ACT V. SCENE I.

_The same. A Room in_ CAMIOLA'_s House_.

_Enter_ CAMIOLA _and_ SYLLI.

_Cam._ You see how tender I am of the quiet And peace of your affection, and what great ones I put off in your favour.

_Syl._ You do wisely, Exceeding wisely; and, when I have said, I thank you for 't, be happy.

_Cam._ And good reason, In having such a blessing.

_Syl._ When you have it; But the bait is not yet ready.

_Enter_ CLARINDA _hastily_.

_Cam._ What news with thee, now?

_Clar._ Off with that gown, 'tis mine; mine by your promise: Signior Adorni is return'd! now upon entrance! Off with it, off with it, madam!

_Cam._ Be not so hasty: When I go to bed, 'tis thine.

_Syl._ You have my grant too; But, do you hear, lady, though I give way to this, You must hereafter ask my leave, before You part with things of moment.

_Cam._ Very good; When I'm yours I'll be govern'd.

_Syl._ Sweet obedience!

_Enter_ ADORNI.

_Cam._ You are well return'd.

_Ador._ I wish that the success Of my service had deserved it.

_Cam._ Lives Bertoldo?

_Ador._ Yes, and return'd with safety.

_Cam._ 'Tis not then In the power of fate to add to, or take from My perfect happiness; and yet--he should Have made me his first visit.

_Ador._ So I think too; But he----

_Syl._ Durst not appear, I being present; That's his excuse, I warrant you.

_Cam._ Speak, where is he? With whom? who hath deserved more from him? or Can be of equal merit? I in this Do not except the king.

_Ador._ He's at the palace, With the duchess of Sienna. One coach brought them hither, Without a third: he's very gracious with her; You may conceive the rest.

_Cam._ My jealous fears Make me to apprehend.

_Ador._ Pray you, dismiss Signior Wisdom, and I'll make relation to you Of the particulars.

_Cam._ Servant, I would have you To haste unto the court.

_Syl._ I will outrun A footman for your pleasure.

_Cam._ There observe The duchess' train, and entertainment.

_Syl._ Fear not; I will discover all that is of weight, To the liveries of her pages and her footmen. This is fit employment for me. [_Exit._

_Cam._ Gracious with The duchess! sure you said so?

_Ador._ I will use All possible brevity to inform you, madam, Of what was trusted to me, and discharged With faith and loyal duty.

_Cam._ I believe it; You ransomed him, and supplied his wants--imagine That is already spoken; and what vows Of service he made to me, is apparent; His joy of me, and wonder too, perspicuous; Does not your story end so?

_Ador._ Would the end Had answered the beginning!--In a word, Ingratitude and perjury at the height Cannot express him.

_Cam._ Take heed.

_Ador._ Truth is arm'd, And can defend itself. It must out, madam: I saw (the presence full) the amorous duchess Kiss and embrace him; on his part accepted With equal ardour; and their willing hands No sooner join'd, but a remove was publish'd, And put in execution.

_Cam._ The proofs are Too pregnant. O Bertoldo!

_Ador._ He's not worth Your sorrow, madam.

_Cam._ Tell me, when you saw this, Did not you grieve, as I do now to hear it?

_Ador._ His precipice from goodness raising mine, And serving as a foil to set my faith off, I had little reason.

_Cam._ In this you confess The malice of your disposition. As You were a man, you stood bound to lament it; And not, in flattery of your false hopes, To glory in it. When good men pursue The path mark'd out by virtue, the blest saints With joy look on it, and seraphic angels Clap their celestial wings in heavenly plaudits, To see a scene of grace so well presented, The fiends, and men made up of envy, mourning. Whereas now, on the contrary, as far As their divinity can partake of passion, With me they weep, beholding a fair temple, Built in Bertoldo's loyalty, turn'd to ashes By the flames of his inconstancy, the damn'd Rejoicing in the object.--'Tis not well In you, Adorni.

_Ador._ What a temper dwells In this rare virgin! [_Aside._] Can you pity him, That hath shown none to you?

_Cam._ I must not be Cruel by his example. You, perhaps, Expect now I should seek recovery Of what I have lost, by tears, and with bent knees Beg his compassion. No; my towering virtue, From the assurance of my merit, scorns To stoop so low. I'll take a nobler course, And, confident in the justice of my cause, The king his brother, and new mistress, judges, Ravish him from her arms. You have the contract, In which he swore to marry me?

_Ador._ 'Tis here, madam.

_Cam._ He shall be, then, against his will, my husband; And when I have him, I'll so use him!--Doubt not, But that, your honesty being unquestion'd, This writing, with your testimony, clears all.

_Ador._ And buries me in the dark mists of error.

_Cam._ I'll presently to court; pray you, give order For my caroch[165]. [_Exit_ ADORNI.] My good angel help me, In these my extremities!

_Re-enter_ SYLLI.

_Syl._ If you e'er will see brave sight, Lose it not now. Bertoldo and the duchess Are presently to be married: there's such pomp And preparation!

_Cam._ If I marry, 'tis This day, or never.

_Syl._ Why, with all my heart; Though I break this, I'll keep the next oath I make, And then it is quit.

_Cam._ Follow me to my cabinet; You know my confessor, father Paulo?

_Syl._ Yes: shall he Do the feat for us?

_Cam._ I will give in writing Directions to him, and attire myself Like a virgin bride; and something I will do, That shall deserve men's praise and wonder too. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTE:

[165] _Caroch_,] i. e. _a large coach_. Coaches are said to have been first brought into England in 1564, by William Booner, a Dutchman, who became coachman to Queen Elizabeth.--NARES.