ACT II

[SCENE I.][3930]

_Enter_ BEATRICE _and_ JASPERINO _severally._

_Beat._ O sir, I ’m ready now for that fair service Which makes the name of friend sit glorious on you! Good angels and this conduct be your guide! [_Giving a paper._] Fitness of time and place is there set down, sir.

_Jas._ The joy I shall return rewards my service. _Exit._ 5

_Beat._ How wise is Alsemero in his friend! It is a sign he makes his choice with judgment; Then I appear in nothing more approv’d Than making choice of him; for ’t is a principle, He that can choose 10 That bosom well who of his thoughts partakes, Proves most discreet in every choice he makes. Methinks I love now with the eyes of judgment, And see the way to merit, clearly see it. A true deserver like a diamond sparkles; 15 In darkness you may see him, that ’s in absence, Which is the greatest darkness falls on love; Yet is he best discern’d then With intellectual eyesight. What ’s Piracquo, My father spends his breath for? And his blessing 20 Is only mine as I regard his name, Else it goes from me, and turns head against me, Transform’d into a curse. Some speedy way Must be rememb’red. He ’s so forward too, So urgent that way, scarce allows me breath 25 To speak to my new comforts.

_Enter_ DE FLORES.

_De F._ [_Aside._] Yonder ’s she; Whatever ails me, now a-late especially, I can as well be hang’d as refrain seeing her; Some twenty times a day, nay, not so little, Do I force errands, frame ways and excuses, 30 To come into her sight; and I ’ve small reason for ’t, And less encouragement, for she baits me still Every time worse than other; does profess herself The cruellest enemy to my face in town; At no hand can abide the sight of me, 35 As if danger or ill-luck hung in my looks. I must confess my face is bad enough, But I know far worse has better fortune, And not endur’d alone, but doted on; And yet such pick-hair’d faces, chins like witches’, 40 Here and there five hairs whispering in a corner, As if they grew in fear one of another, Wrinkles like troughs, where swine-deformity swills The tears of perjury, that lie there like wash Fallen from the slimy and dishonest eye,— 45 Yet such a one plucks sweets without restraint, And has the grace of beauty to his sweet. Though my hard fate has thrust me out to servitude, I tumbled into th’ world a gentleman. She turns her blessed eye upon me now, 50 And I ’ll endure all storms before I part with ’t.

_Beat._ [_Aside._] Again? This ominous ill-fac’d fellow more disturbs me Than all my other passions.

_De F._ [_Aside._] Now ’t begins again: 55 I ’ll stand this storm of hail, though the stones pelt me.

_Beat._ Thy business? What ’s thy business?

_De F._ [_Aside._] Soft and fair! I cannot part so soon now.

_Beat._ [_Aside._] The villain ’s fixt.— Thou standing toad-pool——

_De F._ [Aside.] The shower falls amain now.

_Beat._ Who sent thee? What ’s thy errand? Leave my sight! 60

_De F._ My lord your father, charg’d me to deliver A message to you.

_Beat._ What, another since? Do ’t, and be hang’d then; let me be rid of thee.

_De F._ True service merits mercy.

_Beat._ What ’s thy message?

_De F._ Let beauty settle but in patience, 65 You shall hear all.

_Beat._ A dallying, trifling torment!

_De F._ Signor Alonzo de Piracquo, lady, Sole brother to Tomaso de Piracquo——

_Beat._ Slave, when wilt make an end?

_De F._ Too soon I shall.

_Beat._ What all this while of him?

_De F._ The said Alonzo, 70 With the foresaid Tomaso——

_Beat._ Yet again?

_De F._ Is new alighted.

_Beat._ Vengeance strike the news! Thou thing most loath’d, what cause was there in this To bring thee to my sight?

_De F._ My lord your father Charg’d me to seek you out.

_Beat._ Is there no other 75 To send his errand by?

_De F._ It seems ’t is my luck To be i’ th’ way still.

_Beat._ Get thee from me!

_De F._ So:— [_Aside._] Why, am not I an ass to devise ways Thus to be rail’d at? I must see her still! 80 I shall have a mad qualm within this hour again, I know ’t; and, like a common Garden[3931]-bull, I do but take breath to be lugg’d[3932] again. What this may bode I know not; I’ll despair the less, 84 Because there ’s daily precedents of bad faces Belov’d beyond all reason. These foul chops May come into favour one day ’mongst [their][3933] fellows. Wrangling has prov’d the mistress of good pastime; As children cry themselves asleep, I ha’ seen Women have chid themselves a-bed to men. _Exit._ 90

_Beat._ I never see this fellow but I think Of some harm towards me; danger ’s in my mind still; I scarce leave trembling of an hour after. The next good mood I find my father in, I ’ll get him quite discarded. O, I was 95 Lost in this small disturbance, and forgot Affliction’s fiercer torrent that now comes To bear down all my comforts!

_Enter_ VERMANDERO, ALONZO, _and_ TOMASO.

_Ver._ You ’re both welcome, But an especial one belongs to you, sir, 99 To whose most noble name our love presents Th’ addition[3934] of a son, our son Alonzo.

_Alon._ The treasury of honour cannot bring forth A title I should more rejoice in, sir.

_Ver._ You have improv’d it well.—Daughter, prepare; The day will steal upon thee suddenly. 105

_Beat._ [_Aside._] Howe’er, I will be sure to keep the night, If it should come so near me. [BEATRICE _and_ VERMANDERO _talk apart._]

_Tom._ Alonzo.

_Alon._ Brother?

_Tom._ In troth I see small welcome in her eye.

_Alon._ Fie, you are too severe a censurer[3935] Of love in all points, there ’s no bringing on you. 110 If lovers should mark everything a fault, Affection would be like an ill-set book, Whose faults might prove as big as half the volume.

_Beat._ That ’s all I do entreat.

_Ver._ It is but reasonable; 114 I ’ll see what my son says to ’t.—Son Alonzo, Here is a motion made but to reprieve A maidenhead three days longer; the request Is not far out of reason, for indeed The former time is pinching.

_Alon._ Though my joys Be set back so much time as I could wish 120 They had been forward, yet since she desires it, The time is set as pleasing as before. I find no gladness wanting.

_Ver._ May I ever Meet it in that point still! You ’re nobly welcome, sirs. _Exit with_ BEATRICE.

_Tom._ So; did you mark the dulness of her parting now? 125

_Alon._ What dulness? Thou art so exceptious still!

_Tom._ Why, let it go then; I am but a fool To mark your harms so needfully.

_Alon._ Where ’s the oversight?

_Tom._ Come, your faith ’s cozened in her, strongly cozened. Unsettle your affection with all speed 130 Wisdom can bring it to; your peace is ruin’d else. Think what a torment ’t is to marry one Whose heart is leapt into another’s bosom: If ever pleasure she receive from thee, It comes not in thy name, or of thy gift; 135 She lies but with another in thine arms, He the half-father unto all thy children In the conception; if he get ’em not, She helps to get ’em for him;[3936] and how dangerous 139 And shameful her restraint may go in time to, It is not to be thought on without sufferings.

_Alon._ You speak as if she lov’d some other, then.

_Tom._ Do you apprehend so slowly?

_Alon._ Nay, an that Be your fear only, I am safe enough. Preserve your friendship and your counsel, brother, 145 For times of more distress; I should depart An enemy, a dangerous, deadly one, To any but thyself, that should but think She knew the meaning of inconstancy, Much less the use and practice: yet we ’re friends. 150 Pray, let no more be urg’d; I can endure Much, till I meet an injury to her, Then I am not myself. Farewell, sweet brother; How much we ’re bound to Heaven to depart lovingly. _Exit._

_Tom._ Why, here is love’s tame madness; thus a man 155 Quickly steals into his vexation. _Exit._

[SCENE II.][3937]

_Enter_ DIAPHANTA _and_ ALSEMERO.

_Dia._ The place is my charge; you have kept your hour, And the reward of a just meeting bless you! I hear my lady coming. Complete gentleman, I dare not be too busy with my praises, They’re dangerous things to deal with. _Exit._

_Als._ This goes well; 5 These women are the ladies’ cabinets, Things of most precious trust are lockt into ’em.

_Enter_ BEATRICE.

_Beat._ I have within mine eye all my desires. Requests that holy prayers ascend Heaven for, And brings ’em down to furnish our defects, 10 Come not more sweet to our necessities Than thou unto my wishes.

_Als._ We ’re so like In our expressions, lady, that unless I borrow The same words, I shall never find their equals.

_Beat._ How happy were this meeting, this embrace, 15 If it were free from envy! This poor kiss It has an enemy, a hateful one, That wishes poison to ’t. How well were I now, If there were none such name known as Piracquo, Nor no such tie as the command of parents! 20 I should be but too much bless’d.

_Als._ One good service Would strike off both your fears, and I ’ll go near ’t too, Since you are so distrest. Remove the cause, The command ceases; so there’s two fears blown out With one and the same blast.

_Beat._ Pray, let me find[3938] you, sir: 25 What might that service be, so strangely happy?

_Als._ The honourablest piece about man, valour: I ’ll send a challenge to Piracquo instantly.

_Beat._ How? Call you that extinguishing of fear, When ’t is the only way to keep it flaming? 30 Are not you ventured in the action, That ’s all my joys and comforts? Pray, no more, sir. Say you prevail’d, you ’re danger’s and not mine then; The law would claim you from me, or obscurity Be made the grave to bury you alive. 35 I ’m glad these thoughts come forth; O, keep not one Of this condition, sir! Here was a course Found to bring sorrow on her way to death; The tears would ne’er ha’ dried, till dust had chok’d ’em. Blood-guiltiness becomes a fouler visage;— 40 [_Aside._] And now I think on one; I was to blame, I ha’ marr’d so good a market with my scorn; ’T had been done questionless: the ugliest creature Creation fram’d for some use: yet to see 44 I could not mark so much where it should be!

_Als._ Lady——

_Beat._ [_Aside._] Why, men of art make much of poison, Keep one to expel another. Where was my art?

_Als._ Lady, you hear not me.

_Beat._ I do especially, sir. The present times are not so sure of our side As those hereafter may be; we must use ’em then 50 As thrifty folks their wealth, sparingly now, Till the time opens.

_Als._ You teach wisdom, lady.

_Beat._ Within there! Diaphanta!

_Re-enter_ DIAPHANTA.

_Dia._ Do you call, madam?

_Beat._ Perfect your service, and conduct this gentleman The private way you brought him.

_Dia._ I shall, madam. 55

_Als._ My love ’s as firm as love e’er built upon. _Exit with_ DIAPHANTA.

_Enter_ DE FLORES.

_De F._ [_Aside._] I ’ve watcht this meeting, and do wonder much What shall become of t’ other; I ’m sure both Cannot be serv’d unless she transgress; haply Then I ’ll put in for one; for if a woman 60 Fly from one point, from him she makes a husband, She spreads and mounts then like arithmetic; One, ten, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, Proves in time sutler to an army royal. Now do I look to be most richly rail’d at, 65 Yet I must see her.

_Beat._ [_Aside._] Why, put case I loath’d him As much as youth and beauty hates a sepulchre, Must I needs show it? Cannot I keep that secret, And serve my turn upon him? See, he ’s here— De Flores.

_De F._ [_Aside._] Ha, I shall run mad with joy! She call’d me fairly by my name De Flores, 71 And neither rogue nor rascal.

_Beat._ What ha’ you done To your face a’ late? You ’ve met with some good physician; You ’ve prun’d[3939] yourself, methinks: you were not wont To look so amorously.[3940]

_De F._ Not I;— 75 [_Aside._] ’T is the same physnomy, to a hair and pimple, Which she called scurvy scarce an hour ago: How is this?

_Beat._ Come hither; nearer, man.

_De F._ [_Aside._] I ’m up to the chin in Heaven!

_Beat._ Turn, let me see; Faugh, ’t is but the heat of the liver, I perceive ’t; I thought it had been worse.

_De F._ [_Aside._] Her fingers toucht me! 81 She smells all amber.[3941]

_Beat._ I ’ll make a water for you shall cleanse this Within a fortnight.

_De F._ With your own hands, lady? 84

_Beat._ Yes, mine own, sir; in a work of cure I ’ll trust no other.

_De F._ [_Aside._] ’T is half an act of pleasure To hear her talk thus to me.

_Beat._ When we ’re us’d To a hard face, it is not so unpleasing; It mends still in opinion, hourly mends; I see it by experience.

_De F._ [_Aside._] I was blest 90 To light upon this minute; I ’ll make use on’t.

_Beat._ Hardness becomes the visage of a man well; It argues service, resolution, manhood, If cause were of employment.

_De F._ ’T would be soon seen If e’er your ladyship had cause to use it; 95 I would but wish the honour of a service So happy as that mounts to.

_Beat._ We shall try you.— O my De Flores!

_De F._ [_Aside._] How ’s that? She calls me hers Already! _My_ De Flores!—You were about To sigh out somewhat, madam?

_Beat._ No, was I? 100 I forgot,—O!——

_De F._ There ’t is again, the very fellow on’t.

_Beat._ You are too quick, sir.

_De F._ There ’s no excuse for ’t now; I heard it twice, madam; That sigh would fain have utterance: take pity on ’t, And lend it a free word. ’Las, how it labours For liberty! I hear the murmur yet 106 Beat at your bosom.

_Beat._ Would creation——

_De F._ Ay, well said, that is it.

_Beat._ Had form’d me man!

_De F._ Nay, that ’s not it.

_Beat._ O, ’t is the soul of freedom! I should not then be forc’d to marry one 110 I hate beyond all depths; I should have power Then to oppose my loathings, nay, remove ’em For ever from my sight.

_De F._ [_Aside._] O blest occasion!—— Without change to your sex you have your wishes; Claim so much man in me.

_Beat._ In thee, De Flores? 115 There is small cause for that.

_De F._ Put it not from me, It is a service that I kneel for to you. [_Kneels._]

_Beat._ You are too violent to mean faithfully. There ’s horror in my service, blood, and danger; Can those be things to sue for?

_De F._ If you knew 120 How sweet it were to me to be employed In any act of yours, you would say then I fail’d, and us’d not reverence enough When I receive[d] the charge on ’t.

_Beat._ [_Aside._] This is much, Methinks; belike his wants are greedy; and 125 To such gold tastes like angel’s food. Rise.

_De F._ I ’ll have the work first.

_Beat._ [_Aside._] Possible his need Is strong upon him.—There ’s to encourage thee; [_Gives money._] As thou art forward, and thy service dangerous, Thy reward shall be precious.

_De F._ That I ’ve thought on; 130 I have assur’d myself of that beforehand, And know it will be precious; the thought ravishes!

_Beat._ Then take him to thy fury!

_De F._ I thirst for him.

_Beat._ Alonzo de Piracquo.

_De F._ [_rising._] His end ’s upon him; He shall be seen no more.

_Beat._ How lovely now 135 Dost thou appear to me! Never was man Dearlier rewarded.

_De F._ I do think of that.

_Beat._ Be wondrous careful in the execution.

_De F._ Why, are not both our lives upon the cast?

_Beat._ Then I throw all my fears upon thy service. 140

_De F._ They ne’er shall rise to hurt you.

_Beat._ When the deed ’s done, I ’ll furnish thee with all things for thy flight; Thou may’st live bravely in another country.

_De F._ Ay, ay; We ’ll talk of that hereafter.

_Beat._ [_Aside._] I shall rid myself 145 Of two inveterate loathings at one time, Piracquo, and his dog-face. _Exit._

_De F._ O my blood! Methinks I feel her in mine arms already; Her wanton fingers combing out this beard, And, being pleased, praising this bad face. 150 Hunger and pleasure, they ’ll commend sometimes Slovenly dishes, and feed heartily on ’em. Nay, which is stranger, refuse daintier for ’em: Some women are odd feeders.—I am too loud. Here comes the man goes supperless to bed, 155 Yet shall not rise to-morrow to his dinner.

_Enter_ ALONZO.

_Alon._ De Flores.

_De F._ My kind, honourable lord?

_Alon._ I ’m glad I ha’ met with thee.

_De F._ Sir?

_Alon._ Thou canst show me The full strength of the castle?

_De F._ That I can, sir.

_Alon._ I much desire it.

_De F._ And if the ways and straits 160 Of some of the passages be not too tedious for you, I’ll assure you, worth your time and sight, my lord.

_Alon._ Pooh, that shall be no hindrance.

_De F._ I ’m your servant, then. ’Tis now near dinner-time; ’gainst[3942] your lordship’s rising I ’ll have the keys about me.

_Alon._ Thanks, kind De Flores. 165

_De F._ [_Aside._] He ’s safely thrust upon me beyond hopes. _Exeunt_ [_severally_].