SCENE III.

_The same. A Room in_ CAMIOLA'_s House_.

_Enter_ CAMIOLA, _followed by Servants with Presents_; SYLLI, _and_ CLARINDA.

_Syl._ What are all these?

_Clar._ Servants with several presents, And rich ones too.

_1 Serv._ With her best wishes, madam, Of many such days to you, the lady Petula Presents you with this fan.

_2 Serv._ This diamond, From your aunt Honoria.

_3 Serv._ This piece of plate From your uncle, old Vicentio, with your arms Graven upon it.

_Cam._ Good friends, they are too Munificent in their love and favour to me. Out of my cabinet return such jewels As this directs you:--[_To_ CLARINDA.]--for your pains; and yours; Nor must you be forgotten. [_Gives them money._] Honour me With the drinking of a health.

_1 Serv._ Gold, on my life!

_2 Serv._ She scorns to give base silver.

_3 Serv._ Would she had been Born every month in the year!

_1 Serv._ Month! every day.

_2 Serv._ Show such another maid.

_3 Serv._ All happiness wait you!

_Clar._ I'll see your will done. [_Exeunt_ SYLLI, CLARINDA, _and Servants_.

_Enter_ ADORNI _wounded_.

_Cam._ How, Adorni wounded!

_Ador._ A scratch got in your service, else not worth Your observation: I bring not, madam, In honour of your birthday, antique plate, Or pearl, for which the savage Indian dives Into the bottom of the sea; nor diamonds Hewn from steep rocks with danger. Such as give To those that have, what they themselves want, aim at A glad return with profit: yet, despise not My offering at the altar of your favour; Nor let the lowness of the giver lessen The height of what's presented; since it is A precious jewel, almost forfeited, And dimm'd with clouds of infamy, redeem'd, And, in its natural splendour, with addition Restored to the true owner.

_Cam._ How is this?

_Ador._ Not to hold you in suspense, I bring you, madam, Your wounded reputation cured, the sting Of virulent malice, festering your fair name, Pluck'd out and trod on. That proud man, that was Denied the honour of your hand, yet durst, With his untrue reports, revile your fame, Compell'd by me, hath given himself the lie, And in his own blood wrote it:--you may read Fulgentio subscribed. [_Offering a paper._

_Cam._ I am amazed!

_Ador._ It does deserve it, madam. Common service Is fit for hinds, and the reward proportion'd To their conditions: therefore, look not on me As a follower of your father's fortunes, or One that subsists on yours:--you frown! my service Merits not this aspéct.

_Cam._ Which of my favours, I might say bounties, hath begot and nourish'd This more than rude presumption? Since you had An itch to try your desperate valour, wherefore Went you not to the war? Couldst thou suppose My innocence could ever fall so low As to have need of thy rash sword to guard it Against malicious slander? O how much Those ladies are deceived and cheated, when The clearness and integrity of their actions Do not defend themselves, and stand secure On their own bases! Such as in a colour Of seeming service give protection to them, Betray their own strengths. Malice scorn'd, puts out Itself; but argued, gives a kind of credit To a false accusation. In this, this your Most memorable service, you believed You did me right; but you have wrong'd me more In your defence of my undoubted honour, Than false Fulgentio could.

_Ador._ I am sorry what was So well intended is so ill received;

_Re-enter_ CLARINDA.

Yet, under your correction, you wish'd Bertoldo had been present.

_Cam._ True, I did: But he and you, sir, are not parallels, Nor must you think yourself so.

_Ador._ I am what You'll please to have me.

_Cam._ If Bertoldo had Punish'd Fulgentio's insolence, it had shown His love to her whom, in his judgment, he Vouchsafed to make his wife; a height, I hope, Which you dare not aspire to. The same actions Suit not all men alike;--but I perceive Repentance in your looks. For this time, leave me; I may forgive, perhaps forget, your folly: Conceal yourself till this storm be blown over. You will be sought for; yet, if my estate [_Gives him her hand to kiss._ Can hinder it, shall not suffer in my service. [_Exit_ ADORNI. This gentleman is of a noble temper; And I too harsh, perhaps, in my reproof: Was I not, Clarinda?

_Clar._ I am not to censure Your actions, madam; but there are a thousand Ladies, and of good fame, in such a cause Would be proud of such a servant.

_Cham._ It may be;

_Enter a Servant._

Let me offend in this kind. Why, uncall'd for?

_Serv._ The signiors, madam, Gasparo and Antonio, Selected friends of the renown'd Bertoldo, Put ashore this morning.

_Cam._ Without him?

_Serv._ I think so.

_Cam._ Never think more then.

_Serv._ They have been at court, Kiss'd the king's hand; and, their first duties done To him, appear ambitious to tender To you their second service.

_Cam._ Wait them hither. [_Exit Servant._ Fear, do not rack me! Reason, now, if ever, Haste with thy aids, and tell me, such a wonder As my Bertoldo is, with such care fashion'd, Must not, nay, cannot, in Heaven's providence

_Enter_ ANTONIO _and_ GASPARO.

So soon miscarry!--pray you, forbear; ere you take The privilege, as strangers, to salute me, (Excuse my manners,) make me first understand How it is with Bertoldo.

_Gasp._ The relation Will not, I fear, deserve your thanks.

_Ant._ I wish Some other should inform you.

_Cam._ Is he dead? You see, though with some fear, I dare inquire it.

_Gasp._ Dead! Would that were the worst; a debt were paid then, Kings in their birth owe nature.

_Cam._ Is there aught More terrible than death?

_Ant._ Yes, to a spirit Like his; cruel imprisonment, and that Without the hope of freedom.

_Cam._ You abuse me[160]: The royal king cannot, in love to virtue, (Though all springs of affection were dried up,) But pay his ransom.

_Gasp._ When you know what 'tis, You will think otherwise: no less will do it Than fifty thousand crowns.

_Cam._ A petty sum, The price weigh'd with the purchase: fifty thousand! To the king 'tis nothing. He that can spare more To his minion for a masque, cannot but ransom Such a brother at a million. You wrong The king's magnificence.

_Ant._ In your opinion; But 'tis most certain: he does not alone In himself refuse to pay it, but forbids All other men.

_Cam._ Are you sure of this?

_Gasp._ You may read The edict to that purpose, publish'd by him; That will resolve you.

_Cam._ Possible! pray you, stand off. If I do not mutter treason to myself, My heart will break; and yet I will not curse him; He is my king. The news you have deliver'd Makes me weary of your company; we'll salute When we meet next. I'll bring you to the door. Nay, pray you, no more compliments.

_Gasp._ One thing more, And that's substantial: let your Adorni Look to himself.

_Ant._ The king is much incensed Against him for Fulgentio.

_Cam._ As I am, For your slowness to depart.

_Both._ Farewell, sweet lady. [_Exeunt_ GASPARO _and_ ANTONIO.

_Cam._ O more than impious times! when not alone Subordinate ministers of justice are Corrupted and seduced, but kings themselves, The greater wheels by which the lesser move, Are broken, or disjointed! could it be, else, A king, to sooth his politic ends, should so far Forsake his honour, as at once to break The adamant chains of nature and religion, To bind up atheism[161], as a defence To his dark counsels? Will it ever be, That to deserve too much is dangerous, And virtue, when too eminent, a crime? Must she serve fortune still, or, when stripp'd of Her gay and glorious favours, lose the beauties Of her own natural shape? O, my Bertoldo, Thou only sun in honour's sphere, how soon Art thou eclipsed and darken'd! not the nearness Of blood prevailing on the king; nor all The benefits to the general good dispensed, Gaining a retribution! But that To owe a courtesy to a simple virgin Would take from the deserving, I find in me Some sparks of fire, which, fann'd with honour's breath, Might rise into a flame, and in men darken Their usurp'd splendour. Ha! my aim is high, And, for the honour of my sex, to fall so, Can never prove inglorious.--'Tis resolved: Call in Adorni.

_Clar._ I am happy in Such an employment, madam. [_Exit._

_Cam._ He's a man, I know, that at a reverent distance loves me; And such are ever faithful. What a sea Of melting ice I walk on! what strange censures Am I to undergo! but good intents Deride all future rumours.

_Re-enter_ CLARINDA _with_ ADORNI.

_Ador._ I obey Your summons, madam.

_Cam._ Leave the place, Clarinda; One woman, in a secret of such weight, Wise men may think too much: [_Exit_ CLARINDA.] nearer, Adorni. I warrant it with a smile.

_Ador._ I cannot ask Safer protection; what's your will?

_Cam._ To doubt Your ready desire to serve me, or prepare you With the repetition of former merits, Would, in my diffidence, wrong you: but I will, And without circumstance, in the trust that I Impose upon you, free you from suspicion.

_Ador._ I foster none of you.

_Cam._ I know you do not. You are, Adorni, by the love you owe me----

_Ador._ The surest conjuration.

_Cam._ Take me with you[162].-- Love born of duty; but advance no further. You are, sir, as I said, to do me service, To undertake a task, in which your faith, Judgment, discretion--in a word, your all That's good, must be engaged; nor must you study, In the execution, but what may make For the ends I aim at.

_Ador._ They admit no rivals.

_Cam._ You answer well. You have heard of Bertoldo's Captivity, and the king's neglect; the greatness Of his ransom; fifty thousand crowns, Adorni; Two parts of my estate!

_Ador._ To what tends this? [_Aside._

_Cam._ Yet I so love the gentleman, for to you I will confess my weakness, that I purpose Now, when he is forsaken by the king, And his own hopes, to ransom him, and receive him Into my bosom, as my lawful husband-- Why change you colour?

_Ador._ 'Tis in wonder of Your virtue, madam.

_Cam._ You must, therefore, to Sienna for me, and pay to Gonzaga This ransom for his liberty; you shall have Bills of exchange along with you. Let him swear A solemn contract to me; for you must be My principal witness, if he should--but why Do I entertain these jealousies? You will do this?

_Ador._ Faithfully, madam--but not live long after. [_Aside._

_Cam._ One thing I had forgot: besides his freedom, He may want accomodations; furnish him According to his birth. I'll instantly despatch you. [_Exit._

_Ador._ Was there ever Poor lover so employ'd against himself, To make way for his rival? I must do it, Nay, more, I will. If loyalty can find Recompense beyond hope or imagination, Let it fall on me in the other world, As a reward, for in this I dare not hope it. [_Exit._

FOOTNOTES:

[160] _Abuse me_,] i. e. _practise on my credulity with a forged tale_; the word often occurs in this sense.--GIFFORD.

[161] _Atheism._] Our old writers seem to have used such words as profaneness, blasphemy, _atheism_, &c. with a laxity which modern practice does not acknowledge. They applied them to any extraordinary violation of moral or natural decorum.--GIFFORD.

[162] _Take me with you._] i. e. _hear me out_. The expression is common in our old writers.--GIFFORD.