to fame;_ _These are toys. In good or ill_ _They desire to have their Will;_ _Yet when they have it, they abuse it,_ _For they know not how to use it._

_Dutch._ You have answer'd right, and gain'd your life, I give it.

_Sil._ Oh happy Hag! But my most gracious Madam, Your promise ty'd a nobler favour to me.

_Duch._ 'Tis true, my Daughter too.

_Sil._ I hope you will keep it.

_Dutch._ 'Tis not in my power now, she is long since wander'd, Stol'n from Court, and me; and what I have not I cannot give: no man can tell me of her, Nor no search find her out: and if not _Silvio_, Which strongly I believe--

_Sil._ Mock me not Lady, For as I am a servant to her virtue, Since my first hour of exile, I ne'er saw her.

_Lord._ That she is gone, 'tis too too true, and lamentable, Our last hope was in you.

_Sil._ What do I hear then, And wherefore have I life bestow'd and honor? To what end do I walk? for men to wonder at, And fight, and fool? pray ye take your honors from me, (My sorrows are not fit companions for 'em) And when ye please my life: Art thou gone Mistriss, And wander'st heaven knows where? this vow I make thee, That till I find thee out, and see those fair eyes; Those eyes that shed their lights, and life into me, Never to know a friend, to seek a kindred, To rest where pleasure dwels, and painted glory, But through the world; the wide world, thus to wander, The wretched world alone, no comfort with me, But the meer meditations of thy goodness: Honor and greatness, thus adieu.

_Enter_ Belvidere.

_Bel._ Stay _Silvio_, And Lady sit again, I come for Justice.

_Sil._ What would she now?

_Bel._ To claim thy promise _Silvio_, The boon thou swor'st to give me.

_Sy._ What may this be, A Woman or a Devil?

_Duch._ 'Tis a Witch sure, And by her means he came to untwist this Riddle.

_Sil._ That I am bound to her for my life, mine honor; And many other thousand ways for comfort I here confess: confess a promise too, That what she would aske me to requite these favours, Within the endeavour of my life to grant, I would; and here I stand my words full master.

_Bel._ I wish no more: great Lady, witness with me, The boon I crave for all my service to thee, Is now to be thy wife, to grant me marriage.

_Sil._ How? for to marry thee? ask again woman, Thou wilful woman, ask again.

_Bel._ No more Sir.

_Sil._ Ask Land, and Life.

_Bel._ I aske thee for a Husband.

_Soto._ Marry her, and beat her into Gun-powder, She would make rare Crackers.

_Sil._ Ask a better fortune, Thou art too old to marry: I a Soldier, And always married to my sword.

_Bel._ Thy word Fool, Break that, and I'll break all thy fortunes yet.

_Dutch._ He shall not, I am witness to his faith: and I'll compel it.

_Sy._ 'Tis fit ye hold your word, Sir.

_Sil._ Oh most wretched.

_Dutch._ This was a fortune now beyond my wishes, For now my Daughter's free, if e'er I find her.

_Sy._ But not from me.

_Dutch._ You are sharer in this happiness, My self will wait upon this marriage, And do the old woman all the honor possible.

_Sy._ I'll lead the Knight, and what there wants in dalliance, We'll take it out in drink.

_Sil._ Oh wretched _Silvio_. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Secunda._

_Enter_ Lopez _and_ Isabella.

_Lop._ Hast thou sent for him?

_Isab._ Yes.

_Lop._ A young man, saist thou?

_Isab._ Yes, very young, and very amorous.

_Lop._ And handsome?

_Isab._ As the Town affords.

_Lop._ And dar'st thou Be so far good, and Mistriss of thine honor, To slight these?

_Isab._ For my Husband's sake to curse 'em, And since you have made me Mistriss of my fortune, Never to point at any joy, but Husband, I could have cozen'd ye, but so much I love ye, And now so much I weigh the estimation Of an unspotted wife--

_Lop._ I dare believe thee, And never more shall doubt torment my spirit.

_Enter_ Penurio.

_Isab._ How now _Penurio_?

_Pen._ The thing is comming, Mistriss.

_Lop._ I'll take my standing.

_Pen._ Do, and I'll take mine. [_Exit_ Lopez.

_Isab._ Where didst thou leave him?

_Pen._ I left him in a Cellar, Where he has paid me titely, paid me home Mistriss, We had an hundred and fifty healths to you, sweet Mistriss, And threescore and ten damnations to my Master; Mistriss, shall I speak a foolish word to ye?

_Isab._ What's that _Penurio_? The fellow's drunk.

_Pen._ I would fain know your body.

_Isab._ How's that? how's that prethee?

_Pen._ I would know it carnally, I would conglutinate.

_Isab._ The reason sirrah?

_Pen._ Lobster, sweet Mistriss, Lobster.

_Isab._ Thy Master hears.

_Pen._ Lobster, sweet Master, Lobster.

_Isab._ Thou art the most pretious rogue.

_Enter_ Claudio.

_Pen._ Most pretious Lobster.

_Isab._ Do you see who's here? go sleep ye drunken rascal.

_Pen._ Remember you refuse me arm'd in Lobster. [_Exit._

_Isab._ Oh my lost _Rugio_, welcome, welcome, welcome, A thousand welcomes here I'll seal.

_Cla._ Pray ye stay, Lady, Do you love me ever at this rate? or is the fit now, By reason of some wrong done by your Husband, More fervent on ye?

_Isab._ Can I chuse but love thee? Thou art my Martyr, thou hast suffered for me, My sweet, sweet _Rugio_.

_Cla._ Do you do this seriously? 'Tis true, I would be entertained thus.

_Isab._ These are nothing, No kisses, no embraces, no endearments, To those--

_Cla._ Do what you will.

_Isab._ Those that shall follow, Those I will crown our love withal; why sigh ye? Why look ye sad my dear one?

_Cla._ Nay, faith nothing, But methinks so sweet a beauty, as yours shews to me, And such an innocence as you may make it, Should hold a longer Siege.

_Isab._ Ha, you speak truth, Sir.

_Cla._ I would not have it so.

_Isab._ And now methinks, Now I consider truly what becomes me, I have been cozen'd, fearfully abus'd, My reason blinded.

_Cla._ Nay, I did but jest with ye.

_Isab._ I'll take ye at your word, and thank ye for't Sir; And now I see no sweetness in that person, Nothing to stir me to abuse a Husband, To ruine my fair fame.

_Cla._ Good _Isabella_.

_Isab._ No handsome man, nor any thing to doat on, No face, no tongue to catch me, poor at all points, And I an ass.

_Cla._ Why do ye wrong me Lady? If I were thus, and had no youth upon me, My service of so mean a way to win ye, (Which you your self are conscious must deserve ye, If you had thrice the beauty you possess, must reach ye) If in my tongue your fame lay wrack'd, and ruin'd With every cup I drink: if in opinion I were a lost, defam'd man: but this is common Where we love most, where most we stake our fortunes, There least and basest we are rewarded: fare ye well, Know now I hate you too as much, contemn ye, And weigh my credit at as high a value.

_Isab._ May be I did but jest.

_Cla._ Ye are a woman, And now I see your wants, and mine own follies, And task my self with indiscretion, For doating on a face so poor.

_Isab._ Say ye so Sir, (I must not lose my end) I did but jest with you, Only fool'd thus to try your faith: my _Rugio_, Do you think I could forget?

_Cla._ Nay, 'tis no matter.

_Isab._ Is't possible I should forsake a constancy, So strong, so good, so sweet?

_Cla._ A subtle woman.

_Isab._ You shall forgive me, 'twas a trick to try ye, And were I sure [y]e lov'd me--

_Cla._ Do you doubt now?

_Isab._ I do not doubt, but he that would profess this, And bear that full affection you make shew of, Should do--

_Cla._ What should I do?

_Isab._ I cannot shew ye.

_Cla._ I'll try thee damnedst Devil: hark ye Lady, No man shall dare do more, no service top me, I'll marry ye.

_Isab._ How Sir?

_Cla._ Your Husband's sentenc'd, And he shall dye.

_Isab._ Dye?

_Cla._ Dye for ever to ye, The danger is mine own.

_Isab._ Dye did ye tell me?

_Cla._ He shall dye, I have cast the way.

_Isab._ Oh foul man, Malicious bloody man.

_Enter_ Lopez.

_Lop._ When shall he dye, Sir, By whom, and how?

_Cla._ Hast thou betraid me, woman?

_Isab._ Base man, thou would'st [h]ave ruin'd me, my name too And like a Toad, poison'd my virtuous memory: Further than all this, dost thou see this friend here, This only friend, shame take thy Lust and thee, And shake thy soul, his life, the life I love thus, My life in him, my only life thou aim'st at.

_Cla._ Am I catcht thus?

_Lop._ The Law shall catch ye better.

_Isab._ You make a trade of betraying Womens honors, And think it noble in ye to be lustful, Report of me hereafter--

_Cla._ Fool'd thus finely?

_Lop._ I must intreat ye walk, Sir, to the Justice, Where if he'll bid ye kill me--

_Cla._ Pray stay awhile, Sir, I must use a Players shift, do you know me now Lady?

_Lop._ Your brother _Claudio_ sure.

_Isab._ Oh me, 'tis he Sir, Oh my best brother.

_Cla._ My best sister now too, I have tryed ye, found ye so, and now I love ye, Love ye so truly nobly.

_Lop._ Sir, I thank ye, You have made me a most happy man.

_Cla._ Thank her Sir, And from this hour preserve that happiness, Be no more fool'd with jealousie.

_Lop._ I have lost it, And take me now new born again, new natur'd.

_Isab._ I do, and to that promise tye this faith, Never to have a false thought tempt my virtue.

_Lop._ Enough, enough, I must desire your presence, My Cosin _Rhodope_ has sent in all haste for us, I am sure you will be welcome.

_Cla._ I'll wait on ye.

_Lop._ What the Project is--

_Isab._ We shall know when we are there, Sir. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Tertia._

_Enter Dutchess_, Syenna, _Lords_, Sylvio.

_Dutch._ Joy to you _Silvio_, and your young fair Bride, You have stolen a day upon us; you cannot wooe, Sir.

_Sil._ The joyes of Hell hang over me, oh mischief, To what a fortune has the Devil driven me! Am I reserv'd for this?

_Sy._ Beshrew me, Sir, But you have gotten you a right fair bedfellow, Let you alone to chuse.

_Sil._ I beseech your Grace, 'Tis misery enough to have met the Devil, Not mens reproaches too.

_Sy._ How old is she?

_Dutch._ A very Girl, her eye delivers it.

_Sy._ Her teeth are scarce come yet.

_Lord._ What goodly children Will they two have now! she is rarely made to breed on, What a sweet timber'd body!

_Dutch._ Knotty i' th' back, But will hold out the stronger; What a nose!

_Sy._ I marry, such a nose, so rarely mounted, Upon my conscience, 'twas the part he doted on.

_Dutch._ And that fine little eye to it, like an Elephant's.

_Lord._ Yes, if her feet were round, and her ears sachels.

_Sy._ For any thing we know.

_Sil._ Have ye no mercy? No pity in your bloods to use a wretch thus? You Princes in whose hearts the best compassions, Nearest to those in Heaven, should find fit places, Why do you mock at misery? fling scorns and baseness Upon his broken back, that sinks with sorrows? Heaven may reward you too, and an hour come, When all [your] great designes shall shew ridiculous, And your hearts pinch'd like mine. [_Musick in divers places._

_Dutch._ Fie Sir, so angry Upon your wedding day? go smug your self, The Maid will come anon: what Musick's this?

_Sy._ I warrant you some noble preparation.

_Dutch._ Let's take our places then.

_Sil._ More of these Devils dumps? Must I be ever haunted with these witchcrafts?

_Enter a Masquerado of several shapes, and Dances, after which,_ _enter_ Belvidere _and disperses them; before the Maskers enter_ _two Presenters, among which are_ Bartello, Lopez, Claudio, Isabella, Rhodope, Soto, Penurio, Jaquenet.

_1 Pre._ Room, room for merry spirits, room, Hither on command we come, From the good old Beldam sent, Cares and sorrows to prevent.

_2._ Look up _Silvio_, smile, and sing, After winter comes a Spring.

_1._ Fear not faint fool what may follow, Eyes that now are sunk and hollow, By her Art may quick return To their flames again, and burn.

_2._ Art commands all youth, and blood, Strength and beauty it makes good.