ACTUS QUARTUS, SCENA PRIMA.
Loud Music.
Enter the King, Cardinal, Duke, Duchess, Dessandro, De Castro, Sampayo, ladies bearing up her train, voices, lutes: they pass over.
Manent De Loome and La Gitterne.
De L. So by this time the confines ring
Of our great solemnity.
Of our great solemnity.
La G. She became his hand bravely, and with so skilful a brow,
As if the first fruits of her honour were to be gathered yet.
As if the first fruits of her honour were to be gathered yet.
De L. Our duke will lick his lips at this night's sport.
La G. And wind her up for him, 'twill go hard else.
De L. That shall not hinder our sport, I hope.
La G. Expect the steward and his bottles; I'll warrant you.
De L. The ladies too! we shall not tickle heartily else.
La G. Where are the great ones bedded?
De L. I' th' old place.
La G. I' th' corner lobby?
Enter De Flame and Cleara disguised.
De F. You belong to the Duke de Bereo, sir?
De L. Who told you so?
De F. A friend that wou'd commend me with a poor suit
Unto you, sir, if you be Signior de Loome.
Unto you, sir, if you be Signior de Loome.
De L. But this is no year for suit, sir.
De F. Mine brings thanks ready-told, sir; look ye:
All double pistoles, signior.
All double pistoles, signior.
De L. Sir, I shall try my power, and be ready in any
Service t' ye, for my friend's sake.
Service t' ye, for my friend's sake.
De F. D' ye know who 'tis?
De L. Hum! no matter; I'll undertake your business.
De F. Sir, can you please to pardon some light gold?
De L. You shall find me a gentleman in anything for my friend's sake.
De F. Nay, sir, it weighs a hundred pound at all, peradventures.
De L. And I'll tell you one thing of myself, sir, more than
Perhaps my friend rememb'red: I am very honest, where
I take; and every man is not to be trusted in matters
Of such consequence. A very fair purse, I assure you!
Perhaps my friend rememb'red: I am very honest, where
I take; and every man is not to be trusted in matters
Of such consequence. A very fair purse, I assure you!
De F. Nest and birds are all your own.
De L. Your business is done, believ't, sir; please you to kiss
The king's hand into the bargain?
The king's hand into the bargain?
De L. Anything, sir, you can make worthy your request. Nay—I hope, you do not wish me [to] forfeit good manners—as I'm virtuous.
[Compliment for the door.
De F. I am a stranger to the way. Gentlemen, know yourselves, I beseech you.
La G. To obey you, signior.
De L. Sir, you need not speak on't to this man:
He's but my lord's barber. Since you command it so—
He's but my lord's barber. Since you command it so—
[Exeunt De Loome and La Gitterne.
De F. Light, light, revenge! heave up thy gloomy tapers!
That thou may'st see thy smeared altar shine
In blood. Come, my Cleara! my better soul!
Whose gallant mind will leave thy name
In the first place of women, and raise thee temples.
Bravest of thy sex, I could expire on thy cheek,
And pay thee reverence, my most excellent sister.
That thou may'st see thy smeared altar shine
In blood. Come, my Cleara! my better soul!
Whose gallant mind will leave thy name
In the first place of women, and raise thee temples.
Bravest of thy sex, I could expire on thy cheek,
And pay thee reverence, my most excellent sister.
Cle. Just heaven and your brave virtue (my dearest brother)
Has waken'd my dull breast and trembling sex:
I do not feel one pale or coward thought;
But all [are] high and active to my wish.
Has waken'd my dull breast and trembling sex:
I do not feel one pale or coward thought;
But all [are] high and active to my wish.
De F. I see it lovely in thy brow: like the gleaming
Dawnings of the morn, when day first kindles;
Yet our presage is fair.
Dawnings of the morn, when day first kindles;
Yet our presage is fair.
Enter Duke, whispering with De Castro.
Cle. The Duke!
De F. Now, innocence, guard thyself! the wolf is up:
See, how mischief teems and quickens on their brow:
Some black thing is spawning: night must be midwife to't:
If we stay, my poniard will break loose. [Exeunt.
See, how mischief teems and quickens on their brow:
Some black thing is spawning: night must be midwife to't:
If we stay, my poniard will break loose. [Exeunt.
Duke. Who's that?
De C. Some of the duchess's servants, I believe, sir.
Duke. Your hand will lay a new foundation to a kingdom;
And I am busy how to divide it with thee, when
We can call it ours.
And I am busy how to divide it with thee, when
We can call it ours.
De C. 'Tis his last night with mankind; the poison, sir,
Will do't so subtlely: whilst he but holds the
Knife, the least warmth attracts, and so dispreads
Itself through his blood and spirits. Not any
Struggling for't with nature; his life steals from
Him in a gentle slumber.
Will do't so subtlely: whilst he but holds the
Knife, the least warmth attracts, and so dispreads
Itself through his blood and spirits. Not any
Struggling for't with nature; his life steals from
Him in a gentle slumber.
Duke. Grow in my bosom, till you spread to the first honours
Of your wish. My fortune is too narrow for your
Merits, to whom I owe it and all my power, brave friend. [Exeunt.
Of your wish. My fortune is too narrow for your
Merits, to whom I owe it and all my power, brave friend. [Exeunt.
Enter Steward, Butler, Cook, and Maids.
Stew. Come, my masters: the great ones shall not
Have all to themselves: we'll have a civil
Bout or two to get us a stomach to bedward,
My sweethearts.
Have all to themselves: we'll have a civil
Bout or two to get us a stomach to bedward,
My sweethearts.
Cook. Noble master steward!
Cook. The fire of my respects shall ne'er go out unto you.
But. Nor mine be quench'd.
Stew. Here, cook, here's a bit for you to lick your lips at:
And here's a clean napery for you, butler. [Gives each a wench.
Take it. [A dance.
And here's a clean napery for you, butler. [Gives each a wench.
Take it. [A dance.
Stew. So, so; I am almost spent; every man to his function.
[Exeunt.
Enter King, Cardinal, Dessandro, Duke, Duchess, attendants.
King. The night begins to frown at our uncivil stay;
And Hymen's tapers do burn out apace:
Good night; you shall not stir a foot, Dessandro.
And Hymen's tapers do burn out apace:
Good night; you shall not stir a foot, Dessandro.
Duke. All the wishes of a bridal bed crown
your wishes and embraces!
your wishes and embraces!
Card. And all the blessings of true joy.
Duke. To bed, to bed! [Exeunt.
Enter De Loome, De Flame, and Cleara.
De L. You are as melancholy as [the] day, when sun sets:
I hope you do not doubt my promise?
I hope you do not doubt my promise?
De F. No.
De L. Ye sha' not: I'll not leave you, till the grant be yours.
Be confidant; and that's more than a courtier is bound
To by his oath. Sir, where are you? Why, you were
Living but e'en now; could speak—had sense, too:
Ha' you seen anything against nature or stomach?
Hum! sweetheart, has thy master any fits o' th' mother [To Cleara.
Or falling-sickness? Pretty knave! 'tis pity
This face was made for breeches.
Be confidant; and that's more than a courtier is bound
To by his oath. Sir, where are you? Why, you were
Living but e'en now; could speak—had sense, too:
Ha' you seen anything against nature or stomach?
Hum! sweetheart, has thy master any fits o' th' mother [To Cleara.
Or falling-sickness? Pretty knave! 'tis pity
This face was made for breeches.
De F. Ha!
De L. I am glad you are come to yourself again.
De F. You are pleasant.
De L. I would ha' you so: I have provided some mirth
And good company for you. Please you, but spare an
Idle hour from your sleep, we'll allow't again in
The total of your business (I must not lose his
Money). If you can smile, you shall not want a
Subject: Besides, we shall have the wit of a
Handsome lady or two, and hear their voices.
And good company for you. Please you, but spare an
Idle hour from your sleep, we'll allow't again in
The total of your business (I must not lose his
Money). If you can smile, you shall not want a
Subject: Besides, we shall have the wit of a
Handsome lady or two, and hear their voices.
Enter Steward, and a man with bottles.
Look ye, sir, here's the imprimis of the house:
Master steward himself, whose company may be worth
Your observation. Signior Silliman, this gentleman
Is a friend of my lord duke's: pray, let him know he's welcome.
Master steward himself, whose company may be worth
Your observation. Signior Silliman, this gentleman
Is a friend of my lord duke's: pray, let him know he's welcome.
Stew. I am but the duchess's poor steward, sir, but my
Place is at your command, sir. You shall not have
Me claim kindred of her for all that; yet
Sir Thomas de Loome here can say something,
If he please, sir.
Place is at your command, sir. You shall not have
Me claim kindred of her for all that; yet
Sir Thomas de Loome here can say something,
If he please, sir.
De F. Thank ye, sir.
Stew. Look ye, Sir Thomas, I never fail; here be the
Perquisites of life and good company. There's that
Will elevate voices. Come, disburthen thyself in
That lobby, my honest rational camel!
Is this gentleman dumb? He can say nothing but
Thank you, sir.
Perquisites of life and good company. There's that
Will elevate voices. Come, disburthen thyself in
That lobby, my honest rational camel!
Is this gentleman dumb? He can say nothing but
Thank you, sir.
De L. I fear he's planetstruck.
Stew. 'Tis great pity; yet he makes very gentle signs.
De F. I'm got into a dark and slippery labyrinth, and
Grope but by a spark; whilst every pause is fatal.
No. It had miscarried; and the king's presence
Was a sacred guard: now, to break in upon them were
To betray our lives to nothing. Sure, heaven will not
Lose the glory of such a justice, and by a hand so
Justly engaged.
Grope but by a spark; whilst every pause is fatal.
No. It had miscarried; and the king's presence
Was a sacred guard: now, to break in upon them were
To betray our lives to nothing. Sure, heaven will not
Lose the glory of such a justice, and by a hand so
Justly engaged.
Enter La Gitterne, Torguina, and La Prate.
De L. The ladies! Good girls, this deserves a double
Thanks. Here's a gentleman, whose merits may
Invite him to your acquaintance, ladies.
Thanks. Here's a gentleman, whose merits may
Invite him to your acquaintance, ladies.
Tor. I shall ever study that due honour, by all the
Ambitiousness of your humble servant, sir.
Ambitiousness of your humble servant, sir.
La P. You may please to pardon her, whose demerits
Make her modest in her expressions to honour
You, noble sir.
Make her modest in her expressions to honour
You, noble sir.
De F. You engage a poor life to your virtue.
De L. What, ladies, have you put 'em together
for a brave boy to-night?
for a brave boy to-night?
La P. That's as the dice run, sir.
La G. The colonel will find a piece of service on't to-night.
La P. If he put her to the worst, 'twill be worth her pardon, being so tried a soldier.
Tor. If his valour should be shortbreath'd, a retreat may be honourable sometimes.
La P. If he fight not flat coward, and make it in policy.
Tor. Sir, we have read over Aristotle's Politics and Polybius to that purpose.
La P. Who calls policy the very breath of all war.
Tor. And so, by your ladyship's good licence, in all battalions, leaguers, skirmishes, sieges, invasions, parleys, treaties, truces, and other cessations.
De F. Excellent ladies!
De L. For the theoric.
La P. We can say something to the practic too, signior.
Tor. Both concerning your postures and motions, as
Which may be necessary for service: her ladyship has
Written a small tract for her private experience,
To show how they may be reduced, and a man
Exercis'd with far less trouble, but with as much
Activity and proportion of comfort.
Which may be necessary for service: her ladyship has
Written a small tract for her private experience,
To show how they may be reduced, and a man
Exercis'd with far less trouble, but with as much
Activity and proportion of comfort.
La P. For body and service, madam?
Tor. I mean so: I warrant you this gentleman
Understands me.
Understands me.
De F. And will not your goodness bestow it on the public?
It would rank your name amongst the illustrious
Benefactors of the general cause.
It would rank your name amongst the illustrious
Benefactors of the general cause.
La P. I know not what I may, sir, when the press is fit
For a woman of quality. Is this gentleman a soldier?
For a woman of quality. Is this gentleman a soldier?
La P. I shall render myself with more endearment to
Your worth, and ever subscribe to soldiers as the bravest men.
Your worth, and ever subscribe to soldiers as the bravest men.
De L. The duchess, I hope, will be of your opinion;
But, madam, had I the use of that key for an
Hour or two, I would take some notes in shorthand
Behind the hangings.
But, madam, had I the use of that key for an
Hour or two, I would take some notes in shorthand
Behind the hangings.
La P. You wou'd?
De L. Yes, indeed, my precious wit, I shou'd.
De F. That key!
Tor. Signior, pleaseth you to think our humble
Invitation worthy the grant of your society.
Invitation worthy the grant of your society.
De F. I could wish the trouble of ten lives more, to be
Accepted in your command, fairest of ladies,
Accepted in your command, fairest of ladies,
La P. Were all our days multiplied into years, and
Those years to lives, 'twere but a span of time
To study our thanks in.—— Exeunt.
Those years to lives, 'twere but a span of time
To study our thanks in.—— Exeunt.
Manent Silliman and La Prate.
Sil. Madam! lady!
I never knew what bandage was until now:
I fear the golden heart you sent me was
Enchanted: I long to see you.——
I never knew what bandage was until now:
I fear the golden heart you sent me was
Enchanted: I long to see you.——
La P. What d'ye mean, sir?
Sil. Ha, ha, ha! hum! nothing, madam, but there
Be them that love a good nature with all their heart;
That have four hundred pounds a year, and money
In their purse to be knighted, if need be.
Be them that love a good nature with all their heart;
That have four hundred pounds a year, and money
In their purse to be knighted, if need be.
La P. Wit and opportunity assist me!
The thing will make an excellent husband for the
Times; and four hundred pounds a year is a
Considerable fortune to boot. I must take him at
His bond, or perhaps die in the list of stale chambermaids:
A court-plague for a misspent youth and service.
The thing will make an excellent husband for the
Times; and four hundred pounds a year is a
Considerable fortune to boot. I must take him at
His bond, or perhaps die in the list of stale chambermaids:
A court-plague for a misspent youth and service.
Sil. I am a gentleman already, else the heralds took my
Money for nothing: and methinks, madam, you
And I might——
Money for nothing: and methinks, madam, you
And I might——
La P. What, signior?
Sil. Be as wise as our forefathers.
La P. You and I?
Sil. Yes, what say ye to you and I? Is not you and I
Good Spanish? Why, madam, I am able to warm
My own sheets, and get children without the help of
A doctor; and can kiss as warm and close:
And you shall swear my breath is sweet.
Good Spanish? Why, madam, I am able to warm
My own sheets, and get children without the help of
A doctor; and can kiss as warm and close:
And you shall swear my breath is sweet.
La P. Y'are merry, sir, beyond my apprehension.
Sil. Pardon me, lady, if I be: I mean no harm,
I protest.
I protest.
La P. Very witty!
Sil. I am what I am: but I was never beholden to any
Living thing for thus much wit: I might
Have been an arrant younger brother, but for my mother——
Thereby hangs a tale, madam, and yet I cou'd ha' danc'd
My cinque pace in Greek at a dozen. Alpha,
Beta, Gamma, Delta, cost me five shillings:
Can you believe me, lady? By this light, you shall
Wear this diamond! There; sha't, sha't ha't:
Sha't, sha't, sha't ha't.
Living thing for thus much wit: I might
Have been an arrant younger brother, but for my mother——
Thereby hangs a tale, madam, and yet I cou'd ha' danc'd
My cinque pace in Greek at a dozen. Alpha,
Beta, Gamma, Delta, cost me five shillings:
Can you believe me, lady? By this light, you shall
Wear this diamond! There; sha't, sha't ha't:
Sha't, sha't, sha't ha't.
La P. There is such sorcery in your words!
Sil. No, no, no; troth, love me: come, thou shalt;
By this——nay, never sigh, my dear; they are
All orient, sweet wench: Thou art worth all Spain
For a good disposition——
By this——nay, never sigh, my dear; they are
All orient, sweet wench: Thou art worth all Spain
For a good disposition——
La P. You will undo me, master steward.
Sil. Pish! who? I undo thee? my life! thou dost wrong
Me: canst find in thy heart to think so? away, away.
Me: canst find in thy heart to think so? away, away.
La P. But is this profession honourable, sir?
Sil. I scorn to deal upon dishonourable terms. Do I
Kiss like a man that would propound dishonourable
Conditions?
Kiss like a man that would propound dishonourable
Conditions?
La P. Men are so nice and cunning!
Sil. Do'st think me a Jew; swear me to anything.
La P. Well, you have taken a poor heart at
advantage; and make me blush to confess it.
advantage; and make me blush to confess it.
Sil. Kiss me; here's my hand, till death us do part:
Thine more than mine own, Signior Bouche
Ouverte Sillimano: seal'd and deliver'd; but
I hope, lady, there is no quit rent to be paid out of this copyhold.
Thine more than mine own, Signior Bouche
Ouverte Sillimano: seal'd and deliver'd; but
I hope, lady, there is no quit rent to be paid out of this copyhold.
La P. Not for your life, sir.
Sil. Lawful possession then, and thou'rt mine own. [Exeunt.
Enter De Flame and Cleara.
De F. So, let 'em drench their souls in laughter: kindle
Thy noble heart into a flame, my sister!
Fate cannot give nor we ask more unto
Our cause: all things conspire and prompt us to't.
Just and divine revenge!
I'll strew thy midnight haunts with cypress wreaths,
And wear thee in rich medals. Propitious goddess!
This night thy wan and meagre cheek shall blush,
And smile with warm and wanton blood. Night grows heavy-ey'd,
And drops her slumbering head in her dark bosom:
And now their rage and lust will make them ripe
To bleed. Let us embrace, and interchange
A sigh or two, Cleara: whate'er become of me,
Thou wilt wear chaplets in Elysium.
Thy noble heart into a flame, my sister!
Fate cannot give nor we ask more unto
Our cause: all things conspire and prompt us to't.
Just and divine revenge!
I'll strew thy midnight haunts with cypress wreaths,
And wear thee in rich medals. Propitious goddess!
This night thy wan and meagre cheek shall blush,
And smile with warm and wanton blood. Night grows heavy-ey'd,
And drops her slumbering head in her dark bosom:
And now their rage and lust will make them ripe
To bleed. Let us embrace, and interchange
A sigh or two, Cleara: whate'er become of me,
Thou wilt wear chaplets in Elysium.
Cle. My hopes and joys are yours, dear sir, and heaven,
I hope, will not divide them.
I hope, will not divide them.
[Unlocks the door, and discovers them.
De F. See, what a modest blush
Sleep has cast o'er their guilt!
Sleep has cast o'er their guilt!
Cle. Here is a look
Tyrants would bashfully gaze at, and fear
To think it mortal. Glorious hypocrisy!
Virtue is at wonder in herself, and looks pale,
To own what she has given.
Tyrants would bashfully gaze at, and fear
To think it mortal. Glorious hypocrisy!
Virtue is at wonder in herself, and looks pale,
To own what she has given.
De F. I should mock heaven's justice, to let 'em dream
Their souls away in such a calm: we'll startle
Them into horror of their sin, and then
Let 'em see the vengeance they deserve.
Their souls away in such a calm: we'll startle
Them into horror of their sin, and then
Let 'em see the vengeance they deserve.
Cle. Ye chaster powers, to whom I and my virginity
Groan, may every drop breathe incense to your justice?
Whilst thus I break their springs open. [Stabs Claudilla.
Groan, may every drop breathe incense to your justice?
Whilst thus I break their springs open. [Stabs Claudilla.
Claud. O Dessandro! O, whose hand's that?
Cle. Cleara's, Cleara's! carry that name in thy last breath
Down to the shades of lust and perjury.
Down to the shades of lust and perjury.
Claud. O! [Expirat.
Des. Cleara! madam, madam! your sleeps are troubled——
Who's there? De Flame!
Who's there? De Flame!
De F. Raise not thy voice an accent: if thou dost, by my eternal hopes and soul! this strikes it back unto thy heart. See'st thou revenge sit pale upon the point? 'Tis steeled with virgin's curses, and shall fly like lightning through thy blood; and it is a justice thy vast pride hath lost thee to.
Des. O, what hast thou done?
A deed that flinty Scythians and curl'd Ethiops
Would hide their eyes from.
A deed that flinty Scythians and curl'd Ethiops
Would hide their eyes from.
De F. Our revenge shall wear a glorious title. Know'st
Thou that injur'd face? It is Cleara's, injur'd Cleara's.
Thou that injur'd face? It is Cleara's, injur'd Cleara's.
Des. Cleara!
De F. What see'st thou on that brow?
Des. Murder!
De F. Horror and guilt unto thy soul.
Des. I'll not be tamely butcher'd, coward. Without there!
Help, help, help!
Help, help, help!
De F. Whirlwinds and earthquakes cannot do it.
Think on thy sin.
Think on thy sin.
Cle. Thy perjury.
De F. Thy lust. [Cleara stabs at him.
Des. Cleara! O, thou hast a skilful hand in
Murder. Help, help! murder!
Murder. Help, help! murder!
De F. So falls a wretched statue from its haughty station, when Fate would make it ominous and fright a state. What a thick cloud steams from his tainted blood! The air shrinks back, and with dull wings fans it from heaven.
Enter De Loome, La Gitterne, Torguina, &c.
Tor. Murder, murder! 'twas his voice.
De L. It was his voice.
Tor. The key?
La G. Gone!
Tor. Cut from my side! I'm betray'd!
De L. Look, search the room: where's the stranger?
La G. The door is fast. [Knocks.
De F. You may come in: make up your wonder there. [Opens the door.
Tor. My lady murder'd!
De L. You have astonish'd heaven.
Tor. And pull'd eternal curses on your head.
De F. They'll fall like brittle shafts upon my shield.
Cle. Unjust Dessandro! yet on thy lip I'll
Tender my last vows, that the world may tell
I loved thee dead—and this—and this——
Tender my last vows, that the world may tell
I loved thee dead—and this—and this——
[Kisses him, then stabs herself.
De F. Hold, hold that cruel hand! Cleara! sister!
De L. Cleara! This is a horrid scene, my lord.
De F. 'Twould not be worth my name, did it not strike
Amazement through your souls, and leave a paleness
On his cheek that hears it. But here, here I
Could melt, transfuse my brains through my sad eyes,
Till they wept blood, and dropp'd their jelly forth:
She was a jewel too rich for our dull orb.
Amazement through your souls, and leave a paleness
On his cheek that hears it. But here, here I
Could melt, transfuse my brains through my sad eyes,
Till they wept blood, and dropp'd their jelly forth:
She was a jewel too rich for our dull orb.
Enter more servants.