SCENE II.

_Another Room in the same._

_Enter_ COZIMO, GIOVANNI, SANAZARRO, CHAROMONTE, _and Attendants_.

_Sanaz._ Are you not tired with travel, sir?

_Coz._ No, no; I am fresh and lusty.

_Char._ This day shall be ever A holiday to me, that brings my prince Under my humble roof. [_Weeps._

_Giov._ See, sir, my good tutor Sheds tears for joy.

_Coz._ Dry them up, Charomonte; And all forbear the room, while we exchange Some private words together.

_Giov._ O, my lord, How grossly have we overshot ourselves!

_Sanaz._ In what, sir?

_Giov._ In forgetting to acquaint My guardian with our purpose: all that Lidia Can do avails us nothing, if the duke Find out the truth from him.

_Sanaz._ 'Tis now past help, And we must stand the hazard:--hope the best, sir. [_Exeunt_ GIOVANNI, SANAZARRO, _and Attendants_.

_Char._ My loyalty doubted, sir!

_Coz._ 'Tis more. Thou hast Abused our trust, and in a high degree Committed treason.

_Char._ Treason! 'Tis a word My innocence understands not. Were my breast Transparent, and my thoughts to be discern'd, Not one spot shall be found to taint the candour Of my allegiance: and I must be bold To tell you, sir, (for he that knows no guilt Can know no fear,) 'tis tyranny to o'ercharge An honest man; and such, till now, I've lived, And such, my lord, I'll die.

_Coz._ Sir, do not flatter Yourself with hope, these great and glorious words, Which every guilty wretch, as well as you, That's arm'd with impudence, can with ease deliver, And with as full a mouth, can work on us: Nor shall gay flourishes of language clear What is in fact apparent.

_Char._ Fact! what fact? You, that know only what it is, instruct me, For I am ignorant.

_Coz._ This, then, sir: We gave up, On our assurance of your faith and care, Our nephew Giovanni, nay, our heir In expectation, to be train'd up by you As did become a prince.

_Char._ And I discharged it: Is this the treason?

_Coz._ Take us with you, sir[82]. And, in respect we knew his youth was prone To women, and that, living in our court, He might make some unworthy choice, before His weaker judgment was confirm'd, we did Remove him from it; constantly presuming, You, with your best endeavours, rather would Have quench'd those heats in him, than light a torch, As you have done, to his looseness.

_Char._ I! my travail Is ill requited, sir; for, by my soul, I was so curious that way, that I granted Access to none could tempt him; nor did ever One syllable, or obscene accent, touch His ear, that might corrupt him.

_Coz._ No! Why, then, With your allowance, did you give free way To all familiar privacy between My nephew and your daughter? Or why did you (Had you no other ends in 't but our service) Read to them, and together, as they had been Scholars of one form, grammar, rhetoric, Philosophy, story[83], and interpret to them The close temptations of lascivious poets? Or wherefore, for we still had spies upon you, Was she still present, when, by your advice, He was taught the use of his weapon, horsemanship, Nay, wrestling, but to fan a love in her? And then, forsooth, his exercises ended, A fair pretence of recreation for him, (When Lidia was instructed in those graces That add to beauty,) he, brought to admire her, Must hear her sing, while to her voice her hand Made ravishing music; and, this applauded, dance A light lavolta[84] with her.

_Char._ Have you ended All you can charge me with?

_Coz._ Nor stopt you there, But they must unattended walk into The silent groves, and hear the amorous birds Warbling their wanton notes; here, a sure shade Of barren sicamores, which the all-seeing sun Could not pierce through; near that, an arbour hung With spreading eglantine; there, a bubbling spring Watering a bank of hyacinths and lilies; With all allurements that could move to love. And could this, Charomonte, (should I grant They had been equals both in birth and fortune,) Become your gravity? nay, 'tis clear as air, That your ambitious hopes to match your daughter Into our family, gave connivance to it: And this, though not in act, in the intent I call high treason.

_Char._ Hear my just defence, sir; And, though you are my prince, it will not take from Your greatness, to acknowledge with a blush, In this my accusation you have been More sway'd by spleen, and jealous suppositions, Than certain grounds of reason. You had a father, (Blest be his memory!) that made frequent proofs Of my loyalty and faith, and, would I boast The dangers I have broke through in his service, I could say more. Nay, you yourself, dread sir, Whenever I was put unto the test, Found me true gold, and not adulterate metal; And am I doubted now?

_Coz._ This is from the purpose.

_Char._ I will come to it, sir: Your grace well knew, Before the prince's happy presence made My poor house rich, the chiefest blessing which I gloried in, though now it prove a curse, Was an only daughter. Nor did you command me, As a security to your future fears, To cast her off: which had you done, howe'er She was the light of my eyes, and comfort of My feeble age, so far I prized my duty Above affection, she now had been A stranger to my care. But she is fair! Is that her fault, or mine? Did ever father Hold beauty in his issue for a blemish? You may, if you think fit, before my face, In recompense of all my watchings for you, With burning corrosives transform her to An ugly leper. This I will rather suffer, sir, Than live suspected by you.

_Coz._ Let not passion Carry you beyond your reason.

_Char._ I am calm, sir; Yet you must give me leave to grieve I find My actions misinterpreted. Alas! sir, Was Lidia's desire to serve the prince Call'd an offence? or did she practise to Seduce his youth, because with her best zeal And fervour she endeavour'd to attend him? 'Tis a hard construction. Though she be my daughter, I may thus far speak her: from her infancy She was ever civil, her behaviour nearer Simplicity than craft; and malice dares not Affirm, in one loose gesture, or light language, She gave a sign she was in thought unchaste. I'll fetch her to you, sir; and but look on her With equal eyes, you must in justice grant That your suspicion wrongs her.

_Coz._ It may be; But I must have stronger assurance of it Than passionate words: and, not to trifle time, As we came unexpected to your house, We will prevent all means that may prepare her How to answer that with which we come to charge her. And howsoever it may be received As a foul breach to hospitable rites, On thy allegiance and boasted faith, Nay, forfeit of thy head, we do confine thee Close prisoner to thy chamber till all doubts Are clear'd that do concern us.

_Char._ I obey, sir, And wish your grace had followed my hearse To my sepulchre, my loyalty unsuspected, Rather than now----But I am silent, sir, And let that speak my duty[85]. [_Exit._

I can't perceive the deficiency

_Coz._ If this man Be false, disguised treachery ne'er put on A shape so near to truth. Within, there!

_Re-enter_ GIOVANNI _and_ SANAZARRO, _ushering in_ PETRONELLA. CALANDRINO _and others setting forth a Banquet_.

_Sanaz._ Sir.

_Coz._ Bring Lidia forth.

_Giov._ She comes, sir, of herself, To present her service to you.

_Coz._ Ha! This personage Cannot invite affection.

_Sanaz._ See you keep state.

_Petron._ I warrant you.

_Coz._ The manners of her mind Must be transcendent, if they can defend Her rougher outside. May we with your liking Salute you, lady?

_Petron._ Let me wipe my mouth, sir, With my cambric handkerchief, and then have at you.

_Coz._ Can this be possible?

_Sanaz._ Yes, sir; you will find her Such as I gave her to you.

_Petron._ Will your dukeship Sit down and eat some sugar-plums? Here's a castle Of march-pane[86] too; and this quince-marmalade was Of my own making; all summ'd up together, Did cost the setting on: and here is wine too, As good as e'er was tapp'd. I'll be your taster, For I know the fashion. [_Drinks all off._]--Now you must do me right, sir; You shall nor will nor choose.

_Giov._ She's very simple.

_Coz._ Simple! 'tis worse. Do you drink thus often, lady?

_Petron._ Still when I am thirsty, and eat when I am hungry: Such junkets come not every day. Once more to you, With a heart and a half, i' faith.

_Coz._ Pray you, pause a little.

_Petron._ Then I'll drink for you.

_Coz._ I'll find you out a pledge That shall supply my place: what think you of This complete signior? You are a Juno, And in such state must feast this Jupiter: What think you of him?

_Petron._ I desire no better.

_Coz._ And you will undertake this service for me? You are good at the sport.

_Cal._ Who, I? a piddler, sir.

_Coz._ Nay, you shall sit enthroned, and eat and drink As you were a duke.

_Cal._ If your grace will have me, I'll eat and drink like an emperor.

_Coz._ Take your place, then: [CALANDRINO _takes the duke's chair_. We are amazed.

_Giov._ This is gross; nor can the imposture But be discover'd.

_Sanaz._ The duke is too sharp-sighted To be deluded thus.

_Cal._ Nay, pray you eat fair; Or divide, and I will choose. Cannot you use Your fork, as I do? Gape, and I will feed you. [_Feeds her._ Gape wider yet; this is courtlike.

_Petron._ To choke daws with:---- I like it not.

_Cal._ But you like this?

_Petron._ Let it come, boy. [_They drink._

_Coz._ What a sight is this! We could be angry with you. How much you did belie her when you told us She was only simple! this is barbarous rudeness, Beyond belief.

_Giov._ I would not speak her, sir, Worse than she was.

_Sanaz._ And I, my lord, chose rather To deliver her better parted[87] than she is, Than to take from her.

_Enter_ CAPONI, _with his fellow-servants for the dance_.

_Cap._ Ere I'll lose my dance, I'll speak to the purpose. I am, sir, no prologue; But in plain terms must tell you we are provided Of a lusty hornpipe.

_Coz._ Prithee let us have it, For we grow dull.

_Cap._ But to make up the medley, For it is of several colours, we must borrow Your grace's ghost here.

_Cal._ Pray you, sir, depose me; It will not do else. I am, sir, the engine [_Rises, and resigns his chair._ By which it moves.

_Petron._ I will dance with my duke too; I will not out.

_Coz._ Begin then.--[_They dance._]--There's more in this Than yet I have discover'd. Some Oedipus Resolve this riddle.

_Petron._ Did I not foot it roundly? [_Falls._

_Coz._ As I live, stark drunk! away with her. We'll reward you [_Exeunt Servants with_ PETRONELLA. When you have cool'd yourselves in the cellar.

_Cap._ Heaven preserve you!

_Coz._ We pity Charomonte's wretched fortune In a daughter, nay, a monster. Good old man!-- The place grows tedious; our remove shall be With speed: we'll only, in a word or two, Take leave, and comfort him.

_Sanaz._ 'Twill rather, sir, Increase his sorrow, that you know his shame; Your grace may do it by letter.

_Coz._ Who sign'd you A patent to direct us? Wait our coming, In the garden.

_Giov._ All will out.

_Sanaz._ I more than fear it. [_Exeunt_ GIOVANNI _and_ SANAZARRO.

_Coz._ These are strange chimeras to us: what to judge of 't, Is past our apprehension. One command Charomonte to attend us. [_Exit an Attendant._] Can it be That Contarino could be so besotted, As to admire this prodigy! or her father To dote upon it! Or does she personate, For some ends unknown to us, this rude behaviour, Which, in the scene presented, would appear Ridiculous and impossible?--O, you are welcome.

_Enter_ CHAROMONTE.

We now acknowledge the much wrong we did you In our unjust suspicion. We have seen The wonder, sir, your daughter.

_Char._ And have found her Such as I did report her. What she wanted In courtship[88], was, I hope, supplied in civil And modest entertainment.

_Coz._ Pray you, tell us, And truly, we command you--Did you never Observe she was given to drink?

_Char._ To drink, sir!

_Coz._ Dare you trust your own eyes, if you find her now More than distemper'd?

_Char._ I will pull them out, sir, If your grace can make this good. And if you please To grant me liberty, as she is I'll fetch her, And in a moment.

_Coz._ Look you do, and fail not, On the peril of your head.

_Char._ Drunk!--She disdains it. [_Exit._

_Coz._ Such contrarieties were never read of. Charomonte is no fool; nor can I think His confidence built on sand. We are abused, 'Tis too apparent.

_Re-enter_ CHAROMONTE, _with_ LIDIA.

_Lid._ I am indisposed, sir; And that life you once tender'd, much endanger'd In forcing me from my chamber.

_Char._ Here she is, sir; Suddenly sick, I grant; but sure, not drunk: Speak to my lord the duke.

_Lid._ All is discover'd. [_Kneels._

_Coz._ Is this your only daughter?

_Char._ And my heir, sir; Nor keep I any woman in my house (Unless for sordid offices) but one I do maintain, trimm'd up in her cast habits, To make her sport: and she, indeed, loves wine, And will take too much of it; and, perhaps, for mirth, She was presented to you.

_Coz._ It shall yield No sport to the contrivers. 'Tis too plain now. Her presence does confirm what Contarino Deliver'd of her; nor can sickness dim The splendour of her beauties: being herself, then, She must exceed his praise.

_Lid._ Will your grace hear me? I'm faint, and can say little.

_Coz._ Here are accents Whose every syllable is musical! Pray you, let me raise you, and awhile rest here. False Sanazarro, treacherous Giovanni! But stand we talking!----

_Char._ Here's a storm soon raised.

_Coz._ As thou art our subject, Charomonte, swear To act what we command.

_Char._ That is an oath I long since took.

_Coz._ Then, by that oath we charge thee, Without excuse, denial, or delay, To apprehend, and suddenly, Sanazarro, And our ingrateful nephew. We have said it. Do it without reply, or we pronounce thee, Like them, a traitor to us. See them guarded In several lodgings, and forbid access To all, but when we warrant. Is our will Heard sooner than obey'd?

_Char._ These are strange turns; But I must not dispute them. [_Exit._

_Coz._ Be severe in 't.-- O my abused lenity! from what height Is my power fall'n!

_Lid._ O me most miserable! That, being innocent, makes others guilty. Most gracious prince----

_Coz._ Pray you rise, and then speak to me.

_Lid._ My knees shall first be rooted in this earth, And, Myrrha-like, I'll grow up to a tree, Dropping perpetual tears of sorrow, which Harden'd by the rough wind, and turn'd to amber, Unfortunate virgins like myself shall wear, Before I'll make petition to your greatness, But with such reverence, my hands held up thus, As I would do to heaven. You princes are As gods on earth to us, and to be sued to With such humility, as his deputies May challenge from their vassals.

_Coz._ Here's that form Of language I expected; pray you, speak: What is your suit?

_Lid._ That you look upon me As an humble thing, that millions of degrees Is placed beneath you: for what am I, dread sir, Or what can fall in the whole course of my life, That may be worth your care, much less your trouble? As the lowly shrub is to the lofty cedar, Or a molehill to Olympus, if compared, I am to you, sir. Or, suppose the prince, (Which cannot find belief in me,) forgetting The greatness of his birth and hopes, hath thrown An eye of favour on me, in me punish, That am the cause, the rashness of his youth. Shall the queen of the inhabitants of the air, The eagle, that bears thunder on her wings, In her angry mood destroy her hopeful young, For suffering a wren to perch too near them? Such is our disproportion.

_Coz._ With what fervour She pleads against herself!

_Lid._ For me, poor maid, I know the prince to be so far above me, That my wishes cannot reach him. Yet I am So much his creature, that, to fix him in Your wonted grace and favour, I'll abjure His sight for ever, and betake myself To a religious life, (where in my prayers I may remember him,) and ne'er see man more, But my ghostly father. Will you trust me, sir? In truth I'll keep my word; or, if this fail, A little more of fear what may befall him Will stop my breath for ever.

_Coz._ Had you thus argued [_Raises her._ As you were yourself, and brought as advocates Your health and beauty to make way for you, No crime of his could put on such a shape But I should look with the eyes of mercy on it. What would I give to see this diamond In her perfect lustre, as she was before The clouds of sickness dimm'd it! Yet, take comfort; And, as you would obtain remission for His treachery to me, cheer your drooping spirits, And call the blood again into your cheeks, And then plead for him; and in such a habit As in your highest hopes you would put on, If we were to receive you for our bride.

_Lid._ I'll do my best, sir.

_Coz._ And that best will be A crown of all felicity to me. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[82] _Take us with you, sir._] i. e. _understand our meaning fully, before you form your conclusions_: this expression is common to all our old writers.

[83] _Story_,] i. e. _history_. The two words were formerly synonymous.

[84] _Lavolta_,] i. e. _the waltz_. This dance, originally imported from Italy, was a great favourite with our ancestors.

[85] This scene is exquisitely written. It must, however, be confessed, that Charomonte's justification of himself is less complete than might be expected from one who had so good a cause to defend.--GIFFORD.

[86] _March-pane_,] a cake composed of sugar and almonds.

[87] _Parted_,] i. e. _gifted_ or _endowed with parts_.

It seems to have been the opinion of Massinger and his fellow dramatists, that no play could succeed without the admission of some kind of farcical interlude among the graver scenes. If the dramas of our author be intimately considered, few will be found without some extraneous mummery of this description; and, indeed, nothing but a persuasion of the nature which I have just mentioned could give birth to the poor mockery before us. As a trick, it is so gross and palpable, that the duke could not have been deceived by it for a moment; (to do him justice, he frequently hints his suspicions;) and as a piece of humour, it is so low, and even disagreeable, that I cannot avoid regretting a proper regard for his characters had not prevented the author from adopting it on the present occasion.--GIFFORD.

[88] _Courtship_,] i. e. _the grace and elegance of a court_.